Dominic is changing the community
that he is so passionate about. Today’s gift was to agree to be on a nonprofit whose
mission is to revitalize the Klamath Falls Community. Dominic’s selflessness
encourages us all to change our own community for the better.
Hundreds of signs printed
with the word “Love” are hanging on utility poles in New Orleans crime ridden
areas. The artists who are responsible planted the signs using maps from the
city’s police department. They will cross-reference the locations with crime
statistics to see whether the signs had a positive effect on the area.
The pair of artists, who
choose to remain anonymous, say that they just want to spread love. They said
that their project is meant to be a “social experiment.” “I believe the power
of language and words can transform,” one of the artists told CBS news.
"And the more you think it, the more you speak it, the more real it
becomes."
The artists, who are both
unemployed, said they had received a small inheritance. Instead of spending the
money for personal use, they undertook this experiment.
When I found old paint cans
in our garage it was tempting just to throw the cans in the garbage can.
Instead . . .
Today’s gift was to take
our old paint to be recycled. It will be made into concrete. Even though I am
not hanging “Love Signs” I am showing the love to Mother Earth. By not
discarding things in the landfill that can be used for another product, it will
complete the cycle of use and reuse (cradle to cradle).
Today was the final day of the
National Speakers Association convention. My head is filled with new ideas. I
listened to the best motivators in the world and I’m ready to get started
implementing the new ideas.
One speaker, Sally Hogshead, created
a personality assessment called the Fascination
Advantage. Other assessments like Meyers Briggs, DiSC, Colors tell you how
you see the world. This one, however, describes how the world sees you. I
completed it one year ago when I heard her speak for the first time. Today her
speech gave me ideas on new ways to use it.
In her presentation she offered a
code to take the assessment for free for us to share with our friends—a $37
value. She said that it is a type of pay-it-forward. After my friends take it, they
will then receive a code to give to their friends and colleagues.
So, instead of reading any more of
my blog, take five minutes and go enjoy today’s gift by taking the assessment. Go
to https://portal.howtofascinate.com/you
and enter the code BL-SpeakerRobin.
My archetype is The People's Champion, which
is a combination of Passion and Power, but I have a lot of Prestige, too. Tell
me about your style and we can be fascinating together!
Living in a
rural area means that we have an incredibly beautiful star-filled, nighttime
sky. Last weekend, after an enjoyable dinner with friends, we went outside to
look at the sky and made a lame attempt to name the constellations and planets.
I thought about funny things people have said about stargazing:
Science teachers
at one high school have an annual star party. One of the kids peered through
the scope and adjusted the focus knob. Then he asked where the brightness
control was because Mars wasn't bright enough.
An astronomy club
hosted a party to watch a lunar eclipse. One of the adults said, "This is
a great event, but couldn't you have scheduled it earlier in the evening for
kids who have to go to school tomorrow?"
I’m a Pisces, what
is your astronomical sign?
Good thing that I
don’t believe in astronomy.
There is practically no chance communications space
satellites will be used to provide better telephone, telegraph, television, or
radio service inside the United States. T. Craven, FCC
commissioner, in 1961
None of our
comments about the starry sky were quite this ridiculous. Today’s gift was to buy
our friends an astronomy book so they will be able to look up and see what is
written in the stars.
This was the first day of the National Speakers Association Convention
that is being broadcast on the Internet. Scott McKain, one of the speakers,
asked the audience to make a list of our favorite speakers. One whose name was
mentioned by several people was Mark Mayfield. I remembered hearing him tell this
story:
Mark talks about finding the humor in a situation to help us work through
the pain. He said that sometimes it is hard to find humor. Tim and I had an
experience at 4:30 this morning that was no laughing matter. When the pain
subsided, however, I found myself laughing hysterically.
It all started when I turned the fan on when I went to bed to cool
off the bedroom. At 4:30 a.m. I traipsed across the bedroom to the bathroom. As
I walked through the bathroom door, Tim and I crashed into each other and
bounced backwards like bumper cars. I had been half asleep and this was a rude
awakening! The fan must have drowned out the sound of either of us getting up.
Yes, there was blood shed, although his toes had more cuts than mine. He went
back to sleep, but I couldn’t stop laughing. I learned this trait from my
mother who laughs at herself.
People who have suffered tragedies may have a difficult time
finding something to laugh about. I have friends who are professional speakers that
have suffered losses or serious physical illnesses but still are able to
deliver eloquent and entertaining speeches to inspire people.
Today’s gift was to send a card and a handwritten note to a friend
who is struggling. A short while ago she lost someone very special to her in a
terrible accident. Nothing can bring her loved one back, but having people tell
her that they are thinking of her may bring a little joy and inspiration back into
her life.
Today some of the best and the brightest speakers take the stage in
San Diego, California. It is the opening of the National Speakers Association (NSA)
2014 Convention.
This is my 20th year being a member. I had other
commitments and wasn’t able to be there in person, but it is available for
members to attend virtually. I have my Google TV set up and ready to stream the
action live! For the next three days, I’ll be a couch potato.
Here are some of the highlights that I am really excited about:
Penn Jillette of Penn and
Teller will share his secrets about stage presence.
Erik Wahl is a Graffiti artist who
wrote the book UNthink. He will teach the audience to unlock our untapped
potential.
Steve Forbes of Forbes Media will talk
about the importance of stories.
Scott McKain is a well-known
television newscaster in the Midwest and will talk about separating the best
from the rest.
Mark Sanborn will facilitate a panel discussion
of CEO’s including Kat
Cole, CEO, Cinnabon, Inc. and GJ Hart, President,
California Pizza Kitchen.
Giovanni, one of my favorite
magicians, will talk about the art of storyboarding.
A “Speak Tank” will have
renowned speakers coaching presenters in front of the live audience.
My speech coach, Lou Heckler,
will give a presentation about speaking better.
One of the most highly sought
after, well-paid consultants, Alan Weiss, will talk about Million Dollar
Positioning.
The closing speaker, Sally
Hogshead, will talk about her assessment that teaches people how to be
fascinating.
I thought some of these sessions would be appropriate for a few of
my friends who are not members of the association. I asked NSA for permission
for them to participate. Today’s gift was to send the information to my friends
and invite them to be a part of the virtual, action-packed conference. Yes, for
the next three days you can call me a couch potato, but I will be learning all
the while.
Anisa Palmer is an amazing woman.
She was recently accepted to the University of Central Florida and begins
classes in September 2014 in a duel major. In addition, she is the founder and
executive director of “I will survive, Inc.” for Breast Cancer Awareness. Anisa
is a mentor for young high school students through the Safe America Foundation
and an Army veteran.
In my file cabinet I found a
certificate from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves (ESGR). Several
years ago when we lived in West Virginia, Tim and I both were asked to be Ombudsman
for ESGR to work with employers and service
members to prevent, reduce or resolve misunderstandings regarding employment
rights and responsibilities. We are no longer involved in that program, but I saw an advertisement for
American Corporate Partners (ACP), a similar program, in Fortune Magazine. Veterans
post questions on the website as they transition from the military to the
business community. It is a way to help over 1 million Veterans who are coming
home like Anisa. She credits ACP with her success.
Today’s gift was to sign up to be a
mentor on the ACP website by offering my expertise to veterans. I would like to
support our troops to show that I appreciate the sacrifices that they have
made.
