Sunday, August 27, 2006
Lights, Camera, Action!
As many of you know I am BIG into the power of positive thinking and how what we think supports us in manifesting amazing things. Well, just the other day I stumbled across a wonderful calendar created by Louise L Hay called I Can Do It!. This calendar is not only beautifully designed, but it holds some of the most inspiring affirmations I have ever read.
As I am flipping through my new purchase I came across the following,"I am the star of my own movie. I am also the writer and the director. I create wonderful roles for myself." WOW!! Reading those words caused a rush of super-charged, mega-sized energy to dart right through me.
Heck yes, we are the stars of our own movie and we have the ability to create stunning, award-winning roles for ourselves. We can write that phenomenal script where we are living the lives of our dreams! There are no coincidences in this life, only the opportunities and experiences that we consciously (and sometimes subconsciously) create.
Here's the charge if you choose to accept it, of course...(Remember, you have absolutely NOTHING to lose!)
1) Find a quiet place where you won't be distracted.
2) Do a little deep breathing, relax, and try to quiet your mind.
3) Then with paper and pen in hand begin free writing your starring role. IMPORTANT: Do NOT edit yourself, just let the words, thoughts, and feelings flow. Capture every wish and every desire knowing that nothing you wish for is too big or too small.
4) Find a safe place where you can store your life's script for revisiting.
5) Revisit as you begin to live your role, especially during the times when your energy is low.
So whatcha waiting for? Your life is waiting ... what role will you be playing in it?
Until next time, be well and have fun living a movie star life!
Pam
Posted by Pam at 2:39:16 AM in Creating Change (98) | Permalink | Comments (2)
Friday, August 25, 2006
Just Had To Share
I was cruising the blogosphere while having my coffee this morning and came across Rookie Mom's blog! Poking around I found this really cool activity that I couldn't help but share! The activity calls for making a list of the 50 things you would like to do and then sharing your list with some friends.
That got my head reeling with so many potentials so for starters I would like to...
Travel across the U.S.
Donate to a favorite charity
Try one new restaurant a month
Take my son on a hot air balloon ride
What would you place on your list? Go on...it's fun!
Posted by Pam at 2:56:59 PM in Pam's Ponderings (34) | Permalink | Comments (0)
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Past, Present, Future...What Will it Be?
Life can be found only in the present moment. The past is gone, the future is not yet here, and if we do not go back to ourselves in the present moment, we cannot be in touch with life.- Thich Nhat Hanh
As a coach it has always been important to me to not just "talk the talk" but to be able to "walk the walk". That means the important things I learn and everything I coach my own clients around must be put to use and at some point mastered.
SIDE NOTE: I have been told often that the universe continues to place things in our path until we master them. Guess what? It's true.
The universe decided to pick this morning to place a "present moment" situation in my path. (Clearly, being in the present moment is something I have to work on a bit more.) To make a VERY long story short, I am working on my Masters and am required to complete a thesis in order to graduate. It was my full intention to have everything finished for a September graduation, but sometimes things just happen and we have to find a different route. My different route now includes graduating in November, which is cool with me because I have more time to ensure my thesis is stellar. Even with the extra time (at 2am) I went from dead sleep to panic mode thinking about my thesis and worrying about the process. (OK, OK, I was projecting worry onto the future..I get that!)
The skinny...I had to practice what I preach and focus on being present. Sure I could have "should" all over myself ("I should have done this..." "I should have done that..."), but that wasn't going to change the past or make me feel better. Yep, I could have plopped myself down in the future and turned myself inside out with the "what if?" questions ("What if the committee takes too long in approving?" "What if defense does not get scheduled in time?") Are you following me here? Instead, I took a few deep breathes, acknowledged that the present was perfect, expressed some gratitude for my nice warm bed, my fluffy pillow,etc. and went back to sleep.
So here is some food for thought...
Being present protects us from being completely consumed by worry. It's hard to worry when you are looking at all the cool things surrounding you in the right here and the right now. (Operative word: "cool") When we are fully present we get to unearth some new discoveries, discoveries that may have been hidden by past or future thoughts. In the present we can gain some great clarity around our intentions because we have the freedom to focus. Oh, and this is an awesome one...in the present we get to choose. Think about it, have you ever tried to make a choice in the past or the future? Doesn't work too well. Oh, and here's one to remember, we can start breathing again. (Yep, when you are riddled with worry or anxiety breathing becomes shallow.)
