Lisa Desatnik
Kennedy Heights Students Took The Good Things Pledge
All of us have within ourselves the power to make a positive contribution. Cultivating that good through a sincere respect, caring and appreciation is one of the most important gifts we can give.
In our hectic lives filled with deadlines and so many responsibilities, we sometimes need a little reminder. It is the here and now that counts, and every one and every moment that gives our life meaning.
That was the purpose behind my creating the Good Things Pledge several years ago and hundreds of people have signed up – either through my blog or in person – to be Good Things Pledge Champions.
I recently stopped by the Kennedy Heights Montessori Center where the entire school became Good Things Pledge Champions. Before handing out their certificates, I read a book and led a discussion with them about kindness, appreciation and friendship. Then one of the students read the Pledge aloud. Please see the video below to watch. I was so proud of them all!
What is the Good Things Pledge?
The Good Things Pledge is simply a promise – a personal vow that involves liking yourself and others, appreciating the little things that make life special, being kind, and being aware that every small act has the potential for a huge impact. Those behaviors are collectively called Good Things and many people already are already doing them.
By becoming a Good Things Pledge Champion, you are making a promise to remind yourself every day of what is positive…And you are helping to keep Good Things Going Around.
Every Champion receives a personalized Pledge certificate.
And, if your workplace, school or group would like to become Champions just as the staff of The Cincinnati Herald, please contact me. I’d love to stop by and take your photo!
CINspirational People: Erin Davoran
CINspirational People is a feature of Good Things Going Around profiling diverse people of Greater Cincinnati, what inspires them, and what is inspiring about them. You can read more profiles by clicking on the link at the top of the blog. Do you know someone to suggest? Please reach out. Thanks!
One of my summer interns, Liza Hartke, caught up with Seton High School graduate, Erin Davoran . Please learn more about Erin below.
GTGA Liza: What is a motto you live by and why or how has it impact you?
Erin: I often have to remind myself that Intention ≠ Action. There’s so much I always plan on doing, writing, attending, etc. but I have a lot of trouble executing my ideas through to the finish. It’s kind of like the saying “a verbal agreement isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.” I am constantly making and breaking “verbal agreements” with myself. I have to work really hard to be more tenacious about things I want to accomplish.
GTGA Liza: What is a recent accomplishment that you are proud of? Tell us about it!
Erin: This summer I interned through the Dow Jones News Fund in Corpus Christi, Texas. I copy edited at the Journal Media Group’s central desk, which probably doesn’t mean anything to non-journalism people. Basically I edited articles for facts, grammar and clarity for seven newspapers owned by JMG (which was just bought by Gannett, which owns the Cincinnati Enquirer). I trained for 10 days in Austin and then worked nights and weekends in Corpus Christi for 9 weeks.
I was really proud of myself for seizing the opportunity away from home and doing work I was proud of. For example, during the Women’s World Cup, there was a teaser to the Finals between the U.S. and Japan on the cover of one newspaper that said “Ladies’ Night.” I felt this phrase, while aiming to be clever, was a very subtly sexist microaggression that demeaned the accomplishments of the soccer players like some bar special where soccer stars drink free. I checked with my boss who agreed. I changed the banner to “Final Fight.” To a lot of people, that might seem trivial, or that there was nothing wrong with the original wording, but to me, I was always aiming to produce the best news with consciousness.
Sure, there were times during the nights I would be exhausted or exasperated. Sure, there were articles that I hated editing or writing headlines for. But most of the time, I loved being part of the process. I was a cog in the news-making wheel, mostly invisible, as copy editors usually are, but also hardworking and extremely grateful.
I hope this accomplishment influences and fuels my future endeavors, whatever they may be.
GTGA Liza: What are some things you miss the most about Cincinnati?
Erin: Skyline, Graeter’s, Montgomery Inn, and LaRosa’s.
I’m kidding. Sort of.
Of all summers, I can’t believe this was the one I missed. As much as I enjoyed my time in Texas and appreciated my internship, there were definitely times I wanted to be in Cincinnati – especially for the Bunbury Festival (The Avett Brothers are my favorite band) and All Star Week. I used to want to get out of Cincinnati as soon as I could, and then this summer I wanted to get back just as quickly. It’s becoming such a cool, thriving town. The passion Cincinnatians have for the city is finally justified.
