A Job Well Done

I confess. I read the obituaries. In them I find inspiring stories about ordinary people who give birth to extraordinary accomplishments... people like Imogene Fagan.

During World War II, as more and more men joined the armed forces to fight the war overseas, women contributed at home, working in the shipyards and manufacturing plants. Their working these jobs challenged traditional notions of women's capabilities. Women in overalls carrying their tools to work inspired the song, Rosie the Riveter, in 1942. Norman Rockwell, one of America's most popular 20th century artists, painted this rendition, published as the cover of the Saturday Evening Post on May 29, 1943.

Imogene Fagan was a Rosie the Riveter. She worked in the Portland Shipyards as a welder during the war. The tradition was that when a landing craft was welded perfectly--with no leaks--the ship was named for the welder. If you follow this link, you will see a picture of Mrs. Fagan atop #939, Imogene Fagan...the ship she welded...perfectly.

Not only did Mrs. Fagan and the other Rosies contribute to the cause of their day by manufacturing the equipment and artillery needed by the military, but they also paved the way for women of the future by breaking down the stereotypes about what a woman can do. I am grateful on both counts.

We won't all get ships named for us and we don't always get to see the impact we make for future generations, but we can still be proud of work done well.

What accomplishments make you proud?

Tell us about a time the energy you put into something paid off.

Go ahead--be proud of your achievements.

I want to hear.

Wanda Tucker, Coach

Friday: Cat Day

Apparently Friday is cat picture posting day. I didn't know that when I wrote about Larry. Oh, well. Consider Larry's post a special edition--perfect for a Magnificat.

I planned to introduce Marty and Misi today, but I don't have any pictures that do them justice. So I'll just have to leave you wanting. When I first moved in with them, they were pretty shy. Now I think they might be willing to pose for me.

Instead, here's a picture I took in Hawaii. Cats really know how to rest. What a life, huh?

(I took this photo on Kauai at Aunty Angeline's day spa.)

Who is David Slawson and why is wtuckercoach writing about him?

David Slawson is an ordinary guy. At least that is what I thought when I worked for him in the early 1990s. David owned East-West College of Massage (now East-West College of the Healing Arts) in Portland, Oregon. I taught communication skills and professional boundaries and ethics to massage therapists in training.

So why am I writing about him? I ran across an article about David in Inc. magazine. And I know the guy! David Slawson is making a difference for the planet. That is worthy of note.

He is a good businessman, to be sure. Not many massage therapists turn their practices into alternative health care facilities employing 70 professionals, then buy a small school and turn it into one of the largest in the country and become first in the state to be approved by the national professional organization, American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).

David saw a need--smelled and felt it in his lungs, actually--for cleaner energy when he lived here in Portland. According to the article, on his first night in a new downtown apartment, he opened the window before going to bed and got blasted with vehicle exhaust. The next day, he decided to do something about it.

Now David Slawson's company, Stirling Energy Systems, Inc. (SES), develops technology and power plants for renewable, non-polluting energy. Their mission "is to deploy clean and sustainable energy technologies to assist in the abatement of global warming and in directing the market away from old paradigm polluting sources of electrical power generation."

By now you know that I care about energy...personal, professional, global. I care about clean energy and how to be good stewards of the resources we have available. David started as a massage therapist working on individuals, treating them and their energy systems. Then he expanded his practice into a 70 professional alternative health care facility, reaching more of the community. Next, he bought a school and turned it into a nationally recognized professional training facility...to teach people how to work on people's energy systems. Now, David's company, SES, makes a difference globally.

Individual...local...national...global. Natural progression. Is David Slawson an ordinary guy? Yes and no. Yes--I hope he is because it gives me hope for the rest of us. No--not by statistical averages, because the rest of us haven't done it...yet.

How big can you dream? Do you want to make it come true?

(I wanted to post a picture; however, the SES site has protected their photos. Please, go there and check them out.)

Wanda Tucker, Energy Coach

[PS--David, if you find this site, congratulations...and thank you.]

