Vegas

[carenkh]

I've refrained from posting every two minutes: How was Vegas?

Hey, Steve - how was Vegas?

Steve? Vegas? How was it?

Hey, Steve - Can't wait to hear about Vegas!

So, how was I Can Do It?

So, Steve - What was your experience in Vegas like?


But now I am. I'm excited to hear from Steve, and everyone who went!

[Kaspian]

The word that best describes the experience I had at the conference is meaningful. I feel that I heard a lot of useful information and profound truths. It's neat to be around so many self-development oriented people who know how (or are learning how) to listen to and trust their intuition.


(I may post more later, but I'm a bit short on time at the moment.)

[DanielBrenton]

I attended, and it was a remarkable experience.

For whatever reason, the event coincided with a number of personal confirmations to me from different sources that I should continue in the direction I am now going for writing and speaking. "Meaningful" doesn't do justice to my experience. I may blog about this at some point, but I don't know if I have adequate perspective yet.

I suspect there were some that got nothing out of the experience at all. I say this in that there was a woman who seized control of the question and answer session for Marianne Williamson, dishonored Marianne by dominating the proceedings, and wouldn't let go of it until Marianne actually lead the group (about 2-3000 people) in a prayer focused largely on this woman's need. Marianne exhibited remarkable patience with this woman, and was a great example to us all. (I honestly resented the inordinately selfish behavior on the part of this questioner, and I suspect most of the audience was in agreement with me.)

My point here is that this questioner probably not only didn't get anything from the experience, but probably degraded it for some people.

My real point is that each attendee most likely got out of it what they brought to it.

I really wasn't looking for answers and confirmations, but for whatever reason I was practically buried in them.

As for Steve -- I have sent him my feedback directly about his presentation. I feel he did a very good job, and the only real failing in regards to his participation in the conference I saw was that his book wasn't available there yet, which is no "failing" of his.

(And by the way -- Erin introduced Steve despite overwhelming stagefright, succeeded in bringing some humor to it as well, and did a fine job.)

[Sentient]

I enjoyed ICDI, but it wasn't groundbreaking for me. I agree with Daniel though when he says that you get pretty much what you bring to it. I went with my girlfriend and I know there were a few ways I could've pushed myself to experience more (namely introducing myself to more of the other participants).

I remember the woman during the Marianne Williamson session, and I do agree that objectively speaking she was somewhat obnoxious, but it's clear that she was just in an incredibly disempowered state of mind. When Marianne pointed out to her she was being a know it all and then asked the audience if they agreed, about 1000 people shouted, in chorus, "YES!" I totally believe the woman when she said in a depressed voice "really?? I didn't mean to at all" She dropped that she'd spent a truly astronomic figure on therapy with (obviously) no results and it got me to thinking about what it WOULD take for someone like that to change. Reflecting on that question helped me understand what worked about a lot of my own growth efforts (and what has been ineffective for many more). From that perspective at least, as annoying as she was being, there was also a gift in the situation.

I was surprised because it didn't feel like there was anything that radical that I heard, but I took that as good confirmation to just keep plodding along with this stuff as quickly as I can manage to internalize it. I really appreciated the experiential components of a lot of the workshops where the speaker actually *showed* the audience what it was like to be in a state of mind or to do something. As one presenter pointed out "Man, I really shouldnt' say this because I make a living selling books, but the game only begins once you put the book down and start doing it." Sonia Choquette is probably a standout on this point since she really did a ridiculously amazing job of fostering a sense of togetherness in the room, which allowed people to realize that a lot of sincere guidance comes from a place that feels like common sense. Accessing your intuition seemed very natural and a lot less mysterious (and therefore inaccessible) as it might when it's just being written about.

All in all, I'm very happy I went. Plus, kudos to Erin for the introduction

[seeker5]

Would love to see some pictures!

[Rose of Cairo]

same here!

[Angela]

Hi, carenkh. You were there with me.

I really only went to I Can Do It because I wanted to hear Steve speak, but it turned out to be an extraordinary experience for me. I was confronted and inspired in ways I absolutely did not expect, and I can feel myself still percolating with what I went through this weekend. I also had some old pain reactivated in a big way, and am feeling a little bruised. What a great opportunity for growth, huh? I'm feeling a bit right-in-the-middle-of-it right now, and will be having some fun brewing and expanding. (owch!)

