Lessons on 2012 & Saving the World - My interview with Author/ Agent Bill Gladstone

Where am I going? What’s my purpose? What’s it all about?
Where is the world headed?
What’s 2012 really all about?

Find yourself pondering on these questions? Then you're not alone - seems people around the world are turning to best-selling books like 'Eat,Pray,Love' and Eckhart Tolle's 'A New Earth' looking to understand their purpose and find meaning. If you're one of these seekers, then you might want to read on, and watch this…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_ORKFiJVB8

But first, a little personal back-story…

I was recently in San Diego, California attending the ‘21st Century Book Marketing Conference’ - looking for stimulation and inspiration to finish a book I’ve been writing for many years. (I’ve had a book published once before, where I was a celebrity’s ghost-writer /biographer - but hiding behind someone else’s name is a little less scary than the idea of putting ‘yourself out there’). It turned out that attending the book event did more than inspire me to keep writing my book, it taught me that in today’s world authors must master the art of marketing themselves and their books online. But more importantly, it led me to people who like me; want to make a positive difference in the world, especially in the run up to 2012. It soon became clear that my instincts were on top form. By following my hunch to fly across the Atlantic - from London to California, and watching out for the ‘signs’ along my path, I not only met an amazing book agent, but a very special man with a 2012 mission…

A new friend at the conference suggested I go see her agent regarding representation. His name was Bill Gladstone. She mentioned a couple of things about Bill which immediately grabbed my attention:

1. He’d represented Eckhart Tolle (Author of The Power of Now/ A New Earth).


2. He lived in Cardiff-on-Sea (Between San Diego and LA).


3. He’d just had a brand new novel on 2012 published called ‘The Twelve’.

Hmmm…This was potentially synchronicity at play...

One: Aside from the impressive fact that here was an agent behind such a best selling author, I have all of Eckhart Tolle’s books, as I’m quite the spiritual seeker. I even spent last Xmas watching about 10 hours straight of Eckhart teaching on Oprah’s World Wide Web event recordings. (Undoubtedly Oprah was playing her part here trying to help the public ‘wake up’ to a spiritual consciousness at this time, to be less attached to our materialistically-led ‘egos’, especially in a recession, and become aware of our deeper authentic selves and ‘spirit’). It sounded like Bill might be intent on saving the world too!

Two: ‘Cardiff on Sea’ sounded like a SIGN that was potentially symbolic. I’m an Australian, who lives in London, with ancestral roots in Cardiff, Wales in Great Britain! (You know, the homeland of Catherine Zeta Jones). My mouthful of a name ‘Myfanwy’ is Welsh.

Three: Finding out about 2012 as a turning point in our planet’s consciousness and humanity - and the idea of doing my ‘bit’ to help, was the very impetus that spurred me back into action a few years ago after a period of grief and tragedy. (This involved a tall, dark and dangerously heartbreaking relationship that led to a ‘Dark Night of the Soul’… As opposed to my ‘Knight in Shining Armour’!). Consequently I did some serious soul searching and spiritual research and became intrigued and propelled to find out more on 2012 and the part I could play.

I was on a mission, and from what it sounded, so was Bill Gladstone.

It was looking more and more like I had to meet him.

More signs along the way...

As I drove from San Diego, (passing billboards advertising the movie 2012 with 'you were warned!'), the SIGNS - literally - road signs began to jump out at me one by one. BIRMINGHAM AVENUE, MANCHESTER AVENUE, GLASGOW, EDINBURGH (Scotland), OXFORD… all British towns. I currently live between England and Scotland. I always look for signs on my life path, and these seemed glaringly auspicious.
I arrived at Bill’s beautiful home overlooking the sparkling Pacific Ocean only to find yet another British connection – he was sitting on his balcony with the son of one of the BEATLES legends!

Bill’s Publishing Expertise…

Bill was incredibly sharp and insightful and I soon realised - pretty darn accomplished too. He pioneered on-demand book publishing, was behind the global hit ‘DUMMIES’ series of books, worked with the likes of; Tom Anderson, founder of My space; Peter Norton, founder of Norton Computing; and Linus Torvalds, creator of the Linux operating system, and authors such as Deepak Chopra.

