I've thought about how too lead into this post, but I can't think of a good way to do it. So, I guess I'll just say it.......I found out this week that my mom has been preliminarily diagnosed with cancer. We won't know for sure until later in the week, as confirming tests will need to be done. She has a pretty large mass around her stomach and a couple smaller ones around her lungs.
Yep, the big "C" word. It's one of those words that freezes you in place for a few seconds before you can even think or respond. You're kind of numb and don't really focus too clearly. Now, I know of many people that have overcome this disease, but unfortunately your mind does not gravitate to them first.......
However, now that I've had some time to think a little, my faith is growing. I know that God is not scared of cancer, and this situation is not a surprise to Him. My mom is a child of His that He cares about very much. We have many friends and fellow believers praying that she will be totally healed. THAT's what we will be believing for and praying fervently. Please join me as we stand on the promises of scripture and believe that God will bring healing to my mom, Peggy J. Steen.
Thanks.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
How To "WOW" With Words
I've started reading a book written by Frances Cole Jones, called "How To WOW" -- Proven strategies for Presenting your ideas, Persuading your audience, and Perfecting your image. I know, I know, you're saying, "Finally, Terry might learn something that will make him start to be a little less repulsive to listen too.... for a while anyway".
It's interesting that the words we use have a tremendous impact in our presentation and ability to persuade. For example, what word would you guess would be the most persuasive word in the English language? No....no.....no....no....not that either.... give up? A 1970 Yale University study claimed that the MOST persuasive word in the English language is "you". Surprised?
Probably not. If you think about it, we all like to be acknowledged and appreciated. We all like to know we count.
What do you think the remaining top twelve words on the Most Persuasive Words list are?
2) Money
3) Save
4) New
5) Results
6) Health
7) Easy
8) Safety
9) Love
10) Discovery
11) Guarantee
They make sense as well, don't they. So, let's make it a little game over the next few weeks. Let's try to slip these words into our conversations and see what happens. Hopefully it will impact our influence and persuasiveness, as well as draw more attentiveness from those we are addressing.... (I guess the next step would be to have something worthwhile to say, huh? Okay, okay.... first things first.)
It's interesting that the words we use have a tremendous impact in our presentation and ability to persuade. For example, what word would you guess would be the most persuasive word in the English language? No....no.....no....no....not that either.... give up? A 1970 Yale University study claimed that the MOST persuasive word in the English language is "you". Surprised?
Probably not. If you think about it, we all like to be acknowledged and appreciated. We all like to know we count.
What do you think the remaining top twelve words on the Most Persuasive Words list are?
2) Money
3) Save
4) New
5) Results
6) Health
7) Easy
8) Safety
9) Love
10) Discovery
11) Guarantee
They make sense as well, don't they. So, let's make it a little game over the next few weeks. Let's try to slip these words into our conversations and see what happens. Hopefully it will impact our influence and persuasiveness, as well as draw more attentiveness from those we are addressing.... (I guess the next step would be to have something worthwhile to say, huh? Okay, okay.... first things first.)
Friday, January 15, 2010
Thinking Like a Dog
If you have a dog, or have been around one, I'm sure there are times you're just dying to know what's running through their minds....... That happened to me the other day.
This is my old, little Yorkshire Terrier, Honey Bear. I let him out to to use "the facilities", as I always do. It was so funny to watch him slowly meander through our large back yard, trying to find just the right place to leave his "deposit". It must have taken him five minutes to make his decision.... what can possibly be the criteria for making that kind of decision so hard?
I thought maybe he was looking for the lawn mower wheel tracks? He wanted to make sure he did it between the wheels..... so I would have a better chance of stepping in it. (I can hear him snickering now......)
Or maybe he's looking for some good clumps of grass that are pretty thick and long. That way his "little doggy cigars" (I just made that up, as I'm trying hard not to use the word "poop" in this blog.... oh, never mind, I just blew it (I'm a little kid, aren't I?)). Anyway, that way his "little doggy cigars" will fall down to the soil and be camouflaged for the next unsuspecting barefoot person passing by.
