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Point to Ponder "Dream as though you will live forever, live as though
you'll die today." James Dean
Perhaps you've heard of the recent
deaths of veteran entertainers Ed McMahn, Farah Fawcett, Billy May,
and Michael Jackson? Unless you were trekking out of electronic
touch, of course you have... their passing has been all
over the media of late.
 While I am saddened to hear of their deaths, I find it a
bit strange to see the media hype and the hysteria that follows the
death of a celebrity. Are their deaths of so much more importance
that the death of a loved one or a close friend? NO!, just
more newsworthy... and therein lies the real sadness.
I understand their passing creates
pain in the lives of their immediate families and close friends...
but, frankly in light of other, more impactful news items I am a bit
at a loss to all the hype. With people in Iran being beaten
and killed for simply standing up for their rights and in search of
democracy... media attention on the death of celebrities seems
somewhat misplaced and inappropriate to me.
Don't get me
wrong... I've appreciated their talent and the
entertainment value each provided by the use of their skills over
the years. I just think there are more important things we
should think about.
Some of those things are
closer to home:
I sincerely hope when my time comes
that a few might mourn my passing. Frankly, I am more focused
on what impact my life makes while I live it than my death.
It is our life
and what we do with it that really matters.
Life is at 'best' a short time on this earth. Each day is
an adventure to be lived and loved. Treat each day as the
'present' it is and give of yourself.
Warm summer wishes, until next
month.
Bob 'Idea Man'
Hooey
You always get paid... sometimes it is cash - sometimes
it is cookies
 Had an interesting and challenging presentation last month...
I was invited to keynote the Lamont High 2009 Graduation on
June 12th. Very interesting evening
and presentation. Had the 36 capped and gowned grads sitting
on a very hot raised stage behind me with their parents,
families and school staff in the more traditional location out
front. Definitely a work out swiveling to speak to
both groups as I sought the words to share respectively.
Part of my payment
was a box of homemade chocolate chip cookies baked by Meghan
Guglich (pictured here), who was also the class valedictorian.
The real payment
was in being able to share a few ideas I trust will be of benefit
when they leave their protected High School environment and
travel into the real world of work and additional education.
 I shared with them that now was the perfect time for
them to be entering the real world, as we needed their fresh ideas
and enthusiasm. One of the local politicians had 'cliched'
them with ...You are our future! I told them I
wasn't going to say 'that' as I felt that put unfair pressure on
them. We are, each of us, responsible for our own future and what we
invest today impacts our tomorrows. I told them I planned on being
around for awhile and was busy working on my own
future.
"The
treacherous, unexplored areas of the world are not in continents
or the seas; they are in the hearts and minds of men." Allen
E. Claxton
Chris Widener's Action Point:
Many of us would be
excited to take a journey, an exploration, into unknown areas
of the world where the potential for new found discoveries was
great! I know that I would! But have
you ever thought about how much potential there is as you explore
your own heart and mind?
Don't neglect
the possibilities that can arise from within you as
you take the time to train, explore and cultivate your inner
life. You have tremendous potential, in many ways more exciting
than any new found area of the world could ever be!
Action Point:
Commit to taking the time to explore your inner life. This
will require being quiet and allow yourself to hear your thoughts
and dreams. Read good material that will foster your inward
growth and then pursue the potential you find in your heart
and mind!
My friend Chris is generous with his
thoughts and his actions. He continues to inspire me.
Last Minute News June
was just great
 Very productive month. Keynoted
the Toastmasters Regional conference in Winnipeg and spoke for the
Winnipeg CAPS Chapter. Visited with two of the magazines we
advertise our Alberta Speakers in. Spoke for a local real estate
appraisal company with offices in Edmonton and Calgary; Lamont Grad
for cookies - yummy (pictured here); attended our Wild Rose Advanced
Toastmasters Club 25th anniversary, and a last minute drive to visit
CAPS Calgary. Attended a delightful
milestone birthday my friend Kim threw for his wife Donna. He booked
a little Italian restaurant in St. Albert for the evening. The food
just kept coming and it was amazing. Could hardly eat the next
morning when we took Irene's dad out for father's day.
