Vision
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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. 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.
NOTE: Mini Miracles Cafe is starting in October on the 28th. We’ll meet at 411 Suite A in Crystal Lake, IL. Please put on your calendar. Email me at [email protected] and register. I’d love for you to be part of the Master Mind group. It is for people trying to get ahead, to figure out what they want, and to unite with others who have the entrepreneurial spirit. It calls for a commitment to be better.
As we enter into the month of October, the weather has taken on the crispness of Fall. The cooler weather has been a pleasant relief and reminder that we need to pull out the jackets and warmer clothes. Time to put away the sandals and focus on getting back into warmer shoes to protect our feet.
This has been a good week of reconnecting with a few old friends. I am trying to write people personal notes over these next few months in lieu of Christmas cards. I am trying to simplify and prioritize what is important for myself and others. Last year at this time we were waiting for a new grandchild so it made me think of all that has happened in the past year. And it brought me to the setting my vision on the future.
I think of my Dad who was always looking for his “cheaters.” He of course was referring to his dimestore glasses that magnified print for reading. Many of you know firsthand the feeling. You go to read something and suddenly the print is too too small. Or you’re trying to read something in a dimly light room and well you just can’t see it. The first time that happened to me, I was signing a credit card bill at a Holiday Inn restaurant and I found myself moving over to a lobby for better lighting in order to read the amount I owed and to list the tip.
In our bathrooms, I have begun to write in marker in big print the item and dosage of products. It is so that in the middle of the night we don’t grab the wrong thing. I mark all salves or tubes of things as well. Small steps to prevent larger issues!
When I was a kid we’d visit an Aunt and Uncle who had cottages in Indiana that they rented. We’d stay in the main house that had a furnace and window a/c when we visited. I recall my cousin Jackie grabbing her mothers dental cream instead of toothpaste. Oh my, first there was lots of laughter followed by panic to get all the stickiness out of her mouth. We became pretty resourceful while staying there along with these silly situations.
Vision is a Blessing that we all take for granted. Its so necessary to help us enjoy life fully. Our senses make things exciting. So today I was resetting my goals and vision for the next year. But to have good vision also means we need to be creative and insightful. One of my favorite courses in college was the Philosophy of Man. We would sit and brainstorm with friends. We’d dream about what the future could hold and what we wanted to do. How we wanted to contribute to the development of our society. The more we talked the clearer things. There was a young man wheel chair bound since birth who planned to be disc jockey. He had one of those deep rich voices and had this built in gift to carry him forward.
LIKE MANY OF YOU, I am at a crossroad in my life. I want to do many things so I am trying to work out in my head a timetable of sorts, that will help me accomplish many things. Do you have a punch list? That term has become popular in the last few years. It gets dark earlier now and that isn’t all bad. It makes me use the daylight to my advantage– much like the farmer do! Natural light energizes us and makes one want to do more.
It’s a good season to read more, play cards, and do puzzles, but I almost force myself to do these things because I tend to be a workaholic. Once I start in I really enjoy the process of relaxing. Especially with puzzles. What are your expectations this month? Are you making any changes in the next 30 days?
When I was in my late 20’s I made a timeline. It was broken into 10 year increments. I often recommend this exercise for people who are stuck. In the first 10 years, one lists the things that so many of us have done. School plays, 1st communion, ballet classes, or soccer awards. Perhaps the vacations with family or awesome Christmas that is recalled vividly. In the 10 to 20 year frame, there are subtle decisions about careers, staying single or getting into a marriage or vocation. In the 30’s it may be traveling for a career, more education, or raising a family. Well for me I worked diligently to list my past achievements and the expectations of my life through the age of 60.
But when I was 45, I realized I had accomplished it all. Either I was going to add on to my timeline and revise or wither away.I decided to add on and go forward with excitement. When one does this sort of visionary work, wonderful things happen that lead into better and different accomplishments. So please try it. List all your priorities. What is necessary to do right now and what can be on the list for next summer? Who do you want to meet? what books do you want to read? Are you setting time aside to read them? What is holding you back?
Create an environment that will help you succeed in accomplishing your goals. Find a good well light place to read or place to sit and pray. Set up a bright spot to sew, mend, and create in. It’s no different than having a place to sit at and help your children with homework. Often the kitchen becomes the center of activities, but it isn’t always conducive to focusing on a good book.
Enjoy these next few weeks as the countryside turns from green to the beautiful fall colors. Intense orange, yellow, and rustic browns can be relaxing. For me the chilly air creates an appetite for a bowl of homemade soup. Guess it is time to get out the warm sweaters and lightweight jackets for walking. And put my cooking skills back to work!
Until next week, stay true to yourself. 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!
