A Dynamic Interview With Devaney Rae
Often, we are called into our life passion through a life-altering experience.
Devaney Rae’s battle with terminal ovarian cancer transformed her life and inspired her to pursue a dream of helping others and teaching Life Principles of Truth (a multitude of lessons learned through her life experiences). She is the founder of Countless Joys, Inc.. Devaney is an Instructional Designer, Professional Trainer, Organizational & Performance Management consultant; and a published author.
Devaney’s foundational lessons learned are built on strengthening emotional wisdom, addressing root life patterns and behaviors; and learning to lead influentially. In reading the summary of my interview with Devaney Rae, you will be wowed by her amazing thought-provoking insights into what it takes to become successful and how being a powerful influencer can have a lasting impact on others.
EB: Your professional and life successes have primarily been birthed out of life experiences. Please share a couple of the most significant parts that have inspired your work of today.
DR: My New Birth experience in Jesus Christ was a significant part of inspiring my work today because it began the lifelong journey of self-change for the better (based on the perfect model of behavior, that of Jesus Christ). It also launched my passion and journey for learning Life Principles of Truth.
These Principles of Truth never fail; they always produce positive outcomes; and they work to build foundations for future fulfillment and influence.
This combination of outcomes leads to lasting impact – thus success. One of my frequent motivational statements is, “Success = Lasting Impact.”
My seven-year battle with terminal ovarian cancer (2002-2009), specifically the hospice pain management seasons of that journey, have significantly inspired my work today. The greatest impact from this season of my life has been significant adjustments in my perspective.
There is so much value in being able to shift my outlook, my viewpoint, and my attitude (especially in challenging circumstances) and even when I cannot change the hard, cold facts of a very trying situation.
There is such power in the mind, the will, and the emotions if I can “reign in” my self-will, my disappointments, my expectations, and my ‘doom and gloom’ feelings about difficult life occurrences. In every single situation in life, I really do have a choice.
My choices may be limited to how I choose to think about it all, but therein still lies a powerful choice! That powerful choice is my perspective.
This one jewel (perspective) from my life experiences in the Cancer community (and with Cancer as my friend) has changed every aspect of how I am, NOT who I am!
And, “how we are” has the great, great potential to positively or negatively shape and impact “who we are.”
EB: How do you define success?
DR: There comes a time in every life when a general awareness dawns about one’s individual gifts, talents, and passions (those parts of us that seem to come to life so naturally). Then, this awareness begins aligning with the understanding of one’s divine life purposes (why am I on this earth, in this specific place, and with these specific people who surround me?). At this juncture in life, I am at the starting line of the great journey toward success.
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Success is not a race; it’s a personal journey of understanding, fulfillment, and character growth.
Success is not a competition; it’s a personal challenge toward love in action.
Love in Action is really having the best interests of others at heart. When I have the best interests of others at heart, I am moving toward fulfilling the second greatest command and Life Principle of Truth – that of loving my neighbor as I love myself. And, loving others as I love myself is all about how much I love my own self-will and self-way.
Success is not a “Blue Ribbon Awards Ceremony” moment; it is a lifelong journey toward creating the quality of excellence in action.
This means that everything I do, say, and even my moments of refraining silence are all purposed to produce excellence in myself, in my actions, in my outcomes, and through others. [Excellence = outstanding, distinct, brilliant, lasting.]
Success cannot be achieved on the soles (or backbone) of making comparison with others, the criticism of others, or satisfying the expectations of others.
Rather, my success begins to happen when I align my thoughts and feelings with the proper life goals matching my natural gifts, talents, and passions. These qualities are ALL unique to me, not to others. Others have their own natural gifts, talents, and passions.
Success, in action, begins to come into view when that first fruit of alignment of gifts, talents, and passions feeds the root vine of one’s known life purpose. It is such an “Aha Moment”.
From that point forward, personal success begins to build (here a little, and there a little) because awareness begins to dawn; understanding begins to unfold; and fulfillment begins to flower.
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Every next step, next decision, and next solution becomes so much clearer and easier because the enlightenment of “how to do this thing” is like the dawning of a new morning after a dark, cold, and wet night.
Understanding is just a refreshing light to the deepest places in our personal Questionnaire Bank!
