RemarkAble Women Speak

Giving Thanks to Our Troops

Oooh, I just gotta share this. It came to me in an email this week.

I personally don't know anyone who is serving overseas in Iraq or Afghanistan. A fellow Toastmaster has returned from a 6-months tour, but other than that, I know of no others.

That is why Let's Say Thanks is so impressive to me.When I'm feeling a bit down or discouraged, I thrive on expressing gratitude. It's an instant pick-me-up. I remind myself that someone else has a smidgen, or a lot, more angst than me, and that I can work through whatever is gnawing at me. While it may seem awful in the moment, it's not as awful as it is for someone else.

Like our troops overseas. Regardless of your views on war, they deserve our heartfelt support. When that support comes from a place of gratitude for what you have, it wraps itself around those who need more - more acknowledgment, more appreciation, more love.

Visit the Let's Say Thanks website, and honor a solider in the midst of your gratitude.

He's Ba-a-ack...

Here's the scene: I'm standing at the kitchen sink. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a hummingbird resting on the feeder post. He appeared to be poking his bill through the drain hole, supposedly sucking out nectar.

Yes, I followed through, and made more nectar yesterday. And he came back. Except, with temperatures in the high teens last night, the nectar was frozen solid. I wondered whether there was a trace of liquid at the bottom, or if he used his bill to peck at the ice.

Whatever he did, this little bird is the poster child for resilience. He didn't give up! Either he was doing something that was working, or he was going to continue trying. He stayed on the perch for a long time, long enough for me to take several photos.

After he flew away, I removed the feeder, melted the frozen nectar, and wrapped bubble wrap around the nectar holder. When you are resilient, the Universe pays attention and brings you what you want.

It's almost dinner time for the tiny fella, and I hope he eats to his heart's content. 

So What Do You Know?

Synchronicity is among the greatest of teachers. Here's how I know.

The days and nights have been quite chilly here in the Pacific NW. The projected low for tonight is 19 degrees, escalating to 35 by Friday.

As I prepared my coffee this morning, the jar I use for my homemade hummingbird nectar was sitting on the counter. It has been there for several weeks, after being washed in preparation for a new batch of nectar that I never quite got around to making. Knowing how cold it's been, I put the jar away, clearly understanding that the tiny birds had found a warmer clime by now.

I read the newspaper, and returned my coffee cup to the kitchen. Imagine my surprise when, through the window, I saw the itsy-bitsy outline of a hummingbird at the feeder on the eave. My heart warmed and chilled at the same time. What fun, he's still around! Then, Aaah, poor thing must be hungry. 

I retrieved the empty jar with a note to self. Buy sugar. Make more nectar - now.

Other note to self - Do not make assumptions. I know that. I talk about it all the time. And most times, I practice it. But when I don't, the Universe sends subtle reminders. The consequences of acting on assumptions range from none to devastating, and every nuance in between. Rather than risk it being severe, go with the consequence that comes from knowing the truth. Use it as a guide for direction and decision-making.

How do you know it's an assumption? Your body will tell you. It might feel like a very slight nudge, or a huge slap aside your head. Pay attention. Your intuition is speaking. When I tucked the nectar jar away this morning, I felt a bit of hesitation as I screwed the lid on. In the next second, I ignored it.

You know the rest of the story.

It Just Keeps Getting Better

What's on my gratitude radar screen today?

I am grateful for...

• Books, books, books
• My handyman helping my neighbor hang her holiday lights
• Feeling overwhelmed, then finding vigor by taking a deep breath
• Reading words of inspiration on Twitter
• Trusting that what appears to be obstacles are really opportunities waiting to be discovered
• Knowing that I am not alone. Even when I am by myself, I am in good company.

As the Day Unfolds

From the moment I have been awake today, so far I have expressed gratitude for:

• The men and women in our armed forces who are serving abroad and in our backyards.
• The warmth of my blankets.
• The sound of the rain tapping a tune on the skylight.
• Green tea.
• My daily crossword puzzle.
• Speaking up.
• Possibilities!

Oh, what a feeling!

