What's new with Darcy

Is It a Scam or for Real?

Darcy Keith — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:21:00 GMT

     Recently, I was contacted by e-mail to be a guest speaker for a Christian conference in the United Kingdom. The thought of going back to London was very attractive! The invitation appeared to be legitimate, including the conference website, church’s website, addresses, phone numbers, and a request for inquiry of availability to speak.   I responded with a few questions to get a feel as to what the conference was like, because it seemed rather odd that the conference was next month and the conference website was “under construction.” Hmmm….

     The pastor and I exchanged e-mails, and he sent me a formal letter of invitation and contract. Since I have my own legally approved contract, I wanted to run his contract by the Christian Law Association before I signed it and sent it back. One of their attorneys reviewed the contract and said that the only misgiving he had about it was that there was no back page that referenced the contract terms and conditions. At first glance, the rest of the contract appeared to be very legitimate and very thorough. But, there was one sentence on the second to the last page which referenced terms and conditions which weren’t present in the document sent. In other words, if I signed the contract and sent it back, they could add pages (which weren’t numbered either) with terms and conditions to which I didn’t agree.

     Is this an Internet scam? Possibly - it sure does look like it (I also did more research and found out some other things which point to an Internet scam). But, I did my research on the subject, got others’ professional opinions, and asked questions of the person initiating the communication before I made my decision not to accept their false speaking invitation.

     Dishonest folks have been around for years. But, their tactics and methods for deception are changing. Be careful and do the research before you agree to anything.

Until next time, be your best always,
Darcy

P.S. Two days after I began communicating with the church in London, I received another invitation to speak at a Christian conference in the United Kingdom in October. I think I may have been put on some type of 'scam' prospect list?

Need a Vacation When You’ve Just Returned from One?

Darcy Keith — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:20:00 GMT

Have you ever said to yourself when you got back from a vacation that you need another one to relax from the one you just took? I have, especially with a youngster in tow. While our daughter is young enough to enjoy dressing up and the Princess experience at Disney World, we once again made the pilgrimage after school was out. This also meant going non-stop from sun up to sun down while we were there to make sure that we hit every attraction…three times! I wish I had the energy of a seven year-old again!

Vacations play a role is maintaining our sanity and health. They take us away from the stress of work and home life to a place where we can recharge, rejuvenate, and return refreshed. But, how many times does this actually happen? How many times do we come home as stressed out as when we left, open up an inbox full of unanswered e-mail, our house is a mess, and a pile of dirty laundry needs to be done? Do feel as bad as you did before you left?

In case you have felt like you have needed a vacation from your vacation, here are four tips to make your next one a little easier on you:

Plan to return from your trip a day early to catch up on laundry, e-mail, bills, and anything else which may put you in a better frame of mind.
If you can, Jeff Davidson, author of “Simpler Living: A Back to Basics Guide: to Cleaning, Furnishing, Storing, Decluttering, Streamlining, Organizing,” suggests schedule a pleasurable task for that extra day when you get back. It could be watching your favorite show or sipping a cup of tea.
Shortly before you go, clean your house and desk. Returning to a house or office that is orderly can give you a feeling of control.
If you do decide to check e-mail while on vacation, decide when and how often you are going to do it.

I wish that when we got back from Disney World that I had one more day off before I got back in my routine. But, now I’m equipped to tackle our next family vacation with less stress when we get home. I hope you can, too!

How Not to Get Caught

Darcy Keith — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 18:32:00 GMT

Many of us go through life, doing things we shouldn’t do and not thinking of the consequences until something goes wrong. Do we think that we aren’t going to get caught along the way or in the end? Are we rebels that we don’t want someone telling us what to do, that we do just the opposite? Why is obedience so hard?

If we know the consequences of we don’t obey the law, for example, then why do we break it? If we know that drinking in excess and getting behind the wheel of a vehicle is dangerous and can kill, then why do some folks choose to do it? Isn’t following or obeying the rules and staying out of trouble easier?

My seven year-old daughter is at the age where she is testing boundaries. She is deciding when she wants to obey. She learns the consequences when she doesn’t. She is finding it is much easier to do what she is told, not lie, and have to worry about getting in trouble. She is learning to make good choices when faced with the consequences of both decisions. I hope that she is not thinking of how she can get away with something, but how easy life is when she is obedient to her father and me.

I find life is like that. If we obey traffic laws, we get from one place to another without major delays or getting in crashes in the process. If we obey rules in the workplace, we may avoid conflicting situations. If we obey our marriage vows, we grow in our relationship and preserve our family unit. If we obey the tax laws, we avoid being audited by the IRS.

