Joan G.'s Comments

Disconnecting ourselves from Life by Dwayne C.

Dec 24, 2009 | recommended: 1 | comments: 4

Joan G. Jan 7, 2010, 7:30pm EST

QUOTE:"...Those with money can’t even buy an answer and those who can’t pay won’t have too..."

This by far is one of your most PROFOUND and COMPLETE articles that I have read Dwayne C.

I believe we CONNECT when we PROMOTE TRUTH. TURN ON THE LIGHT. We are stumbling in the dark filled up with FANTASY from babyhood.

Litmus Test:
Trace a few FAIRLY TALE CHARACTERS and ask 10 adults who they are
Trace a few BIBLE CHARACTERS and ask 10 adults who they are

The Difference will reveal the extent of the disconnection...IMHO.

"Get Your Cotton Pickin' Paycheck and MOVE ON!" by Joan G.

Jan 5, 2010 | recommended: 5 | comments: 25

in reply to a comment by Dwayne C.

Joan G. Jan 7, 2010, 7:20pm EST

Dwayne C. THANK U SO MUCH! I have a surprise for U when U DO get your copy! (hint: Your name is acknowledged as a supporter in my 21st Century Village)

It has been a wonderful journey each day...I now know how U were feeling...GOD directed U to DO...MAN tells U "I don't care!"-lol. But I am inspired by a thought I shared with another person who is reluctant to write their story...because they don't think people would want to read it, blah, blah.

If a book saves a life, does it matter if it is 1/1 sold or 1/1,000,000 sold?

If one counts the $ more than the life...then NOT too many books should be out there-lol

But...if U are writing to inspire and empower because U are grateful that U "lived to see the day"!...U are so rewarded when U get the feedback that U MADE A DIFFERENCE.

IT IS A POWERFUL FEELING THAT NOT EVEN A $1 store sell out can fulfill-lol

Your book WAS so ahead of its time that each day I read more and more that suggests...time is drawing nearer and nearer!

A Guide for Anyone Who Teaches Anything by Jared G.

Jan 7, 2010 | recommended: 3 | comments: 26

Joan G. Jan 7, 2010, 1:25pm EST

Thanks Leo! It is really a lot of fun for me. Sometimes I have kids stop me at the stores sharing what they are doing and introducing me to their parents...They shyly ask, "Do U remember me from last year?" I never let them down but because I am in and out of so many classrooms each and every week (elementary, middle, high) I don't really CAPTURE names as well as I could but I do know that I love them ALL...so I feel that if THEY remember ME as their subsitute teacher...then I certainly remember that I helped "free" a soul from captivity! (LOL)

A Guide for Anyone Who Teaches Anything by Jared G.

Jan 7, 2010 | recommended: 3 | comments: 26

Joan G. Jan 7, 2010, 1:11pm EST

I enjoyed the article and I do strive to incorporate each time I am in a classroom of high school students. One "mind game" I play with myself when I look out and see ZOMBIE LIKE DISENGAGED AND LOST STARES...is "HOSTAGE RESCUE MISSION". I tell myself, that TRAPPED in that classroom are 20 BRIGHT, AMBITIOUS, TALENTED FUTURE DREAMERS, LEADERS AND ACHIEVERS who are TRAPPED behind the facade of a FUNKY ATTITUDINAL TEENAGER crying out for RESCUE.

So rather than DO the same old routines, I strive to connect and dismantle the SHELL that they came into the classroom wearing. I look at my clock and time HOW long I have to FREE MY HOSTAGES before they are trapped forever!

So far, I NEVER run out of things to PASSIONATELY AND ENTHUSIASTICALLY share, DO or experience in the classrooms in which I substitute each week!

"Get Your Cotton Pickin' Paycheck and MOVE ON!" by Joan G.

Jan 5, 2010 | recommended: 5 | comments: 25

in reply to a comment by Johnice R.

Joan G. Jan 6, 2010, 11:17am EST

Exactly! Although, I do have a very close friend who is in academia in NYC who had DRAMA in obtaining her tenure...but I coached her through the process of staying FOCUSED on HER long term priorities and ignore the naysayers...she called right before the holidays and announced her achievement!

I was so thrilled for her and her family. Because she was almost feeling as if she was going to have to leave her institution and start all over, etc. She just had a baby boy this summer and she and her hubby are already raising two twin elementary school aged boys. So I felt that there was more GAIN to REMAIN than to allow others to control her path.

I truly believe that when she channeled her energy into the things that mattered-"HYGIENE FACTORS"...she could see more clearly that those who were jealous or envious would vanish from her eyesight.

