One of the most vital lessons I’ve learned this past year is the importance of reaching out for help.

The Speak for Success Women’s Leadership Institute is accepting nominations for its “Women Changing the World” Award.

As I’ve expressed in my most recent blog posts, the Women’s Leadership Institute was a life-changing experience for me. Over the past decade or so I’ve participated in my share of leadership trainings, goal-setting workshops and motivational seminars at some world-class organizations. Hands down, I gained more during my 10 weeks with Speak for Success than I have from all of my other experiences combined.

What does this have to do with asking for help?
(Be patient, grasshopper, I am getting there!)

I’ve yet to figure out how to succinctly articulate the impact the Women’s Leadership Institute has already made in my life – as well as in the lives of my classmates. (The words that come to mind just sound cliche and don’t embody the spirit of the organization quite well enough to do it justice.) Equally difficult has been finding a way to adequately express my gratitude to Dana and the other women who gave me this opportunity.

One way I am able to demonstrate my gratitude is to lend my voice – and my community – to  spread the information about Speak for Success and its events to as many people as I can reach.

Will you help me? By giving just two minutes of your time, you can help give countless women back their lives.

To make it simple, below are 10 ways help Speak for Success change other women’s lives as it changed mine (most of these can be completed in 2 minutes or less):

1. Tweet a link to this post
2. Share this post on Facebook
3. Share this post on LinkedIn
4. Email a link to this post to your friends
5. Link to this post on your blog
6. Write about the “Women Changing the World” Award nominations on your blog. (copy & paste this to make it easy)
7. Nominate a woman who is changing the world (details below)
8. Are you a woman changing the world? If so, encourage others to nominate you!
9. Consider sponsoring (or asking your employer/company to sponsor) the event
10. Have another idea to help get the word out? Please share it in the comments below!
11. (bonus!) Connect with Speak for Success on Facebook
12. (another bonus!) Follow @Speak4Success on Twitter

Thank you for helping me!

Note: Although the awards event is in San Diego, I’ve confirmed that nominations are open to any women – regardless of location – as long as they can be in San Diego to attend the awards ceremony

Nominations for the 2010 “Women Changing the World” Award are now open. Entering its second year, this program recognizes San Diego area women leaders who have made significant contributions encouraging, supporting, and empowering women and families in their organizations and communities.

The “Women Changing the World” Award is sponsored by the Speak for Success Women’s Leadership Institute, an extraordinary program that provides an enriching empowerment and leadership program to women overcoming serious adversities including domestic violence, homelessness, addiction, and mental illness. Graduates of the Women’s Leadership Institute go on to become inspirational leaders in the community, helping others as they help themselves succeed.

This year’s winners will represent some of the finest examples of leadership, inspiration and community service. The Call for Nominations plays an integral role in that process. We encourage your participation, and invite you to join us in celebrating the contributions made by these extraordinary women who are your colleagues, peers, mentors, friends and family. Nominations across the diverse sectors and industries of San Diego are welcome. Examples include but are not limited to community, government, business, nonprofit services, science, medicine, law, arts, media, academia, philanthropy, family, and so on.

Previous recipients including Karny Stefan, CEO, Walden Family Services; Mary Marcdante, author and motivational speaker; Dr. Carolle Jean Murat, physician and medical director of the Wellness and Retreat Center, San Diego; Helice Bridges, Founder & President of Difference Makers International; and Gael Strack, JD, Co-Founder and CEO, National Family Justice Center Alliance.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRY IS Friday, August 27. Nominations may be submitted as an attachment via email or completed online. No exceptions to the deadline, please.

The Selection Committee is looking for nominees who meet the following criteria:

• Is available to attend the September 25, 2010 awards event from 6:00 – 9:30 p.m. in person to receive her recognition.
• Has achieved personal and career goals.
• Has overcome adversity in her life.
• Is an inspiring role model.
• Is a leader in the community and/or her organization.
• Empowers other women to reach their full potential.
• Gives back to the community in a significant way.

