Living Your Passion

When February comes around alot of people automatically think about Valentine's Day and love. There's nothing wrong with that, but what about those of us who might not have a significant other? For us, all the talk about love might not get us excited at all. You mention passion, however, and that will surely make people like me smile and become motivated.

The great thing about passion is that it is multi-faceted and able to be all things to all people. For some it can be seen in the care in which we do things like cooking and cleaning Others are able to show it in the way they pursue a goal or the attention they give towards something they care about. Regardless of what it means to you, the great thing is it doesn't have to be tied to anyone else.

Being passionate about something is great, but it's nothing like having a genuine passion for life. Living your passion means that each day you are excited about the opportunities in front of you, and no one is going to control the way you feel about your life and what you choose to do with it. In short, when you are living a passionate life you have identified and are walking within your purpose.

In this issue we explore the journeys of individuals just like you who are passionate about life and all that they do. Gracing the cover this time is comedian and author Elaine Williams. Her motivational story and book STOP THE MADNESS is sure to encourage you to stop just existing and start living. Outside of sharing our regular profiles of individuals living their dreams we also take out the time to remember the woman Oprah Winfrey called "The Voice", Ms. Whitney Houston.

What is it you're passionate about? What stirs you and excites your outlook on life? I want to hear your stories about what motivates you. Email me at cawebb4@juno.com. We might share your comments with our readers online and in print.

Enjoy this month's issue and remember to live with passion and purpose each and every day.


Cyrus Webb, Editor-In-Chief
Conversations Magazine

ELAINE WILLIAMS: Sharing Her Life Lessons One Laugh At A Time

by Cyrus Webb
If you are looking for someone to learn from their example when it comes to dealing with the past and moving forward with a vengeance then the story of Elaine Williams is for you. She is one of those individuals who has learned how to use her own life experiences to help others through laughter and her book STOP THE MADNESS.

As someone who grew up performing she shared with me during our radio discussion on Conversations LIVE back in October 2011 that dealing with her dysfunctional family and her own issues with alcohol helped pave the way for finding her voice using comedy. "Comedy has really helped me to lighten up and not take myself so seriously," Williams says. Having dealt with issues of bulimia and sexual assault in her past, she seen firsthand how by discussing them in a more light-hearted way has opened the door for others to step up and share as well.

One experience she shared during the interview was about discussing some of the things she has been through and having some of those in attendance come up to her afterwards and discuss how they had gone through similar situations. "Laughter is so healing and equalizing," she shares, and that is why she works so hard to use her gift to help others.

Part of what has helped Elaine along her journey has been writing. "It has been a lifesaver," she says. She shares that her current book was in the works for about eight years. After a friend suggested she do a book that kept the process simple, it seemed to flow much easier, the result being STOP THE MADNESS.

It has truly seemed like a full circle process for Elaine. This all began with her love of theater and it being an outlet for her. Once that seed was planted, there was no letting it go. "It's a basic human thing to be creative," she says. In the end, no matter what the background of the individual, I agree with her: People just want to know that they matter.

Congrats to Elaine for using her gift in a way that others are able to open up and express themselves. Find out more information about her and the great work that she is doing on her website www.elainewilliamslive.com.