During this difficult time of the Pandemic, I think we are all searching for new meaning and new ways of interacting with others as we shelter in our homes. Many of us are alone, so when I read this poem, it affirmed for me the choices we have each day to make a difference, no matter where we are……even if our contacts are only by note, phone, email or Zoom.
I hope this newsletter will bring HOPE to those of you who are reading it, and you will find yourself focusing more on your blessings than on your fears.
POEM about KINDNESS for Others
Is anybody happier because you passed his way?
Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?
Can you say tonight, in parting with the day that’s slipping fast,
That you helped a single brother of the many that you passed?
Is a single heart rejoicing over what you said or did?
Does the man whose hopes were fading now with courage look ahead?
Did you leave a trail of kindness, or a scar of discontent?
As you close your eyes in slumber, do you think that God will say,
“You have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did today?”
Blessings,
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“Barbara Glanz is a speaker who embodies her own message – people remember how you make them feel. With inspiring stories of great customer service, underscored with a seemingly boundless level of energy, Barbara left our audience feeling ready to make a difference in the world.”
Bill Stoller, Founder Chairman of the Board, and CEO
Express Employment Professionals International Headquarters
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Where in the World is Barbara?
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Well, I am in the same place as most of you, working in my home office. However, I feel especially blessed because I can look out my windows at the “most beautiful beach in America,” Siesta Key in Sarasota, Florida. Walking on the beach for 2 – 3 miles and swimming a mile every other day have kept me sane! 😉 I must admit that I do miss the travel, especially being able to see my children and grands in Seattle and Portland, yet, probably like most of you, I have gotten lots of “projects” done in the quiet time.
I donated 17 crates of business files and about that many boxes of business books to the National Speaker’s Chapter in Florida, I threw out another 22 creates of paper I had saved over the years, and at least half my closet has been ransacked and shared with others!
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In the midst of this rather emotional time, however, I have had many, many blessings. I found cards and notes I had saved from family, clients and friends from the time I first started my business in 1995 until now. I found letters from my Great Grandmother, Grandparents, my Mom and Dad, and even all the letters my late husband and I wrote back and forth after we were engaged and apart for a year. I found letters that my father wrote my mother when he was in the army and I was born. I found old family pictures of Great Great Grandparents that I did not even know existed, and I even found ration books from World War II!
I have also become quite a connoisseur of Netflix series and interesting new books. I have particularly loved Mitch Albom’s new book, “Finding Chica,” about his work with an orphanage in Haiti and the little girl from there who made them a first time family, Malcom Gladwell’s new book, “Talking with Strangers,” and “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” by Lori Gottlieb. And if you want some lighter reading, pick up “”My Dear Hamilton, A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton” by Dray & Kamoie and “The Book of Lost Friends” by Lisa Wingate.
Please share with me what you have done with this “sabbatical” time. I hope you can find some ways that it has been a blessing for you, too.
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Barbara, you serve as an inspiration to me and hundreds like me. Our vision of our work is made clearer by the path you have cleared for us.”
Tim Durkin, CSP
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BECOMING A VIRTUAL PRESENTER
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I came kicking and screaming to the idea of speaking to my audiences virtually, but thanks to the help of many friends and colleagues, I am becoming more and more comfortable with Zoom. In fact, I am working on my Certified Virtual Presenter designation from the National Speakers Association.
I have done keynote presentations, both recorded and live, several interviews, including one for an international conference called Universal Communication Adventures from Germany, several presentations for a learning system, and of course many client Zoom calls. Please let me know if you are considering a virtual presentation in any of my topic areas. Although I am greatly missing the audience energy and interaction afterwards. I am finding that my message continues to inspire and challenge even through a computer screen!
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“Barbara, I have never met a woman who inspires me as deeply and effectively as you. My husband, who is a dentist, has, as a result of your ideas, has transformed our office from just a “get your teeth fixed here” to a place of warmth, happiness, and comfort for our patients and employees. We love our jobs because the bottom line is, ‘How happy can I make someone today.’ As a result, his production has almost doubled within the last year. You have changed our lives – not just spiritually and mentally but financially, too!”
Kim Bosler
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THE HEALING POWER OF MUSIC
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In difficult times, many of us turn to music. We have all heard the expression that “music tames the savage beast”, and research has proven that to be true. When I first went to college, being a pianist and singer, I chose my university because it gave a degree in Music Therapy. Although I changed that major after two years because I had to learn to play every instrument there was, and that was NOT my forte, I was deeply touched by the way therapists were using music to calm upset clients, to reach autistic children and older folks with Alzheimers and dementia, and to simply bring JOY to those who were in both physical and emotional pain.
Someone equated listening to music with taking an aspirin – it takes the pain away at least for a time. Sarah Lenz Lock, AARP’s senior VP of policy and brain health says, “People who study the brain have shown that listening to music you enjoy can cause a release of dopamine, a chemical that increases feelings of happiness.”
At Lenox Hill hospital in New York City, they played the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” on the loudspeaker every time a Covid patient came off a ventilator. A pulmonologist there said, “Especially for those on the front lines of critical care, it’s like a war zone here. To hear this song on the loudspeaker is just what people need, a reminder that patients are recovering.” On a day when the song had played some 20 times, a nurse manager said each repetition made her feel better. “It was an overwhelming sense of Wow, we’re making a difference. I got teary eyed.”
