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Speaking
I am happy to come and speak to your group or organization about my personal experiences in the following areas:
Health and Healing.
In 1998 I was diagnosed with severe cardiomyopothy, a terminal disease of the heart and given two weeks to "get my affairs in order". After 31 days in intensive care at Cedar Siani Medical Center, the doctors sent me home with my newly installed pace maker to await a new heart. During that time I set an intention to heal myself and was led to a book by Carolyn Myss, The Anatomy of the Spirit. The teaching stated how our biography becomes our biology. Thus began a rigorous personal inventory of my life up until that point. Utilizing my years of sobriety and this new understanding of metaphysical principle, I went deeper in my own spiritual practice. Moving even more profoundly from a "victim" way of living, to taking 100% responsibility for my entire life, my consciousness expanded, understanding more deeply the truth of who I am. Within the year, the cardiologist called me in for my bi monthly check up and said the following: "In my 28 years of being a cardiologist, I've never seen this happen. Not only do you not need a new heart, you no longer need your pacemaker." My heart had healed. Want to know more? Call me!
Integrating 12 Step Recovery with New Thought teachings.
I have personally been in the field of recovery since 1985. In 2000 I became deeply involved in the New Thought, Ancient Wisdom, Metaphysical movement. In the beginning I felt conflicted between the two schools of thought. After all I did not want to "claim" that I was sick or powerless! As time went on I came to realize that the 12 Steps are steeped in Universal Principles and Laws. Where there was once conflict is now great resolution and for me it has become And/Both instead of Either/Or. To have a big life, I needed an even bigger Higher Power!
Gays and God
God has been the greatest source of joy in my life and at one time the greatest source of pain. Pain that came from following how others interpreted the Bible. I was baptized Roman Catholic and then became a born again Christian from the age of 12 until my 20's. The Bible was part of my text books all through junior high and high-school. I was the kid standing on the street corner handing out tracks quoting John 3:16. What I did not expect was to fall in love with a guy in the church choir.
That painful and profound conflict, I now see as a blessing. It was the start of my own awakening of self discovery and God discovery. Now I see my sexual orientation as one of my greatest assets and gifts. It challenged me to turn within and ask bigger questions and to look at my own homophobia. My concept of myself and God is now deeply rooted in ever expanding love and oneness.
Financial Prosperity
In 1986 I decided I wanted to be my own boss. I love the idea of independence. I took out a small loan from a friend of mine to purchase an espresso cart. I did not have a five year business plan, or a business or marketing degree. What I did have was passion a strong work ethic and a commitment for what I was doing. Within one year it grew into 3 more locations. Not from self promotion, but from attraction. This little espresso cart grew into a national chain of stores and kiosks' and in 1998 I sold the company to a private firm. Looking back on the experience it became very clear to me that I was simply implementing basic universal principles with basic common sense. I was doing what I loved, taking one step at a time, and was committed to quality and joy. I followed my instincts, asked for help when needed and shared what I was given. As Joseph Campbell once said, "Follow your bliss." I did and the money came....
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