Maybe

Honest moment: I have been in a massive hole for approximately a month and a half. I have managed to peek my head out a few times for some laughs and happy moments, but I always seem to find a way to fumble back in. It hasn't been pretty, and I haven’t been proud of it, but I think I’ve managed to safely climb out and move far enough away to ensure some much needed tranquility.

It’s been a year of rejection for me, and I have looked at each one in the wrong light. I have taken each “no” as a personal blow and let it chip away at my unwavering determination to be a spark of light for the world. While down in my hole, I allowed myself to believe that I am nothing more than average and that I have foolishly dreamed of a life beyond my capabilities. I know it’s terrible, but I feel that the only way to help someone else is to be completely honest because I am 100% sure that I am not the only one who has felt the wind knocked out of her sails after not getting something that was ached for daily. I also am 100% sure that the story we tell ourselves is what determines our future, so we must write one that makes each day a joy to wake up for.

I owe this rejuvenation to someone whom I’ll likely never meet and who has no idea I even exist, but what I love is that this whole story is exactly what I dream my life will be. I want to spend this precious life living, writing, and creating stories that help ignite a passion for good in others just like this person. My hero? Elizabeth Gilbert.

You have likely heard of her. She is the author of Eat, Pray, Love and other famous books, has given wildly popular TED Talks, was a speaker for Oprah’s Life You Want Tour (jealous), and the list could go on and on. She is easily one of my favorite writers because she is real and connects with her readers as if we are her friends. In anticipation for her next book release on September 22^nd, she has been writing daily Facebook posts with ideas from her upcoming book. I literally wait with baited breath for her daily messages because I have needed any light I could get as of late.

This past week, Elizabeth G. wrote a post about her terrifying/exhilarating experience of singing “Total Eclipse of the Heart” at a karaoke bar in NYC. She gave us a picture to prove her tale of putting herself out there and letting joy overcome fear. It touched me for some reason more than the other posts. She didn't let her trepidation get in the way of living the life she wanted. It was what came next that brought me back to life though.

After many inquiries about video proof of this epic event, Elizabeth G. did exactly what I want to spend the rest of my life doing: She used her power for life changing good. She challenged her Facebook followers to raise $10,000 in three days for her favorite charity Blink Now. If this happened, she would not only match the total raised, but she vowed to head back to the karaoke place on Wednesday and sing the same song but this time record it for all of us to see. I loved every single piece of this, so I quickly grabbed my credit card and made a donation. It turns out, however, that I wasn't the only one moved. She raised over $15,000 in one day.

I woke up the next morning to a post from her, inexplicably grateful of the generosity shown by her readers, and I was moved to tears. I was happy for her, but I finally was shaken from my funk because this proved the crazy life I dream of living is possible. Spending each day putting pen to paper and creating videos and stories that will move people to action is not just something in my head; it truly happens. Elizabeth Gilbert is living proof of the power of an irrepressible spirit. Her words and way of living changes lives. Maybe…just maybe…mine can, too. If I can, there is no doubt you can as well.

While I would give any unnecessary appendage (is there such a thing?) to head to NYC on Wednesday to watch this, I doubt I can make that happen, but I most certainly will wake up Thursday morning and check out Elizabeth G. staying true to her word and sealing a promise that means more than a song. It symbolizes a new life for the children helped by Blink Now and a magical piece of proof that there is undeniable good in the world. I can’t help but imagine a world where instances like this became second nature. Oh, what a world that would be.

Nothing, and I mean nothing, is out of reach. Write your story the way you want it to end. You’ll inevitably fall in a hole and need some time to navigate out of it, but the time spent in the dark will teach you the invaluable lesson of how to always find the light. Elizabeth Gilbert unknowingly threw a flashlight down to me, but I encourage you to find your own Elizabeth Gilbert when you can’t provide your own spark. We all have those moments, but what matters is that we get back up and keep moving towards the life you dream of. Maybe…just…maybe the exact life you dream of is waiting for you.

Go be great,

EP

Finding My Ruby Slippers: Day 1

Finding My Ruby Slippers:

My Quest to Work for Oprah – Day 1

My name is Erin Parker, and I have a dream. It literally consumes my thoughts and causes an aching in my body. I have suppressed this dream my whole life because I always thought it was impossible, but you know what? I refuse to live my life playing small. I refuse to not fight for what is in my heart because I am afraid I will fail. I know I will stumble along the way, but I will get up each time and keep moving forward because I want a live a life where I dare greatly.

My dream is to work for Oprah. I want to create programming on her network for teenagers. I want to develop tools for them to turn to while they are tumbling through the insanely difficult teenage years. This is my path. My gift is the ability to connect with people, and my purpose is to use that gift in service of those I love most in this world: kids. I need to do this on a platform purely focused on the betterment of others, and the OWN Network is that.

