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Story of the Week: THE MISS OF A GREAT MISS

Note from Mary:  Risks! Those pesky things that take the courage but that can also bring us many of life's richest moments. This week's story really choked me up.

It is a wake-up call for us all to consider the risk of not taking a risk; whether it be in love or in business. The risk to just be vulnerable. I've heard it said before, and I happen to feel it's true, that …"in our vulnerability we are most powerful."

I know for certain in my own life that when I really get honest with myself and quit letting what the outside world may or may not do pressure me into "not" doing the thing that will take the most courage, I find instant relief in accepting that I may not succeed but to not have tired is so much worse. That relentless wondering that won't leave me alone is so much more stressful than to not have tried.

With that said, and Valentine's Day quickly approaching, I hope you will take this story to heart... I hope this story is as "timely" for your life today as it has been for mine.

THE MISS OF A GREAT MISS
An excerpt from Gifts by the Side of the Road
by John Wayne "Jack" Schlatter

Yes, Humility is a definite requirement for an open mind, but we must never mistake a lack of confidence, which "weakens" us, for humility, which "teaches" us.

I'll never forget the day I saw a dream walking. Her name was Susie Summerville (name changed to protect the fantastic). Her smile, which sparkled beneath twinkling eyes, was electric and made people who received it (especially guy-type people) feel very spe­cial.

While her physical beauty was astounding, it was her invisible qualities I shall always remember. She really cared about other people and was an extremely talented listener. Her sense of humor could brighten your entire day. Her wisdom certainly belonged to someone far older than she and was like having a subscription to "Inspiration Daily."

Susie was not only admired, but also genuinely respected by members of both sexes. With everything in the world to be conceited about, she was extremely modest and never had a harsh word to say about anyone.

Needless to say, Susie Summerville was every guy's fantasy. Especially mine. I got to walk her to class every day. Once, I even got to eat lunch with her all by myself. I felt on top of the world for the rest of the afternoon.

I thought, "If only I could have a girlfriend like Susie Summerville, I'd never even look at another female. But I felt that someone as outstanding as Susie was probably dating a guy from the universe of Krypton or at least the most popular boy at our school. I was student body president at the time, but I just knew I didn't stand a ghost of a chance; she was too far above me.

So, upon graduation, I gazed at my impossible dream for one final time.

A year later, I met her best friend in a shopping center, and we had lunch together. With a lump in my throat, I asked how Suzie was.

"Well, she got over you," was the reply.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"You were really cruel to her the way you led her on. You were always...Continue

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Reaching out ...
Mary's Signature
Mary Robinson Reynolds
Founder, Heart Productions & Publishing
makeadifference.com

PS ... Storytelling: Passport to Success in the 21st Century
Why is there a resurgence of interest among today's business and organizational leaders in the ancient art of storytelling, at a time when electronic communications might seem to make it obsolete? Human beings have been communicating with each other through storytelling since we lived in caves and sat around campfires exchanging tales. What is new today about the art of telling stories is the purposeful use of narrative to achieve a practical outcome with an individual, a community, or an organization. Storytelling is the key ingredient to managing communications, education, training, and innovation in the 21st century. 

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