By Karyn L. Beach
For the past eight years, my number one companion has been Marty, my 10-year-old toy poodle. He’s been with me through several boyfriends as well as one big cross-country move (to California and back). Together we’ve played, we’ve cried (he likes to lick my tears), we’ve slept in on lazy Saturdays and endured many a thunderstorm (he hates those). I think we can learn a lot from a dog.
While he has a long memory, he’s got a very short attention span when it comes to being upset. He gets over things. He’s definitely not a grudge holder. Animals, unlike humans, innately trust their instincts. We let too much ‘thinking’ and second-guessing get in the way. But Marty reacts based on instinct and he’s usually right. He can tell when that dreaded thunderstorm is coming before I have a clue. He knows when I’m upset and is ready with a lick to comfort me.
Before Marty, I could get up and be out of the house (dressed, hair done and full make-up) in 15 minutes flat. Not so much with a dog. The concept of late just doesn’t occur to him. I can rush like gangbusters but time slows down when I have to walk him. He just refuses to rush!
What I like best about him though is that he’s an automatic mood lifter. A hard day or a sad moment becomes a little bit better when he’s around. He’s there with a sympathetic ear (and a head tilt that makes you think he really does understand) or to lick a tear away. He’s always up for a quick game or just to sit on your lap and let you pet him. After 5 minutes with Marty, you will feel better! It’s guaranteed.
His unabashed love and affection are contagious. The groomer refers to him as her ‘boyfriend’ and he arrives at the vet to a chorus of greetings from the vet assistants. In fact, my friend Cindy refers to him as America’s Favorite Pooch .
Life is hard and filled with twists and turns and disappointments. But with a Marty in my corner, somehow I know I’ll get through it all. Everyone should be so lucky.
October 07 2009 | Inspiring Stories / Poetry and Power Boost: November 2009 | No Comments »
By Ronald C. Manalastas
From the time I came of age, I have learned to see and enjoy the world as a bounty, a place purposely designed by the Almighty Creator for humanity to cherish, work for, and be excited about.
I would think that it is this same powerful positive feeling about the world’s divine design that has given most people the intent and the drive to maximize the world’s endowments. We have considered the world as a providential gift befitting continued transformation so that we can live our life to the fullest. In essence, we are in a changing world where we have so much to value despite its man-made imperfections.
What then are in this world that we can greatly appreciate and love as human beings?
The following are the ten things that I love about the world we live in:
1. Faith in God and sense of righteousness
No less than 90% of the world’s population believes in God, or in the existence of a supreme being, a divine someone who has orchestrated the earth’s creation and how it should be nurtured and managed. This overwhelming recognition of God has given humanity a deep sense of righteousness.
The people’s abiding belief in the Ten Commandments has been the cornerstone of most laws and statutes that seek to install order, rights, equality, freedom, liberty, and industry among people of divergent races. Religion has flourished amidst unprecedented gains in science and technology, uniquely strengthening the moral fiber of the global society.
Without faith in God and the sense of righteousness it evokes among people, chaos and anarchy could have prevented the evolution of our world, which is a product of man’s faith, character, discipline, and ingenuity. Man’s relationship with God takes the form of a powerful binding contract for man to do good things.
2. Human capacity: To think, act, relate, and learn
As humans, we are four-dimensional. We were given the body through which we can live, the mind through which we can learn, the heart through which we can love, and the spirit through which we can leave a legacy. In such human configuration, we have the capacity to think, act, relate, and learn. Our creation was a well-thought plan, for us to enjoy and share everything that this world can offer.
I also delight my being able to see, smell, touch, hear, and taste. They are marvelous endowments. I could not imagine how I could be in a position to write and communicate for the greater good without my gift of human capacity.
3. Inherent freedom to choose
When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, we had been given the complete freedom to chart our own destiny through the voluntary exercise of our human capacity. We had been granted the unlimited freedom to work for our living, to reproduce and fill the earth with humans, and to live in a manner we deem best. That freedom stays up to now. We are at liberty to choose our vocation or profession in life, find our place of abode, seek the friends we like, build the family we dream about, and think of our strategies in life.