I must admit, though, that I have a hard time being obedient to what food I put into my mouth. I try really hard to eat healthy, but there are times where I’m a glutton for junk food and chocolate. I know that all of that refined sugar isn’t good for me and only turns to fat. And, if you opened me up when I die, you might find a big chocolate brownie stuck in my heart. But, in the end, does food satisfy? Does the sugar that I eat take care of immediate needs or is the satisfaction long-lasting? As the motto goes, “A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips”. No, the sweet chocolate taste doesn’t last, but the after effects do.

This is much like when we aren’t obedient. We may get immediate gratification from not obeying, but the consequences or pitfalls of disobedience can be devastating. As much as it seems against what we may want to do or be told, following the rules seems to be the easiest way to living like we want. Then, we don't have to worry about getting caught.

Until next time, be your best always,
Darcy

Got Happiness?

Darcy Keith — Sat, 29 May 2010 16:10:00 GMT

Mother’s Day is a recent memory. Like most moms, I was treated to a day where I could do whatever I want. I was Queen of the remote control. The lunch menu detailed food that I wanted, and I didn’t have to cook it. My daughter, young as she is, made several Mother’s Day cards at school, church, and home with various scrapbooking adornments, which she proudly presented to me and begged that I select my favorite one. The sun was shining, and the day was happy.

There are times in our lives where things may not seem happy or joyous at all. Events happen and steal our joy. How do you recover from this? Where are you getting your joy?

I must confess, life is not all roses. One of my six year-old daughter’s favorite sayings is, “It’s not fair”. She is learning that life isn’t fair at times. What would life be like if we had everything we wanted? King Solomon in the Bible had it all: power, fame, fortune, and wisdom. Yet, he put his happiness in temporal things and became very unhappy. Have you ever said to yourself, I will be really happy when I get that new car? How long does this happiness last? Or what about an accomplishment you have achieved. The next one must be bigger and better. It’s never enough and the cycle continues, searching for the happiness “high” that you experienced before.

What makes you happy? I’m not just talking about for a few hours or days. I’m talking about happiness for a while longer.

Here are four suggestions on living a happier life:

Think of the small things that make you happy and write them down. This could be a sunny day, the smell of freshly cut grass, or hearing your favorite song on the radio.
Keep everything in perspective. Put things in their proper place. If something makes you unhappy, consider the scenario in the big scheme of things. Will it really matter when you are 80 years old?
Look at the root cause of what makes you happy in your life. Remember what gives you joy.
Put yourself second and serve others, which is contradictory to what the world says. Happiness in serving another person first, rather than ourselves, is a humbling experience that shows others that they matter more than us. Have you heard of the saying, “Giving the shirt off of your back”?

Happiness is a great feeling. The wonderful thing about being happy is that it can be found in small packages. Why not take time to look for the small stuff that makes you happy today?

How Do YOU Bounce?

Darcy Keith — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 19:57:00 GMT

   A few weeks ago, Spring Break was enjoyed by kids of all ages, including mine.   Olivia enjoyed spending time with her cousins and grandparents for part of the week. On one of the days, her grandparents took her to the Children’s Museum. However, it was only going to be half of the day that they would be able to enjoy at this activity, fun-filled building.
     At lunchtime, Olivia wasn’t feeling very hungry and her stomach wasn’t feeling well. Instead, she was feeling sick, and that she was. One of the best things about being a grandparent is that you can send your grandchild home whenever you want, and being over an hour away from their home, that’s what they did. I took Olivia home, and the poor thing was sick for the rest of the day. But, the next day, she bounced back to her normal self.
     Fast forward six days later. I’m not feeling very hungry, and my stomach was feeling sick.   I’m down for two days. I felt like I’d been hit by a Freightliner truck again– just kidding.   I didn’t bounce back like I thought I would.
     Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t bounce back, or show resilience, like you thought you would have? This could be from illness, from getting a new job (or finding a new one), other life changes, etc. It’s the ability to be flexible, to recover strength, good humor, etc. quickly. When life gives you a change that you didn’t expect or want, how do you bounce? Do you bounce well, or do you let it deflate you?
     Sometimes, God allows situations to test our faith. One thing I’ve learned from my car crash is that the role of faith & resilience in recovery from traumatic events is a common observation, not to mention support from my family and friends. My Faith in God Almighty was a major factor in strengthening my resilience and promoting recovery. Faith in God can do the same for you.

Until next time, be your best always,

Darcy

March Madness - David v. Goliath: Are you facing a Goliath in your life?

