Chick-fil-A and Other Good Things about Today

Snowed under. No, there’s no snow outside, but inside…you know what I mean. A to-do list a mile long with no end in sight. That’s how today started. Not really a bad thing, but definitely busy. So busy that, when lunchtime rolled around, I knew I needed to escape for a bit. Get in some me-time so I could be better when I did get back to that to-do list.

Fortunately, just around the corner is a nice little restaurant that’s perfect for lunch. It’s called Ariel’s Diner and offers different specials several days a week. Today’s was baked spaghetti. Yum! I couldn’t resist. I’d brought a book with me which made it even sweeter, especially since I seem to be having difficulty in finding time to read these days. (I’m a bit of a nerdy girl.)

The book I’d chosen is by Martin Brossman and Anora McGaha. Martin had taught a class I’d attended recently so I was eager to see what he had to say on the subject of Social Media for Business (which, by the way, is the book’s title). And I discovered something really cool. Tweetbeep.com. If you haven’t discovered it yet, be sure to check it out, especially if you’re a business owner. According to the site, it's like Google Alerts for Twitter. And there’s lots more cool stuff where that came from: in the book.

Those are some of the good things that happened to me today.

And there’s more…(haven’t gotten to the Chick-fil-A part yet)!

The afternoon went well as I made some headway through my list. I don’t know about you, but I like to check off tasks as I go. It gives me a feeling of accomplishment. So, on my whiteboard, I list (or add to the list) each morning and watch it dwindle as I mark through each item (or most items) before the end of the day. Of course, after a few hours, I realized I’d been sitting at the computer way too long. I decided to take a short walk around the downtown Burlington area. You’d be surprised how rejuvenated it can make you feel just to walk around a few blocks. Makes it even better when you see people you know (or even those you don’t know) and share a word, a smile, a comment about the beautiful weather.

Just as I rounded a corner, a vehicle with two young men swings over to the curb and one of them says, “Hey, would you like a Chick-fil-a cow?” The other one is grinning and holding, you got it, a small toy Chick-fil-a cow out the window. My response, “Sure, I love Chick-fil-a!” Which is so true. They hand it to me and I can see they have more. They pull off and head on down the road. So now as I write this blog, the little cow sitting on my desk reminds me to Eat Mor Chikin’.
But as I continued my walk before coming back inside, I wondered at all the good things I’ve let slip by me. Today, for some reason, I chose to notice all those little things that make up a day, that brighten up my days. And I’m convinced more than ever that it’s those little things that make the biggest difference. A kind word, a smile, a nice meal in a pleasant atmosphere, an unexpected gift, and all those to-do’s that are checked off at the end of the day.

Were there some bad things today? Oh, a few. But when I weigh the pros and cons, the good things outweigh the bad by a mile. So that’s what I choose to focus on: Chik-fil-A and all the good things about today.

By the way, I have inside information that Ariel’s special on Wednesday is chicken pie and then, there’s always chicken at Chick-fil-A. The little cow has convinced me; let’s Eat Mor Chikin’!

Jean

Check out Ariel's Diner on Facebook!
Check out Chick-fil-A on Facebook!

Butterfly Kisses: A Father's Day Tribute

On this Father’s Day, in my rush to get ready for church, I heard a song on our local radio station, WBAG. This song, Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle, always moves me to tears. And when I say always, I mean always; it gets me every time.

My dad never gave me butterfly kisses—I don’t think he knew what they were—but he certainly gave me moments of joy. And even though he was a man of few words, and I didn’t hear “I love you” very often, it was evident that he did love me and all his children. To paraphrase the song, “I couldn’t ask God for more. This really is what love is.”

When I think of my dad, it’s hard not to think of our Heavenly Father. Whether your dad was the best or not, it’s comforting to know that our Heavenly Father loves us and will never let us down. Today as we celebrate Father’s day, let’s make sure dad’s appreciated but also be sure to celebrate our Heavenly Father, our Creator. It’s just another opportunity to worship and adore Him.

This year daddy would have been 100 years old. As Bob Carlisle croons, “There’s two things I know for sure…” I know two things are true about dad: he was sent here from heaven and I’ll always be daddy’s little girl. Maybe when I get to heaven, we’ll catch up on those butterfly kisses.

Happy Father's Day,
Jean


To see Bob Carlisle’s Butterfly Kisses, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwlAdEnT-do

Memorial Day: More Than a 3-day Weekend

Today, the day before Memorial Day, I visited a church where the pastor took time to recognize veterans in the congregation as well as those who had served in the United States military, giving the ultimate sacrifice. As each name was given, I had a moment to reflect on what that means, the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives for our freedom. Each name was not just a name but a representation of a person who cared enough to make a difference.

