Thursday, December 31, 2009

Color Your Style with Vegetables™

Do vegetables have personalities? Do they have characteristics that we can see, feel, and taste? Can eating vegetables have a positive affect on personality? These are some of the questions that I will be exploring. In the coming year I will be focusing my attention on vegetables. Eating healthy and adding more vegetables to my diet whenever possible.

The more I find ways to identify with vegetables and add color to my plate, the better I like vegetables. I was not born a vegetable lover. In fact, I have an insatiable sweet tooth. Finding fresh vegetables in season from the garden or the market has given me a new outlook on vegetables. As part of my push toward enhancing my desire for vegetables, I've developed the idea of four "Vegetable Characters." In fact, seeing myself as a colorful vegetable full of flavor and nutrition, and learning to appreciate a variety of colors and flavors has helped me appreciate diversity. Expanding my palate, appreciating new textures and colors has helped me step out of the box. Now I see people as a carrot, pepper, green bean, or tomato. Can you guess which vegetable could be described as spicy, rooted, connected, or contained? After studying personality assessments and colors, I came up with a unique vegetable analogy for describing a person's style.

If you are curious about the vegetables, take a look at the presentation from the California Career Development Association's 2009 Regional Conference at Stanford University, Color Your Style with Vegetables™. The full descriptions of the vegetables will be coming in future blogs. Color Your Style with Vegetables™ has been copyrighted for future publications.


This website is intended for informational purposes only. For professional personal/ career coaching, call or email Nancy for assistance with consulting, resources, and information to meet your personal needs. See links on the side panel for professional organizations. Copyright LWD © 2005 Nancy Miller

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Spread Happiness

What is happiness? Measures of happiness have been studied for years. In fact, for ages youth was considered a measure of happiness as people searched for the "fountain of youth." With all of the money spent today on looking and feeling youthful and ageless, it is obvious there is still a market for youthfulness as a measure of happiness. Sometimes the amount of money we spend is considered a measure of happiness. Positive psychologist Martin Seligman has been studying happiness for many years. His research on authentic happiness has led to a Master of Applied Positive Psychology program at the University of Pennsylvania Positive Psychology Center.

Happiness is even being studied as link in economic development. Since the meaning of happiness seems to be a bit subjective, the study of happiness can be ambiguous unless it is clearly defined. In the Wall Street Journal Online, The Numbers Guy discusses research on the self-perceived quality of life or well-being in his article, "On a Scale of One to Four, How Happy Are You?" Is quality of life the same as perceived happiness? Can happiness be quantified, defined, and qualified? Do you even know if you are happy at any given moment? Positive Psychologists have developed assessments for measuring Authentic Happiness and now have a website for measuring and improving "Happiness." But sometimes the question of happiness is more of a comparison: "Am I happy compared to what?" Unless you decide to be happy, or know how to make yourself happy, you may find yourself less than happy at any time or place.

The Christmas season with the lights, gifts, family, and often spiritual context can bring out joy and happiness in many, but it can be a source of unhappiness for others if they expect the season or other people to make them happy. Gratitude, giving, sharing, music, exercise, and relaxation promote happiness. Find ways to spread happiness this holiday season rather than waiting for it to come to you. Enjoy the season!

With Love and Happiness,
Nancy

This website is intended for informational purposes only. For professional personal/ career coaching, call or email Nancy for assistance with consulting, resources, and information to meet your personal needs. See links on the side panel for professional organizations. Copyright LWD © 2005 Nancy Miller

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Family Gatherings



We are very blessed to have many family gatherings during the holidays. We plan to eat, sing and play games. I had a wonderful pre-Christmas with my daughter, son-in-law, grandsons & new granddaughter in Albuquerque, NM. The boys enjoyed seeing Santa and the "River of Lights." We had a wonderful view of the aquarium from a large glass window during our "Dinner with Santa."












This website is intended for informational purposes only. For professional personal/ career coaching, call or email Nancy for assistance with consulting, resources, and information to meet your personal needs. See links on the side panel for professional organizations. Copyright LWD © 2005 Nancy Miller

Joyful Holidays

The holiday season is here! The holidays for many people are a time of "Great Expectations." For some it is a time of joy, warmth and happiness, while others feel lost and empty. It is a great time to fill your emptiness by sharing with others in your community or spreading the joy you feel. It's wonderful to enjoy the music and lights on cold dark nights. But some of the simple expectations can feel thwarted as we think of sharing, giving, and how it should be done and has been done in the past. This morning I decided to make pumpkin bread from a Watkins Pumpkin Bread Mix. Simple. I've made plenty of breads and cookies. But after I creamed the margarine and added the eggs, the butter looked lumpy and didn't mixed well. I planned to share the bread with the neighbors and felt like it wouldn't be something I was proud of. But the warm scent of cinnamon and spices, and the delicious looking bread that came out of the oven, brought my senses to life.

