Other Things O

Before you agree to do anything that might add even the smallest amount of stress to your life, ask yourself: What is my truest intention? Give yourself time to let a yes resound within you. When it’s right, I guarantee that your entire body will feel it.  Oprah Winfrey

Are you feeling short on “human spirit” today?  I know I am.  To say that I had a “crappy day” would be putting it mildly.  Things started out fine, dandy, a real NEAT morning.  And then about 1:14 pm, I ran out into the street (like a two-year-old might) and was almost killed by a car. 

I was trying to save my gigantic, gas lovin’ minivan from a tow truck. . .in front of a professional client I idolize. . .who is also a former Supreme Court Justice, to boot.  Not good that I was almost killed.  Not good that ME, a person in the business of “being the calm person” in the bunch, panicked and almost died – in front of client. . .over a car towing.  And, not good that I let it get me down. 

This brings me back to that “human spirit” thing.

On days like this, I come home and refocus.  I look at my kids. I look at my husband. I look at the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games website (www.2009worldgames.org).  Why?  Because there is no greater inspiration or example of amazing human spirit than Special Olympics athletes.  And, who do we all know that is SUPER dedicated to having a positive human spirit?  

“O” yes!  She needs to help let the entire world know what is coming in 2009 to Boise, Idaho.  If she did, she could cross “human spirit-themed” shows off her list for the entire season – because we’d be filled up.  If you don’t believe me, go to www.specialolympics.org and find a program near you.   Most state organizations will be holding local summer Special Olympic Games in the next few months.  Go, volunteer, give, be “human spirited.” 

Amazing is the fact that a World Games competition is being hosted in the United States. . .in Boise, Idaho.  And, nobody seems to know beyond the Idaho borders.  So, I asked Justine Sgalio – who works inside the 2009 World Games organization – to write about the upcoming event.  I asked her to tell everyone why EVERYONE should get involved. I asked her to tell the story about why “someone” should cover the Games on her show. 

Take it away, “O” Justine. . .

With the Beijing Olympics rapidly approaching, I find myself digging deeper and deeper into the definition of a world-class athlete.  At first mention, most of us picture Olympians such as Michael Phelps, Mary Lou Retton or Mark Spitz.  But if the Olympics and these Olympians are the only things that come to your mind when you hear the term world-class athlete and world-class competition, think again.      

Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition. 

Every two years, Special Olympics athletes from across the globe earn the right to compete in the Special Olympics World Games to showcase their athletic skills while celebrating the message of Special Olympics. 

This year, the United States has the honor of hosting this monumental event.   The 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games will be held in Idaho, USA February 6-13, hosting up to 3,000 athletes from more than 100 countries.  The event will feature competition in seven winter sports—Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Figure Skating, Floor Hockey, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing and Speed Skating, making it one of the largest, multi-day winter sporting events in the history of the United States.      

Though the mainstream Olympics and its Olympians are more familiar to the majority of the world, there is no reason the Special Olympics World Games shouldn’t be just as recognizable, and its athletes shouldn’t be just as highly regarded. 

We tend to hear the term ‘Special’ proceeded by Olympics and automatically make the association ‘real’ competition is in no way involved.   But what most people don’t realize is that the athletes that compete at the Special Olympics World Games are, in their own right, nothing short of world-class athletes.  They demonstrate the same emotions, triumphs and hardships all athletes do—sacrifice courage, passion and determination to name a few.  They train regularly, compete steadfastly and have earned their way there.  Doesn’t sound much different from an Olympian, does it?

The world needs to know the Special Olympics World Games is a world-class event, featuring world-class competition and world-class athletes.  It’s time to know.  Check out the 2009 Special Olympics World Games website at (www.2009worldgames.org) to discover how you can support these amazing athletes in their endeavor to be champions – true champions in every sense of the word.

I am a local radio book reviewer and I have to admit that everything Oprah recommends, I for some reason love.  We MUST have the same taste in books, so that is why I am certain that she should get to know one of my favorite writers  - Susan Reinhardt.  Susan is a humor writer and she just released her latest - and VERY FUNNY - book, Dishing With the Kitchen Virgin.  Oprah does a decent job of incorporating humor into her show, but if she engaged Susan for a show - we’d all be whizzing our panties (which you can check out if you buy her new book - her panties are on the cover).  Not only is her book hilarious, but she has a fascinating life story. 

I met Susan on a yellow school bus at couple of years ago when I was attending the Erma Bombeck Humor Writers’ Workshop at the University of Dayton.  It was just the two of us shuttling over for the workshop’s Sunday luncheon (I’d overslept as usual) and I instantly recognized her because I’d read her first book, Not Tonight Honey.  I tried not to stare at her, because Susan is a bestselling author and I didn’t want to appear to be some kind of humor groupie (or whatever you call “wanna be funny people”).

Susan instantly began chatting ME up and I’d have to admit I was a bit stunned.  She was slated to be the keynote speaker at the luncheon and was a bit stressed out because she hadn’t written a word of her speech. . .that she was to deliver in 45 minutes.   She was clutching a folded up piece of some kind of paper that was unrecognizable because she’d sweated it into a glob.   And, she was trying to scribble things on it with a red pen all while telling me about different types of calming medications she wished she had at that moment.   

As a public relations professional who often writes and prepares influential people for speeches - I was speechless.  I had to do everything I could to not burst out laughing.  But as I quickly learned, that is Susan - funny even under extreme duress.  Which is why her books, speeches and weekly syndicated columns are so brilliant.   As with most great humor writers, Susan is UNIQUELY herself. 

Susan’s speech at the luncheon (of course) was hilarious.  She had everyone attending the conference held on the campus of the private, conservative Catholic University rolling on the floor about her boobies, her va-gee-gee and doggie sex organ surgery.   It was amazing.

I received my autographed copy of Dishing With the Kitchen Virgin in the mail yesterday and stayed up all night reading.  I’m not going to review the book on the blog, but let you experience it yourself.  But, I will say I think it is her best book yet.  Copies can be purchased at your local book store - I found the book online at Borders, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.   Check out her weekly syndicated column or read more about Susan at www.susanreinhardt.com.

If you have questions for Susan, please feel free to post them (as comments) on this site.  Susan is following this blog and I know she’d be excited to hear from you - even if you aren’t Oprah!

If the world ended today, would Oprah know about everything she should know about?  If I died, I might really regret that I didn’t meet Oprah. . . that she didn’t feature my famous green Jello cake in her magazine. . .that she didn’t even have a chance to hear my opinion about wearing green shoes after St. Patrick’s Day. 

She’s got her “things” listed in her monthly magazine, her show full of inspiration and people, but we all know somone who thinks Oprah should know about thier story or favorite thing.  This is a blog where the world can begin to archive amazing stuff that has not made it to Oprah.  Things that are important to us - the rest of the world.  Personally, I was motivated to start this blog because I want peace of mind that just because I have little or no access to Oprah, that there is a record of “I tried to tell Oprah.”   She only has so much time, but thankfully this blog has lots of space.

Almost everybody I know would like to go to the Oprah show, be on the Oprah show or provide something to Oprah because they think they are the best nurse, friend, chef, beekeeper, writer, etc.  They are constantly saying to me, “If Oprah only knew me, she’d call.”  And, this is possibly true. 

The Sky Could be Falling - so, let’s go!  Let’s tell our stories.  Let’s be inspirational.  Let’s be funny.  Let’s tell the world what Oprah is missing.  Let’s tell her about our things and our stories.  And, who knows.  Maybe she will listen.

Sincerly,

Chicken Little / “Oprah for the Day”