Or what about the old "hidden treasure" ruse. It appears that he's angling one way, and then immediately turns and goes in another direction. At the same time, I'm almost sure he's counting his steps just like a thief who has to come back and pace off where he buried the treasure. Now every now and then I see a head fake too. He like, throws his head one way and turns the other, hoping if anybody is watching that it'll throw them off as to which way he's going next, or better yet, lose track of the step count...... I guess this idea would be an option if he needs to come back later for an evening "snack"..... it's a "treasure" to him. (I know, that's gross.)
Bottom line is, I guess I'll never know what Honey Bear's thinking.... it sure is fun to guess though.
This is my old, little Yorkshire Terrier, Honey Bear. I let him out to to use "the facilities", as I always do. It was so funny to watch him slowly meander through our large back yard, trying to find just the right place to leave his "deposit". It must have taken him five minutes to make his decision.... what can possibly be the criteria for making that kind of decision so hard?
I thought maybe he was looking for the lawn mower wheel tracks? He wanted to make sure he did it between the wheels..... so I would have a better chance of stepping in it. (I can hear him snickering now......)
Or maybe he's looking for some good clumps of grass that are pretty thick and long. That way his "little doggy cigars" (I just made that up, as I'm trying hard not to use the word "poop" in this blog.... oh, never mind, I just blew it (I'm a little kid, aren't I?)). Anyway, that way his "little doggy cigars" will fall down to the soil and be camouflaged for the next unsuspecting barefoot person passing by.
Or what about the old "hidden treasure" ruse. It appears that he's angling one way, and then immediately turns and goes in another direction. At the same time, I'm almost sure he's counting his steps just like a thief who has to come back and pace off where he buried the treasure. Now every now and then I see a head fake too. He like, throws his head one way and turns the other, hoping if anybody is watching that it'll throw them off as to which way he's going next, or better yet, lose track of the step count...... I guess this idea would be an option if he needs to come back later for an evening "snack"..... it's a "treasure" to him. (I know, that's gross.)
Bottom line is, I guess I'll never know what Honey Bear's thinking.... it sure is fun to guess though.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Facebook "Accident"
I had an interesting thing happen on facebook last week. I think I'll call it an "accident", and you can decide what you think it should be called.
Do you know what the bible says in Proverbs 17:28? "Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue." I think I learned this biblical lesson through facebook this week...... okay, it should have been keeps silent through my typing, not talking........
I took a minute to scroll through some status' to see what people were up too. I ran across my mom's status, in which she had just typed the word WHITE. Now, if you know my mom, when it comes to typing or writing, she is a person of few words. (Talking is another story..... just kidding, mom!) So, I thought she was just letting us know that they had just got a fresh snow, and all was normal in the world of Iowa.
Since it's always a pleasure for me to rub in the Florida winter weather to my family up north, I thought I'd just respond with GREEN. This, of course, indicated what I was seeing outside MY window. Well, for some reason I started getting comments indicating what I typed was pretty funny..... I didn't know what I had done.
Then yesterday I found an article in my local paper. It said, "This week a campaign apparently designed to raise awaremess about breast cancer is sweeping the social networking site Facebook with a message asking women to update their status with one simple word: the color of their bra".
Oooops.......... lesson learned. Sometimes it's just better to mind your own business. You know, "don't stick you're nose where it doesn't belong".... stuff like that. I'm sure more words than "accident" come you your mind.
Do you know what the bible says in Proverbs 17:28? "Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue." I think I learned this biblical lesson through facebook this week...... okay, it should have been keeps silent through my typing, not talking........
I took a minute to scroll through some status' to see what people were up too. I ran across my mom's status, in which she had just typed the word WHITE. Now, if you know my mom, when it comes to typing or writing, she is a person of few words. (Talking is another story..... just kidding, mom!) So, I thought she was just letting us know that they had just got a fresh snow, and all was normal in the world of Iowa.
Since it's always a pleasure for me to rub in the Florida winter weather to my family up north, I thought I'd just respond with GREEN. This, of course, indicated what I was seeing outside MY window. Well, for some reason I started getting comments indicating what I typed was pretty funny..... I didn't know what I had done.
Then yesterday I found an article in my local paper. It said, "This week a campaign apparently designed to raise awaremess about breast cancer is sweeping the social networking site Facebook with a message asking women to update their status with one simple word: the color of their bra".
