As the year winds down, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect on how far you’ve come.
What worked in 2024? What could have been better?
This was our year of traveling across the country — from Illinois to California — to be in a place where my husband Joel always wanted to live. He had always dreamed of living in California, and now we’re renting a home and “trying it out…” We’ve had ups and downs, but I don’t regret one minute.
It has been wonderful to experience a new place… and venture forth into a dream.
You deserve to take steps toward achieving your dreams too.
Take time during this holiday week to assess your journey. Doing that not only honors your efforts but also shines a light on the path ahead.
As you envision a bright 2025, remember — grow your business with your stories.
Your stories are uniquely yours. They set you apart in a world full of choices.
Sharing your story authentically can connect you to your ideal audience, build trust, and inspire action.
Here are my tips as you reflect on the past and step forward into 2025.
Celebrate Wins and Lessons Learned:Take stock of your biggest achievements and challenges in 2024. What stories shaped your year?
Whether you overcame obstacles or achieved milestones, these experiences are the foundation of your brand’s narrative.
Identify Your Audience’s Needs:Consider your ideal audience.
What resonated with them this year? Were there untold parts of your story that could better align with their values or inspire them?
Set Story-Driven Goals: For 2025, plan ways to weave storytelling into your strategy.
Create content that highlights your mission, showcases client transformations, and emphasizes the difference your business makes.
Amplify Your Reach: Use storytelling across platforms.
Write a blog, host video interviews, or engage on social media to share authentic, relatable moments that connect with your audience.
I have some surprises coming up for you in the new year ahead… so stay tuned!
Until then… Have a happy, healthy holiday season…. and know this — I BELIEVE IN YOU!
NOTE: Years ago, I got to hear the late poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou speak at an event. What a “WOW” experience! Her personal stories were riveting. The crowd hung on every word. You could hear a pin drop.
Did you know that Maya Angelou stopped speaking at age eight? She had been molested by her mother’s boyfriend. When Maya spoke up in court, that boyfriend went to prison. He was killed shortly after his release. Maya thought her voice had killed him, and she became afraid to speak. It took almost five years to eventually heal. Maya shared her story in the book, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. Ultimately, her voice became one of the most important voices in American literature.
Maya said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
As you take time now to reflect and embrace your story, you’re setting the stage for your own future growth. I’m happy to serve as your guide.
Let 2025 be the year when you bring YOUR story to life!
As we take the time to reflect on being grateful, I invite you to pause and reflect on being thankful for what you have.
The people you love. The trees and animals surrounding you. The food on your table. Whatever brings you joy.
As a gift to you, I’d like to share the meaningful wisdom of my late friend, Roland Takaoka, who passed away on August 23, 2018 from a fourth stroke.
Our friendship happened instantly — through the computer. Roland contacted me after he happened to watch my interview with a disabled speaker. Our first conversation must have been about two hours. We enjoyed immediate chemistry! I found an amazing soul, and even though he lived in California and I was in Illinois, we knew we’d be in touch all the time.
Roland became my technical wizard, the “Wingman” for my online interviews” and my website designer. He did so much for so many. In fact, he led three of his own online programs to educate, inspire and uplift others.
Roland was ALWAYS smiling! Always positive. No one would know that he sat in a wheelchair, totally paralyzed on his right side.
When he happened to share his manuscript about his experiences in the hospital and rehab institute, I saved it on my computer. I never thought to ask him about publishing it. I figured he’d just do it on his own. But he never did. His stories of transformation after his third stroke were so compelling.
I was completely shocked when I got the news of his fourth stroke. This time, he was in serious condition. His wife called me, and I immediately starting contacting his friends and followers online. I said, “Let’s do a Get Well Roland program!” Using Google Hangouts on Air (no longer around), I knew we could get about six people on the screen at the same time.
I wanted everyone to say positive thoughts and prayers towards him. If we all do that, I thought… perhaps we can help him heal. But this time — it didn’t happen.
He passed away three days later. I was devastated. How could that happen? Roland had promised me that we’d stick together. How could I honor his spirit?
I KNEW i had to publish his story. It wasn’t even a question. His book contained so much humor, joy and fun… along with his story of transformation after that third stroke.
So I embarked on raising funds to cover the costs. So many people helped support this project. “Roland’s Story: Inspired By A Stroke” is his beautiful memoir, with a forward from me and the closing from an interview with Roland’s wife, Barbara.
