March 12 Grand Rapids 9am-4:30pm Davenport University M-6 Campus

March 19 Livonia 9am – 4:30pm Davenport University

Register at www.miceed.org

The theme this year is “Bridging the Gap from Good to GREAT!” All our companies are good and many of them are great. The training is geared to make even the great greater. Our focus this year is on GROWTH!

Steven Hughes, who received rave reviews for his presentation on “Emotional Intelligence” last year, is presenting “Seven Essentials of Greatness” as a follow up this year. Davenport is also part of the Marketing Panel to bring us up-to-date on Internet Marketing and Social Media for business. Chrysler is providing insight into customer diversifi cation. And two of our powerful women business owners will be presenting on branding (online and off). Connie Sweet of Connection Graphics will discuss branding and corporate identity as it relates to small and large corporations – on and off line. Our keynote this year is Rita Woodruff of Gill Industries. Rita and her sister have taken over from her mother, Rita Williams, and she will be sharing the story of their ups and downs and lessons learned along the way to a multi-million dollar enterprise. Not bad for a full day of training. Don’t miss this event! Last year’s participants were overwhelmed with the value they received and it is our goal to make this event even better this year. The cost for CEED members will be $125 and for non-members $139. For registration or questions, please call Kathi Boyle at 734.677.1400 or email kboyle@miceed.org. Register at www.miceed.org

Sponsored by:

Small Business Administration, Comerica Bank and Davenport

I have to share this special event information with all of you. Marianne Williamson, who is a wonderful, passionate, change maker in this world, will be hosting a seminar called Sister Giant on February 26, 27 and 28, 2010 at the Sheraton Hotel in Los Angeles.

Those of you who receive Connection Graphics quarterly calendars may notice all of the quotes on the 2010 calendars are by Marianne. (Of course all you have received is the first quarter…so now you have even more to look forward to…) She is an inspiring woman and this effort is just another example of how she has spent her life empowering women. Below is an excerpt of her explanation of the seminar. If you can not make it to the seminar , Marianne is planning to do more work on this subject so please visit her Web site and join the email list to be a part of something larger than yourself. Briefly, the information is not about the power women don’t have – but the power we are not using.

This seminar/conference speaks to the role of women at this pivotal moment in history. It’s a critically important time to transition from disastrous probabilities to fantastic possibilities, and women can lead the way.

If you are a woman who feels a prompting in your heart that goes something like this: “Okay, it’s time. I might not be perfect, but I’m good enough. And I’m ready,” then this invitation is for you.

Learn more here and sign up for Marianne’s mailing list.

Ever wonder what happened in the year you were born? The following Website offers a thorough answer to the question whathappenedinmybirthyear.com. The site is the 2010 creation of German writer and programmer Philipp Lenssen, who has marshaled the resources of Wikipedia and a Star Wars type effect into an interesting way to learn about the state of the world the year you were born and during the whole decade – including the time you arrived in it. Learn what people were watching, reading, and doing, fun facts include the best selling book and top rated movie plus a visual of the movie poster . Interesting fun facts to visit and help appreciate the world we live in. Just click the link, enter the year you were born, and …have fun!

Sweet Christmas Tree 2009

Finally a follow up to my “Being Thankful” post. I had to share the Sweet Family Christmas tree. We enjoyed the lovely fragrance and beauty of the gia-normous tree the entire month of December. On Christmas morning when the whole clan met, the overflow of spirit and the physical gifts were a testament to the abundance that is always available to us. Blessings to all and much happiness and success in 2010.

At the end of the year I have always found it helpful to review the previous one for the successes and losses that will help me to set goals for the new year. Following is a list of great questions to ask yourself when you have a few private moments to reflect. These questions pertain to all aspects of life, not only business, but personally and spiritually. I hope you find it beneficial and I wish you much success, love, peace, and prosperity for 2010.

These insightful questions were offered by Louise Hay, founder of Hay House Publishing. Take time to ask and explore these simple questions:

What shall I now release from my life?

What or who no longer works for me?

What am I holding on to that holds me back?

What thoughts or beliefs belong to the old me?

How am I being unloving to myself?

Am I ready to let go?

What do I believe that really works for me?

What is going on in my life that is terrific and wonderful?

Where am I being very loving to myself?

Where am I most content?

Let me acknowledge myself for all the growth and change.

What do I want to bring to my life?

What do I want to create?

How do I want the next year to be?

Who do I want to bring into my world?

How do I want to look?

What image do I want to project?

How healthy do I want to be?

How prosperous do I want to feel?

How much love am I willing to experience?

What kind of world do I want to live in?

Affirm:
I know that where I am is the totality of possibilities . . . not just a few possibilities, but the totality of all creation.
I am not limited by statistics, medical opinions, time, or authorities.

I am one with the infinite wisdom and capabilities of the Universe itself.

All good is available to me, right here and right now.
All I have to do is to use the power of my thoughts to create that which I desire. I know that. Now let me live it!

Louise Hay – www.hayhouse.com