Vision Showcase... Check it Out!

Challenging What is, Looking to What Could Be... That is theme for today. I know I am supposed to be whacking you on the side of the head, but I am inspired so I am going to ride the leadership wave.

Today is the day we channel all the students' energy into issues and projects for which they have passion. It is nothing less than miraculous to watch college students accept the idea that with their privilege of going to college comes great responsibility. They spent the day thinking and talking about matters of heart. Late in the afternoon we asked the students to imagine their visions realized and to develop newspaper headlines announcing their accomplishments. It is my favorite part of the week, because it fills me with hope about the future and reminds me why I love working with young(er) people.

I wish you could be here with me. I wish you could walk the Vision Showcase and feel the energy filling the room. There is a low hum of students and leadership coaches exchanging feedback. Some are helping their peers refine their visions. Some are sharing resources. But ALL are fully engaged and committed to the process.

I thought if I couldn't bring you to Leadershape then perhaps I could bring a bit of Leadershape to you. So... below are a small sample of the student's visions.

Something for you to think about while viewing them. ...I shared a quote with the students from a book titled, The Alchemist. It states, "And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." We are part of the universe that can conspire to help bring these students' visions to reality. So, if you have an idea, insight, resource, or contact that can advance any of these visions, let us know. I will be sure to pass the information along. And... we will be going a long way in doing our part to improve the world.

HITTING THE NEXT LEVEL WITH WEARABLE ART
Fashion designer takes her designs to the next level with pieces that aim to shine light on current issues facing the community.


TAKE LIFE ONE ACT AT A TIME
Actors bring awareness through mind-opening performances all around the world
to set audiences free.

FIRST PLACE FINISH
Student-led efforts help crew team become fully funded varsity
sport at St. Edward's University.



BACK IN SCHOOL
Student establishes day care system to provide affordable child care
for young mothers in pursuit of higher education.



SHOOTING CREATIVITY ONE PICTURE AT A TIME
Student creates organization to show the benefits of photography and its ability to provide a new lens on the world through individual creativity.



SHARING OF ART
Young entrepreneur starts Annual Art Festival to allow all kinds of
young artists to show their work and be recognized.



EXPRESS YOURSELF
College student finds breakthrough way
to help kids find themselves through the arts.

CREATING COMMUNITY ONE IDEA AT A TIME
(That's me! I figured I throw one in for good measure)
Entrepreneur and educator finds new ways to insert creativity
into communities around the world

The Value of One the Power of All

Another exhilarating day from Leadershape. Yesterday's theme was all about the value of one individual and the power of all! That is to say... when we acknowledge the unique contributions of each person, the power of we can accomplish increases exponentially! We - Highlowaha - are a GREAT example of this principle. Each day an idea is thrown out there. Through the valuable contributions of each individual, our blog site becomes so much more than just a creative idea a day. For that, I thank you.

Speaking of highlowaha. We had a fabulous day yesterday. I love that so many of you participated in sharing some of your favorites. It was fun to read and I actually feel like I know some of you better. Others.. I feel like I know you less well. HEATHER, I thought you were an American Idol junkie like me. What happened?!?! If I wasn't so out-of-pocket, I'd be calling you up right this second to get the low down.

The rest of my answers from all of yesterday's great prompts...

Hugs or Kisses: Hugs
Cats or Dogs? Dogs if I have to, but honestly my preference is neither
Beach or Mountains: Mountains
Email or Phone: Phone
Warm or cold weather: Warm
The Book or The Movie: The book
White or Dark Chocolate: Milk
Flip-flops or sneakers: sneakers
Kids or adults: Adults (unless they're mine and CSP grad is willing to babysit twice a month).
Italian or Mexican food: Italian
Thanksgiving or Christmas: Christmas
Homebody or Travel Junkie: Homebody
Cake or Pie: Cake
PC or Mac: Mac
Hot coffee... Starbucks, Cinnamon Dolce, non-fat, no-whip, heated to 180 degrees.
Chocolate ice cream

A couple more quick announcements and then it is on to today's creative idea for the day.

