CREATING A VIRTUAL MASTERMIND by Madeline Frank, Ph.D.

How can starting a virtual mastermind group help you?

High achievers long ago realized they needed to tap into the knowledge and experience of other people to solve problems and reach new levels of growth.

 

One of the greatest examples of tapping into the experience of others begins with Benjamin Franklin.

 

Benjamin Franklin was a Founding Father of the U.S. and the only one to sign all four key documents establishing the U.S. He was also a printer, author, philosopher, politician, statesman, diplomat, scientist, economist, and inventor.

 

Background:

 

Benjamin Franklin wasn’t born the oldest sibling with over-achiever traits, many of us see today. He was the 15th of 17 children. Ben’s father wasn’t a college graduate; he made soap and candles. He was a tradesman.

 

The most foundational trait he passed on to his children was his love of reading. Benjamin’s mother realized that while their home was crowded and noisy, she was committed to making it a healthy and happy home.

 

At the age of 8, Benjamin’s father sent him to South Grammar School, later called the “Boston Latin” school, preparing young Benjamin to be a minister. Two years later, Josiah ran out of money and brought Benjamin home to work with him in the candle making business.

Apprenticed at 12 to a printer:

 

Benjamin, loved to read and learn. He would borrow books from his friends. From these books he taught himself grammar, philosophy, and arithmetic. Every time he saved a little money he would purchase books to read and learn from. His friends also loved to read books and they regularly studied the books and discussed them.

When Benjamin was 12 years of age, Josiah had him apprenticed to his older son, James who was a printer. The apprenticeship was signed for 7 years. (Yes… at the age of 12!)

 

“New England Courant”:

 

James Franklin began his “New England Courant” newspaper in Boston in 1721 when his brother Benjamin was 15. It was the third paper in Boston. James’ and his friends wrote articles, opinions, news of the day, advertisements, and other information.

 

The beginning of Benjamin’s Writing Career:

 

Benjamin began writing articles and asked his brother James to publish them in his newspaper. James refused! So, Benjamin, 16, under the pen name Silence Dogood, (wrote as the Widow Dogood, a 40-year-old widow). Benjamin put his letters under James’ door every two weeks.

 

Benjamin Franklin at 16 became the printer & publisher of his brother’s “New -England Courant”. James had written an article against the government and was put in jail. The next year, Benjamin Franklin, 17, became for the second time, printer and publisher of his brother’s “Courant” newspaper. James, this time, wrote an article “mocking religion”. Once more the court made the decision to jail him. James escaped out of town.

 

By September 1723, Benjamin Franklin had had enough of his brother’s “abuse and strict control”. He escaped by traveling to New York and later Philadelphia looking for a new opportunity in the printing business. He worked several different jobs during this time.

 

Birth of Benjamin Franklin’s Junto Club in Philadelphia:

 

At 21, Benjamin Franklin founded the Junto Club, a weekly discussion group of 12 men. Another name later given to his “Junto Club” was “Leather Apron Club”.

Benjamin decided tradesmen should have the opportunity of an education just as the wealthy people who were able to send their children to be educated at colleges/ universities.

 

The difference to him was reading books, learning from them, and discussing them with others who loved reading, learning, improving themselves, and discussing what they read. He thought that this would be a great equalizer. (Today we call it a “think tank, a mastermind” group.)

 

What questions should you ask your prospective members of your Master Mind or Junto?

 

What 4 questions did Benjamin Franklin ask his prospective Junto Club members “to qualify” them as a member?

 

“Each person was also asked to stand up, and lay their hand on their heart, and answer the following questions”: (Updated to 21st Century English)

 

1) “Do you feel “any disrespect” for any of our members?” Answer. I do not.

2. “Do you “sincerely declare” that you love mankind; no matter what profession or religion?” Answer. I do.

3. “Should anyone be harmed in body, name or goods, for their opinions or their religion?” Answer. No.

4. “Do you love the truth, and will you endeavor to find, receive, and communicate it to others?” Answer. Yes.

