In 1998, my life changed in multiple ways. I went from being a 40 year old married woman, working in a business with my husband who had a life challenging and ultimately, life ending disease, to a 40 year old widow with a child to raise solo. I became what I call 'a professional hyphenate': free-lance journalist-interfaith minister-organ donor educator-social worker-bereavement counselor-clown-greeting card text writer-PR Goddess-author-transformational speaker-radio host. Some of this was born out of financial necessity, some by creative invitation and a resolute beckoning by the Muse to use my gifts. I am not a victim of the challenges I have faced and not merely a survivor, but rather a THRIVER who has taken the lessons and honed them for sharing with and inspiring others. What I teach these days, both in my writing and speaking encourages people to begin where they are and take those next steps and sometimes leaps into the lives of their dreams and desires. I invite them to look at what's right about their life circumstances and not merely what's wrong and then use those bits and pieces to build a life worthy of them. I recently took a leap into my new life by leaving a full time job as a social worker in a psychiatric hospital where I been employed for 11 years, so that I can engage full out in the work that I love. Touring in support of my book (virtual and actual), teaching professionals and the public, speaking in all sorts of venues, writing articles about life transformation. I am a frequent guest on radio shows that reach LOHAS and Cultural Creative audiences.