Monday, July 23, 2012
Wow! What a Weekend!!
It's hard to believe we spent over 50 hours with Tony Robbins over the past 4 days. I had every intention of recording my thoughts each day, but once we got back to the room (usually after midnight) my head hit the pillow like a rock. After day one we realized that we had to pack strategically for a day with no breaks. Imagine from 8:30 in the morning until 1:30 am without a meal break. If you didn't bring food and water you had to leave during a talk to replenish. And of course Tony Robbins was so compelling I even forgot to eat the food we had brought. The days where filled with so many amazing insights and experiences surrounded by celebrations to change your state of mind. There was loud music, dancing, singing, and clapping. At times it felt like we where at a great rock concert (that just didn't stop!) Once we were in a peak state, Tony took us on a journey of personal discovery analyzing our beliefs, needs and patterns and then intentionally creating our future with new empowering thoughts and strategies. We meditated, and cried, laughed, and connected. I've always had great respect for Tony Robbins, but he really did give us way more than I had expected. Above all I feel a deep sense of gratitude for my life and the people in it. Life will never be the same!! If your looking for an experience that is thrill seeking, but also life changing you can come with me next time - I definitely have to do that again!!
Friday, July 20, 2012
I drank the Koolaid
Omg! I feel like I spent a crazy night in vegas last night. I woke up this morning feeling like a truck hit me. Im exhausted, starving, and sore. But I made it through the fire! Surprisingly, the fire walk was no party trick, and you can get hurt. I did get burned on one foot. Slept with a wet towel on it, and even though it hurt I was still able to pass out. between the excitement of getting here, the delayed flight and the marathon Robbins session yesterday, I think we've had about 10 hours of sleep. And we've got 3 more days to go! I think Tony would say "You can sleep when your dead.". Despite my Robbins hangover I'm learning lots and looking forward to another day of ah ha moments and new insights! When the brain fog clears I'll share them with you!
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
If at first...
I'm on my way to see Tony Robbins once again. This time in California and this time with my husband Jay and my Dad - well sort of. Even though my Dad past away a few months ago he promised me he would walk on fire with me.
In fact, when he made that promise, that was the moment I knew he wasn't going to make it. It would have been really out of character for him.
So I know he'll be there not only in spirit but I've also brought a little piece of him too. (even got it past customs!)
I might be an emotional wreak, but I'm sure it will be an unforgettable experience.
Its no surprise that this time my purpose is different. Instead of being inspired to take my life to a new level, it's become so much more. This time my purpose is to embrace my limitations, old patterns, and self limiting beliefs. All the things that hold me back. This time I have the intention of creating a new plan. A blue print for a life worth living, full of love and meaning. This time I intend to live on purpose. It's a tall order for Tony, I know. But who better...
If at first you are pulled away from walking on fire... Try, try again!
In fact, when he made that promise, that was the moment I knew he wasn't going to make it. It would have been really out of character for him.
So I know he'll be there not only in spirit but I've also brought a little piece of him too. (even got it past customs!)
I might be an emotional wreak, but I'm sure it will be an unforgettable experience.
Its no surprise that this time my purpose is different. Instead of being inspired to take my life to a new level, it's become so much more. This time my purpose is to embrace my limitations, old patterns, and self limiting beliefs. All the things that hold me back. This time I have the intention of creating a new plan. A blue print for a life worth living, full of love and meaning. This time I intend to live on purpose. It's a tall order for Tony, I know. But who better...
If at first you are pulled away from walking on fire... Try, try again!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Learning from the Best
Unfortunately my Tony Robbins experience ended before it really began. Two days before leaving I learned my Father had cancer. It was advanced and without treatment he wouldn't last long. A huge blow, considering my Dad was a healthy guy.
They had some tests to do, and he was in good spirits and really wanted me to go to NY. It was hard to leave, but I did with the understanding that if something should happen they would call me and I would come home right away.
The morning of the first day, we had received some good news that things may not be as bad as expected. I headed off to begin the conference with the expectation to embrace fears and conquer my limitations and feeling good about being at the event.