 

In Benjamin Franklin’s Memoirs he wrote “I had formed most of my ingenious acquaintance into a club of mutual improvement, which we called the Junto; we met on Friday evenings. The rules that I drew up required that every member, in his turn, should produce one or more queries on any point of Morals, Politics, or Natural Philosophy, to be discuss’d by the company; and once in three months produce and read an essay of his own writing, on any subject he pleased.”

 

It was agreed to have “12” members who “were tradesmen and artisans”. The Junto Club continued for 38 years. When they saw a problem, a need, they found a solution. Education began by starting the first Public Libraries in 1731. From their Junto members personal libraries, they would gather books for the first lending library in Philadelphia. Learning through reading, educating everyone no matter what their financial circumstance. Education to Benjamin Franklin was the great equalizer.

 

After fires killed people, destroyed homes, and businesses, Benjamin and his Junto members began in 1736 in Philadelphia the Union Fire Company, a volunteer fire department. They also began a Volunteer Militia to protect and secure the colony.

Where they saw a need, a solution would follow.

 

In 1749, Benjamin Franklin involved some of his Junto members in designing the University of Pennsylvania and in 1751, the Pennsylvania Hospitalwas founded by Benjamin Franklin and his Junto. When Benjamin Franklin saw a need he worked to find a solution leading the way with his Junto members. Team work at its best!

 

Here are 3 things for you to consider when forming your mastermind:

1. Identify the values of your mastermind. Will it be a business roundtable? Bible study? Marriage strengthening? You decide.

 

     2. Limit your group to 6 people. Any bigger than that and it is impossible to manage.

     3. Understand that part of the mastermind is holding others accountable. Be prepared to give and take accountability.

 

So, who would you like to have in your virtual mastermind and what would your criteria be?

 

Madeline Frank, Ph.D., is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, speaker, business owner, teacher, concert artist, and parent. She helps businesses and organizations “Tune Up their Business”. Her observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your business successful. Her latest book “Leadership On A Shoestring Budget” is available everywhere books are sold. If you need a virtual speaker contact Madeline at: mfrankviola@gmail.com

 

 

 

Plant Seeds of Greatness With The Right Words by Madeline Frank, Ph.D

Babies begin life with a blank page of endless opportunities. We should all be selective about the words we write in the book of a child’s life. Will we write words of encouragement, love, and compassion; or will we plaster the pages with hate, limitation, and resentment?

 

Have you ever heard someone announce loudly my child is a terrible two-year-old?

Zig Ziglar, motivational speaker and author says, “instead of saying the “terrible twos” say they are the terrific twos, the tremendous threes, the fantastic fours, the fabulous fives, the super sixes, the sensational sevens. And guess where his or her self-image is because we believe that? That’s right, he or she will have a healthy self-image because that input has been enforced and reinforced.”

 

Words have power! Always start by saying something positive to yourself and others.

 

How can you do this?

1) Take a second to Stop and Think before you speak.

2) Say something positive and motivating.

3) Tell them you care about them, believe in them, and love them.

 

Choose your words wisely.

 

If the President of the company you work for came over and complimented you with a smile on his or her face and said, “If you keep working like this you’ll be President of the Company one day!”

 

Would you be encouraged and inspired to work harder for your boss, the President of your company?

 

Of course you would!

 

Positive words of recognition, inspiration, and encouragement make better employees!

 

Jim Sundberg played for the Texas Rangers and later for the world champion Kansas City Royals as a catcher. As a child in Fresno, California his father would watch him play baseball and said to him, “One of these days, you’re going to grow up and be a Major League ballplayer.”

 

Jim said, “My Dad planted in my mind what I would be in the future.” He planted words of belief, hope, and care!

 

His father planted the seed in his mind when he was a child!

Jim Sundberg and Bill Glass, all American football player and NFL star were leading a prison ministry in one of the prisons. During a break, Jim said to Bill, “You know, I’m so glad I didn’t grow up and disappoint my dad.” 

