Tuesday, May 1, 2012

#2012Moments #ATIKentCounty@DrDennisKimbro

Friday, I conducted a workshop at the Live Out Loud Youth Summit.  My workshop was Dream IT! Mission Possible!  Anytime that you are doing a speaking engagement there is certain preparation that you go through.  First, I thought I was doing the workshop focused on youth taking action in their community.  I was all prepared, that is what Girl Scouts is all about.  Then I realized that I wasn't doing that workshop and then I went into a slight panic of what I was going to do and say.  I was googling the subject.  Pulling down pictures for the powerpoint presentation and then I stopped the madness.  I went back to the lesson Dr Dennis Kimbro taught me when he was here in Grand Rapids for one of the Minority Business programs for the chamber.  I was the chair of the minority business committee and we had Dr Kimbro as our speaker.  I had to give two speeches that day.  Talk about minority business in Grand Rapids and then thank Ron Hall for his work in leading MMBDC.  Of course, I had not prepared any speech ahead of time.  Early that morning, I had asked my friend Marcus J Gray to write a few things for me to say.  I mean, he was the Regional SBC Advocate for small businesses.  By lunch time with a sold out crowd of over 500 people, I had my two speeches in hand.  I was sitting next to Dr Kimbro and was rehearsing my speeches and had 5 minutes to go to the podium.  Dr Kimbro took the speeches out of my hand and said," I did not need them".  Yes, I thought I was going to have a heart attack.  I swear my heart was about to come out of my chest and I was going to pass out.  He looked at me and said, "You don't need this.  It is better when it comes from the heart."  He then gave me back my speeches.  I went up and delivered two speeches from the heart.  Of course, I had the papers in front of me, but I didn't just read the paper.  I flowed from what I knew.  My sister told me that was the best speech I had ever done.  I am known for getting nervous and just speaking fast when I talked.  That lesson taught me in that moment  ... to relax and just let it flow from the heart.  When you know what you know, just let it flow from the heart.  Every since that day, I do just that.  I don't need a powerpoint and a speech on paper.  Sometimes, I do use a index card with a few notes and I don't get nervous.  I pray about it and I let it flow.

This lesson has helped me give impromptu talks on assigned topics in toastmasters.  It helped delivered the message to the youth that afternoon at the summit.  I could flow with what they needed to hear that afternoon on how to Dream It!  Mission Possible!  How to dream now for their future and how to pursue their dreams.  I could just 'freeflow', because the information was something that I knew and I could deliver it from the heart.  The lesson Dr. Dennis Kimbro taught me that day will be with me for a lifetime.  It will always center me and focus me for any speaking engagement.  Thank you, Dr. Kimbro!

 

Mary C Hartfield

#2012Moments #ATIKentCounty Live Out Loud Youth Summitt

Wow!  What an exciting two days.  Over 650 teens to choose to live Above The Influence.  It was the first ever conference in Kent County and the target was 500 youth.  The conference was totally put together by the youth.  Youth came together from all over the state. They attended workshops, fashion show, pajamma jam, and danced the night away on Friday.  On Saturday, the youth were shown how to use social media to get their message out.  Then they had the talent show.  We have some talented youth in Kent County. It was an impactful weekend to see so many youth deciding to make a difference for their future. 

Follow Kent County Prevention Coalition on Facebook to keep up with the happenings.

When you see Shannon, Denise, and Michelle ...thank them for a job well done!

 

Mary C Hartfield

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Tuesday, April 24, 2012

#2012Moments

2012 is a great year of moments.  Here is a few so far this year:

  • My youngest turned 15 this past Saturday.  Three more years and he is off to college.  (I think he may be the one who goes to college around her.)
  • On Sunday, my daughter graduates from college with her B.A. in Psychology and Minor in Human Sexuality.  I am so excited for her future.  It is so bright!
  • Friday and Saturday is the Live Out Loud conference for teens at DeVos Place.  650 teens are registered to teen.  Check out #atikentcounty for live feed all weekend.

 

Exciting year so far.  I am excited about 2012.

 

Mary C Hartfield

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Friday, December 30, 2011

@mcdonalds FourSquare check ins specials

Can someone at McDonalds let your franchises know about the check in specials. Why does most of the employees do not know and then when they ask the manager he doesn't know. Went to the Mcdonalds on Huron in Ypsilanti and had to prove I checked in at their Mcdonalds. Wanted to make sure I was not using another Mcdonalds special. As large of a corporation as you are you should be able to get this out to all of the stores that you are on Foursquares. Please work on it, it frustrates your loyal customers.

Monday, November 28, 2011

RIP - Frederic Meijer

 

 

This past Friday a man that was community minded, philanthropist, and a grocery magnate died.  My memories of  Fred is at the opening of the Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, when he talked  to me why he put particular attention to the color of who was playing which sport in the sport sculptures.  He was a man that cared about bringing people together.  He was a friend to everyone.  I also still have my purple cow card that he gave me.  You always knew that when you sat down and talked to him that you would be there awhile.  You always knew that when you left his presence,  that your life would be richer from his wisdom.  He will truly be missed.

 

Commanding my morning,

 

 

Mary C. Hartfield

Thursday, November 3, 2011

#JohnWooden Confidence

Confidence: "There is perhaps no stronger steel than well-founded self-belief: the knowledge that your preparation is complete, that you have done all things possible to ready yourself and your organization for the competition, whatever form it comes in. This is confidence."

---John Wooden

 

www.coachwooden.com

Friday, October 28, 2011

BEHIND THE SCENES: TRACY REESE, THE LOOK

BEHIND THE SCENES: TRACY REESE, THE LOOK:
I've always loved Tracy's collections! I used to dress for her shows when I lived in NYC....oh how I miss those days:) Well, I also LOVE Mally and I need to get on buying some of her line! I know it will be AMAZE! Hope you're inspired! I'm going to try to do my eyeliner like she shared.