So which do you choose? The past? The present? The future? I know what I choose...no more 2am wake up calls!
Posted by Pam at 3:54:18 PM in Quotes with Impact (30) | Permalink | Comments (2)
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Sharing the Love
Last weekend I posted about how important what YOU think of YOU truly is. Well, I always love to see people living a life that best serves them, a life based on what they think of themselves!
My good friend Kammie is a walking example. What's really cool about Kammie is that she gets it..she gets that regardless of what others may think, it is better to reach a few who really get who she is and what she has to offer than trying to reach those that don't. As she shares on her own blog, when you get who you are, those that also get you will begin showing up in your life. Remember the old saying "birds of a feather flock together"? Now that's something yummy to ponder.
Until Sunday, keep manifesting greatness and please be sure to acknowledge who you are for YOU!
Posted by Pam at 1:24:37 PM in Pam's Ponderings (34) | Permalink | Comments (2)
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Do You Care What YOU Think?
There is a line from the movie Beaches that gets me every time… “But enough about me, let’s talk about you. What do you think of me?”
I used to worry A LOT about what other people thought of me. Sadly, I would even make decisions based on what I thought others would prefer. I did so because I wanted to be accepted and liked. (Sheesh, who doesn’t?) What I found though was that I was not being me; rather I was being someone that I thought others wanted me to be. This did not serve me at all and it did not help me to attract the people that I truly wanted in my life.
I’ll admit it took me some time to get to a place where I realized that what I think of me is even more important than what others think. Simply, I have to get up everyday and look myself square in the eyes. If I cannot do that because I made a decision or did something that does not fit with me in order to “fit in”, there is a problem…a HUGE problem.
Frankly, it is truly none of my business what other people think of me. (Thank you, Lyn for sharing this great perspective.) It IS my business what I think of me! Taking on this new perspective has shown me that I can still be considerate of others’ feelings and respectful of their point of view without compromising myself, my integrity, and my own self-worth.
So enough about me, let’s talk about you. What do YOU think of YOU?
Posted by Pam at 8:55:31 PM in Pam's Ponderings (34) | Permalink | Comments (2)
Sunday, August 06, 2006
How’s that Heaviness Working for Ya?
Have you ever been in a situation where someone else’s bad mood or disposition just left you feeling heavy, sad, or angry? (Heck, it is hard to turn on the TV or pick up the newspaper these days without subjecting ourselves to some sort of negativity.)
I will raise my hand and admit that I have allowed another’s mood or situation to completely throw me for a loop. As funny as this may sound, until I became a coach I was not even aware that I was taking on the negative feelings from someone/something else. Now I am VERY aware of when someone’s heaviness is having an impact.
As an example, there is a person at my gym who is clearly very unhappy. You can hear it in his voice when he speaks, in the words that he uses, and see it in his body language. Bless his heart, he reminds me of Eeyore …everything is always doom and gloom. For awhile his presence would spur tense feelings in my shoulders and a feeling of utter heaviness. It was truly sad and it was certainly not the reaction I wished to have.
It was not until having a discussion with my own coach that it became very clear that I did not have to stand in some else’s “circle of doom” (as she so wonderfully put it). Rather, I could stand outside of that circle and come from a place of compassion. I’ll be darned if that did not make all the difference in the world.
Here are just a few suggestions for insulating yourself :
As always, I welcome any thoughts, comments, suggestions or questions that you may have. Until next week, please be well and have a positive and fun week.
Pam
Posted by Pam at 5:44:51 PM in Creating Change (98) | Permalink | Comments (0)
Sunday, July 30, 2006
A Sandpiper For You
This beautiful story, powerful message, and note was sent to me by a friend. It serves as a great reminder of how important it is to stop and smell the roses. Now I share it with you with wishes that you have many "sandpipers" in your life.
The Sandpiper, by Robert Peterson She was six years old when I first met her on the beach near where I live. I drive to this beach, a distance of three or four miles, whenever the world begins to close in on me. She was building a sand castle or something and looked up, her eyes as blue as the sea.
"Hello," she said.
I answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small child.
"I'm building," she said.
