Debra Poneman: Living in the Miracle Zone
And I believe that ultimately we all have to go out of our minds and be lead by our hearts — not only for our own happiness and success but for the survival of the planet. Because the mind judges, it second-guesses, it looks for what’s wrong, it creates fear for no reason…. The heart accepts, it connects, it unifies, and it loves. It doesn’t look for what’s wrong; it looks for what’s possible.
And I knew that what I taught was true: We were all put on earth for a purpose and if you take six months away from your career to be with your mom as she’s making her transition, or a year to go build orphanages in Africa, or 20 years to stay home with your kids, your life’s purpose is not going to go away. If fact as long as you’re listening to your inner guidance expressed through the impulses or your heart—even if others think you’ve gone out of your mind—it will always lead you to your ultimate purpose. It will always lead you Home. It’s the only route there. And I’ll tell you something else you can take to the bank: 20 years go by in the wink of an eye. My children are grown and are both amazing human beings. And now I’m back teaching. What’s interesting is that some of the goals I set for myself and I let go of to be home with the kids, because I followed my heart, took care of themselves.
For example?
Debra Poneman: I had a goal to be a bestselling author and I was in the middle of negotiations with a major NY publisher when I decided to embark on my mom career. A few years later I was literally handed a best-selling book to author. How it happened was that Marci was asked to write Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul but she was at the time under contract for Happy for No Reason. The Chicken Soup people asked her if she knew anyone who was a great writer and knew American Idol inside and out. She called me immediately. Had I not followed my heart and stayed home with my kids who were now tweens and addicted to Idol, which I joined them in watching every Tuesday and Wednesday, I would not have been able to write it. So I wrote the book that combined the #1 TV show of all time and the #1 non-fiction book series of all time. I always tell people, don’t worry about the how. Just be clear on what you want and let a power greater than yourself organize the rest.
