I just sent my first formal draft of my doctoral dissertation to my project mentor. The technical editor is editing it. I will defend my project in L.A. on June 12 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM. Graduation is June 14 at 6:00 PM! Earning an accredited doctorate is an impossible dream that has come true for me!
Dare to Dream and Do the Impossible! Only 20% of those who enter my particular doctoral program ever finish the Doctor of Ministry degree. It is highly demanding and difficult. I had an 80% chance of failure. But it was more than that. Keep reading and you will see why. :)
My tag line is: "Transforming Fear into Fulfillment, Hurt into Healing, Pain into Peace and Problems into Possibilities!" Another way to put it is: "Showing People How to Conquer Chaos and Transform Tragedy into Triumph and Problems into Possibilities!"I have been tested through the fire personally with this doctorate experience!
Dare to Dream and Do the Impossible! It's happening for me and it can happen for YOU! Don't let anyone or any circumstance stop you. Settle it in your heart. You're going over and not under! You're the top dog and not the bottom dog!
In high school my counselor told me not to apply for college. He said I would never make it. Guess what? I did it! Don't let anyone talk you out of your dream!
After earning my B.S. in Wildlife-Fishery Resources degree from the University of Idaho (one of the finest programs in the nation), I thought I would never go back to school. My degree was extremely difficult and demanding. It was like a Pre-Med Science degree. Done. Finished. I thought :)
I couldn't get the dream out of my heart. After working as a research biologist for a couple of years, I kept feeling this deep desire to go for a masters degree. So I began to Dare to Dream and Do the Impossible! I did it! Not only did I meet the most beautiful bride in the whole wide world, I earned a Master of Divinity degree in two and half years. It normally takes three years.
Dare to Dream and Do the Impossible! On May 18, 2006, my beautiful bride asked me to apply for a doctoral program at a cutting-edge new school in L.A. Through a series of miracles, I was accepted.
I had no idea that this adventure would be like climbing Mount Everest without an oxygen mask! It was so challenging and treacherous at times, I thought I would literally fall to my death! It was far more difficult and demanding than I ever thought possible! I am not the scholarly type. It has been like learning Chinese in Hong Kong with no one to interpret for me. Talk about a whole new learning curve!
The Lord placed this dream in my heart. He gave me the strength and the courage to overcome every impossible obstacle in the adventure! I have been radically transformed and become a new man through this rich and rewarding experience!
My beautiful bride, Irene, and son, Chris and our other team members helped me Dare to Dream and Do the Impossible! Gary Woltal has encouraged me through the process! He promised that He and others in Active Rain would not give up on me! Thank You, Gary and AR!
Dare to Dream and Do the Impossible! I did it and you can do it! You may ask: "What does this have to do with real estate?" Good question! It has everything to do with it! We are in the people business. People need hope and encouragement. They need it and you need it! We all need it!
Over 8% of this new year is gone! February is already here and moving quickly!
As a Real Estate Professional, each one of us is working with people. This is a people business!
On Saturday, January 24, our team conducted our first Identity Formation Seminar for 18 -32 year old Emerging Adults. We had a powerful time together.
We plan on having more seminars in February. If you know anyone in the Boise Metro Area between 18-32 years old, please send them our way!
All of us learned some new things. Each one of us if formed as a person through social relationships.
All of us have experienced shame-based messages that have warped us in our identity formation. We discovered that grace-based messages can replace the shame.
Grace is the ability to be who you were created to be and to do what you were created to do. Grace means you are deeply loved, completely accepted and highly valued. Period. No if's, and's or but's or coulda, shoulda, woulda statements.
So today could be the beginning of a whole new life for you. Watch what you say. Your subconscious mind believes everything your mouth says. You become what you say.
Think and speak the BEST, not the Worst, the BEAUTIFUL, not the ugly, things to PRAISE, not things to curse (The Message).
Thank You so much for your encouragement in The Rain!
WOW! How time flies at supersonic speed when you're having FUN (F-U-N, FUN!)
The last post I did was entitled PRESSURE FORMS THE PEARL! I had no idea what that title would mean two months later, but it's still true!
I have finished Chapters One, Two and Three and Chapter Four is due November 1 for my doctoral research project. What a wild adventure it's been!
I am focusing on emerging adults (18 - 30 years old) who need their Identity Crisis resolved. My hypothesis is:
A grace-based and community-oriented seminar on the nature of identity formation for emerging adults in Boise, ID, will facilitate an understanding and healing of their identity crisis.
There are about 100,000 emerging adults who live in the Boise area. Most of them do not feel comfortable with the boomer or builder generations (44 years old and older.)
I have a LARGER-THAN-LIFE DREAM to help these emerging adults to feel deeply loved, completely accepted and highly valued as people by finding solutions to the difficult and demanding problems of addictions, social disturbances, violence and crime.
