Get the Mirror Out

Posted on February 14, 2013 Written by Nibby Priest

“Get the Mirror Out.” That is what I say to myself when I observe others doing something that I do not approve, is wrong or just socially unacceptable.

This is a practice I try to do for myself to make sure that I am not doing the very same thing- of which I often am.

Mirrors are good because they return to us an exact image of what we are saying, doing and or being.

In my office, I keep a mirror (this is the one I use) by the side of my computer. I am constantly reviewing that mirror when I am writing emails and talking over the phone and making sure that I am returning an attitude that presents me well. Every time I look in the mirror, I make sure that I am smiling even when times it is hard.

When is the last time you looked at the mirror for a return of your actions? Is the mirror returning positive actions and reactions?

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This post was inspired by fellow Toastmasters and bloggers Michelle Green and Becky Durham. I am going to participate in #RethinkChurch #PhotoADay #Lent project for the next 40 days. Today’s word is “return”.

For information about participating in the Rethink Church Lenten Photo A Day Project see Becky Durham’s post about the project.

My First Toastmasters Speech

Posted on December 5, 2012 Written by Nibby Priest

The first of November we started trying to organize a Toastmaster group here in Henderson KY. I have nothing but praise to say about this organization and those that are working to get Henderson KY Toastmasters a fully chartered chapter.

Thank you Louann Clark for all your efforts in getting this club going in our community. We need 20 members to charter and we are very close to that goal.

I volunteered on November 28, 2012 to give my ice breaker speech. In Toastmasters, the Ice Breaker speech is usually the first one people do, and it is one where you talk about yourself and your life.

If you know me well, you know that I love Dolly Parton- so my speech was about her but really not- it was about me!

“The Day I Met Dolly Parton”

It was spring of 1986 and the opening weekend of Dollywood – my senior year at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond Kentucky. I had earlier attended and graduated from our Henderson Community College with an associate of arts degree in 1984 and prior to that a 1982 alumni Henderson County Senior High. Ok so you don’t have to do the math, I am 48 years old.

That spring weekend in April of 1986 was a beautiful weekend. It was the weekend before the last finals of my college career.

I arrived in Pigeon Forge TN early that Friday afternoon to grab a good spot to see Dolly, who was giving a benefit concert that evening. I did manage to study some and I found myself shoving my books under the seat just moments before she came on the stage.

Well, in case you haven’t figured it out yet –I have a lifelong admiration for the superstar Dolly Parton. I like her not only because of who she is or her music but how she handles herself and shows genuine kindness. Like one of her quotes say- she has a brain under that blonde wig and a heart under those boobs!

I have met Dolly several times over the years and always am taken by her gentleness and her quick wit.

When it came my turn to greet her one time at a benefactor luncheon, she saw my name tag and asked, “Where did you get a name like Nibby?” I knew she didn’t have a long time, and I offered her a quick response, and since Dolly wanted to know I will share it with you all as well.

My parents Norris and Mary Elizabeth Priest were married in August of 1958 at the First Baptist Church –the same one I am proud to say that I was raised in.

They moved to an apartment in the 300 block of N Main St. They were quickly told of the McLaughlin spinster sisters that lived next door and that they were sometimes cranky and hard to get along with.

That didn’t bother my parents.

They heard that one of the sister’s Miss Elizabeth was having a birthday. My mother as a young bride baked Miss Elizabeth a birthday cake. The rest was history. My parents quickly became the best of friends to the old maid sisters. Miss Elizabeth died shortly after that and left Miss Mable. Later, my mother became pregnant with me. Miss Mable was so excited. Her middle name was Nisbet and my parents gave me her middle name. She before I was born shorten the name to just plain Nibby. Over the years the name like my personality has been unusual and memorable. Even Dolly thought it was unusual.

In 1988 personal computers were the rage. I had the Computery a personal and business computer store here in our downtown. Many Henderson people had their first encounter with PC’s through that store. I taught over 2000 people from 1986 to 1994 how to use such software as WordPrefect and Lotus 1-2-3 at HCC.

My interests are quite varied. The past few years I have been doing a lot of work with social media. Twitter is my favorite. Through social media, I have met a lot of nice people and one of them is with us here today, Becky Durham. Social media has taught me to think some before I speak. Though social media I have become more aware of our community Henderson, and all that it has to offer. I have become a community advocate and voice for all things Henderson and of the downtown area.

I really enjoy bicycles and enjoy riding every chance I get. I am a bicycle to work commuter– I know I just have less than two-tenths of a mile commute if that.

I enjoy food and good cooking. The past two years I have participated in the areas only CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).

I built a unique home on the downtown river front in 2004. Downtown living is the best, I feel that in the next few years, there is going to be huge movement to downtown communities from subdivision dwellers.

My faith community means a lot to me. I am staff organist and member of Community Baptist Church. I have had an organ playing job in various churches for over 28 years.

I sell insurance- auto homeowners business life and health. I work in my family insurance agency Vaughn Insurance. My college degree from Eastern Kentucky University is in Insurance.

