Weaving Dreams: The Joy of Work, The Love of Life

Foreword Bernie J. Kosar xv

Acknowledgments xix

Part 1 AMERICA 1

1 Love Where You Live: Finding Joy at Home 3

2 Only in America: Seizing Opportunities and Finding Silver Linings 9

3 Lessons from Purple Hands: Learning Work Ethic from My Father 15

4 With Feet Planted: Learning Respect for Our Country 19

5 A Pocket Full of Coins: Connecting with Bravery and Honor 25

6 An American Privilege: Being a Voice for the Voiceless 29

Part 2 INTEGRITY 35

7 The Legacy of Right and Wrong: Learning from Mom and Dad 37

8 Right Is Right: Taking the High Road behind the Scenes 41

9 Parenting with the End in Mind: How I Worked to Instill Responsibility and Work Ethic in My Children 47

10 Making Things Right: A Consultant’s Story of Longaberger Values 53

Part 3 THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING 59

11 ‘‘Getting It Right’’: The Struggle toward Self-Confidence 61

12 Our Minds Are Double-Edged Swords: The Power of Positive and Negative Thinking 71

13 Finding Balance: A Four-Part Recipe to Positive Thinking and Harmony 77

Part 4 ENTHUSIASM 81

14 Reflecting on a Legacy: Dad’s Enthusiasm Was Contagious 83

15 From the Homestead to the Office: Promoting Enthusiasm 87

16 Feeding Joy: How I Remain Enthusiastic 93

17 Applause!: One Consultant Reflects on Finding Joy and Purpose with Longaberger 99

Part 5 LEARNING 105

18 Cream Pies and Ohio Buckeyes: Defying My Dad and Going to College 107

19 Supporting My Kids: Why Education Is So Important to Me 113

20 What Diversity Can Teach Us: Lessons in Tolerance 119

21 Longaberger 101: Improve Yourself and Pass It On! 125

Part 6 FAMILY 131

22 Thick and Thin: Sticking Together as a Family 133

23 Memory Making: How Family Traditions Became Our Glue 141

24 The Best Medicine: Laughter Is Critical for Any Family 145

25 Expanding My Family: Opening Doors for Longaberger Consultants 149

Part 7 COURAGE 157

26 Learning to Pull Myself Up: Finding Courage Within 159

27 Empty Shoes at The Bee: Finding Courage in Loss 167

28 Grace in the Trying: Finding Courage in Difficult Circumstances 173

29 Horizon of Hope: Finding Courage in Illness 179

Part 8 SHARING AND GIVING BACK 187

30 Hands in Dresden Dirt: My Love for Nature and the Beauty of the Earth 189

31 Random Acts of Kindness: Teaching My Children the Joy of Giving 195

32 Come Along with Me: Sharing My Days with Others 201

33 Landing in the Desert: Sharing Business with the Women of the Middle East 209

34 Philanthropy: A Way of Life 215

Part 9 GRATITUDE 223

35 Remembering to Say ‘‘Thank You’’: Important People, Important Moments 225

36 A Posture of Gratitude: How I Live with a Grateful Heart 229

37 How Can I Say ‘‘Thanks’’? A Consultant’s Gratitude 233

38 Grateful to You: People Make Longaberger What It Is 239

Index 243