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| Women in Action speaker focuses on positive attitude |
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| Written by Maddy Houk / Patterson Irrigator | |
| Wednesday, 10 October 2007 | |
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"Life is a participatory sport!"
 Elias Funez / Patterson Irrigator “You really have to have courage to get out there,” Cole-Whittaker told the crowd of 100 people at the Diablo Grande Clubhouse. “Life is a participatory sport!” Cole-Whittaker, a motivational speaker and author from Marina Del Rey in Los Angeles, described how she went from being a single mother with two daughters to running a $6 million company. She’s also the creator of the Adventures in Enlightenment foundation and is a television producer and author of five books. The second Women’s Business Conference and Vendor Showcase hosted by Westside Women in Action, included morning and afternoon workshops, a vendor showcase of various businesses, a luncheon and Cole-Whittaker’s talk. Businesswoman Dora Foster of Gustine, who owns Jonel’s Nail Salon, said she was happy to meet other businesswomen. “I could not wait to get here,” Foster said. “It’s very exciting, very important. Look at this room. It’s full of successful, inspirational women.” Westside Women in Action is a nonprofit group that works to inspire, promote and educate professional businesswomen and anyone who wants to develop a business or career. Linda Murdock, the group’s organizer and president, wanted to bring women together to expand their leadership skills and develop networking opportunities. Murdock said she was happy that the event went together so smoothly. “The day exceeded my expectations,” Murdock said. “I was just real pleased on how everything went. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves tremendously.”  At Friday’s luncheon, Cole-Whittaker urged the gathering of both men and women to focus on positive thoughts and surround themselves with positive people.
“There’s nothing positive about a negative attitude,” Cole-Whittaker said. “The time we invest in our lives pays off. Learn to control your own mind — don’t get caught up in negative thinking.” Cole-Whittaker’s great-grandmother — her spiritual teacher and mentor — was a nurse who helped people throughout life. Cole-Whittaker said her focus was on goal setting, communication and letting go of the emotions of hate, resentment and fear. “Love is the greatest motivator — the emotion of the soul,” she said. “Love can make you prosperous, respected.” Telling her story with a good dose of humor, Cole-Whittaker talked about following her motto of going out and getting what she wanted. She recalled she wanted to be a homecoming queen but needed a nomination to get on the ballot. She nominated herself, campaigned and put up signs, and ended up getting enough votes to win the title. Later in her life, Cole-Whittaker won the Mrs. California pageant and then went on to the Mrs. America competition. She invented a pancake recipe among other achievements as she took third place in the national competition. Cole-Whittaker urged the crowd to tell themselves they are great and to use the phrase, “If they can do it, so can I!” “It’s about taking little steps, baby steps about where you want to go,” Cole-Whittaker said. “It’s the challenges that make us great.” She said desire is topmost, and one has whatever it takes to accomplish a heart’s desire. She told the group one of her desires was to visualize checks made out to her in her mailbox. Nothing happened, so she got a bigger mailbox. After going without a job, she began her business. Eventually, her mailbox contained those checks — over a time totaling $6 million. “Prosperity is an abundance of everything — it’s perfectly right in prospering what I love — love, happiness, cars, houses,” she said. “Be unrealistic!” Angel Yangat, who works at the UPS Store in Patterson, said she enjoyed the talk. “It was really encouraging,” Yangat said. “Everything she said was just really inspiring.” Millie Hayes, a nurse at Valley Care Medical Center in Pleasanton, said Cole-Whittaker inspired her, too, with her message. “Do what you love,” Hayes said, “and don’t let anyone talk you out of what you want to do.” To reach Maddy Houk at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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