Who Me?
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White Bird in Center back
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. 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.
Life is short when we think in terms of the longevity of the world. We are here only a small fraction of time. Each one of us is blessed with different talents and personalities, but we do have unique profiles.
Today I want to share with you the idea of putting things off, and engaging in what you want to do. As I began getting this together several things seemed to run across my path and so I will share them with you.
**Ray Edwards has a copywriting seminar going on now and I have been listening to that series. It is just for my own self-knowledge. Ray is speaking with David Garfinkel in one of the classes. He shares how he was once intimidated to approach a person he strongly admired and in not doing so, missed an opportunity that would never to appear again. His own self doubt stopped him from a chance to grow. Listening to that resonated with me. I have done the same thing. People want to help us, but we need to let them know we need help. We can’t assume others know what we need or that we are in need. It is something I keep telling husbands and wives who come in for relationship building. It is easy to believe that we are all transparent and we are not that way at all.
It was raining yesterday as I began preparing for this podcast. I had been at the computer, listening to talks, writing notes, and waiting for the rain to stop. It was so foolish to wait until the rain would stop, especially since I love rain. As soon as, I realized I was procrastinating, I closed up the office and went to run important errands. In full disclosure after hearing Ray Edwards and David Garfinkel discuss their business insights today, I guess I sometimes step into the cracks of hesitating to take action too!!! What have I missed? I will never know, but I will try not to fall into the same pattern.
I have to tell you I will go out of my way for friends, patients, the elderly and those in need more than I often do for myself. I find great satisfaction in helping others, but I am more reluctant to be bold on my own behalf. I can sell for everyone, but I was not that way about my own business adventures. Those are the ones that are so very worthwhile because I can and do help people make awesome insights about themselves. I am here as a coach and counselor for you!
While I was at my favorite place for praying and thinking, I saw a Tall Long Legged White Bird walking thru overgrown grass in a pond. It was marching upstream during the rainstorm at a fast pace and definitely with intent. Nothing seemed to dampen it spirit as it forge ahead. Tall, lean and focused. I saw it as a sign for myself to stick out my neck and try a few things. I have several things I am planning to do but kept putting them off. These things suddenly have taken my focus, because they will help other people immensely. I will start and refine them as I go forward rather than waiting.
You all know what I am talking about. You decide not to buy new clothes until you lose the weight. You wait to travel until the threat of safety is confirmed or until you have more money, a better traveling partner, or whatever? You say you’ll connect with so and so when you find time, but the time never seems to come up until you are face-to-face in a crowd. Just do it now, put it on your calendar and follow up.
I once had a neighbor who lived several “fields” away. Our area was not fully developed and there was literally lots of grass and land between us. I got a call that the husband was just diagnosed with lung cancer. It was a weekday night and decided to wait until the next Monday to call and offer my help in whatever way I could. Well, I was at his wake that Sunday night. It taught me then to act ASAP and to stay connected with the things that are important. I will never forget the pain I felt for his wife or the imprint the situation made on me. It was a learning situation for sure. That was over 40 years ago.
Back in 1992, I quit my job as a High School Teacher to care for my husband who had a serious accident and to guide my children through their teen years. After volunteering for a year, I decided to return to school. I kept thinking that time will pass anyway, so I might as well do something of value to keep myself focused on a good future.
I dragged a good friend with me to an orientation meeting from the school I thought I wanted to attend. She is always vibrant and loves people so during the post meeting, I noticed her talking to professors and other people. I too was talking to people, but more about the prerequisites and details.
On the way home, she had more insights about the potential of this possible degree than I did. “Time will pass so you might as well do something of value” kept jumping out at me. My husband was dealing with depression from the extensive pain and injuries of this life altering accident. He had already been through months of treatment. I did not want to get depressed along with him; emotions are contagious. That decision to forge ahead was indeed a good one and led me into a whole new profession. And my friend taught me by example to interact more! What example are you setting for those around you?
I also listen to Rory Vaden, who was featured on ***Platform University. He is a young man who has become quite successful through hard work; he constantly refines his mission. He talks about focusing on one things with FULL attention, grasping the challenge, and harvesting the prize. Then he moves on to the next project. He made it sound so simple and it is. We have become so absorbed with multi tasking. It isn’t always good.
We’ve become so absorbed with finding the right method. In the process of just getting done, we get stuck. It doesn’t matter the name of the diet, if you need to cut back, just do it. If you need insights, start asking around. Be open to change and good changes will result.
One needs to look and see –truly envision what it is you want. Follow that example of the Tall Long Legged White Bird I told you about. Stay focused with an intent and follow it to the end like Rory shared so you can Harvest the results with great joy.