"I see that. What is it?" I asked, not really caring.
"Oh, I don't know, I just like the feel of sand."
That sounds good, I thought, and slipped off my shoes.
A sandpiper glided by.
"That's a joy," the child said.
"It's a what?"
"It's a joy. My mama says sandpipers come to bring us joy."
The bird went gliding down the beach. Good-bye joy, I muttered to myself, hello pain, and turned to walk on. I was depressed, my life seemed completely out of balance.
"What's your name?" She wouldn't give up.
"Robert," I answered. "I'm Robert Peterson."
"Mine's Wendy... I'm six."
"Hi, Wendy."
She giggled. "You're funny," she said.
In spite of my gloom, I laughed too and walked on. Her musical giggle followed me.
"Come again, Mr. P," she called. "We'll have another happy day."
The next few days consisted of a group of unruly Boy Scouts, PTA meetings, and an ailing mother. The sun was shining one morning as I took my hands out of the dishwater. I need a sandpiper, I said to myself, gathering up my coat.
The ever-changing balm of the seashore awaited me. The breeze was chilly but I strode along, trying to recapture the serenity I needed.
"Hello, Mr. P," she said. "Do you want to play?"
"What did you have in mind?" I asked, with a twinge of annoyance.
"I don't know. You say."
"How about charades?" I asked sarcastically.
The tinkling laughter burst forth again. "I don't know what that is."
"Then let's just walk."
Looking at her, I noticed the delicate fairness of her face. "Where do you live?" I asked.
"Over there." She pointed toward a row of summer cottages.
Strange, I thought, in winter.
"Where do you go to school?"
"I don't go to school. Mommy says we're on vacation."
She chattered little girl talk as we strolled up the beach, but my mind was on other things. When I left for home, Wendy said it had been a happy day.
Feeling surprisingly better, I smiled at her and agreed.
Three weeks later, I rushed to my beach in a state of near panic. I was in no mood to even greet Wendy. I thought I saw her mother on the porch and felt like demanding she keep her child at home.
"Look, if you don't mind," I said crossly when Wendy caught up with me, "I'd rather be alone today." She seemed unusually pale and out of breath.
"Why?" she asked.
I turned to her and shouted, "Because my mother died!" and thought, My God, why was I saying this to a little child?
"Oh," she said quietly, "then this is a bad day."
"Yes," I said, "and yesterday and the day before and -- oh, go away!"
"Did it hurt?" she inquired.
"Did what hurt?" I was exasperated with her, with myself.
"When she died?"
"Of course it hurt!" I snapped, misunderstanding, wrapped up in myself. I strode off.
A month or so after that, when I next went to the beach, she wasn't there. Feeling guilty, ashamed, and admitting to myself I missed her, I went up to the cottage after my walk and knocked at the door. A drawn looking young woman with honey-colored hair opened the door.
"Hello," I said, "I'm Robert Peterson. I missed your little girl today and wondered where she was."
"Oh yes, Mr. Peterson, please come in. Wendy spoke of you so much. I'm afraid I allowed her to bother you. If she was a nuisance, please, accept my apologies."
"Not at all -- she's a delightful child." I said, suddenly realizing that I meant what I had just said.
"Wendy died last week, Mr. Peterson. She had leukemia. Maybe she didn't tell you."
Struck dumb, I groped for a chair. I had to catch my breath.
"She loved this beach, so when she asked to come, we couldn't say no. She seemed so much better here and had a lot of what she called happy days.
But the last few weeks, she declined rapidly..." Her voice faltered, "She left something for you, if only I can find it. Could you wait a moment while I look?"
I nodded stupidly, my mind racing for something to say to this lovely young woman. She handed me a smeared envelope with "MR. P" printed in bold childish letters. Inside was a drawing in bright crayon hues – a yellow beach, a blue sea, and a brown bird. Underneath was carefully printed:
A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY.
Tears welled up in my eyes, and a heart that had almost forgotten to love opened wide. I took Wendy's mother in my arms. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," I uttered over and over, and we wept together. The precious little picture is framed now and hangs in my study. Six words -- one for each year of her life -- that speak to me of harmony, courage, and undemanding love.
A gift from a child with sea blue eyes and hair the color of sand-- who taught me the gift of love.
