If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.” Those are the words from a song in an ongoing skit from the TV variety show “Hee Haw” that I recall from my youth. “Gloom, despair and agony on me.” If you remember the show, you are singing along. If not, be patient.
Some people think other folks have all the luck, and they don’t hesitate to state this repeatedly. They play the “victim” role, expecting the worst to happen to them over and over and over. And, quite often, it does.
I am convinced that self-fulfilling prophecies — a prediction that comes true, at least in part, as a result of a person's belief or expectation that the said prediction would come true — are real.
Successful athletes envision themselves scoring that touchdown, hitting that homerun or making that three-pointer. They refuse to see themselves failing. That same confidence, that self-fulfilling prophecy, works in our personal lives, too. When we envision losing that weight, getting that promotion, or finding that ideal mate, those things tend to happen more often.
I am not a gambler, and my father wasn’t either, but we did play a lot of board games together. When rolling the dice, he would call out the numbers he wanted, and he would often get them. “You have to talk to the dice,” he would tell me. My siblings and I thought he was lucky, but there had to be more to it than that.
I am convinced that much of this “luck” comes from internal confidence, but can positive comments and high expectations from others result in more success or “luck,” too? The Pygmalion Effect says yes. This psychological phenomenon states that high expectations lead to improved performance in a given area, and low expectations lead to worse performance. Psychologists Robert Rosenthal and Lenore Jacobson present this view in their book “Pygmalion in the Classroom,” noting how teachers' expectations of their students affect the students' performance both positively and negatively.
Most of us would agree with this, as we have seen these effects of positive reinforcement. But what about the person who still chooses to be a victim? Gloom. Despair. Agony.
I recall a time as a child when we were having a family dispute. I told my sister that I just wanted “a normal family.” She told me there was no such thing. She was right. Everyone has issues. Some people choose to dwell on their problems and repeatedly tell others about them. Others put their best foot forward, smile and “talk to the dice.” Which one will you be today?
Have a thoughtful Thursday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com
See Shane Goodman's previous columns here. |
|
|
Clear Mortgage meteorology
Today will bring more clouds and breezy conditions, with a few showers possible, especially east of I-35. Friday will once again bring us sunny skies. A big warm up is ahead for the weekend, with highs in the 80s through Monday. We'll see showers and storms move in Monday night into Tuesday.
For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage. |
|
|
| From the April issue of CITYVIEW | | | BUSINESS FEATURE
Prom is big business
By Colson Thayer
Prom season is here. The annual tradition for high school juniors and seniors promises to bring more glitz and glamour each year. For many young people, this may be their most photographed event since birth. Vying for the attention of parents and students are local businesses promising to help prom-goers show up in style — and there are plenty of opportunities to do so. From the dress to the tux, the flowers and the ride, prom ends up costing some pretty pennies. But many local businesses that cater to prom consider their products or services an investment into one of the most memorable nights of one’s life. After all, prom is only a once (or twice) in a lifetime event. | | | READ MORE |
|
|
| CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines® | | | The results have been tallied and published in the February issue of CITYVIEW and online!
|
|
|
| Featured home for sale | | |
$382,000 1406 W. Mills St., Winterset, IA 50273
This beautiful 5 bed/3 full bath home has 2,344 square feet finished upstairs, with plenty of room for everybody. You will love the large kitchen/dining area with quartz countertops, a nice sized island, plenty of counter space, cabinets, a pantry and hardwood floors. All appliances stay! There is a NEW concrete patio out the sliding doors, perfect for entertaining.
See the listing here.
| | | See More Homes For Sale |
|
|
| Featured commercial real estate transaction | | | 915 S.E. 14TH COURT, DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2024-01-15
SALE PRICE: $550,000
SELLER: CAPITOL HOLDINGS LLC
BUYER: CIT HOLDINGS-DES MOINES LLC
ACRES: 0.485
SQUARE FEET: 6,080 |
|
|
| From the April issue of Indianola Living magazine | | | The gift of a future
Residents share their stories of organ transplants.
By Becky Kolosik
Nothing can prepare you for the death of a loved one — especially when it is unexpected.
For Mallory Wells and her sister, Emily VanderLinden, even after 12 years, it’s still hard to believe that their dad is gone.
However, since his death, the sisters have been able to introduce their dad to so many people and share his impact on others.
“I love that his story continues to be written,” says Mallory. “His legacy lives on because our family chose organ donation.” | | | READ MORE |
|
|
Sweet roots. "Road to Oishi Tokyo," an excellent PBS food show, reveals that the carrots most cherished in Japan grow under cover of snow. Japanese chefs prefer thicker cores for cooking because they are sweeter than the softer outer rims. They also prefer round tipped carrots to pointed ones, for the same reason.
Carrots are the second sweetest vegetable. Beets are number one. Beet kvass, a Russian drink made with fermented beet juice, is becoming popular in the U.S. At a Michigan manufacturer, I was told that Mario Batali's favorite cocktail was kvass and vodka. I have been unable to confirm that but I have been able to find the beverage at Whole Foods. Walmart also sells it online.
