Recipe for Success

I’m thinking I may rename this blog to something along the lines of “annual updates” considering that’s about how often I’ve been blogging over the past couple years. I admit, that was not the original intention of this blog. Every now and then, I get the “blog itch” and I force myself to sit down and hammer out some letters on a page.

Even though I am a stay at home mom and full time student, many would argue that “I’m not busy because I don’t have a ‘job’ and that I should have the time to do whatever I decide to do”…I would tell that person that they have obviously never held such a prestigious position of SAHM. I love my job. I love what I do. No, it is not what I went to school to learn to do; rather it is what I’ve learned throughout life. It is the most important position I have ever held and will ever hold. I am paid in hugs and kisses and vomit and fevers. There are glamorous moments, and not so glamorous moments – but I love it. And right now, I know that it is what I am meant to do.

So when pondering the above situation, and trying to decide how I was going to be committed to not just completing my MBA, but mastering my MBA when I could not even be consistent with something as “easy” as a blog, it really got me thinking. I have the responsibility of a child pulling me in one direction, and the desire to do well in school in another direction…and what sort of role model would I be to my son if I just “slopped” through my schooling – probably not a very good one.

So, here is my secret, which is really not a secret at all. It has truly helped me in staying focused and committed to whatever I set my mind to achieve. I was going through my emails back in March, and I stumbled across a body building article. Now you are probably wondering what in the world a body building article has to do with school and raising a family…but let me tell you from experience that body builders are some of the most committed and dedicated individuals I know! This article was written by Skip La Cour titled Upgrade Your Attitude: 15 Ways To Build A Mindset For Results. This is a rather lengthy article, but a very powerful one. I encourage you to read the whole thing. For the purposes of this blog post, I will only be discussing tip one, which is:

WHAT YOU DO RIGHT NOW IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE WORLD!

Hmmmm…Ok. While Skip is talking about this in the context of building the body, I took this a step further and applied it to all aspects of my life: raising my child, my school, specific assignments, and even the small insignificant daily tasks that must be completed each day. While I am almost half way done with my MBA, I do believe that this thought has led me to success. This is evidenced by my 4.0 GPA (as of now!) My goal at the beginning of school was to graduate with a 4.0. I was never “great” at school; more of a B student than an A student. The good Lord blessed me with common sense rather than book sense (or at least that is what I tell myself.) So I made it a point to strive for a perfect 4.0. I must admit, when I earned my first A, I was giddy with excitement! I went into my next classes feeling like I could conquer the world. But then, through this article, Skip pulled me back down to reality: Doing task X is the most important thing in the world, while you are doing it. However, once it is done, it is done (La Cour, 2013). Ouch. So I knew what I needed to do. I needed to forget about my A’s and drive on with a new, clean slate. Yes, I could be proud of my accomplishments, but I needed to realize my previous accomplishments would not dictate my future success. I knew that I would have to continually improve myself and this would not be possible if I was living in the shadow of my past achievements (or failures for that matter).

You can read the rest of Skip’s article here: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/upgrade-your-attitude-15-ways-to-build-a-mindset-for-results.html

XOXO

 

 

 

 

References Used in this Blog Post:

La Cour, Skip. (2013). Upgrade Your Attitude: 15 Ways To Build A Mindset For Results.

In Remembrance of Genevieve

Many of you may remember David's trip to New York...

 

...what many of you did not know was that the beautiful lady in the center of this photo had breast cancer. Her name is Genevieve Sounia, the wife of LTC Sounia, David's "boss man".

 

LT David Clark, LTC Phillip Sounia, Mrs. Genevieve Sounia, Katherine Horton, CPT Stephen Noel

Genevieve Sounia (far left) ... she "snuck" up there & had security in a tizzy, in true Genevieve fashion!

The Sounia's at the 9/11 Memorial

"Mrs. Genevieve Louise Sounia passed to Heaven in the arms of her husband in Pinehurst, North Carolina on Saturday July 13, 2013.

Genevieve was born on August 18, 1978 to Robert and Anne Rickmeyer of Hicksville, New York. She graduated from Long Island Lutheran High School with honors and proceeded to attend and graduate from The George Washington University with a B.A. in International Affairs, while on a dance and ROTC scholarship. During her studies, she interned at the Department of State - Nuclear Proliferation Department and earned honors for her work.

Upon graduation in 1999, she received a commission in the US Army as an Adjutant General Officer and began her service in Wiesbaden, Germany. There, she met her future husband, who wisely informed her on their second date that they would undoubtedly be married. Due to deployment to combat, they delayed their wedding. Genevieve deployed to combat in 2003, during the opening months of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where she was promoted to Captain. Upon return, she married at the United States Military Academy’s Cadet Chapel on June 13, 2004.

The couple returned to Germany, where they traveled Europe and the Mediterranean extensively. They returned to the United States in 2006 to welcome the birth of their beautiful daughter Ava in 2007. In 2008, Genevieve earned her Master’s Degree in Management and Leadership. The family moved to Pinehurst in December of that year. There, Genevieve supported her family through two consecutive deployments to Afghanistan (2009) and Iraq (2010), giving birth to her lovely daughter Elise in 2009.

Genevieve was incredibly active in the 82nd Airborne Division’s Family Readiness Group and served as the Squadron Family Readiness Group Leader throughout 2010 and 2011. Genevieve was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2011. She began a valiant fight against this enemy while living life as vivaciously as ever. She never faltered in the extensive care for her daughters, raising two perfect little girls. She accepted every challenge head on: exploring the Redwood Forest in 2011, hiking the Grand Canyon with her husband for four days in 2012, and kayaking the rapids of the Rocky Mountains on a four-day expedition with First Descents in June of 2013. She established a Cancer Support Group at the Clara McLean House in Pinehurst and was actively involved in establishing support for others. I know she would want to thank all of her friends whose incredible service during this time were critical to her family’s life. Genevieve was an active follower of Christ at Our Saviour Lutheran Church and an inspiration to all who knew her."


 

Genevieve is survived by her loving husband, LTC Phillip D. Sounia, and their two beautiful daughters, Ava Louse Sounia (6) and Elise Genevieve Sounia (4).  

 

 

Please feel free to send a memorial donation to ”Genevieve’s Girls” at USAA Account # 0160123585 Routing # 314074269. 

Genevieve,

One of my greatest regrets is never meeting you - I've heard so many wonderful things about you. So much so that I feel like I have known you for years. You have accomplished so much in your short life, and I will be lucky to accomplish half of what you have done. You are a true inspiration and you will live on in the memories of everyone who knew you.