• First, it has been drawn to my attention that Richard (my husband) and Matt (his best friend, author of May 1 blog, and husband to Cristine) are boycotting our blog. It seems that on the few occasions they have posted a comment, we have not given them enough attention by replying directly to their posts. So please, join me in giving a special "hello" and "we appreciate you" to Richard and Matt - two of our loyal and valued readers. Maybe a Richard and Matt Appreciation Day is in order. Hmmmmm... I'll think about that and get back to you.
• Second, Cassie (not "P") had surgery yesterday. Let's all send nice thoughts her way for a speedy recovery.
• I have no concept of days (it's Day 3 in my curriculum -that's all I know), so while I just realized it is supposed to be Whacky Wednesday, I am going to need to postpone until tomorrow. Sorry. Today's idea is too much fun to postpone.
  
• Friday is the day we will all want to vote for Gwen Beauchamp for America's Favorite Mother. I will provide directions on Friday.
• Taste of USA... coming your way SOOOOOOOOOON! Stay tuned.
  

Now to the idea of the day. I LOVE concepts of community! I am the cheesy one that wishes people still sat out on their stoops; neighbors knew each others' names; block parties were still a big deal; and on and on.

Today I was sharing a future blog idea with someone at Leadershape and he was telling me about the neighborhood in which he lives. It is a street with about 20 houses, 8 of which are on a shared cul dae sac. He rattled off about 10 or 11 major events the neighbors did together every year. SOME of them included things such as: Annual Pumpkin Decorating; neighborhood Easter brunch and egg hunt; road trip to the mountains for Christmas trees, followed by a tree hop the following night to view each others' trees; a New Year's day pajama party brunch; and numerous "Open Grills" throughout the spring and summer (people bring their own meat, drinks and a side dish and cookout on the grill of someone in the neighborhood).

I want to be a resident of Snowbrush Court! Don't you? He told me the reason there are so many events is that basically each family in the neighborhood has developed their own "Signature Event." Do you love that? So how about it? How about we all work on developing our own "Signature Event" for our own neighborhood... and then watch the ripple effect. If you already have one... share it with the rest of us. If not, get those wheels turning and claim your day of the year!

This, my friends and fellow readers is the Value of One and the Power of All. If each of us committed to starting just one Signature Event in our neighborhood, we would be planting seeds of community ALL over the country. And wouldn't the country be a better place if we learned... really learned... how to live in, and celebrate, community!

That is our challenge...

Signing off until tomorrow...

Community... Take it or Leave It!

Greetings from Leadershape. Yesterday was Day One for the students... though it was day three for me(I'm beginning to feel like an Austin native). Yesterday's theme for the day was Building Community. The idea is that before we can begin developing leaders, we must build a safe community in which these students can share.

Mark, my co-lead facilitated an icebreaker yesterday that I thought could be fun for our group. We (highlowaha), after all, are working on building a community of readers, so the idea of community building seems relevant. The better we know one another, the more able we are to provide ideas catering to the group's interests.

The activity required the group of 60 students to move from one side of the room to the other depending upon preferences. For instance...

"American Idol... Take it or leave it?"
"Coke or Pepsi?"
"Today or Tomorrow?"
"Hawaii or Paris?"
"Morning person or night owl?"
"Formal or informal"

So let's get to know each other better... Answer the six questions I posted and then add one or two of your own. The list will get progressively longer and we'll each commit to answering as many as we can. I might even print off our cumulative list of questions and use it as an activity one night at the dinner table.

Me...

American Idol.... Take it (think of me tomorrow night. I'll be missing it!)!
Coke
Hawaii
Morning person
Formal

Your Turn...

Signing off until tomorrow...

Leadershape Or Bust!

Summer is here and even though the price of gas is at an all time high, I expect some of us will go on a road trip or two.  My road trip to Austin on Saturday reminded me that this could be a fun topic for our readers.  Creative ways to make a road trip fun... especially if you have kids.

First I feel the need to tell you a little bit more about where I am and what I'll be doing this week.  It seems impossible to go the week without wanting to reference and share some the excitement of what I am doing and the people I am meeting.  You'll appreciate it more if you understand the context.