Mini Miracles Cafe is starting in October on the 7th. We meet at 411 Suite A in Crystal Lake, IL. Please put on your calendar. Email me at [email protected] and register. I’d love for you to be part of the Master Mind group. It is for people trying to get ahead, to figure out what they want, and to unite with others who have the entrepreneurs spirit. It calls for a commitment to be better.
Until next week, stay true to yourself. Recognize the good people around you, the small joys that carry you forward, and the laughable moments. Bye for now and have a great week!
**(rayedwards.com) ***Platform University is a site by membership but it is through MichaelHyatt.com
Life Giving Self-Talk
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Let me be your cheerleader!
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. They are based on simple ideas with upbeat and hopeful encouraging tidbits for you to take along.
Life is short when we think in terms of history. Today I want to leave you with a few thoughts on what you can do for yourself. We are going to discuss feedback and self-talk. How do we receive it from others? What do we take in and leave out as people come into our lives? And how do we give it or play it forward? Self-talk can provide us with confidence and a feeling of worth. These are internal thoughts that can lead us forward into greatness or keep pushing us backwards. If they are upbeat and positive that is wonderful, but often they are not validating at all.
The greatest example of self talk that is done well comes when you watch the Olympics. These athletic people, are focused on executing their activity the best possible. There can be no doubt in their mind. We have even see injured people who set their mind on go and get it done.
If you were blessed with good role models that were encouraging, you may hear their voice cheering you on from the sidelines. I recently was eves dropping on two sisters in a playground. The younger one about 5 or 6 was hesitating to walk hand over hand on the overhead bars. The older sibling just said ready, go” and on she went at her own pace across the bars without stopping. As they approached the next obstacle which was a pole to slide down, there was a pause. The older sibling said–all right, ready, GO and down the child slid to the bottom. After each accomplishment on the playground, there was clapping to acknowledge a job well done. It is no surprise that this child is exceeding expectations in her adventures. That clapping will forever ring in that child’s head, as a form of approval and success. The sister set her up for success. We all need people to set us up. In my own life I have had two people who so to speak clapped for me.
My brother who was 5 years older never seemed to doubt my abilities. It helped that we were different personalities, had different interests and that the age between us acted as a buffer from keeping overly competitive. My mother was not well and as her energy dwindled, my brother was the one to come to my school events. I don’t think I recognized that until I was well into adulthood that he was the one who gave me confidence to try new things. Even when he entered the Air Force, and I didn’t see him so much, he’d send me postcards from his destinations. I think that imprinted the idea that traveling is so much fun and today I love the idea of going places.
Have you ever thought of how imprinting is done on your mind? As a sit here I think of Gross School in Brookfield, IL. I went there as a child and so did my brother. He was a science buff and already excelled in that at the 8th grade level. Science Fairs were big back then and he always had a number of projects. They eventually got him scholarships into an engineering school. But at this time, I remember as a 3rd grader, just following along and watching. I saw a cats skeleton up on the counter. Wow, that image is still vivid. I knew then I didn’t want to be a scientist, but I did like the idea of projects and science fairs.
I enjoyed being creative and always asked for projects to do when it came to birthdays and Christmas. I loved making things, reading books on how to do things, and then doing them. When it came to trying things, he’d stand back and let me be adventuresome. All the while I knew he was around for help if I needed it. He was the one who confirmed my accomplishments and bragged about me. He never seemed to doubt my abilities. That approval gave me confidence to try new things.
If you do have had negative imprinting that affects your internal dialogue, it is not too late to change your thinking. Wiping the slate board clean can take some work, but it is never to late to use self awareness as a tool for yourself. Our minds have the ability to blossom. Often it is just reframing our experiences and they become awesome.
In a book by Jeffrey Gitomer, called the Little Gold Book of YES, he encourages people to find, build and keep a YES attitude. There’s a great cartoon of a man who is visiting his doctor. He is sitting in his underwear on the examination table and asks the physician “Can you vaccinate me against negativity? Everybody at work seems to have the disease, and I’m afraid I’ll catch it.”
Wow YES indeed, sometimes the negative thinking of others is contagious. And that is the tape that plays in our head then when we try to do something positive. But, We can move our self talk from negative to positive.
Being aware of our thought patterns certainly will help. Here is a small exercise: Pick 3 words that people used to describe you. Make sure they ring as positive words for you. My first word came to me 20 years ago, when the Dean of a Graduate School program labeled me as LOYAL. I remember writing that word down and the quote he used. He quoted people who knew me and said that was a quality to hang onto. It certainly has been part of my personality. Even when I haven’t seen someone for years, when we do connect, I will still be there and rally them onward.
