Heart's Adventure » Blog

“Karaoke Battle USA”

Glen McClintock — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:46:11 +0000

I’m always fascinated at how our lives unfold. I’m reminded of the book, “Do What You Love, the Money will Follow”. While many of us have been faced with heartfelt endeavors that failed to live up to our dreams of financial success, perhaps these speed bumps in life prepare us for greater rewards in a form we never dreamed. Take my friend Brian Scott for instance. Fifteen years ago I met Brian, working as an advertising graphic designer for a small town newspaper. Brian’s dream, however, was to become a country western singer. He did all the things you’re supposed to do. He made a demo album in Nashville, he sang at local parades and fairs, but despite his talent, greater success eluded him. After several years, he settled in a small town in New Mexico, opening a small gift store and cafe. However, he never lost the dream of singing, and one day, while walking down the street, he saw a sign for a Karaoke contest at a local restaurant. On a whim he decided to enter and he won. As part of winning, he went to the New Mexico State Championship and won that as well. He was then off to the National Competition, and won that, ultimately competing in the World Championship in Finland where he came in 6th. But the story doesn’t stop there. Along the way, his talent as a showman was noticed by the folks who sponsored the Karaoke competitions. Recently, the concept of these competitions was optioned by ABC, to become “Karaoke Battle USA”, premiering on August 12th with Brian as one of the judges. Calling from his limousine on the way to the airport for a taping in Houston, Brian told me, “It’s like a dream.” Who would have known? – Fifteen years later, the intersection of preparation and opportunity, bringing Brian to this point in his life. He followed his heart – His road certainly had its twists and turns, but he never gave up his dream. His experience tells me how it important it is to continue to follow your heart knowing that while the future may not be as you imagine, it can lead you to experiences you never dreamed of. – It’s all your hearts adventure.

The Learning Curve

Glen McClintock — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 16:30:54 +0000

I was driving along the highway in my beautiful State of Vermont last week when suddenly an issue I was struggling with became clearer in my mind and I thought to myself, “why did it take me so long to get this clarity?” How could I have learned this lesson sooner and avoided the pain and frustration that finally led me to a solution?

I thought of my years of school and work experience that gave me the skills to be where I am today – and boy that certainly took some time! However, I know that I’ve been able to shorten my learning curve when I am focused on something that holds real interest for me, when I seek direction from experts, and when I allowed myself to make mistakes as part of the learning process.

Fortunately or unfortunately this isn’t always the case. For me, college was one of the best learning experiences of my life. Not because I was totally focused on my studies, but because I was open to the broader experiences of college life and willing to explore life’s possibilities on a variety of levels. This spirit of adventure was key in forming a perspective and focus on learning that supported my own happiness and satisfaction. There may have been shorter path to an answer, but none so rich and rewarding.

So again, why did it take me so long to gain clarity about that issue as I drove down the highway? Would it have been quicker to focus on strategies and seeking expert advice on how to resolve the issue? Perhaps, but maybe some solutions, and even better solutions, develop through a process that is more unconscious. Maybe the first step is to not get caught in the frustration of not knowing but approaching life with an open heart and mind, enjoying the journey, and allowing the best answers to simmer gently until their most palatable. Perhaps another lesson in letting go.

Creating the Life You Want

Glen McClintock — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 12:34:04 +0000

The Irish playwright & essayist, George Bernard Shaw, said “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” This quote really supports the concept of coaching – that each individual has the power to move forward in a positive way to create the life they want. The idea of “finding” oneself implies that one is lost and certainly we can feel lost at times in our lives, but it is our actions that ultimately lead us to a better place. This can include trying more effective ways to deal with those feelings of being lost, choosing to look at thinks from a different perspective, and taking a different path. Other people may influence us, but the choice is ours. Coaching can help provide direction by helping to identify choices and asking important questions – How do you create a life you are proud of? What next steps can be taken to create the life you want?

Waiting to Set Sail

Glen McClintock — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:50:39 +0000

Do you ever get frustrated waiting for the right conditions to set sail, i.e.: just the right opportunity, calm seas, enough resources? There are times I certainly find myself there, sitting at shore, wondering when the storm will pass, waiting and waiting – and I ask myself, “Do I know where I really want to be?” – “Am I clear about my destination?”, “What do I need, or need to let go of, to get there?”….and then I sigh, and take a step back, and appreciate the horizon and this moment in my life and all I have to be grateful for – The destination becomes clearer, my journey continues, the only thing I was waiting for was me to remember that what’s important is being here now.

Letting Go on my Heart’s Adventure

Glen McClintock — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 02:30:50 +0000

Every so often in life you realize that it’s time to move on – to pull up anchor and chart a new course. This doesn’t always mean making a physical move – it can be a spiritual or emotional movement – but what ever it is, it is a time of letting go, i.e.: of bad habits, of old ways of thinking, of unhealthy relationships, and perhaps of possessions that have begun to weigh you down. For me this is such a time. I want to open myself to greater opportunity, to new experiences and new ways of being in the world. It’s time to make that next move to continue to create the life I really want.

