DISQUS

Hey, that sounds fair enough. Turns out I've been in the market for a camcorder for some time so this is a timely thing. Let me know how I can enter this giveaway competition.

Awesome journey you've had indeed! I've enjoyed getting to know you more and interviewing you over at my blog. My 600 plus readers really enjoyed getting to know you more and I look forward to 09 as well.

I echo your statement that raw works! Indeed it does. Thanks for inspiring me and countless others with your weight loss story and spreading love, light and hope.

Wow, that was absolutely incredibly powerful! I kept expecting the story (goes to show how my mind can sometimes seek out the worst scenario) to end with you being scammed but when it ended on a good note, I was flabbergasted and grateful. That was a most AMAZING story! You really do have a great way with words.

I felt like I was there hovering above you invisibly, watching all of the things pass by from start to end. I'm grateful the story had a happy ending. Thank you so much for sharing it. It realy uplisted my heart this morning. And it was timely too because we are at the eve of a new year's day and your story provided a nugget of hope, light and love that everyone needs.

Awesome job! (P.S. I couldn't help but notice that your mom gave you a Vitamix blender - do you still have it?? I love mine! I use it almost every day except when I'm traveling or juicing like I'm doing right now - I'm on a 5 day juice feast after a week at my brother's house in VA).

That was a very well written article describing the power of community. All we have to do is take a look at how the Amish people operate - if one family is in need of building a new house, barn or some other kind of structure, the whole community comes together and helps out. It's a sense of unity that brings them together.

That's exactly what you've managed to do here at "We Like It Raw." That's why I signed up to be a part of a group of people who are doing basically the same thing where there is no judgment (for the most part) and lots of love. Now if only we could meet in the flesh somehow!

This was a very good analysis of how important health is and why it should be first and foremost before other things. With good health, everything else falls into place and you can lead a happy, healthy, wealthy and carefree life. But if you neglect to take care of your health, you can't enjoy other things.

I smiled with "Health Food is Weird" because I am doing something even more drastic that just eating a bowl of salad in the employee cafeteria. I've revamped my entire dietary consumption to almost entirely plant-based foods, shifting away from the SAD diet (Standard American Diet). Not only that but I've gone for specialized colon cleansings, foot baths and have sat in the infared sauna. PLUS I've experimented with juice fasts (had 3 days of just drinking fresh juice to clean my body even more).

And because of that, I lost a good friend who thought she no longer had anything in common with me.

Imagine that! LOL. I'm actually quite fine with that - it's part of life's ebb's and flows and I'm also doing very well with my businesses - with increased health comes increased abundance, so called coincidences and more opportunities.

So it's all worth it! Enjoyed this one!! Thanks.

Wow, what a powerful, honest and in-depth account of what you're doing and why you're doing them.

You're right - if people still think you're inauthentic just because you accepted money, they can go elsewhere. Unfortunately people make money seem evil.

You feed those kids! I'm with you million percent Chris. I loved your directness - you reminded people they're getting something free at your blog. I'm doing the same thing over at mine. While I haven't yet received criticism, I suspect that given time, it could happen because the mere mention of money does craxy things to people.

In fact, if I am ever criticized for bringing on hints of entprenuerialship, I'll have them read this very excellent article.

It'd be interesting to see how Twitter makes the move into developing a financial business model after offering something free for so long.

I can see how and why approaching the corporate market could help bring revenues to Twitter first b/c I'd think the individuals who are using Twitter would offer much resistance to paying for something they're so used to getting for free.

It'd be interesting to see how Twitter makes that transition.

I love how you ended this article - no guilt, get on with it, add in more greens to balance it out. Awesome!

I'm not 100 percent raw either and don't think I will ever be. You're right - all of us have different reactions to different receipes and the key is to just keep experimenting.

For instance, I heard about how cacao nibs could make someone very high or cause adverse reactions in others. It does neither for me. So I keep eating them! In fact, I try to combine them with gogi berries, making it even better.

So rock on! Enjoy your meals, cooked or uncooked! No guilt. That's the way it should be.

Wow! I loved the "Sid from the Future" visualization. That was powerful!

This article reminded me of some things I did on that list like the one time I was visiting my parents and one day I decided to take a drive through my old neighborhood where I grew up. Then I drove to all three schools I had attended (elementary, junior high and senior high). It brought back incredible memories. I felt nogstalic to the core.

