Penny Power, founder of Ecademy was one of our Main Platform speakers at InspireScotland06 event.
She just sent me a message to say "thanks for being my parachute packer"
Packing Parachutes - Excerpt from Chapter 16 (full webpage here)
By Charlie Plumb
Recently, I was sitting in a restaurant in Kansas City. A man about two tables away kept looking at me. I didn't recognize him. A few minutes into our meal he stood up and walked over to my table, looked down at me, pointed his finger in my face and said, "You're Captain Plumb."
I looked up and I said, "Yes sir, I'm Captain Plumb."
He said, "You flew jet fighters in Vietnam. You were on the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down. You parachuted into enemy hands and spent six years as a prisoner of war."
I said, "How in the world did you know all that?"
He replied, "Because, I packed your parachute."
I was speechless. I staggered to my feet and held out a very grateful hand of thanks. This guy came up with just the proper words. He grabbed my hand, he pumped my arm and said, "I guess it worked."
"Yes sir, indeed it did", I said, "and I must tell you I've said a lot of prayers of thanks for your nimble fingers, but I never thought I'd have the opportunity to express my gratitude in person."
He said, "Were all the panels there?"
"Well sir, I must shoot straight with you," I said, "of the eighteen panels that were supposed to be in that parachute, I had fifteen good ones. Three were torn, but it wasn't your fault, it was mine. I jumped out of that jet fighter at a high rate of speed, close to the ground. That's what tore the panels in the chute. It wasn't the way you packed it."
"Let me ask you a question," I said, "do you keep track of all the parachutes you pack?"
"No" he responded, "it's enough gratification for me just to know that I've served."
I didn't get much sleep that night. I kept thinking about that man. I kept wondering what he might have looked like in a Navy uniform - a Dixie cup hat, a bib in the back and bell bottom trousers. I wondered how many times I might have passed him on board the Kitty Hawk. I wondered how many times I might have seen him and not even said "good morning", "how are you", or anything because, you see, I was a fighter pilot and he was just a sailor. How many hours did he spend on that long wooden table in the bowels of that ship weaving the shrouds and folding the silks of those chutes? I could have cared less...until one day my parachute came along and he packed it for me.
So the philosophical question here is this: How's your parachute packing coming along? Who looks to you for strength in times of need? And perhaps, more importantly, who are the special people in your life who provide you the encouragement you need when the chips are down? Perhaps it's time right now to give those people a call and thank them for packing your chute.
I have now achieved my lifetime dream of inspiring hundreds of people.
I do find this amusing... This week I have received thanks from five people...
Funnily enough, it would appear that Gina, our MC from the last InspireScotland06 event has rec'd nearly 20 emails from attendees thanking her for her part in the fantastic day. She was saying that she was a little embarrassed as all she actually did was turn up on the day (fortunately she has an amazing personality and that shone through!)
This message came in today and I was very touched...
Dynamic Mike. Scotland needs him.
How did they decide to call him “Dynamic Mike?
My guess is it was picked out of a hat containing other adjectives, maybe like:-
“Visionary Mike”
“Inspirational Mike”
“Generous Mike”
“Motivating Mike”
“Consistent Mike”
“Infectious Mike”
“Supportive Mike”
“Positive Mike”
Any of the above would have been equally appropriate.
I rather like the sound of “Dynamic Mike for First Minister”!
Now, wouldn’t that be something for the best small country in the world!
With our grateful thanks, and blessings,
Michael and Mairi Ward
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mairi possbily explains where most attendees are still at in her next message...
Dear Mike,
What an event!
From the very first speaker who, on a Sunday morning, spellbindingly made the room-full of people sit up and focus, right through the day to your last speaker in the evening, this was an unforgettable experience.
The full range of emotions were energised, complemented with full-on visual and auditory encouragement and enthusiasm.
We were transported into another dimension - and indeed are still there, a week later. Maybe this is what they call "being in the zone".
Quite apart from the highly inspiring speakers, we really enjoyed meeting the other people in the audience. How often does one get to engage with people of this calibre?
Heartfelt thanks to you and your willing crew.
We can't wait for the next event.
Best regards,
Mairi Ward.
Certificate of Appreciation
Firstly, let me apologise for the "Certificate of Appreciation"... it looked great when i tested it, but the software seems to have duplicated names within the certificate (i know it's the user, not the software, i'm just learning the new system)
Anyway, it got the message across didn't it.
For those not on Richard Wilkins' mailing list, i thought i'd share this email that came in from him today... at first i was shocked by the subject line which said "RICHARD WILKINS - Goes to Hospital!"