My family also owns the L&N Bed and Breakfast. Both businesses are on North Main Street.

I have been involved in numerous organizations in Henderson. OVAL, DHP, Chamber, Friends of the Library. In 2007 my family and I were awarded the Heart of Downtown Award from Downtown Henderson Partnership.

My biggest goal right now is to strategic plan for the insurance agency’s future and to encourage young professionals that Henderson Kentucky is a place to put down your roots and stay.

A question that Dolly Parton gets often is “What do you want people to say about you 100 years from now?” in her countrified voice, she quips “’dang, doesn’t she look good for her age?” I don’t know if I want to “look good at 100” but I sure do hope Henderson Kentucky does.

Social Fixer for Facebook

Posted on April 11, 2012 Written by Nibby Priest

If you talk to me much about Social Media, I probably will tell you that I really don’t care for Facebook. I find it annoying and still check it multiple times during the day. It becomes a total time waster, and I continue to check it.

I suppose you could say I am addicted to the information it provides. I honestly believe that it is Facebook’s intention for us to only need and use one URL – that being Facebook.com!

If you have a business or a not for profit –don’t put all your pictures and information on Facebook’s use Facebook to point people to YOUR websites. Do everything you can to transport viewers out of Facebook to your respective site. Some not for profits and businesses don’t get this at all.

I use Facebook to get information, much I could live my life without, but it is especially good for business purposes. I use it as an online phone book to find peoples phone and email addresses or to identify who someone is. After all it is called Facebook.

Recently, I became familiar with a tool called Social Fixer for Facebook. “Social Fixer for Facebook” (formerly known as Better Facebook) is a free browser extension that improves the Facebook site by eliminating annoyances and adding lots of great enhancements and functionality. It runs in most browsers and installs in just a minute.

For those of you who do not like the new timeline feature Social Fixer allows you to make some adjustments to it.

I like the Tabbed News Feeds, Advanced Feed Filters. Hiding Posts you have already read, Friend Tracker (un-friend finder) and many more. For a complete list of Social Fixer for Facebook’s features see their features page.

I find that it works best in my preferred browser Google Chrome.

I have found it very easy to use and easily configurable. I liked it so well that I sent the developer Matt Kruse some money via PayPal.

Install it and let me know what you think.

BTW . . . Really want to know what’s up with me, read my Twitter Feed.

My 2011 Person of The Year- Dr. Bill Shiell

Posted on December 30, 2011 Written by Nibby Priest

One of my favorite things to do is watch church services online. <I know you are thinking weird, but I have always enjoyed church and worship>. Most ever week I not only attend my church where I am staff organist but also attending a few other churches virtually.

A new church that I picked up watching over the past year has been First Baptist Church Knoxville Tennessee. My connection to that church started as a rather simple tweet from their senior pastor, Dr. William “Bill” Shiell, that recognized my affection for gospel singer Cynthia Clawson.

He responded to a tweet of mine in early Spring 2010 that said she (Cynthia) was going to be a part of worship at his church in August of 2010. I started watching their services online and quickly became fond of his preaching and found the seasoned organist Mrs. Pickle a pure delight. She retired after playing the FBC organ for over 43 years this past August.

Bill preaches from memory. He has the scripture memorized as well. His ability to convey a message is a well-honed form of storytelling. His messages are captivating and give you something to think about and many times an action to follow during the week. One of his Advent messages encouraged me to go in a closet and verbally confess to God my wrongdoings. Try that one- it’s harder than you think. Many times we have our standard words in prayers “Lord, please forgive me where I have failed thee. ” That type of approach, through his sermon, encourage me to do more.

Bill is remarkable in that he is young (39 year old-2011) and has led an old (1843) downtown First Baptist Church in a very technological way preserving the connectivity of many generational age groups.

They stream their services on Ustream; each service is on Vimeo, and they broadcast on the local Knoxville TV station. They have had a television ministry since 1959. They have a website that is stellar and constantly being updated. They email their congregation and keep them informed via Facebook and Twitter.

His accomplishments during his pastorate at FBCKnox are astounding. Read about them on the FBCKnox page about Dr. Shiell. In 2010, he successfully led the congregation in retiring a large debt and at the same time saw an increase in overall budget giving.

Bill has encouraged me in many ways one particular is to be more focused and to work on memorizing things that you are passionate about. Bill published a book this year Delivering from Memory: The Effect of Performance on the Early Christian Audience.

Bill has put together a staff at FBCKnox that encompasses all genders and generational groups. His staff all exhibit a work together type of attitude.

I think if Bill wasn’t a preacher, he would be a darn good lawyer.

Thank you Bill Shiell for being an inspiration to me and many others –especially to those that do not sit in the physical building each week and worship with you. I’m a better person after I consume a FBCKnox service on Vimeo.

Below is a Sunday Morning Worship Service (August 29, 2010) from First Baptist Church Knoxville Tennessee where Dr. Shiell and Cynthia Clawson created a unique traditional worship experience.

[tentblogger-vimeo 14557764]

Who is your person of the year?

Other blogs that share their person of the year and were an inspiration to this post: