First Walk Across a Bridge

Lu Ann is an old friend and amazing mentor of mine from my NBC10 days and I was so inspired when she started her Year of Firsts blog. I had always hoped to have some big and gratifying first of my own to share…and it finally came, completely unplanned, on Saturday afternoon…

I haven’t always been afraid of heights. It started after September 11th and since then I’ve had huge anxiety when it comes to airplanes and bridges.

Here I am 10 years later living in one of the greatest cities in the world: New York City. I moved here a year ago to work overnights for a network morning television show. My schedule makes it hard for me to ever see daylight…even on my days off. When I woke up to the nearly 60 degree sunny weather on Saturday, I really just wanted to continue sleeping. But a close friend encouraged me to get up, get out, and seize the day. I recently moved to a new neighborhood in Manhattan, so this was my perfect opportunity to explore my new hood.

I put on my sneakers, went outside, and just started walking. I walked for 5 hours just getting completely lost in the beauty of the day and the city (literally, I got lost…had to use the GPS on my iphone to get back!) I was a few blocks from home when I found myself at the entrance of the Williamsburg Bridge leading to Brooklyn. Since I was new to the area, I had never seen or been on that bridge so I had no idea that there was a huge walkway just for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross.

The sun was still shining - I was already so proud of myself for the amazing day I had wandering around NYC…so I decided I had to go for it. I had to walk across this bridge.

I can barely handle driving over bridges so I was terrified…but luckily the adrenaline from my great day was still flowing. Through the first half of my venture across, I was nearly crippled with fear. I was literally taking baby steps and shaking. I kept reminding myself that NYC was a safe place and that I had nothing to be afraid of. But by the time I got to the metal part of the bridge, where I would actually be crossing over the water, I turned around. I had had enough. As I was walking back down, a group of 6 year olds whizzed by me on their bikes with their moms…if they could do this, why couldn’t I?! And I knew deep in my heart, that halfway across the bridge didn’t count. I had to say I did this. And so I did.

I turned the music on my ipod up really really loud, and slowly but surely I crossed that bridge. When I finally made it to Brooklyn, I was totally overcome with emotion…I had the biggest cheesiest grin on my face and was so proud of my first! The walk back to Manhattan was so much more enjoyable. The bridge and I were like old friends and I was in awe by the beautiful sunset along the NYC skyline. This was my new special place.

I can’t wait for my next walk across the bridge. For all those out there afraid of heights…try something like this. I promise you the beauty outweighs the fear.

The Bliss Mistress Guide To Transforming the Ordinary Into the Extraordinary

I just birthed my first best seller called The Bliss Mistress Guide To Transforming the Ordinary Into the Extraordinary. I tell people that it only took 53 years to write, since it came out a few weeks prior to my 53rd birthday. It is a culmination of life lived wondrously in the midst of loss and change, grief and growth, love and learned resilience.

I invite you into a world in which 'impossible dreams' become 'I'm possible realities' in which readers learn to live rich, fully juicy lives, moving through life change with greater grace and ease than they thought imaginable. Enter The Bliss Mistress Guide To Transforming the Ordinary Into the Extraordinary -by Edie Weinstein, published by Balboa Press, a subsidiary of Hay House.

Do you long for a life that sings and soars?
Do you have dreams and desires that light you up from the inside?
What what it would be like to be a human sparkler?

This book beckons you to take a step into the life
you have always wanted-filled with love, abundance,
adventure, success, healing, joy, healthy relationships,
self exploration and fun. Come along on a journey with the
Bliss Mistress and learn to become Mistress or Master of
your own bliss.

The book features an interview with His Holiness The Dalai Lama.

Edie Weinstein is a work in progress, like everyone else on the planet; the artist of her own design and the mistress of her own bliss. Her business is called By ivine Design, the title of which came to her in a dream. When she asked what that meant, the Cosmic Creator answered "You'll know." She is a career journalist with 23 years experience interviewing some of the most amazing movers and shakers on the planet, including Ben & Jerry,Shirley MacLaine, Ram Dass, Michael Beckwith, Jack Canfield, Marianne Williamson, Dan Millman, Wayne Dyer, Elizabeth Lesser, Arielle Ford, Debbie Ford, SARK, Bernie Siegel and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In addition, she is an interfaith minister, dynamic motivational speaker,opti-mystic, (seeing the world through the eyes of possibility), social worker and PR Goddess.

