Meet Neil …

When I was about 10 or 11, an uncle asked me the question:
“So, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

I told him I wanted to do several things. Shaking his head with disapproval, he said, “No, you have to choose one thing.” “Well, then,” I said, “I choose all”.

Creativity Called.

Twenty years later, you would have found me in shorts and a t-shirt, flip-flops on my feet, cameras hanging from my neck, living the dreamy life of a creative entrepreneur in Hawaii.

After career stops with major companies in New York and Los Angeles, here I was living between two Islands — on a gorgeous 4-acre parcel on Maui and in an exclusive suburb of Honolulu.

I was writing articles and shooting pictures for magazines and newspapers … selling time and writing ad copy for one of the coolest radio stations anywhere … writing songs for pop recording stars … exhibiting my photography in galleries and museums … consulting for clients as diverse as a politician running for re-election to a hair and beauty salon. And, when I wasn’t snorkeling, putting on slide shows for friends or hiking exotic trails, I meditated and studied with masters of Buddhism and other spiritual disciplines.

In short, I was living it all — complete with a loving family and friends.

A Revelation.

Incredibly, amidst this life of fortune, I felt something missing. It wasn’t that I wanted more, I wanted greater. Not more applause, or money, or stuff in my life, but a greater sense of meaning in my life. A connection to my greater purpose.

So I moved forward, towards what was calling me … away from Hawaii. Everyone thought I was crazy. What, leave Paradise? But, I understood that Paradise is a notion – an idea – not located in a particular place, but an image within. A vision of what’s possible.

Coca-Cola called.

For me, that vision took shape in Atlanta, in the form of an exciting job as a creative director for The Coca-Cola Company. Coke hired me to translate business principles into creative terms. I became the resident “Logical Creative” for senior-level executives who were responsible for billions of dollars and thousands of people reporting to them. The CEO of Coke referred to me as “the creative glue.” It was a dream job – the Paradise of Possibility in a new form.

Ten years later, possibility took another form when …

Hollywood called.

From the marketing mountain of Coca-Cola to the star-glittered sound stages of Hollywood is a long way. While Coke hired me to bring right brain creativity to a business environment, Universal Television valued my ability to bring left brain business principles to the creative process. It was a great adventure working with some of the most creative people in the world.

All was cool in Hollywood, but the road led back to Atlanta …

The Olympic Games called.

As a communications director for the ’96 Olympics, I helped develop a TV series for NBC and supervise coverage of the Games by the world’s best sports photographers. Competing for the gold in my own life.

“Altius. Citius. Fortius.”

For me, it was exhausted-ius! After a heady 20 years, operating on high speed, it was time to hit the “off-switch” of my Industrial Machine.

And, so, I did what any tired, self-respecting over-achiever who wants to find a gentler current, would do: I kicked back for 8 days of hiking and rafting in The Grand Canyon. Sleeping in a tent under eons of archaeological history. Floating on the calm Colorado and running the rapids of its turbulent places transported me to the river of epiphany in my life.

My Higher Purpose Called.

Sometimes the next step appears crystal clear.

For me, today, it’s about sharing what I’ve learned from the journey so far and helping others hear what is calling them to a gentler current in the flow of their life. To a life of greater success, more meaning and deeper fulfillment.

I’m doing that through my writing; through my photography; through my courses and workshops; through my radio show (The Creativity Salon); and by living as authentically as I can.

What I’ve learned so far:

• It’s easier to tell the truth.
• One ending is another beginning.
• Letting go lets it come.
• Deadlines are good things.
• Knowledge is over–rated.
• Trust someone.
• Small is good.
• Fulfillment isn’t either/or — it’s both/and.
  “Have Cake. Eat Cake.”

Funny, the way the road turns.

Sometimes the road leads back to where we started, after the journey of a lifetime. For me, it’s been a long, lovely loop back to Hawaii. Flip-flops still on my feet. Cameras still around my neck. Still living it all.

Still living it all.

Here’s a poem I wrote in my tent in the Grand Canyon …

What’s The Point?

What's the point in paddling
To avoid the rapids?
Getting stuck in eddies
And staying dry all day?
There's a river to run.
A life to live,
Wet.

What has been your journey? What is calling you?
Join one of Neil’s “Creativity Circles” to dive into your life.