LIVE EACH MOMENT TO THE FULLEST

I couldn't stop crying this weekend. When I learned about MSNBC host Tim Russert's passing suddenly from a heart attack on Friday, I felt like I had experienced a death in my family. I watched him every Sunday and found such solace in knowing that he was investigating the issues on my behalf. I saw him speak live at an event a few years ago where he was interviewing columnist Maureen Dowd and I just beamed with excitement because I loved listening to him create a conversation - he was real, funny, warm, and always spoke with a great sense of spirituality and intellect. So many of my friends via e mail or on Facebook were sharing the same reaction with me - shock, profound sadness and so many of us didn't know him at all. But he stood for something. He stood for a throwback to traditional values, morals, and honesty. He was transparently kind and interested in life and he was, I think, just a living example of what it looks like to live each moment to the fullest. You knew Tim Russert was enjoying his station in life and it made you want to enjoy your life more and reach higher. In a cultural climate right now where so much change is needed and it appears so much change is on the way - I am proud that I benefited from people like Tim touching my life - even if he didn't know it.

This tragic news came to me on a weekend where I was also celebrating my grandfather's 90th birthday - so talk about living life to the fullest! My grandpa Phil didn't imagine he'd live this long and this weekend my family and his friends gathered to pay tribute to him. My grandpa is one of my biggest fans and it wasn't long before he was cornering me and grilling me about my latest work endeavors - he LOVED hearing about my adventures in Hollywood. But he always had sound advice for me to: "Make sure you always enjoy how hard you are working."  I never really think about enjoying the hard work but more so look at it as means to an end - the way I get results. This weekend I was awakened to look at the journey of my life and work much differently. We don't know how much time is promised to us - so are we loving each moment we are creating and are we leaving legacies? In everything we do - every person we speak with - every job we hold - we can have an opportunity to make an impact if we just let go a bit and stop being afraid to be real and authentic.

I am proud to be featuring one of the most authentic men I know, Ken Druck as our featured Actionist and author this month. Ken has endured our worst nightmare - losing a child. His daughter Jenna was taken way to soon from this earth - but Ken has found a way to keep her passion and vision alive through the Jenna Druck Foundation. Ken serves as such a role model and father figure to so many and although I didn't know Jenna personally, I have no doubt she is beaming with pride for her father's outreach and commitment to helping girls feel strong, inspired, and moved to action. Jen, who works on my team here did have the honor of knowing Jenna when she worked for MTV and also recalls just how full of life and love she was at such a young age. So no matter our age, race, socio-economic status, or body shape - we can allow our lives to reflect our hearts - full, passionate, loving, and kind. Read Ken's book, check out the website and if you know of a teen (or are a teen) in the San Diego area - sign up for our middle school conference - I am keynoting and we will be dissecting the notion of what it means to be "Pretty" "Hot" and "Popular". We'll
re-define those terms so they generously include everyone and are more about inclusion than exclusion. Now is the time for girls everywhere to raise their voices, reach out to their friends, and become better leaders in their schools, communities, and in their lives.

In the words of what I hope will be our next President "Yes, we can". And we are. We are making change. And we are making memories. And we are leaving good legacies.

Keep those e mails coming - forward this newsletter on to anyone you think could benefit from a community that supports them for being unique and powerful - just the way they are. I am happy to call you friends and I'll be in touch soon!

Many Blessings,
Jess

How to Talk to Your Kids
About School Violence

- Dr. Ken Druck

In an increasingly violent world, parents often have difficulty finding the right way to discuss potential threats with their children. Dr. Druck’s book, How to Talk to Your Kids About School Violence, teaches parents to navigate communication roadblocks and open dialogue with their children about safety.

This thorough and thoughtful guide provides insightful strategies for peaceful conflict resolution, anger management, and dealing with bullies. It addresses important topics such as recognizing a potentially violent situation, and reporting a threat.

How to Talk to Your Kids About School Violence has received praise from parents and government officials alike for providing children and parents with the tools to prevent violence, and a realistic, down-to-earth action plan to keep schools, neighborhoods, and communities safe.

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After 20 years in clinical practice with leaders in business and government, Dr. Ken Druck founded Druck Enterprises Inc. (DEI), a leading executive coaching and team-building firm based in San Diego. Recipient of LEAD San Diego's "Visionary of the Year" award in 2004, Dr. Druck is often called upon to consult in times of national trauma, such as in New York after 9-11 and at Columbine and Santana High Schools after school shootings.

Dr. Druck has worked with the FDNY and the U.S. Justice Department and assisted in the rollout of California's historic violence prevention legislation (SB 1667) in 2004. He was recognized by President George Bush and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani at the one-year anniversary of 9-11 held at Ground Zero, and given the prestigious “Distinguished Contribution to Psychology -- and "Family Advocate of the Year" awards.  

