Author Archives: Doreen

The Sneak Preview – Transition Quest with Sensational Medicine and Tapping

Posted on by Doreen

For the last couple of weeks, my mind has been focused on adding value and zest to my programs while giving voice to your dreams and making a powerful difference!

If you remember Kimberly and I shared the idea of “Transition Quest with Sensational Medicine and Tapping!” After it became clear to us that:

  • You are concerned about your future and your child’s future too;
  • You are concerned that your child is not prepared for the transitions ahead;
  • You are exhausted, frustrated and immobilized;
  • You wonder if this is just another transition or a never ending road;
  • You are losing your hopes, your dreams and your determination to move forward

…and the list goes on.

For years we have been on a mission to empower Families and to help them live better lives.

We want all Families to have excellent resources, information and support – their own Oasis of Hope.

There are too many exhausted, frustrated and burned out parents, advocates and caregivers. We know we can’t fulfill our mission on our own and we know there isn’t enough time to do individual coaching (plus there is a benefit to sharing with a like-minded community).

Here’s Where We’re At…

Although “Transition Quest with Sensational Medicine and Tapping!” is not ready for a large public launch, the pre-launch version of the program will soon be going live.

When the training program stores OFFICIALLY open, we want to have all the kinks worked out.

We want to ensure that our online program has been carefully crafted from the ground up to meet your needs, and that our online environment works without a hitch, that the conference call service we use meets any needs that might crop up. And on and on and on.

And so we are offering an initial limited group of 30 people to join us in the inaugural “Transition Quest” Group Coaching Program for 50% off the price.

Here’s the trade-off…

As members of the first coaching program, we’ll want extra feedback and participation from you. We want you to give us lots of input on the content and how it is delivered (live versus recorded for example), what content you would like us to spend more or less time on, and let us know as soon as possible if there’s online technological problem (and then be patient with us as we work to get it fixed quickly).

As part of the “First 30″, we’ll want your thoughts on our online environment, we’ll want you to heavily use the Facebook group and fill it with case studies, we’ll want you to fill out 2 to 3 additional surveys, and serve in an advisory role by becoming members of a virtual advisory “focus group” to help this program be the very best it can be.

Oh yeah, you will also get special “First 30″ status, which will come with its own perks, like discount on future products, classes and seminars.

Finally, if we’re going to give you 50% off, you need to be completely committed to your Transition Quest.

What we’ll cover in the “Transition Quest with Sensational Medicine!” Group Coaching Program.

We will describe in more detail on May 23rd, but we wanted to give you an overall picture of what the program entails.

We plan to give Moms of Young Adults with Special Needs what we have needed most throughout the years:

  • Appreciation;
  • A Circle of Support;
  • Stress Reducing Activities; and
  • Resources for Refueling.

From personal experience, I know Mom feels especially vulnerable and isolated as her child with special needs approaches adulthood. As she watches her child approach graduation without clearly defined goals, she begins to panic. She watches in horror, as the supports she has used to structure her young adults day, fall away. Upon graduation, this Mom sees her child struggle to fill his days and this breaks her heart. This Mom feels as if she is traveling alone through a desert with the weight of her young adult firmly on her back and clenching tightly to her neck. This mom is thirsty for hope and support. She is stressed and tired. I have wandered this desert and I have found an oasis and I wish to share it with you.

Parents, Educators and Advocates, all seek to prepare our youth with special needs for self-sustaining jobs and independent living. This is complex undertaking and requires planning and collaboration. It is a daunting task and not a job that can be done in isolation. It is a job that requires initiative, persistence, concentrated effort, networking, and teamwork!

Benefits from participating in Transition Quest with Sensational Medicine and Tapping Group Coaching Program

  • It will help you form a team of support for this transition and for all the transitions to come;
  • It will put you on firm footing as you confront the myriad of responsibilities you face as a parent, educator or advocate of students with unique abilities/challenges; and
  • You will be given an opportunity to acknowledge your abilities, to affirm your values, and to validate your goals.

This Group Coaching Program will be available to you via internet or phone. You will be able to listen to calls live or in a replay mode at your convenience.  You will be able to bounce ideas off Kimberly and me and others in our Coaching Circle.  You will get the guidance and support you need in a way that works best for you.

