"45 lessons life taught me and five to grow on" by Regina Brett

"1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short -- enjoy it.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything which isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to be happy. But it's all up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive but don't forget.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

46. Use your God-given gifts and talents and serve people.

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48. If you don't ask, you don't get.

49. Yield.

50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."


Regina Brett  2006, 2009.

Opportunity to teach for my Alma Mater.

Yesterday, I received a call from my Alma Mater for an opportunity to teach with them.  I'm elated with the referral.  It never dawned on me that I would get a call from them asking me to teach.  It has always been a dream of mine to go back to teach for this college but as a JROTC instructor.  When I left the army, after 8 years, instead of retiring, I knew that dream would never happen.  Now, it's a great possibility. 

Electronics and Electrical were fun classes while I was a young student in my teens.  Working with my hands and building things were awesome back then.  Now, I may have the opportunity to give back as an instructor there.   

The courses are all set for the evening schedule,1700 to 2000 (5 to 8 pm), Monday to Friday.  So it doesn't interfere with my commitment to OSH Solutions or my safety clients during the day.

Just getting the referral is an awesome feeling.  It's a good feeling to know that certain people are keeping an eye on what I do.  Especially, now that I'm in the Construction Safety Field. 



Keep Smiling

PM-Scheduling.

I was able to complete my homework earlier to day.  It was for my Project Management Class in Scheduling.  That was a hard assignment.  Since Wednesday last week, I was struggling with it.  Today, I was finally able to  figure it out. Instead of trying to do it in my head.  I just started doing it on paper to help me with my motivation.   Sure enough, it worked. 

At class this evening, we went through it together.  I was short by $1000. I miscalculated the vehicle rentals and the OT.  I was also a day early in completing the case study.  However, I now understand how to do scheduling for construction. 

This evening we had a surprise exam.  I thought we were going to do the exam on Wednesday.  All the students decided to take it. I wanted more time to study.  but decided to go with the group.  Anyway, I passed my test!

Now our class is down to 2 modules.  Only 4 sessions to go, approximately 2 to 3 weeks left. 

Rosa > Rose > Rhoda

Last night I wanted to surprise my Neni Girl (Larraine), that her mommy was coming home on Monday and not last night.  So to throw her off.  I told her that my friend Rosa will come by later that night to drop something off for her mommy.

My neni girl, being the great beautiful daughter that she is to me and her mommy, took me seriously.  She told her uncle, that my friend Rosa was coming over to drop something off for her mommy.  It did not occur to Larraine that I was talking about her mommy. 

So just a few minutes ago, Larraine asked me when Rosa is coming to the house.  I told her that she met her last night. 

"Are you joking or not", replied Larraine. 

So I had to explain to her that Rosa means Rose.  Rose in Greek is Rhoda. 

Larraine told me that her uncle was up late waiting for Rosa last night.  

"Oh...I'm sorry", was my reply. 

I have to remember that my neni girl takes me seriously.  LOL. 

Misadventure. 




Keep Smiling 

All in a Week's Work.

Been pretty busy last week and this weekend.  That's a good thing.  I was teaching the Construction Safety Awareness Course for Contractors, with 5 other Instructors last week.  That was a fun course.  We had great interaction with the students.  I really enjoy the interaction time between me and the students.  It tells me that the students are interested in the course and ask questions relevant to the topic being taught, and that they are concerned about the Safety Program in their companies.  It was also great that the OSH Solution's instructor cadre came out to teach this course.  I always learn something new from the students themselves or the other instructors.  I'm looking forward to the next course. 

I was really busy on Saturday.  I helped out with prepping a single topic safety course for a local construction company here on island.  The instructor did pretty well delivering his course main points.  The students all passed.  But it was in the beginning when I overheard one of the students as the instructor if there was any openings with his company.  I literally laughed out loud.  I don't think the guy was joking.  But he said this right in front of his Safety Manager.  I was like..."Dude, you're crazy!". 

After that safety course was done, my niece, Arissa and I went and did some needed errands.  Then I dropped her to her soccer game.  I went over next door to the swimming pool to see my godson/nephew, Joe and his 1 year old daughter, my grandniece.  The family was celebrating her first birthday.  It was great to see them. 

When that was done, We booked it home.  I went over next door and started helping out with the renovations.  I only got a few hours of work in...so I told my friend, that I will commit the next day to him, to help get his house inspection ready for the realtor's inspection in a couple of days. 

