Pathways Through Grief Into Healing: Mikayla's Story (part 2)

When the opportunity came in 2012 for me to attend Breakthrough to Success I knew I had to go. I was slightly terrified at the prospect of sharing my heart and soul with 300 strangers but I knew I had to feel the fear and do it anyway. I was told that you get as much out of the BTS experience as you are willing to put in so I knew that if I were going to play I had to play full out. As prepared as I felt, I was still holding my breath as I walked into the training room on my first day. 

I held my breath all morning as we were introduced to the format of the week, as we reviewed the guidelines, as the foundation was set. My anxiety peaked when it came time for the Silent Hug Process. We all stood up, some of us clearly more hesitant than others, and began hugging. I put my arms around my partner and they tightened their squeeze just enough as if to say "we are here together" and I let my breath out. From that moment I first felt connection I was able to let go of my fear bit by bit and dive into the work. 

The week was a whirlwind of activity, reflection, hugs, laughter, and tears. In addition to the more practical aspects of setting goals, taking 100% responsibility, maintaining accountability, asking for help, and learning how to reject rejection, we were invited to explore our deeper selves. I shared my innermost thoughts, fears, hopes, and dreams. And I listened, really listened, as others shared theirs. Together we came to understand that our emotions stemmed from a greater place within and learned that it is okay to feel them. It's okay to give ourselves permission to explore what our tears or anger are really about. 

Through those moments of connection and vulnerability we forged friendships that will last a lifetime. To say that what I learned about myself during that week changed my life is an enormous understatement. It changed my very being. I came home from BTS floating on a cloud of unconditional love. I felt a sense of belonging to a world that is full of people who are all the same simply because we are here and we are all human.

I was so affected by this weeklong experience that when Trish shared with me her vision of a curriculum based on The Success Principles implemented on a national scale it brought tears to my eyes. 

Can you imagine what the world would be like if our young people were given the tools they need to truly succeed in any and every way they thought possible! If they were given a solid foundation of empowerment, understanding, and compassion on which to build their wildest dreams. Adults seeks this enlightenment after living half of their lives without purpose and passion. What if we could START with our youth?

The next step for me to take to help bring Trish's vision to life was to attend Jack Canfield's Train The Trainer program, which Trish herself had already completed. This program was more about learning how to be an effective presenter and facilitator, how to teach the Success Principles, and how to stand confidently in your power as you bring this work to your audience. Over the course of the year I would spend three weeks with the same 70 people as we each discovered our strengths, strengthened our weaknesses, and developed our own stories into a platform for our message. This giant leap even further out of my comfort zone and into an amazing international group of the most successful people I've ever met yielded even more personal growth, self awareness, and a deeper connection to those around me.

During week one of TTT we were asked to each prepare a ten minute talk for the last day. To present our talks we were split into groups of ten and sent into different rooms with two of Jack’s team where we would take turns presenting. The format of the presentation was that you would present your talk, receive feedback from the group and then have a chance to reteach a portion of your talk based on the feedback. Despite reassurances that we all had things to improve upon and that it was going to be a really great learning experience I was definitely nervous to talk in front of the group. In addition, members of the Canfield staff, including Jack himself, would be floating in and out to observe. 

When my turn came I shakily stood up, took a deep breath to reign in my nerves, and just started talking. I spoke in detail about my experience with my mom's terminal illness as a teenager and how that abruptly welcomed me into adulthood. A few minutes into my presentation the side door opened and Jack Canfield himself walked in. I have never been more intimidated in my life. With only a moments pause I managed to keep talking and finished out my time. I received feedback from Jack about how I need to move around the stage and he even showed me what I was doing versus what I should do to make my message even more powerful. 

As I began my reteaching he stopped me. "No, nope that's actually worse," he smiled, "loosen up. You look like a robot." I laughed and let go of the tension I had been holding since he walked in the door. As I began again I felt lighter, like it may actually be fun to do this. Before I left that night I was able to hug Jack goodbye and thank him for his feedback. As we parted from our hug to hold hands and look into each other’s eyes, he said "You were really great today. Seriously, you were born to do this. Keep going." 

That was all the affirmation I needed. And so it continues ...

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