by Drea Kasianchuk

​​Almost a year ago I attended Breakthrough To Success with the Pathways to Success for Youth Team. As i reflect back on my experience, my only wish was that these success principles were introduced to me at a younger age. I am still considered young, but I believe that my teens and early twenties would have been positively influenced and tremendously impacted by acquiring a greater sense of self-awareness and confidence. That's why I'm glad I am involved in the Pathways to Success for Youth Project and will be involved in their fall event bringing this work into the high school I graduated from!

I went into this conference with an open mind, hoping that I could tap into my life's purpose and walk away with a plan to fulfill this path. That didn't quite happen. But in 5 days, I left with life-changing tools that gave me the confidence to know that I was on my way to discover my purpose and the mindset to appreciate my life and all that it has to offer. 

I spent most of my childhood and early twenties believing I would need to work extra hard to get what I wanted out of life, and that if anything came too easily, I wasn’t trying hard enough. I was always told over and over again that life wasn’t easy. It was this mindset that allowed me to think that I wasn’t good enough and that I would always have to try harder to be better. Essentially, I was making my life a lot more difficult than it needed to be. 

After this conference, I was able to identify this limiting belief, recognize that I wasn’t doing a service to myself by inflicting so much stress and expectation. With the help of the tools I learned at BTS, I chose to let go of this belief so I could positively encourage myself through life’s challenges. BTS allowed me to see that I could begin to discern my life’s purpose and enjoy this discovery with:

• A greater understanding of myself (your inner voice and intuition)
• A love for me/being my own best friend—We are often our own worse enemy when we should be patting ourselves on the back for all that we do
• A belief that my greatest gift to others and myself is to be ME
• An acceptance of not always needing to know the “how” for reaching my goals and that it’s a balance of intention, effort, and timing
• Recognition that I am in the control seat and can take 100% responsibility for my life and actions, which shape my world around me
• A vision and feeling of what it would be like to get where I want to be, whether it is a business success or personal goal
• More gratitude for my experiences, relationships, health, etc.

This just skims the surface of the wisdom I gathered from this experience. 
 
During my week at BTS, my world and my heart were filled with incredible connections that have changed my life forever. I often think this conference is in my top 5 best things I have done with my life, but then I think, of that top 5, what beats it? The answer is nothing. BTS is #1 because it has enriched every part of my life and has become the foundation in all that I do. I feel like I've been gifted a new lens to view the world through, which allows me to see that anything is possible, that I am very lucky to have the gift of life to experience all that I can, and that love and compassion is truly the only way---love wins, love heals, love completes life. This event, Jack's success principles, and this wonderful community empower me to make the most of my time on this planet. 

Again, my only wish was that these success principles were introduced to me at a younger age. I believe that my teens and early twenties would have been positively influenced and tremendously impacted by acquiring a greater sense of self-awareness and confidence. Although this wasn't possible for me, but it is being made possible through the Pathways to Success for Youth Program. Please consider making a donation to this foundation to send another group of young adults to BTS this year, so they can continue to bring these principles into schools to share this remarkable set of tools with all adolescents. Lets inspire our youth!

www.generosity.com/education-fundraising/pathways-to-success-for-youth-project--2

In the Fall of 2014, I almost let go of my vision to bring the Success Principles to teens. I needed a bigger paycheck. I loved the work I was doing with young people, but was just barely getting by. But the Universe kept calling me back! I can remember the day I finally gave in. "If I am meant to continue with my vision, you need to show me the money! I am going to take a nap while you figure it out"

I lay across the bed, buried my fingers in my cat's fur as she snuggled in for a nap and I fell asleep. I woke up to my phone vibrating above my head. I recognized the name. I answered. I got a job offer. A promotion to head up the ski school i had been working at part time for over 15 years. I love teaching skiing. I love working with people who are passionate about what they are doing. I would be responsible for developing a team of about 100 people who were passionate about what they were doing. And the salary was negotiable. 

My first reaction was NO! I thought of the responsibility, the time commitment, and so many other reasons I shouldn't accept the position. I needed to decide. "A decision not to decide is a decision." I heard Jack Canfield's words ringing in my head. I gave myself 24 hours to decide. "It all comes down to just two choices. One choice leads you towards your vision. The other leads you away." I heard him say.

The Universe was always clear with me if I paid attention. It was always nudging me and showing me the next right step. This was the next right step. I knew it. It added passion to my life and gave me the money I was looking for. It was seasonal and allowed me to continue with my other work. Looking back, it was perfect in so many ways.

And I had no idea I was developing the skills to take even bolder and more powerful new steps that would lead me and the Pathways Team to the threshold we're standing on today.

In the Fall of 2014, I was sitting in a community forum meeting to discuss the heroin epidemic that has sunk it's teeth into our community and claimed the lives of several of our young people. I didn't want to get out of bed that day. I remember the feeling of resistance. We keep talking about the "problem". We are missing the solution. The name of the "problem" keeps changing; alcohol abuse, drug addiction, teen pregnancy, homelessness, etc. but we're not digging down deep enough for real solutions. Yes, Narcan will save lives and yes, we need effective treatment options, but ... I dozed off for a few minutes with my fingers running through my cat's soft fur. I woke up knowing I had to go.

I was seated at a breakout table titled "Education". We were assigned to the task of addressing heroin addition from an education standpoint. I spoke passionately about what I know. Kids need connection. They need to be engaged. They need passion and purpose and their own vision of success. Not what someone else tells them success looks like. They need tools to build self esteem, self worth and resiliency. The need to have a vision for their future that goes beyond the next fix or a baby to give them the love they're looking for. And they need skills and support to make their vision a reality.

The superintendent of schools sat across from me. At the end of the meeting he asked me if I was ready to work with him.  A few months later, I was sitting in his office with his administrative team.

Fast forward to now. I just got a significant grant to support the Pathways to Success for Youth Team as we work with the middle and high school administration and faculty to  implement a two and a half day student orientation retreat to improve school culture and create connection for the entire incoming freshman class. We are also implementing a faculty development program. We're also working on an all year program; the details are yet to be finalized. All we are doing will serve as a model for expansion to other schools.

And to think, I almost walked away. In fact I would have if I had not listened to my heart and followed the gentle nudges and the not so gentle pushes to take action.

In August, eight new members of the Pathways Team will be heading to Breakthrough to Success to train with Jack Canfield. This will make a total of twenty-two team members (some of who are my ski school staff!) with diverse skills, talents and life experiences who stand ready to assist in the next steps of the vision. as we move beyond the Mount Washington Valley.  

With just a little over five weeks before we leave for Breakthrough to Success and just eight weeks before we head into the high school gymnasium to meet the freshman, I'm trusting the Universe's nudge and hoping that with a little help from our Generosity campaign and those of you who feel moved to contribute your support, that we'll be ready to take the next steps in getting this work to young people across the country!

To see the many ways you can support this powerful project, visit our How You Can Help! page

Visit https://igg.me/at/8yPfES1W2T0 to contribute to our Generosity Fundraiser.