Tell Me Something GOOD!

The Original MBA - if you don't have one, you should!

2011-10-18T13:10:00.000-07:00

I hope you had a Mom as good as mine. Growing up, I knew that mine was pretty special when girlfriends told me how their moms acted. My brothers and I knew that, even though we might complain a bit, we were pretty lucky to have the parents we had.

Mom passed away from metastatic breast cancer in 1998. That last Mother's Day, it was pretty obvious that she was going to be leaving us very soon, and I struggled with what sort of gift to give her. Then it hit me - I should give her the gift of knowing how she shaped me.

I wrote a list of the lessons she taught me, some silly, some profound and one or two were little secrets the two of us had. I printed it on pretty paper, framed it and gave it to her. After she passed away, Dad gave it back to me. It sat on my desk for years, when one day I realized it was a book outline.

I'm happy to share the resulting book with you. "The Original MBA - Succeed in Business Using Mom's Best Advice" takes fifteen of those lessons and fleshes them out with stories of how I first learned each lesson and of how those lessons served me in business later in life. The book is perfect for those just starting out in their working life, those starting a business or making a mid-life career shift. It's available at Amazon.com and the publisher's website.

One of the lessons or parents taught us was to share, and in the spirit of that lesson, 10% of the proceeds (not profits, proceeds) of this book will go to two good causes: It's The Journey, Inc., an organization that helps women who are fighting breast cancer and Billy's Building Fund, a portal for donations to the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital building fund.

If you buy and read the book, thank you. Please post a review on Amazon.com or email me with your thoughts by hitting the little white words above this post. And I'd love to have you join the conversation about the wisdom of Moms on Facebook.

Pit Bull vs. Kitten

2011-07-21T11:37:00.000-07:00

Think you know who wins this? Think again!

Siberian vs. Kitten

2011-07-21T11:35:00.000-07:00

Who says Siberians and cats don't get along? Sometimes they do - this video is truly worth a watch.

Stand Up and Say Thank You

2011-05-24T10:29:00.000-07:00

There's a family in Georgia who decided to help deployed military members one holiday season. The idea was to send a package to the Marine son of a friend at Christmas. Personal circumstances prevented the sending of the package, but Virginia asked her daughter Julie to please write to the young Marine and express her gratitude for his service.

As things sometimes do, one led to another and Virginia's daughter and this Marine ended up getting married a couple of years later. When her new husband was sent back to the Middle East for a second tour of duty, Julie remembered the unsent package and decided to not only send something to her husband, but to every member of his unit. Virginia and Julie put together 32 extra-large Christmas stockings stuffed with toiletries, goodies and small gifts. To say the stockings were a big hit is to damn them with faint praise.

Since the beginning of Operation Sandbox, more than 85,000 military men and women deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan have been the recipients of special packages from home. Teams of volunteers meet weekly to pack boxes, write notes and fulfill special requests from some of these Americans serving so far from home.

In return, those volunteers have received flags flown over foreign soil, Iraqi money, unit patches and countless thank you letters and postcards.

Imagine that - brave American men and women who are laying their very lives on the line, thanking volunteers who are sending small tokens of our nation's appreciation.

According to founder Virginia Pearson, "We are here to serve our military. If you are presently serving in Iraq or Afghanistan and would like support from our organization, please contact Operation Sandbox GA at www.operationsandboxga.com or email opsandboxga@bellsouth.net."

If you would like to help fill those boxes, Operation Sandbox would value your donation of time, talent, treasure and/or items. This is a 501(c)3 organization, so your donations are tax-deductible. Here's a list of the things that are most requested and valued by our military members in Iraq and Afghanistan. Give what you can to those who are willing to give so much more.

Honesty Lives and Does Good

2011-05-21T03:36:00.000-07:00

Family finds $45,000 in new home — then returns it

By CHI-CHI ZHANG, Associated Press Chi-chi Zhang, Associated Press – Thu May 19, 8:50 pm ET

SALT LAKE CITY – When Josh Ferrin closed on his family's first home, he never thought he'd make the discovery of a lifetime — then give it back.

