Tag: Dianne May

Rediscovering the value of “Undivided Attention”

by Dianne May, president & CEO

Well, this weekend I became one of them. You know, the people who spend all of their time paying more attention to their electronic device than the people they are with. I’m not proud of it, in fact, now that I have a Monday morning perspective, I’m embarrassed by the number of times and ways I let myself be interrupted.

The number of competing voices that want or need our attention can be overwhelming. Work, social relationships, family time—the commitments are all important. In fact, they are so important that each is frequently deserving of our undivided attention.

Undivided attention. My third grade teacher used to require our “undivided attention.” Surely, if I could learn that skill at the age of 8, I can figure out how to do it now. I’m pretty sure that my friends and family will tell me I’m not nearly as good at multi-tasking as I think I am. They deserve more and I resolve to do better.

A story from the Native American tradition…

by Dianne May, president & CEO

An elder Cherokee chief took his grandchildren into the forest, sat them down and said to them, “A fight is going on inside me. This is a terrible fight and it is a fight between two wolves. One wolf is the wolf of fear, anger, arrogance and greed. The other wolf is the wolf of courage, kindness, humility and love.”

The children were very quiet and listened to their grandfather with both of their ears. He then said to them, “This same fight between the two wolves that is going on inside of me is going on inside of you, and inside every person.” They thought about it for a minute and then one child asked the chief, “Grandfather, which wolf will win the fight?” He replied quietly, “The one you feed.”

I Collect Quotes

by Dianne May, president and CEO

I collect quotes. It sounds a little strange to say it that way, but it started quite a few years ago when I read something I didn’t want to lose. Now I have a folder on my computer called “inspiration.” Some of the quotes are from famous historic figures and though I might have a name, I don’t necessarily know anything about the individual. And a couple of quotes are even from fortune cookies!

I think what I like about keeping these quotes is that, for me, they illustrate ideas and values that I hold dear. Values like kindness…“When I was young I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.” Abraham Heschel (1907-1972)

Fairness…“The only way to be just is to judge your own actions by the best part of you, and to judge the actions of others by the worst part of you.” Sydney J. Harris (1917-1986)

Self-discipline…“I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.” Mikhail Baryshnikov

Humility…“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” Harry S. Truman (1884—1972)

Leadership… “If you’re leading the herd, look back now and then to see if they are still there.” Cowboy wisdom

Happiness… “It is neither wealth nor splendor, but tranquility and occupation which bring happiness.” Thomas Jefferson (1743—1826)

What words or ideas inspire you?

Blue Ball Open Raises $8,600 for CSNI

Kent Hormann and Cynthia Cornwell had ambitious goals- to organize a golf outing to raise money and awareness for Prostate Cancer. And they were wildly successful. With the support of corporate sponsors, including Lutheran Health Network, the first annual Blue Ball Open, which was held on Saturday, August 14, successfully raised $8,600 for Cancer Services.

On Wednesday, October 20, Kent Hormann and Joe Dorko, newly named CEO of Lutheran Health Network, presented our CEO, Dianne May, with the proceeds from the event. We’d like to thank Kent, Cynthia, Joe and all those involved in making this event successful.