A true pioneer: Mary Kay Ashe

Religion

September 7, 2012

A true pioneer: Mary Kay Ashe

By Father Jonathan Filkins, St. Barnabas Anglican The Picayune Item Picayune Item Fri Sep 07, 2012, 08:00 AM CDT

PICAYUNE — Mary Kay Ashe was one of the true pioneers of women’s entrepreneurship, with her creation of the internationally successful Mary Kay Cosmetics company. In an earlier world, less accepting of women as business leaders, she provided a template for others to follow. In person, she projected an almost regal appearance, resplendent in well-tailored couture, fine accessories and perfect makeup. Yet, Mary Kay was never one to be haughty, or place herself above others. With her warmth and solicitous nature, she enhanced both the pocketbooks and self-images of millions.

As so many who are successful in business, regardless of gender, Mary Kay had a philosophy about life and how to approach it: Treat others as you do yourself and reject the actions of those who would do less. While the “Golden Rule” and the commandment from Christ Jesus, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,” are familiar and obvious, this matter of rejecting sinful behavior is less clear.

Often called upon to make motivational appearances and be in contact with the public, this “Grand Dame” came armed with an unusual weapon. She called it a “Warm Fuzzy.” It was a small pink puffball, with two round, spinning, eyes and a pair of sticky cardboard feet. If Mary Kay found you to be expending the extra effort, to aid in selflessly serving others, it was not unusual to find one, or more, of these unique creations stuck on your shoulder and her asking you to accept her “Warm Fuzzy” compliment. It was her way of saying thanks and recognizing good work.

However, the request to accept, also came with permission to reject. Mary Kay would tell of the opposite of the “Warm Fuzzy.” It was that “Cold Prickly,” given by others needing to enhance their own sense of self-worth, or delivered from our own internal diminished self-perceptions. All of this, at the emotional expense of the intended receiver of the message. She would tell of our ability to make positive daily choices, by treasuring the positives and rejecting the negative forces in our lives.

The deep hurts so many of us may feel, sometimes for only a moment and sometimes unnecessarily carried to the grave, are directly related to first accepting and then retaining the “Cold Prickly’s” in our lives. From whatever source we find them: family, friend, boss, peer, or even ourselves, we accept these Cold Prickly’s, store them up and let them burn within. In their constancy, and in our inability to reject the negative messages, we lose our true selves. We are overtaken by our natures, to readily accept less than what is right and good, something less than our positive nurturing with God , so necessary for our well-being.

While Mary Kay Ashe did not publically profess a particular faith, her statements to others were biblical. Her message was to reject the negative, by rejecting those thoughts and actions, both within and without ourselves, which demean and tear us down. Here is the proper course for daily living. With the ready acceptance, of the positives of our lives, we come to a better place; not only for ourselves, but to this world and in the world to come.

Text Only

Religion

The strange victory by liberal religion
By Terry Mattingl/Syndicated columnist

The most recent Jewish Community Study of New York held few surprises for those who have followed the sobering Jewish trends of recent decades

April 5, 2013
Movies on Canal begins March 9
The Church at Picayune is hosting a free community event called “Movies on Canal”, on the second Saturday of each month, beginning Saturday March 9, 2012.
A family friendly movie will be projected onto the side of the building at 120 West Canal St in Picayune. Bring a lawn chair and the entire family and enjoy fun-jumps, pop-corn, food, and lots of entertainment at Movies On Canal.

March 8, 2013
Pope resigns on his terms
By Terry Mattingly/Syndicated columnist

In the spring of 2009, Pope Benedict XVI stopped in Aquila, Italy, to pray at the shrine of St. Celestine V.
The pope left his pallium — a wool garment that resembles a yoke, symbolizing bonds between a shepherd and his flock — on this medieval pope’s tomb. Then, 15 months later, he visited a cathedral outside Rome to pray before the relics, once again, of St. Celestine V.

February 22, 2013
Pope Benedict VXI resigning
VATICAN CITY (AP) — With a few words in Latin, Pope Benedict VXI did Monday what no pope has done in more than half a millennium, announcing his resignation and sending the already troubled Catholic Church scrambling to replace the leader of its 1 billion followers by Easter.
Not even his closest associates had advance word of the news, a bombshell that he dropped during a routine morning meeting of Vatican cardinals. With no clear favorites to succeed him, another surprise likely awaits when the cardinals elect Benedict’s successor next month.
“Without doubt this is a historic moment,” said Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn, a protege and former theology student of Benedict’s who is considered a papal contender. “Right now, 1.2 billion Catholics the world over are holding their breath.”

February 12, 2013
It’s great to be involved with ‘Upwards’ basketball
By Gwen Williams/AKA MS Chocolate/Guest Columnist

I’m not a sports person, but every year I look forward to sharing with the children involved in the Upward Basketball program. First through sixth graders come together to experience their first sports encounter playing basketball. Boys and girls play together with the hope of building character and values for life. Excitement floods the gym as parents, grandparents, and aunts gather with various electronic gadgets waiting to film their children. The program is also a means of reaching parents with children who are unchurched.

February 8, 2013
The heart attack
By Steve Ellison, Interim Pastor/First Baptist Horatio, Ark.

January was a big month for me. It actually started in December and seeped over into February. I spent a few weeks helping to care for my father who was very ill, in fact near death from the combined effects of lung cancer, radiation of the brain, and chemotherapy. I officiated the funerals of a close family friend, my father, and my father’s sister.

February 8, 2013
An offering
By Kelcie Kinchen/Guest Columnist

Through life, no matter where we are, we face times that leave us with just a handful of understanding and a trunk full of confusion. Circumstances leave us standing in the road, not sure which way to turn.
It seems like everyone around you has something to offer in abundance and yet all you believe you have is not worthy of offering. In our minds, all we see is the lack but God sees the abundance around the corner of surrender.

February 1, 2013
Last call, ya’ll!
This is The final call for articles and photos for
this year’s Pearl River County Today “Progress” edition. all churches and religious organizations can email their articles and photos to…
picayuneitem@bellsouth.net.

January 25, 2013
Getting to know the enemy is vital
By Steve Ellison, Interim Pastor/First Baptist Horatio, Ark.

The past few weeks have been difficult for me. I saw enough tears to last me a lifetime (and shed a few of my own). My father has been very ill recently. I was not his primary care giver but I was heavily involved. I experienced things I never wanted to experience.

January 25, 2013
Why be included in Pearl River County Today edition?
What would you say to others about your church or regligious organization?

Do you want to increase participation in your activities, or services?
If you had a free venue you could use to present your information not only to local citizens but to visitors, would you use it?

January 18, 2013
More Religion Headlines

Religion

Search Results

A true pioneer: Mary Kay Ashe

Site Map

Contact Us