I’ve been reading Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged: (Centennial Edition)  and am enjoying it very much. I can relate in many ways with the heroine of the story, Dagney Taggart. Dagney’s a workaholic. At the end of a particular long day, she steps outside, exhausted and looking for something to refuel her.

Her work was all she had or wanted. But there were times, like tonight, when she felt that sudden, peculiar emptiness, which was not emptiness, but silence, not despair, but immobility, as if nothing within her were destroyed, but everything stood still. Then she felt the wish to find a moment’s joy outside, the wish to be held as a passive spectator by some work or sight of greatness. Not to make it, she thought, but to respond; not to create, but to admire. I need it to let me go on, she thought, because joy is one’s fuel.

She had always been — she closed her eyes with a faint smile of amusement and pain — the motive power of her own happiness. For once, she wanted to feel herself carried by the power of someone else’s achievement. As men on a dark prairie liked to see the lighted windows of a train going past, her achievement, the sight of power and purpose that gave them reassurance in the midst of empty miles and night — so she wanted to feel it for a moment, a brief greeting, a single glimpse, just to wave her arm and say: Someone is going somewhere…”

I love that passage because I can relate to Dagney. I find immense joy and happiness in my work, but there’s something magical in watching someone else succeed, observing another’s creations, knowing there is majesty elsewhere on the planet. I think that’s why I love promoting people so much and why nature is the air I breathe.

I’ve been reading Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged: (Centennial Edition) . Evidently Rand journaled extensively the characters, plot and messages she wanted to convey before she ever began writing a novel. At the beginning of this edition, they included several excerpts from Rand’s journal.

One passage stood out to me. At first I was taken aback.

It is proper for a creator to have an unlimited confidence in himself and his ability, to feel certain that he can get anything he wishes out of life, that he can accomplish anything he decides to accomplish, and that it’s up to him to do it. But here is what he must keep clearly in mind: it is true that a creator can accomplish anything he wishes — if he functions according to the nature of man, the universe and his own proper morality, that is, if he does not place his wish primarily within others and does not attempt or desire anything that is of a collective nature, anything that concerns others primarily or requires primarily the exercise of the will of others. (This would be an immoral desire or attempt, contrary to his nature as a creator.) If he attempts that, he is out of a creator’s province and in that of the collectivist and the second-hander.”

“Therefore he must never feel confident that he can do anything whatever to, by or through others. (He can’t — and he shouldn’t even wish to try it — and the mere attempt is improper.)”

What? But what about the power of synergy? Synergy may be one of the most central themes of my life, and thus I initially recoiled at her theory. Yet, as I continued reading, I began to better understand her reasoning and found myself agreeing:

He must not think that he can … somehow transfer his energy and his intelligence to them and make them fit for his purposes in that way. He must face other men as they are, recognizing them as essentially independent entities, by nature, and beyond his primary influence; he must deal with them only on his own, independent terms, deal with such as he judges can fit his purpose or live up to his standards (by themselves and of their own will, independently of him) and expect nothing from others…”

I’ve known many a creative (including myself) who were married to people of the opposite personality type who were not the least bit interested in their ideas and could not fully grasp the logic behind their dreams. In fact a friend wrote me within 12 hours after I read this passage to say that she’d finally given up on getting her husband to come around to “supporting her” in her mission. She felt she’d put her own dreams on hold waiting for him to catch up for far too long.

Her husband does love her and support her monetarily, but he’s not ecstatic about her ideas and doesn’t really “get” where she’s coming from. He doesn’t oppose her, but he’s not interested either. I think it’s important to look at our definitions of support. Does someone have to “get you” to be a support to you?

My own husband has only read one of my 21 books and that was a historical fiction novel. He doesn’t get excited about my ideas. He doesn’t get the core of what drives my passions. For a long time, I found this very frustrating. How could he even know me (or truly love me) if he doesn’t get excited about my core passion in life?

But then, I began to understand what Ayn Rand describes in that last paragraph — if we wish to be free to be ourselves, we must respect other people’s freedom to be themselves.

