I recently listened to an episode of my favourite podcasts: Radiolab.  The topic-du-jour was death – specifically, what are the end-of-life preferences of medical doctors.

“We turn to doctors to save our lives — to heal us, repair us, and keep us healthy. But when it comes to the critical question of what to do when death is at hand, there seems to be a gap between what we want doctors to do for us, and what doctors want done for themselves.”

–

photo by NoneOther... {Captured In Lights}...

In 2005 I wrote a book called What’s Your Expiry Date? Embrace Your Mortality – Live With Vitality.  In it, I introduced a concept I call The Power of Mortality™.  I have been speaking about this topic since 2003 and done many radio and television interviews, including an hour long interview with Dr. Oz on Oprah & Friends.  In 2009 I was featured in a documentary movie.  But first and foremost the accomplishment that means the most to me is the incredible feedback that I get from people who have been impacted by my message.

People have changed their attitudes.  People have changed their behaviors. People have changed their careers.  People have changed their relationships. People have changed their lives! What more can you ask than to be able to do life-changing work?

In December of 2008 I got a message from my friend Sherry.  We’ve never had the pleasure of meeting but have connected through Facebook.  She and her family are fans of my book.  They even have my Mortality Manifesto printed out and displayed on their fridge!  Here’s what Sherry had to say:

I don’t know how you and your family talk about death, dying, living (I know your kids are younger) but my 12 year old daughter just brought it up to me.  We were in the car and she just very quietly said, I love you Mom.  We say it a lot in our house so I didn’t make much of it.  Then also quietly she said, “i’m afraid to die”.  Of course, i turned off the radio and really listened (which is what i should have been doing anyway).  I’m not sure what brought it on but I think i remember having thoughts about mortality at about her age.
I really took it as an amazing opportunity to talk about mortality with her.  I mentioned your name and your message (along with a bit of my own thoughts) and she knew who you were because I talk about you a lot in our home.

My point is, we continued the conversation at home in bed in the dark (where all the best intimate conversations happen).  And we will continue the conversations as they come up.  I`m pleased to say that she understands about mortality as something that is inevitable.  And she has agreed to open her mind to facing it without fear.  She also knows that there is every reason to believe that she and her family will live long lives but that each day is a gift.

So… thanks! You gave some powerful parenting tools.

Within a few weeks I had created an outline of a book that would be aimed at children, to help them to understand the idea of mortality and to approach it from a place of power, rather than fear.

And then… my life got crazy so I shelved that project.

Now, I’m proud to say that it’s back in full swing!

My question to you is:

What age do kids start to ask questions about mortality?

I’d love to hear your insights and anecdotes on the topic.

Happy New Year everyone!

(Hey, did we ever decide what we we’re calling that last decade? We had the 80′s, then the 90′s but what is the name for the decade we just finished? And what are we in now? The “teens”?)

Well, it’s a new year and the beginning of a new decade!  Why not take this opportunity to create a new life for yourself?

As I mentioned on December 1st, there are some big changes coming for me in 2010.

I have been writing and speaking about the Power of Mortality™ for six years now. As you are probably aware, my message is closely tied to my life story, and since life continues to grow and evolve, my message has evolved as well.

If the Power of Mortality™ was about waking people up to the importance of their lives, then my next step involves helping people get into action when it comes to creating their dream lives.

I am thrilled to invite you to join me at ChooseTheLifeYouWant.com as I discuss a three-step process to help people live the lives of their dreams. Lives of significance. Lives that are fearless, focused and free from regret.

Choose The Life You Want (CTLYW) simply builds on the discussion that was started with The Power of Mortality. Naturally, the concept of embracing your own mortality is one of the cornerstones of the CTLYW approach. If you haven’t already read and signed the Mortality Manifesto Pledge – do it now!

I am replacing my Mindful Moment newsletter and podcast with a weekly email newsletter called “Fearless, Focused Fridays“. The idea is to give yourself a few moments on Friday to reflect on your dreams and head into the weekend and following week with a renewed sense of purpose and clarity.

You can subscribe to receive Fearless, Focused Fridays, as well as CTLYW blog updates via email or RSS feed. And you can subscribe to get updates on other news such as the upcoming book, public workshops and weekend retreats.

As I begin this new chapter, I want to sincerely thank you for being part of my journey so far. I would be honored in you would continue with me as we both begin to choose (and live) the lives we want!

ENJOY NOW!

So if you’ve been following my blog for a while, or if you’ve read my book – you may have wondered what my heart actually looks like.  Well, your wait is over!

You can get a look at my heart at the same time as you are checking out my new website called Choose The Life You Want.  The site doesn’t “officially” launch until January 1, 2010, but you can have a sneek-peek right now!

Here’s the link!  While you’re over there, you might as well subscribe!  Then come back here and tell me what you think!

Isn’t it hard to believe that 2009 is rapidly drawing to a close?  December 1st already!

2009 has been a year of challenges for me.  Actually, the last two years have been challenging for me.  This is why I haven’t been very active in blogging or podcasting. To those of you who used to look forward to my regular messages – I’m sorry that I’ve been sporadic in my communications.   The good news is that I’ve learned a lot of lessons during these times.  Lessons about myself and lessons about life.  And beginning January 1st (just one month from today) I’m going to start sharing those lessons with you.

• If you found value in The Power of Mortality™, then I’m sure you’re going to love what’s next!
• If you enjoyed my first book “What’s Your Expiry Date?”, then I know you’re going to love my next book!

A new blog, a new website, a new podcast, a new book … all coming in the new year!

What’s next is the evolution of the message that started with The Power of Mortality™.  That evolution is the journey that I’ve been on for the past 24+ months.  And let me tell you… it’s quite a ride and the journey is just beginning!

I can’t wait to share it with you!  Are you up for it?