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“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something—your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” – Steve Jobs
I was first introduced to Bob’s teachings when a friend invited me to attend a Paradigm Shift event in late summer 2019. I remember hearing Bob proclaim in his powerful, emphatic voice “Most people coast along safely in life until they die.” When I heard that statement, it felt like he was yelling at me through the Livestream, and my paradigm—a rather snarky one at that, answered back, “Sure well what is so wrong with that anyway?”
See, I despised change. I stayed at the same job for the past 10 years because while I love working with my colleagues and boss, I also appreciated the familiarity and comfort of the “known.” We are told at a young age, go to school, study hard, get a good and stable job, and make a decent salary. As an attorney, I had accomplished these goals. I worked full time and attended law school at night. I hustled and put in long hours and hard work. When I passed the NYS Bar on the first try—I was elated, yet the student loans hung over my head as a constant reminder of my depressing situation. I was convinced this was just the way things were. Work, pay bills, and wait to live life fully when I can retire— whenever that would be.
Up until recently, I had let life happen to me, rather than the other way around. I chose the path of least resistance. I chose comfort and safety and I thought that was the answer. Family is of utmost importance to me and my children are my whole world. I had asked myself on numerous occasions, “Heather, what more can you possibly want?” The answer later revealed itself to me: Freedom… Freedom to spend time with my children. Freedom to experience life. Freedom to create my own future and fulfill my desires. Freedom to be free from the chains that bound me.
When I lost my mom in April 2019 it made me question everything I knew. I was too busy to grieve in the weeks following her passing. I was working full time, with two small children and had no time to heal. I found myself breaking down in my office copier room crying because I had no outlet. My mother in law and my own mother died in less than two years’ time. I was suffering greatly from depression, self-pity, and anxiety.
In the midst of all this, I had donated to an orphanage in Africa. I found them on social media, and something resonated with me. Here were children as young as two years of age with no parents, with little possessions, yet they seemed happy and grateful for what they did have—each other. I donated some money and thought nothing more of it.
The next day I got the most beautiful video message from them. The children were holding up a sign saying thank you, we love you, may God Bless you. When I opened that video, the tears poured out. I felt intense love and fulfillment. I was trying needlessly to fill the void of my mother’s passing, by buying things that brought no relief. That video, those children filled my heart with love, something I had never experience before from complete strangers.
I was driving to Court the next day listening to Napoleon Hill’s audiobook “Think and Grow Rich” and got to the part when he said, if an idea comes to you—take the idea and run with it. Successful people make decisions quickly and change them infrequently. It was at that moment an idea popped into my head. What if I can write a children’s book about gratitude and donate a portion of the net proceeds to the orphanage? At the time I thought I only had ONE book in me.
Well, I wrote the book and started researching publishers. I asked around but was told I needed an agent and it was nearly impossible to navigate the book market. I was ready to table the idea completely.
Later that week I was talking to a friend about Napoleon Hill, and she told me about Bob Proctor. She invited me to attend the Paradigm Shift event.
When I heard Les Brown’s speech at that event it touched me profoundly. Les said:
“Imagine if you will, being on your death bed – and standing around your bed – the ghosts of the ideas, the dreams, the abilities, the talents given to you by life. And that you for whatever reason, you never acted on those ideas, you never pursued that dream, you never used those talents, we never saw your leadership, you never used your voice, you never wrote that book.
And there they are standing around your bed looking at you with large angry eyes saying ‘we came to you, and only you could have given us life! Now we must die with you forever.’
I was overcome with a flood of emotion, tears pouring down my face. I had seen the lives of loved ones get cut short. I wondered if they had dreams unfulfilled and if they let those talents and ideas die with them.
After the event, I signed on to the Thinking Into Results program. What I realized was the only thing that was constant was change. As Bob so often says, “we are either creating or disintegrating— there is no staying the same.”
And so, this ‘leap of faith’ has completely changed the trajectory of my life. While I initially thought I had only one book in me, I have now written ten books. I decided to publish “Angel Grandma” first as I wanted to get the book out prior to the anniversary of my mother’s passing… my gift to her and to myself.
Along the way, I have dealt with my fair share of setbacks, doubt, roadblocks, even old stubborn paradigms creeping back in. But something incredible happened to me when I chose this path, or rather this path chose me— people started entering my life. Mentors, and dear friends who have motivated me, cheered me on and kept me on track with a laser focus.
Pablo Picasso said, “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”
I am certain my mom has been guiding me on this path. I feel her love surrounding me and comforting me. I wrote “Angel Grandma” because I know in my heart this is true: Love Never Ends.
And now when I think back to that girl who first questioned Bob at that Paradigm Shift event…the one who despised change. Well, that girl no longer exists. I do not have all the answers, I am very much a work in progress, but I do know this: Wherever this road takes me, I am embracing it. This dream will not die with me. Take the leap of faith and believe in yourself. After all, if you don’t believe in yourself- who will?
With Love and Gratitude,
Heather Lean
“Angel Grandma” has messages of love, triumph, and transformation along with mesmerizing illustrations. It is a beautifully written poem that connects children to their loved ones who have passed on and serves as a reminder that they are always watching over us. Go here now to get your copy.
*A portion of net proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to The Unstoppable Foundation.
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