Darcy Keith — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:38:00 GMT

There’s a big sports buzz again in Indianapolis, and it’s not about our Indianapolis Colts. It’s about our hometown university, Butler, playing in the NCAA Final Four tournament, which is also being held here in Indianapolis this upcoming weekend. Who would have thought that a university of 4200 students would have a team that defeated top seeded teams and are now playing in the Final Four versus a university of 47,100? Does it seem unfair that a team from smaller school would be playing against one over ten times its size?

Butler has been compared to the Milan High School basketball team in the movie, “Hoosiers.” The real-life team Milan High, won the Indiana boys basketball title back in 1954, when there was just one classification of basketball. Milan took on the big boys and won. Butler, a small university, is also taking on the big boys in the NCAA tournament: Syracuse, Kansas State, and now Michigan State. But just like David versus Goliath, the Butler boys have “smooth stones” in their pocket to knock out the big competition in players Gordon Hayward, Matt Howard, and Shelvin Mack. They haven’t listened to critics and sports writers. The boys have gone out and executed a good game of basketball, both offensively and defensively.

Have you ever been faced with a big decision or challenge in your life? How do you react? Do you “play” with fortitude, perseverance, and determination to do the best you can, or do you approach it with an attitude of “there’s no way that I can win against this HUGE adversary?” When you apply fortitude, perseverance, and determination, nothing can stop you from succeeding. The Butler boys haven’t let the Goliath colleges intimidate them. Instead, they are taking one step, or game, at a time. And, they have succeeded.

I’d encourage you to look at the “Goliaths” in your life. When an issue seems too big, here are some thoughts:

Seek counsel from others on how to develop your game plan. They can help “coach” you to success.
Take one step at a time with your game plan and include fortitude, perseverance, and determination. You may be surprised at the outcome.
Evaluate and make adjustments to the plan as you go, if needed. If the opposition changes “players”, be prepared to make “substitutions”, too.

The Butler Bulldogs basketball team hasn’t let the big boys stop them. You can overcome big challenges, too.

It's Freezing Out There

Darcy Keith — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:36:00 GMT

“Mommy, can I go sledding?” I did a double take to see if it was my six year-old daughter who asked me that question. At the beginning of January when Olivia was playing in the snow for the first time this season, she dramatically entered the house sobbing and proclaiming how she never wanted to go sledding e-v-e-r again. Snow had gotten down in her boots and gloves, and her feet and hands were cold. She didn’t like the ice cold, freezing feeling that it gave her.

Fast forward to two weeks later. Several inches of snow on the ground closed school, and the neighborhood kids were out playing in it with their bright colored sleds. Olivia quickly forgot the cold, freezing feeling that the snow gave her two weeks prior. She happily put on her snow suit, grabbed her gloves and hat, and out the door she went to join in the fun.

Isn’t that how we look at life? There are times where we may get burned or not enjoy what life hands us. How do you handle setbacks or times when you feel you got burned? Do you allow a setback to be an opportunity for a comeback and enjoy what life has to offer? Or, do you allow the experience to keep you “inside”, peering through windows into the happiness of others’ lives.

I must admit that there have been times in my life where I’ve gotten “burned”. I retreated for a short time to lick my wounds, but then had a choice to make. I could choose to stay where I was or try again to experience what life had to offer. Ultimately, I chose to take that first step forward again and get back out there in the world. No regrets. None. I don’t want to live my life throwing myself a pity party or feeling sorry for myself. Instead, I am now glowing with a life full of purpose and passion. It all begins with that first step. It may seem like that first step is insurmountable, but it can be done. I did it. My six year-old did it. You can do it.

There was still a lot of snow on the ground here for most of January and February. My daughter and her friends built snow castles and sledded down hills, having a great time. Had she stayed inside and not experienced the fun of playing in the snow, she wouldn’t have experienced the laughter and joy that it brings.

Are you going to let a little snow and cold dampen your spirits when you get burned? Or, are you going to take a moment to regroup and live life with passion and no regrets? Your future is in your hands. So, grab your sled and go enjoy the snow!

Until next time, be your best always,

Darcy

The Three Greatest Things about Love

Darcy Keith — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:17:00 GMT

There was a time in my life where Valentine’s Day didn’t have much meaning to me. I didn’t have someone special in my life to share it with, I wasn’t the “popular” one in school who got several paper flowers from admirers, and the day just seemed like another day where everyone else seemed happy and in love. Everyone, but me.

