Welcome to the Light

December 5, 2015/in Personal Growth/by Chrissanne

Every day that I wake up and get out of bed is a victory.

Inexplicable darkness is worse than monsters in the closet… at least when there are monsters in the closet, you can close and barricade the door.

Inexplicable darkness is that shame, guilt, sadness that you can’t explain – and when you try, no one understands. They try…. but you know they can’t feel your emptiness, and their solutions aren’t going to come close to filling the holes that only you can see.

Inexplicable darkness means you have to pretend or stay home. If you go out, you can’t talk about the pain and there’s nothing else that exists in your mind other than the pain. So you stay home. You self-medicate, you cry, you sleep, you stay away from those who love you because you don’t want to hurt them any more than you already have. You can see the pain in their eyes and it makes your pain even worse. They think you are making excuses, they believe you should be able to cope the way they, and everyone else does. But you can’t. You Can’t.

You know – you believe – it’s a FACT that you are mad, crazy, dramatic, overwhelming, exhausting, poisonous, draining – useless.

Success is believing in the Process, even when you don’t believe in yourself.

It isn’t perfection. Not even close.

Success is changing the dialogue you have with yourself. Success is getting up and going at it, whether or not you want to.

It’s doing it, even if you don’t know why, or if it will work. Success is proving to yourself that you CAN, because you DID.

And, at the end of the day, success is being able to say, “I did it today, so I can do it again tomorrow.” – and then doing it again tomorrow. Until you’ve strung tomorrows together enough times that it’s become a week, then a month and then, it’s when you can’t remember the last time you didn’t.

And you cry, because you realized you don’t have to explain the darkness anymore.

Because you are surrounded by the light.

Be Part of the Solution

December 1, 2015/in Lakeland/by Chrissanne

In response to the commentary found on an Editorial published today on the Ledger.com I share these thoughts. The Internet is powerful. I believe we must use it for good. In our country, we can speak freely. Yet, it seems more people choose to speak freely negatively than to create positive change. This message is my small effort to keep fighting the good fight.

Ron Alexander, thank you for your commitment to our community. I don’t know who you are (you seem to hide your true identity, probably because you have very good reason), but I know that you are very passionate about what happens in our community.

You and I have something in common. I too am a passionate person. The difference between us is that I use my passion to try to make a positive difference in our community; therefore, I am willing to listen to people like Tom Phillips. Tom is not a native to Polk County – and I know that it’s not easy to be an outsider in this community, but that hasn’t stopped him. He came to Polk County less than 5 years ago, with one purpose: to improve the mass transit system in Polk County and if you spent some time researching all that he has done, you’d discover that he has done some amazing work since he arrived. We are fortunate to have him in our community.

Imagine being Tom. A smart guy with a lot of passion, energy and desire to make things around him better. To apply the knowledge and experiences that he has had, he came to Polk County because we needed someone to help change the status of our Mass Transit – maybe this isn’t something you or I need to take advantage of, but then again, not everything is about you and I. It’s about the big picture. It’s about the entire picture – not just the view of one or two.

After reading your comments, I believe that this isn’t about taxes for you. This is about revenge. From the hundreds of comments I have read that you have written, it’s obvious that you feel like you’ve been given the shaft – you don’t look at things objectively, you don’t see both sides of an argument, you don’t weigh out the debate and consider anything other than how you can stick it to the man – to give yourself some personal satisfaction… you use your words to lash out at people who work to bring value to our community, and I think that’s the wrong approach…. I also think you are damaging the future of our community in many ways.

What you don’t realize is that your insightful comments may be doing more harm than good. Today, social media is the public forum that used to exist offline. Instead of attending a commission meeting, or town hall meeting, people can share their opinions in a safe environment, in the comfort of their own homes without consideration for those they are attacking.