Even if we are bound to follow the rules of society, we still have the freedom to ignore them subject to our being accountable for the adverse results of our act.
4. Abundance of new knowledge and learning
Our continuing quest for new knowledge has kept on producing new technologies and meaningful information that help us acquire new competencies as we try to improve our quality of life.
Right after my retirement 10 years ago, after having been operationally focused on telecommunication management for about 20 years, I felt some sort of a dearth of knowledge about other industries that would be the ambit of my new discipline as I go into business consulting. Despite having done purposeful reading of books, journals and periodicals, I had found the Internet to be the greatest repository of new knowledge that I had always needed. Had it not been for the immense power of the Internet to provide abundant fingertip-level new information, I could not have acquired competent knowledge about other industries in a short span of time.
The preponderance of databases, websites, blogs, and other online tools, including "how to" tutorial articles, all rich in knowledge-building content, has accelerated the pace of new learning on earth. This development will continue over an infinite duration, and surfing the Net will be much more informative, exciting, and contributive to society.
5. Unlimited opportunities in life
Regardless of our position in life, the world seems not to run out of opportunities that can help us address our needs and satisfy our wants in life. Even in the face of failure, there are always opportunities that pop up and bring good fortune.
When for some uncontrollable reasons I failed in two successive start-up businesses, a partner of mine in the failed ventures invited me to join him in two major business research projects, which we were able to impressively complete. These consulting engagements led to the setting up my own business consulting firm that up to now continues to operate and give me refreshing intellectual renewal. In this turnaround, the more I learned to love the thought that our world always lets failure to be the start of success.
6. The goodness of people and community
If life is predicated on collaboration, sharing, and coaching to help others succeed, the essence of being in community with people becomes an inspiring preoccupation that brings intense personal fulfillment.
When I started doing pro-bono business consulting work for some underprivileged new entrants in small business, I was amazed and exalted with the new circle of clients, people, and friends that I had built for myself. When my wife and I decided to join a Christian community, we were moved by the intensity of a concerted mindset to do good things for the greater good. My interconnection with people has reinforced my endearment to people, as well as my appreciation for their transformational value to society.
7. The value of the family
The family is one of the reasons why we work hard and persevere in life. We want to give our loved ones the security, comfort, stability, status, and recognition they rightfully deserve. Our family is a source of energy and inspiration in whatever we think and do. And societies flourish because of the dominant value of the family as a basic social unit, and its proven trans-generational impact.
I enjoy being in an active "extended family" loop where the exercise of love, mutual care, understanding, solidarity, sharing, kindness, and warmth transcends my own family, reaching and encircling grandparents, godparents, uncles, aunties, cousins, nephews, and nieces. It is a wonderful world of a family, always vibrant, hopeful, and ecstatic about each member. I love seeing my children being a part of this awesome family union.
8. Work as a fact of life
I love the fundamental idea behind our creation, with work being inherently attached to our life. It stimulates my senses in recognizing the fact that for us to achieve our lofty ideals, we have to work for them. Work and achieving its purpose gives me a strong feeling of self-respect, for having done something positive by utilizing my own human faculties for the welfare of my individuality, my family, and the community that I serve. Work refreshes me as it sharpens my competencies in facing life’s opportunities and challenges.
9. Arts as a balancing medium
As we commonly say: "work with no play makes a man dull and gray." I uphold the value of this seemingly overused, yet very valuable, immortal quip. "Arts" is a "play medium" that enables us to achieve some work-life balance. Music, painting, sculpture, antique collection, hiking, mountain climbing, travels, vintage car restoration, and even sports are common emotional outlets that relieve us of the stress and pressure of regular work, or of leading a regimented life.
I love writing as an art. Writing leads me to a creative thinking mode and gives me the freedom to ventilate my thoughts regardless of the point of view that I stand for. I enjoy music too. Its lyrics and melody give me the positive mood and the joy of understanding humanity in a more pleasant way.
