With the new year brings many new opportunities for me to share my story. I'm so very excited about all of these and want to let you know about a few of them:
January 4th Abundant Life Church, River Falls WI 10:00 AM (896 State Road 65)
January 7th River Falls High School Diversity class
January 14th Woodbury Highschool Leadership class
January 27th Salvation Army of Brown County, Green Bay WI
February 4th Mayo Clinic Nursing Retention Event
February 7th Faith Community Women's Conference, Hudson WI
I invite you all to come hear me speak January 4th, as the rest are closed engagements or registration is needed.
Thanks!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Merry Christmas!
I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! My Christmas was great! It was filled with family, laughter, giving, and most of all celebrating the birth of Jesus! I love this time of year! I tell everyone that I wish I could keep my Christmas tree up all year round; and the reason for it is because of how much I wish all year could be celebrated like this time of year. When we were growing up, my mom would get so excited to play Christmas music on her new contraption; the CD player. It would take her a few days to figure out how to use the thing again, and then we'd hear Elvis singing "Blue Christmas." Though Elvis was not very cool when I was listening to him, he had a song that just melted my heart titled "If Everyday Was Like Christmas" and the older I get the more I love the song. The concept of the song is self explanatory by the title; yet it tells about peace, cheer, and giving. Of course, I don't enjoy hearing of rude shoppers trampling down an employee, and how out of control spending has gotten; yet the part of christmas that I love is being with family and friends, giving to others, and just reflecting on God's love. If we could focus on those three things all year round I believe our world would be a better place. So, i'm challenging myself to not lose the Christmas spirit but to carry it with me everyday all year round; will you challenge yourself also?
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Influence
What influence do you have on others? About 4 years ago I took a leadership class and learned immediately that everyone has influence. According to dictionary.com the definition of influence is “the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others.” Many times when we think of a person of influence we think of great leaders, or people who stand out in a crowd. Yet, I continue to learn that is not so. All of us have influence but we have to decide in what way; positive or negative. For example, look at the influence that both Mother Theresa and Hitler had on our world. Now I know that those are extreme examples but it is really is true when it comes to our daily lives.
I have realized as I travel and speak the difference that my story is making. It is so rewarding to get an e-mail or a letter from someone that my story influenced their life. Yet I keep realizing everyday that I don’t necessarily have to be speaking to be influential. I can smile at someone I pass on the sidewalk, thank my waitress at a restaurant, I can call a friend up and encourage her with positive words. Let’s ask ourselves what influence are we making in this world? Do your coworkers look forward to seeing you in the morning? Does your spouse feel appreciated and loved? Do you go out of your way to help someone? At the end of the day, I want to say that I was a positive influence on others. That people were glad that they encountered me; that I had made someone’s day a little brighter. Challenge yourself to be a positive influence today and watch your life also grow brighter.
I have realized as I travel and speak the difference that my story is making. It is so rewarding to get an e-mail or a letter from someone that my story influenced their life. Yet I keep realizing everyday that I don’t necessarily have to be speaking to be influential. I can smile at someone I pass on the sidewalk, thank my waitress at a restaurant, I can call a friend up and encourage her with positive words. Let’s ask ourselves what influence are we making in this world? Do your coworkers look forward to seeing you in the morning? Does your spouse feel appreciated and loved? Do you go out of your way to help someone? At the end of the day, I want to say that I was a positive influence on others. That people were glad that they encountered me; that I had made someone’s day a little brighter. Challenge yourself to be a positive influence today and watch your life also grow brighter.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Being Thankful
When my accident occurred it was 16 days before Thanksgiving. And by the time the holiday arrived I had endured a 16 hour neck surgery, double pneumonia, and septic shock; in which doctors said I would never survive. Even though I woke up from a coma the day before Thanksgiving, surviving the impossible, I couldn’t think of one thing to be thankful for. At this point my life had been flipped upside down; I was paralyzed, stuck on a ventilator, hallucinating like crazy, and truly thought every dream that I had had was now over. I never thought I’d be thankful again.
