Last month, I’ve risen from the ashes.

You see, in the past year, I’ve been through highs and lows. I’ve dealt with the best copy I’ve ever written — while dealing with (and firing) a whole bunch of vampire clients. I’ve quit soliciting for copywriting work and seen a remarkable improvement in my health and well-being — while dealing with my sister’s worsening health caused by liver cancer, diabetes and lupus.

And the coup de grace:

I’ve gone through a bitter separation and a painful divorce (which is still underway) — while starting to date the most wonderful woman in the world. She is unquestionably, undoubtedly, indubitably, irrefutably my Soul Mate. My best friend. My pillar. My Angel sent from above. My One and Only.

And last month, I made it official “live” on stage.

And got it on video…

Now some of you may be scratching your heads. I understand. So let me backup a little, since most of you may be wondering what’s going on.

Last spring, I’ve made a very important decision. My ex-wife and I separated. I kept that private at the time and for a while, because it was a very hard time for me. I’m going through a divorce right now. And in Canada, divorces are not as quick like in some countries or states. They require a full year to process.

As for the reason for the divorce, it’s a long story.

But the short of it is, my ex-wife and I were simply not getting along. We haven’t for over five years, now. (And I would also say throughout the bulk of our mariage, too.) Sure, we had our good times. But the bad times overshadowed the good for the most part. And this was one of many separations. I promised myself it would be the last. Especially for her sake as well as mine.

While we are smiles and “happy” in public, at home it was rocky — and things became worse and worse, particularly in the last year. I was miserable. We both were. We were tremendously unhappy together. We were nasty to each other, spiteful towards one and other, and constantly hurting each other.

Personally, I just wanted to be happy. And I worked hard at it. Very hard. In fact, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. But it was a constant, neverending struggle. And my health, my peace of mind and especially my business all suffered as a result.

The bottom line is, if I wanted to be happy, things had to change. Radically. Sacrifice after sacrifice, things didn’t get any better. They got worse. You see, I did try as hard as I could to change things. But I did it the wrong way. I tried to change myself — and to change her. Obviously, to no avail.

She prefers a certain lifestyle I didn’t like or agree with. But aside from that, she also has certain character and personality traits that were diametrically — and sometimes vehemently — opposed to mine. I’m not saying what she did was good or bad, or the fact that she was good or bad. We were just, plain and simply, different.

I hold no animosity towards my ex-wife. I wish her the very best. I think she’s a special person, someone who needs love, caring and companionship just like I do. But from a better person than me. She deserves better, as I do. Someone who is more compatible with her. And above all, someone who won’t try to change her — as I have, and as she had tried with me. Many times.

(I think it’s unwise and utterly futile to try to change someone. That was a harsh lesson for me to learn. I paid dearly for that lesson.)

By being incompatible simply made things incredibly miserable, intolerable and extremely challenging for both of us. It’s like trying to drive a car and pointing it in one direction, when the wheels are crooked and point your car in another direction. Sure, you might be able to drive straight from time to time. But your hands will be clutching that steering wheel with immense force to keep it from swerving in another direction.

When the car is broken beyond repair, you either go anywhere fast, or end up going somewhere you don’t want to go in the first place. And that’s what my former mariage was.

Now, the good news…

Shortly after I left, I started dating Sylvie Charrier. Sylvie is an Internet marketer, a damn-fine writer herself, and owns Workaholics4hire.com, which is the marketing, project management and admin support company behind many top marketers. From ghostwriting ebooks and dealing with customer support, to setting up and managing Google AdWords campaigns.

At first, it was work related. But things started to bloom very quickly. Very quickly. Quicker than I ever expected. And over the last few months, we discovered how immensely similar, complementary and compatible we are with one and other. In fact, we are not just compatible…

We are Soul Mates.

And in three months, we’ve grown with the same level of understanding, compassion and love a couple would normally reach within three years. It’s almost surreal, to tell you the truth. But it happened. And I’ve never been happier. We are happier for having found each other.

And at the risk of sounding foolishly optimistic (or hopelessly romantic), we are unquestionably meant for each other. I truly believe that. And every day seems to confirm that more and more. And to prove it, I made the “leap.” Right there on stage in Phoenix.

I proposed.

For those of you who were in Phoenix at the Internet Marketing Main Event, we want to thank you for sharing that very special moment with us. From the bottom of our hearts. Click here to watch that awesome moment on video. (As well as beautiful pictures of my Soul Mate and me.)

What you may not know is that when Sylvie and I speak together on stage, we’re incredible. We’re a team. We’re both on fire. And it shows. There’s a spark when we speak together — and everybody sees that. (Heck, I kid you not when I tell you that people were literally throwing their credit cards on stage, even before we presented the offer!)

Let me give you some proof. I invite you to come see Sylvie and I speak in Los Angeles at the Big Seminar in November. (We’ll be speaking together on stage once again, and share with you a powerful new way to monetize “dead” or low-selling content using a unique software… And a unique twist! We appropriately call it “The Phoenix.” Hint? Think of AdSense on steroids!)

Check out the The Big Seminar for more. (By the way, tomorrow is the last day to take advantage of Armand’s 2-payment plan. When you’re there, you’ll see how magical we are when we’re both on stage. (And if you’ve never seen two people speaking at the same time on stage, this is your chance!)

On another note, I’m also preparing to speak in Denver next month at a Copywriters Seminar with copywriter and Internet marketer Ken Calhoun. For more details, visit CopywriterSeminar.com. (It’s also my birthday bash, so come celebrate with us! Plus, I managed to convince Ken to slash the price of the seminar in half… Just under $500… For a limited time.)

Ultimately, I truly believe that the Universe teaches us lessons in its own way. Whether they’re good or bad, looking at events and people in your life as lessons, and reaping from the wisdom they teach, is what makes all of us grow. Life may throw curveballs at you from time to time. The meek and foolish will whine, sulk and complain. But the strong and wise will learn, grow and better themselves from it.

I know I have. And I’m grateful for the blessings I was bestowed.

I’ll see you in Los Angeles… Or Denver… Or both!

About the Author

Michel Fortin is a direct response copywriter, author, speaker, consultant, and CEO of The Success Doctor, Inc. Visit his blog and signup free to get tested conversion strategies and response-boosting tips by email, along with blog updates, news, and more! Go now to http://www.michelfortin.com.

Last 5 Posts by Michel Fortin

• Attracting Activity to Your Blog
• Free Audios, Books, Tutorials And More
• Grow Your Lists 4 to 7 Times Faster
• Are You a Lazy or Me-Too Marketer?
• What is Most Important in Copywriting?

Share This Post

Share this post with a friend by clicking "share this" below. You may freely reprint or redistribute this article, provided the content and links are left intact, and the "about the author" section is included. Get notified of new posts by RSS or email, below.

Other Related Posts

• Sylvie Fortin: My Teacher (121)
• When Two Souls Unite, It’s Magical (17)
• Michel Fortin Live! (2)
• I’m Leaving This Blog… (3)
• Gone to California (3)

Readers Also Viewed

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /usr/www/users/successd/~blog/wp-content/plugins/wheredidtheygov1.php on line 98