A few hours into what was looking like a life changing weekend, a message was posted on the screen behind Tony as he spoke "Gina Faubert, please come to Customer Service immediately!"
You can imagine panic, dispair and regret set in instantly. I stopped breathing and fumbled my way out of the conference center in a haze. A lady standing at the door looking deeply concerned held out a cell phone. I couldn't take it. Fear that I had lost my father set in. I was to afraid to hear it. I backed away from the phone, leaning on a wall and broke down. After a few moments one of Tony's first lesson kicked in. Leaders get the facts and don't make more of a situation then it really was. I composed myself with a few deep breathes and toke the phone. It was my husband Jay. He said "things aren't good. You need to get on a plane and get home right away."
I've never been in a state of total panic before. I could recognize my emotional brain had totally taken over, and logic was almost impossible. I began to ask for help and somehow found my way on a plane headed in the right direction. Once the plane took off, I began to breathe again. I sat quietly reflecting. Another lesson came to mind. Every problem is an opportunity for growth.
The flight went quickly and soon I was home, still shaky from the news and worried for what was about to come. Jay picked me up and we went straight to the hospital. My dad was barely alive. He was saying his goodbyes and apologizing for not being strong enough. He needed his rest so after a lot of tears and hugs we headed home.
As we drove home Jay and I began talking about life and what is really important. How we forget to say thank you and I love you and share our time as much as we would like. Somehow all the little things that where so important last week meant almost nothing today. The next lesson: To live life as if today was your last. I never understood this before. I thought that was a cop out for those who didn't believe in hard work. I thought it meant spend all your money and skip out on work, indulge and relax. But in fact, if this was your last you'd be saying what was important and wanting to be with the ones you love. Money, food, travel those don't even make the list of things that where important to me right now.
I came home and went straight to bed and cried myself to sleep. I slept well until about 4:00 am when suddenly I woke up and sat straight up. Tony's lesson 3. See things as better than they are. The truth was, he had lost faith. He was focused on the present moment and didn't have an empowering vision. People survive cancer every day. He was in the best hospital in the province for his type of cancer and had many doctors overseeing his case. He was strong and healthy and young. He had droves of visitors, calling and visiting, too many to rest. He needed a reason bigger than himself to fight to stay alive. Something important, but not too overwhelming and out of reach. He needed a goal to reach for. To live for tomorrow. I went to work devising a list of all the reasons he needed to live. All the things he was yet to experience. But somehow it didn't seem like enough. I poured over conversations I had had with him over the past year. Many about retiring, feeling as if he had reached his potential and wondering if there was anything else he could have accomplished. That was it! Hundreds of people admire my father. (no exaggeration), and almost all feel that he has taught them or supported them in some way. After retiring he had given away the role of mentor and felt like he may not anything else to offer.
This was his moment. If my dad didn't give up, even with being given the worst case scenario he would teach us all a very important life lesson. Never, never, never give up!
In a quiet moment in the hospital I pitched him my vision. He still is a mentor, but this time with a bigger more meaningful lesson. Who needs Tony Robbins (with all due respect) when you have a man like my dad promise me he won't give up, he won't let me down, he'll do his best, he will never give up! He is my new inspiration.
My goals: Try my best to keep him optimistic. Focus on the facts. Encourage him to see what's working, and if needed, try something new. Remind him to focus on the improvements. Remind him of how much he is loved, and by how many. Continue to hold a vision of him recovering.
We all need goals to keep us going, but they need to be personal and relevant and constantly improving. The first night his goal was to get through the night, the next day to relax and sleep, the following was to continue to be hopeful for the day ahead, now his goal is to get strong enough to get home. These goals are small, but perfect examples of how small steps in the right direction with perseverance can move mountains.
Tony Robbins laid out the information for me, my dad is teaching me the real value and truth of these lessons. I never would have imagined I would be watching my father Unleash the Power Within!
The best part of all of this is that (in a vulnerable, drug induced state), my dad said that he would do the Fire Walk with me when he recovers!! What an amazing experience that will be!
