LIFE is STILL a POSITIVE EXPERIENCE

 LIFE in itself is such a positive!  What an amazing “gift” that often is taken for granted. Instead of thinking about what could go wrong in your life, a positive thinker thinks about what can go right.

A positive thinker is going to look for the good in things. That’s just who they are. That means they will always try to find something positive about every situation and what they are supposed to learn from it; I am still “learning” even at this point of my life.   However, everyone can learn to become a positive person.  Any one; any age!

When you give off positive energy, you infect others with that positive energy and they will return that energy to you. It is basically the belief that what you put out… will come back to you.  When you are helpful, happy, and kind, then others will be as well.

A positive thinker is going to be able to stay upbeat in any situation; they do not dwell on the negative. They accept the challenge/ test as given, learn from it, and then move on.  Done!

Positive thinking can be used in every aspect of life, from the little things to major things. It can be used to help you get through trying times. You can also use it to just make your average day go a little better.

Positive thinking involves being able to turn off the negative thoughts and replace them with good thoughts.

You will start to do everything in a more positive way, including how you treat others. This will not go unnoticed. Your interaction with others plays a large part in your life.

Positive thinking will allow you to believe that you can accomplish something if you put your mind to it. You will be able to set goals and reach them because you will believe that you can do it. You can!

Positive thinking is very influential. It is going to start to shape everyone and everything around you. You are going to see the great effect it has almost immediately. The power of positive thinking is not subtle.

You have to make an effort to let positive thinking start turning all your thoughts and ideas into positive thoughts and ideas. It is up to you to start pushing the negativity out of your head and let positive thoughts guide you.

When you start to find your thoughts, drifting to the negative… it is your responsibility to make an effort to make them positive instead.  Don’t wait for those around you to do it for you.

The power of positive thinking is that it will shape your life.  It is so contagious that it will affect the world around you.  Let this be the NEW Pandemic!   Soon, we will start to see positive thinking/ actions everywhere we go.

The true power of Positive thinking is that it allows you to live life to its fullest potential and for all that it has to offer without letting negativity bring you down.

A positive mind anticipates: happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every
situation and action. Whatever the mind expects, it finds. That’s a win: win right there.

When the attitude is positive, we entertain pleasant feelings and constructive images and see in our mind’s eye what we really want to happen.

Think positively, expect only favorable results and situations, and circumstances
will change accordingly.  It may take some time for the changes to take place, but
eventually they do.

When you expect success and say “I can,” you fill yourself with confidence and joy.

Fill your mind with light, hope, and feelings of strength, and soon your life will reflect
these qualities.

When you choose the best possible action, it makes it that much easier to choose the best positive meanings to the given situations stemming from the best possible actions that were chosen.

Don’t think of positive thoughts as  an avoidance technique or even worse, a gimmick; think of them as a symptom of good living.  LIVE ON!

2016-2021

ELIMINATING NEGATIVITY IN LIFE, FAMILY, AND THE WORKPLACE for 2017

The whole reason for any experience in our lives, is to call forth a remembrance of who we really are as an object of infinite potential. We are created as… All That Is and All That Is Not.

If we stop trying to control, move past, go beyond, cast out, go above, or run from the possibilities of “negative’ experiences” … then there is no reason for them to control us anymore.  It’s usually the negative experiences that we dwell on the most.

In other words, the instant we realize and accept that everything in our life is equal, then we recognize that we cannot go beyond or move past negative situations. They are part of our life!        I have to work really hard at this. The negative situations are equal to us, since we are infinitely everything.  However, if we let it, that’s an empowering thought.

Hence, we need to become accepting to just let go, (OR, “Let Go; Let God),  as many believe and allow the idea that the possibility of a “negative’ situation” has the potential to happen at anytime! You can become perfectly content with that idea, since you soon realize that every “negative”  situation is created, even sometimes by ourselves, and allows us to grow! Now, that idea I really like.

Magicians often use mirrors to perform their illusions because mirrors reflect a clear image of life making the illusion seem very real; you are unaware of the mirror that the magician is using. When you are the “magician” in real life situations… then there are no illusions…  you see the mirror and you use the mirror as a tool. I like to think it’s the mirror to our soul.

Think of reality as a mirror, then we must change ourselves in order to see the change in the mirror.  For example, if you desire for your hair to change color or style… then you must dye, comb or brush the hair on your head in order to see the change in the mirror. More times than not, people will try to change what they see by changing the mirrored reflection. A famous quote says, “Be the change you want to see in the world” this is exactly what that quote means. When you take responsibility for all of your reality, then you give yourself the power to change anything within your reality. Cool, huh?