Since then other WORDS that have come into my way. I bank them up so they become imprinted in your mind. Using them in your self talk in a way that is motivating. Negative people are external, but your inner thoughts are internal thoughts and can be the most powerful! Now print these words on tags- put them on the computer at work, on your mirror, on the visor of your car. Remind yourself of these regularly and let them blossom into success for you.
I am not saying that it is easy to stay on track with internal dialogue, but it becomes easier with practice. When I notice I am slipping into the swamps with my thinking, I turn to prayer and other strong people to support me.
Watching what we say out loud also corresponds to what we are thinking inside. When our thought are negative them drain our energy, cause us to worry, and remove the potential fun of feeling successful.
I said earlier that my brother set me up for feeling good about myself. But I am very thankful to have married a man who gets the top billing. I am sure god has saved his life on many occasions so that he could demonstrate for me on how to succeed. His will to live, to come through paralysis, and many years of therapy have set an example of self talk. He never gives up. He works at his own pace, accepts himself as he is, and sets his own goals. His routines are healthy.
As I conclude today’s version of Mini Miracle Moments, I want to encourage you to take the vaccine that comes from knowing who you are and what you believe inside of yourself. Know you can go far, move mountains, and accomplish better things. Keep your insight sharp and the future bright. Think of me as that older sibling or mentor, who see no limits ahead of you. You have the potential to adopt that spirit of ready, go!
Until next week, stay true to yourself. Recognize the good people around you, the small joys that carry you forward, and the laughable moments. Bye for now and have a great week!
Behind the Scenes
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Hello Friends! Welcome to Mini Miracle 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. They are based on simple ideas with upbeat and hopeful encouraging tidbits for you to take along. You can contact me through the website, www.lindagullo.com Please note that gullo is spelled g-u-l-l-o
So today I want to talk with you about what you don’t see behind the daily struggles of many people. Back in 1991 when my husband had a terrible accident, it was apparent that things were out of place to say the least. I use some of these as examples. I am sure you have your own. But in spite of it all, there are resolutions that come in mini miracle form.
People saw me going in and out of the house. They’d ask the question how’s it going? I knew they were being polite; it is like saying how are you, but not expecting the person to tell you. I’d tell them the most recent issue in an abbreviated form and go on with the task at hand. Usually it was traveling to and from work or picking up children.
But what they didn’t see was all of the other frustrations behind the scenes. I think you will appreciate this sharing because I know you have had similar experiences in your families. To the outside world you look pretty together, but behind the scenes, you may have family members with a bad attitude or being really contrary. We all know that people with bad attitudes can widdle down the strongest of people. We also know some people are so tolerant and compliant. Well at this time I think were all flustered. Everyone was being self centered and not functioning well as a family at all!
Petey’s pillow was this Bunny. He’d drag it to the door when, he was left alone. The ribbon about the Bunny’s neck ended up a mess.
Immediately following the 10 weeks my husband was in the hospital lots was dark in the house. There was an incredible loneliness that every family member was feeling. We were all so weak, tired, and wanted things to go back to normal. It wasn’t happening and never did return. We had to discover and recreate a new normal.
One of our kids was always breaking curfews. That resulted in a lack of trust and fear. Where was that child? Why were they being so resistant? We weren’t eating together as a family. We were eating here, there, and everywhere. I wasn’t sleeping well, because I was acting like a 24/7 cop. Every day seemed to set me back. I had fear and frustration building. I found it hard to pray. The miracles came from people praying for us. There was no “get out of jail free card”, but time was healing and small things were changing in our favor.
After the initial rallying around us, many of our friends disappeared. While I understood that they had their own issues, yet I did not know who to talk with or how to share the feelings inside of me.
I have heard since then that this is true for most people after a crisis, that is why I am a counselor. While I can empathize or affirm the reality about many things, I also have distant enough to have some clarity and possible tools to resolve things. People want to disengage and get on with their own life; it is too depressing to be with those in need.
I think that is why Mother Teresa was such an example for us. She did what none of us want to do. She held the hands of people we couldn’t. It just tells us that we all have skills and things we can do. We can’t be a Mother Teresa of Calcutta, but we can help others in their Calcutta and we must go out of our way too.
So back to our family. Whenever we were all together, there was tension and no real conversation. It was the fear that one has after a death. No one wants to talk about the changes going on in the family and yet everyone wants to talk about the changes and how to manage them. My husband lost his sense of humor and was no longer talkative; he was in constant pain. Phantom pain lingered, nerve endings were jarred. He was unable to concentrate. The medicine he was taking gave him other problems with digesting his food. He couldn’t sleep, nor hear, nor see well.
