MIke and Nike

By: Shayla Boone

According to Espn.com Michael Vick has resigned an endorsement with Nike.  This is the first endorsement that he has been able to rekindle after serving an 18-month sentence in Federal Prison for dog fighting.  Nike originally signed Vick as a rookie to the league in 2001; but ended his contract six years later after he filed a plea agreement admitting his involvement in the dog-fighting ring.  This is an excellent story to explore through the  ‘Who Moved My Cheese?’ book by Spencer Johnson.

 In this case Michael Vick’s cheese can be considered his Nike endorsement.   This cheese was lost as a result of him being complacent like Hem and Haw, he felt that because he had his cheese that it would be there and he would have nothing to worry about, but based upon decisions that he made his cheese moved.  The profound part is that Vick had his ‘ah ha’ moment like Haw in the book and took ownership for his mistake.  He apologized for his mistake and completed everything that was ordered of him by the judge.  Since this was all done without a huge rebuttal there was not much backlash when he returned to the NFL, which could be good sign for future endorsements. 

Family Searches for Sister

Family Searches for Sister

By Melissa Chasteen

After two failed attempts at in vitro fertilization in 2001, Maryann DeSimone and her husband Robert had given up all hope of becoming parents. At that point in their lives they were against adoption, so they thought they would find happiness in their lives through material possessions such as a new boat or more vacations.

Little did they know their lives would soon be changing dramatically. While the DeSimone’s dreams of parenthood were diminishing, three girls from Ukraine, Katie, 9; Darya, 7; and Irina, 6, were in dire need of a family. The girls’ mother died in childbirth and the stress proved too strong for their father, leading him to a life of alcoholism and the girls being placed into an orphanage. With one more attempt at parenthood, the DeSimones signed up with an adoption agency and one year later received an E-mail about the three girls.

The adoption process started in 2003 with many setbacks along the way. In order for the adoption paperwork to get filled out, everyone in Ukraine that was involved in the adoption—clerks, notaries, police officers—had to be bribed before they did anything. Also, the girls’ aunt and uncle, who had nothing to do with them beforehand, showed up to delay the process even more. Fed up with the bribes and setbacks, the DeSimones had considered stopping the adoption process, but instead battled on, with the adoption being finalized in early 2005.

Not long after the girls settled down in their new home in Huntington, N.Y., Darya pleaded with her new parents that they find their youngest sister, Vera. Darya said, “When Mommy went to heaven, Vera never came home.” The DeSimones immediately starting searching for the child, fearing that she may have been sold on the black market. They are continually working with officials in Ukraine, consequently paying more bribes and incentives. Though they’re faced with more setbacks than before, the DeSimones said they refuse to give up looking and will continue to share their story.

In Spencer Johnson’s “Who Moved My Cheese,” two mice and two little people are faced with change when their cheese disappears. The DeSimones’ journey is a prime example of having your cheese moved. Instead of giving up hope of having children, they searched and ultimately changed their lives in order to provide for their new family. They can be compared to the two mice, Sniff and Scurry, because of their commitment to “finding the cheese” and doing whatever it takes to get it. Even more so, the three girls—who before coming to America had never eaten a banana, nor used or even seen toilet paper—had to change their lives dramatically, learning a new language and adjusting to life in a new country and new family.

Image provided by Foxnews.com

Williams Owns Up to Mistake

Williams Owns Up to Mistake
By: Jason Bodin

Women’s tennis sensation, Serena Williams, was recently on the end of a controversial call at the 2009 U.S. Open. Williams was called for a foot fault on a serve, giving her a double fault, which put her a point away from a loss. After the call Williams approached the lineswomen and reportedly said, “If I could, I would take this…ball and… shove it down your throat.”

In a previous set, Williams received a warning after breaking her racket. Thus, the second outburst towards the line judge cost her a penalty point and, in the end the match.

Following the match Williams was fined $10,500 by the International Tennis Federation for “unsportsmanlike conduct” and racket abuse. Many wondered if Williams would lose her sponsorships after the outburst. However, because Williams acted on the change that occurred, due to great public relations work, she was has not seen those ramifications.

This situation is a great example of how people deal with change. Some people do not deal with change well, or at all, while others embrace change and make the best out of each situation.

