I am sitting on my deck overlooking the beach at my second home in South Carolina. Ray Higdon and I are discussing the blessings that have come out of our network marketing businesses and real estate investments when he asks if I mind doing an interview for his blog on YouTube.

This is so surreal. I am elated to be even asked!

“I have my recording equipment in the car. It’ll just be a few minutes to get set up,” Ray says.

I have followed Ray for several years and am very familiar with his laid back style, so I am not surprised even a little bit.

My stomach is churning with some nerves and excitement. I am familiar with this, but I know once I start talking, I’ll be ok. One of these years I won’t get anxious before I speak. Today is not that day.

While Ray is doing his introduction of me I quietly pray for God to speak through me, to help someone else. It was recommended to me the first time I was asked to speak at an A.A. meeting and it continues to calm my nerves and work every single time.

Breathe Kelley. Just breathe. Whatever comes out of your mouth is what’s supposed to be heard. Stop overthinking it. A few deep breaths and we are talking.

Ray starts, “We originally met at a conference in Las Vegas. It seems like so many years ago. Did you ever think we would be masterminding and exploring business options together back then?”

Me “Not even a little bit. ( laughing) I was barely making sales back then.”

R- “What changed?”

M- “I was introduced to an amazing program that helped me reprogram my subconscious into KNOWING I was not only capable, but worthy of all the things I always dreamed of since childhood.

R- “I know you had said that living in the Smoky Mountains was something you dreamt of when you were younger. How did it feel when you bought that property?”

M- “Oh my God! It was ecstasy! I think I cried tears of joy for months. Once we broke ground on my cabin, it fueled my obsession with business even more.

Subsequently, I built cabins for each of my grown daughters on the property. Not all of them live there full time so I am able to rent them out or invite other recovering alcoholics to participate in spiritual retreats.”

R-“That sounds amazing. What are those like?”

M- “Most of the time, they are basically an extended meeting. Prayers, discussion of literature, and how it applies to healing ourselves from when we were active.”

R- “I have heard that they have helped produce some emotional breakthroughs.”

M- “Yes. Yes they have. It most definitely heals the soul and frees us from the bondage of self.”

R- “I know that most people say that when they get rich they are gonna travel and do good for others, but you have actually done that. Can you tell us a bit about that?”

M- “So every summer as my grandchildren are off from school, we plan a family vacation. And when I say family, I mean extended family. My kids, their spouses, the grands, all of it.

Some years we go to a beach. Sometimes we go to a national park. And depending on the year, sometimes we go in the winter months also. It’s an amazing thing to be able to create memories with them.”

R- “Making memories is so important. It’s beautiful that you get to do that regularly. What about helping others?”

M- “My business have blessed me with something I never thought possible. Not only have I been able to feel the joy of inspiring others towards fufillment of THEIR dreams. I mean it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about the look of hope on peoples’ faces.

But I also have donated much to rehabs and battered women’s shelters. I have been able to be a part of something bigger than myself. I was once a hopeless drunk, beaten down and full of misery.

To give back to those still struggling rejuvenates me and inspires me to cherish every moment. It is a gift of true freedom that I had never thought possible for me. Now I get to assist others in achieving that joy.”

R- “That is a beautiful thing. And a perfect note to end this interview on. Is there anything else you hope to achieve?”

M- “I am definitely working on other things. God isn’t done with me yet.”