![]() Have you ever thought about the space between? The space between the thought and saying it. The space between the idea and doing it. The space between the ring of a phone and saying hello. The space between the moment of opportunity and the miss. The space between is that sacred second of decision? That instant when you make a decision to do something - or not. Hawaii has a phenomenon known as the Green Flash. It is a blink-of-the-eye blaze of intense emerald green that occurs in the second that the sun sets on the horizon of the ocean. The mystical space between the day and night. The Green Flash is just that - a flash that lasts a second, or maybe two. It isn't visible with every sunset and because of the quickness of its presence it is easy to miss. We are given "the space between" many times in our days and our lives. When missed, we feel regret, remorse and sorrow. We fear we will never have the chance again to say the words, implement the idea, pick up the phone or grasp the opportunity. The space between often times is not something we can predict or create again. We don't always get a do over, but we can hone our sense of understanding of the Green Flashes in our lives. Never allow closed eyes to stop you from seeing them and never allow fear to keep you from taking action. Use the space between. Use your sacred second to take a breath and... Put your thoughts into words and say them out loud. Take your idea from your mind to reality. Answer the call. Recognize the opportunity and jump when you see the opening. Don't blink in that split second when the sun sets. Open your eyes and be ready for your Green Flash. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Pennie's Life Lesson: "Never allow closed eyes to stop you from seeing opportunities and never allow fear to keep you from taking action." ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ YOUR TURN...
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to watch for your sacred seconds of decision - don't miss a Green Flash in your life! ***Since we all learn from each other, please share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below.
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My Mom passed away on August 10th. I have been spending time with my family while we planned her funeral and took care of arrangements. I stayed away from my work and all social media during this time as I cocooned in my place of safety. (See tip of the week below.) I appreciate your kind thoughts and condolences, as well as your patience as I process this deep loss. To honor my Mom, I am sharing with you a writing I wrote in 2013 when The Fernster was 82. She was 88 years, 2 months, and 19 days old when she passed. Looking at all the photographs from her life my amazement, respect and love for my Mom has grown to an even higher level than when I wrote this piece. You all knew the Fernster as I brought her into your lives through my writings, sharing pictures, and videos of her. Please join me in celebrating the woman who brought me into this world and taught me so much about life! Blessings, Pennie ![]() OH FERN I can still hear my Dad say, “Oh, Fern,” as she began one of her stories. He called her Fernie Annie. Her nickname is The Fernster. Elsie Fern Tutewiler Hunt - yes, that is her name. To me she is Mom and yet, she is more than any of those names. Growing up I remember her as the family organizer, the child wrangler, the disciplinarian, and the choreographer of our life. She was a working Mom when most were home watching soap operas and creating meals from the Betty Crocker Cook Book. She worked hard and expected the same from others. Thinking about the Fernster, I began to wonder who she was before me, before the years of motherhood and responsibility wrapped around her. ![]() I looked at some pictures of her in younger days. I saw the impish smile of a child and imagined her laugh. I saw the hair of a young woman flow around her physical presence - self-assured, happy and carefree. I realized that stepping back from the Mom I've always loved I could look deeper to see a whole person. Years before her title of Mom, there was a woman filled with spirit, determination and dreams, eager to experience this world. The Fernster is almost 82 now and slowing down a bit. Her eyesight a little less focused, her hearing and memory a little muffled, yet her spirit and spunk remain intact. ![]() Now I see the whole person wrapped with memories of a life lived, people loved and experiences had. And yet, the spark of that young woman still burns with spirit, determination and enthusiasm for life ahead. The Fernster. Fernie Annie. Elsie Fern Tutewiler Hunt. Yes, to me she is Mom and yet, she is more than any of those names. I value her not only as Mom, but as a whole person she is. I love her so -- the person she was before me and the person she is today with me. Oh Fern, keep telling those stories. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Pennie's Life Lesson: “Step back to see the ones you love as a whole person!” ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below. And please feel free to email me at:
[email protected]. Thank you! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2013-2019 Pennie Hunt This was written and produced by Pennie Hunt. Feel free to forward and share this post. Please keep the entire message intact, including contact, logo, and copyright information. ![]() We all have memories that include a tree. You may think of a childhood tree swing, climbing a tree, picking apples, or sitting under your favorite shade tree. Have you ever thought of the life wisdom we can gain from trees? Trees push their roots deep into the ground, curving and curling to create a foundation of strength. Many times, intertwining with the trees next to them to form a force of commitment as if standing like a family with arms banned together for strength. Bending with the wind, the tree demonstrates contentment and adaptability during sunshine and storms. With the breaking of branches, they teach stamina and survival, and after every environmental pruning they return stronger and rejuvenated with life. Trees hold a sense of community and serving others. Opening their space to birds, squirrels, bees and even children to build homes in their branches, the tree proudly holds firm and strong to bear the weight of sharing a place of safety with others. At times when disease or parasites attack, the tree’s bark may buckle and boil to form a knot or malformation in the trunk. The tree doesn’t hide or disguise this disfigurement. Instead the visible scar is acknowledgment that it has suffered yet endured the wounds of time. Trees adapt to the changing seasons, turning colors and shedding leaves for the winter to create space for the new birth of spring. Bearing fruits and nuts, it nurtures and feeds others and when a tree falls its final gift is of kindling to warm the chill of those in front of a fire or as the framework of a home. From trees we learn: * To band with our families and build our roots and foundations strong. * To bend with adaptability to change. * To hold community and helping others as our service. * To acknowledge our scars and suffering as badges of life and learning. * To share our gifts. * To enjoy and accept the birthing, the shedding and the circle of life. Yes, wisdom of life can be heard in the rustling branches of a tree. The next time you are under a shade tree or look up to see a bird happily singing as it perches on a branch, think of the lessons we learn from trees. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Pennie's Life Lesson: “When you are looking for the wisdom of life, look to a tree.” ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ YOUR TURN...