I read the Enquirer and watched everyone’s Snapchat stories all summer, and whether this was true or my homesickness was conflating the feeling, Cincinnati was/is the place to be right now.
Besides the renaissance of sorts the city is experiencing, I really missed my family and friends, as cheesy as that is to say. I hate that I missed weddings and family reunions. I go to school three hours away and my best friends are scattered in different cities for most of the year. I love that summers in college have been like 3-month reunions for us. Especially since we all graduate this school year, this summer was kind of one last guarantee we’d be together. Moving several states away kind of spoiled that guarantee.
GTGA Liza: What’s next for you?
Erin: I’m about halfway through my fall semester of senior year at Ohio University in Athens. It’s crazy. I have a lot going on, so I really have to keep senioritis at bay. However, I’m not in any hurry to leave OU, so maybe, just maybe, it won’t hit me until I’m way closer to graduation. Next, I have a whole list of jobs I want to apply for. It’s both terrifying and exciting actually, probably because the rejection hasn’t come yet.
I hope to graduate on time in April with a Bachelor of Science in journalism, a media arts and studies minor in screenwriting and digital storytelling, and a certificate in diversity studies. That will only happen if I remember the whole intention/action thing.
After that, hopefully my ensuing job search will be successful and I find somewhere to work and live – whether that be in Cincinnati, another U.S. location, or even going abroad. I was homesick this summer but I also am restless to see brand new places, too.
GTGA Liza: What advice would you give to students that are nervous about moving to another city?
Erin: I’m not sure I’m the best to be giving that advice because I knew my move had an end date. I knew I’d return home soon enough and I got to go back to Athens right after that.
As for a more permanent move, ask me again in about seven months when I maybe have a job away from home. I hope I would have the advice of just being open to whatever experience you’re granted, and if you are lucky enough to have the support and love from your family and friends, know that you always have a place to call home.
GTGA: Tell us about someone who has been a positive influence in your life.
Erin: I’m so easy to influence – in a good way, I hope! The people who influence me really stick out when I think back to decisions I’ve made that have altered my life in big ways.
I remember my aunt being the first person to suggest I look into OU’s journalism program. Then, when I started considering OU, I went to two family friends, both OU students, now alumni, to get their input. Two years later I was in a massive ‘Bobcat Family’ picture at their wedding.
When I was considering my internship offer last fall, I went to my professor/academic adviser who was so excited for me that she calmed my apprehension and made me excited about the opportunity as well.
Months later, when I was so sad to be leaving and not really wanting to move, my friends and parents encouraged me that, though they’d miss me, it was a good thing and a great opportunity.
So I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by many positive influences who’ve helped me at so many times in my life and continue to do so.
I didn’t mention my sister in the above scenarios, but she is definitely a positive influence for me as well, just in general whenever I need her. She lives in Illinois and teaches second grade. I’ve visited her class and seen how great she is with the rowdiest seven year olds I’ve ever seen. I could never do what she does but she does it so well, it’s inspiring.
GTGA Liza: What is your biggest motivator?
Erin: People. Awesome people around me – family, friends, roommates, professors, classmates – push me and help me turn intention into action. I have goals and dreams and all that which I probably wouldn’t get to without people who care about me keeping me focused and motivated. These are also often the same people who sometimes convince me eat popcorn and brownies and watch How To Get Away with Murder instead of studying or going to the gym, but for the most part, they keep me on track.
GTGA Liza: Any other information or quotes you would like for us to feature in your post.
Erin: I guess just a note that if I sounded pretentious (I know I sounded cheesy) in any of these responses, I did not mean to be. Though in this case, intention may not be in control of the result (aka “It’s not up to you if you’re an asshole or not. That’s up to everybody else” – Louis C.K.) Y’know, I’m still trying to find confidence in my abilities and myself, and recognize when I have succeeded. I’m trying to let myself be confident because if I’m paralyzed by self doubt, my intentions will never come to fruit. And that would be my own fault (see, cheesy).
Alright, enough self reflection. Other information? Anyone in the media field who’s hiring, let me know? Haha!
GTGA Liza: What have you learned about yourself this past summer?
Erin: I learned how to be an adult. Well, maybe not a full-fledged adult, but perhaps a pseudo-grownup. I was in a different city and state hundreds of miles from home with no one I knew. In my first big-girl job, I had to tackle responsibility and learn how to use a coffee maker. I had to manage money and take care of myself. Luckily, I learned that I could do it.
