America's heart needs CPR

Quote: A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people. - Mohandas Gandhi

Question: Are we as Americans having a heart attack?

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle “Gabby” Giffords (D-AZ) was shot in the head outside a grocery store in Tucson while holding a public event Saturday morning. Before the words had completely registered, I started praying for her, the others injured and killed.
I am in a state of sorrow for my country’s heart and soul as a nine-year-old little girl died one of our future leaders by a sick individual. My hope is that this event has us applying a new version of CPR (Compassionate Prayerful Reflection) to our national heart that revives personal responsibility in how we treat each other.

Gabrielle is the French feminine form of Gabriel, which meant, "hero of god" or "God is my might" in Hebrew (From Wikipedia). Today, might not her name, her life and lives of all touched by this tragedy give us hope.

Action: Exercise and offer grace to others not condemnation.

Alignment of heart – intentions - words

Quote: “One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can't utter.” James Earl Jones

Question: Are the words in utter by candidates running for office this year making the world a better place?

In the final days of the 2010 election, the negative ads and political rhetoric have heated up. Either side seems to have a positive discourse to present their vision for our future other than demising their opponent. When asked why they are going negative their coined response is that they are exposing the facts.

What are we modeling to our children? What legacy are we leaving on civil discourse? When will the point come in our discourse that listening to others becomes popular again. The negative rhetoric of your leaders must die out. We need leaders that can listen and dialogue with each other, more importantly with us. When will we stop allowing them to treat us this way.

Action: Check to see if your candidate's words and intentions align with your heart for a better world

”Can you be gratefully unemployed?”

Quote: Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” Unknown

Question: ”Can you be gratefully unemployed?”

Several days ago in blog I read this question was asked,”Can you be gratefully unemployed?” I was touched by the question and decided to response. Today I felt the need to post my answer for you to read also.
The answer is Yes. I love the way you phased the question”Can you be gratefully unemployed?” Being gratefully, thankful, appreciative for the friends, co-worked, skills learned while employed. More so, for the opportunity I had to honor my creator in the dignity that I preformed my work.

On February 2, 2010 at 10:30 am, I was asked to follow a director into an office where I was told that my services were being terminated. That day 35 co-workers received the same message. So like in the ground hog day movie the drama was being played out in the lives of my friends and their families. Fourteen years I had a place to go and a place to leave that I loved and others loved me. Now it was over.

Why me? The business no longer could justify my position. Our organization business model and needs had changed. Intellectually I had the business acumen to understand this. However, emotionally I needed to make a choice to be grateful so that I could continue to honor my creator. As a leader, I was responsible for others that followed and watched me as I walked into my new life of “Being in between my successes”.

I can be grateful because I was successful in my last position. I would be successful in a new one again. I am learning new skills to help me find that new and greater opportunity. I give thanks to the job seeker clubs for providing this education. Here’s a list of several in Northeast Ohio:
• Diane Miller - Community Job Club
• Jim Grant – Chagrin Valley Job Seekers
• Joyce Rodek – North Canton Executive Networking Group

I will choose to be gratefully unemployed. It is perfect practice for preparing me for when I again become gratefully employed.

Actions: Act today as if you are living tomorrow having the blessing from yesterday

Of what service can I be?

Quote: How can I be useful, of what service can I be? There is something inside me, what can it be? - Vincent Van Gogh

Question: How can I be useful, of what service can I be?

Today, I attended a great word press class, which was the final session of three classes. The falicator was a young man who is celebrating his first year in business. He decided to share his talents, expertise and knowledge of social media at no cost to small group willing to learn. His gift of service was more than technical and hands-on training. Out of his service he nurtured five women who with make a difference in the lives of others using their talent and gifts in service. I am learning to take the thoughts in my head and moving them to paper or cyberspace. How can I be useful? My gifts are ones of faith in others and encouragement. What service can I be? Being one, those who help others see the path to their calling. This is my service in honoring my creator.

Actions: Become aware of the many opportunities to serve one other