I discussed my book (and a bunch of other ideas) and got the encouragement and focus I so needed from an agent, and before long he was giving me real gems of wisdom about the publishing world today.

I said, ‘wow, other people would really like to hear this advice’ (and might I add; giving his time and advice for free, with no agenda of gaining anything in return). Before I knew it, I was invited back to film a little interview with him for the web, on both publishing tips for authors and on his new novel about 2012 called: ‘THE TWELVE’, which I read in one go till 4.30am. I found the novel special in its own way, but it did remind me of Celestine Prophecy and The Alchemist. I couldn’t put it down and lapped it up like nourishment for the soul. (http://www.12thebook.com/)

So what’s the novel ‘The Twelve’ about?

An adventure thriller story which leads up to and concludes at December 21st, 2012 – which is the end of the Mayan Calendar. Some people point to this date as the ‘end of time’ but the Mayans (and Bill) say it’s a new beginning, a new cycle.

The story tells of a young man who has a near death experience and is given a vision of 12 names while unconscious. He doesn’t remember the names and then spends the rest of his life slowly discovering who these people are – and his life purpose. He is given the task to pull the 12 people together and the fate of humanity, around 2012, hangs in the balance.

The character, Max Duff is largely based on Bill and his own life, including the near death experience!

Talk about a mission!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_ORKFiJVB8

I couldn’t wait to find out from Bill what was real and what was fictionalised (well up to 2009 anyway). I always find it fascinating when I meet people who became incredibly spiritual and deeply intuitive after passing over and coming back to life, and gained a renewed sense of purpose. Then of course, I was intrigued to find out what he’d have to say on 2012.

12 is a magic number. The 12 Apostles, 12 Knights of the Round Table, 12 lost tribes. So, here’s…

12 reasons to read THE TWELVE (and watch the interview)...

1. From fear to hope - Seen the Blockbuster disaster movie 2012 about destruction and the end of the world? Now read the flip side of what 2012 could really be about – a new beginning for humanity. Choose Inspiration! Choose Hope over Horror.

2. It’s timely – here’s a snippit from Bill about why NOW – 2009 into 2010-2012 is the time to make changes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boRSXTxCfXI

3. Escapism – the novel is a good old read that’s a page turner with ongoing adventure and a complex character whose destiny unfolds.

4. Be intrigued – A lot of the novel is based on truth! Ever wondered how a near death experience changes people’s lives? Bill had his own near death experience and he writes about this along with other real life experiences in the book. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq8Wt-Sju1w

5. Have a mission - Do you ever wonder about your life mission and soul’s purpose? What’s it all about? Why are you here? What can you contribute? Make it your mini-mission to read the book and meet a character who discovers his life purpose and then ponder on your own. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI04RUe5LJM

6. Do your bit to change the world for the better – Find inspiration and clarity on general values and focus for your ‘call to action’. Gather ideas on what can we all do individually and collectively to make a positive difference to our world, environmentally, spiritually, economically, socially…

7. Open your mind to the bigger picture – isn’t it bizarre that other religions and traditions around the world roughly point to the 2012 time as a major transition? Isn’t it bizarre that scientists tell us that Dec 21 2012 coincides with the winter solstice and a major galactic movement that happens only every 26,000 years? Bill, a Yale Graduate, and someone who is in touch with leading scientists – offers facts & insights that will fascinate and stir your mind. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA10W124_co

8. Ever wonder about destiny and synchronicities? - This book is full of them.

9. Believe in Soul mates? – Ever felt like you just knew someone even though you’d just met? There’s a connection like that in this book (reminded me of The Alchemist). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l7ILDokpQ0

10. A religious, spiritual fix - You can read this book no matter what religion you are – there are characters in it from every leading faith– from a Hindu to a born again Christian and even an atheist. It’s full of beautiful spiritual principles and values that can change the world.

