Keeping It Real with Glenda Sheard

"You will always find out who has your back during the times that your back is against the wall" ~Dave Hedges"

This episode was inspired by Lady Gaga and Liza Minnelli at this year's Oscars. It was truly a beautiful thing to witness when Lady Gaga quietly whispered to Liza, 'I got you," and Liza replied, "I know" 

If you missed watching the Oscars this year, I encourage everyone to search out the story that I've shared about Lady Gaga and Liza Minnelli. You, too, will witness immense respect, integrity, dignity, humility, and compassion; all character traits that display, 'I've got your back"

"At the end of the day, all you really need is someone who loves you and always has your back" ~ Kristen Butler~

A compassionate tomorrow begins with us today...

"There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about." – Margaret J. Wheatley

#shoplocal #supportlocal

When we support our local businesses by shopping local and by volunteering our time at community events, we help to make our community a better place for everyone.  Also, by supporting our local businesses, we are supporting our neighbors and friends. In turn, we are helping the businesses to support local causes that they are passionate about. 

In every community, there are many people and areas that need our support. Just some examples: the homeless or hungry, senior citizens, persons with special needs, neighborhood enhancements, and charitable causes. 

A community thrives when people who live there love and support their community. 

"In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it. – Marianne Williamson

A compassionate tomorrow begins with us today...

You matter. And to be your best for others, the first step is to invest in yourself.

Life-long learning, growth, and elevating one's self-awareness are some methods of investing in yourself. Learn more in today's podcast about how you can be the best version of yourself every single day. 

“There is no more profitable investment than investing in yourself. It is the best investment you can make; you can never go wrong with it. It is the true way to improve yourself to be the best version of you and lets you be able to best serve those around you.”

A compassionate tomorrow begins with us today...

'There is no need to be jealous of others. What's for you is for you. And what they have wouldn't fit for you anyways. Be thankful for all you have and know that all you desire is on the way" ~ Tony Gaskins~

Ways that we can stop being jealous of others.

Don't let the happiness of others cause you to be jealous. A true sign of success is when we can genuinely be happy for someone else when going through difficult times ourselves. 

A compassionate tomorrow begins with us today...

“For every door that’s been opened to me, I’ve tried to open my door to others. And here is what I have to say, finally: Let’s invite one another in. Maybe then we can begin to fear less, to make fewer wrong assumptions, to let go of the biases and stereotypes that unnecessarily divide us. Maybe we can better embrace the ways we are the same. It’s not about being perfect. It’s not about where you get yourself in the end. There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice. And there’s grace in being willing to know and hear others. This, for me, is how we become.” - Michelle Obama, Becoming 

March 8th is International Women's Day, and the theme for 2022 is #BreakTheBias

This day marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. To work towards a better world, a  world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

A world where every person is valued and celebrated. A world free from discrimination, stereotypes, and bias. 

Today, tomorrow, and beyond, together, we CAN #BreakTheBias

“It is time that men and boys recognize the part they must play in gender equality and join with the voices and actions of the women and girls who are trying to re-shape society in the interests of us all.” - Jimmy Carter.

A compassionate tomorrow begins with us today...

'There are people in your life who will cause you to forget who you are, and then there are the people who will help you to remember. Be thankful for those people who are the gardeners of your soul, who tend to your noxious weeds, keep you nurtured and growing, and your face toward the sun.  ~Anna White~

I believe that most people have experienced the feeling of being disliked. Whether it's during our childhood or as an adult, it's hard. It hurts regardless of our age. 

There are also times in our lives when we encounter an individual that WE dislike.  There may even be times that we don't know why we dislike the person. Regardless, it's not a good feeling or something a person wants to carry around for very long. 

Either way, it creates negative stress that can be difficult to manage, but we can learn and grow from the experience. It's always our choice. 

Lessons learned:

“An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.” ― Mahatma Gandhi.

“If it doesn't agree with your spirit let it go.” ― Germany Kent.

A compassionate tomorrow begins with us today...

“We need leaders who add value to the people and the organization they lead; who work for the benefit of others and not just for their own personal gain. Leaders who inspire and motivate, not intimidate and manipulate; who live with people to know their problems in order to solve them and who follow a moral compass that points in the right directions regardless of the trends.”  —Mary Kay Ash

Leaders come in all shapes and sizes, and a title is not necessary to become a great leader. What leadership qualities do you have? Are there leaders that have had a strong influence on you? 

According to Bill Gates, "As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others."

American scholar Warren Bennis said that “Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality."

Aristotle once said, "He who cannot be a good follower cannot be a good leader."

Resource: The Arizona University - Top 11 Qualities Of A Good Leader

"Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others."  —Jack Welch

A compassionate tomorrow begins with us today...

I'm tired. 

I'm SO tired! 

I can't believe how tired I am!!

It seems like I've said those words or heard those words a million times over the past couple of years!! 

Yes, we are ALL tired of living in unprecedented times; that *&%#! Covid-19 pandemic!

As we look towards the future of better days, I truly believe that respect and kindness will be the key to helping us to move forward. 

We can not return to normal!

We can choose a better future.

It's always our choice. Choose wisely.

A compassionate tomorrow begins with us today...

Have you ever had an experience where you felt unwanted or not welcome? Like you were not invited to belong to a group? Like another person in the group didn't like you, and you had no idea why? Like that person was superior to you? It can really hard to manage one's feelings when something like this happens. 

Maybe you've had this experience before? Being the new kid at school, sitting by yourself in the playground and no one even notices you. 

As a mature adult, I am aware that not every person we meet will like us! We all have different abilities and talents to offer, and it shouldn't matter to us if another person does not acknowledge us or our talent. But it can matter, and it hurts! 

What is truly important is that we remember that self-respect and self-worth are an inside job! It has nothing to do with what another person may think of us.  It's also important to not allow another person to rent space in your head. Drawing on our confidence, knowing our worth, and valuing what we contribute to the world is are qualities that no one can take away from us unless we allow them to... 

"There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellowmen.  True nobility is in being superior to your former self"  ~Ernest Hemmingway!~

A compassionate tomorrow begins with us today...

“Gratitude is one of the most powerful human emotions. Once expressed, it changes attitude, brightens outlook, and broadens our perspective.” ― Germany Kent

It is so very important to express our gratitude to the people that believe in us, especially when we are struggling to believe in ourselves. It is my sincere hope that everyone has friends and family that are encouraging them and supporting them, each and every day!

Reflecting on and appreciating those that lift us in our lives, can help to pull us through dark days and tough times.

Let us be grateful always for 'the Lifters' in our lives.

A compassionate tomorrow begins with us today...