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The Summer Olympics will be upon us soon...these events are full of success and gold-medal stories, but many of the sagas did not begin with a victory...here are some inspirational stories about a variety of "winners" and their tenacity and commitment to achieve excellence:
Paul Hamm was a gold medalist at the 2004 Olympics in gymnastics, but not before slipping during a vault landing, crashing into the judges' table and dislocating his jaw...after falling to 12th place, he decided to go and give the best performance of his life, and was determined not to hold anything back.
Henry Ford failed 5 times at starting a business and then on the next try, was successful. Beethoven's teacher called him "hopeless" as a composer. Colonel Sanders offered his recipe to over 1,000 vendors before he found a buyer (you know, those famous 11 herbs and spices!), Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor for "lack of ideas", Albert Einstein did not speak until he was 4 years old...his teacher descibed him as "mentally slow, unsociable, and adrift forever in his foolish dreams", the Star Wars movie was rejected by many Hollywood movie studios initially, General Douglas MacArthur was turned down when he applied at West Point, Babe Ruth holds the record for strikeouts, in 1954 a manager at the Grand Ole Opry fired Elvis Presley after one performance, the classic Gone With the Wind was turned down by more than twenty-five publishers, Heisman trophy winner Herschel Walker was told he was too small to play football...and the stories can go on and on.
In the heathcare setting, the demand is high, the expectations are even higher, and perfection is anticipated by all who come to us for services. There are times when we "slip on the landing"...don't get discouraged, be determined to train more diligently and acquire knowledge and experience, and "Never Give Up"!
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Well, not necessarily unless you experienced what a woman in Maine did...she was removing her clothes from the washing machine at her farmhouse and noticed the independent motion of the garments...as she began digging in the pile, she saw something that caused her to scream, slam the lid shut and call Animal Damage Control.
When the operator arrived, he pulled and pulled and out came an 8 foot non-venomous reticulated python! How special! He surmizes that the creature arrived in her washer through the household pipes, oh that's reassuring. I have also read about these critters showing up in toilet bowls, under car engines, and in the garden...I hate snakes!
I did not realize until a friend of mine informed me, in New Zealand, there are no reptiles...the "fish and game" division of this province is very strict about animal control and prohibits any migration and maintains strict border control in that regard...I think I'll move to New Zealand. :)
I also think I'll start turning on the bathroom light when I get up in the middle of the night before sitting on the porcelin throne...and now I have a legitimate excuse to leave the laundry chore up to the man of the house!
Seriously, there are many folks out these days catching a hiking adventure, and may run into these varments, take care, steer clear, and run like the dickens in the opposite direction!
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...as my husband fell 8 feet down a ravene on his bicycle, he said that numerous thoughts were racing through his mind: "this is going to hurt, I should have listened to the guy in front of me that said he takes the hills very slow, how should I 'try' to land, I wish those rocks weren't there, my bike is going to be thrashed, I hope I don't break anything, I hope I don't hit my head, Wanda is not going to be happy with me...".
Well, I'm glad to report that 4 days later, he's doing pretty good, finally obtained an x-ray (it's OK) after much scolding by all who spoke with him, and he's hobbling around without a crutch.
He and some other "serious" cyclists were at the top of a path known as "Wildcat" (it not only is known for wild cats in the area, but a wild ride! as the grade is very steep). They were preparing for the descent after a torturous climb, the guy in front of my husband said he didn't take the hills very fast...he headed down, turned a corner, my husband lost sight of him and as he rounded the same corner realized in an instant that he had three choices-veer right and hit the side of the hill, stay the course and take out himself and the guy in front of him, or veer left...in a flash he made the decision to go left and, well, there goes the slow-motion fall.
My husband did have the presence of mind to start yelling for help immediately as he and the other rider were the last down the hill and he knew that the rider would be long gone if he hadn't summoned him right away. The other riders were eventually congregated to "evacuate" my husband. Because they were a signifcant distance from their vehicles, it was quite some time before he arrived home.
