Welcome to Mrs. Santa Claus
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Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments where suddenly your daily events begin to overflow with great joy. This is a podcast of hope and gratitude. Thank for joining us.
This past weekend our Local Crystal Lake Kiwanis hosted its 4th Annual Santa Run — a 5 K for runners along with a 1 mile walk for families and their pets. We have had wonderful weather every year including the first year of 70 degrees. This Sunday as the run started, so did the snow. The run turned out well with lots of happy people in Santa Suits –
and the lovely white flakes added to the ambiance. The proceeds benefit the Girls on the Run, Casa, Turning Point, Main Stay, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Kiwanis also gives its share away to benefit the needs of children’s programs through out the year. I’d like to thank all those who participated either in the run, or helping to make the event so much fun.
For me, this 1st Sunday in December has become the kick-off for the Christmas Holiday Season. It makes the Season of Advent come alive. It is so good to see the families coming together in preparation of Christmas.
Today I have a very special and fun guest. Welcome Mrs. Claus, you have to be very busy this season. Well probably all through the year, but especially now with the Holiday Season.
Check Out Deep Cut Gardens@daylilybloomfest on Facebook. They have the most beautiful and healthy flowers!
Bob Blazier, A Man of Vision
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Welcome to this post Thanksgiving show.
It is my wish that you were able to find a few Mini Miracles throughout this past week. For me there were many small, but precious moments with the grandchildren, family, and friends. Much to my own surprise, I was able to catch a funny video of an unexpected moment. It was a highlight that has already spread throughout the family.
Well today I have the pleasure to introduce a delightful man. His list of accomplishments include being an educator, administrator, and Accomplished Board member on many Foundations. He has worked with Centegra Hospital and our local Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce. He continues to be recognized along with his wife Rosemary for their contributions to our world. We have seen both of them actively participating when they were well, and the times when in spite of a health issue– kept moving forward.
But Bob Blazier is much more than all his accomplishments. He is an admired man for this giving nature and genuine sense of humor. He has and continues to mentor anyone who comes in his path. He is an encouraging spirit about him.
Bob is a man of faith and can be seen attending church and praying. He is known for his daily fitness routine. Bob Blazier has an annual run for the Arts to help our Raue Theater. He also appears at other 5 K’s such as the Kiwanis Santa Run (featured picture) to help children. Bob is so very appreciated for all his contributions to our Community.
AND HERE’S BOB who was a Gem to join us. Thank You BOB!
Welcome to Our Guest Tom Sellars
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Good morning friends! Well this is the week of Thanksgiving! I wish you the best time ever to celebrate with you family and friends. I decided to record this episode of Mini Miracles from Minor Moments earlier in the week and post it before Friday, since so much is going on for everyone. There will be traveling for some of you and Black Friday events for others. It is a good reminder that everyday offers us plenty of opportunities to be thankful!
Our guest is Tom Sellars of McHenry, Illinois. I hope you enjoy the interview with this McHenry, IL. Businessman. He has Today’s Business & Credit Funding Solutions designed to help entrepreneurs establish credit profiles for their businesses. A great man to get to know. 
Hoping this allows you to discover Mini Miracles in your life today. As always, “Delight in Living”
Mini Miracles Welcomes Jim Haisler
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Hello Friends! Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments. Today our Guest is Jim Haisler, a local Businessman and CEO of Heartland Realtors Organization in Crystal Lake. Jim shares a time of transition in his life and the wonderful outcome it turned out to be for him and our community!
Linda also brings up the topic of the upcoming and annual Community Harvest in the conversation with Jim. Delight in Living and look for your Mini Miracles raining down upon you!
Jim Haisler
Finding Joy
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Good Morning. Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments, where suddenly your daily events begin to overflow with great joy. This is a podcast of hope and gratitude. I hope you come to follow regularly and enjoy it.
Hi, I am you host Linda Gullo and today is absolutely beautiful. I share that feeling for a couple of reasons as this day begins. Everyone needs a purpose and reason to get up each morning. Years ago when my life seemed to be falling apart, I decided to return for more education to become a Psychologist. After years of earning that degree and credentialing, I realized what I did with that knowledge not only gave me a purpose, but it gave me something I needed to pass along whether it was as a Teacher or as a Professional Counselor.