Nearby a prisoner was standing close to them and said, “Well, you know what? I really didn’t grow up and disappoint my dad. I’m exactly where he said I was going to be.”

 

When Jim Sundberg was a child his father planted the seed in his mind that he would be a great ball player!

 

The prisoner’s father when he was a child planted in his mind what he would become.

 

Your words have power. Choose them carefully!

 

How can you choose your words wisely?

1) Take a second and stop and think carefully before you speak!

2) Say something positive and motivating.

3) Tell them you care about them and love them.

 

Plant good seeds of hope and positive encouraging words!

 

Thomas Edison at 7 was a poor student in school and the teacher called him “addled”. (Scrambled) His mother was a trained teacher and decided to remove him from the school to teach him at home. Mrs. Edison changed the picture of how Thomas saw himself!

Thomas Edison many years later said, “My mother was the making of me. She was so true, so sure of me, and I felt I had someone to live for, someone I must not disappoint.”

Plant positive words (seeds) of success in your children, in your students, in your family members, and your employees and they will work harder and happier for you!

A positive word of encouragement can help change anyone’s destiny.

Choose your words “wisely”.

 

My favorite saying is “every student is a gem in the raw.” Start with that thought and work with your students. Believe that each of your students, on the first day of school, wants to learn your course and desires to learn.

 

As a teacher my greatest joy is to see a student realize their potential and work towards their goal. One day, I received a call from a mother of a high school student. She said, “My husband’s employer recommended you as a violin teacher for my son. I would prefer a man to teach him, but will give you a try. My son is lazy and stupid.”

 

I replied, “Please do not talk that way about your son in front of him or to others.”

I agreed to teach her son, if she would say “only encouraging words” to him.

 

At our first violin lesson a young man with multi colored hair, an earring, and strange looking clothes walked into the room. His head was down and he looked unhappy.

We began to work on scales, his solo piece, and the orchestra audition materials for the state orchestra auditions. He was a remarkably talented young violinist and I told him so during our first lesson and all the lessons that followed. My honest sincere words to him inspired and motivated him to do his best work.

 

At his next violin lesson, a completely different young man eagerly walked up to my classroom. He had his head up, he wore a smile, and was neatly dressed. Because I was investing in him and his potential, he began to take pride in himself and his work. Each week I saw a transformation in him.

 

It was our fifth week of lessons, our final lesson before the state orchestra auditions. I told him how beautiful his playing was and what a good job he would do on the audition. Preparation makes all the difference! “The honest sincere words that I spoke to him made him blossom like a flower.”

 

A few days after the audition he called and said with great pride and a smile in his voice, “I am the Concertmaster of the orchestra. I won first place out of over 40 people trying out.”

 

I congratulated him and told him how proud of him I was and that I knew he would win because of his "hard work and determination”. 

His Mother called and said, “Even though you are a woman, you did a good job with him!”

 

This young man’s picture of himself had changed. Because of the positive inspiring words of encouragement, I gave him each week, and his hard work he began to believe in his abilities! He graduated high school at the top of his class and went on to college.

 

The picture of how you see yourself is so important!

Words have power.

 

Many years ago, I received a call from a mother with a 6-year-old boy who was failing out of first grade. She said he is “lazy and stupid”. I immediately asked her to not say that to him ever again. She should say “positive encouraging things” to him!

 

She brought him over with the violin she had rented and I smiled at him and showed him how to hold the violin and bow, how to read the musical notes on the score, and where to put his fingers on the violin to play his first piece of music. Each step of the way I told him what a good job he was doing. I told him what a smart intelligent young man he was.

I asked his Mom what usually happens after school. She said, “he plays video games and watches TV.”

 

I said, “Have him practice his violin for twenty minutes after school each day and then have him do his homework for school with Mozart Symphonies playing softly in the background.

 

After his work is complete he can for 20 minutes play a video game or watch TV.

 

Each week he gained confidence in himself as he practiced his violin each day, took violin lessons, and improved in doing his school work. He began bringing in his spelling words for his tests to his violin lesson to go over the most difficult one or two words on his list. We would incorporate them into his violin lesson.

