Harriet's Heart

What Color Is Your World?

hturk — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:10:28 +0000

I love the color teal. To me, it is a “happy” color, and I always seem to gravitate to it. In fact, the t-shirts I sell after my presentations are teal. No special reason I chose that color except teal makes me happy, and so I thought it would make others happy too.

However, in November 2011, teal took on a completely different meaning. I found out teal was the color for ovarian cancer awareness, and means Take Early Action and Live. Crazy. I’m a woman and could be susceptible to ovarian cancer, but didn’t know the first sign or symptom. I’d never known anyone with ovarian cancer, or even heard of someone with the disease.

That changed when one of my very best friends was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Tracy, who had just turned 40 two months earlier, found out that her nausea, her bloating, her gastro problems weren’t gastro-intestinal at all. She had ovarian cancer. Suddenly, the color teal became important in a whole different way.

This year alone, one in 71 women will develop ovarian cancer. One in 71. How did I not know this? Why have I been so concerned about breast exams and mammograms, but never once considered asking for a CA-125 screening test for ovarian cancer? I don’t know. Maybe it’s because ovarian cancer accounts for only 3% of all the cancers in women in the United States. Maybe it’s because the median age is 63. Maybe it’s because this type of cancer doesn’t have prominent signs and symptoms. Maybe these are all reasons ovarian cancer is known as “the silent killer.”

Presently, the color teal takes me to the two rows of leather recliners in the treatment room where I sit with Tracy as she’s intravenously given her combination of chemotherapy drugs. Teal is with me as I see the women in their wigs or caps or scarves putting on their brave faces, even when I see the pain in their eyes. Teal is with me as I overhear them talk about their nausea or the achiness in their bones from the rounds of chemo. I listen to the advice and the encouragement they give each other as they talk about what’s to come with treatment or how the disease affects their lives.

Teal is also with me as I pass through the waiting room, and give friends and family members of other patients a faint smile and a knowing glance. None of us know what to do or how to help. All we know is we want the same thing, for our friends and family to live and to be happy, and never give up hope.

It is funny how a color can mean so much with a little change in circumstances. Interesting how what was not relevant in my life four months ago has now become a passionate cause.

Take Early Action and Live. Teal. The color of hope, of awareness, of life.

Student Activities ARE Important!

hturk — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 15:36:54 +0000

These past few months have been so busy and also so rewarding. I’ve traveled to Texas, Nevada, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania, and worked with different groups with different issues. The one common goal is their love for students and student activities. Funding has been cut so much that some programs have been eliminated. However, what hasn’t been cut is the desire to make a difference–even in the tough times. Educators, community activists, non-profit agencies, students–everyone I’ve come into contact with continues to work hard to make a positive difference to others.

Student activities should never be cut. Their importance is too huge. My friends, Bob Tryanski and David Brame created a video for the Alliance for Student Activities to illustrate this point–much more eloquently than I ever could. Take a few minutes and watch this video. Share it with others. Get involved in your schools and with your community agencies. Let X= Student Activities Video Link

Ten states in two months!

hturk — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:57:33 +0000

This fall was crazy busy. I spoke in 10 states for six different types of conferences, and I got to know students from hundreds of schools. Each stop focused on different missions; from community service and developing leadership skills, preventing underage drinking and keeping our highways safe, to stopping bullying behavior. As always, I’m honored and humbled that I was chosen to be one of the speakers for these programs. I’m constantly amazed at the desire to make a difference, the hard work that goes into planning and executing a conference, and the responsibility that I have to ensure my presentations reaches ears and then channels to hearts.

It’s not enough that I give an entertaining presentation. It’s not enough that I give facts and figures regarding the dangers of distracted driving. It’s not enough that I educate my audiences on how to be an effective leader. My words and my message has to ignite a desire to leave the conference and start practicing what I’ve been “preaching.” I want my audiences to feel so much passion for their respective jobs, missions and organizations that they are literally “busting” with ideas and knowledge they can take back and implement. They may forget my name, but I don’t want them to forget my message.

Every time I step on stage, I realize the importance of my message. I am prepared to change direction at a second’s notice, and I’ve got an arsenal of stories and activities that I can “pull out” at any time. I don’t just come prepared with a speech. I come prepared for an experience. That’s why I love my job. It’s never the same. It’s completely challenging. It’s always rewarding.

Until I step on stage again in January, I wish you all a happy holiday and a Merry Christmas. Remember you ARE somebody special, life is great, and sometimes people need to hear you shout, “This ain’t YO dream!”

