Woke up this morning a bit melancholy as I am thinking of the many happy memories from our past Bichelmeyer Christmas gatherings.

Memories of Christmas Eve at Mom & Dad’s celebrating Jimbo’s birthday and our name drawing gift exchange with the inevitable “OVER THE LIMIT” shout outs.

Watching the “Christmas Play” each year with the same script but different children playing the part of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus as well as all the three wise “men” and all the Sheppard’s in their costume of towels (that I knew I would be washing and folding later).

The “Do You Hear What I Hear” moment I waited for all night when all of your beautiful voices came together in that perfect moment in song.

Memories during my early teenage years of wrapping Cindy’s many gifts from Jerry after his last minute dash to the mall on Christmas Eve dreaming of the day I would have a boyfriend who loved me as much as Jerry loved Cindy and thinking that Jerry actually had excellent taste in women’s clothing.

Memories of waking up on Christmas morning and rushing out to find my “pile” of presents all unwrapped and on display from “Santa” knowing Mom did not get a wink of sleep the night before yet that turkey dinner would be ready with all the fixins later in the day and it would not be until everyone else was content and settled post gifts and feast that she would find some time to nap on the sofa with her favorite afghan wrapped around her later that day. It was then (if I was lucky) that I would get the coveted spot on the couch by her side and we would just be still after all the merriment of the holiday.

These are the memories that wash over me as I wait for Scott and my boys to wake up this Christmas morning and the festivities to begin at the Lucas household.

I hope and pray that years from now as Chase & Nick look back at our holiday traditions and memories that they feel as much love and warmth and comfort from their childhood Christmas memories as I do from mine.

Thank you all for your part in my story.

I love you more than words can tell and hope to see each of you at the Bichelmeyer Family Christmas Gathering on January 1.

In the meantime wishing you a Merry Christmas Day with your special families and the joy of making your own memories.

Cheers!

Mary

Happy Holidays, Season's Greetings, Joyeux Noel and Merry Christmas to one and all!




Everyone loves to receive an invitation, and the Christmas season is full of them. Open house invitations in our neighborhood, dinner invitations with long time friends, and festive party invitations to celebrate the season....with my favorite red dress and a champagne cocktail.

This year, I've been lucky enough to have many invitations come my way as a result of my book, Lunchmeat & Life Lessons: Sharing a Butcher's Wisdom. Here's a peek at 2011 in review:

• Kansas City area speaking opps: Our hometown community continues to invite The Butcher's Wisdom into their lives, and I met several new friends as a result of my presentations to area schools, professional associations, local businesses and networking groups. A very special thank you to Barnett Helzberg for welcoming me to the Helzberg mentoring (HEMP) organization.

• Keynote addresses to national associations and high profile organizations: Speaking engagements across the country found me in Chicago for the American Heart Association's annual meeting, in New Orleans for the American Staffing Association's national conference, and even in Washington, DC to address the Federal Reserve with my father's wit and wisdom.

• Funds in support of the American Heart Association tribute center created in honor of my parents have now reached $18,000. I invite you to click on the Hearts We Leave Behind site to find out more and to consider donating generously.

• Career shift: After a five year sabbatical from full time work in the corporate world, I was asked to join the Staffmark organization as Chief Resource Officer this past summer. Staffmark is the undisputed staffing industry dynamo with over 300 offices in 32 states. I am now part of their executive leadership team and love every minute of it. To learn more, visit www.Staffmark.com

• One of the largest publishing houses in the country invited me to sign with them to give my book more "ooomph." After careful consideration, I declined, opting instead to make an impact with my father's life lessons the only way he knew how.....one person at a time. While I'm grateful for that opportunity, I know I made the right decision for the book, for its readers and for me.

• And to end the year on a high note -- and a British accent -- an invitation from across the pond in 2012. That's right. The Butcher's Wisdom will be presented in London next May, as I address the Recruitment and Employment Confederation World Employment Conference, the professional body representing the UK's international recruitment industry. Bangers and mash, anyone?

Exhausting, exhilarating, exciting all at once.

All of these events lead me to consider life's other invitations. Things we receive throughout the day, throughout the year, throughout our entire lives that we may not recognize as being special invitations. Yet indeed they are!

When we begin to view life's little "asks" as an engraved, gilt-edged invitation to throw open life's doors, behind them you'll find opportunity, abundance and gratification. Look closely to recognize these important invitations.....and say "I accept" whenever possible. These invitations represent life's daily possibilities to create new relationships and share new experiences. They are invitations to live life to the max.