We can adopt this perspective into reality, by first looking around at everything we see and hear in our reality right now. Next, close your eyes. When you close your eyes in the moment, you are telling your mind to refresh your viewpoint. Now, open your eyes and look around you again, except this time see everything as if we are looking into a mirror. Everything you are now seeing or hearing is a reflection of the mirror within you.

Everything starts from within and is reflected outwardly. If we don’t like what we see… in any aspect of our life… the reality and negative situation is ours to alter. I’m a believer!

We alone are responsible for our own happiness!

 

BLAMING OTHERS is not the answer…

It is so easy in life to forget that we are responsible for our own success, happiness, and inner-peace. It is often easier to blame others than to own up to our personal failures.

 

 Many people I speak with have difficulty in this area. It is always someone else’s fault that they didn’t get the promotion. It is because of a difficult childhood (past or present)that they are unhappy or not accomplishing what God put them on Earth to accomplish. Or…the most powerful to overcome is a lack of inner-peace. Often, this lack consumes all energies and thought. “Why can’t I be happy?”

 

The answer is rather straight forward and so simple that it might elude us at first.We give happiness to ourselves by accepting equal amounts of credit for a job well done and at the same time, owning up to human errors in judgement and personal failure. It is not necessary to be perfect, but what is necessary is to step up to the plate and accept responsibility for our actions and place in life.

 

 If we are not happy where we are in life, who we have become, and what we are doing…we need to change…not the world around us. Be pro-active in these areas and success, happiness, and inner-peace will follow.

 

sue

Children who are more special than most!

Blessed are all parents, but none more so than those who care for children who come with extra challenges and tests.

I am the child who cannot talk.

You wonder how much I am aware of … I see that as well. I am aware of much;  I see whether you are happy and content or sad and fearful, patient or impatient, full of love and desire or if you are just doing your duty by me. I marvel at your frustration, knowing mine to be far greater, for I cannot express myself or my needs as you are able to do.

You cannot conceive my isolation; it’s so complete at times. I do not gift you with clever conversation, cute remarks to be laughed over and then repeated to others. I do not give you answers to your everyday questions, responses over my well-being, share my needs, or comment about the world about me. I do not give you rewards as defined by the world’s standards… great strides in my development with which you can credit yourself; I do not give you understanding, as you know it.

What I give you is so much more valuable… I give you instead opportunities. Opportunities to discover the depth of your own character, not mine; the depth of your love, your commitment, your patience, your abilities; the opportunity to explore your spirit more deeply than you imagined possible. I drive you further than you would ever go on your own,  always working harder, and seeking answers to your many questions with no answers.  Yes, I am the child who cannot talk.

I am the child who cannot walk.

The world seems to pass me by. You see the longing in my eyes to get out of this chair, to run and play like other children. There is much you take for granted. I want the toys on the shelf, I need to go to the bathroom, and I’ve dropped my fork, again. I am dependant on you in these ways. My gift to you is to make you more aware of your great fortune, your healthy back and legs, your ability to do for yourself. Sometimes, people appear not to notice me; I always notice them. I feel not so much envy as desire. A desire to stand upright, to put one foot in front of the other, and to be independent. I give you awareness. Yes,  I am the child who cannot walk.

I am the child who is mentally impaired.

I don’t learn easily, if you judge me by the world’s measuring stick, what I do know is infinite joy in simple things. I am not burdened as you are with the challenges and conflicts of a more complicated life. My gift to you is to grant you the freedom to enjoy things as a child, to teach you how much your arms around me mean, to give you love. I give you the gift of simplicity. Yes, I am the child who is mentally impaired.

I am the disabled child; I am your teacher.

If you allow me, I will teach you what is really important in life.

I will give you and teach you unconditional love.

I gift you with my innocent trust , my dependency upon you.

I teach you about how precious this life is and about not taking things for granted.

I teach you about forgetting your own needs and desires and dreams.

I teach you endless giving.

Most of all, I teach you Hope and Faith.

I am not disabled; I am special!

