Mitch Carnell

Thankful Thursday – Linda and Alex Barry

Mitch — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:01:14 +0000

On this Thankful Thursday, I am grateful that Linda and Alex Barry are in my life. This wonderful couple was just back in Charleston to celebrate their 45^th wedding anniversary. Linda was fresh out of Eastern Michigan University when she joined the staff of the Charleston Speech and Hearing Center. She and Alex were newlyweds and he was in the Navy. She is an outstanding speech/language pathologist and helped set the standard for all of those who would follow her. They moved from Charleston to California and then to Kansas where they settled. Alex is the western sales manager for Cobalt Boats which are shipped out of Charleston to ports all over the world. Linda retired from her career as a speech/language pathologist in the public schools of Neodesha. She has since served as chair of her local hospital auxiliary. Their son is a graduate of the University of Kansas. May is Better Speech and Hearing Month and the profession could not have a better representative than Linda Barry. Linda and Alex love Charleston. She and her late sister came for a visit about seven years ago. Alex wanted she crab soup everywhere he went. It is hard to believe that the Barrys are grandparents, but just listen to Linda talk. She is never more than a call away. It was wonderful to see them again and to catch up on a friendship that started 45 years ago over the telephone. On this Thankful Thursday, I am blessed by the gifts that Linda and Alex Barry bring to my life.

Thankful Thursday is a day set apart to recognize the importance of someone to our lives and to let her or him know of our gratitude. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Say Something Nice; Be a lifter. You will be glad that you did.

168 Ways To Communicate Better Plus Two – 75 – 76 – 77

Mitch — Mon, 14 May 2012 05:01:47 +0000

75. Keep your appointments.

It will set you apart from the crowd.

You ‘II be a welcome guest.

You’ll be appreciated.

You will be invited often.

76. Keep an open mind.

Keep it open not empty.

Withhold judgment until the facts are in.

Be fair.

Consider all possibilities.

77. Keep your promises.

Promise a lot; deliver more.

Don’t promise if you can’t deliver.

Honor your word.

Apologize quickly if promise is not met.

Mayor Summey Proclaims Say Something Nice Day

Mitch — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:01:26 +0000

City of North Charleston, South Carolina, Mayor Keith Summey declared June 01, 2012 as Say Something Nice Day at a meeting of City Council on May 10. North Charleston is the third largest city in the state. A rousing concert by the new Steel Drum Band of Stall High School preceded the reading of the proclamation.

Mayor Summey took aim at the negative rhetoric that has invaded society and especially the workplace. The proclamation states in part, “Tens of millions of workers in the United States are disengaged in their jobs because of poor communication, effecting the economy in excess of an estimated $200 billion per year. Sixty percent of workers do not receive compliments on the job leading to worker dissatisfaction.”

Mayor Summey stated further, “The City of North Charleston has long believed in the importance of effective communication within its workforce. The City is committed to maintaining friendly atmosphere for our employees, citizens, businesses and visitors.”

Say Something Nice Day originated in North Charleston, SC and Mayor Summey was the first to make the designation. It is now listed in the Chase Calendar of Events. The city previously trained all of its employees in effective communication skills.

Thankful Thursday – The Rev. Dr. Loren Mead

Mitch — Thu, 10 May 2012 05:01:19 +0000

On this Thankful Thursday, I am grateful for the gifts that the Rev. Dr. Loren Mead brings to my life. Loren is an Episcopal priest now retired but called back into the trenches by Saint Alban’s Episcopal Church near the Washington Cathedral. He writes a blog, “The Daily Cup.” He grew up in South Carolina and served churches in Moncks Corner and Chapel Hill. In 1974 he founded the Alban Institute and served as its president. The Institute works with troubled churches. He is a graduate of the University of the South and the University of South Carolina. I met him in the summer of 1996 at the Chautauqua Institution where he gave a series of five lectures on, “The Once and Future Church.” I had the great unexpected pleasure of talking with him. He assured me that the Southern Baptists were not the only group being ravaged by fundamentalism. Then he offered me the most profound advice concerning our own local struggles. “Mitch, stay as long as it nourishes you.” Where could you find more sage advice? I followed his recommendation and continue to be nourished by a great and wonderful fellowship. We have reconnected recently and he has given his thumbs up to Say Something Nice Sunday. His latest book is the, Financial Meltdown in Mainline? He is also an ardent swimmer. On this Thankful Thursday, I am grateful for the influence of Loren Mead in my life.

Thankful Thursday is a day set aside to recognize the importance of someone to our lives and to let her or him know of our gratitude. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Say Something Nice; Be a Lifter. You will be glad that you did.