Today of all days, I was across the street helping my friend get his house ready for inspection.  We've been renovating his house for a couple of weeks already.  We did a lot of work.  But there is still so much to do.  Most of it is done on weekends, since that is when most of boys are free.  I have to make time tomorrow to fix an electrical issue.  We've been working all day.   Arissa was helping out painting.  We had to prep our ranch area first before going over to  make room for some cages and large tin to store and later use.  So we cut down some trees and open a temporary path for the cages and tin to come in from across the roadway.  After everything was brought into my ranch.  I closed up that temporary opening.  What a difference the work makes to see the improvements on the house and backyard. 

The former caretaker came by yesterday to lay claim on some items.  He made a comment to me that the place looks nice now compared to before.  I had to bite my tongue to keep from replying.  But in my head, I said to myself, "It was cleaner before you took over".  He didn't do a thing to maintain the front and backyards.  He neglected the work.  Out of respect for Greg and his dad, I kept quiet and walked away. 

Have to finish working on my power point slides for Fall Protection.  Teaching this week.  Looking forward to this training. 


Keep Smiling  

It's a beautiful sunny tropical day outside!

Leading Horses to water.

It's funny to hear people tell me that I'm making the big bucks as a safety consultant.  "You're raking in the money!", they claim.   That's a lot further from the truth.  I wish I was, but I am not.  One day by God's grace, I will. 

This week, I spent my time helping my neighbor Greg, get his house ready to put on the rental market.  There is a lot of work to do.  One day at a time, we're getting the priorities done.

The last two days, I've been following up on potential clients in regards to safety trainings/consultations.  It's amazing how all of them think alike.  The thing is, I can lead a horse to water, but I can't force it to drink.  I gave these companies, the owners or safety managers, the information they needed to bring their safety culture up to the next level. AND, I gave those information pro bono.  If they were dealing with any of my other safety colleagues, they'll be charged for their time and information.  These companies that I am approaching are not strangers.  They are friends and relatives.   I'm sharing information because I care about each one of them and their employees.  They don't have to hire me, but take the information that I freely gave to you and put it to use. 

It's the same lame excuses:

• We don't have time.
• We're too busy with our projects.
• Safety costs too much. 
• Our profit margin will be smaller if we do safety.
• We'll call you when we do actually need you.

I hear that from managers/owners who come into my safety training courses trying to justify their reasons not to do safety.  They only came in because NAVFAC Safety forced them to as part of the requirement to bid on military contracts. 

"How much are you willing to pay for a life?", that is my question to each one of them.  How much are you willing to pay for a life of an employee who dies in your job site?  Is it worth the OSHA citation?  It's amazing when I hear an owner tells his lawyer to go ahead and pay the OSHA fine.  You're willing to pay the OSHA fine but not buy proper PPE or Safety equipment to keep your employees safe.  Something is wrong there.  I should know because I used to work for that company as an electrician. 

The bottom line is what these companies are focusing on.  It will always be about the money.  The thing is, there is nothing wrong with that.  But with proper planning and wise investments in safety, they can make more profit with a positive safety culture. 

I know of a stateside company, that is now on Guahan, who was awarded a huge military contract.  Yet, they did not have a Safety Plan in place.  They, the prime contractor, asked the subcon (subcontractor) to write the safety plan for them.  Something is really wrong with that picture. 

What is the costs of basic PPE per employee: hardhat, reflective vest, safety glasses, gloves, and ear plugs?  Average costs on island is about $200.  There was a company here that was fined $32,000 for not providing their employees proper PPE.  How many PPE can you buy for $32,000?  Alot, about 15 sets! This is just one of many examples that I use in my safety trainings. 

Here is my prediction for the five companies that I have been visiting.  They will call me or another safety consultant when one or combination of the following will happen. 

• NAVFAC will require some type of safety training credentials that they have to produce.
• They will get cited by OSHA or NAVFAC for a serious or IDLH safety violation.
• They have a serious injury on the job site. 
• They just had a serious safety incident.
• They have a death in the job site.  (I don't wish this on any company but this happens when there is no safety program in place, or it's not enforced.)

It's time to move on to other companies.  I've dealt with these companies for more than two months.  After this week, should they call me again.  I will send them my consultation contract for consulting services.  Once, they sign it.  I'll help them out, then I'll invoice them for services rendered. 

I got a call yesterday from a new company.  Let's see what comes of this. 


Keep Smiling