EILEEN MCDARGH'S
Resiliency Report
Published monthly and when the mood strikes.
Update from Eileen
"October gave a party. The leaves came by the hundreds. The chestnuts, oaks, and maples — the leaves of every name…"
This is the start of a poem I learned in grade school, and for some reason, with the beginning of Autumn, it always pops up in my head.
Maybe it’s because I live in Southern CA and have NOT experienced the glorious changes of trees in years. I always loved walking through woods, kicking up leaves, marveling at the rich colors, and breathing in air that was cool but not frigid. It never ceased to amaze me that what looked like death to a tree was really a withdrawing, a hunkering down to store up resources and be ready when Spring began.
This might be a lesson for all of us now. I’m ready to hunker down, to give serious thought to what I want to bring forth next year. I’ll continue my work to save this democracy but what other arenas call me for talent and contribution? Good question. Those of you who know me are welcome to respond to what arenas I might enter. All insight is gratefully received.
As part of this “hunkering down, Bill and I are going on a three-week road trip: Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and back to California. Who knows, maybe some sights and sounds will inspire a few blog posts.
“Professor Wind played louder as leaves flew among the ground. And then the party ended with jolly hands around.”
What Is The Truth?
Truth is hard to come by when history is rewritten to satisfy and sanitize those in power. Before a Department of Justice report on violence in the U.S. was taken down, I had the chance to read it. According to that data, from 1975 onward, 391 murders were linked to right-wing extremism and 65 to left-wing extremism. It’s a reminder of how important it is to preserve and openly discuss credible research.
Falling for Autumn
October 2025
Top Ten Most Followed Charities
Innovation doesn’t just happen in technology sectors, machine shops, research centers, or medical labs. Where there is a need… there is a will.
Check out Charity Navigator’s ratings. Not all charities are created equal. I look to see how much of my dollar really goes to services instead of overhead.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is on that list. The earth is our only home. Protecting her land, water, air, and inhabitants looms as a huge task. I’ve partnered with them, donating my book, Gifts from the Mountain: Simple Truths for Life’s Complexities, so that it can be given as a thank you item to selected donors. It is now a limited-edition book. Please email Bonnie@eileenmcdargh.com and give her your mailing information. It’s $15 which includes postage.
True Trivia
Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:
Spades - King David, Hearts - Charlemagne, Clubs - Alexander the Great, Diamonds - Julius Caesar.You can’t lick your elbow. (And now that you read this, I’ll bet you will try it!).
Alaska has the highest percentage of people who walk to work.
The first novel ever written on a typewriter was Tom Sawyer.
Must Read Book
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston
This book just made me smile. If you have ever known anyone in assisted living or memory care, you will doubly appreciate the care and kindness that emanates from Fred and the mistaken identity he assumes. It’s clever without being sappy—thought-provoking and intriguing. I don’t know about you, but I welcome anything that brings me a smile.
Here is Another Book!
Coming up Short by Robert Reich
I am taking this book with me on our three-week road trip. This is a “sneak peek” of what I will review in November. But Reich, at 4’11” in height, has always intrigued me. His words, actions, and straightforward speech have always inspired me. I am hoping he offers a perspective that will be educational, thought-provoking, and stimulating, and possibly irritating. I’ll let you know.
Slowing Down Speeds Up Results—and Resiliency!
Every day, before leaving the office or your desk, save a few minutes to think about what just happened. Look at your calendar and compare what actually happened — the meetings you attended, the work you got done, the conversations you had, the people with whom you interacted and even the breaks you took — with your plan for what you wanted to have happen.
Then ask yourself three questions:
Where did I spend time that now seems unhelpful?
Who or what took up most of my time, and in retrospect, could I have handled it differently?
How might I start my day tomorrow that would let it begin with a smile and a sense of calm?
As an example, The required online registration to renew my husband’s driver’s license has been a two-day nightmare. It kept throwing us out, sending us to a DMV that is hundreds of miles away, asking for the same information over and over… GRRRR. I would have been better served to go to the DMV, stand in line, bring my work phone and wait patiently.
How To Be a Poet
Make a place to sit down. Sit down. Be quiet. You must depend upon affection, reading, knowledge, skill–more of each than you have–inspiration, work, growing older, patience, for patience joins time to eternity. Any readers who like your work, doubt their judgement.
Breath with unconditional breath the unconditioned air. Shun electric wire. Communicate slowly. Live a three-dimensional life; stay away from screens.
Stay away from anything that obscures the place it is in. There are unsacred places and desecrated places.
Accept what comes from slience. Make the best you can of it. Of the little words that out of silence, like prayers, prayed back to the one who prays, make a poem that does not disturb the silence from which it came.
– Wendell Berry
About Eileen
If you are looking for a unique keynote speaker in resiliency, a facilitator for executive retreats, a speech coach or an emcee/moderator, then you want to work with Eileen McDargh, CSP, CPAE. Eileen has spoken for audiences as large as 15,000 and facilitated groups as small as 18! She is the author of seven books and other products that you can find in her online store. The British Research firm of Global Gurus ranked her #4 among the top 30 communication gurus worldwide. Why not hire Eileen for your next event?
Ranked 3rd in Communications
This is the 7th year in a row that I have been ranked in the top 5 in communication. Global Gurus surveys some 26,000 business professionals to determine rankings plus professionals also vote.
Dear Friends,
It’s that time of year again to vote for Global Gurus in various categories. I’ve been in the top 5 of Communication Gurus for many years. Global Gurus is a British research firm that goes out to some 20,000 people to determine standing.
Click below to nominate me as inspirational. It might ask you to log in using either Linked in or Google. You are asked to log in to assure people can only vote once. You’ll then see my face pop up along with other nominees. Select and then near the bottom, you can rank me as “inspirational ”or not.
Please let me know if this works. You are all the best.
Many thanks. I am most grateful for YOU!!!!!