Today Is Filled With Choices
CINspirational People: Cinny Roy
CINspirational People is a feature of Good Things Going Around profiling diverse people of Greater Cincinnati, what inspires them, and what is inspiring about them. You can read more profiles by clicking on the link at the top of the blog. Do you know someone to suggest? Please reach out. Thanks!
One of my summer interns, Liza Hartke, caught up with Cincinnati resident Cinny Roy, founder of the Eve Center.
The Eve Center is an organization of Christian women committed to promoting emotional, spiritual and relational healing for adult women. This is provided in a safe, confidential environment, at no cost to the client, through one on one peer counseling program, recovery groups, book studies, resource library, and Volunteer Peer Counseling Education.
Please learn more about her below.
GTGA Liza: Hi Cinny! Tell me about yourself?
Cinny: I am married with three adult children who we love so very much. I enjoy vegetable and flower gardening, reading historic mysteries, going to bootcamp, eating at new restaurants, being with friends and family
GTGA Liza: How did you get involved with the Eve Center?
Cinny: In 2002, with 1 year to go on my master’s degree in counseling, I thought ‘there has to be a way to honor women’s life walks and all the wisdom they have gathered, teach them to share it with other women but without all of them having to be credentialed therapists.’ I found a model in Indiana, took their first leadership training in spring of 2003, came back to Ohio and on 9/1/03 founded the Eve Center. I had a notebook filled with materials, a laptop, a cell phone but no volunteers, board or location.
By June 2004 we opened our doors with 11 clients and a trained ‘guinea pig’ group of peer counselors. Today we are seeing about 140 women from over 16 counties providing peer counseling through face to face meetings, book studies and recovery groups. Being women only, biblically based, extremely confidential and no cost – well the women come: to give care and to receive care. Over 100 volunteer peer counselors receive 30 hours of basic counselor training. We then grow them, mentor them, lead them so they can care for the women who come. Visualize two consumer groups: the volunteers and the clients; all need hands on care.
GTGA Liza: Tell me a little about the Eve Center Organization. What do you do there?
Cinny: My role has moved from founder, first trainer, day to day operations manager to executive director: oversight, coach, policy development, donor development. We have eight part time staff now. If I do a good job I will work myself out of a job J
GTGA Liza: What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Cinny: It would be seeing women’s lives changed for all eternity. They then impact their spheres of influence: home, family, friends, church, school, work, and neighborhood. This is seen in the lives of the clients AND the volunteers.
GTGA Liza: Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
Cinny: My biggest inspiration comes from women who did not have a good start in life and now need to learn better ways of navigating life. Also my grandfather and my father: each took individual paths that did not follow the expected norm of their professions and society of the time.
GTGA Liza: What is a motto you like to live by?
Cinny: ‘We are all a mess and we all need Jesus’ and ‘come play with me’. The first notes that no sin, no wrong we do is worse than any other. And no one can be better than another before God. Only Jesus clears the deck for me to have a right and healthy and free relationship with God, the Creator. The second motto has to do with how I am: no matter how hard, how awful a woman’s story, WE CAN HAVE JOY and get out of the mess life has thrown.
GTGA Liza: What’s next for you?
Cinny: I am supposed to be on a writing sabbatical. Soon… soon I will take time to finish writing training curriculum so that others who have requested the Eve Center model, can take it to their city, state, wherever, and with God’s leading provide peer counseling for women and men.
GTGA Liza: How can people get involved?
Cinny: Basic peer counselor training is offered twice a year. Next class starts in February. See www.evecenter.org for that and to participate in the groups, studies and face to face peer counseling. AND just a fun fact: over 10,000 volunteer hours in 2014 WHILE the budget is $150,000. There is no better investment to be made to change a woman’s life in this region!
CINspirational People: Denise ‘Ladybug’ Hill
I think I first met Denise when she was training for her first trek, walking the Appalachian Trail in 2004. She wore a heavy backpack as she walked distances in training.
It is hard to believe nearly ten years has passed since I first met my friend Denise ‘Ladybug’ Hill at the gym. Day in and day out she would work with a trainer, and then walk on the track with a heavy backpack. Then, for many months at a time she would be gone, on long journeys trekking through rugged, beautiful and sometimes very dangerous terrain in loving memory of her sister who lost a 10 year battle with cancer in 1998.