As we celebrate Memorial Day here in the United States, we have another opportunity to remember those who serve and have served our country well. In World War II alone, over 60 million people, civilian and military, were killed. And in that war, there was a man by the name of Arvil who served in the US Army in the 82nd Airborne Division. Arvil saw action from Africa, Sicily, Italy and Holland. He was a PFC and a paratrooper. In his combat jumps, he and his fellow paratroopers would jump from an altitude of 600 feet. Pretty low for a jump. But with good reason. This allowed less time for the enemy to shoot at them before they landed. After one particular combat jump, Arvil noticed bullet holes in his canteen and his pack but not a scratch on him. During his military career, he saw a lot of combat and he was wounded on several occasions. After a 4-month stint in the hospital, he could have been assigned light duty but Arvil wouldn’t hear of it. He wanted to be back with his own outfit, in combat. To hear Arvil tell it, it was because soldiers develop a deep sense of comradeship and those you fight with, side-by-side, often become closer than a brother. Before all was said and done, Arvil was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, parachutist Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, WW II Victory Medal, and others.

Closer than a brother. Do you have friends that you feel this way about? Maybe it’s because you’ve weathered some hard times together. Maybe it’s because you’ve shared some good times. Maybe it’s because you’ve shared some time on the front lines. Closer than a brother.

In Proverbs 18:24, the Bible says, “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Because of these that did stick together closer than a brother, we can celebrate life. We can enjoy the freedoms they fought so hard to give to us.

On this Memorial Day, won’t you take a moment away from the picnic, the cookout, the time on the beach to reflect on what Memorial Day means for you?

When I think of those that cared enough to make a difference, it’s humbling. And it gives me an even greater reason to celebrate life. They died to make a difference. Let us live in such a way to make sure they didn’t die in vain.

As we enjoy this 3-day weekend with friends and family, let’s celebrate life! Let’s enjoy it! But let’s also remember the reason we have the freedom to celebrate and enjoy and follow our dreams.

But, for now, I invite you to take the next few moments to reflect and remember those, like Arvil, who served and why they served. And to thank God for men and women, from today and yesterday, who gave all. For us. Always remember; never forget.

(For a beautiful rendition of Taps, click here).


Jean

It's the End of the World as We Know It

This week, I was on vacation at the beautiful North Carolina shore. When I’m on vacation, I take a break from everything. It’s the best way to rejuvenate my spirit and ensure that I’m more productive when I return to the real world. So, in the few moments I did turn on the television, I stayed away from the news channels. Mostly. Until my last vacation day when, while channel surfing, something caught my attention. It was (drum roll, please) the end (dramatic pause) of the world.

As I took my last walk along the coast, which in theory could be my ‘last’ walk if Harold Camping’s prediction is right, I pondered what I had heard. Apparently, as with any doomsday prediction there were people who whole-heartedly believed it and people who found it to be a good excuse to go out and party. Then there are those of us who find it interesting, not really believable, but an opportunity to reflect on questions such as, “If this were my last day on Earth, how would I spend it so I would leave with no regrets?”

Feeling the sand between my toes and the sun on my face, I had to admit that I would have no regrets in leaving. I know, without a doubt, that those I love (my family and friends) know that I love them. I harbor no ill will toward anyone in my heart. And when it comes down to the end, the fact that I never owned a Lexus or a Versace won’t really matter all that much.

I realized what really matters is my relationship with God’s wonderful creations- people. It’s true that, when it comes to material things, you can’t take it with you. But the way we treat others, that’s what we’ll leave behind as our legacy. For good or for bad. So, I had to ask myself: Am I leaving behind a legacy of kindness and forgiveness? Are you? And if not, what can you do about it?

Realize that it’s not too late to make a change. Maybe, like me, you don’t really believe the world will end on 5/21/2011 at 6pm. But, if it did, wouldn’t it be great to make your exit performing an act of kindness for someone else rather than drowning your sorrows and regrets in a bottle? And, if it isn’t the end, how much better will it be to wake up the next day with a joyful heart rather than a painful hang-over?

Is this the end of the world as we know it? I hope so. Let tomorrow be a better day, a day where kindness and forgiveness abound. It doesn’t take a disastrous prediction to make that happen. All it takes is you to either make a change or affect a change in someone else. You CAN make a difference!