Each week I would tell him how well he was playing and his smile lit up the room. After three months his Mom said he is becoming a wonderful student! After a year he was the most positive, motivated, handsome and happy young fellow looking forward to second grade.

 

What 3 things can you do to say positive words to others?

1) Take a second to Stop and Think before you speak.

2) Say something positive and motivating.

3) Tell them you care about them and love them.

 

The picture of how you see yourself is so important!

Words have power. Think before you say something to another person. 

 

Make sure the words you speak to others make them feel appreciated and valued.

Always say something positive and uplifting to others.

 

Words of praise last a life time and so do negative words.

 

Which words would motivate you to work harder?

Positive encouraging words!

 

Step back before you speak and choose your words carefully! 

Choose words that are Positive and motivating! Show respect and love!

 

Madeline Frank, Ph.D., is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, speaker, business owner, teacher, concert artist, and parent. She helps businesses and organizations “Tune Up their Business”. Her observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your business successful. Her latest book “Leadership On A Shoestring Budget” is available everywhere books are sold. If you need a virtual speaker contact Madeline at: mfrankviola@gmail.com

 

 

3 Simple Strategies to Keep the Desire for Learning During the Summer of 2020 by Madeline Frank, Ph.D.

The 2020 Pandemic has challenged you to rise to new levels of creativity and flexibility for you and your family. Many school districts have had their teachers in Zoom virtual classrooms teaching your school age children for 4 to 5 hours a day! Also, some parents have homeschooled their children to maintain a learning environment for them.

Now that summer has arrived, how can you leverage the familiarity with technology and combine it with the resources at your fingertips to keep your child's thirst for knowledge alive during the Summer?

Here are 3 simple strategies to create a fun adventure for your family:

1. Involve your child (or teen) in the "virtual vacation planning" process. This is essential for them to buy into the idea and maintain interest. I'd recommend creating a short list of destinations. Then let them research and choose those that interest them.

Some of these virtual tours are so marvelous "they make you feel like you are actually there".

Where have you and your family longed to go? This is your opportunity!

2) Ask your children to write in their journal about their virtual vacation. Encourage them to record the experiences they found fascinating. Ask them 1) what they learned about each place they visited and 2) what they enjoyed most about each place? If your child is too young to write it down, ask them the two questions and write down their answers.

(Have your older children write down any questions or observations they would like to explore when they visit the destination in real life.)

3) Then have a picnic in your backyard with a few of the foods you and your children have cooked up in honor of your visit. Making special dishes your family enjoys as well as new dishes from your virtual vacation. By using new and old family favorite recipes your children will be reading and measuring out ingredients, which will help them in both math and science.

I remember fondly cooking meals with my Mom and Grandma. With my Mom, we made pecan and pumpkin pies, and blintzes. My Grandma Mary, educated me in the fine art of creating Hungarian cuisine to make stews, roasts and sides. It all began with cooking the sauces for 3 to 4 hours with the stew meat and adding in the Hungarian spices. The stews and roasts were delicious and the pies were mouthwatering. Many years later I played concerts in Hungary at their Liszt Academy of Music and eat at fabulous restaurants with my husband while listening to Robby Lakatos, Gypsy violinist.

*At your picnic have each person read their responses to their two questions. Ask your younger children to answer the two questions and if needed quietly remind them what they said earlier when you wrote it down for them. You want to begin your children's creative process of learning and thinking.

* Have reading family time every night. Involve your child or teen by asking for their input in selecting an adventure story they would enjoy reading as a family. Parents begin by reading with excitement and joy using different voices for each character. Then ask your older children to read and do this too! Afterwards discuss the story you have read together by asking your children questions to guide them through their thought process.

Here are a few resources to start with for your virtual vacation:

Disney Virtual with Rides https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/disney-vacations/watch-disney-rides-on-youtube

Australia and Great Barrier Reef https://www.insider.com/australia-virtual-tour-guide-great-barrier-reef-2020-4

Virtual Venice https://www.thegeographicalcure.com/post/virtual-venice-how-to-tour-venice-from-home

So, where have you and your children decided to travel on your virtual vacation?