Well I have done both and slid mainly into the counseling and coaching arenas. I learned to do mediation in the years that followed to add to my toolbox. I was propelled into a Private Practice, so I had a reason to get up and serve others every day. No regrets there! As the next year comes I plan to do several Webinars and get back a bit more into Coaching and speaking. Feeling well enough to do these things is one of the many beautiful things that today holds for me.
There is nothing better than having a newborn baby in our midst. If it is your own baby, there are hopes for a healthy life filled with the first smiles and then giggles. It is that awesome 1st year of milestones. If it is your grandchild and you are in a supporting role or even if it is a baby of a friend, it brings everyone down to a place of humility and awe. We want to hold that newborn, and feel its life within our arms. One can’t help but feel the joy that just seems to ooze out of them.
I have felt that exhilaration with my own children. You see their personalities blossom to the toddler stage where exploration and safety become a concern. Then the school age child begins to seek out its way and develop friendships. The teen years are a roller coaster of emotions both for them and their caretakers as they take their roots and develop wings. When you think you are done raising them, they bless you with professions, and lives fully matured. They return to discuss things on an adult level and introduce us to new ideas and worldly thoughts.
For entrepreneurs, they too have dreams and vision. There are times of development and ongoing changes. There are years to blossom and growth; times to improve and serve others. We are all nourished from within and affected from the world around us. We watch the economy, pray a lot, and try to stay healthy. We engage with our community and try to interact appropriately. The excitement of a new job or adventure seems to ooze like toothpaste.
Think for a moment of when you’ve been so richly blessed with that newborn, the new motorcycle, sweet bath of kittens, or a loving dog. For me, you all know how rich my life has been with Rosy. She entered our lives at the age of 1. She is empathetic and intuitive. She is our “alert alarm” and seems to know what I plan to do before I do it.
Well the joy of new life in any form makes energy flow. If one is with depressed people, they seem to create a fog and sadness all around them. So too, the synergy of joy happens around us if people are happy. I think of my dad who was a beautiful whistler. He would whistle songs, while he worked around the house. I have never heard anyone else do that every day. It was so life giving. It lifted me up even when I was tired. The sad part is that I didn’t realize it until after he died. I’d love to tell him how much it meant and to thank him for that gift.
Other people are visionary people. They are life giving in the way they talk; they leave an aura of harmony and excitement that can’t be described in words. We need to put into place the thing we do to become one of these people. We need to be high flying with energy for ourselves and to share it with others around us. Regardless of our age, we must keep learning and listening for clues on how to give.
Today I was invited by one of our college aged grandchildren to attend a Chicago Museum with them. I can hardly wait to experience this and no doubt you’ll be reading a blog or two on what I learn. I look forward to the conversations, the break in working, and a day to learn something new.
Today is Veterans Day. So a sincere thank you to all those who have served us. It allows us to dream, to create new life, and create new opportunities. My goal is to help you find clarity and balance in life, to like yourself a bit more, and to recognize mini miracles are happening each day. I think God sprinkles us daily with them and I hope you find a bunch today. Have a good day and keep walking among the flowers, not the hidden cactus’
So until next week, Delight in Living. Look for all those Mini Miracles showering upon you.
Simplicity – Less is More
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Hello Friends! Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments. This is your host Linda Gullo. Today it’s November 3rd, Thursday. It’s late in the day for me to be recording this. I have had a busy week and wanted to get this recorded. This week I was able to vote and follow through with a few personal appointments.
After thinking more was better for years, I have been learning to think in a different way. I now treasure the small things in life. So many of us are rushed and don’t get to enjoy the the people in our lives or the details in what we do. I see how many of us are all over indulgent with eating, playing, or work. For me it is the first and last. I don’t play enough. Let’s all think for a few minutes here about simplicity.
The daily encounters with people and the wisdom we can share with each other may seem so small, but it brings enormous joy when we let it happen naturally. Today I had the man who washes the office windows stop in the office. His wife was helping him with the front doors. It is a warm and beautiful fall day here in Illinois. The trees are bright yellows and orange. As they worked and talked with me, the time passed so quickly. I really learned more about them and the many wonderful things as they are preparing to have another child next year. What a great joy for them.
I enjoyed another conversation earlier with a delivery man. He volunteers working with an organization that reaches out to families and children. Embracing things that bring us comfort is always wonderful.
I enjoy hearing about the traditions people bring to holiday time. We hear of family recipes, or practices when it comes to sharing the good old times. As we go into the coming months, the weather will call more of us into indoor activities. It is time to celebrate fun and inexpensive gatherings.
