Inner Adventures | Embrace an Inner Adventure Today!

I SEE YOU …

When I began to create Inner Adventures I wanted it to be a project that flowed, the right people would cross my path at the right time and they would be in alignment with IA’s vision, for promoting ‘heart’ based creative individuals who are making a difference in the world.

So in walks Toni.  How this connection came about was via my friend Pete Lonergan, who is featured in our Gallery for his photography.  He asked if I had heard of 365 Grateful, to which I had not, he sent me the link and, well I just had to speak to these girls.

I emailed Toni, and we spoke the next day on Skype.  Wow, what a talented woman to say the least.  A passion for filmmaking, a devoted mother of 5 (crazy!), along with her daughter Hailey, who created the ‘365 Grateful Project’, they are now working on their 365 Grateful Documentary, which is currently being filmed all over the world.

What I saw instantly when I visited their website (which only just went live in Feb 2011) was HEART.  These two creative souls are spreading a positive message of gratitude which is fast becoming viral around the world with people everywhere creating their own 365 Grateful Projects.  I had no idea that by being grateful everyday you can add an extra 7 years to your life!  WoW!  Not only are YOU feeling good, you are spreading it out amongst the masses.  It is infectious, it is growing.

In my half hour conversation with Toni I learnt so much about their vision and the amazing individuals from all over the world they will be interviewing for their documentary, not to mention the ups and downs of the filmmaking business.  Not for the faint hearted that’s for sure.  But it just goes to show, when you have passion, purpose and a good vibe about you, ANYTHING is possible!

It’s quite something else, and I tell you, it will make you think, as it has me, about how many things we have to be grateful for in our lives.  It just snaps you into a great feeling vibe instantly.  Get on this wave people – it is sure to make an impact on your life and those around you.

Thank you Toni for taking the time out of your extremely hectic schedule to speak with me and allowing me to share you on Inner Adventures.

TONI’S GIFT TO YOU …

My amazing photographer/filmmaker daughter, Hailey and I are making a feature documentary about gratitude. In early 2008, in an effort to fight depression, Hailey started a photographic project called 365 Grateful where she took one Polaroid a day of something she felt grateful for. The discipline of having to look for the good things every day changed her life in multiple ways and wondrously impacted the lives of many others.

Hailey put her project up on Flickr and hundreds of people began to do their own 365 grateful projects. As word spread the project went viral. Individuals, schools, magazines and radio stations took on the project and it just keeps growing. Many of those touched by doing The 365 Grateful Project themselves have written to Hailey about their changed lives.

It was these amazing stories that proved to be the catalyst for the film.

We will interview some of those who did the project and also leaders in the field of gratitude research and practice.

Research into the benefits of gratitude has also made us realise that happiness is only one of the multitude of benefits.  People need to know that gratitude can:

• lower blood pressure
• make them sleep better
• add 7 years to their lives
• as well as make them happy
• have better relationships;
• and take better care of the planet.

It is this good news we want to share.  Everyone can change their lives for the better in only days and it is totally free!

LIFTING THE VEIL …

What are you here to contribute?

My goals in life have been to be a great mother and to learn and practice grace.  For the past 33 years the focus has been more on the kids (the last one left home a week ago!) though they gave me plenty of opportunity to practice grace.  Yay!

In the past year or so I have learned a lot about the power of gratitude and it is this practice that has helped me most in the giving of grace, practicing patience and also becoming a more balanced, settled, happy and content person.  Currently I am involved in directing and producing a feature documentary in order to more easily spread the message of the extraordinary magic of gratitude.

What makes you light up and come alive?

People’s stories, an impossible project, my children, my angelic husband, brie and great music.  Oh, and I’m also a film addict.

What have you always known the most about and been interested in forever? Is there just one thing, or are there several?

Film and parenting.

Film: Since I was 19 I have been aware that film has huge power to bring about change in society, Since 2004 this has become a major focus in my life… the production and distribution of films that make a positive difference in the world.

Parenting:  Also since I was 19!  Boy that was a big year. As soon as I got pregnant I began to research how to be a good parent and how to give my kids self esteem, morals, purpose, responsibility and lots of love.  This has been a huge topic of interest for me that saw me un – school most of my 5 children, design our business so we were both with them all the time and constantly grilling everyone who had great relationships with their children.  Children are the richest of treasures.

What would you both bring to a community if it was your sole job to perform and no one could perform it but you?

This is such a huge question!!!  In the end we are all here for one thing and one thing only… to learn how to love.  I would love to see communities focus on how to live lives of true riches.

If it had to be in one localised area  maybe I would like to set up a schools where people learned important things like how to do their tax, the benefits of gratitude, cooking and growing healthy food, how to prepare for parenthood , great driving skills and learning how to sustain good relationships.  So little of what is available in the current school system really equips us for anything that will enrich us.

Not locally, then I see film as the way to share these things.

What are you continually asked to do?

Market things.  I have a gift to communicate vision and passion.  Unfortunately that does not translate to being able to sell just anything, I have to have my heart in it.

I also get asked to give advice to people who have issues with their children or marriage.

The last few years I get asked about film festivals, film distribution etc

What do people see in you both, when indeed they see you?

Passion, get up and go, vision.

I think.  But who knows what people see?  It is rare to find people honest enough to really tell you!

Contact Toni:

Facebook:  365 Grateful the documentary – please show your support by clicking LIKE and spread the Gratitude Message :-)

Website: www.365Grateful.com