When I was a kid growing up on the east coast, I had no idea what erin go braugh meant -- and neither did any of my Irish friends!  (According to Wikipedia, it means "Ireland Forever.")  All we knew was that on St. Patrick's Day, everybody's Irish.  As teenagers, our paramount goal was to skip school and go to New York City for the St. Patrick's Day parade.  Back then, NYC wasn't the safest city to visit, and my parents were dead set against me going there, anytime, but especially on the day most associated with public drunkenness, second only to New Year's Eve!  But I did go once, and it was certainly an experience I'll never forget. 

Today I live on the west coast, where the Irish-ancestried population isn't quite as large or vocal.  But we still have a St. Paddy's Day parade, and the beer still flows green on March 17.  And I'm careful to wear something green, even though the punishment for that transgression doesn't seem quite as severe here either.

The history of the Irish in America is one to be considered in the overall context of the American dream.  From often-abused immigrants they became some of the most respected public servants -- frequently police officers, firemen -- pulling themselves up by hard work and determination to rise from a minority population to positions of power (think the Kennedys).

What gave them the idea they could do this?  The promise of America has always been a better life and a land of opportunity.  In many countries still today there is a "caste" system -- the socio-economic class into which you were born is where you stay.  I had a conversation with a lovely woman from France recently who told me that once you have your University degree, it is not acceptable to change careers.  I know it can be done, because there are people who have done it -- Jean-Luc Thunevin, creator of Valandraud wines from St. Emilion is one -- but it is difficult and looked upon with suspicion.

Here in America, we have the opportunity to create our careers based on our passions and desires, and the status of our birth family is not the final determination of our position in life.  Nowhere else is it easier to follow your dreams, and yet so many of us still don't do it.  Why? 

If there's something you're passionate about, but you're still going to a dead-end job every day, this is the question you should be asking yourself.  Why??  Everybody has opportunity, it's usually more of an issue of believing it and recognizing it, and taking action to pursue it.  If you're deceiving yourself into thinking you have no opportunity, that living a life full of passion and purpose isn't in the cards for you, you need to start asking yourself "why not?"  Instead of complaining "why me?" when things don't go your way, instead ask "why not me?" when inspired by an idea.  Ask for guidance.  The Universe is waiting.  All the answers are there, but you have to have the courage to ask, and to listen for the answer.

Speaking of which ...

Today is the LAST DAY to get the early-bird discount on the Life Purpose Spiritual Summit being held in Las Vegas this June.  Sign up for the informational calls here:  http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=942722.  Once you've registered, you should have access to the Life Purpose Spiritual Summit registration page. 

SAD ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE PASSING OF A SEATTLE INSTITUTION

Today is the last day of publication for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, after over 100 years of bringing news and information to Seattle residents.  While the news will still be available on-line, it won't be the same.  In my household, we get both papers -- the Seattle P-I and the Seattle Times -- and we've always considered the P-I to be the superior publication.  We are sad that the parent company (Hearst Corporation) couldn't find a way to continue printing, and our heartfelt condolences go out to the employees who dedicated their lives to journalism and the newspaper.  I hope it's a reversible trend, because I, for one, don't want to read my news online!

I would like to offer to any Seattle P-I staffer who's been terminated because of the paper's shutdown, a special F.R.E.E. Creative Career Consultation.  Journalists and others who contribute to keeping us informed and entertained are creative people with many talents.  If you're wondering what comes next, it would be my honor and pleasure to help you identify ways to repurpose your expertise and create new streams of income from your passions and interests.  Email me at kate@inspiration4success.com to set up an appointment.