Now, just in case you’re wondering why I don’t buy in to these types of apocalyptic predictions, it’s because the Bible clearly states that no one, not even the angels or Jesus Christ himself, knows the hour when Christ will return. Only God knows. (Refer to Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32). For me, it’s that simple.

Of course, I may just wait a few days to cut the lawn. After all, no use wasting my time. So, as I hum that tune, “It’s the End of the World as We Know It,” I feel fine.

Jean

Limiting Yourself?

"I'll never lose weight."
"I'm sure I won't win."
"I can't."
"I'm too ___ to succeed."

Have you ever been guilty of limiting yourself? Of thinking negative thoughts, speaking negative words that hold you back from your full potential? If so, it's time to put them aside and get on with it!

Realize how much better life can be when, instead of tearing yourself down, you build yourself up. There is enough negativity in the world coming at you every day. Don't wait for others to build you up; do it yourself. Realize YOU are a child of God, made in His image, and in order to go about His business effectively, you need a good self image, confidence and belief in God and His creation: You!

Limiting beliefs can hold you back from your dreams, can lessen your influence with others and can lead to a mediocre life that had the potential of greatness.

Today's challenge: Whenever you begin to belittle yourself, take a moment to replace those thoughts/words with something positive. After awhile, you'll find that your negative thinking is gradually being replaced. You'll feel better about yourself. You'll be a better friend, a better spouse, a better parent, a better business person.

But, don't take MY word for it. In the words of Nike: Just Do It!

Positively yours,
Jean

Making the New Year's Resolutions Work

According to usa.gov, these are some New Year’s resolutions that are popular year after year:

Drink Less Alcohol
Get a Better Education
Get a Better Job
Get Fit
Lose Weight
Manage Debt
Manage Stress
Quit Smoking Now
Save Money
Take a Trip
Volunteer to Help Others

When thinking about your New Year’s resolutions from past years, do any of these sound familiar? They certainly do to me! Topping my list, almost every year, has been losing weight. Each year I begin with high hopes and by the end of that year, I’m sadly disappointed, wondering where all that January 1st willpower went. Have you ever felt that way? Good, then I’m not the only one! Seriously, I think we’ve all felt that way, those of us who have made resolutions and haven’t kept them.

It’s so easy to resolve to be become better and often difficult to follow through. This year, I’ve assessed my own situation. And I believe I’ve found a solution. Now, time will tell. When 2011 comes to a close, I’ll know for sure if this works. In the meantime, I’ll share with you my thoughts on why my New Year’s resolutions haven’t always worked and what I’m doing differently this year to make them a reality.

Let’s take the weight loss thing. It’s a pretty popular resolution, probably because over 66% of Americans are overweight. We’re all in this together, whether you have 5lbs or 50 you’d like to drop. Let’s just say, I’m somewhere in between (and I wish it was only the 5)!

In years past, I’ve listed my #1 resolution as losing weight, generally followed by how much weight I’ve wanted to lose. Period. The problem is, I never put down anything specific. I never created a game plan. Sure, I had an idea of what I’d do. A few years ago, I quit drinking sodas, cut out a lot of sugar that way, especially since I’d been a Mt. Dew junkie. Had one every morning, every afternoon and sometimes more in the evenings. It wasn’t easy to give up, but I did it. The thing is, it didn’t help me lose weight. I knew it had helped others lose weight. So why didn’t it help me? Because I overcompensated…with sweet tea. Yeah, I’m from the South and we love our Southern Sweet Tea. It’s practically a delicacy. So while I gave up one sugary drink, I replaced it with another. No game plan. No success.

This year, I’m putting weight loss on my list again, along with the amount I want to lose. But I’m not stopping there. I’m going to list several specific ways I plan to lose the weight and get fit and not replace one bad thing with another. Now, your specifics may be different from mine, but this is what my game plan looks like:
· Work out 3 times a week
· Eat smaller portions (box up ½ of each meal when I eat out, share it with a friend or order less- no super-sizing)
· Take the stairs (stop using the elevator, not just some days but every day)

In the next few days, I’m going to go a step further, to really get specific. For instance, I’m going to mark the days on my calendar when I’ll be working out; schedule them just as if they were appointments with important clients.

I truly believe that being more specific will help me in keeping my New Year’s resolutions. And it doesn’t have to be about weight loss. It can be about anything that you want to change in your life this year. Make 2011 your year to make a difference in YOUR life. When you become a better YOU, you become a better (fill in the blank) for them, your clients, your family, the recipients of your volunteer work, your employer.

Another thing I’m changing is this. I’m not making a list of 10 resolutions. I know myself and that’s way too many to keep! Instead, I’m making my list easier to control. I’m cutting it down to 3. So, in addition to being more specific, I’m intending for success by making my resolutions more manageable.