11. Get the inside scoop. This book is being turned into a major Hollywood movie right now. Read the book first!

12. Be part of the solution – Bill is all about providing solutions. Someone said on Facebook the other day; “be a fountain not a drain” Yes – be an ever flowing source of refreshing energy to others, not a drain. Love that. Well, it’s what I’m telling myself anyway!

Now here’s your invitation/

Call - to - Action…

1. CHECK OUT THE INTERVIEW WITH BILL I’VE UPLOADED TO YOU TUBE by starting here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_ORKFiJVB8

(This is clip #1 but watch clips 1-9 for chat about the novel & 2012).

Questions include:

* In what way is your novel (and take on 2012) different from the blockbuster Hollywood movie?
* Are you hopeful about 2012?
* What do we all individually and collectively need to do to help the planet, and ourselves at this time, and be ready for the big 2012 ‘shift’?
* What do you really think will happen on December 21st, 2012?
* Your character Max has a mission, a purpose, a destiny thrust up on him, do you feel that way about bringing this book about?



2. CHECK OUT A POSITIVE TAKE ON GLOBAL CHANGE for the years leading up to and beyond 2012 at http://www.planetchange.tv/ and http://www.planetchange2012.com/ including; how to be eco-friendly in this time of global warming! The websites are all about good news and solutions.

3. BUY & READ BILL’S BOOK!

http://www.amazon.com/Twelve-William-Gladstone/dp/1593155565/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260361735&sr=8-1

4. SEND A MESSAGE TO BILL (AND MYSELF) about what you thought of the novel and how you feel about all this 2012 talk and even better what you’re doing to help the planet. (Bill’s at: http://www.12thebook.com/)


For Authors…

And if you’re an author/writer, here are Bill’s tips and insights about the publishing world today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ifdwt3s3K8 (clip 10)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PXU9ll1MtE (clip 11)

Questions include:

* Are Publishers still giving advances to authors?
* What can authors do to build their marketing ‘platform’?

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“Every single human being is a spark of divinity.

Look within, you have the divine within you.

You have the answers within you"

- Bill Gladstone

"It’s hard to call (the Mayan/ 2012 predictions) ‘malarkey’ when you have scientists saying; it’s remarkable this Mayan calendar is so accurate and does coincide with certain alignments of the galaxy, with the ‘wobble’ or rotation in the universe. Some scientists do poo poo it and say it doesn’t mean anything, but it does mean something. I mean how can you have a civilization create a calendar that is this accurate unless they also had some form of knowledge? So I think there is something to it… Now who is saying this is real? Well atleast the people I’m involved with who are Scientists are saying it’s real..."

"Scientists are saying: From a purely scientific point of view, lets use this date (2012) to galvanise energy and serve as a catalyst for getting people to realise that the systems we’ve created are not sustainable, not just the environment and ecology - that’s clear, but also economic systems, the political systems, the educational and medical, many of the systems that are running our lives. We’re not running them. At the time we created them they made sense, but they don’t really make sense any more. From a scientific modelling point of view these systems will break down and it is essential that we transform the way we’re thinking...

As Einstein was quoted as saying: ‘you can’t solve the problems of today with the same thinking that created the problems’. You have to make a quantum leap – that’s what scientists are saying… Take 2012 as an important date for action."

- Bill Gladstone

(hear Bill talk more on this in my YouTube interview)

************************************************************

One last thought: At around age 21 when I was gearing up for a career in making documentaries (which I went on to do at BBC for over a decade), I found myself blurting out the following words which seemed to come from somewhere deep inside: 'I WANT TO SAVE THE WORLD'. I never thought for a second that in my lifetime, it would literally be a topic of conversation! Whatever 2012 is really about, like Bill says, I'm inspired to see the date as a goal post for positive change. My hopes are simple: a kinder, gentler, more honest, cooperative, sustainable and loving world.

As we say in London, Cheers for now!

Myfanwy

© Copyright Myfanwy Marshall 2009.


