This week I had the pleasure of speaking with Lakshmi Reddy, founder of New Creation International.  Her heart-centered vision of creating a world with more self-awareness came from the sense that what we emphasize in our schools and popular culture was not healthy for society or the individual psychological and spiritual health.  

Lakshmi refers to the processes of self-awareness that her organizations supports and disseminates as tools to "become more you".  I love that.  I have always thought of becoming better, or the best "you", and Lakshmi simply states, not better, but more YOU.

Isn't it true?

Her 100% volunteer based organization is a testament to her gift of connecting people.  Her capacity to grow in self-reflection and awareness through the process of seeing her dream come to life over the past 7 years is a testament to her ability to walk the walk of what it means to live in self-awareness.

Please enjoy her sharing the process of stepping into a dream and staying the course. Here was a take home for me, and maybe also for some you who also may be just starting out, that is to, remember her sage advice and "Don't be afraid to ask."

Click for Lakshmi's Share

For our first conversation about being a leader in our own lives, we asked the question, "Why don't more people step out into their passion?"  At the very simplest level, many of us have forgotten what we are passionate about.  Our first exercise asked viewers to connect again to what brings them joy.

So what comes next?  If I now know what I am passionate about, what then?

It is not time to start moving into action yet.  We still have to create a vision.

This conversation introduces the idea of how we can create a vision of our lives and the world we want to live in.  Personally, I think there is nothing more important than to live a well considered life.

For your consideration:

https://youtu.be/KID2xYCGtC4

I am so grateful to have been introduced to Kelly Beal who started her non-profit four years ago when her son took his life after having been bullied in school.  This type of emotionally driven project is one that is quite different than what I had imagined when I started the lecture series "If I Knew Then", but I can't ignore the importance of heart-centered leadership.  

To be able to navigate the waters of the unknown and keep moving through the challenges is what Kelly has done through keeping the focus on the primary purpose of her organization.  I don't think any other message could speak as strongly to the power of a life's mission.

Watch our conversation here:

https://youtu.be/e1jc8aSf84g