Your Guide to the Life You Love - PD's Blog

Tree-Huggin' & California Dreamin'

2009-03-05T19:16:00.010-05:00

Make sure to tune in to my interview with Jean Adrienne, renowned throughout Europe & the US for her intuitive strengths, at 8pm EST on Tuesday, March 10, at http://www.7thWaveNetwork.com

A wintry tree alongside the highway through Sonoma Valley, luscious wine country getting its first drenching in quite awhile during our visit--and springing to life! The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa was dreamy and the food at Sante spectacular.

En route to San Francisco we hiked through Muir Woods and I was reminded by all the charred tree trunks that we may all be burned & scarred at times in our lives, but we do survive--sometimes for eons, like these fabulous redwoods.

Famous comedian Yakov Smirnoff attended Brendon Burchard's partnering seminar and several of us enjoyed the art shows in Union Square, downtown San Francisco.

Then, believe it or not, a big snow back home in Georgia on March 1! Here's the lacy, graceful Japanese maple and stone lantern at the center of my power circle, way in the back of my yard.

The next day, as is the custom with snow in Georgia, it had pretty much disappeared, except for the remaining snow-folk around town. My dear friends Faye & Bob Boyd and Joe Allen helped load up a couple of truckloads of home furnishings for my young friends Tia & Kesha. Tia has 3 young sons age 5 & under--and when they had to leave their last apartment, they lost everything.

So here we are--me, Kesha, Bob Boyd, Davon, Davonte & DeAngelo at their freshly furnished apartment. Talk about stepping out on faith, every moment and every breath! The sole money earner for a family of five works at a Mrs. Winner's--and her sister provides childcare. This is what we're all being asked to do-- step out on faith-- with courage, optimism, trust and hope!

BREATHE THRU YOUR HEART ON VALENTINE'S DAY

2009-02-13T13:21:00.000-05:00

In Honor of Valentine’s Day, Honor Your Heart—
Learn from your heart’s wisdom and let its answers lift you up!

1. Recognize a stressful feeling then Freeze-Frame it--take a time out.
2. Pretend you’re breathing through your heart.
3. Recall a positive feeling you’ve had in life and try to re-experience it.
4. Sincerely ask your heart, “What would be a more efficient response to this situation?”
5. Listen to your heart’s answer.

STOP WORRYING! KICK THE STRESS OUTTA YOUR MESS!

2009-02-12T16:53:00.009-05:00

Yesterday I addressed the metro Atlanta YMCA management team on Stress Resilience-- some Sinfully Simple Secrets to Stress Down in Chaotic Times. Believe it or not, a calm facial expression and deep breathing down into the abdomen are two techniques you can IMMEDIATELY implement to feel better. By shifting your physiology, you shift your emotions-- and the world looks like a more friendly place.

For AN HOUR's worth of tips on how to Stop Worrying & Get the Life You Love, simply register here
http://www.artofchange.org/gtl and you'll be sent a link to my free teleseminar audio download! Do it asap because I have a special Valentine's offer that ends at midnight on Sunday 2/15!

Tree lovers of the Enchanted Forest of Avondale Estates united with Trees Atlanta for a big planting recently-- I'm here with neighbors Rick, Tami & little Jess (in the pink) helping to install a linden tree on the verge of N. Clarendon Avenue. Most of our trees are in their 80s and we love our verdant canopy. More trees, please!

It's always great to visit Sarah Crutchfield and her wonderful brood at The Cabin Path, their 52 acre retreat just south of Atlanta http://www.thecabinpath.com
In January she hosted a brain-storming session and labyrinth walk to celebrate her birthday, and several of us re-united after our WONDERFUL Nature, Magic & Manifestation Fun-Day there last spring.

Free Teleseminar-How to Get the Life You Love!

2009-01-29T16:03:00.001-05:00

It's okay! Don't fret!
So many requests have come in from
folks who missed my complimentary
teleseminar to kick off Chinese New Year
on Monday-- that I'm offering it to you NOW!

It's jammed with great tools & tips on
How to Get the Life You Love!

(I decided to host the complimentary
call to celebrate my TENTH YEAR
of teaching Get the Life You Love
for Emory University in Atlanta.

Here's where to register and you'll
get right to the mp3 download--
for some fun & inspiration!
http://www.artofchange.org/gtl

You'll learn:
*7 Secrets Blocking People from
Getting the Life They Love
(after all, defining a problem is 50%
of its solution!)

*The ONE MOST IMPORTANT THING
you need to do to get the life you love
(it's so do-able, what a gift);

*Simple tips & exercises to generate that
good juju for yourself;

*A life-enriching exploration of YOU that
may really open your eyes!