I am chasing after my dream and taking all of you with me. Each day on Twitter, @missp_lphs, I will post what I have done that day to get me prepared for my future job. At the end of every week, I will blog about what has been happening. It may take until Day 39,875, but, as Maya Angelou said, “You can only become great at the thing you are willing to sacrifice for.” I am willing to do whatever is necessary to fulfill my purpose. I know I will one day get to OWN.

 Walt Whitman once wrote, “That you are here—that life exists and identity, That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.” I know what my verse is. What’s yours?

Day 1: I made a plan.

Eagerly waiting for Oprah,

EP

The Butler

I went last night to see The Butler with two of my most favorite people. I went in excited to just see Oprah because we all know about my love for her. I left the movie in tears, unable to properly express my thoughts and feelings.

I love comedies. I love laughing, and I find it enjoyable to not have to think much for two hours. That was not the case with this movie. I felt uncomfortable for two hours, and while most people might think that is not a good thing, in this case, it was. I think we have tried to sweep the issue of racism and the ugliness of slavery under the rug. We don't talk about it. We act as though it never happened. The Butler not only brought the issue out in the open, it threw it directly in my face. I was shocked, horrified, and deeply saddened to watch what not only one man but an entire group of people faced for hundreds of years.

I will never understand what what these people went through or ever be able to imagine what it felt like, but I refuse to act like it never happened. We all must learn from history. We all must teach our children what can happen when we dehumanize others. We must teach our children that the only thing to judge is a person's character. We must remember the power our words hold.

I sincerely hope everyone goes and watches this film. I have thought about it all day. Treat everyone with the respect they deserve. There is absolutely nothing about our race, gender, orientation, religion, etc, that makes anyone better than someone else, and no one, NO ONE, deserves to be treated with such blatant disrespect.

Go do great things and watch The Butler!

EP

Reflection

A close friend gave me an idea for a topic to blog about, but I have been staring at a computer screen for days not knowing which keys to press first. I knew writing about this would be cause for me to be slightly vulnerable and really put myself out there, but I have learned in order to truly be alive, we must dare greatly and not be afraid to be seen.

My friend asked me to talk about self confidence and my thoughts about how to build it up. The truth is I have never had much until this past year, and even now, it is still shaky. Then I thought that it might be even more powerful if I talked about that. I am not the person oozing with confidence telling all those who don't have it to just believe in themselves. I am one of you, too, but every day I am fighting to see what others claim to see in me.

That leads me to what I think is the first important step to take if you struggle with confidence: Find and surround yourself with people who see the real you and believe in all they see. For me, I was unable to just flip a switch and become self assured. However, I had people in my life who would tell me daily everything I needed to hear, and while I would often wave off their compliments and kind words, I eventually started to let some soak in. If you have multiple people telling you great things about yourself, it is not coincidence. Afford yourself the gift of truly listening and internalizing what they are saying to you. If you have the right people surrounding you, they wouldn't say anything to you that they don't mean. Fight the urge to push away compliments. There will come a time that you will look in the mirror and see what they see. The moments may be short lived, but it won't be long before those images stay longer and longer.

The last piece of advice that has helped me is to never say anything to yourself that you wouldn't say to your best friend. What we tell ourselves is more powerful than anything anyone else could ever say to us. Make it a personal goal to be kind to yourself every day. Compliment yourself on your successes whether it be a good hair day, a step forward at work, or anything that you know others would see in a positive light, too. Wake up every morning and start your day with an "I am" statement. "I am ____________ ." What are you? What makes you so special in others' eyes? Don't be afraid to pat yourself on the back every once in a while. We must believe in ourselves because we deserve that.

You don't need to go around proclaiming you are the world's next great thing. No one likes that, but you have every right to believe in yourself and to see yourself the way others do. You are special. You are important. You are worthy, but most importantly, you are enough. This I promise you.

Go do great things,

EP

It is in You

Hi,

I apologize for not blogging lately. I've been writing a column for La Porte County Life, so much of my time has been devoted to that, but "Scatter Joy" is always on my mind. I am getting ready to go to bed, but there is something in my heart that I just want to get out onto a page.

What you need to become who you want and achieve what you dream of is already in you.

I have learned so much and changed a great deal this past year. I have found my purpose and passion and am daring to go after it. It is exciting, scary, and freeing all at the same time. Throughout this journey though, I have learned a lesson that was paramount for me not to just understand, but it was something I, and all of you, need to internalize. We already have greatness within us. We have within us strength and bravery. We have within us everything we need to be all we dream of. If that is not a powerful lesson, I don't know what is. 