NOTE: This is a true story sent out by Robert Peterson. It happened over 20 years ago and the incident changed his life forever. It serves as a reminder to all of us that we need to take time to enjoy living and life and each other. The price of hating other human beings is loving oneself less.
Life is so complicated, the hustle and bustle of everyday traumas can make us lose focus about what is truly important or what is only a momentary setback or crisis.
This week, be sure to give your loved ones an extra hug, and by all means, take a moment... even if it is only ten seconds, to stop and smell the roses.
This comes from someone's heart, and is read by many and now I share it with you...
May everyone who reads this be blessed! There are NO coincidences!
Posted by Pam at 5:27:50 PM in Heart Strings (5) | Permalink | Comments (5)
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Attitude Adjustment
Be in an attitude of gratitude. - Lee Brower , courtesy of The Secret
As you may recall from last week’s entry I suggested that you share at least three things you are grateful for to help raise your energy level. Well, I have an admission to make…
For quite some time now I have been practicing a gratitude exercise where every morning (before my feet hit the floor) and every night (before drifting off to sleep) I share five things I am grateful for. (This is not the admission, however. <grin>
This past Thursday I did not participate in my gratitude exercise. Instead I dashed out of bed and jumped straight into my day. Sadly, things that could go wrong did go wrong from the very start. To put it bluntly…my day sucked!! What’s even worse, two really great things happened in my day and I completely dismissed them…just cast them aside.
I have to tell you, I have not had a day like that in a VERY long time.
What my experience impressed upon me is how important it really is to “be in attitude of gratitude”. When we come from a place of gratitude we are open and receptive to the positives. We just go with the flow… where even the bumps that appear in our paths are manageable.
I invite you to give it a whirl yourself! For the next month practice having an “attitude of gratitude”...you can say or write what you are grateful for...whatever works best for you.
Have fun and as always please feel free to share your questions and comments right here. :)
Posted by Pam at 2:44:58 PM in Quotes with Impact (30) | Permalink | Comments (2)
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Turning Up the Energy
In last week’s entry What Does Your Energy Say About You I mentioned that I would be sharing some tips for raising your energy level and keeping it raised. As promised here are just a few suggestions that will help!
Whenever you feel your energy level waning or becoming a bit dark and gloomy…
As always, if something has worked for you in raising your energy level, please do share it here!! Your thoughts are always welcome!!
Have an amazing, positive energy-filled week!
Pam
Posted by Pam at 2:38:55 PM in Creating Change (98) | Permalink | Comments (4)
Sunday, July 09, 2006
What Does Your Energy Say About You?
Have you ever walked into a room and got a sense about a person just from their presence? You didn’t know the person, but you got a feeling one way or the other about them. It was that feeling that may have either drawn you to them or told you to stay away.
Think about it. I bet there have been times when you could tell whether someone was happy or in a bad mood without even talking to them.
Why? It’s simple really. It is all due to the energy or (as physicists would say) the vibrations we emit.
Here is a little challenge for you…pay close attention to your energy level for the next week and also what transpires. For example, if you are in a good mood and joyfully going through your day, take stock of the things that appear. Do you receive more compliments from others? Was your day awesome?
Come back next week and I will share some ways to raise your energy level and keep it raised. Until then, please take good care and have great week!
Be well…
Pam
Posted by Pam at 2:21:13 PM in Creating Change (98) | Permalink | Comments (0)
Sunday, July 02, 2006
You Define It!
I define joy as a sustained sense of well-being and internal peace - a connection to what matters. - Oprah Winfrey
To me the definition of joy is a multi-faceted one which includes both internal and external experiences. For example, spending time with my son being silly brings me great joy (external). Feeling positive and at peace also brings me joy (internal). So in essence, one of my many definitions of joy is the ability to see and choose to experience the good and to be my authentic self.
How do you define joy?
I invite you to think of all the things, both internal and external, that provide you with joy. Capitalize on those things and enjoy living in joy!
Posted by Pam at 2:15:50 PM in Quotes with Impact (30) | Permalink | Comments (2)
Monday, June 26, 2006
Self Love
You deserve to be happy, you deserve to be joyful, you deserve to be celebrative, but, in order to do that you must first fall madly in love with yourself. - Lisa Nichols, courtesy of The Secret
I love this empowering quote because it captures what is really important…loving yourself. There is no one on this earth like you!! You are unique; you possess special traits, wonderful qualities, and amazing skills like no other.