Even the struggles we encounter may end up bringing us blessings and insight. The plan in these Podcasts is to help you like yourself and love life by enjoying and embracing daily events. In the coming months I will be interviewing and talking with other people here. I hope you’ll continues to join me and share with others.
Well, today there are so many happy smiling faces. I see the Cubbie Blue on the hats, teeshirts and sweatshirts around town. I want to embrace the next few months with all this excitement. Firecrackers were going off in the middle of the night after they played yesterday. Yes we Chicago raised kids are so happy to see the Cubs win the World Series. All of us are tired, because the game was long—-but oh so worthwhile!
Many of us have had past generations who missed out on the joy an excitement of this sports season, but we have been thinking about them a lot. It made me think about my mother-in-law who ironed in front of the television game after game. And my father, who rallied around the radio for each game. WGN sports was always on the radio when I grew up. Our Chicago teams were part of our lives.
When my parents grew up, the ball games were inexpensive and brought families together. It was a big deal. People would take public transportation to the games, get exercise in the process, and enjoyed the times together. Simple practices kept them in good shape and made life fun.
Which takes me to the next simple idea. Stringing popcorn or noodles for garland, tying ribbons around the pinecones, and recycling Christmas Cards for tags are good family activities. This year I want to make things easier and less stressful. Don’t you?
I have purposely scheduled in time with my friends to meet for breakfast or a light lunch. I began doing this in the last few weeks. Fall is an excellent time to plan reconnecting with people who I missed seeing over the summertime. Time to be like a sponge and just absorb friends and waste time on smaller projects.
I plan to add in walks with friends. A walk in the early morning or late evening can be refreshing and healthy. Every two weeks I am scheduling in cultural events, a movie, a museum, or a play. That I started in the Springtime and just look so forward to having the experience.
When I was a small child, our grade school had movies on Saturday mornings. The one thing I loved was a special on manufacturing. I recall seeing how packaging was created and how the trees on the West Coast were cut down and used for timber. I loved seeing how large industries and country farms worked. The printing presses showed how newspapers were made. Now I realize so many of these things are on television, but our children miss having the time together. We visited the Hostess factory as children and received fresh bread. Oh my goodness we were all full as we ate it on the way back on the bus. What a funny memory that is for me.
So I would love to have your stories shared with me. Where did you go as a child on a excursion with your school? What would you like your children or grandchildren to see or learn about? How can we connect on more regular schedule? Would any of you like to join me on a Podcast in the future months?
Until next week, stay true to yourself. Thank you for listening and for the feedback I have received. Know you can reach me at www.lindagullo.com. Feel free to sign up for the upcoming PDF’s on various topics, and handouts that will be coming regularly after the 1st of the year. Recognize the good people around you, the small joys that carry you forward and the laughable moments. Look for those Mini Miracles the help you to Delight in Living. Bye for now and have a great week.
This is not an exact translation, but pretty close for those who don’t listen to the actual podcast.
Who Am I?
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Hello Friends! Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments. This is your host Linda Gullo. I treasure the small things in life the encounters with people, and even the struggles that often bring us insight. Each week I bring you a theme and thought provoking stories for these 10 to 15 minute episodes. The are based on simple ideas with upbeat and hopefully encouraging tidbits for you to take along. My plan is to help you like yourself and love life.
We all need to feel that we contribute to our world. That could be to your family, your community or to your business. What are your gifts? How do you contribute to the world around you?
On my wall in the office I have the saying. “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” What does that mean? 
We all dance to a different tune and that is the neatest thing we can do. Sometimes we are called us to dance in the rain or through less enjoyable moments. Life does have a way of moving us through good and bad times.
God made us all so unique and different from one another and we all have our roadmap to follow. I try to learn from those around me who accept things well. I guess that is the number one reason I enjoy people so much.
We are called down such different pathways and need one another to succeed.
In yesterday’s blog, I wrote about just being yourself. Well that is often hard, because we are mixture of so many things.
Who are you? Where are you going? What influences you the most? Do you think for yourself or are you easily persuaded to take on the opinions of other people? We try to fit in to the norms and culture early on. We often listen to and become Mini versions of our parents, siblings or cousins without even knowing it.
