Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Mom, I'm really sick. I have Leukemia.
Okay. It's time to write my story. Nic's story and our whole family's story.
When the phone rang last May 31st at 11:00 PM, I had actually forgotten that my son Nic had called earlier that evening and told me he was going to urgent care. He had a temperature of 103. We had gone to my brother's house on Memorial Weekend - our whole extended family was there. Nic wasn't feeling well - coughing, cold, bronchitis-type symptoms. He had a pain in his chest. He was very tired and it was hard to wake him to come to the table. He had been 'doctoring' for a while - they kept giving him antibiotics and treating his symptoms, but he was busy trying to finish college, so he kept plugging along.
He graduated from the University of Minnesota on May 16th with a degree in Biochemistry. He started his college education thinking he might like to be a lawyer so he studied Political Science. After a year, he started thinking that if he didn't get a law degree, what would he do, so she switched to engineering. He was always very good in math and science, and that logical thinking suited him well. When he got ready to specialize, he decided Biomedical Engineering would be his choice - until he spoke with some engineers who described most of their work as being on a computer and doing design. Nic wanted to work with people so he switched once again to Biochemistry. He got a part-time job working in a lab on campus and enjoyed the work and the people there.
So he graduated. We were so proud of him. He was just starting his job search and was looking at options in-state and nationwide. I called him after that trip to Wisconsin and asked if he had gone back to the doctor, but he said he was feeling better. Until Sunday the 31st. He and his boyfriend Irael were going to go to a 3rd Eye Blind concert that evening, so he tried napping in the afternoon, but when his temp was up to 103, they decided he needed to go in. They went to Urgent Care, but there was a 2 hour wait, so they went to the emergency room at the University of Minnesota Medical Center on campus.
That's when he called me. Upon examination, they found that his white blood cell count was off the charts. His blood was so full of leukemic cells, it was starting to get thick. He told me "Mom, I'm really sick. I have Leukemia."
No, not Nic. Not my child. It was surreal. Micalie and I were visiting in the kitchen and I was getting ready to go to bed - I had to work in the morning. I couldn't believe what he was telling me and said that it wasn't fair, and Nic calmly said "Mom, life isn't fair." It hasn't been to Nic, anyway.
When the phone rang last May 31st at 11:00 PM, I had actually forgotten that my son Nic had called earlier that evening and told me he was going to urgent care. He had a temperature of 103. We had gone to my brother's house on Memorial Weekend - our whole extended family was there. Nic wasn't feeling well - coughing, cold, bronchitis-type symptoms. He had a pain in his chest. He was very tired and it was hard to wake him to come to the table. He had been 'doctoring' for a while - they kept giving him antibiotics and treating his symptoms, but he was busy trying to finish college, so he kept plugging along.
He graduated from the University of Minnesota on May 16th with a degree in Biochemistry. He started his college education thinking he might like to be a lawyer so he studied Political Science. After a year, he started thinking that if he didn't get a law degree, what would he do, so she switched to engineering. He was always very good in math and science, and that logical thinking suited him well. When he got ready to specialize, he decided Biomedical Engineering would be his choice - until he spoke with some engineers who described most of their work as being on a computer and doing design. Nic wanted to work with people so he switched once again to Biochemistry. He got a part-time job working in a lab on campus and enjoyed the work and the people there.
So he graduated. We were so proud of him. He was just starting his job search and was looking at options in-state and nationwide. I called him after that trip to Wisconsin and asked if he had gone back to the doctor, but he said he was feeling better. Until Sunday the 31st. He and his boyfriend Irael were going to go to a 3rd Eye Blind concert that evening, so he tried napping in the afternoon, but when his temp was up to 103, they decided he needed to go in. They went to Urgent Care, but there was a 2 hour wait, so they went to the emergency room at the University of Minnesota Medical Center on campus.
That's when he called me. Upon examination, they found that his white blood cell count was off the charts. His blood was so full of leukemic cells, it was starting to get thick. He told me "Mom, I'm really sick. I have Leukemia."