Disclaimer:
* No, I don’t work as a publicist, just sharing my experience and spreading a story of hope and inspiration!
* Footage - Just before interviewing Bill I bought one of those new tiny phone size FLIP cameras so the interview on YouTube was my first experiment with it. While they’re handy little gadgets, unfortunately its inbuilt editing software is basic and limited and I’m told my camera has a software glitch - I was trying to trim clips with out -of- sync footage! So it’s been sheer determination to put it together in its very raw, organic state and upload and share with you.

MJ: Lessons in nurturing the spirit & letting it shine

JERMAINE JACKSON on NBC:

"I wanted to see Michael, and I wanted to see my brother, and see him there lifeless and breathless was very emotional for me, but I held myself together, because I know he's very much alive," he said.

"His spirit is, and that was just a shell, but I kissed him on his forehead and I hugged him, and I touched him and I said, 'Michael, I'll never leave you. You'll never leave me'." - Jermaine Jackson, NBC. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31706761/ns/entertainment-music/)

Death has a way of waking us up and realising what's important...

When you look death in the face, it becomes very clear that the body is just a shell. It's the spirit that makes us who we really are.

Michael Jackson's death is not the end of an era. Just the end of an ego.

His spirit is as huge as ever, and alive and well.

I truly believe it, just like Jermaine says.

***

(And I don't mean ego in egostical terms, I'm talking about living from either the ego or the soul, as described by Oprah, and authors like Debbie Ford, http://www.intent.com/debbieford/blog/ego-management, Wayne Dyer http://www.drwaynedyer.com/articles/seven-secrets-of-a-joyful-life) and Eckart Tolle (wrote "Power of Now"). I've learned from them that it's just our ego which is full of fear and negative chatter, gets hurt, and judges!! where as our spirit, our true core, is just peaceful and joyful, which we'll experience if we go to that place inside).

Michael Jackson's music and superstardom connected with the entire world. Now, his spirit is uniting the world - his music is being played everywhere I go, there are memorial services, there will be unreleased songs coming out. He does get his comeback, in a way that really touches hearts on an even deeper level.

Seems it takes matters of life and death for me to speak up in the world (and it's taken this 'event' to get me started blogging), but now, feeling such inspiration from MJ and the way he was true to expressing his soul, especially as a humanitarian, I feel fired up to keep writing, which I've been wanting to do for a very long time. And clearly, time is of the essence. In fact, I feel re-charged with the same passion I left University with, when I declared: "I want to make the world a better place".

Just today, I received some more inspiration from a website called "Braveheart Women". The message was:

"We Believe there is no excuse for not Living Our Passion. Excuses are lies. Our Covenant is to never again Live A Lie; We Promise to Live Alive, to Value our Self enough to Nurture our Gifts and have the Courage to take action in the direction of our Dreams."

None of us should have to hide away in fear, like MJ had to much of his later life after baring his soul and being so hurt.

I'm choosing to focus on how he lived out his passion so beautifully and courageously (and was fighting back to hold his head high again). His spirit came through everytime he sang and danced, or cared for others. If we have a yearning or a compelling need from the heart and soul to express ourselves, it must be for a reason. It deserves to be nurtured. It is our birthright. It comes from our spirit. For me, the time is now to reignite and live out the passion.

***

I find it very interesting to hear MJ committed to a new spiritual faith just before he died, like Elvis was apparently exploring as well. It seems they were both looking for something much deeper on the inside, when other external comforts weren't the answer.

For me, the lesson here is to get in touch with the spiritual side of life sooner rather than later, nurture it, and stand strong and grounded in that light - and let it serve as protection from the darkness in the world. And take the focus off the ego - and fearing the worldly media spotlight. Just concentrate on nurturing and expressing my soul.

(Right then, I better get on with my attempts at meditation, and get finishing my book...)

***

Other Resources:

* Deepak Chopra http://www.chopra.com/node/1462

* Marianne Williamson http://marianne.iamplify.com/about.jsp

* Eckhart Tolle - books: "Power of Now" & "A New Earth" http://www.eckharttolle.com/

* Oprah website http://www.oprah.com/topics/spirit

(no I'm not on publicity commission, just passing on info!)

