Challenging Ourselves

Saturday, September 17 was a long and exhausting day. Truthfully, the whole week leading up to that date had been long and exhausting. Adding to the grueling schedule was excruciating pain caused by two bone spurs in my right foot. All I wanted to do that Saturday was teach my 5-hour leadership class at Bay Path University, get home that afternoon, take 800mg of ibuprofen, eat a meal, and get off my foot. That's what I wanted to do.

However.... A few months prior to that day, my friend Dennis McCurdy told me he was having a firewalk in Brimfield on September 17. "I'd like you to come and say a few motivating words to the attendees," he said. Now, I love Dennis' firewalks. I've participated three times and I understand the power behind facing the challenge of walking on those 1400-degree coals.

"Sure," I told him. "I have class that day, but I'll come."
You Tube Video Firewalk 9-17-16
As dusk descended that Saturday evening, I dreaded the thought of having to stand on my feet again. The ibuprofen had barely touched the pain and I was down to walking, literally, on the ball of my foot. But I had told Dennis I would be there and so I limped to my car, drove to Brimfield, hobbled onto the field, and joined the 20+ people with the building of the firewalk pathway. We worked as a team, placing logs conically down a 20-foot pathway, after which we stuffed between the logs pieces of paper upon which we wrote a fear we wanted to conquer, a goal we wanted to attain. The wood was doused with a flammable liquid; flames shot into the air.

It takes about two hours for the logs to reduce to red hot embers. During this time, we assembled under the tent and Dennis began his workshop. Thirty minutes passed, then 60, then 90 minutes. He must have forgot he wanted me to speak, I thought. Thank God, because the stabbing pain in my foot was so intense I could not even keep it on the ground. I felt unfocused and uninspired to motivate anyone to do anything.

And then I heard my name. ".... she's a great, inspiring speaker...." In that split second I knew I had to deliver a specific message about challenging oneself to face and conquer the obstacles in front of us, whether it's 1400-degree coals or mind-numbing pain. (Click here or on the above image to hear a portion of that speech.)

Shows in the "Talk To Me..." Archives

Didn't get a chance to tune in to "Talk To Me..." some weeks? Here are links to shows in the "Talk To Me..." archives. Simply click on the guest's name.

Dr Mardy Grothe, author of Oxymoronica, Never Let A Fool Kiss You Or A Kiss Fool You, Viva la Repartee, and I Never Metaphor I Didn't Like

Lisa Genova, author of the New York Times Bestseller, Still Alice.

Nationally syndicated television and radio easy home repair guru, Mrs. Fixit!

Bill Widmeier, owner of Alternatives For Health Wellness Center

Renee Giroux, producer of the BTR show "Coffee With An Author" and creator of the social media web site for book lovers, IJustFinished.com

Erica Ferencik, satirist and author of Cracks In The Foundation.

Dennis McCurdy, author of the newly released 52 Ways To Find A Way and Find A Way: A Guide To Getting The Most Out Of Life.

Carol Goodrow, founding editor of KidsRunning.Com and author/illustrator of Happy Feet, Healthy Food, Your Child's First Journal of Exercise and Healthy Eating, The Treasure of Health and Happiness, and Kids Running: Have Fun, Get Faster & Go Farther.

Actor Gary Galone, seen on Showtime’s “Brotherhood” “Law & Order” and in upcoming Martin Scorsese film “Ashecliffe.”

Young adult fantasy author Shawn Cormier.

Arlette Gaffrey author of A World of His Own: In The Land of the Creoles.

Attorney Jane Woodworth of the Law Office of Woodworth and Frisella will discuss her niche practice of corporate collections.

Doris Ann Bridgehouse, numerologist and holistic psychic.

Janina Chung, author of Far East of The Sun.

Denny Griffin, discussing his book Las Vegas and The Mob. The National Geographic Channel documentary Vegas Mafia was based largely on his book.

Artist Michelle DeMarco.

Latin guitar legend Eddie Benitez.

Catherine Paris, author of Modern Day Slavery: Human Trafficking Revealed.

Actor/writer/hurricane hunter Tom Barnes. Tom's books include: Hurricane Hunters, The Goring Collection, and Doc Holliday's Road to Tombstone.

Psychologist/author Ron Breazeale will be talking about the politics of fear versus the politics of hope, and the role of resilience.

Author and poet Tasha Halpert.

Musical duo Fiske and Herrera

Rebecca Lerwill, author of Relocating Mia.

Tune In, Call In!

My BlogTalkRadio show, "Talk To Me...Conversations With Creative, Unconventional People," or CUPs as I like to call 'em, debuts on February 12th at 4:30 p.m. (Eastern). You can hear the show at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rita.

My guest will be Dennis McCurdy, author of "Find A Way: A Guide To Getting The Most Out Of Life" "A straightforward compilation of suggestions that will simplify your life and set you on the path toward success. The book has the feel of a friendly neighbor sharing the secrets that enabled him to win in life. This is an easy read that pays big dividends.— Tolly Burkan, author of Extreme Spirituality Radical Approaches to Awakening

Tune in, Call In live 347-327-9158