I'm sure you've heard and seen many of the current news stories about shoplifting starlets, actor-addicts, or tween padded bikini tops. That’s why it’s both a refreshing and welcome change of pace to highlight an inspirational, true story—recently made into a motion picture--of the teenage surfer, Brittany Hamilton.
On April 8th some of Hollywood’s biggest stars—Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, Carrie Underwood, and AnnaSophia Robb—will appear in the movie, Soul Surfer, portraying the true story of how a family's faith, and their community, helped them overcome a difficult tragedy.
Soul Surfer is the story of a young, up-and-coming teen surfer who was attacked by a shark and lost her arm. Rather than give away the story, I encourage you to get out and see the movie—take your family, friends or even the office staff. It’s my belief that when you and I make a little change of plans in order to support the kind of teen news that makes a positive impact on our culture, it WILL have a big result! Anybody in? I hope so!
Be encouraged,
Becky
For more information on group tickets, showings in your city, details of the story or the actors, click here to visit the Soul Surfer Movie site.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Taking BIG Risks—I’m about to do it! How about you?
Politicians, artists, entrepreneurs, and moms each tell their success stories--in spite of the risk--in a Forbes.com article that inspires the dreamer in all of us!
The article cites Ronald Heifetz, leadership expert and professor at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government who believes that the people around us are most often the reason we don’t take risks! We’d do it—start a company, invent a new product, change careers or locations--but, "…peoples' choices to take or refrain from risk are over-determined by their culture," says Heifetz.
In the recent article by Jane Lee, over two dozen “risk” stories are told by average people who: overcame their fears, believed in their idea or potential to change culture for the better, or wanted to improve the environment with their idea. The stories have a few common threads:
1. They took loans. Whether from family members or local banks, these entrepreneurs received support for their research or start-up costs. Of course, neither banks nor family members will support a project or person they don’t feel will bring them a return, so each of the successful risk-takers had a viable, written plan for rolling out their product or design.
2. They didn’t give up. One gal who had suffered through a love-loss, rather than withdrawing, asked each of her friends to introduce her to potential suitors by hosting numerous dinner parties—until she found her soul mate!
3. They took a hobby to a new level. Turning their passion into a career didn’t happen overnight, but when the time was right—when an overwhelming number of people commented on their abilities and were willing to pay for their services—they launched from one field or career to a new one.
4. They found a need and filled it. One mom turned her need (as a parent who wanted advice, support and encouragement) into a social network for mothers. Her husband advised her to seek outside advertising and she did. The rest is history.
5. They often invested in themselves. Many of the risk-takers sold a successful company to launch a brand new, untested company in a completely different genre. Though it often took longer than they had hoped, they were successful.
Over the weekend, I’ve been contemplating launching my own Little Changes Big Results® daily radio show. It is closer to a reality than ever—a dream that I’ve had in my heart for a very long time. This article has been just one of many “encouraging words” I've needed to hear that has given me courage to take a risk on something that I believe.
What do I believe? Our culture needs to change. We must, as a nation, live healthier lives--to eat better and exercise regularly or we are going to live shorter, disease-prone lives. For those of us who are married, we need to stay married. Period. If we are parents, we need to raise emotionally healthy and secure children who have values, self-esteem and security modeled at home. And as a nation founded on faith, our daily lives need to reflect it—beginning with the Golden Rule.
And because I’m passionate about faith and family and fitness, I’m planning to launch a daily call-in radio show in Southern California (with my husband, Dr. Roger Tirabassi as my co-host)—that can be heard “live” or streaming online for anyone to access between 1:30 and 2 pm PST, Monday through Friday. My goal is to be a part of changing our culture by giving listeners little changes to make in their lives—physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally—that will give them big results: healthy bodies, better relationships and a stronger faith! (As I take more risks and get closer to a launch, I’ll let you know the details each week on this blog--but I hope to begin by or before June 1, 2011.)
If you have any thoughts or encouragement for me, let me know! Meanwhile, consider taking your own risk and following the dream that has been in your heart for a very long time!
Be encouraged,
Becky
The article cites Ronald Heifetz, leadership expert and professor at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government who believes that the people around us are most often the reason we don’t take risks! We’d do it—start a company, invent a new product, change careers or locations--but, "…peoples' choices to take or refrain from risk are over-determined by their culture," says Heifetz.