If I waited for my husband to get excited about my projects, read all my books, or advocate for my cause, I’d never do anything. You are responsible for your own life and your own message. Other people are responsible for theirs.

You can be with a spouse who doesn’t get excited about what excites you. I came to understand that the limitation was only in my mind. You are free to be you. You don’t need a specific person to get you. God will bring people to you (and is bringing people to you) who do get you. When I let go of expecting my husband to be who I wanted him to be, I was able to see how he DOES support me in a myriad of ways. One being, never complaining about me spreading my wings and doing my own thing.

Bottom line, I’m learning that if I want the freedom to be me, then I must allow others the freedom to be themselves … even if (in my view) they use their freedom to choose bondage.

Listen to this message:

 

Or read it below:

 

Do you consider yourself a thought leader or light bearer? If so, would you like to know the secret to creating a movement around your cause or message?

• Imagine 15-20% of the U.S. population loving your ideas. • People love them so much, they turn up by the thousands wherever you go, just to hear you share your message one more time. • When you need money to better educate the world, all you have to do is say the word and within a week or less, people have sent you millions of dollars to get it done. • You know you can’t spread your message alone, but no worries, your followers are advocates. They willingly volunteer their time, money and energy to spread your message to their friends. They even get online and make videos and create blogs to talk about you and your message. • They show up when you need them to. They volunteer because your message is so important to them, they can’t sit still. • When the world calls you crazy, your supporters go to bat for you, taking action in proactive ways. • You and your message aren’t a passing fad. People follow you year after year in ever-growing numbers.

How is this possible, you ask? It must be a stroke of luck. In my opinion there is no such thing as luck. Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. Much of it is about being at the right time at the right place with the right message. But there’s more to it than that, and there’s much we can learn about creating a movement by dissecting one in progress.

That’s what I intend to do here. You don’t have to agree with the person I use as the example. You don’t have to support him, his movement, or believe in his cause in order to dissect what is working.

The person I speak of has very little charisma or ability to speak eloquently, yet he has made quite a stir with an avid following. It’s true. You don’t have to be a savvy speaker oozing charisma to create a movement! Isn’t that a relief?

Movements are compelling and newsworthy and any compelling story addresses 6 main elements — who, what, why, when, where, and how. I’ll add one more as a bonus. So let’s look at these 7 characteristics of a movement. As we do, think about your own message and your own character traits. How many of these do you possess? In which areas do you need a little work?

Who: Do You Have Integrity and Engender Trust?

The Who is Dr. Ron Paul, OBGYN, Congressman from Texas, and presidential candidate. This is a man who has preached the same message for over thirty years. He’s in his 70′s. He stammers around delivering his message. He stumbles over his words. He preaches his message in a way many might say sounds like a broken record. He’s accused of being dangerous, an idealist and a dreamer.

But there is an important take-away here. Ron Paul lives in complete alignment, in utter congruity with his message. You know what you’re getting. He practices what he preaches even when it’s not popular. He says the same thing to every crowd — even when they boo him. His message never wavers and his voting record never varies.

There is a sense there will be no surprises with this man. You know what you’re getting and you can take his integrity to the bank.

Ask yourself, “How congruent am I with my message?” Are you consistently dependable in word and action? Is your name and reputation synonymous with your message? Do you live it vertically, horizontally and diagonally?

What: Is Your Name Synonymous with One Compelling Message?

What is Dr. Paul’s message? In one word “Liberty.” Specifically, liberty in strictly following the U.S. Constitution. His is a clarion call to return to a 224-year-old document. This is a document with a track-record for creating the greatest free nation in history. When it was followed strictly, it fostered freedom. When the nation veered from it, freedom diminished.

That is Ron Paul’s message. It doesn’t matter if he personally believes in a social agenda, if the U.S. Constitution does not give the Federal government the right to rule upon or make laws about it, then Ron Paul votes against it. He’ll tell you it needs to be handled at an individual, state or local level. It’s not a federal matter.