Even though time has passed since I created the crowdfunding video, this 4-minute piece truly captures Roland’s spirit. In gratitude to his forever friendship, I’d like to share it with you… along with his special message of, “You can make anything happen.” (Taken from a longer interview that we did together…)
To experience more of Roland’s uplifting energy, here’s our interview:
Last but not least, if you’d like to get Roland’s special memoir, go to Amazon: https://bit.ly/RolandsLink
If you’ve already read his book, and can post a review, I’d be most grateful. Here’s to each of you… with Roland’s message: “EXPAND IN JOY!”
With love & gratitude,
Lynn Sanders
P.S. For those who’d like to learn more about growing your business through your stories, you can schedule a complimentary strategy chat at: https://calendly.com/LynnSanders
For the month of December, I’ll be offering rates of 50% off in story consulting. Learn more about my services at: https://DifferenceMakersMedia.com
Imagine what it might take to be a champion for civil rights over a lifetime.
To live the values of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
To honor that spirit for peace and justice over 60 years.
To make a difference in the quality of lives for countless people across the country.
I made that champion a few decades ago. It was on a sales call, and I was immediately impressed by this man’s values, character, and positive spirit.
That man is Reverend Clyde Brooks, Founder/Chairman and Executive Director of ICDHR (Illinois Commission on Diversity & Human Relations). Through his leadership, ICDHR is now sponsoring its 55th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance Dinner. After last year’s brush with death, Reverend Brooks has persevered to bring people of all races, religions and backgrounds together – to learn, get inspired and take action.
The year’s event takes place on December 14th at The Cotillion Banquets, 360 S. Creekside Drive, in Palatine, Illinois, and everyone is invited to participate. You can reserve a seat, a table, make a donation or place an ad in the program book. Deadline to register is December 6th.
This may be the final year for this historic Dr. King Remembrance Dinner. Approaching 90 years of age, Reverend Brooks reveals he is getting tired. Through his educational programs, speaking, training and consulting, Brooks has touched thousands of lives.
His outreach helped provide jobs for minorities. Opportunities for women. For youth. For those facing drug addiction. For economic development. For scholarships. For supporting law enforcement. He serves as a consultant, theologian and minister. While many don’t know him, Brooks is recognized throughout the United States as a human relations building scholar.
Funds from the Dr. King Remembrance Dinner provide college scholarships for deserving high school seniors. Notable past speakers included Andrew Young, Rev. Jesse Jackson, and past President Ronald Reagan. This year, the keynote speaker is the Honorable Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. There is nothing like this event in the country.
How did Reverend Brooks meet Dr. King? Initially working at a local YMCA, Brooks was assigned to be a “go-fer” for Dr. King and his family. He remembers picking them up at the Chicago airport, driving them to a rundown apartment building on Chicago’s west side, and taking them grocery shopping. Before long, Brooks was elected to the Board of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the only organization that was led by Dr. King during his lifetime.
After Dr. King’s assassination, Reverend Brooks got even more inspired to become an activist. He knew Dr. King wanted us to live in peace and harmony. “Those who believe in God and His leadership understand that God has no color, God has no religion, God has no culture. He is a God for all times.”
Favorite message from Dr. King? “This is our minute in time. This is our minute to lead. Not to dream. But to act.”
What does he want people to remember? “I preach a sermon called, ‘The Dash.’ On tombstones, there is a birthdate and an ending date. If the date is not at the end of your dash, that means you’re still living. You’re in the dash of your life. The question becomes, how do we spend the dash of our lives? I hope that’s a challenge for people to reflect and act upon, and treat people right.”
To learn more and reserve your table or seats, visit: https://icdhr.org. There are also opportunities to donate, place an ad in the program book or offer a gift for the raffle. Flyer-KingDinnerFlyer-KingDinnerYour action makes a difference!
Growing up with a dad who was a psychiatrist and a mom who was a Sunday School teacher gave me plenty of opportunties for reflection.
Mom posted a poem in our kitchen, “Children Learn What They Live.” At an early age, I became aware of the importance of our values.
Dad encouarged the four of us kids to feel empowered by starting a tradition of family meetings. Whwenver we were concerned about anything or anyone, we could call out, “FAMILY MEETING!” And we all had to sit around the kitchen table to talk.
During Covid, I asked my three siblings if we could start online family meetings to stay in touch. They agreed, and we still meet every Sunday. I love having time to be together, and we can share whatever is on our minds across the miles.
