Happy New Year to YOU!
I never got Holiday cards out and yet I thought of each of you. I sent you my best wishes many more times than I can remember and I hope you received them. I had a wonderful day and I hope you did too! I hope that you were surrounded by those that you love and that your new year began with much happiness!
My day was joy filled. I had a chance to reflect on the year we have left behind, to play Monopoly with Sandra and Robert, a chance to review my many blessings, a chance to thank my husband for sharing the last 30 plus years with me, and a chance to look inward and forward. I wanted to share some thoughts with you that I posted on my blog as we begin the year with hopes that you would know that I am happy to have you in my life and happy to be part of this world in transition.
As 2009 begins, I believe that we have reason to celebrate. We have been to hell and back and have survived. My mother was always fond of saying, "What doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger." I have seen the wisdom of her words and indeed I do feel stronger today. The last year was full of emotions, a roller coaster ride I am not eager to jump on again. Nonetheless, the fact that we are still standing, makes me confident that we are survivors and we have reason to hope!
As we enter 2009, with all of its challenges, I am more determined than ever to help others in voicing their dreams, realizing their worth, and in taking action. I have been energized and stimulated by the masses of people who celebrated the change we are embracing. We seem to have regained optimism and renewed our sense of hope in America.
As the new year emerges, we can look back and see that on November 4, 2008, over 57 million Americans made their voices heard. Americans lined up, said that they were ready for change, and elected Barrack Obama as President. Overnight, we regained the respect of the world and stood as a united force. Together, we can face the challenge and transition into a more inclusive and caring society.
Despite our concerns and worries, we can now look forward to a brighter new year. If 57 million Americans were willing to stand in long lines to vote and to make their voices heard, I am convinced that many million more stayed at home with dreams and hopes unheard. I am anxious hear these unspoken dreams and hopes in 2009. I am going to make a concerted effort to encourage those who are often overlooked and ignored to voice their dreams and hopes. I will encourage them to acknowledge their strengths, to connect with others and to walk toward peace and understanding.
I was recently reminded of a song that is very significant for me. I heard at the Kennedy Center Honors program. I know you have heard it. It was sung by a classmate the year I graduated from high school and has always held a special place in my heart.
Barbara Streisand made it popular and it was written by Michael Spriggs, Andy Byrd and Lindsay Ellis. The song is Somewhere. The words resonate with me more now than even then…. Here they are:
"Someday, somewhere, we’ll find a new way of living, we’ll find a new way of forgiving. Somewhere. There’s a place for us, someday, a place for us. Peace and quiet and open air. Wait for us, somewhere. There’s a time for us. Someday, there’ll be a time for us. Time together with time to spare. A time to learn, a time to care. Someday, somewhere, we’ll find a new way of living, we’ll find a new way of forgiving. Somewhere. Somewhere. Somewhere. There’s a place for us. A time and place for us. Hold my hand and were halfway there. Just take my hand and I’ll take you there. Somehow, Someday, Somewhere."
Will you walk with me into 2009 and work with me toward a new way of living? Will we find a new way of forgiving? Is there time for sharing and a time for caring? I hope so!
Together, we can fill the "potholes found along the road of life" with Hope and make the future brighter for us all. Together, hand in hand, we are halfway there. What are we waiting for?
With much love to you all and with hope that we will connect again soon!
Doreen
Happy Summer To YOU! Now offering "H to the 4th Power!"
I know you have many balls in the air and much to balance in these fast flying weeks of summer. I can appreciate your need to find time for rest and relaxation. Anyone in the business of educating and nurturing our young people while meeting competing demands of their families has my utmost respect.
I sincerely believe that we must meet our own needs first before we can meet the needs of our children, our bosses, and our families. Meeting our needs requires planning and deliberate effort on our part as our days fill up so fast. Often without planning, we find that there is no time left for ourselves.
I see my own calendar filling up with activities and know that I would love to offer "H to the 4th Power" to you, your staff and interested parents and colleagues.
It is Designed to Reconnect Hearts, Heads, Hands with Hope, and Give Voice to Unspoken Dreams while Re-energizing Our Educators and Parents to Action! I believe it would be a win/win for all concerned.
