Lightkeeper.net

I’m a klutz – or as they say in Central Pennsylvania – dopic.  So, I really admire people that are more coordinated than I am (which is pretty much everyone).  Last night, we enjoyed a date night at the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, conducted by our beloved Maestro Stuart Malina.  What made the performance particularly memorable were the additional performers on stage last evening.  “Cirque de la Symphonie” featured acrobats and aerialists who amazed the audience with choreographed moves, accompanied by the orchestra’s masterful artistry.  I was particularly enrapt with the final performance by two bronzed muscular men. Those in attendance were spellbound by their feats of strength, balance and grace.

As I watched, I wondered what propelled these athletes to choose this occupation.  What discipline and practice it must have taken to achieve such synchronicity!  The countless hours of training and experimentation, the injuries that were likely sustained are beyond my comprehension.  And I’ve wondered similar thoughts about those musicians whose performances we so look forward to as they weave their own magic, beneath the stars of the glorious Harrisburg Forum.

My mind connected what I was witnessing to words that Cheryl Strayed spoke at last fall’s Pennsylvania Conference for Women.  (You can view her presentation on their website at http://paconferenceforwomen.org)  She talked about preparing for a hike, and how much stuff she attempted to cram into her backpack.  As a relative newbie to hiking, she learned circuitously to lighten her load to make the journey easier.  Discipline, focus, practice.

(Photo courtesy of Kim Lutz Isenhour, The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra)

The minister who recommended me for my first job interview out of college used to say, “Life is what happens after you’ve already made plans.”  Circumstances led to the unraveling of several facets of what I believed was my future direction over the past year.  As I’ve attempted to use insight and flexibility, creating new plans, these are the words that keep coming to my mind: discipline, focus, practice.

These words resonate with my New Year’s post on making your year transformational.  Og Mandino’s words seem to complement this seemingly repeating theme I’ve been hearing for some time:  Never again clutter your days or nights with so many menial and unimportant things that you have no time to accept a real challenge when it comes along. This applies to play as well as work. A day merely survived is no cause for celebration. You are not here to fritter away your precious hours when you have the ability to accomplish so much by making a slight change in your routine. No more busy work. No more hiding from success. Leave time, leave space, to grow. Now. Now! Not tomorrow!

How can you streamline and better balance your life – really focusing more clearly on your goals?  How will you better utilize the gifts you’ve been given, with discipline, as you move forward with the life to which you’ve been called?

This is my mantra for the coming year; every one of my goals is captured in this quote from the incredibly insightful Og Mandino.

Never again clutter your days or nights with so many menial and unimportant things that you have no time to accept a real challenge when it comes along. This applies to play as well as work. A day merely survived is no cause for celebration. You are not here to fritter away your precious hours when you have the ability to accomplish so much by making a slight change in your routine. No more busy work. No more hiding from success. Leave time, leave space, to grow. Now. Now! Not tomorrow!

What say you?

Richard Wertz, who owns Wertz Candies in Lebanon along with brothers Bill and Chuck, proudly displayed their participation in Small Business Saturday today.

Firmly sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday celebrates the role of businesses who employ half of all workers and represent over $6 trillion dollars of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) defines a small business concern “as one that is independently owned and operated, is organized for profit, and is not dominant in its field. Depending on the industry, size standard eligibility is based on the average number of employees for the preceding twelve months or on sales volume averaged over a three-year period.”  Depending on the industry, a small business could have up to 1,500 employees by their definition.

Steve Cooper, in his insightful article on Forbes.com entitled, “The Government Definition of Small Business is B.S.,” reports that 73.2% of small businesses are sole proprietors and 52% are home-based businesses (according to the SBA).

Perhaps the best reason for patronizing your local small businesses is that over 70% of the money you spend stays in your community.  These are the folks that hire local people, support local charities, and provide community leadership by serving in service clubs, non-profit organizations, and local government.  Among the businesses I visited today….

Candy-Rama, in the Lebanon, PA Eighth Street Farmer’s Market, was staffed today by “Rudoph,” along with owners Carol and Bob Smith (who also own Sunset Outlets).

