The 10 Behind

Those closest to me know that I have always wanted to be a journalists and a story-teller. Ever since I was 8 or 9 years old. In 1995 my dreams came true when I joined NBC Network News. I figured the rest of my life was set now that I had found a home at the Peacock. Boy was I wrong. The end of the 90s ushered in the biggest season of change ever in my life.

The first decade of the new century – the decade of my 30’s – has seen me living in three different cities, changing jobs four or five times, meeting and being inspired by countless people, and continuing to learn who I am and what I want to accomplish in this life. Put simply… I want to be an influential change agent in the world. I want to be able to use my gifts and talents to make a difference, to honor God and benefit man!

It’s been a topsy-turvy ride at times. So many lessons learned. So many experiences that have shaped (are shaping) who I am:

2000 – After leaving NBC, entered into world of corporate communications (joined Moody Bible Institute and then the American Heart Association) & higher education (began as a Columbia College adjunct professor)

2001 – September 11. Still remember being at my office, right across the street from the Sears Tower. The scene was chaos as we all streamed out of buildings thinking this landmark would be the next one hit. As a media junky, I was watching the Today Show when the attack happened. Those moments are indelibly etched in my mind.

2002 – Travelled to France and Philippines with my pastor and his wife. This was my first time ever overseas. And man did I love it! The yearning to go back and explore the rest of the world began immediately upon returning to the U.S.

2003 – Travelled to Italy for the first time to partake in an intensive Italian cooking school (and reconnect with old college friends who have now become a regular part of my European adventures and my life!) Returned home to be laid off – bummer – and thus began a wilderness adventure in unemployment.

2004 – Worked as freelance journalist and a freelance PR person with my own company (Major fail. Always forgot to bill folks.) But mostly, I was really, really broke! Learned some huge lessons in humility, on relying on God and on the goodness of friends and family.

2005 – Just when I thought I couldn’t get any poorer, an unexpected job offer came my way. I ended up moving away from Chicago for the first time in my life as I headed to Philadelphia where I joined AstraZeneca. Heart-wrenching, but ultimately an experience that has made me more globally aware and better able to adapt and engage with others.

2006 – Welcomed my first nephew ever, Theloneus. Began to do a lot more traveling with work, almost all in the US, but enough that I had miles to head back to Italy.

2007 – Started teaching communications and social media at West Virginia University. Travelled to the UK, Greece, and my favorite trip this year: Moscow, Russia… all thanks to work (also snuck in another Italy trip too for fun!) Tons more US travel too! Reached 100k miles of travel for the first time ever. Took on an extended assignment for AstraZeneca, living in London during the fall. Best. Time. Ever. Also got to see Scotland and Ireland. But ended up leaving the company at end of this year. Welcomed my beautiful niece Nila into the world.

2008 – Became a Martian as I moved to DC to join Mars, Inc. Pioneering new types of communications. Saw a bunch of amazing places, including cities in Germany, UK, Switzerland, France, Italy, Indonesia, Singapore, and my favorite trip of the year: Ghana! Crossed 150k miles of travel this year. Took on my first role in a short film as an EP on Grande Drip. Finding my true story-telling love again!

2009 – Continued working hard and traveling the world. (Over 200k miles this year!) Enjoyed a horseback-riding cowboy adventure in the Colorado mountains. Welcomed my newest nephew Nicholas. Spent more time in cities across UK, Germany, France, Italy and Indonesia; also saw Tokyo, Monte Carlo, Bangkok, and my favorite trip this year: Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. Started work as EP on a new short film… looking forward to exploring this side of my communications skill much more in 2010!

As I get set to enter my 39th year of life (ugh!) I can truly say it’s been an amazing ride so far. God has been so good. Throughout the many positive times, and several very hard times, He has been faithful. I learn so much every day. I enjoy so much. I feel blessed beyond words.

People often ask me to share some key learning’s from my adventures. Although there are many that could fill a book, here are six lessons I have been learning along the way:

1 – Be a good communicator: This requires being up to speed on world events, on the things going on around you, and then being able to share with others clearly (either in writing or in person – or in today’s environment, via social media). Major key to success.

2- Be good on paper and then in real life: Diverse experiences make for the most prepared people. Do lots of different stuff, try out lots of different things, experience all sorts of opportunities. Learn to tell others about these experiences and use them to help you get to the places you want to go and the work you want to do.

3 – Be diligent: Opportunity requires personal gumption. Pulling yourself up on your own boot straps. You will only be able to accomplish what you pursue and prepare yourself to accomplish. If you feel led to do something, then go after it with passion and gusto.

4 – Be willing to try anything: My hand goes up first whenever a volunteer is needed. Diversity of experiences is one of the spices of life. You never know unless you try. And when you try, what you know is so much richer, and deeper, and meaningful. Take an unexpected risk, read, write, dance, laugh, drink, enjoy!

5 – Be all about people: If your focus isn’t on relationships, on connecting with people, on getting to know individuals and letting them know you… then life is truly shallow and bereft of joy. It’s all about people. Learn to love. Learn to tell others how you feel about them. Don’t pass up opportunities to engage. Build memories. A time of sharing a cup of coffee with someone means so much more than any adventure I could ever be on.

6 – Be in a good relationship with God: Goes back to relationship. And ultimately, without a good, growing relationship with God, I have found life to be meaningless. I’ve enjoyed this life thus far because I have learned to enjoy who God is in my life. And to rely on Him. And to draw inspiration from Him. And to try to be obedient and worthy of His love. It’s the number one driving force behind it all.

So… there you have it. Just a couple of thoughts as we close out the last decade and enter the next one.