When things are congruent for us it is usually when we are comfortable in our own skin. We have foods we like and those we don’t. We have a style of learning and either enjoy reading or we don’t! Maybe we find a profession we love, and it makes it simple to stay on task for us.
Years ago I volunteered at a Resale Shop for over ten years. It was an awesome experience. I met so many other volunteers there. About 55 different people of various ages. Each had their reason for contributing to this Hospital owned enterprise.
It was an old tire factory. It had rooms for furniture, shelving for household stuff, and plenty of hanger space for clothes. The prices were reasonable, it was clean, and the brightness of the location made it fun.
Parking was ample for those who drove and the location was easy within walking distance of apartments and homes. I wondered for a long time why I was called there. Perhaps I will never know the real reason, but I have concluded that it helped me define who I am. Material things took on a new place for me. New and used merchandise flowed in and out quickly. Some of the older things took me back to my past and the new things gave me vision.
Vision is always been important to me. Vision to see the future and to plan on all the opportunities yet to be experienced is great fun. I understand however, that for others vision is a frightening place. They are comfortable with things as they are now.
It is when they have to perform to a new standard that the question of who am I trips in? Does one dress differently to fit into the standard of that profession? Does a company paying the salary want me to put my ethical standards aside? How far would you be willing to go to compromise your values?
With the current political races going on it may be harder than you think to be yourself. Do you know who will vote for during this election? Are those around you clearer in their thinking? Time like this call me to my knees in prayer that I make a decision and act in a way that will be right for me–congruent with who I am on a daily basis.
When we are trying to follow what the advertisements sell to us or fit into the values of our society it may be hard. It is not simply deciding on the color of a new car or the decision to bring a child into the world. We know how we stand on those measures. It is using our internal wisdom and insight to make a clear long term decision.
I happen to enjoy sports some of the time. Raised by a dad who loved the Chicago teams, I learned to recognize the value of being a sports fan. There are always things to talk about and it is a connection to other people.
I always loved basketball. In Junior High it was my favorite thing to do. I learned the rules and enjoyed the pace. In high school, I attended the Saturday night games with a passion and jumped up and down in the stands with friends. My dad was always willing to drop us off and pick us up. Thanks Dad!
While at DePaul University, I was a big fan of the Blue Demons. I’d talk to Coach Ray Meyer in the hallways of Alumni Hall. He was a great man who was a coach and basketball analyst for the school. I would attend the weekend games there and even after my graduation I continued until his retirement to follow along. He lived to be 92 and when he died, I felt great sadness. I felt so sorry for him after he retired, because his wife died within that first year.
Other than that, I was just too busy studying and trying to learn a profession to stay involved in watching sports. While working I found myself on a bowling league and loved being able to connect with those bowling on my team. It was a sport that I could embrace by doing it.
This year with the Cubs in the race for the world series I have been listening and paying attention again. A flame for the good old times has been lite again.
If one stands in the aisle of a drugstore in front of the cosmetics, you are bound to hear people sighing. Especially from one of those buying lipstick or toiletries, that they have discontinued a favorite item. It has happened to me on several occasions. The lipstick color I loved is no longer available. I was forced to do without or compromise to another one.
Changes happen and probably the best approach is to become involved. Follow the news, read often, listen to friends and commercials, but in the process stay true to who you are as a person. Design yourself in a way of being the best version you know how to be.
So this whole podcast has been about the past, the present, and the future. As this podcast takes on personality and influence of its own, I am in the process of getting a co-anchor and guests to join me on a regular basis. It will be a nice step forward in taking it to a new level.
Until next week, stay true to yourself. Thank you for listening and for the kind feedback I have received. Know you can reach me at www.lindagullo.com. Feel free to sign up for the upcoming PDF’s on various topics, and handouts that will be coming regularly after the 1st of the year. Recognize the good people around you, the small joys that carry you forward and the laughable moments. Look for those Mini Miracles the help you to Delight in Living®. Bye for now and have a great week.
Distractions
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Hi Folks, Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments. This is your host Linda Gullo with a podcast meant to empower you. I treasure the small things in life that fuel us the most. It is the encounters with people that brighten my day. I recognize that even the struggles we experience can bring us the best insight.
So each week I bring you a theme and a few stories for these 10 to 15 minute episodes. The are based on simple ideas with upbeat and hopefully encouraging tidbits for you to take along. My plan is to help you like yourself and to recognize the gifts you have been given. Check out lindagullo.com where you can get the show notes. I also share journaling aids, refer you to good books and offer daily insights. I’d like you to join me by leaving you email, so I can send you free and fun updates.
