January 25, 2010 - Posted by Admin - 1 Comment
This past weekend I participated in the 3rd annual Roanoke Regional Writer’s Conference at Hollins University. In the two previous years, I’ve learned from experienced professional writers who shared their passion for the craft and determination to maintain quality in the field.
After two days of reflection on this year’s event, I must share it has gone deeper. I was asked to present on a topic I am entrenched in, Twitter, as just one of the workshops on Writers and Social Media. Social media has overtaken many conversations relating to communications, business and personal connecting, but this weekend’s gathering of well-versed and well-read writers had quite a diverse attraction or aversion to it.
Twitter is not easily explained or even demonstrated. You have to have a desire to understand and participate. I had created what I thought was an easy how-to for new Twitter users, but quickly began to see that seasoned writers may not appreciate the immediacy of a message that is thought, entered, then gone. There is little editing and proper grammar and correct spelling are not requirements of tweeting.
What I now have clarified in my mind is that Twitter is an art form of its own. It is the 140-character invitation to connect. It is a headline to shock, mystify, share, comfort or cajole. It is a beginning, a bread-crumb bird trail to further words which will inform or incite you.
I just wish I had come to this realization last week. So for today, I share my epiphany and announce there are more coming because great writers inspire and encourage. I’m grateful I live in a community overflowing with brilliance!
November 7, 2009 - Posted by Admin - 1 Comment
The “National Energy Education Development (N.E.E.D.) Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating students, teachers, and the community about energy and energy issues.” That’s the formal description of the program, but I met the students in this year’s NEED class at Thaxton Elementary yesterday. They are bright, fun and inquisitive young people who are learning and doing great things. Their teacher, Mrs. Viola Henry, had brought the class to the Green Living and Energy Expo at the Roanoke Civic Center to be recognized for participating in the Expo event for all 10 years it has been held. Their school program has been in place even longer, since 1993! They are creating products from recycled goods and selling them to support their program and their creativity amazes me!!!
Over the course of the day I met more students from local schools, regional business owners and managers, educators, and lots of people who are looking to improve their lives and the planet by taking action. It is an honor to be participating in this 10th annual event as it continues to grow and improve each year.
If you’re in the Roanoke area today, stop by and take a walk through, free admission and open 10:00am to 4:00pm.
October 15, 2009 - Posted by Admin - 0 Comments
This is how I feel most days… if you can’t see the picture here, it’s a green dragon dressed in full metal holding a sword at ready. If it’s not a mom thing, like today submitting the H1N1 form to my son’s school stating that under no circumstances are they to administer any vaccine to him, it’s a business thing, like trying to be in two places at one time or making a handful of people happy in the same day, it’s just life.
But today is even more important. Today I’m in warrior mode as part of a global action to bring attention to climate change. This is something I strongly believe in and want to do my part personally and professionally. That’s the best any of us can do.
In a letter from Bill Mckibben co-founder of 350.org, he says “The number is 350, and it’s now the most important number on the planet. 350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in our atmosphere, measured in parts per million. Since we’re at 390 ppm now, it’s a tough number, and getting back to it will require remarkable efforts. The good news is that people all around the world are mobilizing around 350 in a unique and beautiful movement to solve the
climate crisis.”
On a global level, I support 350.org and their efforts to bring attention to this critical issue. On a local level, I’m part of a small group of energetic people who are taking action in our own community with Sustain Floyd. My son & I were there for this picture below taken to submit to the UN next week. I’ll also be at the Split Rail Eco Fair on Saturday, October 24 in downtown Floyd, Virginia, recognizing how community, local or global, can come together for a common purpose. Join us!
August 18, 2009 - Posted by Admin - 0 Comments
I come from a long line of entrepreneurs. My grandmother was widowed in 1933, with a baby daughter and a house payment, so at the height of the Depression, she started her own business. First, it was an embroidery and knitting shop then it evolved into a card and gift shop. I grew up in that shop, learning to make change from the cash drawer, stock shelves, help customers who needed it, manage inventory and watch trends. She sold the business and retired after 50 years and 6 robberies. It was amazing she got out alive…but she did and lived to tell the tales.
