Mimi Rogers at the Mouth

Mimi Rogers at the Mouth

Charms for the Easy Life is a made-for-television movie about three women (played by Gena Rowlands, Mimi Rogers and Susan May Pratt) who defy gender roles during World War II. Gena Rowlands plays the role of a successful and astute holistic doctor without a medical license. If a patient died who was known for lying or deceitfulness, she would ask her granddaughter to look in the mouth of the deceased to see if this person had "purged" ("to rid of impurities, cleanse, purify, to rid, clear or free"). She explained that if saliva foamed around their mouth, they had purged everything out before passing. In other words, they had cleansed and purified themselves of false statements, lies and self-deceptions.

Mimi Rogers at the Mouth

At the end of the movie, the granddaughter (Susan May Pratt) finds that her grandmother has passed on during the night. Curious about the old woman's practices, the granddaughter immediately checks her grandmother's mouth to see if she has purged. She finds no trace of saliva, indicating that the elderly woman had lived true to her word-she had no need for the last-minute purging like people who had lived deceitful lives. What truths flow out of your heart? Do they include any lingering regrets or elements of deceit?

Mimi Rogers at the Mouth

Deceit rears its ugly head at work when you pretend you agree with your boss. Perhaps you feel that your opinions are devalued or sense that your principles lead you in a different direction than his/hers. Even this minimal level of deceit represents a choice not to act courageously by speaking your convictions and damages your own honesty. Instead of saying, "I really don't want to do this," or "I don't agree with this procedure," you will probably start thinking about how you do not want to burn bridges. But any degree of self-deceit will require purging at some point, and purging commonly takes place after you leave your job and realize that you "should" have left sooner than later. It takes a lot of effort to display the authentic Self at work.

Mimi Rogers at the Mouth

Later, in one of my monthly courage e-zines I used the segment "Foaming at the Mouth." I received an e-mail a few weeks later from Wendy who wrote, "I wanted to write to you telling you how much I appreciated receiving your newsletter last month--'Foaming at the Mouth'. It made such an impact on me. I reread it numerous times and, in fact, it finally gave me the courage to speak my mind. I had been having a sore throat and almost laryngitis (imagine that) for quite a while and when I finally told my husband that I was tired of his using me and draining me financially and emotionally, and I am tired of living a lie. My throat 'miraculously' cleared up. Now my voice is strong both physically as well as emotionally. After allowing him to take advantage of me and my daughter for the last eight years, I am finally leaving. Not that it is something to be cheered on or celebrated, I am thankful that I am finally purging myself of 'false statements, lies and self-deceptions'."

Mimi Rogers at the Mouth

I feel blessed that people write and tell me how my work experientially moved them to claim their courage. Wendy's blinders to her courage were removed because she "allowed" courage to come into her life and have a revelation. A few months later I received another email from Wendy sharing how she is also pursuing a new career path that fits her skills and heart's desire.

Mimi Rogers at the Mouth

Sandra Ford Walston, known as The Courage Expert and innovator of StuckThinking™, is a learning consultant, corporate trainer and courage coach. Sandra's expertise allows her to focus on the tricks and traps of the human condition through recognizing and interpreting courage behaviors, courageous leadership and individual personality and leadership styles. The internationally published author of bestseller COURAGE, "STUCK 12 Steps Up the Leadership Ladder, is Sandra's follow-up book directed at any woman, regardless of title or credentials, who wishes" to grow professionally by introducing courage actions at work. Her third book, "FACE IT! 12 Obstacles that Hold You Back on the Job" (2011) confirms that what holds you back on the job is the same as what hinders achievement-the reluctance to face and live a courageous life. Sandra is qualified to administer and interpret the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®, is a certified Enneagram teacher, and an instructor at the University of Denver. Visit http://www.sandrawalston.com where she posts a courage blog and courage newsletter.

Mimi Rogers

Mimi Rogers

Turn the channel to any high-stakes poker event, and chances are high that you'll see at least one Hollywood celebrity in the thick of the action. With flexible schedules and larger-than-average bankrolls, celebrities have both the time and inclination to hone their poker playing skills in tournaments around the world. Some, of course, never rise above the rank of amateur, but others go on to become familiar faces in the world of poker. What follows is a list of ten of the best celebrity poker players in the world (listed in no particular order).