Well today I have been thinking of so many things. Like you, I am involved in daily life routines that seem to keep me moving at a fast pace. So this whole podcast is to discuss DISTRACTIONS because it is easy to get distracted from our action plans. That has happened to me in the areas of fitness, writing, and just being with friends.
Our distractions seem to multiply if we let them. The first step, as I see it, is to be aware of the obstacles that keep us from succeeding. I am currently trying to focus on my health and catching up on personal appointments. I usually tackle these things during Lent, but I have been on a different schedule this year. Now is a good time to begin checking them off my “to do” list, one at a time.
This week, I called to schedule having my eyes checked. As it turned out there was an opening the next day; no excuses now! So I went in, took care of things, and ordered new glasses. Why had I put it off? Fear of having something wrong was number one. Having it on my agenda was number two. And the expense, well sooner or later I needed to address it! But it’s over and I felt good having completed one thing.
3 months ago I started using Fitbit and have successfully tracked my steps every day; aiming for constant improvement. Now I will go up to the next level I scheduled for myself. I signed up for a membership at Planet Fitness and plan to start next week.
It may not sound like an excuse, but I usually care for everyone else and put myself last. Caring for others is a big distraction from self care. I do so much that I run out of time for me. And I bet that is true for you too.
My thinking gets distorted. Sometimes I think it will take too much time. Or it will cost too much to do what I want. A few years ago I decided I needed a vacation. AS SOON AS, I made the decision, things slipped into place. I began making phone calls, found a traveling partner, and got someone in place to cover the business. A granddaughter stepped up to plate to stay with my husband. My daughter in law and a friend would be checking on them as well. Next I ordered the plane tickets and got the tour planned. Suddenly we were on our way out of the Portugal to enjoy sites and meet new people. The trip was fun as we ended up with a Rotary group that had been in Spain and decided to add on time. Nothing was going to distract me from getting away once I made up my mind. I became fully focused.
Then there are my beloved Blogs which seem to address many ideas that can help us think things through and help us prioritize. Well, as I have been writing more this past week, I have also decided to reconnect with those people that I really enjoy. (Writing helps us find clarity). I have been scheduling in time for my friends for lunch or breakfasts. It means I have to be more accountable with the clock, but now my schedule is filling up with fun things to do. I need to stay engaged with people. I have been in the virtual world lately and crave one on one time with good friends.
At times even music can keep us from focusing and it has probably happened to you too. We begin to sing the lyrics or think of the message its sharing. It’s the power of suggestion that alters our thinking for that moment. Like an aroma from the kitchen that calls us to eat the fresh cookies, we are taken away from the current task at hand.
I have noticed that even when I am trying to be productive, I find distractions seem to pop up! These distractions are all around. The mail comes and there are literally 8 to 10 catalogues trying to sell me things that I don’t need. Yet it so easy to start reading them and poof suddenly 40 minutes of time is wasted. Another pile of paper is created to carry offer to recycling. At least it will benefit others if I take it to our church for bins. They recycle tons of paper for cash to help those in need with their expenses. See how easy it is to get distracted?
The daily newspaper, which I recently reordered was meant to keep on top of the community events. When it comes– and I scan the major topics, eliminate the advertisements, read the obituaries and say a quick prayer for those who have died. I find since I renewed it, I then get caught up again with the Sudoku and puzzles. That is also time that I could have used for something else.
Yesterday I sat down at the computer to write a blog. I like to do that early, but I became distracted when the phone began ringing. The first call was a google sales call and it totally removed my train of thought. To refocus was difficult.
Doing billing, filling out insurance forms, and returning phone calls is also essential so I tackle those things immediately. I am always attempting to keep focused. I eventually did get back to the blogging site.
In trying to prioritize, I actually folded up my sewing machine earlier this week. I have decided that this old hobby is not enjoyable when I have to rush doing projects. I will have to return to it after the Holidays, unless something essential needs mending—because for now I have to work on my blogsite and podcasting episodes.
You are perhaps in a similar spot. Working to create a good income, trying to put family first, and staying healthy. Distractions seem to creep in here too. All it takes is one cancelled appointment or flaw in the schedule and things get lost causing us to regroup and strategize.
