By: Bryan Golden

How can hope possibly be bad?

We’ve all been taught that it’s

essential to have hope. We

hope for various things throughout our

lives. Health, wealth, good fortune,

happiness, joy, the attainment of

dreams, and solutions to problems are

commonly hoped for by many.

When faced with adversity, we

hope for the best. We hope for strength

to get through tough times. Even

certain behavior by others is hoped for.

Isn’t it a preposterous concept that there

is any possibility that hope could have a

negative impact?

After all, hope has enabled people

to endure tragedies, against all odds.

Invariably, survivors assert that they

never gave up hope, in spite of how

grim the future might have appeared.

They have no doubt that without hope,

they never would have made it through.

We look at these examples and

marvel at the power of hope. We are

in awe of its ability to enable people

to achieve the seemingly impossible.

Who in their right mind would ever

malign hope? After all, those with

hope always attain far more than

people without it.

The key to the power of hope is

action. Hope without action is like a

sailboat without sails. Neither will take

you very far. You might get lucky and

arrive at some desired destination. But

it’s far more likely you will be disappointed with where you wind up.

Action is the engine which takes

you in your chosen direction toward

your desired goal. Hope supercharges

your thoughts to enable you to accomplish more than you thought possible.

When hope is combined with action,

determination, and persistence it

becomes a truly awesome force. By

itself, hope is little more than wishful

thinking.

People with hope refuse to give up.

Hope generates laser like focus which

enables the attainment of results that

many would consider impossible. To

those with hope, failure is not an option. Hope puts the brain into a higher

level of functioning. A mind filled

with hope will not be deterred by fear.

That being said, hope doesn’t prevent problems. It enables you to find

solutions or get through tough times.

However, there are circumstances

that will be out of your control. Hope

enables you to survive situations that

make no sense or have no explanation.

You may not know why some events

happen, but hope provides comfort that

things can get better.

Hope is ineffective without action.

Don’t just hope for the best. Go and

get what you want. Take the necessary steps. Put in whatever effort is

required. Never give up. Stay positive.

Purge negative thoughts. And then

add hope. Now you have a powerful

combination whose sum is far greater

than its parts.

NOW AVAILABLE: Dare to

Live Without Limits, the book. Visit

www.BryanGolden.com or your

bookstore. Bryan is a management

consultant, motivational speaker,

author and adjunct professor. E-mail

Bryan at bryan@columnist.com.

© Bryan Golden.

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by: Anna Marie Trusky

Cheyenne Holliday thought there were a lot of students who were much more

deserving than she of a Connecticut Association of Public

School Superintendents (CAPSS) award.

That sincere modesty is just another quality that makes Cheyenne such a

terrific young person!

The CAPSS award is given to two eighth-grade students at Ledyard

Middle School each year for exemplary scholarship, leadership, and

community service. The students are selected by their teachers and

guidance counselors. Cheyenne was presented with her award certifi cate

by guidance counselor Patty Pollin at the December 7th meeting of the

Ledyard Board of Education.

Patty said that Cheyenne is a standout among many remarkable

students at Ledyard Middle School. “Cheyenne is aware of people around

her in a way that many of us aren’t. When she asks you how you are, she

really wants to know what’s going on with you. Her offers to help come

naturally,” Patty explained. “She is the first to volunteer and ask, ‘Can I help

you?”

When asked by a reporter about the ways in which she helps people,

Cheyenne demurred; “It’s just the right thing to do,” she said matter-of-factly.

According to Patty, Cheyenne looks out for others without being asked, helps her teachers, and

patiently works with other students who need extra time to understand

challenging concepts. She also enthusiastically assists her family with

an annual brunch sponsored by her Grandfather Glenn Dean’s business,

Coogan-Gildersleeve Appliances, to benefit the Mystic Area Shelter and

Hospitality (MASH), an organization that assists people who are homeless or in danger of losing their homes.

Cheyenne cooks up eggs as people bid on silent auction items; In 2011 the

event raised $4,000 for MASH.

In addition to being kind and service-minded, Cheyenne is a

dedicated student. “She is usually working on four books at a time. She

reads Shakespeare and has academic discussions with her teachers just for

the love of learning,” Patty said.

Cheyenne recalls, “During Hurricane Irene, when the power went

out, a lot of kids said they were bored, but I studied algebra to get prepared

for my AP algebra class, read a book, and worked on graphic designs.” Her

talent for computer graphics earned Cheyenne an invitation to work on

the school newspaper—another activity to which she gives her all,

often working on her own time. She has also worked on graphic design for

the LMS food drive, and created a poster for the school’s Toys for Tots

program. A member of the student council, she is currently working on a

coin drive for David’s Place.

In addition to considering a career in graphic design, the everinquisitive

Cheyenne is interested in a wide array of subjects, including

psychology, criminology, and law. “Cheyenne is interested in her future

and has many ideas about what she is working toward. With Cheyenne, it is

never about her, but about the bigger picture,” said Patty.

“If you pay attention and want to learn, school can be extremely fun,”

Cheyenne said. No wonder all her teachers agree that she is, as Patty said,

“an awesome role model”!

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Blending nine family members with the finest coffee franchise business

opportunity creates a solid foundation for generations of Mashantucket

Pequot Tribal Members. It started back in June 2008 with an idea presented by the

Tribal Council for Tribal Members to look into franchise businesses as a means of self-sufficiency.

Retail space at Foxwoods Resort Casino, owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe,

was available for a quick-serve restaurant franchise opportunity open to Tribal members.

There were over 50 members who attended numerous meetings discussing the various

franchise business opportunities available. It was at this time that Dunkin’

Donuts opened its doors and met with the group.

Nine Tribal Members stayed the course of time and took action to formulate a

Dunkin’ Donuts franchise business. These nine individuals became business partners forming

Native Way Blend, LLC in February 2009. Pulling their financial resources together,

they made a commitment to support each other, becoming one

in vision and determination with the end product being successful Dunkin’ Donuts

franchisees.

After several negotiations for retail space at Foxwoods Resort Casino,

Native Way Blend signed a Lease Agreement with Foxwoods in April, 2011 and

received their Dunkin’ Donuts Franchise Agreement in August 2011. Even in

difficult economic times, Native Way Blend was able to obtain construction

financing because of the USDA Loan Guarantee Program accepted by The

Washington Trust Company out of Providence, Rhode Island.

Native Way Blend received support and respect from the time they initiated

their desires to become a Dunkin’ Donuts Franchise and are appreciative of

the support from their Tribal Council Members, Tribal Council staff, MPGE

Legal Department, the Foxwoods Management Team, consultants from the

Moorehouse College, Dunkin’ Donuts Corporate, the USDA, Congressman

Courtney, and The Washington Trust Company.

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