Blog – Page 4 – @DanaMNelson

January 6, 2011

Reading with my eyes closed

I underwent the procedure to remove my stents today. The CT scan

was inconclusive so the hope was to remove the stents and see if that was the problem. As I mentioned before this is too soon for them to cone out. There are still lots of stone fragments that need to come out. Without

the stents this will be a painful process. I came home with aspirations of reading. I have three must reads in my possession.

Content rules by CC Chapman and Ann Handley.

Almost isn’t good enough by Wayne Elsey.

Branding Yourself by Erik Deckers and Kyle Lacy.

What I have managed to do is bend the binding, mark myself up with my highlighter, and place a sleep scar on my face in the impression of a book corner. I have tried to read, but the medication has other plans for today.

So now I bid you all good night. (This post was written quickly before I fell asleep again and on my iPhone. )

*
DISCLOSURE:I borrowed the book Content Rules from our local Library, I purchased Almost Isn’t Good Enough from Amazon, and I was sent a free copy of Branding Yourself, because I bugged Erik to death, and because I will be reviewing it for our local Business journal. The Links to each book are in fact affiliate links to my Amazon account, where if you click that link and purchase the book I am suppose to receive a small percent. (Big deal. Google it, order it from your local book seller, who cares as long as you invest in one or all of these books to enrich yourself.)

January 5, 2011

Medical update:

Like I said I am finding this easier to blog about other stuff than to blog about what I am going through. At the start I thought I had it under control, (an illusion I know.) I knew what to expect as I have undergone this very procedure before. I even told several people that I knew what to expect, and that I was not going to kid myself about the am

ount of pain and the amount of time I would be out of commission. I also followed those statements with “but this one won’t be as bad, because they (my kidneys) are cleaner than they were the first time, and it is only one side.”

I was so wrongIn the days preceding the procedure, I had some significant kidney pain on the left side. So on the day of my scheduled cleanout, I told the doctor about it and asked that he look into it. I remember him saying “good call on the left kidney” when I woke up. Turns out they did clean out both sides. Over the next few days I had discomfort. I expected discomfort. What I did not expect was that my pain and discomfort would get worse over the passing days. I wrote it off with the rationalization that you always hurt worse 24-48 hours after a crash.

Gaining more than expected

So I started retaining water, or so I thought. My torso started swelling and over the past few days I have grown to look a solid 8-9 months pregnant! So on top of the pain of the kidneys being beaten from the inside out, and the discomfort of having hard plastic crazy straws stuck inside me, I now had the pressure and discomfort of being pregnant!

I have had x-rays and a CT scan. I have no answers yet. But the doctor did wish to remove the stents tomorrow. It is a bit early and I still have lots of stone fragments that will need to pass. Maybe it is my body rejecting or revolting about the stents. Maybe it is my bottom of the barrel revelation that I do not want to be fat (or pregnant) ever again. Maybe there is another medical reason for me to be so swollen. But that is the hardest part: The Uncertainty. I just don’t know what is going on.

Thank you to all my friends for your continued help, support love and prayers.

January 4, 2011

It Matters

Content Matters

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NMA_zMSzyU&fs=1&hl=en_US]

Below are some of the bloggers participating in the Blog-a-thon.

Name Blog

Stacey Shanks www.YogaAndLife.com

BgKahuna www.bgkahuna.com

Zachary Long www.fenglongphoto.com/blog

Shanna Hall www.healthyfitandsexy.com

Bonnie Schnautz www.brenewed.com

Paula Diaco www.signaramavt.com

Jennifer Tallini www.yogawithstyle.com/blog/

Mary Biever Real Life in the River City

Mandy Gregory www.mamasowngreenclean.com

If you are not on here send me a link to your site and I will add it.

January 3, 2011

5 things to consider before you decide to promote your brand online:

Letting go of control

Sometimes, those of us who habitually spread ourselves too thin over too many things have to let go.

We like to feel like we are in control in business, life, and relationships. We micro manage the details to the extreme. And because of this dedication to detail we seem to be successful.

It’s an illusion

The ‘control’ we think we have is an illusion. We think we are on the right path with our life and career, that we have the reigns of destiny.

One drunk driver, one heart attack, one stray bullet can bring our well crafted, well intended futures crumbling down around us. Often it’s not until then, when we are left to sift through the rubble, that we realize we never had control in the first place.

I have control of my brand, and my business

No you don’t. With the wide-spread acceptance of social media as a means of communication, a business can no longer hide behind the illusion that it’s in control of its brand by choosing to moderate comments or by choosing not be on social media at all.

Deleting negative posts

When a brand decides to maintain brand reputation by deleting negative feedback, let’s say for example on their Facebook fan page, they assume they are controlling the conversation. The problem is that the conversation stops between the brand and the consumer and continues consumer to consumer.