Having an "Attitude of Gratitude" takes me a long way during the holidays. I am grateful for my family, doing work that I love to do, and having time to write out my thoughts and ideas. Starting my day with gratitude takes me through all of the unexpected disappointments along the way.

When things don't go as planned a "Sense of Humor" helps me gain perspective. Sometimes there are illnesses and heartbreaks that press on people even during the holidays, but often it's the little things that build up that cause us to lose our cool. The little things that we feel are important over the holidays can sometimes become overwhelming. Family gatherings, food, gifts, and cards are all wonderful as tokens of gratitude. But when having everything "just right" becomes more important than the "good intention," the meaning gets lost. I spent hours yesterday working on pictures to make photo cards. This year was the first year I tried to send them. When I got the finished cards I was disappointed to find that some were quite dark. The cards seemed to turn out darker than the pictures that I had printed. My first thought was that no one would like them, and they would wonder why I would send cards that didn't look picture perfect. Then I looked at my growing family and smiled. We're not perfect and sometimes it shows.

The last thing that I want to do is have a "Plan" for next year. I want to have a picture in my mind of the things that are really important to me. I plan to express my expectations to others, and smile when life takes a turn in the road that I didn't expect.

Have a Joyful Holiday!
Nancy


This website is intended for informational purposes only. For professional personal/ career coaching, call or email Nancy for assistance with consulting, resources, and information to meet your personal needs. See links on the side panel for professional organizations. Copyright LWD © 2005 Nancy Miller, M.S.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Building Alliances

Networking is the key to finding a job. In the broadest sense it is the key to finding any job, but networking is even more important if you are looking for a job that you feel passionate about as in a career related to the green economy or sustainability. If networking is so important, what is it?

  • In the world of computers, networking is sharing data between two devices. http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/basicnetworking/f/whatsnetworking.htm
  • In the career world networking includes sharing information. In fact, speed networking could be compared to computer networking. Speed networking can be useful for entrepreneurs who want rapid exposure of their name and product identification. It is one step up from social networking.

The most important way to network is to by building alliances. The Riley Guide describes ways to build alliances for networking, http://www.rileyguide.com/network.html. Alliances are not built in a 3-minute connection, although whenever you connect with another person whether at work, a meeting, a community garden or at the grocery store, if you make a connection, you can then build an alliance.

After years of working in my field and learning my personal strengths, I can be fairly comfortable in a speed networking meeting. On the other hand, my niece actually loves it. The last time I went to a speed networking event through my alumni association, I invited my sister and niece to go with me. We spent 3 minutes talking to each person as we moved around the tables. It was a great place for me to practice my elevator speech and meet a dozen or so people in a short period of time. After we made the rounds and I talked with a few people, I was ready to leave. I had stretched myself to the limit. My niece on the other hand was just warming up. She made new friends and talked to people I didn’t even know were there. What makes the difference? Why is it net WORKING for some people and net FUN for others?

We each have different strengths that we bring to our environment. I like to think of my environment as a garden. I have seeds that are my natural strengths that grow naturally in certain environments and seem to wilt in others. Each of us works in our own garden. We may have different strengths and challenges, but we can learn to build character by cultivating seeds that don’t grow naturally in a given environment.

As the gardener, I can take charge of my career development. My career includes my lifetime paid and unpaid work, but "Career Development is the total constellation of psychological, sociological, educational, physical, economic, and chance factors that combine to influence the nature and significance of work in the total lifespan of any given individual.” Career Development: A Policy Statement of the National Career Development Association Board of Directors, (Adopted March 16, 1993; revised 2003)

This website is intended for informational purposes only. For professional personal/ career coaching, call or email Nancy for assistance with consulting, resources, and information to meet your personal needs. See links on the side panel for professional organizations. Copyright LWD © 2005 Nancy Miller

Friday, November 20, 2009

Color Your Style with Vegetables Presentation

The presentation on "Color Your Style with Vegetables" for the California Career Development Association's Regional conference at Stanford University was fun and informative for myself as well as the participants. I learn as much or more than anyone else by preparing for the workshop and getting comments from everyone. Just as the garden grows as it is nurtured and tended, the analogy builds as it is used. One participant said that she had shared the vegetable analogy with her gardening group. Everyone came up with thoughts and ideas to add. Although I used a flip chart for the presentation, I prepared a "Color Your Style with Vegetables" PowerPoint Presentation that includes some of the responses from participants and an outline of the workshop.

