As I stand at the base of the highest mountain I have ever seen, I squint to view its highest peak. I try to appraise what it will take to reach its top. How can anyone possibly live through this painful and dangerous climb? I try to count all of its jagged edges above the timberline, but there are too many to track. I panic. I don’t know anything about the other side of the mountain. I acknowledge that my understanding of this risky venture can only be accurately evaluated by walking to the other side of the mountain along its base. Continue reading “A Fear of Peaks (and Valleys)”
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5 Easy Steps to Accept Criticism
You can probably hear my, “AMEN!” here in Chicago. Great post!
Written by Eric C., MA., PhD Candidate
Audio version available | Click here
“Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain, but it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.” ~Dale Carnegie
My fiancé can’t stand the way I drive. I, of course, do not agree with her criticism and defend my driving skills as if I am a professional formula one driver. I am not special in regards to accepting criticism. No one likes to be criticized, but it is part of my existence unless I become a hermit who lives in a cave. In the current age where criticism is only a “Yelp” away, being able to accept criticism, whether it is fair or not is both necessary and vital for growth.
Here are five easy steps to accept criticism:
1. Don’t let a knee jerk reaction make a jerk out of you
Don’t be reactive. When criticized we may want…
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The Doctor is in—–sane
Yesterday, was Mother’s Day. Naturally, I saw this as a perfect opportunity to relax. When I was done relaxing after a few minutes, I did what any non-relaxer would do… I took to the internet to diagnose my aches and pains. Fantastic idea.
Paging Dr. Klier-Weidner! Get off of the internet, stat!
I figured since I played a radiologist once, (not on TV), I could figure out my own health issues at 10 Megabits per second! Continue reading “The Doctor is in—–sane”
Changing Our Act in “Acts of Change”
I have been steering away from large galas (where appropriate, which is almost always), for a mighty long time. I’d forgotten about this one, written for the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA) in 2012.
JCUA’s 2017 Acts of Change event, honoring investigative journalist, Jamie Kalvin, happens on June 8th. Register at jcua.org/actsofchange2017
By Pamela Klier-Weidner
Director of Development and Organizational Advancement, JCUA
Why mess with the fundraising dinner? JCUA, like so many organizations, has been doing them successfully for years.
Big fundraising galas have a warm place in my heart, in my history. I’ve experienced great joy (and several additional gray hairs) in producing large scale fundraising dinners. I have, however, fantasized about taking the “gala” out of JCUA’s fundraising galas.
“Acts of Change” will honor Kalman Resnick and Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, with guest speaker Tamar Manasseh and performances from “Soul Sisters–A Multicultural Musical.” Learn more and buy tickets.
This tried-and-true formula never quite hit the mark for me at JCUA. We’ve had heroic honorees. We’ve worked with devoted dinner chairs. We’ve had our events at wonderful downtown hotels where the staff dedicated themselves to making our lives easier and our event virtually seamless.
So, why mess with the fundraising dinner?
I’m…
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The Mother Load
Lately, I’ve been extra depleted physically, mentally and emotionally. This is not a complaint, but is provided as a frame of reference for the possible drivel I’m about to write.
While in this diminished state, I considered writing 100 things I love about my Mother, but the truth is, 100 isn’t nearly enough. I have way more than 100 things I love about my amazing Mom.
Instead, I thought I’d fantasize about 100 Mother’s Day gifts and/or events I’d absolutely love. Some are real, and some are imagined. Most are imagined, but I hope they’re real someday. Continue reading “The Mother Load”
Don’t take this the wrong way, but…
I have very few pet peeves. Naturally, as I sit down to write, I can’t think of any of my pet peeves. Oh wait. Here’s one – I hate it when I sit down to write and I can’t remember anything.
For many years, and possibly forever, I have had an extreme dislike of any conversation that begins with, “Don’t take this the wrong way, but…” I mean, who’s to say what’s wrong in the first place? Continue reading “Don’t take this the wrong way, but…”
The pessimism in positivity, with or without donuts
Just recently, I was told that my positivity, is downright irritating. It wasn’t just one person who mentioned this to me, it was at least two and perhaps a third was nodding in agreement. If you are a fairly recent friend or colleague of mine, you may be nodding along. Also, you may be right.
Continue reading “The pessimism in positivity, with or without donuts”
Embracing Inconvenience is Freeing & Kosher for Passover
Over the past several days, I have been unbelievably inconvenienced. I imagine that no one could possibly be THIS inconvenienced, calm and honest at the same time. When I am relaying my stories with a somewhat lighthearted tone, I wonder if people may think I’m B.S.-ing or exaggerating. As I walk away from these conversations, I often think, “Do they believe I’m like that Jon Lovitz pathological liar character from SNL?” Continue reading “Embracing Inconvenience is Freeing & Kosher for Passover”
The Quiet in the Loud
Lately, I have had very vivid dreams. I’m not sure why, but my dreams have been detailed and memorable. I am enjoying recalling each of them without exception.
Last night, I remember two dreams. The first, featured Bradley Cooper, Hugh Jackman and Steve Buscemi. I know… that’s quite a trio and it was the type of dream you never want to wake up from. If you do happen to wake up during a dream like this, you shut your eyes as fast as you can to try and get back to where you left off. I won’t get into the details, but if I did, my blog would be shut down immediately. Suffice it to say, Steve Buscemi was BY FAR the most impressive of the three. I’ll let your enormous imagination size up my dream. Continue reading “The Quiet in the Loud”
The Quiet Transformers
I may be obsessed with examples of great leadership. Naturally, great leadership is defined differently depending on who you speak to and who you listen to. It’s kind of like the whole, self-proclaimed”expert” definition I also find myself rolling around with.
I have never considered myself to be particularly thoughtful over things that have nothing to do with me. I’ve noticed a major shift in the past few years and like Alka-Seltzer, “oh what a relief it is.”
For as long as I can remember, I have always loved the play, Cyrano de Bergerac. What I didn’t realize until much later in life, is that what I enjoy most, both personally and professionally, is behaving with a very similar intention that I perceive the Cyrano character to have. The rewards of virtual anonymity and a full outside view of the fruits of my labor, satisfy me more than anything I have ever experienced. Continue reading “The Quiet Transformers”
Pamela Klier-Weidner (PKW) 