You Are Feeling Top Notch
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Hi this is Linda Gullo welcoming you to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments where the smallest moments can add up to make your days full of joy. This is Podcast # 52 on Forging ahead through times of trouble. We’d be foolish to think that all of life is easy, but life is challenging and it is hard to stay on top of it all.
For many of us our faith in God and living with wholesome values helps us stay on task. So where does your strength come from? Is it God? Is it people around you? Those at work? or Family members?
Perhaps it comes in the form of reading good books? Often the brief escape into a Fictional piece of writing helps you filter things out in your head. OR you run to books filled with advice and hopefully learn from them?
I wrote a book several years ago called Erasing Adversity. IT was a book about the story of a man who underwent a series of medical issues following a life altering brain injury and how treatment, perseverance, and scrambling for resolution took a toll on the family around him. It was a book that was meant to give hope. It was to be relatable to everyone whether they have cancer, go bankrupt, or encounter grief of any kind. The need to read and share these sadnesses are meant to encourage one another.
I have a sign in my office that reads “all things are temporary!” We need to dream on and keep going. We need to set goals and work toward better tomorrows. We need to keep moving, creating, and finding new things to be interested in for ourselves and those around us. We need to include more people and events into our lives by inviting others to share in our joys and sorrows. This is not your tomorrow when things are wrong; it is just today. Tomorrow may be the surprising turn around day for you. Every day brings opportunities for turning things around.
So let’s talk about “instant motivation!”
One of my patients suggested that I discuss the weather and how it affects us. I thought that was an interesting topic because the traffic into my office depends a lot on the changing seasons and the weather. People including myself; even the smallest children are effected. The sun brings out what I refer to as the “Happy Chemicals.” People get more active and connect more with friends. Their aches and pain seem to subside or at least appear to be more tolerable.
Actually, I think a domino effect goes into play and it plays out like this:
- The sun comes out and brightens our moods.
- We raise the shades in our homes, put things away, and begin to declutter.
- We call friends, make plans, and go outside. We breath in the fresh air.
- We invite people over and they gladly come out of their routine to visit with us.
- We receive more handshakes and hugs.
- We commiserate with each others physical pains and recognize our own crosses aren’t as bad as, we may have thought.
- We learn ways to compensate and move more.
- The more we move and run errands that we had been putting off, the better our dispositions become. Why? Because we have start feeling accomplished and successful.
- We dress up more, put on better clothes, and get compliments. That in turn make us want to be out and about more.
- We socialize more in our yards and our patios with music. We might even begin to dance as I saw at a recent church affair where volunteers were being honored.
- So now we all begin to move more. For those with arthritis, exercise makes their discomfort more tolerable, and often gentle stretching may help back pain. Often exercise can help control asthma and the frequency of attacks. People with diabetes are able to lower their sugar levels with more walking and eating less of the wrong foods.
But all of these things happen as a result of the sun and the warmth it provides. When we are feeling better or moods improve, our thinking becomes clearer, and even our pets seem more playful. We tend to throw the frisbees or balls that otherwise have been sitting dormant in the corner of the yard. The positive relationships grow among family, friends, and neighbors. Our memories begin to work more consistently, because our conversations wakeup them up. And because we are more active and the days are brighter for longer, we sleep better.
Keeping variety in life begins a hardy cycle! So yes indeed the weather does have a ripple effect on us and how we think and act. Spring and summer allows us to clean out our garages and attics. Soon we will be seeing the ALL American garage sales pop up in our neighborhoods.
Now briefly onto another topic. I have been blessed with Mini Miracles Cafe. It is a group of women who are entrepreneurs in our local communities that are banding together to support and help one another. It is the first of this year and only one of many groups forming in our office. If you would like to be part of one of our groups at Delight in Living, please contact me at [email protected]
Also feel free to send me topics you’d like to hear about here on the Podcast. Until next time, please remember that One step may lead you on to the escalator of success. Bye for now and have a super week. Enjoy the sunshine and all that it brings to light up your life.
Is That A Calculated Risk?
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Hi Hope your week has gone well. This is Linda Gullo and I am delighted to be with you. Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments where a few tiny changes can escalate in your life and create monumental JOYS. Our small daily habits can add up to make our vibrant and alive.
Mini Miracles from Minor Moments is designed to help you find an insight about yourself. My plan is to help you like yourself and love life. Engaging in life and learning what works for you is the first step. You don’t have to duplicate anyone else’s life or do things in a way that doesn’t fit.
How are you doing as we wind down the month of April and move into May? Are you on task with your goals for the year? Do you have them written down? If you are like me, they are always changing and taking on a new look. But that is fine as long as we have a plan in place to get things accomplished.
This is Podcast # 51 on Risk Taking. On the Web page with this Podcast, there is a picture of a bridge. Many people are cautious about walking over a bridge, but if it is built well, it is a safe way to get from on side to another. Constructions are made to be safe. Well I have a few stories for you to enjoy that bring up the topic of CALCULATED RISKS. The first one is a rather funny one about teenage boys. The following are about a Business options.
I recently heard a funny story about a young man soon to be 17 years old. He was staying with his father and a group of soccer friends for a few days in St. Louis for a tournament. It was a nice break for this Illinois lad. This was a special group not affiliated with any school activities.
The fellas decided to meet up in the Lobby during a break one evening. Meantime the dad took a moment to relax and unwind. With a few minutes to just breath it would be nice.
Well, you know how it is with some teenage boys, they like to be funny, and so his friends “dared” him to streak through the lobby in just his undies. Did he do it? Was the challenge daring enough? Why, yes, of course the lad took on the dare and ran across the Lobby in his undies. We must remember that he is a silly 16 year old. And yes he got caught. He was escorted up to the room by a hotel staff member in his undies. You see, his fellow soccer comrades did the obvious. They hid his clothes! Why wouldn’t they?
