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only
for how we choose to respond. That's our attitude. The responsibility
is ours. It's been said, "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you
react to it." We have a choice every day regarding the attitude we
will embrace for that day. How many of you find yourselves in a bad
mood after being around someone else in bad mood? Stop it!
The next time you're exposed to a grouch remind yourself that no one or
nothing can affect you unless you let them. Take charge - choose your attitude
wisely.The final lesson to consider is "to love the journey
not the destination". How often do we find ourselves saying,
"When I graduate… when I get married…. when I get a promotion… when
the children grow up or when I retire." We have this idyllic vision
of the future. We become so focused on this destination we forget
to savor the present. But do you realize there is no one place to arrive
at once and for all? The true joy of life is in the trip. Seize
the moment. Make your mark on each day. Keep an open mind to new
ideas. Do something you want to do, not something on your "should
do" list.
Last fall, past national president
Cathy Butler made a presentation at the chapter networking luncheon in
Kansas City. She concluded her remarks with five things every
woman should do each day. They are powerful reminders of loving
the journey. She said we should drink, swear, steal, bet and lie.
Drink from the fountain of opportunity.
Swear to make every day better than
ever.
Steal time for yourself and your
family.
Bet on yourself and your abilities.
Lie down each night and be thankful
for your life.
Through ABWA, you have the
tools to learn the lesson before you take the test: Through renewed
confidence that you can do anything. Through professional and personal
opportunities to take risks and to keep learning. Through your ability
to choose your attitude. Through your love of the journey.
And perhaps one of the most important benefits of ABWA - the friends you've
made to share the results with! |
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you
will regret the things you haven't done more than those you did."
I challenge you to be free. Your past is not your future, unless
you let it be. Do one thing every day that scares you.
The third
lesson is "Never stop learning." Regis Philbin's popular show
is "Who wants to be a millionaire?" You can make money by appearing
on his show but I suggest that learning is the beginning of wealth.
Formal education will make you a living. Self-education will make
you a fortune. Always be ready to learn from others. How we develop
depends on what we borrow from the world. All that we develop is
borrowed from others - our parents, friends, relatives, teachers and ABWA.
We are not alone. We borrow from each other and give to each other
constantly.
Anyone who stops learning is old, whether
at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning is young. The
great thing in life is to keep your mind young. Isn't it wonderful
to know that ABWA members are young because we value education and we keep
learning?
Do you want to be a millionaire? Don't
be afraid to learn and then spread the wealth by sharing your knowledge
with others. What you give away will always come back to you. Do
you feel rich from everything you learned this weekend? Go back to your
chapters and networks and spread the wealth you've accumulated. I
also encourage you to share the wealth of ABWA with others outside of the
association. Invite women to join us and experience the educational,
leadership, networking and friendship opportunities that make ABWA members
so rich and so young.
The fourth lesson is "We
cannot direct the wind… but we can adjust the sails." Another way of
expressing this thought is "Things happen, and then we happen to
them". What we do with what happens makes all the difference.
The late syndicated columnist Sydney Harris told the story of accompanying
his friend to a newsstand. The friend greeted the newsman very courteously,
but in return received gruff and discourteous service. Accepting
the newspaper, which was shoved rudely in his direction, the friend of
Harris politely smiled and wished the newsman a nice weekend. As
the two friends walked down the street, the columnist asked: "Does he always
treat you so rudely?" "Yes, unfortunately, he does." "And are you
always so polite and friendly to him?" "Yes, I am." "Why are
you so nice to him when he is so unfriendly to you?" The reply…"Because
I don't want HIM to decide how I'm going to act".
We're not responsible for what happens
out there or what others do or think. We ARE responsible |
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