As for me? That's easy. I invite each of you to enjoy time with those you love, a good book and champagne cocktail this Christmas season.

Cheers!

Mary

Greetings from 35,000 feet altitude!

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." Ferris Bueller famously said that in the 1986 blockbuster comedy.....one of my favorites.

It's certainly moving fast for me right now. As I write this, my life is zooming along at exactly 450 mph high above the clouds in a Boeing 737. That's a good metaphor for the flurry of activity that surrounds me at present: Kids off to college, our annual Bichelmeyer family picnic, amazing new work assignments, friends and family struggling with health issues, increased travel, fighting to get eight hours sleep each nite.....and of course, new horizons presented because of my book, Lunchmeat & Life Lessons: Sharing a Butcher's Wisdom.

Let me share a few of those recent milestones with you here:

• The American Heart Association Heart.org/plannedgiving is now distributing the book to all those who are planning to include this wonderful organization in their estate planning. They honor me and my family in doing so, since both my parents died of heart disease. I've been very involved in the AHA in recent years, and they have been so supportive of me every step of the way. I'm honored that Lunchmeat & Life Lessons is impacting so many generous people willing to donate in an effort to end heart disease, the leading cause of death in the US today.

Click here to check out the Bichelmeyer Family Tribute Site www.heartsweleavebehind.com

• YouTube.com Update: We've really gotten noticed on our YouTube channel in recent months because we've uploaded several new clips from my own speaking engagements around the country to press interviews with mom and dad at our family home. Just last month, I was overwhelmed by the "six degrees of separation" idea when the book got a moving shout out on the national TV show, Dr. Drew.
Click Here to see Lunchmeat & Life Lessons mention on Dr. Drew

• Did you know that Lunchmeat & Life Lessons: Sharing a Butcher's Wisdom is now available as an audio book? Well, it is and here's the link to listen to an excerpt and to place an order:

Lunchmeat & Life Lessons: Sharing a Butcher's Wisdom Audio Book Lunchmeat Audio Book

What does all of this add up to? Much joy, much gratitude, and much more yet to accomplish. But for the next 90 minutes until we land in Cincinnati, I don't intend to do anything at all. I'm going to mentally, physically, psychologically slow down -- and as my father John Bichelmeyer, the Butcher would say -- "enjoy the ride."

I encourage each of you to do the same. Living life at lightning speed robs us of being present in the moment. From time to time you've got to put the brakes on, take a good look around, breathe. Only when we are fully ourselves, fully here and now, can we appreciate what's really important. And trust me, you don't want to miss it.

Til next time, here's to life in the slow lane!

My best,

Mary

Sunday Morning Labor Day Weekend

Quick post that I wanted to share in honor of Labor Day.

Below is a link to one of my new favorite videos of Seth Godin talking about ways to "Stand Out"

Click on this Link to see Seth Godin's TED Talk on Standing Out

I thought Seth shared some "remarkable" ideas for all of us to consider when we go back to work after this long holiday weekend.

That's all for now... again Happy Labor Day weekend everybody and as always wishing each of you ALL THE BEST!

Mary

P.S. Thanks to Seth I am inspired to figure out ways to STAND OUT when I go back to work on Tuesday but for now I am far more interested in heading to my family picnic to PIG OUT ... thus the short post!

Cheers!

WOW...

Three letters that describe how I have been feeling lately.

WOW… what talent!

I have been thinking as I find myself surrounded by such incredible people at work and over the course of my travels.

WOW… where does the time go?

I think to myself as I leave my baby boy at college alongside his older brother.Wasn’t it just yesterday that I was bringing him home to meet his beloved big brother?

WOW… did that just happen?

I say out loud when a courageous young woman my father never knew is quoting him on Dr. Drew? Click on the link below and you can watch the exchange that left me filled with an attitude of gratitude for the blessings of my family and of awe and compassion for the courage of these women.

Click Here to View the YouTube Clip from Dr. Drew

Yep.. it has been a week of WOWS and I have a feeling there are more WOW’s to come as I too take the time to wonder at the WOWS and “learn something from everyone I meet!”

Thanks to all of you for your interest in my story.

So looking forward to this next chapter.

My BEST!

Mary

Happy Birthday Dad!

Dad would have been 95 years old today.

Today in his memory I have attached a link to one of my favorite video clips of Dad sharing some food for thought & inspiration on the subject of happiness.

Dad on Happiness

Enjoy!

Happy Father's Day to all...
Moms, Kids, Uncles and Aunts Included!

