Embracing My Journey ~ Living with passion & purpose!

Penny Pearlman is “Inspiring organizations and individuals to achieve their goals and fulfill their dreams …” as an author, a speaker and a consultant she is receiving rave reviews. Today she shares her journey with us, welcome Penny!

Tell us about the path you traveled to arrive where you are today:
I’ve always believed that you make your own luck when you show up when opportunity presents itself and that persistence and focus trumps everything else when you are going after a goal.

What kept you moving forward on the days things were not going exactly the way you were hoping they would?
Always keeping my vision and goal in front of me and understanding that there is more than one right answer to getting there. Just because unexpected events or obstacles kept me from moving forward didn’t mean that there wasn’t another way to go. Certainly there have been days when my motivational dial has hovered around zero, so I took a little time off to restore my energy and then kept going.

What piece of advice would you give to someone who has decided they would like to live in a world of their own creation?
Be persistence, know that nothing comes without hard work, be clear about your vision, don’t take other’s limited perspective for your own and trust your heart.

What special things do you do for yourself daily to maintain your momentum and energy levels?
I keep a running list of accomplishments always open on my computer and I daily post what I have done that day to get me closer to my goal – it could be as small as making a phone call (even if I don’t get a resonse) or doing some research, or big like making a presentation or landing a client. Then I try to be kind to myself and take some moments to be in the moment – in the garden, or gazing out the window, or just doing something else and always, recognizing that all that I have accomplished.

I also try to eat right, exercise regularly, get a good night’s sleep and hug my sweetheart!

If you could spend 3 days on a deserted island with two people of your choosing, who would they be and why?
My husband, who is my rock, and always makes me laugh and my son, who inspires me to be my very best. Then the third person would be myself – I like being alone and think I’m great company!

What is your favorite audio material and what do you enjoy most about this material?
I like to listen to books on tape when I’m driving – everything from great novels to thrillers and philosophy. I’m being entertained, enlightened and engaged all at the same time while I get to some place I need to go.

What is your favorite reading material and what gives it that special place in your heart?
Nothing like a great story to transport me to someplace else.

Who has inspired you and what is it about them that you found inspirational?
I have this 89 year old aunt who has always lived her life with no apologies, sometimes at the edge of convention. And she attracts people to her without effort. To this day she is still traveling and active. My father lived his richest and most fulfilling years from 60 to 80 after a heart attack, when he became involved in politics and community organizations, becoming mayor of his town in his 70s and president and chairman of more organizations than I can count. I hope to follow in his footsteps and make my last decades my riches ever.

What do you see in your future?
I see continuing to follow where my heart will take me. I don’t plan on every stop learning and doing things that intrigue and inspire me. I published my first book (which has won two awards) this year at 62. Who knows what the next decades will bring.

Where is your favorite place in the world to spend time, what is special to you about this location?
This is a tough question. So many places call to me for a variety of reasons. – the city for its energy and exuberance, the shore for the sky and primal effect of water, the desert for its mystery, the mountains for their majesty. But if I had to pick one place over it all it would be my home. It is 100 years old and my husband and I renovated it a handful of years ago. For me it is an expression of my creative energies, a place of tranquility and sanctuary.

Who has been your greatest support system and how have they shown you their support?
Top of that category is my husband of 17 years (we’ve been together 21) who has always encouraged and supported me in whatever I have chosen to do – crazy or not. He saved my life when I was ill with stage IV lymphoma nine years ago and nursed me back to health. He is truly the wind beneath my wings.

My 89 year old aunt, who is not only my aunt, but one of my dearest friends in the world has encouraged me and loved me no matter what, since I was a little girl. She has shown me a way for a woman to be true to herself in this world.

What / who are you most thankful for and why?
I’m thankful to be (as they say) on this side of the lawn after my near death experience nine years ago. Everyday fills me gratitude.

Then I’m grateful for my family and friends who nurture me with their love and support.

I’m grateful that I live in a beautiful place and am able to support myself to maintain myself here.

What is your favorite way to contribute or give back?
Several: I find that I am helpful to others who are going through something I’ve already experienced. I am a First Connection volunteer for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society where I talk with people newly diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma which is what I had. I will always respond positively to requests from people looking for some advice about writing, or consulting, or even house decorating. (I’ve got a good eye as an avocational artist).

Please share the top three things you feel people would benefit from doing if they truly desire to create the life of their dreams?
First they need to understand what the life of their dreams looks like so that they can figure out how to get there. Their vision should be as specific as possible.

Make it tangible by writing it down and keeping it in front of them. Tell others. You set amazing forces in motion when you throw your desires out into the universe. It may not seem so at first, but over time things happen that take you closer to where you want to go.

Be willing to embrace change – you can’t expect different results if you keep doing the same things the same way.

Emulate your highest ideal. When you do others will be willing to help.

Anything I missed that you would like to share?
Oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.

What products and services do you offer to assist others on their journey?
My book – “Pretty Smart: Lessons from our Miss Americas. You can read more about me and my book on my website: www.pennypearlman.com

Thank you for taking the time to share your story with our readers. I encourage everyone to take a few minutes, visit Penny’s website at: www.pennypearlman.com and connect with Penny today!

Be healthy, be focused and be the best you that you can possibly be!

In gratitude,
Caryn Gottlieb FitzGerald

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Caryn Gottlieb FitzGerald has been a network marketer and connector since 1990. She is a published author, her passion is writing and she spends much of her free time meditating and connecting with like minded individuals.  Caryn walked away from Corporate America in 2003, she continues to achieve the goals she sets for herself and has created the life of her dreams.  Today, Caryn assists others in creating the lifestyles they desire through network marketing, privately owned businesses and spiritual lifestyle coaching. Ready to move forward in your life?
Connect with Caryn at: http://www.carynfitzgerald.com/contact.htm
Or on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/carynfitzgerald

This entry was posted on Friday, October 9th, 2009 at 7:27 am and is filed under Caryn's writing, Living the life of my dreams. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.