Hello all!
It has been some time since I have sent out a long overdue ezine. Many of you have emailed me asking if I dropped off the face of the earth. On the contrary, I've been out doing what I love... Speaking!
Thank you, first and foremost, for checking up on me. It has been a busy spring and summer, and although busy, I have met so many wonderful people in the busyness!
I would like to share with you a couple of my speaking highlights over the past few months and update you as a preview of what is to come. Also, please see that I have included some of your responses to my last newsletter when I prompted the question to you all... If you had one day left to live, how would you spend it? I will continue to share them with all of the readers, as we heard from hundreds of you.
June 2008
Highlight
Keynoting the U.S. Women's Golf Open, Sponsored by RBC Wealth Management
The Backdrop: Lush greens, fairways, flowers, fabulous food, young women and old sharing the love of Golf at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, MN
Observations: Pro golfers are getting younger and prettier, they come from all different countries, they have sportier clothes and they can hit the ball further than ever before.
Leading From the Inside Out: I was honored to keynote RBC Wealth Management's Mother/Daughter luncheon on opening day of the U.S. Women's Golf Open. My message was Living Life from the Inside Out. I was delighted to see such a diverse audience ranging from 13 to 80 laughing from their toes to their souls. My personal highlight was meeting golfers and watching them in amazement as they interacted with the audience and on the course. Hillary Lunke, LPGA President and winner of the previous Open and Solheim Cup was the golfer that stood out. She is a delightful 20 something, poised, funny, humble and energetic young woman. She is a wife and mom to 1-year-old Greta, who was found Eskimo kissing Hillary before she set out on the course. As if that is not enough, Hillary is a standout with regards to being a fantastic role model for young girls and women everywhere. I was so struck by her down to earth manner and her easy way. In addition, I ribbed her from the podium a few times and she laughed hard! She is what young girls need to see in a role model. She is clearly paving the way for women golfers both on and off the course. If you don't know of her, check her out and follow her in upcoming tournaments and sports segments. I believe you will be as impressed as I was. Thanks Hillary for your work in golf and for leading from the inside out!
"If I had just one day left on this earth, I would most definitely spend it with my family frolicking in the waves of the Pacific Ocean in Mexico. I would be surrounded by my family knowing I was in a peaceful place with those I love. Our family has shared the best times of our life in the Caribbean and it is where we would spend our last day together." - Carole, MN
"I would curl up with a good book, a cup of tea and a warm blanket in the middle of winter and sit in my favorite chair, reading a good book." - Georgia, AK
Highlight
Spirit of Women Annual Conference in Boca Raton, FL
The Backdrop: More greenscapes with orchids and hibiscus of many hues. Palm trees, ocean front accommodations overlooking the inter-coastal waterway and lots of women in healthcare.
Observations: Women's Health is on the forefront, and monumental changes are occurring as research is uncovered and more time, dollars and people are committed to eradicating women's diseases. Preventative health care, both traditional and non-traditional are the elements for women's longevity and long term health. There are so many smart women in healthcare and their specialties and interests are as diverse as the 300 women in attendance.
The Spirit of Women Network is an entity that is comprised of over 100 hospitals and growing. Their purpose is to support through a collation women's healthcare. The organization is lead by President Tawnya Abreu, who is not only an incredible visionary with regards to women's health, but can cut a mean rug out on the dance floor, sing a great Karaoke tune, and addresses the masses on the latest statistics on women's health. Spirit of Women Network is on the cutting edge of research and marketing to women. They assist women's hospitals and programs within hospitals for women that have made a conscious decision to bring women's healthcare to the forefront. Spirit of Women Network is a new and very innovative approach to working with women and their unique healthcare issues and lifestyles with regards to women's preventative health. www.spiritofwomen.org
The purpose of my trip was to attend the conference as I was chosen as one of ten speakers representing them through their unique speaker's bureau. I am absolutely delighted to be part of such a fabulous mission, and work with healthcare leaders from across the country. If your hospital is not part of Spirit of Women, please encourage your doctor to encourage their administration to check them out, and contact them to learn more about their mission and how they can ultimately assist YOU, the patient to lead a more healthy and vibrant life. In addition to their mission, it is a very fun organization to part of!
The three days were incredibly packed, however as I tell my audiences, "if you are not living on the edge from time to time, you are simply not living!" I took the plunge, and rented a boat with a fellow speaker and we ventured out on the inter-coastal waters. Growing up a lake girl, I was delighted when we headed past the "no wake zone" and hit open waters where we could kick up speed in our little Sea Ray and let our hair fly in the wind. We did some louie's over the large waves and my friend squealed in delight. I felt incredibly alive!
Oh the places you go and... the people you meet!
"If I had one day left on this earth, I would spend it with my church family at our local park. We would read scripture and bask in the sun, feeding our stomachs and our souls." - Stacy, CA
"If I had only one day to live, I would pull my family together including all eight of my children, 10 grandchildren and I would prepare all of their favorite foods and we would sit around the table reminiscing and sharing." - Connie, TN
I do a limited number of public events, so if you would like to come out a hear me speak, here are a few upcoming events that are open to the public...
Saturday, September 20th - St. Vincent's Spirit of Women "Spirit Girls' Night Out", Billings, MT
Saturday, October 25th - 2008 Women's Showcase, Fargo, ND (headlining with the Super Nanny!)
Friday, November, 21st - MeritCare Festival of Wreaths Luncheon, Fargo, ND (buy your tickets early!)
Friday and Saturday, January 23rd and 24th - South Dakota Lifestyle Conference for Women, Pierre, SD
