To Blog or Not To Blog

To blog or not to blog... 

Picture Purrfect Day!

I am captivated by the blogging concept. I have a platform where my words can make a difference. I can find these thoughts again when I want to. I can share them again with just a link. For me this is all I need. I realize I may be missing an opportunity to "make money" with a blog. I don't believe everything has to be about making money. I believe it's about making a difference.

A blog versus Facebook and why "to blog or not to blog". I can find everything I write. I have used " share" on Facebook because I wanted to come back to a post for the information it contained. I discovered yesterday that not only does Facebook choose which post I will see in my newsfeed, they limit my timeline posts. I knew I shared a post and searching back for it I discovered this Facebook strategy of hiding my posts in my timeline, why?  I am convinced I will never understand Facebook. Each day I move further away from it. It reminds me of the days when I read the daily newspaper, the paper version. I would scan the paper staying on top of what was happening. I am starting to do the same thing with Facebook. I go on to see what my friends and relatives are doing. I like posts and make comments when appropriate. Over the years I have learned a lot about what to say and not to say on Facebook. My relationship with Facebook is evolving. My time spent there is minimal. I am embracing other platforms like Blogger, Pinterest, Instagram and I am looking for the right platform for photo sharing which may turn out to be Instagram. I am looking for a way to stay connected without feeling chained.

Lastly, the picture in this post is a Weather screenshot. Today is going to be one of those picture-perfect days. I wanted to include picture because I am using a new app on my iPad. One of the reasons I don't blog as regularly as I should or want to is the limitation of available iPad apps. I spent some time in the App Store, made two purchases and find I really like the features of this app. At least in the creation stage. It's called BlogTouch Pro. It is feature-rich and easy-to-use. I'm hoping when I hit the publish button my blog looks the way I want it to online. I will have to come back and write a final note about it. Time to publish.

I am happy with the first results. Picture size still a bit confusing and the "alternate text" I wrote with the picture I thought would show as a caption. If the only thing I need to go back to the computer for is picture tweaking, this app is great. Finally, an easy way to blog on the go.

Pioneers - They Are the First Ones In

Is this what it feels like to be the first one in?
Raging waters and obstacles?

Pioneer, the verb, to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of. 

I started a few new businesses in my career. There is magic in owning your own business; determining your destination and being responsible for your success. Presently I am redefining my business life; who do I want to be and what do I want to do? I know my passion is "making a difference" and top of the list is animals. Next is bringing health and wealth to everyone I know and helping them do the same for their circles.

I am involved with an amazing company with breakthrough products called ASEA and RENU 28. This company works on a network marketing platform. I am passionate about the company, the product and the opportunity this creates and I am committed to building my team with the basic premise of "don't quit your day job!" This is what excites me about this company. I can bring NATIVE Redox Signaling Molecules to everyone I know and they in turn can share it with everyone they know. They can stay the course of their passion be it photography, teaching, accounting, law, you get the idea. ASEA is so revolutionary that I believe the "rules" of network marketing will be rewritten by ASEA. You can be an ASEA Associate, achieve the highest rank of Triple Diamond, making a living while making a difference AND not become a full time network marketer. Imagine how your life will be when you can afford to pursue the career of your dreams?

In the connected platform of the 21st. Century, I do not have to spend an hour or more at a presentation meeting sitting and listening to someone 'lecture' the entire time. My attention span has shrunk. 20 minutes is my maximum and if I am bored, it is 20 minutes of torture. After that my brain shifts gear and I daydream about sunrise on a warm golden beach in Palm Coast, Florida. I do not believe I am alone in this. 

I am one of the ASEA pioneers. ASEA is a legacy company sitting on the edge of momentum; the phase that happens when corporate sales reach one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000.) I need to introduce this business to as many people as possible because this is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. Do your research and understand what I am involved with. 

And back to the beginning, pioneer. A pioneer is what I am on two fronts. First, a breakthrough product that was thought to be impossible means skepticism and rejection except by like minded pioneers and the next group called innovators. Second, the rules of the game in network marketing are, in my opinion, changing. I believe presentations will happen over coffee or lunch. Sometimes it will take place individually while watching a video or two and calling back for more information. It will be short, sweet and digital.