Lessons in love and kindness from Michael Jackson: BraveHeart Women Blogs: BraveHeart Women

Lessons in love and kindness from Michael Jackson: BraveHeart Women Blogs: BraveHeart Women

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Michael Jackson's children: I too lost my father suddenly from a heart attack when I was age 11. Lessons on Grief & Lost Childhoods

I am now thinking of Michael Jackson's CHILDREN...

I too lost my father (heart attack) and big sister (road crash) suddenly, within a week, when I was age 11.

I hear reports that MJ's children are said to be coping well.

But bereaved children may just appear to be calm and coping on the surface. Numerous studies show, that's just how they commonly deal with grief. Consequently adults just assume that they're OK.

Children can deny their own feelings as a survival mechanism, and for the sake of adults around them. But sadly, they can feel isolated and abandoned inside, and bottling up their feelings can create a real problem throughout life.

I for one, went numb at the time when I was 11, and tried to act all grown up, but the child's tears spilled out years later in a dramatic way, and after a life of workaholism! Childhood loss and the trauma of abandonment runs deep.

I trust MJ's children will get all the emotional support needed at this time and not suppress their feelings trying to be strong. Grief needs to be expressed sooner or later.

What they don't want is a "lost childhood", repeating their father's cycle.

The fact they're surrounded by a tight-nit loving family like I had can make all the difference.

I find it so heart-warming to hear MJ recorded an array of secret songs to look after them long term.

They may not have Michael Jackson around to hold their hand through life anymore, but they were undoubtedly, and still are, incredibly loved by their father, just like I was. Unconditionally. And it is this love that they can hold on to.

Resources on childhood bereavement:

*CHARITY: Winston's Wish (www.winstonswish.org.uk)

*BOOK: "Without You" Children and Young People Growing up with loss and its Effects" by Tamar Granot.

Copyright 2009. Myfanwy Marshall

Lessons in love & kindness from Michael Jackson

An overdue fan letter to Michael Jackson & more

Michael Jackson was my very first ‘crush’ who made my heart pound at age thirteen, in the 80’s. He was my first flutter of ‘love’ and attraction (which explains my later love life!). And I share his birthday - 29th August. So I’ve always felt a special affinity to him from afar. Besides loving all his music, I ‘got’ his gentle, sensitive spirit. In fact, I related to him on many emotional levels.

I’m sad that he’s taken from us, but rather than looking at the tragedy of his life cut short, I’ve been playing his music and celebrating him, focusing on what his soul was about and imagining how wondrously joyful and liberated he must feel right now...

*** ***
I was looking forward to his new comeback, but like his music, I believe, his SOUL LIVES ON.

He was light on his feet, and now, as a ‘light body’ I believe his spirit is flying free, dancing amongst all the angels.

Finally at peace, embraced by heavenly unconditional love, safe and accepted for his pure, kind heart and soul.

I imagine him magically soaring though the heavens like the Peter Pan figure he so loved, giggling and beaming that big cheeky grin, sprinkling his luminous stardust across the skies.

Dancing on air, on a much bigger stage, where the only reality is LOVE.

*** ***

While driving home in London Thurs night, one minute I heard callers and DJ’s on the radio spitefully suggesting MJ’s ‘cardiac arrest’ must be a manipulative publicity stunt. So I changed stations. Then minutes later, there were rumours of his death. I hoped that this was the publicity stunt.

Before I knew it, I was up till dawn watching the sad truth unfold on CNN and SKY.

Perhaps being so condemned and hurt in this lifetime, literally broke his heart. How was he ever going to ‘dance his heart out’ again if it was so broken; worn down by unthinkable accusations, persecution and ridicule, being misunderstood, exploited and pressured by greed? Others were so quick to judge and accuse. And so quick to overlook his message of love and kindness.