Irene had a fun time in
Toronto where she was invited to officiate the Canadian Senior
National Track and Field event. Working on next level in
certification which would allow her to officiate at the Olympics.
That would be cool... told her I would carry her bags.
Special congrats
to my fellow D42 Toastmasters and our leaders. District 42
reached Distinguished status for the 2008-2009 year and will be
honored in August at our International convention. Way to go team, I
am so pleased to see your hard work bring the results you
wanted.
July will be
jumping for sure.
July 1st: Celebrated
Canada Day by helping our daughter Amanda move her stuff back
from Calgary in preparation for a move to Australia on the 11th,
to teach down under for a year. We drove down on the 30th to
start packing and cleaning. Other than a few very sore muscles,
we laughed and had a good time working together.
July 2nd: Chiro
this afternoon for much a needed appointment...smile
July 3rd:
Back in the studio to film more video clips and segments. Dinner
with a friend and his wife later in the day. Irene created and
maintains his websites and he wants to expand what he is doing.
July 4th:
Sending warm greetings to my American friends, readers,
and colleagues in celebration of July 4th.
July 6th:
Driving up to Peace River. Hope to see my cousin Trudy, in Slave
Lake, who is recovering from some medical challenges.
July 7th: In Peace River working with a group of leaders
and supervisors at a large Pulp Plant. We're using my Speaking for
Success program as the basis for a confidence building day.
July 11th: Driving
Amanda to Calgary to catch her flight to Australia.
July 17-22:
In Phoenix, AZ for the annual National Speakers Association
convention. Be great to reconnect with colleagues and friends
and to share ideas and best practices.
Lots to do at our
Egremont place: finish planting and gardening; building
a ground level deck and putting stairs up to the existing one;
sanding and repainting the storm windows; running electricity
out to the front deck; etc. Some cleaning, organizing and gardening
at our Mundare place too.
And of course, as always,
continue working on the business as well as in the business: Update
and redesign some of our webpages; create entirely new websites;
finish aweber version of our SST Vol. 3 for our US clients;
etc.
Late breaking news  Our garden is growing... I shared a picture
with you last year of another of my 'great' ideas. I decided to dig
up this raised grassed area and convert it to a garden. Well, we are
making progress as you can see by the pictures. Brought in a 3 ton
truck of mulch/chips and have spread about 1/3 so far. (Irene
sitting in the arbor we built for our raised garden.)
Lots of fruit
trees and plants to be watered, which will grow and make it a
delightful conversation place to relax and actually enjoy our place
in the country.
My summer work
will be building a 12' x 32' ground level deck this summer, mulch
around it, install a gazebo. Then, time permitting, I will refinish
the upper 12' x20' deck and build stairs to join the two. Then
it is mojitos on the deck (we planted mint in the raised garden...
smile). Following that, finish the paths connecting the front deck
on north and south side of the house, and another arbour to connect
my yard with my 96 yr old neighbor Steve's... and relax.
(Ok, after I sand down and repaint all of
the storm windows and repaint the trim.) Gives me something to work on outside the office as a break
from regular focus.
Just as building a
business, a successful sales career or a sustaining life... we make
plans and then work to bring them into reality.  (Picture:
Massage shack by the ocean in Cuba... my inspiration for the opening
paragraph of an article coming out in a national magazine this
summer. I go to great lengths to research my writing... smile.)
Bob 'Idea Man'
Hooey would be pleased to be a part of your success team
and to work with you to help make your conference, meeting, or
training event a success. For more information about customized
keynotes, professional and personal leadership training and
coaching, or seminars/retreats, please visit http://www.ideaman.net or call our Creative Office
at:
Ask about a customized
conference, coaching or training package to suit your specific
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