My wish for you is to see the beauty that you possess, to embrace the amazing assets you have rather than focusing on the negative. For example, if you feel your arms are too small or too flabby, instead of focusing on the negatives, what would it feel like if you were to say to yourself, “These wonderful arms provide me with the ability to _______.” (hug my children, do my wonderful work, get dressed with ease)?
Please know that this has nothing to do with being conceited or boastful. This has everything to do with you creating good feelings about you for you! Don’t delay; a beautiful love affair with a fabulous person is yours for the taking. Give it a go and see what happens.
Posted by Pam at 4:18:04 AM in Quotes with Impact (30) | Permalink | Comments (6)
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Happy Birthday…err…Anniversary!
Today marks the one year anniversary of Make the Most of U! This past year has been an amazing journey and I have truly enjoyed sharing and engaging with the readers of this blog. Thank you…
…to everyone who has read and contributed their time and thoughts. It is that time and those thoughts that have inspired me.
…to my amazing
…to my family and friends for their support, love, and encouragement.
…to my own coach,
Amy for her infinite wisdom.I value and appreciate you all!
Here is to another great year at Make the Most of U! Please keep sharing and keep making a difference.
In love and gratitude…
Pam
Posted by Pam at 3:39:30 PM in Pam's Ponderings (34) | Permalink | Comments (4)
Sunday, June 11, 2006
This + That = Moving Forward/Success
You know sometimes it’s really pretty cool when a powerful lesson you learned at some point in your life resurfaces. Those types of reoccurrences often remind us of the amazing tools we have in our toolboxes…tools that may have shifted to the bottom, but are still there just waiting to be used.
To explain…
Early on in my coach training at Coach U I learned a great technique called Success Formulas*. In short, Success Formulas* are simple, easy to remember equations for helping a client achieve a goal.
This wonderful little technique reappeared at just the perfect time, at a time when I was contemplating forward movement for some of the intentions I had set. As I was revisiting my intentions all the sudden I remembered a simple equation I created many moons ago…
Now when I look at my list of intentions, I don’t just see the intentions, but I start to see potential actions I can take to achieve results.
Does it sound simple? It is, because the wonderful thing about equations is there is no right or wrong, there are no set factors, pieces, variables or parts. These equations contain whatever you wish for them to…anything that resonates and helps you achieve whatever you want.
Now it’s your turn. Think of something that you really wish to gain or achieve. With the outcome in mind, come up with some factors or variables for your equation in order to create that outcome.
Until next time, be well and have fun creating your own Success Formula*….
Pam
Posted by Pam at 9:28:19 PM in Creating Change (98) | Permalink | Comments (0)
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Seizing the Moment
In December I wrote a blog entry called “Smelling the Roses”. The entry is essentially about not letting life and the important things pass you by.
I was reminded of this entry this past week when I received the sad news that a friend, valued colleague, and coaching buddy passed away from cancer. I recalled our last coaching call in January where he told me he was taking a break from coaching to pursue other career options. I could hear his disappointment because he was really excited about coaching. While we decided to stop coaching one another, we did say we would keep in touch.
Long, story short, we did not stay in touch and I could not be more saddened by that. I am now once again reminded of how important it is to stop what you are doing, even if just for a moment, and take time to…
…reach out to friends and family to let them know you are thinking of them.
…be grateful for the people and wonderful things we have.
…say “thank you” to those that have touched your life.
My wish for you is to seize the moment and not wait…let someone who has made a difference in your life know just how grateful you are.
And to my friend and coaching buddy, while I did not have chance to say this to him in person, I wish to share this now…
My friend, thank you for being there to render advice, offer great suggestions, and lend support when I was feeling a bit unsure of my own abilities. Thank you for touching my life and the lives of others…for making a difference and for this valuable reminder to seize the moment. Thank you for being you. You will be missed.
Posted by Pam at 4:29:57 PM in Pam's Ponderings (34) | Permalink | Comments (0)
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Ollie Ollie Oxen Free
What does hiding get you?
We all do it or have done it in our life times. We hide or have hidden behind fears, old wounds, our past, false expectations (our own and others), perceptions…and why? Because hiding behind some thing that may be uncomfortable actually feels safe and familiar.
