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Good Vibes

2026

• More Than a Network – Mikki Collins, 07-15-2026
  When I joined the optical industry as a brand-new sales representative, I was looking for one simple thing: connection. Traveling a territory can  ...
  
  
• The Power of the Pause – Tracey Esser, 06-15-2026
  We've all experienced "those" moments, usually right when everything feels like too much. Deadlines stack up, decisions pile on, and the pace doesn't  ...
  
  
• A Spring Reset for Mind and Body – Bonnie Whitfield, 04-01-2026
  As winter fades and the light begins to linger a little longer each day, spring offers us more than just a change in season; it brings an invitation  ...
  
  

2025

• The Gift of Grace – Cydney Hartner, 12-15-2025
  Like so many, the holiday season is my favorite time of the year. I love the twinkling lights, the steaming cups of hot cocoa (sipped even in the steaming  ...
  
  
• Threads That Bind Us – Karen Michaelson, ABOC, 12-01-2025
  Given my age, I'm seeing trends come around for the third time — bell bottoms, jumpsuits, shoulder pads, panty hose, even hot pants (IYKYK). I  ...
  
  
• The Power of Pink: Honoring our Her Story Hero – Jenny Wiley, 10-15-2025
  Everyone says they remember the exact moment when something happened that changed their life. In the case of my diagnosis, I remember the weeks leading  ...
  
  
• The Story Behind Her Story – Mikki Collins, 08-15-2025
  Sometimes the most impactful moments come disguised as inconvenience. It was 6:30 am in Las Vegas — not exactly a time I would typically choose  ...
  
  
• Welcoming the New Month – Abigail Crosby, 05-01-2025
  Happy New Month! There is something so refreshing and exciting about the start of a new month. It acts as a mini reset, giving us the space to pause,  ...
  
  
• April Fool's Day: Embracing Laughter and Connection – Monica Chopra, 04-01-2025
  No OWA One-Minute Inspiration today. . . . JUST KIDDING! Happy April Fool's Day! As a kid, I used to dread this day because I would have to be very  ...
  
  
• A Valentine to Yourself: Embracing Self-Love and Grace – Bonnie Whitfield, 02-15-2025
  Valentine's Day has long been a celebration of love — a time to shower our significant others, children, pets, parents, nieces, nephews, and friends  ...
  
  

2024

• Less Than 100% is OK! – Candice Spurlin, 12-15-2024
  You don't have to give 100% all the time — and that's okay. We've all heard that we can have it all and do it all. If you took on more projects,  ...
  
  
• Dream Catching – Jennifer Trakhtenberg, 07-15-2024
  Specific moments leave an imprint and can be called upon with a glowing grin. Serving as a "people leader" can some days resemble a contact sport —  ...
  
  
• The Little Things Are the Big Things – Kristen Tischler, 03-01-2024
  How is it already March? 2024 is flying by and life is as chaotic as ever. Trying to balance being a wife, a pregnant mom, a busy professional, and keeping  ...
  
  

2023

• Finding Enjoyment in Creating Space – Rachel Meyer, EdD, 12-01-2023
  The holidays provide wonderful opportunities for reminiscing over memories of years past, enjoying old and new stories as we catch up with friends, cherishing  ...
  
  
• The Power of Looking on the Bright Side! – Barbra Dey, 05-15-2023
  We've all had disappointments in our lives; it is how we respond to these letdowns that sets us apart. When I moved to Seattle from Ireland in the  ...
  
  
• Create Your Own Sunshine – Melissa Guillory, 04-15-2023
  How are you, really? It's a genuine ask of a simple question. On some hard days, with some people, I take a deep breath and answer honestly. And  ...
  
  

2022

• Circles of Sunshine – Mary Lanning, 08-15-2022
  A study I came across recently said it takes the brain FIVE positive thoughts to replace the effects of ONE negative thought. FIVE TO ONE. Let that simmer.  ...
  
  
• Brown Paper Book Covers – Karen Michaelson, 08-01-2022
  One of my favorite things about being an OWA member is OWA Reads. I love to read, but in the past, reading was not a priority for me. I think I felt  ...
  
  
• With Compliments – Stephanie Lucas, 05-01-2022
  During this year's OWA Champagne Breakfast, I was struck by the "psychology of happiness" data point shared by speaker and Positive Psychology Practitioner  ...
  
