Donna Mah Delaughter - Innovative Leader

Flies dive-bombed Dr. Ellen Weber’s hair as she attempted to capture curiosity from her young students. Irritated by relentless insects, Ellen asked a few boys in class if they’d get rid of sluggish fall flies. Within minutes the whole class joined in, slamming books on the monstrous cluster flies, who'd unfortunately picked Ellen’s classroom as a place to spend winter. Suddenly imaginary flies apparently alighted on many students’ heads, since text books batted heads like bats to ping pong balls. In a few minutes, chaos subsided, buzzing ceased, laughter quieted and class resumed with questions about leadership that differs.

Donna Mah Delaughter, a student in that class over thirty years ago, retold the tale recently.  Through laughter and colorful stories about Ellen's challenges to reach beyond barriers, Donna attributes many of her own marked leadership skills.  Her abundant risk- taking qualities and innovative mind sharpened through Ellen’s facilitation during her top role on the debate team. Donna and several of her peers on the team went forward to win a national trophy. As a young teen in a Canadian school at the time, Donna began a journey that launched life-long learning and never looked back.

Donna recognized her father as a person who prodded her to think beyond stereotypes. He and his family found their way to Canada after they emigrated from China. He wanted his children to be all they could be and though women in his country had been restricted, he envisioned much more for Donna. He said she could even be a doctor if she wanted, and her mother consistently supported Donna's visionary plans.

Donna Mah Delaughter worked her way up the ranks to achieve a top level position as Accountant for SIRAS, a subsidiary of Nintendo. Her quickness and innovative spirit flow unsparingly at the request of SIRAS’ President. She hopes to leave a legacy in life and in work, and in this capacity enjoys mentoring new employees as well as volunteering her time to counsel teens in her church. Donna gives much of her time and talent away and in that role has gained much and benefited all!

In A Whole New Mind, Daniel Pink shows that in the new Conceptual Age in which we live, we need to go beyond the mind that merely crunches numbers. We now need people with a very different kind of mind--one that is both creative and full of empathy. Donna has amazing ability to understand what makes fellow workers tick. She forges many relationships and cares for others. She recognizes patterns as she mines data from many data banks and makes new meaning from it. And best of all, Donna loves to play with ideas, challenges and possibilities. During her interview Donna challenges us to think of ourselves as the actual owner of the company where we work.

Below Donna shares insights that help us see the heart and soul of her innovative leadership.

10 Creative Cooking Utensils [Pics]

Today I present you, 10 Creative Cooking Utensils, that will help you prepare food faster and with less effort.10 Creative Cooking Utensils - Pictures:Wine Bottle HolderRotato Potato PeelerStrawberry HullerNesting PansUniversal Dish RackIce Straw TraySilicone Oven ShieldMicrowave Pasta CookerEgg CrackerBanana SlicerPics send via email.

Bra that turns into 2 gas masks [Pics & Vids]

Dr. Elena Bodnar is the inventor of this "creative gadget", the Bra that turns into 2 gas masks (2 respiratory face masks).The price is $29.99Bra that turns into 2 gas masks [5 Pictures]:Bra that turns into 2 gas masks [2 Videos]:Video - Fight Terrorism with 'The Emergency Bra'! Video - Dr. Elena Bodnar demos her Emergency Bra! Source: ebbra.com

Infographics : Social Media Strategy

Author: Advanced Human Technologies Group

Practice May Not Make Perfect!

Interestingly, rote practice, the kind of practice in which you do something over and over, may not gain you much.  Mixing in a variety of skills, however, will. The idea that practice does not necessarily make perfect seems paradoxical, and it relates to the way your brain functions. 

Practicing variable skills antes up retention of the skill.  It's so, because each time golfers use a different club or vary a shot, they solve the motor problem anew... and perhaps from a fresh perspective. 

Problem solving engages the brain's prefrontal cortex, associated with higher level learning.  Some folks have no idea that sports skills reach to higher cognition in the brain, especially when some folks refer to high school athletes as "jocks." 

I'm an avid golfer.  At our local course, I noticed some golfers spend a great deal of time hitting a drive, over and over, at a golf range.  According to USC and UCLA research findings, doing the same skill over and over, leads to a lesser degree of retention - since repetition engages the primary motor cortex, associated with simple motor learning.

"We gravitate toward a simple, rote practice structure because we're basically lazy, and we don't want to work hard," Carolee Winstein, a USC researcher on the study reports.

