 My Mt. Everest is a metaphor for including in your life fun, recreational activities that challenge your fear and strengthen your courage. It's a sure way to develop your "courage muscle." First, Your Mt. Everest. Then, the world.
Newsletters: 2009 2008 2007 September 2006 December My Mount
Everest: November, 2006 Alex Mandossian
First of all, thank you to
the 10% of you who answered my questionnaire. You
represent people that I know personally - from just
having met this year to knowing you your whole
lifetime. Both men and women - more women. Your
answers were thoughtful, thought-provoking and
helpful. Now don't expect big
changes, or maybe any changes right away. If I
hadn't said it before, the reason that I started
this e-letter was as a My Mt Everest project. It
was a challenge to me. When I was active in
Toastmasters, the most difficult part of giving a
speech, was writing it. I would write the speech
and memorize the outline. But writing the speech
was a bear. Yet I do have something to say; and it
is unique. I can't rely on someone else to say it
for me. There's not room in my head for anyone else
but me. Writing this e-letter has simply worked
wonders for the ease of writing that I feel. I even
like the feel of the keys as I scurry through one
word already thinking of the next few. So here are the questions
that I asked and the main things that I got out of
your answers. 1. How would you
describe MME e-letter? People liked the brevity;
(so do I). 'Deep, yet entertaining' seems to
express several of you. 'Inspirational and
motivational' were mentions a few times; that was a
'wow' for me. Request for more audience
participation comes up. I would like that too, but
I'm not sure how to do that. Using my blog, which I
am guilty of not using, requires you to go to the
website, but I have built this e-letter by coming
to you, via email. So I'm not sure how to handle
that. Please feel free to make suggestions to me.
2. What is the most
important thing that you get out of reading it?
People seemed to tap into a
couple of things. Some really related to the My Mt
Everest aspect -the challenging your courage. For
sure this creation was floated and nourished in the
amniotic sack of my courage, absolutely every ounce
of courage I have. It also meets that
voyeuristic urge we all have. I am the lady in the
window - daring to reveal my deepest thoughts,
feelings, and vulnerabilities. It meets a need in
me - apparently, as well as you-that you watch,
that you see. What do I get out of it? Well, of
course, it's easier to tell what you get out of it
- as I dare to presume to know. I think that it is
comforting to know that other people (me) who are
normal (though unique) and straightforward can have
these thoughts and feelings that may mirror or
reflect feeling you may have even though you
haven't thought them yet. As for me, what do I get
out of it? I am on a journey of coming out of the
closet. I was raised 'to not wear my heart on my
sleeve'. I was raised to not draw attention to
myself. I was raised that they can't hate you for
being Jewish and lead you to the ovens, if they
don't even know that you are there. It is taking
all this time to address this emotional disability
and begin to overcome it. I have things that I need
to do and I cannot let old ghosts hold me back.
3. If I were to include
something that you haven't read from me that you
would like to hear about what would it be?
People said really very
nice things - asking for more of the same, that the
ideas had more value since they came from me, whom
they trust. Now, let's face it, that is a nice
thing to say, and a very nice thing to hear.
Especially since every edition is a risk for me.
This last issue about an
evening with Nathan was absolutely scary. It
included mi amour. It admitted that he was my love
- the more I feel it, the scarier it is to say it,
even allude to it. Unfortunately for my offspring,
it seems to be an inheritable trait. Also, it was
just a mundane evening, the non-adventure. But the
greatest majority of you made specific reference to
it -it was the most current story, and your
comments were so overwhelmingly positive-including
the single among you. Most understood it was about
easy, riding the wave of the flow of your life - a
smell the roses activity that refreshes you and
readies you for the next challenge. Another request: One,
wonderfully hyperactive reader, suggested more
adventures that can broaden the spectrum of appeal.
Never would have thought of that on my own. I have
kind of liked the idea of not doing physical
adventures because - probably because I'm lazy. No,
I think it wasn't the fear I was focused on. But
the more I think about it, the more I like the
idea. Of course, you have to
understand that to me, simply traveling to Mt
Everest would be enough of a challenge without even
thinking of climbing it. But it's a fun idea to put
in the hopper (what is a hopper, anyway.)
Just remember, I have
committed to one challenge a year and I'm already
over booked. This e-letter is one, and I've done 3
comedy performances; that's two. I'm preparing for
another Parlor Performance. I bring my story
telling ability to my singing; it sure isn't my
voice; I'm still learning to carry a tune.
Plus, I've told you, I
volunteered as an intern on Guerrilla Marketing to
the Masses and now I'm assistant project
coordinator. The project uses teleseminars to
create material for a Guerrilla Marketing book;
trust me that is challenging my courage muscle
every week. Yep, I'm gonna come up with
a physical challenge for next year, or the year
after. Hey, I take my commitments seriously.
Anybody want to do something with me? 4. Does it have a
broader appeal than all of you? Who else/what
groups would enjoy reading this? Some mentioned the business
community; that really surprises me. My adventurer mentioned
taking video and telling the story of the adventure
as I live it. That's really interesting and, no
doubt about it, personally risky. Hmmm. I didn't
realize it till I said, I mean, wrote it.
Those that were more
specific, mentioned young women ages 15-35. As it
happens that is a favorite group. Young women will
not just live through my adventures, they will make
their own. But the friend that shared her story of
daring to share her tears and the great response
she got to it. Bungee jumping, publicly sharing
tears both strengthen your courage muscle.
5. What additional
question should I ask? And how would you answer it?
Has my e-letter helped you
become more courageous? Love that question.
Another suggested that I
ask y'all for questions that you would like me to
answer. Great Idea. Another said the question I
should ask is" How can I make this into a
profitable, entertaining enterprise and give a
percentage to charity." Amen, amen, amen. All in
good time. I have to say, I love the
interaction with you. Okay, I have to control my
word count. Short is better. It's not too late for you
unanswerers to become an answerer. Simply cut and
paste the questions to your answer e-mail and
answer the questions: 1.How would you describe
MME e-letter? 2. What is the most
important thing that you get out of reading it?
3. If I were to include
something that you haven't read from me that you
would like to hear about what would it be?
4. Does it have a broader
appeal than all of you? Who else/what groups would
enjoy reading this. 5; What additional question
should I ask? And how would you answer
it? For next
month: Anyone have a question that
you would like me to answer? About Merle M. Singer: |