Love – we all need it and have experienced it in different forms from parents, children, spouses, siblings, friends, pets, etc. There is romantic love, love for a sport, love for God, love for your community, love for art…you get the picture. Love is the greatest source in which we can access. Some of us measure our life achievements and sense of ourselves by who loves us and if we are doing what we love.

There are three great things about love that I don’t want to miss out on in life. First is the feeling of giving love. I enjoy showing my husband and daughter how much I love them. Sometimes, I show them by doing special things for them or just whispering, “I love you.” Second is receiving love. At the end of each school day, my daughter proudly tells me, “Mom, arms out.” Then, she goes into the farthest room away from me that she can. Shortly, I hear a pitter patter of her feet. Next thing I know, she jumps up into my arms, giving me a big “school hug”. My day isn’t complete without receiving her gift of love. Or maybe, it’s your dog meeting you at the door when you get home, with his tail happily wagging and his tongue hanging out of his mouth.

And third is enjoying or experiencing love. When you were growing up, were there times in which you enjoyed the love within your family, community, church, etc.? Are you working at a job or have a hobby that you love? The question is, are you doing what you love? If not, what is holding you back? I’ve been blessed to have experienced not only my own family’s love, but love from God. He loved us so much that he sent his son to die for our sins so that we can have eternal life. How cool is that to experience?

What do you and the Superbowl-bound Colts have in common?

Darcy Keith — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:54:00 GMT

2-1-10 Inspiration - What do you and the Superbowl-bound Colts have in common?

Encouraging you to be your best always,

Darcy Keith, The Queen of Survival

Can you hear me now?

Darcy Keith — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:49:00 GMT

Happy New Year!

Snow was falling when I filed into the AT&T company store at the outdoor mall near our home. My Blackberry had suddenly given me a “white screen” (frozen up) while perusing e-mail and didn’t work the rest of the day. Relying on my Blackberry from which to operate my business when not at home, I made a mad dash for the nearest AT&T company store at my first opportunity.

I was greeted warmly by sales associate Ryan, and he took a look at my Blackberry. To make a long story short, I had to get a new one. According to their computer system, my account didn’t have insurance for a new phone. However, I informed Ryan that I could produce a receipt which showed that I did purchase insurance when I bought the phone. Now, some business folks could disagree that taking a customer’s word over what a company has in the digital records may not be good business practice, but Ryan and his manager took my word that I could produce the receipt detailing the insurance coverage purchase. Well, that and I have all of my phone, cable, satellite, and internet business with AT&T.

Ryan went the extra mile in listening to my need and worked towards a solution, though the solution wasn’t within his “authority” - he gave me a new phone with what appeared to be no record of insurance. He worked towards a solution with me, set up my phone, and even wrote down a website where I could create my own custom ringtones.

I walked out of AT&T as a very happy customer not only with a new Blackberry, but also with a new touch screen phone for my husband (a Christmas present), complete with insurance for his phone and a phone accessory case. Great customer service on Ryan’s part turned an unhappy customer into a very satisfied customer who bought additional products and services.

What is the lesson in all of this? If we listen to our customer's problem, work towards a solution, and go the extra mile, we not only we gain a satified customer, but a loyal and repeat one in the process.

By the way, I returned the next week, with receipt in hand from the AT&T distributor who had sold me the phone and the pricey insurance plan.

Until next time, be your best always,

Darcy

#1 Rated "Wealth" Show on Blog Talk Radio featuring my story and success on Saturday, Dec. 19th

Darcy Keith — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 03:19:00 GMT

Was I excited to receive an e-mail asking if I was available for an interview on the #1 Rated "Wealth" Show on Blog Talk Radio for Saturday, December 19th!

Heather Wagenhals’ Unlock Your Wealth Radio, a two hour national broadcast, airs weekly through BlogTalkRadio.com. Each week, Wagenhals offers tips on money, credit, and real estate opportunities relevant both to the consumer and investor while she features new guests to coincide with the featured key. The Keys to Riches® is a baker’s dozen of investment strategies that teach listeners how to think like the rich and gain control of their money. Past guests include Sharon Lechter, co-author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, Tom Hopkins author of How to Master the Art of Selling, famous sports psychologist Dr. Gregg Steinberg, and Armando Montelongo and Than Merril from A & E’s Flip This House.

The keys Heather is featuring this week are "Forget the Perfection Principle" and "Review, Revise, and Recommit." Basically, Heather will be teaching listeners the importance of forgiving oneself for mistakes and moving on and the need to constantly review your plans, revise based on life's changes, and recommit to your goal.