10. Presence of life-giving remedies
Health is important to our full enjoyment of the world’s bounty. Without it, we would miss a lot of what the world offers and has to offer. I delight man’s capacity and inventiveness to produce countless life-giving remedies for health maintenance and improvement, disease prevention, and illness cure. Had it not been for the breakthroughs in medical science, life could have been too short, depriving us of the boon and beauty of the contemporary world.
October 07 2009 | Inspiring Stories / Poetry and Other Useful Articles and Power Boost: October 2009 | No Comments »
By Lauren Wilder
By the time this article reaches your eyes I will be Chicago.
I began dreaming of this move when I spent a month with my family in the summer of 2000. There was something in the air that made me want to come back again my senior year in high school for Christmas. It was at 17 I decided that I was going to move to this city. In 2007, I had the chance to navigate the city in a late Chicago winter through downtown which reaffirmed this was where I wanted to be. It was the perfect dose of city and cultural neighborhoods I craved.
So, last month I sat down with my notebook and planned my move. It’s definitely not the most practical move; I’m still unemployed and little savings. You’re probably thinking are you sure you want to do this? Darn skippy. I’ve already received the concerned parent speech. I’ve considered all the things that can go wrong, right, backwards, and forwards. I’ll only be 23 next month, why not take a chance? If it doesn’t work I can always come home, even though I cringe at the thought.
My plan will unravel in time and of course I’ll share this with you all. When you get the urge to do something and feel that it’s right (despite nerves), then you have to go through with it. I have no idea what’s going to happen. It’ll be a change dealing with two homeschooled cousins, a stay at home mom, and an aging uncle.
I’m excited and this is probably the most excitement since I began teaching. I think we’re entitled to excitement in moderated doses, for me it’s every 6 months. If I were given the opportunity to plan out my move again, I probably would, but if I turn back now I think I’d fail myself. It’s not that I don’t think I couldn’t do it, I’d be afraid to take a chance.
In my whole planning process I’ve learned a few things. First, I learned to follow the Nike motto “Just Do It.” Second, I learned to plan according to my wants and needs. For example, if I wanted an apartment as soon as I got to the Chicago I would’ve planned it that way. My plan was an escape plan that has an emphasis on a fight or flight response. Third, I consider all possibilities what can go wrong or right, this is just so I could stay grounded and really make my plan work. Lastly, I asked for help, special thanks to my uncle and aunt for letting me crash at their house.
Many young people my age are packing up and moving with their dreams to guide them. I guess this is what your 20s are about. You make moves and pay for them later, good or bad.
I feel ready, except for Chicago winters which no Southerner will ever be prepared for.
July 23 2009 | Inspiring Stories / Poetry and Other Useful Articles and Power Boost: August 2009 | No Comments »
by Marilyn Sprague-Smith, M.Ed
America is celebrating the 33rd anniversary of National Humor Month in April. The original intent of this month-long celebration was to heighten public awareness of the joy and therapeutic value of humor and laughter. Through first-hand experience, I’m discovering that looking for the funny in everyday living—especially during a full moon—eases frustration, alleviates agitation and improves outlook on life.
Many studies debunk the association between “strange” human behavior and lunar phases. It’s not uncommon, though, for caregivers, medical professionals and law enforcement officials to give credence to the “lunar effect.” A familiar “it must be a full moon” is often exchanged with raised eyebrows to explain out of the ordinary behavior.
One morning during a recent full moon cycle, Jill, a dear friend who has opened her home to me and my dog, left an instructional note on the kitchen counter. It read, “Robert (her elderly father who is experiencing progressive Alzheimer’s) has had a big breakfast and taken his meds. He was up at 4:00, 4:45 and 6:30 AM (maybe more)—Full Moon “Off?” Have a great day.” It appeared to be an attempt to inject humor and ease the frustration of sleep deprivation she and her husband were experiencing as a result of her dad’s. erratic behavior.