Each week, you will get a:

  • New lesson
  • Implementation Tapping and Sensational Medicine Exercises;
  • E-mail access to your coach;
  • Private Facebook Group

* Bi-weekly Group Coaching Calls

We’ll work on:

  • What is Keeping you Awake at Night
  • Challenges in your job, in your life, or in your relationships
  • Current and Future transitions for you and your child
  • Discovering your dreams, passions and purpose
  • Finding positive support and resources
  • Connecting with your values and strength
  • Gaining clarity, collaboration and support for your direction and actions

If you wish to be re-energized, refueled and refreshed … if you wish to launch your Transition Quest and be the Role Model you were meant to be, Transition Quest with Sensational Medicine and Tapping, A Group Coaching Program for Parents, Special Educators and Advocates, may be just what you need to connect with your power and fellow travelers.

Perhaps, June 2013 can represent a new beginning for you and the ones you love….

Let’s Find Out!
*****************************************************************

Join us for these fun, interactive sessions!

Next Webinar Scheduled for May 23rd!

Listen Live or Access Webinars via Replays

Get all details by registering below.

Sign up for
Refresh, Refuel and Raise Your Resilience!


Free Registration!

Just enter your first name and email in the box below and we’ll send you the access details

FIRST NAME
EMAIL ADDRESS
Your registration includes a free subscription to Doreen’s ezine: Nutrients for Your Soul. We respect your privacy. Your information will never be shared or sold.

 

Join Kimberly Burnham and Doreen Fulton for a Free Webinar

Thursday, May 23rd, Noon Eastern Standard Time

We will be showing slides, sharing resources and guiding you through a wonderful tapping script in the first hour and answering your questions following the session.
 
If you missed our first webinar and are still seeking to Chase Your Blues Away with Sensational Medicine, simply register above and get immediate access to the replay.

Learn Why We Say:

 If Mama Ain’t Transitioning, Ain’t Nobody Transitioning!

Scheduled for May 23rd!

Listen Live or Access Webinars via Replays

Get all details by registering above.

*****************************************************************
So let’s review again…
How to become a “First 30″ of the “Transition Quest!” Group Coaching Program.
On Thursday, May 30th at around 9 AM Eastern, we’ll be sending you a thorough overview of the program.

At that time, we’ll also start enrolling the “First 30″ into the program.
By Friday Afternoon we will have a proper order form ready along with a lengthy description of what “Transition!” Group Coaching Program entails, when everything begins etc.

But if you’re already sure you want to do this, and don’t want to wait until Friday, the 31st, then just send payment by clicking here and I’ll make sure you get a spot.

We are offering this since we have received emails asking how they can assure that they have one of the first 30 spots.

IMPORTANT: Read This!!
This program is for those who are serious about pursuing their passion, making their dreams come true and making a difference. It is a comprehensive, all-inclusive program and SO much more than just a “how-to manual.” So please only enter this program if you’re serious about making a difference in your life and the life of your loved ones.

Chase Your Blues Away! ~ Register for a Free ~ Priceless ~ Webinar and Begin Your Transition Quest!

Posted on by Doreen

Here in Virginia, the dogwoods and azaleas are blooming! My cherry tree is covered in pink blossoms. Spring has sprung and yet many of us are having trouble in shaking off the blues.  

Spring in VA

Personally speaking, I know the winter was tough on me and for many of those who are close to me. In the last four months  death knocked on my door as dear friends lost their parents, I watched as a dear friend struggled with depression and my father faced chemo and radiation treatments in his fight with cancer. Feeling ill-equipped to face these challenges, my energy was often zapped by anger, resentment, and control issues as I buried myself in work.  

 I sought to escape only to see other challenges pop up on my doorstep. My youngest lost his job, my daughter went through the heartache of a divorce and a young man I have watched grow up was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of the year.  In the last 4 months, I have wasted much time and energy asking over and over why, why, why.

 Near burn-out, I paused for reflection and surrendered.  I knew in a flash, that I could run, but I could not hide.  I had to change my outlook,change my question and get into action.  I am now choosing to accept what is and to ask Why Not?  

 As I gained my strength and stability, I was reminded that I am not alone,  You and I, like those in Korea, face uncertainty and threats every day.  Like those in Boston, Texas, and China we face unanticipated disasters and are often left with little other than a choice.  What to do next?  I am asking you to join me in shaking the blues off!