You can imagine the Dad’s face when he responded to the knock at the door.
We all have taken calculated risks in our lifetime. Think about the ones you have made and what resulted.
I know a fellow who in his Mid 20’s was working as a Marketing Representative for a large well known Oil Company. He learned the in’s and out’s of the Gas Station Business and understood the risks involved. He also had a steady salary, an allowance for traveling expenses and entertaining clients. His insurance was covered and many other perks large companies can provide.
In a quest though for bigger and better, he opted out of the position and bought into a Franchise from the company. It was not one the company really liked to see happen. Company representatives knew so much and had been trained in a special Master’s program. They hated to see their time and training go to waste. You can tell me at the end of the story though if their training was really lost.
After all it was a new station and in a “prime” location. Did he do it? What did everyone around him think? Well his family was supportive enough, they wanted him to do what would make him happy. And so he opted in to the idea.
He became the owner of a 24-hour Service Station on the North Side of Chicago. It sounded good and he was young and able bodied. Savings were poured into the business. At first, the job gave him an adrenaline high while he tested, interviewed and hired people to pump gas and repair cars. There was ordering to be done for parts, tools to be bought and inventoried, lockers to be set up, vending machines to rent, bookkeeping protocol, and proper identification that The Company insisted upon for all its franchises. There was to be a Grand Opening with Promotional items that needed to be moved in and counted.
The lines at the gas pumps were full all the time. And the flow of traffic on a busy corner kept everyone hopping. That was when gas was put in the tank for you and oil levels were checked.
His wife would come in after a full day of teaching school and help with the books. The bank was set up to work with an armored company to pick up the cash and checks. Credit card systems were set in place. It was all consuming and a great deal of work. Add in the time to clean the restrooms, the bay areas where the cars were worked on, and the endless deliveries of give away promotional articles kept him pretty busy. So busy in fact that he began to eat poorly. Although there was activity is was a lot of standing and working.
Then the miseries and mishaps started. The station owner was held up by gun point one night. A gun was put to his head. It was a traumatic and difficult issue. Thank goodness no one was harmed and knowing a police detective in the area helped relieve some anxiety. But there were police reports to file and concerns about future endangerment. Maintenance was ongoing and took time.
Tools began disappearing and monitoring the equipment became a never ending job. There was mentoring to be done and workers to watch. The 45 minute trip home often didn’t happen. He’d end up sleeping in the car and not shaving. Things were very trying, because the station was open on the Holiday’s as well. One year his mother-in-law brought Easter Dinner so the family could still celebrate together. It made it very hard to be with the family, yet alone his new bride of less than a year. Money was coming in, but only after all the expenses were cleared and accounted for regularly.
And then one night when he had just gone home to his apartment to relax and sleep, the phone rang. Someone had run over a pump. It was mandatory for him to return and take care of a potential fuel danger. He had to report the incident for insurance coverage and cover all the bases. Being the primary source of expertise made it hard for the business to succeed.
Oddly enough the owner was always running out of gas. In the buzz of business and constantly running to pick up parts or keep things in place, he’d forget to put fuel in his own car. It became a joke, as his wife was always meeting him somewhere to help him by bringing a gallon or two of gas. Youth and being easier going was thankfully on their side.
This was a example of calculated risk of taking on a new business at the expense of relationships. I have to tell you the relationships won out and the Franchise was not happy when the station closed down. The officials from the company even said, “you can’t do that!”
What they forgot was that the X-Rep of their’s was trained too well and knew the loopholes. Furnishings and equipment was picked up immediately by a large truck and put into a building his family owned. He dissolved the business and moved out within 24 hours of the decision. Accounts were cancelled, vending machines with cigarettes, sodas, and snacks were picked up. Unfortunately, part time jobs were lost and the couple exhausted most of their savings. It was an intentional move that was a good good decision.
Thankfully, another job was waiting. After a short vacation, the couple returned to start again. Income was assured as the young man returned to a family business that he had been trained in all his life. To look back at this now many many years later, it was a risk with options set up along the way. Thank goodness.
Many adults in business take calculated risks all the time. They venture out with limited funds and try new things. They don’t always have backup plans. Others invest in stocks that go bust or they try selling new products that soar with great profit.
Sometimes we learn from the mistakes; these become lessons no one could possibly teach us. In many cases, life is a risk. It may be for personal decisions, as well as, business. 
One drops out of school only to realize the mistake and has to begin again. People return in a better state of mind and begin again not only to advance but to shine on the second or third time around. It reminds all of us that we need to be encouraging and helpful to one another.
Medically medications and treatments for disease may be a gamble that pays off in many more years of life and the joys of living. But then how much of what we do has guarantees.
Years ago, I embarked on a series of radio ads that were costly. They did not pay off. Although I did make a few good friends at the time and learned about an area of marketing I did not know about, I ended up with a theme song. The return of the investment did not really pay off. I guess it has helped me understand recordings that I now apply to Podcasting.
Gambling on the odds of something working out well is necessary or we’d make no advancements. For even mistakes provide clarity and insight to help us in the future.
One of the shows we tend to watch on Sunday nights is the Funniest Home Videos. The videos are funny, because things just happen when they aren’t expected. They are so spontaneous. Sometimes the pranks look they are set ups and I wonder how many people suffer serious injuries. People don’t always think about the what if’s and that is the bottom line of thinking things through fully and completely. Being dared to do something can be in fact foolish and have long lasting results in addition to feeling embarrassed!
Well as this week winds down, I hope it has been a good one for you. If not, there are new tomorrows and opportunities for growth and advancement. Take the small steps to put you on the escalator of success. Peace for the week and I will see you next week!
Podcast 50-Embracing Change
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Happy Friday, I am your host Linda Gullo and this is Podcast #50. Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments where just a few tiny changes can make a big difference in your happiness.
