Something's Coming...

Dear community friends,

"Something's coming, I don't know what it is, but it is gonna be great!" -- Tony from West Side Story.

My family is headed to the 15th Annual Rethinking Everything Conference over Labor Day weekend. We attended last year for the first time, and had a life-changing experience.

For us, most notably, we encountered scores of loving families who similarly prioritize connection, relationships, natural living, respect, joy and peace within our own families, and indeed with everyone with whom we interact. Parents were relaxed, loving, kind and collaborative with their children, in ways we try to emulate and embody every day.

Within that loving community of gathered families, we were exposed to profound ideas that have since inspired us to make dramatic lifestyle changes. One was the introduction to the concept of Big Five for Life, by world renowned speaker John Strelecky. He likens one's life experience to that of an African safari: As one would wish to see a lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and rhino, he poses the question, "What are the five things so powerful to you, that if you do, see, or experience them before you die, then you will feel that your life has been a success by your own personal definition of success?"

What are YOUR Big Five for Life?

Ben and I have been exploring and defining our own Big Five for Life, and in the process, modeling and encouraging Logan and Paige to do the same. Certainly one of mine is to be actively involved in theatre, specifically performing and directing. I am blessed to call The Encore Musical Theatre Co. my creative home. As you may read in , I feel fully alive when I am co-creating theatre that inspires and moves others.

One of Ben's Big Five for Life goals is to scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef. This is a lifelong dream dating back to childhood. We are thrilled to make plans for his certification and first ocean dive this year.

Also from last year's conference, we took away and have since incorporated ideas about improved health and diet, downsizing, and positioning Ben to leave corporate America behind. Commuting two hours a day, living in the world of gray cubicles, and spending 50-plus hours away from the rest of the family every week has simply gotten old.

Cramming "family life" into a couple of hours in the evenings just isn't enough for us. Another of Ben's Big Five goals is "to be in intimate fellowship with my family every hour of every day." Can you imagine how splendid that will be?

We want to work together, play together, create together, and simply be together. At this year's conference, we are eager to connect with other families who have taken the leap, learned how to be rich and happy, and already live out how to do what they love and get paid for it.

As entrepreneurs, collaborators and creators, we are eager to exchange ideas and real-life success stories with other passionate, like-minded folks living their dreams.

So, what does this mean for me? I'm worn out from what essentially boils down to 21 hours a day of single-handedly handling everything and being responsible for three people's lives. "Mommy's the center of the universe," we joke, although it starts to lose its humor hours after my husband's absurdly early bedtime (required for the absurdly early arrival time expected at his workplace) and my two Energizer bunnies are still not quite worn out enough for bed.

After repeatedly shushing them ("Daddy's trying to sleep, sweethearts!"), reading countless books, baking together, unwinding with quiet games or shows -- at this point after a long day, I've been ready to sleep for five hours. Heck, I've been ready to sleep for five years.

"I'm tired! I'm tired!" I cry. What I'm really tired of is making it work, surviving more days than thriving, and missing my husband. What I really want is for us all to have the freedom to be together, and to live freely together.

It is with an open heart and mind that I look forward to this year's Rethinking Everything Conference. Session topics that resonate with me include "A Fear-Free Future," "Life Without Limits," "LOA and Parenting." My husband will be attending Self Design and "Get Paid to Not Work." Intriguing, liberating, turn-the-world-on-its-ear stuff, that really gets the mind going, the heart singing, and the soul soaring.

"I got a feeling there's a miracle due, gonna come true, coming to me!" -- Tony from West Side Story.

What would you do if it were something you absolutely loved, and you could get paid for doing it? It wouldn't feel like work. Your energy, joy and life would flow easily and naturally. You'd be in harmony with your true self, and this would effortlessly spill over to being in harmony with everyone around you. You would feel peaceful and exhilarated. I know I do when I'm creating, and Ben will, too; our shared joy will be magnified, palpable, and hopefully inspiring.

Stay tuned for what happens next in our exciting, shared adventure called life!

P.S. The apple cinnamon cake recipe I created, and sampled just now, is delicious! It is dairy-free, gluten-free, sugar-free and spectacular. Notice how free it is? That's what I'm talkin' about -- freedom! And it's just around the corner.