The kids stayed kept busy. They didn’t bring their friends home. The house was dull. We were dull and so very serious. Dad was start lecturing and I would get nervous and sad too. I began to volunteer my time and decided to go back to school. Both were wonderful ways to keep positive.
Our happy days had gone poof so in desperation we brought in a dog. A silly, fun loving, frisky dog with two floppy ears and a personality! At only 10 weeks, he was indeed a comic. His name was Petey. He warmed the house with his laughable and clumsy body. It was bigger than he was coordinated. The best part was that he would slowly walk next to my husband around the fenced in yard while Tony recovered from paralysis. I guess it gave both of them time to be together. The dog was never alone and neither was my husband.
The kids seemed to enjoy him too. My son carried him like a lamb on his shoulders; my daughter dressed him up and babied him.
While I was back teaching at school, the lengthy drive was wearing on me. I fell asleep at a traffic stop early one morning. It was just a split second when the car behind honked and got me going. It was a wakeup call of a different sort. And so I returned to being a full time wife and mother, while we all tried to reaclimate. While my being at home seemed to make things more comfortable; we missed the salary that we so needed. Financial strain increased while our savings decreased.
Today, the dog we currently have now is my meditation partner. She sits next to me and acts as a calming agent. Did you know that the Latin root of medicine means “to remedy”. She is my medicine on many days when things get stressful. Well I think she helps me heal from daily stresses and this week there have been quite a few. Let me share a few of them.
My business checking account was frozen due to someone trying to hack it. The ripple effect caused me aggravation and discontent!
Then yesterday, I was at a religious gift store and backed into a fragile display of statues. Yup, they came tumbling down and 2 broke. No one was hurt, but I felt horrible.
We all have our list of things that go on behind the scenes. Every family needs help in some way. But one of the problems is that when things go wrong we isolate ourselves out of embarrassment. We are suddenly aren’t receiving the feedback that we so genuinely need.
Until next week, stay true to yourself. Recognize the good people around you, the small joys that carry you forward, and the laughable moments. Bye!
Measuring Growth
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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. They are based on simple ideas with upbeat and hopeful encouraging tidbits for you to take along.
Today we are going to discuss growth. I have been struggling though in what message I really wanted to share with you and almost changed the topic. Then I thought, “well if this is so hard to put together it must really be important” So here goes! It is short, but something I think is important for us to evaluate. We may come back to it on another day, but today we begin.
Please listen and enjoy!
This lovely Sunflower belongs to a neighbor who graciously shares it with us. It is the essence of growth and reaching high.
I discussed WGN Wintrust Business Newscast at Lunch with Steve Bertrand. I recommend you listen to it; it is always an insightful show!
Think about the mentors who have helped you grow!
Do you want to mentor for another person? Just start now and set a great example!
Perspective
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Hello Friends! Welcome to Mini Miracle 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. They are based on simple ideas with upbeat and hopeful encouraging tidbits for you to take along. You can contact me through the website, www.lindagullo.com Please note that gullo is spelled g-u-l-l-o
How do you escape when things get overwhelming and confusing? Hopefully here at Mini Miracles from Minor Moments, you’ll find insights and knowledge about yourself and hopefully some mentoring moments. 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. Please take away insights that you can claim as being helpful.
Today’s topic is on perspective.
So how do you escape when things get overwhelming and confusing for you?
As a counselor, I am always hearing the heavy side of ones’ problems. People don’t usually come in with lots of good news. They come in to share struggles and they have questions. I don’t always have the answers, but often I can share tools for them to figure things out and reframe the issues. So today, I thought about discussing some of those ideas. Good conversations carry us forward and help us to reconcile problems.
I had a retired friend who had a Sunday ritual. After reading the newspaper, doing her morning Sudoku and attending church, she would go swimming and end up at the local Borders. There she would check out the books people had recommended to her. Usually they were books mentioned on the radio or from Oprah’s show that were being endorsed.
While she sat with a cup of tea, others started to gather and talk. Soon it was their own form of talking over the back fence—or at least that is what I saw it as. When the bookstore closed, it was not good.
The reason why some people can be more empathetic is because they have already experienced what you are experiencing now. When our children are in school, our interactions are with the parents of their friends. When our kids grow up either we find time with our spouses or join groups where new friendships can thrive.
As seniors, mobility and stamina are often lacking and the caretakers are too busy to help. We end up with lonely and sad senior citizens. It is important to reach out to these folks by inviting them to events and providing rides. Otherwise, where are these people going to find perspective? On the television, from the radio?
Over the years I have found different ways of dealing with stress for myself. Personally, I have grown, in that, I don’t isolate myself like I once did. We don’t need to feel embarrassed to share personal pain. I seemed to think I was the only one with misbehaving children, an injured spouse, or financial woes.