Please click here for the 2010 Nomination Form. Complete your form online, or email a copy of your completed nomination to womenleaders@speakforsuccess.com

For 2010 Women Changing the World Sponsor Information, click here or email dana@speakforsuccess.com

For additional information regarding nominations call Debbie Lousberg: 760-941-5166 or email: womenleaders@speakforsuccess.com

Visit: www.SpeakForSuccessWomenLeaders.org

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Yay! | photo credit: Lou Adzima

As I’ve mentioned previously, I’m furthering my goal to share as much of my story, with as many people who will listen, by posting excerpts of my writings from my 10-week experience with the Speak For Success’s Women’s Leadership Institute.

The prior posts have focused on where I was and were written prior to my acceptance to the program. Today’s post is the “transcript” of my speech I presented at our graduation. Although it, too, includes information about my past, it’s done so from a different vantage point and also continues to where I am now and what I am moving towards.

(Note: I’ve added section headings to help visually break up the different sections. They were not read as part of the speech.)

My Graduation Day Speech

Looking Back
Viewing life as a journey means living in the moment.

Still, it’s important to pause, to look back at the past. Like looking back down the mountain during a long hike, reflecting on past milestones reframes my perspective of where I am now, enhancing my appreciation of how far I’ve come.

A year ago, ashamed and embarrassed to tell friends what was going on, I’d isolated myself from everyone but my boyfriend.

Getting ready to share

My life was on my couch, blinds shut, blocking out the time of day. My boyfriend hadn’t stepped inside the door in six months, since even basic housekeeping had become too overwhelming for me.

I’d make plans I wouldn’t keep and spend days online trying to find work.

And I cleaned my ears.

Later, I’d learn it was OCD, exacerbated by stress and a change in medication. At the time, I only knew that I’d lose whole days – and sometimes nights – compulsively poking at my ears and it was gross, it was dangerous and it was something I didn’t want anyone to know about.

When I Knew I Needed to Change My Life
Waiting online at a food pantry –my food stamp benefits cancelled because I’d forgotten to file the paperwork in typical ADHD fashion – I knew something had to change.

I emailed my mother. I told her what my life had become. In admitting this to her, I would finally admit to myself what was going on.

I have a disability. My mental illness can be just as debilitating as a physical one. Recovery is not something I can manage on my own.

I shared this with my mother.

I asked for help.

What I Learned
When a cat is sick, its natural instinct is to hide its symptoms as long as possible.  Cats feel vulnerable exposing weakness and will expend a lot of effort to not act sick. A cat’s illness often has reached a crisis stage by the time we notice something’s wrong.

A Life-Changing Experience

What I learned about myself from this experience is that my cats & I share more in common than just our love of days spent napping and eating. Unwilling to make myself vulnerable others, my life reached a crisis stage before I’d let anyone see something was wrong.

When I applied to the Women’s Leadership program, I’d been on my journey for several months. I was able to recognize the distance I’d covered.  The steep path ahead was in my sight, and I was motivated to reach the summit. But, my lack of confidence, damaged self-esteem, and unfamiliarity with the upcoming landscape had stalled me in my path.

The Women’s Leadership Program helped me find my inner compass, and learn to trust it. I’ve learned how to create my own map. I can face the possibility that I may stray from my path, maybe even get lost, with confidence, because I’ve learned the skills to find my way back.

Where I Am
And, ten weeks later, I stand here, looking out at you from that summit.

I didn’t climb that steep path alone. Even as I pushed through the most arduous stretches, with my classmates – my sisters – and teachers by my side, I’ve loved every single moment and appreciate that each step brings its reward.

For a moment I stand still. Not stalled, but paused, to celebrate my accomplishment. Just as I’ve learned the value of looking back at where I’ve been, from this vista I am able to look forward at what lies ahead.