  

2021

• Planting Seeds – Karen Michaelson, 12-15-2021
  Fall in Minnesota for me is full of walks down roads that change before my eyes. One day as I was out walking, I came upon a beautiful, large dandelion  ...
  
  
• OWA Strong — We Are All in This Together! – Sandra Mohr, 05-15-2021
  OWA's April podcast guest was Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council and member of the OWA Board of Directors. Ashley was excited to share details about  ...
  
  
• Believe in Your Ideas and Others Will, Too! – Robyn Crimmins, OWA President, 02-15-2021
  Having a great idea is one thing. Selling it to those who can support you in making that idea a reality can be more challenging and take some doing.  ...
  
  

2020

• The Gift of a "Thank You" – Carol Wilbur, 11-15-2020
  Almost from the time we learned to write, my mother made sure all of us kids acknowledged our birthday and Christmas presents with a handwritten "thank  ...
  
  
• I Need Everyone's Attention! – Rachel Meyer, 10-15-2020
  The teacher asked my pre-kindergarten 4-year-old daughter to warn her friends about a wasp near the playground. She determined the best approach was  ...
  
  
• Reading is My Passion – Deborah Myres, 06-15-2020
  I can remember when I first learned to read: the fourth week of first grade. After a few weeks of Dick and Jane with Spot, I was well on my way to pursuing  ...
  
  
• From Hot to Not! – Ginamarie Wells, 04-01-2020
  I read a blog post recently entitled, "Words Matter." The author was writing an apology for words he'd used previously. In this "apology" post, the author  ...
  
  
• The Year of Optical 2020! – Robyn Crimmins, OWA President, 01-21-2020
  I have always loved this time of year. It's a unique moment in our calendars when we embrace the unknown and all that is to come in the new year. It's  ...
  
  

2019

• Coach Turned Player – Karen Michaelson, ABOC, 10-15-2019
  It seems I picked the perfect year to start my eye care career — I will celebrate my 40th anniversary in 2020. My first paying optical position  ...
  
  
• A Stroke of Good Luck – Catherine Hickling, 07-01-2019
  I spent Memorial Day 2009 in the hospital partially paralyzed and with garbled speech as the doctors worked to reverse the effects of the stroke that  ...
  
  
• Cherish Every Moment – Katherine Cruz, 05-01-2019
  When I volunteered to write a One Minute Mentor, several topics came to mind — "Managing Your Manager", "Social Media", and "Live Your Best Life"  ...
  
  

2018

• Friends Forever – Debbie Myres, 05-02-2018
  Friends forever seems like a bold statement, but I have had the pleasure of witnessing this happen. In kindergarten, a group of girls met and became  ...
  
  
• Creating Our Life Story – Michelle Krecz-Gondor, 03-15-2018
  I remember the past. Always looking at the mountaintops in the distance and wanting to be there; yearning for a new vantage point and forsaking the mountain  ...
  
  

2017

• Best Day Ever – Debbie Myres, 11-15-2017
  Are you always planning for tomorrow and beyond? I love being with my grandkids, and no matter what we are doing, my grandson always says, "This is  ...
  
  
• OWAsohard – Rachel Meyer, 10-02-2017
  In my life' s journey, there are magnificent days where I feel that I have a cape and tiara; hitting every goal and high-fiving myself all day long.  ...
  
  
• Summertime, Summertime! – Rachel Meyer, Ed.D., 08-15-2017
  If you are like me, you enjoy summer in all its glory — be it humid or dry, hot or smoldering (sorry western states!). Students of all ages enjoy  ...
  
  
• Take a Bow — For You – Melissa Veeser, 06-15-2017
  I believe most people have a deep, inherent desire to help and assist others in their journey of growth and self-empowerment. Heart calls us. This  ...
  
  

2015

• Reversing the Formula for Success – Christie Walker, 12-01-2015
  There is a line of thinking that says: If you work harder, you'll be more successful. And if you are more successful, you'll be happier. We are fed  ...
  
  
• There's No "I" in TEAM – Lauren Bell-Thomson, 08-31-2015
  Let's face it; getting a project done on time with a team behind you is much better than going it alone. "You are only as strong as your weakest link"  ...
  