If you're feeling a bit low right
now over the economy or anything else--
this call will BRING YOU UP!

http://www.artofchange.org/gtl

Check it out!

Love & Well Wishes,

Patrice

PS--Here's what Kelly Czack of Athens, Ohio, said about
the call:

"I'm so burned out from reaching and researching
a new path for myself that I don't have much "kick" left.
Or at least I didn't think so until tonight....your teleseminar
hit a chord with me!
http://www.artofchange.org/gtl

SELFLESS SERVICE EXTRAORDINAIRE

2009-01-16T17:38:00.006-05:00

Dr. Nancy Robinson (here in her doctoral robes) and I met when I keynoted the Soroptimists Awards Banquet in March 2007--when she was just embarking on her dream of creating TechKnowledge Learning Centers, Inc, a 501c3 charitable organization with a goal of "bridging the digital divide."
http://www.techlearnit.org

Nancy, who didn't begin her own higher education until age 48, completed undergraduate & masters degrees in five years, and then a doctorate in computer science three years later. That's FOCUS. And she's focused on giving it back.

Her structured after-school programs will provide one-on-one instruction to underprivileged and underserved youth -- and she wants to keep the light in their eyes by offering all state-of-the-art technology.

As she pointed out, kids can go to the library, wait in line two hours to get on the computer for their 30 minute time slot, and get dulled out by antiquated technology before they even begin.

Go for it, Nancy! Currently they need more mice, keyboards & workstations. And donations! She has provided virtually everything else from her own pocket. Wow.

DALE WOULD BE PROUD OF HIS PEEPS
Here's a motley crew! Dallas resident & leadership trainer Mary Beth May, Blaise Dismer, my former next door neighbor who now lives on St. Simons Island, Georgia, and represents Bx-Dx pathology testing labs, and Ned Webb, a high level trainer for AT&T are gathered with me at the memorial service for Nedly's mother, Lillian Webb.

What a great Carnegie family! We four enjoyed the rigors of Dale Carnegie Sales Course Instructor Training in 1986--it was intense! Not only that, but I was kicking the cigarette habit at the time (can you say "nerves on edge?") But it was perfect. Blaise and Ned usually kept us laughing hysterically --at least during breaks from instruction.

Everyone and every aspect of my radical comfort zone expansion through affiliation with Dale Carnegie organization was a blessing. I ended up instructing the Sales Course for 15 years--and earned many "Outstanding Instruction" plaques along the way.

EMERGING FROM THE HOLIDAZE

2009-01-09T13:57:00.010-05:00

The Philly family visit was most delightful at Christmas, with my sister Sue (on right) and I enjoying SPECTACULAR Longwood Gardens with my father. We timed it so that we experienced the DuPonts' party houses & ballrooms (now the endlessly-winding acres of greenhouses) both during daylight and after the fairy lights transformed everything. It was JAMMED--and for good reason.

One day Soeurx (my pet name for my sis, sortof a combo between French for sister (soeur) plus Siouxie (of the Banshees fame), and I trekked across Temple U.'s Ambler campus into the woods for a lovely, brisk woodland jaunt through the mists.

Among other things we encountered a confederacy of asses. The two with their heads together reminded me of the Kurt Vonnegut tale--I think it was Slapstick-- where two idiots put their heads together and became the president of the United States. Vonnegut had obviously envisioned the future! Thank God that era is passing, in just a few days. Hooray!

I also had the pleasure of meeting Tricia Gallagher, Creator of Team of Angels http://www.teamofangels.com. What a dynamo! She's currently developing a "Friendship House" for women experiencing depression and that empty-nester aimless feeling. I donated a copy of my award-winning inspirational book, BACK TO THE GARDEN: Getting from Shadow to Joy http://www.artofchange.org/april08 as well as the CD of Selected Chapters to her library for Friendship House, and here's what she had to say about it: "I was driving to Princeton right after our meeting and was so engrossed in listening to the CD that I went to Trenton... I kept thinking of how I wanted each of my kids to listen to it, and my friends too. I have listened to Wayne Dyer and all the big wigs for years and honestly, I got more out of this than anybody else. And then the book... I love every bit of it...the story, the message, the beautiful design, colors, photos, everything..." Thanks, Tricia! She is currently looking for funding for Friendship House, so please contact her if you have suggestions.

A day before my trip my new best friend and I visited my young friends with a Santa load. I have to tell you, even in the most dire years they've had up a Christmas tree--even when they were living in that dumpy little motel room in December 2006. Well, this year, no tree, no gifts wrapped, nothing. This was the day before Christmas. And the two teenage girls with their 3 little boys (pictured here with me are Aunt Kesha with her nephews DeAngelo on my lap, Davon & Davonte) had just been kicked out into their own apartment again--after moving back in with mom and the slew of other relatives living in their little house six months ago. The boys' mother works at Mrs. Winner's. At least she has a job.