"Because I have given, I have received so very much in return."

That quote is a favorite of mine, and it's given me some food for thought lately. In fact, I heard this same sentiment expressed just this week by one of Kansas City's most respected businessmen and philanthropists, Barnett Helzberg. When asked what his life's greatest joy is, he didn't hesitate to respond:

"The joy of giving back to others."

Before you read further, friends, take note: This is not a message on the importance of giving. Instead, I want you to consider the impact of giving, or what I call the "echo of giving."
Here's what I mean: I gave a speech a few years back following the publication of my book, Lunchmeat & Life Lessons: Sharing a Butcher's Wisdom. It wasn't my best presentation and I knew it. Worse, I knew the audience agreed with my assessment. I left the stage and my confidence fell through the floor. Why wasn't I more prepared? Why hadn't I projected more emotion? Why didn't I connect with my audience?

A moment later, a man came up to me and took both my hands in his. Who was this person? His presence startled me as I was lost in my own thoughts. I'll never forget his words:

"I don't know what you said or what your message was as you spoke to our group," he began. "I didn't hear a word of it. All I know is that you stood in front of us and told us you were going to share some wisdom from the greatest man you ever knew: Your father."

I could see where this was going... he was ready to clobber me for my ineffective keynote address. Here it comes, I thought!

But wait. No, that wasn't it at all. The stranger continued, looking me straight in the eyes:

"You see," he continued, "I'm a new father. I left my six week old baby girl for the first time this week so that I could come to this convention and all I could think of as you spoke for the last hour is how can I be the kind of father to my daughter that your father was to you? How can I create that love, loyalty and lasting impact in her life? Thank you for inspiring me to be the best father I can be."

I couldn't speak for a moment. I simply held his hands tighter.

He walked away and I knew that something incredible had happened. It didn't matter that I thought I had delivered a poor presentation. My words had connected with someone in a powerful way. I had given of myself -- and he had received.

So what about the echo of that giving? Undoubtedly that businessman went home with a new way of thinking. A changed direction in being a father to that new baby girl. A re-organized list of life's priorities. And I bet that echo resonates on to this very day. In turn, he gave of himself to another person who received and embraced that simple gift.

On and on it goes. The circle of life. The echo of giving.

Remember my own father's words as you give of yourself to others... you receive so very much in return. I know I did that day.

Finally, to that gracious new dad who touched both my hands and my heart back in 2006,
I wish you a very special Father's Day 2011.
All the best!

Mary B. Lucas

My sister Jeannie told me this story about Mom and I think it sums up what Mom thought about “passion” in a marriage...

Jeannie and her husband had made some changes to their house and asked Mom to come down for a visit. During the tour of the new construction, they were walking through the master bathroom when Mom noticed Jeannie’s tattered flannel nightgown hanging on the hook behind the door.

Mom looked at that nightgown, then looked at Jeannie. “Jean Marie is that what you wear to bed with your husband?”

Jeannie nodded sheepishly, clearly embarrassed by the question. “Yes, Mom.”

“Jean Marie, let me give you some advice,” Mom said in a firm but controlled tone. “If you want to have a happy marriage you NEVER wear flannel to bed.”

Although Mom and Dad’s marriage could definitely be described as passionate and fiery, I assure you they weren’t always in the “no flannel zone.” In fact she could be pretty hard on him, prompting him to tell her at times that they’d get along better if she would treat him as if he were one of her children.

Dad was right; Mom would always celebrate our homecomings. Whenever any of us would arrive home from school Mom was there to wrap us in her arms and shower us with hugs and kisses. That was not always the case with Dad’s homecomings, where he would sometimes chide her by saying “Hey, what about me?”

Just because Mom didn’t always greet Dad in the same way she welcomed us kids, doesn’t mean she didn’t anticipate his arrival. Every evening around five o’clock Mom would splash on a little Shalimar Perfume and grab one of those pencils used to mark the packages at the meat market to fill in her brows.

Sometimes Mom would even put on some of the Mary Kay make-up she had bought from her friend Penny and she always clipped on a pair of earrings. Then she would have all of us kids line-up, kind of like the Von Trapp family, ready to give our Daddy plenty of hugs and kisses.

Those are my memories of Mom at her best with Dad. I might also add that Mom would be the first to admit that as a couple they also had some not so great times.

One time I told Mom about a couple I knew that was getting divorced. "What happened?" Mom asked.“I guess they are getting divorced because they have had a bad few years and can’t seem to get past it.” I speculated.