Ferrin picked up the keys earlier this week and decided to check out the house in the Salt Lake City suburb of Bountiful. He was excited to finally have a place his family could call their own.

As he walked into the garage, a piece of cloth that clung to an attic door caught his eye. He opened the hatch and climbed up the ladder, then pulled out a metal box that looked like a World War II ammunition case.

"I freaked out, locked it my car, and called my wife to tell her she wouldn't believe what I had found," said Ferrin, who works as an artist for the Deseret News in Salt Lake City.

Then he found seven more boxes, all stuffed full with tightly wound rolls of cash bundled together with twine — more than $40,000.

Ferrin quickly took the boxes to his parent's house to count. Along with his wife and children, they spread out thousands of bills on a table, separating the bundles one by one.

They stopped counting at $40,000, but estimated there was at least $5,000 more on the table.

Ferrin thought about how such a large sum of money could go a long way, pay bills, buy things he never thought he could afford.

"I'm not perfect, and I wish I could say there was never any doubt in my mind. We knew we had to give it back, but it doesn't mean I didn't think about our car in need of repairs, how we would love to adopt a child and aren't able to do that right now, or fix up our outdated house that we just bought," Ferrin said. "But the money wasn't ours to keep and I don't believe you get a chance very often to do something radically honest, to do something ridiculously awesome for someone else and that is a lesson I hope to teach to my children."

He thought about the home's previous owner, Arnold Bangerter, who died in November and left the house to his children.

"I could imagine him in his workshop. From time to time, he would carefully bundle up $100 with twine, climb up into his attic and put it into a box to save. And he didn't do that for me," Ferrin said of the man who had worked as a biologist for the Utah Department of Fish and Game.

Bangerter purchased the home in 1966 and lived there with his wife, who died in 2005.

After most of the money was counted, Ferrin called one of Bangerter's sons with the news.

Kay Bangerter said he knew his father hid away money because he once found a bundle of cash taped beneath a drawer in their home, but he never considered his dad had stuffed away so much over the years.

"He grew up in hard times and people that survived that era didn't have anything when they came out of it unless they saved it themselves," Kay Bangerter, the oldest of the six children, told the Deseret News. "He was a saver, not a spender."

Bangerter called the money's return "a story that will outlast our generation and probably yours as well."

"I'm a father, and I worry about the future for my kids," Ferrin said. "I can see him putting that money away for a rainy day and it would have been wrong of me to deny him that thing he worked on for years. I felt like I got to write a chapter in his life, a chapter he wasn't able to finish and see it through to its conclusion."

The Future of Man-kind (and Woman-kind) is Safe!

2011-04-19T12:59:00.000-07:00

If all children were as on-the-ball, responsive and responsible as this little boy, the world would be a much better place!

Calling All Bakers - Cookies for Kids' Cancer

2011-03-24T11:10:00.000-07:00

On April 16, Cookies for Kids' Cancer is hosting a bake sale during the Dogwood Festival in Piedmont Park. We are asking home bakers across the city to consider baking a batch or two of cookies that we can sell at the sale to help raise money for this important and underfunded cause.

Founded by two parents inspired by their young son's battle with pediatric cancer, Cookies for Kids' Cancer is a 501(c)(3) that raises awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research through local bake sales and other events. Since their son's passing earlier this year, the founders, as well as their wide network of friends and supporters, are even more determined to raise funds to help others like him. To date, the organization has raised $2.5 million but there’s a critical need for more funds, and the group has set an ambitious goal to raise $10 million. Pediatric Cancer is the number one disease killer of kids in the U.S., due in large part to lack of funding. You can learn more about Cookies for Kids' Cancer at http://tinyurl.com/ATLCFKC. On the site, you can also show your support by making a donation or ordering cookies online.

During our April 16 event, we will be selling home-baked cookies as well as goodies provided by some of Atlanta's top bakeries and pastry chefs. Additionally, we'll be raffling off some fantastic prizes contributed by local businesses.

