Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Donna Marie Todd. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Donna Marie, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
The rapidly expanding universes of quantum physics, neuroscience, and meditation practices have given me resiliency to overcome major life challenges. The expression, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear,” has proven true in my life and in the lives of many I engage with.
Those who know me well call me a phoenix and, while not actually laughing at the circumstances I’ve faced, have wondered aloud how the one presenting itself at the time will alter me for the good. One friend has witnessed so many of these resurrections that when she hears of another major challenge born of defeat says,, “I wonder what colors your new feathers will be!”
Meditation entered my life when I was caring for my parents. A bereavement counselor hospice provided was a zen master and learning to use my breath to channel my emotions and create space for my thoughts literally saved my life. My parents died, but meditation gave me new life. I continue to study and practice on a daily basis.
I wouldn’t have survived life’s next hurdle without learning more about the workings of “the mind.” Not my mind, but our minds. My son, Mr. Science, introduced me to the field of neuroscience as an undergrad. We were both mourning the loss of his Dad at the time (I lost my husband to a series of strokes when he was 55 and my son was 16). “Mom! We need to retrain our brains to survive this! I’ve been reading up on it.”
After assuming I was too old to learn any new tricks, neuroscience offered me a minute-by-minute opportunity to select the window through which I viewed life situations. One leaned into our ancient pattern of negative bias, the thing that kept us safe from lions and tar pits. The other was mindful positivity.
Never having been a big fan of fear and victim-hood, I chose the path that let me hold the reins of my experience and that has made all the difference in my life. I cannot choose what happens to me in life but I can definitely choose how I respond to that moment. That choice is critical. I can either allow life’s unending challenges to devour me or lead me into deeper self compassion and radical acceptance of myself. Choosing Door # Two has made me who I am today.
What I have learned from quantum physics is that things can be in two places at once. So, I can have online programs available and lead an in-person event at the same time. I consider this a gift of challenging circumstance and count myself grateful for the realization.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I share the knowledge and techniques that saved me with others around the world through live events, my podcast “Stories by Donna Marie Todd,” blogs, and online programs. You can receive both my blog and podcast free every other week by signing up at https://donnamarietodd.com
Helping others learn to be deeply present with their most sensitive selves is a great joy in my life. It’s not a job, it’s my soul-work.
My TEDx talk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7hvrsQOSeU) “Harnessing the Power of Storytelling for Transformation” helps listeners understand that they can use the stories that our lives are made of to heal themselves and create lives that bring them joy and hope. Alternately, if we allow our old stories to bind us to visions of ourselves that aren’t even the ones we created or want, we stay stuck in patterns of behavior that never let us reach our highest potential
As a personal narrative artist, I use the catalyst of my own stories to inspire others to discover and claim the power of their stories.
.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I have had 6 separate yet linked careers: Opera singer, actress in stage, television and radio, improvisational comedian, magazine writer and editor, storyteller, and now, transformational speaker.
The first three careers trained me in the art of using my voice and body on stage and on camera. There is no substitute to great training and to begin a career it’s wise to have solid skill sets. I trained with great stage and television actors and a Metropolitan opera star. I trained for years and years and years.
My career in magazine publishing literally started in the mail room. But, my liberal arts education prepared me well to work with language. I loved it and ended up owning my own regional magazine, developed for educated young women, called “Life Design.”
Storytelling has taught me how to listen. Listening is a life-science. Listen with care and you’ll hear the yearnings, the fears, the insecurities, and the joys that are so unique to the human experience. And once you’ve heard someone’s story, you’ll realize that you are a part of them, and they are a part of you. It’s a beautiful web of life that yours for the listening.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
My counselors, therapists, and spiritual directors have helped me overcome the challenges of my life by helping me build emotional resilience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://donnamarietodd.com
- Facebook: Donna Marie Todd
- Linkedin: Donna Marie Todd
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7hvrsQOSeU
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