Here are some of the highlights of the speakers I listened to:

Marianne Williamson.

I had thought that she was sort of the Kenny G of personal development -- all smoochy angels love light and kittens. I was so wrong; this woman kicks ass. She is a very skillful, powerful, and inspiring speaker; I felt like she was speaking directly to me and others told me they felt the same way. She spoke of how life lessons keep coming back around for us until we *get* them, and how the consequences get more harsh each time they come back unheeded. Just like on a personal level, that goes for our collective lessons as well. She talked about how the baby boomers changed the world in the 60's and were a generation of peace activists who became traumatized and stopped by the assassinations of John, Bobby, Martin, and the four dead at Ohio. The crises of our current world are not insurmountable, and she challenged and inspired us to generate our "highest zone of love" -- to let go of resignation and see the next part of our lives as a powerful opportunity rather than a winding down. Boy, she's a pretty fiery orator, and she lit something up for me!

Guess what she said! She said, we have to take 100% responsibility. She said, if you reach mid-life without taking 100% responsibility for your life, you become pathetic. And you thought I was tough! This woman does not pussyfoot around. When the audience member that Daniel referred to started telling her story, Marianne said something striking: however much pain you have in your life, you can be very sure that everyone else in this room suffered as much as you have. You can dwell on your story, or you can ask yourself -- "Who am I going to be NOW?"

She compared our world to the Titanic, and described our fascination with that legend -- we are the captain of the ship; we can see that we're on a collective course towards things we don't want, but when the money man presses us on to speed through a faster, danger-fraught route, are we going to do like the Titanic's captain and go to sleep in our cabin, or are we going to wake up and take the wheel dynamically, in accordance with our values?

"You create what you defend against," she said. Pay attention to what you get defensive about.

Stand in your highest zone of love, and diligently turn up your dial of possibility. Turn towards what you want. I loved her speech and can't do it justice here -- I hope you get to hear her speak at some point. If this had been the only speech I heard, it would have been worth the money and the trip.

Steve Pavlina.

Well, like the know-it-all woman in Marianne's audience, I thought I knew what was in store for me at Steve's presentation. I was expecting a description of the 7 principles, and what would be possible through using them in my life. Well. My big lesson is to let go of thinking I know anything!

It was so delightful to see Erin do the introduction, and she charmed the audience with her sparkiness and bountiful love. Her apparent stage fright, which was probably more excitement than nerves, only endeared her to the audience even more.

Steve was great and here's why I say that: he actually generated the seven principles of personal development right there in the room, for everyone in it. As he talked about each of the primary principles, Love, Truth, and Power, and the secondary principles that arise in the relationships between them, Connection, Authority, and Courage, he spoke in a way that made those qualities present in the room, in a real, palpable way. It was amazing.

As he talked about each of these values and skillfully generated them for others right then and there, I became very present to what might be possible in my life if I were to align myself in the various ways. I was especially confronted by the challenge of generating Courage -- the relationship between Love and Power -- and my feelings of fear as a gift to help me experience courage. One big fear for me kept arising for me throughout the weekend, my old pain of believing the thought, "I am second-rate," and I can see how believing that thought distracts me in a big way from being Love, and from being Power. I am feeling a bit like the Cowardly Lion right now, and am practicing letting go of needing to speed through the uncomfortableness of it, and letting myself ripen into what I'm going to ripen into -- practicing letting go of thinking I know anything, that I can (or would even want to) predict or control what happens.

I am experiencing both stage fright and tremendous excitement. Is that what it felt like for you, Erin?

One thing Steve talked about that I had heard but not really "gotten" before is the concept of my purpose in relation to the ALL -- this whole lightworker/darkworker thing that I haven't paid much attention to up till now. He described us, as he has before, as cells within a larger body. When you are a cell that is misaligned with the wellbeing of the larger body, the body seems to send antibodies at you! Very funny. Challenges, health problems, detriments, frustrations. The body does not want you to succeed at harming it. And when you are aligned with a purpose that contributes to the highest good of all -- the larger body -- the body supports you -- it wants you to succeed. I'm paraphrasing, of course; I find the idea of "antibodies" very amusing and true -- I've experienced 'em!