I am sure you are aware of this, and it is probably your intent, but I want to explain the possible side effects of your incessant bashing of our “corrupt leaders” as you so frequently call them. Have you considered the future leaders of our great community? What they think when they read these comments from a bitter, angry avatar? You indicate you are an elderly gentleman… maybe you don’t care about the future of our community… and if that is the case, you are not only bitter and angry, you’re selfish. Whatever you do, from wherever you are, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. I encourage you to become part of the solution, because we need more people like Tom to continue to choose to be leaders in our community.

Tom didn’t need me to come to his aid… But I truly felt it was time I shared my thoughts, for whatever they are worth.

A Note for People with a Dream – and Those who Love Them

December 1, 2015/in Personal Growth/by Chrissanne

Photo Credit: Collider.com

I’m inspired today thinking about the boys in the movie McFarland, USA. 7 boys whose families
had never been past 9th grade, found a way to college. Their status quo could have swallowed them. Instead, they created a new status quo. With a coach who believed in them, a brand new cross country team from a predominantly Mexican town in southern California managed to win 9 cross-country state championships in 14 years. Totally unrealistic in 1987.

Today, it’s a story worth telling – and believing in.

There’s a scene in the movie in which Tomas is speaking with his father about the possibility of winning the state championship, and that winning a state championship might give him an opportunity to go to college. His father, worn down from hard work and struggling to support his family tells Tomas to forget about college. He tells him spending time reading is going to ruin his eyes.

It was that moment when things could have completely changed for Tomas (and the team). If Tomas had succumbed to the reality of his father’s words. If he had bought in to the mindset that he was never going to be any more than a “picker,” that may have determined a different outcome for Mc Farland’s cross-country team. But he managed to hold on to hope – an idea that maybe, just maybe running could take him further than his father could see. No one would have blamed him if he had given up. It was totally unrealistic to imagine their team could ever win the state championship. But they did.

The belief in a dream/idea is so fragile, almost fleeting.

Photo Credit: Collider.com

We all know that not all ideas are great. But who determines if a dream has legs? Only us. To vet a dream is to learn a lesson. By trying, we can learn for ourselves what works and what doesn’t work. No one can accurately predict the viability of an idea without testing it. The first iteration will be clumsy, awkward, and might be a flop – we’ll probably come in 4th out of 4 teams – otherwise known as last place. But that process of failing – that is when the idea grow its wings. The courage to show up at the next race and the next. That is what greatness is made of.

As a young girl, I grew up in a family filled with love. There were no barriers to the love, but I felt barriers to my abilities, and, as they say, my perception was my reality. For reasons that don’t matter today, I felt limited in my abilities. My ideas were disregarded as idealistic – and they were, because I was never brave enough to take action, to test my dreams, to shoot for the stars. Today, I realize that idealists – people with dreams – are special people. People who are encouraged to try (and fail) are the most creative people on Earth. They follow their heart, even if everyone else thinks they are crazy.

Photo Credit: Collider.com

As a dreamer, I will warn you: To put yourself out there is a risk. People will laugh at you. They will criticize you, they might even call you stupid. But if we dreamers can remember one simple fact, we might get beyond the fear and change the world anyway: If it’s our dream, it’s our job to make it a reality. No one else can – because no one else sees exactly what we see. Thank goodness for people like Jim White and for the dreamers who are willing to take the risk, daring to be champions.

“You guys are superhuman. What you endured just to be here, and get a shot at this; the kind of privilege that someone like me takes for granted… There’s nothing you can’t do with that kind of strength – with that kind of heart – you kids have the biggest hearts I’ve ever seen. Go win the race.” – Jim White, McFarland, USA

My “Crazy” Vision for Lakeland

December 1, 2015/in Community, Lakeland/by Chrissanne

“Authenticity doesn’t mean listening to people and parroting back what we hear. It means telling people what we believe and then waiting to see who is attracted by what we espouse and who isn’t. This is why we are drawn to an authentic brand over a non-authentic brand”

I watched this video, and as always was inspired by Simon Sinek…

The thing is, I am driven by something I believe in with my whole being. It doesn’t exist. It might be impossible to attain, but I can see it.

