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| By Cathy Hartt, RN, CNM, MS |
Mittens and earmuffs. That was the last secret Santa gift I remember receiving in my
life. They were cute enough. And, I am sure my Santa meant well. The problem is
that I don't use mittens or earmuffs.
I put them in a bag I have with my extra jogging gear. They stayed there for about 5
years. Occasionally I would dig them out of the bottom of the bag while I was in search
of something else. I would think fondly of the person who gave them to me and then
push them to the bottom of the bag again. I think I finally found them a new home a
couple months ago.
Last year, my students took on a project that really warmed my heart at Christmas.
They decorated the main library display window with all sorts of ideas for giving to the
less fortunate at Christmas. The ideas were very creative - from Children's Hospital to
the Montrose Animal Protection District to area food banks. This year my students
did a book drive for children in Africa that one of them was connected to through her
church. Watching these projects brings true joy to my Christmas!
Can you imagine the good that could be done if we changed the spending we do on gifts
that may sit unused in a closet for 5 years and diverted that to the many wonderful
non-profits (or other worthy causes) in our County, State, Nation and planet.
The idea is to get to know the receiver of your gift well enough to know what they are
passionate about. Then find a non-profit that serves that cause and donate a gift in
their name. Unsure where to a non-profit that fits the bill? Try the website
www.changingthepresent.org - Happy shopping!
life. They were cute enough. And, I am sure my Santa meant well. The problem is
that I don't use mittens or earmuffs.
I put them in a bag I have with my extra jogging gear. They stayed there for about 5
years. Occasionally I would dig them out of the bottom of the bag while I was in search
of something else. I would think fondly of the person who gave them to me and then
push them to the bottom of the bag again. I think I finally found them a new home a
couple months ago.
Last year, my students took on a project that really warmed my heart at Christmas.
They decorated the main library display window with all sorts of ideas for giving to the
less fortunate at Christmas. The ideas were very creative - from Children's Hospital to
the Montrose Animal Protection District to area food banks. This year my students
did a book drive for children in Africa that one of them was connected to through her
church. Watching these projects brings true joy to my Christmas!
Can you imagine the good that could be done if we changed the spending we do on gifts
that may sit unused in a closet for 5 years and diverted that to the many wonderful
non-profits (or other worthy causes) in our County, State, Nation and planet.
The idea is to get to know the receiver of your gift well enough to know what they are
passionate about. Then find a non-profit that serves that cause and donate a gift in
their name. Unsure where to a non-profit that fits the bill? Try the website
www.changingthepresent.org - Happy shopping!
| "I have helped someone in the last 24 hours." "I have praised someone in the last 24 hours." "In the last week, I have listened to someone talk through his or her goals and ambitions." |
Take a moment to answer the above questions for yourself, giving a 1 for "rarely" and a
5 for "always". Did you know it takes 5 positive interactions for every negative
interaction for a workplace team or group to flourish? Research from folks like the
Gallup Organization has shown a distinct difference in team functioning when this ratio
is maintained. Want to raise the positive emotion on your team? Try taking the test
called the "Positive Impact Test" on Gallup's Bucket Book website
www.bucketbook.com . This contains 15 questions, including the ones above. It
calculates your score and gives insights for improvement. The way to use this site is to
take the test every week - or even once a month - and plan strategies to raise your
score. Enjoy!
5 for "always". Did you know it takes 5 positive interactions for every negative
interaction for a workplace team or group to flourish? Research from folks like the
Gallup Organization has shown a distinct difference in team functioning when this ratio
is maintained. Want to raise the positive emotion on your team? Try taking the test
called the "Positive Impact Test" on Gallup's Bucket Book website
www.bucketbook.com . This contains 15 questions, including the ones above. It
calculates your score and gives insights for improvement. The way to use this site is to
take the test every week - or even once a month - and plan strategies to raise your
score. Enjoy!
Cats have a natural ability to land on their feet! People might equate this strength
with resilience. Resilience has been defined as: the ability to manage and learn from
difficulties and to bounce back after adversity. When challenged or distressed,
resilient people expect to find a way to make things work well. They feel capable and
self-reliant and have a learning/coping reaction rather than the victim blaming
reaction.
Want to build your resilience? Next time you face a challenge that might knock you
off your feet, try being curious about this situation. Ask yourself: "What is different
now? What if I did this or that in response? Who can answer my questions? What is
funny about this?"