Candy-Rama is owned by my friends Carol and Bob Smith.  Bob might be best known for his “you-can-see-me-coming, loud” sports jackets; but one of my favorite things about Bob is that he volunteers as an auctioneer at the Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center’s Monte Carlo Night every year – with flair!  Richard Wertz (photo above) is serving his third consecutive term on the Lebanon City Council and is an active member of the Lebanon Valley Sertoma (SERviceTOMAnkind).  That club, comprised of people like Rich, has raised well over $100,000 for the speech and hearing department of Good Samaritan Hospital; those gifts have allowed this small town health organization to have one of the top infant hearing testing programs in Pennsylvania (with the active assistance of Wertz’s wife, Dr. Carla Pielmeier, who heads that hospital department).

While I was at the Lebanon Farmer’s Market, I ran into entrepreneur Dave DiNunzio, who owns several businesses in Lebanon and is heavily involved in Christian outreach programs throughout the county.  Dave never fails to ask me about my husband’s health and jokes with me about how many times he has repaired a certain pair of penny loafers.

Melody Vincent (right) waits on an out-of-town visitor at the Lebanon Picture Frame and Fine Art Gallery.

Upstairs at the market, I stopped by the Lebanon Picture Frame and Fine Art Gallery to drop off a print to be framed.  Owner Melody Vincent was unfailingly patient with me as I selected a mat and frame for a cherished watercolor of lupines blooming in a Prince Edward Island field.  Not too long ago, Mel graciously hosted a Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce networking event for the Women in Business Committee at her gallery; having our conversations nestled among the handiwork of Lebanon County craftsmen provided a perfect setting for creating and building new business relationships.

I visited B.T. O’Donnell Goldsmith Jewelers today, and talked with Brian and his son, Andrew while I dropped off my watch for cleaning and a new battery.  Brian designed a beautiful ring for my nephew, who proposed to his gal on bended knee with that token of love in his hand.  This jeweler also supported one of my favorite charities by providing a no cost valuation on an heirloom donated to a non-profit.

I visited Brian O’Donnell today, our family jeweler, who introduced me to his son, Andrew, who recently joined him in his business, B.T. O’Donnell Goldsmith Jewelers.

Ralph allowed me to interrupt his conversation with Dave DiNunzio (owner of DiNunzio Shoe Repair and DiNunzio’s Authentic Italian Hoagies in Lebanon, PA) at the Lebanon Farmer’s Market today.

Down the street, the Yongs own a dry cleaning establishment in Lebanon’s Quentin Circle; Mrs. Yong’s sewing machine works better than my old, reliable Bernini – and I’ve been keeping her busy taking in my slacks lately (thanks to an ongoing weight loss regimen).  She greets me, by name, upon arrival and efficiently meets whatever my need of the day is; they are two of the hardest working people I know.

Mr. and Mrs. Yong work very long hours, cheerfully at their dry cleaning and alteration shop in Lebanon’s Quentin Circle.

These entrepreneurs are representative of the 30 million small business owners in the United States.  These hardworking business people are the ones paying a 15% self-employment tax for the privilege of working for themselves, in addition to taxes which support the creation and maintenance of our infrastructure and public services.  Join the throng of supporters for small businesses that undergird our communities and economy.  In case you need a little more persuading, perhaps this infographic from American Express (a co-founder of Small Business Saturday) will bring you over to the “light side.”

While a whole bunch of you leaving me comments are spammers, there are many kind people who have left me comments to savor.  And I owe you an explanation of why I haven’t been updating the blog lately or posting your comments.

 As many of you know from reading previous posts, my husband is a four time cancer survivor.  We are now hoping to beat it for the fifth time.  And this time is very different.  Caught very early, we are living with this cancer because it cannot be removed by surgery as it is on his remaining kidney.  The good news is that it is slow growing.  So, slow, in fact, that when recently tested again, we’re in another watch and wait mode for four months until he’ll be tested again. 

I am finding this very unsettling this time.  “The Saint,” as my parents refer to my husband, just takes it all in stride, confidently putting it in God’s hands.  The control freak (that would be me) has more trouble doing that; while I’m great at putting it in His hands, I keep taking it back!