Mentally my filter to focus on the positive was getting lost as I dwelled on the negative. Thank goodness this flipped over fast for me, and realized that how I thought effected how I felt. In turn it effected how I was behaving. And that behavior was isolation. Yes, I was with people, but not sharing with them or letting them carry my pain.
As I learned later while in business, people didn’t tell the truth. I’d sincerely ask, “how is business?” I’d get back a positive answer and then find two months later their business was closed. Obviously they were too embarrassed. How sad that people aren’t congruent; emotions can spiral one into depression and destroy family units. They hadn’t learned yet, that others can help us carry our pain or better yet, show us how to get out of the situation. I could have helped them in several ways. Often we just need someone to walk through times of stress with us. Counseling is a great vehicle for doing that.
Praying, going out to lunch or sitting with my journal big help in filtering thoughts. I don’t think it used to be that way, but it has changed over the last 10 years.
I think our lives advance when we change the way we do things. We need to pick a bouquet of flowers, read a book, play with the dog, bake a cake, or walk through the local hardware store.
Shifting from one thing to another somehow brings clarity to our minds. Our attention spans help us to get work done. I can sit for long periods of time to work on projects, but then a break helps me escalate my thoughts into another direction.
Just think for a minute about the Jr High students who get up and move from class to class. There is great value in movement. Their attention span, often affected by hormones, is adapting and being prepared to move on from one subject to another. It will continue that way for the rest of their lives. Focusing, transitioning, and refocusing.
I really enjoy reading the blogs other people have written. They seem to offer opinions and articulate what I want to say and sometimes don’t. They discuss things I’d never talk about in writing. Sometimes it is because of what they do for a living, the politics they bring to a community, or the filter that they have because of their culture or traveling experiences. It is so valuable. Can you think of a person you know or work with that does that for you?
One of the things I am doing more often is heading to the magazine aisle and picking up magazines I normally do not read. I try to picture where the author is coming from and why the article is even written. Sometimes I think “wow, I was once there in how I thought and I moved!” Why didn’t I share that with other people?
And I think of my son, who once said, Mom you were the original Martha Stuart. He was right, I was into the cooking, creating, sewing, gardening, and home movement. I was a “Domestic Genius” because I truly enjoyed the art of staying home and being a wife and mom. I am so glad I did that and relished in it, because now I don’t have the reason to do that. And yes I could have made a fortune on it, but I didn’t even recognize the skills or value in myself. But it is okay. I am grateful I had the spouse who could then appreciate the cooking and baking. I had the kids who had the appetites and needed a landing place to be themselves. I kept the house cheery and me too!
Since then I have recognized that, Fall is “my season” to advance. It is also the time of the year I like to walk and move ahead in projects. I start making my lists and connecting with people I have longed to meet. I keep rebuilding my goals based on a realistic time table. What time of the year do you get stoked in? Is it January 1st when you set into motion new habits? Is it July 4th, when the summer cabin is brought to life? Find your best season and make it count!
Today, as I was thinking about this podcast, I heard a wonderful story. It fits in perfectly so I’ll share it with you. There was a toddler who spent the day with her grandparents. They took her to a daily mass in a church filled with lovely stained glass windows. After the service you could see the child dancing in the sunlight that streamed in from the windows. She was entertaining herself and enjoying it. She seemed radiant.
Later in the day when the mother returned, she asked the child. “What did you do today?”
The child replied, “I danced with the Saints today.”
Who are the Saints? the mother asked.
“They are the people who shed light on me.”
What a terrific answer and insight. My question for you is “Who are the people who shed light on you and give you perspective?” Is it time to dance in the sunlight of the saints around you?
Until next week, may you grow insights and love life. Bye for now.
Doubt & Authenticity
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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, because they add up for all of us. Today is my Birthday and the years are piling up along with moments of wisdom and insight from the wonderful people I have met along the way.
Hopefully here at Mini Miracles from Minor Moments, you’ll find 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.
Please join me here regularly for these short 10 to 15 minute episodes. They are based on simple ideas with upbeat and encouraging tidbits for you to take along.
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 are in and out of the car running errands I’ll be there to encourage you. Please subscribe to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments, and share it with others.
Well today one of the topics I want to talk about confusion—or better yet, finding clarity. It’s that constant part of all of us as we try to make meaning out of difficult situations. Sometimes clarity arrives through a book or something we’ve read. Sometimes a person pops up from our past and we reconnect.
I have inspirational sayings all around my office–there are enough of them to wall paper a room. Words can mean so much. It is like scripture that has been available but all of a sudden it seems so relevant. Sometimes clarity pops out at me like a jack-in-the-box; it’s usually when I am not looking for it. The lyrics of a song tell me something I needed to hear or the radio DJ articulates a message meant for me.
