WOW for the WOW! Forum

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I was honored to be part of last week’s WOW! Forum organized by the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.  This year’s event honored Connecticut’s women and hosted Janet Peckinpaugh as master of ceremonies and Diane Smith as the key note speaker.

I had the pleasure of speaking to a wonderfully diverse group of women on the the topic of “Today’s Entreprenuerial Woman.”  I shared my experience throughout my career and various entreprenuerial endeavors.  We talked at great length about the juggle that we as women do each day in both our personal and professional lives.  I was inspired by this group!  The energy was contagious.

Judy and I had the pleasure of participating as a vendor at last year’s WOW! Forum and I remember us leaving saying WOW!  Well, this year went beyond my expectations.  WOW!

I was amazed at the connections I made, networking, and friends.  It was such a fabulously successful and inspiring day.

I encourage you to invest in yourself.  As I said in my seminar, it doesn’t take much.  If you can’t carve out a lot of time or money to do something, simply set aside a few moments for yourself to do something that relaxes you…take a walk, sit in quiet and do some deep breathing.  You will be so much better for it!

Happiness in Giving, Part III

Today we will conclude our discussion on happiness and giving…

• Helping those in need just feels good!

It doesn’t matter if you’re making a financial donation or sharing your time or other resources – it just feels good to help others.  That feeling also grows when you make giving a regular habit, regardless of the size of the contributions.  The more you do for others, the better you’ll feel about yourself.  If you want to enhance that good feeling even further, give anonymously.  You’ll be blessing others without expecting to receive anything in return; and instead allow giving to be its own reward – which makes the reward that much sweeter!

You may feel that you don’t have anything to give to others right now – and this is especially true if you’re experiencing serious financial troubles or other lack.  However, giving in ANY way can immediately make you feel happier and more abundant!

Become a mentor for children or young adults. Volunteer in your child’s classroom, become a big brother or big sister, volunteer in your church or place of worship as a leader or teacher.

Do you have specialized skills or training?  Donate your expertise to a non-profit organization for a few hours a week. 

Are you good at making others laugh and feel good?  Volunteer at a hospital or elderly care facility.  These people are just screaming for attention.  I saw it when my grandmother was in a nursing home. 

There are endless ways to reach out to others, and only a few of them involve money.

If you truly have nothing else to give, become a “goodwill ambassador” and make it your mission to go around spreading kind words and support to the people you meet each day.  When you notice that a public servant is having a bad day, say something to make them smile.  Compliment your co-workers.  Express your appreciation to a police officer, firefighter or soldier.  Tip your waiter, hair stylist and cab driver generously, or leave a handwritten note thanking them for the excellent service.   Handwritten notes go a long way in this often impersonal digital age.

These are all such small gestures – but they have a huge impact, both on the one who receives and the one who gives.

Happiness in Giving Part II

Let’s continue our discussion about happiness and giving.  Why does this make us feel happier?

• You focus more on abundance.

When you give to others, you automatically switch your focus from lack to abundance – even if you’re not giving financially!  Focusing more on your problems and difficulties can’t help but result in a keen awareness of lack, but by giving of yourself to those in need you are essentially affirming that you have “more than enough” – which will translate into all areas of your life as a focus on abundance.

Happiness in Giving Part I

Over the next few days, I’d like to discuss happiness and giving back.

Even though there are many ways to achieve a sense of “happiness” in our lives, nothing seems to bring more joy than giving back to others.  Why does giving to others make you feel happier?

• You minimize your own situation, circumstances, and troubles

 It’s so easy to get caught up in our own “bubble” of life and not see what’s going on outside of it.  Quite often putting the focus on helping others puts your own situation, circumstances and troubles into perspective.  By nature we tend to magnify our own problems and think they’re much worse than they really are – but encountering someone who is experiencing even greater challenges sure changes that outlook quickly! 

I’m not saying that your own struggles vanish just because you see someone less fortunate than you, but rather you gain a bit more perspective and realize that your struggles could be much worse than they are.

Leadership

Anyone that knows me knows I am a football FANatic.  I am very intense and passionate about the game.

I’ve noticed a theme going on in the NFL as this early football season unfolds. 

