Pharrell Williams, On Ambition
Do you watch The Voice? I love watching Pharrell Williams mentor his singers. He has an incredible way about him, how he focuses on their strengths and inspires them to see those qualities in themselves. If you have been fortunate to have a mentor like him in your life, you know it is an incredible gift.
#Pharrell #wordsofwisdom #ambition #quote
CINspirational People: Ann Lightfoot
I have known Ann for many years and always, when I think about her, I think about her warm and inviting smile. She has such a beautiful way of making you feel welcome when you enter a room. I didn’t realize because she chooses not to focus on her challenges, that she has had her own health issues. Her strength and courage is one more reason for me to admire her.
This is my favorite photo of us together.
Please learn more about Ann below.
GTGA: What are some of your simple pleasures?
Ann: I love capturing sunrises, sunsets and nature to enjoy and share with others.
I also love to be with people I care about, as well as meeting new people. One of my favorite things to do is listen. I enjoy listening to the sounds of the country like birds chirping, raindrops, creeks trickling, owls hooting, cows mooing, trees rustling, cicada sounds, and big bull frogs croaking. (note: this paragraph was told to me awhile back)
GTGA: You are dealing with your own health issues, that you’d like to share to help others.
Ann: I grew up working hard on a farm and then joined the Army to serve my Country. I have always taken pride in being physically fit, but in the last 3 years this has been more of a challenge. It has not been discovered why, but I have had a migraine for two and half years. It never goes away, just varies in levels of pain. It has also affected my sight, making me unable to drive, along with difficulty walking. My eyes close involuntarily and hold shut for seconds at a time. When the sun is bright it’s the worse. While walking with my eyes shut I have ran into walls, doors, people, and even fell off the side of the road. But I am not giving up. Walking means moving and getting exercise to get healthier.
GTGA: You are determined to not let this get in your way of living. Tell us about what you are doing to maintain your active lifestyle.
Ann: This year starting in January I got a Fitbit and challenged myself to walk 10,000 steps everyday – no matter what. Some days I have even reached 45,000 steps. It’s amazing what you can do if you put your mind to it.
In July my company started a wellness program with Humana where there are five levels to reach. I set my goals on the highest level which is Platinum. I set short term goals of 12 week long online courses and many educational topics, set preventive appointments like mammograms, biometrics, flu shots, dental cleanings, and fitness goals like 5k walks and daily steps of 15,000 or more. On 10/08/2015 I reached Platinum.
GTGA: Talk to us about the importance of goal setting.
Ann: It is very rewarding to reach your goals. When I was in the Army, my Airfield Commander inspired me to set short and long term goals. He has passed away from a horrible diving incident, but his inspiration carries on. I still set those goals and am determined to reach them. I hopes I can be a motivator and encourager to my friends and family for them to do the same. Even if difficulties come your way. Don’t give up.
#goodthingslisa #CINspiration
CINspirational People: Tami Boehmer
Last night, heaven gained an angel. My friend and friend to many, Tami Boehmer, left this earth peacefully with her loving husband Mike 
and daughter, Chrissy, at her side.
They have been in my thoughts and prayers a lot the past few weeks. Tami had metastatic breast cancer. For so many years she had been a voice for cancer survival. Through her books, her speaking engagements and her online following she inspired and encouraged thousands – if not millions, not only those fighting her similar battle, but others who have their own personal challenges to overcome as well. The years that Tami had cancer, she had also been the embodiment for living. She and her family traveled the country and experienced what many will never do in their lifetime. They shared deep and meaningful talks about love and their innermost feelings. They practiced appreciation and determination. Mike shared with a private support group I was part of, about conversations they had at her bedside, expressing gratitude for their many blessings, making sure nothing was left unsaid.
In Tami’s memory and honor, let’s make the most of our today…smile more, be grateful more…be open to seeing the beauty around us.
Please click here to read a post written by Tami about her story.