My dream is to create a multi-cultural and multi-generational community of creative, risk-taking, team players to unite our community with PAINTransformed into PEACE! The emerging adults are an untapped generation of creative, risk-taking team players who have the potential to turn our world upside down (or right side up!)
ACTIVE RAIN is a potential community that would greatly benefit from an infusion of emerging adults! The whole industry of Real Estate could be impacted!
Chapters Five and Six are due February 1. The completed research project is due on May 1 for binding as a book.
I feel like I need to create a new post! Today I gave a speech entitled "Pressure Forms the Pearl!" at our local Toastmasters Club at Boise Bible College. (It is the closest meeting place to us and we meet at a perfect time: High Noon on Wednesday!)
Since I am a candidate for a doctorate degree, I must keep on track every day! The task is so overwhelming that I must take it one small step at a time. I must continually overcome the feeling of anxiety.
The feelings I have been experiencing are wild! Last night I was up all night feeling like I was in a little raft in the middle of the ocean in a big storm! So, to feel the calm and peaceful comfort of being in the authentic community of Active Rain, I need to jump in with both feet!
My experience is becoming a huge growth curve for me! Let me explain.
An oyster responds to an irritating object with action. It secretes nacre (a liquid substance to protect itself). Layer after layer is poured over the irritating object and a pearl is eventually formed.
The pressure I am experiencing is my research project. It consumes practically every waking moment in my life! Writing this post is a struggle for me because of all the reading and writing I need to do. This research project is like writing a huge scholarly book in five months. It takes time and energy and LOTS OF IT!
My beautiful wife and wonderful son are with me. They are very supportive and encouraging! We are being formed together in deeper love and understanding for each other and others! Many of you in The Rain are very supportive and encouraging to us! Thank You!
So, here I am. I can become better or bitter. I choose to become better. I choose to become stronger. I choose to be empowered. I choose to embrace the moment and keep moving forward.
I am growing so much that I am amazed. I feel like I am walking on water. It's a very uncomfortable feeling at times, but I am doing it every day.
So can YOU! As a Real Estate Professional, you can grow beyond your wildest dreams. Choose to do the impossible. Choose to stretch beyond your imagination. Choose to stay in discomfort until you become comfortable. It's worth it!
Let the pressure you are experiencing mold you into the person you want to be! Pressure Forms the Pearl!
The leader's best friend is the big "Mo" according to leadership expert John Maxwell. Sometimes that begins with a phone call, an e-mail or simply a cheerful smile. Moving forward with momentum is the key!
Each one of us as Real Estate Professionals (Agents, Home Stagers and all others) are leaders. We must all create the big "Mo" to be successful. That is much easier said than done. Let's be realistic. Many people are dropping out of the Real Estate Profession. Leaders are found one at a time just like eagles.
Leaders must be courageous. Even in the face of fear, leaders declare "We Can Win! Follow Me!"
Leaders know how to change and adapt to produce success. If a mountain is blocking the path, leaders say, "We may not be able to go through it, but we can go over it or around it!" "Maybe we can even use this mountain as a resource in a way that no one has imagined!"
Leaders look at the big picture and strategize to organize the smaller details. Followers say that the obstacle is too big to overcome. Leaders boldly declare: "We are the ones who will overcome this obstacle!" "It may take a few thousand scoops with our shovels lined up in the right direction, but we will do it!"
Leaders know how to fail with dignity. "This creative idea didn't work, but we learned some valuable lessons that we can apply to our next creative proposal!"
Leaders are those who are "Moving with Momentum!"
Do you want to become a better leader? Active Rain is the perfect community to develop and grow as a leader! LOOK, LISTEN AND LAUNCH!
I just had an experience of observing our dried up plant that began to prosper. That poor living thing had not had any water for a couple of days before I noticed that it had withered. It was sagging with no life left in it. It was exhausted and struggling to survive! It was so thirsty!
That's the way some of us in the Real Estate Profession may feel. We have experienced a drought with no water. We are experiencing weariness. We are dry and thirsty!
I have good news for you! Listen to this story about our plant!
I began to water that withered plant. It was right at the point of not surviving. As I poured water into it, I began to feel hope. I noticed it began to perk up the first day. The next day it looked more alive after I poured water all over it. By the third day, it began to look normal. After two weeks of consistent and persistent watering, it now has an abundance of flowers and is flourishing!
Some of us need the water of encouragement just like that plant did. We need to know that we will prosper even if it doesn't feel like it. Let others in The Rain water you! Soak up encouraging words!
You will make it! You have what it takes! We need you! We see you flourishing and prospering!
I just received an awesome approval for my research project. I am in a doctoral degree program in L.A. even though I live in Boise, ID. This experience is so far out of the box for me that many times I have had a complete meltdown. I completed my Masters degree 30 (yes, that is t-h-i-r-t-y) years ago! So I am experiencing growth!
Now that I am a candidate for the doctorate degree in which I am specializing in leadership and creative conflict management, I must complete Chapter Three by September 1st. I will do it. By February 1st next year I must have the complete rough draft completed. This is a huge commitment!