 

If you are feeling Crabby and Blue…

this Webinar is for You!

crab

Sign up Here

Access info will be emailed to you. You can join us on your computer and view slides or call in via phone. You will enjoy a guided meditation that models the language of sensational medicine.  Join us for this fun, inspiring, and interactive Webinar designed to Uplift your Mood with the Language of Sensational Medicine. It’s scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, April 25th at Noon (Eastern Time).

This webinar is designed to help you get out of the doldrums, to spark your fire and to connect you with your brilliance. Come learn how to use the words you speak to help balance your mood, improve your sleep, and decrease your pain.

Join me and my friend, Dr. Kimberly Burnham, as we discuss how Sensational Medicine and Transition Quest can chase your blues away and change your focus and direction.

 

chase

You will feel the calming effect of sensory words and then use them as you talk about your dreams and your passions to create a community that understands and supports you. We will also be discussing excepts from the medical literature on how the music you choose to listen to affects your joints and muscles, how music can improve mood and function, how imagery can decrease stress and balance blood sugar, and how positive touch or the tactile experience of a hot bath can elevate your mood.

We will also give you a sneak peek at “Transition Quest, a program we’ve designed to put you on firm footing as you confront the myriad of responsibilities you face as a parent, educator or advocate of young people with gifts and challenges.

Here you’ll:

  • Get an Insider’s View!
  • Get a Taste of What is to Come!
  • Learn more about the “Transition Quest ~ A Group Coaching Program and how it can Benefit You, Your Family and Increase Your Circle of Influence
  • Reconnect and Re-Discover Your Dreams!
  • Learn the Fastest Way to Make Your Dreams Come True and Share Your Transformational Story!

We’ll give you practical, hands on resources to:

  • Give voice to your unspoken dreams and goals;
  • Help you nurture yourself as you face your responsibilities;
  • Outline visioning and resiliency skills needed to support yourself and your child in his/her own transition; and
  • Help you form a team of support as you face this transition and all the transitions to come!

The Webinar will take place on Thursday, April 25th from Noon – 1:00 Eastern,

followed by a 30 minute Q & A session

We will also have a replay available in case you can’t make it to the live session. Please join us for this powerful,  free, yet priceless webinar!  Get stabilized, learn the language of sensational medicine, and sleep better tonight. Get a head start on developing your own Individualized Empowerment Plan. Get a snapshot of “Transition Quest” and learn about what we will offer you in the Group Coaching Program!

Register Now!

 

Chase Your Blues Away!

chase

Join us on Thursday, April 25th at Noon, EST

Sign Up Now, Add Your Name and Email Address, and Get Access Details Emailed to You!

This  fun, interactive Webinar is designed to Uplift your Mood with the Language of Sensational Medicine. This webinar will help you get out of the doldrums, to spark your fire and to connect you with your brilliance. Come learn how to use the words you speak to help balance your mood, improve your sleep, and decrease your pain.

Enjoy a guided meditation that models the language of sensational medicine. Feel the calming effect of sensory words and then use them as you talk about your dreams and your passions to create a community that understands and supports you. What are you saying as every cell in your body listens?

We will also be discussing excepts from the medical literature on how the music you choose to listen to affects your joints and muscles, how music can improve mood and function, how imagery can decrease stress and balance blood sugar, and how positive touch or the tactile experience of a hot bath can elevate your mood.

We will also give you a sneak peek at “Transition Quest, a program we’ve designed to put you on firm footing as you confront the myriad of responsibilities you face as a parent, educator or advocate of young people with gifts and challenges.

 

Uplift Your Mood with The Language of Sensational Medicine

Are You Shooting for the Sun?

Posted on by Doreen

FTtoT-Tran
Are you Shooting for the Stars?

Do you know that you are being called by name?

Do you fill the yearning in your heart?

 

If so, consider, joining Kimberly Burnham, the Nerve Whisperer, and myself as we launch Transition Quest!. Follow us, we know the way and provide a trusted and proven road map that will have you soaring to make a difference!

Learn more about the journey we want to take you on!  Read on!

 

I have posted Frequently Asked Questions and Responses below:

What is your intention?

My intention is to give voice to unspoken dreams.