As it happens, Richard was there purely to inspire the terminally ill, and one of his lines really hit home...
"that there were more people smiling in the hospice than there were at the checkout in the supermarket, a sea of heads in the audience nodded back in approval."
That's why I started the Gratitude-Rocks website (see; www.gratitude-rocks.com)
Meanwhile, I received this reply from Laura...
"It's you who should get the certificate, it was a great weekend and it definitly done what it said on the tin!
Thanks Mike"
Laura Padden
David built me a wee virtual bar, and you can say thanks there. It's at; www.LifeWillNeverBeTheSameAgain.co.uk
Mike ;-)
Hi Mike, First I just want to thank you for putting together a fantastic weekend!
I can honestly say that for us it has been life changing!
We did not know what to expect on either of the days, but both days surpassed all of our expectations.
On Monday night Stephen and I came home thinking “WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH “ we stayed up really late just planning what steps we want to take to give ourselves the fantastic future that we deserve.
The idea of “lets quit our jobs” was not the most practical (although this was our first choice) so we had to go for option two which was to stay committed and focus 100% on creating a better life.
That night I went about purchasing some domain names for some project’s that we have in mind and just taking that bit of action made me feel really great!
On Tuesday morning we were both up and out to work, however the free time that we had while not working was spent at the computer with the plan to just go for it!
I had some info about crafting (an old hobby) saved in my computer already, so I thought “I wonder if someone would want this?”
I thought I would give it a go on ebay as I had nothing to lose and that was that. I went out to work again and when I got home I had a nice surprise in my inbox that my item had sold.
This just gave me the boost that I needed and the confirmation that we can do this. The two days provided us with the inspiration and the knowledge that we needed to take some action.
We realise that no one will do it for us-it is down to us.
Please pass on our gratitude to all the speakers over the two days and let them know how much of a positive affect they have had on our lives.
Thank You Mike- You're one in a million!
Natalie & Stephen P.S My brace is still hurting my mouth from smiling so much :0)
It's my birthday today (normally i keep that quiet) and i'm having a great day (even if was working until 3am again). I went for a jog with my dog again this morning and i was pumping!
It's great to remind ourselves sometimes, just how fit, strong, powerful we really are, and no matter what challenges are thrown at us, we CAN overcome!
Well, the last 36 hours have been a whirlwind experience for me and the result is that our events on Sunday and Monday are going to see a FULL HOUSE at each venue!
Whatever message you have been passing on... I just want to say THANK YOU!!
We WILL inspire!!
I am ABSOLUTELY buzzing with excitement and anticipation, because I already know how good my speakers are... and I KNOW that we touched many souls at the last InspireScotland event.
The new venue for Sunday is slightly out of town and yet we MUST start on time because the janitors don't want to work until late evening, so whatever you do, make sure you take note of the new venue info and make sure you're there for the first speaker... I promise this one person WILL change your outlook and perspective of life!!!
New venue info for Sunday here
Map here
Mike
PS. pass it on... we still have around 40 spaces left www.InspireScotland2006.com
PPS. The clocks change this weekend too, see here's a tip... don't change your clock and you'll arrive on time! smiles
PPPS. and this time I'm ALSO bringing another first to Scotland with FR**EE lessons in Making Money Online at the internet-inspiration experience.
The new venue for Monday is Apex International Hotel, 31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh
- Map here
The free seats have actually all gone, but i've decided to be abundant and give away the last few remaining spaces free too, so if you know of anyone that would be interested in generating passive income and learning how to make their web-presence more effective, rush them along now to grab one of the last seats... it's FR*EE
http://www.internet-inspiration.com/
URGENT - Change of venue (as of Thurs 26th Oct)
New venue is on website at; www.InspireScotland2006.com
Please will you pass on this message to anyone that you know may be intending to join us, as I do not have all of the email addresses of every booking (some people bought multiple tickets but haven't provided email addresses and contact details yet)
This has all happened in the last 24hours...
I rec'd a panic call from the Lyceum to say that they couldn't fit us in as the set on stage was taking up too much room. I confirmed that I always knew that they were squeezing us in-between plays and that we only wanted one speaker on stage at a time, therefore we wouldn't be using much stage space.
I was told "sorry", so, heart in my mouth, I immediately changed priorities and started seeking an alternative venue...
I looked to the ceiling with a knowing smile and said "is that it? is that the best you can do? come-on, give me a challenge why don't you... Whip it on... I can handle it" (and I KNEW i would resolve it! - didn't know HOW, but i knew my resolve was; this event WILL happen!)