Stop asking “why” as in “why me, why this or that?” Rather, ask yourself, “what can I do different or better?” while reflecting inward to see what you have learned.
EB: You are a professional trainer, business professional, facilitator and published author. How has each of these roles had an impact on those you work with today?
DR: As I operate professionally in each of these roles, I am not only bringing my professional knowledge and experience to bear upon the challenges, situations, and opportunities with those I get to work with. In addition, I am also bringing my personal experiences and life lessons learned into the challenges, situations, and opportunities of those I am working with.
As a trainer, a professional, a facilitator, and an author I believe one of the most valuable impacts I can aspire to have upon the lives of those I get to work with is that of a renewed, broader life perspective based on Life Principles of Truth. Each of these truths have been learned through my own journey of success, both professionally and personally.
Wonderfully written article, full of useful insights for anyone who want to succeed in life
Thank you Alan! I agree, full of very useful insights that can be referred back to time and time again.
When many go an a long gauntlet of a journey like this they develop a strong sense of humor about it. They give the disease / condition they have a funny name and frame their challenges in such a way that makes you want to laugh with them. There was this one guy and he looked me in the eye when he said this: “I am now entering stage 4 cancer… It’s time to defeat the final boss.” Then he flashed me a smile.
His story has a happy ending too. His cancer went into submission. I’m certain his positive attitude had something to do with that.
Chris,
Glad to know the man you have talked about story has a happy ending. I agree with you, his positive attitude most definitely had something to do with the change in direction and remission. The mind is powerful and our thinking is key to everything that happens in our life. Thank you for sharing!
There is so many icky stuff in the world. To rise above it we need t share stories with happy endings. 🙂
Thank you, Chris, for reading and sharing these special comments. Yes, attitude and perspective were huge assets to me in my life battles (not only with cancer)!
It took me a long time to understand how strong the impact of being positive really is. It not only changes you, it changes the people around you. At my firm we’re doing research on how can we measure “synergy” and “positivity”. We have now less that two weeks to design workshops that include this under the umbrella of systemic thinking for business people.
Chris,
Positive thinking and being is very powerful and does change us and others in many ways. Glad to know you understand the impact it has and how you are using your knowledge to create workshops, as well as, doing research on synergy with positivity. I am sure you will find out some amazing results!! Keep us posted on your studies.
Well worth reading and pondering. Thanks to you both.
Ken, You are most welcome!
This post says a lot about a lot of key things. Well worth reading and contemplating the message (s).
Ken, glad you found this interview well worth reading and I agree, there is much to contemplate. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you, Ken, for taking the time to read and comment. So appreciated. 🙂
Excellent, Eilene and Devaney! What a team. I was trying to absorb the most important points and share those that spoke most convincingly to me – but wow! There are no small nuggets but rather, multiple truths all meaningful. I have to comment though on the ‘messages to your younger self’. Surely those are still things that can be effectual and realized even now at any age. I’m applauding your life and your willingness to share your story when Eilene invited you into her world of narrative.
Jane,
Thank you Jane. I agree, Devaney’s delivery of response to my questions was so impressive I could not leave anything out. So much wisdom, truths and insight that could be read over and over. I am glad you enjoyed the article and her story….which is very amazing and extraordinary.
Thank you, again, Eileen for the wonderful opportunity to collaborate and share. You did an excellent job with the article. Blessings. 😉
Devaney,
You are most welcome. I greatly enjoyed our interview and connecting with you. The synergy between us was/is extraordinary, as we are of like mind. I am thrilled to be able to share your words of wisdom through collaboration on this interview, it is inspiring for me and I am sure for others. Cheers to Living Life to the Fullest! ~Eileen
Thank you so much, Jane, for these wonderful comments and review of Eileen’s article. It was my pleasure and blessing to collaborate with Eileen and to search my thoughts, memory, and heart for meaningful responses. I, too, remembered some truths that I want to rethink and apply again to my current life challenges and opportunities. Truly, truly, that is how it is with Life Principles of Truth: they never grow old or irrelevant. Thanks, again, for sharing. 🙂
Let’s admit it. You’re AweMazing Devaney.
Jane, thank you, sweet friend. 🙂