He is fine as I stated earlier, but, his beloved bike is totaled. For those of you who are into cycling, you know what a big deal losing a reliable bike can be.
Well folks, he plans on "getting back on the horse" and I hope this story is not a deterrant to newer riders who are just building your confidence (I don't think you'll be going 38 miles per hour down the mountain like my husband)...hey, I fell just standing still on my bike, I lost my balance, couldn't get my toe-clip out in time, and down I went...more embarrassed than anything!
Stay the course and try to have some fun!
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You're joking, right?!? Apparently, the nation's largest cigarette maker has failed in yet another attempt to sell Americans on a potentially safer cigarette....the "Ultra Smooth"...they tried to use a high-technology filter. This product failure highlights the cigarette giant's challenges in finding something ot offset their loses in sales. In the past, U.S. sales declines did not impact that much as international business was stable and even growing, but now the servere U.S. sales decline is not even mitigated by the overseas business.
So, here they go again trying to put resources into engineering reduced-risk products, like carbon-activated filters that still deliver nicotine but at much less exposure of carcinogens than the convential products. Oh, and then there's the product that "heats" the cigarette, versus burning the tobacco....bizarre! Well, there's more, how about the smokeless product? Hey, it's "spit-free" (more attractive you know), if you want a pinch between the cheek and gum! And last but not least, there's the moist product...."snuff" and that product apparently is growing in popularity....."Marlboro in a can". I guess "taste and flavor" does matter, even with tobacco users!
Well folks, I know that for those who smoke, it's just plain 'ole almost impossible to quit...but as you know, there's nothing "safe or reduced-risk" about it! If you smoke and are motivated to quit, I applaud you and wish you the best...there are some awesome resources out there and a tremendous amount of success...keep at it, you can do it! Life is precious and good health even more so.
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Oops!...that would be disturbing...like the Seinfeld episode with the Library Detective stalking you as you browse for a book!
Apparently there is a gentleman in Denver facing jail time AND $53,549 in library fines for checking out about 1,400 books and DVDs and selling many of them online, officials said. The 34 year old received a 10-year prison sentence for illegally selling library items on the Internet. About 500 books and DVDs were found when police arrived at is home for a separate incident (mmmm, I'm surprised that he would have been participating in other illegal activity!...NOT!).
How does one pull this off without library officials catching on? Well, apparently he used seven different library cards to obtain the items from different libraries in Colorado. Denver's District attorney prosecuted the individual.
Well, folks are pretty arrogant and ignorant! It's only a matter of time....
This is a pretty funny story, but on a very serious note, in the healthcare world, there are those that steal, divert drugs, and record false documents (to name a few offenses)...keep the bar raised, make ethical decisions, and return your books to the library when they're due!
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Those that know me are certainly aware that I am not fond of cooking or baking but certainly participate out of necessity. I've made it a little easier on myself when a couple of years ago I got into the habit of putting meat into a crockpot, letting it simmer all day, and then instructing hubby to whip up some steamed veges and a side dish...it's worked well, keeps the kitchen cooled off during hot days by not lighting up the oven, is a bit healthier than frying the meat, and I don't need to follow any recipes!
Our home has an incredible kitchen and a Decor stove with two large ovens with convection modes, and six burners...my sister, who loves to cook, commented when she first saw it: "Wanda, you do not deserve this kitchen!" She and her son lived with my family for a period of time years ago, and as appreciation to us for allowing them to be with us, she offered to cook dinner every night...no problem! Well, the first night I arrived home after they moved in she proclaimed that I had a "dysfunctional kitchen" because I did not have the proper utensils, cookware, knives, and the like, and she was appalled that I did not have a repertoire of common spices! Sorry Sis, it's just not my thing.