Are their Journals ready to go?

Have your children decided what food they want to cook for their picnic after their virtual travel?

What recipes do your children want to search for on the internet?

Madeline Frank, Ph.D., is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, speaker, business owner, teacher, concert artist, and parent. She helps businesses and organizations "Tune Up their Business". Her observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your business successful. Her latest book "Leadership On A Shoestring Budget" is available everywhere books are sold. If you need a virtual speaker contact Madeline at: mfrankviola@gmail.com

When You Emerge From Your Home, Will You See Your Shadow? by Madeline Frank, Ph.D.

Most people are discovering a “new normal” and have changed habits and goals. While every day may seem like the movie Ground Hog Day, you can pull several excellent lessons from this 1993 classic. 

The movie Ground Hog Day stars Bill Murray as Phil Connors , a TV weatherman and Andi MacDowell as Rita Hanson, news producer. Phil has for several years been assigned to this small town to report on the end of winter, Groundhog Day with Punxsutawney Phil. 

Phil sees this small town as beneath him and sees himself as above all of this. The next day he wakes up at his hotel as if the day before has not happened. He is in a time loop, an endless repeat of the same day!

Does this sound familiar to you?

Does every day seem like the one before?

What are you doing to improve your life and that of your family during these dark days? 

Are you moving items from your someday list to your do it now list?

At first Phil doesn’t accept responsibility for anything, and lives like a college freshman who just received their first taste of freedom. He indulges in binge eating and drinking, reckless driving, one-night stands, and robbery. Each day has no consequences, as if he is in a time loop.

The Realization:

Phil decides that he wants to actually pursue things he desires instead of living a self -indulgent lifestyle.  

Phil has always had an attraction to his news producer, Rita. He tries and fails to court her and is depressed and desperate to end the loop. He also tries to kill himself and even kidnaps Punxsutawney Phil.

The most valuable take-away from this segment was that he decides to pursue something he desires, instead of talking about it...even if he fails. 

What are some of the things on your someday list?

Have you begun learning that musical instrument or language you have always wanted to learn?

The Transformation:

Phil chooses to take responsibility for himself and his actions and decides to better himself and take action on the items that have long been on his someday list.

On Phil’s list was to learn to play the piano. He takes lessons on the piano, practices, and realizes he possesses musical talent! 

He also has always wanted to learn French, so he puts in the effort and does. He learns to sculpt ice, he decides to help others. He begins by asking them questions to find out what they dream about and want! Then he begins helping them get it!

In a restaurant a man is choking and Phil steps in to save him. He befriends a homeless man, takes care of him, and takes him to the hospital.

He asks questions about the people around him wanting to know about them to help them realize their dreams. He helps them to show he cares about others. He’s become a better man because of this “Time Loop”.

How are you helping others? 

Phil really likes Rita and asks questions about her to find out about her dreams and wishes too! Rita sees the changes in Phil too! 

During the crisis what are you doing to better yourself?

What are some of the things on your someday list?

That someday is now.
Do you want to learn a musical instrument?

Do you want to learn a new language? What about writing a blog to honor someone who has helped you?

Isn’t this a perfect time for you to shift gears during these dark days and do something special with this time you have been given?

What books are you reading? How is that new musical instrument coming along?

The time to start is now!

What are some of the things on your someday list?

What are one or two things you want to do right now to improve your life? 

Start now!

What would happen if you viewed these times as your opportunity days? 

Madeline Frank, Ph.D., is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, speaker, business owner, teacher, concert artist, and parent. She helps businesses and organizations "Tune Up their Business". Her observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your business successful. Her latest book "Leadership On A Shoestring Budget" is available everywhere books are sold. If you need a virtual speaker contact Madeline at: mfrankviola@gmail.com

During Difficult Times Remember Your Mentors by Madeline Frank, Ph.D.