We hope you will consider baking some cookies or other items for us to sell at this event. The baked goods will be need to be delivered on Thursday, April 14, at several dropoff locations in Atlanta. If you are interested in signing up as a baker, please email us at cookiesforkidsATL@gmail.com. Include your name and cell phone number and we'll follow up within the coming weeks with more details on how to package and deliver your items. And you don’t have to just make cookies! Consider brownies, Rice Krispie treats or any other items that can be packaged and don’t break easily. We also have a specific need for food that is appropriate for people with certain dietary needs, so if you are interested in making vegan, gluten-free or other diet-specific cookies, please let us know. Ideally, we'd like a commitment of 4 to 6 dozen items from each baker.

Finally, we'll also need volunteers to help us package and label the cookies on Friday, April 15, as well as to set up, staff and break down the booth on April 16. If you're interested in volunteering for a shift, please email us (cookiesforkidsATL@gmail.com).

So grab your kids or some friends and head into the kitchen – after all, how often can you help support an amazing cause just by baking?

Sharyn Bernard
404.872.2772 (office)
678.361.6406 (cell)
253.550.6560 (fax)

Homeless Couple Wins Trip to Superbowl

2011-02-02T03:29:00.001-08:00

WLUK Story: Homeless Couple Wins Super Bowl Trip @ Yahoo! Video

A Powerful Reminder of Humanity

2011-01-26T15:15:00.001-08:00

Chris Chase tells all about Ryan Sutter

2011-01-22T03:27:00.000-08:00

Ryan Sutter is many things to many people.

To University of Colorado football fans, Ryan Sutter is the All-Big 12 safety who led the team in tackles as a junior. To New York Jets fans, Sutter is the guy who was hurt on the first play of his NFL career and never saw the field again. To reality-show viewers, he's Trista's choice on "The Bachelorette" and got married and actually lived happily ever after. To firefighters in Vail, Colo., he's a co-worker. To competitors in endurance sporting events, he's a rival. And to young adults battling cancer, Ryan Sutter is a hero.

The former football player-turned firefighter-turned reality star helped raise $100,000 last year for First Descents, a program that helps children with cancer go on outdoor adventures like kayaking and rock climbing. Sutter did so by competing in 10 endurance sporting events, including a 24-hour bike race, the New York City Marathon and the Ironman triathlon in Hawaii. And he does this all while continuing work as a firefighter and caring for the two young children he has with wife, and former Bachelorette contestant, Trista Rehn.

He will be honored this weekend as Competitor Magazine's Celebrity Athlete of the Year at the Endurance LIVE Awards Gala in San Diego.

As the San Diego Union-Tribune details, Sutter first tried his hand at the long-distance events after he and Trista were married in a televised wedding that cost over $4 million. Despite having never competed in the sport, Sutter was given an entry into the Ironman triathlon because of his celebrity status, a move which angered some people who train for years in order to qualify.

Over time, he's won over the community, finishing in the top 10 percent in various competitions including a 3-hour, 20-minute time at the NYC Marathon and crossing the line 67th out of 1,330 people at a 100-mile bike race. In doing so, Sutter has earned praise from respected people in the sport. "He's the real deal," top triathlon coach Paul Huddle said to the newspaper. "He's legitimate."

In more ways than one, it seems.

Getting You in the Spirit of the Season

2010-11-27T03:34:00.001-08:00

Now This is a Hobby Gone Wild!

2010-11-14T02:54:00.001-08:00

Starbucks Money-Saving Tips

2010-09-30T04:11:00.000-07:00

These tips are from Starbucks employees, and they should know! Read them on my show Tuesday and got lots of requests to have them posted, so here they are.

#1.) Take advantage of their refill policies. If you keep your Starbucks cup, you can get a coffee refill anytime for 50 cents. If you bring in your own reusable cup, you get 10 cents off. And if you bring a big one, sometimes some extra coffee.

#2.) Get a Starbucks card. Using their rewards card, you end up with plenty of free drinks and refills.