Tranquility
I have and continue to schedule time in each day for prayer. For time to meditate and filter things out. When I get off of that routine, I really seem to lose it all. I get irritable and feel overwhelmed. It is during this time I find encouragement, guidance, and direction. This quiet time allows me to hear the roar of the Holy Spirit.
At home distractions are even worse. The doorbell rings with some silly sales interruption. The dog needs to go out, as soon as, I have settled in to read a book. I look at the clock and realize my stomach and the clock are telling me it is time to eat. Then there is clean up time, brushing my teeth, before getting back to the project at hand.
I am trying to escalate my on line presence in order to connect with people more on a regular basis and coach more people. I want to help you recognize your strengths and step ahead too. But I am sharing this because we are all the same in so many ways.
We want to be productive, happy and enjoy life.
SO here are a few tips that might help:
1- Don’t become a slave to your phone, emails, or distractions. One of my coaches suggested to stop looking at emails until I get to the office. This has helped me and I hope it helps you. We don’t have to be a slave to those communications on an hourly basis.
2- DO WHAT YOU HAVE PLANNED!
Next I take care of what is scheduled and then go to emails. I rather be in control of those on my time line. I discard all the advertisements and unfollow or delete them. If they are spam–well it is GOODBYE!!
I schedule post office runs into my routine so all my mail gets out. Billing is done daily for insurance billing and any bills due are processed before I leave the office.
3- USE A TEMPLATE
I have been learning that those who do the most and are the most efficient, use templates. So I have started creating my own templates to get things done well.
Every night I go to my template for the next day and fill it out. If you are interested in a copy, please feel free to email for it and I will send it to you. It is so very helpful. It’s short and to the point.
I print out a dz at a time and have them readily available. At night I fold it in half and carry it around before I go to bed, to add on things as they come to mind. They have become an efficient lifesaver.
4- SCHEDULE IN LEARNING TIME. I am a webinar learner in addition to CEU classes. I have learned that I allow 2-3 Webinars a week at the most or I lose too much time. Schedule in time to read, to watch TV, to learn, & phone time with family members. I have to eat so I am scheduling in visits with my friends during those times.
So here is a toast to fewer distractions for 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 at www.lindagullo.com. Feel free to sign up for the upcoming PDF’s on various topics, and handouts that will be coming regularly after the 1st of the year. Recognize the good people around you, the small joys that carry you forward and the laughable moments. Look for those Mini Miracles the help you to “Delight in Living®.” Bye for now and have a great week.
Meet the Cast
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Lord of Regal Domain -Age 8
Hello Friends! Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments. This is your host Linda Gullo. I treasure the small things in life the encounters with people, and even the struggles that often bring us insight. Each week I bring you a theme and thought provoking stores for these 10 to 15 minute episodes. The are based on simple ideas with upbeat and hopefully encouraging tidbits for you to take along. My plan is to help you like yourself and to recognize the gifts you have been given. Check out lindagullo.com where you can get the show notes.
Today’s podcast is meant to be light and uplifting. Some of us are self starters, gentle, humorous, easy going, high energy, or a combination of the above. Some are detail oriented, and controllers while others may be easy going and let things flow. We all have talents that we can embellish and enjoy. Until someone or some experience shows us our talents and gifts, we often miss seeing them. I hope here you will see a bright spot.
Last week I talked about how wonderful it feels when someone acknowledges us. People can make us feel great by a simple hug, a kind word, or even a smile. We don’t even need to know someone to feel happy after someone waves for us to move ahead in traffic or nods to us.
Feeling good made me think about a fun time in my life. I was a stay at home wife of 5 years when we moved to our current home. We didn’t have children yet, but we did have Lord. He was a spunky high energy 4 legged friend that my husband found. My husband went searching for this dog to a Breeder in Warrensville.
We found a pup we decided to call L.O.R.D. It stood for Lord of Regal Domain. He had spent the first 2 1/2 months on a Horse farm. The family also raised Black Labs. Lord was one of a large liter and the each time we visited Lord was busy pulling out Christmas Garland from behind the families bar. I think it was his way of showing off and getting attention. It was that action that initiated my husband’s response, “We’ll take the frisky one filled with ginger.” Boxers are head strong, family oriented dogs with lots of enthusiasm.