Several months ago I was sitting on my couch staring at the bookcase when my eyes were drawn to a couple of green notebooks, the kind you buy in Hallmarks. I felt compelled to pull them out and read through two volumes in one night, shocked at some of the things I wrote about myself, about my fears, my worries, my gratitude list. It was a most amazing journey to the past.

I have never, believe it or not, attended any of my reunions but I totally agree with you that none of them will have changed much (except for their physical appearances) and neither have you when back in their company. For instance, there was this guy who used to tease me. I bet if I were to see him again at a reunion, those feelings I had back then will resurface. Isn't that something?

You rock my friend. You have a sense of inner wisdom that I appreciate greatly. I hope you are having a nice "end of the year" this month.

Sid:

I found this self analysis to be very interesting because we all know how much the 80/20 rule has been hyper-marketed these days. You've taken this principle and truly tried it on your own to see if it applied to you or not. And it didn't.

You just inspired me to think about whether the 80/20 rule applies to my life or not. Thanks for the inspiration!

p.s. I'm particularly interested in what David has to say about synchronicity and Spirituality, especially "hyper-synchronicity."

Dhrumil:

I would LOVE to have access to this interview. Is there a way you can find someone to volunteer time to transcribe it? I am a relatively new raw foodist who happens to be profoundly deaf. I would like to find a way to make this accessible to millions and millions of deaf and hard of hearing people who are missing out on wonderful voice-based messages, interviews and shows.

Thoughts? I'd love to be included.

Thanks a lot for the write up - that was a big help. On my list to buy soon:

A DEHYDRATOR!

Have a great Thanksgiving tomorrow. :)

Since I can't hear the video (I'm deaf), could you tell me how you did this in text? I was just wondering to do with the pulp after making my first-ever juice and thought it was a waste to throw them out but didn't know what to do with them so in the garbage then went!

Thanks.

Yes, definitely. You might want to consider captioning them though - that is, if you're interested in reaching out to millions of deaf and hard of hearing people who love you to death (like me).

What camera did you use? Please send your reply to my Twitter ID sjhopson or to my private email stephen(at)sjhopson(dot)com I'm wanting to return back to video blogging myself but keep putting it off. Trying to find the right camera, etc.

I found a screening on December 10th taking place in Cleveland. Thanks for the link.

Question: Is it subtitled by any chance? YOu can email me directly at stephen(at)sjhopson(dot)com

I LOVED your story! I did the same thing about 10 years ago. I was working as a highflying stockbroker on Wall Street and went away for my semi-annual break in Flordia. Long story short, I got a message loud and clear from God that I needed to quit and follow my dreams of becoming an inspirational speaker. That's what I'm doing nowadays.

Funny thing is I was NOT on raw foods back then. I am now. Who knows what decisions I will make? Actually, I made a last minute, seemingly irrational decision to drop everything and fly to London for a whole week. And you know what?

I had a blast! And everything did fall into place, easily and effortlessly. Everything went smoothly from the moment I made my decision to the time I got back. And I even got some potential business opportunities while over there. Go figure!

Yes, it's true, when you leap the net will appear. Have faith - you did the right thing for you listened to your spirit. Your spirit is now going to lead you to the next step. You will be led. Opportunities you never thought of will appear out of no where.

You watch! Congrats - BRAVO.

Sid - I loved this post because it's true - we aren't always able to finish what we said we'd do. We're human. Things happen. The best we can do is just admit it and let it go. Accept that maybe it wasn't "meant to be." I've been there numerous times myself. Of course, it doesn't feel good but it doesn't do us any good to beat ourselves up. Good that you didn't do that.

I believe that you'll have another opportunity at another time. Your time will come. Just set the intention and it will arrive at your doorstep before you know it.

I appreciated your transparency in this situation.

VitaOrganic?? Where was that? As you know, I was in London last week. I had no idea where to look for raw food places. My host didn't know either.

Have fun!!! I have discovered the same things you have about raw food and the people. I loved it there. Is it still overcast and rainy? Cold and damp? It was when I was there but not bitterly cold....I sometimes were a hat and hooded sweatshirt that did the trick in keeping me warm.

Funny you should be just landing in London - I just left there earlier this week! I was there for one week beginning Nov 2 and ending Nov 11th. I had the most incredible time and plan to go back again. I wish we had a chance to meet up there.