In the recent article by Jane Lee, over two dozen “risk” stories are told by average people who: overcame their fears, believed in their idea or potential to change culture for the better, or wanted to improve the environment with their idea. The stories have a few common threads:
1. They took loans. Whether from family members or local banks, these entrepreneurs received support for their research or start-up costs. Of course, neither banks nor family members will support a project or person they don’t feel will bring them a return, so each of the successful risk-takers had a viable, written plan for rolling out their product or design.
2. They didn’t give up. One gal who had suffered through a love-loss, rather than withdrawing, asked each of her friends to introduce her to potential suitors by hosting numerous dinner parties—until she found her soul mate!
3. They took a hobby to a new level. Turning their passion into a career didn’t happen overnight, but when the time was right—when an overwhelming number of people commented on their abilities and were willing to pay for their services—they launched from one field or career to a new one.
4. They found a need and filled it. One mom turned her need (as a parent who wanted advice, support and encouragement) into a social network for mothers. Her husband advised her to seek outside advertising and she did. The rest is history.
5. They often invested in themselves. Many of the risk-takers sold a successful company to launch a brand new, untested company in a completely different genre. Though it often took longer than they had hoped, they were successful.
Over the weekend, I’ve been contemplating launching my own Little Changes Big Results® daily radio show. It is closer to a reality than ever—a dream that I’ve had in my heart for a very long time. This article has been just one of many “encouraging words” I've needed to hear that has given me courage to take a risk on something that I believe.
What do I believe? Our culture needs to change. We must, as a nation, live healthier lives--to eat better and exercise regularly or we are going to live shorter, disease-prone lives. For those of us who are married, we need to stay married. Period. If we are parents, we need to raise emotionally healthy and secure children who have values, self-esteem and security modeled at home. And as a nation founded on faith, our daily lives need to reflect it—beginning with the Golden Rule.
And because I’m passionate about faith and family and fitness, I’m planning to launch a daily call-in radio show in Southern California (with my husband, Dr. Roger Tirabassi as my co-host)—that can be heard “live” or streaming online for anyone to access between 1:30 and 2 pm PST, Monday through Friday. My goal is to be a part of changing our culture by giving listeners little changes to make in their lives—physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally—that will give them big results: healthy bodies, better relationships and a stronger faith! (As I take more risks and get closer to a launch, I’ll let you know the details each week on this blog--but I hope to begin by or before June 1, 2011.)
If you have any thoughts or encouragement for me, let me know! Meanwhile, consider taking your own risk and following the dream that has been in your heart for a very long time!
Be encouraged,
Becky
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Want more love, character and achievement for your kids?
As a wife, mom and mom-in-law, business-owner, speaker, author, Certified Life Coach, Fitness Instructor and student (I’m getting my Master’s degree in Education: Teaching and Curriculum), I am constantly looking to find ways to help people change their lives for the better. Through this weekly column, I highlight a “current affair” that illustrates how you and I can make little changes in our lives and see big results.
This week, I was inspired by a recent GMA interview of David Brooks, author of The Social Animal and columnist for the New York Times, in which he suggests that successful people are not just IQ’s and beauty, but that a meaningful life can be measured for happiness by:
(1) character—the ability to persevere after setbacks, possess enough confidence to take risks, own up to your shortcomings, and control the worst of your impulses, and
(2) street smarts—the intuition in impromptu situations that allows you to think on your feet.
In Brooks' book, The Social Animal, even though he includes a good deal of research, I am encouraged by the simplicity of what he suggests will create a successful life. His premise begins with the idea that people learn from people they love. Therefore, he believes that a parent's greatest gift to his or her children is to teach them the non-cognitive skills of good character and healthy social skills in order to raise healthy, happy adults.
What do non-cognitive skills look like? Hugs. Smiles. Please and thank you. Good sportsmanship after a win or a loss. Tenacity. Perseverance. Temper control. Rewards. Gold stars. Time outs. Family outings. Respect for elders. Praying to God. Visiting the sick. Being on time. Laughing at self. Not yelling. Loving the unlovely. Generous giving. Humility. Healthy living. Not to gossip. Never to bully. Protect the weak. Don’t lie. Admit when you’re wrong. Forgive quickly.