Yes, it does take a village...I'm glad to be of the small service that I am to these kids & this little family... It's going to be a long road.... I hope some of the new social programs can help keep families like this on the road to recovery.

SEX SELLS--AND SO DOES HUMOR

2008-12-17T16:35:00.008-05:00

BLEACHY-HAIRED HONKY BITCH author Hollis Gillespie is clowning around with me at the Atlanta Press Club Holiday Authors Party & Fundraiser recently-- actually she's the one on the right even though the arrow points in my direction. She is a HOOT (I just watched her Tonight Show interview with Jay Leno on her site http://www.hollisgillespie.com
She's now flogging her latest book TRAILER TRASHED: My Dubious Efforts Toward Upward Mobility.

Like Hollis, my friend Sydney Biddle Barrows (The Mayflower Madam) is also flogging her new book UNCENSORED SALES STRATEGIES, XXX-RATED SECRETS A Radical New Approach to Selling Your Customers What They Really Want--No Matter What Business You're In. Sydney's book (co-authored with marketing maven Dan Kennedy) features one of my PR success stories. Here are Sydney (on the left) and I pictured with Feng Shui expert Katie Weber at Loews Lake Las Vegas last May, one of our Platinum Marketing Mastermind retreats.

The link-- they both use BIG HUMOR to make their points!

At a recent talk on "How to Get the Life You Love" for Chris Morris' CMA Financial Group holiday shindig, to close I called up Chris (on the left) and Anthony Seal, a friend who took Dale Carnegie Sales Training with me nearly 20 years ago! So far by that point I'd collected the keys to a new sports car, an AMEX Platinum card, a $100 bill and two good-looking guys, simply by asking for them. Hey, you gotta ask if you want to get! This applies to asking the Universe for what you want, as well.

Happy Holidays!

Woman's Field Guide to Exceptional Women

2008-11-06T16:30:00.001-05:00

Last week I was honored to learn that I was chosen to be featured in SPOTLIGHT ON EXCEPTIONAL WOMEN, http://www.womansfieldguide.com/expert-women

It’s a conglomerate of women making a difference through their “just in time” sharing of ideas & inspiration. Corrie Woods, the very cool North Carolinian who orchestrates this inspirational site, is the author of “The Woman’s Field Guide to Exceptional Living” –I totally resonate to her nature metaphors.

Thank you, Corrie, the original Exceptional Woman!

In My Mind I'm Goin' to Carolina!

2008-10-30T14:23:00.010-04:00

Wow! Last week in Chapel Hill, NC, hometown of singer James Taylor, I enjoyed a stroll across campus and a brunch catch-up with my favorite professor ever, Dr. Christopher M. Armitage, from whom I took EIGHT English literature, drama & poetry classes during my undergrad degree in Journalism/English there. (One of my faves was 17th Century British Lit, which we nicknamed "Sex & Death" since those were the two major topics of that era). Of course the "Study Theatre in London" program was BEYOND fantastic. One of my roommates on that program, Betsy Brantley, became an actress herself and starred with Sean Connery in "Five Days One Summer" a few eons ago!

Dr. Armitage (it feels too odd to call him Chris, despite his insistence) has always been a bit of a rebel--and always at the top of his game. Had to shoot a photo of his slogan, which loosely translates, "Don't let the bastards get you down." (One of my own father's faves, as well).

An Oxford graduate, he described his oral exams being quizzed by C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein and others: "Miss Dickey,it was the most STIMULATING three hours of my LIFE!"
Can you imagine? Now even the non-English majors know who THEY are because of the Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia films!

Part of my trek in the land where "You Can't Go Home Again" (all Thomas Wolfe fans will get the insider joke here) was to walk up to the Kappa Kappa Gamma house--and The Little House where I lived with two other Kappa sisters --it was idyllic-- sitting on a big old couch on the front porch and whiling away the hours in a book or with friends.

Ironically, EVERYTHING about the main campus seemed so TINY. The two main quadrangles where I used to toss frisbee endlessly seem to have shrunk. And the Davie Poplar (planted in 1745 I believe) is wired up so it won't topple.

Hang in there, beautiful tree! I photographed my true love Robin Clark under that tree and he's now one of my angel guides, featured in my multi-award winning book, BACK TO THE GARDEN: Getting from Shadow to Joy.
http://www.artofchange.org/april08

The occasion of my visit was the memorial service for Mike Ellis, the WONDERFUL 90 year old stepfather of my college roommate Merrill Rose. What a big, rich life he led as a Broadway producer, magician and human being. I think all would agree that what made him stand out was his big heart. Merrill & her entire family live that way.