The woman sitting next to me suggested that Steve's conflict as a teenager between raised as a Catholic and his disbelief may explain his kleptomania. I thought that was interesting. What do you think, Steve?

One thing Steve did that I noticed each speaker had a different approach to: the "permission" a speaker gives to the audience to wrap up. I didn't write down the words he used, but at one point something he said triggered the audience to wriggle, stand up, and be ready to leave, but he hadn't quite finished speaking. Butts were leaving chairs, minds started to disconnect from the speaker and think about snacks, bathroom, whatever. Marianne, on the other hand, did not give that signal of completeness until she was ready for the butts to rise as one. It's interesting to feel the energy that speakers can generate for an audience. I'd like to learn about that.

If I had only heard Steve speak, it would have been worth the money and the trip.

Timothy Freke

Once again I was prejudiced -- I thought Freke (pronounced "Freak" -- "And that's why I turned out the way I did," he said) was all about Jesus. He wrote some books with Jesus in the title, but his presentation was all about Lucid Living -- Waking Up to Oneness (which acronym, I noticed, spells WUO -- pronounced like Keanu Reeves in the Matrix: "Whoa!") Tim was very funny and engaging, and is all about Oneness and Awareness. He is very committed to sharing the Big Love that you become present to as you awaken to the All that you are. Loved him. What a bundle of fun and love.

If Tim had been the only speaker I had listened to, it would have been worth the money and the trip.

Gregg Braden

Gregg Braden, who has an extensive background as a scientist, gave the ending keynote presentation on creating reality, from a quantum mechanics point of view. He has done a lot of travelling and interviewing of Tibetan and Peruvian, etc. monks and nuns, and has delved into what is the truth about living life. The conclusion I got from him is that what makes a difference in creating and healing is feeling -- specifically, feeling appreciation and gratitude. His long presentation showed evidence of how heart-based living actually influences the planet, and the collective experience of us all. I think he's right. He pointed us towards a scientific project that we might want to participate in, so check it out if you are interested: The Global Coherence Project. Let me know what you think -- it could be fun.

I appreciate Gregg and am grateful to him, but his presentation didn't quite generate for me inspiration in the Big way the others did. Still, it was worth listening to.

So much came up for me this weekend, so much possibility for my relationship with Danger Man, my relationships with others, my purpose in life, and being in love with my life, that I am just brimming with gratitude and I have been crying a lot! So not like me. I have experienced these big challenges of feeling misaligned with my values and what's possible for me in expanding into them. It's a little overwhelming. The whole experience -- the timing of the conference, the percolating I am now doing, the process of alignment -- phew! I am feeling like a big wet puddle of not knowing anything.

It's magnificent.

[seeker5]

Wow, thanks for the detailed experience Angela! In a way you painted a picture for us. I especially loved your description of Steve's speech.

For some reason, I'm curious about how many people were in the room when Steve spoke - was it fully packed or half full? Did you get to meet Steve before or after the session - was there a StevePavlina.com reader/forumite get-together before or afterward?

I'm curious too about Steve's experience of being a speaker at this conference, and going into the speaker's room and meeting the other authors/speakers that inspired him at previous I Can Do It Conferences.

[DanielBrenton]

Originally Posted by seeker5

Wow, thanks for the detailed experience Angela! In a way you painted a picture for us. I especially loved your description of Steve's speech.

Angela -- I'll second that. Excellent description.

Originally Posted by seeker5

For some reason, I'm curious about how many people were in the room when Steve spoke - was it fully packed or half full?

I was told that the day before Steve spoke that about 150 people had signed up for his workshop. Thinking back on the room, that seems about right.

I am under the impression the room could hold maybe 250. The rooms were convention center meeting rooms divided by movable walls, of course, and the seating space could be expanded by adding more of these "basic units." I suspect the basic unit could accommodate about 250.

I have no idea why I didn't bring a camera. I've got one blurry cell phone photo of Wayne Dyer. I guess I was focused on other things.

[Angela]

I've got a photo of Alex, me, Erin, Steve, Eugene, and a handsome & delightful fellow whose name I've forgotten, sorry. How can I easily share this photo?

Unfortunately Kaspian and Erika slid away before we thought to take a photo, and Daniel, I don't think we met, did we? Ladies, by the way, it was so wonderful for me to have met and spoken with you. Thank you for your generous listening; it helped me see something extremely valuable for myself.