This entire week is about creativity, because for the next six days I will be working with 60 college-aged students to do a couple of things.. (1) facilitate their thinking about what they are passionate about and how they can use their passion to improve some aspect of the world; (2) teach the basic leadership skills necessary to implement a vision statement; and (3) make the connection between successfully executing our visions and committing to leading with integrity.  It's an ambitious agenda, but it is nothing short of inspiring and creative.  

Students taking serious time out of their busy lives... sequestering themselves and spending concentrated time thinking about how to improve the world in which we live.  Let there me no misunderstanding... we are in good hands.  Our future looks bright, because there are a healthy number of young people willing to give of their time and energy.  This program I work with (Leadershape) is about harnessing that creativity and energy and channeling it into something purposeful.

With that as the back drop... great ready for an exciting week.  My goal is to either share some aspect of the curriculum, introduce you to someone I meet, or share a creative thought I have.  We'll see where it goes...

But for today, let's start with my four hour drive from Dallas to Austin.  I am happy to report that is was somewhat uneventful.  I kept waiting to pass some great site along the way... something of which I could take a photo and post as creative idea.  There was nothing.  So, where there is nothing creative... create your own!

A couple of years ago family friends drove from Georgia to visit us.  Before embarking on their return trip, I presented the kids with a scavenger hunt list and a Polaroid camera.  The goal... gather the actual items or snap a picture on film.  Mail them back and earn a prize.  Items included things such as an apple pie box from McDonald's, a picture with a truck driver, a photo from a "scenic point" along the way, a picture of an Alabama license plate, the signature of someone you met along the way, a cow, a Wendy's straw wrapper, and the front page of a newspaper from a state other than Kentucky (where we lived at the time) or Georgia.

How about you?  What other ideas can you help generate for a Road Trip Scavenger Hunt?  In addition... feel free to share any other ideas you have for making time in the car fly by having fun.

Signing off until tomorrow... 

Super Saturday: Stop, Go and S-E-R-E-N-D-I-P-I-T-Y!

I say that... "Super Saturday,"... because today we have lots of ground to cover. Usually I try to keep Saturday's low key, because I know most of our readers are out and about with family and friends. But today there is lots to share.

"Stop" and take a second to read this segment. This short little story is a good reminder to me, and maybe to you, of why it is so important to work toward being present and in the moment.

Yesterday, Matthew was home with me all day. If I had to rank the convenience of his getting sick on a scale of 1 -10, I would have to place it at a 1.5. Later this morning I leave for Austin for a week and I had 101 things I needed to wrap up before leaving. At some point during the morning Matthew got nostalgic about a stop sign he made while attending Prospect Preschool, in Kentucky. It was card stock on a Popsicle stick, but for whatever reason he was suddenly attached to the memory of it. He asked if we could make another one. I replied with what unfortunately is all to often my instinctive response... "Not right now. Maybe later." Ten minutes later he asked again. Again I replied, "Maybe later. I'm really busy right now." (and I was!). Practicing real restraint, another ten minutes passed before Matthew called out from his play room.. again asking if we could make a stop sign. I decided at that moment I needed to say, "yes." Maybe it was the realization that if I didn't he would keep on asking or maybe my conscience got the best of me and I realized that it wouldn't be long before my helping him make a stop sign would no longer be a thrill. Whatever the reason, I'm so glad I did.

Seventeen minutes. That's what it took. From the time I scrounged up the materials to the time I cut out letters, glued them on, attached a handle, and was outside snapping a picture... 17 minutes. Thats it. We even stopped along the way to have him write each letter of the words, "stop" and "go" before cutting them out and glueing them to foam.

The point... these requests from our kids that can ometimes feel like an interruption or distraction from what we "really" need to be doing... they're small. Rarely will they take more than 20-30 minutes. After all, their attention spans aren't much longer than that. Matthew played the rest of the day with his stop sign and today the time spent working together on the project seems priceless.

So "Go." Today if a child makes a request of you, "go" for it. "Stop" looking for the reason you can't. You'll feel proud of yourself and the child will appreciate your attention.

Next... Follow-up to May Day.