I will be a Triple Diamond in ASEA. My team, Team Michelangelo, will rewrite the network marketing process that meets the needs and demands of the technologically connected world we live in today. Our presentations will be digitally based and not restricted to a specific time or place. We will make a living while making a difference. Do you want to join me?

ASEA: https://flowboard.com/s/1uun/ASEA

RENU 28: https://flowboard.com/s/1dgf/Do-You-RENU-RENU-28

Inspiration

Inspiration happens in a moment. How? Inspiration happens when I am open to my world, . What does "being open to my world" mean? Watching and listening; watching and listening not talking; not waiting for the opening in the conversation to talk. When I am waiting for the "opening" to talk, I am not listening. 

Mirrored Clarity

Inspiration hit me last night when I was focused on the conversation among the group I was with. What was the inspiration? I am responsible for my reaction to the people, places and things around me. When I am focused on my thoughts and feelings, the only vibrations are from within. When I am listening to the people around me, I am given the opportunity to experience other feelings and given the ability to bring those positive feelings into my consciousness.

This is how I practice watching and listening. I grab my camera and take a walk by myself. I look at the world around me. It can be nature, the street where I live, the local school, a big city. The key is to focus on the sights, sounds and smells around me. I am alone so I refrain from to talking out loud although I have been known to say hello to the wildlife. This is my walk, my focus, my chance to watch and listen. Why the camera? I never know what image I will come across. This photograph is a reflection in a pond, not the pond. Sometimes the reflection is clearer and more powerful than the original. The camera helps me focus; to watch and listen; to engage in my surroundings and to capture a moment in time. 

Wishing you inspiration today and always.

Thoughts on the Second Half of 2014

This post is about thoughts and feelings. Nothing specific just thoughts and feelings as we start the second half of 2014.

This year the Fourth of July falls on Friday. It makes for an exciting weekend filled with barbecues or the opportunity to kick back and just relax. Spring planting is done. Now is the time to appreciate where I am, how I got here and where do I want to be six months from now. 

One thought that keeps nagging; time. Everything and everybody seems rushed including me. I feel like there is so much to do and so little time to do it. I know all the quotes about busy people always find the time to get things done. This is true. This comes with a price, anxiety. I feel like there are things that I should have accomplished for the day, the week or the month. Did I enjoy what I did accomplish? Sometimes. Other times the moments passed so quickly they were over before the wonderful feelings settled into my memory. I need memories because they are what help me through the challenging times. 

Challenging times are not always ones that are difficult or negative. Challenging times can simply be the 24 hour day that has 25 hours worth of things that need to be done. Some people manage with lists. My lists are typically the goals I have written and the strategies I will implement to achieve each goal. A daily list of what I need to do for the day overwhelms me. Making the time at the end of each day to record the positive things that happened makes a difference for me. The value of this practice is always evident three to six months down the road. Therefore, why isn't this a daily activity for me? I haven't made this a goal. 

Brody is excited!

A final thought for today; I am going to set a goal to write down the positives that happen each day. I am excited to have these tidbits to read in the months ahead. Excited to see what this does for my business and relationships. Excited to see what decisions I will make so at the end of the day I have positive things to record.

Brody, my nieces dog, is excited too. I hope I meet his expectations!

Curtain Rises in 16 Days; Will It Be "Sweet"?

"Follies" Celebrates 50 Years of
Stepinac Alumni Theate

The curtain rises on Thursday, July 17 at 8:00pm for the 50th. Anniversary production of "Follies" at Stepinac Alumni Theatre. 

A lot has changed since I first stepped foot on the Stepinac stage. This summer marks the beginning of an air conditioned Major Bowes Theatre and what a difference that makes. 

Rehearsals are quite different from "back in the day" when everyone was at rehearsal. It is a real sign of busy times when chorus girls are substituted by guys because cast members are away on vacation. Vacation time during a rehearsal schedule? Never would have thought of trying to do both! Learning dance numbers to YouTube videos instead of a live pianist; rented costumes that aren't coming out of someones closet; dance numbers that challenge everyone; a full run through of the show that lurks somewhere on the horizon…

16 days until opening night. 16 days is not a lot of time to pull this off. "16" reminds me of what it was like to be "Sweet 16". The anticipation of that magical birthday, the one when you can finally drive a car, the anticipation of that "first kiss", the teenage stress of friends and relationships. That was a magical time; much like the time spent on or off stage in Major Bowes Theatre. Much like now. In 16 days the curtain rises; the magic happens; will it be "sweet"? We shall see.

