tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24026854388416750532024-02-07T00:44:31.684-05:00Confessions of an online wandererLiving a simple life in a constantly expanding world while finding time to enjoy God's love & joy... Come on over and check out more recent posts at: sandypdot.wordpress.comsandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-71439719194707133552013-07-04T09:31:00.000-04:002013-07-04T09:31:00.712-04:00Happy Independence Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKPv6zFrFnU4KukboowBd_ZgJLlWRzqnEd63-ZeL6aHuVDbEqvoc0BOkAg6nAEkoyCvtlJLxxbb5eJIn9ElNWzKeYqN4V2cjVdhi82L2D7k3BdjDhvk2B9EpYx6Yc1ML3Cj2DL0LPo1c/s400/Me+4th+of+july.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKPv6zFrFnU4KukboowBd_ZgJLlWRzqnEd63-ZeL6aHuVDbEqvoc0BOkAg6nAEkoyCvtlJLxxbb5eJIn9ElNWzKeYqN4V2cjVdhi82L2D7k3BdjDhvk2B9EpYx6Yc1ML3Cj2DL0LPo1c/s320/Me+4th+of+july.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Independence Day:<br />
The all-American day to celebrate those went went before us for the cause of freedom and liberty, so that I can live in the "Land of the Free."<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7Wt4XlXUrc" target="_blank">America, America, God shed His grace on thee...</a></i></h3>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCavKL2zdjM" target="_blank">God Bless America</a>.</i></div>
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The songs of our history and the songs we sing for celebrations of our <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK7xF1RGCQY&list=PLB8C51EB812136CB2" target="_blank">country's freedom</a> ring out loud and clear with an underlying there: GOD. He was the source of our country's strength and the foundation of our freedom.</div>
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And today, how can we ask Him to bless our country when...<br />
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<ul>
<li>We kill our unborn.</li>
<li>We take His Name out of our schools and landmarks.</li>
<li>We put ourselves before Him.</li>
<li>And on - and on - and on...</li>
</ul>
<br />
Today I pause before His throne and thank Him for my freedom to speak His Name out loud and read His Word unhindered. GOD BLESS AMERICA.<br />
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Happy Independence Day - let freedom ring!</div>
sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-48519479440438813522013-06-23T18:13:00.000-04:002013-12-30T21:13:13.846-05:00#NotNextYear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A six-word statement to ponder:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Situations don't have to be permanent. </i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Situations that suck the joy out of life need to go. That's it. No one needs to wrap their arms around the negatives and keep them around like lead weights that DRAG the life out of your... life.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Been there? Done that? Can relate? I'm sure everyone can.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Been there? Done that? Can relate? I sincerely hope you're not right now. But, if you are, let's make this journey together as I'm supporting others who need to move forward. Contact me - let's look at what we're dealing with right now and make the commitment: <b>#NotNextYear</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's not that I'm not thankful for everything I have. I'm very thankful. But I have some goals, and that's where my new mantra came from: <b>#NotNextYear</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Not Next Year. </i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One year from today there are things that will be different, because the things I don't want to be dealing with that are in place right now will be history.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's easy to create a #NotNextYear list. Maybe it's those stubborn 5 pounds that will NOT drop off and go away. You've tried to get them off but haven't gotten serious about it because... just because. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My husband was relocated to another city, and I want him home. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We considered relocating there. We could rent out our home, rent an apartment there, I could find another job, and we could be together. But... this is our home. I want him here - in OUR home.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMlpc4OOEN2czQjCXCXqtbZS1C0E-mbcH_igMg1srKkugel8eHMG7BCHBQ_XfGcRkMDJDy3x4A5CRlYS9aJ2wyO_IecfTogTUYhBtMlA02A_4y0LFDzbCjeCRnueJrSeJjh81Fzi7hSw/s1600/5762f063a342b1d73dfc68e7a6339a5d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMlpc4OOEN2czQjCXCXqtbZS1C0E-mbcH_igMg1srKkugel8eHMG7BCHBQ_XfGcRkMDJDy3x4A5CRlYS9aJ2wyO_IecfTogTUYhBtMlA02A_4y0LFDzbCjeCRnueJrSeJjh81Fzi7hSw/s200/5762f063a342b1d73dfc68e7a6339a5d.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For me, this has become a #NotNextYear target, even though his sense of honor and duty are keeping him moving forward in his current job situation as he continues to dread each new day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh yeah - those stubborn 5 pounds? They are off and will stay on the #NotNextYear list because I don't want them back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So how do I handle my #NotNextYear list? I took a pen and wrote down each thing that was draining my joy tank onto a piece of paper:</span><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What is dragging down my own "happy score" and sucking my joy? What things am I not content with in my life right now? What things do I NOT want to have in my realm one year from today?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I asked one question for each thing on the list:<b><i> Is it controllable? </i></b>There are some things I absolutely cannot do anything about EXCEPT take the best care I can to deal with them. I have pain from time to time and I've pin-pointed it to <a href="http://sandypdot.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-truth-im-slowly-being-poisoned.html" target="_blank">MSG sensitivity</a>. I don't want that pain "as much" next year, but I'm not sure that I can completely eradicate it. IF I was unfortunately dealing with cancer (I'm not - thank GOD!), I could write down that I want it gone, yet I couldn't control that outcome. I could take steps to help take care of myself, so that's what I would make note of.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carefully scrutinize each item: What end result do I want? Where do I want to BE with each of these "pain points" one year from today?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now... the process. This is the painful part. So many times, it's hard to do the process to get to a result, even though the result is WONDERFUL. SO....it's time to bite the bullet and prepare for some pain.</span></li>
</ol>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtDojDZLrBhvngM_wnrcQhX-bJzeb3fGiwGix3u2HYuWQ8IbDSSkW9YzEq4gx5iFMZeElx8XRlDqvedabFzdTiVK-nifeSqTNBPdg07DVusAjER6xt1uLKyZtg_03S297O_Wxul4d-ZE/s1600/process+achievement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtDojDZLrBhvngM_wnrcQhX-bJzeb3fGiwGix3u2HYuWQ8IbDSSkW9YzEq4gx5iFMZeElx8XRlDqvedabFzdTiVK-nifeSqTNBPdg07DVusAjER6xt1uLKyZtg_03S297O_Wxul4d-ZE/s320/process+achievement.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For each #NotNextYear item:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Write down "Where I am" on one side of the page and "Where I will be one year from today" on the other side. Down the middle of the page: Note step by step how to get from "I am" to "I will be one year from today", including a timeline. We're creating a list of goals, and goals need to be <a href="http://topachievement.com/smart.html" target="_blank">SMART</a>:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Specific: Significant, Simple</b> - What you will do, answering specific questions of "who, what, why, where, when, which"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Measurable: Meaningful, Manageable</b> - How to track the progress and measure the outcome, so ask these questions: "How much?", "How many?"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Attainable: Appropriate, Achievable, Action-oriented</b> - Each thing needs to be something feasible, even if it's lofty. Say what you will do, and what the result will be.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Relevant: Results-oriented, Realistic</b> - Each thing may be challenging, yet make it relevant and realistic to make your life better by driving your "joy-score" higher.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Timely: Time-oriented, Time-based</b> - Lay out your timeline and the "due date" for step that is part of accomplishing each #NotNextYear item.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I alluded to some of my #NotNextYear items. I don't have many, and I'm focusing on just a few that will make my personal life more in tune with what I believe God's best is for me and my realm. I don't believe God wants married people to live apart, especially when they love each other deeply and want to be together so: #NotNextYear. I'm laying out my steps now to make it happen. The 5 pounds will stay off because I won't be fighting this weight battle: #NotNextYear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So consider: One year from today, what do I NOT want to have in my life that's here right now? What joy-busters need to be GONE so I can get some joy-BOOSTERS flowing again? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One year from today. Don't live in fear that it can't be done. I consider myself <a href="http://sandypdot.wordpress.com/2013/01/19/the-small-yet-mighty/" target="_blank">small, but MIGHTY</a> because my God is in <a href="http://sandypdot.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/the-confidence/" target="_blank">control</a> of my life - you can give Him control of your challenges too. Make the conscious decision <b><i>today </i></b>to set your plan in place to get rid of the attitude-suckers so you can say: </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>#NotNextYear</i></b></span><br />
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<a href="http://sandypdot.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/the-confidence/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://sandypdot.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/the-confidence/" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWIl7CBzSAvnYbAoHUhHk49G-x2q9tWewNnxebh755fWXFFCnOoEqFmqr6OTZFhUbLAxk4UQpMUAx4rUSrHW-BfKo_QB3dPgRJfX_J_vB1NTCUgxI-SWdPDDaF0y__ITRcVf-z41J3SA/s320/dare+to+trust+god.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-69645257399300072492013-05-19T21:11:00.000-04:002013-07-05T10:27:14.791-04:00Comfortable or confident - where will you spend your day?<div dir="ltr">
Comfortable. That's how I like my weekend. Happily going through a list of to-do's without the schedule of a normal weekday workday.<br />
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Comfortable. What if every day was calm, quiet, serene, relatively stress-free? Maybe that's retirement holds, but am I ready... or do I even want that? I'm not totally convinced the majority of people who retire sincerely want to be... comfortable.<br />
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Comfortable.... or confident? Would I rather live a blase life... or a determined one? Would I prefer to float through life - or determinedly breast stroke?<br />
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Do I want my days to be relatively meaningless - or meaningful? Do I want to accomplish the mundane - or the amazing? Do I want dinner conversation to be tolerable - or terrific?<br />
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Comfortable days come few and far between, and are meant to be enjoyed as relaxation, refreshment and renewal. Perhaps the majority of life is meant to be LIVED and pursued as productive, proactive, and invigorating?<br />
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As I'm writing a lot of content right now - for a lot of other people - it amazes me that months can go by without my taking time to put my fingers on my keyboard in my own realm. There are times I wish for nothing to be on my planner, no one to be waiting for me, and time to be on my side. But, after one comfortable day, I still prefer to be occupied with a few too many things to do rather than have too much time on my hands.<br />
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I woke up comfortable. Tomorrow? Where will confidence take me to deal with the challenges of the moment and more that pop out of nowhere as the day unfolds? To exciting new realms, I'm sure. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCMApwYUGlrxf445Cs35xo5BxmlHhyphenhyphenphyphenhyphenIFZQPiWql7di9y8Yc4jIJNxxA-gFrBUVPhLnpmeOIw7iZeHAyG51oKGuDueKLmld2I2KJNTWPyrXMboYlGGVUS_27Igi2BlUa9-a7D7k4dw/s15/icon_smile.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCMApwYUGlrxf445Cs35xo5BxmlHhyphenhyphenphyphenhyphenIFZQPiWql7di9y8Yc4jIJNxxA-gFrBUVPhLnpmeOIw7iZeHAyG51oKGuDueKLmld2I2KJNTWPyrXMboYlGGVUS_27Igi2BlUa9-a7D7k4dw/s15/icon_smile.gif" /></a><br />