This morning I was listening to Satellite radio and the guest was talking about a book he wrote on Ignatian Spirituality. It encourages a person to reflect on their day and search out things that have happened. It is used as a means of recognizing how God is present and working in our lives. It is a means of growing closer to God and seeing all the wonderful things coming our way. It also reminds us to be 
receptive of good things and aware of how we might be better to others.
Well this whole week has been a series of small incremental steps in getting projects done. I decided to share some of them with you as a means of allowing you to think about things happening in your own life.
Please listen and enjoy.
Why Be Consistent?
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Theme song
Introduction by Jim Haisler.
A short story about a few gardening moments.
Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments where small achievements may become big accomplishments. Our small daily habits can add up to make our lives simply wonderful. Or maybe NOT so fruitful, if they are bad habits. We make them whatever we want them to be.
Mini Miracles from Minor Moments is designed to help you find an insight about yourself. My plan is to help you like yourself and love life. Engaging in life and learning what works for you is the first step. You don’t have to duplicate anyone else’s life or do things in a way that doesn’t fit. Perhaps some people learn this early on and others not so well.
Good morning, this is Linda Gullo. And this is Podcast # 49 on being Consistent. It’s the wee little issue of being consistent that creates a problem for many of us. As I say this, I admit to having missed a Podcast last week. It is the first one I have missed in the last 10 months since I began. But consistency is a KEY INGREDIENT in everything we do. When one bakes, it is the process and the timing of putting ingredients into a dinner that makes it taste the same over and over again. When one works well, it is the system of doing each step well that gives us clarity and uniformity.
What is your incentive in getting things done well this week, and what actions will you be taking? When has consistency worked well for you? Is it when you diet? Or when you have done something else.
This is Passion Week and along with the usual work we all do, many of us are practicing traditional and cultural expressions for Celebrating Easter. I can’t imagine how different my life would be if I did not go through the Liturgical changes that fall in line with our yearly Calendar. As we come off of the Lenten season, it amazes me that it is already Mid-April. A quarter of our year has been completed.
How are you doing? Are you on task with your goals for the year? Do you have them written down? Are you just starting in? When does your year begin?
How do you resolve problems? Do you pretend they aren’t there, and totally ignore them. Taking action helps us take back control. It allows us to have an impact on situations.
Do you have a team of people around you? How do they work when you aren’t around? Is it a staff for your business? or Simply a family that gathers and engages regularly?
A person I knew and respected died this past week after having health issues. As a matter of fact I have been praying for a whole host of people with major problems that are under treatment. It has been easier to do this because I have zeroed out time to pray being the Season of Lent. I really hope to keep some of the practices I used during this last 40 days, as they were good ones and became habitual.
I learned that the people who have done my lawn for many years are moving and stepping out of lawn care. It is really sad for me, because I learned to depend on them and liked to work with them. Now it is another concern for me. So what have I done? I called my neighbors to get their contacts. I have asked around for good leads. I have decided that maybe this is a good thing and I shouldn’t be so disappointed. I tell others that changes are good and often important. I will accommodate now that I have internalized the situation. The grass however, is already high and so time is essential here to remedy this problem.
The other folks were pretty consistent and easy to connect with over the years. A text or concern was address quickly. That arrangement was appreciated. If you own a business, what is it that you offer?
A few years ago I was at a meeting. A Financial Representative approached a member who was talking to me. The representative seemingly ignored me and began selling the company’s services to this other person. I felt totally ignored and thought poorly of the approach. Why did this individual pass me over? Was it their impression that I had no money to invest? Were they so desperate for business and the other lady appeared more vocal?
Often we are unaware of our approaches to others and this was one situation that showed that. I am sure that the company represented would have been horrified to learn of this approach. It was a good thing that I encountered this as I did, because I was thinking of talking to them about investment services. Ironically I had watched them hire a person 6 months earlier where they passed over an older applicant. It began to make me think that they preferred working with younger people. Whatever practices you have, be sure that they are consistent with what it is that you want to sell as your brand. 
This experience taught me about myself. I really want to be included. I need to have people around me who care like I care for others. It was an insight and some self awareness I needed to renew. After all I pay for services like everyone else does. Don’t we all want to get attention and get the services we deserve?
So this is a year that is yours to design. Do it well. Transform your year for yourself and those around you! A quarter of 2017 is past already. Pursue your dreams and continually set new goals for yourself. Talk things through and hear yourself say what you are thinking. Create a space for self development and take the opportunity to forgive, dance, and live fully.
Have a great weekend and week ahead as you step forward. Remember that a “single step may put you on the escalator of success!” Have a great weekend and Easter Holiday and I will see you next week. Thank you for joining me!
Spring Forward
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Intro by Jim Haisler from Heartland Realtor Organization—thank you Jim!
Good morning, this is Linda Gullo. And this is Podcast # 48 on Cheering on the Springtime! Yes it has finally arrived! Although we had a doable winter and we all made it through, there is something so refreshing and exciting about the Springtime. Today the birds were singing and the ground smelled so earthy. I even went to buy grass seed to add into the winter loss. With the Spring rains this week I expect it to take well.
Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments where small achievements may become big accomplishments. Our small daily habits add up to make our lives simply wonderful or maybe not so pleasant if they are bad habits. We make them whatever we want them to be. It’s the wee little issue of being consistent that creates a problem for many of us.
Mini Miracles from Minor Moments is designed to help you find an insight about yourself. My plan is to help you like yourself and love life. Engaging in life and learning what works for you is the first step. You don’t have to duplicate anyone else’s life or do things in a way that doesn’t fit. Perhaps some people learn this early on and others not so well.
This past week, I’ve been thinking about how hard is it to get to know ourselves. It takes so many trials and errors to find out out how to learn something new.
This last week I have been addressing Quickbooks on line. My CPA encouraged me to do this. I was reluctant at first. Yes it is different than I am used to, but I set out to learn it, as soon as, possible and it is happening. Feels like a good and doable way to keep up to date with things.
