Be Careful What You Wish For – Part 1

Posted on December 28, 2013 by MarleneMB

The snow was swirling around the street as I tugged on the leash to keep Ramadan from pulling. She was a mixed breed that we rescued from the animal shelter. Her black coat was covered with the snow. The temperature was in the low 30s but it felt colder because of the wind. Ramadan seemed happy to be in the snow. I wasn’t. My sister was inside the apartment nice and warm and our mother was at work. It was my turn to walk Ramadan…it was one of the worst snow storm in New York and there I was at 7 p.m. walking this dog that wouldn’t listen to me.

Suddenly, Ramadan gave a hard jerk on the leash and broke free. She saw a stray dog down the block and she ran towards it. I called out: “Ramadan, no. Come back.” I chased after them, but the snow made it difficult for me to keep up with them. They ran around the block and I lost track of them. I got so mad and I shouted: “You stupid dog. I wish a car hits you!” I decided to go back to the apartment and ask my sister to help me find her. My sister got dressed and we went out to find Ramadan. We walked around the block that I last saw her. Off in the distance we saw something moving in the road. As we got closer, I told my sister that it was the dog that Ramadan chased. It was tugging at something lying in the road.

The closer we got, the harder my heart was beating in my chest. I was praying that the thing the other dog was tugging at was not Ramadan. But it was. To my horror, Ramadan was not moving; her body was motionless on the cold street with blood coming from her mouth and the leash still tied around her neck. The other dog was trying valiantly to awaken her. It was too late. It seemed my wish had come true. A car did hit Ramadan. Guilt and sorrow immediately flooded my being as I grab my sister’s hand and started running back to the apartment. I kept repeating: “It is my fault. It is my fault,” as the tears stung my half frozen cheeks.

We rushed into the apartment and I dialed my mother’s work number. When she answered, I blurted out what happened and ask her to forgive me. She calmed me on the phone to the point where I wasn’t gasping for air between my sobs. Once I calmed down, she told me: “You must be careful what you wish for. Wishes are powerful and they do come true.” Whether you are I believe in wishes, I know that night in the late 1970’s taught me to be very mindful of the words I utter out to the Universe, especially when making a wish. Now I channel my words, desires, wishes, etc. into positive visions with positive intentions towards Living a Diamond Life. Somehow this works for me. How about you?

Live a Diamond Life! Live a Life of Purpose!

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Stop Slip Slidin’ Away

Posted on December 11, 2013 by MarleneMB

Yesterday, while channel surfing on the car radio, I stopped to listen to Paul Simon’s song “Slip Slidin’ Away.” I never really paid attention to the words, the hundreds of times I have heard the song. Then, I truly listened and felt the note of caution the words expressed. At least that’s how I connected with the song. The thought of life’s dreams, goals or purposes slipping and slidin’ away from us, the closer we get to them, is a scary and a real one.

So many times we allow our dreams and aspirations to get away from us. We learn to settle in jobs, routines and self-doubts, instead of implementing: persistence, being consistent in the resistance of imagined trepidations. The haunting lyrics of the song popped into my head at 5 a.m. as I woke and prepare for my morning exercise. I headed to the beach to see the beauty of the sunrise and the magnificence of the ocean waves. They reminded me of the possibility of achieving greatness, if we just decide to be consistent in our resistance of our fears and the persistence of our purpose. Stop slip slidin’ away and start believing and living your Diamond Life…your Life of Purpose!

Take a listen to the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_H-LY4Jb2M

Keep Living a Diamond Life! Live a Life of Purpose!

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Convicted by Hunger

Posted on November 30, 2013 by MarleneMB

Lifting the knife and fork in my hand, I started to cut into the fish on my plate. It had been many hours since I ate anything. The pleasant aroma of the food was making my mouth water. Suddenly, I heard knocking at the door of the hotel boardroom I was sitting in. It was the room we were using as a central point for the organization of the District 47 Fall Conference. My team was in charge of registration and I told them to go enjoy the dinner event while I manned the registration of any latecomers.

Needless to say, I was not happy to hear the knock at the door, as I was about to eat. Grudgingly, I left the food and when towards the door as the knocking continued. I snapped open the door to see two young ladies standing there. Hastily they said were there to pick up their registration badges and meal ticket. In a not too friendly voice, I told them that it was late and registration was closed. Their response was that they were instructed by their club president to come up and get their badges. Murmuring to myself, I told them to come in.

