You know how there are some people in your life that are just HUGE, invisible-cape wearing superheroes that by just reading a message from them you are elevated to a whole new higher level of energy?
Paul Jones is one of those people for me. Since I typically find my elevation from and for women, you all know this guy must be something akin to Robert Redford, Alan Alda and Dr. Paul Farmer rolled into one for me to dedicate a blog to him…I actually think he has an Inner Diva that stole my heart.
Paul was a stand-up comedian years back and so even after he retired from the circuit, listening to him talk left me with sides split wide open and what felt like a few cracked ribs. Paul had written a book about his own journey out of despair….a truer role model for vulnerability for the benefit of others could not be found, sorry Brene Brown. Paul wins that one hand over fist.
I met Paul when I had a fledgling nonprofit for raising awareness of the truth about mental health disorders and suicide. Paul had become somewhat of a celebrity for speaking about his own experience with Bipolar Disorder and Suicide to audiences across the country when I sweet-talked him like a room full of Scarlett O’Hara’s into being the keynote at our Celebration of Hope & Heroes event. This annual regional gala was held to inspire and recognize unsung heroes in our communities who were diligently but quietly working to make a difference in the lives of the mentally ill…an imperative yet daunting task. Paul drew the biggest crowd we’d ever had…he packed the joint so to speak, which since this was our only fundraiser for the year, HE made it possible for our programs to exist another year. At the end of his talk, I presented Paul with his very own super-hero cape that I’d had made specially for him. I wanted everyone on the street to easily recognize this great and powerful man. Plus, I think I wanted to get a glimpse of him in tights.
For several years after, Paul and I stayed connected to collaborate and encourage one another in our efforts of preventing tragic endings, especially among the college crowd. Even now, when Paul isn’t leaping tall buildings, he is an entrepreneur of awe-inspiring feats and a man who connects everything back to heart.
Why am I telling you this? Because I haven’t seen Paul in years and it’s been months since we last connected via text. Then today, out of the blue, he sends me a text with a link to a video that, not only did I need to hear, I but knew instantaneously I was supposed to share with YOU. (See, he has superhero mind powers, too)
Get ready to be blown away, to have your energy elevated to spectacular heights. And then share this. It’s time to put YOUR superhero cape on because, just as Paul knew, this is too powerful to keep to ourselves. You never know when or how but YOU ARE going to be somebody’s lifesaver.
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