The name sake for this column is my 6-year-old calico-tortie, Serendipity, who
teaches me daily about the art of landing on your feet!
Reference: www.resiliencycenter.com
with resilience. Resilience has been defined as: the ability to manage and learn from
difficulties and to bounce back after adversity. When challenged or distressed,
resilient people expect to find a way to make things work well. They feel capable and
self-reliant and have a learning/coping reaction rather than the victim blaming
reaction.
Want to build your resilience? Next time you face a challenge that might knock you
off your feet, try being curious about this situation. Ask yourself: "What is different
now? What if I did this or that in response? Who can answer my questions? What is
funny about this?"
The name sake for this column is my 6-year-old calico-tortie, Serendipity, who
teaches me daily about the art of landing on your feet!
Reference: www.resiliencycenter.com
by Cathy Hartt
The time was the early 1900's. The place was the Colorado/Wyoming border late in
the cattle-sheep range war era, when sheep ranchers began to bring their herds into
Colorado.
The largest herd was the Cow Creek Sheep Company, which ran about 60,000 sheep.
It was owned by John K. Hartt, a banker in Rawlins. Once it was managed by Butch
(Cassidy's) associate, Andrew Jebons. Ike Hancock also worked for the company.
One day he and Jebons went to the Cow Creek Camp and found a young sheepherder
cutting wood on the sheep wagon tongue. Jebons was a big man and knew how to
fight. He told the young sheep herder that he knew better than to cut wood on the
tongue and he was going to get a beating. The young sheep herder was also a big
man and he took it upon himself to jump Jebons. The two fought until both were too
exhausted to continue. The young sheep herder then returned to the Cow Creep
camp and began to gather his belongings. Jebons asked him what he was doing and
he explained that he figured he was fired. Jebons said any man who could fight like
that was a good one to have around and he asked him to stay.
Jebons teaches an important positive psychology lesson of focusing on strengths even
when there are differences on the team. Cow Creek Sheep Company was owned by my
grandfather and the story comes from the Outlaw Trail Journal, Winter 1999.
The time was the early 1900's. The place was the Colorado/Wyoming border late in
the cattle-sheep range war era, when sheep ranchers began to bring their herds into
Colorado.
The largest herd was the Cow Creek Sheep Company, which ran about 60,000 sheep.
It was owned by John K. Hartt, a banker in Rawlins. Once it was managed by Butch
(Cassidy's) associate, Andrew Jebons. Ike Hancock also worked for the company.
One day he and Jebons went to the Cow Creek Camp and found a young sheepherder
cutting wood on the sheep wagon tongue. Jebons was a big man and knew how to
fight. He told the young sheep herder that he knew better than to cut wood on the
tongue and he was going to get a beating. The young sheep herder was also a big
man and he took it upon himself to jump Jebons. The two fought until both were too
exhausted to continue. The young sheep herder then returned to the Cow Creep
camp and began to gather his belongings. Jebons asked him what he was doing and
he explained that he figured he was fired. Jebons said any man who could fight like
that was a good one to have around and he asked him to stay.
Jebons teaches an important positive psychology lesson of focusing on strengths even
when there are differences on the team. Cow Creek Sheep Company was owned by my
grandfather and the story comes from the Outlaw Trail Journal, Winter 1999.
Right - What
remains of Dad,
Wyoming 2005
remains of Dad,
Wyoming 2005
Left - Sheep Sheering
operations near Dad,
Wyoming early 1900's
operations near Dad,
Wyoming early 1900's
| Do you think your work team or organization might benefit from knowing more about the science of flourishing? Empower! offers a different kind of coaching service. My strength is in providing education to groups or teams who want to learn more about the science of happiness and flourishing - be it for health, life or business. I will work with you to create the kind of program that will fit your unique needs. I integrate my nursing, midwifery and coaching to provide you with a cost-effective approach to learning to use the science of positive psychology! For more information - Call 970-240-9562 and leave a message. I look forward to talking with you. |
| Empower! Health, Life and Business Coaching Cathy Hartt, RN, CNM, MS Montrose, CO 81401 970-240-9562 Email cathycnm@msn.com Empower! web site www.HarttWeb.com/empower To receive Empower! to your email, please visit our website and fill out the subscription box at the bottom of the page. If you prefer snail mail, please contact us! |
The Mountain Rose: Positive Business Strategies
Serendipity: The Art of Landing on One's Feet