When I was a child and my dad would rush me; he’d say “hurry up — and wait.” It was a favorite line of his that now many years later means so much.
We rush to appointments and then wait to be seen. We rush out of the house in the morning and end up waiting in a traffic jam or for a train to pass. Now it seems so clear to me that he wanted us to be timely, but recognized things might interfere.
Often we doubt ourselves and the decisions we make. We question the truth from our politicians, feel pushed out of our doctors offices as they go from patient to patient, and worry about the long term side affects of the drugs and foods we eat. We long for clarity in just about everything we do.
Years ago I was alone at night returning from my daughter’s home. She had just moved in and it was one of my first trips home. It began pouring so hard that I couldn’t see where I was going yet I knew there was no place to pull over safely. The wipers couldn’t keep up with the intensity of the rain and the lights on the dark road weren’t too helpful. Part of the trip I was behind a large truck and I used the tail lights to direct me down the road. When it turned off, I found myself praying aloud for insight. Suddenly I stopped the car; the rain instantly lifted enough for me to see there was a large tree across the road. If I had gone any further I would have run into it. I know that I was given insight to stop.
Sometimes we are doubters. I caught myself double checking things this week. Checking out of Mc Donald’s I said, “That is decaf coffee, right?” Obviously it is good to double check on somethings, but there are no guarantees in life.
Just because we have an education, doesn’t mean there will be a job waiting. We get up each morning usually with intentions and a plan, but there is no guarantee that it’ll work out as we planned.
Perhaps the package that you anticipated would come today arrives 2 days later. That is just a temporary disappointment, but when we are presented over and over again with simple problems, — we start doubting everything.
Recently the quick exit out the door changed for me when I had a flat tire; the morning schedule suddenly had to be rearranged. Although it was not a big deal, it was another thing on my list of to dos!
One day I pulled up to our mailbox to get a newspaper and saw 8 squirrels playing tag in our front yard. I couldn’t figure out who was chasing who, but they seemed to be enjoying one another.
It is like running after certainty —you may not find it. You may run in circles like these squirrels.
Teaming up helps an awful lot to help us eliminate doubt. Doubt keeps us from doing the things we’d like to do. It creates a space for fear to crop up and stop us from succeeding and learning.
I saw on the news recently, a group of people gathered around a car that was flipped over in an accident and together flipped it upright in order to release the driver. Definitely a team approach that saved the man’s life.
In a meeting of several entrepreneurs, joint resources helped them resolve a community housing problem. Many minds worked together. In the end, so many people were helped.
Back in the 1950’s a group of couples gathered together with a priest because of delinquency and teenagers running a muck. To resolve these community issues , a marriage encounter resulted. Many couples and their families had happier and more productive lives as a result of that weekend. Parents no longer felt alone about parenting and careers. Doubt was lifted for one another.
Authenticity is a word that means being real. You know and so do I that it is hard to be authentic in this day and age. Everyone has problems and if one complains about them, no one wants to be your friend. Or you may lose business or your clients will back off. So how does one stay congruent with their feelings when things happen?
It seems many masks are worn by all of us. Smiles are glued into place even when we rather cry. I just read a small book on Suicide (My Journey to Hell) by my friend and fellow Counselor, Geri Condon. It is authentic and hopefully will help others.
I also wrote a book called Erasing Adversity. It too is authentic and filled with pain. Both books were written to share real episodes of struggle and disappointment that crossed our paths.
When one has problems it is so good to talk about them and share with someone who cares. So this is my 10 second plug for counseling care. In counseling, one can be themselves. They can remove their mask and hear themselves speak their pain. Concerns flow out and can be reframed without judgment.
We all carry crosses in different ways, but our world is often critical and uncaring. Anyone can give up and fall into dismay, but the art of moving forward with a smile and healthy self talk can emerge and help us win. I am living proof that “delight in living” is possible. Just the act of delighting in the present moment has brought me joy in times of confusion, doubt, and kept me authentic.
I want the best for you too. Have a great day and may many mini miracles shower over you this week. See you soon and keep walking with your head high and keep your dreams alive.
Connections & Get Motivated
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Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments, where suddenly your daily events begin to overflow with great joy and the smallest successes become more frequent.
Hi, I’m your host Linda Gullo. I hope you’ll be joining me on a Weekly basis to hear stories, gain insights, and find inspiration for your day. My purpose is to help you have a happy disposition and life filled with joy-filled experiences.
A few connections I talk about include:
Motivation
PlatformUniversity.com with Michael Hyatt
You can find El at heavenandel.com or mseledwards.com I’d like you to experience her enthusiasm.