So, while I’m muddling through this time, and trying to manage what is on my plate, I’ve eased up on myself for a time – trying to pace myself better, during this (my most professionally demanding) time of the year.  Perhaps you, like me, need to work on “seizing the day” better.

Cliffs of Moher, Republic of Ireland

I am most grateful for the patience of my students, the support of my colleagues at school, the Social CMO crew (because I’m not pulling my weight there right now), clients, Twitter friends, and my extended family.  And I’m making progress; I finally purchased our plane tickets, committing us to that trip to Ireland we’ve been talking about for so long.  Yes, the little Pennsylvania Dutch boy is taking his Irish girl to her homeland.  And this precious memory-in-the-making is helping me better cope with life’s uncertainties right now.

Thank you for your compliments and encouragement – and right now, your patience.  I’ll be back soon, and share more about how I’m learning to “carpe diem!”

The surgery lasted an hour and a half longer than we expected, but they called and warned us from the operating room.  When Dr. Conter came out to explain what happened (during what was supposed to be a routine hernia repair surgery), we got answers to a question I asked several doctors last fall, following the removal of my husband’s cancerous kidney: “there seem to be some digestive issues; what might those be?”  Our surgeon found the bowel intertwined with a larger than anticipated four-pocketed hernia.  After unraveling the mess, he removed six inches of the upper bowel that couldn’t be saved, put things back where they belonged, and closed him up.  Dr. Conter remarked how amazed he was that Cliff hadn’t had a bowel obstruction, hadn’t had significant pain, and could process food at all.  We’re most grateful for the skill of this surgeon, his staff, and the fifth floor nurses at Lancaster Regional Hospital.

So, I’ve been (over)thinking, what questions might have the caught the attention of those two doctors so that this situation could have been better diagnosed?  This story could easily have had a much more unpleasant result. 

As a business counselor and marketing professional, I often meet with folks who have an idea of where they want to go, but aren’t sure how they get there – so I ask lots of questions.  One particular client came to me, looking for freelance writing opportunities, as he had just be laid off from a local newspaper.  Before leaving my office that day, we discovered that he might want to own and write for his own publication, talking about what’s happening in the city and describing local travel options.  I didn’t hear from him directly again, but ran into his wife, who now works for him on their publication, focusing on downtown happenings.

My brother, Joe (nine years my junior ), has found my insatiable proclivity for more information somewhat annoying on occasion; he often remarked to me, “you ask too many questions.” As he has matured (and is raising three children [yes, that is Joe, looking at his three "knuckleheads" in the photo on the left]), I believe his vantage point has likely changed.   

Entrepreneurs frequently need to be asking themselves questions, and searching for good answers or options, on a regular basis.  Examples of those questions might be:

- Before I commit to renewing that annual advertisement, shouldn’t I check what the return on investment was this year?

- You want me to pay a flat fee of $75 a month for phone service – when I make, perhaps, three calls monthly?

- This is the third time the client has returned this copy for changes; what do they really want?

- How could I better explain that the leak in their ceiling is coming from the neighbor’s property, not their own roof, as they don’t seem to understand the situation?

- Should I shelve this idea or not?  What might the ramifications be if I move forward?

- What new initiative is the best fit for my skill and provides the best financial return?

- How can I tell the difference between what I want and what I really need?  (Or convince myself that what I really want isn’t what I really need?  What DO I really need?)

Please don’t waste another second making the same moves you’ve made before and expecting a different result.  Commit yourself to making the most of what you, and your clients, are and aspire to be by asking the right questions.

I love anticipating the smell of the Thanksgiving turkey roasting all day at home, and the lingering scent it leaves behind for a few days until my 14′ douglas fir arrives.  (Even though I’m allergic to the tree, the beauty of its’ fullness and soft evergreen needles keeps me coming back.  My husband and grandson say no more 200 lb. trees are coming in the house; we’ll see….) 

