If I Could Do It All Over Again

I would love to hear some feedback on this question:

What would you do differently if you could do it all over again?

A Shout Out To The People Who Always Make Me Look Good

Dazzling the Crowd

I do not know if you understand all the behind the scenes activities that take place before a speaker arrives on the platform to deliver their message. We speakers just walk out there as if we have not a care in the world.  Why can we do that?

Because we have the privilege of having amazing, highly intelligent, dedicated people who have done everything but the speaking part! 

So here’s a Shout Out to:

1. The AV Guru

2. The IT Guy

3. The Sound Man

4. The Dude Over There With the Ear Phones

5. The Lighting Specialist

6. The HVAC Crew

7. The Catering/Banquet Staff

8. The Facilities People

9. The Man Behind That Window

Thanks for making all speakers look good!  You are very much appreciated in our industry!

DWTS

I am hooked on Dancing With The Stars! I know an addiction is nothing to brag about. But, how strong does one have to be to put their career on the line in front of millions of judges? I have profound admiration for people of great courage. 

Personally, I ain’t skeered of nuthin, but this show makes me realize I have not taken substantial risks in a while. Is it age? Or, is it sensibility? Or, is it just gutless fear? The answer?  Yes.

I am ready for some new challenges in my professional career.  I believe we can all get stale in our quest to meet the status quo. My goal is to never be like millions of people who feel stuck in a job they do not like.  I love the speaking business and my career.  I just want to add some pizzazz!

DTWS has inspired me to do the Quick Step to rev things up for Spring 2012!  How about you?

Did You See That?

I think it is fun to go to a mall or any public venue and watch people.  I love doing that. Seems like people do not realize the non-verbal things they reveal to us when they walk by. I discreetly watch them with a quick glance – never to be caught.

I don’t know about you but I make decisions about people…you know, based on my own correct point of view just from their non-verbal cues.  For instance, I’ll see a well dressed professional person and say to myself, “CPA.”  Like I know!  Or, I’ll see a couple holding hands as they stroll along and say to myself, “They are having an affair.  If they were married they wouldn’t be touching!”  Puleeze.  I do not know one thing about these random folks and I should be ashamed of judging others. As a matter of fact, I should stop doing it. 

But every now and then, I’ll see a sight like I have never seen.  You know… the outfit you can not believe someone wore in public? Eeewww!  I just have to say to the person closest to me, “Did you see that?” And the two of us will break into sheer gasping laughs.

Next time you see something you can’t believe you just saw…look at the person closest to you and say, “Did you see that?”  Trust me they will be your BFF instantly.

It’s April Fools Day Every Day

Is it me or do you think that people are pulling April Fools tricks on us all the time?

Look at our government.  They pull jokes on us every day. 

Look at our employer. They will play tricks on us quite often.

Look at our grocery stores.  They make us laugh with the increase in prices.

Look at our dentists.  They want to charge $1700 for a crown. Now, that’s funny.

You want how much to fill up with gas?

See what I mean? April Fools Day is every day!

Here’s to All Leapers or Leaplings

Today is Leap Day.  People born on February 29^th are referred to as Leapers or Leaplings.  So how do they celebrate their birthdays on the “off” years?  Some chose February 28 or they chose March 1. Real Leapers merely celebrate on the 29^th every four years.  I’d love to have been born on the 29^th.  I’d just barely be a teenager today!

What is a Leap Year anyway? According to www.timeanddate.com  Leap Years are needed to keep our calendar in alignment with the Earth's revolutions around the sun. It takes the Earth approximately 365.242199 days (a tropical year) to circle once around the Sun. If we didn't add a day on February 29 nearly every 4 years, we would lose almost six hours every year. After only 100 years, our calendar would be off by approximately 24 days.  Now, aren’t you glad you asked!

Happy Birthday, Leapers and Leaplings! 

A Tribute to Ivy Cavenaugh Schlentz

Have you ever met someone and made an immediate decision that you like them? I mean you just feel honored to be near them? That’s what happened in 2005 when I first met Ivy Cavenaugh Schlentz. She was simply precious not only in her pixie good looks but in her deep spiritual soul.

Ivy passed away in January after a valiant 4 ½ year battle with breast cancer. She was the wife of my speaker friend, Rich Schlentz. They had a precious love affair that most of us would envy. They laughed, they had fun, they enjoyed each other’s company, they challenged each other to be better humans, and they really were devoted to one another.

Rich gave attendees at the memorial service a glimpse into their lives. He shined for Ivy. He radiated her love. He made each of us pause to consider how we will honor the people we love. Thank you, Rich Schlentz, for being a remarkable role model for all!