Thursday night (May 1) when I returned from brainstorming with Cheryl about, "Taste of USA," I returned home to find this fun treat hanging on my door knob. Then I remembered my thoughtful neighbor sharing with me a fun May Day tradition that she and her family practiced as kids. I love the idea, so I am passing it along today hoping you will file it away until next year.

My neighbor explained how she makes these cones from sturdy paper and then fills them with treats and anonymously hangs them on the door knobs of friends and neighbors. What a fun and thoughtful idea. Mine was filled with beautiful little roses from her garden, but she noted how you could also fill them with candy treats and other novelty items. I'm not sure how it ties in with May Day as labor day or Dea Boda, but hanging treats on peoples' doors in hand made and decorated containers... that I can get into!

Heather's Hair... After a big chunk of change; a desperate phone call to me in utter disbelief; and a healthy dose of guilt on her part... Heather finally got a stylish haircut and color. Worth every penny, in my opinion... You judge for yourself. Here's the after shot..

S-E-R-E-N-D-I-P-I-T-Y
I'll try to keep this brief, as today's post is already lengthy and we sill have Dine By Design tables to go. I scour the paper every morning for articles or ads that might jar a creative idea in my head (one a day is no small order to fill). A couple of weeks ago I saw an article about a woman who was runner up for the Dallas Pillsbury Bake-off. It caught my attention because she works at SMU - an institution where I was once employed. Simultaneously, I had been toying with the idea of trying to implement periodic, Freebie Fridays," where I give away some item. I got to thinking, maybe this award winning Pillsbury baker would be willing to donate a free batch of her brownies. I sent an email asking. She replied back that she was willing and in exchange was wondering whether I would be willing to do something for her. Curiosity peaked. I said, "Sure, how can I help?"

This is amazing. The SAME woman who won runner up for the Texas Pillsbury Bake-off was ALSO one of 15 moms nominated to be one of America's Favorite Moms! Can you believe that?!?! Needless to say, 2008 is going to be tough for her to top. So, Gwen Beauchamp would like our help racking her up as many votes as possible. I told her about our loyal readership and told her I felt confident we could do our part. So, here's what I know to date. There are five categories. Her category (Chair of Everything (COE) Moms) will be voted on Friday, May 9. I assume you go to the Today Show website to place your vote, but I will provide more detail before then. So, how can you help? If so willing... place a vote for Gwen Beauchamp on Friday May 9 and try to muster up as much other support (family, friends, co-workers) as possible. In exchange, she is going to present us with an award winning batch of brownies - mailed directly one of our lucky readers!

Finally... Dine by Design... Here are the table titles from the local church event I reported on a few weeks back. Perhaps it will get your wheels turning on fun themes...

Big Girls Slumber Party

Nancy Drew Mystery Tour

Good News Club is Cool

God's Treasure Box

Love Bears All

Winter Wonderland

A Quiet Place to Think

Serenity

Valentine's

When Life Gives You Lemons

A Garden Party

In My Father's House are Many Rooms

Wedding at Tara

Love to Serve

A Black & White Affair

Barbie

One Nation Under God

Boot Scootin' Babes

Make Mine Chocolate

Hollywood Chic

Signs of Spring

Birds of a Feather

Rhinestones in the Rough

Wizard of Oz

Chocolate Elegance

Crowing for Jesus

Tea Party

Food for the Soul

It's for the Birds

Hometown Homegirls

God's Garden

Modern Trends

Damask Road

Good Bless Texas

What are Little Boys Made of

What are Little Girls Made of

Deal or No Deal

God's Garden

Friends, Fun, and Chocolate

5 Star Western

As Good As It Gets

Christmastime is Here Again

God Bless Guatemala

Jesus is Love

Here Comes the Bride

Flip Flop Paradise

Spring is In the Air

Western Jubilee

Poppin' Fresh

Remember Me

Heavenly Gathering

If Tea Cups Could Talk

The Old Rugged Cross

The Cat's Meow

Growing Together

Stones of Encouragement

He is Risen

Pushing up Roses

In Memory of Irene

Pure Turquoise

Monkey Business

A Family Tale

Designed Reflection

Love n Chocolate

Heaven

All Things New

Africa

Plain or Peanut

Hawaii 5-o

The Joy of Spring

India & Rahab's Rope

World Cup

Coming Up Daisies

Signing off until Monday, when I will be posting for the week from Austin, TX...