She writes a regular column for Wisdom Magazine called The Bliss Mistress Guide www.wisdom-magazine.com, a daily blog for the interfaith website Beliefnet, called the Bliss Blog http://features.beliefnet.com/blissblog
and a weekly blog for VividLife www.vividlife.me and a growing number of other venues.

She is a frequent guest on radio shows,with the ability to respond spontaneously in unscripted conversation, and having been an interviewer herself, enjoys being on the other side of the microphone as well.



In gratitude,

Edie

Career Change

From the day I graduated high school, I have been a bookkeeper. First for small companies, then larger ones. When I had my son, I wanted to be a kindergarten Mom so I went in to business for myself but still as a bookkeeper. Two months ago, after 27 years, I quit. I sold my business and opened up what I consider a dream - Abington Kids Creative Arts Studio. I now help develop children's young minds with art, music, photography, theatre, pottery and more. I am out of my comfort zone completely. I am even hiring someone to do the bookkeeping :) This is my first. I do try new foods when I can and go places I have never been but this is the biggest change I have ever made in my life and as scary as it is, it is the best thing I have ever done with my life.

Audition for a professional theatre company

I recently auditioned for a professional theatre company. I’ve been acting forever, but solely in community theatres.

While I always perused websites for professional acting gigs, I never dared try out for one. Those were for “real” actors. Not me.

I mean, who did I think I was? I may have played Cherie in a local production of “Bus Stop,” but that certainly didn’t make me Marilyn Monroe. And even though I had the title role in “Sylvia,” I didn’t flatter myself to think I was nearly as good as Sarah Jessica Parker was.

In other words, I had absolutely no confidence in myself to try for something bigger. I was scared.

But this year I am doing things differently.

Over the summer I read about a notice for a local professional theatre company looking for actors so I decided to go for it. What the heck? I had the time. All I needed was a headshot – another excuse I always used to talk myself out of attending a professional audition, as I haven’t had one taken in over a decade.

But I was tired of making up excuses. All they ever did was verify that I too scared to put myself out there and take a real chance.

So I went to the audition.

Long story short, I got a part. A lead.

Moral of the story? Take a chance. You never know what can happen.

Fear of water, need to swim

Hi Lu Ann...

you know me already but I'd like to participate in your "firsts." I am working 4 part-time jobs trying to meet my bills each month which includes a HUGE health insurance premium. No other insurance co will touch me because I am a recent breast cancer survivor and a recently-diagnosed diabetic. I also suffer from fibromyalgia. Many daily challenges. Swimming has been often prescribed for me to help with the symptoms of the fibromyalgia and for exercise for weight control for the diabetes. Thing is, I cannot swim, and I cannot afford to take lessons and join a pool for regular swimming routine. I would really like to learn how to swim and be able to feel the therapy the bouancy being in a pool provides the human body.
Can you help me get this "first" to be a new part of my life? I work tirelessly in very labor-intensive jobs; I volunteer my time and talents to many charities and non-profit programs. I could really use a hand up.

Kelly Ann Dolan Fund

Lu Ann,

Soon after meeting you, I began writing for Patch.com
Today, I had a first. I met with Peggy Dolan, Executive Director of the Kelly Anne Dolan Fund.

The Dolans began this fund after losing their six year old daughter to leukemia, secondary to aplastic anemia. Through the fund, they help families who are suffering financially due to their child's illness. As a mom who has spent a significant amount of time in the hospital due to a newborn daughter with meningitis, this family's mission really touches my heart.

Peggy expressed the desire to be able to take the fund nationwide, and help even more families in need. Will you help spread the word? They're presently looking for sponsors for their 35th Anniversary Celebration. They're seeking 35 donors willing to contribute $1000. and a corporate sponsor to match funds. These funds would then be used for local families in need.
Please check out their webpage:http://www.kadmf.org/

Being a working Success no hidden secrets

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I built the backend of a 'Year-of-Firsts' website in less than a day.