When we have have a plan of attack to accomplish something, it really helps to get things done.
You’d think one would figure out the process for dealing with issues around us, but that is what life is all about. It is a journey, to be sure. One thing seems to get resolved and another one pops up. It presents us with options and choices. As people get older, it takes more time to learn things and I see so many retired people just give up. Especially with the technology that is looming all around us. It takes almost a life of its own.
This week on Public Radio I heard that we waste a lot of time making choices. Well choices have to be made, but the clearer our vision about what fits us and the values we hold, make so many decisions easy. Perhaps that is why having vision and holding to the truths one knows is so relevant. All these baby boomers who are around hold valuable wisdom for the younger people. Yet so many younger people want to do it themselves –finding their own way. They get impatient and annoyed with the older people. Think about that for a minute.
I must interject a story here about two older couples that were living around me as a child. One couple lived next door to us. The man was scared to death after having a heart attack and hardly moved for fear it was his last move. He’d move from lawn chair to the house and back and let his wife do everything and she did. He seemed to deteriorate from lack of movement. But so much has transpired in 50 years when it comes to heart disease. I bet today he’d have rallied back.
The other couple was always working around their home; they had no children, but seemed to appreciate my brother and me. Cleaning the yard up was their hobby. He was a hard working, wrinkled, but such a jovial man; she was a gardener and sweet lady who always found time to talk. She’d have me pick her flowers to intentionally give them to my mom. He’d would always appear at my dad’s side to help advise him on how to fix the car or put in the concrete sidewalk. He was ready to lend him parts. Odd, how after all these years I have thoughts about them. And I remember they came here in their youth from Sweden.
Because older people were living around us, I learned to have great respect for them. The value of life was so preserved and rather sweet. People helped the elderly and checked on them. I am not sure that is the case anymore. And that is very sad to me as I become one of those older people.
We all have to be dealing with Transitional issues. Who wants to stagnate and do the same thing all the time? Not I. Everyone is entitled to have guidance through these times and it can be fun along the way.
Think about the good friends who help you? Do they get gas in your car? Help pay your bills? Listen to your crabbing? Tag along at the show when you want to see a new movie? Do they call you? Think well about these people and if you are the one always doing for others, what is that telling you?
We all are in different places in life. Look at the typical 6 year old child. Developmentally they are in joyful and looking for fun in different places than an 11 year old. They have different likes and talents. Some just tag along with the older siblings, some are busy with creative projects, and others are just playing.
Last week I reminded you that we are all in fact, the first teachers of our children from the time they are born. We are the ones who need to help them and guide them along. When they make poor decisions, we may not be able to change the circumstances.
But now look at yourself and think of how you are parenting yourself? Are you being honest with yourself? Take a look at a picture of yourself from this time in a past year. Were you highly motivated to do something different. Now if you don’t have a physical picture, just think about it. What is the script you are writing for your life? What will you be remembered for doing? What do you really want?
Look at your own potential and what is the baggage you need to lose? Is it a bad habit? Perhaps extra weight? Sleeping more than you do? How does it affect carrying the same ideas on and on?
Transform your year for yourself and those around you! It is just the beginning of April. A quarter of 2017 is past already. Pursue your dreams and continually set new goals for yourself. Talk things through and hear yourself say what you are thinking. Create a space for self development and take the opportunity to forgive, dance, and live fully. 
Have a great weekend and week ahead as you step forward. Remember that a “single step may put you on the escalator of success!” Have a great weekend and I will see you next week. Start collecting you mini miracles for ongoing success.
Dwell in the possibility of being better to yourself. In addition to Counseling, Linda is now offering Online Coaching. Her specialty of Personal Development for Business Leaders helps all size businesses. Managers and Entrepreneurs can take themselves to the next level with this opportunity. In the long run you will be more successful and confident in your skills and personal development.
Why STRESS?
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Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments where minor achievements may become big accomplishments. It is our small steps and daily habits can transform small issues into wonderfully wholesome and productive lives. It’s the wee little issue of being consistent that creates a problem for many of us. We start out with great intentions and fall by the wayside.
Good morning, this is Linda Gullo. And this is our 47th Podcast. Today we our topic is dealing with Stress! And yes, we all have it. Some refer the feelings associated with it as anxiety.
Mini Miracles from Minor Moments is designed to help you find insights about you! Our goal is to help you like yourself and love life. Every person I know is unique and that in itself is so cool. We are designed to engage differently with one another; to become the best at whatever you want to become. In our pursuit of independence and happiness though, we make foolish mistakes and can even cause our own stress. Think about that for a minute. YOU FIND YOUR SELF RUSHING AND SLIP—ending up with a broken leg. Or YOU FIND YOURSELF TEXTING AND DRIVING and miss the cutout on the expressway— it takes twice as long to back track. Or YOU RUSH OUT OF THE HOUSE — and forget the package you needed to mail.
It seems we create more stress for ourselves. Our behaviors no matter how small can backfire if we don’t slow down and recognize the value in small repeated and successful habits.
This week, I’ve been thinking a great deal about how we take on the problems of other people. Speaking for myself, it is easy to worry about other people when I truly care for them. With a family that has grown, life just seems to pile on worries. Many of us, including myself, cannot do anything to help others until they want the help.
The good old serenity prayer has been a help to so many of you. You know the one: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
When have you worried about someone? Is it your child’s behavior at school and the fear of having the teacher send home another note about their behavior? Is it about a spouse or loved one who has a bad habit like driving too fast? Is it about an addiction that someone close to you has; something like drinking alcohol or drugs?
