A Fire Burning Week 2

It's been a busy week with pre-production meetings for A Fire Burning, training, and getting organized for next week.

I am so grateful for the people that work with me and their dedication and enthusiasm. We have done some great brainstorming and have gotten clear with the essence of the film and what we want to achieve.

I think A Fire Burning is in some ways a response to comments I have gotten from my other 3 films. People want to help or make a difference but don't necessarily have the means or time to go to Africa and volunteer or money to donate. The underlying theme of A Fire Burning, is that to create positive change it begins with you and the person you are in the world. It is a simple as that. Taking a good hard look at our selves and the energy we put out. When someone leaves an encounter with us do they feel better than before or worse? Are you gossiping, complaining, and focusing on the negative? or are you optimistic, joyful, and full of gratitude?
The way we are in the world makes a massive difference and that is where true change begins.

Choosing myself as the main character for a Fire Burning is so that I walk my talk. I am constantly checking in with myself and the way I am being, and pretending the camera is rolling at all times. How can I be better? How can I make the world a better place?

My goal in life is the satisfaction in knowing that I did the absolute best I could with what I have been given and that by me being here on the planet I was able to make a positive impact.

So these are all reasons behind making A Fire Burning.

An amazing team of people have come together to share the passion behind this project and I am so grateful for them and their efforts.
I love working with people that get things done and do what they say they will do.
Next week we begin shooting.

I am having a coaching session with Kerry Spackman the author of the Winner's Bible on Monday, which feels like a dream come true and can't wait!
On Tuesday morning 9 February at 8:20am I have an interview on TV 3 Sunrise and will be talking about Soft Power Health and also launching the new film and my kayaking comeback.

So it will be a big week.

Thanks for following the progress of A Fire Burning. I have so much excitement and vision for this film, and know that the process of making it will be just as important as the finished film.

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How You Can Make a Difference

How you can make a difference

Making a difference begins with you. For you to make a difference in your community and the greater world you first need to give to yourself.

� Make time for yourself �
Sign up for that class you have always wanted to take: yoga,
Aerobics, spinning, art, dance, doing something just for you will bring more joy, calm and peace in your life and you will have more to give to others. When you feel good it rubs off.
�Slow down, take a walk, breathe and notice the beauty around you.
-make a conscious effort to bring more joy into your life -do something nice for you!

� Go on a negativity diet �
Avoid negative people, negative news and TV shows; keep negative comments and gossip to yourself. Focusing on what�s good in the world and your life will create more good. �Write a gratitude list every morning of everything that is good in your life. We all have so much, and it is easy to focus on what we don�t have rather than what we do have. The fact that we have electricity, good health, medical facilities, water, enough food, shelter etc are all things we tend to take for granted, but they are huge gifts to be grateful for.
- smile while you are buying your groceries and be nice to the check out person
-Always say you can, so much is possible if we believe it is.


� Give-
Compliment someone today, bring someone flowers, help someone who needs your help, bring a friend a care package when they are sick (soup, medicine, lemons and honey, magazines), tell your employees how much you value their work.

� De-clutter � get rid of anything you haven�t used in the past year and donate it to your local charity. You will feel renewed energy and the charity will benefit as well.

� Charities

Find an organization you feel passionate about and volunteer your services. Volunteering can come in many forms.

o If you are a marketing specialist, for example, pick a charity you believe in and help raise their profile. If you are a web designer do some design work for a charity that needs a website. Giving of your expertise is a great way to give back and make an impact. Fundraising Institute of New Zealand www.finz.org.nz is a place to start.

o House DVD screening party- organize a house party, invite your friends and colleagues to watch a film that focuses on a charity/issue that you believe in. After the film, facilitate a discussion, ask for donations and send them to the charity.

o Social Networking � promote your favorite charity through your social networking circles (Facebook, Twitter)


Support people and organizations you believe in and are passionate about. There are so many good charities out there, and it�s important that you truly believe in what they are doing. Do a bit of research, and support something that is close to your heart.
I believe that if you can impact even one person positively you are making a huge difference.

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