PREFACE
PASSION IN ACTION is an example of how far you can take a little inspirational saying like,
"Live with passion!" Tony Robbins or
"Get your passion in action!" Polly
....and basically just construct a mini monster. One sentence leads to an idea that leads to a paragraph then a few paragraphs and the next thing you know you're typing the words,
"to be continued"
Before you know it, people are saying,
"That's pretty funny, give us some more."
That's how this travesty began; no plan not even an inclination. Before long the story took on a life of its own. New people came to the forum and along with the regulars during the course of the day would reveal things about their beliefs, their personality, their problems, their likes and dislikes that to me when blended together seemed utterly hilarious.
Then Karen mentioned that it was like a small village and I started to see this place in my own warped way as real life.
Before I knew it I was on chapter 14 and was beginning to wonder; "How am I going to kill this monster?"
At this point in time I have to tell all of you I have enjoyed the process just as I have enjoyed the rapport I have had with all the people in the story. I have learned a great deal from all the individuals who are mentioned in "Passion in Action".
I would like to thank all of you for your encouragement, your great sense of humor, your passion for life, your dedication to the principles that will make your life and the lives of those around you as well as the world at large a nicer place. Most of all I would like to say thanks for just being who you are. You guys are reeeeaaaallly carazy! To me you are all friends and a part of me I try to model. There is just a tremendous amount of knowledge, wisdom and good will in this group.
The names and people in this story are real. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is not a coincidence. The characters in this story are real.
Character Descriptions:
POLLY: actually coined the now famous phrase, "get your passion in action!" E-mail address is SEXY 38 tripleD's. Polly is also credited with searching the entire first year of posts from the Tony Robbins Forum and alerting everyone to the most inspirational quotes from the past year. This work took many selfless hours and was totally exhausting but greatly appreciated by most. Polly is from Boston.
BLACK BELT: martial arts expert, champion to the underdog, admirer of Ronald Reagan, favorite movie: "A FEW GOOD MEN." One of the few guys left in California who still believes in chivalry. Will not hesitate to lay his $600 leather jacket over a small puddle so a fair damsel will not get splashed. He figures, "What the hell it stays pretty warm here in L.A. most of the year; what better use for my coat?" Black Belt's philosophy of life is "Be crazy, be sexy, be cool and always wear a black belt."
MR. BEMIS: best known for his famous quotes, "Live debt free and prosper!" and "Eat meat and live!" Sometimes warns others of brain implants and always warns about the dangers of credit cards.
MR. BEMIS' CLONE: this is what the guy actually calls himself. In reality he's a kinder, gentler, easier going copy cat of Mr. Bemis. (probably uses credit cards, but doesn't say) Suggested at one point that the way Polly and BB were carrying on in the forum in full view of the rest of us that they should, "get a room."
PENELOPE GIVENS: some think this person is a figment of Mr. Bemis' imagination. Others claim she is a real living, breathing human being. Recently a rumor has been circulating that Penelope is Mr. Bemis' twin sister. Only Penelope, Mr. Bemis and their hairdresser know for sure.
LOLLIE: is from Oklahoma and has devoted 3000 hours of her time to build a web site that has for the past year aided families and survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing, and also literally thousands of others who have gone there to seek help in dealing with suicide, anger and many other human frailties. Her Web site was launched on April 19th 1997 on the 2nd anniversary of the bombing. Although she is an 8th grade drop out she has helped many people to increase their healthy happiness and decrease their emotional suffering. Plus she's one of the most charming individuals you'll ever meet.
ALAN: a hater of multi level marketing, organized religions, psychic hotlines and used car salesman... very intelligent, impeccable at spelling punctuation and fabulous grammarian. He also has a very stressful job as a medical technician in a busy hospital.
SUE PEARCE: while speaking of the Tony Robbins Forum Ms. Pearce has stated:
"I believe in a free exchange of ideas but do we always have to push the envelop of our constitutional rights."
"the forum is just a haven for those who want to cram the 1st amendment down our throats.... Enjoy your creation all!"
JEF HERRING: columnist, author, psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, lecturer, father, husband... (sorry if I left anything out, Jeff) inventor of change agents and all around good guy; fond of saying, "keep the change." Jef is from Florida.
JUDY: favorite saying, "wow, wow, wow," has in recent months given up cigarettes, lost weight, greatly improved her financial situation as well as her physical condition, deals with adversity by asking, "what's good about this?" Goal is to have her own talk show that is a cross between Oprah Winfrey and Tony Robbins; although she has been accused of misspelling a word here and there it would not be wise to bet against her.
KAREN: aka Terry Cloth when she is feeling frisky, a geologist by trade often has to work with unevolved members of the opposite sex. Favorite movie G I JANE, favorite actress Demi Moore, favorite line in the movie....... have to read, "Passion in Action" to find out. Also one of the nicest most even tempered open minded people on the planet.
EUGENE: super sincere full of great quotes ideas and wisdom from the "nickle capital of the world" in Ontario Canada. Extremely empathetic and understanding and another all around gentleman.
DAVID BLOCK CPA: very busy during tax season, his agent lobbied for a bigger part, definitely the victim of unfair type casting.
Q: the unflappable, has dined with kings, watched sunsets from the tops of pyramids, meditated with monks and sailed through the Bahamas. Here is a quote,
"Are you fulfilling your existence? Are you building cathedrals, painting masterpieces, inspiring the next generation to come?"
"I am good aren't I?" Yes Q you are good except for one thing, you left out... writing silly stories.
JASON P: a behavioral Psychologists who claims Alan has too much hostility and needs help.
JONATHAN "the peaceman" CASEY: a cool dude who calls them the way he sees them and tries to add good vibes to intense situations. Dislikes 'bogus' talk and bogus people. Very perceptive and a great judge of talent.
BETTE: really calls them the way she sees them. A loyal friend and a tough adversary. Don't cross her!
TAMMY: from Maine, very perceptive, clear thinker, open minded empathetic has secretly wanted to be a stripper.
BON BON: really bright sweet and sensitive, very intelligent as well as helpful but her most endearing quality is her modesty. Tried to get her dog Sasha into the story but the union rules wouldn't allow it.
THE DUCKMAN: pound for pound, inch for inch has dispensed more wisdom to the Tony Robbins Forum than anyone. His daily, "Some thoughts from the pond" sayings provide, "food for the soul to all."
Here is an example:"In your final moments in life which will you regret most: that you did not hate enough or that you did not love enough?"
DONATELLO: can be vicious and cruel, but is sensitive and open minded enough to admit when he's made a mistake. Has received great help from Lollie's web site in helping him deal with his anger.
TONY ROBBINS: another one who's agent lobbied hard for a bigger part, but I stuck to my guns and said,
"This might be Tony's forum but it's my story the best I can do is fit him in the last chapter and that's final. Also if he's going to play a large part in the final chapter as he has requested, then I must insist that he plays his part on my web site exclusively not in the forum... do we have a deal?" I asked shaking in my boots.
"Is this the outcome you have selected?" he asked in the final negotiations.
"I'm afraid I must insist."
"Then, ok I'll be at your place for the final act just notify my friends and fans in advance because you know they love to watch me work."