#3.) Make a "poor man's latte." Instead of ordering a latte, go SUPER ghetto and order an espresso over ice in a large cup. Then go over to their "condiments" station and fill the rest of the cup up with their free milk.

#4.) Don't order the bananas or bagels. The pastries at Starbucks are pretty good and fairly priced. But the bananas are more expensive than ones you'd get at a grocery store, and the bagels are known to be fairly low quality.

#5.) Make your own iced drink. When you order an iced drink, you get a lot less actual coffee or tea because the ice takes up so much space. For a better value, you can order a hot drink . . . then order a cup with ice, and pour in your drink.

Artist Brings Dead Soldiers Home

2010-09-28T03:31:00.000-07:00

What a gift, to be able to capture a person's essence in paint. And what a gift to be able to give the family of a fallen soldier their loved one back. Kaziah Hancock is truly gifted...enjoy!

Nashville Rising

2010-05-17T05:10:00.000-07:00

Last night in Nashville, hundreds of people came together to produce a telethon to raise money for flood relief. The devastating floods in middle Tennessee aren't getting a lot of media attention, and it could be because the people who are dealing with the catastrophy aren't whining and asking for "someone else" to take care of their problems. They're rolling up their sleeves and putting their backs into fixing their own problems, and the problems of their neighbors in the best tradition of American grit, gumption and gusto. I came across two things I want to share with you - Brad Paisley's column for Billboard Magazine, and a video of just how badly the floods hit Nashville. The video is courtesy of my friend Joan...thanks, Joan!

Brad Paisley in a column for Billboard Magazine:

“While I was busy placing buckets under the leaks in our home in Franklin, Tenn., my entire stage and set for my new tour was waiting in downtown Nashville, with rehearsals set for May 3.
By that morning, however, it would all be under four feet of water. At another facility, all my guitars, amps, effects, cases, cables — essentially everything I tour with — would suffer the same fate.

I’m not alone. Vince Gill, Keith Urban, Brent Mason, John Fogerty and countless others lost instruments and more. And the most heartbreaking of all was the sight of a johnboat floating down the aisle of the Grand Ole Opry.

But then the sun came out. And as Nashville started to dry, something beautiful began to happen. Volunteers, youth groups and churches flooded streets just like the Harpeth and Cumberland Rivers had only hours before. There wasn’t any looting to speak of, no anger even.
Everywhere I went I saw determination in the wake of tragedy. And the music community took the ball and began to run. Businesses on Music Row closed so their employees could volunteer. Gill led a local telethon. Others like Taylor Swift donated large sums of money. Myself, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and others made the rounds on national news programs trying to raise awareness. The Opry moved into another building temporarily, and the show went on.

Money is still being raised, benefit concerts continue to be planned, and from what I saw absolutely no one is taking this lying down. As the national media began to take notice, I think the world got a good look at our town, our music and our heart. I even got a call from President Barack Obama checking on the Opry and our city and pledging the government’s help. What began as devastation became an opportunity. A chance for growth. And the real Nashville is on display in a way that can only be seen in times of adversity. And it is handling all of it with grace.

As I write this, I’m just exhausted. We begin rehearsals tomorrow, 10 days late. However, in a strange way, I know someday this is going to be one of my fondest memories of touring.
That seems strange, I know. But we learned about ourselves this week. I mean, my crew stood in knee-deep water lifting every last piece of equipment they could save. Then they lined up for tetanus shots. Bo O’Brien lost his jeep trying to haul off video gear, Mike Garibedian single-handedly saved our monitor rig lifting one piece at a time. And now we’re all scrambling to pull off the miracle of making it still work. We’ve always been a close group, but now we’re WWII close.

It’s a funny thing, this music business. All of us lucky enough to be a part of it can be spoiled brats at times. Like our ridiculous tour riders stating “absolutely no blue M&Ms.” Artists can lose sight of their priorities, myself included.

But as I write this, I am far from worried about meaningless amenities. When I finally walk out onstage in Virginia Beach, Va., on the first date of the H2O tour — no need to point out the irony, thank you — it will mean so much more to all of us than any other tour we’ve ever done. Or probably ever will. I will stand up there more thankful than I’ve ever been for the people in the audience, the band at my back, the crew that makes it happen and the town I’ve never been prouder to represent."

(Brad Paisley is a country singer-songwriter and guitarist whose latest album is “American Saturday Night.”)

2010-04-01T14:01:00.000-07:00

This is such a wonderful video for so many reasons...enjoy!

2010-03-30T09:27:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Barb in Minnesota for sending along this heart-warming video. It's true - music is a gift, and this man is overflowing with gifts!

2010-03-24T11:54:00.000-07:00

There are so many stories about children being harmed by the family dog that this is really a wonderful picker-upper. Enjoy the dog that sings lullabyes to "his" child.

Dog Sings To Soothe Crying Baby - Watch more Funny Videos

2010-03-16T08:32:00.000-07:00

Ryder Lee, one of the members of The Lost Trailers, is a pretty private person. He didn't tweet, facebook or myspace until a major life change happened last year: his daughter was born extremely prematurely. Now, he's taking his story public in the hopes that fans and friends might be moved to donate to the March of Dimes, an organization that supports families with premature children, and also supports research to put an end to premature births.

The Apology Video

2010-02-27T03:21:00.000-08:00

I know this is the "tell me something good" page, and I know I'm adding a video that, on the face of it, may not look good. But if only one person who would frivolously get a dog doesn't, then the life of that dog is saved.

Tell me something good. Tell me that, before you or someone you can influence gets a dog, you'll be 100% committed to keeping that dog for it's whole life. Apologies and excuses kill millions more dogs than cars do.

2009-11-29T04:33:00.000-08:00

Wishing a happy birthday to two dogs...two wonderful, warm little wrigglers who came into my life 10 years ago this morning and stole my heart away.

Billy and Bonnie have always been gifts in my life. Thought I'd share them with you today. Thanks, Tien Tran, for the lovely photos.

2009-11-23T08:05:00.000-08:00

Pat T. from New York found an amazing video. An entire hospital staff got together to promote breast cancer awareness by doing the pink glove dance. Enjoy!

2009-11-16T05:13:00.001-08:00

My friend Joan finds the most amazing things to share. Ever wondered what would happen if a predator locked on you in her own environment? Check out this video of a National Geographic photographer as he becomes the center of a large leopard seal's attention. This potentially deadly encounter is chronicled in great photos and the photographer's recollections.

2009-11-13T04:37:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday the 13th!

Here's some Friday the 13th folklore:

Today is the 3rd Friday the 13th this year. It’s the most times possible in one year.

Next year, there’ll only be one – in August

About 20 million Americans fear this day, some to a debilitating degree. That’s about 8% of us

An estimated 900 million dollars in business is lost each Friday the 13th

Most buildings don’t have a 13th floor and hospitals don't have rooms numbered 13, because so many people fear the number

People say they avoid flying or having surgery on Friday the 13th, but the airport and hospital managers say it ain’t so…there’s no perceptible difference in volume on Friday the 13th.

The stock market actually historically has a better day on Friday the 13th

So there you go...now have a lucky day today!

2009-11-11T05:01:00.000-08:00

My friend Lisa Milby posted this to her FaceBook wall, and I want to share it with you today. Someone has taken Joe Diffie's "Ships That Don't Come In" and added a very moving photo collage, in honor of our military. It's perfectly appropriate for Veteran's Day. Enjoy.

2009-10-25T03:37:00.000-07:00

Joan forwarded a video her niece took. She was fishing in Captiva, FL when a dolphin and her baby came to see what was happening on the boat. Enjoy what she captured!

2009-10-14T03:23:00.000-07:00

My friend Fain Z. from Texas sent this link and suggested that anyone having any kind of a day, good or bad, would have their day improved by following it and watching the short clip. She was right...great little motivational piece that's sure to improve your day! Enjoy.