My #2 resolution is to finish a book I’ve begun writing. Now, last year I had every intention of completing it by the end of 2010. That’s not happening. Why? Probably because I let little things get in the way of my writing time. Now, could I have finished it? Sure. It was definitely do-able. But I didn’t have specific times blocked off on my calendar; I didn’t set small goals in order to reach completion. Now, I’ve set dates when each chapter should be completed rather than when the entire book should be complete. And if you’d like to keep up with my progress, visit http://www.shehasabigbut.com/. Yes, an odd name, for sure. But once you read on the site what the book is all about, you’ll see it fits pretty well.

My third resolution is to work on my speaking skills. As a speaker, I realize how important it is to not only get lots of stage time but to continue learning from others and putting what I learn into practice. The last thing I want to do is bore my audience! (And that’s the last thing they want me to do, too)! I’ve blocked off time on my calendar to learn from others and to participate in my local Toastmasters group; the only way I can be better is to have good feedback and the best way to get it is from Toastmasters who have learned the art of giving valuable evaluations.

Now, if you’ve been like me, a little disappointed at the end of the year when you realize you haven’t kept your resolutions, I encourage you to do two things:

1) Be specific; give ways you can reach your goals and make those ways do-able. (You noticed I’m not giving up my sweet tea. Sure, I could put that on the list, but giving it up completely is not going to happen).

2) Keep your resolution list manageable; pick only a few things to work on.

If you and I do this, I truly believe, when we come down to the end of 2011, we won’t have to wonder where all that January 1st willpower went. Instead, we’ll have reason to celebrate because you and I will have kept the resolutions we set, every single one.

Wishing you the best in your 2011 success,
Jean

http://www.jeanbaileyrobor.com/

Merry Christmas!

As you go through this holiday season, take time to enjoy those special moments, those moments with family and friends. Take comfort in knowing your gifts of friendship and love are long-lasting and make the greatest impact. I don't remember much about the gifts I've received over the years as much as I appreciated them. But I do remember the happy times, the joys shared with loved ones. And, at Christmastime, that has made all the difference.


While there may be moments when you feel sadness, maybe memories of a loved one no longer with you bring a tear to your eye, know that this Christmas brings great potential for happiness, and you have the power to make that happen. Over the years, I’ve found several ways that help take my loneliness out of Christmas and today, I’ll share 3 of them as my Christmas gift to you.

1. Feed your soul- Use the time you may have away from work and other activities to feed your soul. So often I find myself neglecting the spiritual part of me. (Not to mention the physical part, but that’s a whole nuther story)! We have so many resources at the ready to provide encouragement, healing, uplifting of our souls. Reading a scripture, singing or listening to soothing music, spending some quiet time in meditation and prayer. These are ways that I’ve found rejuvenate me and feed my soul. Sometimes, and this is really fun, putting on some upbeat Christmas music while I bake Christmas goodies does the trick. Now, does this keep me from feeling sad? Not completely. Often a Christmas song will evoke a precious memory, but there’s joy within the sadness, and the memories are sweet.


2. Give to others- There is so much joy in giving to others. Whether you provide a monetary gift to the less fortunate or donate food, toys or clothes, you’ll receive a blessing. And, you know, sometimes if the recipient of our gifts aren’t all they appear to be, it makes us feel bad. If that happens, know that you gave for the right reasons and bask in that knowledge. And know that, because you gave, you’ll be blessed. Helping others at Christmas and all year through is really what it’s all about and, when you give, that echoes the gift of God’s son, Jesus, whom we celebrate. He truly is the reason for the season. Celebrate Him by giving to others.


3. Host your own party- If you find that you’ll be alone on Christmas (and you’d prefer to enjoy the company of others), don’t wait for an invitation, host a party. Several years ago, I began inviting friends, family & neighbors over on Christmas evening for hors d'oeuvres and a time of fellowship. Nothing fancy. Nothing that took a lot of preparation. (Of course, it did force me to clean the house)! Some years there are few that show and it’s a cozy and intimate time. Some years there are many and a more party-like atmosphere. Every year, it’s a time of happiness and joy. Now, it’s become one of my Christmas traditions. And one that I, and others, thoroughly enjoy. All because I didn’t want to feel lonely at Christmas.
   
   So, if you find yourself feeling less than joyful this Christmas season, I hope that what I’ve found to help me will help you as well. After all, Christmas only comes once a year; enjoy the joy of Christmas! Bask in it!

Merry Christmas!

Jean

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