Calmness and Respect Totally Rock

One of the speakers at Camp Mighty was Brian Piotrowicz, a producer from Oprah. It was cool being in the presence of someone who works closely with "The Great One," but Brian was inspiring in his own right. He talked a lot about the environment at Harpo. While they all work very hard, with insane hours, it is a place of calmness and respect. He said that is come from the top (Oprah) down but that everyone subscribes to the idea and it works. 

Watching a clip of the Great One during Maggie's interview of Brian

Brain had been in TV for a while before coming to Harpo, working on shows like Jenny Jones and Sally Jesse Rafael. In his other positions it didn't seem like calmness and respect were high priorities...more like screaming and insulting. I could relate because I've worked in a few places where screaming and insulting were the modus operandi. Along with belittling and punishment. And who doesn't love a little belittling and punishment? No one! No one likes or deserves to be treated that way. 


Brain said that it was like entering a new world when he got to Harpo. When he came into work each day he knew he didn't have to fear getting screamed at. And that made it easier for him to do a good job. When he said that I wanted jump up and shout "Truth!" One because I'm crazy like that and two because it is so true. 


Note: As a personal policy, I don't like to talk about my job on this blog. I like to keep the two separate. And I'm only writing about it now because a good work environment is important to me. I now work in a place where if I make a mistake I can tell my bosses immediately, and while they won't be happy that I screwed up, they acknowledge that mistakes happen, believe that I've learned my lesson, and we move on. In other work places when employees make mistakes they are so paralyzed by the fear of how their bosses will react that they cover it up. I don't have an MBA but I know that ain't no way to run a business.


Like Brain, I recognize how lucky I am to work where I do. And no matter where my career takes me, I plan to bring a feeling of calmness and respect along. I urge you to do the same.

Brian and Maggie

My friend Leslie was also inspired by Brian. Check out her cool illustration of what she took away from what he had to say.


Song of the Day
Today's song is Aretha Franklin's Respect.

TED Tuesdays: Stroke of Insight

Today's video comes from Jill Bolte Taylor. Jill is a neuroanatomist (ie brain doctor), who suffered a stroke. In this emotional and poignant video she describes her experience from the unique perspective of someone who knows a lot about the brain.



If you are interested in learning more about this amazing story (how could you not be!?), check out Dr Taylor's interview with Oprah and her New York Times Best Seller, My Stroke of Insight.

Song of the Day
Today's song is Pearl Jam's The Fixer.

101 Things in 1001 Days: 3

I'm an East Coast Kid and I love the winter. But man, those cold dark months can drag on and on. That is why I my 101 List included #4: Go some place warm during the winter. I got to cross this item off by going to Palm Springs for Camp Mighty at the beginning of November.

Like most vacations, the best day weather wise was the day I had to leave. But it was gorgeous! 80s and sunny. So I sat pool side at the Ace Hotel and ate bacon! Can you believe it? I thought I had died and gone to heaven!

What my heaven looks like.

That was definitely one of the best days of the past 1001.

Song of the Day
Today's song is The Mamas & The Papas California Dreaming, because that is what I've been doing since I left Palm Springs.

TED Tuesdays: The World Needs All Kinds of Minds

Today's featured TED Talk is from Temple Grandin. An incredible woman, whose presentation is particularly inspiring. Grandin proves that everyone has strengths, and that with the right encouragement, we all can be great.



Thanks so much to Annie for recommending this Talk. I'ld love for you to tell me which TED Talks positively inspire you.

Song of the Day
Today's song is Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguillera. I've got them moooOOOoooves like Jagger!

TED Tuesdays: If I Should Have a Daughter...

I've been told by lots of interesting people lately how much they learn and are inspired by TED Talks. TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is a not for profit that creates conferences and videos featuring "Ideas Worth Spreading." So I'm going to educate and inspire myself with a weekly TED video and I'll share them with you.

My friend Ryan suggested this first video, starring Sarah Kay, an incredibly talented poet.

Are there any TED Talks you love?

Mightier Than Ever

Enlightened in Palm Springs

I returned from Camp Mighty late last night. I'm still processing all the new ideas I heard and the incredible people I met. I need to do some sorting out before I can write it out for you, but I will tell you that something major happened to me this weekend. I don't know how to describe it exactly, but there as been a shift. And I'm excited, and when I finally get some sleep I'll be energized too.

I've been talking about Camp Mighty so much that I don't want to completely leave you hanging... At Camp we selected five items from our Life Lists that we will try to accomplish in the upcoming year. We were assigned teams, shared our five goals, and asked our team for help and support to complete them.

I ask for that same support from all of you. And in return I'll do what I can to help you achieve your goals. One of the most powerful messages I took away from this weekend is that we don't have to conquer everything alone. In fact, it is a whole lot more fun to do it together.

The lovely necklace we each received. Each ring represents one of our five goals for the year.

