Gratitude

My Oprah Winfrey Network audition went live two weeks ago. It has been akin to having a baby. All the emotional build up: "Is my baby going to be okay?" Is everything alright?" (That was me writing and re-writing the script, cooking the food, and making sure I brought everything to the shoot.) Then the labor. (That was the filming itself.) Then I brought the baby home. (That was uploading it to the OWN site.) I was exhausted. I hadn't slept for two weeks prior to the shoot. Now that my baby was out there for the whole world to see, I wanted to shout it from the roof tops.

But I was butt-ass tired.

Just like you are after giving birth. You are so in love, so happy you have your baby in your arms. You want to spend all of your waking hours protecting and nurturing and loving your child. And you want to show the baby off.

But all you really want to do is sleep.

That was me two weeks ago, and that is me now :-).

You can vote and view the audition as many times as you like. The link is here:

http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=video_details&response_id=7439&promo_id=1

and please share with your friends. I am proud of what I did, and I would love my readers' continued support! We've got two more weeks to view and vote. Voting ends 11:59pm July 3rd.

I am truly grateful for the love and the support I have gotten thus far. It's been overwhelming. My friends Amaadi, Laura, Audrey, Lori, David, Betty....I can't even keep track of it all.

On June 9, two days after the audition went live, I watched Oprah's 10th anniversary O Magazine special. It aired on May 27, but I had DVR'd it (is DVR'd a word??). She asked Dr. Phil what was his best advice. He said, "Do a Game Changer. So many people walk around living their lives, or a version of a life that their parents told them to live. Do something. Shake things up!!"

I said to the TV, "I just did that!" And boy, if I had known the emotional twists and turns that come with airing yourself to the world, I'd have thought twice. But...I highly recommend you all do a Game Changer. Whatever your biggest dream for yourself is right at this moment, take a step toward it. It's scary, but it will open up a world of new opportunities for you.

I've learned what type of competitor I am. I'm best when I am grounded and not worried about what other folk are doing or how their votes are progressing.

I've learned to trust, and take the same advice I give other people.

I've learned to focus on the outcome I want, and not focus on the muddling middle.

I've learned to be open to opportunities.

I've learned to answer my email on a timely basis :-).

I've learned that I really, really, really want to teach people about raw vegan, cooked vegan, and gluten-free food. A plant-based diet is so scary to most. It's not. It's fun and delicious! That's why I started this blog. And that is what I want to share with the world.

Love,
Althea ◦

Gratitude