Within minutes of publishing last month's SOS Monthly, I received the following email:

While I have been receiving and reading your emails for many months...I am never sure on your message or how you intend to change the world or rattle the cage? What you are expecting your readers to do or contribute to this end?

Whoa! You mean that not all readers automatically "get" me, and what I'm doing? Now there's a blow to the ego. I admit my tiara was knocked a bit askew. But there's also some serendipity at work here. It just so happens that I've been thinking a lot about my mission and whether it's too big and unapproachable. And here comes a poke out of the blue to sit down and clarify it. Here's what I sent back....

What's It All About, Anyway?

I'd love for you to take some action in your own lives to create the life they truly want. Too often, it's easy to remain stuck where we are--either through laziness or being too comfortable or wanting to please others. I hope that my work (one-on-one sessions, teleclasses, e-courses, book, e-zine, etc.) encourages women to build up the confidence to first identify what it is they really want and then go after it.

Yes, I intend to change the world. I have long been frustrated at our (women, in general) inability to influence the issues that are important to us: child care, equal pay, health services, housing issues, international policy in the areas of civil rights and war. And I started my practice thinking I could band women together to have a powerful voice. What I discovered was that, until each of us feels powerful in her own right, we won't feel powerful as a group.

So I'm out to empower women to change their world. I leave it up to each woman to define what "change" means. For some, it means finding an hour each week to write poetry. For others, it means transitioning their career from something they took up because others thought it would be good for them, into something that makes their heart sing.

I rattle cages by encouraging people, particularly women, to think differently. A few issues back, my e-zine talked all about money, and how it's OK to focus on it. Another issue talked about giving your self permission to cross items off the to-do list (or not put them on in the first place).

What I ask readers to do is the following:

1. Assess where you are, and whether it's really and truly where you want to be.
2. If it's not where you want to be, clearly define where you do want to be.
3. Take the first small step to get there.

I hope that my work can provide some support, from the specific tools and tips I offer through my coaching, writing and speaking to the general support of knowing there's someone else who's rooting for you.

I know this is a long answer to a short question; I hope it's helpful and that my mission is more clear now. If not, feel free to call me on it.

# # # # #

I fired off that response, and had another email waiting for me when I signed in the next morning:

Nicely put Barbara! Thank you so very much for your response. I promise I'll do my part.

Weight off shoulders; tiara back on straight. Next step: turn the above response into a concise and clear mission statement.

I'm still working on that mission statement, but I have already made some changes to my practice to make "world-changing" seem a bit more approachable and less impossible (see my special 30-Day Tune-Up group, below).

I am immensely grateful to all of you for reading, and especially to Bonnie, who gave me that poke I definitely needed! If you'd like to send along a poke of your own, please do!

"I Can't Afford to Change My World"

I know that some of you might be thinking, "The holidays are coming up, gas prices are not going down, and I'm going to have to turn on my heat soon. How can I afford to start changing my world?"

Can you afford 2 hours during the next month to set your self up for the best holiday season ever? Sure, but what about the $$$? Sign up for the November SOS 30-Day Tune-Up group, and receive 1/3 off the regular fee. And you'll still receive the SOS Tune-Up Workbook ($14.99 value) and your own Chanting by Hand Journal ($9.99 value) at no cost!

Find out more...

More Tiarans Speak

Now available:  two new interviews with members of the Secret Order of the Tiara!

Chris Johnson and I talk about standing in the rubble, using your own heat to craft the jewels in your tiara, and the benefits of writing her story for Become Your Own Great and Powerful.

Sue Johnston shares her thoughts on power, greatness, and what she learned while writing her story for Become Your Own Great and Powerful.

Tune in now...

SOS Recommendation of the Month

I wanted you to know that today, October 18, is a special day for you. My colleague, Marcia Breitenbach has an incredible offer for you to see at www.griefandlosshelp.com (but don't be fooled by the grief part,
because her package is full of gifts that nourish spirit, mind, body and
heart.)

Marcia, a therapist/author/songwriter has put together an awesome package for people wanting to live a balanced and magnificent life. On this day, her birthday, she is giving away hundreds of dollars worth of bonus presents from talented and generous self-help experts. Do yourself a favor and take a minute to see this array of life-enriching gifts. You will never be the same; Marcia is all about positive transformation.

Visit http://www.griefandlosshelp.com now, as the offer will end soon.

Is Your Book Club Great and Powerful?

Book clubs in Connecticut and Texas have chosen Become Your Own Great and Powerful:  A Woman's Guide to Leading Your Real, Big Life. How about making it your club's next selection?

For a limited time, I'll provide copies of Become Your Own Great and Powerful at no cost to any book club (maximum 10 members) that asks. Heck, I'll even personalize them for each club member! All I ask in return is a group review of the book when you're finished reading and discussing it.

Contact me for more info.

Get Involved, Get In Touch

If you’re interested in exploring more about life transformation, personal power, and cage rattling, or just about tiaras and the really cool women who wear them, here are just some of the ways for you to connect.

Visit my blog, Creating An Ideal Life While Wearing a Tiara. I post all kinds of musings, questions and general craziness here, and you’re welcome to join in and comment on any and all postings.

To have SOS Monthly automatically sent to your inbox each month, please complete the form below:

SOS Monthly Sign-Up Email:

All new subscribers will receive a copy of my special report, Turn On Your Personal Power and Lead Your Self to Greatness (a $19 value).

Want to do some cage-rattling of your very own? Write for SOS Monthly!

If you are inspired or provoked by any of the SOS Monthly topics, or you think there's a topic I've been ignoring, let me know. I'm happy to give you the space to do some cage rattling of your very own.

The mission of SOS Monthly is to inspire and empower you to lead the big life you want--right now! Comments, feedback and ideas for stories are always welcome.  Also, please feel free to forward this along to anyone who might be interested and/or benefit from its contents. All story ideas, comments and suggestions are most welcome.  Send me your input!

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©2005 by Barbara Bellissimo. All rights reserved.