The show is available at www.blogtalkradio.com/unlockyourwealth (the specific link to my episode is http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=-1&msgid=0&act=11111&c=384118&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogtalkradio.com%2Funlockyourwealth%2F2009%2F12%2F19%2Funlock-your-wealth-radio--week-50).

During this busy time, I hope you have an opportunity to tune into the show at 1 PM EST this Saturday. If you are unable to, I'm sure the interview will be accessible via the above link after it is over.

Wishing you a blessed Holiday season,

Darcy

What is Christmas All About?

Darcy Keith — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 03:14:00 GMT

What is Christmas all about? Do you get what you really want? Children have been waiting all year for it, and the time has arrived. It is Christmas. Kids get giddy with excitement in anticipation of opening presents and what is underneath the bright, shiny paper. They sit glued to the TV screen during commercials, anxious to see what the next new toy is, while parents may want to skip or fast forward through the retail ads. It seems like Christmas becomes more commercialized each year.

It is also the time of year that several television stations air various Christmas programs. Every evening, Olivia would ask, “What Christmas show is on tonight?” and then would run to the refrigerator that displayed the TV show title listing and peer at it with anticipation. Next, I would either hear a shriek of excitement or an “Oh” depending on if she had seen it before.

One evening, “A Charlie Brown’s Christmas” was the Christmas show on TV. This was one of my favorites since I was a little girl. In directing the school play, Charlie Brown gets frustrated when he picks the wrong Christmas tree for the play. He says that everything he does turns into disaster and guesses he really doesn’t know what Christmas is all about. He then shouts, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” The lights dim as Linus takes center stage. A spotlight shines on him as he begins a dialogue of the real meaning of Christmas – the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. After he finishes telling the story, he walks over to Charlie Brown and says, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

During this Christmas season, do you allow the commercialization become part of your life? Is Christ the focus of your giving and thoughts for the season? Do you feel like Charlie Brown in that everything you do turns into disaster? Despite the presents that are under the tree, I want Olivia to know the reason that we celebrate Christmas. It’s not about giving and receiving presents, but that we did receive the greatest gift God could ever give us, his son Jesus. Jesus can bring you out of any disaster you may be experiencing if you believe and trust in him. I must admit I like the warm feeling I get from giving a gift and seeing the joyous expression on the other person's face when they open it. How about you?

May you and your loved ones have a blessed Christmas holiday and Happy New Year!

Until next time, be your best always,

Darcy

Laughing My Head Off at 20,000 Feet

Darcy Keith — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:57:00 GMT

Laughing My Head Off at 20,000 Feet

A week and a half ago, I experienced what many air travelers also may have at one time or another, when I traveled to Kansas City, MO for the first of three speaking presentations for the week. I had booked a flight on Delta that would put me where I needed to be in plenty of time for the association's reception that evening. After the passengers boarded the plane and the plane backed up from the gate, it stopped. We sat and sat. Then, the pilot came over the intercom and announced that our plane was too heavy to fly (this was a new one for me).

For the next forty minutes, we sat on the tarmac burning fuel so that the plane would be light enough to fly. For those of us who had connecting flights, well, we didn't make them because of the delay. So in Detroit, me and my new friend, Jennifer - whom I discovered was also flying to Kansas City from Indianapolis - sat in Detroit and waited for the next flight.

Finally, when it was time to board the new flight, we did and then stayed at the gate for what seemed like an eternity. Then, this pilot came over the intercom and announced that the bracket on the plane's fuel door was broken, and we would be sitting there for another hour and a half as the plane couldn't be fueled until it was fixed. Fortunately, Delta allowed the passengers to get off the plane. After a nine hour adventure, we finally got on the plane and make it to our destination, Kansas City.

On Thursday, I made another trip to Missouri - this time St. Louis - on American Airlines. The plane ride to St. Louis was good and uneventful, but the return flight after my third presentation on October 3rd was a memorable experience. It was memorable not in the fact that the plane was delayed or the ride was bumpy. It was memorable due to one person, Jason the flight attendant.

During the safety instructions, Jason lip synced to the pre-recorded female voice. He also gave several facial expressions during the safety dialog, which garnered loud laughter from all of the passengers. His small gesture of adding humor and putting airline passengers at ease made our flight experience more enjoyable and took the tension out of flying and all of the hassles that go along it. Though it's my preferred method of travel for longer distances, I found Jason's sense of humor to be a breath of fresh air. The tone for the rest of the flight was one of smiles and laughter from the passengers.