No, not Nic. Not my child. It was surreal. Micalie and I were visiting in the kitchen and I was getting ready to go to bed - I had to work in the morning. I couldn't believe what he was telling me and said that it wasn't fair, and Nic calmly said "Mom, life isn't fair." It hasn't been to Nic, anyway.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
6 Surefire Ways to Jumpstart 2010!
I believe one of the pieces to laying a solid foundation for success can be summed in one word – BALANCE! If you lean too much to just the money side of achieving your dreams or goals, you may find getting or arriving at the top of your field or businesslonely. If you place too much emphasis on getting ahead and working endless hours, you may wake up one day to the harsh reality that you have no meaningful friendships or significant person in your life to love.
The best way to guard against these possible scenarios or others like them is to devise goals that include key areas of your life that are based upon your core values. For example, as a Christian woman, my values are (1) God first (2) family second (3) ministry or business, etc is third on my hierarchy of priorities; it is different for everyone.
There are six areas I believe will set a strong foundation from which to build as you pursue your goals for 2010 and beyond. They are (1) Faith (2) Family (3) Fitness (4) Finances (5) Friends and (6) Fun.
1. Faith. It is important to build yourself up spiritually and stay connected to God through prayer, praise, and worship, reading the Bible, and study Scripture. Doing these things every day consistently will help you be in tune for divine guidance, instruction, and direction for your family, health, business, etc.
2. Family. Family is one of the most important relationships you can have in life! If your home is not in order or falling apart, it will have a negative impact on every thing you do including our business. You may have the most wonderful wife or husband and children in the world, but if they are not nurtured and made to feel important, you jeopardize losing them. Devise a family mission statement and stick with. This will help you see when you are getting of course or imbalanced.
3. Fitness. We live in such a fast-paced society that we often do not the care of our physical health. The fact is you cannot neglect your physical health and expect to accomplish your dream and goals. A sick or diseased body will limit how we pursue your dreams and goals – energetically or sluggishly; sharp thinker or dull thinker, etc. The best remedies for this is plan and execute a regular exercise regimen and eat more healthy foods. Being emotionally healthy is just as important as physical health. Exercise your brain by reading inspiring and encouraging books, listen to tapes. Develop a personal development regimen.
4. Finance. Become a good steward of the financial blessings that come into your life through running your own business or as an employee. No where your money is going. Set goals of how much income you want to generate, save, donate, and invest. Guard against greed! Develop a healthy attitude and relationship with money. It’s only a tool and when used properly can benefit and bless you, your family and those around you.
5. Friends. Next to having strong family connections friends are the second most important relationships in your life, and they need to be honored and nurtured as well. When others, including your family, fail to understand you sometimes, a close, trusting friend can really help keep you well grounded! You may only have one or two close friends, but that is more than most people have. So, hold onto them and do not work too much at pursuing your dreams and goals that you neglect your friends!
6. Fun. The old adage, “All work and no play makes a Jack a dull boy” still rings true today! It is so important to laugh and have fun, go places and do fun things! Have fun just for the sake of having fun!! It is a big stress reliever and is good for your overall health. It is not a healthy practice to work 18 hours or more 7 days a week! Take time to nurture yourself; it will rejuvenate you!
Doing these things will ensure a strong foundation of balance in your life so that you can build strong, healthy relationships while you pursue your dreams and goals. Happy New Year!
If you’d like to use this article on your website, in your newsletter or anywhere else, you may do so as long as the information below is included in its entirety.
Yvonne Carson is the CEO/founder of Woman-To-Woman Empowerment Academy and Women Breaking Free, a free membership community. Her mission is to help women to grow through spiritual development and personal development.http://womenbreakingfree.ning.com
The best way to guard against these possible scenarios or others like them is to devise goals that include key areas of your life that are based upon your core values. For example, as a Christian woman, my values are (1) God first (2) family second (3) ministry or business, etc is third on my hierarchy of priorities; it is different for everyone.
There are six areas I believe will set a strong foundation from which to build as you pursue your goals for 2010 and beyond. They are (1) Faith (2) Family (3) Fitness (4) Finances (5) Friends and (6) Fun.