So yes! Regional differences, industries and overall tolereance levels all may impact how we each "see" things in our line of work. But that is the beauty of this country...IMHO...we each get to CHOOSE that which we see!

Heather Ellis Trial TODAY-Are U aware? by Joan G.

Nov 18, 2009 | recommended: 1 | comments: 16

Joan G. Jan 6, 2010, 11:09am EST

QUOTE:"...That's where my Momma got all the things we got for Christmas was from those boxes from Salvation Army she would take them in her room an
sort everything out. The like-new stuff was saved for Christmas !!"

OMG...BARBARA it is sooo eary how we are often so much on the SAME PAGE AT THE SAME TIME! My hubby and I were JUST talking about this last night!

The discussion began as I was sharing my observation of a little boy (a distant cousin) who I babysat on Monday. I said to my hubby, "Man! HE MUST be in my dad's family because he sure was not shy about taking up any used clothes!" I demonstrated how quickly he grabbed up a two pair of PJs that I had tossed aside while folding my laundry. I gave him the PJs because my daughters NEVER wore them because they said, "YUKK! They look like little boys pajamas". They were those long warm footed toasty sets that must have been like almost FREE in the Walmart-HA! HA! So they were there freshly laundered, clean and warm and still in the EXCELLENT condition. That little boy grabbed them and hugged them as if they were meant JUST for him!

So I shared with my hubby how when I was little, my dad brought home bags of stuff from his wealthy employers.

WOW! I seemed to get this stuff all year long BUT the new stuff I would get close to Christmas and then I guess if I really liked it...they bought a new one from the store for Christmas. But during the year, I don't recall us "shopping" for new things just to be shopping. NEW stuff was for Christmas morning. I was very happy with my bags of "goodies" from others. My parents grew up in the depression era so they instilled a sense of FRUGALNESS that I guess I am guilty of passing down to my own children-lol.

I just don't SHOP TILL I DROP like I did when I was a single corporate ladder climber. NOT only by a decrease in disposable income, but as we were discussing last night, a PROFOUND SENSE OF RESPECT for the spending and saving lessons taught by watching my parents perform growing up but I think in recent years watching and seeing the reality of today's economic climate on family priorities.

"Get Your Cotton Pickin' Paycheck and MOVE ON!" by Joan G.

Jan 5, 2010 | recommended: 5 | comments: 25

in reply to a comment by Johnice R.

Joan G. Jan 6, 2010, 10:54am EST

Absolutely. My book covers my life or employment experiences in
1) Mount Vernon, NY
2) Urbanna, VA
3) Baltimore, MD
4) Indianapolis, IN
5) Ann Arbor, MI
6) Racine, WI
7) Johannesburg, South Africa
8) Pretoria, South Africa
9) Indianapolis, IN
10) Orlando, FL
11) Ft. Lauderdale, FL

A Photo by Joan G.

Jan 5, 2010 | recommended: 1 | comments: 2

in reply to a comment by Barbara B.

Joan G. Jan 6, 2010, 10:48am EST

Thanks Barbara. I had a concept that a graphic designer took to the next level. It is blurry so I am going to see if I can upload a better version!

"Get Your Cotton Pickin' Paycheck and MOVE ON!" by Joan G.

Jan 5, 2010 | recommended: 5 | comments: 25

in reply to a comment by Johnice R.

Joan G. Jan 6, 2010, 10:46am EST

That's not unusual. WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT GIFTS.
I learned from an old man once who said, "Chew the meat and spit out the bone"...Sometimes the things we learn today about someone else's experience may provide insight for ourselves tomorrow.

"Get Your Cotton Pickin' Paycheck and MOVE ON!" by Joan G.

Jan 5, 2010 | recommended: 5 | comments: 25

in reply to a comment by Barbara B.

Joan G. Jan 6, 2010, 10:41am EST

Thanks so much Barbara! We CAN DO THIS! I have been told by some who don't know ALL THE DRAMA I HAVE SURVIVED that my enthusiasm seems "unreal"...I told my hubby last night..."THAT is why I had to include a passage from U in the book because I think when people see how the right PEOPLE in our lives sent from GOD can make a total transformation on our attitudes!"

Barbara, trust me when I say (my hubby is my eye witness) that I used to wake up every morning singing this little song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YrinCQOxB0

THAT is how negative, pessimistic and defeated I felt by the time I finally fasted, prayed and decided to TAKE CONTROL of MY LIFE AND DO ME January 3, 2001!