Be careful what you think about... it might just happen...
By coincidence, I had been considering finding an alternative venue for the Monday event "internet-inspiration" as the capacity in the Lyceum is 656 and as i didn't have many bookings at that stage, i would rather have a full room so that the energy in the room would be better.
Well, i've done it!
This time, the capacity for Sunday is only 373 and i reckon we're almost there!!!
It's going to be a full house!!
The venue is fab, although it's approx three miles from the original venue, so, depending upon responses, I may hire a minibus to transport from Waverley/Lyceum to new venue.
If you would like a minibus arranged, pls click here (Please do NOT click for any other enquiry, and pls accept my apologies that i don't have a lot of time to give personal replies to everyone at this stage)
The venue for the "internet-inspiration experience" has also changed, see website for info at; www.internet-inspiration.com
Capacity is now only 200 and again, we're almost full... last few spaces still available... and still FREE!!
It's SO exciting now... and i KNOW the quality of the speakers will blow your socks off!! (smiles)
Please help by passing this info on urgently...
Mike ;-)
PS. update; the Lyceum called me back and said that they COULD help with Sunday event only, at a cost of £8,000!! (something about Unions and having to pay staff extra as they would be working for 11 days in a row) - heyho... (my wee mantra today is "step up!!") - smiles
Crew wanted for InspireScotland06 & internet-inspiration Sunday 29th & Monday 30th Oct in Edinburgh.
check the websites at; www.InspireScotland06.com & www.internet-inspiration.com
A victim of our own success, 90% of our crew from the last InspireScotland06 event decided that they would rather pay and be part of the audience this time than crew the event for free!
We now need another 20 crew - and the event happens in 2 weeks time!
pls email; mailto:crew@InspireScotland06.com and offer your services (experience of crewing is a definite advantage).
Video now removed as out of date. It can still be seen at; http://message2.myvideowebstream.com/view/?id=ISZN9VDD1231I5CIXKQQ
2 for 1 tickets until 7th Oct
No way! A whole day with some of the world's most amazing inspirational leaders for less than £50 each...
Grab these seats now... this offer will not be repeated!
Kayo's biog has been updated
go to "our speakers" to see all
There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love; there's only a scarcity of resolve to make it happen.
- Dr. Wayne Dyer
I believe life is constantly testing us for our level of commitment, and life's greatest rewards are reserved for those who demonstrate a never-ending commitment to act until they achieve. This level of resolve can move mountains, but it must be constant and consistent. As simplistic as this may sound, it is still the common denominator separating those who live their dreams from those who live in regret.
- Tony Robbins
"It is not the critic who counts;
not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena;
whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood;
who strives valiantly;
who errs and comes short again and again;
who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause;
who, at the best, knows the triumph of high achievement;
and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919)
Here's some Technorati Tags for the blog sites;
http://inspirescotland.blogspot.com
http://internet-inspiration.blogspot.com
http://gratitude-rocks.blogspot.com
Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade
Surely one of the most Inspiring things freely available in Scotland is the Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade.
Download our New toolbar. Download here
Using Google search, you can download free, no spyware, no adverts.
Has "chat" button built-in, allowing you to instantly chat to others that have downloaded this toolbar.
Also has pop-up blockers and spamarrest built-in
With blogs and website links to InspireScotland and internet-inspiration
You can also add weather, calculator etc
You can instantly be notified of all new emails across all of your email addresses including Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail and pop3
Once you have downloaded, right-click over the old toolbar and deselect the old toolbars (google, yahoo etc) and select "lock the toolbar"
Welcome to the club
Smiles
Mike ;-)
download here
http://www.ecademy.com/account.php?op=signup&c=3762&xref=117806
Click on the link
This club is specifically for those interested in Personal Development, Motivation, Inspiration, Public Speaking - and it's free
let's share...
Wow! what a busy 24 hours i've had... Luckily i was up at 5.20am again this morning (wee jog with Max for half an hour - weather is just glorious for now)
So I have now confirmed that we have some VERY special speakers lined up;
Janey Lee Grace (star DJ on BBC R2 Steve Wright in the afternoon) - she has written a new book and she's keen to present at the next InspireScotland event.
And for the "internet-inspiration" experience...
Michael Cheney (www.MichaelCheney.com) is a SCOT (I was SO chuffed when I discovered that!) and he is an internet GENIUS!