On Stage at Major Bowes Theatre

It feels a bit like a time warp walking on stage at Major Bowes Theatre. There are so many memories. This summer is sure to add to the wonderful experiences that only happen in Stepinac theatre. I will bring you snippets of the events from rehearsal through production. With an air conditioned theatre this is a fabulous venue. Show dates are Thursday, July 17, Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19 which culminates in a celebratory after party. Tickets for the show are $20 with general admission seating and the final nights tickets for the after party are an additional $30 - $50 gets you preferred seating and entry into the catered after party. 

Tonight, Wednesday, June 18, we started dance rehearsal for Mirror Mirror. I try not to take things too seriously especially since I didn't have the proper dance shoes - I didn't think I was in this number. For those who are familiar with Stephen Sondheim's "Follies" it may seem obvious that Christine Donovan, my character, is dancing in Mirror Mirror; however, when we received the rehearsal schedule for this week, I wasn't on the dance schedule for Thursday night so I didn't think I would be learning a dance number tonight. I admit that I don't know this show. I read the script but we haven't had a cast read through and I thought maybe they changed some things. Can you imagine trying to learn a dance number in flip flops? I wasn't alone; only two cast members were prepared. This worked quite well as everyone was light hearted and happy as we tried not to trip over our own feet. Knowing the music will help as we move on. I enjoyed laughing with Gina, my partner, as we both tried to combine dance moves with a song we haven't yet memorized.

Lessons learned:

• Always bring dance shoes 
• Were comfortable rehearsal clothes
• Laugh at myself - it's a lot more fun this way
• Keep moving and keep smiling

Stepinac Alumni Theatre 50th. Anniversary Show

Stepinac Alumni Theatre performed the first production in 1964. 2014 marks our 50th. Anniversary and the first time we will be performing in the newly air conditioned Major Bowes Theatre at Stepinac High School, 950 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605.

A fitting production for this Golden Anniversary is Stephen Sondheim's "Follies". The show offers an opportunity to cast young and old alumni in very entertaining roles. 

                      The cast of characters:

Sally Durant Plummer:                                Ann Shankman

Ben Stone:                                  Jeff Schlotman

Buddy:                                Frank Squillante

Roscoe:                                      Peter Iasillo

Young Buddy:                                         Matt Lotaj

Phyllis:                                  Nellie O’Brien

Young Phyllis:                             Emily Schlotman

Young Sally:                                Mikie Sakanaka

Young Ben:                                   Chris Guzman

Emily Whitman:                          Mary Ellen Malarra

Theodore Whitman:                                          Jim Smith

Dmitri Weismann:                                       Dick Nagle

Solange La Fitte:                                 Elysse Godfrey

Stella Deems:                                   Irene Howard

Carlotta Champion:                               Jeannie McCabe

Heidi Schiller:                                  Mary Ann Parr

Hattie Walker:                                 Chris Matthews

Kevin:                                 Samer Akroush

“Margie” Blues:                                 Sarah Rossman

“Sally” Blues:                    Halle Mastroberardino

Major Domo:                                     Tom Kramer

Francesca:                                   Patricia Reilly

Christine Donovan:                                 Cathy Capasso

Willy Wheeler:                                     George Levy

Max Deems:                                  Mike Molinelli

Meredith Lane:                                  Gina Molinelli

Dee Dee West:                                Patricia Murphy

Vincent:                                Gabe D’Angelo

Vanessa:                                 Fran D’Angelo

Young Vincent:                              James Prestopino

Young Vanessa:                             Katie Jo Flanagan

Young Stella:                             Danielle Ricciardi

Young Solange:                                Katrina Dibbini

Young Carlotta:                                   Sabrina Miele

Young Emily:                                Elaine Forgione

Chauffeur:                             Brenden DelBene

Photographers:    Billy Maloney, Najee Stephenson 

The first rehearsal was Tuesday, June 17. We were in the music classroom where nothing has substantially changed. I can't wait to be rehearsing on stage again!