William and Flight 235

Our paths crossed William’s and mine…On a 6 AM flight from Cleveland to Atlanta. He was making his way home to San Antonio, TX and I like everyone else was criss-crossing the skies on non-direct flights from North to South to get West.

A few years ago kind William had been in the military serving his country proudly, defending our freedom…. But his last deployment to Afghanistan had left him an amputee. In place of a left leg were pieces of metal and bolts with a sneaker attached where a foot should have been. The war and his injuries were too much for his now ex-wife and along with his left leg he lost his marriage to that war as well.

We had talked about current events, some “attention getter headliners” and in his nonjudgmental tone his opinions was clear…And as he had gone through a healing process, William remains hopeful that much in our society that is now broken will mend as well

The war might have taken a physical toll, but William’s emotional and spiritual life is rock solid. He lives within his inner-peace and kindness. He doesn’t blame anyone or hold anger for what should or should not have been…William is filled with gratitude for all the pieces and parts of his life.

At 37, William is in graduate school getting his Masters in psychology and volunteers in schools where much is broken. He tells the kids the only way out is through education….He is going to relearn to swim in 2015 and p.s. he’s been dating someone special since April.

I believe people come into our life for a reason…For me, William is the happy and hopeful of the New Year!

Wishing you all a William in 2015!

A Holiday Thought!

“Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.”
~ Oren Arnold

A Holiday Thought!

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.

-Calvin Coolidge

A Holiday Thought!

Take a few minutes to write down every holiday custom you feel you should follow. Start with family patterns, but don’t end there. Offices and friendships have their own traditions. Looking over your list, visualize each activity. Notice how your body reacts. Do you tense or relax, feel like smiling, snarling or weeping? What creates a genuine sense of enthusiasm? True enthusiasm makes us feel divine, whether we take that as a religious reality or simply a wonderful emotion. The holy days are the best times to focus on real enthusiasm, the inner source that lightens and sanctifies our lives all year. ~ How to Stay Sane This Holiday Season -Martha Beck

A Holiday Thought!

“You have not lived today until you have done
something for someone who can never repay you.”
-John Bunyan

Happiness!

“For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

My decision today, not to lose another sixty seconds…What about you?

Helping!

You can’t help someone who always “want it” their way!

From The Blog Of Susan Ascher! “Change the Channel”

Susan – The timing of your post was a sign from God to me…I am definitely changing the channel…Thanks for the inspiration that I not only can but should change the channel!

Don’t Like the Program? Change the Channel.

I don’t watch a lot of television. I prefer reading. But in those rare moments when I DO take a moment to turn on the TV, one thing is for certain. If I don’t like what I am watching, I change the channel. No point in complaining about something that doesn’t interest me. No point in wasting time. No point in watching something that doesn’t make me laugh or teach me something new.

Why can’t we do the same thing when it comes to disrespectful clients, toxic relationships or unfulfilling careers?

Years ago I had a client named Cindy. She had come in to my client’s HR department like a hurricane, firing staff and suppliers in her wake. Fortunately for me, the Executive VP of Finance loved our company, so Cindy couldn’t get rid of me so fast. What neither party knew, was that I had never had a client like her. EVER. After three episodes of her outrageous outbursts, screaming at me and my team and falsifying information, I fired HER. I placed a call to the EVP, explained the situation and told him, very nicely, that we could not continue our relationship as it stood. I didn’t expect the company to fire her. I also knew (know) that time is money. It was clear that she didn’t want to work with us. Instead of hitting our heads against the wall, we simply changed the channel. We stopped calling her and moved on to new clients who wanted to engage us.

I have had similar situations with toxic “friends”. The kind of “friends” who expect an invitation to a party or event you are hosting and then never reciprocate. The kind who talk about you behind your back (and everyone else’s BTW). The kind who contingency plan, confirming a date and then conveniently canceling because something better has come up or they “forgot”. Luckily, I haven’t had too many of these toxic “friends”. But when I find out who they are, I change the channel. Life is short and time is precious.

About five years ago, I was no longer passionate about vetting candidates through the big black hole of the internet. The up close and personal relationships I had forged took a back seat to RFP’s, PEO’s and other assorted acronyms. I get that. Business models change. I just wasn’t passionate about operating in that model any longer. When the game changed and I no longer loved what I was doing, I did what I always do. I changed the channel. Hundreds of teams and executives later, I am happily following my passion again. This time around as a communication strategist, author and public speaker.

Is it time to change the channel? What situation have you been in where you had to change the channel? I’d love to know. Feel free to email me at susan@susanascher.com.

Recognizing Happiness!

 

Today, with purpose I will  recognize what I do have…filling me with gratitude and happiness!

What will you do today?…As always, it’s your choice!

Think, Who Is It?

I’m convinced,

….there is someone you need to reach out to…

Write them today!

….It’s been what they have been waiting for, (and you)!

Think….Who is it?