Leana Delle

Brian Roman inspires me. The man embodies joy. He walks it, talks it, and sings it like the collective energy of all things is tickling at his vocal chords. I mean, he believes in what he’s doing, and he knows he’s on the right path.

I met Brian at the 2012 International Elvis Festival in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada where he was playing the part of master-of-ceremonies. Brian introduced the various Elvi (not a typo) throughout the evening and rocked the house with his phenomenal performances between acts.

I was struck by how entranced the audience became during his songs, and I just loved his “TA-DA!” style of presentation. A real rat-pack type of persona; a “genuine article” entertainer. But phenomenal performance aside, when Brian told his story between songs, I knew I had to interview him. This is exactly what I try to relay to people. This is what has the potential to happen when you take a leap of faith:

Brian Roman worked as an insurance salesman for years, and he was damned good at it. Had he always wanted to sell insurance? No. He secretly dreamed of being a professional singer, and, typical of those of us who have an inner knowing about what path we should be on, he got constant nudges from the universe to pursue it.

The dream itself took flight in 2005 when he went out on a limb and produced his first CD. When a friend suggested he have a release party (meaning somewhere like the back room of a restaurant), Brian shot back with, “What about Roy Thomson Hall?” Absurd? You betcha.

Roy Thomson Hall is one of Canada’s premier concert facilities in Toronto, Ontario that seats approximately 2,630 people. All the big names perform at Roy Thomson Hall – not no-name insurance salesmen like Brian Roman. But against all odds, he did it. 

Brian hired a music director, a 17 piece orchestra, a 150 member choir, and back-up singers, then undertook the massive task of pitching tickets for an unknown act. Did I mention that he was good at sales? He and his posse sold every seat in the house, and the show ended with a standing ovation. The next day his face appeared on the front page of the Toronto Star newspaper and TV and radio pursued him for interviews.

Brian Roman was the little engine that could, and now he’s making tracks for the big time. My suggestion? Buy his latest CD entitled “Dreamer” and play it when you have doubts. Remind yourself that it’s all about following your heart. Believe that it’s all about believing.

Cut and paste this link to enjoy Brian’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=aH2Q2qSIf5k

Visit Brian’s website at www.brianroman.com

I’ve achieved a few things in my day – things that I worked long and hard to accomplish – but none have given me the same level of gratification as seeing my book on sale and reading my first review on Amazon.com.

http://www.amazon.com/Control-Switch-Leana-Delle/dp/1475974507/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362368621&sr=8-1&keywords=Leana+Delle

I’ve been waiting for the book to be posted on major websites for a while now, so when I walked into Chapters the other day, I checked their kiosk just in case. Up popped CONTROL SWITCH, and I let out an audible gasp that spurred one of their employees to ask if everything was okay.

“More than okay. That’s my book!” I replied, tapping on the screen.

My book. Wow. And for those of you who don’t know the story, I was gifted the path of writing by my dear friend, Jenesse Aurandt, before she lost her battle with breast cancer. I promised her I’d write a book one day, and that one promise has taught me more about discipline, passion, and purpose than any other life lesson to date.

And my gratitude goes out to all who have supported my journey and shared in this accomplishment, including my dear friend, Sophie Terrasse, who met me at Chapters to share in the excitement.

Know that pursuing your passion is always the right decision. Know that the frustrations and challenges you’ll face will only add to your ultimate fulfillment. Know that you are not meant to live a passionless life. None of us are – not ever.

For more on my promise to Jenesse, visit my website at www.Leanadelle.com

And check out Sophie’s inspiring mission at www.laughtercapital.com

I may have had an AHA moment this morning. They don’t happen often enough for my liking, and certainly not in the morning, but there it was nonetheless. I got up early (again, not something that happens often) to get ready for a trip. The night before I’d picked out an egg shell colored top to wear for the journey, and after donning it this morning and sitting down to put on my make-up, I thought, ‘I must be careful not to get anything on this.’ Five minutes later I was cussing with my Tide pen in hand trying to rid the thing of a big blotch of foundation.

Now, I’ve been putting make-up on every day for more years than I truly care to mention, and I rarely get any of it on my clothes, so this occurrence left me pondering the fact that we could be setting ourselves up for failure simply by acknowledging the possibility of it happening. Hmm. This then sent me down a reminiscent trail of personal disasters looking for trends. Yep, a few emerged for sure.