He joined our household as a 10 week old Fawn and White Boxer. He soon topped off at 110 pounds of lean muscle. He was trained to stay on our property, but would run to fetch toys. He was also a challenge. He once chewed a Pipe my husband had given to him from his folks after they traveled to Italy. He teethed on a 2 by 4 that was not yet framed out — thank goodness. He ate things he should not have eaten and made us good friends with the Woodstock Vet we used. The stories of Lord were ongoing and carried us along for over 12 years.
So—-One of the reasons I want to share this story about friends is that dogs are so good at being loyal! They become our best friends. They help identify us. They make us feel welcome when we arrive home. They certainly entertain us.
Just yesterday I sat down after dinner to call a friend. I needed to thank her for a kindness, and just to catch up with her. As soon as I dialed the phone, Rosy jumped up and began playing with toys. Like a child who want your undivided attention, this 8 year old began acting out. A play squirrel few overhead; her new fuzzy snake when into a corner with plug-ins connected to my labtop computer, and she began to endlessly squeek her toys.
I had to excuse myself for a minute to get the toys away from the cords and gather up the toys that had been tossed here and there. I know she was striving for my attention, for when I hung up the telephone, she climbed up next to me and settled under my left hand–then sighed. It was as if she was saying “Mom you’ve been gone all day, let’s take time and relax.” It was about 8 pm and she was a reminder to me to unwind.
So back to our dog Lord from years ago and the neighborhood that became an extended family for us. Every morning at 5:30 my husband would train with him and walk the perimeter of our yard to teach him his boundaries. He had a even disposition and loved people. He was our first pet and needless to say, he was pampered. His beautiful perky ears had been cropped for showing and he loved baths. On more than one occasion I pulled out my back trying to lift him as a puppy.
Never-the-less, Lord of Regal Domain was our child. Lord would get the newspaper from the paper slot and carry it to us. He eventually would become a pillow for our children to take naps on and he be dressed in Halloween costumes on a yearly basis. We never did show him, due to an epidemic of Paro virus that was rampant in his breed, but he was just one of the 4 legged friends in our neighborhood.
Today, I’d like to share a story about this Cast of Characters that always made me feel great joy. Back in the Mid 70’s, we had only a few people living in our community. We all really enjoyed one another.
So the first Cast member I recall was named Ruffles. Can you guess what kind of dog? It belonged to a family with child, a little girl around the age of 10. Ruffles had hair that covered her face. Yes you guessed it! She was a White Old English Sheepdog who would lounge around its home and go from being fluffy, white and hidden under its fur to sometimes dirty and snarled from playing outside. In the summer, she was shaved and looked so very skinny. Totally like a different dog.
The 2nd cast member lived “kitty-corner” from us. It’s name was Buttons and wore a harness most of the time. Buttons was a cute Beagle owned by the Grandparents. The extended family lived together, but Buttons was usually was outside with the Grandpa. He would go for car rides and sit in the Grandma’s lap. Buttons was the same age as our dog; he was very frisky and anxious to get out and run. His hunter temperament led him to wearing the harness. It kept him from slipping out of his collar and running from the elderly couple! Soon Buttons went from a lean pup to a rather plump fellow. He had a voracious appetite and a desire for salami!
Rusty was an large Red Irish Setter, who lived down the street. He would often be seen pulling one of his family members on their skateboard or running alongside a bicycle. Often he’d wander down and lay in our water fountain to cool down. He seemed to momentarily forget where he lived.
A family of 4 had a Brittany Spaniel called Zipper. The dog was a high energy dog that one of the children took for agility training. It loved to hunt and was always in need of a bath. The owner was constantly challenged in trying to keep it clean.
And finally to round out our cast was a rather large fellow. He was an Irish Wolfhound that would walk its owners down the street. He was rather easy going. And to save my life, I don’t recall his name, but I believe it was Irish, so I’ll call him Finnegan! He was a light gray color and so very sweet. He looked like a pony as he topped the height of our small bushes.
Between Zipper, Ruffles, Buttons, Lord, Finnegan, and Rusty, our neighborhood was diverse. Each brought a different dimension to our families. None of us had electronic fences or any fences at the time; trees were small and it was like having one big family. We’d look out for one another’s homes, take in packages for each other, share plantings, and have block parties each summer.
Fast forward and we are one of the few families still in the area. People have either moved to other areas of the country, grown up and started families of their own, or sadly died like the wonderful neighborly grandparents who owned Buttons.
