Vented Uplift Community Blog

Here are a few of the lessons I've learned about fear.  Fear is easy. Fear is isolating. Fear is debilitating. Fear is destructive. Fear is learned. Fear is inevitable. Fear is normal. Fear is unifying. Fear is helpful. Fear is protective. Fear is powerful.  Fear is not forever.  We are often afraid to speak up. We're afraid to ask for help. We're afraid to sing in public. We're afraid of math. We're afraid of standing up for what's right. We are afraid of all of these things, because we've been taught to be afraid. We are afraid of someone's response. We're afraid of what people will say. We are afraid of how people will judge us. We are afraid that someone will use our weaknesses and our emotions against us. We are afraid someone will post that hideous photo of us and that someone will turn it into a meme (or is that just me?). The more that you can latch on to some perspective regarding fear, the less afraid you become. We let fear control so much...

Dear Libby, Keep creating. It will lead you to pursue your love of the arts and study art history at New York University, where you’ll spend semesters in Paris and Rome. You'll graduate, step into a white-box gallery and realize it's not for you—but don't worry, it'll still inform what you do. Years later, you'll realize what you love about art is the power of an idea and making it reality. Later still, this will inspire you create your own company from something personal. But first, you'll spend over two decades working in fashion PR. Mere weeks into your first job, you'll be sent to Milan for your first runway show. Baptism by fire, as they say. You'll spend the majority of your first paychecks on anything lace—lace tops, lace bras—when you really should be saving up for rent. New York City isn't cheap! But you can't help it; you got your love of lace from mom. You’ll leave PR for a period to teach yourself how to play the electric guitar, writ...

When I get asked : Why Harvard at 49 years old, I laugh. After 28 rounds of chemo- too many-and 21 non-elective surgeries I laugh at the thought that I can not accomplish what I want. Since my cancer diagnosis, I have become a best-selling author, motivational speaker, sought after speaker in Florida prison system, Nationally recognized humanitarian, model, and so much more.  I, WE, can truly accomplish anything and any time of our lives. I graduated from Southern Me-thodist University over 25 years ago. Going back to get my masters degree in Creative Writing and Literature was just a step on the unstoppable road for me since my diagnosis.   When your faith is in the eternal, and you leave it up to Him, there is nothing that can stop me-US. My faith has stomped on my fears, my faith has triumphed over my illnesses, YES, many and I am the epitome of Faith over Fear.   Harvard was out of touch for too many years because I had no self esteem to try to go for it. Af...

Her ability to turn lemons into lemonade at the age of 22 set Chrisie on the path for finding her  superpower at 50. We all have a power within us. By learning to give love and learning not to be a jerk  we can change the world surrounded by heroes! Good Evening everyone!  I am Chrisie Canny, wife of 28 years, mom for 27, I am a serial entrepreneur, I’ve started 4 corporations,  the last one being vented in brooklyn for which I am CEO, I even hold a patent, I am an avid “FUNdriser” ( I really can turn anything into a fundraiser!) and my newest role of being a breast cancer survivor and advocate! These perky girls just went in a month ago! Aren’t they cute? Besides all of those things I am also insecure, really hard on myself, I’ve closed 3 corporations because they failed and I fight with the word success daily.  And sometimes I still feel like that awkward kid who got teased and called thunder thighs and cow calves and torpedo tits. Don’t think I am here wi...