“A bad few years?” she asked indignantly. “That’s nothing! Your Father and I have had bad years - heck we have had bad decades but I would not trade the life we share now as parents, grandparents and great grandparents for anything in the world.”

Good decades, bad decades... I'd say that given the fact that Mom and Dad were married for over SIX decades and had ten kids, I think we can safely assume that there were plenty of nights when Mom followed her NO FLANNEL rule!

As promised I pulled another page from my "Mom Journal" to share this week.

I think this excerpt in particular sums up the love she felt for ALL of her children.

And the story goes...

“I did NOT have 10 children because I am catholic. I had 10 children because I wanted each and every one!”


Mary Helen Matson Bichelmeyer was born November 9, 1917 on Strawberry Hill in Kansas City, Kansas. She was an only child, a life she often referred to as lonely. Her parents owned a small business where the family spent most days and nights. Her father was a bootlegger and instigator of illicit poker games and her mom was a bartender.

While some may have questioned their lifestyle, no one could question their deep love and devotion to their only child, Mary. They adored her and my Grandpa affectionately called her Babe. And while Babe loved her parents, she dreamed of having a family just like her friend Winnie.

Mom used to talk about how Winnie’s home was loud and always filled with love and laughter. Winnie was one of ten children so her house was always bustling with activity with people coming and going. After spending time around Winnie’s big family, this only child knew exactly what she wanted when she grew up and lo and behold, she went on to have ten children of her own.

Don’t let the fact that Mom was more understated than Dad fool you into thinking she wasn’t every bit as strong as he was. When she felt her children were ridiculed or ostracized, her “mama bear” instincts became fully engaged, even when she was lying on her deathbed in the hospital.

When the third shift nurse came in to check mom’s vital signs she asked about the picture on the bedside table. “Are all those people really members of her family?” She asked incredulously as she pulled the thermometer from Mom’s mouth. “How many children did you have?” When mom told her that she had ten children the nurse laughed. “You must be Catholic.”

At this point Mom was pretty delicate and her voice was quite hoarse from having had a tube down her throat, but the nurse’s comment raised her ire and she mustered the energy to pull herself up.

“I did not have 10 children because I am Catholic,” She pointed directly at the nurse, her low, raspy voice sounding like something from “The Exorcist.” “I had 10 children because I wanted each and every one!”

From the look on the nurse’s face it was clear she got the message. Even though none of us kids ever questioned Mom’s love for us, her words of validation had a profound impact on those of us lucky enough to be in the room that day.

Even as she struggled to be heard, gasping for her last breaths, her message of her deep love for each of her ten children came across loud and clear.

My baby boy Nick is GRADUATING from High School today.

I looked it up… the one word definition of graduation is commencement.

The two word definition of commencement is new beginning.

Lately… the two word phrase that I seem to hear from all around me when I speak of my youngest son’s graduation… empty nester.

I remember the days surrounding my oldest son Chase's graduation and how sad I was at that time.

A friend sent me this LINK to an old NPR radio interview about the subject of sending a son off to college and I cried.

I looked up the poem referenced in the interview, read it and I cried.

I sat through the graduation breakfast, luncheons, parties and the commencement ceremony and I cried.

And today… two years later I am sure I will cry BUT it won’t be the same sort of cry... it won't be a sad cry.

Two years later I know what lies ahead of me and as sad as I will be to see Nick go I realize that this is a new beginning for us all and that brings me GREAT JOY not sadness.

Based on my experience with Chase I now know that your babies will grow up and go away but when they comeback… they comeback with an attitude of gratitude and growth that can only be realized AFTER going away.

So for me… today… Nick’s graduation day… the two words I am thinking of have nothing to do with EMPTY & NESTS and everything to do with ABUNDANCE & GRATITUDE.

I am immensely GRATEFUL for the GIFT of  NICK and for having the privilege to be here for him over the years to support his education and growth from that first day of school till today… HIS GRADUATION DAY!

Nick…

I love you and I am SO PROUD OF YOU and I just can’t wait to see what you do with YOUR New Beginning.

Always...

Momma

The First Day of School

My child and I hold hands on the way to school,

And when I leave him at the first-grade door
He cries a little but is brave; he does
Let go. My selfish tears remind me how
I cried before that door a life ago.
I may have had a hard time letting go.


Each fall the children must endure together
What every child also endures alone:
Learning the alphabet, the integers,
Three dozen bits and pieces of a stuff
So arbitrary, so peremptory,
That worlds invisible and visible


Bow down before it, as in Joseph's dream
The sheaves bowed down and then the stars bowed down
Before the dreaming of a little boy.
That dream got him such hatred of his brothers
As cost the greater part of life to mend,
And yet great kindness came of it in the end.