What is your message? Can you relay it as succinctly as “Liberty” or “Go back to the U.S. Constitution?” Or does it take 5-10 minutes to explain? Do you stand by your message no matter what the personal cost?

Why Do You Do What You Do?

On more than one occasion Ron Paul’s declared, “I don’t want to run your life. I don’t know how to run your life. I don’t have the authority to run your life. And the Constitution doesn’t permit me to run your life.” Another time I’ve heard him say concerning the oval office, “I just don’t sit around daydreaming about it, but I’m in the race and I’m in a good race.”

You get the feeling this man cares nothing for power or gain. He lives in a modest rancher-style home that looks like the one my parents purchased in the late 60′s.

So why does Ron Paul do what he does? He could be retired, puttering around in his garden or playing with his grandchildren. Why does he extend himself in what many feel is a hopeless cause? Because he cares about his country and the people in it. He loves liberty, and he wants every American to bask in it. He feels compelled to educate.

How self-serving is your message? Is it all about you and you making money? Or is it about making the world a better place and leaving a legacy? Dig down deep. What are your motives? Are they power and gain? If they are, you might be able to fool yourself, but you won’t fool others for long.

When Should People Act On Your Message?

Timing is everything. And in this instance, the time is now. There is a sense of urgency to Ron Paul’s message. The country is on the brink of another war, impending monetary collapse. Unemployment is rising and people are looking outside the box for a solution that hasn’t been provided by politicians in recent history.

There’s also a sense that this isn’t about a single election. This is a man who sees himself as a teacher, developing a movement. The youth find him enthralling. College campuses overflow when he arrives. Military personnel donate more to his campaign than they do to all the other candidates combined.

Ron Paul is encouraged by this youthful exuberance because it means that even if the adults who embrace the status quo will not accept the message, the rising generation is embracing it and are avid supporters. If the adults let America collapse, the rising generation will know what document to return to when it’s time to rebuild.

Are you creating a sense of urgency around your message? Are you helping people see what will happen if they don’t take action? Are you in this for the long-haul, and do you have a long-term vision?

Where Is Your Message Applied?

The where is America. Ron Paul’s clarion call is to concentrate on our own problems and stop fighting other people’s wars or meddling in other country’s affairs. His message is to focus on protecting our own borders, build our own nation, fix our own economic problems, support our own liberty and let other countries do the same for theirs. As Washington and Jefferson suggested, “peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.”

What’s your “where?” Is your message applicable on a regional, national or global level?

How Will You Execute Your Plan?

The “how” is the U.S. Constitution. Return to it, strictly follow it. Dr. Paul also has a plan to cut 1 trillion dollars from the budget in the first year in office. This plan as well as the short U.S. Constitution are downloadable on-line for anyone’s review.

Do you have a plan? Is it documented? How easy is it for people to find it, study and learn about it?

Notice how simple the message is — “liberty.” Notice how simple the method is – “strictly follow the U.S. Constitution and the Founder’s interpretation of it.” The message is simple. Applying it seems complex, primarily because there is so much re-education required. That complexity is what makes many say he’s crazy, a dreamer or downright dangerous.

All of this plays into the success of his movement. When a large segment of the population (or the media) calls you crazy, dangerous or a dreamer, there is another segment of the population who will rally to your cause — especially if you’re conveying a message that strikes at the heart of the deepest craving of their hearts.

Who doesn’t want to be free? Who wants to have someone telling them every move to make? The quest for freedom is older than time itself.

How compelling and relevant is your message? Does it address a primary need of every human heart?

The freedom message strikes at the heart of every enlightened being. When that message is delivered in congruity and opposed by forces that seem bigger and stronger, there are always those who rally around to defend and support.

That brings us to bonus characteristic number 7.

Bonus: Is There Opposition?

The opposition is as important as the hero. Who would Harry Potter be without Voldemort? Who would Dorothy be without the wicked witch? Who would Superman be without Lex Luthor? Who would Colonel Doolittle and his fly-boys be without Japan? A hero is only as strong as his adversary. In our example, you have Ron Paul on one side and the establishment, the media and the status quo on the other. That’s some heavy hitting opposition which lends itself to the creation of a heavy-hitter hero.