For those folks and customers that you come into contact, how do you make them feel? Do you go the extra mile to make their purchasing experience a positive one; do you smile when you greet someone in the hallway or on the street? In what way can you make someone else's day just a little bit better, especially when the person may be having a bad one? Jason's actions didn't cost any money do make the passengers' days a little brighter. But, the customer experience was memorable and enjoyable that likely earned many repeat customers on American Airlines.

The Golden Rule is do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I encourage you to go one step above and beyond. Not only does it make you feel good that you made someone's day, but also you may have made a loyal friend or customer in the process.

Until next time, be your best always,

Darcy

P.S. Welcome to the 250+ new subscribers from all over the world! If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to forward it on to others who may enjoy it, too.

Do you have your Nikes on?

Darcy Keith — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:29:00 GMT

When running in the race of life, what kind of shoes is on your feet? Are they high-heeled stilettos, loafers, house slippers, or tennis shoes? While we may be concerned with what is on our feet and how comfortable they are in the situation, if we don’t have the right type of shoes on, we may not succeed. I mean, a runner doesn’t wear a pair of wrestling shoes if he is running a marathon. He wears the most appropriate running shoe that will go the distance.

When you prepare to run, one of the first things you do is stretch to warm your muscles. If not, your body isn’t prepared for what you are about to do. But what about the race of life? There are many things which come up for which we may not be prepared. You may be stressed out, suffering, and not know how to handle the situation. But, there is HOPE. Hope that you can overcome whatever you are facing and be victorious. As my pastor, Randy Gilmore, says, "Hope is confidence in present resources and ultimate good."

The word, Nike, is Greek for ‘victory’ or ‘overcoming’. In the race of life, I want to have my Nikes on. For those of you who have heard me speak and talk about my “shoe issues”, when I tried out for the girls’ basketball team in eighth grade (I couldn’t find shoes big enough to fit me in the women’s section, so I had to go the men’s shoe area to find a pair), guess what tennis shoes I picked out? A new white pair of Nike hightops with a red swoosh. Though I didn’t know if I would make the team, I had hope in wearing my Nike tennis shoes as I was prepared to do my best.

In the middle of life’s storms where you may feel stretched, stressed out, are suffering, or something else may be going on in your life, Hope lifts our spirits as we go though the storm. God has generously provided a way to carry you through it. Look for hope in your present resources. Having hope protects our minds, like a helmet. Hope provides us a way out of our struggle and shields us, like an umbrella. Hope lifts our spirits from the storms in life which may be dampened. Hope is having your Nikes on when facing your situation, as we are overcomers and victorious. There is power in hope! Be victorious and have your Nikes on.

Until next time, be your best always,

Darcy

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What's the spashing all about?

Darcy Keith — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:26:00 GMT

A few weeks ago, Olivia was excited as she went to swim lessons each night. She was learning new things, like the front and back glide, front and back float, and her favorite, the doggy paddle. She would often do her back glide to the swim teacher and then insist on swimming the doggy paddle back to the side of the pool. She enjoyed it so much that she would smile and giggle while she swam, often getting water in her mouth.

One time when she was swimming back to the side of the pool and was less than a foot away, she panicked. Her arms went frantically up in the air, and she started to sink. Her smile faded to a frightened look, and the instructor quickly grabbed her as she was going under water. I overheard Catherine, her swimming teacher, asking Olivia why she didn’t reach out to grab the side of the pool, as it was in arm’s reach, instead of giving up and panicking. Olivia’s safety was within her grasp.

How many times do we panic or give up searching for the answer when it is within our reach or staring us in the face? Does the saying, “If it were a snake, it would have bitten me” ring a bell? Sometimes, we cause many waves and unneeded noise that we don’t see the answer that is right in front of us and within our reach. We make issues more complicated than they are or need to be.

What currently is going on in your life where the answer is right in front of you and can be discovered if you just take a few minutes to step back and look at the big picture? Do you panic too soon when something goes wrong and feel like you are drowning?

This reminds me of a song we sung in church last week. Part of the chorus goes like this:

Oh no You never let go

Through the calm and through the storm

Oh no You never let go

in every high and every low

Lord You never let go of me

No matter what happens in our life or where we are, God never lets go of us. We could be making the biggest splash in our lives and feel like we are sinking, but He is always there for us when we need him.

Until next time, be your best always,

Darcy

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What to Do When the Bright, Flashing Red Lights Come On

Darcy Keith — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:19:00 GMT

What to Do When the Bright, Flashing Red Lights Come On

A couple weeks ago, my daughter was the flower girl in my younger cousin’s wedding in Dallas, Texas. Olivia had been excited about her role in the ceremony for months! My sister and her daughter were also flying down with us, as her daughter was a junior bridesmaid in the ceremony. How fun it was going to be for a weekend of celebration and great times!