Free for All Friday: Highs, Lows, and Ahas

T.G.I.F. I figured I would take the liberty of finishing out the week in my favorite way - through the lens of high, low, and aha.

HIGHS: There are many.

• Let's start out with the fact that I just came from Cheryl's house where we ate yummy ice cream and spent an hour and a half brainstorming the specifics of, "Taste of USA," our upcoming tour of the country. Cheryl has accepted the position of PR director (to be renamed something far more creative in the near future) for this initiative (and hopefully all others coming down the pike). I had NO idea when I recruited her the extent of her talent and creativity. All I can say is, hold onto your seats. What we unveil in the next week or so is going to be something else.
  
• Treye coming up with the O'-so-fun idea of developing our very own Highlowaha mascot to travel the world, instead of Flat Stanley. I'm not totally willing to turn my back on Flat Stanley yet, but if we don't hear from Helena in the next week or so we will be in the hunt for something new.
  
• I reinforced in my own mind, that while I am not good at a million things... I am an excellent talent scout. I can spot talent from a mile away and if I'm really on... I figure out a way to plug into it and then capitalize on it. Such is the case with so many of you... my loyal readers!
  
• We finally found out what was the matter with Matthew. He was under the weather because he has pneumonia! Yup, pneumonia in May... who would have thought it? I've listed it under highs, because we finally know what is the matter and he's already on the mend.

LOW:

• Matthew has pneumonia.
  
• While I might be a great talent scout... I am a crummy fundraiser! Heather blew the Big Give Challenge out of the water by turning her $20.00 into something in the ball park of $450.00. My plan... due to my poor planning (a classic case of turning a project into something far more complicated than it had to be) was a flop. Yesterday I mailed Melanie a check for $210.00, only $120.00 of which came from my Big Give. And trust me when I say... Cassie, my loyal and creative sister in-law was responsible for whatever success we had. So, thanks to Cassie and my apologies to Melanie... and Artnme for being under-delivering on your great and generous idea! Truly impressive.


• Heather is getting a real haircut today.

AHA

• Creativity is Contagious! I have been blown away by all the creative ideas and creative energy moving its way through highlowaha. I've seen it time and time again and it is holding true here... people are drawn to the energy and enthusiasm of others. So, keep the great ideas coming
  

Now for the Free for All...

Last week we had two people post issues for which the would like group feedback. First came Anonymous who is looking for fun ways to tell her husband she is pregnant (when the time comes). Heather and Stacie, loyal readers and baby-lovers posted a number of great suggestions last Friday. Here are a few from me...

• Set the table for an extra person, with a baby spoon and maybe a bottle.
  
• Blind fold him for a mystery trip to Babies-R-Us where once you arrive his eyes are uncovered and you can register.
  
• In the dead of night, sneak a new car seat in his car to be discovered the next morning.
  
• My husband, Richard's contribution... "Throw his golf clubs away."
  
• Also... if you are of the "find out sex of child ahead of time"school of thought, you could create celebration around that too. With each of my boys, I brought home an blue and white ice cream cake reading, "It's a boy!" Then the whole family could sit around and celebrate and get excited while sharing dessert.

I feel certain our readers will generate some more before the day is over.

Second, Cheryl's dilemma. Once again... challenging. She purchased a second hand mirror that she wants to redo and hang somewhere in her house. The mirror is made from an old window frame. Cheryl likes a somewhat rustic or distressed look, but is open to lots of ideas. Cassie and two Jessica's provided some good ideas last week. Check out the Friday (4/25) posts for specifics As for me... I'm LIMITED on the home decorating front, so again... being an excellent talent scout... I contacted a couple of interior designers I know and begged them to post before the day is over. My one suggestion...

I worked with a woman, Rebecca, who had a similarly sized window frame in her office that was otherwise window-less! She did something I thought was incredibly ingenious and I swore I would steal the idea some day. She enlarged a beautiful picture of a New England road canvassed in beautiful fall leaves and mounted it to the back side of the window. It hung over her computer, so whenever she looked out her "window" she saw this breathtaking view. Do you have a favorite season, location, scene... something that brings you peace and tranquility?How about photographing the location and putting it right outside your window?