Today, however, 11 years later, I am so thankful everyday for all that I have. I have a home, wonderful friends, a great supportive family, I can drive, I work, and most of all I’m ALIVE!
This world is too easy to get focused on the negative and start thinking how bad we have it. I know it, because I think I have a really good excuse to be unthankful, but where would that get me? I had to challenge myself to CHOOSE to be thankful. It wasn’t easy and it took effort to think what I had to be thankful for. One example is my wrist. When I had my accident they classified me as a c5 quadriplegic. That means I’d be able to move my shoulders, biceps, and deltoid muscles. One amazing thing was that I could also move my wrist which actually comes with the c6 level. I was not supposed to be able to do this. I know it doesn’t sound like a big deal but because of this movement I can drive, feed myself, write, and type this to you today! I’m so thankful for this small movement!
Lately, when I turn the TV on its all doom and gloom trying to pull us down and down. Choose today to be thankful for what you have, thanking God for all the He does for us. The list for my thankfulness is never ending, so what are you thankful for today? Challenge yourself to realize all you have to be thankful for. I received the below e-mail a month or two ago. If you can’t think of anything to be thankful for this will hopefully enlighten you!
E-mail reads:
"The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true, given the source, right?
The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed, and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence,2/3's of the citizenry just are not happy and want a change.
So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ''What are we so unhappy about?'Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day? 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?
Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?
Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time, and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?
Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?
I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough.
Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all, and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings.
Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.
This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?
Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.
Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled people the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S., yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the
good Lord we live here.”
Unknown
So I challenge you all today. Instead of being the 67 percent who are unhappy to recognize that we are among the most blessed people on Earth, and should thank God several times a day, and be thankful and appreciative that we have so much! Today is about 2 months from Thanksgiving. Instead of being thankful on just that day let’s be thankful everyday!
Tasha
Today, however, 11 years later, I am so thankful everyday for all that I have. I have a home, wonderful friends, a great supportive family, I can drive, I work, and most of all I’m ALIVE!
This world is too easy to get focused on the negative and start thinking how bad we have it. I know it, because I think I have a really good excuse to be unthankful, but where would that get me? I had to challenge myself to CHOOSE to be thankful. It wasn’t easy and it took effort to think what I had to be thankful for. One example is my wrist. When I had my accident they classified me as a c5 quadriplegic. That means I’d be able to move my shoulders, biceps, and deltoid muscles. One amazing thing was that I could also move my wrist which actually comes with the c6 level. I was not supposed to be able to do this. I know it doesn’t sound like a big deal but because of this movement I can drive, feed myself, write, and type this to you today! I’m so thankful for this small movement!
Lately, when I turn the TV on its all doom and gloom trying to pull us down and down. Choose today to be thankful for what you have, thanking God for all the He does for us. The list for my thankfulness is never ending, so what are you thankful for today? Challenge yourself to realize all you have to be thankful for. I received the below e-mail a month or two ago. If you can’t think of anything to be thankful for this will hopefully enlighten you!
E-mail reads:
"The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true, given the source, right?
The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed, and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence,2/3's of the citizenry just are not happy and want a change.
So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ''What are we so unhappy about?'Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day? 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?
Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?
Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time, and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?
Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?
I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough.
Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all, and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings.
Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.
This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?
Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.
Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled people the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S., yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the
good Lord we live here.”
Unknown
So I challenge you all today. Instead of being the 67 percent who are unhappy to recognize that we are among the most blessed people on Earth, and should thank God several times a day, and be thankful and appreciative that we have so much! Today is about 2 months from Thanksgiving. Instead of being thankful on just that day let’s be thankful everyday!