I am trying something new...

The blog experience continues to bring NEW into my life--new skills, new ideas, new experiences. I like it. I like the adventure, challenge, and stimulation of trying new things. It keeps the energy flowing. Tonight I am posting to my blog by email. All I have to do is send an email to my secret address and voilá...there it is on my blog!

When is the last time you tried something new? New food? New restaurant? New clothes? New skill? New route home? New t.v. show? New movie?

Try something new to you then tell me about it. Give me the full review.

Wanda Tucker, Coach

A baby and Ingie the orangutan are new to each other.

(Photo taken at the Oregon Zoo.)

Take care of what you love

I love animals. Dolphins, apes, elephants, dogs, cats, horses...exotic or domestic...I love them all. I love reading about their behavior. I love watching them. Most of all, I love interacting with them.

When I heard this story about dolphins using sponges on their noses (Credit for photograph: PNAS / Janet Mann) to protect their sensitive snouts while foraging I was captivated. It is a skill--a learned behavior--that mothers pass on to daughters in Shark Bay off the western coast of Australia. One male was observed sponging. Most of the spongers are female. Apparently, the males aren't interested in learning this skill. They would rather be out socializing.

Learning about animals' abilities to use tools or have cultural interactions validates some inner knowing for me. I am not so anthropocentric that I think we are the only species who can learn, create, come up with ideas, or have ongoing relationships.

I do believe that we are responsible to other animals and for what we do to their environment--their habitat. I take seriously our responsibility to be good stewards of planetary resources; and I believe it is important to give back in a meaningful way. Recently, one of my clients told me, somewhat embarrassedly, that she gives money to a gorilla conservation organization. I think she was surprised when I said, "That's great!"

Good stewardship requires making conscious choices: recycle; buy, eat, use organic; give money; volunteer. Amazing to think that these behaviors can all add up to something if enough of us do them, isn't it?

Somehow hearing about dolphins using sponges for gloves on their rostrums reminds me that I am responsible. I am responsible to learn and practice new behaviors.

I am responsible for them.

Wanda Tucker, Coach

Never say "Never!"

Every time I have said "NEVER," I ended up doing whatever it was that I said I would never do.

Yes, I admit it. Humility is good for me.

Where we put our attention and energy determines what we create. When I state that I never will...[fill in the blank]...I am emphatic. I concentrate energy into the statement and the idea. (Energy is energy--and the NOT doesn't count.)

So, I just want to say...I'M NEVER GOING TO BE A MILLIONAIRE!

What is it that you will never do?

Wanda Tucker

Larry the Magnificat

I just learned that posting cat pictures to blogs is "the thing." Did you know that?

Finding this out was just the excuse I needed to post pictures of my dear friend, Larry. He lived to be 18 years minus one day. Larry's been gone several months now. I still miss him. He was such a cool guy. His presence was so big it was palpable and his energy was calm and soothing. He was my familiar.

In the morning, when I sat to read the paper and drink coffee, Larry curled up on the back of my chair with his paw on my shoulder, purring loud and hard. He wasn't much for sitting on laps, but he loved to be close and touch me...on his terms.

Larry and Saint Francis of Assisi

In his last year, Larry loved lying on the deck in the sun, leaning on St. Francis of Assisi. Larry slept all day at the feet of the statue. The sun shining on the concrete warmed St. Francis, making him nice to snuggle. On really hot days, Larry moved to the shady side and Francis sheltered him from the direct sun, still warming Larry's old bones. Maybe Larry knew St. Francis is the Patron Saint of Animals and the Environment. Maybe they were communing...getting acquainted before meeting face to face.

I took dozens of pictures of Larry and St. Francis. Sometimes I just sit and flip through the slide show. Seeing them together never ceases to move me and my heart fills every time.

St. Francis and I miss Larry. Well...the concrete St. Francis and I do. I have no doubt that Larry and the real one still keep one another company.

Wanda Tucker, Larry's friend (and St. Francis's, too)