United Way Success Benefits Everyone
Congratulations to the United Way of Greater Cincinnati, its staff, volunteer leadership and army of community volunteers and companies who together campaigned vehemently to raise critical dollars for our region’s very important social services!
photo courtesy of United Way of Greater Cincinnati
It was announced last week that the 2015 United Way Campaign surpassed its $62 million goal – raising $62,000,053! And it is the very first time that the campaign has grown by $1 million since 2007.
This year’s fundraising efforts, which kicked off Aug. 26, also included 18 new donors of $25,000 or more and 115 donors of $10,000 or more.
That is huge!
It is an incredible feat raising that kind of money in a few short months. What those numbers speak about the generosity of our community and the heart of thousands who contributed through time, talent and resources is truly touching.
We live in a region where people connect and care. Neighbors, co-workers, families and friends share in the responsibility of the health and vitality of our community greater than themselves. They understand that unity builds strength and together we are all better.
The United Way of Greater Cincinnati supports a whopping 280 community programs in our region. That $62+ million raised supports efforts helping troubled, abused and/or underserved youth to grow in positive ways; valuable therapy and emotional support for individuals and families impacted by diseases and other health conditions, financial crises, or other traumas; education and other efforts to help parents be better parents; work to empower and include people affected by disability; quality of life efforts for our community’s older adults.
“Reaching this goal in our centennial year is a major accomplishment and a testament to the incredible generosity of this community – one which recognizes the importance of ensuring children get off to a strong start and achieve success in school, families have the financial stability that can come with gainful employment, and individuals lead healthy lives,” United Way of Greater Cincinnati President Robert Reifsnyder told the Enquirer.
A major accomplishment, absolutely! To everyone who contributed to making that success happen, thank you!
Jerry Williams Is An Everyday Hero
Do you believe in fate? I bet that Ernie Robinson, 51, and Jerry Williams, 52, do!
A student of CPR for several years, Jerry just happened to be at the right place at the right time to save his co-workers life.
It was October 8, 2015. The fuel delivery driver for Harper Oil in Florence was working an out-of-the-norm schedule. His usual 7:00 am to 5:00 pm shift was changed – for one day. After clocking out at 10:00 am, he ran some errands and came back to work around 3:30 pm. It was the only day in his years of working for Harper Oil that Jerry’s schedule was different.
And, on that day, when Jerry was talking to his supervisor, an employee burst into the room asking if anyone knows CPR. The three men dashed down the hall into the boss’ office where Ernie was unconscious and slumped over a couch. Ernie was gasping for air. He did not have a pulse.
“There was shock on everyone’s faces,” Jerry told me. “I just kept thinking, ‘he can die.’ That helped me do what I didn’t think I could do.”
Meanwhile, an employee called 911. “With the new training, it stresses those compressions are the most important thing so I just went as fast as I could for as long as I could. They told me it was about six to eight minutes,” Jerry explained. “Ernie wasn’t breathing, and then just before the ambulance got there, everyone began chanting and he started to breath.”
Company Chairman and President Stephen Harper told the Kentucky Enquirer, “I am extremely grateful for the heroic action taken by Jerry as he immediately took control of the situation, applying his knowledge and training and saving the life of Ernie. We are proud to have him as part of the Harper Oil Products team and he has inspired us to follow in his footsteps and make CPR training available to everyone in the company.”
Jerry told me when we talked that he hadn’t seen Ernie since the incident but he is really glad fate stepped in the way on October 8. “I’m glad I was able to help. I was real anxious a few days afterward but it really makes me appreciate life,” he told me. “I didn’t think I’d ever need my CPR training and now I am so glad I have it. If I didn’t know CPR, Ernie probably wouldn’t be alive today”
And about fate? “I am thinking God put me on that schedule October 8 just for Ernie. The very next day I went back to my usual schedule.”
On appreciating life, what are some of Jerry’s simple pleasures? “I love watching my grandchildren play, riding my motorcycle, and looking at the sky,” he said.