I inspire you to:
• Respond to your Calling,
• Renew your Spirit,
• Re-ignite the Flame Within,
• Re-Engage in Meaningful Dialogs,
• Re-Emerge Refreshed and Reinvigorated, and
• Ready to Live a Life that Matters to You!
I challenge you to:
• Reconnect to the magical moments that led you to your “Calling”
• Connect to your strengths, passion, and purpose.
• Address those “threshold voices” that keep you stuck in one place;
• Make empowering rather than limiting choices;
• Stretch rather than shrink in the face of challenges,
• To Reach Out rather than Single Out, and, Dream bigger and grander visions for you and the children you serve!and would be immensly satisfying to me, so I have decided to share outline with you.
I offer you a:
• Proven formula to re-fuel your team to accomplish personal goals,
shared visions and desired outcomes;
• Step by Step system for working through blocks and challenges;
• Memorable stories to anchor key lessons; and a
• Systematic process for turning employee passions, hopes and dreams into
Dynamic Action Plans leading to Growth, Innovation and Renewed Team Spirit and Collaboration.
While summer is a wonderful time for this workshop, I offer it year round and can even offer it as a webinar. Please contact me when you are ready to reconnect, refuel and be renewed!
With warm wishes,
Doreen
Happy Fall to YOU!
Transitions Continue! Fall is in the Air, Summer is Fading and A New School Year Begins. High Hopes Emerge As Another Visioning Course for Parents and Educators is scheduled for October!
I know being a Mom can be challenging to say the very least and many of us sigh with relief as a new school starts while Educators and our Youth often shutter as the pace of life escalates.
Sometimes, we just need a chance to breathe, to adjust and to rest a bit before tackling the special needs of our youth head on. The weekends are quickly over and if we are lucky we have a chance to recharge and refuel.
When fully rested, we realize that there is a very high cost for maintaining the status quo and that there is still work to be done. Preparing young people with learning differences to be successful in pursuing higher education, in obtaining self-sustaining jobs and in living independently is complex and requires planning and collaboration. It is a daunting task and not a job that can be done in isolation; Parents can’t do it alone, Educators can’t do it alone and our kids can’t do it alone! It is a job that requires initiative, persistence, concentrated effort, networking, and team work!
When I was asked the questions below:
Are you overwhelmed, short on energy, and running out of time? (I said yes)
Do you worry about our youth and their ability to become independent? (I said yes)
Are you struggling to build success attributes? (I said yes)
Do you seek clarity, collaboration and support for your direction and actions? (I said yes)
If you are inclined to respond in a similar fashion, Transition Boot Camp, A Visioning Course for Parents and Educators may be just what you need to strengthen you for the journey. As you know, the completion of high school marks the beginning of adult life and brings many changes to the lives of our youth who are transitioning and to the lives of those who have nurtured them along the path.
Where school provided a centralized source of education, guidance, transportation, and even recreation, in the post school environment the student and parent will need to navigate among an array of adult services and programs. The young person who has been prepared for the transition, who has been taught by example and who has been mentored along the way, is most likely to succeed.
This course will assist you in several ways:
1. It will help you form a team of support for this transition and for all the transitions to come;
2. You will be given an opportunity to acknowledge your abilities, to affirm your values, and to validate your goals. You will gain more energy and focus and will be able to share this new energy with those who mean the most to you.
3. It will put you on firm footing as you confront the myriad of responsibilities you face as a parent/educator of students with learning differences.
I have used the visioning process to adopt my three children, to get special education services for my youngest son when things appeared hopeless, and to help students obtain scholarships, find their dream jobs and to reconnect with their passions. I want to share this process with you, to share with you what supervisors and managers are looking for in hiring, and to help you to help others, knowing that you have tremendous power to shape the lives of those we love who have learning challenges.
I will offer you strategies to overcome your challenges, gain the support of your team and move steadily in the direction of positive outcomes for you and your loved ones. I appreciate your interest! Call me today with any questions. 703 371-5682.
Sincerely,
Doreen