I am finding myself more enthusiastic and committed to getting the book completed through sharing the analogy with others. I've always enjoyed working by myself, but I am growing with the garden. During the winter I still sometimes feel like hibernating and working alone, but I have learned to love and appreciate the different styles of people as well as the many colors in the garden.


This website is intended for informational purposes only. For professional personal/ career coaching, call or email Nancy for assistance with consulting, resources, and information to meet your personal needs. See links on the side panel for professional organizations. Copyright LWD © 2005 Nancy Miller
The California Career Development Association's Regional Conference at Stanford University was a great success. The response was so overwhelming that registration had to be closed because it had reached full capacity. We will be looking for a bigger space next year. The keynote speech by John Krumboltz was both entertaining and informative.

The panel discussion led by Carol McClelland, Jim Cassio and Alice Bush gave us current information about green careers: where the money is, types of jobs, and expected growth areas. The workshops provided additional inspiration and information.

We are looking for a location for the next regional conference. CCDA plans to continue offering conferences that provide professional development and CEU's.


This website is intended for informational purposes only. For professional personal/ career coaching, call or email Nancy for assistance with consulting, resources, and information to meet your personal needs. See links on the side panel for professional organizations. Copyright LWD © 2005 Nancy Miller

Thursday, November 05, 2009

CCDA Regional Conference Nov. 7

It's been a great week preparing for the California Career Development Association Regional Conference November 7th at Stanford University. I'm having fun preparing for my "Color Your Style with Vegetables" workshop at the conference. I always eat better and live healthier when I work with the Vegetable Characters. If you miss the conference, you'll hear more about the Vegetable Characters. I finally applied for a copyright, and I will get more information out soon.

At the conference we will also be holding the CCDA Annual Membership meeting. The meeting wlll be following the conference from 3:00 - 4:00. We will be discussing CCDA issues, organization, dues, and counselor licensure. I will be discussing social networking including the Linkedin CCDA Group which is now open to all career professionals. We are thrilled that the conference is full, buy saddened that some of you who wanted to come will miss it. You are welcome to join the Linkedin Group now to stay updated and give your input on CCDA concerns and decisions. It is an exciting time to be a member of CCDA.

We are looking forward to hearing the conference keynote speakers John Krumboltz, Carol McClelland, and Jim Cassio as well as all of the workshop presenters.

This website is intended for informational purposes only. For professional personal/ career coaching, call or email Nancy for assistance with consulting, resources, and information to meet your personal needs. See links on the side panel for professional organizations. Copyright LWD © 2005 Nancy Miller

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Having fun


When frosting cupcakes was more fun than eating them,
And playing ball was more fun than eating at all.
When smiles came quicker than frowns,
And birthday candles fit on one cupcake.
When I spent the day with a 2-year old,
And learned to play just for the fun of it.

I had a great time getting away from it all and visiting my grandkids in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The shadows on the mountains at sunset looked cool and mysterious, in contrast to the bright white houses and glaring daytime sunshine. It's a long drive through the desert from California, but I enjoyed visiting somewhere different. We usual head for the mountains and ocean, so seeing other parts of the country are always enlightening.



Friday, October 16, 2009

Sustainable Careers Conference

I'm looking forward to the CCDA REGIONAL CONFERENCE on SUSTAINABLE CAREERS.
With John Krumboltz, Carol McClelland, Jim Cassio, and Alice Bush as featured speakers, we'll have the opportunity to hear the most up-to-date information on Green Careers. There will be four afternoon workshops to choose from and a CCDA membership meeting. Lunch will be provided.

I willl have the opportunity to present a workshop on, "Color Your Style with Vegetables." Creating a sustainable lifestyle through healthy eating and healthy relationships will provide the resilience needed for transitioning to a greener career. Join us for a fun and informative conference. Sign up for the conference and tell a friend.