On your journey through life you will have many mentors, coaches, and teachers to guide you on your journey. You do not do it alone! As Coach John Wooden said, "It takes 10 hands to make a basket."

How do you thank them?

When I was a student at the Juilliard School in NYC, I lived at the Coliseum House on West 71street. I met many students, musicians, and professionals. 

At the Coliseum House, I met another student from the Juilliard School, Liz (Elizabeth), Hubley from Canada, a wonderfully talented violinist and Concertmaster of the 92^nd Y Workshop Orchestra. Liz and I played in a string trio with a cellist friend. She was an inspiring confident mentor leading and modeling the way for the musicians she worked with.

Liz invited me to audition for Maurice Levine, Conductor of the orchestra as there was an opening for Principal viola. I auditioned and won the job. Maurice Levine was an inspiring and motivating conductor with a clear beat and boundless energy to impart the composers’ wishes. He taught us the classic orchestra literature and Broadway theater music. He brought in singers for rehearsals and concerts like Eartha Kitt. He also had his principal players play solos /concertos with the orchestra. I played the Bloch Suite for viola and orchestra one year, and the next year the Walton Viola Concerto for viola and orchestra.

Rehearsals for the 92^nd Y Orchestra:

For regular rehearsals each week, our principal bassoonist, Haskell Edelstein, lawyer, tax expert, Banker at V.P. at Citi Bank, would pick up several musicians by car for the early rehearsal at the 92^nd Y Orchestra. Haskell was a marvelous bassoonist. He played with a lovely sound and beautiful musical phrasing on his bassoon solos inspiring those around him with a smile and leading the way for us to do our best work. When I played the Walton Viola Concerto with the 92^nd Y Orchestra, I remember Haskell’s beautiful bassoon solos. It was like we were playing a lovely duet in the middle of the Walton Viola Concerto. Haskell encouraged, inspired, and motivated the musician around him to do our best. He and his wife became close friends with me and later my husband Allan. We often went out to dinner. When I played my debut in London he and his wife attended the concert in London. We were life long friends and Haskell Edelstein left a legacy of encouraging, motivating, and inspiring others to do their best and pass it on to the next generation!

Playing Solo with the 92^nd Y Orchestra:

Conductor Maurice Levine would arrive by taxi, to pick me up for rehearsal when I was playing a solo with his 92^nd Y Orchestra and on the way to orchestra rehearsal he had me sing my viola solo as he conducted from the orchestral score.  By the time we reached the 92^nd Y between 91^st-92^nd street on Lexington Avenue, we had rehearsed all three movements of the Walton Concerto. Conductor Levine had marked all the tempos to be ready for rehearsal with his orchestra. When we arrived at the orchestra rehearsal, Conductor Levine began working patiently teaching the concerto to the orchestra as I played the solo part with them.

Mr. William Lincer, my viola teacher at the Juilliard School, was the principal violist of the New York Philharmonic and the former principal violist of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra. One summer, he sent me to Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, on scholarship to study with Mr. Leonard Davis.

Mr. Davis was Mr. Lincer’s stand partner and assistant principal of the NY Philharmonic at the time.  (Mr. Davis would later be Principal of the New York Philharmonic. Both Mr. Lincer and Mr. Davis were graduates of the Juilliard School.) That summer we worked on solo viola literature and chamber music. Mr. Davis was an inspiring, encouraging, and motivating teacher and coach who had you playing at your highest level of accomplishment. He also coached my chamber music group on Schubert’s Trout Quintet. After that summer I continued to work with Mr. Davis for several summers on orchestral excerpts. Our Indiana University Orchestra was led by conductor Robert Shaw (Robert Shaw Chorale ,Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus & Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus) and conductor Jose Serebrier. It was a magnificent experience. 

