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  from Xena

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The Shoulders We Stand On

I sit here in 90 degree indoor "weather." The air conditioner has decided that today --the first hot "triple-digit" day in Phoenix this season - is a good day to stop working.

All the fans are going full speed. I have a cold cloth on my neck as I work. And the dogs are looking to me for a quick solution. I mention the word 'bath' and they skulk off. THAT is not the solution they want. We may all pile into the car and go for a bite to eat so we can cool down in the car's AC.

It is easy to get grumpy and play pity games. Or not. When this happens, or when the AC in the car doesn't work, I wonder how in heaven's name did the settlers of this valley ever survive? How do families who don't have enough money now to run their AC survive?

And what of native Hawaiians two hundred years ago, walking bare foot across rocky lava fields. What of native tribes of Alaska and northern Russia, building homes on icy tundra? What of settlers of the American West walking through deserts and prairies, leaving their worldly goods along the road when wagon wheels fell off, and weather hampered their travels?

We are spoiled. We don't need to leave our homes to read this ezine, to research, to get help, to be entertained. We Phoenicians travel blithely through 110 º degrees in air conditioned comfort and grumble about needing pot holders for our delicate hands. If we are in the Alaskan Wilderness in the dead of winter, we have extra layers of wool, and heaters in the SUV. In Hawaii we drive through those lava fields, often with barely a glance.

We stand on the shoulders of the men and women who did something about the discomforts of life. They invented, they created, they tried new and innovative things to overcome mother nature. We drive on well-paved roads, in well-equipped cars, with well-designed seating, and music to boot. We have done it for so long we take it for granted. Until it breaks.

I'm not all that comfy right now. But I'm using this as a reminder to be grateful for those things I do take for granted. When that air conditioning guy shows up, I think I'll offer him some ice cream.

Stay cool!

Beth

"To think creatively, we must be able to look afresh at what we normally take for granted."
  -George Kneller

"We are not creatures of circumstance; we are creators of circumstance."
  -Benjamin Disraeli

"To see a world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wildflower... hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour..."
  -William Blake

Announcements:

1. Congratulations go out to Beth. She achieved her Certified Speaking Professional status (CSP) last week! She sends her thanks to you for your kind words to the National Speakers Association, for your letters, wonderful evaluations and your support. She is especially excited that she will receive this honor on stage in July on her later father's birthday. [Editors note: Generally speaking, Beth is loath to draw attention to herself and occasionally I must step in. Please send her congrats by clicking here: Congrats on your CSP!!]


2. "Send Out Cards" enables you to send personalized printed cards through the mail using a unique website technology without ever leaving your office! You could send 5 or 500 cards in 5 minutes, in your own handwriting, and even upload a picture or logo into the card. If you are interested, click here to contact Beth and we'll tell you more. It is very cool and lots of fun!


3. Beth and two of her colleagues are creating a "Get Real! Get Healthy and Get Out there World Tour!" They will start out in Hawaii in the Fall and will be coming to a city near you soon. The website will soon be updated and we will have information on it for you. Stay tuned to this newsletter for updates.

Ok -Me and Lezard were whining about the heat. Beth told us to focus on what makes us happy instead of looking at what is not working. I know, you already know I am grateful that I am not a cat. I think I'd be grateful for a hair cut or bath about now. Nah nah nah, just kidding! Even this isn't worth getting wet for. I'm grateful for - hmmm - not having to work very hard for my food. In this weather even the Rottweillers stay inside. I'm grateful that I am so cute. I get away with a lot because of it. I'm grateful for cold tile floors. I'm grateful for my duck. For being tiny so I can hide when I am scared. I'm grateful for my buddy Lezard, and I'm grateful for Beth cuz without her the food wouldn't make it to me! And I am grateful for all the letters and emails I get. Thanks for believing in me!

Xena (The real Chihuahua at Beth's house!)

Click here to email me (Xena)! (You don't think humans are the only ones to get fan mail do you?)

[Editors note: Attitudes and advice given out by Chihuahuas do not reflect the opinions of management. However, in the interest of political correctness and recognition of multi-canine diversity, we will let her speak her mind. We are not responsible if you take her advice.]