Two weeks ago today on November 21, 2008, my Dad, Dick Crooks said goodbye to his earthly life and hello to his eternal destiny. At age 75, surely I thought he would have lived longer. Surely there would have been so many more deep conversations with him...
My Dad stood tall and spoke with the deepest voice. He commanded the room with his John Wayne like presence. Everyone, absolutely everyone that knew Dick Crooks loved and respected him. Not only was he the best father to me, he shared that fatherly love with so many others. He was always sincerely interested and engaged when he dealt with people. It was never about him - Dad was the most humble man I've ever known.
Two weeks in Heaven. Now it is all about you, Dad. It's about getting back all of the love that you so freely gave. It's about enjoying an eternity of Holy bliss and I'm so very grateful for that.
Dad believed in fairness, so much so that he carried the burdens of so many others. After all, none of us can make it right for everyone, but oh how he tried to. He was always the Go To Guy, the Rock of our family. Married to my Mom for 54 years and always put her first. A true testimony of unconditional love, thank you Dad.
As a grandfather, Dad shined. We have literally thousands of pictures and memories of this wonderful man enjoying his precious 7 grandchildren. He loved them all equally and was so proud of who they were and who they were becoming.
My life is forever molded by this incredible man. I am so blessed to have had 50 years with my father, Richard Clark Crooks. You've had two weeks in Heaven, Dad and this world is a better place because of you...I will always love you...
Friday, December 5, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Sounds Like Success, Doesn't It?
Why on earth would an aerobic, fast paced trainer like myself slow down, take time off of work and sit for over 16 hours in a personal growth workshop? Plus to top it off, commit to a minimum of 90 days of detailed homework assignments that quite frankly, leave me feeling vulnerable and yet so empowered...Hmmm...
From a very early age, I became interested in the success of others. How did they do it? What could I learn from them to create more stability in my life and to inspire others to do the same? Some of my favorite motivators include Jesus Christ, first and foremost and other extraordinary ordinary people like Dale Carnegie, Robert Schuller, Stephen Covey, Wayne Dyer, Coach Don Shula (Go Dolphins!), Anthony Robbins, Oprah Winfrey, Ronald Reagan to name just a few.
In 1989 while working at Sonesta Sanibel Harbour, I met another great motivator. This tall, fit and smiling (always smiling) man carried himself with great confidence. In fact I recall him once stating, "I intend to be the best known trainer in the industry" That's all I needed to hear, this was a person who knew exactly what he wanted and I wanted some of that energy too! This great motivator is our very own Fitness on the Move's owner, Troy DeMond! What a journey since then, Troy - thank you so much!
My first introduction to David Essel was in the early 90s at one of Sara Cooperman's first fitness conferences at Port of the Islands. When I heard that David was speaking on the topic of personal growth, I ditched the aerobic classes (sorry, Sara!) and showed up. Grapevines and jumping jacks are fun, but this information had substance, it was and is the foundation of true success. So I sat, I listened, I was inspired...
The decision to take David's Master Life Coaching Coarse was easy. I knew the timing was perfect. After recently losing a 15 year lucrative account, it was crystal clear that I needed to shake it up and take immediate action. Steve (my husband of 10 years) will tell you that he witnessed first hand the before and after - I'm so grateful that I married a patient and loving man! What I truly appreciated about David's class is that he coached me to do the work, even though it is painfully uncomfortable at times. He coached me to take action, something quite honestly I had not been doing consistently. Think about it, a great coach (trainer,instructor) has the plan but our clients/students must be willing to do the work - we can't do those push-ups for them! I once had an early morning client that would pay me to "go away". And who exactly did that serve?
In order for us to make changes, the type of changes that transform us, we must be willing to slow down and write down exactly and precisely how these wants and desires can become realities. David's Master Life Coaching coarse does just that. He has the proven tools to unlock one's greatest potential. In using those tools to improve my own destiny, I am better equipped to help others to do the same...Sounds Like Success, Doesn't It?