[Rose of Cairo]

Yippeeeee! I'm going to see Angela, I'm going to see Angela!!! Angela, I'll pin you on my wall like a beautiful butterfly!

Thanks for the description, it was really good.

[carenkh]

Ahhh.... thanks. You have slaked my thirst... for now. LOL

One big fear for me kept arising for me throughout the weekend, my old pain of believing the thought, "I am second-rate," and I can see how believing that thought distracts me in a big way from being Love, and from being Power. I am feeling a bit like the Cowardly Lion right now, and am practicing letting go of needing to speed through the uncomfortableness of it, and letting myself ripen into what I'm going to ripen into -- practicing letting go of thinking I know anything, that I can (or would even want to) predict or control what happens.

So interesting... I got in touch this weekend with that *same, exact* feeling! And belief about myself. Guess I was there! I haven't formulated a post about that because: vulnerability = unwillingness right now. But I reckon I will!

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences!

[DanielBrenton]

Originally Posted by Angela

I've got a photo of Alex, me, Erin, Steve, Eugene, and a handsome & delightful fellow whose name I've forgotten, sorry. How can I easily share this photo?

Unfortunately Kaspian and Erika slid away before we thought to take a photo, and Daniel, I don't think we met, did we? Ladies, by the way, it was so wonderful for me to have met and spoken with you. Thank you for your generous listening; it helped me see something extremely valuable for myself.

Angela --

No, I guess I missed you.

I met Michael Chui I believe (sorry, Michael, my memory isn't so sharp some times ... correct me if I'm wrong) and another forum member whose screen name escapes me. Several of us wound up talking about Toastmasters before Steve got started (I know Steve through Toastmaster circles here).

As for how to share the photo -- maybe some service like Flickr might be your best choice.

I just wrote a little about my experience there on the thread for Erin's blog here.

[carenkh]

OK, I started that thread. It's here.

[Angela]

Oh, man, Michael Chui was there?!? I am so sorry to have missed you, Michael!

I just posted my photo on flickr, so let's see if this works:


It doesn't appear to have worked.

ICDI

Okay, I think that worked. Did that work?

[carenkh]

I use photobucket, then just paste the IMG link in my post. I'm not familiar with flickr - do they have a little box that says "share" anywhere? With links or html code?

OH! Your link worked! Is that you, next to Erin?

What a beautiful group of people!!

[Angela]

Originally Posted by carenkh

OH! Your link worked! Is that you, next to Erin?

No, I'm the big guy standing next to Steve.

There's only two women in the photo, Carenkh!

[seeker5]

Wow!! Are you the blong woman Angela? You look great!

Who are the other people - what's their forum name? I assume Erin is the one next to Steve?

Edit: Ah see you mentioned Erin being in the pic, so I guess that's her

[carenkh]

Originally Posted by Angela

No, I'm the big guy standing next to Steve.

There's only two women in the photo, Carenkh!

I know - I'm just so excited to see you! And everyone else, too, of course.


Who is that handsome & delightful fellow?

[Angela]

Originally Posted by seeker5

Wow!! Are you the blong woman Angela? You look great!

Who are the other people - what's their forum name? I assume Erin is the one next to Steve?

Edit: Ah see you mentioned Erin being in the pic, so I guess that's her

Yes, I am the blong woman, thank you! There is Alex Wu, me, Erin, Steve, Eugene who tells me he is a lurker (time to come out, Eugene!), and that nice mysterious guy. As I mentioned, Kaspian was also there, and also Slashchick, but we all got so caught up in conversation until finally Alex got the bright idea to use our cameras for their intended purpose!

Well, we have San Diego to look forward to!

[seeker5]

Originally Posted by Angela

Yes, I am the blong woman, thank you!

Cool! I'm so happy to finally see you .

There is Alex Wu, me, Erin, Steve, Eugene who tells me he is a lurker (time to come out, Eugene!), and that nice mysterious guy. As I mentioned, Kaspian was also there, and also Slashchick, but we all got so caught up in conversation until finally Alex got the bright idea to use our cameras for their intended purpose!

Sounds great! Wish I could have been there. Maybe next year!

Originally Posted by Angela

Well, we have San Diego to look forward to!

What's going on in San Diego?

[Angela]

One more story about Las Vegas: Danger Man and I were walking through the Palazzo's casino, and he decided to stop and put $10 on red. He was disappointed when it came up black, because he had sort of been putting a certain symbolism on the "losing", you know what I mean? He made it mean more than it inherently meant. Moments before I had "lost" my American Express card -- I couldn't find it, but wasn't freaking out, because I knew it was a perfect opportunity to practice recognizing the transitory nature of physical reality.

But after the betting incident, I told him I'd meet him back in our room because I thought of a restaurant where I might have left my Amex the night before. We separated, and I went back to Carnevino where they did have my Amex. I felt like I had won the lottery in way, because then I didn't have to go through the hassle of reporting it, etc. As I walked back through the casino, I made eye contact with a beautiful smiling lady who was dealing a game called WAR, which I found very funny -- this lovely inviting woman next to a big sign that proclaimed war -- so impulsively I decided to use my Amex "luck" and gamble for the very first time in my life. She showed me what to do and said, "let's hope you come up with a face card, at least." Up came an eight. "ohhhh," we both said, all disappointed, but then she turned up for herself a six. We both yelled "Yay!" and I won $10. I thought, wouldn't it be nice if I could show appreciation for everything Danger Man had done for me over the weekend by retrieving his $10 "loss"? So I said, let's see if I can contribute, and up came a seven for me. "ohhhhhh" we both said, all disappointed, and then she turned up another six for herself. "YAYYYY!" We both jumped up and down -- a dealer in a Las Vegas casino jumped with joy that I had won $10. Amazing. Then she said, "okay, you're done. You don't need to gamble anymore -- just take your chips and go cash out." Can you believe that?!?

Back in the room, I gave Danger Man his $10 and he looked like it was a million, his smile was so big. What was lost was now won.

I just loved this whole incident.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by seeker5

What's going on in San Diego?

Steve mentioned another event, I think I Can Do It 2009, in San Diego.

[seeker5]

Originally Posted by Angela

Danger Man

Is that really him?? Or is that a picture of some actor?

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by seeker5

Is that really him?? Or is that a picture of some actor?

He is some actor/model, so I am pretty sure that's really him.

[Angela]

Yes, he's a model and an actor. Pretty scrumptious, don't you think? But his appearance is the least wonderful thing about him.

[DanielBrenton]

Originally Posted by Angela

Yes, I am the blong woman, thank you!

No, you're not a "blong woman." You're a babe-o-matic. Danger Man is a lucky guy.

Originally Posted by Angela

There is Alex Wu, me, Erin, Steve, Eugene who tells me he is a lurker (time to come out, Eugene!), and that nice mysterious guy.

Eugene -- you had me worried there for a second. In this photo you look like you could be the heavy in the next Terminator movie.

I am not John Connor. Honest.

[theknightwhosaysni-NI]

Wow, thanks for the detailed reviews guys, it allows us to share with you this ICDI conference.
You look great on the pictures it seems such a friendly atmosphere !

[mikeschu]

Originally Posted by DanielBrenton

I met Michael Chui I believe (sorry, Michael, my memory isn't so sharp some times ... correct me if I'm wrong) and another forum member whose screen name escapes me. Several of us wound up talking about Toastmasters before Steve got started (I know Steve through Toastmaster circles here).

Hey there!

I know I met Daniel and Kaspian as I sat in the same row with them. I also met Alex when I first got there, and it was great to meet all of you there along with Steve and Erin. Unfortunately I had to leave Steve's event after talking with Erin as I was starting to go hypoglycemic and there wasn't a lot of time to eat with 3000 others wanting food too!

Fortunately the next West Coast ICDI is in my current home town (San Diego) so I know where the good and raw watering holes are! Looking forward to the next event!

[DanielBrenton]

Originally Posted by mikeschu

Hey there!

I know I met Daniel and Kaspian as I sat in the same row with them. I also met Alex when I first got there, and it was great to meet all of you there along with Steve and Erin ....

.... Fortunately the next West Coast ICDI is in my current home town (San Diego) so I know where the good and raw watering holes are! Looking forward to the next event!

Mike --

There you are. Thank you. (Well, I almost remembered right ...)

I'm hoping to make the San Diego ICDI, so I may just hit you up about those watering holes.

Edit: You know, one of us should have stood up and said "Who's here from the Forums?" Don't know why I didn't think of that.