Oooops.......... lesson learned. Sometimes it's just better to mind your own business. You know, "don't stick you're nose where it doesn't belong".... stuff like that. I'm sure more words than "accident" come you your mind.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Motivation to Succeed
I heard the other day that as of January 7th, most new year resolutions are officially broken...... People can only pursue a goal for a week and than give up?!?! What is all that about?
Now, I didn't make specific resolutions this year, but I AM determined to get in better shape. (I know, it's all relative.) One method of motivation is to draw inspiration from a past event or experience. Let me give you an example of what might have happened to somebody, and see if it would be enough motivation for you to get in better shape.
Okay, let me think of something random... oh, oh, I know.... Say somebody was at the gym working out and this large guy was setting up for a big lift right next to him.... he gets all the weights on and turns to you (I mean "him"), and starts to say something. He looks you over, stops immediately and just smiles "hi", gets up and goes three machines down and asks a guy to come down and spot him on his lift...... Think about that. Would that be enough to make you work harder?
Whoever that guy was......I think I'll hang on to that thought, and really work hard this year.
I trust you can find the motivation to change your life for the better this year, no matter what it takes. Let's crush the one week mark and keep going! "Let's DO this thing!"
Now, I didn't make specific resolutions this year, but I AM determined to get in better shape. (I know, it's all relative.) One method of motivation is to draw inspiration from a past event or experience. Let me give you an example of what might have happened to somebody, and see if it would be enough motivation for you to get in better shape.
Okay, let me think of something random... oh, oh, I know.... Say somebody was at the gym working out and this large guy was setting up for a big lift right next to him.... he gets all the weights on and turns to you (I mean "him"), and starts to say something. He looks you over, stops immediately and just smiles "hi", gets up and goes three machines down and asks a guy to come down and spot him on his lift...... Think about that. Would that be enough to make you work harder?
Whoever that guy was......I think I'll hang on to that thought, and really work hard this year.
I trust you can find the motivation to change your life for the better this year, no matter what it takes. Let's crush the one week mark and keep going! "Let's DO this thing!"
Friday, January 1, 2010
2010 -- Happy New Year!
We made it through another year! 2009 has had it's ups and downs, but overall was another good year...... the "up's" were our new granddaughter and the "down's" were the poor economy and it's impact on my work and our household.
I have enjoyed doing this blog however, and think I'll try it again for another year. It gives me a creative outlet, as well as makes me think a little more than I normally would..... I said MORE than normal, not that I really do much thinking (as you obviously have observed.....)
I've decided to not do any resolutions this year. I've done them for years, but think some "guidelines" to live by will serve me better than some specific resolutions. Let's try it and see what happens. I'd like to challenge you to try these guidelines below with me this year....
Just for today --
1) I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow.
2) I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.
3) I will be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me.
4) I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things that I can correct and accept those I cannot.
5) I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.
6) I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path and I'll not speak ill of others.
7) I will do something to improve my health. (Okay, on this one I'm going to lose 10 lbs. SOMETIME during the year.....It might have to be an accumulation )
8) I will gather the courage to do what is right and take responsibliity for my own actions.
It's always exciting to think about the beginning of a new year, and what it has to offer us. I pray that you have an incredible year, filled with happiness, favor, peace and joy. I trust that God will bless this year as never before, giving you opportunities that you have never known.
GOD BLESS 2010!
I have enjoyed doing this blog however, and think I'll try it again for another year. It gives me a creative outlet, as well as makes me think a little more than I normally would..... I said MORE than normal, not that I really do much thinking (as you obviously have observed.....)
I've decided to not do any resolutions this year. I've done them for years, but think some "guidelines" to live by will serve me better than some specific resolutions. Let's try it and see what happens. I'd like to challenge you to try these guidelines below with me this year....
Just for today --
1) I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow.
2) I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.
3) I will be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me.
4) I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things that I can correct and accept those I cannot.
5) I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.
6) I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path and I'll not speak ill of others.
7) I will do something to improve my health. (Okay, on this one I'm going to lose 10 lbs. SOMETIME during the year.....It might have to be an accumulation )
8) I will gather the courage to do what is right and take responsibliity for my own actions.
It's always exciting to think about the beginning of a new year, and what it has to offer us. I pray that you have an incredible year, filled with happiness, favor, peace and joy. I trust that God will bless this year as never before, giving you opportunities that you have never known.
GOD BLESS 2010!
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