The book Who Moved My Cheese? written by Spencer Johnson, is a story about how four mice deal with change in their maze. Williams is like the mouse Haw, who faced many challenges but came out on top because of the way in which he dealt with those challenges.

Williams turned a potential crisis on her career into the best situation she knew how. Williams released a statement later that night and again the next day apologizing for her actions claiming, “In the heat of battle I let my passion and emotion get the better of me and as a result handled the situation poorly.”

One little call moved William’s cheese, but she was able to overcome the challenges she created by owning up to her mistake.

Photo received from google images.

Super Bowl Champ Sent to Prison

Super Bowl Champ Sent to Prison

By Kelley Bennett

New York Giants Super Bowl champion, Plaxico Burress, has recently been sentenced to 20 months in prison followed by two years of probation after violating the state of New York's gun laws. Burress, a nine-year NFL veteran, accidentally shot himself in the leg while at a New York City nightclub last November. Burress was carrying an unlicensed .40-caliber weapon when the incident occurred. The gun had been licensed at one point in time, however it was licensed in Florida and expired in 2008.

In April of 2009, the Giants, suspended Burress from the team. However, Burress has stated that he hopes to return to the field after his 20 months in Ulster Correctional Facility in New York. Burress plans on using his time in prison productively and even hired a consultant to help him make the most of his time. Burress is confident that he will return to the NFL following his sentence. When he gets out of jail, Burress will only be 33-years-old. Burress is quoted on ESPN saying: "...I'll still have the God-given ability to snag footballs; that's what I love to do. Of course, I want to play again."

When Burress was sentenced to his 20 months in jail, he left behind his pregnant wife, Tiffany and their three-year-old son, Elijah.

In the book Who Moved My Cheese? written by Spencer Johnson, the reader is told a story about four mice that deal with change in different ways. Burress' jail sentence is a prime of example of someone's cheese being moved. He now has to live in a jail for almost two years, while keeping his family safe at home. Burress also has the challenge of trying to play for the NFL post jail sentence, a task that might be difficult for someone who won't have the ability to practice for quite sometime.

Those who have read the book might say that Burress reminds them of the character Haw. Burress has to deal with these challenges on his own and find a way to turn them into something productive, just as Haw had to do with the cheese.

The story of Plaxico Burress is a great learning tool for those who might be dealing with a difficult change but plan on making the most of their new life.

Image courtesy of NYdailynews.com

Ewww, wash your hands!

By Ciara Amir

“Wash your hands, right now” is probably a phrase that was often repeated in your home as a child. Well, at least in my home it was often shouted at me after coming in from a long day’s worth of fun and games.

Washing your hands is such an easy task that most children can complete the task by themselves, however may adults still fail to take this task serious.

In the earlier part of 2009, many new cases of the H1N1 influenza were reported and had the Nation wearing mask that resembled modern day gas masks. However, Americans are still failing to use their number one defense mechanism against this National epidemic.

"Hand washing is a simple thing to do and it's the best way to prevent infection and illness," said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

However, Bradley's first Healthy Hand Washing Survey found that 54 percent of people surveyed said they "wash their hands no more or less frequently in public restrooms since the H1N1 virus emerged.”

Hand washing is something that American’s have had previous problems with. A research study conducted by the American Society for Microbiology in 2007, found only 77 percent of Americans washed their hands after using public restrooms. Another study conducted in 2004 by the Minnesota Department of Health, found that hand washing at the Minnesota state fairgrounds were even more frightening. The studies showed that only 75 percent of women and 51 percent of men washed with both soap and water after using public restrooms.

The trends found in this research correlates with a character from the book “Who Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life” written by Spencer Johnson.

Throughout the book, the character Hem is faced with many life-changing experiences, but yet he did not change. The character refused to accommodate his life to his current situations. He was even warned by a friend that if he didn’t change his ways, he wouldn’t survive.

We are facing unusual times and disease is continuously running ramped around us. Perhaps someone should chisel in our walls, "If You Do Not Change, You Can Become Extinct!"

Bradley Corporation is currently doing its part in helping chisel this message in the minds of many Americans. If you would like to know more about their healthy hand washing tips campaign please visit. www.bradleycorp.com