1. Faith. It is important to build yourself up spiritually and stay connected to God through prayer, praise, and worship, reading the Bible, and study Scripture. Doing these things every day consistently will help you be in tune for divine guidance, instruction, and direction for your family, health, business, etc.
2. Family. Family is one of the most important relationships you can have in life! If your home is not in order or falling apart, it will have a negative impact on every thing you do including our business. You may have the most wonderful wife or husband and children in the world, but if they are not nurtured and made to feel important, you jeopardize losing them. Devise a family mission statement and stick with. This will help you see when you are getting of course or imbalanced.
3. Fitness. We live in such a fast-paced society that we often do not the care of our physical health. The fact is you cannot neglect your physical health and expect to accomplish your dream and goals. A sick or diseased body will limit how we pursue your dreams and goals – energetically or sluggishly; sharp thinker or dull thinker, etc. The best remedies for this is plan and execute a regular exercise regimen and eat more healthy foods. Being emotionally healthy is just as important as physical health. Exercise your brain by reading inspiring and encouraging books, listen to tapes. Develop a personal development regimen.
4. Finance. Become a good steward of the financial blessings that come into your life through running your own business or as an employee. No where your money is going. Set goals of how much income you want to generate, save, donate, and invest. Guard against greed! Develop a healthy attitude and relationship with money. It’s only a tool and when used properly can benefit and bless you, your family and those around you.
5. Friends. Next to having strong family connections friends are the second most important relationships in your life, and they need to be honored and nurtured as well. When others, including your family, fail to understand you sometimes, a close, trusting friend can really help keep you well grounded! You may only have one or two close friends, but that is more than most people have. So, hold onto them and do not work too much at pursuing your dreams and goals that you neglect your friends!
6. Fun. The old adage, “All work and no play makes a Jack a dull boy” still rings true today! It is so important to laugh and have fun, go places and do fun things! Have fun just for the sake of having fun!! It is a big stress reliever and is good for your overall health. It is not a healthy practice to work 18 hours or more 7 days a week! Take time to nurture yourself; it will rejuvenate you!
Doing these things will ensure a strong foundation of balance in your life so that you can build strong, healthy relationships while you pursue your dreams and goals. Happy New Year!
If you’d like to use this article on your website, in your newsletter or anywhere else, you may do so as long as the information below is included in its entirety.
Yvonne Carson is the CEO/founder of Woman-To-Woman Empowerment Academy and Women Breaking Free, a free membership community. Her mission is to help women to grow through spiritual development and personal development.http://womenbreakingfree.ning.com
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Leadership Secrets from Santa Claus
by Gary Ryan Blair in Leadership |December 24th, 2009 |
For 26 years, a man known only as Secret Santa has roamed the streets of Kansas City every December quietly giving people money. He started with $5 and $10 bills.
Who is Santa Claus?
As his fortune grew, so did the gifts. In recent years, Secret Santa has been handing out $100 bills, sometimes two or three at a time, to people in thrift stores, diners and parking lots.
During his life he’s anonymously given out more than $1.3 million. It’s been a long-held holiday mystery: Who is Secret Santa?
Larry Stewart passed away on January 12, 2007 from esophageal cancer but not before he revealed his identify and passing on his belief in random acts of benevolence.
Mr. Stewart made his millions in cable television and in long-distance telephone services.
His holiday giving started in December 1979 when he was nursing his wounds at a drive-in restaurant after getting fired.
It was the second year in a row he had been fired the week before Christmas.
Turning Tragedy into Opportunity
Soon after getting fired, Mr. Stewart was at a drive in restaurant and came across a car hop: “It was cold and this car hop (waiter or waitress who brings food to people at drive-ins) didn’t have on a very big jacket, and I thought to myself, `I think I got it bad. She’s out there in this cold making nickels and dimes,’” he said.
He gave her $20 and told her to keep the change.
“And suddenly I saw her lips begin to tremble and tears begin to flow down her cheeks. She said, `Sir, you have no idea what this means to me.’”