Mimi Rogers

Ben Affleck - It's hard to argue Affleck's status as one of the best celebrity poker players in the world after he won the California State Poker Championship in June of 2004 (where he won $356,400). When he's not acting in movies such as Daredevil or Armageddon, Affleck collects vintage video-arcade machines and has been known to take poker lessons from pros like Amir Vahedi and Annie Duke. His win at the California Championship also qualified him for a seat at the 2004 World Poker Tour final tournament.

Mimi Rogers

Patrick Bruel - Patrick Bruel is a well-known French singer and actor, having performed in over 40 television and film productions and recorded numerous top-selling albums. He also happens to be a world-class poker player. So while he may go unrecognized by American movie audiences, poker players from around the world will instantly recognize his face. Why? Well, in 1998 Patrick picked up a World Series of Poker bracelet for winning the 1998 $5000 Limit Hold'em event. He has also placed in the money numerous times in WSOP events, and earned over $750,000 in live play events.

Mimi Rogers

Jennifer Tilly - This Oscar-nominated actress has starred in such hits as The Fabulous Baker Boys and Bullets Over Broadway. However, she has publicly stated that she's becoming more interested in poker than acting. One look at her accomplishments in the poker world and it's easy to see why. In June of 2005, Tilly outlasted 600 other players and won her first World Series of Poker bracelet (and $158,625) in the Ladies' No-Limit Hold'em event, becoming the first celebrity to do so. She has also won the World Poker Tour Ladies Invitational Tournament and competed in Poker Royale, Poker Superstars, and Celebrity Poker Showdown.

Mimi Rogers

Josh Malina - With acting credits such as Sports Night and The West Wing, Malina is a respected actor of both the stage and screen. He is also an avid poker player. In fact, when he was struggling to get his career off the ground, he would often play poker in order to have enough money to pay his rent. Now that he's financially secure, Malina is spreading his love of poker by producing Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown.

Mimi Rogers

Matt Damon - After starring in the poker film Rounders, you might expect the world-famous Damon to know his way around a deck of cards. He's a regular entrant in the annual World Series of Poker, and his most interesting WSOP story occurred back in 1998. Miramax Studios entered both he and Edward Norton in the WSOP Main Event ($10,000 buy-in) to promote the upcoming Rounders. Damon played well, but he was eliminated on the first day by poker legend Doyle Brunson after Damon's pocket kings failed to beat Brunson's pocket aces.

Mimi Rogers

Tobey Maguire - In October of 2004, the star of the Spider-Man franchise demonstrated his poker skills by winning the first-ever Phil Hellmuth Invitational Poker Tournament. He also picked up $95,480 for the win, causing Andy Bellin to remark to Phil Hellmuth, "This kid could be a legitimate pro." He has finished in the money in several other events and has received lessons from poker pro Daniel Negreanu. And keep in mind that he's only been playing s

Mimi Rogers

James Woods - Having starred in movies such as Salvador and Another Day in Paradise, James Woods is one of America's most respected actors. And not only is he a familiar face in poker rooms across the country, he's also the face of a new poker site. Their selling point is that players have a chance to match poker wits with top stars like Woods. Not that matching wits with Woods is a good idea, considering he has a 180 I.Q. In 2006, Woods finished in 24th place out of 692 at the L.A. Poker Classic for $40,000.

Mimi Rogers

Mimi Rogers - When she's not starring in hits like Lost in Space and Austin Powers, Mimi Rogers moonlights as a pretty darn good poker player. Tom Cruise's ex-wife took first place on an episode of Hollywood Home Game, and also finished in the money during the World Poker Tour's Shooting Star Championship.

Mimi Rogers

Wil Wheaton - One of the stars of Stand by Me and Star Trek: The Next Generation, Wheaton plays in big-money games in Los Angeles all the time, is a frequent participant in online poker rooms, and was even invited to play in the World Poker Tour Championship. He is also a member of Team PokerStars and played in the 2005 World Series of Poker.

Mimi Rogers

Gabe Kaplan - Best known for his role on Welcome Back Kotter, Gabe Kaplan is such an accomplished poker player that most no longer regard him as a "celebrity" player. His first World Series of Poker appearance came in 1978. In 2004, he finished third at the World Poker Tour's No Limit Hold'em event, winning more than $250,000 in the process. He has also taken second place in the World Series of Poker Limit Hold'em event. His career tournament poker earnings exceed $680,000. He also serves as an expert poker commentator, having appeared on such shows as the National Heads-Up Poker Championship, Intercontinental Poker Championship, and High Stakes Poker.