I do from time to time, attempt something from scratch...there was this one occassion where I was going to make a "Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake" (not for sure why they call it that, it was just a chocolate cake to me)...I followed the directions with great care, measuring every ingredient ever so carefully...whipped up the batter, poured it in the pan, just like the instrcutions called for and baked it to a perfect consistency. I even made some chocolate frosting to top it off...all's well, right?...Wrong! My family enjoyed a nice dinner and we were looking forward to a rare baked treat from Mom, as we heartily took generous servings on our plates and in unison put a bite in our mouths-yikes, we immediately spit out the portions. Unbeknown to me, the sugar and salt cannisters had been switched and instead of a cup of sugar added to the recipe, I had added a cup of salt!!! To this day I still cringe at the thought.
Look alike/sound alike.....that's a problem in the healthcare setting as well. Folks, take great care when you are giving medication, using a product, or performing a procedure with look alike/sound alike products, check and double check and call in help if needed. I would hate for you to be expecting a "Texas Sheet Cake" and instead, get a "Texas Salt Cake"!
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Since I've been blogging, I have had the pleasure of receiving numerous complimentary and supportive comments from readers....until last week...now I realize that the importance of leaving comments is allowing the subject to express their opinions and certainly folks have the right to react and respond to my writings with support and/or criticism, but the anonymity part is what is disappointing...I suppose disparaging comments are emboldened when you're not identified.
My anonymous blogger will be identified as "AA" (left his/her first name and last initial). I do enjoy responding to all the folks who take time out to write a comment, and so far, all except one have been gracious enough to leave their contact information. #1, this person was irritated that I was allegedly taking time out of work to write the blog...well, AA, I often write my blogs after hours, save them in the archives file and publish them when I get to work. Also, AA was critical of what I wrote...I think he/she missed the point of a blog...blogs allow the blogger to write a commentary on particlular subjects, the content is a reflection of life, capture thoughts and feelings, and convey an opinion.
I would hope that my blogs are noteworthy, contagious, enjoyable, informative, amusing, thoughtful and provoke some creative thinking and dialogue and mitigate any boredom.
AA may not know that Scientists have long known the therapuetic benefits of writing about a variety of topics, expecially personal writings. Blogs provide an avenue for this type of activity-research shows it improves memory and sleep, boosts immune cell activity and reduces viral load in ill patients and even speeds healing after surgery! Whoa, I should blog every day!
You know the saying..."One 'jerk you' requires ten 'atta boys'"...I need to shake off this commentator's less than complimentary comments, and focus on all the readers that are enjoying my contributions. It's kinda that way in the work setting...so many folks can offer their encouragement, and one person comes along and can spoil it all...but don't let them...life offers so many blessings, focus on the positive and when the inevitable negative comes along, shake it off and gain strength from the ones that matter.
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...well, technically. On July 2nd, 1776, the Second Continental Congress passed Richard Henry Lee's Resolution that explained the the justifications for separation from the British crown and in essence, first proclaimed independence. On July 4th, the Congress adopted this declaration and it was signed by most of the delegates on August 2nd...did you know the only delegate to sign it on July 4th was John Hancock (the elected President of the Congress)? And if you recall the document, Mr. Hancock's is the largest signature. Mmmmm, trivia is fascinating.
Some of our favorites were a part of the Congress back then: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, to name a few. Much of the phrasing were excerpts from a famous English philosopher named John Locke. Not all the colonists agreed with the precepts and yet it still prevailed.
Many of you are familiar with a famous painting by John Trumbull that has been mistaken for depicting the signing of the Declaration of Independence when in fact it actually shows the drafting committee presenting its work to Congress.
The original document was taken to a local press owned by John Dunlap and they made about 150 copies...the first public reading was by John Nixon in the yard of Independence Hall on July 8th (truly a great day...my birthday of course!). One was sent to George Washington who read it to his troops on July 9th. A copy reached London on August 10th...surprise! The original handwritten copy did not survive, and 25 of the "Dunlap" copies are still in existence. On July 19th, an "engrossed" copy was made for all the signatures...a total of 56 eventually signed the document in geographic order of their colonies, north to south.
Oh well, enough of the U.S. Government History lesson! I'm so thankful for those who paid the price for my freedom to this day, God Bless America and have a very safe and refreshing July 2nd (oops) July 4th holiday.
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