I checked out Fr. Roderick Vonhogen on U-Tube. If you like Star Wars, you’ll enjoy his Teaser Trailer! If you are a Podcasting follower, you’ll enjoy SQPN: The Walk and SQPN: The Break He is really interesting and his energy is contagious.
Do you remember the game SIMON SAYS? It was the game that if Simon said something you were to do it, but if he just gave instructions without saying SIMON SAYS, and you did it-well then you lost!
Next week I will be talking about how to walk through moments of confusion and doubt. We can do it together. Have a great week and keep moving! Bye
Children Are Delightful
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Hi, This is Linda Gullo!
Today I have a couple of stories about children and the wonderful intuition they can provide for us.
The 1st story is about a child In Geneva, Illinois—-Swedish Days are celebrated in June. (http://www.genevachamber.com/swedish_days.php)
(http://www.7thheavenband.com)
The 2nd story is about our 3 year old, shown in this picture with our dog “Lord” .
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Aging Gracefully
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Hi, This is Linda Gullo!
I’d like to ask you the question, How well do YOU LIKE YOURSELF AND LOVE LIFE?
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.
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.
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.
Today, I’d like to talk about the Gift of Aging. 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 wants us all to stay young and beautiful.
When I was in my 20’s, I subscribed to a newspaper called W. It was jam packed with the beautiful people in fashion and hollywood. It made my life look dull and uninviting. As I read it over and over again, I began to see it no real substance for me. The models in it wore clothes that were unconventional and absolutely useless for my lifestyle. I couldn’t wear any of them for grocery shopping or to a n occasional wedding I had to attend. They were fine and showy for these models who did not have to sit in them or walk across the parking lot of church in 6 inch stilettos. I’d read the magazine and go to the fabric shop for material and a pattern. I’d replicate the colors and tried to make sense of my own preferences and body image.
My husband would never wear the outlandish crazy prints or colors the models wore either. They were not comfortable or practical. Although he was dressed in a sports jacket or suit for sales meetings, he was a more conservative dresser.
Well now many decades later, I see the world is still trying to sell us images that don’t fit the average person. We are all valuable people walking around and doing our every day jobs. We have work, children, church and community projects.
Our guys work hard, some of them coach our children’s soccer teams. They serve as volunteers on community projects. They help their neighbors with maintenance projects like cutting up tree branches or painting the back deck. Time, talent, and money limits most of us .
And while it is true, we want to look and feel top notch, we need to be practical and reality based. We use the clothes we have, fix the cars we own, and try to pay our bills.
Our bodies and our minds work together to help us become resourceful and happy people. Aging gracefully simply means accommodating to the changes and temporary limitations we may have due to allergies, minor injuries, or aches and pains. We consume the seasonal allergy medications and forge ahead.
We must remain patient and accepting of these changes for ourselves and those around us. I have seen many young people who have to face arthritis and wrecked knees and those in their 80’s without the need for even an aspirin.
Our world assumes everyone is perfect until a certain age and then they fall apart. It is so unfair and judgmental; it puts limitations on success. It leads us to ignoring a population of valuable contributors, who with little prompting can excel to the very end of life. I often forget my age until I am told, “you shouldn’t do that”. And while I don’t jump up on a ladder to clean my own gutters anymore, I could literally still do that.
Now more than at any time in history, people are viable and renewing their minds on a daily basis. They engage in coaching, yoga, and spiritual practices to pray for others.
For years I was active on boards in our community. This past year, I actually took myself out of these so I could free up time to do other things of importance.
Having age on our side means you actually have wisdom from lived experiences. When I hear people are traveling, I know where they are going not only because I like to read, but also because I have been fortunate to travel to many places and have friends who share they experiences.
My grandmother worked until she was 72 down in the Chicago Loop. She quit because my mother and aunt insisted that traveling by the El alone wasn’t prudent. I think that it took her purpose and self esteem away. She wasn’t connecting with people on a daily basis. Aging is a mind trip. It is important to keep learning and moving, as much as, possible. There is so much to learn. We need to stay connected and engaged to stay competent.
Being a life long learner is always a drawing card for me –and hopefully for you too. Keep learning, keep growing. Relish in the time each week to collect insights by using the power of silence to refresh and renew your mind.
Today I heard on WGN radio that Orion Samuelson was 82. He’s an example of a man who is still an active contributor to the radio station His voice is strong and yours can be too. Obviously he has loved his work and we all can do the same. Find something you are passionate about. Reactivate an old hobby or find a new one. Keep moving and see all the Mini Miracles shower over you.
May you find or become that special mentor for another person.