Take care, Mike, and God Bless. We're all lucky to have known you.

Get the Life You Love with Radical Manifestation!

2008-10-21T21:42:00.006-04:00

At my live event last Sunday, I revealed that one of the key blocks to manifesting what we DO want is letting our energy be tied up in Victim or Perpetrator stories from the past (two sides of a coin, there)-- or obsessing with our "what if?" stories of doom about the future. These ideas come from Carolyn Myss' work "Why People Don't Heal and How They Can."

And, Colin Tipping has created a tool which creates an "energy interrupt" -- the Radical Forgiveness worksheet. The great thing is, you don't even have to believe in it for it to work. Just like you don't have to believe in the laws of physics for them to work--because his tool is based on the laws of physics and energy flow. When we interrupt the energy around the old stories and future worries, we're able to channel more of our energy (or perhaps even ALL of it) to creating what we DO want in the present. YES!

When learning all this heady material, a great way to integrate it into our cells and really "incorporate" it is through dancing. We kept our vibration high and sync'd in a mountain of important concepts throughout the day.

Another great friend who is also a yoga teacher like me, Kim Saunders, led us in Dahn yoga tapping to stimulate our lymphatic systems and really keep the mojo working. As a cancer survivor (who just staged a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Foundation) Kim is a MAJOR proponent of keeping the energy flowing.

One of the day's many surprises (just like LIFE!) was the presentation of BIG CHECKS that came to all of us, directly from the BANK OF THE UNIVERSE. One participant emailed me that a big (for real) check showed up in her mailbox the next day!

Bottom line: Operators are standing by. When we know what to ask for, and how to ask, they are ready to deliver our order. I LOVE teaching this information to my coaching clients and workshop attendees!

Author 101!

2008-10-17T07:46:00.006-04:00

Keynote speaker at Author 101 and co-author of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series Mark Victor Hansen inspired all of the authors & wannabes in the room with these bits of wisdom.

Blockbuster novelist Nora Roberts was a bored housewife who said to herself, "I can do that!" and now writes longhand 55,000 words a week without editing. She creates major collaborations with products like Diet Coke to sell millions of books. (Did you know that Diet Coke drinkers read books, but Coke people don't?) Hmmmm.... maybe their brains are too sugared-up to think!

Hansen, whose father was illiterate in Danish, reminded us that we must be RELENTLESS MARKETERS -- and that Real Wealth = Ideas (Inspiration) + Energy. "Write the title and the information will show up," he said. "Success is the result of hard work over time." 144 publishers turned him and Jack Canfield down when they launched their Chicken Soup series, and yet they prevailed.

As authors & idea people, he encouraged everyone in the room to "Create new Thinkware" to get our nation & world out of its current fix. 89% of books are sold to women. We can make things happen with the right attitude, vision and focus!

Darling Rick Frishman, the wizard behind the Author 101 events, shared tips on Guerilla Marketing, Guerilla Publicity and Where's Your Wow? -- some of the numerous books he's co-authored in his 32 year career as a publicist. An important tip from Rick: Grab the URLs of any books you're even THINKING about writing.

The two days I spent in the room with all those experts were phenomenal. Now, onward to implementation! As Mark Victor Hansen reminds us, in an info-saturated world we need to be nearly monomaniacal in our quest to get our message out there.

Here's a success in "Getting the Life You Love!" My friend Rita MacCallon, who took my class at Evening at Emory a few years ago, experienced some major life transitions and then did private coaching with me, has launched her dream-- The Park Pet Care-- a deluxe doggy & small pet paradise on Lawrenceville Hwy just outside I-285 in Atlanta. Here she is with some of her staff and some of the happiest pooches I've ever seen. That place is posh!

And On a Patriotic Note
Election Day is just days away, and as you know, this election season is like no other. The stakes are extraordinarily high and EVERY VOTE COUNTS! That’s why my friend Kyle Young at Multi-TaskingWoman.com launched www.NeverTooBusyToVote.com, to ask everyone we know across the country to make time to GO VOTE!

My Hutchison High School Reunion!

2008-09-30T20:53:00.006-04:00

Memphis is a huge romantic draw for folks from all over the world. Elvis the King, the mighty Mississippi, Beale Street & its blues, even Mud Island and "GonerFest" (which was happening this past weekend, unbeknownst to me until I sat on the plane next to an Aussie coming specifically for this music blast) all pull people to this lush green city that never seems to change. Sprinklers whoosh artesian well water over the perfectly manicured lawns of "Trust Fund Alley" depicted in the movie of John Grisham's book, The Firm.

