Great Possibilities!
‘Karen and Jay share thoughts on the magical outcomes possible when looking past what appears on the surface – and seeing the ‘full potential.’
Have you ever found yourself in what seemed like a hopeless situation? Where it appeared there was just no way to make things work? No way to succeed? Then you took a step back. You collected yourself – and then something almost magical started to happen. You began to imagine the possibilities. Ideas came to you. Creative ideas. Some of them weren’t any good. But now your mind was working – at full capacity. And your perspective began to change. You were looking past what appeared on the surface. There was an excitement – a positive energy. Indeed, you were seeing the potential.
And, of course, once ‘locking on’ to a vision of the potential – your thoughts, your actions, and everything in your persona - all took you in the direction of realizing that potential.
This is a phenomenon I like to paraphrase from a well-known quotation: To see the world according to circumstance or appearance is easy. However, to see ‘truth’ – regardless of circumstance or appearance is laborious and requires greater power than any other task man is called upon to perform.
In life, we often encounter challenges and obstacles that can be discouraging, leaving us feeling trapped and limited. However, by cultivating the ability to see past the surface level, we can unlock a realm of positive possibilities and tap into the potential hidden within any situation. By shifting our perspective, we generate positive energy and open ourselves to achieving successful outcomes that would have otherwise remained unattainable.
We also gain the ability to recognize hidden opportunities that may not be immediately apparent. A prime example is the story of Thomas Edison and the invention of the electric light bulb. Despite encountering numerous setbacks and failures, Edison saw each one as an opportunity to learn and improve. By reframing his challenges as ‘stepping-stones’ toward success, he eventually discovered the solution that revolutionized our world. This ability to perceive hidden opportunities allows us to approach obstacles with optimism, leading to innovative solutions and growth.
And of course, the inspiring example of J.K. Rowling - who faced rejection from multiple publishers before her manuscript for "Harry Potter" was finally accepted. Rather than succumbing to despair, she chose to see her setbacks as opportunities to refine her work. Rowling's resilience paid off, and her series became a global phenomenon, highlighting the transformative power of embracing challenges with a positive mindset.
By seeing beyond surface-level obstacles, we unlock the door to creativity and innovation. The story of Airbnb exemplifies this transformative mindset. When faced with a challenge of low occupancy rates, the founders reimagined their platform by leveraging the potential of unused living spaces. This simple shift in perspective led to a groundbreaking business model that revolutionized the hospitality industry. By reframing challenges as catalysts for creativity, we ignite our imaginations, enabling us to generate innovative solutions that propel us forward.
Seeing past surface-level challenges is a transformative skill that empowers us to unlock hidden potential and discover positive possibilities in any situation. As we embrace this perspective, we tap into our inner strength and resilience, opening doors to new possibilities and ultimately shaping a brighter future for ourselves and those around us. Let us strive to see beyond the surface-level challenges and obstacles, embracing the potential and positive possibilities that lie within every situation.
Realizing Potential in a Small Town!
Here's a great example of ‘seeing the potential’ – right in the heart of Newport, New Hampshire. The town’s former railroad depot will soon be the new home of the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce. And, what an awesome spot to be welcoming visitors and making things happen in the Sunshine Town!
This historic building, located behind the bank at the intersection of Depot Street and Korn Alley, will be used for office space after its renovation is completed. Construction has already started, and the Chamber is actively seeking grants to fund the project. Members also are collecting renovation ideas and bids for the project.
At this time, the goal is to have renovations completed by summer 2024. “We are extremely happy and excited to have this opportunity and glad that we can help keep this historical building part of Newport’s history,” according to Chamber President, Brandy Waterman.
While it waits to move into its renovated home, the Chamber isn’t sitting back. This summer, the list of new and ongoing events the Chamber is taking part in is extensive – and truly seeing and ‘unlocking’ the full potential of this great New Hampshire town.
Those events include Concerts on the Common from 6 to 8 p.m. Sundays and the Newport Block Party on from 5 to 8 p.m., July 21. Both events will take place on the town common and are free. This year, the Block Party will include bands, food vendors, games hosted by the Newport Recreation Center and a mural unveiling.
The third annual Wings and Wheels Car show has been rescheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., July 23. The show will be held at Parlin Field and admission is $5, children ages 12 and under are free. Pre-registering a car for the show costs $20 and $25 at the gate.
“Events like this, and many other events that are held throughout the year by different organizations, are extremely important to Newport,” Waterman said. “They help give the town a great sense of community, making Newport a nice place to live and also a nice place to visit.”
Chamber and other town events “help lift spirits, build a sense of community, give people something to look forward to and create a more positive outlook on the Newport area.” Chamber member Steve Smith added.
It’s so inspiring to see what’s possible when people come together – with vision – and help a community reach its full potential!
Seeing Great Possibilities in Local News – the Eagle Times!
It’s been exactly one year since the newly formed Sunshine Communications bought the Eagle Times from Pennsylvania-based Sample News Group. The motivating idea was to look beyond the current situation and the challenges that the paper was experiencing – but instead to see the full potential of what ‘could be’ – and create a news source that would be truly community focused. With hyper-local news stories – sharing positive profiles and reporting on events and developments important to the community.
From 2009 to 2022, the Eagle Times was part of a corporate news group, lumped in with several Vermont publications that dictated everything from its content to its format. Sample had bought the Eagle Times out of bankruptcy after it collapsed earlier in 2009, giving it another chance at life. But, as the newspaper industry continued to decline, the Eagle Times bore the brunt of corporate cost-cutting, losing the local personnel and content that made it a local paper.