A lot of what we do learn comes through observing how others accomplish a skill.  "Imitation learning," according to Robert Sekuler, Brandeis neuroscientist, "is crucial for acquiring many of the skills used in daily life."  It's the "monkey see, monkey do" principle.  Trick is... to duplicate that in your own life.  Try doing it yourself - shortly after giving yourself enough observation time to capture nuances involved - while these are still in the brain's working memory.  That's critical!

You can see why smart problem solving's needed to acquire a motor skill!  My practice sessions will be revamped - that's for sure.

How would you rate the methods you've used to lift up your kinesthetic skills?

James Blunt - Goodbye My Lover [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

"Goodbye My Lover"

Did I disappoint you or let you down?

Should I be feeling guilty or let the judges frown?

'Cause I saw the end before we'd begun,

Yes I saw you were blinded and I knew I had won.

So I took what's mine by eternal right.

Took your soul out into the night.

It may be over but it won't stop there,

I am here for you if you'd only care.

You touched my heart you touched my soul.

You changed my life and all my goals.

And love is blind and that I knew when,

My heart was blinded by you.

I've kissed your lips and held your hand.

Shared your dreams and shared your bed.

I know you well, I know your smell.

I've been addicted to you.

[x2]

Goodbye my lover.

Goodbye my friend.

You have been the one.

You have been the one for me.

I am a dreamer and when i wake,

You can't break my spirit - it's my dreams you take.

And as you move on, remember me,

Remember us and all we used to be

I've seen you cry, I've seen you smile.

I've watched you sleeping for a while.

I'd be the father of your child.

I'd spend a lifetime with you.

I know your fears and you know mine.

We've had our doubts but now we're fine,

And I love you, I swear that's true.

I cannot live without you.

[x2]

Goodbye my lover.

Goodbye my friend.

You have been the one.

You have been the one for me.

And I still hold your hand in mine.

In mine when I'm asleep.

And I will bare my soul in time,

When I'm kneeling at your feet.

Goodbye my lover.

Goodbye my friend.

You have been the one.

You have been the one for me.

I'm so hollow, baby, I'm so hollow.

I'm so, I'm so, I'm so hollow.

I'm so hollow, baby, I'm so hollow.

I'm so, I'm so, I'm so hollow.



Sunday Reflections

God is sooooooo goooooood!

Yesterday was tough. The hurt was caused by one issue that has been in my life for a very long time. I will not divulge the nature of it but it only comes in cycles and has nothing to do with my health, my friends, my loved ones, or anything like that. It came to a head last night, leaving me up until past midnight, feeling sad. Once again I realized that I am powerless change the situation, turned it over God, and prayed for the thorns in my flesh because you cannot hate those for whom you pray. I read my Bible, made a couple of connections to my situation, and went to bed.

This morning dawned a clear blue day. I woke up full of energy and so thankful for my loving husband, my children, my parents, and my siblings. I knocked out some laundry and started reorganizing the hall closet. I joined David on another milestone for him, getting his voter registration card. I took Pamela shopping for clothes, and we dropped off a box at Good Will. We each discovered a such meaningful treasures that they had to be whispers from God. She found a big Beanie Baby ladybug in the very scanty toy section--we wrapped up our nature study on ladybugs just over a week ago. I found a book about El Salvador on a teeny, tiny shelf of children's books--we leave on a short trip to that country before the month's end. On the way home, Pamela held my hand while we listened to the Brandenburg Concertos.

I was working on editing RDI videos and prepping for Week 7 of our homeschool year when something amazing popped into my email box. I only subscribe to one devotional that arrives once a day. The topic of the devotional clearly describes that exact nature of my situation with one verse of the Bible that told me everything I needed to know. It reminded me that I am not a freak and I am not alone. My beliefs are not trash. There are kindred spirits who place their trust in God.

That's when it hit me. Coincidences like this are not random. These little whispers from God are perfectly orchestrated to minister to us when we feel broken and alone.

Thanks Lord! I'm giving You the glory with a thankful heart!

If I speak in the tongues of men
And of angels, but have not love,
I am only a resounding gong
Or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy
And can fathom all mysteries
And all knowledge,
And if I have a faith that can move mountains,
But have not love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor
And surrender my body to the flames,
But have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast,
It is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
It is not easily angered,
It keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
But rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
Always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.