Acquiring A Mental Edge

Affirmations are a great way to improve your thoughts and become more aware of what you want to accomplish, on and off of the golf course. They are even more useful when they are repeated often. Here is a list of 10 positive affirmations. Use this list or let them inspire you to write your own.

1. I have the ability to perform my work perfectly.
2. I enjoy being healthy in body and mind.
3. I love to feel happy in everything I do.
4. I am in charge of my life.
5. I am now open and receptive to all ideas.
6. I have definite, deliberate prosperous thoughts.
7. I give thanks for the realization of my desires and goals.
8. My goals come forth with perfect timing for me.
9. I have faith in myself and the people around me.
10. I create positive, creative thoughts and actions to improve my life.

Source: Randy Friedman is a corporate golf professional, speaker and founder of Golf Mind Power. She helps others by applying the visualization techniques of golf to business and life. Her new book, Your Inner Swing, shows how self-limiting beliefs can affect performance at work, in sports and even in one's personal life.

12:49 PM | Comments (0)

I was amazed this evening when I caught the story of D.J. Gregory on Nightline with Charlie Gibson. When I play golf I can hardly walk the 18 holes, let alone walk the 2008 PGA Tour.

This young man is an inspiration to us all, golfer or not. He had a dream and he got to live it thanks to the PGA.

According to the PGA Blog post of November 9, 2008:

D.J. Gregory, a 30-year-old native of Savannah, Ga., did not spend much time at home in 2008. Beginning in January with the first round of the first PGA TOUR event of the year, the Mercedes-Benz Championship, Gregory began a walk that surpassed everyone's expectations -- except his own.

Despite being born with Cerebral Palsy, the goal was simple -- to walk every hole of every PGA TOUR event, spanning 44 weeks. His journey ended when the final putt of PGA TOUR professional Jason Gore dropped at this week's Children's Miracle Network Classic presented by Wal-Mart in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Gregory's passion for the game of golf led him to submit a proposal to PGA TOUR Commissioner, Tim Finchem, with his desire walk every hole on the 2008 PGA TOUR calendar as a way to inspire and encourage others to follow their dreams.

Gregory was paired with a different player to follow each week, and he chronicled his experiences with that player in a weekly blog for PGATOUR.COM. Beginning with Boo Weekley at the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship, Gregory's journey concluded this week with Gore.

"It's amazing," said Weekley. "(He) is amazing, very amazing. The Lord blessed (him), and blessed everybody he has walked with every step. He's awesome, very awesome."

"It was a great honor for him to pick me this week," said Jason Gore, with whom D.J. walked in his final event Sunday. "It was a very emotional week for him, but he is a wonderful story and an inspiration to us all. I am very proud to call him a friend."

As part of his weekly walks, which will have totaled nearly 1,000 miles after this week's season-ending Children's Miracle Network Classic, Gregory kept track of everything from his number of falls (29 to date) to the number of holes he has walked (3,184 to date).

Told by doctors he would never walk, Gregory initially got around by sliding with the use of his arms. As he grew, he gained the ability to walk with two canes, and then one. That one cane has been at his side for each step he has logged on the PGA TOUR in 2008

"This year has truly been a dream come true for me," Gregory said. "For the PGA TOUR to have given me the chance to live this dream of walking every hole of every week's tournament is incredible. From this, I just want people to know that if they have a dream, they need to chase it and never take no for an answer."

Gregory began the year off in Maui following Boo Weekley at the Mercedes-Benz Championship. Among the players he followed throughout the year were Zach Johnson (Wachovia Championship), Jim Furyk (Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial), Kenny Perry (Arnold Palmer Invitational), and 2008 Children's Miracle Network Classic presented by Wal-Mart champion, Davis Love III (Wyndham Championship).

Here's his story: http://www.pgatour.com/2008/r/11/08/dj/index.html

7:19 PM | Comments (0)

If you live in the DC Metropolitan area I encourage you to attend a wonderful pre-Christmas event, "An Evening in December."

Spend an evening in December with friends and family by attending a holiday celebration with two friends, Grammy nominated, artist, songwriter, author, popular speaker, and singer Kathy Troccoli and Ellie Lofaro, known for her trademark quick wit and convincing demeanor she draws from the context of real life, hers.

When they get together they will have you entwined in their humor and friendship. You will feel like you are sitting in their living room having a conversation with your best friends. Don't be surprised when you nod your head in agreement throughout the night.

An Evening in December is an event not to be missed.

Continue reading "An Evening in December" »

12:52 AM | Comments (0)

Women in the Shenandoah Valley celebrated Halloween by Painting The Valley Pink!

Fran Romeo, founder of Paint Virginia Pink, Inc. and owner of Pink-Ribbon-Store.com co-hosted a Pink Ribbon Tea Party on October 31, 2008 at the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital in Woodstock, VA.

Over 100 women and men (we lost count because of all of the activity) dropped by our Pink Ribbon Tea Party. The decorations were fantastic and so were the giveaways and door prizes. Six lucky party goers went home with a lovely door prize.

