Writing Your Own Brave New Ending!
‘Karen and Jay encourage us to take control of our destiny and write the script for our own positive future.’
Every one of us is the author of our own story. And, it can be a great story – the story of your life. Sure, there may be things in the past that haven’t gone exactly as you would have wanted. But those are events that have happened in earlier chapters. Now is the time to take charge. Now is the time to stand up and create an exciting vision for the path forward. And, with imagination and faith you have the power to write your own brave new ending!
I want you to take a moment to think about your life in the past and here now in the present. Consider every part such as your career, relationships, hobbies, and health. Now, think about the future. In all these areas, I want you to imagine what the best possible future looks like. What’s incredible is that if we can believe it, it’s likely we can also achieve it. This is a process known as prospection. The key is how we choose to act on achieving it.
It’s been noted in psychology that we as human beings will often make quicker decisions that have smaller, more immediate rewards rather than making decisions where rewards are bigger, but the wait is longer. An example being we may choose to take a vacation for its immediate satisfaction even though investing that same money will have more benefits for us in the future. By regularly envisioning the futures we want and building a plan to achieve them, we can make decisions in the here and now that aren’t impulsive and help us reach our desired outcomes.
Sometimes it’s easy to think we don’t have any control over our futures, that there are too many outside forces at work. But, if we take a step back and envision the life we want and come up with actionable items to see it through, like the characters we see in movies, each of us has the power to determine our own future. As Jim Henson once said, “Life's like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing.”
Apple Picking Time in New Hampshire
One of the best things about Fall in New Hampshire is that it is apple picking season! New Hampshire is known for its apple orchards and the family focused activity that is picking your own bountiful harvest. This has been a New England tradition that has survived for generations and the best part about it is that is seems to never stop being fun! With the many great orchards all throughout the state and the varieties of apples to choose from there really is no shortage of opportunity to get outdoors and play farmer for a couple of hours with the family.
But perhaps the second-best part of apple picking is what happens afterwards. Nothing beats coming home from a fun day in the orchard to begin the process of making all the apple-based foods such as apple crisps, apple sauce, and of course apple pie! The expression “there is nothing as American as apple pie” relates in many ways to this homemade, and loving nature of this apple picking activity. It is rooted in family and harkens back to tradition. And as such, is deeply American. So, as the trees begin to change color, remember to get out there and get picking!
And as a guide for where to go, here is a list of great Apple Picking Locations in New Hampshire: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-hampshire/apple-orchards-nh/
The Millyard Museum
Here’s a New Hampshire treasure, the Millyard Museum. It is located in Building #3 of the Amoskeag Mills in downtown Manchester. During the textile days, the Amoskeag Mills employed more than 17,000 people and produced products that were shipped all over the world.
The Museum is under the umbrella of the Manchester Historical Association that was founded in 1896. However, it wasn’t until ten years ago that the Association formally found a home and created what is now this amazing destination, filled with interesting things to learn and see. Now known as the Millyard Museum. Inside the Museum you will find exhibits filled with history, art, and culture. You can learn about the transformation of the Queen City from dairy farms, to textile, as well as the introduction of innovation and technology along the way. In addition to the exhibits and touring the Millyard Museum, educational seminars take place during the year and businesses and organizations can rent out the facilities for training or events. There is so much to take in at the Museum and it's always changing, giving patrons and visitors much to see.
The Millyard Museum is led by Manchester legend, John Clayton. A 25-year newspaper columnist and reporter, John knows Manchester inside and out. In fact, John has published seven books all about the history of Manchester. With John’s passion for Queen City history, the Millyard Museum has become a true destination for all to see and enjoy, and especially those of us who have a love for New Hampshire history and tradition.
If you haven’t had a chance to visit the Millyard Museum, I invite you to check it out.
Positive Profile of the Week: Adam Hirshan
This week we are delighted to highlight a true community leader in the Lakes Region, Adam Hirshan. Adam is the publisher of the Laconia Daily Sun and his continuing efforts are making a wonderful, positive impact on this great community.
The Laconia Daily Sun is a 5 day a week free newspaper that provides news to the Lakes Region and surrounding communities. In addition to The Laconia Daily Sun publication, Adam and his team are also responsible for having launched Granite State publications in Berlin and Conway.
Adam’s background and preparation for his current role is truly impressive. Growing up in Brooklyn, he graduated from Tufts University with a degree in International Relations. His first job out of college and his journey in the news business dates back to 1979 when he signed on as a reporter for the Carroll County Independent. Shortly thereafter, Adam took on a major role nationally, serving in senior positions in Washington, D.C. with Voice of America. But, in 1989, with entrepreneurial spirit and passion for community news, he co-launched the Conway Daily Sun.
After a ten-year stint as editor of the Conway Daily Sun, Adam, along with two partners took on an additional entrepreneurial venture, founding the Laconia Daily Sun, which officially launched in 2000. Today, Adam is the publisher of The Laconia Daily Sun and has helped grow its circulation and consistently build its business over a number of years. In fact, due to his hard work and community impact, Adam was recognized by the New Hampshire Business Review in its initial list of the NH 200, as one of the state’s most influential media leaders.
In fact, Adam’s commitment to community and our great state was wonderfully reflected in his remarks upon accepting this award. He said, "It's nice to be recognized for bringing the free daily newspaper model to New Hampshire 30 years ago, but it's nicer to belong to a business community where civic responsibility, charity and entrepreneurship bring friends and colleagues together in a virtuous circle of continuous improvement as we strive to make the Granite State a place where all of us can live free and thrive,"
Every day, Adam is sharing information, fostering civil discourse, bringing people together and strengthening the fabric of community. He is making a wonderful impact in the Lakes Region and throughout our great state. Thank you, Adam Hirshan!
Quotes of the Week: Your Own Ending
“Life's like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing.”
Jim Henson
“Write your own story, be your own hero. Speak your own truth, live your own dream.
Raphaella Vaisseali
“In life you must write your own story, or one will be written for you.”
A.J. Garces
“If you’re not writing your own story, you’re a character in someone else’s.”
Chris Brogan
“Be brave enough to write your own story… And then rewrite it.”
Maria Shriver