This is NOT another boring Thanksgiving letter…

OK….let’s shake things up here a bit.

Listen, we all know to be grateful for the good stuff like our family, friends, house, clothes, etc, so we really don’t need another reminder about that (even though we’re bound to get at least 50 of those happy happy be thankful emails).

So I wanted to talk about something a little deeper….and juicier…..and darker (oh my!).

You see, next week we have our SOLD-OUT Step Up & Lead Now Retreat and people are flying in from all over the world to attend. During this life-changing 4-day experience, I will take participants through a powerful journey to own and embrace every painful, sad, challenging, f*cked up thing that has ever happened in their past.

I know it doesn’t sound like very much fun….but there’s a very good reason for it (and it’s actually really amazing and enjoyable process when done with a room full of supportive people).

You see, the absolute GREATEST way to grow your business and become irresistibly attractive to your tribe (customers) is to tell your AUTHENTIC story in a captivating and powerful way. That means being fully willing to let out the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Because the truth is that people don’t want to learn, listen to, or follow the all-mighty leader who has been perfect since the beginning of time. Why? Because that makes us feel totally inadequate and flawed when we start comparing our own messy path to theirs (which I know we’re not supposed to do….but let’s face it, we do!).

Instead, we want someone who is real, genuine, and has the consciousness to meet us where we’re at. We want to know that they can empathize with our pain, understand our problems, and have real-world solutions to our issues.

We want someone who is willing to show more than just a bright, shiny, happy face….because that’s not what we need most of the time.

So here’s a new little twist on the giving thanks part of this holiday. This Thanksgiving, take a moment to find gratitude for all the really crazy and totally messed up things that have happened to you from this past year…

…And even if you’re still in them, know that your current circumstance is becoming the fuel for a super juicy story that will make you a stronger, better, and more respected leader some point in the near future (dare I say, even NOW!).

Can you see that?

So…to lead by example, here are my top 3 CRAZY stories from 2009 that I am ever so grateful for (even though they totally sucked at the time):

1) The TWO times my merchant accounts decided to hold money from me, resulting in over $45,000 in locked up funds (almost causing us to go under both times…ALMOST).

2) When I used copyrighted content from one of my coaches and didn’t give him proper credit, got totally busted, and then had to come to terms with the fact that I was completely out of integrity (and write a very heartfelt apology letter and took a good strong look in the mirror about how I was showing up).

3) When I went to all of the marketing seminars, learned out-of-integrity tactics, and then went on to use manipulative sales strategies to get people to buy which left me feeling slimy, out of alignment, and often resulted in refunds (or just a really bad impression that took some time to clear).

As you can see (and probably feel), these were not good moments for me. But they were necessary; because without them, I might not have had the personal experiences or drive to develop a new way of doing business and marketing that was congruent, authentic, and fully conscious.

Because for some reason, you have to experience the dark in order to step into the light….let’s face it, we are creatures of contrast.

So despite the pain and suffering these experiences caused to the people in my life, my business, and myself, I believe that they were 100% worth it because of what developed out of the ashes.

If you would like to celebrate with me, take a bold step forward and share one thing happened to you in 2009 that wasn’t pretty but gave rise to a powerful new awareness / perspective / attitude.

Be grateful for your shadows. They are often times the strongest fuel for creating a better world.

As always, I would LOVE to hear your thoughts below.