Here I am with Mary Jehl Kenner, one of my best friends from Hutchison, now in a high powered communications position with FedEx. Back in 10th grade we'd watch Mary Tyler Moore every Friday night and plot how we'd model ourselves after this dynamic career woman. And we did!

(As a joke, on Friday night at the "girls only cocktail party" I wore my Hutch Glee Club gold corduroy jumper from junior & senior years...just because I still could! It had unearthed itself from a wardrobe & storage unit this summer. Gotta give my Memphis pals something to gossip about).

Although everyone thought I'd be the true renegade and lobby for smoking on campus when I headed student government, my focus then as now was natural beauty. The major legacy of my time there was convincing the school to move forward on landscaping the courtyard where we danced in May Day celebrations (how pagan!) Here's the result a few decades later-- a lush oasis.

I loved that school. The brilliant teachers and structured, supportive environment gave girls a chance to discover their strengths and grow into them. At the time, I was a Yankee interloper, fresh from Ohio entering 9th grade, and awed by the honest-to-goodness gothic flavor of the place. I'm so grateful to my parents for giving me that education--and all the great friendships that evolved.

As my high school biography stated, "Patty has fallen in love with our men, our English & history departments." All true. And so great to spend time with the "MUS Boys"--now the local titans of business & real estate, the roles their fathers and grandfathers held awhile back. Cotton may have started it all, but real estate development seems to be king these days.

Memphis artist Janet Smith with two of her three Brussels Griffons (Gunny & Wally) hosted me at her Justine Place home-- on the land where she used to keep her horse, Red. We'd run around those 10 acres where her parents, Justine & Dayton Smith, grew fresh vegetables & roses for Justine's, the first fine dining establishment in the Mid-South. Her home is the perfect gallery of her spectacular art. How I admire my artist friends, Janet Smith and Stephen Hudson, always stepping out on faith!

Ali Brown's Platinum Mastermind in Santa Monica

2008-09-21T17:56:00.008-04:00

Another dynamic masterminding session with Alexandria Brown and the other members of the 2008 Platinums--this time at the posh Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica. Here's Ali & me -- love our blonde hair/brown eyed sympatico -- she envisions me as her free spirit sister and I see her as a Very "Cool Girl!"

Rich, Happy & Hot Marie Forleo from New York and Red Hot Copy Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero from LA as we are just ready to step out as a group to Monsoon for a fusion feast. Dinner conversations ranged far and wide--lots of great vibes & laughter. Napoleon for dessert, eh?

Our Platinums hail from all over the US and Canada, from Feng Shui specialist Katie Weber in Cuero, TX (who, thankfully, was unscathed by Hurricane Ike) to Bonnie Hutchinson's Soul Power Wisdom in Edmonton, Alberta, to James Roche (The Info Product Guy) in Miami and Sandy-licious Grason in Ft. Lauderdale. I am so proud of what so many have created this year and sprinting to keep up!

Here's my little happy dance under the gigantic century-old fig tree -- I'm reviewing the new exhale spa at the Fairmont and had just enjoyed one of the most exquisite massages I've ever experienced--after reviewing spas around the world for les nouvelles esthetiques & spa, the leading skin care & spa trade publication in the U.S.
The therapist Kerry Lorimer used Seikufujitsu--a fantastic Asian energetic technique. WOW!

It was GREAT getting together with my cousins Bruce & Kat Allison-- Bluce (Asian pronunciation) as we fondly call him runs Malibu Export Service (exotic auto & race car parts) from their "compound" in Calabasas. When they bought out there 20 years ago, it was affordable; now Will Smith lives across the road, if that tells you anything. He only sells to people outside the US-- and says that now whenever he's shipping to Austria, he puts "Austria, EUROPE" on the address because too many things were shipped to Australia by mistake. Hey, are YOU smarter than a fifth grader????

When I told Bruce I wanted seafood for lunch he suggested a great outdoor shack where you sit at picnic tables with your feast and watch the surf--spectacular! Here he is at Malibu Seafood high-fiving the Rock Lobster. We reminisced about our amazing back-packing trek around all the islands of Hawaii nearly 30 years ago! And his lovely wife Kat (who rides her motorcycle through the canyons to work) obligingly got out my travel journal titled "Bali Hai?" about that magical camping trip with me, my sis and Bruce when we were all a lot more carefree. What a great trip.

What's New At Millennium Gate

2008-09-13T17:04:00.003-04:00

Basil Haslett of Glass Craft USA, Rodney Cook, Jr., president of the National Monuments Foundation and I stand in the restored "Rhodes-Robinson Sitting Room" at the Millennium Gate, an 82 foot monument in Atlantic Station, midtown Atlanta. Its 12,000 square foot museum offers a tribute to many of Atlanta's pioneer families, and Rodney conceived the monument.