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July 5, 2013 - UPDATE: Apparently this is a theme, as reported in today's edition of Fast Company: <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/3012971/generation-flux/are-retirements-days-numbered">http://www.fastcompany.com/3012971/generation-flux/are-retirements-days-numbered</a><br />
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sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-13417877668696898322013-04-20T09:10:00.000-04:002013-07-07T21:11:14.901-04:00The truth? I'm slowly being poisoned...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And you may be too. Check your kitchen. Your poison may be waiting in the cupboards and refrigerator.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Do you ever have muscle aches for no real reason? Do your joints swell at times, for no reason? Do you feel trashed sometimes, have brain fog and at other times feel really good? You may be getting poisoned without your permission.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I was.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.88888931274414px;">If you ever experience...</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.88888931274414px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.88888931274414px;">Achy muscles, joints, brain fog, and just plain feeling trashed for no REAL reason, there may be a very real reason lurking in your food. <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/monosodium-glutamate/AN01251" target="_blank">MSG</a> seems to be everywhere in processed food and, although we think Chinese when we think MSG, you may be surprised where it's hidden. One day the joints in my foot were achy and crampy and it dawned on me that I was snacking on probably a little too much junky-crunchy snack food the day before that was FULL of <a href="http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/04/21/msg-is-this-silent-killer-lurking-in-your-kitchen-cabinets.aspx" target="_blank">MSG</a></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.88888931274414px;">. When you have a few minutes, read through this profound article and consider just saying NO to what may be causing your body to rebel against itself:</span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.realfoodwholehealth.com/2011/05/excitotoxins-msg-and-hidden-names/"><span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://www.realfoodwholehealth.com/2011/05/excitotoxins-msg-and-hidden-names/</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I always suggest that you seek medical attention if symptoms warrant. I did. Blood testing showed MSG senisitivity and I take natural supplemnents - and drink lots of filtered water - to counteract what my be snaeaking into my body through my food. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">If you seek medical attention for symptoms as I had and they find nothing or WORSE - try to tell you it's purely situational <i>("You're getting old")</i> - consider reading your food labels and creating a journal of what you eat. Your body may THANK YOU if... you're slowly being poisoned...</span>sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-24318018560054347592013-03-14T22:38:00.001-04:002013-07-04T07:32:49.952-04:00The Layoff<i><b>I've been laid off.</b></i><br />
Four words that create a huge impact. You hear about layoffs on the news, in the grocery line and in conjunction with industry closures. "Layoff" is such a commonly-used word that it's pretty much part of everyday language.<br />
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I feel badly for others when they say those words. I do. I hurt for them.<br />
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But now... I will feel pain for them.<br />
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My life has changed because those four words hit home - literally.<br />
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I feel different - much different - since the moment those words came from someone I love... and live with.<br />
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Those words hold a whole new meaning at our house since the afternoon the phone call came with my husband's voice saying those words: "It's just what we thought. We've been laid off."<br />
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No. It's not "they" who were laid off this time. WE've been laid off.<br />
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Our home will never be the same.<br />
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Emotions continue to run rampant as we lay out strategy - tactics - people to see - places to go in dealing with this. Now our lives are focused in a new realm: the job search. Unemployment - and a job search.<br />
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Underlying anger. Disdain for a company that let hundreds of people <i><b>just go</b></i> after years of committed dedication. Fierce determination that this will not get us down - that the new purpose is just around the corner.<br />
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Fear. Uncertainty. Frustration.<br />
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HOPE. FAITH. Underlying joy that we are not in control. Almighty God is. He knows what's ahead in our own "<a href="http://sandypdot.wordpress.com/2013/03/16/the-parade/" target="_blank">parade</a>" route of living.<br />
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This is not just about a job. It's about a LIFE. It's about dignity - purpose - being. It's about integrity. It's about commitment - and reward for such. Loyalty. Giving - and receiving.<br />
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It's about being the head of the home, the bread winner, the provider. Regardless of what I do as an employee, he is the one whose focus is his job. I have my home - family - roles as a woman.<br />
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He is a man, and his resume has an end point. And we don't know when or if it will have a continuance.<br />
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His definition is now redefined. He will be unemployed.<br />
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Here's looking forward to the hope that lies in the days ahead, as his purpose becomes redefined and his life takes new meaning.<br />
<br />
Whatever that looks like.<br />
<br />
#TBD #ToBeContinued<br />
<br />sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-90457844339714573322013-02-21T20:36:00.000-05:002013-03-11T18:12:00.001-04:00Speed bumps...The speed bumps of life.<br />
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They can come out of nowhere and lurch you tremendously - if you're not careful...<br />
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Sometimes we see them coming as a bump, rising in front of us as we go down the path of life. We can prepare - slow down - take action - skirt around it. Even if we hit it, we can deal with the damage because we've prepared - at least a little.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7ejaargVrU4bPrVNgHUlxfauFYTfvNt6JFsLcUoZgRs7dK0LGUzAzIRcH_ssdOwZCpA9hUKkUBtQBGk7_BMOKOVww41WGRVOfeqVvCIQ6G7FYoVEcs_kVQ0OfiTjJROOmvXewixBgk0/s1600/icon_wink.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7ejaargVrU4bPrVNgHUlxfauFYTfvNt6JFsLcUoZgRs7dK0LGUzAzIRcH_ssdOwZCpA9hUKkUBtQBGk7_BMOKOVww41WGRVOfeqVvCIQ6G7FYoVEcs_kVQ0OfiTjJROOmvXewixBgk0/s1600/icon_wink.gif" /></a><br />
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The surprise speed bumps are the hardest, because they hit without warning: *BAM!* Then we have to regroup and recover, and the damage can be pretty extensive, both inside and out.<br />
<br />
Even the speed bumps of life that we see coming affect us, and can affect us significantly IF we don't handle them well. Remember - they happen. We all hit them. All of us. So...<br />
<br />
Here are 3 steps to consider moving through before you have time to build up emotions that can lead to negative consequences:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
#1 STOP. You've hit a speed bump. Don't make the damage worse until you assess what is going on. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
#2 BREATHE. Inhale. Exhale. Remind yourself: I can deal with this. I will deal with this. I've dealt with speed bumps before and I will deal with this too. I can't stop the fact that it happened. I CAN and WILL deal with it appropriately.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
#3 COUNT. Count to 10 if you're angry or upset. Count your blessings if you're hurt or disappointed. Either way: Are you breathing? One. Can you see? Two. Can you get up out of your seat? Three. You're alive, breathing, seeing, and able to move. That's so much more effective than the alternative. Is there at least one person you can lean on? Four - or even more as you think of those people who are there for you no matter what. You need them now. Then literally thank God for each of your blessings. He is the one who blesses with blessings - acknowledge that. Remember... He is in control. He really is! Remind yourself that He knows the beginning and end of all things and this is part of His plan. You will be better for this experience - you really will - as you deal with the consequences of this speed bump.</blockquote>
Okay. You've assessed the challenge. The speed bump was hit. You have the ability and self-confidence to deal with it. The sun WILL come out tomorrow - or the next day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNP0oJVfghyW0wnZ_ta8ibq3iEJ_kH5CBherC1IXGgEYVwZBlTyOth_JmTuCDHo0EuihQpedIrhCkNN8S68atfisFUmSY4u3lgwlKnJcPtwJKOSMA8znkGrzRl5fhIH-zOljJQHpU_lE/s1600/icon_smile.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNP0oJVfghyW0wnZ_ta8ibq3iEJ_kH5CBherC1IXGgEYVwZBlTyOth_JmTuCDHo0EuihQpedIrhCkNN8S68atfisFUmSY4u3lgwlKnJcPtwJKOSMA8znkGrzRl5fhIH-zOljJQHpU_lE/s1600/icon_smile.gif" /></a></div>
Smile.<br />
<br />
Now...<br />
<br />
Look for ways that you can learn from this challenge - and help others through a similar situation. Make the intentional decision that you will grow and come out better from this experience. Be strong and help others who may be affected. Be the one that is going to MAKE IT and MAKE IT STRONG.<br />
<br />
Always... put facts behind and before the challenge. What happened? What is happening? What steps do I need to take? And, above all, bury emotions. Trust God. Breathe. Smile. And watch for the sun as it returns to the sky in your life.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS96250KNYNA0Wjakf_0xt33A2xVty2fqpt4bGQp0MxwbNCrRa8AflGC5VCB9h78DtxBL_ZzPB5KYt3EGwwVEFrf1yuCTVWElITB0RTD4Zg9rh6sQw7oCRhPFMJ6FNzzOQwL_tDVtfYnw/s1600/sunshine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS96250KNYNA0Wjakf_0xt33A2xVty2fqpt4bGQp0MxwbNCrRa8AflGC5VCB9h78DtxBL_ZzPB5KYt3EGwwVEFrf1yuCTVWElITB0RTD4Zg9rh6sQw7oCRhPFMJ6FNzzOQwL_tDVtfYnw/s1600/sunshine.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-49730150721079954832013-02-20T19:46:00.001-05:002013-02-20T19:50:41.857-05:00Time can change anything<div>
<div dir="ltr">
Once in a while my eyes land on an article that makes me stop right in my tracks, put everything aside, and think.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Many articles I read are really informative and enlightening. Many grow my knowledge base and horizons a bit larger and stretch my world a little fuller.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
This one just made me think. Think about where I am, where I'm going, and what my impact is. This one made me think about my LIFE. My life right now. My life as I exit my youth and enter the realm of the mature.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
"You only get one chance. Make sure you <i>LIVE</i>."</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
It's time to ask yourself some questions:</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://www.google.com/producer/editions/CAow8dTjAg/inc/CAIiEAqCuoQi3X4KatEjDvyo_34qFwgEKg8IACoHCAow8dTjAjCY4Rswu8IF/11_lifechanging_questions_you_mu">Inc. : 11 Life-Changing Questions You Must Ask Yourself</a></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Do it while you have time to change the answers.</div>
</div>
sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-69786389915405806182013-02-09T19:19:00.001-05:002013-02-09T19:19:04.511-05:00The Silence<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-7_rmt_xe3qARj8NSC-I0JOwnQRCM5u7Rft8f0ckOzXuOb3heOVfm65Ud5QBT7tKo41AjIvdOvqSM29YsEhDBW69BXivBZm5WChsX368X54ZqTqrTj9PBuJfXX0BacHAkJM1pIyV9X8/s1600/2cfa41d42d3854c76c8015a594a15b3c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-7_rmt_xe3qARj8NSC-I0JOwnQRCM5u7Rft8f0ckOzXuOb3heOVfm65Ud5QBT7tKo41AjIvdOvqSM29YsEhDBW69BXivBZm5WChsX368X54ZqTqrTj9PBuJfXX0BacHAkJM1pIyV9X8/s320/2cfa41d42d3854c76c8015a594a15b3c.jpg" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://randomitus.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: #f2f0f0; color: #8c7e7e; font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.510510444641113px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 14.827326774597168px; outline: none; text-align: start;" target="_blank">randomitus.tumblr.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />"Be still and know that I am God." <a href="http://bible.cc/psalms/46-10.htm" target="_blank">Psalm 46:10</a>.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
shhhh.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Can you hear.... the silence?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In today's culture the sounds of silence have been replaced by every imaginable sound: music, talking, streaming video from smart phones, tablets, computers and big-screen tvs. There is nowhere you need to be without your podcasts, playlists, or music to live by.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
shhhhh.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Stop. Move away from the speakers. Turn off the volume. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Take some time for peace... and quiet... today. You may be surprised at what you can hear in the silence..<br /><br /></div>
sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-51752331404342217982013-01-30T21:05:00.000-05:002013-01-30T21:05:21.746-05:00Lessons From the Ordinary<br />
<div style="line-height: 18.75pt;">
<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Everyday life. We go through it, and the funniest things stick with us.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.75pt;">
<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.75pt;">
<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Last Friday I visited a business for maybe the sixth time. One of their staff members saw me from the across the room. She smiled and waved to me. Sure, I recognized her. I smiled and waved back. Did she have to smile and wave? Absolutely not. But she took the opportunity to acknowledge me. I'm still smiling about that encounter.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.75pt;">
<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.75pt;">
<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">This weekend I read an inspiring post by <a href="http://michaelhyatt.com/lessons-from-the-ordinary.html" target="_blank">Micheal Hyatt</a> - actually from a guest blogger, <a href="http://www.skipprichard.com/miniposts/lessons-from-the-ordinary/" target="_blank">Skip Pritchard</a> - about ordinary things that ordinary people do that bring joy to life. I've read it, and re-read it. And it continues to impact me in the same way. There are lessons all around us, every moment of every day. We can use our time to positively impact the lives of everyone around us in the most innocent ways by: acknowledging them positively, not ignoring anyone or praising others without praising them too (we ALL have merit), and remembering that...</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.75pt;">
<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.75pt;">
<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">We all have baggage. Let's help others carry theirs by smiling and extending a hand across the board. Playing favorites and taking people for granted isn't inspiring at all.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.75pt;">
<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.75pt;">
<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Here's the post from <a href="http://michaelhyatt.com/" target="_blank">Micheal Hyatt's blog</a>:</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.75pt;">
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">"Every year, I meet incredibly <a href="http://michaelhyatt.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=52d5c7778a3adfda535c3b349&id=7aeedc12f3&e=6a072059f6" target="_blank" title="Skip Prichard: “Leadership Insights”">interesting people</a>.
You may think I’m thinking of famous people. Yes, famous people can certainly
be interesting. Equally interesting, at least to me, are people I meet in
everyday life.</span><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">For example,</span><ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #4d4d4d; line-height: 18.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The barista at the coffee shop who remembers exactly
what I want.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #4d4d4d; line-height: 18.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The guy who waves me into the car wash with the
slightest flick of his hand indicating where my tires should point.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #4d4d4d; line-height: 18.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The newly-minted, hilarious college graduate who told
me his future: two wives (he says his first marriage won’t work out),
three kids, a dog, and a dead-end job.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #4d4d4d; line-height: 18.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The lady at the bookstore who smiles when she sees me
rearranging the shelves, putting my favorite authors’ books face-out.</span></li>
</ul>
<span id="more-20324">Be Alert</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span id="more-20324"></span><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Each one of the people crossing my path offers an opportunity to
learn. I study people shuffling by at a busy store. <em>There we go,</em> I think, as I imagine where they
are heading. People are incredibly fascinating.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Sure, some disappoint. You wonder why you work so hard at some
friendships when it’s clearly a one-way path to nowhere. Then there’s family,
some family members are truly biological—with blood coursing through their
bodies to prove it. Others we adopt, friends who are so true we wouldn’t dream
of letting them go.</span><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">People teach us remarkable lessons if we are open to learning.
Criticism we launch at someone else likely has its roots in our own
shortcomings.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Slow Down</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Today, as you rush through your day, look at those around you a
little closer. Slow down just a bit—you don’t need to view the text message the
minute it chimes. You don’t need to check Facebook and Twitter as if you’re
looking for signs of life in a patient.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Just watch. Listen. Ask some questions.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">See Beyond</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">If you can see beyond the obvious, you can learn some incredible
lessons.</span><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">You may discover that the barista prides herself on remembering
your drink because she’s really good at it, and her father always told her she
was stupid. She’s incredibly bright and works hard to overcome his harsh words.
She absorbs your praise faster than your coffee does the cream.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<em><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Lessons: Everyone is hurting in some way.
Everyone needs praise. Get comfortable with praising good work.</span></em></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">You may discover that the car wash guy is the lead singer in an
up-and-coming band and has a real shot at making it. His backstage stories are
better than a movie. And his writing is better than most professional writers.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<em><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Lessons: Everyone has a hidden talent. Take
time to get to know your employees. Often the most needed skills are right in
front of you.</span></em></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">You may learn that the college graduate was influenced by his
parents’ painful divorce and his insight on relationships beats anything you’d
read in a book.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<em><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Lessons: Age doesn’t equal wisdom. Learning
from mistakes and the <a href="http://michaelhyatt.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=52d5c7778a3adfda535c3b349&id=1e52289e6e&e=6a072059f6" target="_blank" title="Skip Prichard: “John Smoltz on the Benefits of Failure”">failures
of others</a> can benefit you more than you realize.</span></em></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">You may find that the bookstore lady is a book herself, full of
knowledge you can tap into. She’s actually a retired business executive,
filling time. She knows how to incorporate businesses, develop marketing plans,
and lead strategic planning.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<em><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Lessons: Often what we see is just the
surface. Take time to realize the full abilities of the people around you.</span></em></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 18.75pt;">See these people are anything but ordinary. Everyone has
something extraordinary that can change you. A different perspective, a unique
experience, a gift. We’re all ordinary people, but we are all extraordinary in
our own way."</span></blockquote>
<br />
<h3 style="line-height: 18.75pt;">
<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></h3>
<div style="line-height: 18.75pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px;">- <a href="http://www.skipprichard.com/" target="_blank">Skip Prichard</a></span></span></div>
sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-91257465282959601982013-01-19T09:47:00.000-05:002013-01-19T09:51:27.458-05:00"...The Good Ol' Days?" A published personal perspective...<br />
<div class="post-title" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #919191; font-family: 'Liberation sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 21.59375px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<h2 style="border: 0px; color: #494949; font-family: 'Liberation sans', Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 26px; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 4px 0px;">
<a href="http://nowmarketinggroupblog.com/in-the-good-ol-days-from-sandys-perspective/" rel="title" style="border: 0px; color: #ff7000; display: inline; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;" title="In the good ol’ days… from Sandy’s perspective"><cufon alt="In " class="cufon cufon-canvas" style="border: 0px; display: inline-block !important; font-size: 1px !important; height: 26px; line-height: 1px !important; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; vertical-align: middle !important; width: 16px;"><cufontext style="border: 0px; display: inline-block !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; overflow: hidden !important; padding: 0px; text-indent: -10000in !important; width: 0px !important;"></cufontext></cufon><cufon alt="the " class="cufon cufon-canvas" style="border: 0px; display: inline-block !important; font-size: 1px !important; height: 26px; line-height: 1px !important; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; vertical-align: middle !important; width: 27px;"><canvas height="31" style="border: 0px; height: 31px; left: -3px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; top: -5px; width: 54px;" width="54"></canvas><cufontext style="border: 0px; display: inline-block !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; overflow: hidden !important; padding: 0px; text-indent: -10000in !important; width: 0px !important;"></cufontext></cufon><cufon alt="good " class="cufon cufon-canvas" style="border: 0px; display: inline-block !important; font-size: 1px !important; height: 26px; line-height: 1px !important; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; vertical-align: middle !important; width: 39px;"><canvas height="31" style="border: 0px; height: 31px; left: -3px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; top: -5px; width: 66px;" width="66"></canvas><cufontext style="border: 0px; display: inline-block !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; overflow: hidden !important; padding: 0px; text-indent: -10000in !important; width: 0px !important;"></cufontext></cufon><cufon alt="ol’ " class="cufon cufon-canvas" style="border: 0px; display: inline-block !important; font-size: 1px !important; height: 26px; line-height: 1px !important; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; vertical-align: middle !important; width: 19px;"><canvas height="31" style="border: 0px; height: 31px; left: -3px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; top: -5px; width: 46px;" width="46"></canvas><cufontext style="border: 0px; display: inline-block !