Is there opposition to your message? Are there those who would say you’re crazy or that your plan is impossible? Sometimes the opposition is within ourselves or our own families. It can even be nature itself. If you’re not bumping up against some form of opposition, you’re not being bold enough. How can you make your message clearer, bolder, stronger and more consistent? You don’t need to intentionally seek to offend, but if there is no opposition, most likely there’s nothing rallying about your message.

In summary, ask yourself how you can live in 100% congruity with your message. Until you do and have a good start on these other characteristics, your quest to change the world and create a movement will most likely remain elusive.

Have you ever felt disgusted with yourself when you didn’t run with a big idea fast enough and a few months later saw someone else turn the same idea into a screaming success?

Have you experienced the exhilaration of a new idea only to have your zest for it wane when it came time to implement all the details to make it happen?

It doesn’t have to be this way. You can take your brilliant ideas to income when you’re able to understand your creative cycle and work with it instead of fighting against it.

I’m passionate about helping inspired creatives like you impact the world. That’s why I’ve put together a resource especially for inspired creatives called “Leverage Your Creative Cycle to Make More Money, Get More Done and Follow Your Bliss.”

If you’re ready to take your ideas to income and tap into the potential lying within your creative genius, this is for you.

You’re ready to make a difference, to leave a legacy, but what if finances are getting in the way? Frankly, it does take money to make things happen in this world. Even Mother Theresa had access to money through those who believed in what she was doing.

You’re probably familiar with the Law of Attraction by now. Perhaps you saw “The Secret.” The idea behind the Law of Attraction is that whatever you firmly believe in your subconscious mind affects your energy and the choices you make. The frequency at which your energy is vibrating and the actions you take in consequence determine your outcomes and draw to you things, people and circumstances that resonate.

Most of us have things going on at a subconscious level that we don’t even realize. For example, if we grew up in homes where our parents were in debt, we may have a subconscious belief that debt is a part of life. Because we resonate with this belief, we act in ways that support that and draw to us the circumstances that affirm it as “truth.” It isn’t ultimate truth, but it may as well be truth for us.

With traditional Law of Attraction, you change your outcomes by reprogramming your subconscious mind. You feed it tons of positive affirmations and visualizations until it sinks down and starts adjusting your beliefs (and your energetic vibration).

In our financial example, we might repeat affirmations like:

• I am financially free.
• I pay cash for everything I buy.

We might visualize ourselves paying cash for a car or a house.

It takes a great deal of determination, will-power and thought-control to keep re-affirming and visualizing these things — especially if we have debt collectors calling.

What if you could bypass the subconscious mind and get right down to the frequency of the energy you’re vibrating? What if you could flip a switch and resonate at the frequency of financial abundance? What if you could instantly release false beliefs about money that have been hanging you up for years? It makes sense that positive results would show up faster – right?

What if I told you this is possible? Does that pique your curiosity? I know it did mine! Your scarcity beliefs can be removed and you can resonate at the frequency of abundance without spending months or even years repeating affirmations and visualizations. They can be transformed in less than an hour!

Imagine it! All the old generational programs passed down through cellular memories could also be removed. Find out how at Raise Your Abundance Quotient here.

Desert Rose Labyrinth in Kayenta UT

Back in 2009, I had the opportunity to visit Kayenta, Utah and go through the Desert Rose Labyrinth. My friend Judy Hansen took me there and it was a wonderful, enlightening experience. The Desert Rose Labyrinth is a replica of the one in Chartres, France.

Each of us took a turn going through the labyrinth and then we sat down and discussed our insights. Since we were working on a project together at the time, it was very intriguing to see how the labyrinth opened up our creativity in different ways, yet our insights dovetailed together perfectly.

If you ever get a chance to go through a labyrinth, do it! It will expand your creativity and your capacity for inspiration.

Here are a few photos from our trip.