You Never Know What's Around the Corner

Sweet Peace #47: A gift from Remarkable Woman: Sam Horn

Sam Horn: Founder & CEO at The Intrigue Agency, keynoter, bestselling author, book/presentation coach, media resource

November 8, 2022: Today is Election Day and I get to be a poll worker on one of the biggest days in our country’s history. Because it will be 16-hour day (hopefully of Sweet Peace), I asked Sam Horn for permission to reprint one of her posts and she graciously agreed. 

Several years ago, Sam changed my life when I heard her keynote at the Central Coast Writers’ Conference. She gave us excellent advice about rethinking “elevator speeches” (recommending that we start with a question that prompts a conversation rather than rattling off a pre-loaded volley about what we do or what our book/project is about.) That has continued to be extremely helpful, but what really set me on fire was her commitment to spend a year by the water. 

I could hardly stay in my seat as she talked and, within months, I was living on the largest lake in Mexico … and now live a few blocks from the ocean in Santa Barbara. Thank you, Sam!

When I read her post today, it felt as transformative as that speech at the writers’ conference so I asked her if I could share it with you. Fortunately, she said yes. If you don’t know Sam, you can find out more at samhorn.com and all over YouTube.

You Never Know What's Around the Corner, by Sam Horn

Five years ago today, I was in Washington DC for some consults and speaking. I was staying at a Dulles hotel that was in the midst of a high-rise concrete jungle.

I woke up and went to the gym to work out as I knew I'd be "flying a desk" the rest of the day.

After grinding away on a treadmill in that windowless, airless, soul-less room, watching news on a TV that couldn't be turned off, everything in me wanted to get away.

The John Muir voice ("The mountains are calling and I must go.") whispered. "Get outside and explore." So I did.

As soon as I walked outside, I noticed a service road behind the parking garage and wondered where it led.

My intuition told me to follow it.

I rounded the corner and THERE was a lovely private park colorfully alive with freshly planted pansies complementing the yellows, oranges and reds of the fall leaves on the trees.

I strolled along the trail underneath the weeping willows, taking my time to breathe in the fresh fall air, while marveling at the fact that a few moments before I'd been grinding away on a treadmill in an anonymous, nondescript, instantly forgettable basement gym.

Do you sometimes feel you're on a treadmill?

What marvels might await you right around the corner?

What fresh discoveries might you find if you escape the norm and do the new?

Would you say your life is adventurous - or a grinding routine?

The thing is, adventures don't have to involve airplanes and trips to far-off places.

That adventure was free, took less than an hour, and was a minute away.

Yet it lit me up, reconnected with me with my true nature, and filled my soul.

As we head into the last six weeks of the year, it's not too late to make 2022 sing.

                                             What would do that for you?

What has been calling you that doesn't require a life overhaul, it would just require a decision from you to do it?

As Jawaharial Nehru said, "We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open."

What will you open your eyes to today? What will you say yes to?

*** The Sweet Peace series began in January of 2022 as a 52-week commitment to finding peace with food and body and has gradually expanded to include all aspects of my life. Archives of the first 44 weeks are stored on JoyceWycoff.com.

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In good times and challenging ones, practicing gratitude helps us recognize the good things in our lives and build resilience for the challenges that come our way. Gratitude journaling is one of the best ways to better understand yourself and deepen your practice of gratitude.

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