My vision for Lakeland’s Small Businesses – LBL:

A COMMUNITY, in which everyone can participate. Where leaders listen, and together, transparently look for solutions. Where being human is celebrated, not belittled. Where encouragement eliminates fear, and risk of failure does not stifle, but is understood as part of growth. Where everyone who believes in and is willing to work to support the community is welcome. Where no one begrudges the success of another, but rather celebrates it – and feels PART of it. Where a LEADER is defined by what a person is capable of, not only what they have already accomplished.

This is what I can see on the other side of this amazing community. It’s what I work for EVERY single day.

Simon Sinek Inspires me and compels me to believe in myself, because when you ask my why, when you take some time to really get to the heart of what drives me, it is because I truly believe in the people of our community and that we are all part of the solution for our economy.

It’s terrifying, and yet thrilling to stop and think about what my vision is for the community of LBL. But… I believe in myself, and I believe in the people who read this and say, “YES. That is me. I want that too.” Because THOSE are the folks that will help us create the community we all want for ourselves and our future!!!

Thanks for the inspiration, Simon, but more importantly…

To whoever is reading this: THANK YOU for reading this and believing in me.

Go Local or Die: A Simple Lesson About Supply and Demand

December 1, 2015/in Community, Lakeland/by Chrissanne

Source: http://www.theicecreaminformant.com/2013/10/review-publix-premium-peppermint-stick.html

I love Publix’s Peppermint Stick ice cream. I look forward to the holidays every year because of this one item! When I was a little girl, this ice cream taught me a lesson about supply and demand that I have never forgotten. Society has changed a lot since the early 80’s, and I think we need to remember some of the basic facts of life, or rather, simple economics.

When I asked my father why Peppermint Stick Ice Cream wasn’t available every month of the year, he explained it to me like this:

When people don’t buy things, there’s no demand to make them because they will probably not sell month over month. Companies have to make a profit; otherwise they won’t be able to stay in business.

I told him that I would buy the ice cream year round!

And he smiled at me and said, “I know you would, sweetie. But Publix needs more than just you to buy the ice cream in order to keep it on the shelves year-round.”

Today, this memory struck a chord in my heart as I drove down South Florida Avenue – a main thoroughfare in my city of Lakeland, FL, past the Polk Theatre. I hope you’ll indulge me as I tell you why this story of Peppermint Ice cream crossed my mind today.

Yesterday, I ran into a friend at a local coffee shop and he mentioned an article he had read several years ago by Derek Sivers about why Derek chose to focus on his global audience and not his local audience.

I went to search for the article after the conversation and read the entire article twice. I didn’t take away the same message as my friend – that’s a conversation for another day, but I did take this away:

There are becoming fewer and fewer of us who choose to turn IN, toward our local community.

Conveniences such as the Internet make the rest of the world so accessible, and for many emerging entrepreneurs, so much more appealing. They can “own the world” why would they build a business that catered only to their city or local market? Of course, some, larger cities might not feel this as much, but I know it’s something that is affecting us in Lakeland, and in other small cities around us. That’s on the “supply” side… it’s the same thing on the “demand” side too, young adults are biding their time to “get out of dodge” and go see the world.

This means that those of us who DO care about our local community have to work doubly or triply hard to ensure the success of our small, local businesses. Not just the new ones, but the traditional ones as well. Places in Lakeland that come to mind are the Polk Theatre and the Silvermoon Drive-in. These types of businesses are becoming less and less popular as the world we live in continues to grow globally.

Young people today want new, innovative, cutting edge and high energy. They aren’t seeing as much value in the history, the traditions, the “old school” ways of doing things. And, slowly, quietly, and gracefully, these businesses, rich in tradition, staples of our small towns, are dwindling.

Unless we choose to buy from our local mom and pops more frequently; unless we begin to appreciate what our local culture offers, the familiarity and the closeness, the tight-knit and the authenticity that represents Small Towns across America, we’re going to lose them – not just until the holidays come around again, but forever. If the community does not make a conscious effort to support the small, local businesses in town, they will no longer exist.

