One year ago today…

 

Forgetting 2 Remember became a real live business.  Its conception had been years in the making, the time for birthing this dream finely came March 14, 2009.  It was amazing how easy the first few steps were.

What the first year of Forgetting 2 Remember has taught me:

 10.  I could not have ever accomplished this venture without so many people loving and supporting me along the way.  A very special thank you to the “test group, ”(Mike, Jared, Jess, Brooke, Wilson, Janette, Anna, Chelsey, Don, Lydia and Georgjean) that let me give the weekend a trial run to teach each other. You earned the purple shirts with flying success.  No pun intended! 

      “Remembering” we are never alone.

9.  The only difference between success and failure came down to whether or not I quit. That became very visible early on when the hours of creating became more than I could have ever imagined.  Thank you Mike, Anna, and Wilson for so unselfishly letting me build this seminar. 

      “Remembering” that with love we can change the world.”

8. People are blocked by fear on a level that was beyond my imagination, but with love, safety, and encouragement that fear can be released.

“Remembering” that all that we have learned can be unlearned and fear is no match  to love.”

7. The “gifts” from the weekend keep on giving and months later moments of clarity continue to appear.  

“Remembering” that we are all in a continual state of learning.”

 6. That my writing blogs and editing really needs to be turned over to a better English guru.  

“Remembering” spend your time doing what you love and what you are best at, outsource the rest.”

5. We never know what someone is going through on the inside, so when we meet someone in a place of fear, react with love.

       “Remembering” it is not always personal even when it feels like it

4. I have learned as much about myself this year as I have taught.

     “Remembering,” we are all teachers and students.

3.   Forgiveness is the key to peaceful living.

“Remembering” forgiveness has more to do with you and your freedom than it does  the other person.

 2.   The only thing that we have control over in this life is ourselves.

    “Remembering” life is a challenge by choice, embrace it with both hands.

1. That I am so blessed, loved and supported more than I could have ever recognized outside this passion for what I do; helping people to remember all the greatness that already lives in each of us.

      “Remembering” you are LOVE.

 Thank you all, we have only just begun…..

200th Blog of Forgetting 2 Remember

What an amazing experience this journey has been and continues to be!

On March 14th, 2009 I went into business with Forgetting 2 Remember, LLC.  On March 15, 2009 I posted my first blog, “Hello World.” 

Now, almost a year later, the 200th blog.  We have had thousands of visitors and many subscribers over this past year and I have been touched greatly by the comments and feedback. Each one has been an opportunity to continue the conversation and the growth that comes from that honesty.

 I set out on this venture with a passion and desire to change the way people “see”, to deepen and expand the experience of living as a complete authentic human being, and to facilitate a process of living with less fear and finding greater love for yourself, family, friends and community!  I had the pleasure last summer to see that dream transform 24 lives. 

This is the start of our second year with three intensive weekends planned and several smaller F2R monthly events. I joyfully wait for the journey to begin again and  can only imagine the possibilities this season holds.   We are blessed with a  new campground and even greater opportunities to expand. 

Thank you to all that have attended a weekend, shared their story, supported the scholarship program and held such great energy for me to create, grow and build this dream.  A huge thank you to my family, the staff  and my dear sweet Jess.  I am so blessed! 

So ” Hello World” again!  Thank you for the dance.

Indy Health Expo Weekend

What a weekend! 

 

Thank you to all of you F2R supporters and past graduates for coming out this weekend.  What  a blast it was to see all of you running around in your “Bridging The Gap” t-shirt telling everyone about F2R and promoting my speaking time!  You all made such a difference for the success of this weekend.  Even Sunday I had someone come up to talk to me about 

“my t-shirt people” and she was finally happy to connect with me at my booth. 

 

What a great response!  Many people have signed up to start receiving the monthly newsletters and I made some great connections with people ready to start living life more fully.  I’m looking forward to getting them signed up in the next few days for one of the summer seminars.

 

The Saturday speaking time came off without a hitch!  The crowd was great and engaged.  They participated in a welcome to life hug and a challenge by choice. Well, at least most of them did!  I ask them to stand and turn to the stranger next to them and meet that person eye to eye.  To “see” that person.  Mike, my husband, turned around to look into the eye of the man behind him. The man looked at Mikes F2R shirt and ask him if he had gone through a weekend retreat.  Mike told him that he cooks at the camp on the seminar weekends and that he is my husband.  The man laughed and said, “you live with this everyday!”  It was hilarious for me to watch this from the stage!  All he could do was laugh and look some place other than at Mike.  He is coming to a seminar this summer!

Jess has put a podcast of most of the “Life…is a Challenge by Choice” presentation on my website.  Check it out!

And again, thank you to each and every one of you for your incredible love and support.  I could not do what I do with you! 