Oh, yeah! | photo credit: Lou Adzima

Where I’m Going
I continue on my journey with two new goals. The first, to seek out opportunities to share my story, so others like me might connect with it.  We can feel stronger when we know we’re not alone.  And I’m off to a running start: A CNN.com feature on overcoming phobias related my experiences as their example. (OK – so, at this point, the audience clapped and cheered!*)

The second goal points me to my next destination. I’ll be getting my coaching certification so I can help others adults with ADHD find the tools they need for journeys of their own.

Mom was there to share the celebration! | photo credit: Lou Adzima

*As a little background: I only mentioned the CNN post because several of my instructors asked me to add it to my speech. It wasn’t until about 10 minutes before I had to be out the door that I finally thought of a way to integrate it into my speech in a way that seemed to somewhat flow. Needless to say, standing on a stage and having over 150 people cheer you on is an incredible feeling (I highly recommend it). To have so many people recognize this particular achievement was probably one of the highest moments of my life.

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Our favorite online Jack-of-All-Trades, Google, has announced their latest venture; and it looks like they’re heading straight into iTunes territory.

TechCrunch posted details about Google’s new music service:

Google will partner with iLike and LaLa for their new music service, we’ve learned. And the announcement date is Wednesday, October 28, 2009.

Press, including us, received an invitation this morning (see ticket image above) inviting them to a Hollywood event next week hosted by music services LaLa and iLike. The invitation, titled “Discover Music!” says announcements will be followed by performances, and that LaLa, iLike “& Others” are hosting. The “& Others” includes Google, we’ve heard from multiple sources, and the new service will be unveiled. All four major music services are backing the service

To get the full scoop, read the original post at TechCrunch:
Google To Partner With iLike And LaLa For New Music Service

Update:
TechCrunch has posted screenshots of the new service.

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This is only one of the Huffington Post’s 10 Creepiest Unintentionally-Sexual Ads Of All Time.

I recommend checking out the full post to see the rest!

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According to CBS news, you already do.

CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reports it’s subsidized by millions of your tax dollars annually. The government doesn’t even keep track the total cost.

What exactly does Congress get? Sen. Lindsey Graham agreed to show CBS News first hand, flashing his Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance card.

Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of five plans offered to members of Congress. Most Americans, 74 percent are offered only one plan – if their employer offers insurance at all.

And members of Congress earn $174,000 a year – triple the income of the average working-age household. Yet their premiums are about the same.

For them, there’s no coverage limit – a major factor for the American families bankrupted or thrown into poverty by health care costs.

Pre-existing conditions? No problem for congressmen and women. The rest of us are out of luck.

And the elected officials get still more perks most Americans can only dream of. Got a cold? You probably have to take time off work and wait to see a doctor.

Not Congress.

“We’re able to access that health care 24 hours a day when we’re in Washington,” Graham said, leading us to the Attending Physician’s Office, a clinic inside the U.S. Capitol. They don’t even have to leave the office.

About half of the members of Congress, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, use the Attending Physician benefit. For $42 a month, they can get all the primary care they need – physical therapy, X-rays, minor surgery, specialists and a pharmacy for emergencies – no appointment needed.

They also get VIP hospital treatment from the best doctors at Bethesda Naval Hospital. And they have a reserved spot at the elite Ward 72 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where the late Sen. Strom Thurmond spent a lot of time.

Outpatient care is free. Well, free for them. Your tax dollars pick up the cost.

Read the full article here.

Hat tip to @CarriBugbee & @martindave for forwarding the link.

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From TheNextWeb.com:

To launch a new deodorant in Uruguay, the Lowe Ginkgo agency in Montevideo created an ad of such genius, even Bill Hicks would be impressed.

You open up a magazine, browse as normal, flickering through the ads as you do until you come across a quite simply gorgeous blonde with blank white spaces around her naughty bits.