Another neighbor and friend I met at the Coliseum House, was David Roseman from California. He was an amazing mathematician, teacher, and talented violinist. David was an inspiring and motivating mentor to other musicians. He believed in others abilities before they believed in themselves and encouraged them to take that next step! He said, “you should call Irving Spice, a marvelous concert violinist, and audition for his Irving Spice Orchestra. After auditioning for Irving Spice, I worked for him for over 5 years. Irving was an inspiring, motivating, and encouraging leader who always inspired us to play our best as a chamber group. It was all about teamwork working together. It was a magnificent experience playing with Irving and his amazing musicians. We played the background for commercial films like IBM, Zina jeans, and played the background music for pop music recordings.  I will always be grateful for Irving for hiring me and giving me the opportunity to play with his amazing musicians.

Irving Spice introduced me to Paul Winter, a concert violinist, and teacher, Juilliard graduate who had studied with Dounis.   He was the youngest member of the NBC Symphony Orchestra under Toscanini, and later was concertmaster of NBC Orchestra. When I met Paul Winter he was a concert master playing freelance work in New York City and teaching. I studied with Paul learning the Dounis method of playing on my viola. Also, I had the marvelous experience of playing a few musical jobs with Paul as the leader and concertmaster. He was an inspiring, motivating, and encouraging teacher and modeled as a leader helping you reach your full potential. 

Loren Glickman “is one of America's foremost bassoon soloists, one of the founding artists of the prestigious Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center”, composer/arranger, author, and teacher. He is the “director of the Glickman-Popkin Bassoon Camp” and has taught at “The Juilliard School, Queens College, Montclair State University and the Canadian National Youth Orchestra.” He also put together chamber music groups and orchestras with talented musicians at Lincoln Center as a contractor for many years encouraging and inspiring musicians  to play at their top level.  I will always be grateful for Mr. Glickman hiring me and giving me the opportunity to play my viola and work with many fine orchestras, musicians, conductors, and dancers at the Metropolitan Opera’s summer ballet concerts. A few of these groups were the Martha Graham Ballet, La Scala, Bolshoi Ballet, Kirov Ballet, London Royal Ballet, Netherlands Dance Theater, and many others for over 12 years. The conductors, musicians, and dancers were the finest in the world and I am grateful to have had the privilege to work with them. Thank you, Loren Glickman!

On your journey through life, your mentors, teachers, and coaches will  help you reach your goals to become the best leader you were meant to be for the next generation! 

Pass on the gifts these mentors, teachers, and coaches have taught you.  Remember how gracious they were in giving their time, effort, encouragement, believing in you before you believed in yourself! The only way to repay such a gift is to pass on the gifts of encouragement, motivation, and belief, to the generations to come! Passing on their legacy, their torch, to the next generation by remembering and honoring them!

What 3 things can you do to thank your teachers, coaches,  and mentors for helping you to reach  your goals on your journey through life?

1) Send a note, call them, email them, or text them thanking them for helping you. (Start a journal or note book, begin today, and write in it the names of your teachers, mentors, and coaches who have helped you reach your goals and dreams!

2) How can you show your appreciation?  You can show your gratitude and appreciation by writing blogs, articles, videos, or Radio Shows paying tribute to your mentors and teachers for the legacy they have given you.  Pass on the torch to the next generation.

3) Every week help someone else by acts of kindness through email, text, letter, or phone.

How does it feel when you help someone else achieve their goal? Do you feel happier and smile?

Remember that if we help others we will be helping ourselves at the same time to grow and improve.

How will you show your gratitude and appreciation for the gifts' others have given you?

Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, speaker, business owner, teacher, conductor, and concert artist. She helps businesses and organizations "Tune Up their Business". Her observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your business successful. Her latest book "Leadership On A Shoestring Budget" is available everywhere books are sold. If you need a virtual speaker contact Madeline at: mfrankviola@gmail.com

“Do You Count Your Blessings?” By Madeline Frank, Ph.D.

Mother's Day is fast approaching and I am thankful for a wonderful caring mother, grandmother, mother-in-law and Aunt -in-law. Do you give thanks for your blessings? Every year we have special days to remind us to give thanks. We should give thanks every day for our blessings.