Signing off until tomorrow... (remember... Dine by Design themes will be listed).

Introducing Blog Master for a Day: Master Matt Struble!

As promised last Friday, in a desperate attempt to have male friends of highlowaha.com share their ideal Father's Day gift, a drawing was held involving any reader who successfully got a father to post.  Cristine came through with flying colors and got Matt to reveal his dream gift (check out posts from 4/25 to see what he says).

So, without further ado, let me turn it over (though real quick... I will have some brief announcements at the end)...

Well, as blog master for the day, I have to agree with Claudia's concerns for what devilish items that I would choose to discuss, on this May 1.  When first notified of the honor, I couldn't help but laugh at all the ways I could discuss farts, beer,

the NFL draft, or something like the history of the largest ball of twine and who can claim the largest ball (there are 3 people who say they have it). It would be really easy to offend most of you with my humor.  Although I know that Richard Beeny would probably be the only one who would laugh with me and that my wife may not laugh but she would support me as she always does.

For my subject of choice on May 1, I choose to select... well... May 1.  Have you all actually thought about a specific day and what that day means?  Everyone knows what December 25th means but why does May 1 get the shaft because it is not a major holiday?  Since most readers of this article will be women, it may be of some interest to know that today would have been the all-female festival in honor of Bona Dea in the Roman Empire.  Bona Dea was knows as the"Good Goddess" and as the Goddess of Fertility.  Healing, Virginity, and Women.

With war news of Iraq and Afghanistan heard everyday; let's think about the past war battles of the Spanish-American War (Battle of Manila Bay), Civil War (Battle of Chancelorsville), or the sinking of hte Lusitania that left New York today and was torpedoed days later in WWI.  

Many famous people were either born or died today like Pope Pius V (d 1504) or Ray Parker Jr. (b 1954), so who you going to call... GHOSTBUSTERS.  Clearly I can go on and on about political events, people, inventions, etc., but the bottom line is don't forget about May 1.  So raise a beer or "toot" a salute to this day (come on, i had to get a fart comment in here somehow).

Lastly, don't forget May 14 as well.  It is my 40th birthday.  (The party will be in the Chica

go area).  If you are looking for a little diversion during our day, visit us at www.strublesuds.com for the latest Struble events. 

Thank you, Matt.  As you can see, Matt is far headier than I am.  He's talking Bona Dea and battles while I'm talking birthday parties and bathing suits (God forbid).  

Ok... a couple of notes before I sign off...

• A cookie bouquet was delivered to my house yesterday from a very thoughtful reader who wanted to congratulate me on finally reaching 5,000.  Now that I know I don't have to post a pic of me in a bathing suit, I think I'll eat one.  Thank you... you know who.
  
• Heather, one of our most loyal readers and posters, is finally getting a big girl haircut... TOMORROW.  This is to say, she has made an appointment at a "real" hair salon, as opposed to zipping into Supercuts over her lunch hour.  She is a self-proclaimed penny pincher, so for her this is a real step outside her comfort zone.  If you are anything like me you don't get this, as I would visit a salon weekly if I could come up with enough reasons.  Some of you requested a before and after shot and Heather is nice enough to comply.  So here is the before... and Saturday I will post an after.
• 
  
• Cheryl has signed on to be my official PR manager for the 12 week, 50 state Roll Call.  Look out for her daily post reminding and motivating you to... Rock the Vote (does that date me?... Now you know why I need a PR manager).
• Still waiting to hear from Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming.  The sooner they get on the map, the sooner we can start.  Does anyone know anyone in any of these states?  Maureen can you put a word out via Girl Scouts?
• IMPORTANT:  I will posting highlowaha from remote ALL NEXT WEEK.  I am facilitating a six-day institute involving 60 college aged students.  Tune in, as it is sure to be fun and INSPIRING!!!  Days (and nights) are long, so my posts will be short, sweet, and to the creative point.

Signing off until tomorrow...