They had some tests to do, and he was in good spirits and really wanted me to go to NY. It was hard to leave, but I did with the understanding that if something should happen they would call me and I would come home right away.
The morning of the first day, we had received some good news that things may not be as bad as expected. I headed off to begin the conference with the expectation to embrace fears and conquer my limitations and feeling good about being at the event.
A few hours into what was looking like a life changing weekend, a message was posted on the screen behind Tony as he spoke "Gina Faubert, please come to Customer Service immediately!"
You can imagine panic, dispair and regret set in instantly. I stopped breathing and fumbled my way out of the conference center in a haze. A lady standing at the door looking deeply concerned held out a cell phone. I couldn't take it. Fear that I had lost my father set in. I was to afraid to hear it. I backed away from the phone, leaning on a wall and broke down. After a few moments one of Tony's first lesson kicked in. Leaders get the facts and don't make more of a situation then it really was. I composed myself with a few deep breathes and toke the phone. It was my husband Jay. He said "things aren't good. You need to get on a plane and get home right away."
I've never been in a state of total panic before. I could recognize my emotional brain had totally taken over, and logic was almost impossible. I began to ask for help and somehow found my way on a plane headed in the right direction. Once the plane took off, I began to breathe again. I sat quietly reflecting. Another lesson came to mind. Every problem is an opportunity for growth.
The flight went quickly and soon I was home, still shaky from the news and worried for what was about to come. Jay picked me up and we went straight to the hospital. My dad was barely alive. He was saying his goodbyes and apologizing for not being strong enough. He needed his rest so after a lot of tears and hugs we headed home.
As we drove home Jay and I began talking about life and what is really important. How we forget to say thank you and I love you and share our time as much as we would like. Somehow all the little things that where so important last week meant almost nothing today. The next lesson: To live life as if today was your last. I never understood this before. I thought that was a cop out for those who didn't believe in hard work. I thought it meant spend all your money and skip out on work, indulge and relax. But in fact, if this was your last you'd be saying what was important and wanting to be with the ones you love. Money, food, travel those don't even make the list of things that where important to me right now.
I came home and went straight to bed and cried myself to sleep. I slept well until about 4:00 am when suddenly I woke up and sat straight up. Tony's lesson 3. See things as better than they are. The truth was, he had lost faith. He was focused on the present moment and didn't have an empowering vision. People survive cancer every day. He was in the best hospital in the province for his type of cancer and had many doctors overseeing his case. He was strong and healthy and young. He had droves of visitors, calling and visiting, too many to rest. He needed a reason bigger than himself to fight to stay alive. Something important, but not too overwhelming and out of reach. He needed a goal to reach for. To live for tomorrow. I went to work devising a list of all the reasons he needed to live. All the things he was yet to experience. But somehow it didn't seem like enough. I poured over conversations I had had with him over the past year. Many about retiring, feeling as if he had reached his potential and wondering if there was anything else he could have accomplished. That was it! Hundreds of people admire my father. (no exaggeration), and almost all feel that he has taught them or supported them in some way. After retiring he had given away the role of mentor and felt like he may not anything else to offer.
This was his moment. If my dad didn't give up, even with being given the worst case scenario he would teach us all a very important life lesson. Never, never, never give up!
In a quiet moment in the hospital I pitched him my vision. He still is a mentor, but this time with a bigger more meaningful lesson. Who needs Tony Robbins (with all due respect) when you have a man like my dad promise me he won't give up, he won't let me down, he'll do his best, he will never give up! He is my new inspiration.
My goals: Try my best to keep him optimistic. Focus on the facts. Encourage him to see what's working, and if needed, try something new. Remind him to focus on the improvements. Remind him of how much he is loved, and by how many. Continue to hold a vision of him recovering.
We all need goals to keep us going, but they need to be personal and relevant and constantly improving. The first night his goal was to get through the night, the next day to relax and sleep, the following was to continue to be hopeful for the day ahead, now his goal is to get strong enough to get home. These goals are small, but perfect examples of how small steps in the right direction with perseverance can move mountains.