People will continue to speak about good and bad service that your brand has provided even if you are not willing to participate.

5 things to consider before you decide

to promote your brand online:

Are you willing to give up control?
Are you prepared to deal with negative feedback?
Do you have a purpose?
What are your goals?
What are you willing to risk?

If you’ve not thought through your goals and laid out a plan that fits your purpose, then you’d better be willing to risk it all.

January 1, 2011

Reaching Out to Others vs. Allowing Others to Reach Out to me

As I mentioned yesterday I tried to reach out to others who were suffering in order to offer hope and encouragement. I didn’t really let me guard down, express the anxiety I was feeling, and talk about what I was going though.

Wednesday night I let my guard down. I privately DMed my pastor @DaleBeaver

“Please pray for peace/calm, starting to freak out.”

He replied within minutes with a Bible verse that was spot on what I needed to hear. I thought maybe others need to hear it too. So I thanked him and tweeted it publicly. As a side note for those who don’t know me: I am a Christ Follower, but I DO NOT post much “churchy” stuff. I hold more to the – practice kindness talk to people and show your love than the preach it method- that is just WHO I am.)

Much to my surprise this sparked several side conversations, and more DMs from other people. So I posted it on Facebook.

“THANK YOU!! To Dale Beaver who sent this to me via Twitter, at a moment of top stress about tomorrow. (I really NEEDED to hear it) Philippians 4:6-7 “

Again, this is WAY out of norm for me. What I found was more and more outpouring of love compassion and caring. Many more started telling me stories of things they have endured and things they have suffered. And more than one THANKED me. Thanked me for saying I was scared? This seemed off to me, for them to thank me for posting, I was the one who was getting what I needed to hear not them.

There is a difference

When we drop our guard, and let people see we are hurting, or in need of friendship, we find something more special than we could have imagined.

-we find true and new friends alike.

-we find a deeper understanding of people’s beliefs.

-we find out how highly we are valued as people, not for our work, but for who we are.

-we find that through our suffering we can encourage others to be brave.

If I can stop one Heart from breaking
I shall not live in vain
If I can ease one Life the Aching

Or cool one Pain
Or help one fainting Robin
Unto his Nest again
I shall not live in Vain.

Emily Dickinson (1830–1886)

December 27, 2010

Finding Post Christmas Joy

What makes you happy?

Really happy?

Do you do it?

Do you do it enough?

So often in life we spend too much time doing things we hate, thinking we will be rewarded at some point.

For some people, that works. They perform well in school, go to college, maybe post-grad, and are “successful” people.

For some there’s a twist that loops into an infinite cycle like a Moebius strip. They work nonstop, pull over time, and take work home. They’re trying to get by and to give to their family the things they think they deserve.

The flip side of this is what does their family want. Ask them. Do you know what they want more than toys, or nice cars?

TIME

Time with you. And if you think about it, what makes you happy? Spending time with your family is probably at or near the top of the list.

This year don’t resolve to make more money or save enough to go on the dream vacation.

Make a promise to spend more time with your family, with your children. Take the time to play games and sit on the floor and play Barbie.

What you will accomplish for yourself, and for the world, is a more peaceful place in the long term.

December 22, 2010

Just Ask

Day 8 of the Blog-a-Thon

Ever feel like you should be able to do something. That You KNOW it is possible, yet no matter how hard you try, it just doesn’t work for you?

Just ask

I have a friend, Kimberly Delcoco, who reminds me to do this often.

In working on my blog I came across a video I wanted to share and share my thoughts about. I tried and tried to embed this video. I looked for known issues and resolutions. I spent a ton of time looking for an answer.

All along, I knew my answer meant asking for help, and I don’t like to ask for help. (I did ask for help from @eppand) But you know in life, we are surrounded by people, some of whom are smarter than us and some who just excel in different areas of knowledge than us.

We forget that they have abilities and skills that might just be able to save us hours of frustration. Very often people like to know that their particular skill set is needed and useful. So next time you are beating your head against the computer… don’t forget to ask. (Even asking people you don’t know. This is a great example of a way to use twitter to learn. )

What have you needed help with but were afraid to ask?

December 21, 2010

Finding Inspiration

Day 7 of the Blog-a-Thon

Well, it’s been a full week! I’ve really enjoyed this journey with some fantastic bloggers. I’ve received several “you’re inspiring me, but __________ (insert reason here) I’m not starting it today.” But you can start this blog-a-thon in your own time; start tomorrow or next week.

Two of the bloggers doing this with me are BG, and Jennifer. I really find myself looking forward to their posts. Please be sure to check them out yourselves, maybe you’ll be inspired to start yours today. Let me know if you do so I can add you to the list!

BgKahuna www.bgkahuna.com