Now, I had a person telling me this almost weekly. It was a constant reminder that has slowly trickled to an occasional one because I am finally starting to believe it. I want to be that for all of you who aren't as blessed as I have been. I want you to know that there is a world of greatness in you just waiting to be tapped into. I know the thought of going after something that may seem unattainable is frightening. I know the thought of putting yourself out there and allowing yourself to be seen can cause a great amount of anxiety, but I promise you those feelings are more than worth the feeling you will get of knowing your true worth.

Your path is already set and waiting for you to walk, jog, sprint, tumble, saunter, skip, or strut down. How you travel your path is your choosing (you'll find me skipping), but what matters is that you take the journey. If you need a weekly cheerleader like I had, send me your e-mail, and I will be that for you. Just, please, don't doubt who you are and what you can do. It's already in you.

Go do great things,

EP

My Truths

When I was a little girl, there were so many things I was sure were true. Then, as each year passed by, I found many of the truths to be faulty. Not everyone can be trusted. Not everyone will do the right thing. Not everyone will love and accept you. Time has made me wiser, and because of the incredible people in my life, I have found some truths that actually hold up to the tests and trials of life. I may be 26, but I feel like these are something we can all can hold on to no matter what age we are.

• Joy is most easily found in the little things that we often overlook or take for granted. 
• There are people in your life who will not disappoint or hurt you. Find them and hold them close.
• Your life will be as great as you make it. 
• Everyone has the ability to make a difference.
• We each have a purpose to fulfill in our lives. It is our job to figure out what that is and make it happen. 
• It's more important to be kind than right. 
• You'll never get what you want if you're unable to first be grateful for what you have. 
• We must rely on ourselves and not search for approval from everyone.
• Forgiveness is crucial in life. It is sets you free. 
• Most people aren't bad. They just make bad decisions. 
• We shouldn't be afraid of our light and ability to be great. Don't worry about what others will say about it. 
• If you care about people, let them know.

There is so much life I have left to live and so much yet to learn, but these truths serve as guiding posts for me. I know there is so much out there to achieve and do, but I am the only one who can go get it. The same rings true for all of you. Find your purpose and don't stop until you're doing it. Live your life.

Go do great things,

EP

People Person

Hi!

Sorry for my lack of posting lately. I have been busy moving and becoming an official adult, so much of my time has been devoted to unpacking and rearranging. It's been fun, but I have missed writing. :)

I love people so very much. I think each person who crosses our path is another opportunity to learn. Each person has a story and life different from our own with triumphs and tragedies that have shaped and molded him/her into who he/she is today. There is little I love more than sitting down with a person and asking questions to see who they really are. I have found that people are more than willing to open up if they can genuinely sense that you care and want to know about them. The life lessons that I have learned from my many conversations with others are invaluable to me.

I urge you to talk to as many people as you can so that you can learn as much as you can. I am made up of stories and advice passed on to me from so many others. I can make better decisions because of the lessons taught to me from former teachers or a chat with a random person in a store. Be open to others and what they can impart on you. Ask questions and actually listen. I promise you won't regret it.

Last month, I asked people to tell me their favorite quote so that I can start a quote wall in my classroom. The responses were astounding. I look at each quote given as a lesson that is important to each of the people who commented. I am going to leave you with the nuggets of advice given to me, and I sincerely hope you will join me in learning from the many people around us. If someone can make you better, let them.

Go do great things,

EP


"There is no try. There is only do." - Yoda  (Linda Arney)

"Be so good they can't ignore you"- Steve Martin (Casey Earl)

 “A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.” - General Patton (Andrew Scherer)

"If you can imagine it, you can create it. If you can dream it, you can become it." - William Arthur Ward (Jordan Amor)

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on." - Robert Frost (Jordan Amor)

"Don't be afraid to give up the good and go for the great." -Steve Prefontaine (Jessica Parker)

"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." - George Bernard Shaw (Sammi Cains)

"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines." Ralph Waldo Emerson  (Woz)

"Being in charge is like being a gentleman; if you have to tell someone you are, you aren't." (Dan Olson)

"There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind." -Mr Rogers (Katie Carpenter)

 “Give me a stock clerk with a goal, and I will give you a man who will make history. Give me a man without a goal, and I will give you a stock clerk.”  –J.C. Penny (Dan Bealor)

“It takes courage to grow up and turn out to be who you really are.” –E.E. Cummings (Dan Bealor)

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” - Steve Jobs (Kylie Larson)

"When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps." -Confucius (Michelle Mussman)

"You're never too old, too wacky, too wild to pick up a book and read to a child." -Dr. Seuss (Pam Fritzen)

"The only time to look down on people is when you're bending over to help." (Elaine Luedtke)

"You can accomplish anything you want as long as you don't care who gets the credit for it." - Blanton Collier (Mark Schreiber)

 “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou (Gina Alber)

"Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." - Albert Schweitzer (Justin Holmquest)

"Your life has purpose. Your story is important. Your dreams count. Your voice matters. You were born to make an impact." (Shannon Wilkins)