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; overflow: hidden !important; padding: 0px; text-indent: -10000in !important; width: 0px !important;"></cufontext></cufon><cufon alt="days… " class="cufon cufon-canvas" style="border: 0px; display: inline-block !important; font-size: 1px !important; height: 26px; line-height: 1px !important; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; vertical-align: middle !important; width: 49px;"><canvas height="31" style="border: 0px; height: 31px; left: -3px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; top: -5px; width: 76px;" width="76"></canvas><cufontext style="border: 0px; display: inline-block !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; overflow: hidden !important; padding: 0px; text-indent: -10000in !important; width: 0px !important;"></cufontext></cufon><cufon alt="from " class="cufon cufon-canvas" style="border: 0px; display: inline-block !important; font-size: 1px !important; height: 26px; line-height: 1px !important; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; vertical-align: middle !important; width: 37px;"><canvas height="31" style="border: 0px; height: 31px; left: -3px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; top: -5px; width: 63px;" width="63"></canvas><cufontext style="border: 0px; display: inline-block !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; overflow: hidden !important; padding: 0px; text-indent: -10000in !important; width: 0px !important;"></cufontext></cufon><cufon alt="Sandy’s " class="cufon cufon-canvas" style="border: 0px; display: inline-block !important; font-size: 1px !important; height: 26px; line-height: 1px !important; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; vertical-align: middle !important; width: 54px;"><canvas height="31" style="border: 0px; height: 31px; left: -3px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; top: -5px; width: 81px;" width="81"></canvas><cufontext style="border: 0px; display: inline-block !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; overflow: hidden !important; padding: 0px; text-indent: -10000in !important; width: 0px !important;"></cufontext></cufon><cufon alt="perspective " class="cufon cufon-canvas" style="border: 0px; display: inline-block !important; font-size: 1px !important; height: 26px; line-height: 1px !important; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; vertical-align: middle !important; width: 85px;"><canvas height="31" style="border: 0px; height: 31px; left: -3px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; top: -5px; width: 112px;" width="112"></canvas><cufontext style="border: 0px; display: inline-block !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; overflow: hidden !important; padding: 0px; text-indent: -10000in !important; width: 0px !important;"></cufontext></cufon></a></h2>
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On 01.18.13 • In <a href="http://nowmarketinggroupblog.com/category/now-marketing-group/" rel="category tag" style="border: 0px; color: grey; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;" title="View all posts in NOW Marketing Group">NOW Marketing Group</a>, <a href="http://nowmarketinggroupblog.com/category/social-media-management/" rel="category tag" style="border: 0px; color: grey; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;" title="View all posts in social media management">social media management</a> • by <a href="http://nowmarketinggroupblog.com/author/nowmarketing/" rel="author" style="border: 0px; color: grey; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;" title="Posts by nowmarketing">nowmarketing</a></div>
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<a href="http://nowmarketinggroupblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/cheezburger.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #77d7ec; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><img alt="http://cheezburger.com/2038071552" class="size-full wp-image-1124" height="362" src="http://nowmarketinggroupblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/cheezburger.jpg" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;" title="cheezburger" width="500" /></a><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px;">
http://cheezburger.com/2038071552</div>
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<h2 align="center" style="border: 0px; color: #ff7000; font-size: 24px; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -1px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;">“In the good old days…”</em></h2>
<h3 style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
We were out of touch.</h3>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px;">
Face it: We…</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px 30px;">
> Wrote letters – maybe.<br />
> Made phone calls – maybe.<br />
> Made appointments to connect in person – maybe…</div>
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Or tried to.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px;">
We trusted our morning paper and our television to keep us in touch with the world and – even as news broke –<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;">it was already old.</em></div>
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In the time it took to…</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px 30px;">
> Go to the store and buy film for our camera,<br />
> Take pictures,<br />
> Use up the roll of film,<br />
> Wind it up in our camera and drop it off at the store,<br />
> Get it back a week later,</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px;">
We lost weeks of time and our kids grew two inches.</div>
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By the time you…</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px 30px;">
> Got the brainstorm to write that long overdue letter,<br />
> Bought stamps,<br />
> Found paper, pen, and an envelope,<br />
> Wrote the letter,<br />
> Sealed it up and found a mailbox,<br />
> Heard about its arrival a week later,</div>
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You, as the letter-writer, not only forgot what you wrote, you moved past the highlights of the letter and were entrenched in a lot of other new and exciting events and happenings.</div>
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And you needed to repeat the whole process.<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;">AGAIN.</em></strong></div>
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Today…</div>
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> We get the idea,<br />
> Brainstorm the idea,<br />
> Fine-tune the idea,<br />
> Implement the idea,</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px;">
Then go on to the next idea with as many people as we can think of, as quickly as we can move our fingers. Instantaneously!<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> </strong><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;">As part of our daily life.</strong></em></div>
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As fast as you can grab your smartphone, tablet or other techno-device, you can release your ideas-thoughts-opinions-solutions, building relationships and generating much more of the same as you simultaneously and instantaneously breathe…</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px 30px;">
> With spelling and grammar check,<br />
> With enhancements,</div>
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And create a beautifully-finished product that is signed-sealed-delivered-received NOW.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px;">
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;">DONE.</strong> And you still have a LOT more hours of sunshine left in your day for <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;">MORE!</strong> <img alt=":-)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://nowmarketinggroupblog.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /></div>
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Now we can <a href="http://www.now-marketing-group.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #77d7ec; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;">be found, be social, and be useful</a> while we breathe and live life, because</div>
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> Relationships are PART of life, and<br />
> Relationships ARE life.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px;">
And now we can enjoy a much fuller and deeper life because of the instantaneous way we can enjoy our relationships throughout our life. <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;">All because of <a href="http://now-marketing-group.com/what-is-social-media.php" style="border: 0px; color: #77d7ec; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">social media</a>.</em></strong></div>
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Have a thought?</div>
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> Share it!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px;">
Have an idea?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px 30px;">
> Pursue it!</div>
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Have a question?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px 30px;">
> Answer it!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Want to stay in touch?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px 30px;">
> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sandypiehl" style="border: 0px; color: #77d7ec; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> it!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px;">
Want to be in the know and stay in the know with the latest and greatest trends, news, and ideas?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px 30px;">
> <a href="https://twitter.com/sandypdot" style="border: 0px; color: #77d7ec; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Tweet</a> it!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px;">
Want to network and share professional discussions with colleagues?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px 30px;">
> Get <a href="http://nowmarketinggroupblog.com/in-the-good-ol-days-from-sandys-perspective/www.linkedin.com/in/sandypiehl" style="border: 0px; color: #77d7ec; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> with your network!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px;">
Want to share expertise in an engaging visual format?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px 30px;">
> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/sandypdot" style="border: 0px; color: #77d7ec; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">YouTube</a> it!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px;">
So for the hour that you just spent online, what did you accomplish?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px;">
A lot more than…</div>
<h2 align="center" style="border: 0px; color: #ff7000; font-size: 24px; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -1px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;">“In the good old days…”</em></h2>
<div>
<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;"></em><br />
<div style="border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: 21.59375px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px;">
<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;">~ Sandy</em></em></div>
<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<div style="border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: 21.59375px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px;">
Sandy is the Internet Marketing Management Director for <a href="http://now-marketing-group.com/SocialMediaMarketing.php" style="border: 0px; color: #77d7ec; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Now Marketing Group</a>, where we enable your organization to <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none; padding: 0px;">‘be found, be social and be useful’</strong> </em>through online relationship marketing. While yes – it’s true!! – she’s lived through some “good old days”, she definitely enjoys the advantages of the “here and now” so much more.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: 21.59375px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 8px;">
Think Social Media is just for teenagers? Sandy’s still a teenager.. with a lot of years of experience!</div>
</em></div>
</div>
sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-49557266320865518162012-12-20T09:36:00.000-05:002013-01-19T10:21:45.957-05:00Musings on year-end<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
In honor of a 2013 New Year's resolution...</div>
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> "Publish my personal blog at least once/month."</div>
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Because it sure didn't happen in 2012 - "too busy" blogging for others. </div>
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So I lost a little of my personal self that I <strike>need to</strike> will reclaim in 2013.</div>
