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New friend gets – and gives – a fresh new outlook

The column "Find Your Buried Treasure" appears weekly in the Chanhassen (MN) Villager. This column was published on June 2, 2011. I can’t wait to tell you about the crazy lady from Wisconsin. But there are a few other things you need to know about her first. One is that she gave me not only her permission, but her encouragement to write about her. I think she knows what an inspiration and role model she can be for others, and she is happy to do so....

By |June 3rd, 2011|Coaching, Columns, Values|Comments Off on New friend gets – and gives – a fresh new outlook

Looking forward to attending this weekend’s wedding

The column "Find Your Buried Treasure" appears weekly in the Chanhassen (MN) Villager. This column was published on April 28, 2011. Much of the world is preparing to watch the royal wedding this weekend. According to magazine polls and newspaper articles I’ve read, over 80% of us here in the states will be watching the ceremony as Prince William and Kate Middleton become husband and wife. Restaurants, organizations, and individuals are planning activities and events that include watching the ceremony on television as it occurs, even though the wedding will take place very, very early in the morning, our time...

By |April 29th, 2011|Columns, Family, Values|Comments Off on Looking forward to attending this weekend’s wedding

Are we done yet? For sure this time?

The column "Find Your Buried Treasure" appears weekly in the Chanhassen (MN) Villager. This column was published on April 21, 2011. The forecast we had for snow last week – followed by the layer of snow that we actually received – left many of us frustrated and annoyed, and saying things like, “What? Again?!” Enough, already!” “I thought we were finally through with this!” By the middle of April, most of us had finally said goodbye to winter, and were welcoming Spring with open arms....

By |April 22nd, 2011|Columns, Values|Comments Off on Are we done yet? For sure this time?

A caring volunteer could be Nobel Peace Prize winner

The column "Find Your Buried Treasure" appears weekly in the Chanhassen (MN) Villager. This column was published on April 7, 2011. I had breakfast last week with a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize. And if someone hadn’t told me she was a nominee, I never would have known it. She doesn’t look like Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, or the Dalai Lama, who are some of the people I think of when I hear the words, “Nobel Peace Prize.” Instead, Stephanie Smith looks like a suburban mom – which, in fact, she is...

By |April 8th, 2011|Columns, Values|Comments Off on A caring volunteer could be Nobel Peace Prize winner

“Impossible” songs inspire impossible achievements

The column "Find Your Buried Treasure" appears weekly in the Chanhassen (MN) Villager. This column was published on March 31, 2011. “Impossible” songs inspire impossible achievements “To dream the impossible dream, To fight the unbeatable foe, To bear with unbearable sorrow, To run where the brave dare not go...” Many of you immediately recognized – and may already be humming – the opening lines of “The Impossible Dream,” from Man of La Mancha. It’s one of my favorite songs, from one of my favorite musicals....

By |April 1st, 2011|Accountability, Coaching, Columns, Music/Singing, Values|Comments Off on “Impossible” songs inspire impossible achievements

Getting to know someone means sharing the fun

The column "Find Your Buried Treasure" appears weekly in the Chanhassen (MN) Villager. This column was published on February 17, 2011. I had coffee with a new member of our Toastmasters Club after our meeting last week. She offered me part of the whole-wheat croissant she had ordered, and I took a small piece, just to have a taste. It was delicious, much more so than I expected. I thanked her for sharing it, and for introducing me to something I might never have ordered on my own....

By |February 20th, 2011|Columns, Toastmasters, Values|Comments Off on Getting to know someone means sharing the fun

Feeling secure is more important than feeling comfortable

The column "Find Your Buried Treasure" appears weekly in the Chanhassen (MN) Villager. This column was published on February 3, 2011. My husband and I flew to Chicago last weekend. It was the first time I’ve been on a plane since full body scanners were installed at the airport and the controversy began over the pat-down of passengers who refused to go through full-body scans. A number of people have complained – and even initiated lawsuits – over the pat-downs they describe as an aggressive and humiliating violation of their rights and their privacy. For several years now, I’ve had to go through the full pat-down every time I travel by air. Not because of any issues over a full-body scan, but because I’ve had a pacemaker implanted due to heart damage caused by chemotherapy years ago...

By |February 4th, 2011|Accountability, Columns, Family, Respect, Uncategorized, Values|Comments Off on Feeling secure is more important than feeling comfortable

A strong step keeps you moving toward your dreams

The column "Find Your Buried Treasure" appears weekly in the Chanhassen (MN) Villager. This column was published on January 27, 2011. “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” This is a new mantra that several friends and I are using to remind and inspire ourselves whenever our energy or our resolve starts to weaken or fade. Actually, the words come from the Bible – John 5:8 – so they’re not exactly new. But they’re new in how we’re using them in our lives...

By |January 28th, 2011|Coaching, Columns, Quotes and Sayings, Values|Comments Off on A strong step keeps you moving toward your dreams

Make a good habit even better

The column "Find Your Buried Treasure" appears weekly in the Chanhassen (MN) Villager. This column was published on January 20, 2011. I think I’m on to something here, and I can’t wait to see where it will lead. I’m pretty sure it’s taking me toward better health and habits, and an even more productive beginning and peaceful close to each day. It started with the candle ritual I wrote about in my column last week. After receiving a scented candle as a Christmas gift, I began a tradition of beginning each workday by lighting the candle, making a cup of tea, and sitting at my kitchen table as I organized and prioritized everything I had to do that day...

By |January 21st, 2011|Columns, Values|2 Comments

A Christmas gift illuminates a bright new plan

The column "Find Your Buried Treasure" appears weekly in the Chanhassen (MN) Villager. This column was published on January 13, 2011. Sometimes it’s a lightbulb that goes off with a flash of brilliance, giving us an innovative and exciting new idea. For me, it was a candle. Specifically, it was a scented candle that I got as a Christmas gift. And it’s become part of a new daily practice for me, one that has already put more peace and pleasure into my morning, and more productivity and efficiency into the rest of my day...

By |January 15th, 2011|Accountability, Columns, Holidays, Values|Comments Off on A Christmas gift illuminates a bright new plan