As a child did you ever play “Hide-And-Seek”? If you did then you probably remember picking a hiding space that was rather concealed from others. That was the whole point to be concealed and hard to find.
Well, when we hide from challenges, from our dreams, from potential risks (the good ones, that is), that is what we are doing, we are concealing ourselves…not only from others, but from life, and our authentic selves. Life is passing us by and opportunities are floating adrift.
So let me ask you again, what does hiding get you? Do you have more to lose or to gain by not hiding? My wish for you is to think about those questions, to think long and hard about them.
Yes, putting yourself out there may feel risky and even scary, but in doing so you become available to potentials. Potentials to gain what you want, to learn, to grow… potentials that would not have presented themselves because you were hiding and they could not find you
Ollie ollie oxen free…you can come out now. Take the chance, step out from that hiding place, take that challenge, because YOU have more to gain by no longer hiding than you do to lose.
Until next time, please be well…
Pam
Posted by Pam at 2:38:15 PM in Creating Change (98) | Permalink | Comments (4)
Sunday, May 21, 2006
In the Moment
When we are capable of living in the moment free from the tyranny of "shoulds," free from the nagging sensation that this moment isn't right, we will have peaceful hearts. - Joan Borysenko
I love this quote – it serves as a wonderful reminder that what we have is right now. We cannot do anything about the past (with the exception of learn from it) as it has already happened. We cannot do anything about the future because it has yet to come. We can do something about this present moment.
Worrying about tomorrow and what has yet to happen only takes away from focusing on the here and now and the wonderful opportunities that are presenting themselves.
Posted by Pam at 2:54:33 PM in Quotes with Impact (30) | Permalink | Comments (3)
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Perfection – What's It Costing You?
Several months ago I wrote a blog entry entitled “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”. That entry spoke to the issue of being asked to be something other than who you are. However, today’s entry is more about the perceived notion of being perfect.
This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart because some where along the way I got the message to be perfect. The perfect person who did not make mistakes, who was the perfect weight, who wore the perfect clothes… I think you get the idea.
How did that message to be perfect serve me? How does it serve me now when it rears its head from time-to-time?
Not very well! Personally, it’s no fun dealing with the pressure, pressure that hangs heavy like a weight around my ankle. It’s an energy drain and emotionally stifling.
If this all sounds too familiar, then please continue to read on…
1) There is no such thing as perfect and striving for perfection is a never ending circle. How does being dizzy sound?
2) The quest for perfection creates pressure which distracts you from those things that are productive and will serve you better.
3) Needing to be perfect lands you a one-way ticket to Comparison-ville. In comparing yourself to others and what others have, you negate and miss out on all the wonderful things that you have, all the amazing attributes you possess.
4) Trying to achieve perfection is like walking through life with a bag over your head. You miss out on some fantastic growth and learning opportunities.
My wish for you is that you give yourself permission to not be perfect. Give yourself permission to be human, with warts and all. It is the warts and all that makes you the special person that you are.
In closing, I wish to share some really awesome quotes which I hope will empower you and provide some good food for thought.
The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself. - Anna Quindlen
Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life. - Dr. David M. Burns
Assert your right to make a few mistakes. If people can't accept your imperfections, that's their fault. - Dr. David M. Burns
Perfectionism is simply putting a limit on your future. When you have an idea of perfect in your mind, you open the door to constantly comparing what you have now with what you want. That type of self criticism is significantly deterring. -John Eliot, Ph.D., Reverse Psychology for Success
As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments.
Please be well…
Pam
Posted by Pam at 6:42:36 PM in Creating Change (98) | Permalink | Comments (10)
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Lasting Impressions
This beautiful story was sent to me and I warn you it is a bit long, but well worth the read. It serves as a wonderful reminder of how WE all can and do make a lasting impression.
The Old Telephone
When I was quite young, my father had one of the first telephones in our neighborhood. I remember the polished, old case fastened to the wall. The shiny receiver hung on the side of the box. I was too little to reach the telephone, but used to listen with fascination when my mother talked into it.
Then I discovered that somewhere inside the wonderful device lived an amazing person. Her name was "Information Please" and there was nothing she did not know. Information Please could supply anyone's number and the correct time.