There are many lessons that I am learning that apply to all of us in the Active Rain Community:
1. As we launch into uncharted waters, we all have anxiety about the unknown.
2. Overcoming fear is rewarded with increased confidence and courage.
3. We become stronger mentally, emotionally and socially as we stretch beyond our comfort zones.
4. Growth occurs when we move beyond where we are to where we want to be.
5. We need to encourage each other to break through our barriers.
6. We are created to not live for love, but from love.
7. We all grow together as members one of another in our community!
All of us are needed in our Active Rain Community to be all we can be!
As professionals in the field of Real Estate, each one of us has had to break through our barriers!
I remember when I actually enrolled in airplane pilot ground school at Boise State University and began taking flying lessons at Gem State Aviation to become a pilot back on September 9, 1975. I had this dream for 20 years before I actually took the steps to break through my barriers.
My first solo flight without my instructor was terrifying! My left leg was shaking so badly against the door of the plane that I thought I would break it! When I was cleared by the FAA Flight tower to take off, I thought I would weave down the runway like a drunk driver! Actually I rolled out straight down the runway and lifted off with a smooth transition.
I did several landings and takeoffs and my leg kept shaking! When I secured the plane after my final landing I finally felt like I had broken through a huge barrier!
Breaking through that barrier was difficult! In each step of my training I had to break through different barriers including how to correct stalls, coming out of spirals and all kinds of tests my instructor did for my skill requirements.
My long cross country solo flight of 250 miles across southern Idaho and back (500 miles total) on February 22, 1976 was in a snow storm! The sky was white! The ground was white! Everything was white! Back then I only had a compass. I had no DME (distance measuring equipment) or any type of GPS System I had to trust my balance with my instruments! I had to break through the barrierof disorientation! The carburetor of the plane kept freezing so I had to pull out the heater switch to thaw it out. The RPM indicator looked like a windshield wiper going back and forth. I had to break through the freezing barrier!
My Dad was fishing that day in the mountains and saw me fly over him while that plane was sputtering away! He wondered who that crazy person was flying in that terrible weather. I told him that I had flown over the rugged mountains that day and that was me!
Finally, on March 18, 1976, I passed my two hour flight check ride of wild manevers with an FAA flight tester. At one point she turned off the engine and took the keys and asked me what my first response was! I had trained and remembered the procedures for overcoming an engine failure! I broke through the barrier! I was awarded my pilot's license that day!
I am being tested and I must break though many barriers to complete my doctoral degree. It is painful! But you know the old saying: "No Pain, No Gain!" Ouch! After the ouch comes the pleasure! I would rather experience the pain of discipline rather than the pain of neglect!
Each one of us must break through barriers to grow. How much we grow is up to each one of us!
As professionals in the field of Real Estate, what barriers have you had to break through?
My beautiful and precious wife, Irene, created a post today entitled An Outstanding Leader Reveals How to Be An Effective Leader. She dedicated the post to Gary Woltal because he was interested in finding out how a particular leader would impact her from a previous post she wrote.
Well, as most of us know, The Rain is a creative and connectedcommunity of some outstanding "eagles" who love to soar on the wind of inspiration from others. Gary had just created a post today called Reach For The Eagle's Nest so my wife and I were soaking up his inspiration in The Rain when Margaret Rome called her on the phone and left a message. My wife called her right back and they experienced a rich and rewarding conversation about her post dedicated to Gary. Margaret and my wife discovered they were both NAWBO members through The Rain!
That was the first time anyone in The Rain called her on the phone! What a miraculous moment!
My wife and I both looked at Margaret's profile in AR and were astonished. Margaret is a soaring eagle inThe Rain! Gary is a soaring eagle in The Rain!What an Active Rain Success Story (X2)!
This Active Rain Success Story is Dedicated to Gary Woltal and Margaret Rome!
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
My tag line is: "Transforming Fear into Fulfillment, Hurt into Healing, Pain into Peace and Problems into Possibilities!" Another way to put it is: "Showing People How to Conquer Chaos and Transform Tragedy into Triumph and Problems into Possibilities!" I have been tested through the fire personally with this doctorate experience!
As a Real Estate Professional, each one of us is working with people. This is a people business!
WOW! How time flies at supersonic speed when you're having FUN (F-U-N, FUN!)
like eagles.
4. Growth occurs when we move beyond where we are to where we want to be.
My first solo flight without my instructor was terrifying! My left leg was shaking so badly against the door of the plane that I thought I would break it! When I was cleared by the FAA Flight tower to take off, I thought I would weave down the runway like a drunk driver! Actually I rolled out straight down the runway and lifted off with a smooth transition.
Posted by 
My beautiful and precious wife, Irene, created a post today entitled An Outstanding Leader Reveals How to Be An Effective Leader. She dedicated the post to Gary Woltal because he was interested in finding out how a particular leader would impact her from a previous post she wrote. 
;)
;)