My Momma, Romayne Leader Frank arranged her law classes so she would be home when my older brother and I got home from elementary school. She'd have milk and cookies on the dining room table for my brother and I and she would join us with her coffee. We would all study together every day after school. Momma had her law books to study and my brother and I had our homework from elementary school to study. If you had a question Momma would say very softly, "How about opening your book and looking for the answer?"

As a child of 8, I remember thinking that it didn't feel quite so lonely and awful anymore to sit and do our homework because Momma was right there with us doing her homework too. We worked together for three years until Momma finished law school at the top of her class. Momma, Romayne Leader Frank taught us to look for the answers to our problems. She taught us to think for ourselves.

Mary Chernick Leader,my Grandmother, my Momma's mother, worked as a secretary at the Boroughs Corporation, had a women's stock club where she taught other women how to study companies and invest in the stock market with little money to develop a nest egg. She also helped the Braille Society and sang and played the mandolin in a Mandolin Orchestra. She raised a wonderful daughter my Momma, Romayne Leader Frank, who learned from her patience, kindness, dedication to her family and caring about others.My Grandma Leader enjoyed reading and doing cross word puzzles and had a remarkable vocabulary which she shared with her daughter, my Momma.

When I was a child of 7, I remember Grandma Leader sitting patiently with me encouraging me to read. She had a Hershey's Chocolate bar and a bottle of soda pop on the table nearby and every page of the book I read to her I would receive the prize of a bite of chocolate and a sip of soda pop. This was a big treat as both Momma and Grandma did not ordinarily let any of us eat candy or soda pop.

My Mother-in-Law, Pearl Neustein Berger was the 6th child out of 8 children born to Regina and Herman Neustein. Pearl Berger raised her two children, ages 5 and 13, when her husband Samuel Berger died of Cancer. She worked hard to provide for her children giving them good moral values, taught them to study and work hard, and to care about helping others. She had them go to religious services every week. She worked hard to make sure both her children went to college and graduate school.

For many years she worked at B. Altman's in New York City, a wonderful department store. I remember, shortly after my husband Allan and I were married, my husband had to register for his next semester of graduate school and he could not get off work to go to Barnard Baruch to register. I was working that day too. His Mom, Pearl Berger, had that day off from work and she said she would get him registered at the school. She was always willing to help her children and others. She was one of the most caring and honorable people I have had the pleasure to know. She was five feet one inches tall and to me she was one of the tallest and strongest women I have known because of her caring and commitment to her family, friends and helping others.

Pearl Berger's sister, my Aunt-in-Law, Helen Neustein was the 7th child of the family. Helen also worked at B. Altman's Department store in the shoe department. She was a wonderful person with a very big heart raised with the values of honor and respect just like her sister Pearl. My husband, Allan, remembers her playing baseball with him as a child. She was always patient and kind. Helen was also about 5 foot one inch tall but she seemed 6 feet tall because of her caring and commitment to her family, friends, and clients.

What are 3 things you can do to remember the blessings you have been given?

1) Start your day by remembering and writing down your blessings. Think of one person who has made a positive impact on your life and do something nice for them.

2) Honor a special person in your life on a weekly basis by acts of kindness to others.

3) Think of the people who have made a difference in your life and honor them in some way by sharing those blessings with others by acts of kindness.

Remember to start your day by counting your blessings!

What have I learned from my Momma, Romayne Leader Frank, my Grandma Mary Chernick Leader, my Mother-in-Law, Pearl Neustein Berger, and my Aunt-in-Law, Helen Neustein?

1) Be patient and persistent no matter how difficult the problem and keep working to find your solution.

2) Never be overwhelmed by adversity and stick to your course of action to solve the problem.

3) Remember that if we help others we will be helping ourselves at the same time.

Madeline Frank, Ph. D. is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, sought after speaker, business owner, and concert artist. She helps businesses and organizations "Tune Up their Businesses". Her innovative observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your businesses successful.

For more information about booking Dr. Madeline Frank for your next virtual event email her at mfrankviola@gmail.com