People all around us are worrying and suffering, because of those family members or friends that they love. For me I have experienced that along the way with numerous issues. 28 years ago, my spouses injuries following an accident were life threatening. It wasn’t in his control or my own that things happened or escalated like they did, but it was never-the-less, a situation that created stress for both of us and our children. It was ongoing and seemed at one point to just multiply. That is when I recognized that taking one thing at a time and one day at a time made so much sense. Little things began to resolve themselves and bigger things cleared up.
You’d think one would figure out the process for dealing with issues around us, but that is what life is all about. One gets one thing resolved and another one pops up.
I work with individuals as a Counselor and with people in business to help them deal with Transitional issues when things seem to attack. Everyone is entitled to have this care, but we need to give themselves the permission to receive it!
Progress comes in increments and it’s something we need to recognize. I am blessed with several good friends who are in the practice of counseling and coaching. I am the first to ask for help, because there are so many things to learn and no one is exempt from these transitional issues until we die.
I may not have children of school age like you do or a spouse who is addicted to sex, alcohol, or some other life endangering issues, but lately I have seen myself fall into the trap of being concerned about my grandchildren.
I do feel it is our responsibility as adults to be there for one another, for aging parents, and the next generations regardless of whether they are related or not.
Some parents tell me they love to have there kids home in the summertime. They don’t have to worry about the school issues or the teachers they don’t like. On the other hand they put their children in every camp, day program, or activity to keep them out of the home. We are all in fact, the first teachers of our children from the time they are born. We are the ones who need to help them and guide them along. When they make poor decisions, we may not be able to change the circumstances, but we need to be honest with them and ourselves and guiding them.
Last week I discussed the idea of a memory stone. Each stone represents an experience one writes down. It is to recognize something that changed our path or redirected us into a different way of thinking. I challenged my listeners to think about analyzing their own paths.
In a conversation with another therapist and friend, we began to recount our own paths and the people who impressed us. Or did not help because of their own selfishness. Relationships are very important, but they are fragile. We all need to recognize and see that we make a choice to either do nothing about things or fight for the things we believe in. We can still do that in terms of being kind. but firm.
I was looking at this photo taken by me years ago and thought of all the different people living in a Metropolitan area. Each has their own set of issues. Some people are highly motivated, achievers, and fast paced people.
Others stand atop the buildings and take in all there is around them, but don’t engage as being a “worker-bee”.
Still others are lazy and can’t get themselves into the shower each day, yet alone being productive and insightful for others. It is what they have learned as acceptable whether they are from a family of achievers or not. Something or someone has rewritten their biological script.
That is still a very hard premise for me to take in when I see the potential people have and don’t develop. Eventually they come around to changing, but how will their baggage affect them? How does it affect you?
So here are a few suggestions for you:
1- Transform your year for yourself and those around you! It is still only March.
2- Pursue your dreams and continually set new goals for yourself. Use the serenity prayer as a guide for yourself.
3- Find a confidante, a coach, or a loyal friend and talk things through. Listen and hear yourself say what you are thinking.
4- Create a space for self development and take the opportunity to forgive, dance, and live fully.
5- Stay fully alive and engaged in new sports, learn new skills, and do the day-to-day chores that will keep you and your home in tip top shape.
6- Relinquish worry by taking action and being grateful. We can all do that.
Years ago on a trip to Warsaw, Poland the guide was telling us of the destruction of that city during the WWII. Following it people literally picked up shovels and began to remove the concrete debris and piles of rubbish. Small steps to rebuild are often seen after tornados pass or acts of nature create destruction. It is the will of resilient men and women who rebuild day after day, often doing things they thought they’d never have to do. Seeing the city completely revamped and vibrant was a tribute to the generations that had lived before I was there.
Regardless of what your worries are right now, know they will pass and that this doesn’t have to be your tomorrow. Have a great weekend and week ahead as you step forward. Remember that a “single step may put you on the escalator of success!” Have a great weekend and I will see you next week.
Building Relationships 101
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Good morning, this is Linda Gullo. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you!
Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments where small achievements may become big accomplishments. Our small steps and daily habits can still take us to far away places and help us meet success by repeating them.
Hopefully, here, at Mini Miracles from Minor Moments you will find an insight about yourself. My plan is to help you like yourself and love life. It is meant to help you recognize the gifts you have been given and that they are meant to be enjoyed. We all have gifts and until someone or some experience shows us, we often miss seeing them. Instead we get caught up seeing our less admirable behaviors.
This week I’ve been thinking a great deal about the relationships that each of us is blessed with--Our wonderful family members and friends that are presented to us during different times in life.
So let the stories begin. The first is about my mother. She died some 35 years years ago, but Sunday’s were her day to shine. She loved having dinner for the family. We all knew it would be served at 1 o’clock and like a magnet we were drawn home. Even though our kitchen was small, the meals that came out of it were simply delicious, tasty, and fabulous. As a teenager my first use of the car was to go get Grandma from her apartment and bring her home to have dinner with us. She always came to be with us on Sundays and usually came with a shopping bag of fresh fruit from the fruit market. She’d also have things for each of us and her crocheting to keep her busy.
Mother’s old stove would have been turned on after the morning church service. The oven was filled with a roast, casserole, beans, or specialty. On top, the burners had vegetables and side dishes steaming. Mom always cooked plenty so we’d have dinners and lunches for the following days. She might have made a cake or pie earlier or jello was the dessert. My husband, who I was dating in college would come in and affectionately hug my mom. They had a great alliance early on and Sunday dinners seemed to connect them even more. He’d begin by guessing what we were having for dinner by the wonderful aroma from the kitchen. He was usually “right on”, My mom enjoyed this guessing game until the year when she got a new stove. The oven was sealed so well that those beautiful cooking smells weren’t flooding through the house like they used to do. She also missed the warming pilot lights were the bread would be rising or the garlic butter melting. That change made the game less fun.
Progress in sealing the ovens was good in some respects, but it changed the family dynamics. And I have noticed and perhaps you have also that with every new and improved appliance, phone, or car, some things that we really like are lost.