It’s a simple lesson in economics, with a simple solution.

Supply remains, when there is a demand. When demand wanes, there is no longer a reason to keep businesses open.

So, here’s the call to action for this post: Look around your town and find some businesses to support. Support them by putting your money where your mouth is. Shop there, eat there, donate to their Fund Drives to upgrade their equipment so they can keep their technology up to date.

Here’s one for Lakelanders today! There is currently a Fund Drive in place for The Polk Theatre to raise $105,000. So far, they have raised, $4,000. If they do not raise the funds to upgrade their equipment, they will no longer be able to bring the movies they have historically brought to Lakeland since 1928.

I don’t know much about theatres or the film industry, but I do know that our community and those who support it would miss these films, and what they say about the character of our town, if they were no longer able to show movies at THE POLK. There’s no way to measure the value of the presence of a theatre, like The Polk – an historic landmark – keeping movies alive for 87 years. But I believe there’s a strong message sent to those who are considering investing in the community, or starting a new business.

It says, “This community cares about things that last.”

It suggests that this is a great place to start or expand a business.

Prospective investors will look at our community with confidence, because its values reflect an ideal that says, “We take care of our community.”

Peppermint Stick Ice Cream is my favorite, but I can’t buy enough to keep it in the store year round. Just like I can’t donate enough to provide the Theatre with the money it needs to buy the digital projection equipment it needs.

If you are looking for more information about the Polk Theatre’s Digital or Die Campaign, visit: http://digitalordie.com

If we want to keep our local economy alive, there’s no way to do that by only looking beyond our community – we have to balance the global with the local. To me, the most important investments are the ones that impact my daily life. Seeing empty buildings and closed down shops affects my daily life. And I will do everything I can to raise awareness, and make people think Locally, whenever possible.

When there is a demand, businesses flourish.

You can be Better

December 1, 2015/in Reinventing Awesome/by Chrissanne

I really don’t care whether you believe me or not – you can be better than you are today. You can be more valuable, more consistent, more loyal, more kind, more considerate. It’s not what you say to others or behind someone’s back that determines how remarkable you are. It’s in your own beliefs that awesome lives.

If you are satisfied with yourself – that’s fantastic. Celebrate your success… then go figure out how you can be better and give a little bit more of yourself to someone who can benefit from your knowledge, experience and awesomeness. That’s what Awesome looks like. That’s the difference maker. ‪#‎EXCELSIOR‬ ‪#‎LeadwithLove‬

Gratitude

December 1, 2015/in Reinventing Awesome/by Chrissanne

There’s always hype when there’s something good. But gratitude is more than hype. It’s a reflection. And we can never show enough gratitude to those who make a difference in our lives. To show appreciation for those who help us “BE.” When we look back and see how much we have accomplished we must celebrate. But once we have patted ourselves on the back, we must also acknowledge the people who have helped us achieve that success. Today, I am filled with immense gratitude and the list is long, however, I need to say thank you in a very big way…

If you have ever sent me an encouraging word – via Facebook, text message or email,

If you have ever attended an event that I organized,

If you have ever shared something I have written,

If you have ever given me a hug,

If you have ever told me the truth about something that involved me, or something I was involved in,

If you have ever smiled across the room,

If you have ever sent me a card, or a newspaper clipping,

If you have ever thanked me for a referral, or for making a connection that helped you in some way,

If you have ever just listened to me, let me cry or allowed me to share my doubts, fears or insecurities,

If you have ever forgiven me for anything,

If you have ever complimented me, encouraged me or just shared kind words in my regard…

Thank you

You are the wind in my sails, you give me strength to keep going, doing, believing that there is greatness in the world. You help me overcome the negativity, the cynics, the haters. You have been part of this journey and I would not be here if it weren’t for you.