The Virtues Gallery honors some of Atlanta’s most prolific philanthropists such as Arthur Blank and Ted Turner. Included in this area is a bust of President George Washington. For the Millennium Gate, GLASS CRAFT USA created three stunning pieces to surround and focus attention on the central bust of President Washington. The US Presidential Seal is etched and inlaid with 23 1/2 carat gold, along with the Washington family Coat of Arms and Washington’s family crest, all in full color.

SEPTEMBER'S SPECTACULAR START

2008-09-06T12:46:00.011-04:00

The Decatur Book Festival over Labor Day Weekend was a blast, as always, with 75,000 attendees and a FABU "Meet 'n' Greet on the Street" as I sold oodles of copies of my multi-award-winning inspirational book BACK TO THE GARDEN: GETTING FROM SHADOW TO JOY and its CD audiobook, Selected Chapters. If you want to order your own copy of the book & CD, please visit this link--and I'll send it to you autographed to you if you want. I have a web special going right now!
http://www.artofchange.org/april08

Later in the week I gave an inspirational talk for Skyland Trail's Community Education Series-- "How to Get the Life You Love" --which is a lot about achieving balance in an off-kilter world. Here I'm displaying one of my many Treasure Maps with its many "dreams come true!" I emphasize the importance of discovering your creative gift and sharing it with the world-- I honestly believe that when we allow the energy of our creativity to flow through us and manifest as WHATEVER it is, that we bring a higher vibration to ourselves and the entire planet.

If you want to learn more about how to bring your vision to life through Radical Manifestation, I'm leading Get the Life You Love RADICAL MANIFESTATION ACTION WORKSHOP on Sunday, October 19, inside the Atlanta perimeter. Find out more here! http://www.artofchange.org/RMWorkshop

How to Get the Life You Love!

2008-08-28T14:13:00.003-04:00

Full throttle delivery here, giving the talk that I'll deliver as part of Skyland Trail's Community Education Series next Thursday, September 4, 6-8pm. I really appreciate what this wonderful organization is all about: helping adults recover from serious mental illness including major depression, bipolar illness and schizophrenia.

All are welcome, but seating is limited so make a reservation at communityeducationseries@skylandtrail.org or call 678-686-5901.

Their adjunctive therapies especially appeal to me, because that's the message I deliver in my talk-- tap into your creative core and bring your gifts to the world. I honestly believe that much mental illness stems from people's inability to express their creative gifts.

Skyland Trail offers horticulture, art, music, drama & recreation therapies to help them re-engage and connect -- to improve their social, psychological and overall health. Some of the client artworks on display are spectacular!

Think of the many artistic masters who have struggled with depression and mental illness--among them Samuel Johnson, Vincent Van Gogh, Robert Schumann. The list could go on and on.

What's your creative gift? When are you going to share it with the world?

GOOD VIBRATIONS!

2008-08-22T10:30:00.003-04:00

Several of my new friends from the most recently graduated "Get the Life You Love" class at Evening at Emory enjoyed my signature "Potluck at PD's" this week. I fixed a smoked turkey breast on the Green Egg (so moist & juicy--the Egg is idiot-proof outdoor cooking, which I love!) Here we are in all our glory after our Dessert Bar sugar high--fruit tarts, brownies, strawberry cake, homemade pound cake-- it was a feast!

What a great group-- each group over the past nine years as wonderful as the last. I've discovered a major shift in the groups since The Secret, and since Oprah has brought a lot of people to conscious living through advocating Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth-- even the left brain linear thinkers (such as the accountant among us) are open to experiencing the things that can't be seen-- using my techniques to strengthen intuition and be on the alert for synchronicities which lead us in the flow.

Janet Bivens, MD, a beautiful general practitioner who has run a successful clinic for decades, rarely allowing herself any time to express the real Janet, is delighted to have created a path to her "next life" where she'll share her gifts in other ways.

The simple awareness that WE ARE ENOUGH as we are-- without being in constant whip/ride and PRODUCE, PRODUCE mode, is huge to most of the overachievers who show up in my class. It takes one to know one, yes, I get this!

Just yesterday I allowed myself to slip into the most profound savasana (deep relaxation) on the yoga mat in my office. We forget that the restorative poses and lots of rest are key to a balanced life and happy living. Obviously, I needed it.

Radical Manifestation with Colin Tipping

2008-08-11T16:30:00.003-04:00

What a spectacular five days with Colin & JoAnn Tipping and the others who congregated from around the world for his Radical Manifestation workshop and coach training!