What happens next?
Read it at The Next Web:  The Incomplete Ad. (This is Genius).

From: The Next Web (click image for full story)

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The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. – Mahatma Gandhi

If you agree with Gandhi, then after reading the following two bits of news, you’ll likely agree that this nation’s greatness and moral progress have taken a couple of steps in the wrong direction.

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love animals. At times, I prefer them to people (I openly admit that while watching “Marley and Me”, I thought the ending would be far more bearable if they offed one of the kids instead of the dog).

So while The News is rarely uplifting these days, I found the most recent local broadcast especially depressing. I don’t mean to be a “Debbie Downer”, but I thought a couple of stories deserve some additional attention/awareness.

The first was, sadly, no huge surprise. The Ringling Brothers will be in San Diego soon, providing a timely backdrop for sharing this video footage from PETA of circus employees abusing the elephants.

Now I know PETA can be a tad extremist so I understand taking this story with a grain of salt. (Plus I seem to remember the Today Show alluding to this going on – so this isn’t exactly breaking news.) That said, with the option to watch both the latest Pixar and Disney releases in full 3D, is it really necessary for any animals to be beaten (or even slightly agitated) just for the sake of a couple of hour’s entertainment?

I mean really, if your kid’s old enough to tell the difference between a circus elephant and Snuffleupagus at Sesame on Ice, they’re probably too old to be taking to the circus anyhow. They’re certainly old enough to be taught the value of being an conscientious consumer that uses ethical judgment when making purchasing decisions.

Please don't beat us! (photo credit: William Warby)

The Unites States military uses live pigs for target practice and then kills them.

There’s even a name for it. It’s called “Live Tissue Training” and “involves purposely injuring the pigs, then euthanizing them after the training is completed”.

Apparently “They use pigs to help re-create battlefield injuries,” per Lt. Dan DeSousa of the San Diego County Department of Animal Services.

According to this article

The pigs are used to train military personnel in critical lifesaving techniques such as stopping massive hemorrhaging and clearing airway blockages, according to military officials.

“It has proven to be the single most-effective medical-training method for teaching combat care,” according to a statement issued by the Marine Corps.

Now don’t get me wrong – I support our troops one hundred percent. I want to be clear – I have the utmost respect and gratitude to those men and women who choose to put their lives on the line to protect our country. Living in San Diego, we’re surrounded by reminders of the sacrifices our military personnel – and their families – have made.

So I don’t mean to sound insensitive when I ask – isn’t there another way?

Must we kill pigs?

Allegedly pigs are as smarter than a three-year-old child – at least as smart as dogs. Would it be acceptable if these were canine targets?

We're too cute for Live Tissue exercises! (photo credit: bobcatnorth on Flickr)

I’ve got plans this weekend, so before I get too caught up on my soapbox, I’ll stop here and include the links below so you can read the articles yourselves. I’m curious to hear your point of view.

• Live Tissue Training Started Years Ago
• Hundreds of Local Troops to Wound Pigs
• Shock Video Shows Ringling Bros. Beating Elephants
• ringlingbeatsanimals.com

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The AP Press reported Tuesday that

International cancer experts have moved tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation into the top cancer risk category, deeming them as deadly as arsenic and mustard gas. For years, scientists have described tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation as “probable carcinogens.”

A new analysis of about 20 studies concludes the risk of skin cancer jumps by 75 percent when people start using tanning beds before age 30. Experts also found that all types of ultraviolet radiation caused worrying mutations in mice, proof the radiation is carcinogenic. Previously, only one type of ultraviolet radiation was thought to be lethal.

The new classification means tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation are definite causes of cancer, alongside tobacco, the hepatitis B virus and chimney sweeping, among others.

In case you’re among those who have missed the other memos on the dangers of UV rays and the potential side effects of tanning beds, let me state this a bit more clearly:
Tanning beds are considered DEFINITE CARCINOGENS – this means TANNING BEDS CAUSE CANCER.