#Periscope: Lessons on Humanity

September 16, 2015/in Social Media/by Chrissanne

There’s been a sense of criticism surrounding the concept of “building others up instead of tearing them down.” I guess those who criticize this idea, believe people should have their own sense of self and be confident enough in themselves without needing anyone to “build them up.”

I would agree with this if society was creating a culture that lends itself to being generally civil and respectful of people.

Consider this example:

I challenged someone close to me to try Periscope – a live streaming video application that allows users to share what’s going on around them. If you’ve ever tried something new, you know the sense of awkwardness and vulnerability that accompanies that experience. The Periscope app publishes your video live and allows users to view your live video and make comments as you’re recording.

So my friend decides to give it a try yesterday.

And it was adorable. I was proud of her and entertained by her commentary as she shared her lawn mowing experience with the world. I’m assuming she enjoyed a sense of accomplishment from the task, and that is probably true of anyone who tries something for the first time, or mows their lawn. And yet, in our current society, getting familiar with technology and the very publicly accessible way it’s being shared with the world leads me to the reason behind this post.

The comments made by anonymous viewers who probably haven’t been brave enough to create their own live stream, instead troll the app for other people who are willing to take the risk and put themselves “out there” just so they can criticize them, insult them and mock their efforts. This undoubtedly makes the experience less satisfying and makes it even more awkward. Instead of that feeling of accomplishment, she had to deal with crappy, ugly comments. She’s a good sport, so I am sure it didn’t bug her too much, and she’s probably going to roll her eyes at me for publishing this post. (Sorry OG!)

Every day there are these small, almost insignificant ‘blips’ on the radar, and we normally just shrug them off and say something like “haters gonna hate” but I think this is a great example of what is happening in our society that is leaving us despondent and disenfranchised. More and more people in our society are vocally ugly and mean, so when we take a risk, or try new things and put ourselves out there, and we’re mocked, ridiculed or laughed at, we ultimately start to ask ourselves, “Why bother? … Why don’t I just stay locked up in my shell and protect myself from these haters?

Don’t let them win!

I want to scream NO! We need to take a stand, once and for all against these Internet trolls who sit in their caves and hide behind fake names and accounts just so they can feel better about themselves. Taking a stand requires that we do something about it:

Risk Takers:

Need to keep taking risks and get better at these new tasks!

Audience Members (Fans and Followers):

Need to support, engage, show consideration, give positive feedback, and when asked, take some time and share ideas for making things better!

A Word About Comfort Zones:

Consider the toddler learning to walk, or the young girl on her first attempt at riding a bike without training wheels. We don’t laugh and mock them. And we should not laugh or mock adults (young or old) who are willing to try new things. Even when they look silly, or mess things up (or have crappy lawn mowers). Because as human beings, we tend to do what we feel most comfortable doing, and stay well within our comfort zones because we don’t want to be laughed at!

A Personal Story:

I don’t dance much. Certainly not in public, (except for an occasional slow song) but really not even in private either and here’s why. When I was in college, I was insecure about dancing. A little background on this story: My mom is Cuban and whenever she’d try to “help” me dance, I felt embarrassed because she would say that I moved my shoulders too much and my hips not enough. “Pies na mas (Just your feet)” she would remind me as the sounds of Celia Cruz and Beny Moré played loudly in the background. I would let myself get into the groove a little, feel a little more comfortable; a little more confident, and then, when I thought I had it figured out, I would look up from my size 10 feet and she’d shake her head “no,” – mind you, she was in her own groove, dancing in her natural Cuban beat, indicating with that gesture that I needed to watch her some more. I would grow frustrated, throw myself into the chair and just watch her, as she effortlessly danced to the sounds of her childhood. My mom isn’t the reason I hate dancing. She was gentle and kind, encouraging me, even though she was telling me I was doing it wrong. She was right, I needed practice.