My personal experience with the genie-in-a-box came one day while my mother was visiting a neighbor. Amusing myself at the tool bench in the basement, I whacked my finger with a hammer, the pain was terrible, but there seemed no point in crying because there was no one home to give sympathy.
I walked around the house sucking my throbbing finger, finally arriving at the stairway. The telephone! Quickly, I ran for the footstool in the parlor and dragged it to the landing. Climbing up, I unhooked the receiver in the parlor and held it to my ear. "Information, please" I said into the mouthpiece just above my head.
A click or two and a small clear voice spoke into my ear.
"Information."
"I hurt my finger..." I wailed into the phone, the tears came readily enough now that I had an audience.
"Isn't your mother home?" came the question.
"Nobody's home but me," I blubbered.
"Are you bleeding?" the voice asked.
"No," I replied. "I hit my finger with the hammer and it hurts."
"Can you open the icebox?" she asked.
I said I could.
"Then chip off a little bit of ice and hold it to your finger," said the voice.
After that, I called "Information Please" for everything. I asked her for help with my geography, and she told me where Philadelphia was. She helped me with my math. She told me my pet chipmunk that I had caught in the park just the day before, would eat fruit and nuts.
Then, there was the time Petey, our pet canary, died. I called, Information Please," and told her the sad story. She listened, and then said things grown-ups say to soothe a child. But I was not consoled. I asked her, "Why is it that birds should sing so beautifully and bring joy to all families, only to end up as a heap of feathers on the bottom of a cage?"
She must have sensed my deep concern, for she said quietly, "Paul - always remember that there are other worlds to sing in."
Somehow I felt better.
Another day I was on the telephone, "Information Please." "Information," said in the now familiar voice. "How do I spell fix?" I asked.
All this took place in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. When I was nine years old, we moved across the country to Boston. I missed my friend very much. "Information Please" belonged in that old wooden box back home and I somehow never thought of trying the shiny new phone that sat on the table in the hall. As I grew into my teens, the memories of those childhood conversations never really left me.
Often, in moments of doubt and perplexity I would recall the serene sense of security I had then. I appreciated now how patient, understanding, and kind she was to have spent her time on a little boy.
A few years later, on my way west to college, my plane put down in Seattle. I had about a half-hour or so between planes. I spent 15 minutes or so on the phone with my sister, who lived there now. Then without thinking what I was doing, I dialed my hometown operator and said "Information Please."
Miraculously, I heard the small, clear voice I knew so well.
"Information."
I hadn't planned this, but I heard myself saying, "Could you please tell me how to spell fix?"
There was a long pause. Then came the soft spoken answer, "I guess your finger must have healed by now."
I laughed, "So it's really you," I said. "I wonder if you have any idea how much you meant to me during that time?"
"I wonder," she said, "if you know how much your call meant to me. I never had any children and I used to look forward to your calls."
I told her how often I had thought of her over the years and I asked if I could call her again when I came back to visit my sister.
"Please do", she said. "Just ask for Sally."
Three months later I was back in Seattle. A different voice answered.
"Information." I asked for Sally.
"Are you a friend?" she said.
"Yes, a very old friend," I answered.
"I'm sorry to have to tell you this," she said. "Sally had been working part-time the last few years because she was sick. She died five weeks ago."
Before I could hang up she said, "Wait a minute, did you say your name was Paul?" "Yes." I answered.
"Well, Sally left a message for you. She wrote it down in case you called. Let me read it to you." The note said, "Tell him there are other worlds to sing in. He'll know what I mean."
I thanked her and hung up. I knew what Sally meant.
Never underestimate the impression you may make on others.
What is the impression you make or wish to make?
Posted by Pam at 2:07:02 PM in Heart Strings (5) | Permalink | Comments (1)
Saturday, April 29, 2006
What Are You Attracting?
We don’t attract what we want, we attract what we are. - Author Unknown
I have been thinking a lot about that quote which hangs on the white board in my office. It was passed along to me by my own coach. To me, it is a very powerful reminder of how important it is to be the best person possible …To be genuine, honest, in integrity, loving, caring, and generous.
What are you attracting? Are you attracting and manifesting the things that you really want in your life?
Posted by Pam at 1:14:00 PM in Quotes with Impact (30) | Permalink | Comments (2)