I think I truly want others to avoid HAVING to make such a bold move and maneuveur and navigate the maze of finding their purpose...AVOID OR DISMANTLE THE DRAMA...SEEK PEACE AND CONTENTMENT IN LIVING-PERIOD.

"Get Your Cotton Pickin' Paycheck and MOVE ON!" by Joan G.

Jan 5, 2010 | recommended: 5 | comments: 25

in reply to a comment by Johnice R.

Joan G. Jan 6, 2010, 10:17am EST

Perhaps Johnice. Sometimes people work in a job where they allow their personal discomforts with different personalities and work styles cloud the tasks that shareholders place value upon.

As I stood there in line, I shared with the manager who was a middle aged white woman and her employee was a retired older grey haired white woman my own personal triumphant story of dealing with my share of "racial stereotyping" that made me feel trapped and frustrated.

However, the big picture was that I was the #1 District Manager for a $13 billion corporation. THAT is what shareholders cared about...not whether or not my boss liked my "type of people".

So in the end...I realized that the DRAMA that my white female boss appeared to enjoy by comparing me in front of 10 of my white male peers to a "trained monkey" was counterintuitive to what was really important to the people who bought and sold the stock of my company.

Had I been able to reframe the situation at the time, I might have been able to make POSITIVE CHANGES within the culture of the organization to make my employment contributions more fulfilling. However, at the time, I decided to "GET MY COTTON PICKIN' PAYCHECK AND GO HOME!"

So I write my 15 LESSONS LEARNED for others to benefit and enjoy :)

DRAMA...IMHO...things that DISTRACT FROM CONTRIBUTING TO SOCIETY.

"Get Your Cotton Pickin' Paycheck and MOVE ON!" by Joan G.

Jan 5, 2010 | recommended: 5 | comments: 25

in reply to a comment by René Allen

Joan G. Jan 6, 2010, 7:43am EST

Thanks René...YES! It is a scripted response I must admit from my workshop-HA! HA!

"Get Your Cotton Pickin' Paycheck and MOVE ON!" by Joan G.

Jan 5, 2010 | recommended: 5 | comments: 25

in reply to a comment by Nyota *Star*

Joan G. Jan 6, 2010, 7:43am EST

Thanks Nyota!

"Get Your Cotton Pickin' Paycheck and MOVE ON!" by Joan G.

Jan 5, 2010 | recommended: 5 | comments: 25

in reply to a comment by J R B.

Joan G. Jan 6, 2010, 7:42am EST

QUOTE:"...You are blessed ..."
JRB. I truly BELIEVE that if a person is breathing in AIR on their own accord...there are POSSIBILITIES that did not exist yesterday or yesteryear!
I am on a mission to prove it-:)

"Get Your Cotton Pickin' Paycheck and MOVE ON!" by Joan G.

Jan 5, 2010 | recommended: 5 | comments: 25

in reply to a comment by Elizabeth R.

Joan G. Jan 5, 2010, 11:27pm EST

YES IT IS ELIZABETH. So often I think it is hard for one to see until a MIRROR is placed in front of them-LOL

Dust on my Bible and Hank Williams, Sr. by Lee P.

Dec 29, 2009 | recommended: 7 | comments: 17

Joan G. Jan 5, 2010, 11:26pm EST

Very touching post Lee! I too love the WORD. I rely upon my DAILY BREADS to hit my email and that nudges me to read more than my memory would DO ALONE=:)

A Photo by Lee P.

Jan 4, 2010 | recommended: 1 | comments: 3

Joan G. Jan 5, 2010, 11:22pm EST

Wow! Did U actually draw this Lee P.? AWESOME ARTWORK that truly fit the description!

A Goose Down Feather Mattress by Lee P.

Jan 4, 2010 | recommended: 11 | comments: 26

Joan G. Jan 5, 2010, 11:22pm EST

I loved the description of the home and I could imagine your face sleeping out on a screened in porch. But it seems that the warmth of those feathers were miraculous in that it carved into your current psyche! I love going through my memory chest of treasures too!

"Get Your Cotton Pickin' Paycheck and MOVE ON!" by Joan G.

Jan 5, 2010 | recommended: 5 | comments: 25

in reply to a comment by Lee P.

Joan G. Jan 5, 2010, 11:19pm EST

Thank U for taking the time to read AND recommend!

"Get Your Cotton Pickin' Paycheck and MOVE ON!" by Joan G.

Jan 5, 2010 | recommended: 5 | comments: 25

Joan G. Jan 5, 2010, 11:12pm EST

Lee P. I see U sneaked a copy of my book U rascal-(SMILES)