This website is intended for informational purposes only. For professional personal/ career coaching, call or email Nancy for assistance with consulting, resources, and information to fit your personal needs. See links on the side panel for professional organizations. Copyright LWD © 2005 Nancy Miller

Sunday, September 20, 2009

How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free.

Check out my book review on the "Quintessential Careers" website. "How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free" is a fun read for audiences of all ages. Retirement planning involves so much more than investments and financial plans. Planning for the retirement lifestyle you want involves finances and so much more.

http://www.quintcareers.com/career_book_reviews/Retire_Happy.html

You can contact Nancy Miller, LifeWork Coach for information about career and retirement planning.


This website is intended for informational purposes only. For professional personal/ career coaching, call or email Nancy for assistance with consulting, resources, and information to meet your personal needs. See links on the side panel for professional organizations.
Copyright LWD © 2005 Nancy Miller

CCDA Social

What a nice evening in Davis Friday for the California Career Development Association social sponsored by the Sacramento Chapter of CCDA. It was a great fun networking and sharing information. CCDA will be having an all day conference at Stanford University November 7 on green careers. The National Career Development Association will be having a poster contest for all ages this fall. More about these events soon.

Being a part of a professional association is a great way to learn about career opportunities, professional development, interests of professionals, and get experience networking. You never know where it will take you. Getting even more involved in a leadership position is an even better opportunity. As the marketing director of CCDA I learn about core issues in the counseling profession, interact with seasoned professionals, and have an opportunity to take on a leadership role. Joining an association is an important part of career development.

This website is intended for informational purposes only. For professional personal/ career coaching, call or email Nancy for assistance with consulting, resources, and information to meet your personal needs. See links on the side panel for professional organizations.

Copyright LWD © 2005 Nancy Miller

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Fantabulous Smoothie

How to Make a Fantabulous Smoothie
(with tips for designing your own)

Add:
2 Kiwi
2 Fresh Figs
Small wedge Cabbage
Handful of Spinach
About a cup of green/rasberry tea (any tasty liquid)
Blend on high til smooth

Add:
Local honey
1 tsp Watkins Pure Vanilla
6 oz plain yogurt
Blend low

Add (slowly if frozen/ice if fresh):
Berries (blueberry, rasberry, marionberry) til berry colored
Strawberries
Blend high for a few seconds til smooth

Could a power packed breakfast really be that good? Absolutely!
I will proudly face my Wii Active Personal Trainer today, after I walk off the smoothie since I am on my second helping. Staying active and eating well really does improve health, relationships and work. Share a smoothie for added benefit. Socializing around healthy eating creates harmony in the mind, body, and soul.

Keys to a good smoothie:
  • Have fun experimenting rather than measuring
  • Stock your kitchen with fruits & veggies then fill your blender
  • Spinach & citrus compliment each other
  • Cabbage is one of the most healthful forgotten vegetables
  • Local honey helps allergies
  • Yogurt adds creaminess
  • Quality Pure Vanilla or Cinnamon brings out the best flavor
Another delicious unrecipe by NJ Miller

This website is intended for informational purposes only. For professional personal/ career coaching, call or email Nancy for assistance with consulting, resources, and information to meet your personal needs. See links on the side panel for professional organizations.

Copyright LWD © 2005 Nancy Miller

Monday, August 10, 2009

A new way

My goal this week after completing the exercise "Use your strengths in a new way" at happier.com, was to write in a different way. Last week I was very focused on writing my book. I found myself writing like crazy and then drawing a blank. So I decided that this week I would write a new way. I must admit that blogging isn't really a new way, but I wrote, "Just me and my book" which added a little humor and perspective to my frustration. Writing about writing instead of trying so hard to put the pieces of my book together did give me another perspective. Using an analogy inspires me and gets me back in my creative mode. This week my goal is to write in a new place. On a cool morning I will write in the park. I get complacent at my desk with my cup of coffee, and through my comfort lose that edge that only a cool breeze and nature can bring.


This website is intended for informational purposes only. For professional personal/ career coaching, call or email Nancy for assistance with consulting, resources, and information to meet your personal needs. See links on the side panel for professional organizations.