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</div>
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And with respect for the fact that this WAS written 12/20/12 and left in Draft mode as my brain recovered from a 24-hour hug-the-porcelain-throne bug...</div>
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<br /></div>
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I bring to you... my last blog post for 2012. Back-dated.To end the year and start fresh.</div>
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<i>Let's make this goal a reality this year.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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I am about to share something online that I have never shared before - ever.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Is it because I'm ashamed of a fact? Absolutely not. </div>
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</div>
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Is it because it's something to hide? Sort of. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFRI5Xk2sJmHxQnEqhrSaBesCk4WBSVFqxPB95FjPC3aFbr6R5QbOPscRM4i1NWNB3rZEMQT8WcDEvwrczf-4WPV7UeTYp9beIPke7EgaHPOGO_zcRV_LTcho5QTTKi0WrJKH6z5q9BY/s1600/billcat2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFRI5Xk2sJmHxQnEqhrSaBesCk4WBSVFqxPB95FjPC3aFbr6R5QbOPscRM4i1NWNB3rZEMQT8WcDEvwrczf-4WPV7UeTYp9beIPke7EgaHPOGO_zcRV_LTcho5QTTKi0WrJKH6z5q9BY/s200/billcat2.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
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In a culture focused on youth and beauty - externals - it's a tough compete when you have 'matured'... But, like fine wine, what should transpire is the 'best is yet to come' the longer it stays around. At least internally. At least that's the way it should be. </div>
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<br /></div>
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So if you're going to downslide externally, at least aim for an internal uptick, right? ;)</div>
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<br /></div>
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That's an ongoing personal goal. And it continues to be a work in process. And a work in progress. And it's an ongoing goal...</div>
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<br /></div>
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Time. It should bring: maturity, knowledge, a broader view of the world around you. </div>
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But it also gives a perception of slowing down, not open to new ideas...</div>
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And an inflexible unadaptability. I don't want that personally. I've seen the consequences.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Soooo...</div>
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<br /></div>
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Here it is and here we go...</div>
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<br /></div>
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Yes. I am. Over 55. I hope my employer takes advantage of all available tax credits.</div>
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Whew. That feels better.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And, as a bonus...</div>
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I also don't wish the 24-hour flu bug on anyone. It creates anti-lucidity that promotes strange blog post ideas, which the DELETE key is created for. The one good that comes out of it is the THANKFUL that comes the next day when you realize that you didn't die as you thought you were going to the day before. Seriously.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4Yhd6Hf4Q0Xi5uwKF7cTiBmZLTF41JlVoe-_I32emll-w3bYQ9_x9M08uOzUzgHABzBJd7y9z-hEIbNp0NSq4NWs2QI1Ha_Y8lQwMGjSl4mOFqzOJl-r9LA9-UZD68O0MiOqhalXtPg/s1600/28171-clip-art-graphic-of-a-yellow-star-cartoon-character-speed-walking-or-jogging-by-toons4biz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4Yhd6Hf4Q0Xi5uwKF7cTiBmZLTF41JlVoe-_I32emll-w3bYQ9_x9M08uOzUzgHABzBJd7y9z-hEIbNp0NSq4NWs2QI1Ha_Y8lQwMGjSl4mOFqzOJl-r9LA9-UZD68O0MiOqhalXtPg/s1600/28171-clip-art-graphic-of-a-yellow-star-cartoon-character-speed-walking-or-jogging-by-toons4biz.jpg" /></a></div>
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sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-36352894093043456722012-11-03T18:22:00.002-04:002013-01-19T09:54:35.932-05:00<i>I received the following as an email recently and wanted to save it - and share it...</i><br />
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<span style="color: #888888; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You are receiving this message because you opted in to
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<em><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Monday, October 22, 2012</span></b></em><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 19.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-transform: uppercase;"><a href="http://michaelhyatt.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=52d5c7778a3adfda535c3b349&id=4e01f889d5&e=6a072059f6"><span style="color: #4d4d4d; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">The 3
Components of Job Satisfaction</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Recently, a woman
approached me after I finished <a href="http://michaelhyatt.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=52d5c7778a3adfda535c3b349&id=49912f58f1&e=6a072059f6" target="_blank" title="My Speakng Page">a keynote presentation</a>. In
the speech, I had mentioned the importance of <a href="http://michaelhyatt.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=52d5c7778a3adfda535c3b349&id=5b6ab97aae&e=6a072059f6" target="_blank" title="Post: “Creating Your Personal Life Plan”">living
with intention</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://michaelhyatt.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=52d5c7778a3adfda535c3b349&id=4a1ea9ef6f&e=6a072059f6" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><img alt="A Wooden Kitchen Match Striking on a Grey Slate Surface - Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/TheCrimsonMonkey, Image #7829867" border="0" height="344" id="_x0000_i1036" src="http://michaelhyatt.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/iStock_000007829867Small-518x344.jpg" title="A Wooden Kitchen Match Striking on a Grey Slate Surface - Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/TheCrimsonMonkey, Image #7829867" width="518" /></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Photo courtesy
of <a href="http://michaelhyatt.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=52d5c7778a3adfda535c3b349&id=9fa19981e8&e=6a072059f6" target="_blank">©iStockphoto.com/TheCrimsonMonkey</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">She got stuck on that
thought and realized she had not been intentional, particularly as it
related to her career.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span id="more-19250"></span><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">As
it turns out, she was a doctor with a very successful business. She was
making more money than she had dreamed possible. She had a very busy
practice. But she was deeply unsatisfied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">“If I’m honest, I think I
became a doctor because my father was a doctor. It was expected. I
didn’t think I had a choice,” she confessed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Her eyes welled with
tears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">“But I hate it,” she
continued. “I only get to spend a few minutes with each patient. I feel
like a factory worker on a conveyor belt. It’s all I can do to make
myself go to work.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">She was good at what she
did. Her practice was exploding. But she had lost her passion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">As I later reflected on
her situation, I realized job satisfaction requires three components. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #4d4d4d; line-height: 18.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You
must be passionate.</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
This is where it begins. What do you care about? What moves you?
What problems do you want to solve or issues you want to address?
If your heart is not in your work, you have a job but not a
calling.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #4d4d4d; line-height: 18.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You
must be competent.</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Passion alone is not enough. You have to be good at what you do.
Being good-enough will not give you the satisfaction you desire.
You have to excel at your craft and be <em>awesome</em>. Mastery is the goal.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #4d4d4d; line-height: 18.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You
must create a market.</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
To enjoy a successful career, people must be willing to pay you
for what you do. You don’t have to get rich, but there must be a
market for your product or service. Otherwise, your career is not
sustainable.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">If you have all three of
these components, you experience satisfaction. Few things in life are
more rewarding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">I envision it as three
overlapping circles. (Jim Collins has a similar model in <em><a href="http://michaelhyatt.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=52d5c7778a3adfda535c3b349&id=85c89422d4&e=6a072059f6" target="_blank" title="Amazon: Good to Great by Jim Collins">Good to
Great</a></em> as it applies to companies.) At the intersection
of all three is true success.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><img alt="3 Components of Job Satisfaction" border="0" height="290" id="_x0000_i1037" src="http://michaelhyatt.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/three-components-of-success-518x290.jpg" title="three-components-of-success.jpg" width="518" /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Be wary of only having
two:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #4d4d4d; line-height: 18.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If
you have passion and competence without a market, you have a <em>hobby</em>. We all
know people like this. Living in Nashville, I know musicians who
love what they do, are accomplished on their chosen instrument,
but can’t pay the bills.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #4d4d4d; line-height: 18.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If
you have passion and a market without competence, you have <em>failure</em>. If you
aren’t willing to put in the hours honing your craft, it will
eventually catch up with you. You will struggle to get hired or
simply be flushed in the next round of layoffs.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #4d4d4d; line-height: 18.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If
you have competence and a market without passion, you have <em>boredom</em>. This
was the doctor’s problem. On the surface she had it all. But in
her heart, she was missing the one piece she needed to find
satisfaction in her work.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">You can get by for a time
with only two of the three elements I have described. But if you want
to succeed at the deepest level, you must incorporate all three.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #000033; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Questions: Do you possess all three of
these components? What is missing? What could you do to become more
satisfied in your work? </span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have learned that people will forget what you said,
people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you
made them feel.”” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Maya Angelou</span><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><em><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0825429854/mhyatt-20">Worth
Repeating: More Than 5,000 Classic and Contemporary Quotes</a></span></em><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2003),
310</span><span style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://gallery.mailchimp.com/52d5c7778a3adfda535c3b349/images/t.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="10" id="_x0000_i1051" src="http://gallery.mailchimp.com/52d5c7778a3adfda535c3b349/images/t.gif" width="20" /></a><a href="http://michaelhyatt.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=52d5c7778a3adfda535c3b349&id=fd7944ab25&e=6a072059f6" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.111111640930176px; line-height: 15.981481552124023px; white-space: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: none;">©2012 Michael Hyatt</span></a><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.111111640930176px; line-height: 15.981481552124023px; white-space: normal;">P.O. Box 1221, Franklin, TN 37065</span></div>