I asked them if they minded if I ate some of my dinner. They said no and I proceeded to take a bite, but I felt self-conscious. I told them that registration would be open at 7 a.m. the next morning, as the smell of the food caused my stomach to rumble. One of the young ladies answered angrily: “Fine. We will come back tomorrow morning.” She turned away to leave. The second one said “What about our food?” to her. The first replied: “ We will find something to buy.”

The plea of the second attendee stopped me in my track. I immediately heard the hunger in her voice. I felt terrible and ashamed of my actions. The thought popped into my head that they are Bahamians and probably just got in from the airport. I knew it was raining outside and this often means delayed flights and bad traveling conditions. I said a prayer to God asking for His forgiveness. I turned to them and asked them to forgive me. I was wrong. I told them it was not the “Toastmasterly” thing to do; most importantly, it was not the Christianly thing to do. I asked them to sit down as I helped them get thing items they needed. Before they left I again asked for their forgiveness.

I ran into them a few times after this episode and each time I gave them hugs. By the end of the weekend, we became friends and we agreed to exchange our contact information. I learned a valuable lesson that weekend: Never let my needs get in the way of being kind towards others and treating others the way I want to be treated. I am so happy that I had the opportunity to admit that I was wrong and to ask for forgiveness. I am most happy that they granted me not only forgiveness, but also their friendship.

Live a Diamond Life! Live a Life of Purpose!

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Resolve

Posted on October 14, 2013 by MarleneMB

She waved to me across the room as she timidly entered. Her winning smile was in place as she approached me. I called her name excitedly “Phyllis” as we hugged. Phyllis is one of six hundred members of the Toastmasters in Division A, the division I oversee as the Division Governor. Phyllis came to see me at the District 47 leadership meeting in order to give me money to pay for her registration for the upcoming District Fall Conference.

I was so happy to see her because I was impressed at her resolve to ensure that she attends the conference. You see, Phyllis does not drive; neither does she have Internet access at home. Whenever, there is event in the District, Phyllis finds and gives me the money for the event. Then I get online and get her registered. Phyllis determination to attend these events always impresses me.

I think about the people who have easy access to transportation and Internet service, yet make excuses why they cannot attend these events. Phyllis sees beyond her inconvenience and recognizes the value of learning new speaking techniques and leadership skills at these conferences. She is willing to invest in her growth despite her challenges. Phyllis’ steadfastness also reminds me that you get what you put into anything you do or relationship you are a part of. She is an inspiration to me to keep doing my best for every member of Division A.

One of the definitions of resolve is “firm determination to do something.” Phyllis shows that she is determine to succeed in any condition! Thank you Phyllis for teaching me to not let any obstacle keep me from reaching my destination or living my purpose!

Live a Diamond Life! Live a Life of Purpose!

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No Wallflower at the University of Miami Diversity Networking Night

Posted on September 24, 2013 by MarleneMB

Recently, Alicia Rodriguez, Director of Employer Relations at the University of Miami, invited me to be the keynote speaker at the university’s Diversity Networking Night event. The goal of the event was to engage a diverse group of students and alumni of various backgrounds with potential employers. My task was to provide them with tips for successful networking and job interviewing skills.I was honored to be the keynote speaker at this event. I love being able to share information with the students at my Alma Mater and to give back some of the wonderful folks at the University of Miami.

I worked with Maria Tomaino, Associate Director Events & Marketing within the Toppel Career Center, to ensure that the material I was sharing met the goals of the center. She was very professional and so energetic and I was impressed by her diligence in getting everything organized in order to produce a high quality experience for the participants. At the event, Maria was on hand to welcome me and provided me with the information and the equipment I needed to present to the attendees. She was such a great support to me.

The presentation went well. There were over 150 people in attendance. The students and alumni had fun performing the networking exercises as well as the demo job interview session. Many of them approached me after the event to thank me for giving them new ideas about successful networking and how to conduct themselves in a job interview. I was very impressed by the entire occasion, Maria and her team as well as the enthusiasm of the students/alums. I walked away feeling more blessed by them and their positive attitude for the future. Kudos to the Toppel Center team for hosting another wonderful career affair.

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