Cheryl had told Denise she feared being forgotten; Denise wasn’t about to let that happen. Part of Cheryl’s legacy is in the thousands of miles worn by Denise’s feet as a way of raising awareness and money for breast cancer patients and their families. Those charity distance hikes were named Walking for Walden. With the exception of when Denise was sponsored on the Continental Divide Hike, she paid for all of her own expenses giving all of the money raised to hospice.
Denise is the first solo women to have walked the longest world trail in the world measuring 1445 miles, the Ohio Buckey Trail, in the trail’s 60+ year history.
Her journey has also included:
Charity Distance Hiking Adventures:
The Appalachian Trail….2,174 miles….Georgia to Maine, 2004
The Pacific Crest Trail…..4,450 miles….Mexico-Canada…..2006,2007,2008
The Continental Divide Trail, 3,100 miles….Mexico to Canada..( DNF) sponsored-athlete
The Arizona Trail…800 miles…..( DNF )
Mountains Climbed:
Mt. Whitney, 14,505’… the tallest mountain in the lower forty-eight states
Mt. Rainier, 14,410’…the tallest glacial mountain in the lower forty-eight states.
Mt. Kilimanjaro, 19,241′ , the Roof of Africa….Tanzania, Africa
NOTE that Denise only included hikes totaling 500 miles or more in this list. In actuality, her distance was much greater.
Please continue reading to learn more about her story.
GTGA: What is something people may not know about you?
Ladybug: I just renewed my teaching license, grades 1-8 and Reading Certification, grades K-12. I am presently earning a Gifted Education Endorsement through Xavier University’s Graduate School of Education. GPA…3.985.
GTGA: Tell us about a challenge that you overcame in life and how it impacted you.
Ladybug: I was airlifted after hiking 2,258 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail. I was almost to my goal, the Canadian border. I fell into a rushing stream of lava rocks just north of Mt. Adams, WA. I was in angst for nine hours before we made communication and I was rescued. I shattered my tibula-fibula to the extent that several doctors could not count the number of breaks. Dr. James Muccio, Cincinnati,OH, surgically repaired my leg and I worked extensively for months with a physical therapist and personal trainer so that I could go back out west the next year and complete my hike.
GTGA: Tell us about someone who has been a positive influence on your life and why.
Ladybug: My husband, Bruce. We have been married thirty-four years. We have known each other since high school. Together, we bounce ideas off of each other. Also, he allows me the space to serve others and he supports me in each and every endeavor. We are separate, yet one. Marriage works!
GTGA: What is a motto you live by?
Ladybug: Live life in “real time.” Look for the good in everything and everyone. Family COUNTS! Age is a State of Mind. Strong body, strong mind.
GTGA: Tell us about an act of kindness you have done, witnessed or been the recipient of and how that made you feel.
Ladybug: I don’t share my good deeds….
GTGA: Tell us about an activity you love to do and why.
Ladybug: When I am not on a hiking trail, I enjoy serving others through teaching in local school districts.
GTGA: Have you had an experience that has changed your life?
Ladybug: The passing of my parents who had been married for sixty years changed my life forever. My mother and father were such great role models and lived their lives with purpose and passion for family and God.
GTGA: Do you do any volunteer work?
Ladybug: Always….done everything! This is not a good question for me because I do so much volunteer work.
GTGA: What is the best advice you have ever received?
Ladybug: “Be your own hero.” I realize that the quote could be misinterpreted as narcissistic, but if we live our lives serving others without all of the outside attention, media, press releases, bragging, etc., then we are living a Godly life by doing what is right and not making it noticeable to others.
What was your first job and what do you remember most about it?
Ladybug: I babysat for my high school principal and his wife. The kids went to Harvard for which I take full credit. 🙂
GTGA: Tell us about some of your most important life lessons.
Ladybug: Dream forward, but live in the present. Awaken each dawn with cheerfulness and eager anticipation for how the day will unfold.
GTGA: How would you like for others to describe you?
Ladybug: I would like others to describe me as a loving and devoted wife and mother who is passionate, community oriented, and a highly gifted and sensitive woman who knows no limits when it comes to serving others.