So here is what I hope to, nay will do this year:

• Do a pull up
• Find a blogging mentor
• Go to Colorado
• Plan a stress-free wedding
• Record every book I read, with a quote

While some these things may not seem particularly hard or deep, they all hold meaning for me. And I'm pumped about focusing on them and looking forward to sharing them with you.

Song of the Day
This weekend was a lot about self-reflection. Lets get punny! and enjoy Michael Jackson's Man in the Mirror.

Presenting My Life List

One of our assignments for Camp Mighty is to create a Life List, a list of things we want to accomplish in our lives (similar to a Bucket List but sounds less morbid). This is perfect timing as the 1,001 days for my 101 List are coming to a close. My 101 List truly changed my life (I'll write more about this later). While creating my Life List, I was again excited for all the amazing things I plan to do. So I present to you my Life List! And you should create your own! You will be astounded by all the totally bad ass things you will get to do.


Also, I'm continuing to campaign for Charity: Water, a non-profit organization that works to bring clean and safe drinking water to the 1 billion people worldwide who do not have access to this most basic necessity. All the Mighty Campers are working hard to raise money for this worthy cause. And I need your help. 


To give please go to http://mycharitywater.org/campmightyteamthree and click Donate to Our Campaign. When you donate please be sure to add my name or PositivelyAnna in the Comment Section so I know who you are and can send you love, good juju, and happy thoughts. While I'll still love you if you aren't able to donate, giving as little as $5 will go a long way. It only takes $20 to provide one person with clean water and your $5 can be a big part of that.


Song of the Day
Today's song is What a Feeling.

Puts It In Perspective

Hope you are having a relaxing Sunday, enjoying time with friends and family, picking apples, or watching the NYC Marathon (Go Nicole!). But imagine if three hours of your day had to be spent getting water for your family. This video helped put things into perspective for me.




You can help support Charity: Water with a donation as little as $5. Click here to donate. When you donate please be sure to add my name or PositivelyAnna in the Comment Section so I know who you are and can send you love, good juju, and happy thoughts.


Song of the Day
Today's song is Born to Run, in honor of all the incredible athletes running today. You inspire me!

Charity: Water

I'm going to Camp Mighty next week and I couldn't be more excited. This event promises to be one of inspiration, learning, and fun, but most importantly making a positive impact on the world. Before arriving we have to create a Life List and while we are there we will help each other move closer to our listed goals. So while we are there to improve our own lives, there will also be tremendous effort focused on improving the lives of others. It is in this spirit that we will be supporting Charity: Water.

Charity: Water is a non-profit organization that works to bring clean and safe drinking water to the 1 billion people worldwide who do not have access to this most basic necessity. All the Mighty Campers are working hard to raise money for this worthy cause. And I need your help. 

Please watch this video; an impassioned plea by Charity: Water's founder Scott Harrison. You will see how great the need is, as well as the amazing accomplishments this organization has already achieved.

To give please go to http://mycharitywater.org/campmightyteamthree and click Donate to Our Campaign.      When you donate please be sure to add my name or PositivelyAnna in the Comment Section so I know who you are and can send you love, good juju, and happy thoughts. While I'll still love you if you aren't able to donate, giving as little as $5 will go a long way. It only takes $20 to provide one person with clean water and your $5 can be a big part of that.


Song of the Day
Please enjoy Aretha Franklin's Bridge of Troubled Waters...a wonderful version of this great song.

At Home with Carl Lagerfeld

This Halloween, designer Carl Lagerfeld allowed us into his home to see his domestic side. Well it might have been my friend Shu-Ping in a Chanel-tastic costume, but I'm pretty sure it was Carl.

Meet Carl. He's just like you.

Carl likes to lounge.

Carl is not above leftovers.

And after a long day of ruling the runway, Carl goes for a light brewski.

(Thanks to Nika, Shelia, and Shups for the pictures)

Song of the Day

Please enjoy Deee-Lite's Groove is in the Heart.

Halloween Central

We live right off the New York City Halloween Parade route. Each year the street below our apartment turns into a spooky, hilarious, slutty, and relevant costume runway. I took a deep breath, dove in, and snapped a few pics.

A lounging clown

A wonderful Wonder Woman

A ghost, pink pixie, and Master of the Universe, He-Man

Captain and Hose

Hagar and his lady

Beetlejuice and Freddy

A lurking Uncle Fester

Marvin the Martian and a girl with big boobs

The Joker and his hoard of ruffians

Not sure what these fellas were but they definitely were fabulous

Peas and Carrots! My favorite couples costume of the evening.

It is hard to capture the energy of Halloween in New York, but I think this last picture does a pretty good job (if I do say so myself). It is a fast, loud, crazy, scary night that I Positively love!

Song of the Day
Today's song is Prince's Let's Go Crazy.