Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Write letters, change the world II
December 1st, 2009
After finishing my little tribute, I read the notes and thought, “Hey, I’m going to mail that to the people who worked on the show.” So I tore the little spiral pages out of my notebook, shoved them—rough edges and all—into an envelope, and addressed it to “Anyone connected to MASH,” in care of CBS. I found the CBS address in TV Guide, stuck a stamp on the envelope, and sent it on its way, thinking some mail clerk might be happy about working for a network that produced such a terrific show.
Several weeks later, I received a personal letter from Bert Metcalfe, the executive producer of the series during its final years.
Write letters, change the world I
November 30th, 2009
Like most people, I sometimes get caught up in politics and want my voice to be heard. That was the case a few years ago when the U.S. Senate was preparing to vote on a controversial measure. I’d had some personal experience with the issue, and since one of our senators was still undecided, I wanted to tell him my story. Fortunately, I worked for an association that had a lobbying presence in Washington. With some well-placed phone calls, a few like-minded colleagues and I were able to arrange for our faxed letters to be hand-delivered to the senator prior to the vote. We confirmed that he received and read them before leaving his office for the Senate chambers. Then we anxiously huddled around a television in a conference room and waited for the outcome.
When they called our senator’s name, he voted against the measure—as we hoped he would.
Learn to picture success
November 28th, 2009
A few years ago, I lost my way while sightseeing in an unfamiliar city. Suddenly I was alone, on foot, in a deserted area with no map to guide me. Searching the skyline, I spotted the steeple of a famous church building and kept winding through the back streets toward it. As long as the destination was in my sights, I knew I’d get there eventually.
But what happens if you can’t visualize your goals? Usually, it’s failure—as American swimmer Florence Chadwick once learned the hard way.
Quotes on gratitude
November 25th, 2009
We may tell ourselves and everyone around us that Hey, we are positive, upbeat people who always see the world through rose-colored glasses! But in our private moments we still sometimes throw our own little Pity Parties.
My Pity Parties don’t occur when there’s really something to be upset about. No, during real crises, I’m usually too busy working the problem to have time for a Pity Party. I throw my best celebrations of misery when there’s nothing tangible to upset me. I throw them over the small things, the minor inconveniences and everyday disappointments that plague everyone.
So once a Pity Party begins, how can you turn out the lights and put yourself back into a rose-colored frame of mind? Try counting your blessings.
Jump-start your walking program
November 24th, 2009
Recently some friends tried to get me to join their Saturday-morning walking group. At 6 a.m. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity. Then a few seconds later we heard a strange noise. Shielding our eyes from the sun, we looked up toward the sound. Was it a bird? Was it a plane? Was it a good-looking guy in blue tights? No. It was … a pig. A flying pig.
The day I agree to go walking at six o’clock on a Saturday morning will be the day pigs fly.
Have cancer? Ask these questions
November 23rd, 2009
Finding purpose in disability
November 21st, 2009
They say what you don’t know can’t hurt you. But that didn’t quite prove true for Monty Reed.
In 1986, Reed was conducting night parachute training as a member of the U.S. Army Rangers. Suddenly one of the other jumpers glided too close, coming underneath Reed and cutting off the flow of air to his chute. The chute collapsed about 100 feet from the ground and Reed plummeted to earth.
After the impact, Reed had trouble breathing, but the worst pain was in his broken ankle. He managed to wrap some tape around it, get to his feet, and grab his gear. Rangers are taught to suck it up and keep going, and that’s what Reed did. He walked eight miles to the helicopter.
The next morning Reed couldn’t move. What he didn’t know when he made that eight-mile walk was that he hadn’t just broken his ankle. He’d also broken his back in five places. Doctors told him that walk to the helicopter was likely the last walk he’d ever make.
Tone up to trim down
November 20th, 2009
You probably know that aerobic training burns fat and resistance training builds muscle and helps sculpt the body. But if you want to lose weight, you have to rev up your metabolism so that it burns extra calories even when you’re not doing anything more strenuous than scanning through the TV channels with your remote. And research shows the best way to do that is by lifting weights.
2 ways to change your reality
November 19th, 2009
Anyone who’s watched a few hours of so-called reality TV knows reality is a relative term. It’s hard to imagine that people can be their authentic selves when the cameras are rolling and they’re performing in contrived situations for the onlooking masses.
But before we become too critical of television’s island survivors; aspiring singers, chefs, and fashion designers; or upscale housewives and wannabe models, let’s be honest: To a large extent, we all create our own realities. And often we cast ourselves in roles that undermine our talents and potential.
Feast on the joys of life
November 18th, 2009
At year’s end, people of many cultures look forward to sharing feasts with family and friends. And that means a lot of people are worrying about traveling, meal-planning, additional food expenses, and the inevitable family feuds.
Instead of worrying, try taking a moment to stop and smell the cornbread. That’s right, the cornbread. Or if you prefer, the apple pie, latkes, corned beef and cabbage, baklava, hoppin’ john, or tabbouleh.
TAGS: food, memories, moods, motivation, Quotations, quotes, scents, Self-Improvement, smells | 
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