Sue Brown ©

 

 

Published Articles: A Man of Service: Ray Gaster

By Sue Brown

 

I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve. —Albert Schweitzer

With the ever increasing use of texting on our cell phones and Instant Messaging, also known as IM-ing on our computers—we use more acronyms than ever before. Some of these grouped letters that represent longer phrases will make an appearance in new versions of the dictionary. We easily recognize “LOL” as laughing out loud, “BTW” as by the way, and “brb” for be right back. I was curious as to how many folks knew the meanings of an acronym that we often take for granted or have seen for years, yet are really unsure what the three letters represent. Late one recent Friday afternoon, I conducted an informal poll outside of a very busy supermarket in Richmond Hill.

The query was a simple one: “What is the meaning of the initials USO?” After all, who uses more acronyms than the Military? Without fail everyone said it had something to do with the armed forces. Few actually knew the extent and depth of this organization or more importantly the correct meaning of the letters USO. The acronym means United Services Organizations and not the more popular answer of United States Overseas or something similar to that. It’s not so much about stars and celebrities that go over to entertain and support our troops, but about doing something for our country right from home. Our town, which is in close proximity to Ft. Stewart and Hunter Army Air Field is home to many soldiers and retired military.

The USO of Georgia is a private, nonprofit organization; it’s the way Americans support their troops. Our local USO, Savannah Chapter, which began in 2002, a few months after the World Trade Center bombings of 9/11/2001, is fortunate to have as its Chairman, Ray Gaster. A Richmond Hill resident, Ray had a desire to help those families affected by the bombings in New York City. With proceeds from an excess inventory sale at his lumber company, Gaster Lumber, it was suggested that perhaps a good use of the monies would be to start a Savannah USO chapter. It seemed evident that America would soon be involved once again in warfare. The suggestion quickly became a reality.

As a former Vietnam helicopter pilot, an OCS (Officer Candidate School) graduate, Ray was in the 4th class to complete flight school at nearby Hunter Army Air.

After serving our country for five and one-half years, he completed his education on the GI Bill at Armstrong Atlantic University. This year, his successful business celebrates its 25th Anniversary. Douglas MacArthur in a speech before Congress said, “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.” Perhaps, just as many don’t fade away at all, but continue to serve our country in other capacities. That for certain is Ray Gaster. Although he readily credits his volunteers as the reason the local chapter is so successful, it is important to mention that any organization is only as good as the person at the top.

The slogan: Until Every One Comes Home has long been attributed to the USO.
Founded in 1941, the USO provides morale, welfare, and recreation services to military personnel and their families. Its volunteers and members are committed to improving the quality of life for those military families in service to our country. “Often the last face a deploying U.S. soldier sees is a USO volunteer,” Ray acknowledged. It matters not whether a U.S. solder is deploying to foreign soil, arriving home for R&R (rest and relaxation), redeploying from active duty back to home—the volunteers give thanks and gratitude in the send-off and an equal warm welcome when they come back home.

In the last eight years, the local USO has seen off approximately 100,000 soldiers. They have provided care packages, served refreshments, handled travel and lodging details, and most importantly given all military men and women a warm smile and sincere gratitude. Mitchell Bush is the current President of USO of Georgia, the Savannah Council. Further adding honor to our local USO chapter is Mary Nelson Adams honored as the 2008 USO National Volunteer of the Year.

365 days a year, Soldiers, Marines, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard receive support from the USO. As Georgia has one of the largest military populations in our country, it follows that many volunteers are needed. There are opportunities for all of us to serve—as our Servicemen already do—our country, in many capacities from home. Group volunteers, clubs and business groups, local business that can provide refreshments, corporations and civic minded individuals all can serve our country. Of course, monetary donations are most welcome and can be made at any time.

Ray Gaster strives to maintain standards and professionalism within this volunteer organization. Let us learn from his example of service to our country and his continued service to our community. Thank you, Ray. You are so appreciated for all you have done and continue to do.

To volunteer or donate funds:
USO Council of Georgia, Inc.
340 Eisenhower Drive
Building 300, Suite A
Savannah, Ga. 31406
Tel: 912-303-9119

The Lottery of Life

By Sue Brown

In reality, all men everywhere—are created equal. We really are. It’s almost so simple, that at first glance, it might be overlooked. In contemplation, we see the sameness. We all have the same basic needs for: food, clothing, and shelter; the same basic desires for: love, understanding, and compassion; and the same non-ending tests and challenges to not only be better people for ourselves, but for the community around us. This applies to every man, every nation, everywhere. Recently, I looked at our great country through another’s eyes. Often in this country we take simple things in life for granted and need to be reminded how truly lucky we are to be Americans. We probably know that already, but every so often it’s good to be reminded.