Copyright LWD © 2005 Nancy Miller

Sunday, August 09, 2009

Storytelling Seminar

Upcoming Storytelling Seminar. The value of storytelling is being recognized in business, career transition, and creativity. More later.

http://astoriedcareer.com/2009/08/storytellings-golden-age-my-te.html



This website is intended for informational purposes only. For professional personal/ career coaching, call or email Nancy for assistance with consulting, resources, and information to meet your personal needs. Copyright LWD © 2005 Nancy Miller

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Dream Job

Have you ever thought about your "Dream Job?" The job you would really like to do. When I first heard this assignment in one of my graduate courses in the counseling program at CSUS, I didn't really see the point. I wasn't sure if it was possible to have my dream job, so why would I want to write about it. I did the assignment anyway and wrote about having my own office, having time for self-expression, and helping to inspire others.

Since then in workshops and classes, I've given the assignment to "Write a job description for your dream job." The job description makes the dream job more real and concrete. In my own job description I was:
  • my own boss
  • gave presentations
  • facilitated workshops
  • provided coaching and counseling
  • had flexible hours
  • traveled occasionally
Now I am doing all of those things. Writing down my job description helped make my dream job happen. I made my priority health and happiness over high profits, and I am happy with that decision as I continue to grow my business.

Career expert and author Kathy Hansen, PhD writes about the "Storytelling Resume" and the idea of writing a "Job Wanted" description. I think the "Job Wanted" description would be the next step after writing your dream job and job description. These three steps would help prepare you for writing a "Storytelling Resume.":
  1. Describing your "Dream Job"
  2. Writing your own "Job Description"
  3. Developing a "Job Wanted" ad
Cultures around the world use storytelling and understand that painting a vivid picture leaves an imprint on a person's mind that will stay with them. When you apply or interview for a job, you want to make an impression that the interviewer will remember. Storytelling paints that picture. For more on storytelling, follow Kathy Hansen's blog (see side panel) or follow her on Twitter for career insights. Knowing how to tell a powerful story in a short period of time in writing or verbally is the key to making a lasting impression.






This website is intended for informational purposes only. For professional personal/ career coaching, call or email Nancy for assistance with consulting, resources, and information to meet your personal needs. See links on the side panel for professional organizations.

Copyright LWD © 2005 Nancy Miller

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

You Are Your Business

If you were a business, what would you name yourself? Actually, you are in the business of YOU. You were given a name at birth that you have been identified with, but you could take a few minutes to think about what you would name yourself. I found that naming my own business gave me an identity that I had developed myself. Regardless of whether or not you own a business or ever want to, you do manage yourself, your family, and/or a career. Having a personal brand or identity that you have thought about and personally named can help you in your career or business. Thinking about your personal brand or identity can also help you determine your purpose in life. Writing a name, telling your story, or making a graphic picture like a coat of arms to identify your family will help you envision your purpose. You are the boss in your business. If you were to write a job description for yourself, what would it look like? How would you spend your time, and how much would you pay yourself? No matter what your current career path is, knowing what you want will direct you to the success you are looking for.

Have you ever thought about the fact that if you consider yourself an employee in your home, work, or family, you are not taking charge of your wants and needs. As your own boss, you don't always get everything you want, but you will develop skills in compassion, resourcefulness, teamwork, and leadership. You will plan how you want to spend your time and money. In fact, you are in the business of you. It's up to you to make your business a success. You're the boss, enjoy the process.

This website is intended for informational purposes only. For professional personal/ career coaching, call or email Nancy for assistance with consulting, resources, and information to meet your personal needs. See links on the side panel for professional organizations.

Copyright LWD © 2005 Nancy Miller

Freedom Walking

Walking frees the body and mind. Moving the muscles frees them to do what they were meant to do. Our muscles are stressed by lack of use. In fact, if they are not used often they are stressed to the point of injury at times when they are suddenly used for high impact activity. Our mental muscles are no different from any other muscles. They are stressed by sudden changes and overuse such as watching television and then driving in traffic. But strengthening your physical and mental muscles creates a resilient body and mind. A resilient mind is:
  • creative
  • fluid
  • intuitive
When your brain gets regular healthy exercise it is more prepared for the sudden changes in life. Healthy non competitive exercise increases blood flow and circulation to your brain that improves your ability to think creatively.

Choosing to walk whenever possible frees the air of pollution while freeing your muscles to grow and develop. Endorphins are generated by increased brain activity that frees the brain to create and adapt. How can you find time to walk you might ask. You can choose to make opportunities when things are not going the way you would like them to. For example, yesterday I missed the bus coming home from the dentist's office. I knew the next one wouldn't be coming for another hour. I assumed it was only about 3 or 4 miles home, and I could walk that in the time it would take to wait. I had already taken my two and a half mile morning walk, so I was in the habit of walking. A few months earlier I would have thought of the walk as a daunting task, and I would have stopped for coffee rather than walk. But knowing the freedom of walking rather than driving or taking the bus, I was off. An hour's walk is actually very pleasant if the weather isn't extreme. I was glad I chose freedom walking.