Thursday deals. Chef Marc Navailles is back from his winter journeys and has begun Thursday night Moroccan couscous specials - lemon chicken, beef keftas, five vegetables, harissa and stock - $17 at Purveyor (505 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines)... Bianchi’s Hilltop (2829 Hubbell Ave., Des Moines) and Chicago Speakeasy (152 Euclid Ave., Des Moines) have specials Thursdays on fried chicken dinners.
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
|
|
| CITYVIEW's Relish | | | IN THE SPRING 2024 ISSUE:
• Gardens — Not just for the backyard
• The return of the neighborhood joint
• Spilling the beans
• Questing for the holy zip code | | | READ NOW |
|
|
FROM KCCI: Iowa's summer food assistance program wants to feed children for millions less
DES MOINES, Iowa — Gov. Kim Reynolds announced a plan to replace the federal summer EBT meal program for students on free or reduced lunch on Wednesday after a controversial decision to opt out of the program in December....READ MORE FROM KCCI
FROM WHO-TV: Iowa Senate passes resolution aiming to limit income tax increases
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Republican trifecta at the statehouse completed its first step in limiting changes to the state’s income tax code. HJR 2006 passed by a vote of 31 to 13. The joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa that a two-thirds majority vote is needed in both chambers for increases to individual income tax rates, corporate income tax rates, or any other type of income tax.... READ MORE FROM WHO-TV
FROM WOI-DT Local 5: Bill that gives state authority to arrest, deport some migrants now Iowa law
The law, which takes effect July 1, has elevated anxiety in Iowa's immigrant communities and has prompted questions among legal experts and law enforcement.....READ MORE FROM WOI-DT Local 5 |
|
|
ESPN: Shohei Ohtani's ex-interpreter faces federal charges, source says... READ MORE
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Guardians Brothers Blast Homers in Same Inning on National Siblings Day... READ MORE
YAHOO! SPORTS: Police reportedly issue warrant for Chiefs WR Rashee Rice after multi-vehicle crash in Dallas .. .. READ MORE |
|
|
1814: Napoleon abdicates the throne and is exiled to Elba. ... READ MORE
1988: Cher wins Best Actress Oscar for “Moonstruck." ... READ MORE
1970: Apollo 13 launches to the moon: On April 11, 1970, Apollo 13, the third lunar landing mission, is successfully launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, carrying astronauts James A. Lovell, John L. Swigert and Fred W. Haise. The spacecraft’s destination was the Fra Mauro highlands of the moon, where the astronauts were to explore the Imbrium Basin and conduct geological experiments. After an oxygen tank exploded on the evening of April 13, however, the new mission objective became to get the Apollo 13 crew home alive. ... READ MORE
|
|
|
Ankeny Community Theatre. “Dial M for Murder.” April 12-21.
Iowa Stage Theatre Company – Special Event. “The Inheritance of Women,” poems by Suzanna de Baca. April 15, 7 p.m. at TeeHee’s Comedy Club. The program is part of Iowa Stage's ScripTease series. Join Iowa Stage with an evening of poetry presented by a number of their own repertory players.
Des Moines Metro Opera - Artist in Recital: Justin Austin, Saturday, April 13 at 4 p.m. at Plymouth Church, Des Moines: Marian Anderson Vocal Award winner Justin Austin returns to Des Moines to present an intimate Artist Recital with pianist Allen Perriello at Plymouth Church. Tickets: $30 for adults; $10 for students.
The Des Moines Latino Film Festival is thrilled to announce its much-anticipated fourth annual event, set to take place from April 16-19. This celebration of Latino culture through the art of film will be held at the newly reopened Fleur Cinema and promises to be a captivating experience for cinema enthusiasts and cultural enthusiasts alike.
— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz |
|
|
| Birthdays and notables | | | These celebrities were born on this date: Bill Irwin, David Banner, Jim Lauderdale, Joel Grey, Kelli Garner, Steve Azar, Jeremy Clarkson, Alessandra Ambrósio, Dustin Rhodes, Dele Alli, Plastique Tiara, Joss Stone
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
|
|
The answer to yesterday's riddle:
What is the extra charge for the side salad at the golf course clubhouse? A GREENS FEE! - Shane Goodman, Peri Van Tassel, Mark Arends, Diane Jones, Lori Bluml, Rex Post, Gail Tomlinson.
Today's riddle
If horses replaced cars, what would happen to gas stations?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
|
|
To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or Indianola, Urbandale, Clive Living magazines, contact:
Gina Chandler
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 323
Mobile: 641-750-6485
gina@iowalivingmagazines.com
©Big Green Umbrella Media, Inc., all rights reserved.
www.biggreenumbrellamedia.com. Add webmaster@dmcityview.com to your address book to ensure delivery. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Click here to get it delivered to your inbox for FREE! |
|
|
This email was sent to:
email@example.com
Big Green Umbrella Media, Inc.
8101 Birchwood Ct Suite D
Johnston, Iowa 50131
|
|
|
|