Indeed, together with Sterling Valentine (www.JVformula.com) they created such an amazing marketing noise for Michael's new "Adsense Videos", that when it did go live, Michael saw sales of $64,000 in 24 hours!
How'd you like to make that kind of money (and working from anywhere in the world, with no boss!)
I've a couple of other fantastic surprises up my sleeve (I met with Scott Hastings - Scottish rugby star two eves ago & we had a good old chat about "Inspiring Scotland", so watch this space!
Humour from Nigel Risner
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
He who laughs last ................ thinks slowest.
A day without sunshine is like, well, .......... night.
Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.
Just remember ... If the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off.
The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there's a 90% probability you'll get it wrong.
It is said that if you line up all the cars in the world end to end, someone would be stupid enough to try to pass them.
If the shoe fits ............. get another one just like it.
The things that come to those that wait may be the things left by those who got there first.
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat all day drinking beer.
Flashlight: A case for holding dead batteries.
The shin bone is a device for finding furniture.
A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.
When you go into court, you are putting yourself in the hands of 12 people who weren't smart enough to get out of jury duty. "
"What Risks do you need to take?
Successful people are risk-takers. They are the ones who get to the river,
drink and, admittedly, sometimes get eaten. All of life is risk. When you
drive onto the motorway, step into your facility, enter a grocery store or
eat in hospital cafeteria, you face a risk that you won't return home.
In the words of T.S. Eliot, 'Only those who will risk going too far can
possibly find how far one can go.'
Lots of people want to get their lives back and do something different.
Instead, they stand just out of reach of the water of success, watching
others drink while they go thirsty.
Don't let your fears hold you back. Don't wait for the momentum of others
to push you forward. You must commit to act. The consequences of your
action or inaction are in your hands. Only you have the power to start
your new life. One of my favourite quotes is from Katherine Mansfield:
'Risk! Risk anything! Care no more for the opinion of others, for those
voices. Do the hardest thing on earth for you. Act for yourself.' Take a
risk -- take a drink today and you'll never be thirsty another day in your
life."
Richard Wilkins is coming back
...and they flew!: "Richard Wilkins - www.theministryofinspiration.com/
Richard left school at 15 with zero qualifications. By 37 he was a self-made millionaire living in a 35 room mansion, set in 70 acres of park land. Driving not one, but a fleet of Ferraris. The only thing that was missing in his life was a lake, so he built one! A traumatic divorce was soon followed by the worst recession in history, which wiped out his property company and wiped out Richard. Alone, terrified and broke Richard hit rock bottom.
Ready to retire at 40, Richard had now lost his family, his home, his business and worst of all he lost his self worth. In his own words, 'rock bottom is when the light at the end of the tunnel goes out'. Literally Richard planned his own suicide. It was at that time that Richard overheard a conversation that would change his life. He overheard someone say 'Old Fred, he'll get there one day' Richard had enjoyed a lottery winners lifestyle but had never once thought that he was 'there'. Richard went out in search of 'there' and found it! He discovered that the only reason we ever do anything is to feel good and all else we do in life is in pursuit of that single goal.
Richard developed the ability to access the feelings he longed for, soon everyone wanted to know how Richard had achieved his huge transformation. The result... his world changed from Black & White to Colour. Today Richard is the international author of five successful self help books and inspiring CD programmes. He has reached literally millions of people through his many TV appearances and magazine articles.
Now the Minister For Inspiration, Richard Wilkins speaks for many top companies with amazing results. Some of these companies include BT, Carlton, Standard Life Insurance, The coaching Academy, Blue Arrow Recruitment, Institute of Directors, Nokia, "
Our Deepest Fear
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we our powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, "who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?" Actually, who are not to be? You are a child of the Universe. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing so enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are born to make manifest the glory of god which is within us. It is not in just some of us, it is in all of us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fears, our presence automatically liberates others.
- Nelson Mandela
I leave you with the quote Sir Bob Geldoff left with the audience…
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans; that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen events, meetings and material assistance which no one could have dreamed would have come their way.
I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets: "Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now!"
WH Murray
1913 - 1986
Scottish Mountaineer and Conservationist
In Glasgow! Wow, I got up this morning to find the street covered in about 4 inches of snow. Absolutely amazing! Even better, it was still snowing. Fantastic! The thing that was really cool was that this frozen water falling out of the sky had turned everyone into children. Adults of all ages, teenagers, and even dogs were revelling in this new phenomenon. OK, the children were having a great time too! Isn’t it interesting how this white stuff can change people’s attitudes?
