The Heartwood Conception...

"When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don't blame the lettuce. You look for reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilizer, or more water, or less sun. You never blame the lettuce! Yet if we have problems with our friends or family, we blame the other person. But if we know how to take care of them, they will grow well...like the lettuce. Blaming has no positive effect at all, nor does trying to persuade using reason and arguments. That is my experience. No blame, no reasoning, no argument, just understanding (of the root issue)."

-- Thich Nhat Hahn

This concept of planting and reaping is what I have decided to base my 'Heartwood Project' program on. I was originally trying to find a Public speaking niche that was unique, and looking to create a market for myself in speaking. I already speak about abstinence, Abortion, etc. But I felt that there was something that I could address that was different. So, a while back, I asked my Facebook friends 'What would you PAY to hear someone do a seminar about?' I figured that this would inspire me to come up with a topic that was needed. Interestingly, the overwhelming majority said 'How to overcome the pain of your past so it doesnt affect the future.' And it was then that I relaized that alot of people out there want to get OVER stuff, and really dont know how to do it.

At first, I rejected that idea. because I thought 'Oh, but this has been done before', plus, I am not qualified to discuss that. Maybe I could discuss 'Raising Christian Teens.' or "Staying Married Forever.' Because these are things that I have done and am experienced in. But the more I thought about it, the only reason I was able to do these things is because I purposely chose a different path than those of the generations before me. I was never exposed to Christianity or Marriage growing up. Instead, I saw violence, broken homes, drugs, alcoholism, and partying.  I made it up in my mind as a child to do almost everything opposite than what I had seen growing up, and because of that, I am a pilgrim-a first of my kind in this generation... exploring unchartered territory. There are many women that have no idea how to get out of the strongholds that bind them from generation to generation. Doing the weekly WOW calls, I noticed that the calls are higher on the days where I talk about breaking stronghlds and overcoming the past, as well as relationships. I looked back into my own past, and thought about HOW I did the overcoming...and the Heartwood project was born. Have things been perfect for me in my own life? Not at all, but through trial and error, I have learned several important keys and lessons (even through my failures) that I could share that will empower others to succeed.

Although I initially thought 'this has been done before', My branding coach Lavondilyn informed me that, 'It may have been done, but not like YOU can do it. No one can tell your story like YOU can." And a fire was ignited. In my own life I have encoundtered many speakers, and some have touched me more than others, even with the same messsage. Some have caused me to examine myself, some have bored me to death. The difference was the passsion that they brought to the subject, as well as the creativity, and personality of the speaker.

Heartwood is the central, non-living part of a tree that supports the tree. It is dead... But still keeps the tree upright, and living. Many of us are also walking around 'dead' inside. Yes, we exist. We function. We even appear to be thriving. But somewhere deep beneath the surface, we are dying, and being strangled by the roots of our past. The Heartwood Project is designed to be a 16 hour Two-day workshop that will go back to the orginal 'core' of the person, and start to 'dig up' thse roots, and begin to re-plant new ones.
The Mission is clear: Empowering women (and later men too) who desire to cutt off the 'dead roots' of their past, re-generate new roots, and cultivate a healthy legacy for the next generation!
In other words: Getting PAST the PAST-While moving towards the Future" 
~The story of my Life!! God even showed me a picture similar to this in my  mind when I was asking what my theme would be....I drew it, and it ended up loking EXACTLY like heartwood in the center of a tree! (see pic below) He showed me that he wasnts me to liken the journey to gardening. I have never gardened either, but I am learning so much during my research! .

The story also of so many women as well who are overcomers, survivors, and triumphant in life and desire to keep those things from affecting thier children the same way it affected them. Women who want to change things, but just are not sure how to start. The goal of the program is making a complete life change in 40 days with step-by-step implementation.

So now, I am actually really excited about this program and have been working on it diligently. Then, I will be taking the seminar around the country to different states. I expect to kick off by Fall, 2011. I am now actively looking for assistance with creating a logo..and I want to create an advertising video.  Lots of work to do, but when you are doing something you love to do, and pursuing your purpose and passion...it never feels like work. So...look out for a 'Heartwood Project by Myckelle' (one name, like Cher) Seminar Near You....;)

...I was born to do this!!