Archive for the ‘WACKY Wednesdays’ Category

The Similarity Between Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning” and WACKY

Friday, February 10th, 2012

By Ron Nakamoto  (A follow up to the January 25th Post “A Secret to Abundance”)

Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning” is one of the most insightful, thought-provoking books of our time.  It tells his story of surviving the Holocaust and what he learned about the human condition as a result.  Frankl discovered that those who survived the Nazi concentration camps were able to do so because they adopted an attitude of “tragic optimism”, that is, “an optimism in the face of tragedy”.

A common characteristic of the survivors was the ability to share, give to others:

“We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread.  They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing:  the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” (more…)

Cancer Statistics

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

by Lori Brower

Originally aired on January 4th, 2012 (CBS News)

We are making progress in the fight against cancer. The American Cancer
Society said Wednesday that death rates are going down. Between 2004 and 2008,
they dropped 1.8 percent each year for men and 1.6 percent for women. However,
CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook reports there has not been much
improvement for teens or young adults.

When Caroline Hale counsels young people with cancer at Vanderbilt
Children’s Hospital, she speaks from experience.

Ten years ago, at age 13, Hale complained of back pain. Doctors said it was
from her backpack, but she turned out to have non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma wrapping
around her spine.

“They hit you with so much poisonous drugs,” she said, “so
many poisonous drugs, so much chemotherapy, that you just can’t help but feel
lifeless.”

(more…)

Traditions

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

by Lori Brower

One of our favorite family traditions is the signing of the tablecloth. We have a very large white tablecloth for our dining room table that we bring out in December. During our family Christmas party, each family member is asked to trace their hand on the cloth and then write something they are grateful for from the current year, and include their name and date. We have a multitude of Sharpie pens in a variety of colors to use. We also send it to our extended family in southern Utah but we try to make time to take a quick trip between Thanksgiving and New Years Day to capture the hands of four generations.

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Check it out!

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

by Lori Brower

After personally delivering my homemade baked treats to my neighbors with incorrect names written on them, going to the grocery store 3 times in one hour for a ridiculously simple plan for dinner and then sitting in my stairway, succumbing to sobs after visiting Nick’s room, I determined that I shouldn’t be in public. Safely snuggled in at home, I now need to determine what to write about today…

Service – giving back – is what seems to keep me going, bringing me perspective. Last week was busy. I took a couple of goodie bags up to our favorite nurses at Huntsman Cancer Institute, just as I (and Nick) have done for the past four years. It didn’t occur to me that it would be difficult until I was in the parking lot. Denise (one of Nick’s fairy godmothers) was with me and it was indeed difficult (a few nurses were teary just seeing me) but I’m so glad we went.

(more…)

EARN YOUR COOKIES

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

by Lori Brower

In an effort to rejoin the human race in all of its glory, I decided to start by looking at myself. In all aspects – mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically – I needed some help. I entertained the thought that if I spouted the word “Idiot!” seven times to random individuals within a five-minute time span, that perhaps it could be me. Time to manage my stress, perhaps? The holidays are here – I’d better get a grip and quick!

I soon placed a call to my counselor. I expressed my troubles: “Why does grieving have to be so sad?” Three tissue boxes later, I asked “Am I truly grieving, or going through menopause or am I just bitchy?” Her answer: “Yes.”

(more…)

When Angels are Disguised as Human Beings

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

by Lori Brower

Reposted from Nick’s blog (www.nick-raitt.blogspot.com – Nov, 2009)

There are times when I follow other websites in journeys with cancer that I can truly feel my heart ache; times when I learn a significant piece of the cancer puzzle; times when my frustration with the enormity of it all is overwhelming; times when I am amazed beyond words of the strength and internal fortitude of parents describing their joy in the love they embrace through their children; and times when my jaw hits the table.

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Empowered Leadership

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

by Lori Brower

 “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” John Quincy Adams

This quote is found in Lee’s book, “The Brower Quadrant.” Leadership is a cornerstone principle of Empowered Wealth. Lee discusses the differences between leadership and management, which are often confused as being one in the same. He has identified “The Five C’s of True Leadership” as follows:

Clarity

Consciousness

Consistency

Courage

Compassion

The topic of leadership has come up in our family quite often of late and I thought I would put two of our family members to the leadership test.

(more…)

Thanks + Giving

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

by Lori Brower

During the holiday season, we are inundated with reminders to be grateful, have the attitude of gratitude, appreciate what you have, and so on.  Articles and books on gratitude have saturated readers everywhere.  It became apparent to us that perhaps while the focus has been on “thanks” with limited substance and abundance of fluff, the real meaning or power may come when combined with “giving.”

It is appropriate to thank someone for a gift or kind deed.  In turn, we usually like to have our gifts or kind deeds acknowledged, especially if it involved a sacrifice of some degree.  Hugs are my favorite, to either thank or be thanked.  But then what?  Why does gratitude feel better sometimes more than others?  Intriguing discussions are beginning to emerge.  I have a story that demonstrates how to combine “thanks + giving.”

Nick attended First Descents (a non-profit foundation offering free week-long adventure cam

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‘Tis the Season of Giving

Thursday, November 17th, 2011

by Lori Brower

When Nick wanted to give back to other kids going through cancer, we quickly realized there were thousands of reputable charities already established – we didn’t need to reinvent the wheel, but to join forces with an existing charity that mirrored our own vision. We researched which charities we wanted to support. We reviewed public information; i.e. what percentage of donations actually went to research for childhood cancer; which charities had the most direct impact on the quality of life and so on.

We have continued to select CureSearch as the most effective in dedicating research to childhood cancer – 95 cents of every dollar goes directly towards research. After attending the First Descents adventure camp for young adults surviving cancer, Nick personally experienced the enormous impact cancer camps have on cancer survivors. (more…)

Remembering Our Servicemen

Monday, November 14th, 2011

by Lori Brower

Last Friday was Veteran’s Day – I am very grateful for this day, as I need a reminder of just how important our soldiers are to us all.

We live near an Air Force base and it still brings tears to my eyes when I see a table seated with soldiers and I witness random patrons stopping by their table to shake their hands and personally thank them for their service. I underestimate my patriotism until I feel it burst through my heart as an airport security employee – observing the military status of a passenger dressed in civilian clothing – says, “Thank you, sir, for everything you do for our country”, and proudly shakes his hand. I have been on more than one flight where the entire plane applauds with unabashed pride and gratitude as soldiers board the aircraft.

  (more…)