Perhaps in the future. I need to connect with raw foodists the next time I'm there - someone who lives and breathes raw food in Central London. Do you know who they are? I'd love to connect with them because I plan to visit several more times now that I've had my first taste of the culture.

Sounds like you did well and took a well calculated risk by stepping outside the box for your talk with just a few notes and speaking from the heart.

This always wins, hands down, when the speaker does this because then it's not canned nor is the speaker using the slides as a cruch.

I did the same thing you did during a recent speaking engagement for Frito-Lay in Dallas a few weeks ago. I allowed the spirit to move through me without notes. Like you experienced, the entire speech was a blur to me. I don't remember what I said and YES it was recorded. I'm expecting to get a copy of it shortly per my contract with them.

This was a fascinating read because I had been contemplating the idea of getting a virtual assistant for myself at some point. While I was reading, my mind kept wondering what kind of tasks you assigned your virtual assistant when I was rewarded with a couple of links describing exactly the kind of work you farmed out. They were excellent!

Becvaus of those "real-life" examples, it made me consider the idea of using a virtual assistant even stronger because you made a very compelling case for those who might need it. I'm not at the point yet where I need one becuase my schedule is pretty flexible with the level of business I am doing as a speaker. However, once my schedule grows a bit heavier and thus "unmanagable," that's when I think a virtual assistant will come in handy.

So, I'm saving this as a bookmark for future reference. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.

I am always inspired when two things happen in relation to the blogosphere:

1. I get a thank you card or letter from someone totally unexpected. A month ago I received a letter from a couple engaged to be married. They were at a retreat and the leaders told everyone to write a heartfelt letter to a person who made a big difference in their lives as a couple. A couple that identified themselves by their first names only and without a return address sent me this beautiful letter about how I was making a difference in their lives. I was flabbergasted to the point where I cried. And the best thing about it was that I was beginning to wonder if I was indeed making an impact. What a powerful answer!

2. Not only have I been the receipient of such surprising acts of generosity, but I've also reached out and given as well. I remember a woman from Thailand who somehow found me on the Internet. She became a subscriber to my blog and learned that I had written a story that was part of the best-selling "Chicken Soup for the College Soul." Unfortunately, books like that are very expensive in Thailand, sometimes costing more than half their monthly wages (or something like that). When I learned of this, I thought to myself, "How could I not send her this book?" So I surprised her by mailing the book to Thailand. She was beside herself with joy at having such a "priceless" book that only cost me a few dollars to buy and mail.

When in the spirit of giving and receiving, amazing things happen! That's why I loved this article. I know exactly how you felt when you got the package in the mail containing wild persimmons (btw, I've NEVER heard such a thing! I have much to learn, indeed).

Thanks for reminding me to keep giving. It's so important. You've given me incredible blessings. Why? Because I've gone on raw food journey and you've inspired me to keep going. I've gotten incredible results - thanks to you.

I find this subject to be an interesting topic because it pertains to the notion that all of us want to be accepted and listed among others who are perceived to have a certain good reputation.

I am aware of how I feel when I see my name listed among people who are respected. Of course, it makes me feel good to be on that list because subsconsciously it's a way of getting validated. Every human being on this planet wants some kind of validation.

That's why if they think their name should be on some kind of list, whether they realize it or not, if the list is considered "Who's Who.....", they are going to feel somewhat miffed.

I am painfully aware of this human characteristic trait when writing on my blog. I'm the kind of person, like you, to recognize people and give them credit where due but I cannot possibly list everyone. So I have to take great care in the selection of those who will be listed. Often times, I'll write in something like "these names are listed in random order or I'll say they were randomly selected (maybe names pulled out of a hat or something like that).

Interesting subject, to be sure. One other thing. When someone like you recognizes a person, I would venture to say that person feels GREAT because of who you are. You are perceived to be a celebrity in this field you're in. It's all a matter of perception, isn't it?

I found this to be quite an interesting article - self sabatoge happens more often then most of us realize.

I had an "Ah-Ha" moment when you included a scenario where one has a big presentation but can't sleep the night before. I've been in that position before but I still go ahead and give the presentation (because I was hired to do so!) and proceed to do the best I can.

The more I give professional presentations, the better I sleep the night before. One thing that helps me is what a friend told me recently:

"Let your inner child come out during the presentation and watch the magic unfold"