Monthly Archives: November 2012

Creating Your Own Personal Brass Ring

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How in the world did CalmUp® make it an entire year without really having a defined niche? Would you believe that I completed a business plan in June 2011 and never had a well-defined target audience? How am I supposed to help someone if I don’t know whom I’m helping?

Out for coffee with a new friend, I mentioned that I figured out that not having a niche was keeping CalmUp® from moving forward. This amazing woman, Brenda Baumgardner, turned out to be an expert in helping others connect with their passion and purpose. After asking me several questions, she suggested an idea for a niche related to conflict resolution.

Although I had previously explored working with caregivers, veterans, and homeless people, I wasn’t able to find that feeling of enthusiasm that rang true in my heart. After engaging in further research, I am excited to share that CalmUp® has forged its brass ring!

I can now confidently state that the niche for CalmUp® is peacebuilding. Although peacebuilding is traditionally talked about in terms of creating sustainable peace within a nation, the present focus for CalmUp® is creating sustainable inner peace within oneself. Be sure to sign up for our monthly Wellspring Guideposts (on top right corner of home page) to read next month’s issue about how this exciting shift plays out.  Continue reading...

An Unmistakable Contrast: Two Men, Same Job, and No Comparison

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Walking into the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), I was astonished to find the security guard greeting me with a welcoming smile and a simple triage to determine if I was there for the DMV or early voting. As I confirmed DMV, this exuberant gentleman provided me with my number (in lieu of standing in line) before I could reach for the slip of paper myself.

I took my seat on the wooden bench and found myself drawn to this security guard’s one-man show. I was amused watching other people enter the room. Glancing at the long voting line, their frowns quickly turned upside down in response to this man’s entertaining demeanor.

Then the electricity went out (for real!), and he didn’t miss a beat. He took control and passed out papers with alternate DMV and voting locations. When it looked like the lights wouldn’t be coming on any time soon, I headed off to another DMV.

Walking into the building, I took my own number and found a seat. Looking up from my book, I noticed security guard #2 sitting behind a stand. He was reading something with his head down, and I felt my inner smile turn upside down. The contrast between the energy in this room and the comedy show I had just attended was startling.  Continue reading...