My home is 6 blocks away from my office, and while walking to work this morning completely lost in thought, a very kind young man stopped me and thanked me for my blog and new website.
I felt really touched and told him he made my day. To Tim and all of you who visit my site, I want to say a big thank you. Just knowing that you’re out there helps me keep not only talking the talk, but walking the walk.
Which brings me to another blog series I’d like to start. Why is it that we live in a culture that loves bad news? Whenever I hear a tragedy or some calamity like the bad economy, I notice my first inclination is to spread the news. I always feel emotionally and spiritually bankrupt right after watching the evening news.
At times I feel too disconnected and live with the feeling that success and happiness only happens in the future. It becomes a challenge to connect with the good news NOW.
So today, I’d like us to stop and share all the good news you received this past week, so we can celebrate with you.
Here are mine:
- Personal: A very good friend of mine, who was battling cancer, found out that she is in remission.
- Business: Yesterday I met with a group of students from Cornell University (pictured) and it reminded me all about the joy of learning. It also made me happy thinking about the course I just started with the Wedding Planning Institute teaching event design online and in colleges. I really feel like I can actually help and make a difference.
- Book: I just finishing reading a book I considered life changing: Many Lives Many Masters by Brian L. Weiss MD. It reminded me that we are constantly being guided and helped me move away form greed.
What is your good news from this week?
PREVIOUS
George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
leila
September 17, 2010
As I was parking my car a man walked up to the car in front of me and tried to talk to the woman in the car … she ignored him so he came over to me… all he was trying to do was give someone his pre paid parking disc as he was going and there was still an hour left on it….. How kind….. it made my day knowing that there are still kind generous people in this world
Noosheen
September 17, 2010
My strategy is not listen to the news, its all bad news anyway! I stopped watching television 2 years ago and it’s changed my life for the better. My good news this week has been all work related, I have 3 biggish weddings next saturday and I managed to rent another storage space, hire more staff and I just heard that I can start working on the venue a day earlier (which is usually fully booked!). We managed 4 small ones today, so why not 3 big ones next week?! its all good.
Patti Davis
September 17, 2010
Today has been an explosion of happiness. My favorite chef from New Orleans emailed to tell me he was going to be in Atlanta and ask my husband and I to dinner. I received an email from the Ritz-Carlton Cancun offering to host me for a night in December so I may write a story on them. It’s been a grand day.
And I got to tell it to Preston! How awesome is that? Love you!!
Kelly @ Socialize
September 17, 2010
I’m starting my own event management company (slowly but surely) and saw a first round of logo designs this week. It made everything feel so real and exciting!
G.E. Masana Wedding Photographer
September 17, 2010
I don’t know if it’s that our culture loves bad news – it’s probably more that bad news generates attention, like a highway accident does, and maybe that’s biologically wired for all I know as a survival mechanism… but that aside, the big media is what serves it up to us to attract an audience they then can profit off of from the numbers.
Meanwhile, not on their radar, are all the more home spun, home grown cottage industry type circles that are ripe with art and intelligence and thought and taste and have attracted masses of devotees. People and things you wouldn’t see on TV. So – turn off the TV.
Laura
September 18, 2010
My good news of the week is that I just booked two more weddings, have two meetings set up with potential clients for next year, and at the moment have 42 gorgeous centerpieces finished and ready to be delivered tomorrow morning. Pink garden roses and lisianthus…what could be better? Life is GOOD! Thank you Preston for this blog, it truly makes my day
Eliana Terrazas
September 18, 2010
I’m a weddin planner from Bolivia, and the happiest thing that happened to me this week
Is to have the opportunity to learn from YOU in the. Wedding Planning Institute
Thanks for this. This is a big example of
Sharing knoledgment. (Sorry for my english)
Jonathan
September 19, 2010
Preston, I love your work but am even more impressed with you as a person. Thank you for your posts and what you have to say.
Kelly
September 20, 2010
My good news is two-fold. One, we would like you to be a judge in a philanthropic wedding contest and think you would be perfect for it. You have such a wonderful attitude and we trust you would help make a great decision.
Two, this is a contest where ten engaged couples compete to make the biggest difference for a New Jersey charity and in return, one will win a dream wedding.
In last year’s contest, over $99,000 was raised by couples in just five weeks. The winning couple raised funds, over $33,000, and awareness for Special Olympics New Jersey and was awarded an extravagant wedding in return.
If you would be interested in helping choose a winner this year, I would be happy to explain all the details with you. New Jersey Bride Magazine is presenting the contest this year, so if you would like to see more information please go to… http://www.newjerseybride.com/articles/update-roman-jewelers-wedding-contest/index.html
To see what the contestants are up to visit http://www.weddings.romanjewelers.com
The contestants have an additional 3 weeks this year, so we are really excited to see the outcome of awareness and funds that the couples are generating. In a negative news ridden world, one of the reasons this contest was designed is because it’s the kind of good news everyone wants to hear about. Inspiring, positive, and helping the wonderful world in which we live.
Thank you Preston and we hope you will consider.
Renata
September 21, 2010
Hi Preston,
I absolutely love your crativity, your ideas and sharing all this with us. Thank you so very much. I will be traveling to New York next week and hope to meet you like Tim did:):. I am also planning to buy one of your books.
hope to see you soon
Regards, Renata
Stacey Bartholomew
September 21, 2010
Preston,
Like so many of your readers I am one of your students and I have been impressed with not only the knowledge I have so quickly gained from your class, but also learning from such an inspirational person. My good news is I had my very first bridal show this past week and for months I had been driving myself crazy trying to choose a design for my booth. After completing the first chapter of the course my thoughts and ideas went from 2 dimensional to three dimensional and I saw ideas and colors in a new way. My booth was very popular and inspired by what you have taught me in such a short time. Now I have five weddings booked and I am still receiving phone calls and e-mails and I believe it is because I was able to open my eyes and create a memorable booth that would inspire brides. Thank you Preston, you are truly an inspiration
Navjot
September 22, 2010
It is amazing that you are so spiritual and enjoy so many things in your life on regular basis. When I was doing my master’s in English literature back in 1989, one thing that a professor taught me was to study the age and socio-economic structure to better understand the concept of the novel.
I see that in you- the quest to share and learn as you walk down the road. Never thought that you would be so open to share your travel experience from inspiration to the vision and then execution process.
Thanks for sharing the wisdom and your 30 years of experience in depth within the industry.
richele
September 23, 2010
What a lovely post and how true. Today has been a bit rough so it’s a great reminder for me to stop and appreciate what is good.
a new client loved my new invite I designed with only minimal changes.
my body is healthy and strong
I’m doing what I love to do
I have great family and friends supporting me through this