His friends say he had such a softness, tenderness and generosity and that he felt on the same level as children; playful & innocent. He was trusting and open, and showed his vulnerability, but sadly this was used against him. In his interviews he said he found it all so hurtful. Maybe all the trauma led to some ‘disconnect’ and ‘soul loss’. His brother Tito had commented “there’s something missing in his soul”. There is actually a belief that trauma can cause us to literally step out of our bodies as a kind of protection and survival mechanism, and lose a part of our soul.  But it can be 'healed'. Shamanic healers such as Alberto Villoldo for example,  claim they can help to retrieve it: http://www.thefourwinds.com/about-alberto-villoldo.php)

‘Stuck’ in childhood from both his emotional wounds and seeking out the wonder and magic of an idyllic childhood, I for one always believed Michael just wanted to make others - especially children - feel safe and loved, just as he yearned for himself. I believe he was just ‘pure innocence’ in every way. I wish that I’d sent him a fan letter of support saying this to him while he was alive - during his darkest, most isolated times (every single vote counts). But I guess he gets the message now!

All the nasty ‘attacks’ directed at him, including in his unhappy childhood, perhaps contributed to him turning all that pain inwards, like a ‘self harmer’ who absorbs and believes a bully’s harsh comments and takes it out on themselves (so psychologists say). There’s only so much a person can take of other people’s nastiness- especially when they’re a gentle sensitive soul who don’t have aggressiveness in their nature. MJ was strong to endure the pain as long as he did. And it seems he took on the world’s pain too, with tunes like ‘Earth Song’.

I ‘get’ how he could not relate to the darkness and unkindness in the world. No wonder he retreated into a fantasy world and childlike comforts like animals. I do the same. I think there’s a real need to keep the child inside alive, and protected.

MJ was also about really CHANGING THE WORLD...

To me, his most meaningful legacy is: ‘WE ARE THE WORLD’ & ‘HEAL THE WORLD make it a better place - lets start giving’, which always touched me and inspired me.

Through his music, he sang a universal language, uniting the world, and he sang his heart out about injustices he experienced and those he saw around the planet. What a legacy.

As a kid I tried to follow his footsteps with the moonwalk, then I wanted to follow his footsteps as a humanitarian.

I hope that his “HEAL THE WORLD FOUNDATION” will find international support in his memory and find funding from booming sales of his music. (

http://www.healtheworld.us/members/htw). Surely this organisation, and all his fans, myself included, can pick up his beacon of light and continue to spread the love!

I’ve found myself not as tearful as I’d have expected, instead, dancing all weekend to his music – his tunes always make me feel so alive and lift my spirits. I will think of MJ smiling so beautifully and a shining light in ‘Rock with you’, ‘Can’t Stop Till you Get Enough’ and from the Thriller album. Pure energy, radiance and soul expression.

I was so moved by him, and because he was my one special ‘icon’ I was finally motivated to post my feelings and pay a tribute. Trying to follow his example; I decided to speak up from the heart, without fear.

I wish his grieving loved ones all the comfort in the world….And I hope the MEDIA will please stop being so shamefully cruel and destructive. They focused so much on what MJ did to himself, but do they ever look at what damage they did to him? Isn’t it time for some human compassion instead of assuming the worst? Some people are just simply CARING, and don’t have an agenda or selfish motivations. Some people can just give love in its purest form. I wish the media could help pull us together, instead of pull us apart.

At the end of the day, it’s just the human heart, and the soul that count.

As well as a brilliant entertainer, MJ was a GENTLE SOUL, A MESSENGER OF LOVE AND LIGHT for sure, yearning for ‘heaven on earth’. My wish is that we can all embrace his message and his legacy. For me, his words light the way: ‘The world just needs more love’. And I think that goes for gentleness and kindness too…. Thank you Michael Jackson for all the inspiration, and being an example of living from the heart and soul. Your magic will never fade. May your SUPER – STAR light up our skies forever.

MM x

Copyright 2009. Myfanwy Marshall

***

This Oprah clip shows a very grounded Michael Jackson...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBE0igKrnI4