As I’ work with a wide array of clients – large and small — I help them become aware of their words when they tell their stories, Every word we write, speak and share carries an energetic frequency. Words can attract or repel.
It wasn’t until after my mom’s sudden passing of a heart attack on December 16th, 2004, that I realized the impact of the words we tell OURSELVES.
Those words are the MOST IMPORTANT of all. That’s because we live with ourselves. When my mom passed away, I felt like a part of me had died too. I didn’t know if I wanted to continue living. How could I manage? I was saying words to myself like, “I can’t stand it..,,”
And then my back gave out. My body heard what I was saying. It got to the point where I couldn’t stand. I couldn’t walk. And I couldn’t even sit without pain. I found my way to a grief counselor, and I’d have to lie on the floor to talk.
Somehow, divine intervention happened, and I was led to an energy healer. When he asked me if I wanted to live, I answered, “I guess so.”
Then he said something that I’ll never forget.
“You can choose to be dead on the inside and alive on the outside. How do you choose to live? How do you want to honor your mother’s memory?”
At that moment, I knew what to do. I needed to start putting positive thoughts into my head. I needed to start telling mysefl positive words.
What stories do you think about yourself?
Can you tune into all the wonderful qualities that make you who you are?
How do you move in a more positive direction in crafting YOUR story?
Here’s a powerful journaling exercise, courtesy of Hal Elrod, to help you reclaim who you truly are.
Write a letter to yourself in the 3rd person, acknowledging all that you’ve overcome.
Remember and identify who you are when you’re at your best, so you can project that version of you into the present and future.
Set aside time each morning for meditation, affirmations and journaling
If you’d like more help in bringing your story to life in a positive way, feel free to be in touch.
You can also feel free to schedule a complimentary chat through my website. For those who want more indepth support, check out: https://asklynnsanders.com/CraftYourStory
Every morning (well, almost every morning), I consciously choose to start my day with six spiritual practices that set the tone for a GREAT day.
These practices are referred to with the acronym of SAVERS. They continue making a difference for my inner state and how I approach life. And I’m not the only one. These guidelines were developed through the wisdom of Hal Elrod, internationally best-selling author, speaker, and founder of The Miracle Morning. Hal faced two different near death experiences, and the SAVERS kept him going strong on the inside.
The SAVERS represent::
Silence
Affirmations
Visualization
Exercise
Reading
Scribing
It’s incredible how much clarity and inspiration can emerge when we dedicate time to nurture our mindset. The SAVERS awaken me to making the most of each day, because I become more conscious of my values.
Often, we’re focused on the gaps in our lives—what we haven’t achieved, what didn’t go as planned. Those negative thoughts can easily take over, but the truth is… they don’t have to. When we know our values, and live in alignment with those values, then we can feel good about ourselves. Even when things don’t go as planned, we can turn to a positive affirmation… and shift our thinking into a positive state.
For instance, last week, I was facing technical issues a day before my book launch party. My new zoom subscription suddenly required a password, and no one had been told of that password. Meanwhile, several people were having difficulty in locating the zoom link on my Eventbrite page. My anxiety level started rising. In my mind, all kinds of negative thoughts were popping up.
But then — like sun breaking through the clouds, something good happened. Unexpected clarity and encouragement. And from an unexpected source…. my mom’s spirit on the Other Side. Yes, I know that may sound strange to some of you, but to me, it was a blessing.
You see, I awoke on the morning of the book launch with a forgotten poem that my mother used to post in our kitchen. I hadn’t thought of in decades, and yet it was suddenly in the forefront of my mind. While I didn’t remember every word, I did recall enough of the lines to do a quick Google search and find this classic poem by Walter Wintle.
Its words were exactly what I needed to hear. They reminded me that we create our own reality with our thoughts, and I was determined to make that book launch a positive and memorable experience. Written at the turn of the century, this message is forever relevant…
If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you’d like to win but think you can’t,
It’s almost certain you won’t.
If you think you’ll lose, you’ve lost.
For out in the world, we find,
Success begins with a fellow’s will—
It’s all in the state of mind.
If you think you’re outclassed, you are.
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But soon or late, the one who wins
Is the one WHO THINKS HE CAN!
This poem gave me the boost I needed that day.
Our thoughts shape our destiny. And we get to choose those thoughts.