What is your purpose?

When I am highlighting accomplishments, appreciating unique gifts, offering hope, and giving voice to dreams, I’m doing what I was meant to do.

How do you help parents in transition?

I help them be the parents they were meant to be.  I help them to shift gears when needed, to take stock of current realities and to envision a better tomorrow. I assist them in facing challenges with courage and grace, in using their talents and resources effectively and in sleeping peacefully.

How do you help educators in transition?

I help them to identify their own strengths and to recognize the talents in others.  I help them to  work collaboratively with parents and their students, bringing forth their own values, talents and desired outcomes.  I help them to gain the respect and appreciation that they deserve.

How do you help young people with challenges transition?

I primarily work with parents, caregivers, and educators and know that when I have given them the support that they need, that they in turn are in a better position to help the young people in their lives.

What is the Formula that you use?

The Believe in a Ray of Hope Visioning Formula is used in coaching parents, advocates and educators.

First, we identify what you want. We determine your desired destination and what you hope to find when you get there. From years of experience, I know it is much easier to travel the road of transition when you have a destination in mind, so we share powerful exercises to assist you in gaining clarity with ease.

Second, we discover what is important to you and what interests and talents you have to offer. We give you assignments to actually pursue your gifts and joy while systematically eliminating things that drain your energy and no longer serve you.

Third, we build on that momentum and new found energy, making sure that your values, actions and purpose are in alignment as you begin your transition journey.

Fourth, we examine your beliefs, doubts, and past experience to come up with an action plan and practices that will give you strength and resilience on the road.

Fifth, we explore resources, connect you with fellow travelers and form a team of support as we know that any journey is smoother and more fun when it is shared.


What is your Guarantee?

We will not waste your valuable time on theories that do not work in the real world. We will not bore you with ideas that you have before. You can trust us to give you more joy, more energy, more success and a greater sense of peace and well being as you move closer toward your destination each day.

It’s never too late in parenting or in life to shift your focus and your direction!

Let us always remember, that it is the journey, not the destination, that makes life worth living.

To learn more, visit: http://FromTearstoTriumph.com/Transition-Quest

Meet Beth Black – From Tears to Triumph – Founder of a Therapeuetic Boarding School

Posted on by Doreen

Beth Black

Meet Beth Black! From her tears and frustration, she was divinely guided to create a Therapeutic Boarding School for Adolescent Boys who were struggling!
 
Beth Black is the FOUNDER and Chairman of the Board of Cherokee Creek Boys School (CCBS), a therapeutic boarding school for middle school boys, ages 11-15, in Westminster, SC. The school is dedicated to “challenging boys and their families to discover what is real and true about themselves and the world around them.” The program seeks to build character by offering a path of self-discovery that addresses the mental, intellectual, spiritual and emotional needs of adolescent boys.

 
Beth sees the founding of CCBS as the expression of a calling to work with children and a place that is the crossroads of all the work she has done in service, marketing, communication and community & youth development over the past 30 years. She has worked in the private sector for 12 years with the Walt Disney Company, owned her own consulting firm, Advantage Training, Inc., for 12 years, and worked in the non-profit sector for 5 years at The Volunteer Service Bureau, Healthy Community Initiative of Greater Orlando and as founder of The Matrix of Central Florida.
 
In the following interview Beth shares her own Tears to Triumph Story and reveals:

    • The two most powerful questions you can ask yourself that can blast away the log jam!
    • How your life challenges and struggles are preparing you for the higher mission
    • How to transform your setbacks into strengths
    • How she came to question long held assumptions and beliefs

 

Listen to Ann White and I as we talk to Beth about her tears and hear her describe what happened when she surrendered, took action and believed in possibilities.

 

To learn more about the Cherokee’s Boys School and Beth, see below

Enjoy the boys, the staff and families in action in THE CHEROKEE CREEK VIDEO

Learn more about CHEROKEE CREEK:

The conference date is not set but will probably be in September…

Connect with Beth Black at imbblack@mac.com

Holiday Greetings from the Fulton’s

Posted on by Doreen

As the year ends, I'm looking back at special memories,

inviting you into my home and 

Sending you Warm Wishes for a Wonderful New Year!!   