Her name is Omotayo Omobolanle Onuoha, but you may call her “Tayo” (tie-o) and she is from Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. This is the story of how she came to Richmond Hill, Georgia in the Unites States of America in 2002. In theory, it’s rather simple, but in actuality the odds of her making it to the United States are astounding.Tayo won the Green Card Lottery in 2001 in Nigeria, at the age of 26, which allowed her to gain permanent residence in the United States in April of the next year. While millions of people throughout the world look to the Green Card Lottery as their best hope for obtaining a U.S. Permanent Resident Visa, many Americans are not even aware the program exists. What is the Green Card Lottery, how does it work, and most importantly why is it good for America?

The Green Card Lottery sets aside 50,000 permanent resident visas annually, commonly known as Green Cards, for citizens of countries with historically low numbers of immigrants coming into the U.S. and makes these visas available through a free lottery. The purpose of the program is to encourage diversity amongst U.S. immigrants. In fact, the correct name for the program is The U.S. Diversity Program and it was created by Congress in 1994. The program makes permanent residence visas available to persons meeting simple, but strict, eligibility requirements. Applicants are chosen by a computer-generated random lottery drawing.

Tayo comes from a family of five grown children; she has two sisters and two brothers, in addition to her mother and father, and she is second oldest. However, she might be the lucky one in the family. She grew up in the capitol of Kwara State which is roughly home to some two and one-half million Nigerians by last estimate. Sadly, the per capita income is much less than $2,000 per year. She spoke of how her father had often won small amounts of “nairas,” the native currency, by submitting her name to Nigerian lotteries.

That very fact alone, made it apparent that perhaps there might be something more to her name. It was at a friend’s urging that she sent in her free application to the Green Card Lottery. The requirements are strict in that you must have a minimum of a high school education, Tayo and her four siblings have considerably more. In addition, you must submit a recent picture and other credentials, usually a passport, to prove who you are. You must sign your own application in script; no one can enter the lottery in your name.

Most importantly you must be able to work in the U.S. immediately upon entering the country. This is so the winners are not a burden on American society; they are immediately given a Social Security number. In addition, they must have a fellow countryman, already living here, who is willing to house them for a period when they first arrive in the Unites States and get adjusted.

Tayo’s family was so thrilled when she was one of the few people from the entire country of Nigeria who won the lottery that year. Of their five children, all of whom hold a higher education degree—jobs in Nigeria are just not available. If Tayo were to come to America, she at least would be able to work and have a better life. But it almost didn’t happen. Initially, she was to have gone to New York City to live with a distant relative, but at the last minute the offer was rescinded.

Then through a connection at her mother’s job, there was a mention of a doctor here in Richmond Hill, Georgia whose family might be willing to give Tayo a place to live while she got settled in the U.S. And so it happened that the good doctor — Dr. Olatunji Awe, an Internist in our town, and his family became “home and family” for Tayo for the first eight months. His kindness to her has extended even further as he still includes her in his own family vacations so she might experience more of the U.S. A few months ago there was a trip to Disney World!

Ford Academy, which will be celebrating its Fifth Anniversary this fall, became Tayo’s permanent place of employment. It was under different owner/directorship when she first began working there, but is now successfully directed by Jeralyn Wilson. Ford Academy has a staff of over twenty and when they are at full capacity, during the school year—they provide care for over a hundred children!

Jeralyn views the fact that Tayo has continued her employment with them as “a blessing.” Indeed, it was very evident that the care and affection between the two was deeper than employer and employee. “Ms. Wilson is my mother here,” Tayo said smiling. And if Ms. Wilson is her female angel than Jody Laing is her male angel.

When it came time for Tayo to get her first apartment, it made sense that she be close to work. She explained that one of the ladies she worked with lived nearby in an apartment complex: she suggested that Tayo check there herself to rent. As it turned out, there was a vacancy and she moved into her own place and was finally on her own!

A few months into her rental, Jody Laing, of Sterling Real Estate Incorporated, had occasion to enter the apartment for a minor repair job. Surprised that there were no furnishings whatsoever…he asked Tayo why she hadn’t moved in yet! It didn’t take long to determine that she had in fact moved in, but she had nothing in the way of furniture. She slept on her small pile of clothes on the floor. Tayo had a roof over her head, she had food, and she a job. America was wonderful.

Much to her surprise, while she was at work the next day, the bighearted “Mr. Jody” furnished her apartment from top to bottom. When she came home the next evening, the realization this was all given to her from someone who was neither family nor countryman was “a miracle.” She leaned closer to me when she told me her excitement about her good fortune. “I couldn’t even close the door, when I was in the bathroom…I was so happy and I just wanted to see out.”

