Becky’s Blog

Leap Year

Leap Year

I’m not a Hallmark person – I prefer to have parties, send cards and give gifts on my own schedule. But for some reason, when I learned about February having a 29th day every four years, I felt like that uniqueness warranted some special treatment. As a kid, I...

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Learning Instead of Lingering

Learning Instead of Lingering

A business friend and I get together every month or so to talk shop. As I drove to our usual meeting spot, I noticed that my attitude towards our meeting was lacking enthusiasm. I had a bit of dread thinking about the next 60-90 minutes, so I paused to reflect on what...

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Connecting the Dots

Connecting the Dots

As a freshman in college, I joined the line with all the other students, signing up for a Pell Grant and other financial aid options offered by the university. Despite having been told the importance of financial awareness and a cash-based approach to life, the...

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Appreciation

Appreciation

I love fall and especially a crisp and colorful October. In Nashville, TN where I live, we are fortunate to experience each season for about three months. As the heat and humidity of August waned and September reminded me that a respite was on the way, I could feel...

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Random Gifts from Mother Nature

Random Gifts from Mother Nature

You know how when you do things over and over again - like driving to the grocery store or collecting the mail - you don’t remember parts of them? It’s easy to get lost in our thoughts. Today, while doing a mundane task (taking out the trash), I was in my head -...

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Transparency

Transparency

In a recent business meeting we were asked to reflect on lessons we learned early in our careers, but with a bit of a twist: What did you learn to do more of and what did you learn to avoid or do less of? A memory I had not thought of in years came flooding back. It...

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Time in Nature

Time in Nature

Thanks to a couple of team member’s ideas, we recently held a “yoga in the park” event and met for a volunteer activity at a local lake to haul and spread mulch on the paths. During our yoga session, we got a unique perspective, laying on our backs and seeing the...

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The Line

The Line

At a recent board meeting of a not-for-profit, we discussed privilege, luck and fortune. I was reminded of a video I’ve seen where the players on a high school football team were lined up on the goal line when their coach prompted: “Move to the 10-yard line if you...

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The ISTS Core Value of Respect Everyone

The ISTS Core Value of Respect Everyone

Are you a “definitely dog” person but cats are not allowed? Beef YES but beets NO? At ISTS, one of our Core Values is Respect Everyone. That means that if you are a dog person and a coworker is very feline-friendly, we expect interest, support and curiosity, never...

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The Benefits of Volunteering

The Benefits of Volunteering

Yesterday a group of ISTS staff met at Nashville Diaper Connection to spend time supporting their mission. Until we started volunteering there, I had no idea that 1 in 3 families in Nashville, TN struggle to afford diapers or that you can buy candy with food stamps...

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The Perils of Overscheduling

The Perils of Overscheduling

Ah, technology. I love it, then I feel controlled by it and at times addicted - where’s my phone? We walk and talk, and drive and talk, and many of us sit with our friends and families while we continue to interact with people miles (and even continents) away from us,...

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Evolving

Evolving

Twenty years ago, a door opened. It was April of 2002 when I met our founder and my future business partner, Nyles Ayers, who took a chance on a me. I could feel the positive energy exuding from him as he told people he had a “hired a woman” to run the business. He...

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