No, the reason I hate dancing was the guy I went on a date with in college. We were at a night club in Tallahassee and the music was what every night club played in the 90s to get people on the dance floor. I was a little uncomfortable about it, so I casually joked about my two left feet, saying I didn’t dance much… you know, that awkward, “don’t make fun of me, I am still new to this,” comment we make when we’re unsure of ourselves. Well the song was playing, and I was trying to let myself get into that groove a little, like I would when I danced with my mom. Then, I made the mistake: I looked him in the eye and he laughed. “You were right, you can’t dance,” he said flippantly. I stopped dancing immediately, looked at him for a few seconds, and then turned around and walked out of the club. Once I was outside, I wasn’t sure whether to cry, or hide, so I kept walking – the three miles from the club to my apartment. He never called, and I didn’t care. I was mortified.

Maybe I am too sensitive, maybe I gave him too much power, maybe I need to let go of this and dance my own dance, but one thing remains certain: The experience was unpleasant. It hurt and it was embarrassing. And it has taken a long time for me to truly feel ok about dancing. If he hadn’t said that – if he had encouraged me instead – how might that have changed the outcome? I don’t know, but I do know that the insults we hear impact us – some more than others, for sure, but there are only a couple of ways to react to insults – get your feelings hurt, or retaliate… you know, shoot an insult right back at them?

“You dance funny.”

“Well, you look funny.”

A dialogue that still exists, even though we’re well past those adolescent days when we didn’t know any other way to handle these things.

So, I suggest again: Don’t tear people down. Build them up, encourage them, cheer them on and let them shine! Or just keep your thoughts to yourself.

If you’re like me and want to see more people using social media for GOOD, please share this post with your friends, your children, maybe your employees or co-workers. Tell people to back off the crappy, mean-spirited comments and pull them together as cheerleaders. Get out the megaphones and start screaming: “A W E S O M E – You an’t got no alibi, You Awesome, yeah yeah, you awesome” at the top of your lungs. We need to drown out the haters! After all, friends don’t let haters win!

People Over Profit: This Could Change the World

July 25, 2015/in Business Strategies/by Chrissanne

People Over Profit

Break the System. Live with Purpose. Be More Successful.

Can you imagine a world (or a city) in which all business owners, CEO’s, Presidents and Entrepreneurs embrace this business philosophy? When I connect with messages like this, I get a feeling I can’t describe – a reassurance that I am not crazy to believe that people really matter – Thanks Dale, for leading the way to #PeopleOverProfit…

If you’re in Lakeland, join us on August 7th for a discussion of this book, and the business philosophies contained within the brilliantly written pages. Our facilitator will be Nicole Welch, with Rap with Nic – a Podcast covering Real Men Only.

Spend 7 minutes watching this video as Dale discusses the context, and the application of this philosophy. I guarantee you’ll find value in his words. I did.

When I started my journey as an entrepreneur, I had several conversations – with myself.

They went something like this:

“You – in business? Are you kidding? Crazy, Crazy, Crazy.”

and

“It’s not personal, it’s business’ – they say this all the time, but it can’t be true! Everyone is a human being before they’re a business owner! How in the world can businesses expect to succeed if they are only looking at their bottom line? I totally get ROI – but don’t people matter? Aren’t THEY what impacts the bottom line the most?”

and my personal favorite….

“If there’s any way you’re going to succeed in business, it’s going to be by being yourself. Don’t (PLEASE DON’T) lose sight of the things that matter most. Don’t get all caught up in making money and forget who you are. Make money, but not at the expense of others, or yourself.”

It’s been 6 years since I started that journey. And I have learned that I am not crazy – well, no crazier than any other entrepreneur – and I am good at what I do. I am proud of the work I do, and the 2 companies my partner, Craig and I continue to build.

Finding people like Dale, who write books like People Over Profit, who share my personal philosophies, who have similar passions, and who are breaking the rules of the establishment, and creating a new system – one that I can embrace and to which I can be contributor, is a sign that I am on the right track, keeping things real – and giving the best of me to my clients and to my community – because at the end of the day, people, are what make the world go ’round. Profit is just a byproduct of everything else. And living a life of purpose, on purpose has been the greatest gift I have ever given to myself.

Welcome to the Light