It has been seven years since Tayo arrived in America and many things have changed. True, she still lives and works in Richmond Hill, but she is now married and the mother of a two year old son, Emmanuel. Although Tayo was dating Remigius Ndidi Onuoha when she first arrived here in 2002, it was not until 2004 that they married in their home country of Nigeria. It has been a lot of red tape to get her husband here to Richmond Hill, but he’s here at last. Hopefully, a job will come along soon. He was a Public Officer in government relations for many years in his own country.

One might wonder exactly when Tayo sleeps! Over the years since she has been here, in addition to her job at Ford Academy she also worked in the Bakery at Kroger where she often gave out “too many cookie samples.” She watches other children on weekends and just recently enrolled in Savannah Tech where she later will transfer to Armstrong Atlantic State University and finish her B.A. degree in Early Childhood Education. Her hope is to give back to our community by being a grade school teacher right here in Richmond Hill. There is not a doubt that Tayo will be a more than welcome addition to any public school and enrich the children’s lives considerably.

“Everyone here has been so nice to me,” she beamed. She feels particularly fortunate to be working with such wonderful people at her job. The ladies at work gave her a baby shower and she was again extremely touched. “I had no idea just how I was going to get anything for a baby…but they gave me everything…just everything.” Shanna Neal, a coworker, was particularly instrumental in making the event successful. Just as wonderful was Ms. Wilson going to the hospital with her for the delivery of her son.

I knew without asking, but I asked anyway: “What is your favorite American food?” “Sweets,” she told me, “We don’t have any and I could eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”

Pushing further, I asked, “Is your favorite oatmeal raisin cookies?” Her eyes grew wide. “YES!” and she clapped her hands in excitement. “And…?” I said. At the same time we both said: “Apple Pie!” and laughed!

Where Tayo covets sweets because she never had them in Nigeria— she makes hamburgers for her husband, any meal he wants, including breakfast, because meat is not plentiful. Children who go to school start learning English at an early age, but not all children finish school. In our time together in addition to the stories of levity, we discussed frankly some of the problems of Nigeria. There continues to be trafficking of women and girls, poverty and lack of employment even with an education, Polygamy which is a widespread practice, and the general problems of the African people in the modern world.

What was impressive was how this young woman, now in her early thirties, had not only come to America all on her own with nothing but a few clothes in a bag, but had embraced our people, culture, and customs. What was especially noteworthy was the fact that Tayo was so sincerely thankful for everything she now had and was willing to work even harder to give back to others in gratitude.

I looked through her eyes and saw our country and its freedoms in a new light. Here, we have the freedom to dream, freedom to succeed, freedom to be whoever and whatever we want to be. Ours is not a country of empty words, but rather a place of realities. We have the freedoms to change things we don’t like, either with our own personal tests and challenges, or on a greater scope. We can all be Tayo-s in our own right. We just have to do it.

Omotayo Omobolanle Onuoha thinks that America is the best place on Earth, like Heaven, and the people here, especially in Richmond Hill, the most caring, loving, generous people of all.

Published: Richmond Hill Reflections magazine 10/ 2009

Richmond Hill Reflections magazine

High Five: Lora Chance

By Sue Brown

WTOC Savannah

 

Every so often, things in life just come together. The sky is bright and sunny for a planned family outing. Our boss tells us the company is planning a four day closing, instead of the normal three, over a holiday weekend. We are worried about financial challenges and out of the blue, you come upon some unexpected assets. Some things we plan and some things happen by fate—and chance! The coming together of Lora Chance and Sonny Dixon just happens to be a little of both.Now twenty three years old, Lora clearly remembers WTOC, the Savannah CBS affiliate, on in her Richmond Hill home when she was a young girl. “It was the only news my family ever watched.” Now, she is a producer at the very same station and after meeting her, it was evident that she was right where she was always meant to be. After an Internship at “The Southeast News Leader” during the summer or 2009, the Richmond Hill resident was offered a full-time position as a producer, a few months later! This is highly unusual.

Not only that, but she is being mentored by long-time, Savannah television icon, Sonny Dixon, and produces his News NOW at 4 segment which airs each weekday. Lora also was instrumental in the launch of the station’s newest show shortly after her hire. In addition to his long tenure at the station, Sonny served our state in the Georgia House of Representatives, having been elected to five terms.