With all other modes of transport out, I had to walk to the SECC for the second day of the Inspire Scotland 2006 conference. Luckily for me, that was a pleasant 50 minute walk through quiet, snow filled streets. Despite the weather, only two of the speakers cancelled, the others braved the elements to join the ‘party’ (one brave soul skied from Linlithgow, 35 miles away!). The audience, a bit light in the early sessions, swelled through the day to the same number as yesterday, which was quite a feat. I’d bet there were more people in this hall than those attending the Hobby Craft and Creative Stitches sessions in adjoining halls.
The input was inspirational, the output was glowing. It was certainly worth the effort, and the snow seemed to enhance the atmosphere in the event. I have to congratulate the organisers for putting on a ‘damned fine show’. Whoever managed the weather to enhance our learning for the weekend. So, how can snow be so inspirational?
AbundanceByChoice: "Blind Adventurer Miles Hilton-Barber has, in the last six years alone, set numerous world records whilst undertaking extreme endurance events in Siberia, and across the Sahara, Gobi, Qatar and Mojave Deserts.
He has also climbed in the Himalayas, Kilimanjaro, Mt. Blanc, scuba-dived 12 miles under the Red Sea, hot-air ballooned over the Nevada Desert, man-hauled a sledge over 400 kilometres across Antarctica, set the world lap record for a blind driver on the Malaysian Grand Prix Circuit, and circumnavigated the entire world, using over 80 different forms of transport.
He is the first blind person to fly the English Channel in a microlight, holds the British duel microlight high-altitude record, and has wing-walked on a fully aerobatic 450 HP Boeing Steerman bi-plane.
He is the first blind person to do the solo kamikaze skeleton run down the 5G Olympic bobsleigh track in Lillehammer, Norway, and has recently returned from participating in the toughest desert ultra-marathon in the world through Death Valley California, where road temperatures reached 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
He is also planning to fly a microlight more than halfway around the world from London to Sydney, Australia, relying on revolutionary speech-output technology, accompanied by his sighted co-pilot.
Miles' other past accomplishments include Grade 5 Zambesi white water rafting, Scottish Grade 3 technical ice climbing, abseiling, the 1998 London Marathon, para-sailing and 40 sky-diving jumps. "
InspireScotland2006: "Sir Bob Geldof - http://www.bobgeldof.info/
Sir Bob Geldof is incredibly well informed, not just about African famines and aid organizations, but also about London and Washington politics. His presentations are highly provocative and he uplifts and inspires audiences as he motivates through his own personal experiences and the lessons learned from Live Aid.
Bob was born in Dublin on 5 October 1954. He entered the music scene as a journalist on Canada's premier underground rock journal Georgia Straight. Further experience with the New Musical Express and Melody Maker sharpened his prose and upon returning to Dublin, he formed the band Nightlife Thugs, which subsequently evolved into the Boomtown Rats, one of the first acts to emerge during the punk/new wave explosion of 1976/77.
After a series of hits, including two UK number 1 singles, Geldof emerged as one of the most well known pop personalities of his era. Bob had always had an acerbic wit and provided excellent interviews with an energy and enthusiasm that matched any of his articulate rivals. After starring in the film of Pink Floyd's The Wall, he turned his attention to the dreadful famine that was plaguing Ethiopia in 1984. The single, 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' sold over three million copies and, thank s to Geldof's foresight in gaining financial control of every aspect of the record's production, manufacture and distribution, Famine Relief received over 96 pence from each of the �1.35 retail record sales. The record inspired 1985's mammoth Live Aid extravaganza in which Geldof herded together rock's elite to play before a worldwide television audience of over 1,000,000,000. Geldof continued to help with the administration of Band Aid, which put his singing career on hold for a couple of years.
After receiving a knighthood in June 1986 a"
WOW, it's SO exciting... I have SO many fantastic speakers lining up to present... in fact too many!
I was at "Millionaire Mind events" in London at the weekend - I presented there on the Main Platform at the first event, along with notables such as Simon Woodroffe (Yo-Sushi) and Duncan Bannatyne (gyms), and one thing that I did notice was almost "overwhelm" from so many participants.
I'm very keen to "Inspire" with a huge variety of fantastic presenters, and I am learning so many lessons...
Another obvious feature at the London event was that every single speaker was trying to sell from the stage... that's such an American concept.
I know it made money for the promoter, but I think there can be a more subtle balance, with a fabulous speakers simply telling his or her story and if the attendees then wish to rush to his or her table at the back of the room afterwards, that's much more acceptable.