I agree with David Brooks. You and I have a great responsibility to model little changes, such as those listed above, with the expectation that they will have big, lasting and immeasurable results in the lives of those we love.
Be encouraged,
Becky
This week, I was inspired by a recent GMA interview of David Brooks, author of The Social Animal and columnist for the New York Times, in which he suggests that successful people are not just IQ’s and beauty, but that a meaningful life can be measured for happiness by:
(1) character—the ability to persevere after setbacks, possess enough confidence to take risks, own up to your shortcomings, and control the worst of your impulses, and
(2) street smarts—the intuition in impromptu situations that allows you to think on your feet.
In Brooks' book, The Social Animal, even though he includes a good deal of research, I am encouraged by the simplicity of what he suggests will create a successful life. His premise begins with the idea that people learn from people they love. Therefore, he believes that a parent's greatest gift to his or her children is to teach them the non-cognitive skills of good character and healthy social skills in order to raise healthy, happy adults.
What do non-cognitive skills look like? Hugs. Smiles. Please and thank you. Good sportsmanship after a win or a loss. Tenacity. Perseverance. Temper control. Rewards. Gold stars. Time outs. Family outings. Respect for elders. Praying to God. Visiting the sick. Being on time. Laughing at self. Not yelling. Loving the unlovely. Generous giving. Humility. Healthy living. Not to gossip. Never to bully. Protect the weak. Don’t lie. Admit when you’re wrong. Forgive quickly.
I agree with David Brooks. You and I have a great responsibility to model little changes, such as those listed above, with the expectation that they will have big, lasting and immeasurable results in the lives of those we love.
Be encouraged,
Becky
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Benefits of Vacation!
We all need a get-away from work and since I have been traveling and speaking for a number of weeks, I am taking a writing break this week! But rather than leave you without an encouraging word, I found a short article by a corporate comedian on the five benefits of vacation that reminded me that you only need to make a few little changes -- like shutting off the cell phone, not opening your email, or taking a day trip to a museum or zoo or vista point in your area, even for just an hour or two-- to get the following big results:
1. Live Longer
2. Be Happier
3. Improve Sleep
4. Improve Productivity
5. Solve Problems
Please, if you need a getaway from stress, pressure, or other problems that are out of your control, take a stay-cation (even for a few hours or a half of a day) and enjoy some of these benefits!
Be encouraged,
Becky
1. Live Longer
2. Be Happier
3. Improve Sleep
4. Improve Productivity
5. Solve Problems
Please, if you need a getaway from stress, pressure, or other problems that are out of your control, take a stay-cation (even for a few hours or a half of a day) and enjoy some of these benefits!
Be encouraged,
Becky
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Intervention anyone?
In the past week, I've had numerous conversations with parents of teens and preteens from all over America regarding bullying, underage drinking, drug overdoses, suicide, pornography, and dating. Yikes! Do you have any idea of what is going on in our nation's neighborhoods and schools?
Most of us, unless we have kids that age, don't realize the seriousness of the issues boys and girls are facing today. And even if your kids come from a secure and stable home, the kids whom they sit next to everyday in class might be struggling for any number of reasons. All I'm saying is that a parent in today's culture cannot be naive, under-informed or intimidated to talk to his or her kids.
I continually think of myself as an awareness advocate. And in this role, I'm growing more convinced that parents must talk to their kids about everything-- even if it is uncomfortable.
On one of my most frequented websites, drugfree.org, I found the following advice:
"If you are at all concerned about a child – or even just have a bad feeling – you can and should intervene by:
Setting tighter limits with clear consequences
Getting outside help and support if necessary
Having productive conversations with a child -- remain calm, share your concerns and listen.
Closely monitoring your child's behavior and activities."
In fact, this very informative article on intervention strongly suggested: "It's imperative that you intervene as soon as your instinct tells you that something is wrong."
I think many parents are often afraid that they might be overreacting or they don't want to confront school administration, nor do they want to embarrass the family name or disrupt a child's schooling for treatment or relocation. But if you overheard the conversations I've had just this week, I know you would be moved to action.