When Robert entered the breakfast room, it was readily apparent the witty, jovial, upbeat retired Air Force Colonel was absent. In his place was a tired, confused, agitated Robert. Gone was the sparkle in his eyes and his zesty “Ta Da, here I am. It’s so good for me to see you,” countenance. Instead, Robert shuffled to his place at the table, gave me a questioning glance and started mumbling 
incoherent sentences.
Most of the morning was spent helping Robert link to the present. It was heart wrenching to hear him explain that he was certain I was telling the truth, but it wasn’t the same as what was going on in his head. At one point he queried, “I’m not psychiatric am I?” With a warm hand-clasp and soft eyes, I replied, “No Robert, together we’re filling in some blanks. That’s all.” We shared a light-hearted laugh. Then, the process repeated itself.
Mid-afternoon, I felt an urge to call Dixie, a girl friend who is working as a community outreach liaison and caregiver for a non-medical, in-home service provider. She didn’t sound like her buoyant self when she answered the phone. In a few short sentences, I found out a male client with dementia started making blatant sexual overtures towards her that morning. I shared with her Jill’s Full Moon “Off” explanation. It sparked a mild chuckle from Dixie. She really was feeling disgusted. However, her sense of humor blossomed fully just before our conversation ended.
“You know, I’ve been thinking. EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) might be a solution. I have this giant size picture of me teaching him how to tap while affirming ‘Even though I’m horny as H-E-double-L, I love and accept myself exactly as I am.’ Whatdaya think?”
Needless to say, laughter was spewing out of our mouths. Neither of us could speak and our conversation ended in a spree of laughter. The next morning, I forwarded a copy of a daily inspirational e-mail message to provide encouragement and support. A few days later, Robert’s behavior returned to normal and we all thought the saga of Full Moon “Off” was over. That is, until the Universe provided an opportunity for a humorous post script.
Dixie sent a response to my e-mail about five days later. Here’s what it said:
“Thx. You want another good laugh? Here’s my Horoscope from Sunday’s paper: ‘You ooze sex appeal and charm, but that doesn’t mean that you should push for a firm commitment or a promise. Use your attractiveness to make a favorable impression on the job this week.’ Is that a GAS or what?!”
As my burst of laughter subsided, I knew the saga of Full Moon “Off” just had to be taken to the next level. I dialed Dixie’s cell phone and let out a quiet sigh of relief when she answered. After all, a punch line is all about timing, timing, timing.
“Dixie?,” I inquired in a serious business tone, as an attempt to camouflage my voice.
“Yes,” was her hesitant reply.
“I’d like to place a job order. (Pause) I’m seeking someone whose attractiveness can create a favorable impression on the job. Can you help me?”
There was a pregnant pause on the other end of the phone. I sensed she was getting ready to hang up on a “prank” caller.
“Dixie, it’s Marilyn,” I blurted out. “I just got your e-mail. Sounds like you’re too sexy for your job!”
We erupted into laughter simultaneously. Through our shared mirth and merriment, we both recognized last week’s agitation was a set up for this week’s punch line.
Throughout National Humor Month, give yourself permission to look for humor in everyday living. Let the power of a huge belly laugh be your automatic reset for easing frustration, alleviating agitation and brightening your outlook. It’s guaranteed to work.
So, C’mon, Let’s Laugh! and create a personal antidote to Full Moon “Off.”
Marilyn Sprague-Smith , M.Ed. is an award-winning trainer, author, professional speaker and certified laughter leader. She and Spirit, her white male Bishon Frise´, reside in Ft. Collins. Call 336-314-1700 or visit www.miraclesmagicinc.com for info about her keynotes, meeting energizers, breakout sessions and customized training services.
April 03 2009 | Inspiring Stories / Poetry and Motherhood & Family Life and Other Useful Articles and Power Boost: April 2009 and Power Boost: February 2009 and Your Physical Self | No Comments »