This year, my side of the family gathered at Bricker’s Pizza in Hershey for Thanksgiving; my nephew, Robbie, has worked there part-time since his college days.  Since his girlfriend’s family and our whole family convened to celebrate the holiday, we needed someplace to meet that could accommodate all of us.  Even though he’s now finished graduate school and works as a civil engineer, he still loves filling in at the pizza shop when they need help.  His gal, Lauren, is a senior at Indiana University of Pennsylvania; they’ve been dating since January, thanks to his aunt Jenny (who set them up on a blind date then). 

We have a family tradition, initiated by my sister Mary, of going around the table between the meal and dessert and sharing what we’re thankful for over the past year.  The Montagues participated with us this year; order was determined by Mary’s pull of their name from a canister.  Somehow, Robbie managed to be last in sharing his thoughts.  He thanked both families for agreeing to share Thanksgiving in Hershey, talked about how his life has changed since January, and then got down on one knee, pulling the ring box from his pocket, and asked Lauren to marry him.  While Lauren briefly stared at my mother’s diamond (which Robbie added some sapphires to, because she loves them), Robbie sweated each second out.  She finally whispered yes, and he gently placed the ring on her finger before hugging her sweetly…as the families clapped.  They shared tears of happiness and held each other, taking joy in the word, “yes!”

That precious moment made me think of how much I love to empower people to say, “yes!”…and how I want to do more of that in the coming year.

 It’s been a tough year for my husband health-wise.  But thanks to good doctors, while we’re faced with cancer a fifth time, the doctor is saying “Yes, we can take care of that.”  He developed a hernia after having his other cancerous kidney removed in September, and the doctor said, “Yes, we can take care of that.”  When contemplating how to make our entrepreneurial program at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) be more responsive to our students and ahead of our competitors, we said, “Yes, we can do that!”  I’m very excited about the additions to the major that should be instituted in the fall. 

When a client asked me to modify my role from just the administrator of a conference to providing training for session on social media, I hedged.  Why did I hesitate?  I know I can do that.  Changing a pattern of 10 years proved mentally challenging for me, even though I knew my skill and knowledge level was more than needed for this new task.  We’ve had other leaders provide this training in the past, but they talked in broad strokes, while our audience needs a basic foundation instead.  So, I’ve been telling myself, “Yes, I KNOW I can do that!”  My client (who is also a dear friend) has had to talk me into it.  So, “Yes, Diane: I CAN do that!”

 While I’m still working through what my goals will be to enable myself, and others to say, “Yes!” in 2011, I challenge YOU to make concrete plans to empower yourself, and others, in the days ahead with a resounding “YES!”

We enjoyed hosting the kinda-annual neighborhood potluck dinner on Sunday evening. We live in the Pennsylvania Chautauqua in Mt. Gretna, established in 1892; at the intersection of four municipalities (confusing for those of us who live here too), Mt. Gretna is the smallest borough in Pennsylvania – all 206 households.  As a group of residents from four streets, we like to share the table and conversations on occasion, rather than being satisfied with simply waving at one another.

We’re most blessed to have some really terrific neighbors; Kathie, Bob, and I represent our block on the Chautauqua Board of Managers, which is the local homeowner’s association. Like six other municipalities in Lebanon County, our borough was overpaid by the Earned Income Tax Bureau (EIT) by about $225,000 for a period of four years. (While we were likely overpaid for many years before that, the statute of limitations makes those overpayments irrelevant.)

That’s a burden for a community of our size. The countywide plan allows us to pay it back over a twenty years with no interest, which is most reasonable. This situation was a topic of discussion at dinner, as well as the new assessment that the Board of Managers needs to charge, starting in January; as a result of the newly adjusted EIT payments, the borough is going to receive about $45,000 less than previous years. The Board of Managers is helping the borough by creating an assessment to pay for our contracted police services of $165 per household; we’ll give the money to the borough to pay the police contract next year for $34,000, to assist in making up for the shortfall (and so they don’t have to raise taxes). As the borough and home owner’s association both represent the same group of people, we regularly try to work together so we represent the people we serve in the best way possible: part of being good neighbors.