So I'm going to challenge you to make one little change that will have a big result: THIS WEEK start reading and watching news stories about teens and...addiction, depression, today's drugs of choice (prescription or street) and their rampant availability to the very youngest students, bullying, alcohol abuse and its relationship to sexual assault on college campuses...then see if you aren't inspired to do something in your community to change the culture!
Be encouraged,
Becky
Most of us, unless we have kids that age, don't realize the seriousness of the issues boys and girls are facing today. And even if your kids come from a secure and stable home, the kids whom they sit next to everyday in class might be struggling for any number of reasons. All I'm saying is that a parent in today's culture cannot be naive, under-informed or intimidated to talk to his or her kids.
I continually think of myself as an awareness advocate. And in this role, I'm growing more convinced that parents must talk to their kids about everything-- even if it is uncomfortable.
On one of my most frequented websites, drugfree.org, I found the following advice:
"If you are at all concerned about a child – or even just have a bad feeling – you can and should intervene by:
Setting tighter limits with clear consequences
Getting outside help and support if necessary
Having productive conversations with a child -- remain calm, share your concerns and listen.
Closely monitoring your child's behavior and activities."
In fact, this very informative article on intervention strongly suggested: "It's imperative that you intervene as soon as your instinct tells you that something is wrong."
I think many parents are often afraid that they might be overreacting or they don't want to confront school administration, nor do they want to embarrass the family name or disrupt a child's schooling for treatment or relocation. But if you overheard the conversations I've had just this week, I know you would be moved to action.
So I'm going to challenge you to make one little change that will have a big result: THIS WEEK start reading and watching news stories about teens and...addiction, depression, today's drugs of choice (prescription or street) and their rampant availability to the very youngest students, bullying, alcohol abuse and its relationship to sexual assault on college campuses...then see if you aren't inspired to do something in your community to change the culture!
Be encouraged,
Becky
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Teens Drink for Free!
Of the 709,000 12-14 year olds who drink in America, almost half of them either drink at home or get their alcohol from home (as reported in a recent SAMHSA study). And 94% of those kids get their liquor for free. Most shocking, of the 12-14 year olds surveyed, almost 16% of them were given the alcohol by their parent or guardian!
Outside of the sad fact that the average age of kids experimenting with drugs and alcohol is getting lower and lower, the rest of the report shouldn’t shock you, because if you were a teenager in the last 40 years…
You or your friends probably drank while underage,
You or someone you knew probably drank while driving,
You or your friends probably drank your parent’s liquor while they were out,
You probably went to a party where a “kegger” was supplied by the parents,
You or your friends probably drank to be popular,
You or your friends drank because you felt insecure, or
You or a friend drank more than everyone else because a parent or grandparent was an alcoholic.
Years ago, there weren’t many studies that revealed the truth about teens and alcohol: the increased number of kids who dropped out of school because they drank, or the higher number of alcohol-related criminal arrests and sexual assaults, or the percentage of teens who were diagnosed as alcoholics. But when the statistics of kids who drank and drove and killed innocent people was made public, and when 1000's of teenagers from every community were being repeatedly admitted to treatment centers, and when the majority of sexual assaults on college campuses could be linked to alcohol abuse, more and more families, schools, and communities started talking about the reality of the problem in America.
For many years, I have been an advocate of the prevention of underage drinking. And frankly, sometimes I feel as if I am in the minority! So, I'd like to ask you to join me.
Would you consider making a few little changes in your life, in order to see the big results of teens who complete their education, aren’t involved in drunk-driving accidents, and don’t get caught up in vandalism, unplanned sex, or alcohol-related injuries and illnesses? I promise, it's worth the fight!
Here is how YOU can prevent underage drinking:
1. BE AWARE of the first signs of Alcohol Use and Abuse:
* Grades lower, friends change, alcohol-related habits occur (such as smoking), attitude and mood gets darker.
2. HAVE OPEN CONVERSATIONS about Alcohol:
* Talk about family genetics, role play uncomfortable situations, discuss how they feel and think about alcohol, parties, and what might “trigger" them to drink (ex: shy, bored, homesick, peer pressure).