  
• The Gift of a Compliment – Karen A. Michaelson, ABOC, 07-15-2015
  Just like our cars, we set our cruise control daily and simply motor on. We go about our usual routine to ensure our days go as seamlessly as possible.  ...
  
  
• Effective Mentoring – Susan Ohneck, 06-15-2015
  When I was asked to write an article for the Mentoring committee, I approached the task as I usually approach a new task, which is to gather information,  ...
  
  
• Think Positively – Cerella Rainey, O.D., 06-01-2015
  Former United States President Lyndon B. Johnson once said, "Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose". When change comes  ...
  
  
• Accentuating the Positive – Amy Spiezio, 05-18-2015
  Everyone has rough days, times when you are disappointed in your performance or feeling like you're not meeting your personal or professional goals.  ...
  
  

2014

• Gratitude – Christie Walker, 12-02-2014
  As we are wrapping up another year, many times the focus has already shifted to what's ahead, setting goals and resolutions for the next year. I know  ...
  
  
• Life Lessons from Skippy – Linda Fitzgerald, 09-02-2014
  Our family had a picture perfect life. We had a beautiful home, my husband and I had a great marriage, two children, a dog and a cat. Without my knowledge,  ...
  
  
• My Wish to You This Spring – Jodi Groh, 04-15-2014
  Spring. It always brings thoughts of life, of newness, of growth. And after the winter many of us have endured this year, we're looking forward to a  ...
  
  
• Wisdom For The Ages – Ann E. Englert, 04-04-2014
  Recently I attended a dear friend's celebration of 95 years! Yes! This woman dazzles us with her brilliant mind, enjoys a colorful life and loves to  ...
  
  
• Being Grateful – Sue Creek, 02-19-2014
  Be grateful. It is simple to do, but often forgotten. Being grateful can change your day in an instant. Dealing with a cranky patient or customer?  ...
  
  

2013

• WWCD – Karen A. Michaelson, ABOC, 07-18-2013
  I get asked all the time "Are you always this happy and positive?" The answer is yes but it hasn't always been that way. Trust me, after being  ...
  
  
• You Are Worthy and Valuable! – Linda Fitzgerald, 07-01-2013
  One of my dearest friends lives hundreds of miles away from me, and with the craziness life brings, we do not have the opportunity to speak nearly as  ...
  
  
• My Tin Box – Rebecca Johnson, CPOT, COT, COE, 02-04-2013
  A few days before January 1, I read an article that suggested keeping notes throughout the year to remind you of special moments and thoughts. Then,  ...
  
  

2012

• Change Your Thinking – Contributed By: Maggie Sayers, M. Sayers Coaching, 08-01-2012
  Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid  ...
  
  
• How to Stay Motivated at Work – Rebecca L. Johnson, CPOT, COT, COE, 04-12-2012
  Didn't get a raise this year due to the economy? Is your office understaffed, making you overworked? Tired of the same ol' same ol'? Here is a surefire  ...
  
  

2011

• Pearls and Shells – Rebecca Johnson, COT, CPOT, COE, 04-05-2011
  When an alien substance irritates its shell, the natural reaction of the oyster is to protect itself by covering up the invading splinter with layers  ...
  
  

2010

• I Hope You Dance – Rebecca L. Johnson, COT, COPT, COA, 10-04-2010
  I could hear the sounds of a jazz band coming from the overhead speakers as I walked around the corner to enter the breakfast room at Das Dutch Village  ...
  
  

2009

• Visual Acuity - What Do We Really See? – Jodi Groh, 12-07-2009
  I recently volunteered at a OneSightSM Vision Clinic and had the opportunity to participate in the visual acuity screening. Early in the day, LaShawn,  ...
  
  

2006

• A Positive Attitude: A Requirement in Today's World – Jodi Groh, 08-15-2006
  How often when given an assignment for the first time your immediate reaction is, "I can't do it"? Or you're interested in exploring a new hobby, but  ...
  
  
• Developing a Healthy Self-Esteem – Jodi Groh, 07-01-2006
  Self-esteem, simply put, is the opinion you have of yourself. It is an emotion, conscious and unconscious, of how you like and respect yourself. It drives  ...
  
  

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