The wedding was beautiful, and everyone had a great time at the reception. The next day, all four of us boarded our flight for our return trip to Indiana. We had a change of planes in Detroit, and it was here that I was reminded of an important life lesson.

Our change of planes at the Detroit airport was on a different terminal, so we needed to walk through an underground tunnel to the other side where our next terminal was located. The underground tunnel was about the length of a football field, with blue and green flowing lights on the side and ceiling as if we were underwater. With our carry-on luggage in tow, we were almost half way across the tunnel, when all of the sudden red lights from above started flashing on and off. To the regular person, this may seem pretty cool. But to those of us who have vertigo, I wanted to crawl in a hole.

My sister could tell that the constant flashing of lights was making me sick, and I couldn’t go on. The constant flashing of the lights was triggering activity in my brain that was making me dizzy and sick. She extended her hand and told me to close my eyes. She guided me down the rest of the tunnel, while keeping our two daughters in line as well. I don’t know what I would have done had she not been there to help me.

There may be times in our lives where we don’t know what to do and where we feel that we can’t go on. Just as walking at the beginning of the tunnel, our lives can seem peaceful and going along just fine. Then, all of the sudden, the bright, flashing red lights start. Something may come along that totally rocks our world. How are you going to handle it? Will you address it or hope it goes away on its own (which it usually doesn’t)?

When you encounter such an event, I’d encourage you to reach out to others that can help you. This isn’t about being too proud to ask for help. This is about accepting the gracious gift of others wanting to offer their help. Had I not reached out and accepted my sister’s help, I may still be back in Detroit. J

There is one person who has been there for me when I’ve needed help in every situation and who has never left my side. That person is Jesus Christ. He has reached out and extended his helping hand to me in so many situations, and I trust him as my Lord and Savior. He died on the cross for my sins and provided a way for me to join him in heaven.

So, when the bright red lights start flashing in your life, now you will have some thoughts on what to do. As for me, it now may be a good excuse to ask for one of those cool, motorized airport escorts if I travel alone.

Be your best always,

Darcy

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The 3 "F's" to the Greatest Riches

Darcy Keith — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:10:00 GMT

In one week’s time, which was just two and a half weeks ago, my family experienced two losses. While facing my losses, I was forced to face my riches. The first loss was the tragic and unexpected death of one of my good friends, De, who was thirty-six years old as well as four and a half months pregnant with her third child. The second loss was the death of my eighty-seven year old great-uncle, Jack, the last “grand-parent” figure in our small family.

During my Uncle Jack’s funeral, the pastor said something which caused me to put down my tear-soaked tissue for a moment and think. Yes, there will be a void in my heart for both De and Uncle Jack. But, we celebrate their lives and how we are richly blessed by knowing them. And, we will get to see them one day in heaven because both had accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Richly blessed, rich? We don’t seem to hear that word a lot today. The pastor went on to say that there are three “F’s” to the greatest riches in the world. These are faith, family, and friends. When we have faith, we are children of the richest King in the world! That King makes us heirs to mansions in heaven. I am rich because I have family that cares for and loves me. If I didn’t have a family like this, who knows where I would be after receiving life-threatening injuries in my car crash? Would I have received the best medical care and treatment or just be admitted to any medical facility? I am rich because I have friends that care how my family is doing. They help celebrate successes and are there when I hit milestone birthdays. J When times are tough, I remind myself of the blessings in my life. And suddenly, I remember I’m rich, and life is grand again.

Though there are times when money may be tight, look around you. You have the keys to life’s greatest riches. Take a look to see what part the three “F’s” play in your life. Do you make time for your faith? Your family? Your friends? If not, what’s stopping you? As I see it, the three “F’s” don’t cost any money. But, they do “cost” time.

I’d encourage you today to invest in your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, spend more quality time with you family, and get together with friends. It’s time well invested, and riches well received.

Be your best always,

Darcy

Your April Inspiration - Spring and Experiencing a New Beginning, Fan Mail, and Much More!

Darcy Keith — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 01:15:00 GMT

I don’t think that I’ve ever heard someone say, “I hate springtime.” Well, unless maybe those who suffer from allergies, which may be from pollen, but not the actual season. Looking around, one sees flowers blooming, trees budding, grass growing, and birds start singing. It’s as if creation announces, “We’re alive again.”

