As a professional, have you ever heard someone say, "Leave your problems at the door"?  Maybe you are the one who says it!  Let me ask you, how well do you think it works?  See, so often we fail to remember that we're a part of a team, designed to lift each other up and move forward together. 

According to Wikipedia, "A group in itself does not necessarily constitiute a team.  Teams normally have members with complementary skills and generate synergy through a coordinated effort which allows each member to maximize his/her strengths and minimize his/her weaknesses.  Team members need to learn how to help one another, help other team members realize their true potential, and create an environment that allows everyone to go beyond their limitations."

So now the hard question, how good of a team member are you?  What will you do the next time someone on your team shows weakness?  Hopefully, you will let them know how special they are, and how sorry you are that they are going through this tough time.  Maybe you will even ask, "How may I help you?"... Usually, the answer is "you already are."  Never underestimate the power of a kind word or gesture... your team member may just have to repay you the favor.

Remember, let's lift up our team and move forward together!

Amy O'Pry

Growing up, my mother always had her sayings...  One of my all time favorites was, "You can be pretty, you can be smart, but if you're not sweet the other two don't matter".  Everyday, I live by these words.

What "words of wisdom" help shape your life?

Amy O'Pry

How much did you grow in 2011?  I mean, spiritually, mentally, professionally, how much do you think you gained in the past twelve months?  For me, with the launching of a new company, and the completion of my sister's murder trial, I am drenched by lessons of wisdom and healing.  No matter who you are, or what you've been through, every year yields opportunities for growth.  So, what are your lessons and reflections from 2011, and how will you apply them to your life from this moment forward?

Admittedly, this past year was not an easy year for me, or my family.  As many of you know, my elder sister, Kristi O'Pry, has been missing since 1996, and in the summer of 2011, after 15 long years of agony... her confessed killer was sentenced to death.  (For more info, please visit www.kristiopry.org)   Although, sadly, Kristi's remains were never found... her murderer's trial brought an undeniable realm of acceptance, forgiveness, and closure in my life.

During the sentencing phase in August, I remember asking my business partner with FocalPoint, Karen, "will I ever feel normal again?"  After looking at me with surprise, she said, "Amy... it's the WEEK of your sister's murder trial... you WILL get through this."  Hearing those words, I chuckled suddenly realizing how difficult it was allowing my "naturally positive" self to feel such deep and overwhelming sadness, again.  It's true; I did get over it, and I do feel better...  Most importantly, I now realize how much strength it took to endure and overcome such a drawn out tragedy, overall, with a positive and hopeful heart.

See, some say they could do without the trials of life... but then people like me say, "I can't imagine who I'd be without them."

In unity,
Amy O'Pry