Just for Fun

Back on November 9, I wrote about a dinner of comfort foodI had with some girlfriends on a Saturday night. I brought dessert - Snickerdoodle Cake and Peanut Butter Cookies.

The recipe for Snickerdodle Cake is a childhood favorite of my husband. He started cooking and baking when he 10 years old. As a matter of fact, the recipe I used was from a yellowed index card in his little-boy handwriting.

Now I'm sharing it with you. Combine these ingredients.

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup shortening (butter is best)
• 1 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsps. baking powder

Pour batter in an 8x8 pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until done. Brush melted butter on top while still hot, then sprinkle combo of sugar and cinnamon on top of melted butter.

Enjoy!

It's True; You Are What You Say

In two days, I will be presenting a speech to my Toastmasters club. The intention of the speech is to persuade the members to run for Board elections next year. Typically, there is a mad scramble to compile a slate two weeks before elections. Members are urged to run after being told, "There's nothing to it. It's easy." They take the bait, then see a different picture after a couple of months. This is not an unusual occurrence for a volunteer organization.

For my speech, I've decided to use what I was reminded of last week by noted speaker and trainer, Vanna Novak. The basic elements of a persuasive presentation are built on Ethos, Logos, and Pathos.

Ethos is the audience's perception of who you are as a person. Your gestures and physical presence say much about your character. Logos is the choice of words that convey your message. Do you make sense? Do you know what you're talking about? Pathos is the voice of your heart. It is the emotion behind your words. Is it genuine?

All this got me thinking about how Ethos, Logos, and Pathos are just as important in our everyday conversations. Whether a simple request or a major proposal, the manner in which it is presented will make or break your case. As a RemarkAble Woman, you deserve to be heard. Your heart is already in the right place. Let it speak its peace.  Do so with confidence and competence, compassion and passion.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Tell me why. Why this continues to leave a lump in my throat.

Maybe you've seen this countless times. Doesn't matter. This video serves to remind us of what I learned from my father when I was just knee-high: When you think you've got it bad, someone, somewhere, has it much worse than you.

RemarkAble Woman, what is your why? What is its answer? What is the name of your hope?

Finding Comfort in Food and Friends

Four girlfriends met for a potluck dinner Saturday night. The hostess prepared macaroni and cheese, referring to it as comfort food, despite a more nutritional deviation from the traditional recipe. One person brought a sauteed vegetable dish with cubed yams, spinach and onion. Another made a tasty salad complete with bits of dried cherries. A loaf of olive bread and a bottle of Chardonnay brought it all together.

I baked two comfort foods from the past- Snickerdoodle cake, my husband's favorite as a child, which he started baking when he was 10, and my childhood favorite, peanut butter cookies. For the latter, I used my deceased mom's handwritten recipe. There was enough food, plenty for seconds if we chose, to provide comfort for the entire evening.

But the greatest comfort was in the security of our friendship as we chatted and played a board game. The warmth of that dining room setting was in marked contrast to the windy and rainy weather outdoors. Earlier that evening, we visited a friend who is the fifth member of our regular potluck get-togethers. She is undergoing treatment for the return of breast cancer after 14 years of remission. She began to tire, so we kept our visit brief.

It was a comfort for us to see her, to know that she is doing well, and that the high spirits we read in her emails are in fact the real thing. She has her moments, her bad days, but those are supplanted by her champion, the spirit that promises to win, and to win big.

No doubt our visit also comforted her, as we hadn't seen her in three months. She has found a way to keep her life as normal as possible, still going to work, then teaching at a community college in the evenings. That's the business side of her. Her social side is kept alive with social networking and more visits from other friends.

Food and friends. Life just doesn't get any more comforting than that.

RemarkAble Woman, who and what are the comforts in your life? In what ways do they provide comfort?

Women Creating the Future

The series has already begun, but there's still time to indulge yourself in the wisdom and insight of 14 very powerful women. Women on the Edge of Evolution presents the voices of women who will inspire us all, as a global community of women, to recognize our potential for creating the future of the world.

RemarkAble Woman, will you join me?