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sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-34453784966679656842012-11-03T14:32:00.001-04:002013-01-19T09:53:12.257-05:00The treasure of John Wilt's shoeJohn Wilt's shoe is in my office.<br />
One shoe. I bought it for $5.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3kYG_dDWmzOKHE_tskYvibPspkWj-olpLH4zScVdhJ_1Xb2NEU-TATI5rg9WelSW_VRZuT1BGfiBMhP4HZ1UWQFB2Vgn0PxFqiWbgd7V5fc2S1IVOI92qktK54QnvnR4XacVyRCW_w0/s1600/2012-10-24+14.58.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3kYG_dDWmzOKHE_tskYvibPspkWj-olpLH4zScVdhJ_1Xb2NEU-TATI5rg9WelSW_VRZuT1BGfiBMhP4HZ1UWQFB2Vgn0PxFqiWbgd7V5fc2S1IVOI92qktK54QnvnR4XacVyRCW_w0/s320/2012-10-24+14.58.57.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
I'm sure John didn't know where his shoe went. I'm sure when John was asked to paint his shoe, he probably did so happily - or at least I would think so, because his shoe is bright and colorful, with happy mushrooms and designs.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCMApwYUGlrxf445Cs35xo5BxmlHhyphenhyphenphyphenhyphenIFZQPiWql7di9y8Yc4jIJNxxA-gFrBUVPhLnpmeOIw7iZeHAyG51oKGuDueKLmld2I2KJNTWPyrXMboYlGGVUS_27Igi2BlUa9-a7D7k4dw/s1600/icon_smile.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCMApwYUGlrxf445Cs35xo5BxmlHhyphenhyphenphyphenhyphenIFZQPiWql7di9y8Yc4jIJNxxA-gFrBUVPhLnpmeOIw7iZeHAyG51oKGuDueKLmld2I2KJNTWPyrXMboYlGGVUS_27Igi2BlUa9-a7D7k4dw/s1600/icon_smile.gif" /></a>That's why I chose his shoe. That's why I wanted this reflection of John Wilt's life. It made me happy to see it. This happy shoe was also used as a planter for a happy-looking little flowering plant. The plant wouldn't remain happy without real sunshine, it took up residence in real garden dirt at my house while a little fake greenery found a home in John Wilt's shoe.<br />
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His shoe was part of a silent auction at an event I attended last spring. John worked at a local facility called Marimor, which enables people with developmental difficulties to be productive. Productive is good. Productive is happy. And John's shoe looks like it came from happily productive hands.<br />
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The man's face in the picture known as John Wilt is smiling - a smile of a child: innocent, free of care, without pain or fear or worry or concern. I see John Wilt's face and I see others like him. Children who are born to be loved because that's their world. That's what they can understand. John Wilt would never have a space in an office like mine, a life like mine, or even children as I do. John's Wilt's life was meant to happily share his happiness - and the innocent smile I see in his picture - under the care of others.<br />
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I'll never get to meet John Wilt. I've had his shoe, along with his picture and a brief written introduction to John, in my area of the office since that March event. A number of people have walked past the shoe, because it sits on the shelf next to our one and only office printer. I wonder if anyone has ever wondered about the man in the picture that painted the shoe that I have on the shelf in my area of the office? I have many times. I even asked a Marimor staff member about John Wilt, and they smiled and said, "Yes, I know John Wilt." His smile made me smile, and I've always smiled as I've thought about the man behind the brightly painted shoe, John Wilt.<br />
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I'll never get to meet John Wilt because he died last month. The man's name that painted the brightly colored shoe was printed on obit page. One day I was reading through the online edition of our local paper and the name "John Wilt" leaped off the screen and into my eyes. John Wilt. John Wilt, with his picture and a recap of his life here on earth.<br />
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As I read, it became clear. John Wilt left a legacy. A legacy of love, and apparently a broken heart as his mother died the very next day. His <a href="http://www.limaohio.com/obituaries/article_fd5f397a-1190-11e2-a882-001a4bcf6878.html" target="_blank">obituary</a> and her <a href="http://www.limaohio.com/obituaries/article_d5bde18c-1190-11e2-aa5b-001a4bcf6878.html" target="_blank">obituary</a> were laid side by side on the screen before me, and the legacy of their life of love was shared in yet another <a href="http://www.limaohio.com/news/local_news/article_9b5be454-11b2-11e2-b819-001a4bcf6878.html" target="_blank">newspaper article</a>. It seems that John Wilt, in his shoes and with his smile, were part of many local sporting events as he and his Mom were inseparable. Their smiles and their love were welcomed by many, and there will a space at future sporting events for this Mother and her son. I picture a Mother who deeply loved her son, John Wilt, and who cared for him so deeply that they were inseparable - even to the place where she couldn't live without him. A son named John Wilt, who wore smiling eyes on a face of innocence as he painted his shoe - brightly and happily - because he was asked to. He shared his love, and I have have that treasure to make me smile while his legacy lives on as a brightly painted shoe in my office.<br />
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John Wilt - thank you for happily painting your shoe - and for giving me this reminder that there's an innocence and beauty to be found in the joy of life... and that's the best place to leave a footprint... :)<br />
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<br />sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-70829749114473559352012-09-22T23:02:00.000-04:002013-01-30T21:11:23.406-05:00The C for my wrist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCMApwYUGlrxf445Cs35xo5BxmlHhyphenhyphenphyphenhyphenIFZQPiWql7di9y8Yc4jIJNxxA-gFrBUVPhLnpmeOIw7iZeHAyG51oKGuDueKLmld2I2KJNTWPyrXMboYlGGVUS_27Igi2BlUa9-a7D7k4dw/s1600/icon_smile.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCMApwYUGlrxf445Cs35xo5BxmlHhyphenhyphenphyphenhyphenIFZQPiWql7di9y8Yc4jIJNxxA-gFrBUVPhLnpmeOIw7iZeHAyG51oKGuDueKLmld2I2KJNTWPyrXMboYlGGVUS_27Igi2BlUa9-a7D7k4dw/s1600/icon_smile.gif" /></a></div>
I love surprises... don't you?<br />
The nicest surprises are the total surprises: unanticipated, unawaited, unexpected - totally surprise surprises. A few weeks ago I got one - so nice! Someone close to me received a silver-snap Chamilia bracelet as part of an event and... she gave it to me.<br />
She asked if I had one...<br />
<i>No, I've never spent the money for beads to get a free bracelet. </i><br />
<i>Here - you can have this.</i><br />
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For me?<br />
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I don't think I said that. It was one of those speechless moments, when the heart overwhelms the mind's ability to remain calm, cool, and collected enough to offer fitting words of gracious thankfulness. I don't know that she realized how special that moment was to me. I know she couldn't understand the roots it tore up of overwhelming appreciation. I still carry the baggage of having so little as a young person that a silver-snap bracelet coming as a gift was not taken lightly, but with deep gratitude and sentiment for the gift - and its giver.<br />
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I'd keep it plain - no beads - simple - like me - but that's not the common style of the bracelet. The style for these bracelets is to carry charms of life's significance for the owner and wearer. That took some thought.<br />
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It's a Chamilia bracelet, so the quality clasp bears a bold letter "C". I made my gift of the C bracelet complete on my birthday, in a way that reflects my own style and inner motivation for life, to wear on my wrist as a reflection of... me. I took a coupon good for 30% off anything at a local big box store and got $10 off every $50 I purchased. In that way, my bracelet also reflected my inward sense of frugality, functionality, and financial focus. My Daddy would have been so proud of me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9jqmJFBFD1Zs1LohCNFsJ4JBr1X5P4g3g33ndafi-8ZoZFbsCLqbfCMCn-gKTxmMHG-4672stDBqu3S7I4N6qLwoesT3Q43fqsrj4fbpkefhczkz8-JoN93GNHrPPI-qmWrR8kmQTpA/s1600/2012-11-08+11.28.58-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9jqmJFBFD1Zs1LohCNFsJ4JBr1X5P4g3g33ndafi-8ZoZFbsCLqbfCMCn-gKTxmMHG-4672stDBqu3S7I4N6qLwoesT3Q43fqsrj4fbpkefhczkz8-JoN93GNHrPPI-qmWrR8kmQTpA/s200/2012-11-08+11.28.58-1.jpg" width="200" /></a>The main charm is a simple circle of hearts, which reminds me of all those around the world that Jesus came and died for - to redeem to Himself. He loves the world; I need to do likewise. The two plain silver charms on either side of the main charm are for my hubby and I. God is our Source and our Strength for everything and we stay united through His love. Two stopper charms hold these charms in place - together we live our lives for His glory through His grace and His love, and our lives are held His place by His Almighty arms.<br />
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My bracelet reflects the Cs that are important to me and, as almost anyone who knows me can probably tell you, I enjoy words - and my C bracelet reminds me of words that are meaningful to me. My C reminds me of my favorite Cat Carlo - a very faithful friend and furry Companion. My C stands for Character, for Commitment, for Courage, for Caring. My C stands for Communicate, for Create and for Curious, Challenge and Compassion, Credibility and Courtesy, Connected, Confident, Consistent, and Competent. I am a person of Conviction and... above all...<br />
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I am a C...<br />
I am a C-H...<br />
I am a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrNM-B_gg4A" target="_blank">C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N</a>.<br />
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And I wear that with humble pride, realizing that this oxymoron also has great meaning in my life. I am thankful for all the blessings that my Heavenly Father graciously gives, sometimes from the hands of someone who has no idea what she is doing to impact the world around her with her wonderful surprises.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHvOBTghyphenhyphenLRkTLGUPOAvi6h3IZLvtRVQt5NgK01Jd1QAl0NpVo_j3BOvxwuwxLwHntI8-TIRQG9sKQujGF6YOx9t_Hws4zr39B9ln2Il6mwJ0FMDT7F8qtHfeK-YC2fc242YTmrpSUFY/s1600/icon_smile.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHvOBTghyphenhyphenLRkTLGUPOAvi6h3IZLvtRVQt5NgK01Jd1QAl0NpVo_j3BOvxwuwxLwHntI8-TIRQG9sKQujGF6YOx9t_Hws4zr39B9ln2Il6mwJ0FMDT7F8qtHfeK-YC2fc242YTmrpSUFY/s1600/icon_smile.gif" /></a>sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-35535929875227915612012-05-26T17:02:00.000-04:002013-01-30T21:09:46.233-05:00The person of influence<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b>Influence</b></span></em><em><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> is the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others. </span></em></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">— Dictionary.com</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Becoming a person of influence is not a short-term assignment. It’s a life-long journey.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">You cannot legislate attitudes. You can’t become a person of influence unless others choose you to be such. This is one area where you cannot become a self-made person. It’s based on someone else’s perspective, which is fickle and easily swayed. The trendline of an influential person is consistently on the up-and-up.</span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some traits of people who have influenced my own life</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">:</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><b>Live a life of undivided integrity</b>. Be transparent. Be solid. Set the example to follow. </span><br />