A school is where they grind the grain of thought,
And grind the children who must mind the thought.
It may be those two grindings are but one,
As from the alphabet come Shakespeare's Plays,
As from the integers comes Euler's Law,
As from the whole, inseperably, the lives,


The shrunken lives that have not been set free
By law or by poetic phantasy.
But may they be. My child has disappeared
Behind the schoolroom door. And should I live
To see his coming forth, a life away,
I know my hope, but do not know its form


Nor hope to know it. May the fathers he finds
Among his teachers have a care of him
More than his father could. How that will look
I do not know, I do not need to know.
Even our tears belong to ritual.
But may great kindness come of it in the end.


-Howard Nemerov

Hello and Happy Monday!

When I was a kid, I remember swallowing a few seeds from an apple I'd chewed down to the core and immediate panic set in. With my eight year old mind, I was afraid to open my mouth, add water or sunlight for fear I would do more of what Mom accused me of: "Growing like a weed."

Thankfully, new growth doesn't happen that easily or that quickly, though I long for that upcoming spring day when our surroundings suddenly appear as if everything has bloomed at once. Until then, each little purple crocus, yellow daffodil, blade of new green grass provides us with that anticipated image of the beautiful change to come. No wonder the buds of spring find me digging in new ways to grow.

Why be simply an observer? Why not actively engage in significant growth of your own?

If you're like me, it's high time to shake off those winter doldrums. Let's plant some seeds to inspire.....here are a few ideas to help us all blossom spiritually and soulfully this spring:

Go to bed earlier. Learn a new language. Step outside your comfort zone. Volunteer at a local charity. Go decaf. Schedule that overdue dental exam or mammogram. Sign up for a class. Listen to your spouse.....really listen. Work toward that career goal. Wear something red. Take off ten pounds. Give more than expected. Walk around the block. Clean out the garage. Offer free smiles to random strangers. Read the book you got for Christmas. Turn off the TV. Quit smoking.....now.

Now here's the fun part. Do it with a friend.....a good "bud" who will support and encourage you along your path. The mountains we climb aren't nearly as steep if we have a loyal pal trekking shoulder to shoulder with us. The bonus? You'll accomplish your goal in no time, and you'll have a new bond in friendship with someone who cares about your success.

An apple tree is a metaphor for a fruitful life. Gratefully, the apple seeds I ate so many years ago didn't turn me into one.....but I've been pursuing that bountiful existence ever since. My heartfelt wish for all of us this spring? Let's GET GROWING!

Til next season, thanks for reading.

Mary

.

"Whether the glass is half full or half empty depends on whether you are pouring or drinking"

- Andy Grimm was a giver not a taker and the memory of his sweet and gentle spirit will live on in my heart forever.

As my birthday month comes to an end I am once again reminded of Dad's wisdom:

"If you don't have a Happy Birthday it's your own damn fault"
-John Bichelmeyer March 24, 1981

To all who visit this blog spot wishing you a Happy Birth... day, week, month and year no matter when or where YOU celebrate your own damn birthday :) !

CHEERS!!!

Sharing this quote as today's food for thought… "I've learned that people will forget what you said, they'll forget what you did, but they'll never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

My POST today is short and sweet and to the point...

The American Heart Association wants you to WEAR RED TODAY and so do I!
TODAY as I post this message we celebrate NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY in order to raise awareness about the number one killer of Women in the United States today.

As you know I am already all too aware of the heartache of heart disease having lost both Mom & Dad to congestive heart failure I have made it my mission to support the work done by the AHA.

To learn more go to:

www.HeartsWeLeaveBehind.com

So why not GO RED today along with thousands of others nationwide-for your heart, for your health, and for the people YOU love.
 
XOXO
 
Mary

January is almost behind us... I can't believe it!

Quite an eventful start to the year for me with plenty of travel and new connections that I have completely enjoyed and for ALL of you reading this note I am hopeful you had a FUN 1-11 as well!

I know I have not been so great this new year to date at sharing any food for thought here on this BlogSpot so today I thought I would change that.

Thought for today... SIMPLIFY.

When I saw the TO DO list below on the wall of my Doctor's office recently it really resonated with me and as a result I am sharing here with all of you.