My mother went a different route. When I was 5 months old, she and my dad purchased a home at the Jersey shore. During the summer, we rented the main house and my mom, sister & I lived in a garage apartment out back. We didn’t have a phone or car all summer and really didn’t miss them. We rode bikes, went to the beach, cleaned between rentals and dreaded going back to the city and school in the fall. My mother has now renovated and retired to that home.
Over the past 20 years, I’ve become a serial entrepreneur, launching a variety of businesses, some profitable and some not. Some were created out of passion and some out of necessity to make a living. I’ve been passionate about green living for a long time so decided I needed to follow my heart and soul this time.
My newest venture is Green4Good, promoting green with style. I’m living in a green home, promoting a green lifestyle, and supporting individuals and businesses who want to incorporate being green into their lives. If you have something to share or a question about green living, please comment below. If I can be of service to you or your business, let’s talk. To learn more about my business, check out Green4Good (coming soon).
July 22, 2009 - Posted by Admin - 2 Comments
This has been another summer of change for me. There’s plenty of new people in my circle and I’m truly enjoying getting to know them and what promise our relationships hold.
I’m also getting to spend time with my 13 year old son, who is growing up WAY too fast! I’m re-learning how to fish, watching G4 Attack of the Show (and I know what they’re talking about most of the time, who knew?!?) with him and getting ready for a new year of school to start (7th grade) in just a few weeks. These precious moments I will treasure as I get busy with business and he heads off on his adventures all too soon.
So what will you remember about this summer? Have you spent time with those you love, or taken the time to listen to the challenges facing someone you’ve recently met? These are opportunities to make a difference, to hold a place in time in someone’s life that will stand still.
I’m spending much more time lately on being present. When I meet someone new, whether in real life or virtually, I’m taking a moment to listen, a name, a voice, a word, noticing characteristics that I can hold to create connection. That is what life is all about, creating the connections between us that lift us all to where we can be our best. We are all connected.
So, my summer has been memorable so far. If you’re reading this, please share a memory you’ve created this summer. I’m eager to connect with you so comment here, follow me on Twitter as bgreen or friend me on Facebook. May you have a wealth of fond memories from your summer adventures!
July 1, 2009 - Posted by Admin - 0 Comments
Glad you found me here. I’m working on some new things, please be patient. Check back again soon for new posts and other goodies. Follow me on Twitter for the ongoing saga of my life.
April 27, 2009 - Posted by Admin - 0 Comments
A few years ago, I faxed my resignation in to the office where I worked. It was that bad! I already owned my own business in addition to my job. No, I wasn’t making a killing but I knew the cut in income was worth the mental anquish I had been experiencing. When you reach that point, you know something has to change.
Here we are, three years later. I’m finally involved in several businesses where I’m passionate, understand the value of each mission and the impact of the work. Each day there’s a goal, a sense of urgency and a return on the investment of my time and effort. I love what I do!
Can you say you love what you do? It doesn’t matter what you do, whether you have your own business or you work for someone else, do you love your day? It makes a difference and if you can’t say you do, you need to find what it is that makes you love your day.
Jonathan Fields detailed his adventures finding what he loves to do in his book Career Renegade: How to Make a Great Living Doing What You Love released in January. Jonathan has lived through all he suggests to his readers. “Very often, the more entrenched you are in your current path, the harder it is to convince yourself that you’ll be okay doing something else,” he says. From finding your passion to changing your expectations to learning new media, Jonathan provides some keys to unlock a new future to those seeking a life change.
It’s not simple, but Jonathan suggests “If you know where you want to go, but don’t believe you can get there, you won’t act. And, without action, there is no accomplishment.” My experience proves this statement true, and I’m happy to say that taking action can lead to great things! If you’re looking for some guidance, I strongly recommend reading Jonathan’s “Career Renegade” strategies, which made a difference for him and has made a difference for me as well.
Truth is some days you will love more than others. I guage how much I love each day by how much I’ve given, how much effort I’ve invested, how I’ve shared knowledge with others, learned something new myself, generated a greater level of revenue or expanded my community or network. Most days I love a lot, because I get better at it every day. Your criteria may be different but the sooner you decide how you create days you love, the happier you will be.