I recently read Karen Kingston’s book, Clearing Your Clutter with Feng Shui and it has really helped give me that extra push to move forward on my journey of letting go. This includes letting go of my home, those possessions that no longer hold energy for me, and creating a new space for a healthier and more fulfilling life. Like any new journey, it is beginning not only with excitement and anticipation, but with fear and trepidation. As I move forward, however, I do so with purpose and intention. I can see the horizon of where I want to be and seeing it makes it that much closer as I set off once again on my heart’s adventure.

Living an Intentional Life

Glen McClintock — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 02:45:05 +0000

What does it mean to live an intentional life? Is it about having goals, assuming we know what we really want? And we can ever be sure that our goals will bring us what we need since we can never imagine what will happen between now until then? I know people with some great intentions, i.e.: a client of mine is excited and focused on starting a new career, a friend is dedicated to become a published author, and my nephew is dreaming about college to become a mechanical engineer. While their future goals are clear, it seems to me that it’s their excitement, dedication, and ability to dream – being fully engaged in life – that makes their lives intentionally lived. Beyond that I think it’s the energy that pulls us towards a goal and living life in a more conscious way; it’s having an understanding of one’s values and strengths, and how to utilize them effectively to create a life on one’s own terms. Life may hold many surprises for us, and we may stumble at times, but as the captain of our ship it’s what we make of the journey, and not the destination, that makes all the difference.

Letting Go

Glen McClintock — Tue, 18 May 2010 11:09:12 +0000

When is it time to let go of things that keep us from moving forward in our lives? Perhaps it is a psychological pain, i.e.: anger, remorse, grief, or unhealthy relationships. It can also be a tangible things, real-estate, automobiles, recreational equipment or just items that we’ve collected over the years that now weigh us down. It’s not always easy; sometimes we get end up holding on to things out of fear, even unhealthy ways of being in the world, because they are so familiar; tangible items hold meaning for us, evoking memories, becoming symbols of status; they help define us and our world. How often do we take stock of the things that hold us back, the barriers that keep us from moving forward no matter how much we may dream of doing something different with our lives? How often are we pro-active with this process as opposed to being forced to let go by circumstance? Letting go is a process that can take time, but the first step is always finding greater clarity about where we want to be. If we can truly really get a sense of the world we want to create, we can better understand what we need to get there. Creating forward movement towards ones dreams can help us move away from things that weigh us down. What course have you set for your life’s journey?

Are You Clear About Your Intentions?

Glen McClintock — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:37:23 +0000

As we go through our day to day routine, what do we hope to accomplish? How often do we sit down and get a clear idea of where we want to be and what we really want out of life? Whether we’re working to achieve a personal goal, gain a new skill or pursue a new career it’s important to ask the question, “Why”? – Where would we be if we met those goals, had those new skills, new job or promotion? Would we be happier, more peaceful, and more financially secure? If we can be clearer about where we want to be and why we want to be there, we can begin to tap in to our own internal resources and start to take action. We can plan all we want for success, but it is really having clarity of vision and understanding the meaning of our journey, that truly enables us to embark on our hearts adventure.

Casting a Wide Net May Not be the Best Way to Find Your Mate

Glen McClintock — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:32:43 +0000

With the advent of Facebook, MySpace, and a wide variety of internet dating services, we are presented with more opportunities to network than ever before. After sifting through hundreds of online profiles, we may be encouraged by an occasional connection; but our internet search often leaves us feeling even more discouraged than before. A Pew Research Center Study from 2006, however, noted that only 3% of internet users who were married or in long-term relationships actually met on the internet. 38% met at work or in school and 34% met through family and friends. This suggests that we are more open to connect with others when we are engaged in heart felt pursuits, in our profession or with family and friends. Remember that finding that someone special is not about casting a wide net, it’s about following your hearts adventure, finding yourself, and opening up to that place of greatest potential to find someone to share your journey.

Kissing a lot of Frogs Lately?

Glen McClintock — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:08:13 +0000

Whether it’s social pressure, boredom, or just plain loneliness, we can find ourselves in romantic situations that just don’t feel right. Have you ever gone on a date just to have something to do? Have you ever stayed together with someone just so you weren’t alone during the holidays or for a special occasion? When it comes to prospective romance, how often do we really listen to our heart and let it be our guide? When we go out with someone for the wrong reasons we may rationalize our actions with the old phrase, “You need to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince.” Deep down, however, we realize that there are other more healthy ways to fill our emptiness or find that someone special. Sure we need to risk for love, but first we need to love ourselves. This may be easier said than done, but when we stop chasing after our dreams and really begin to experience the present we can feel whole again. Stopping to experience the here and now may at times bring fear and anxiety; but it can also bring clarity and acceptance, putting us in a better place to attract the person who is right for us.