We couldn't resist snapping a photo of this car... we think the bumper sticker says it all. :)
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Marriage is Like a Piece of China
How do you know when you're sick? According to Webster's, you're officially ill when your body reaches 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Well, if a healthy body temperature is 98.6 degrees, then less than a mere 2 degrees separates us between health and illness. We are very fragile beings!
But it is not just our body that is fragile, it is also our heart. Our feelings are hurt easily and our relationships are impacted as a result. As fragile, sensitive beings we have to treat our relationships gently.
While marriage is highly durable, it is also extremely fragile. In fact, we contend a relationship is like a beautiful piece of heirloom china. If properly handled, it will last for a lifetime; however, when it is mishandled it can be chipped or broken. While we can sometimes glue the pieces back together, the line of the crack will always be a reminder that the plate is forever different. Consider this: if we can use caution and respect when we use the good china, then we can do the same with our valued relationships. Use extra care when handling your relationships, and they, too, will last a lifetime.
But it is not just our body that is fragile, it is also our heart. Our feelings are hurt easily and our relationships are impacted as a result. As fragile, sensitive beings we have to treat our relationships gently.
While marriage is highly durable, it is also extremely fragile. In fact, we contend a relationship is like a beautiful piece of heirloom china. If properly handled, it will last for a lifetime; however, when it is mishandled it can be chipped or broken. While we can sometimes glue the pieces back together, the line of the crack will always be a reminder that the plate is forever different. Consider this: if we can use caution and respect when we use the good china, then we can do the same with our valued relationships. Use extra care when handling your relationships, and they, too, will last a lifetime.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Treat Your Spouse Like A VIP Client
Don't you love to be treated like a rock star? We read a great story in "The Nordstrom Way to Customer Service Excellence" by Robert Spector and Patrick D. McCarthy. To paraphrase, a woman made a last-minute Nordstrom shopping trip before heading to the airport. After she left, the salesperson realized the woman accidentally left her airline ticket at the store. What did the saleswoman do? She hailed a cab, drove to the airport and hand-delivered the ticket to her customer with a warm smile. Isn't that incredible? Nordstrom is famous for treating customers like a rockstar, and as a result we return again and again.
Now let's play a game. Let's use the same story about the woman who was shopping at Nordstrom; however, this time replace the woman in the story with your husband or wife. What would happen in your home if your spouse is the one who left an airline ticket on the kitchen counter? Would you graciously grab that ticket and race to the airport to deliver it with a smile? Or would you curse your loved one under your breath and bemoan how inconvenient this is for you-- you are busy and don't have time for this stupidity.
Frequently, we treat our most important clients with kindness, compassion and forgiveness. Unfortunately, that changes at home when we are overwhelmed with juggling carpool, soccer practice and dinner plans-- we forget to extend the same courtesy to our spouse. Today treat your spouse like you would treat your most important customer. Have a spirit of kindness and helpfulness... it will definitely Ignite Your Couple Power!
Now let's play a game. Let's use the same story about the woman who was shopping at Nordstrom; however, this time replace the woman in the story with your husband or wife. What would happen in your home if your spouse is the one who left an airline ticket on the kitchen counter? Would you graciously grab that ticket and race to the airport to deliver it with a smile? Or would you curse your loved one under your breath and bemoan how inconvenient this is for you-- you are busy and don't have time for this stupidity.
Frequently, we treat our most important clients with kindness, compassion and forgiveness. Unfortunately, that changes at home when we are overwhelmed with juggling carpool, soccer practice and dinner plans-- we forget to extend the same courtesy to our spouse. Today treat your spouse like you would treat your most important customer. Have a spirit of kindness and helpfulness... it will definitely Ignite Your Couple Power!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Teach Love
It must have been ten years ago when we were approached by a Native American healer in Taos, New Mexico and heard the words that stopped us in our tracks, "Your purpose in this life is to teach people love." We politely smiled at the man, but the comment struck us as odd at the time. It's not every day strangers stop to tell you about your purpose in life. Looking back on that moment, I don't think we had the emotional maturity to really let the message sink in. However, today his words sit with me.
This morning we were given the opportunity of a lifetime. Kym and Sandra Yancey invited us to be speakers at their exceptional annual eWomen Network Conference. They asked us to speak on the growing trend of couples working together, knowing that we have lived, loved and worked together since 1995. We spent countless hours working on our workshop and I have to admit it was an exhilarating rush when we came off the stage at the end of our session. It felt like we were doing exactly what we were meant to do on this earth.
We were all smiles when I was approached by a lovely woman with cascading red hair. She tightly embraced me, "Thank you," she said with tears streaming down her cheeks. "I think you just saved my marriage." Those words are with me right now, and now I can't stop thinking about that man in Taos. Maybe there's something to what he said...
This morning we were given the opportunity of a lifetime. Kym and Sandra Yancey invited us to be speakers at their exceptional annual eWomen Network Conference. They asked us to speak on the growing trend of couples working together, knowing that we have lived, loved and worked together since 1995. We spent countless hours working on our workshop and I have to admit it was an exhilarating rush when we came off the stage at the end of our session. It felt like we were doing exactly what we were meant to do on this earth.
We were all smiles when I was approached by a lovely woman with cascading red hair. She tightly embraced me, "Thank you," she said with tears streaming down her cheeks. "I think you just saved my marriage." Those words are with me right now, and now I can't stop thinking about that man in Taos. Maybe there's something to what he said...
--Julie
Friday, August 7, 2009
eWomen Network Conference
We are working on the finishing touches of our PowerPoint for the eWomen Network Conference!!! We are VERY excited to debut our workshop "Ignite Your Couple Power: How to Work, Love and Succeed Together in Business."
The number one question we're always asked is: How do you work with your spouse without killing each other? Now we'll finally have a chance to answer that question! :) We're delighted to have been invited to speak at this prestigious conference and look forward to working on our public speaking skills!
The number one question we're always asked is: How do you work with your spouse without killing each other? Now we'll finally have a chance to answer that question! :) We're delighted to have been invited to speak at this prestigious conference and look forward to working on our public speaking skills!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Welcome Home
I finally dried my eyes after watching the joyful reunion between American journalists Laura Ling, Euna Lee and their families. I'm swept up in emotion as I see the mother of a four-year-old kneel down to embrace her little one after being apart for 140 days. It was such a touching moment of humanity... catching a glimpse of the pure, cherished love between a mother and child. For me the moment transcended the "bigness" of the event... important journalists working for Al Gore's Current TV... captured and convicted in North Korea... President Bill Clinton mediating the release. For me, the moment wasn't about the event itself, but simply about the tender, heart-wretching hug a mother gave her precious child after wondering if she'd ever see her again. It reminds me that no matter how important we think our careers are, when it comes down to it... it's all about the love of family.
--Julie
--Julie
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Feeling Inspired
I don't know what's in the water around here, but lately we have been exposed to EXCEPTIONAL people who are thinking on such a high level! The conversations have been inspiring and have reminded us of one of our favorite quotes:
We just posted the quote on a wall in our morning show office at the radio station. I'm feeling inspired as I'm surrounded by greatness in all parts of my life right now (yes, that includes my husband). :) May we always strive to discuss ideas with the friends around us.
--Julie
Great minds discuss ideas.
Average minds discuss events.
Small minds discuss people.
-- Eleanor Roosevelt
We just posted the quote on a wall in our morning show office at the radio station. I'm feeling inspired as I'm surrounded by greatness in all parts of my life right now (yes, that includes my husband). :) May we always strive to discuss ideas with the friends around us.
--Julie
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