 

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If you are inclined, join me as I launch my latest venture, on January 7th (Greg's 26th Birthday) Like my big guy, this project has been designed to Uplift Spirits! You can read more and register at: http://www.fromtearstotriumph.com/

 

Hope to connect with you soon! 

Confessions from a Guilty Mom – Coming to Terms with Special Needs & Stress Rx

Posted on by Doreen

My Education Gets Kicked Up a Notch…

Back in 2000, my youngest son was in 3rd grade and  he had been on an Individualized Educational Plan for almost 2 years.  He was struggling to learn to read and keep up with his peers and I was struggling to get him what he needed. 

With the  help of my husband, I was trying to raise three kids, all with unique challenges and learning differences.  We had adopted all three and the youngest two had come into our home and into our hearts  five years before.   Call us naive… but we didn't anticipate any difficulties.   All three  kids were bright and healthy.   We adopted our oldest son, Greg at birth and he was thriving.  He was 8 when Sandra and Robert arrived at 5 and almost 4 respectively and we eagerly embraced them.

 

Confession Time:

 

Looking back, I was smug.   I had a Master's Degree in Education and thought I knew what kids needed.  I had taken a graduate class in Learning Disabilities years before and didn't think I needed anything else.  I was working full time, had an AuPair from another country living with us and a husband who wasn't sure what was happening but who was sure that I could handle it!  

 

In retrospect, I realize I wasn't taking good care of myself and or them.  I wasn't caring for them emotionally, as I ranted and raged against the school system.  My negativity, my blaming and complaining affected them as stress is contagious, even when we think we are protecting them!  

 

One day it occurred to me that "Being Self-ish wasn't being selfish."  It was a life changing moment for me. For the better – a whole lot better. I suddenly knew that I had to take care of  me before I could meet their needs with love and compassion.  I knew that I needed a place for respite and recovery.  I needed a place where I could breathe and relax.  

 

When I gave my permission to relax, I paused for reflection and I realized that my husband and family needed the same.  We ALL needed to escape from the frustrations of our everyday existence or else we would simply implode.  Despite big, big obstacles and many objections, we found a way to purchase a home in the Outer Banks and after several visits our family finally began to unwind, to breathe easier and see our options with greater clarity.  What at first glance, appeared to be selfish, turned out to be our salvation.

 

Flash forward to 2012

 

I met of Ann White, Creating Calm within Chaos at a Transformational Author Writers Retreat and we really hit it off. I knew that many Moms, Dads and Siblings here at our Oasis of Hope and Support needed to hear the same message I had heard. And I knew Ann could bring it to them. So I interviewed her. I had some wonderful feedback on that interview.

One Mom shared, "I feel such guilt when I do something for myself.  I feel guilty putting my needs first.  There's always something that needs to be done… I can’t take off with my girlfriends for dinner and a movie or think about what I want."

I responded, "Oh, yes you can!  Your family may resent it at first, but they will thank you for it later!”  That discussion made me realize that families with special needs require more support and better stress management strategies to cope with their special challenges. So many times, they feel that they have to work harder, plan better and do more than other families to get through their days.  I agree, they do!

So that was when Ann and I began collaborating…….and came up with 

We've been blessed to learn the value of reducing stress and taking care of ourselves. We know that we can have our own dreams and that those dreams can come true.  Often those dreams make our families happier and healthier.

We know that there are certain things we did to make those things happen.  And we know that those tools can help you do it too. We've been working to help spread that message but we know that more can be done to help you create your own Oasis of Hope and Support. We know that gaining Calm within Chaos is essential to moving forward and we can help you to do it.

We want to create a safe haven for you and your family.  Here you and your family are welcome.  At our Oasis of Hope and Support you will gain clarity, figure out what you want, and then make it happen. This is our Stress Rx for You!  Join our online facebook community and feel supported and understood.

Sign up for our upcoming free 3-part webinar and rise above your fears, guilt and grief. Come, be understood, and BE Glad you Played Self-ish!  

****We had originally planned to offer this webinar series in October but due to an unexpected family emergency, we decided to postpone.   Sign up now and you will be automatically notified when they have been rescheduled.

 

Facing and Releasing Fears: Let Go, Let God!

Posted on by Doreen

As Ann and I get ready to Launch Stress Rx for Families with Special Needs, I pour through my memories and find these fears and worries stored in my treasure chest.  Let me share moments from some of my darkest hours with hopes that these words can help you and those you love as you face and release your fears.