I feel blessed to have known all these harding working people. Some were pilots, teachers, printers, homemakers, secretaries, or in sales. I believe we were united to help one another become better people. We recognized each others struggles and dreams for our families. And like our pets who all had their own personalities, we too had different strengths.
As we prepare for a change in our political climate and try to stay well, take time for your neighbors and friends. Keep reading and renewing your mind with articles, newspapers, and books. Keep well and moving as you engage with others on this journey.
Until next week, stay true to yourself. Thank you for listening and for the kind feedback I have received. Know you can reach me at www.lindagullo.com. Feel free to sign up for the upcoming PDF’s on various topics, and handouts that will be coming regularly after the 1st of the year. Recognize the good people around you, the small joys that carry you forward and the laughable moments. Look for those Mini Miracles the help you to Delight in Living®, Ltd. Bye for now and have a great week.
Acknowledging One Another
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Hello Friends! Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments. This is your host Linda Gullo. I treasure the small things in life, the encounters with people, and even the struggles that often bring us insight. Each week I bring out a theme and a thought provoking story or two for these 10 to 15 minute episodes. They are based on simple ideas with upbeat and hopeful encouraging tidbits for you to take along. These Podcasts are also on lindagullo.com where you can get the show notes.
Hopefully here at Mini Miracles from Minor Moments, you’ll find of insights and knowledge about yourself. 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 in ourselves.
As many of you who follow me know, I have an office for meeting people one-on-one for Clinical Counseling. I decided to expand my services to you in this weekly Coaching Podcast. It certainly is not the same, but maybe it can lend you perspective.
Acknowledging one another is one of the most important things we can do to feel valuable. Just a wave, a simple hello, and an occasional conversation makes people feel that they aren’t so alone. I recently invited a bunch of people for a Group to my office. It does call for a commitment to come regularly.
One lady I invited, sent me a few sentences back acknowledging the invitation. It was so nice to hear from her just to know that she received it. People seem to be hiding behind emails and social media. This is an opportunity to meet people face-to-face and break the cycle of loneliness that I see so often on a daily basis.
Now I’d like to invite you too. It is called the Mini Miracle Cafe and will begin on October 28th at 7 pm. It is to help you find your way into a different profession or job. Perhaps you just need a push into another direction or even into retirement. Please feel free to call 815-459-5161 to register or send an email to [email protected] Hopefully we can collectively help you make contacts and go forward with good self esteem.
Years ago I worked with a Psychologist who always made time for others. He managed to keep a full schedule teaching, counseling, and empowering others. Over the years so many of his words have played out to be true. Dynamic opportunities to be among educated and experienced people becomes less as we leave the educational realm. We have to pursue authorities on the topics we are interested in, but often we don’t know where to look for help.
I come from a family where hugs were the norm for greeting or saying goodbye to one another. As a child, it made me feel really accepted to be squished under someones loving embrace. I miss those people who were so genuine and accepting. Those family members have died, but what they stood for and how they faced life live on in how I treat others. Youth are our future. Giving them the desire to work hard and embrace learning is still the duty of parents and bosses.
What it taught me was to appreciate other people and treat them with kindness. When I welcome people into my home or office, it is with hospitality. At the end of our meetings I’ll always walk them to the door. It just is such an easy thing to do and so natural for me.
Think for a moment about how you connect with others. Do you joyfully return their phone calls? Are you eager to see them when they drop by? Are you able to do this with kindness or are they just an annoyance?
Do you recognize their hard work and encourage others to succeed? I know a young lady who works very hard on the college level to learn the skills she needs in her future work. She is working to help pay for the opportunity and she paces herself quite well. I try to always follow her struggles and achievements.
People don’t always need handouts, they need to know what they are doing however, is important.
Acknowledgements and appreciation come in the form of words. Sometimes just a 2 minute phone call or someone stopping bye the office to say hello means a lot. They have taken the time to connect even if it for their own benefit. (example of the young man) I try to be a change agent for other people by listening.
Being a life long learner is always a drawing card for me –and hopefully for you too. Keep learning, keep growing-continue making new friends. Relish in the time each week to collect insights by using the power of silence to refresh and renew your mind. Keep moving and see all the Mini Miracles shower over you.
Until next week, stay true to yourself. Thank you for listening and for the kind feedback I have received. Recognize the good people around you, the small joys that carry you forward, and the laughable moments. Look for those Mini Miracles! Bye for now and have a great week.