bettyliedtke – Page 48 – FindYourBuriedTreasure

A Smartphone suggestion supports a new habit

Often, at the start of a meeting, presentation, or entertainment event, people in the audience are reminded to turn off their cell phones for the duration of the program. But I was recently at a place where the speaker actually asked everyone to take out their Smartphones and use them, right then and there. I’m sure everyone else was just as surprised as I was, especially considering where we were, and who was making the request. The person speaking was the pastor of our parish, [...]

By bettyliedtke|January 9th, 2015|Columns, Faith|Comments Off

Try sleeping through your New Year’s Resolution

It’s New Year’s Resolution time, and I’ve been thinking about what change or improvement in myself I most want to make this year. It’s a tough choice, as I’ve got a lot of material to work with. Should I focus on getting rid of the extra pounds that I invariably add on over the holidays? Or tackle unfinished projects from the recent – or ancient – past? I could work at developing a good habit in some area of my life, or getting rid of [...]

By bettyliedtke|January 2nd, 2015|Accountability, Columns, Health and Well-being, Holidays|Comments Off

The most welcome gift is – you!

The theme of our Toastmasters meeting a few weeks ago was “You are a Gift.” I enjoyed taking part in the meeting, partly because it was such a festive and timely theme, since gifts are a big part of the holiday season. And partly because I always enjoy helping people discover their own gifts, no matter what season it is. Those gifts, of course, aren’t the kind that are bought from a store, or wrapped in shiny paper with a big red bow. You don’t [...]

By bettyliedtke|December 26th, 2014|Columns, Holidays|2 Comments

Florida philosophy is cause for celebration

I didn’t even need to put my shoes back on. I opened the sliding glass door and walked out, barefoot, to the backyard. I went over to the orange tree and picked a bowlful of oranges, then went back inside. Soon I was tasting what was literally the freshest orange juice I have ever had in my life. Then we opened a chilled bottle of champagne, and before long we were sipping on equally-fresh mimosas. As you probably guessed, we weren’t in Minnesota anymore. My [...]

By bettyliedtke|December 19th, 2014|Columns, Family, Travel|Comments Off

Clear your desk, and focus on what’s most important

One of my first jobs out of college was in a Chicago Advertising Agency. My boss was the Creative Director, and I also worked for several copywriters and whatever Account Executives needed extra assistance at any given time. My desk was always piled high with papers and projects, and other people’s priorities. One day, the president’s secretary came to me and said, “Betty, how would you like to clear your desk?” At first I thought I was being fired, but that wasn’t it at all. [...]

By bettyliedtke|December 12th, 2014|Columns, Holidays|2 Comments

Resolve now to enjoy the coming year

I was at a holiday celebration not long ago with some people I usually see only once or twice a year. So part of the time was spent catching up on each other’s family events and activities. One of the women told me about several concerts she and her husband had attended recently. It’s been years since I attended a concert, and I joked with her that I needed to get out more. That’s when she told me that going out to concerts and other [...]

By bettyliedtke|December 5th, 2014|Achieving Dreams and Goals, Columns, Holidays|Comments Off

What weighs us down can build us up

“I know God will never give me more than I can handle. I just wish he didn’t trust me so much.” I don’t remember the first time I read or heard that saying, but I do know it made me smile and nod my head. I can relate. I’m sure most people can. And I smile and nod whenever I come across it, or when it pops into my mind for some reason. When I feel weighed down with responsibilities and obligations, for instance, or [...]

By bettyliedtke|November 28th, 2014|Columns, Faith, Holidays, Quotes and Sayings|Comments Off

Be thankful for the memories

I kept waiting for the phone to ring. It was Monday morning of last week – the day winter came quickly and decisively to Minnesota. I stood at my back door, looking out at the inch or so of snow that had come down already, and listening to the tap of icy rain on the windows as it started to cover everything with a thin, shiny layer. It was exactly the time I normally would have gotten a phone call from my dad, saying, “So [...]

By bettyliedtke|November 21st, 2014|Columns, Family, Holidays|Comments Off

Personal stories have a powerful impact

The first words I heard when I woke up Sunday morning were these: “When we share our personal stories, we’re able to keep kids off drugs and alcohol.” That caught my attention immediately – not the drugs and alcohol part, but the “personal stories” part. The alarm on my clock-radio had gone off in the middle of what was obviously an interview with someone from a mentoring or support program. I would have liked to listen to more of it, but I needed to get [...]

By bettyliedtke|November 14th, 2014|Columns, Writing|Comments Off

Great experiences made for a winning weekend

I didn’t win. But I sure had fun. The Toastmasters District 6 Fall Conference was held last weekend in Rochester. The Fall Conference is also where the finals of Toastmasters’ annual Humorous Speech Contest take place, and this year, I made it to the final round of competition. I had fun giving my speech, and I think I did a good job delivering it. It got a lot of laughs and applause, and people were nodding and smiling as I sat back down afterwards. But [...]

By bettyliedtke|November 7th, 2014|Columns, Toastmasters|Comments Off

About bettyliedtke

Stay Up To Date

Categories