It seems like only yesterday, yet it was 4 years ago, that I wrote…..

Let Go and Let God…These words allowed me to sleep last night. I had a very challenging day both at home and work. At work, I faced a discouraged colleague and a frustrated supervisor. I tried to meet the needs of both and left the office without satisfying either.

At home, I was met with an angry mother and my attempts to share my concerns and gain her support failed. As my daughter struggles to gain her independence and freedom, I worry about her fate. She is worried about hurting her boyfriend, worried about his anger, and wants the 30 to 40 texts she receives daily to be limited. Meanwhile, the texts continue….

As my daughter shares her desire to breathe, to step back, her boyfriend's clutch becomes tighter and his pleas louder. She is finished talking to me and does not seem to be overly concerned. She shares only this:  "He is learning to text less."  

I realize that breaking up is hard to do and transitions are difficult.,,,Still, my mind continues to replay scary stories of obsessive lovers and fear that her desire to spread her wings will be stifled by her boyfriend who can not get enough of her. I share my concerns with her and vow to myself to reach out to a counselor. Getting her out of the area and into the home of my sister gives me reason to celebrate. Getting support from loved ones is crucial in times of transition.

Remaining at home, I hear stange noises, start to fret and worry about the consequences of my actions. I fear the ramifications of confronting the controlling behavior and yet I know that these ties will limit her growth and development. After listening to the concerns and worries of friends and relatives for her safety and for my own, I decide to turn inward and seek guidance. In my quiet solitude, I hear, "Let Go, Let God." Knowing that I have done everything I can, I decide do just that. I Let Go and Let God.

I slept and woke up refreshed. I called the counselor with firm resolve and my daughter is now getting objective counsel and help. I remind myself again and again to continue to reach out for support, to tap into my inner resources and to Let Go, and Let God.

If you need support today, join Ann and I at the Stress Rx facebook community. Get inspirational quotes, beautiful photos and believe in a brighter tomorrow.  Get to know us, add your voice and concerns.  No one meant to travel alone.  

Sign up for our free webinars, and ask us questions. Order your Stress Rx and sleep better tonight!

 

Stress Rx for Families with Special Needs

Posted on by Doreen

Ann White, Creator of the Stress Rx Model

 Join Ann White and I as we chat about the launch of our  new program:

Stress Rx for Families with Special Needs
Get access and details here.

Ann White is the Founder of Creating Calm Within Chaos, a Rabbi and a Trauma Chaplain. She teaches that we will always have chaos, but amid the chaos, the secret to a vibrant life is to create an inner sanctuary so that we can be the calm within chaotic situations.

Ann is the author of Living with Spirit Energy, The Sacred Art of Dog Walking – Making the Ordinary Extraordinary, and a contributor to the transformational anthology, Pebbles in the Pond. She is also the host of BlogTalkRadio's Creating Calm and co-host of Authors on the Air. Ann is a vegan and believes that eating real food contributes to removing chaos from our bodies and helps us to live glorious lives. Find her at www.CreatingCalmWithinChaos.com.

As a Mom of a Young Adult with Special Needs on the Autism Spectrum, I have years of experience in dealing with drama and trauma and met Ann while sharing my own story in the transformational anthology, Pebbles in the Pond. entitled, Finally an IEP for Mom!  In our discussion, I will share the education and insight  I have gained while living with a child with special needs. Fear, guilt, grief and lots of competing demands, stress and fatigue are all part of this lifestyle  and yet there is hope and we hope you will tune in, restore your balance and re-energize your entire family.

Ann and I promise to help you cope when you are at the end of your rope.
We will cover:
  • Why you and other caregivers are burning  out;
  • What you can do today to reduce your stress immediately; and
  • How to access 3 free webinars: Fears, Guilt and Grief
Feel free to share and invite those families with special needs who are looking for balance, joy and purpose in their lives.  We hope you will join us live or tune in for the replay.
Just click here and share!
 

 

 

How to Live Like Someone Left the Gate Open!