Here's the big secret that I think very few people have "gotten" when they're doing their utmost to manifest like gods and goddesses when they're stuck in the clay:

"Nothing lowers your vibration more than refusing to let go of your victim story about things that have happened in the past about which you have resentment, regret, disappointment, anger, sadness, grief and so on. It is one of the main tenets of Radical Manifestation... that Radical Forgiveness must come first. That means totally transforming your victim story by being willing to recognize the perfection in what happened and realizing that there was nothing to forgive." p. 100 of Colin Tipping's excellent book Radical Manifestation.

Having participated in two of Colin's Radical Forgiveness workshops over the past ten years since he developed them, I know their technology is amazing. I also confess to a WHOLE LOT MORE RADICAL FORGIVENESS that needs to occur in my life.

It's not hard. In fact, his technology makes it simple. Just go to
and check out the free downloads for the forms. They walk you right through the old hurts and help you clean yourself up and raise your vibration, simply by becoming willing. Fascinating spiritual intelligence at work!

Love & well wishes, Patrice

Make 'Em Cry; Make 'Em Laugh

2008-07-31T21:12:00.002-04:00

It was so exciting to deliver my presentation "How to Get the Life You Love--Patrice Dickey's Lessons from Tuesdays With Morrie" for the "Fayette on the Page" inaugural event! My hosts at the Fayette County Library had this to say:

"Lady, you are purpose driven by a higher force! It shows through your movements and your presentation. You are a star! Several customers commented on how you delivered your work of art. Love it! Love it! One woman said yesterday that she was totally into your presentation and wants to have you back. Keep shining..."

Christeen Snell, Public Library Director

"Patrice demonstrates a great passion for her topic, and conveys her message with boundless joy, energy and style."

Sarah Trowbridge, Public Services Librarian

I tell ya, that group warmed the cockles of my heart!

TIME FOR OUR POWER!

2008-06-28T16:30:00.002-04:00

The Time For Our Power: Women Bringing Change to the World conference I attended in Asheville last weekend was spectacular! Speakers like Starhawk (a feminist and environmental activist who has been on the front lines of advocacy since the 60s) reminded us to keep plugging away. When consciousness about destroying the planet FINALLY shifts, it will be profound. When we direct our energy, investment and brilliance toward health and wellbeing for all living beings, no one will ever believe we could have ever been so blind!

For example, when apartheid fell in S. Africa, within a matter of weeks a cultural amnesia occurred, and people couldn't fathom that they had once felt it was THE ABSOLUTE RIGHT WAY TO LIVE. Suddenly the veil was ripped from their eyes.

Here are Julia Butterfly Hill (left, wearing black) and Starhawk singing & dancing at the close of the event. Julia is the activist who lived on a tiny platform 200 feet above the ground in the giant redwood tree, Luna, for 2 years & 8 days to protest the decimation of these ancient forests (now more than 97% plundered). She described her great pain at hearing the trees around her being destroyed by the logging companies-- but ultimately she prevailed and logging ceased in that part of the forest.

Her advice to us: "Know that it is painful to care, but we MUST care." Every intention and action for the wellbeing of the planet counts.

She also laughed that it's important not to be "Granol-ier than Thou." Ri-i-i-ght. What a great way to turn people off!

Photographer Phil Borges, commissioned by CARE to document third world people who have made a difference (bridgesweb.org) described his changing opinion of missionaries when he learned they'd taught headhunters in New Guinea that they no longer needed to kill a warrior from another tribe whenever one of their own warriors was killed. (They believed the other guy's head would help their deceased get into heaven). Nor did the women have to chop off a finger any longer when a male relative died. Think of all the fingers and heads spared by this slight shift in thinking!

Yes, it's possible. We can have peace in the valley, one day. Here's proof: my cousins' place in Burnsville,NC-- Sweet Hollow, home of Selena Glass & Metal.

The Millennium Gate

2008-06-21T10:15:00.005-04:00

For the Millennium Gate,opening in midtown Atlanta at Atlantic Station on July 4th, my client GLASS CRAFT USA has created three stunning pieces to surround and focus attention on the central bust of President George Washington in the main gallery. The US Presidential Seal is etched and inlaid with 23 1/2 carat gold, along with the Washington family Coat of Arms and Washington’s family crest, all in full color.

Here are Basil Haslett of Glass Craft USA and Rodney Cook, who conceived the Millennium Gate, holding the Presidential Seal.