Mississippi Youth

hturk — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:18:31 +0000

Last week I worked in Mississippi for the MS Office of Highway Safety and the MS Student Advisory Board, (SAB). This group of 23 students had no idea who I was—just that I was a consultant coming in (as they prepared for their statewide Club Officer Training), to tell them what they were doing wrong. I’ve become accustomed to this description. The dictator, the mean one, the scary lady…the list goes on and on. These students have no idea who I really am.
They don’t know I started this program before they were born. They don’t know the team of Harriet, Jim, Rusty, Chip, Neal, Glen, Tim, and Glenda– a team from DREAM and the MS Office of Highway Safety who always worked together. They don’t know how many hours we spent dreaming up new ideas, or how many days we spent developing new prevention programs. They don’t know how much fun we had, or why we never quit, even when funding was drastically cut.
They don’t know that there’s a whole group of now adults that are immediately taken back to a hot auditorium at Belhaven College or USM when the song from Bonnie Tyler, “Total Eclipse of the Heart” plays. These students have no idea what MS Youth to Youth was, and why some of us keep trying to resurrect it.
They weren’t with me as I stood at the top of the MS Coliseum with tears in my eyes as I watched over 5,500 students raise their hands and sing in unison as Karl Anthony performed. They also weren’t with me as I tried to calm down over 100 school advisors when the pizza ovens broke and almost no one was fed lunch. They weren’t there as I traveled the entire state delivering conference t-shirts because the printer didn’t deliver on time. They don’t know the crazy details that are involved with coordinating and executing a conference.
They don’t know what it feels like to have chapters/clubs fail because an advisor left a school. They don’t know what it means to get a thank you note from a student who feels like his life was saved because of SAB. They haven’t heard the school advisors say thank you so many times it gets embarrassing, and then have a federal funding agency question your motive, your program and your results.
I can’t articulate the memories so they get it. My history is just that—history. I just hope they get why I want them to do well. They don’t know how much this program means to me, and why I can’t talk about it too much. It’s just too emotional.
I want them to know I’m their biggest cheerleader. That’s why I’m such a tough coach.
That’s who I really am.

Maine makes me happy

hturk — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:17:38 +0000

Every summer, I have a wonderful time in Maine. I speak for two annual conferences, Aroostook Teen Leadership Conference (ATLC) and the Down East Teen Leadership Conference (DETLC) Every July, I can’t wait to explore the Northern and the Down East regions of Maine. While I love the scenery, the massive trees, the beautiful water, the potato fields, the roadside blueberry stands, and the lobster, this is not what I love the most.
I love the people I see just once each year. I love the interaction, albeit very brief, that I am allowed to have with them. I love the love I feel from each staff member I’ve gotten to know. Lastly, I love the campers I meet. These middle school students are some of the sweetest students I encounter. There is a real innocence, a real energy and a real desire to make a difference. They don’t just commit to a week’s camp, they commit to years of “togetherness.”
ATLC just celebrated their 25th year. I’ve been a part of this program for the past fourteen. DETLC is relatively new, but has been operating for at least eight years. Terri Woodruff and Jack Foster have always been the camp directors. I have witnessed their dedication, their service and their love for their respective programs. I have such empathy for them—wondering year to year if there will be enough funding to continue. Each year, it gets just a little bit harder, and so does their commitment to ensure that the programs don’t end.
I am also honored that I have the privilege to share the stage with three other youth speakers, Ed Gerety, Patty Hendrickson and Javier Sanchez. I don’t recommend or recognize speakers who don’t live their message. Trust me when I say these three do. I’m proud they are my colleagues and also my friends.
I’m thankful I have the type of job that allows me to travel to wonderful places, and to constantly meet new people. I’m also thankful for clients who hire me year after year. These clients are definitely my friends, and most importantly, they feel like family.
Ahhhh…Maine. The way life should be.

People to People

hturk — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:37:31 +0000

Recently, I had the privilege to present at two People to People conferences. One was at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and the other in New York at Columbia University. Every year, I’m amazed at the quality of students who attend these conferences. I often wonder if I’m “smart enough” to impart any wisdom! Not only are they intelligent, they are caring, respectful, amazing, and so very much fun! My summer wouldn’t be complete without People to People.

I’m honored and humbled that you choose me to be one of your speakers. Thank you.

I love my “job.”

hturk — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:28:36 +0000

I love what I do. Sometimes, the travel gets tiring, and leaving my home for days or weeks is very hard. However, I wouldn’t trade my “job” for anything else.
There are weeks like the one I just had that let me know I’m doing exactly what I am supposed to do. It started at TN Teen Institute at Austin Peay State University. What an amazing group!! Watching 400+ students from every part of my state come together and declare (very loudly!) that they are drug free made me very proud. Before it was my time to present, I loved watching the energy from the sound booth. My son and nephew were with me, and they were overwhelmed with the noise (I said it was LOUD!), and they were also intrigued at what this large group of students was doing. My son, Andrew, is used to these conferences, but he has never attended one that had as much energy as TTI. Thank you, TTI, for allowing me to be a part of your conference. I expect great things to happen in my home state—and with the amazing energy and desire I saw in each one of you, I have no doubt great things will happen!

After TTI, I went to Florida Southern College to be with one of my favorite groups, S4TL. I can’t even describe how I feel about them. It was so good to see so many returning staff members, and even though I didn’t get to speak to each of you, I noticed you were there. This was the third year that the group got to hear about my son and all his craziness. For the first time, they also got to meet Andrew, and they really made him feel very special. Heart-felt thanks to Catherine, Chris, and CJ. I really appreciate you hanging out with Andrew. He loved showing off his jumping skills. ☺

Finding what you love to do in life is so important. I’ve “tried out” many professions, and while I’ve enjoyed parts of each one, there’s nothing like the feeling I get after speaking to groups like TTI and S4TL. Thank you for being so wonderful to me, thank you for your desire to make a difference, and thank you for encouraging others to live their life to the fullest.
Life IS Great!