2009-09-21T03:33:00.000-07:00

Pat T. from New York sent a lovely little (very short!) clip. There's no dialogue, very few words spoken or written, and the ones that are there aren't in English. It doesn't matter, though. No words are needed. Enjoy, and share with friends.

2009-09-18T03:16:00.000-07:00

Gaye J. from Marietta, GA sent this news about a wonderful group of volunteers who help a wonderful group of Americans:

Yesterday afternoon my sister sent me this link with photos: http://unclejohnd.myphotoalbum.com Our great Uncle John D (aka Alligator John D, but that’s a whole ‘nother story… a small book, actually) was flown yesterday with a group of WWII Vets from Alabama to visit the WWII Memorial in DC. There is a nonprofit whose mission is to get as many WWII Vets, who are relatively old, to see the WWII Memorial, which is relatively new. They fly them in for the day and provide volunteer caregivers (red shirts in pix) where needed. Our Aunt Lola was working in DC and was able to be there with him as well as my sister Gina and niece Jessy, who live in Manassas. I just thought this was a cool, feel-good story that I’d share with you.

Tell Me Something Good

2009-08-24T06:58:00.001-07:00

Pat T. in New York sent word of this really well-done song about being a born-again American. Enjoy!

Tell Me Something Good

2009-08-20T03:05:00.000-07:00

Watching the waves crash over the bow and completely cover it....then seeing the bow pop up and out of the spray! All riding high again! - Michael G., MI

Tell Me Something Good

2009-08-19T13:38:00.000-07:00

Our dogs make me smile! Their sweet faces and kisses always turn a frown upside down! I'm looking forward to agility trials with China and Gabriel this fall too, that always makes me smile, even if we don't Q, there are always good agility runs that I have to be happy about! - Jenn R., GA

Tell Me Something Good

2009-08-19T03:50:00.001-07:00

Today, I helped an elderly friend find a safe box key that had been lost – saving her $250 by not having the safe box drilled out… she was so happy. Also, helping this same friend train her new puppy – this was frustrating for both of us! - Diane S., GA

Tell Me Something Good

2009-08-19T03:50:00.000-07:00

What makes me happy? Getting together with friends over coffee…. Watching my grandchildren at play…… celebrating special occasions with our family…. Talking with someone whose needs are simple yet they are very happy. - Diane S., GA

Tell Me Something Good

2009-08-18T08:27:00.000-07:00

Sage, my 2 year old, was finishing off the remains of a fever. It was early in the morning and my husband went in her room to check on her, hoping she was feeling better. He said "Good morning" to her and she said, "I hurt" He got down on his knees beside her and said "where do you hurt?" She pouted and replied "in my bed" - Catherine F., GA

Tell Me Something Good

2009-08-18T05:34:00.001-07:00

Leo Cook presents proof that Chorus class in high school has changed since we were kids! He suggests watching this once, and then again, but with your eyes closed. You'll see why...enjoy!

Tell Me Something Good

2009-08-14T13:37:00.000-07:00

We're traveling to New Jersey next week for my sister's wedding next weekend. I'm excited to see my family, my dad's new house, and meet my sister's new Boston Terrier puppy, Bella. - Jenn R., GA

Tell Me Something Good

2009-08-14T11:55:00.000-07:00

I just had a wonderful batch of family houseguests and we all had great fun, getting to know each other again over good food, a relaxing evening, prayers, and exploring a wonderful historic tiny town along the beautiful St. Croix River. - Jan A., MN

Tell Me Something Good

2009-08-12T15:07:00.000-07:00

Visiting my 12 year old niece and seeing her smile again, after her open heart surgery! - Michael G., MI

Tell Me Something Good

2009-08-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

So here I am teaching a yoga class on Saturday morning, the place I LOVE to be, in that shadowy room with friendly people of similar heartfelt intentions, and as I started the class I found that tears were running down my face; I could barely speak and my voice was really quavery (partially because I won't be with them for a few weeks in September and I know how much I'll miss it--and partially because after five months of just stoically taking myself to be poisoned every week, and partially because I HAVEN'T shared any of this with them and have been like a secret agent in my wig; cancer incognito...)