I am thinking of all the digital marketing, photography, and social media, in how we instantly connect with one another. It has it ups and downs. We may be seeing more photos and expressing the momentary highlights or complaints on Facebook, but doing business, exchanging quotes online, and sending out a quick thank you in the form of texts have somehow disconnected us. There is a loss in the personal aspects our generations once had. I am thinking of the “day long picnics” and going to show as a group–these provided us with great joy. We talk all week about the silly joke or the bird that landed on the table as we put out the food.
The intent of thinking about one another is a fleeting thought. It is so unlike the thoughtfully written out Birthday card or lovely note to someone recovering from an illness. We don’t engage in the conversations we once did over a cup of coffee– where one could feel the emotions of them getting the job. Or sharing the sadness over the death of a family pet. Their is a joy that comes from the spontaneous laughter and banter that goes on when people are together. We see one another’s body language and can feel when they are passionate about their hobby or limping due to a fall.
Recently I was introduced to the idea of a memory stone. Each stone represents an experience one writes down. It is to recognize something that changed our path or redirected us into a different way of thinking. Ironically the really significant moments for me were surprisingly selective and few, but they included another person, who in some way helped me find direction.
I challenge you today to start creating a MEMORY STONE MOMENT. It is something that moved you forward and helped make you the person you are today. The second part of the challenge is to be part of someone else’s memory stone. Will you be serving as a mentor for a neighbor? Perhaps a relevant person in the community food pantry? What do you do that might impact someone else?
When I was in College, I worked one summer with a lady who was always so tidy and appropriate in the way she dressed. I suspect she was in her late 30’s, quick witted, and very professional. She taught me to use a switchboard which had many incoming and outgoing calls throughout the day. It was an international business and so calls needed to have the times and details noted. It had a plug in arrangement to learn well. She had a system in place that obviously she had designed. It worked well and she was an excellent teacher insisting that no step be missed.
I found out the reason was that each step was needed especially when multiple lines began ringing all at once. And they did quite often. In our time together, she shared she had a stroke when her children were small. They actually helped her learn to speak and read again. They helped her walk and get her strength back.
Her witness to me was undeniably a witness of endurance and resilience. She had fortitude and a character of strength. It was pretty impressive for me to see first hand. I am really sorry that I lost touch with her after that summer. She made a real mark on me seeing that could have been a permanent setback was not one for her. She was able to stay steady in the midst of numerous phone calls because she had also learned to pace herself and prioritize well.
The relationship with her 2 children had to be really close after going through the learning phase in reverse with them.
Relationships are very important. We all need to recognize and see that during these technological times. Are you able to balance the time with family without losing them? So many older people I know are not into their smart phones or computers. They find themselves feeling really lonely at family times. I wonder now how different it would have been at those Sunday dinners if we had all marched in texting others or watching the sports on them. There wouldn’t have been the silly conversations or card games after dinner. We would have been disconnected while being together.
Another thought hit me as I was outlining this Podcast. It was of a lady who I had met via the telephone. She would answer the telephone at a church. Whenever I’d call she would engage in thoughtful conversation with me and often take down my message. Her voice was upbeat and cheerful and very polite! I hope I was the same to her. Years afterwards, I learned she was bedridden with a disease that had disabled her. Wow to have such a wonderful attitude in spite of her own situation. My point being that we often don’t know what others are going through if we don’t engage on a personal one-on-one level.
My mother’s uncles owned a farm in North Judson, Indiana. We would often go there for 4 day Holidays to visit. All the cousins were bunked on blankets lined up on the floor while the adults got the cots and beds. We’d giggle as kids often do and listen to the country sounds. The trains entering town, the morning owls, and the morning roosters were more than just something we read about in books. It was real. And so were the sounds of rain and the dirty feet from running barefoot. Our shoes, if we wore them, had to be shook out because they’d be full of sand. Our moms were always sweeping the floors in the morning after breakfast so the linoleum floors didn’t scuff up so fast. Being involved as an extended family was fun and created close relationships during that generation.
Today I have shared several short stories about relationships with my own family and acquaintances. I challenge you to do the same. Maybe it was on a vacation where you learned about some friends? or a gathering for a toddler’s birthday? A wedding of a neighbor who is close to you?
Transform your year! It is still only March. Pursue your dreams and continually set new goals for yourself. Have a great weekend and week ahead as you step forward. Remember that a “single step may put you on the escalator of success!” Have a great weekend and I will see you then.
How Do You Hear Success?
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Introduction by Jim Haisler (thanks to Jim!)
Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments where small achievement may become big accomplishments. Our small steps and habits can still take us to far away places by repeating them.
Hopefully, here at Mini Miracles from Minor Moments, where you’ll find of insights and knowledge about yourself. My plan is to help you like yourself and love life. It is meant to help you recognize the gifts you have been given. We all have these gifts and until someone or some experience shows us, we often miss seeing them. Instead we get caught up seeing our less admirable behaviors.
Hi, this is Linda Gullo and every week I share a few thoughts with you to inspire and get you thinking about your own life. Today, I’d like to ask you the question, “What does Success Sound like to you?”
When children are little, a mother listens to hear laughter and silly banter between the children playing nearby in the yard. She listens to hear if there is a problem and keeps a keen ear open to any distress. For her, success is hearing the children having fun and playing.
A few years ago there was a fun song called What Does the Fox Say? (by Ylvis) It was a creative and imaginative song that we all were listening to and singing along with on the radio. I guess hearing animals of prey in the distance to prepare encountering while on a camping trip would be successful in keeping everyone safe.
Last night on our local PBS station (WTTW in Chicago) we listened to Andrea Bocelli who paid tribute to songs from famous movies like The Days of Wine and Roses. I watched and listened to a man who is blind and yet so comfortable in singing and playing the piano. During the break the Host of the Show on PBS said she had been to one of his shows and that he was so relaxed singing. His ability to hear the notes and duplicate them was for sure with practice, but also with hearing it well. That is success spelled with a big S.