Stewart was moved and went to the bank that day and took out $200. He then drove around looking for people who could use a lift.
That was his “Christmas present to himself.” He hit the streets each December since.
While Stewart has also given money to other community causes in Kansas City and his hometown of Bruce, Miss., he offers the simple gifts of cash because it’s something people don’t have to “beg for, get in line for, or apply for.”
That was a feeling he came to know in the early ’70s when he was living out of his yellow Datsun. Hungry and tired, Stewart mustered the nerve to approach a woman at a church and ask for help. The woman told him the person who could help was gone for the day, and Stewart would have to come back the next day.
“As I turned around, I knew I would never do that again,” Stewart said.
Over the years, Stewart’s giving as Secret Santa grew. He started a Web site. He allowed the news media to tag along, mostly because he wanted to hear about the people who received the money. Reporters had to agree to guard his identity and not name his company.
His entourage grew over the years, and he began traveling with special elves and training others to be Secret Santas.
The Spirit of Secret Santa is Alive and Growing
Today, Larry Dean Stewart’s loyal Elves and the Secret Santas he trained are building upon the foundation he laid.
A new group of Secret Santas and Elves are very busy this Christmas. They are going coast to coast in selected cities and towns to spread hope this Christmas, giving one hundred dollar bills to the needy.
This year in his honor each one hundred dollar bill will bear the name Larry Stewart Secret Santa.
They will also be training those who have come forward to be a Secret Santa Leader in their community.
Could you be a Secret Santa? Go the Secret Santa Society to learn how.
Also, while you may not be able to pass out $100 dollar bills, how can you make a difference in the life of just one person in your community?
I’d love to hear about it.
Happy Holidays!
Gary
http://www.everythingcounts.com/
For 26 years, a man known only as Secret Santa has roamed the streets of Kansas City every December quietly giving people money. He started with $5 and $10 bills.
Who is Santa Claus?
As his fortune grew, so did the gifts. In recent years, Secret Santa has been handing out $100 bills, sometimes two or three at a time, to people in thrift stores, diners and parking lots.
During his life he’s anonymously given out more than $1.3 million. It’s been a long-held holiday mystery: Who is Secret Santa?
Larry Stewart passed away on January 12, 2007 from esophageal cancer but not before he revealed his identify and passing on his belief in random acts of benevolence.
Mr. Stewart made his millions in cable television and in long-distance telephone services.
His holiday giving started in December 1979 when he was nursing his wounds at a drive-in restaurant after getting fired.
It was the second year in a row he had been fired the week before Christmas.
Turning Tragedy into Opportunity
Soon after getting fired, Mr. Stewart was at a drive in restaurant and came across a car hop: “It was cold and this car hop (waiter or waitress who brings food to people at drive-ins) didn’t have on a very big jacket, and I thought to myself, `I think I got it bad. She’s out there in this cold making nickels and dimes,’” he said.
He gave her $20 and told her to keep the change.
“And suddenly I saw her lips begin to tremble and tears begin to flow down her cheeks. She said, `Sir, you have no idea what this means to me.’”
Stewart was moved and went to the bank that day and took out $200. He then drove around looking for people who could use a lift.
That was his “Christmas present to himself.” He hit the streets each December since.
While Stewart has also given money to other community causes in Kansas City and his hometown of Bruce, Miss., he offers the simple gifts of cash because it’s something people don’t have to “beg for, get in line for, or apply for.”
That was a feeling he came to know in the early ’70s when he was living out of his yellow Datsun. Hungry and tired, Stewart mustered the nerve to approach a woman at a church and ask for help. The woman told him the person who could help was gone for the day, and Stewart would have to come back the next day.
“As I turned around, I knew I would never do that again,” Stewart said.
Over the years, Stewart’s giving as Secret Santa grew. He started a Web site. He allowed the news media to tag along, mostly because he wanted to hear about the people who received the money. Reporters had to agree to guard his identity and not name his company.
His entourage grew over the years, and he began traveling with special elves and training others to be Secret Santas.