Survivors signed the special pink ribbon quilt made by ladies in the local quilt guild. There were many dedications to those who lost their battle as well as celebrations by those women who are now cancer free.

Everyone was invited to tour the mammo room. Some women had not yet had an annual mammogram and loved being able to see what it would be like.

Angel of Angel's Touch Bakery worked tirelessly on her Cupcakes and Cookies For a Cause icing and decorating over 100 of each.

Patty Shaffer owner of WSVG, the AM radio station in Mt. Jackson, Virginia dropped by and was pressed into service. She greeted visitors and explained how they could help a women in need by donating one dollar to the Paint The Valley Pink campaign. All funds raised will help fund wigs and mammograms for women in the Shenandoah Valley who could not otherwise afford them. In fact, two women stopped by and donated their wigs to the campaign.

Patty's efforts brought in over $80.00. Kudos Patty.

If you weren't able to make it, there will be several Pink Ribbon Teas throughout the year. Tune in to WSVG - 790 AM and keep an eye out when you read your local newspaper for when and where.

Thanks to Shenandoah Memorial Hospital and its staff for making this a terrific event.

For more information on how you can get involved, visit http://www.paintvirginiapink.org.

12:09 AM | Comments (0)

Microsoft Says Next Office Suite Will Go on The Web
By REUTERS
Published: October 28, 2008

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The next upgrade of Office business software from Microsoft Corp will include a version that edits word processing documents and spreadsheets inside a Web browser, the software maker said on Tuesday.

The online version of Office, which includes the Word and Excel programs, aims to prevent competitors such as Google Inc from pecking away at Microsoft's dominance in software used by office workers and expand the market for one of its most profitable products.

Continue reading "Microsoft Says Next Office Suite Will Go on The Web" »

5:54 PM | Comments (0)

Adidas to Acquire Ashworth
10/22/2008

In a $26.5 million deal, Adidas has reached a definitive agreement to purchase Ashworth, Stitches reports. Adidas will pay $1.90 per share of Ashworth stock and will assume $46.3 million of debt from promotional apparel supplier Ashworth. Both are public companies.

In early October, Ashworth stock was valued at $3.75 per share. Stockholders still have to approve the buy out, which is expected to be finalized by the end of the year. Ashworth's has faced financial difficulties this year losing $16 million and seeing sales slowing.

Adidas is the second-largest sporting goods producer in the world behind Nike. Stitches reports that Ashworth's vice president of corporate division, Tim Cronin, says the Ashworth label will remain separate from Adidas.

10:36 PM | Comments (0)

On Friday, October 31, 2008 Paint Virginia Pink, Inc. and Shenandoah Memorial Hospital are hosting a pink ribbon tea from 1:00 - 3:00 PM in Woodstock, Virginia.

If you live in the Shenandoah Valley stop in, have some punch, pink ribbon cupcakes, pink ribbon cookies, snacks, share your story, and, if you are a survivor - sign the special pink ribbon quilt specially made by the Top of Virginia Quilting Guild.

There are exciting door prizes (winner must be present) and other surprises.

Fran Romeo, founder of Paint Virginia Pink, Inc. will be collecting wigs. Each wig will be cleaned and restyled and given to women undergoing breast cancer treatment who could not afford to buy one. If you have a wig you would like to donate, you can drop it off, email Fran or contact Fran at 540-984-3384 or 571-237-5454.

We also need funky earrings. Don't forget to ask Fran how you can Paint The Valley Pink by donating a dollar to fund a mammogram.

To learn more, visit http://www.paintvirginiapink.org.

11:34 PM | Comments (0)

As many of my readers know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

If you do not already have a breast self-exam routine, it is a great time to get in to the habit of doing a self-breast exam or reminding your female and male loved ones to do the same. I do mine the first day of the month...that way it is easy to remember and I know I have done it each month. Here are some tips on how to breast self-exams:

1) Did you know that it is easier to do your exam in the shower - it makes it easier with soapy hands.

2) Always check in the mirror to make sure that you don't see any changes in color or texture of your skin. Hold your arms up in the air to see under your arms. Also, examine your breast while bending at your waist, with your hands on your hips...allowing you to check for any dimpling or or changes to the skin.

3) Either lying down or in your shower, use your three middle fingers of the opposite hand to make small, circular motions in an up and down pattern. Apply different measures of firmness to each area of the breast. Check all areas including your armpit and collarbone area.

4) If you find something that is suspect, make an appointment right away to see your physician or gynecologist. Don't ignore it. The sooner you check it out, the earlier you will know what you are dealing with and the faster you will be on the road to treatment and recovery.

I had a small scare a few years back when I found a lump. Thankfully, it was just some fibrous tissue.

So start your self-exam schedule. If you have not yet had your mammogram....then call your doctor and schedule one.

Why not make a fun day of it...call up your friends, encourage them to schedule their mammograms and then get together for lunch.

1:44 AM | Comments (0)