Archive for the ‘flying’ tag
Learn to Fly Usa
Learn To Fly Usa
I learned I could fly SOLO
My greatest accomplishment in life-I learned I could fly SOLO!
In 1960, Providence, Rhode Island at age sixteen I was bored and very confused about life I decided to leave High School and discover the world.
Prior to this period in my life my existence encompassed mostly the local area of Providence known as Silver Lake where I lived. Our family didn’t traverse far from home plate and, our vision of the world was very small. But, I knew by listening to others, there really is a Santa Klaus, there really were larger and more beautiful places to be explored studied and appreciated. I wanted to travel, experience other places and cultures of the world. I joined the US Army, asked to go to Japan for a cultural change and was promptly sent to France. I got what I asked for-change!
Ultimately, this High School drop-out received his BSBA from Bryant College (A University today) in just three years rather than the customary four with a Management major and a minor in Economics going on to grad school at Providence College.
After numerous job trials, mostly failures, I found myself in the following situation:
In 1979 our country (USA) was in the midst of a recession (or depression depending on your point of view) and I in the midst of a divorce, a day into a brand new car and loan payments, no money in the bank, indebted up to you know what and, got fired from my last job. This was the fourteenth job that I involuntarily left in twelve years or so, who’s counting.
The entrepreneurial lust rising up from within reached a crescendo so load it could not be ignored-so load it could be heard around the world. I had to find a place for myself, my skills, my education; a place where I would and could be appreciated; a place to explore and conquer; a place where I could grow and be proud. I discovered that place within myself.
It is I. This is my time, right now; this place is here within my flesh and bones to be ignored no longer. I have been searching and I have found me!
It did not happen all at once but, I came to appreciate my skills, creativity, keen understanding of others’ behavior and my ability to communicate with others. Sometimes not so eloquently but effective, as time went on I became more skilled in the art of creative communication not only using the spoken word but also in print. I became well oiled and crisp. I learned to be hard, not soft as some would have it yet, skillful and kind. I became an artful worrier reaching for the stars and riding them to where they would take me. I was learning and having fun in a business I didn’t like!
Yes, I was successful in a business I did not like, a business that allowed me to explore cultures of people beyond my own shores. The world became my teacher and I the student. What I have learned during those twenty-seven years is to trust myself! Not to disregard the wisdom of others but I learned and know what wisdom is!
Others like to protect those they hold dear to themselves, keeping them from getting hurt, perhaps. What I discovered is that others project their fears upon others in the guise of protection and out of ignorance. Well meaning people whose fears and ignorance dictate their lives as they ignorantly feel safe but, they hide those fears from themselves so as not to deal with them less they will need to change their lives.
And isn’t it the fear of change that governs most people’s decisions? Yet, they are the very ones to want something that is new or different. Isn’t NEW a CHANGE from something? Different? How does one explain the existence of that dichotomy? I am searching for the answer yet to find it.
I discovered the value of change; a very exciting and at times provoking and stimulating. Fear not change rather, we ought to fear NOT to change.
Think of where we are now in our lives, our world; the essentials that we have and the wonders that we possess. Think of the turn of the 20th. Century when in the midst of a major change; Horses and automobiles. Telegraph, telephones. Through the years, think of the NEW and what CHANGES were made to bring us the marvels we have today? If someone chose to protect us from change, where would we be? What would our lives be like? Yes, change is good, positive, stimulating and necessary for our wellbeing our creativity. A stimulus yet to explore.
Often I set an objective, discover the obstacles in my way and conquer those obstacles by studying processes and discovering the necessary tools to use to make it happen. I found that very easy. Change was and is stimulating, challenging and very rewarding. I suppose one could say that I am a self sufficient worrier who loves to be challenged and stimulated; that I find obstacles a challenge not overpowering just simply a learning experience to conquer with success as the reward. Fear is what holds one back; discovery is what moves one forward!
I also have learned to allow myself to enjoy the small reward or successes rather than wait for the major success. The little success is here now to be appreciated and savored while we anticipate the bigger reward. We are teaching ourselves to enjoy each reward as if it were the big one. We deserve it and we have earned it no matter how small. If we learn to appreciate the small rewards we are teaching ourselves to accept the larger rewards. Without the good feelings to savor of the small rewards, how will we learn to appreciate and recognize our larger successes?