Mt. Gretna Neighbors enjoying Jack Hubley and one of his wild animals

As we concluded this conversation, Don (who had the good sense to marry our lovely neighbor, Nancy, recently) said, “I know I’m new to this community; but I want you all to know if you need help with anything, please call me. I love doing outdoor work. Just ask, I’d love to help.” Kathie and Jim, who live next door, came over early to help set up and stayed later to help clean up. I’ve known them longer than I’ve been married; their daughter was in my youth group and now serves as Lightkeeper’s graphic artist. We’ve been through some pretty stressful times together; Kathie’s vegetable soup or quiche has often comforted me during illness. Jim has been a devoted visitor and support during my husband’s four encounters with cancer and various surgeries. And we had another neighbor who realized Cliff wasn’t able to get the leaves out for collection recently, and spent at least six hours here, blowing the leaves to the curb for pick-up. We are blessed with some really terrific neighbors who care and enrich our lives immeasurably.

For me, Twitter resembles a neighborhood. There are people that leave the community shortly after arrival (about 60% of people who open Twitter accounts sadly abandon them after the first month). But there are also true friends we can find and count on to help educate us, give advice when we’re faced with tough choices, or simply trying to find out information that can sometimes evade us. I have found some incredibly helpful people there, who have supported me personally and professionally. And I hope I have been a help to others as well.

As a native of Pittsburgh, I adored a local public television celebrity who made a career out of talking about being a good neighbor – and making us all feel cared about when we spent time with him. (You are missed, Mr. Rogers!) We have the same capability on Twitter, and other online communities. And it’s usually pretty simple to do: when a question is asked, respond to it. When someone initiates a conversation, take the time to “talk” with them. When someone is lost, and you know where they want to go, offer them direction. When someone seems down, offer them some encouragement. Be a good neighbor, in 140 characters or less. Not only is it an investment in others, but it positively works to help build your community. Show others how good a neighbor you can be…and make Mr. Rogers proud!

The Athena Award is a prestigious, national honor given to a someone in the community who exemplifies eight attributes of female leadership: authentic self, relationships, giving back, collaboration, courageous acts, learning, fierce advocacy, celebration and joy.

As a previous recipient of this award bestowed by the local Chamber of Commerce, I had the privilege of participating in selecting the next awardee.  As is our custom, the nominees are interviewed by a panel of previous recipients and a few others.  All of this year’s applicants had been nominated in prior years.  (I have the distinct honor of holding the county record for being nominated seven different years before I was selected;  I jokingly tease my peers that they selected me simply because they didn’t want to see my nomination form again.) 

I was fortunate in being well-acquainted with all of this year’s nominees.  While it was a difficult choice for the committee to make, we selected the person we felt best exemplified the eight attributes of leadership at this time. 

One of the adjectives that first comes to mind when thinking about the recipient is fearless.  She is one of the most authentic people I know…intensely loyal to her family, friends and clients.  As the expression goes, what you see is what you get.  For one of our favorite community charities, we put together a progressive dinner package, with wine and hor d’oeurves at her home, the main course at my home, and dessert at someone else’s residence.  This package netted about $800 for our charity; I’d like to think it was my gourmet entree that was the greatest value – but you can’t beat my friend in the entertainment department.  She is one of the best-humored, intelligent, lively people I know.  At this same auction, she offers a group of five people transportation and lunch at the Italian Market in Philadelphia: this generates the most active bidding of the evening because Diana is “the hostess with the mostest.”

Diana Hartman with a gowned Glass Slipper Gal

In one of her recent projects, she called me after witnessing a segment on the Today Show, showcasing a community who pulled together to collect used gowns to sell to young ladies who might not otherwise afford to attend their high school formal.  In less than a month, she coordinated a massive effort, calling it the Glass Slipper Project, collected over 500 gowns, secured an empty storefront at the local mall free of charge, and informed the schools of the program.  Over 100 gals walked out of that shop, some with tears and all with very broad smiles, carrying the gown of their choice (for which they paid $10), dreaming about their special night.  This year, thanks to the great advance publicity, two seamstresses came forward offering their services for free so that the girls had access to free, onsite alterations.  And over 100 more gals selected a gown to wear for their special evening.