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<span class="apple-style-span"><b>Always demonstrate a positive attitude.</b></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="apple-converted-space"> No matter HOW bad life is going, negativity is never an encouragement. Never. It’s a huge detriment. Wimps, whiners and cry-babies don't influence anyone productively. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Encourage, support, lift others up - and smile. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjdFQ_YYIfmwM1u_VDLPyY9YOnP5hTrhCM8-cBBk_ohqFetDtPvploF31w0bFYEm1CAHN-rbbSgRUAoZtdKw01TDN8luDKg2CHyY3dg9HoTXfYDf3pQl_lh5aBgWsyxL1cVFZniLqAdI/s1600/icon_smile.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjdFQ_YYIfmwM1u_VDLPyY9YOnP5hTrhCM8-cBBk_ohqFetDtPvploF31w0bFYEm1CAHN-rbbSgRUAoZtdKw01TDN8luDKg2CHyY3dg9HoTXfYDf3pQl_lh5aBgWsyxL1cVFZniLqAdI/s1600/icon_smile.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b>Consider other people's interests as more important than your own. </b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Show genuine interest in others. How well you relate to the needs of others will develop entire networks and bonds that last. Respect differences. You don’t have to agree or even condone, but respect their right to have an opinion or conviction within legal, moral, and ethical guidelines. </span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">People LOVE to talk about themselves – don’t YOU?! Use this fact to broaden your own horizons by learning more about someone else’s perspective, knowledge, interests, and insights. That’s the wonder of conversation and relationships: mutual growth! Listen and learn.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zig Ziglar said it well: <i>People like those that listen more than they like those that talk.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Face it - people don’t want to hear about you… they want to hear themselves echoed in your words. Find out w</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">hat motivates the other person. It could range from looking good to their boss, to wanting to get promoted, to achieving a specific goal or working less. Take the commonalities and build the relationship on mutual influence.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Find your common ground with others.<span style="color: #c75b12;"> </span></span></b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Combine your interests and intent with what matters to the other person. People tend to be much more receptive if they view your interests as aligned with their own interests, goals and objectives.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lend a helping hand:</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> authentically, genuinely, and without seeking anything in return. D</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">oesn’t it feel really good to help other people?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Find your niche – your area of expertise - and use it to productively help others.</span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Don’t flaunt your skill. Don’t be obnoxious because of your abiliity. Don’t use it to be critical of others. Don’t be better than anyone else because of it. Be constructive, not destructive, with your abilities, talents and skills – and SHARE with discretion and with a goal of mutual growth and productivity.<i> Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another</i> (Proverbs 27:17).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Establish a reputation of integrity.</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> It’s never nice to talk about people behind their back, and doing that always takes away from your credibility. If you talk about someone, you’ll talk about anyone, so what you say had better be something anyone will want to hear. One of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite movies is,<i> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1148826444">If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nuthin’ at all.</a></i> While it may be tempting to join in a discussion to express a negative opinion about a third party, it will not develop your ability to influence the person who is not present and could quickly snowball downhill when heard by others. In all reality, gossip and slander will destroy your honor with all parties concerned. Even perceived allies will question your trustworthiness when you engage in backbiting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If you’re in a discussion about someone and making decisions that will affect their life, stop the discussion until the person can join the conversation. Don’t make a decision that affects someone without them. That’s just rude! True alliances are founded on loyalty, dependability, and straight-forwardness. Be honest. The bottom line is: You must be seen as a foundation of integrity in order to be influential within a group. This means your own foundation MUST be solidly built on integrity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Last, but not least: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Don't settle for anything less than excellence and quality in anything and everything</span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <b>you do. </b></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it; autograph your work with excellence. </span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Never settle. Always push for better. Sloppiness, “dropping the ball”, and half-hearted efforts will be recognized for what they are. Whatever you do, don’t do it halfway. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. ~ Aristotle<o:p></o:p></span></div>
sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-18853554559897424582012-04-28T22:25:00.000-04:002013-01-30T21:08:48.843-05:00Style...<span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; line-height: 18px;">Style is a way to tell the world who you are without having to speak.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; line-height: 18px;">I just saw that on Twitter and I stopped.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.981481552124023px;">In a world where acceptance is sometimes far more important than uniqueness, style can get lost in a maze of becoming someone else's expectations - and then some.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.981481552124023px;">Nope. Style means I am unlike anyone else. I - am - UNIQUE. Style means I can like and accept myself - and my style - more than I like and accept the concept of looking like someone else. Finding that style can be a fumbling game at best at times, but being comfortable in your own skin is far more comfortable than wearing someone else's.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.981481552124023px;">I've discovered that with shoes. No high heels - no chunky, clunky for looks sake for my feet. That style means OUCH for me - not my style. I found an awesome pair of solid leather black flats that will probably outlast me, they're made so well. And the instant I put them on - ahhhhhhh..... comfort. My style. Not showy. Not flashy. No glim glam flash for my feet. Quality. Comfort. Classic. Functional. Healthy. Yup - now I'm bulleting out... my style.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.981481552124023px;">No one else like me... And I'm going to be comfortable with that.</span></span><br />
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sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-34685716687994247582012-02-29T22:47:00.000-05:002012-02-29T22:47:55.836-05:00Love your loved ones - while you can... :)A third child has died as a result of yesterday's <a href="https://plus.google.com/108404515213153345305/posts/S3CnUurmVmx" target="_blank">senseless act of violence</a>. A high school student, frustrated by life, used a gun to express those frustrations, creating an abrasively abrupt end to three young lives surging with potential.<br />
<br />
I'm a mother. Situations like this make me ill - physically ill.<br />
<br />
We learned today that a business acquaintance could no longer deal with the stress of living his life, and chose to end his by calmly walking out into his backyard at the end of his workday, pointing a loaded shotgun at his head, and pulling the trigger.<br />
<br />
No one knows what the next second holds. The longer I live, the more I realize how fragile the thread of life is. And when it breaks violently, it rips a multiplicity of hearts apart in its wake.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Today:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hold your loved ones close.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Gaze into their eyes and tell them how much they mean to you. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Hug your loved ones, arms tightly wrapped around their fragile bodies, while you can.</div><br />
Make each moment of life count. The next... is not yours to claim.sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-39734950306543400162012-02-19T21:01:00.000-05:002012-02-19T21:01:53.479-05:00Wow. It's almost hateful how fast time can fly when you really don't want it to. I treasure the winter months for the occasional blizzard or, at the very least, ice storm or other temporary diversion to everyday normalcy that keeps everyone inside for at least a day or two when I can get caught up with all the stuff I've put aside simply because everyday life has gotten in the way of doing everything I want to do and don't have time to do...<br />
<br />
except this year. This year the weather has been absolutely uncooperative with snow emergencies or otherwise and life has been progressively active to the extent where...<br />
<br />
Where has the time gone to WRITE? Yes, I do know. My life revolves around writing - writing for everyone except for myself - and much has been accomplished for all those I've head responsibility to write for. Except myself!<br />
<br />
So, here are a few moments on a quiet Sunday night, as my cat is sitting lazily in front of me daydreaming cat daydreams, for me to pause...<br />
<br />
catch my breath...<br />
<br />
and wish - hope - wonder...<br />
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Where has the time gone this winter?<br />
<br />
The more accurate question, I'm afraid, is: Are we going to have winter this winter? Just one day - one nasty ice-snow-blizzard event so we can all walk away from what is called winter into the next realm of spring with something to complain about and one day in our recent memory banks to treasure because we got to enjoy being forced to be stuck at home to get all the stuff done we have to put off because we don't have enough time...<br />
<br />
I'll wait and see... :-)<br />
<br />
Or will this have to wait... until next year...?sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-71602595875629620562011-12-31T23:19:00.001-05:002011-12-31T23:20:56.837-05:00New beginnings...New Year's Eve.<br />
And someone died this morning. Someone I knew.<br />
Someone I always looked forward to seeing.<br />
Someone who meant a lot to a lot of people.<br />
<br />
Two weeks ago he entered the hospital. Days later, the family was told he had cancer. Throughout his entire body. The fastest-growing cancer they had ever seen.<br />
He was literally moments from eternity.<br />
And he was ushered in this morning.<br />
<br />
2012 begins soon...<br />
and many people won't celebrate who celebrated New Year's a year ago.<br />
They passed away this year. 2011 was their last year on this earth. Many probably had no clue that this would be their last year on this planet; after all, how many of us think about that as we blow horns, cheer, and kiss love ones when the moment strikes at midnight and we sing "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acxnmaVTlZA">Auld Lang Syne</a>"?<br />
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Morbid as it may sound, my own thoughts roll that way as I wait for the midnight moment to arrive...<br />
and 2012 to be ushered in.<br />
Who won't make it to 2013?<br />
How many of my loved ones will pass from this life to eternity this year?<br />
Will I be one?<br />
Will that change any of my plans, goals, dreams, or resolutions?<br />
<br />
No. I will happily begin this new year content and excited about what lies ahead and...<br />