Tony Robbins laid out the information for me, my dad is teaching me the real value and truth of these lessons. I never would have imagined I would be watching my father Unleash the Power Within!
The best part of all of this is that (in a vulnerable, drug induced state), my dad said that he would do the Fire Walk with me when he recovers!! What an amazing experience that will be!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Fire walking thoughts...
Woke up this morning excited and nervous for the day ahead. It seems as though I have a lot of unanswered questions:
What does one wear to a fire walking ceremony?
Is foot cream a good ideals bad idea?
Is the formeldahide in my nail polish flame resistant?
Should I have I been eating an anti-inflammatory diet?
Does fish oil really put out fires?
Maybe I should have read up on levitation.
LOL -Now you all know why I meditate.
Looking forward to a life changing day!
Let the fun begin!
What does one wear to a fire walking ceremony?
Is foot cream a good ideals bad idea?
Is the formeldahide in my nail polish flame resistant?
Should I have I been eating an anti-inflammatory diet?
Does fish oil really put out fires?
Maybe I should have read up on levitation.
LOL -Now you all know why I meditate.
Looking forward to a life changing day!
Let the fun begin!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Coaching myself for the Fire Walk
My 4:30 wake up call was a little rough this morning. Starbucks wasn't enough to unleash the power within today. I have arrived in New York and their is excitement is in the air. Feels like a strange new age rock concert is about to begin. There are a lot of overly happy people and big Prevost buses around here!
The sun came out so I headed off to Manhattan to find some shopping therapy and hang out in the park. Most importantly, I found this huge WholeFoods that I read about. (I know, grocery shopping while on vacation is pathetic - but I can't help it). It was amazing! Set up like a market, with everything you can dream up, so big I got lost. Everything super fresh, neat displays, samples through out, even a pub inside the store with imported organic beers. Good thing my room has a fridge!
As I spent the day traveling around on my own I had the chance to think about my life happenings, and the events unfolding tomorrow (The Fire Walk). I began to contemplate the concept of what it takes to really commit to do something that seems like a huge challenge - perhaps to big and too scary for some.
I think it comes down to believing in yourself. Knowing your strong enough. Believing in yourself comes from making a commitment to face your fears and find a way - no matter what. You decide you won't wait for others to figure it out for you. If you decide to focus on what you have committed to achieve, then following through by taking action in the direction of your desires, the solutions must unfold. Could it be that easy? And haven't you noticed, solutions usually come just when we think that there are no other options, but we try one more time.
What is it that you really want but are afraid to commit to? For just a few minutes, in your mind's eye, see yourself as having achieved your goal. Hold that in your mind, feel it in your bones. That's who you really are. That's you facing your fears, breaking through old beliefs. Anything is possible when you believe in yourself!
I think the caffeine is finally kicking in!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Preparing to Unleash the Power Within
I'm heading to New York to Walk on Fire! Finally after years of absorbing everything Tony Robbins has created, I'm going to immerse myself in 4 full days of Tony Robbins in the flesh! I'm so excited (and nervous. I've had several dreams of missing the Fire Walk. The first day after he's pumped us up, we get to conquer our fears but literally walking on fire. Almost everyone I talk to thinks this is crazy - I really can't wait. The other times in my life that I've had the opportunity to face my fears (jumping out of a plane, racing on Mosport race track, performing in front of 50,000 people...) I've also been scared, but then exhilarated when it's over. I don't expect this to be any different...
The other aspect of this conference I'm most looking forward to is gaining a new perspective of what's possible in life. I think most of us wait until we are backed into a corner to contemplate what where really made of. I'm hoping to learn how to create a new level of inspiration to change my mediocre habits, to fight everyday for what I really want, and to live consistently from a place of positivity and inner strength. Don't we all just want to live with Passion?
The other aspect of this conference I'm most looking forward to is gaining a new perspective of what's possible in life. I think most of us wait until we are backed into a corner to contemplate what where really made of. I'm hoping to learn how to create a new level of inspiration to change my mediocre habits, to fight everyday for what I really want, and to live consistently from a place of positivity and inner strength. Don't we all just want to live with Passion?
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