3. PROVIDE ALCOHOL-FREE ACTIVITIES and Environments:
* Get creative and arrange fun, social gatherings with themes, activities, movies and sports/games, provide alternative vacation/holiday options, and never be without a variety of weekend activities that give your kids and their friends something to do (such as bowling).
If you don’t make these little changes, kids' social choices will most likely involve drinking.
Please don’t be shocked or naive. Be proactive.
Be encouraged!
Becky
P. S. If you have a tween or teen or an under 21-er, dig a little deeper and read the following articles from these outlets:
Health News Daily
MSNBC
SAMHSA News Advisory
Outside of the sad fact that the average age of kids experimenting with drugs and alcohol is getting lower and lower, the rest of the report shouldn’t shock you, because if you were a teenager in the last 40 years…
You or your friends probably drank while underage,
You or someone you knew probably drank while driving,
You or your friends probably drank your parent’s liquor while they were out,
You probably went to a party where a “kegger” was supplied by the parents,
You or your friends probably drank to be popular,
You or your friends drank because you felt insecure, or
You or a friend drank more than everyone else because a parent or grandparent was an alcoholic.
Years ago, there weren’t many studies that revealed the truth about teens and alcohol: the increased number of kids who dropped out of school because they drank, or the higher number of alcohol-related criminal arrests and sexual assaults, or the percentage of teens who were diagnosed as alcoholics. But when the statistics of kids who drank and drove and killed innocent people was made public, and when 1000's of teenagers from every community were being repeatedly admitted to treatment centers, and when the majority of sexual assaults on college campuses could be linked to alcohol abuse, more and more families, schools, and communities started talking about the reality of the problem in America.
For many years, I have been an advocate of the prevention of underage drinking. And frankly, sometimes I feel as if I am in the minority! So, I'd like to ask you to join me.
Would you consider making a few little changes in your life, in order to see the big results of teens who complete their education, aren’t involved in drunk-driving accidents, and don’t get caught up in vandalism, unplanned sex, or alcohol-related injuries and illnesses? I promise, it's worth the fight!
Here is how YOU can prevent underage drinking:
1. BE AWARE of the first signs of Alcohol Use and Abuse:
* Grades lower, friends change, alcohol-related habits occur (such as smoking), attitude and mood gets darker.
2. HAVE OPEN CONVERSATIONS about Alcohol:
* Talk about family genetics, role play uncomfortable situations, discuss how they feel and think about alcohol, parties, and what might “trigger" them to drink (ex: shy, bored, homesick, peer pressure).
3. PROVIDE ALCOHOL-FREE ACTIVITIES and Environments:
* Get creative and arrange fun, social gatherings with themes, activities, movies and sports/games, provide alternative vacation/holiday options, and never be without a variety of weekend activities that give your kids and their friends something to do (such as bowling).
If you don’t make these little changes, kids' social choices will most likely involve drinking.
Please don’t be shocked or naive. Be proactive.
Be encouraged!
Becky
P. S. If you have a tween or teen or an under 21-er, dig a little deeper and read the following articles from these outlets:
Health News Daily
MSNBC
SAMHSA News Advisory
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Little Changes Big Results® for Crazy, Busy Couples!
My husband, Dr. Roger Tirabassi, and I just spoke to over 300 couples that attended a Compelling Marriage Conference in Southern California. Along with other speakers, we shared a number of our best relationship tools that we’ve designed over the past two decades while working with dating, engaged, and married couples.
As a Coach and a Counselor, we love to give couples immediate, “little changes” that will give them the “big results” they want--increased intimacy, creative dating ideas, and even tools for decreasing anger and defensiveness. They include:
Little Change #1: Communication by Elimination
Little Change #2: Develop a Love List
Little Change #3: Do the 5 A's Today
Little Change #4: Accept Each Other's Personality
Little Change #5: Create A Diffusing Statement
Little Change #6: Use a Time-Out Tool
Little Change #7: Connect Empathetically
Little Change #8: Learn Conflict Resolution "Quick Steps"
Little Change #9: Forgive and Give
Little Change #10: Designate A Date Night
If you want the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, click here to order the first book in our series, Little Changes Big Results® for Crazy, Busy Couples.
Be encouraged,
Becky
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