Lest you think I’m only sharing part of the story, it’s worth noting that not everyone agrees with this classification. Kathy Banks, chief executive of The Sunbed Association, a European trade association of tanning bed makers and operators, had this objective*, non-biased* statement to share:

The fact that is continuously ignored is that there is no proven link between the responsible use of sunbeds and skin cancer

In related news, R.J. Reynolds has released their own statement that

The fact that is continuously ignored is that there is no proven link between the responsible use of cigarettes and skin cancer either.*

Still wanting to play Russian Roulette with your skin? Maybe these 15 Worst Tan Disasters will deter you!

*sarcasm intended (in case the tone wasn’t clear!)

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Kaya Cher shows off some pink locks of her own

As you may or may not know, I’m planning on coloring my hair pink this week.

Pink hair holds a certain symbolism for me – but that’s something perhaps I’ll share in another blog post (likely once I go through with the deed).

As I’ve been looking through photos for inspiration, I happened upon a blog post titled “The Pink Hair Problem”.  It turned out not to be anything beauty or follicle related, but rather a posting in MIT’s Admissions blog.

Matt McGann (class of ’00 – which makes me feel a bit ancient!!) shares a question he received from an applicant

hey matt i’ve got a question. right now i’ve got a nose ring and bright black and pink hair. i’m applying EA to MIT and i was just wondering. for the interview…is that too unprofessional? the nose ring i could always take out but my hair?

Matt follows his point of view by sharing responses he received from other ECs (Educational Counselors, MIT’s alumni interviewers), representing various parts of the country and ranging from class of 1961 to 2003.

When it came to ear piercings, tattoos, “wild” haircuts or any other less-than-conservative-and-or-mainstream styling, my father always cautioned about first impressions and the need to get your foot in the door first, to work your way up to a place where you’re setting the rules, before limiting your opportunities because of your looks. Years later, I can’t say I entirely disagree, but was curious to hear what the good folks over at MIT had to say about the matter.

The responses include an interesting range of perspectives on the influence that less-than-conventional looks have on first impressions.

The common thread seemed to be

• first impressions do count
• demonstrate respect
• most important, be true to yourself

Regardless of age, we continuously find ourselves in situations where it’s important to balance putting our best foot forward, with letting our true colors shine through. The EC responses provide insights that can apply well beyond a college entrance interview and are worth reading.

You can find the full blog post here: MIT Admissions | Blog Entry: “The Pink Hair Problem”

What are your thoughts on first impressions?  Have you had any “pink hair problems” of your own? Please share them in the comments!

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President Barack Obama

This opinion, published in the Washington Post today, contains the following description of its author: “The writer is president of the United States.”

Nearly six months ago, my administration took office amid the most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression. At the time, we were losing, on average, 700,000 jobs a month. And many feared that our financial system was on the verge of collapse.

The swift and aggressive action we took in those first few months has helped pull our financial system and our economy back from the brink. We took steps to restart lending to families and businesses, stabilize our major financial institutions, and help homeowners stay in their homes and pay their mortgages. We also passed the most sweeping economic recovery plan in our nation’s history.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was not expected to restore the economy to full health on its own but to provide the boost necessary to stop the free fall. So far, it has done that. It was, from the start, a two-year program, and it will steadily save and create jobs as it ramps up over this summer and fall. We must let it work the way it’s supposed to, with the understanding that in any recession, unemployment tends to recover more slowly than other measures of economic activity.

I am confident that the United States of America will weather this economic storm. But once we clear away the wreckage, the real question is what we will build in its place. Even as we rescue this economy from a full-blown crisis, I have insisted that we must rebuild it better than before. For if we do not seize this moment to confront the weaknesses that have plagued our economy for decades, we will consign ourselves and our children to future crises, sluggish growth, or both.

Read full post by Barack Obama:  Rebuilding Something Better | washingtonpost.com.

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