Tasha
Friday, September 12, 2008
Too Busy
So when I started this blog I thought it would be easy to keep up with it. As you can see it’s been a while and I apologize for that. I feel that everyday flies by so fast. I don’t know about you but I can’t keep up with time! When I had my accident, I thought my life would be boring and uneventful. Well, today it is completely the opposite. I’m so busy! I’m an inspirational speaker, I work part-time at my church, I have two home based businesses, and the list goes on and on. I started reading an amazing book titled “The Next Generation Leader” by Andy Stanley. The first chapter is about prioritizing your life and choosing to do the things you are called to do and stopping the things you aren’t. I have recently stepped back from a few things because I’m learning that being busy does not always mean I’m being productive. Are you too busy today? What are you doing that you are not called to do? We all need to examine our lives, because too many of us are filling our lives with too much TV, internet games and other things that are leaving us unhappy and unsatisfied at the end of the day. Not that there is anything wrong with these things when they are balanced, but it’s way too easy to get sucked in and lose all priorities of our life. So, what’s going to matter in the long run? What was on TV or spending quality time with your kids or spouse? Did you make a difference in other people’s lives or did you rush home to play a video game? There are so many things that want to pull us away from what we need to accomplish; the list goes on and on. So, I want to challenge all of us to remember that we only get one life; are we going to be happy with the choices we made?
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Attitude
As I was thinking about all the things I've learned over the past 11 years, many topics arose to my mind. Yet the one thing I kept coming back to was attitude. I'm constantly reminded that life is never fair. Many of us plan for things to go a certain way: finish high school, find a successful career, marry the perfect person, make a lot of money, retire, and ultimately live the fairy tale story. Yet, I and many others have found that is not how life works. Bumps in the road can be seen as cancer, death, divorce, brain injury, and the one I know so well is spinal cord injury. And truly the list can go on and on and on. Deep down most of us fear what could happen and just hope we're not the one's to have to go through it. 3 days before my accident a friend asked me while we were driving "what would be the worst thing that could happen to you?" I thought to myself and remembered seeing Christopher Reeve on the television screen the night before. With that, I responded "To be paralyzed." If I was paralyzed, I would want to die." 3 days later, I was facing that very situation. The doctors said that I had broken the c5th vertebrae and that the bone had gone straight through my spinal cord. I was mad, sad, lonely, jealous, and every other negative emotion you can imagine. I thought there was no way I could go on, and that it would be better to die.
Yet 11 years later, I can honestly say that my life is better today than it was before the accident. I’m sure many of you reading this are saying, “What? How can you be happy and paralyzed?” Yeah, I never thought it possible but I truly am. You may now say “why?” Hmmm, Why? There are many things that have attributed to my success; a family who has supported me from the beginning, my faith in Jesus Christ, others who I have seen endure more, yet there is one thing that I know without I would not be here today, and that element is attitude. Deep down all of us have one thing we can control in this life and that is our attitude.
When it was time to make the transition home from being in Rochester, MN for 6 months, I started thinking about getting back to my friends and a sense of normalcy. I was seeing how much I had changed and that it was going to be hard for me to fit back in with my friends. This began my first internal dialogue with my self about attitude. Truly, I was depressed and I knew my friends wouldn’t want to be around me if I was crying all the time and couldn’t move on. I knew deep down I had a choice to make. I could be negative and be paralyzed or I could be positive and be paralyzed. My choice completely. Too many of us think deep down that if we focus on the negative and dwell on how unfair life is, it will somehow make our situation better. Yet, I was seeing that this was not true. I was getting more depressed everyday by thinking about my new life. It was then that I decided that, to the best of my ability, I was going to look on the positive side of life.
It sounds inspirational, yet I soon found that I was in for a struggle of a lifetime. What was positive in my life? I was paralyzed from the chest down, I was having to rely on others to do almost everything for me, my parents had to sell the only home I had ever lived in and build a new home, their marriage was falling apart, my boyfriend and I broke up, and my best friend came to see me twice. I couldn’t find much positive. Yet I began to find small things. First, I was alive. Now that was a stretch because my life now didn’t seem to be much. Yet I was breathing and alive. I would start there. Then little by little I began to see that my attitude was a huge key to my success. Today, I have seen that I would not be where I’m at without having a positive attitude.
