November 2009

Vol 5, Issue 1

Barbara S. Talley, Keynote Speaker and Poet
In This Issue
36 Ways to Show Your Gratitude
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month
Words Have Power
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Greetings!
Thank you! I appreciate you and value your interest in my thoughts and offerings.  You can't get through November without thinking of Thanksgiving; and you shouldn't get through Thanksgiving without giving thanks. 

In fact, you shouldn't get through a day without feeling gratitude for something.  The third habit of the 12 Habits in my TalleyUP System is to show gratitude daily.  So, why not stop what you are doing right now and write down three things you have to be thankful for.  Then list three people who you are grateful for.  Pull out your calendar and decide when and how you will show them your gratitude. Remember, a grateful heart attracts blessings.  If you need a little laugh and inspiration at the same time, check out this short but humorous Gratitude Story.
Erma and I Share 36 Ways to Show Your Gratitude
Erma Bombeck
Erma Bombeck shared what what she would change about life to show more gratitude after she learned that she had a terminal cancer.  Although she died in 1996, we are all so grateful that she shared her wisdom.  Erma was a humorist and author of over 15 books.  Some of her famous quotes are: "Insanity is hereditary. You can catch it from your kids." "Dreams have only one owner at a time. That's why dreamers are lonely." "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me." Erma's 15 Ways to Show Gratitude.

I was inspired by Erma and thought that I would not wait until on my deathbed to reflect on my blessings and learning.  Check out 21 Things I'd Do Differently to Show Gratitude for Life
Celebrate Native American Month
5-Crows Picture- Public DomainDid you know that November is Native American Heritage Month?  What did you learn about the contributions of Native Americans this month?   Have you ever wondered which term Native Americans prefer: Native American, First Americans, or American Indians?  Well, this question was posed and answered by Borgna Brunner in her article, American Indian versus Native American: A once-heated issue has sorted itself out. Read on to learn What Native Americans Want to Be Called.
  
Native American's did not get a month to celebrate until 1990, when President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November as "National American Indian Heritage Month."
 
"What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose."  To see what took almost 100 years, read History of Native American Heritage Month
 Information courtesy of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior
Words Have Power
riceMasuru Emoto, in his book, The Hidden Messages in Water, found out through his research that 'Thank You,' and 'Love' are some of the most powerful words.  They have the power to change us.  In one experiment, he uses rice to further express his findings on the power of words.  He put rice into three jars and covered them with water.  Each day during that month, he said, '"Thank you" to the first jar, "You Idiot!" to the second, and the third he completely ignored.  The rice that was ignored, rotted. 

He asserts that the results of the experiment provides input on how we should treat our children.  We should not ignore them, for indifference does the greatest harm.  To see what happened to the other two jars, click here. See the Rice Experiment

While this is fascinating, there are disputers of this experiment too. But, a Russian experiment introduces the notion that water is changed by the experimenter.  This could answer the question of why some people got different results.  Water and Life.

Barbara's Original Poetry on Gratitude

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Barbara Talley is a motivational keynote speaker, publisher, author, and poet who speaks on vision, values, and virtues themes.  She has dedicated her life to empowering and motivating all people but especially women and youth and for justice and equality for all.  Visit her website at www.ThePoetSpeaks.com  for more information on her programs. 

To book Barbara for Women's Equality Day, Diversity Day,  Leadership, Time Management, Career Development, Effective Communications training workshops, or speeches, call 301.428.4831 today.  You may also email her at [email protected]