Posted on by Doreen

As many of you know, I am determined to make the world brighter, more inclusive, and more appreciative of our specially challenged children and young adults. I work primarily with Moms as I believe that Moms are in the best position to influence the young people in their lives. With every blog post, Facebook entry and tweet, I encourage you to embrace your joy, your challenges, your strengths and your gifts. I want you to identify your passion, your purpose and to pursue your visions, so that you can get into action and inspire your children to do the same. In short, I want you to live like someone left the gate open.

I am always on the lookout for wonderful resources and wisdom to share with you. Toward this end, it was my utter delight to interview Kimberly Burnham, PhD, a transformational author and fellow contributor to Pebbles in the Pond: Transforming the World One Person at a Time. Kim has recently written a book entitled: Live Like Someone Left the Gate Open. Continue reading to learn more about this wonderful woman who is a true master of embracing life and seeing the connections we all share. Today, it is my joy to share not only our recorded interview but some background on this wonderful woman.

Introducing Kimberly Burnham

Kim was born wild and free in the American West. Full of potential, she roamed the world, seeing it through the eyes of a woman descended from generations of Mormon pioneers. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology (Marine and Aquatic Biology) from Brigham Young University in 1982 and earned her PhD in Integrative Medicine in 1996. Kim came out as a lesbian to herself and her family after serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) in Tokyo, Japan.

In our interview, she shared some startling facts which underscore her reason for speaking out now: 74% of the 1800 or so Lesbian, Gay, bisexual, transsexual (LGBT) students at Brigham Young University, have considered suicide. Twenty-five percent have attempted suicide and see it as a viable alternative to coming out to their Mormon families and community.

Kim shared several quotes and this one rang especially true. Brené Brown said, “If you put shame in a Petri dish, it needs three things to grow exponentially: secrecy, silence, and judgment.” Kim shares these narrative poems because she refuses to be a silent party to the war inside herself: between her Mormon childhood and her lesbian activist present. She is contributing her experiences in hopes that the war on women, the gay community, and all minorities and those that are different will end.

Kim’s Hopes and Observations

Kim recently said, “My hope is that we are moving towards a society where all voices are vital and valued, and each unique one of us will find a place where we can contribute to peace and abundance for ourselves and for our communities. And so the purpose of Live Like Someone Left The Gate Open is to add my voice and inspire others to do the same––because we aren’t yet in that peaceful and abundant place.”

She added, “It is 2012, and there are still people who want me dead because I love a woman. The purpose of Live like Someone Left the Gate Open, which is just under 80 pages of narrative poetry, is to inspire self-compassion and courage in readers who feel different from their families or alienated within a tight-knit community.”

Kim recently posted a video on YouTube as part of the “Mitt Gets Worse” campaign. The title is a play on the “It Gets Better” program, which is designed to reach out to youth in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual community (LGBT) and say to them, “You are not alone. Don’t kill yourself because it does get better.” She suggested that we could read more true stories at the following website which was designed to help gay teens feel not so alone: http://www.imfromdriftwood.com/

Listen to Our Interview and Hear Kim Read Poems from Live Like Someone Left the Gate Open

Learn more about:
• Our uniqueness, our differences and our similarities;
• How each of us feels safer and healthier, when we feel connected; and
• Eyesight Exercises Designed to Connect Us with the World and Each Other

Do You See How You are Connected?

To facilitate greater connection and understanding, Kim shared three exercises.  In these exercises, one can see that Kim is part scientist, part wizard and part massage therapist as she helps us to see, experience, and move in new and different ways. Her goal is to change the face of brain health, foster hope, and help you experience this incredible world.  To get written instructions on how to improve your eyesight and enhance your connection to others, click on the following link: http://www.believeinarayofhope.com/do-you-see-how-you-are-connected

Connecting with Kim

Kim works with several different groups. She speaks to gay and lesbian organizations with hopes of inspiring greater self-esteem and support to the thousands of people who feel so alone, not realizing how much they have in common with others.

She works with groups and also individually with parents and friends of people who are gay. She enjoys working with people who are looking for ways to connect in a more positive way. She realizes that we are naturally curious and don’t always know how to ask what we want to know.

She also works with businesses who are interested in implementing diversity initiatives. She helps employers to see that employees work better as a team, accomplish more, and connect better with their customers when they feel accepted within their work environment.

Visit http://www.livelikesomeoneleftthegateopen.com/ for more poems and to work with Kimberly Burnham, PhD.