On an everyday level though success comes at the basketball game or the weekday practice on the school grounds. The sounds of “cheering” on friends spells success to those on the field.
Maybe success is communicating with another person who you needed to share some important things with for a better understanding of what is happening. It may simply listening and being together to heal an old misunderstanding.
After the power goes out in our home from some major power problem, it is unusually quiet for we have a well that also shuts down. When the power returns, it is the sound of having running water again. That is an awesome sound we take for granted.
Years ago we had a big, fawn colored Boxer named Lord of Regal Domain. He was fearless until it came to the overhead Hot Air Balloons that would come over our house in 3’s. As the balloons let out air to raise up the sounds could be heard in the distance and he would head for the back door of the house. To him it was ominous and threatening. To me it spelled success that the balloons were working and in the area.
Tomorrow I am heading out to the Geneva area for one of the Productions of the Wizard of Oz. I am told it is a very long production and yet great. In the past when I attend these singing and dancing theatrical presentations, the kids long for the responses of the audience (which by the way is right there next to them–it is performed in a very small space), the expressions of the audience are watched by the children and they light up when the clapping takes place. It puts smiles on their faces.
In business, success sounds like the phone ringing with a new client or the sound of someone walking into the office. It may be that you have just done a live presentation and it was well received with applause.
If you drive a car, the sound of the car starting is strangely a good feeling. It lets you know you are able to proceed on the way to your destination. If the sounds coming out are odd or rumbling, it may likewise tell you to get service.
In the event of a problem, sounds tells us that help is on the way, when you hear an ambulance or fire truck arriving.
The taking off of an airplane engines is a relief when you’re going up and the sound of the landing gear touching the runway is a relief upon arriving. That is success spelled in the way of joy and a big sigh that you have reached your destination—namely the ground in a safe way.
So it is as we proceed thru life that success can take on many different dimensions. Do you spell success in a different way? Next time you are thinking you are not a success, just think of all the sounds that are around you and encouraging you to step ahead.
Listen carefully from now on and see how sounds around you can make you feel better. Listen to the people speaking for clues of acceptance or rejection. Follow your gut when things sound oddly wrong. But then delight when things are happy and empowering.
Please join me here regularly at Mini Miracles. Each episode is based on simple and real stories. These short podcast episodes are jam packed with upbeat and encouraging tidbits for you to take along for the week.
There are so many things I’d like to provide for you. If this is your first time listening to me, you know that this is a treat for me. Podcasting allows me to reach out of the 4 corners of my office where I work as a Counselor and Transitional Life Coach. If you would like either service you can call our office at 815-459-5161 during the week or email me at [email protected] I want to be part of your day as inspiration. I invite you to like yourself and enjoy life. Our Coaching services are available in different packages on line and over the phone to serve your needs when it comes to Changing Jobs, The Loss of a Loved One, the Empty House Syndrome, or just learning to feel your best at any stage of life. Mini Miracles provides handouts and encouragement while we serve you.
Have a fruitful week of Successful sounds and emerging joy. Bye for now and see you next week.
People Embracing People
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Hi, this is Linda Gullo with your weekly update on living a life with meaning and hope. Here at Mini Miracles from Minor Moments, you’ll find of insights and knowledge about yourself through the short stories. My plan is to help you like yourself and recognize the gifts you have been given. We all have them and until someone or some experience shows us, we often miss seeing them.
Podcasts can be accessed on your smart phones or on our website lindagullo.com weekly.
It is easy to listen to these podcasts in your car. Just hit the media selection and make sure you follow us on your Podcast feed. When you plan to be in and out of the car running short errands I’ll be there to encourage you. Please subscribe to our feed, Mini Miracles from Minor Moments, and share it with others.
There are so many things I’d like to provide for you. If this is your first time listening to me, you know that this is a treat for me. Podcasting allows me to reach out of the 4 corners of my office where I work as a Counselor and Business Coach. I want to be part of your day as inspiration. I invite you to like yourself and will be offering stories to inspire you.
So today’s story is about People. Loving, kind, and generous people who are great at Hospitality. Have you ever been warmly welcomed into a new situation and appreciated the time and kindness shown to you? Well I have on quite a few occasions. As a matter of fact, I try to do the same for others as they in my office. I know they are coming in to resolve issues. I don’t want to add to their anxiety by making their first visits uncomfortable.
Several years ago my daughter and I went to Dublin, Ireland. You know how it is, going to a place for the first time. Well traveling to a new country is no different- even for those who are seasoned travelers.
We were with a church group, but we did have time to roam in each of the towns we stayed at–so one afternoon towards the end of our trip, we returned to the town of Dublin.
We were let off the bus in town and had a list of places we wanted to check out. We had wanted to find this place the visit before and didn’t have enough time.
It was a cold, windy, and rainy day in Fall. Our coat hoods were flying off and the rain was rather intense. We walked around for awhile until we came upon the address we were looking for- when we realized the building was empty and the site had moved.
Our spirits instantly deflated. We were disappointed-to say the least. We were looking for a Wax Museum, and we both had set our intentions on going there! Now even more driven to find it, we pulled out our maps and pointed ourselves in the direction of the new address. Off we went. Our umbrellas were of no use in the wind so the walk was intense.
We had learned on a previous visit to Dublin that people were kind and always good at directing us. They often used the word “Junction” to designate turning at a stop sign or building so we learned early on to ask for specifics. Neither of us realized how much walking it would entail, but after wandering around and not finding the spot for a good 15 minutes, we asked 2 young girls walking past us, where we would find the address.
They asked us what was located at that address. We told them it was the Wax Museum. They chattered between themselves for a moment said they knew where it was. One began explaining and then said, “Oh come, follow us, we will just take you there!” Well we were glad they did for we would never have found it on our own!