Sure enough, the book launch party was a success. It all began with one powerful thought: “I think I CAN!” For a peek at our festive gahtering, filled with uplifting, compelling stories, you can visit: https://bit.ly/BookPartyVideo
For those who’d like to empower youth, check out my new best-seller on Amazon: Adventures In Ecuador: Diary of a Volunteer.https://bit.ly/AdventuresBook
Here’s to your success,
Lynn
P.S. Get the 7 Keys To Build Your Business WIth Your Story at:
My dad’s health was declining, and I knew I needed to visit him in Florida while I could.
When I got to his condo, I noticed my brother and his wife, sitting nearby. I approached them with my blue “Who I Am Makes A DIfference” blue ribbon, and they shooed me off. They didn’t feel comfortable. Especially because it seemed silly, inconsequential, unnecessary.
Everyone was in such a somber mood. My dad wasn’t talking anymore.. He just responded to questions with a “yes” or “no.” I wanted to get the group smiling. I keep a stack of blue ribbons in my purse to lighten people’s spirits, and I definintely wanted to use them with their permission.
I turned to the caregiver, hovering beside my dad. She allowed me to honor her with this ribbon, a globally recognized tool to unite humanity through the power of love. She listened to me, as I acknowledged her kindness, compassion and dedication to my dad. I spoke freely from my heart, and her eyes brimmed with tears.
“You’re going to meke me cry,” she said. I smiled as I placed the ribbon above her heart.
I then turned to my dad’s wife, Hana, who had been my dad’s loving companion ever since my mom passed away so suddenly. Hana’s smile was so bright as I honored her. As I placed the ribbon over her heart, she exclaimed, “You made my day!”
Then it was time to honor my dad. I leaned close to him in his wheelchair, and showed him the blue ribbon. His eyes followed me intently.
“I have a gift for you,” I said. “It’s a blue ribbon that says, “Who I Am Makes A Difference.” Then I started reflecting about why he meant so much to me.
In my mind, I was remembering the year after my mom passed, and my dad had gone mentally off-balance. His anger was at himself, but he couldn’t face those recriminations, so my husband and I became scapegoats. Dad and I didn’t speak for at least a year. Forgiveness took time. Yet the sadness remained etched into his face. Hana had been a blessing to ease his pain. I didn’t want to dwell on those unhappy times.
So I focused on the good he did for me: supporting our family, caring for me as I grew up, taking me to Riverview when I was small. I asked if he’d accept my gift, and he nodded “yes.” He heard every word.
“May I have permission to place it on you?” He nodded “yes” again.
We both knew that love was the most important thing to remember. As I gently secured the ribbon over his heart, a small tear fell from his eye, sliding down his cheek. Everything was still. Dad motioned with his hand, beckoning me to move even closer.
With a great deal of effort, he spoke in a raspy, whispery, slow voice – “May I – kiss your – cheek?”
“Of course,” I answered softly. Dad’s head leaned towards me. In that instant of his kiss on my cheek, I was thinking – this might be the last time I ever see my dad again. A wave of sadness swept over me.
Yet in almost the same instant, another thought arose. If that’s the case, I’ll be glad that I have this memory – of honoring dad.
I then kissed dad’s cheek too. For a minute, we were swept up in a timeless love. No words needed to be spoken. I mentally took a picture of that moment, savoring the sweetness of just us together.
Over the year, my dad’s health worsened. Before I could catch a flight out to Florida, he passed away… alone in the hospital due to Covid. My brother Mark was able to sneak into his room just once, to see him for a few minutes. By that time, my dad was mainly unconscious.
In that final week, I was so sad that I didn’t get to see dad again. I felt some consolation in knowing that at least we shared a precious memory. That moment of us wrapped in a cocoon of memories filled with love. I’ll never forget it.
“Who I Am Makes A Difference” Blue Ribbons have touched over 50 million people worldwide in 12 languages, and the mission is to reach one billion people. Most people are never honored for simply being who they are. It takes just a minute to honor someone and uplift their life. The ribbon has even saved lives.
It certainly made a difference for my dad and me. A final tribute to my his life. And my acknowledgement of gratitude.
For those who want to learn more about this amazing empowerment tool, visit: https://blueribbons.org.
You may never realize the power of your words… or the power of a “Who I Am Makes A DIfference” blue ribbon unless you go out of your comfort zone, and decide to honor someone. It can make all the difference in your life.