Another hospital client of mine plays a lullaby each time a new baby is born. Since they are so often associated with pain and dying, their patients and employees have loved celebrating the happiness of new life. And many musicians have used this Covid time when they can’t be on the road for concerts to share their music virtually to bring special joy to those who are sheltered at home.
We need now more than ever to focus on what brings us Happiness. Happiness gives us the resilience to get through, and music can bring us that happiness. Here are some examples of music that can lift your spirits when you are down.
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SONGS OF HOPE AND HAPPINESS
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“Beautiful Day” – U2
“Don’t Stop” – Fleetwood Mac
“The River of Dreams” – Billy Joel
“What a Wonderful World” – Louis Armstrong
“Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey
“Coming Out of the Dark” – Gloria Estefan
“Walking on Sunshine” – Katrina and the Waves
“Three Little Birds” – Bob Marley and the Wailers
“Happy” – Pharrell
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” – Simon & Garfunkel
“Here Comes the Sun” – Beatles
“Don’t Worry Baby” – The Beach Boys
“Somewhere Out There” – Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram
“Let’s Work Together” – Canned Heat
“Shelter from the Storm” – Bob Dylan
“What the World Needs Now (Is Love)” – Dionne Warwick
“Lovely Day” – Bill Withers
“Mr. Blue Sky” – Bill Withers
“I Saw the Light” – Hank Williams
“I Will Survive” _ Gloria Gaynor
In any circumstance, even as frightening as Covid- 19, we have choices to either focus on what is right and good or what is awful and scary in our lives. Music can help us make those positive choices. I choose Happiness, and I hope you will, too.
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“Having Barbara speak at our annual conference was a fantastic decision. Her stories were inspiring and her lessons left each and every one of us with a boosted sense of morale.”
Phillp Chang, Founder and CEO
Yougurtland
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Our Perpetual Calendar, “Spreading Contagious Enthusiasm,” is a great way to begin each day with thoughts that will bring you hope, peace, joy and even some laughs!
If you want a sample, the Quotes section of this newsletter will highlight a few of them.
Just $20 plus shipping – about a nickel a day – can start your day off right!
Here is what people are saying about Barbara’s Perpetual Calendar:
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“We all need something positive to reflect on. So every morning I read the thought for the day and find it gives me hope and lightens my burdens as I face the challenges of life.”
Jeff Fendley
HR Manager, Walgreens
“Each morning I look forward to reading Barbara’s ‘Spreading Contagious Enthusiasm’ calendar. The messages remind me of how important it is to live each day to the fullest and to touch the lives of others. These inspirational calendars, taken to heart, could make the difference between a sad or mundane day versus a great day — filled with faith and enthusiasm.”
Steven J. Cochlan
President & Chief Executive Officer
“Each morning I enjoy reading the next quote on my Spreading Contagious Enthusiasm calendar. The sentiments sprinkle my day with a dose of happiness and positivity which is so needed right now in the world . Thank you, Barbara. for the daily dose of inspiration.”
Laura Leist,
CEO ,Eliminate Chaos
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“Barbara, I attended the LSHRM meeting where you spoke about Kindness in the workplace. I really absorbed everything you said. The workday would be so less stressful if kindness was put into on a daily basis. Thank you for your insight.” ~Yvonne Bates
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QUOTES OF THE MONTH FROM “SPREADING
CONTAGIOUS ENTHUSIASM”
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“Never take someone for granted. Hold every person close to your heart because you might wake up one day and realize that you’ve lost a diamond while you were collecting stones.”
“Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered and there was no one there.”
“One of the first things a physician says to his patients is, ‘Let me see your tongue.’ A spiritual advisor might often do the same.”
“Kind words are short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” ~ Mother Teresa
“It’s better to hang out with people better than you. Pick out associates whose behavior is better than yours and you’ll drift in that direction.” ~ Warren Buffet
“Remember in the dark what God has taught you in the light.”
“Be thankful for the difficult people in your life, for they have shown you exactly who you do not want to be!”
“You cannot begin a new chapter in your life until you stop rereading the last one.”
“Believe in the miracle of the second chance. The life you have led doesn’t have to be the only life you have.” ~ Anna Quindlen
“All endings are also new beginnings: we just don’t know it at the time.” ~ Mitch Albom
“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” ~ Martin Luther
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“Absolutely loved Barbara Glanz!! She did a fantastic job with her presentation and some of the things she said and pointed out have really resonated with me. I’ve already put some of her suggestions into practice. For example, I’ve already complimented several people for the work that they do to make them feel appreciated 🙂 I really liked her positive, fun spirit and her outlook on life. Even though she has been through many trials she doesn’t focus on her circumstances. I would highly recommend her to speak at any event. Awesome choice to choose her as a speaker! I look forward to reading her material on the internet and/or books.”
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Thank you so much for being a part of our team and spreading YOUR contagious enthusiasm wherever you find yourself in life. Please let us know any ways we can be of help to you as you plan your association, company, or manager’s meetings. We would love to help you discover new ideas you can apply immediately in the areas of Employee Engagement, Customer Service, Appreciation & Recognition, Creating a Culture of Kindness, and Understanding the Human Level of Change.
“Be kind and merciful. Let no one ever come to you without coming away better and happier.” ~ Mother Teresa
Blessings,
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© Barbara Glanz Communications Inc. 2018. All Rights Reserved.
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