After all of the snow this past winter, most of us think that winter is too long. The days are cold and dark. Winter kills many outdoor plants and makes way for something new – spring. Like all creation, we, too, experience seasons in our lives. We go through our own personal winters that seem dead, gray, and colorless. The recession, job loss, home foreclosure, sickness, death of a loved one, rejection – these are all examples of personal winters. At times, winter seems like it will never end!

As much as some of us don’t like it, winter is a necessary season to experience. Winter always precedes spring, and every living thing must pass through winter to enter spring. In our lives, there may be a time where a door was closed on a chapter of our lives, and a new beginning takes place. For me, this was when I lost memory of my actuarial science major as a college senior in the car crash. No longer could I pursue my college degree of actuarial science. I had to start over in a new major, with no guarantee of graduation from my memory problems resulting from my brain injury. Doubt, lack of self-confidence, and lack of self-esteem entered my everyday life. But how I chose to address my new beginning made all the difference. I chose to persevere with fortitude and determination, and never give up.

A little over a week ago, we celebrated Easter. The cross is the Lord’s symbol that reminds us that Jesus experienced a personal winter, too. Like all winters, dying was part of it, and the Lord’s death on the cross gave us a new beginning and relationship with our Father. In Jesus’ death and resurrection, God declares our personal winters are only for a season. Your personal winter may be long and hard, but it will come to an end. This is the message of the season. Jesus chose to go through the winter that was laid before Him before dying on the cross. He never interpreted His future glory by the dismal winter of His cross. Neither should you.

Springtime has arrived! As flowers are blooming, trees are budding, and birds are singing, I am reminded that winters do not last forever. If you are experiencing a personal winter in your life, rest assured that spring is coming soon. And, now you can begin again.

Be your best always,

Darcy

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A Milestone Event

Darcy Keith — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 01:58:00 GMT

Last weekend, I celebrated a milestone event. I no longer belonged to the 30-something group. I turned forty – yes, the big 4-0. Some people tell me that they dreaded turning forty. Others say it’s no big deal. Me? I looked forward to it. Yes, I am strange.

Turning twenty meant that I was no longer a teenager and was the start of, what I considered, my adulthood. Age thirty gave me more life experiences, and the start of my family. So, what’s the matter with turning forty? Absolutely nothing.

In biblical terms, the number 40 has significant meaning. Think of the 40 days and the 40 nights of rain floods. It took the Israelites 40 years to find the promised land, and Jesus spent 40 days in the desert before his crucifixion. Maybe it takes 40 years to grow into an awesome woman?

I look at the first 40 years as preparation for the next 40 or so years. There were many experiences that refined my character and thoughts which made me into the person I am today. However, there was also a time when I didn’t know if I’d make it to my next birthday. When a person has experienced such a time, it makes him/her really think about what is truly important. Life has such meaning and purpose to me, and I embrace it each day.

What milestone events are you celebrating in your life? They could be anything ranging from a wedding anniversary to the birth of your first grandchild. I’d encourage you to embrace life today. Look how far you have come, look at the stones you have crossed along your unique path of life, look at where you are, and what a beautiful amazing moment this is!

Be your best always,

Darcy

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You will never guess what exciting thing happened last week...

Darcy Keith — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 03:10:00 GMT

I never thought it would happen. Never.

Last Monday, I received an e-mail from retired Kentucky State Trooper, Tony Young, who now works for the Federal Highway Administration in Kentucky. I had met him the previous Saturday (December 13) when I spoke at a MADD Kentucky event. My message at the MADD candlelight vigil was about Hope, and I thanked the Kentucky State Police for saving my life.

Tony approached me after the event and asked me who the trooper was that investigated the crash. I couldn't remember, though had the crash report at home. I e-mailed him the name, and he contacted the trooper, Wade Farley (now retired), to let him know that I had spoken about the crash and about what I am doing now. As Tony put in his message to me, "he (Wade) very much remembered your crash, and he didn't think you would make it. " Tony went on to say that Wade said it would be great to talk with me, so that's what we did.

I called Wade last Tuesday, and we talked for about an hour. It was great to talk with him and understand his observations from the crash. It's so amazing the level of crash detail that he remembered from 17 years ago! One of the things that he mentioned was that he didn't think I made it because the paramedics couldn't find a pulse on me and had to remove some of my fingernail polish to see if I was breathing - I was hard to get to since my body was under one of the dead girls in the back seat. This is consistent with what I say in my speeches, except I didn't know the paramedics couldn't find my pulse!

I am so glad Tony connected me with Wade, and I am thankful to talk with the trooper who investigated my crash.

I wish for everyone a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Until then,
Darcy