This Athena has served on several fundraisers for her private high school, assisted several female candidates in their political campaigns, served as Chairman of the Chamber, is the rising chair of the city business organization, founded the Home-Based Business Committee of the Chamber (which mentored hundreds of folks who started a local business), serves on the board of the Lebanon Family Health Services…and lots more.  This entrepreneur has taken many a tough stand against injustices in many contexts in our community.  This woman truly embodies the tenets of the Athena award, and her name is Diana Hartman.  And it is my hope that the story of this strong, selfless woman inspires you. 

“The greatest thing a man can do in this world is to make the most possible out of the stuff that has been given him. This is success, and there is no other.”  (Orison Swett Marden)

You don’t need to conquer the world.  Take a small step to help someone else as a way of thanking those who have assisted you along your journey.  I can’t tell you what that step is; what I do know is that you have been given gifts to invest in the betterment of others.  Use what you’ve got!  So, get to work – and aspire to emulate the goddess of wisdom, because who wouldn’t want to be an Athena?

I love using the power of a good story in my classroom. As a part of my class this fall, each student takes a turn, sharing a story about an entrepreneur’s inspiration and journey to the marketplace.

This week, it was Stephanie’s turn to share her story about Brian Taylor, a guy whose relatively ordinary name might lead you to believe he might have nothing distinctive to offer the world. A philosophy major at the University of Michigan, his friends begged him to share the fabulous popcorn seasonings he created – and the idea was born for Kernel Seasons. Using money from his summer jobs, Taylor worked with flavor experts to develop fourteen flavors without butter, salt or MSG and upon graduation, launched his business.

Stephanie could have just taken us to the website and read a written report. But this sharp student understood a basic element of connecting with her audience; she drew them in with not one, not two, but six lunch sacks with popcorn samples flavored with different Kernel Seasons products. (Little did she know that one of her professor’s longtime favorite addictions is popcorn.) As she regaled us with this entrepreneur’s story, we happily munched on garlic parmesan, kettle corn, ranch, nacho, butter, and white cheddar popcorn. And, being the thoughtful gal that she is, Stephanie also provided us with napkins, handwipes, and a bottle of water.

Without being told, Stephanie knew a pivotal secret of connecting with her intended target market: the more senses you employ, the more memorable (you and) your information becomes. She had the visual stimulation of images projected, taste of the Kernel Seasons products, and the delicious smell (the sense which connects most powerfully with our memory) of the popcorn going for her.

So, how can you make your next presentation stronger?? (Oh – and pass the popcorn, please.)

Photo courtesy of carabou on Flickr, “Popcorn Cupcake,” http://flic.kr/p/6vV9A5

In a sea of raven-haired people, finding the redhead in the group shouldn’t be too challenging.  My friend Janice just returned from a trip to China, with her daughter-in-law’s family.  Her husband doesn’t care for adventure much, and opted to stay home.  (Frankly, I think it was the absence of guaranteed western toilets there that kept him here, not that I blame him.)

She was one of the few “white people,” as they refer to light-skinned tourists, in this group.  One afternoon, her masseuse kept putting her arm next to Janice’s leg, comparing their hues, and repeated how “pre-tee” her skin was. 

While sightseeing later in the trip, a Chinese woman ran up to Janice and grabbed her fiercely by the arm, trying to pull her away.  At first, my friend suspected this tiny woman was trying to kidnap her, and was slightly amused.  After explanation and translation from someone else in the group, Janice discovered the petite powerhouse from a rural area of China simply wanted a photograph taken with the first white woman she’d ever seen. 

Upon her return home, Janice gleefully related her reaction to the incident by saying: “This lady got the trifecta: her first redhead, her first white woman, and her first fat person all in one photograph!” 

In the midst of relating that story, it made me think of how businesses need to stand out and be different in a sea of similar businesses.  The concept of “unique selling proposition” really hasn’t connected with the masses, yet it is foundational for true success in business.  How can we make ourselves easy and inviting to be chosen from all the competitors on the field?   We need to be committed to our core to find what will make us appealingly different (or creating that), and draw our target market in, like a high-powered magnet.

Hmmmm….how would YOU look as a redhead??