1890's Burwell House

This Saturday, the 27th, is the last regular day of the season to stop in for a historic tour of the 1890's Burwell House on Minnehaha Creek in Minnetonka. Tours from 12-4pm. And while you're there, take a stroll through the peaceful Burwell Park; bridge over Minnehaha, picturesque bench areas, boardwalk & rock wall scavenger hunt for the kids.

Join Creative Director, Erik Johnson, and his passion to help preserve history, by becoming a member of the historical society by joining with the "FALL back into history" promo for only $15, and receive a FREE Minnetonka history book. And of course, our spectacular eNewsletters.

Be a part of history, before it becomes... HISTORY!
More information, directions & secure online order form at:
www.MinnetonkaHistory.org

Meeting Oprah Winfrey — briefly: Bartolotta gets 5 seconds with fame

You'd think from the picture that Jennifer Bartolotta and Oprah Winfrey have been close for years. In reality, it only captures an instant, but one that resulted in a great photo and memory for the prominent Milwaukee restaurant executive.

She was always inspired by Winfrey, but never made it to one of her shows, said Bartolotta, president of Train-2-Gain and head of the Bartolotta Restaurants' charitable arm.

In April, she jumped on a chance for tickets to Winfrey's "Live the Life You Want" tour — including passes to meet and have her photo taken with the talk-show icon.

Bartolotta and a friend saw Winfrey's speech, then took an elevator up to the post-show reception, where they were told to line up.

"This is actually going to happen," Bartolotta remembers thinking, "I'm going to have five seconds with Oprah in my life."

Five seconds was about all she got. But as she stood in line, Bartolotta thought about what she wanted with those few seconds, and recalled an appearance in Madison by the Dalai Lama.

"So, when it was my turn, I said, 'Actually, if you don't mind, I have a favor to ask,'" Bartolotta said.

Initially, Winfrey wasn't familiar with the request, but Bartolotta explained the Dalai Lama's traditional greeting.

"And next thing I know, she grabs my face with both of her hands," Bartolotta said. "They snap a picture, and then I'm gone."

The warmth in Winfrey's eyes and smile is evident in the photo. Bartolotta draws a bigger lesson from the brief moment.

"I think that's the beauty of someone who has spent her life living with intention, recognizing that she — as we all do — has the opportunity to impact another person," Bartolotta said. "You can light up or diminish a person's life."

Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/

Meet The World’s Poorest President, Jose Mujica

In a generation where you might think all politicians are ruling the world and continuously becomes rich and powerful by stealing money from its citizens, you may think that all of them are the same.  The story today proves otherwise as a man from the country of Uruguay who is globally known as “the poorest president” demonstrates that you can still rule a country by living your life in simplicity.

Here’s how Jose looks like (where it is also not uncommon that you see him dressed this way)

He spent most of his life fighting for his country
He was a Guerrilla leader in the mid 1960’s whom battled the war for the rights of his country’s citizen where he was also got imprisoned twice and shot 6 times
Instead of living at this presidential house, he chose to live in this simple farm.

He drives a 1987 VW beetle

He only has two guards positioned on his road. Along with his beloved 3-legged dog

Another fun fact is his salary is $12,000 per month (not bad) what’s great about it is that he donates 90% of it to charity to help his country.

This is a truly heartwarming story of a very inspiring president. I believe if our leaders would follow more of Jose’s example, the world would become a much better place.


Source: http://ohviral.com/

On yer marks, get set, September!

Accepting the end of summer has been a bit hard, as we had quite nice weather here in Ireland this year.  But for the last couple of weeks autumn has been beckoning loudly, and with just two days left in August, it’s time to embrace it…

I actually always liked September.  Even when I was in school.  Not that I loved school, but I always enjoyed the anticipation of the new year.  Getting a new timetable, new books, new stationary.  And the sense of possibility of the new year stretching ahead.  What adults feel in January, school kids feel in September.

never too lateBut I never lost that in adulthood.  I still get that Back to School feeling.  It’s like a New Year reboot.  As we start hunkering down for winter, it feels good to have a plan as to how we’ll make the most of the long, dark evenings.  Aim for something better than vegging in front of the telly…

Of course, like New Year’s resolutions, September intentions also have a way of falling by the wayside when the winds are howling and the rains are lashing against the pane.  “I’ll go to Bootcamp another evening, tonight my body just wants to rest in front of the fire and my mind wants to numb out watching drivel on TV.”

Oops, there I go again – not following through on my promises to myself!  (A big No No for a certified Life Coach – oh well!)

But thankfully, over the last few years I’ve learned to treat goals as Could Do’s instead of Should Do’s.  Shoulds are not good for us, in my opinion.  In fact, in my case, I actively resist them.  And when I do set goals, they start to generate a kind of “should-ing” energy.  And then I start to lose interest in them very quickly.  So, for me, goal-setting is often counter-productive!

But here we are again, on the cusp of September, and I’m itching to set myself a few goals.  I want to establish a routine that will set me up for a productive winter.  But I’m also keenly aware that the first step, a supportive morning routine, the one that will help me follow through on the others, is one I’m verrrry likely to fail at.  But that’s ok, because these days I’m more tuned into the optional approach.

So much so that as I write this I’m laughing at myself.  Because I have actually being practicing this particular option, with very little success, all summer.  (Unless you count as success, which I kinda do, the fact that I haven’t beaten myself up for not following through on it)  For months now, I’ve been setting my alarm for 6.30am, with a view to snoozing until 7.00, allowing myself plenty of time to meditate, wash, have breakfast and read something inspiring before 9.00am.  Setting myself up for the day in a positive way, and having loads of time then to get through whatever tasks I am facing.

I could probably count on one hand the number of times that has happened.  Usually it’s 8.00 by the time I’m getting up to meditate, and while I never skip that, the inspiring reading part has totally suffered.  That’s a great pity.  Because when I have time for it, that always makes a huge difference to my attitude throughout the day.  Instead, I found myself skipping that most days as it’s already 9.30 – 10.00 before I’m finished breakfast and ready to start work…

So, the first step of my new autumn regime is to actually implement the summer one that I fell down on.  Well, I’m just keeping it never give up on a dreamas an option instead of dismissing it because it hasn’t worked for me so far.  Of course, if it was difficult to rise earlier in the summer, when it was bright outside, it’s going to be a more challenging ask as the mornings get colder and darker.

But I’ve realised that that is just part of life.  Wanting to do something.  Failing in some way.  Trying again.  I have a vision for myself – being the person who gets up reasonably early, without any great struggle, and spends two hours in self-care activity before getting into anything that falls in the category of tasks.

I haven’t managed to get there yet.  But I’m holding on to the vision.  This is the morning routine I aspire to, and if I can keep an energy of preference around it, avoiding the ol’ Should Syndrome, I believe I can get there eventually.  I might not be there by October.  But if I’m there by this time next year, that will be success.  And everything in between will be progress.

Source: http://www.thehappinessbusiness.com