Essentially, insecurities give way to confidence as you allow yourself the pleasure of acceptance that you have accomplished something. No matter what others may think, you have accomplished something; they did not, you did! How empowering is that?
No one in this world can do what you do. That is neither conceit nor bragging nor is it a put- down to others. It is a simple fact! Others may and can do something as similar as you but, no one else is you! Are you Einstein?
As an entrepreneur one discovers the meaning of “it is very lonely at the top”. There is no one to make your decisions, no one to set things in motion, no one to call order. It is yours and yours alone. Learning to be the deciding factor and earn the praise you deserve comes from the knowledge learned to be yourself, trust yourself and, listening not to those who want to protect you from harm.
So, essentially what is my greatest accomplishment in life? That I alone will climb that mountain, that I alone will make my path to destiny, it is I alone who may falter, it is I alone who shall pick me up. I have learned to fly SOLO!
The people who released me from their employee so many years ago could not appreciate the opportunity they had before them. Yet, they did me a favor. We are a product of our environment. They are a product of my environment. They gave to me the opportunity for me to make a contribution to mankind, yet they do not know it. I thank them very much because, without the changes they made possible, I may have never realized or discovered the power of change!
Thank you all who have been and are a part of my learning and appreciation of mankind! Thank you all for allowing me to contribute to future generations!
Thank you for the opportunity so I could learn to fly SOLO and return a contribution to mankind!
About the Author
Nicholas R. De Stefano has a BSBA from Bryant University with a major in Management and a minor in Economics. He also attended Providence College in the production engineering MBA program.
With a keen Business Acumen, he possesses an intuitive mechanical aptitude.
Experiences include over forty-four years in Marketing including: Sales to both wholesale and retail establishments and, direct business to business sales, Distribution, print Advertising and, Sales Management.
As a business owner exceeding twenty-seven years, experiences include Operations, Distribution, Sales Management, Merchandising, all aspects of Marketing and, overseas product manufacturing and distribution.
He also gives exceptional attention to details which is crucial in Crystallizing one’s thoughts in planning and implementation of goals and objectives.
In Florida, he is a licensed Real Estate Broker with experiences in Commercial Sales and Marketing and Business Brokerage and, also Business Coach and Consultant. www.bizotb.com, www.leadershipdevelopmentllc.com, www.wsiys.com
Leadership Development LLC, Tampa Bay, Florida OFFICE 727.785.9554 FAX 727.781.1896
Learn to Fly (eGO vlog#18)
where and how can I learn Glitz Pageant Moves ? ! ?
I’m getting ready to enter a Glitz Pageant, but I don’t know where and how to start & get moves. I know most girls take modeling lessons, but I think that won’t work when I’m doing swimwear.
The song I’m practicing to is “Surfing USA”, for my swimwear, just for starters. I tried searching YouTube, and somewhat, it’s helping. But I’d like to get some moves of my own. I could use a coach, but there is none where I live, and I’d hate to hire and fly one here, cause I prepare and practice wayyy before the pageant!
so please help me if you can, letting me know some online videos I can watch, getting information, thank you so much, and happy New Year!
You’re going to have to go to a coach to learn pro-am. Check for any vendors (Usually on the site or you’ll have to email the director) if there are there’s usually at least 1 coach. Pro-Am(Upbeat dance-like modeling) is only used for sportswear/outfit of choice. You do NOT need to pro-am for Swim wear. Swim wear is a category where you just show off your personality(IE: Struttin’ your stuff 
). Try watching the swim wear portions(Both portions are glitz) of Little Beauties: Ultimate Kiddie Queen Showdown. It’s found on both VH1 & YouTube. If they allow you to bring your on music bring it. But mostly they will not and you’ll have to use the stuff they provide. Is the pageant a Preliminary., State, Open-State,Mini-National, or a national(it should say which one)? Now, pro-am routines are custom made and one of a kind. If you need anymore help PLEASE feel free to email me @ attackofdameepits@hotmail.com
