Laurie Deer

My Comments (152 so far…)

What is the most important lesson in leadership you have ever learned? What were the circumstances?

The most important lesson in leadership I learned is courage and conviction. Without either, trying to be a leader is fruitless and stressful, once you have that you can manage any array of people and situations.

Spring is in the air! Tell us: Do you garden?

I do both veggies and flowers each year and take pride in it. I grew up with a large garden and each spring and summer spent lots of time in it with my parents. Like them, my boys can be found in the garden with me.

Do you have a will? What events in your life could move you or have moved you to change or update it?

My dad passed away last year without a will, a considerable amount of properties and many children. Pure Chaos. This prompted my husband and I to make a will and spare our children the agony an unsettled estate.

As we fight through difficult times, what might be the blessings of adversity?

I believe in the silver lining especially in a recession. It teaches us about the important things in life like: family, friends and community. Culminated with a positive outlook from a new president the world is abound for us.

In adveristy it is said we see our true self, I am paraphrasing someone. It teaches us the expanse in our lives is just that: big, wide and open for us and it has nothing to do with money. Have a wonderful day.

How do you define success?

I equate success with the smile on my face and great feelings in my heart. Success is happiness and love. For years I equated it with material things, my salary, how high up the echelon I made it but none applied without love, passion and happiness.

With a little struggle and yearning for something more, I found success in writing and helping people. I love it so much that one day it will materialize into something more substantive. Have a great day.

How many magazine subscriptions do you have?

Thanks

How many magazine subscriptions do you have?

Like you, I read many many magazines a month, then came kids, mortgages, career changes and life. And like you, I am attempting to make a living through my blog and an online business. I read all my news online and on occasion pick up a magazines. I subscribe to one: O magazine. I am on a contract right now limiting the amount of time spent blogging but I love it.

http://adoesversion.blogspot.com/

What cultural moment from the past reminds you of this kind of change climate? How did you adapt and evolve during that time?

I dreamed of being a hippie marching and protesting for human rights like in the 60’s and 70’s. To some extent I did just that in the eighties when there was a huge surge in Native American awareness. I spent a summer or two at a sort of peace camp and went to every possible rally. Today, my compassion for the little guy still lives but in sans pas the rallying and marching, through volunteering and donating.

What would you do with a year's paid leave?

One year paid leave would afford me time to finish a book that’s collecting dust, spend more time with my children and volunteer at their school.

Have you switched to drugstore cosmetics because of these economic times?

I switched to some drugstore products years ago, some are good and some are really really bad. Solution: I went for one year without any makeup, just moisturizer, eyeliner and lipstick = no blemishes, less dryness and youthful skin. I did go back to Clinique foundation and wear it 50% of the time. There are some things you cannot give up!

Do you believe in God?

I do believe in a higher power but do not like to label it as God or the Creator. It’s more than that, a name just does not define nor explain it’s existence.

It’s quite interesting, we discussed this exact topic at dinner last night with our children, explaining that they were lucky to be of mixed faith: it’s like having two Gods or two beliefs.

As the conversation trailed, I told my husband the sheer exhaustion of discussing this with some of my family. Faith is personal and one should not question another’s but respect it. Bless you and have a wonderful day.

Are you sick and tired of the economic news? Does it dampen your day and spirits? Have you stopped listening/reading about it?

I am tired of the focus on only the dire news of the economy, by no means do I let it dampen my spirits. Once a news junkie now I begin reading the newspaper after the first section, skip all the bad news. In my opinion, the first section/installment/newsclip should tell us of all the good things happening in the world, now that’s the way to begin and end our days.

Do you keep a diary? Did you ever? Do you wish you had? Hadn't?

I kept a diary since high school with gaps as long as a summer or an entire college year. Like most diarists, I wrote about very personal things that I thought no one should read. It turns out everybody else with a diary wrote basically the same, lol, boys, sex, friends and family.

Rembrandt? Picasso? O'Keeffe? Tell us: Who is your favorite artist?

Monet. Feel in love with his paintings in college.

Calling all readers! What is your favorite book club book?

The only book club I ever joined was Oprah’s, the book "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle. It was insightful and entertaining in a way only Oprah can make it fun, especially since the book is deep and spiritual.