This edition of SOS Monthly started out in the normal way—nice topic, maybe a tad challenging, overall smooth sailing. This edition is definitely not smooth sailing—I’ve handled class 5 rapids before, and it appears that it’s time to do it again.

You probably don’t want to read this one as you’re going through all your other email with your morning coffee. Please take some time and digest what I’m putting out here. I am in cage-rattling mode, and my own is the first on the list. Keep your hands and arms inside the vehicle at all times.

In keeping with my 2005 theme of Leadership, I’m stepping out and turning the gentle swirls of possibility into a thundering tornado of purpose. I am out to overturn some major assumptions; I’ve been wasting too much energy dealing with them, and I have more important things to do.

Warning:  Cage Rattling Ahead

We’ve all heard the clichés:

Money is the root of all evil.

Having wealth gives you choices.

Do what you love and the money will follow.

Lately I’ve been doing some serious thinking about money. What it means to me, how much of it I really need, how much I want, how I'm going to get it. Perhaps most importantly, how it ties in with my mission:  empowering women to change their world. My big a-ha from these brain aerobics was that I could empower more women if I have more money.

As I was doing all this thinking about money (how much I need, how much I want, what I can and will do to get it), someone suggested that I also define my relationship with money. That whole phrase "relationship with money" has always sounded weird to me. It's not like money's alive or anything. It can't provide feedback or support or make you laugh. So why do I need to relate to it at all? Why can't I just earn it and spend it and set goals around it without getting all emotionally involved? I really don’t need another “relationship” I need to feel guilty about, or another “person” to worry about making angry.

So I guess my “relationship with money” is not a relationship at all. First major assumption down.

Money, to me, is a tool. It is merely a means to an end, not the end in itself. Like any good craftsperson, I need as many of the right tools as possible to make sure my work is the best it can possibly be. I’ve put so much energy into finally finding and doing the right work; I’m not about to blow it because my toolbox is empty. My business is not about making money; my business is about galvanizing women to drive the change they want in their world. Let me be clear, however—that does not mean I don’t need or want to earn money from my business. As my business grows, I’ll need bigger and better tools, won’t I?

So I'm getting mercenary. Over the next few weeks, I'll be working hard to incorporate more traditional methods of marketing into my practice, while maintaining my integrity and avoiding the sleaze factor that seems to be running rampant in my industry lately.

And now that I’ve rattled my money cage enough to bust it open, I am setting off anew on my world-changing journey. No matter what your political or religious or any other kind of leanings are, I’ll bet you’re not happy with the way the world is right now. And I’ll bet you’re not happy with your own little piece of the world, either. In my travels (real and virtual), I’m hearing, seeing and feeling a new and greater restlessness and desire for change. And a frustration with the inability of the “powers that be” (your boss, the local government, the President, whoever) to facilitate that change.

I see women as the army that will push the world to get back on its track—and this effort starts with each of us pushing our own world back on track. Now if you’ve ever tried to move something big, really big, you know it’s much easier with a bunch of people (and maybe even some large, motorized vehicles) pushing on it together. Today, I am heading out to start pushing—no more waiting for my world to magically get back on its track just because I intend it or wish it to. And I’m calling each of you out to join me. If you’re even thinking about it, I challenge you to bust out of your cage and get moving with me!

Aren't You Worth Celebrating?

The Secret Order of the Tiara is mobilizing women around the world to embrace and celebrate their powers of leadership in their own lives as part of International Tiara Day on May 24. The day is held in conjunction with the launch of group’s first book, Become Your Own Great & Powerful: A Woman’s Guide to Leading Your Real, Big Life.

International Tiara Day celebrates women everywhere who have struggled to find their own path to success and have made it. It encourages women to listen to their heart and create the life they want. Real or virtual tiara-wearing is optional.

What do you do on International Tiara Day?

• Buy yourself a new tiara. Here's a couple of sites to visit:

  www.tiaratown.com
  They even have rodeo queen tiaras!

  www.rhinestone.com
  Buy them by size, all the way up to 13” tall!

• Make your own tiara! Download two different types to color, cut out and wear:

  Tiara1 and Tiara1 Band

  Tiara2 and Tiara2 Band

• Ask three people what you do really, really well and celebrate your powers!
• Start a local chapter of the Secret Order of the Tiara

Read the official International Tiara Day press release.

Get Involved, Get In Touch

If you’re interested in exploring more about life transformation, personal power, and building/burning bridges, 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.

The SOS Forum is a terrific place to find some support and motivation from others who are taking a bigger leadership role in their lives.

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The mission of SOS Monthly is to inspire and empower you to lead the big life you want. 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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