With its unique, US-patented portable etching process, GLASS CRAFT USA engraves designs onto all types of glass, including tempered. This 'deep cut' etching permits engraved designs to be painted or inlaid for spectacular full color and precious metal finishes. Basil Haslett, artist and inventor of the process, derives his technique from a family monument business founded in Ireland in 1745. www.glasscraftusa.com

HER MAJESTY'S LOYAL SUBJECTS

2008-06-13T18:05:00.005-04:00

Toasts all 'round during the British American Business Group's annual Garden Party at the home of Her Majesty's Consul General Martin Rickard, here shown congratulating Basil Haslett, businessman and inventor, who established the US headquarters of Glass Craft USA in Atlanta. Haslett's US patent was granted in January 2008 for his process of etching and engraving tempered glass.

Past president Sarah Gilbert of the British American Business Group and I toast Basil with Pimm's--an exotic gin-based liquor made in England from dry gin, liqueur, fruit juices and spices. It was created in 1859 by the English oyster bar owner James Pimm. The recipe is still a secret, and only six persons know exactly how it is made. I never knew it existed, but the Brits and I all thrived on it in Atlanta's heatwave!

Celebrating the 400th anniversary of Bushmills -- established in 1608 in County Antrim (Basil's home turf) when King James I granted a license to produce whisky--here at FADO in Buckhead, Atlanta, Basil displays the etched and gilded Bushmills logo-- just a small portion of the entire work he completed using the Glass Craft process at the Bushmills Distillery in Northern Ireland.

The Campaign Tail

2008-06-05T12:05:00.007-04:00

Hillary Rodham Kitten, inveterate campaigner, has curled up in exhaustion on the porch. Certainly a great way to tolerate a hot June day!

I'm also thrilled to be invited to be interviewed by Jean Adrienne on her 7th Wave Network "InnerSpeak Soul Adventures" on www.VoiceAmerica.com
next Tuesday, June 10, 8pm EST. I'll be talking about "How to Convert Your Chaos to Cash"-- the Simple Recipe for Right Brain Entrepreneurs to start making money with their gifts. Tune in!

Convert Your Chaos to Cash!

2008-05-26T20:27:00.009-04:00

I'm so excited about the reception to my very first teleseminar last week-- a lifetime of preparation went into it-- and now it's edited and up for the world to enjoy--
CONVERT YOUR CHAOS TO CASH-- The Simple Right Brain Recipe for Intuitive Wealth!

http://www.artofchange.org/audio/chaos-to-cash-teleseminar.mp3

Tune in to this mp3 and learn:

* The Seven Secrets Blocking Creative Entrepreneurs from Getting the Life They Love;
(and how to dance through those blocks easily and forever!)

* The Power of the 8-Fold Path to Prosperity;
(and it's probably not what you think!)

* The Time-Tested Principles to Bring Your Vision to Life and Convert Your Chaos to Cash (whether you're just starting out or well along your path--these still apply).

OR, if you want to find out more about my Four Week Teleseminar of the same name, go to

http://www.artofchange.org/chaos-to-cash

and snap up one of the registrations! Space is limited though, so find out today!

Love & well wishes, Patrice

Mitch Albom--or Patrice Dickey?

2008-05-26T18:10:00.003-04:00

Can you guess why I'm smiling so big?

Imagine my pleased surprise on Friday (the beginning of a spectacular Memorial Weekend!) when I was invited to lead the INAUGURAL program for Fayette County, Georgia's "Fayette On the Page," a "One Book, One Community" program encouraging all of Fayette County (here in Atlanta metro), to read the same book and talk about it!

Mitch Albom's Tuesdays With Morrie is the chosen book; and the program finale includes a gala affair with free food on Saturday, July 26, 2008, at 1 pm on the lawn. My talk (which starts at 2pm) will be inside in the air conditioning!!

Fayette County Public Library
1821 Heritage Park Way
Fayetteville, GA 30214
http://www.fayettecountyga.gov/public_library/

Guess what-- Mitch Albom wasn't available to speak so the officials contacted me!

"I see you everywhere," said the librarian who'd met me at Decatur Book Festival last year--and had seen lots of continuing media about my multi-award winning book, BACK TO THE GARDEN: Getting from Shadow to Joy.

BACK TO THE GARDEN is on the same themes as "Tuesdays With Morrie"
*Staying focused on "the good" despite life's tragedies, twists & turns;
*Finding a universe in a drop of dew (or learning to focus & be present;
*Knowing that the external trappings will never satisfy an inner longing;
*Re-connecting with the people who mean or have meant something to us;
*Discovering that all we ever needed or wanted was love, after all.

What an honor to be #2 on their speaker list! Hey, as the old advertising slogan says,
"We're Number 2-- we try harder!"

Come out and see me -- timeless wisdom from Your Guide to the Life You Love, and free food for dessert!