I am so excited this week that my facebook fan of the week is another person who has become a friend through Social Media and blogging – Heidi Alberti. I first ‘met’ Heidi on Blogger Monday with Ann Evanston and loved her blog that she writes in the voice of her dog Atticus. I then got to know Heidi and found her to be a lovely, peace loving woman who shares a love of John Lennon and skiing with me. We have found that we feel the same way about many other things in life as well. I am most honored that she has chosen to reveal some things about herself that she doesn’t often share online and I hope that you will all join me in celebrating Heidi and follow her wonderful, beautifully written blog. And if YOU would like to be featured as my Facebook Fan of the week on my Lou Loves Learning! Facebook page come on over and play – who I choose is based on activity (likes and comments),
What would you like readers to know about you personally? And what do you do?
When I was a little girl and people asked “what do you want to be when you grow up?” my answer was always “a writer”. But, of course, life had another direction for me and I pursued a 20 year long career in executive search, which was successful and exciting, but I was yearning to write more creatively than generating high-end resumes. I had my own boutique search firm in San Francisco and then Seattle, serving clients like Apple, Netscape, T-Mobile and Washington Mutual, but I longed to write for a living.
I’ve been writing since I was a little kid (short novels, stories, poetry and commentary) and because of some major life changes I have shifted my career towards writing.
Over the past 2 years I’ve been a ghostwriter and editor, and last year I launched my blog, atticusuncensored.com, with the hopes of gaining an audience for future published works (novels and, hopefully, a real column in a real newspaper).
Writing through the eyes of my English Cocker Spaniel has been immensely therapeutic as I’ve dealt with significant loss and change over the past 3 years. I survived a horrendous marriage (sadly,abusive), a contentious divorce, a move back to California and the grief over my father’s death. Though circumstances can be dark, I have found light and hope by focusing on how Atticus views the world.
Dogs are therapeutic. Writing is therapeutic. And combining the two has proven to be the ultimate cure for facing difficulties in my life.
Who is your greatest supporter in life and work?
My greatest supporter is, and has always been, my mom and I try to emulate her supportive and caring demeanor with others. I have a very close group of lifelong girlfriends who are always at the ready when support is needed. And, of course, my animals (Atticus, Wilbur and Bella) are always there for me.
Who or what inspires you?
Great souls who have taught great lessons about peace and tolerance are at the top of my list. This list includes Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Theresa and the Dalai Lama. Progressive thinkers like Thich Naht Hanh, Gary Zukov, Wayne Dyer and Lama Surya Das move and inspire me to reach for my best self.
Inspiration as it relates to writing is truly endless. A walk in the forest, a poem, a thought provoking article, a movie, a great song, my own feelings and world view are a few of the ways I find inspiration.
What does the word freedom mean to you?
Great question! Freedom has a plethora of meanings for me. Freedom to be myself, to be independent, to freely express myself through writing, photography and music. Freedom is the opposite of fear. Freedom is extracting myself from toxic relationships.
In a physical sense, freedom is what I feel when I’m at the top of Granite Chief (Squaw Valley) ready to conquer the cornice and carve that fresh powder! (I know you can relate to that definition of freedom, Lou!)
What are your goals?
To continue on my path towards greater inner peace through my writing. To finish one of my many starts on my novels and to procure a columnist position with a print newspaper.
Favorite Quote
I seriously have volumes of favorite quotes that I refer to often. A few of my favorites are:
“If you have fear of some pain or suffering, you should examine whether this anything you can do about it. If you can, there is no need to worry; if you cannot do anything, then also there is no need to worry” ~~ Dalai Lama
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” ~~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” ~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.” ~~ Winston Churchill
“There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy
licking your face.” ~ Ben Williams
How can people connect with you?
blog: www.atticusuncensored.com
twitter: @AtticusUncensor
facebook: Heidi Alberti and Atticus Uncensored