SIMPLIFY

Slow Down

Imagine Doing Less

Make Time for Loved Ones

Practice Patience

Learn to Quietly Say No

Increase Your Quiet Times

Follow Your Heart

Yield to LIFE


My goal for the remainder of 11 - SIMPLIFY.

I'll let you know how I do and in the meantime as always sending my very BEST WISHES to all of YOU!

Let me start this post by making a sweeping generalization:

• If you're 40 years or younger, you're all there in the social media world.

• 40-plus? Not so much.

Ah, the great social media divide.

But this post is for both groups, so please read on.

Social media is here, whether we like it or not. Whether we're familiar with it, or not. Whether we use it, or not. Whether we understand its value, or not. So with this blog post, I intend to convince you of its value....and if you're already a regular user of these social tools, to encourage you to broaden the scope of its use in your daily routine.

Here's a high impact video on the subject from my friend Connie Podesta.

Take two minutes to watch here:

TEXTING HARRY - Connie Podesta

Do you recognize yourself in this context? If you're over 40, maybe you're Harry. Younger? Then perhaps you're grandson, Chad. Of if you're a frequent flyer like me, maybe you're even Connie.

In the not too distant past, I was reluctant to tune in and turn on to the value of  social media. And then I remembered a hard lesson learned....

A hundred years ago -- otherwise known as the 1980s -- I got a call from my Dallas office. My staff there asked for my permission to buy something they called a “FAX machine”, which was cutting edge communications technology at the time.

“We have to start FAXING resumes to our clients or we will lose business” the branch manager shared. "You don't need one," I replied, “FAXING is just a phase; the latest craze. We can conduct business just fine without one."

Almost immediately, we started losing business. Why? Because we were being left behind. Our competitors were far more responsive to clients because the FAX machine allowed them to react so much more quickly.

Taking a longer view, turns out I was right. Faxing WAS a phase.... for a quarter century, that is. Enter all the social media tools of today that don't just give us quick access to customers, friends and family... they give us INSTANT access.

Here's to the powerful connections now available to each of us through today's technology.

Let me hear how things like YouTube, Facebook, Linked In, Twitter and the rest of these tools are improving your ability to connect and communicate.

Till next time I say stay warm, stay connected and stay OPEN to change.....

Cheers!

Mary B. Lucas

Early this morning I took a peek at the Tribute Center I created this past year in memory of my Mom & Dad which raises funds for the American Heart Association (AHA). A magical milestone peeked back at me: So far, we've raised more than $11,000.

Said another way......As of  1/11, we have generously given over $11 thousand at www.HeartsWeLeaveBehind.com. What an accomplishment!

This got me pondering the Power of One -- I have been thinking a lot lately about the Power of One... both personally and professionally. Think about it. Each of us is just ONE person. But together, we are multitudes strong. Each of us creates significant impact on the world around us. That's how positive change occurs.....ONE person, ONE step, ONE dream at a time, all moving in the same direction.

In this New Year of 2011, I remain committed to supporting the important research, education and advocacy work established by my pals at the American Heart Association. They need support from people like us to continue their mission. Every one of us counts!

So here's my New Year's Resolution: Having lost both of my parents to heart disease, I intend to do what I can not only to raise funds for the AHA but also to RAISE AWARENESS OF GOOD HEART HEALTH PRACTICES among my own sphere of influence. Friends, family, colleagues, neighbors......YOU.

This month, 1/11, with this email I'm launching the Power of One Heart Health Awareness Campaign.

Here's how it works:

This campaign is a grassroots educational effort designed to carry the AHA mission virally, relying on our own personal relationships and today's social media communications tools.

It is a simple advocacy effort designed to improve the heart health of individuals -- multiple "ones" -- and encourage each "one" person to share the same wellness info with "one" other.

Together, we can create an open dialogue resulting in an incredible opportunity to affect positive change with every person we come in contact with. Think of the tens, hundreds, thousands of friends, families and others in our sphere of influence we can empower to carry the AHA flag, promote awareness, and instill healthy heart habits "one" at a time? The rippling effect could go on and on and on.

And the results? Healthier hearts and improved quality of life for each of us.

So please click here to learn about some simple and effective healthy heart tips from the American Heart Association www.mylifecheck.org.

Please consider this your one opportunity to make a difference in your own life and the lives of so many others. Join me in the Power of One Heart Health Awareness campaign in 2011. Pass this important information on to every one you know! Trust me, it makes your heart feel good to do so.

Wishing every one of you 72 healthy heart beats per minute in 2011.

Mary B. Lucas, B.D.

American Heart Association Advocate and Founder of www.HeartsWeLeaveBehind.com