Neither of them were warmly dressed, but rather in lightweight dresses and in heels. Both were High School students about 16 years old, who had come into town for the day to shop and meet other friends.
In the journey to our destination, both of them asked questions about Chicago and how much they desired to come to the United States. They wanted to know about the USA and when my daughter told them she had a daughter their age, they instantly began talking about school, clothes, and typical teenager thoughts.
They moved quickly around buildings into what looked like the back of an alleyway. It led us to an old Bank building. And there it was –a museum inside an old bank.
Linda meets Batman!
Now they leaned in to give us hugs and thanked us for the time to chat with them. What great hospitality they provided and yet they were thanking us. WOW. Sometimes the best part of a day, is the surprised we have showered upon us by people. It was a moment of this trip that neither of us will forget. It was the encounter of 2 young people rising above the crowd to take a calculated risk in helping 2 strangers in an unfamiliar place.
Each room would house various wax sculptures. A theme of the “Potato Famine” with people thin and gaunt who had suffered. The whole room brought the history alive. Another room featured the pop culture-the Beatles and other singers. A landing had several Popes — all so lifelike. There were featured writers and interactive wax sculptures to have photos taken. On my website, you see I met Batman. He was rather charming.
The trip to find this museum was definitely worth it, but the best part was the life giving qualities of the girls that led us to it. They were trusting indeed and so energetic. They had personality plus.
Can you imagine a book of delight-filled stories like this? Well, soon I will be releasing Pathways to Delight in Living and hope you will be here for that Publication.
So I ask you,
“When was the last time you were warm and hospitable to someone coming into your life?”
“When was the last time you were warmly invited into someone else’s space?”
“Did you extend an olive branch or create an opportunity for growth, and restoration of the human spirit?” This is the first week of the Lenten season and many of us are trying to do positive and kind things for one another.
Please join me here regularly at Mini Miracles. Each episode is based on simple stories. These show stopping podcasts last only about 10 or 15 minutes, but are jam packed with upbeat and encouraging tidbits for you to take along. Use your God given qualities to build on and keep moving forward. If you would like to recommend a guest or do a guest blog, I’d love to talk with you.
Until next week, stay true to yourself. Thank you for listening and for the kind feedback I have received. Know you can reach me through the website at lindagullo.com
Feel free to sign up for free handouts. Recognize the good people around you, the small joys that carry you forward and the laughable moments. Look for those Mini Miracles that grow into better and bigger things to help you Delight in Living.
Remember that “One single step may put you on the escalator of success.” Bye for now and have a great week.
Appetite for Success
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Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments, where suddenly your daily events begin to overflow with great joy.
This is Linda Gullo and I’m happy you are joining me this week for a short update on some recent activities. If you’d like to join me in the future or have stories to share, feel free to connect at lindagullo.com. In the meantime I hope you enjoy this weeks story! I hope it inspires you to forge ahead.
Today I’d like to talk about the Appetite for Success. Some people are programmed from early on to be achievers and become perpetual learners. I don’t know how old you are? But, I think this is a very good topic for all ages. Especially in a culture that keeps changing. We do need to keep the values of concern and kindness for each other. It is amazing how little things effect who we are and how we react.
Short cuts work for temporary fixes, but the more determination we have and the work we do, the more it seems to pay off. Small achievements go big. That has been the essence of this blog since its inception. Little steps move us ahead.
Short cuts lack substance. Pushing ourselves to show up is one of the greatest accomplishments there is. Yesterday I showed up for an event that I had said I would participate in. I was part of the Okner Symposium at The University of Wisconsin in Whitewater, Wisconsin. It was my first time visiting the Campus. I must admit that the shift in temperature was a big disappointment or I would have surveyed the Campus more if it wasn’t rainy and cold.
Never-the-less, I was invited to do 3 small breakout sessions with students interested in Podcasting. The day included a keynote speaker, a career panel of successful past students, breakout sessions, and opportunities for networking. The topics covered at the event will included blogging, podcasting, and social media sites. I would have enjoyed attending some of the other breakout sessions.
The Okner Symposium is an Annual Event that rotates between Universities. Each hosting it with a Special Theme. This years Theme was obviously Tools in Digital Marketing. I find this area a very interesting one given that I have never considered myself a good marketing person. My business has done well thanks to other ways of being known. Most of my interacting, prior clients, and community contacts kept me in business. Recently with my interest in keeping up with technology and learning new things (obviously I am a life long learner!), I have realized that marketing is going into a new direction. The students kept telling me it is evolving daily. I can really agree to that and the need to know more and more is relevant.
So first a big shout out to all the students who came to my “break out” sessions. Thank you. I hope I planted seeds that will grow into helpful arenas for you as you enter into jobs in Marketing. The one thing that hit me yesterday was that education done formally gives us a formula for success. It teaches us a system of how to make things work for each person. We come to know ourselves better and are lead along course by course. But as we know, the formal process is only one way to learn and we must recognize that.
We need to create our own systems and continue to create them for ourselves. Set up small repeatable actions that will get things done. Jobs can teach us those tools too. Setting up systems to complete tasks can be as easy as making worthwhile lists of prioritizing what we need to do.
The season of Lent begins next week on Ash Wednesday. Live it up on Mardi Gras Tuesday when one celebrates with Carnival-like enthusiasm, and then put into action a new system for the Lenten Season. Maybe it is an approach to eating, studying, or work. Something as easy as having a salad for lunch each day without bread, chips, or carbs. Coming into work a half hour earlier could be helpful. Perhaps praying more each day or attending a Bible study. It may mean sacrificing.
Linda lists a few options for Lent. check the podcast to hear them.
So that wraps up today’s podcast. Please take time to relish all the Mini Miracles that continue to shower and bless you. We’ll be back next week so please check in. Thanks!