I see leaders stepping up to work together with their team in otherwise unusual circumstances.  Tom Brady going down in week 1, yikes!  Peyton Manning and the Colts nearly losing two in a row?

I see these fine leaders stepping it up to do what needs to be done to work together and win. 

I often use the analogy that we are like the quarterbacks of our lives.  Sometimes we fumble the ball, but we need to pick up the pieces, figure it out and move on.  You do what you need to do to get the job done.

Gratitude from Miss America’s Outstanding Teens!

I was thrilled to learn from Kim Parrish, President of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant, that the girls loved their “be grateful” t’s that we dontated for the pageant.  I just opened my mail and was overwhelmed to see the notes of thanks, appreciation, wonderful positive feedback from these fine young ladies.  WOW!  

Caitlin Brunell, Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2008 showing off her “be grateful” t-shirt.  Caitlin is a smart, savvy entrepreneur and philanthropist.  Check out her website at www.caitlinscloset.org. 

  

Check out these MAOTeen contestants with their “be grateful” t’s!  Thank you girls!

Walk for Hope/Run for Life to Benefit the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center

For Immediate Release    

The Gratitude Collection© Participates In Fundraiser
For The Norma  F. Pfriem Breast Care Center

OXFORD, CT – SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 – The Gratitude Collection is supporting the Walk for Hope/Run for Life 5K Road Race this weekend, which benefits The Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center at Bridgeport Hospital.

The event will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2008 at Samuel Staples Elementary School, 515 Morehouse Rd. in Easton, CT.

The Gratitude Collection will have their inspirational jewelry and apparel on display and for sale at a free health fair, which will be held at the event. A portion of their sales will be donated to The Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center.

“We are so pleased that The Gratitude Collection is part of our 5K Walk for Hope, Run for Life.  A good attitude is essential in life; particularly those who face challenges and health issues,” said Joanne Sezon. 

“Our event is going to be celebrating life and health.  It will be fun for all who attend.  We are grateful of Gratitude supporting the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center.  It will be the perfect compliment to our event!  We hope many will come out to support the center, enjoy the beautiful outdoors, and visit the Gratitude booth.” Sezon noted.

Founded in 2007, The Gratitude Collection (http://www.thegratitudecircle.net)  is a line of jewelry and apparel that reflects the benefits of positive thinking and the acts of gratitude and thankfulness.

 “Gratitude is proud to be supporting the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center,” said Deanna Collins, founder of The Gratitude Collection.

“The Center has been serving women here in Connecticut since 1999 with care, warmth, and comfort.  Supporting such organizations is really at the core of our business and we are honored to be part of this event.”  Collins noted.

In addition to the 5K Walk / Run, many activities will be taking place during the day, including:
• A Free Health Fair  
• A Kid’s Fun Run
• An Awards Ceremony
• Free Refreshments
• Giveaways and Prizes
 
Onsite registration for the Walk for Hope/Run for Life 5K Road Race will take place on Saturday, Sept. 6, at Samuel Staples Elementary School, 515 Morehouse Rd. in Easton. For more information, visit http://www.bridgeporthospital.com/PrintFriendly.asp?type=4&pg=5&EID=5992.

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Contact: Deanna Collins
Email: deanna@gratitudecollections.net
Phone: 203-888-0314

Getting Back to Work with Goal Setting

Well, we had a few months of summer to have fun and play.  It’s over, the kids are back to school and now what?

I like to look at this time of year as a bit of a re-birth.  The last four months of the year seem to go so quickly with all of the holidays and fall fun. 

Why not take the time over the next week to set some goals for the rest of the year?  What are some things you’d like to do?  Create an exercise regimen.  Eat healthfully (as those holiday treats are around the corner).  Re-connect with friends and family that you haven’t seen in a while.  Get that scrapbook finished.  The ideas can go on and on.  What are yours?  They don’t need to be big or many–just a few. 

Create a way to have some measurable results for yourself.  Create an disciplined exercise regimen that you are consistent with and treat yourself to a new outfit.  Make it work for your situation, you get the idea.

Take it a step further and team up with a friend to keep you in check with these “mini” goals over the next few months. 

Until next time,

Deanna