 

The rapport and mutual respect between them is evident even amidst the goodhearted teasing. Lora Chance is a wonderful example of a strong work ethic and dedication to excel at her job. She attributes that to her dad and says, “My dad told me always to do the best you can at the job you are doing.” This is good advice for all of our country’s youth and is not wasted on his daughter who has embraced that philosophy. Perhaps, Sonny Dixon also sees traits in the young woman which often seem to elude Generation “Y.”

“There is an air of entitlement that is often accompanied by arrogance, among the young people today,” he admits. However, in Lora he sees strong character, honor, and impressive work ethics. That’s an asset to someone as busy and in demand as Sonny, who often found that, “There just wasn’t enough time to get things done.” Now, he has Lora who is by his own admission—his “right arm.” That’s quite a compliment.

Lora is the daughter of Paul and Jeanie Chance and has a brother, Paul Jr. who is several years younger. Her dad is a machinist and History buff and mom an Intensive Care nurse. A 2005 graduate of RHHS, she is another shining example of the wonderful school system in our town. She spoke of classes during high school in film and television taught by Ms. Turner and several other classes that she took with Coach Kollman which allowed her to “come out of her shell.” Although, very soft-spoken, there is the feeling that Lora can more than hold her own if necessary. After high school she was a student at Georgia Southern for three years and transferred to Armstrong Atlantic State University to finish her English-Communications degree. She graduated summa cum laude in 2009. Initially, she believed she would be a high school English teacher herself, but came to realize the television business was where her heart lay.

It is obvious that Lora has always worked hard even before joining WTOC. During her time at Georgia Southern she worked at The Shell House, which is located at the intersection of I-95 and Rte. 204—a long ride from the Statesboro campus. In addition, she took classes in the summer months and even with the transferring of schools, she managed to graduate in four years, just shy of her 22nd Birthday. Sonny spoke of a particular Friday evening when it was long past the normal time to go home and Lora was still at her desk working! That attention to work is exactly what makes the young woman so important to her employer.

What is also noteworthy are the compliments paid by Sonny on Lora’s writing ability and her knack to know “…just how I would say something. In most of her scripts, I don’t need to change one thing. I can just read them cold.” There appears to be a great deal to be said about a person watching you on television for years and years. It’s as if they are inside your head. That is what seems to be happening between Lora and her mentor in any event. In addition, with similar roots in the Savannah area, they know what’s important to their viewing audience. Producer Chance has tapped into that asset; she just knows how someone, Sonny Dixon in this case, is going to react or think about a specific news situation. That’s a boon for her mentor.

When Lora took a school outing to WTOC and saw both the studio and familiar faces, which she had watched for years on her own television, she knew she had found her future home. Once there, Sonny says, “I just opened the door and she ran through it.” It is equally important to both of them to give just as much attention to the viewers and local news from the far reaching areas of the station’s viewing network as it is to focus on Savannah and its immediate surrounding area. It’s apparent that the young producer “gets” that a man and woman mentioned in Vidalia for a 60th Wedding Anniversary celebration, would also appreciate a mention that her husband thinks she makes the best red velvet cake around!

As we sat chatting for a considerable time, it was impressive that these two people—who had a show to produce and present, later that afternoon, made me feel: welcome, unhurried, and included. It was first hand witnessing of the traits that make the south as wonderful as it is. Mr. Dixon has an ability to make one feel as if there is no one more important than them and there is nowhere else he has to be or things he needs to be doing when he’s with them. Already I had sensed that too in Lora, who had put her boxed lunch on hold at her desk for several hours to meet with me. She also suggested a tour of the studio before we parted.

Without a doubt in the inevitable future, we will watch the news torch pass from the old regime to the new regime. The technology evolves continuously, the television personalities come and go, and the news and its focus—as we have witnessed—change moment to moment. However, one thing is a constant. There is no teacher as good as hands on experience. Couple that with a mentor who is willing to guide you and believe in your capabilities, it’s a winning combination. It preserves the values of what’s important in life and at the same time allows for changes and forward thinking. In Lora’s case, it’s not just chance, but rather a safe bet, that she will be in the news industry for many years to come. We’ll be watching!

Author’s Note:
In HIGH FIVE, I write about ordinary people who go above and beyond to make the lives of others better. Usually, they are not even aware of their impact on those around them. If you know of individuals in our community who are ordinary people who do extraordinary things and are positive examples of integrity, honor, and dedication, please contact suebrownauthor@aol.com for future consideration. Include your phone number and a brief write-up about your candidate(s).

http://www.suebrownauthor.com