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to study a tree. Connect with it. Understand the wisdom it shares with you. Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below. And please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. Thank you! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2013-2019 Pennie Hunt This was written and produced by Pennie Hunt. Feel free to forward and share this post. Please keep the entire message intact, including contact, logo, and copyright information. ![]() I remember that day in 2012 walking into my first National Speakers Association (NSA) Conference with excitement and enthusiasm. That was soon crushed by fear and uncertainty. I had left my position as Executive Director of a healthcare organization just months before. In that capacity, I went to conferences, spoke at them, and navigated the world of healthcare. I knew people. People knew me. I knew healthcare acronyms and the lingo. It was comfortable and fun. I was at home in that world. But this was different. I felt alone. I felt out of place and lost in a world of people I didn’t know. I didn’t speak their language. After the second day I was ready to go home and by the end of the conference I had decided I would never attend another one. After all, I didn’t fit in this speaker world. I left feeling unnoticed and invisible. I wasn’t one of the ‘cool kids.’ I wasn’t even close. It took months of soul searching and self-talk to return the next year. I did and I haven’t missed a year since. The second year I told myself that I would just go to listen to the great speakers – more for entertainment than anything. One year I went with the intention to learn, learn, learn. One year I went with the goal of not thinking about me or my speaking, but to help others in any way I could. Last year I went too soon after my car accident and spent most of the time in my hotel room in pain, crying, and just wanting to be home. This year, my 8th conference, I finally felt at home. Over the years, I have met people that have become one special friend at a time. This year I knew people. People knew me. I have connected online with people that I was excited to spend time with. I was included by others and I invited people to spend time with me. Even with all of that, there was one person, one moment, that made this year different for me. Her name is Naomi Rhode. She has been in the speaking business a long time. She has accomplished every measure of success in NSA and won every award. She is a level above the ‘cool kids.’ Right before the opening ceremony, she happened to be with me and said hello, introduced herself and asked what I do. I told her the short version of my story. I told her I teach people- How to Love Your life- NO MATTER WHAT. That I teach how to live in love and gratitude. How I speak to honor my son who I lost in 2007. I told her it was heart work for me. Naomi didn’t just listen, she locked eyes with me. In a crowd of over 1000 people, she listened with her heart. And then, she said something I will never forget. She held my hand, looked me in the eye and told me how what I do is so important. That there are so many ‘lost’ people in the world and they need me. They need my message. And to never stop. At that moment in a crowded ballroom I felt welcomed. I felt important. And for the first time, I felt like I was home. I’ve been speaking since the time I could stand and entertain my family (yes, I am the baby), and I’ve been a speaker in some capacity at every job I have held in my life. Now, speaking on my own, I believe I do know a thing or two about speaking. When I met people this year who had that fear look that I had my first time I sat with them. I talked to them. I told them how I felt the first time and that it gets better. At this year's conference I listened with my heart. I shared from my heart. I cried from laugher and from heart moments. And, I learned a lot! And, I learned a lot! But, the most important thing I learned is that one brief conversation when someone really listens and really cares can change you. Maybe I will never be in the cool crowd. Maybe I will never stand on the main stage of this conference speaking about how to increase sales, improve your ROI, or the latest and greatest technology- because that is not my message. But what I know for sure is- Relationships are important. Connecting is important. What I do is important. There are many ‘lost’ people in the world and they need me. They need my message. And, no Naomi, I will never stop. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Pennie’s Life Lesson: “It isn’t money, acceptance or accolades that constitutes doing important work. It is how you help others and make a difference in their lives.” ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ YOUR TURN...
My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to make a difference - one person at a time! Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below. And please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. Thank you! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2013-2019 Pennie Hunt This was written and produced by Pennie Hunt. Feel free to forward and share this post. Please keep the entire message intact, including contact, logo, and copyright information. |
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