if God should take me home this year...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Happy New Year! :) </div>sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-27112961138830750432011-12-06T11:28:00.000-05:002011-12-06T11:28:10.989-05:00Acceptance<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Accepted.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">You are - or you're not. You do - or you don't. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">We long for acceptance - to belong - to be part. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">We long to be embraced for ourselves... in spite of ourselves.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Acceptance. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is the true thing everyone longs for. The one thing everyone craves. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To walk in a room and to be greeted by everyone with hugs and smiles. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And, in that small passing moment, you truly know you're loved, needed, and accepted... :)</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> ~ Rena Harmon<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There may come a time when, try as you might, you realize that there are times and places when and where you won't be accepted. The pain of the reality can bite, can hit, can land and grow from a tiny seed to a huge and strong root of bitterness and discouragement. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Don't let it. Smile. Be willing to get up, smile one last time, hold you head up...</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and walk away.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLxHIRrQEqqiI988bz1j-0yL3NSGQJ62WixdHFnlV9t5tNUkMwPTeYgKPWv9FGNNrkDCtoBdETSDtUygdDNpIebqrCwdV_rnITu94oSnrWsU0cXv0F-9I_XkEV-9gDzy9F-hQHXJY9rw/s1600/icon_smile.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLxHIRrQEqqiI988bz1j-0yL3NSGQJ62WixdHFnlV9t5tNUkMwPTeYgKPWv9FGNNrkDCtoBdETSDtUygdDNpIebqrCwdV_rnITu94oSnrWsU0cXv0F-9I_XkEV-9gDzy9F-hQHXJY9rw/s1600/icon_smile.gif" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">At some point you will realize that you have done too much for someone and that </span></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">the only next possible step to do is to stop. </span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Leave them alone. Walk away. It’s not like you’re giving up, and it’s not like you shouldn’t try. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s just that you have to draw the line of determination from desperation. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What is truly yours would eventually be yours, and what is not, no matter how hard you try, </span></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">will never be.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> ~ unknown, Wisdom Quotes<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span>sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-53396546348821542602011-12-05T21:29:00.000-05:002011-12-05T21:29:06.065-05:00The tear.<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">This morning I had an encounter that filled me with emotion. Have you ever been there? In a place – in a time – in a realm that fills you to overwhelming with emotion that just wants to…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;">Move. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;">Move through you and move out of you. And, when it does, relief can thankfully fill and refresh so you can go forward to your next place – time – realm. Reality must be dealt with, so emotional interludes must pass.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;">But something remained this morning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;">As memories rushed through me of days gone by, encounters shared, and life lived, emotions played their accompaniment. The symphony of life once lived in the past played briefly as I was enroute to where I needed to be and, as I prepared to leave the memories behind in my car and enter reality, I looked down. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;">One round circle looked back at me from my lap.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;">It was as small as a paper-punched hole; like a piece of my heart punched through that remained as one spilled tear in my lap. I couldn’t wipe it up, blot it up, or get rid of it. It simply stared at me, as a reminder of my humanity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;">You can leave a piece of history behind, but you can’t leave memories. They will remain, ingrained in your inner fibers, and may exhibit themselves from time to time as pieces of your heart flow through your tears.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;">One tear. The reminder. It was a beautiful memory. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQT0jy3pSZwNdQLxIM6Eano2kOGHnH8agRfgZaqGVygLlA3ly5ByCndol5wbph4rVKzuy2kkCDLkjH-B8gw6fRmhGbiBByu43803A_nFjgoX3wLIHEjYIn2zFWbkKQr_sTu4xVs4WRYU/s1600/icon_smile.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQT0jy3pSZwNdQLxIM6Eano2kOGHnH8agRfgZaqGVygLlA3ly5ByCndol5wbph4rVKzuy2kkCDLkjH-B8gw6fRmhGbiBByu43803A_nFjgoX3wLIHEjYIn2zFWbkKQr_sTu4xVs4WRYU/s1600/icon_smile.gif" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"><br />
</span></span></div>sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-39248518816980618442011-11-24T10:08:00.000-05:002011-11-24T10:08:46.712-05:00Happy Thanksgiving... every day!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444e5c; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">If Thanksgiving weren't synonymous with gravy, butter and other festively dressed saturated fats, it could be the healthiest holiday around. That's not just because the bird itself is a great source of lean protein... or because sweet potatoes are rich in vitamins (just replace the marshmallow stuff with toasted walnuts = YUM!!)... </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444e5c; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">Thanksgiving is about giving thanks and being with family and friends, and there's no question that both make us and you healthier. If you practice a life filled with consistent thanksgiving, research shows you're also likely to exercise more, have fewer aches and pains, and feel more optimistic than if you ramble on about things that drive you crazy or don't matter much. Consider... you can't complain and be thankful at the same time. Even better, studies show that 15 minutes of daily gratitude can dramatically decrease aging stress hormones in your body!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444e5c; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">Celebrate this Thanksgiving holiday by showing your thanks. Remember people who are important in your life and write them a note of gratitude. Or maybe they'll be around your holiday table and you can thank them in person! You'll all feel more deeply connected and even happier to be together. While you're fussing with the bird, the centerpiece, or your new whole-grain stuffing, take a minute to put the "thanks" in "Thanksgiving." Your heart will be grateful, too.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCMApwYUGlrxf445Cs35xo5BxmlHhyphenhyphenphyphenhyphenIFZQPiWql7di9y8Yc4jIJNxxA-gFrBUVPhLnpmeOIw7iZeHAyG51oKGuDueKLmld2I2KJNTWPyrXMboYlGGVUS_27Igi2BlUa9-a7D7k4dw/s1600/icon_smile.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCMApwYUGlrxf445Cs35xo5BxmlHhyphenhyphenphyphenhyphenIFZQPiWql7di9y8Yc4jIJNxxA-gFrBUVPhLnpmeOIw7iZeHAyG51oKGuDueKLmld2I2KJNTWPyrXMboYlGGVUS_27Igi2BlUa9-a7D7k4dw/s1600/icon_smile.gif" /></a><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444e5c; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444e5c; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">Happy Thanksgiving! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444e5c; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">Take time today to</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444e5c; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"> tell the people you love...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444e5c; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">you're grateful they're in your life. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444e5c; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><br />
</span></div></div>sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-77457289733743594522011-11-15T20:50:00.000-05:002011-11-15T20:50:37.684-05:00I went back today.<br />
<br />
Did you ever go back to a former life as a visitor, instead of a participant? Did you ever return to a former existence, when it's no longer your reality?<br />
<br />
I went back to the place where I spent years of my life, where I poured a lot of my life - my heart - everything I had - and I went back as a spectator instead of the participant.<br />
<br />
And it was exhilarating.<br />
<br />
People I used to spend hours each day working with and for are now friends and acquaintances, and not my focus. I had time today to relax, to chat, and to pour my soul and being into others - instead of having it emptied from me.<br />
I had time to love, to listen, to learn, to... enjoy.<br />
<br />
I trust that if you ever leave a place in your life that seemed permanent,<br />
but ended up not...<br />
a place that consumed you, but time gave replenishment...<br />
or a place that was your entire reality, but became a place in your history...<br />
that you can return a better person - a bigger person - a stronger person<br />
for the experience that made you that way.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I went back there today.<br />
And for all of it - and for where I am today because of it - I am thankful.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU12HHcd2dg5vUKVMzuUXGqBSe83TCa4g8sQMZv0Ojt8nxuOltBgfrcX_Y7ecggXgkBn190fciQukciUKK0N0O1skeIxEjRaS8XJ57EcH4-Dp-z5k25sbeGS0rAQqRWSEC1uKdSYfN6kg/s1600/icon_smile.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU12HHcd2dg5vUKVMzuUXGqBSe83TCa4g8sQMZv0Ojt8nxuOltBgfrcX_Y7ecggXgkBn190fciQukciUKK0N0O1skeIxEjRaS8XJ57EcH4-Dp-z5k25sbeGS0rAQqRWSEC1uKdSYfN6kg/s1600/icon_smile.gif" /></a>sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-28387963446543877042011-10-31T21:28:00.001-04:002011-11-01T13:51:05.530-04:00Enjoying His grace... :)The last day of the month. October 31. Two more to go, then the year's over. Wow!<br />
<br />
So much has happened this year; yet, it went SO FAST. It's almost 2012... Wow...<br />
<br />
It's been a good year - a productive year. I trust it has for you too.<br />
<br />
All of my goals have been met. *fist bump!* You know, those "New Year's Resolutions" that you put out on 12/31 and blow by 1/3? I wouldn't let it happen. It's been a productively blessed year. I've got everything crossed off that list. Everything! But... I never saw a lot of what happened this year coming when I flipped the new calendar on 1/1, and I wouldn't have imagined it anyway.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">How about you? Has this year brought things into your life that you never would've thought of? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNP0oJVfghyW0wnZ_ta8ibq3iEJ_kH5CBherC1IXGgEYVwZBlTyOth_JmTuCDHo0EuihQpedIrhCkNN8S68atfisFUmSY4u3lgwlKnJcPtwJKOSMA8znkGrzRl5fhIH-zOljJQHpU_lE/s1600/icon_smile.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNP0oJVfghyW0wnZ_ta8ibq3iEJ_kH5CBherC1IXGgEYVwZBlTyOth_JmTuCDHo0EuihQpedIrhCkNN8S68atfisFUmSY4u3lgwlKnJcPtwJKOSMA8znkGrzRl5fhIH-zOljJQHpU_lE/s1600/icon_smile.gif" /></a></div></div><br />
So now I still have two months to get caught up with a to-do list I didn't count on and couldn't have thought of anyway, and it'll get done because everything's accomplished that I had set out to do this year. And then some. By God's grace, He smiled and made my life a blessed place with beautiful, Godly people. His grace is sufficient. His love is unending! I have all that I need and much, much more, all provided from the Almighty hands of an all-loving and gracious God. I'm so thankful, and much too blessed to be stressed...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I hope that's true of you too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfE4FS8CBNs3mi46Uwlix6m3o9mgSX9WcqgfkNGx2GAD37erPCkc-KqpjZtBs3xxmpPebjlRm035Qv6ty0QTM1d-JJvH9e053aMlYFJrvRtzWcHuuJ-KDUhtYZvHrT4vdtp7pTepQXSE/s1600/icon_wink.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfE4FS8CBNs3mi46Uwlix6m3o9mgSX9WcqgfkNGx2GAD37erPCkc-KqpjZtBs3xxmpPebjlRm035Qv6ty0QTM1d-JJvH9e053aMlYFJrvRtzWcHuuJ-KDUhtYZvHrT4vdtp7pTepQXSE/s1600/icon_wink.gif" /></a></div>sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402685438841675053.post-15705444416576770432011-10-14T21:08:00.000-04:002011-10-14T21:08:30.325-04:00<div><div>A few random thoughts as I leave what's behind and go forward...<br />
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"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." ~ Dr. Seuss<br />
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Good memories are a treasure for the heart to keep warm and cuddle with. Good memories encourage us when life can be rude, and can be the teddy bear that makes us feel safe and secure. It's good memories that travel with us like a blanket which we can wrap ourselves in when uncertainty frowns in our face.<br />
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It's the good memories I take with me as I enter this new adventure and leave the place where I thought I'd be for the rest of my life. I've learned so much during the past few years about <a href="http://sandypdot.wordpress.com/2011/10/14/dont-uncover-the-nakedness-unless-you-want-yours-uncovered/">how to love and care for people</a>, and I'm grateful for the muscles built through the workouts I endured. I feel peace - anticipation - because I know the road ahead is waiting. I'm ready to go!<br />
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I take joy in where I've been, what I've learned, and how I've grown, and I look forward to where I'm going. And it all... starts... now...<br />
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</div></div>sandypdothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00876477383142608417noreply@blogger.com0