You can easily find opportunities to walk or ride a bicycle when your car doesn't start, you forget your lunch, you need to run an errand, or you find an event to walk or run for a cause. Children and dogs are great motivators. With increased obesity and diabetes in children and even pets, you can prevent so many health problems by getting out for a walk. Dinner time? Have a salad, smoothie, or veggie burrito instead of a big meal. You will free up plenty of time for walking. My daughter and I walk our dogs and motivate each other to get up early in the morning and take longer walks than we ever would alone. I would never get up that early consistently to walk by myself. You can easily motivate someone else to walk or ride a bike. Find a partner and enjoy freedom walking!


This website is intended for informational purposes only. For professional personal/ career coaching, call or email Nancy for assistance with consulting, resources, and information to meet your personal needs. See links on the side panel for professional organizations.

Copyright LWD © 2005 Nancy Miller

Sunday, July 05, 2009

"Three Cups of Tea"

I just finished reading the book, "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. I bought the book thinking I would dive into a story about a heroic man who went to the middle east to establish schools for girls. I was surprised to find that the book was about a mountain climber who attempted to climb K2. It is amazing to me that people will risk their lives and that of others to climb mountains. While it takes admirable stamina and bravery to attempt such feats, I was looking for a story about schools.

I stuck with the story and learned about more than schools or programs. I learned about rugged terrain, unfamiliar cultures, and brave people. I was amazed at the whole process of starting a massive project with no money, experience, or support. Dogged determination, gratitude, and passion for a people drove Greg Mortenson to persevere until a school was built.

I read several reviews of this book on Amazon. Reviewers were quick to call Mortenson a great hero or to call him an overzealous ramroder. While most people felt the book was exceptional, a few thought it was poorly written and glossed over Mortenson's short comings. But one of the things I really like about the book was the fact that the author showed Mortenson as a hero as well as compassionate, independent, and obsessed with his mission. Every hero has a human side, and anyone who accomplishes the magnitude of work that Mortenson did, will have his faults. I thought the book showed both sides of Mortenson very clearly. Through his journey, we also saw how a man who began by single-handedly attempting to build programs in a country he knew little about, learned to work with the people and cultures he lived with. I would highly recommend this book, not for it's literary style, but for the shear breadth of experiences, accomplishments and adventures through worlds we often know little about.

"Here (in Pakistan and Afghanistan), we drink three cups of tea to do business; the first you are a stranger, the second you become a friend, and the third, you join our family, and for our family we are prepared to do anything--even die."
- Haji Ali, Korphe Village Chief, Karakoram Mountains, Pakistan ("Three Cups of Tea")


This website is intended for informational purposes only. For professional personal/ career coaching, call or email Nancy for assistance with consulting, resources, and information to meet your personal needs. See links on the side panel for professional organizations.

Copyright LWD © 2005 Nancy Miller

Saturday, July 04, 2009

Run 4 Independence

What a great way to celebrate the 4th of July! Fast walking in the Run 4 Independence to support the Elk Grove Food Bank Services. I enjoyed walking with my daughter among the many families who participated. Despite the tough economy, there was a record turnout. Layoffs, furloughs, and cut backs are affecting all of us in some way. Friends, family, favorite stores, and neighborhood restaurants are closing. But even in tough times, most of us have support systems. We may have job skills, the ability to relocate, work experience, unemployment, or family who can help.

There are some families however, who are stuck in a cycle of poverty lacking family support and work experience. Young people and adults with disabilities need opportunities to function as members of a society in a great country. Parents who work at minimum wage jobs and those who come from temporary jobs with no benefits need help to survive and feed their families until they can get back on their feet. The community of Elk Grove as well as runners from other areas made the effort to support basic services for those who need them.

As a career counselor and coach, I always encourage people to use the services they need and then give back to the community when they are able to. Children don't need to be hungry in America. Families need a chance to eat, work, and live. It was wonderful to participate in this 4th of July celebration!


This website is intended for informational purposes only. For professional personal/ career coaching, call or email Nancy for assistance with consulting, resources, and information to meet your personal needs. See links on the side panel for professional organizations.

Copyright LWD © 2005 Nancy Miller