Dr. Druck addresses wide-ranging audiences on the topics of grief literacy, violence prevention, parenting and the healing process, including The Harvard School of Public Health and Young Presidents Organization. He also gives high school assemblies on “Life Lessons from Grief.”  He is the author of "How To Talk To Your Kids About School Violence," "The Secrets Men Keep: Breaking the Silence Barrier" and "Healing Your Life After the Loss of a Loved One," a spoken word CD which has been distributed worldwide.

Dr. Druck received his doctorate in clinical psychology from the Fielding Institute
and lives in Del Mar, California. 

For CD's, books and speaking requests please contact www.jennadruck.org.

If you want to know your past
look into your present conditions.

If you want to know your future
look into your present actions.

–Chinese Proverb

Connecting with Jess!

Find all the great advice you're looking for on Jess's blog at Seventeen.com!

Surf the Dove Channel on MSN - the newest place to find Jess on the web! This online community is proud to feature Jess as an editor. Click the image below to read Jess's column, search video workshops, ask questions, and get involved!

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Book Jess for your upcoming events in 2008 now and receive $500.00 off the total cost of program fees. Send your email to Elaine@Jessweiner.com to find out what dates are still available.

Our Featured Actionist® this month is...

Dr. Ken Druck
Founder of The Jenna Druck Foundation

Ken Druck, Ph.D., founded the San Diego-based Jenna Druck Foundation in 1996 to honor the life and spirit of his daughter Jenna. At age 21, Jenna was killed in a tragic bus accident in India while studying abroad on the Semester-at-Sea program. Like many other amazing young people, her life ended senselessly and suddenly.

A highly accomplished young woman, Jenna believed in living life to its fullest and brought her special quality of love and compassion to every life she touched. Through the creation of The Jenna Druck Foundation, Ken Druck is fulfilling his mission to continue Jenna’s legacy of hope.

The Jenna Druck Foundation offers two award-winning programs –
Young Women’s Leadership (YWL) and Families Helping Families (FHF). While the two programs have separate and distinct goals, there is an overarching purpose: To support and enrich the lives of individuals and families, and to spread a message of hope.

YWL identifies and provides leadership training to thousands of “undiscovered leaders” every year through Leadership Forums and the Annual Spirit of Leadership Conference. Young women participate in thought provoking programs on topics that affect their lives, such as inner-confidence, leadership styles, self-esteem, financial literacy, relationships, body image and college preparation.   

YWL creates profound changes in the lives of participants, as well as social change in the community and society at large by empowering thousands of young women with the resources they need to realize their full potential. This year’s Leadership Conference for Middle School girls,
Pretty, Hot & Popular - Redefining Leadership will take place on July 19th in San Diego, featuring keynote speaker Jess Weiner!

The Foundation’s Families Helping Families program provides grief support to those who have experienced the death of a child. As a bereaved father and mental health professional, Dr. Druck knew that there was more that could be done to help families in the darkest hours of grief. With a practical, non-pathological approach, FHF provides comprehensive support services to bereaved families, individuals, and communities in the crucial weeks and months following a loss. FHF is there as supportive family and friends begin to return to their own lives, the shock of the loss begins to wear off and the reality sets in.

A true community of hope and healing, the FHF slogan, "Hope Loves Company," recognizes that the support of others who have suffered comparable losses is a key to healing grief. FHF provides a safe place for families to come together and receive the help they need to go on.  Family members are provided resources to survive, to hopefully, one day, find some measure of peace, and to honor the one they have lost in the way they live on.

Follow the links for more information
about The Jenna Druck Foundation,
Young Women’s Leadership and
Families Helping Families. And check out registration information for Pretty, Hot & Popular – Redefining Leadership, an innovative leadership experience with Jess!
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Everyone can be an Actionist™!
Below are some definitions of the word:

1. Someone who motivates and inspires people to take action in their everyday lives.

2. Someone of any age, race, class, and gender who wants to walk their talk out in the world and lead by example.

3. Someone willing to do what it takes to make a difference in their lives and in the world at large.

Wanna be empowered with great ways to take action in your everyday life?

Ways to Take Action

1. If you’re at a loss for new words that make you feel positive, try writing down a wish list of traits you admire in others. 

2. This one’s simple but true:  Remember that everyday actions and relationships cause a ripple effect out in the world, so practice being kind, and ask someone else to pass it on.

3. Assess your own belief system.  Discover if you’re taking on others’ viewpoints or giving yourself an opportunity to craft your own.  Try writing down an opinion inventory, which can be broad and basic, silly or deep:  what are your thoughts on friendship, political issues, or even doing the laundry?  You may be amazed to discover that you have different opinions than your parents or friends do.

Small steps of action can make a great change!

Also, be sure to check out the Ways to Take Action section of our web site.