It's Sunday -- and the start of a new work week for me. The end of last week challenged the Upside Thinker in me and by Friday, I was exhausted. I had received numerous prayer requests from friends, family and business associates, who shared their deepest sorrows with me. From sick loved ones to troubled teens, I listened intently. On Thursday morning, my husband called from work, stating that one of his co-workers was killed in a motorcycle accident, leaving behind a beautiful wife and family. I actually needed to recharge my batteries before I could finish writing this. Because one of the core values of Upside Thinking is "You are...where you choose to be", I choose to live in a place of gratitude and make every moment count. I choose to take the yucky stuff and make it lucky stuff. As many of you know, my grandfather was very special to me -- a wonderful role model. When I was about 13 years old and something happened that I thought was just awful, my grandfather would always say "that's awesome". While he was teasing me, he, too, knew how to make every moment count. It's more than turning lemons into lemonade. When you live life with an Attitude of Gratitude, amazing things happen! I witnessed many of them this week. More on that later......

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"Vacation all I ever wanted, vacation had to get away...." ( Yes -- I am a product of the 80's and every time I hear the word "vacation", I can't help it, I start singing.) After a heck of a week, Jim and I journeyed to the central coast in California for some much needed rest and relaxation. I requested no cell phones, no computer/email access and no PDA's. My husband reluctantly complied and I had a harder time than he did being without my many devices. Because I never quite turn off my leadership spidey senses, I connected with some incredible business owners and met a few upside thinkers along the way. During our time in Cayucos and Cambria, we explored the countryside and were in awe with its beauty. We laughed, ate fabulous food and laughed some more. One of the parts of the Go-Go's song that I disagree with is the next line which proclaims, "Vacation meant to be spent alone." I couldn't imagine "riding the upside" without Jim. Which brings me to one of the most exciting parts of our trip....the decision to launch a product line of Upside Thinking for all of the upside thinkers out there! Yeah for my supportive husband! I had to Go-Go it up and get away so I could get the creative juices flowing again. Be on the lookout for the Upside Living line in 2007!

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I spent the afternoon with my best friend and Upside Partner, Ursula C. Mentjes and was on cloud 9 for the rest of the day. She has a way of making me feel like I am the most important, wonderfully special person in all of the world -- a Super Star! She treated me to lunch at the Streeter Tea House to celebrate my birthday on Saturday and one of my birthday presents was a beautiful silver, diamond-studded star! We talked about our upcoming book, "Authentic Connections in Business" and our families. What I enjoy most about Ursula is her ability to see me for who I am and challenge me to be even better. Because I'm always talking about creating a clear leadership vision, it's a blessing to connect with someone who sees the "star" within me and encourages me to keep shining!

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September 11, 2001.

In my workshops on change management, I share that this was the day that brought much change to my life both personally and professionally. I had been working for the United States Customs Service in Newark, New Jersey and we had offices in the Trade Center - Tower 7. On that fateful day, I had arrived at the Federal law enforcement training center in Glynco, Georgia to shadow a communications class I would be teaching.

What is now referred to as "9/11", changed my future job possibilities and current job responsibilites. September 11th was the catalyst for discussions in Congress about creating an agency that shared resources and operated more efficiently. In this new organization, communication was to be effective and information shared openly. That organization broke apart existing organizations and built a mega-agency known as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). My job offer as the Port Director in Denver, Colorado was recinded through "restructuring" and my role in my former organization had changed, as I was now part of Customs and Border Protection. In my new role, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime to work with consultants and design a supervisory training program for future leaders of DHS. (I still feel extremely blessed to have worked on that team with so many talented individuals, one of whom is my husband.) What I've failed to mention thus far is that the person I was dating at the time was unaffected and unsympathetic about the events that occured on September 11th, which ended our relationship. (Thank heavens! See previous paragraph...) How anyone could have been untouched by the images on the television that day still amazes me!

Lastly, I lost my dear friend and mentor, Anthony Infante. He was a hero to me, not because he gave his life, because he gave great advice, taught me how to be a "tough" upside thinker and shared leadership lessons that will last a lifetime. Interestingly enough, two weeks before the buildings came crashing down, Tony gave me a crystal replica of the Twin Towers -- what he referred to as a touristy knick-knack. To all of the unsung heroes, like Tony, who provide leadership insight and mentoring without expecting anything in return......thank you.

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My husband, Jim, and I went to see an incredible movie this afternoon! I was looking forward to going to see "Invincible" for two reasons: 1) free air conditioning -- it has been 110 degrees in Riverside this weekend and 2) the movie is set in Philadelphia, PA, where I spent much of my youth. Based on a true story, it is about the life of Vince Papale, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles for three seasons.

My grandfather wanted grandsons and he got my sister, Pamela, and I, so I learned to love every sport imaginable and enjoy most sports films. I often get asked the question"don't you love Southern California?" by native Californians and, in many respects, I do. However, there is something mystical and magical about going home. As I sat in the theatre, I took a trip back to the old row homes and blue-collar neighborhoods of my hometown. I visited with the neighbors who cared about my future and sat in the local bar with "characters" that reminded me of my grandfathers friends (which by the way was where I learned to play darts, pool and shuffleboard).

While I was allowed to take a trip down memory lane, there were also valuable leadership lessons throughout the movie for me to reflect on, as well. Take chances. Laugh. Humility is a virtue -- and rare to find. One person can make a difference. Find the good in others -- always. Choose to be kind before being right. And, lastly, as Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." Go Vince!

Invincible Movie official website.

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Owning your own business requires countless hours fine-tuning who you are and what you represent. Because it is a labor of love, you don't mind working nights, weekends and holidays. Many thanks to Erik Nielsen for helping me clarify my identity in the world of leadership and share my vision for Upside Thinking, Inc. One of the five principles of increasing your sphere of influence at Upside Thinking, Inc is to develop your strengths so I'll stick to leadership coaching and leave the web design to the master. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Erik!

www.erik-nielsen.com

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