Loving Life Blog

Spur of the Moment Reflections

I AM = *A*M*A*Z*I*N*G* October 16, 2010

Filed under: coaching,Inspiration — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 8:43 am

“If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.”
— Peter Straub (Shadowland)

Tom Shadyac, Film Director and inspired High School Students

Tom Shadyac, Film Director and inspired High School Students

That quote was referred to in the last answer Hollywood director Tom Shadyac gave the group of high school students who asked “If there is one advise for life that you would give, what would it be?”  Do not listen to your surrounding saying you can’t be this or you can’t be that. Ask yourselves: What do you love to do? What do you want to do? What is the theme of your life? Make sure they line up.

I couldn’t more than agree. I am in awe after having been to the SF Premier and pre-screening of Tom Shadyac’s latest award winning documentary  “I AM”, presented by the Compathos Foundation at the Hub SoMa last night.

This movie brings up very important questions right now: What is wrong with our world? What will we do about it?

Dalai Lama’s direct answer to the question was: “Critical thinking followed by action. Figure out where your talents will make a change. Focus on that talent that makes your heart sing, because then other people will follow.”

People think “I am within” – but that is not what is happening. What you think, who you are, what you put out there – your whole being, impacts the rest of the world. It’s scientific. “We are not separate. Nothing is separate. There are no separation fundamentally.” Institute of Noetic Sciences

And that my dear friends is becoming more and more obvious. Even at the most subtle levels. Are you feeling it? Are you seeing it?

Mark your calendars for February 2010. As Tom added to a comment in the Q&A afterwards about the need of more humor in the communication of these questions: “Absolutely, we need to walk lightly. The humor hits the gut and we feel it. We get it.” That is true for this movie. Go see it.

Starla Sireno, Founder Fearless Women Entrepreneur Network, Tom Shadyac, Hollywood Blockbuster Film Director, Johanna Nilsson, Founder Herringbone

Starla Sireno, Founder Fearless Women Entrepreneur Network, Tom Shadyac, Hollywood Blockbuster Film Director, Johanna Nilsson, Founder Herringbone

Film savy person said: “I didn’t like any of your other films but this one. I liked this one.”

My comment would be “I haven’t seen any of your other films – but I LOVED this one!”

Tom Shadyac said  “This is different. This is my story.”

And what my (Johanna’s) calling is, is to bring fourth your story. I am sure it is equally powerful, in so many ways.

Johanna Nilsson
Herringbone – Get heard

*Herringbone is a San Francisco/Stockholm based company that provides coaching and social media consulting for clients who want to make their voices heard and create a profound impact in this world. The long-term vision for the company includes a social media based platform that will enable and capture historical journeys of change worldwide.

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Strong + Independent = Intimidating ? October 15, 2010

OK – I realize that I have a few loose ends hanging now from previous posts, stay tuned – I will follow up on those too. If I could, I would write full time, given the amount of content processing in my head… So to the subject of today:

At the last two events I have been to, I have heard the similar message coming out of the blue – and yesterday I got curious to hear what other people would say, so I posted the following on twitter and facebook:

Guy friend stated that guys are intimidated by gals who are strong and independent. Would you agree?

8 tweets and 14 comments later – this is what I got:

Yes:                                  3 (2 twitter/1 facebook)

No:                                   1 (1 twitter)

Only weak guys:           4 (1 twitter/3 facebook)

Depends:                        1 (facebook)

The answer “depends” stated something worth thinking about for many “strong and independent” gals:

It depends what you are strong against and who you are independent from. Relationships are about a kind of complementarity and sometimes you need to help the other see where you would like him to fit in your life. But for that, you need to make room first 🙂

Now, my comment to that is: room might actually be made – but it also needs to be communicated in a way so that it is understood and felt prioritized.

I can give you a clear example from my very first relationship back in the days. I was then, probably like now ;O, involved in a dozen of different things – there was school, dance, the competitive choir, the student association project 1, the student association project 2…, my family, grandma, the personal development course, friends, and ALL other time was free available and unscheduled for me and my boyfriend. In my mind. He didn’t quite see that.

Hopefully I have learnt my lesson, but the fact that someone who barely knows me now points out just that, makes me wonder. OR it is just a very common phenomenon.

To go back to the original question – I do believe that some guys may be intimidated by perceived strong and independent gals. Also looks. And in those cases I think a big mistake is done. I know that we have all strong and weak sides. What if we perfectly complement each other!? What if we all cherish, love and appreciate our – and others – strong sides, while being aware and allow for exploring, strengthening, playing with the weak…

I don’t know about you all – but I am starting to get tired to play small in many situations. And the more I speak to people, listen to people, coach people, and see the gems that are there inside… gotta bring it out guys and gals. Focus on the good stuff. In all occasions.  Each and one of us have a gift. Complementing someone else.

So Eva – you asked the question what I think. That’s it.

I’d like to share this song with you all. Read or sing it also as a message from and to yourselves. It’s called “Love me”, music written by Benny Andersson from ABBA – the next version below has the English subtitles – I just couldn’t resist this one. For a few reasons… till the end.

Here is the song with English subtitles.

And… this is the last input I got on facebook – thanks Lior – let’s join the song! 🙂 What is there to be afraid of anyway?

Peace out ;),

J

 

I met Yoda! October 1, 2010

Filed under: coaching,Entrepreneur,Inspiration — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 4:43 pm
Tags: , , , ,
Yoda, alias Michael E Gerber?

Help you I can, yes. -- Yoda

I met Yoda! At which Starbucks is that possible, if not the one in Presidio Park by Lucas Film Institute.

The fact is – I actually had to ask which movie he was in. Yes I know – it’s chocking. I haven’t seen Star Wars. I tried to – a video night in Geneva, with a French voice over. We all fell asleep.

My partner in crime initially and predecessor in my current role when working with Michael E. Gerber on his social media, Cindy Lin, believes that Michael is like Yoda.

I wouldn’t know. But I know Michael, and I am about to meet him next week to participate in his Origination Dreaming Room Facilitator Certification Program. The program I am promoting. The program that provide  a place where entrepreneurs and future entrepreneurs come to discover how to make their dreams a reality.

One of his statements are: Create an impact that will blow your clients mind away. #Origination Dreaming Room Facilitators!

If you would do just that – what would you do? What would it take to create that extra impact? I am ready to have my mind blown away.

May the forces be with you (#quote Yoda;),

Johanna

 

 
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