When Sunshine Communications bought the paper, it had a part-time general manager, an editor, one and a half reporters, a customer service person, a dedicated cadre of drivers who delivered papers to post offices and newsstands across the region, and a handful or two of part-time writers. Aside from the sports coverage provided by part-time Sports Editor Chris Shaban and his merry band of scrappy, part-time writers, there was little local content.
Founder of the now five-year-old Sunshine Initiative in Newport and the newly formed Sunshine Communications, Jay Lucas had a vision for the paper. He had come to realize that for small, rural communities like those served by the Eagle Times to thrive, they needed a healthy, dynamic, locally focused media outlet. That trusted news outlet would share the local stories that needed to be told so that neighbors, businesses, community organizations and the government could connect with each other. Remembering fondly his days as a youth reading the Eagle Times and his periodic appearances in its sports pages as a high school athlete, Lucas bought the Eagle Times with this in mind.
Under the new local ownership, things have really started to change – and in the right direction.
Richard Girard, Manchester, was recruited to lead the day-to-day operations. Rich has a well-earned reputation in community radio journalism and a solid understanding of what hyper-local coverage means – and is leading the Eagle Times on its current path – a path that means to bring the Eagle Times back to the content and local spirit that defined the paper through most of its long history.
Girard and the Eagle Times team are reengaging with the community, covering local events, taking dynamic photos of local people doing positive things and relying less on content from news aggregators like the Associated Press.
In Meaghan Breen, the paper has successfully brought on a dedicated health & education writer who has now overseen the revamping and rebranding of the Eagle Times’ Good Health Care Guide. All of its content is now locally produced, developed in conjunction with local health care providers to ensure it is relevant to the readers and the institutions that care for them. The end goal is to have the best health care guide in the industry.
The team has also begun rebuilding relationships with area Chambers of Commerce, local governments, organizations, and advertisers, along with nurturing new relationships with local, county and state officials. Simple content additions, like police and fire logs, property transfers and lottery numbers were brought back in response to reader requests. Articles featuring local people, business, history, and events found their way back to the paper’s pages, as have investigative articles. Every page of the paper is now printed in color.
Iowa-native Kevin Brown, who has been in the newspaper industry most of his adult life, just joined the team as well. Brown had been living in Robertsdale, AL, selling RVs when he decided to re-enter the journalism profession. He was recruited and decided to come aboard - – primarily due to the vision that was described for him. Hyper-local focus, an emphasis on positivity – and growth. Truly seeing the potential to become the ‘best local newspaper in the country!’
Stay tuned – the best is yet to come. The Eagle has landed. Newspapers are still the cornerstone around which community is built and nurtured.
Check us out at https://www.eagletimes.com/, find us on the newsstand or stop by our offices at 27 Pleasant St., Claremont. As always, thank you for reading the Eagle Times! We’re looking forward to serving you for the next 189 years!
Positive Profile of the Week: Josephine Moran - CEO, Ledyard Bank
This week we are delighted to highlight a true leader in the financial community – Josephine Moran, CEO of Ledyard Bank in Hanover.
Josephine brings a wealth of experience to her current position – having recently served as President and Chief Banking Officer at Ledyard prior to her taking the reins as CEO earlier this year. In addition, prior to joining Ledyard, she was Executive Vice President, Chief Corporate Services and Consumer Lending Officer at Provident Bank. She also served as the EVP and Director of Retail Banking at Provident Bank, Senior Vice President/Regional Manager/Retirement Services Director at Webster Bank and EVP/Director of Retail Banking at Columbia Bank.
But it wasn’t all banking and finance from the beginning. A graduate of North Bergen High School in Hudson County, NJ, she earlier pursued a sales, marketing and management career in fashion retail. With marriage came a move to CT. As her family with three children evolved, Moran began to focus on a career change. And an investment book by Primerica, Inc. founder, Arthur L Williams Jr., changed Josephine’s life. She knew she wanted to help people with their finances.
Completing her masters, Moran replied to a 1999 ad that began: “Do you know credit?” Two days later, she had an interview. Two hours later, she entered the banking world as a financial specialist with First Union.
Twelve years and a few mergers and buyouts later, Moran joined Santander Bank, overseeing several vital departments in its New York and New Jersey regions. In due course, she moved on as head of retail management for Provident Bank. It was while here that a recruiter, familiar with her strengths in investment wealth and retail, contacted her about a well-suited opportunity in Hanover, NH. “New Hampshire?” Moran exclaimed. She was used to New Jersey’s population of 9 million vs. New Hampshire’s 1.4 in the same land area. However, as evidenced by her proven track record of success at Ledyard – New Hampshire has been a great fit for her.
In addition to her role at the bank, Josephine continues to stay active at her alma mater. She was elected to the University of New Haven’s Board of Governors in January 2019 and currently serves on the Finance Committee. She is chair of the University of New Haven’s Pompea College of Business Advisory Board and has been a member since 2013. She is also the chair of the University of New Haven's Women's Leadership Council.
We thank Josephine for the leadership role she has provided – and congratulate her in ‘seeing the potential’ – in embracing an exciting, but challenging career change – and successfully realizing the potential.
Quotes of the Week: Seeing the Potential
"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." - Albert Einstein
"Believe you can and you're halfway there." - Theodore Roosevelt
"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." - Henry Ford "The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." - Franklin D. Roosevelt "Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." - Joshua J. Marine