The Spirit of Secret Santa is Alive and Growing
Today, Larry Dean Stewart’s loyal Elves and the Secret Santas he trained are building upon the foundation he laid.
A new group of Secret Santas and Elves are very busy this Christmas. They are going coast to coast in selected cities and towns to spread hope this Christmas, giving one hundred dollar bills to the needy.
This year in his honor each one hundred dollar bill will bear the name Larry Stewart Secret Santa.
They will also be training those who have come forward to be a Secret Santa Leader in their community.
Could you be a Secret Santa? Go the Secret Santa Society to learn how.
Also, while you may not be able to pass out $100 dollar bills, how can you make a difference in the life of just one person in your community?
I’d love to hear about it.
Happy Holidays!
Gary
http://www.everythingcounts.com/
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Different Kinds of Work
If your boss asks you to move a box from point a to point b, it's probably not okay to say, "I don't feel like it right now."
If you work on the chain gang and it's time to dig a ditch, you don't get a reprieve if you roll your eyes and say, "that's not what they pay me for."
And if you're a dishwasher, you don't get a chance to say, "I guess I'm just not the kind of person who's good at putting his hands into really hot soapy water all day."
And yet.
And yet when we ask you to look people in the eye, be creative, brainstorm, be generous, find a way to satisfy an angry customer, work with a bully, learn a new skill or bring joy to work, suddenly the excuses pile up. Is this a different sort of work? Is raising your hand in class too much to ask of you?
The jobs most of us would like to have are jobs like this. And yet we put up a fight when given the chance to do them well.
Seth Godin
If you work on the chain gang and it's time to dig a ditch, you don't get a reprieve if you roll your eyes and say, "that's not what they pay me for."
And if you're a dishwasher, you don't get a chance to say, "I guess I'm just not the kind of person who's good at putting his hands into really hot soapy water all day."
And yet.
And yet when we ask you to look people in the eye, be creative, brainstorm, be generous, find a way to satisfy an angry customer, work with a bully, learn a new skill or bring joy to work, suddenly the excuses pile up. Is this a different sort of work? Is raising your hand in class too much to ask of you?
The jobs most of us would like to have are jobs like this. And yet we put up a fight when given the chance to do them well.
Seth Godin
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
I wanted wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, and share a wonderful letter of encouragement that was written to a dear friend back in 1513.
Although it was written so long ago, the words still ring true for us today.
“I salute you. I am your friend and my love for you goes deep.
There is nothing I can give you which you have not got. But there is much, very much, that while I cannot give it, you can take.
No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in today. Take heaven!
No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present little instance. Take peace!
The gloom of the world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within our reach, is joy. Take joy!
Life is so full of meaning and purpose, so full of beauty . . . that you will find earth but cloaks your heaven. Courage then to claim it, that is all!
And so I greet you, with profound esteem and with the prayer that for you, now and forever, the day breaks and the shadows flee away.”
“Fra Giovanni, 1513"
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
From: A Storybook Life
Although it was written so long ago, the words still ring true for us today.
“I salute you. I am your friend and my love for you goes deep.
There is nothing I can give you which you have not got. But there is much, very much, that while I cannot give it, you can take.
No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in today. Take heaven!
No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present little instance. Take peace!
The gloom of the world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within our reach, is joy. Take joy!
Life is so full of meaning and purpose, so full of beauty . . . that you will find earth but cloaks your heaven. Courage then to claim it, that is all!
And so I greet you, with profound esteem and with the prayer that for you, now and forever, the day breaks and the shadows flee away.”
“Fra Giovanni, 1513"
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
From: A Storybook Life
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Desiderata was one of those eye-opening quotes that a person found when they were in high school and plastered their walls with wisdom. I know it by heart - even yet. As I reflect upon my life and the events of the year, this is one piece of writing I would like my children to read - over and over. In fact, I think I will make a poster for them to plaster on their walls.
Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble, it's a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
"Desiderata" was written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann (1872-1945).
Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble, it's a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
"Desiderata" was written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann (1872-1945).
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