The Claw

What can the dying teach us about living?

When you’ve compassionately aided people leave the planet for 30 years—helped them be comfortable, reduced their pain and listened to their words—what emerges is not just a way of dying, but also a way of living.

In her book, TRANSITIONS: A Nurse’s Education About Life and Death, Hawkins, who spent the heart of her career as an oncology and  hospice nurse in Oklahoma, offers 60 tenderly-rendered short recollections of those experiences that stayed with her…the one’s that touched her heart, took her breadth away and opened her to a greater wisdom. It’s that wisdom which she shares with us—how we can live better, more richly, more wisely and with greater love before we, too, transition—and look back to wonder what we missed.

Direct download: 10-31-2012_The_Better_You_Project_Becki_Hawkins.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Alyssa Phillips is more than just a cancer survivor, she’s a miracle.

It’s been a long road for Alyssa but by sharing her life-changing story, she hopes to empower others with what she used to turn two bone marrow transplants and a less than five percent chance of survival into a beautiful new beginning. Alyssa wants people to know that there is no such thing as “impossible” and that miracles can and do happen…she’s living proof. Alyssa encourages all of us to transcend our circumstances, physical or otherwise, by choosing to view the challenges, and even the tragedies, of our lives as veiled lessons and gifts that can break us in beautiful ways into the people we were always meant to become—if we let them. “It’s the choice that changes everything,” she says. “And it’s why I know that, no matter what it looks like, Something beautiful is happening™.”

You can also get a nice dose of inspiration from Alyssa’s uplifting blog, including all of the original “updates” she shared during her pivotal cancer journey. Alyssa continues to share her incredible story as she moves beyond her miraculous turnaround—both inside and out—to help others with what she’s learned and how she did it—including some of her favorite tips, trips and pics from along the way and even an excerpt from her upcoming book!

Direct download: 10-24-2012__Alyssa_Phillips.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Paul Evans does not believe that business and life are separate. What he loves most about online business is that he gets to do what I love every day... help people reach their dreams.Maybe you're like Paul. The structure of the corporate world just doesn't fit. Commuting, clocking in and sitting in a cubicle isn't your idea of the real life. You know you're meant for something more.Eric Holtzclaw and Susan McMullen interview Paul and learn more about how Paul’s life radically changed Tuesday, May 4, 1993 at 11:14 a.m. when his first wife, Sherri, passed away in his arms. Their son, Sam, was just 5 weeks old. And because of that Paul is driven to help others succeed so they can call the shots in their lives by being there for their family and friends, both with their time and finances.
Paul is married to Marla for 17 AWESOME years and have two sons, Sam and Steven. They live in Alabama, USA - the "deep south" as you'll notice from his accent on his videos. :)
Direct download: 10-17-2012_The_Better_You_Project_Paul_Evans.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Eric Holtzclaw and Susan McMullen interview Lee McCracken – a writer, editor, social entrepreneur and three-year breast cancer survivor. At 50, Lee says God turned her mess into a message, and she created and trademarked Yes, Ma-am! Mammograms Are A Must®. The social enterprise makes a sassy and southern statement about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. The pink T-shirt (www.YesMaamTee.com) helps to fund annual screenings for uninsured women. The message is clear: “Get your squeeze on!” and be breast-aware to put a stop to late-stage cancer diagnosis. Lee welcomes advocates of early breast cancer detection, known as Ma’ambassadors, to join the campaign at www.Facebook.com/YesMaamMammograms and on Twitter at @YesMaamMammos.

Lee lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband of 29 years and also is a veteran writer and editor. Her book, “A Prayer and a Pink Pedicure,” which tells the story of self-discovery and spiritual preservation following loss, a cancer diagnosis and a crisis of faith, will be published in 2013.

Direct download: 10-10-2012_The_Better_You_ProjectLee_McCracken.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Eric Holtzclaw and Susan McMullen interview Renea Winchester - - a mother, friend, gardening-fool and an award-winning author.

Renea is passionate about the written word and offers her advice to emerging authors who aren’t certain how to market their work. When she isn’t writing, she volunteers her time at the local library shelving books.

Direct download: _Renea_Winchester.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

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