Columns – Page 60 – FindYourBuriedTreasure

A loving man, a successful life

I always enjoy getting feedback about my column, especially when people mention something helpful they learned while reading it, or a powerful memory it brought out in them. Occasionally, the feedback I receive actually moves me to tears. That happened this week, when I read an email from a friend that I haven’t seen in a long time. What she said was so eloquently expressed that I emailed her back to ask if I could include it here pretty much word-for-word. She graciously agreed. She [...]

By bettyliedtke|July 13th, 2012|Columns, Family|Comments Off

Success at last!

In my last two columns, I wrote about failure. So it’s probably time I talk about success instead. That is, after all, the ultimate goal. But the word “success” can be misinterpreted and misunderstood every bit as much as the word “failure.” I think the biggest reason is that many people think of money as the main – and sometimes the only – measure of success. Another is that people also equate success with happiness. Neither of these is really true. If they were, then [...]

By bettyliedtke|July 6th, 2012|Coaching, Columns|Comments Off

More failures generate bigger success

“If you set out to fail, and you succeed, which have you done?” I first read – and chuckled at – that question long ago when I saw it on one of those lists that get circulated by email on a regular basis. I thought about it again after writing last week’s column about failure being a prerequisite of success. After all, few – if any – ventures or adventures succeed on the first try, and sometimes we need a reminder that we shouldn’t get [...]

By bettyliedtke|June 29th, 2012|Buried Treasure, Coaching, Columns, Success|Comments Off

Failure isn’t an option, it’s a requirement

“If you haven’t failed, you’re doing something wrong.” I decided a few weeks ago that that would make a great slogan to put on a t-shirt. Or a coffee mug. Or a poster that should be hanging on the wall of everyone who dreams of great achievements or significant accomplishments in any area of their lives. Below that main slogan, two more lines could be added. “Give yourself permission to dream.” And “Give yourself permission to fail.” Other than political parties and issues, I know [...]

By bettyliedtke|June 22nd, 2012|Coaching, Columns|2 Comments

Whether house is full or empty, we can all feel right at home

A friend of mine was visiting recently, and stayed with us for a week. My son was here, too, taking a week off after two intense years of going to school and working full time. In a way, it was just like old times, when my kids were growing up and both still living at home. And although everyone said, “Don’t go to any trouble, we’ll be fine,” – and I know they meant it – I still fixed some big breakfasts and fancy dinners, [...]

By bettyliedtke|June 15th, 2012|Columns, Family|Comments Off

Email from a friend recognizes an abundant life

“You never cease to amaze me with your over-abundant life. Wow! You are living the Dream!” That was the message I got last week in an email from a cherished friend whom I’ve known since high school. She reads my column online, and was commenting on one I wrote a few weeks ago about attending a Hollywood red-carpet event: a Book Launch and Gala for “Fearless Women, Visions of a New World.” In the column, I also mentioned my trip to Uganda last fall – [...]

By bettyliedtke|June 8th, 2012|Achieving Dreams and Goals, Columns, Faith, Family, Success, Uganda|Comments Off

A heavenly conversation comes down to earth

“I love you from here to heaven!” That’s what my friend Lucy always tells her twin grandsons. In a way, she’s doing the same thing many of us did when our children or grandchildren were small – spreading our arms out as far as we could while answering our own question of “Do you know how much I love you?” with a stretched-out “Soooooo much.” Or reaching up to the sky, proclaiming “Soooooo big,” as we let our toddlers know how grown-up they were becoming. [...]

By bettyliedtke|June 1st, 2012|Columns, Family, Values|Comments Off

A fearless weekend generates new experiences

A few things I did last week that I have never done before in my life: I walked – and was photographed on – the red carpet at a Hollywood Gala; I attended a baby shower at the home of a Ugandan family living in California; I flew on an official “red eye,” leaving LAX after midnight and returning to Minneapolis just after 6 o’clock on Monday morning. Something I did last week that I have done before – and, in fact, have been doing [...]

By bettyliedtke|May 25th, 2012|Achieving Dreams and Goals, Columns, Faith, Family, Gifts and Talents, Professional Speaking, Travel, Uganda|12 Comments

A lifelong teacher learns something new

“Do nothing, and keep moving.” That may sound like confusing and contradictory advice. But it’s something a few friends and I came up with recently, and I think if we all heeded it, we’d be healthier, happier, and in better shape mentally and physically. As individuals and as a society. The discussion started because one of the members of our group is a high school teacher who is retiring at the end of this school year, and we were asking about her plans for the [...]

By bettyliedtke|May 18th, 2012|Columns, Health and Well-being|Comments Off

Is your gratitude showing?

“Count Your Blessings” was the theme of our Toastmasters meeting last week, and the person in charge of Table Topics decided to focus on gratitude. As she opened up that portion of the meeting, she told us that in preparation, she had Googled the word “gratitude.” What she said next caught me totally by surprise. “I’m not sure what made me think to do this,” she said, “but after I typed in ‘gratitude,’ I added the name, ‘Betty Liedtke.’ Do you know how many hits [...]

By bettyliedtke|May 11th, 2012|Columns, Toastmasters, Values|Comments Off

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