‘I must be careful not to spend too much,’ has led to an empty bank account. ‘I must be careful not to leave myself vulnerable,’ has led to failed relationships. ‘I must be careful not to sound like an idiot,’ has left me feeling sorrowful for not fully expressing myself while there was still time.

Maybe the key is to live with the full expectation that you’re going to end up splattered in foundation (figuratively speaking of course). Maybe reckless abandon is the only way to really succeed. Maybe – just maybe – caution is a complete waste of time.

I’ll no doubt continue to ponder this at 34,000 feet, but if it’s true then the reverse must be also. Maybe we set ourselves up for success with that glimmer of possibility as well? Either way, I’ve decided to experiment a bit and will keep you posted. I’ve left the Tide pen at home.

Final edits are complete and the manuscript for “Control Switch” is going through its last proofread before submission. I’m feeling relieved, relaxed, and ultimately satisfied. I like what I’ve written; I’m happy with it. But I’m also feeling somewhat melancholy. I began writing because of a promise – a promise to a friend dying of cancer. “You’re a writer,” she said, before making me swear to author a book one day. I miss her more than usual this weekend, and I pray that she knows how grateful I am.

I’m also feeling a bit sad, because I won’t be spending time with my characters any longer. Candace, Fiona, and Josie have been part of my everyday life for a little over two years now, and it’s time to give them wings. I’ll miss them (and their misadventures) very much.

 

Time is a funny thing. If someone had told me in advance how many hours I’d be spending on this project, I’d never have believed them. I would, however, have continued writing regardless. That’s the true sign of a passionate path in my opinion. It doesn’t matter how much time it takes, or even if it’s lucrative. You just simply have to do it. End of (dare I say it) story.

So, I woke up this morning with my book on my mind. Not the one I just finished, but the second one that has been plotting its way through my brain for over a year now. Soon I’ll be spending time with Gaynor and Pepper and a variety of supporting characters who have yet to introduce themselves. I can’t wait, and although I’m pretty convinced that this story won’t take as long to write as the first one did, there’s a chance it might, and I’m okay with that.

Do you have a creative dream that you’d like to see fulfilled? Could it potentially take one, two, maybe three years to complete? Well, ask yourself where you’ll be in that timeframe if you don’t pursue it. Time’s going to pass regardless. Do what leaves you feeling relieved, relaxed, and satisfied in the end. You truly won’t regret the hours it took – not one bit.

Although I can’t give an exact date when “Control Switch” will be available, I can guarantee it’s on its way. Feel free to follow me on Facebook for updates, and I’ll keep you posted in future blogs.

Thanks for all of your support and patience, y’all. Onward and upward.

Facebook author page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Leana-Delle/200159000072062?ref=hl#

That pretty much sums up 2012. Just . . . wow. The best year I think I’ve ever had. Well, so far anyway, but be sure that I’ll try and top it this year and every year after that. In fact, my goal is to look back on the whole journey with the same smile I’m sporting tonight. And why the gleeful grin? Because I’m grateful. Grateful for the generosity of friends and for so many great life lessons, including:

– True friendship spans oceans. Thanks John G.

– Adventures never have to end. Thanks Shirley M.

– Family is forever family. Thanks Sharon F-M.

– You can dream big and inspire multitudes. Thanks Regan G.

– You can live in the moment and wallow in love. Bless you little Toby.

– You can have absolutely nothing and still exude joy. Thank-you people of Haiti!

SO blessed to have had this past year, and now “onward and upward” as my dear friend, Jenesse, used to say. This year I’ll hold my first novel in my hands (thank-you for your patience) and start my second. I’ll visit favorite cities and explore new ones. I’ll reconnect with special friends and make new ones out of strangers. I also plan to learn everything I can about love and marketing, so feel free to share your wisdom on either.

Most importantly, this year I plan to express my gratitude for the generosity of friends by paying it forward. Giving creates possibility. Possibility creates hope.

CHEERS to a great new year, everyone!

And I can’t believe I’ve been blogging for an entire year. Who knew I had so much to say? (Oh, you know you want to leave a reply now)

🙂