From a very early age, I became interested in the success of others. How did they do it? What could I learn from them to create more stability in my life and to inspire others to do the same? Some of my favorite motivators include Jesus Christ, first and foremost and other extraordinary ordinary people like Dale Carnegie, Robert Schuller, Stephen Covey, Wayne Dyer, Coach Don Shula (Go Dolphins!), Anthony Robbins, Oprah Winfrey, Ronald Reagan to name just a few.
In 1989 while working at Sonesta Sanibel Harbour, I met another great motivator. This tall, fit and smiling (always smiling) man carried himself with great confidence. In fact I recall him once stating, "I intend to be the best known trainer in the industry" That's all I needed to hear, this was a person who knew exactly what he wanted and I wanted some of that energy too! This great motivator is our very own Fitness on the Move's owner, Troy DeMond! What a journey since then, Troy - thank you so much!
My first introduction to David Essel was in the early 90s at one of Sara Cooperman's first fitness conferences at Port of the Islands. When I heard that David was speaking on the topic of personal growth, I ditched the aerobic classes (sorry, Sara!) and showed up. Grapevines and jumping jacks are fun, but this information had substance, it was and is the foundation of true success. So I sat, I listened, I was inspired...
The decision to take David's Master Life Coaching Coarse was easy. I knew the timing was perfect. After recently losing a 15 year lucrative account, it was crystal clear that I needed to shake it up and take immediate action. Steve (my husband of 10 years) will tell you that he witnessed first hand the before and after - I'm so grateful that I married a patient and loving man! What I truly appreciated about David's class is that he coached me to do the work, even though it is painfully uncomfortable at times. He coached me to take action, something quite honestly I had not been doing consistently. Think about it, a great coach (trainer,instructor) has the plan but our clients/students must be willing to do the work - we can't do those push-ups for them! I once had an early morning client that would pay me to "go away". And who exactly did that serve?
In order for us to make changes, the type of changes that transform us, we must be willing to slow down and write down exactly and precisely how these wants and desires can become realities. David's Master Life Coaching coarse does just that. He has the proven tools to unlock one's greatest potential. In using those tools to improve my own destiny, I am better equipped to help others to do the same...Sounds Like Success, Doesn't It?
Sunday, November 2, 2008
102 Years Young
Everyone should have a friend like Amiel! Amiel is one of my best good friends for over 15 years. While it's true that I am his Water Aerobic Teacher, he has really been the teacher all of these years!
I have learned from Amiel that putting others first is the only way to be, that being optimistic every single day makes the sun shine that much brighter.
Little things, yet big habits, like eating a healthy breakfast of oatmeal every day at 7:30 creates balance and enough energy to take his exercise classes every day - for yes, 102 years!
Being from Kansas City, Amiel went to high school with Walt Disney. In fact, Amiel once put in a good word to the principal about Walt's creative doodeling, we all know the rest of that story!
When I stop and think about the incredible people who have inspired me to be all that God created me to be, I give a special thank you to my dear friend, Amiel!
I have learned from Amiel that putting others first is the only way to be, that being optimistic every single day makes the sun shine that much brighter.
Little things, yet big habits, like eating a healthy breakfast of oatmeal every day at 7:30 creates balance and enough energy to take his exercise classes every day - for yes, 102 years!
Being from Kansas City, Amiel went to high school with Walt Disney. In fact, Amiel once put in a good word to the principal about Walt's creative doodeling, we all know the rest of that story!
When I stop and think about the incredible people who have inspired me to be all that God created me to be, I give a special thank you to my dear friend, Amiel!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Life Coach Journey
After spending 18 hours in a master life coaching course, I realize that this is going to be a wonderful journey. Discovering who we are and what our full potential can really be is a message that I intend to spread enthusiastically. With so much uncertainty in our world today, we need to know that the peace begins with us and that we can be a calm yet powerful influence on those around us!
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