And at a certain point after being completely unable to cease the flow of tears I thought, "They're going to think I'm having a nervous breakdown; I'd better SAY something," because I'm usually very upbeat in yoga class... THIS came blurting out:

"I've just completed five months of chemo, and I'm about to have my boobs cut off in two weeks, and I'm sick of this f&%*ing wig!"

I ripped it off and threw it on the floor-- and they all broke out in clapping and cheers! And most came up to hug me, saying what a great role model I am, how strong, etc. Extremely supportive. One never knows where one is going to be safe, but the yoga class is one of those places for me. - Patrice Dickey, Your Guide to the Life You Love., Atlanta, GA

Tell Me Something Good

2009-08-11T11:32:00.000-07:00

Running my dog, watching her stretch out and find joy in the wind, makes me happy. - Catherine F., GA

Tell Me Something Good

2009-08-10T08:11:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share "something good" with you. Life has been very hectic lately, and I find that in the late afternoon I have a family of bluebirds that come to enjoy my birdbath. Watching them for a few minutes takes me out of myself and reminds me to slow down & enjoy the beauty in the world around us. - Pat T., NY

Tell Me Something Good

2009-08-08T04:33:00.000-07:00

I'm having a wonderful summer. My staff and I are cleaning out the office files and are getting totally re-organized for the fall. It feels great!!! - Jude, NJ

Tell Me Something Good

2009-08-07T14:11:00.000-07:00

I went to the doctor today for my 3 monthly cholesterol checkup - I was complimented by the doctor on my weight loss and my blood pressure was down to a normal figure. Those things made me very happy. - Joy G., NJ

Tell Me Something Good

2009-08-04T04:29:00.000-07:00

Since I have a two year old, good things happen almost every day. However something really good happened yesterday. I filled up her sippy cup and she looked at me and said, "Thank you, Mommy!" I almost cried!!!!!!!! - Michele Sporre-Doss

Tell Me Something Good

2009-08-03T17:28:00.000-07:00

Where to start,one wonderful wife, two wonderful kids, 2 wonderful grandsons, these are all things that make me feel good. - Richard C.

Tell Me Something Good

2009-08-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

When we hold the triplets together, now just over 4 months old, they are starting to engage each other. Just the other night we held Tristan so he could look right at Mikayla and they grinned back and forth at each other, reached for each others hands, and started baby cooing. One would coo and the other would grin. That makes my heart feel completely full. - Catherine F., GA

A Country Radio Fairy Tale

2009-08-01T14:56:00.000-07:00

In radio, especially in the last few years, a DJ never knows which day will be the last day on the air at a particular station. You go to work, you plug in your headphones, your boss calls a meeting and when the meeting is over, you unplug your headphones, pack up your stuff and head for the unemployment line.

This has happened to me a couple of times, and the last time was a huge blow, because that job was a really great one. The Friday it happened, there were 12 of us in the room who got the axe at the same time, but that hardly softened the blow. Got home and had to get my brain organized, so I did what I often do - I wrote:

Refocusing

Two roads diverged in the woods. I knew the road I wanted to follow, but it was no longer available to me. I peeked down the other road and couldn't really see very far. No matter...I set off down that road with a spring in my step, ready for a new adventure.

Spending time refocusing.

The scenario above has happened to me...heck, all of us!...many times in our lives. Some people stand at the crossroads and rant about the unfairness of it all, about how they didn't want to go down the other road, about how their dreams have now all died.

I can't be that person that stands and rants. I not only hope there are good things down my new road, I know there are. I don't know what they are yet, but I know they are there, I know I can find them, and I know I'll be ready to make the most of them when they present themselves.

Over the next couple of weeks, I found comfort in those words. Even now, years later, I read them and they remind me that the strength to succeed is always inside us...each and every one of us...if we just put our minds to it.

The best way to predict the future is to create it, so if you're not in a creative state of mind, refocus! If these words help, so much the better.