What are you facing today? Maybe a bill you don’t know how you’re going to pay, or sickness in your body. Or maybe someone hurt you or you just feel down with the way the world is going. It’s so easy to get focused on the negative. Yet I challenge you to stay focusing on the positive. Even if the only thing you can think of is being alive; focus on it. Millions die everyday. If you’re reading this, you’re alive and that is something positive. Take one day at a time and choose to find the ray of sunshine in the clouds. And just like me, you’ll wake up one day overcoming what you never thought possible. Joyce Meyer sums positive attitude up in this quote, “Even a person who is really positive won’t have everything work out the way he would like it to all the time. But the positive person can go ahead and decide to enjoy himself no matter what happens.” This is the definition of having a positive attitude. I could write forever on the power of a positive attitude but the truth is; this is how I’ve decided to live my life and I challenge you to join me. You’ll be thankful you did.
Yet 11 years later, I can honestly say that my life is better today than it was before the accident. I’m sure many of you reading this are saying, “What? How can you be happy and paralyzed?” Yeah, I never thought it possible but I truly am. You may now say “why?” Hmmm, Why? There are many things that have attributed to my success; a family who has supported me from the beginning, my faith in Jesus Christ, others who I have seen endure more, yet there is one thing that I know without I would not be here today, and that element is attitude. Deep down all of us have one thing we can control in this life and that is our attitude.
When it was time to make the transition home from being in Rochester, MN for 6 months, I started thinking about getting back to my friends and a sense of normalcy. I was seeing how much I had changed and that it was going to be hard for me to fit back in with my friends. This began my first internal dialogue with my self about attitude. Truly, I was depressed and I knew my friends wouldn’t want to be around me if I was crying all the time and couldn’t move on. I knew deep down I had a choice to make. I could be negative and be paralyzed or I could be positive and be paralyzed. My choice completely. Too many of us think deep down that if we focus on the negative and dwell on how unfair life is, it will somehow make our situation better. Yet, I was seeing that this was not true. I was getting more depressed everyday by thinking about my new life. It was then that I decided that, to the best of my ability, I was going to look on the positive side of life.
It sounds inspirational, yet I soon found that I was in for a struggle of a lifetime. What was positive in my life? I was paralyzed from the chest down, I was having to rely on others to do almost everything for me, my parents had to sell the only home I had ever lived in and build a new home, their marriage was falling apart, my boyfriend and I broke up, and my best friend came to see me twice. I couldn’t find much positive. Yet I began to find small things. First, I was alive. Now that was a stretch because my life now didn’t seem to be much. Yet I was breathing and alive. I would start there. Then little by little I began to see that my attitude was a huge key to my success. Today, I have seen that I would not be where I’m at without having a positive attitude.
What are you facing today? Maybe a bill you don’t know how you’re going to pay, or sickness in your body. Or maybe someone hurt you or you just feel down with the way the world is going. It’s so easy to get focused on the negative. Yet I challenge you to stay focusing on the positive. Even if the only thing you can think of is being alive; focus on it. Millions die everyday. If you’re reading this, you’re alive and that is something positive. Take one day at a time and choose to find the ray of sunshine in the clouds. And just like me, you’ll wake up one day overcoming what you never thought possible. Joyce Meyer sums positive attitude up in this quote, “Even a person who is really positive won’t have everything work out the way he would like it to all the time. But the positive person can go ahead and decide to enjoy himself no matter what happens.” This is the definition of having a positive attitude. I could write forever on the power of a positive attitude but the truth is; this is how I’ve decided to live my life and I challenge you to join me. You’ll be thankful you did.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Welcome to my blog!
Hello everyone! I have been wanting to start a blog for awhile now and am excited that now I'm here. I hope to inspire you with entries about how to live our everyday life with meaning, fulfillment, and purpose. It will be 11 years in November since my life was changed when I fell through a trap door while practicing for my high school musical. This left me paralyzed from the chest down. I thought my life was over and couldn't imagine being happy ever again. I was forced to examine my life and search my soul for what I was going to do next. One day at a time, I pressed forward and began seeing that life was still worth living and that I possibly could do things I had always dreamed of. I hope to share in this blog what I have learned in this 11 year journey that has truly brought me pure happiness, peace unimagineable, and joy that is unexplainable. I also will be sharing when my next speaking engagements are happening. Through this blog, I hope your life is impacted! Keep checking in!
Tasha
Tasha
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