Speaking From My Heart

 Well, Saturday’s speaking debut is getting closer and closer with each passing moment.  I’m so excited to be able to share this message at The Indy Health Expo – Life…is a challenge by choice.  As I have finally found the perfect music that I have been searching for, I feel so blessed to have this opportunity to reach so many people at the same time.  I have been amazed by the blessings that have come from this event already.

 First, I requested to speak on Sunday, so that I would have Saturday to “get my bearings.”  The schedule came out, and I quickly saw that Sunday had turned into Saturday.  Ok, hmmm… ok, “I can do that,” were my thoughts.  So Saturday at 1:45pm it is!!!  Interestingly enough, our beloved Indianapolis Colts are in playoffs on Sunday.  If I had been given the Sunday time that I requested, the message would be limited to ONLY the people who are not watching the game!  I’m thinking that will be about 3 people.

Secondly, there are 4 different stages for speakers to be presenting at the same time.  Everyone will have lots of choices as to which speaker they want to hear.  In my time slot, 1:45pm, for some reason, I get to be the only speaker!  Wow!  Life being a challenge by choice will be the only choice!

 The last blessing, and by far the greatest, was some advice that a dear friend gave me, “Derinda, just love yourself and let them watch.” 

What a relief to be able to show up as I am and speak from my heart with the hope of touching another soul or the world, whichever comes first.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gratitude is often easier for us to recognize when our lives are in order- all the bills paid, the family healthy and the children are happy in school.

Our challenges, heartache, and despair, however grand, are often what bring to us opportunities for personal transformation. It is during those moments of our deepest pain that we can be most grateful, for we know our hardship will deliver a lesson that redefines the strength of our character.

As we approach Thanksgiving this week, remember to look for, acknowledge, and give thanks for all that you have.

When the challenges arise, ask yourself, “What is the opportunity in this moment for me?” When you can give thanks in the midst of your trials and tribulations, know that you are making the highest choice.

Set your intentions this Thanksgiving to bring to mind the things in your life for which you are most grateful.

I am most thankful for you. For your support with F2R and helping me to spread the message of love to the world!

May your blessings this Thanksgiving refresh your soul with grace, love and gratitude.

Much love,
Derinda

Pause…reflection…gratitude

In the pause… awareness can be seen, understandings can be learned and growth can occur. 

In the reflection…growth can continue, newness can erupt and change can begin.

In a state of gratitude…for awareness, growth and change.  In a state of gratitude for living, loving and learning. 

What does your pause, reflection and gratitude say to you?

Gratitude

 

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity…. It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. Melodie Beattie

 

I’m grateful for the blessing of you in my life!

 Have a great weekend!

 

 

Amazing Grace

That’s it, amazing grace!  That is the best way that I can describe this past weekend seminar.

 Everyone came into the weekend with such an open heart and mind.

To be able to witness a group of total strangers arriving on a Friday evening, a little unsure, to bonding and growing so deeply that  by Sunday afternoon they have become a family of brother and sister is an event that changes lives forever.

A huge thank you to each of you for all you gave of yourself this past weekend.  Take some time today to rest, relax and love yourself in this new light of being fully alive!  All of you are amazing souls!  I’m blessed to be apart of your journey.

Humility

To be humble is to be in a state of reflecting, expressing or offered in the spirit of deference.

That is to best possible word to describe how I feel as I’m embarking on this Forgetting 2 Remember weekend seminar.

This journey, since March, has been a whirlwind of creating, growing, learning and becoming all that it is for the beautiful Souls that will be coming to spend the weekend with us starting tonight.

I’m so graciously humbled by all the love and support that I have been given. 

I thank you for being apart of this journey in whatever way that it is for you.  Whether you just log in every morning to read my blog, call with an encouraging word, drive hours to be able to help or just right out give of your services.  Every gesture gives me hope, everyday, that this work is touching lives and for that reason I am deeply humbled and grateful!

I will talk to you again on Monday with highlights from the weekend!

Much Love and Peace,

Derinda

Happy Labor Day

I’m not one to blog on subjects like Labor Day.  My subjects usually are intended to be helpful in self-awareness, bringing a smile or maybe even a tear to your day.  Joyful self- aware “AHA” tears only please!

Why a Labor Day?  The holiday was first observe in Canada in 1870 over the labor disputes (“Nine-Hour Movement”).  In the United States it was first celebrated in 1882.

As Americans we now celebrate it as the symbolic last day of summer and the start of  the school year.  Anna ( my daughter) started back August 11 so I’m not sure that we observe that part of the holiday anymore.

So why am I blogging about Labor Day?  I’m just extremely happy to have another day off work to be with my family and celebrate life!

Wishing you a great day!!