End of an Era

​Saturday Morning Cartoons... What images are conjured up in your head when you hear those wonderful words?  Now when you pass on the magic of Saturday mornings to your kids and grandkids, they will only be stories of your childhood, never to be experienced in the same way again.  I heard on the radio the other day that we have reached an end of an era.  The practice of hours upon hours of animated features to "babysit" a generation since the 1960's has come to an end.  Saturday Morning Cartoons are now a thing of the past.

Sure, you can still find these classic favorites in collections or on 24-hour television, but it's not the same as sitting cross-legged within arm's length of the television dial waiting for the next pre-selected cartoon to come on...

I don't know about you, but I was raised in the culture of waking up way before the time to get ready for school (which was physically impossible during the actual school week), creeping into the living room with a bowl precariously filled to the brim with a favorite sugar cereal and milk and plunking myself down a few feet in front of the gigantic floor model television set and staying there, mesmerized for hours until the Soul Train whistle told me that the dancing was over for the week.  Even then, I could be easily enticed to extend my floor time with the Saturday afternoon movie selections such as Ma & Pa Kettle, Jerry Lewis, Bad News Bears or even a little Abbot and Costello.

I have NO idea what was going on in the house or even if my parents existed as I got lost in that world of animation, Superheros and funky dance moves!  

I'm sure the parents across the nation were happy to oblige this Saturday morning indulgence so that they too could get a few hours of peace and quite.  After all, this was a time in history, when most parents were home for the weekend and stores were still closed on Sundays.

I know as in the case of my parents, they were happy that I was glued to the television because that meant that I wasn't getting into anything else!  My obnoxiousness was contained to my square of floor space or a corner of the couch.  

I recall making out my Christmas lists with the parade of new and amazing toys that I just HAD to have!  I also helped out with the grocery list, because before we ever set foot in the grocery store, I knew exactly which cereal I wanted because of the toy that was advertised in each.  I knew all the tag lines for all the cereals, restaurants, and toy brands.  ... And to think that people call Saturday mornings a waste of kid's time!! Lol!

for their assistance in passing seventh grade American History, learning our multiplication tables and making elementary science tolerable! It may even be the beginnings of my love for the English language that translated into the writing that I enjoy today... (I would have NEVER figured out prepositional phrases without those little ants!)

By the 1990's the programming began to change to keep up with the many choices of cable tv, and the traditions of Saturday Morning Cartoons was soon destined to be a memory as the networks began to drop out one by one.  Yes, this culture/tradition is limited to a specific generation as by the time my kids came along, they were the VCR generation and there was always a steady stream of Disney classics of their choosing, to keep them occupied while Mommy got those few extra hours of sleep. 

It was a little sad to hear though that it is now officially over.  The last television station to participate in Saturday Morning Cartoons has called it quits.  The CW's Network, Vortexx has called it quits by canceling the last block of cartoons to be switched with live-action educational shows.  Pfft... who needs that?   

Boy, I suddenly feel old.  Even a bit nostalgic... and I didn't think I was old enough for that... But let's linger in the yesteryear for just a moment more and share with me your favorite Cartoon classics, memorable commercials or most beloved Schoolhouse Rock episode!!  

What Do You Want

​As you are climbing the ladder of success, do you know where it leads?  The experts all say that to really achieve success is to KNOW what it is that you want.  Most of us can't clearly answer that question.  Many say they want happiness, wealth or love, but those answers are setting you up for failure.  So what does it take to find the right ladder of success?

As much as people scoff at goal setting, and believe me, I used to be one of those people, goals are the very best way to get from where you are to where you want to be.  

This is the first article in a series on goal setting.  It is perfect for the beginner or the "scoffer" as it takes things literally, one step at a time!  This series won't cover everything, but it will certainly get you started!  And when you are ready to continue on where this series leaves off, I will be there to help you with a whole new on-line series!  So let's get started finding your ladder to success!

Many people know the things they want if they really stop to think about it, but sometimes it takes a little help.  Here's an exercise that will really help the things that prove to be most important to you to fall away from all the others.

Exercise:  This works best with a partner, but if you are honest, you can take care of a lot of blockage on your own.
The object is to keep asking questions until you can't answer them any more.
Start off with the question: What do you want?
Ask this question over and over and over again.  Write down your answers.  Most of the time, people start off with superficial things like, new car, mansion with a pool, a new wardrobe, but the more you keep asking, the REAL answers start to emerge: a savings account, someone to share my life with, a home that's paid off... Whatever is on your list is totally fine.  It's what makes you, uniquely... you!

If you get stuck, here's a couple more questions that will keep the answers flowing: 
What makes you happy?  
What do you love to do? 
If you could quit your job tomorrow...
If you won the lottery...

These questions and all those pages and pages of answers are really only the tip of the iceberg...  Then we have to work on getting you those things that keep coming up over and over again and become your priority!

So do this exercise, a few times if you'd like, and see what surfaces then next week, we will take the next step in how to make those new priorities a reality!