“By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong.” - Charles Wadsworth
I learned years ago the knowledge of what my father had been telling me during my formative years. In fact I still learn from him today in bits and pieces about growing older. My own sons show signs of understanding what I have tried to impress upon them. But each of the four have their own personality and talents of which I am so very proud of.
In my middle years I remarried and have four wonderful step daughters as well. Each of them has a greatness and beauty that is a wonder to behold. Having never thought that my life would be touched by daughters, it adds so much to the experience of life.
As a father on this day, it isn't any thing special that I feel I do but try to do the best I can. My best feeling is that I have a father that taught me well and am proud to be his son. And on the other side, I will continue to teach and inspire our sons and daughters. Life will be their greatest teacher but if a bit of tutoring helps, so be it.
So "Happy Fathers Day" Dad, thank you for all you've done for me through out the years. You are my stabilizing force in life and have prepared me for beyond when you do leave. To my children, I will try to be around for many years to come, offering what I can like my own father did.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Consistency & Your Dreams
Consistency should be the trademark of that which you do in life. I strive to be consistent with my 'daily' blog and many of you will find that I have not been of late. With your support, I want to devote more time to my writing. Lately I've been on the road and also had a wedding anniversary trip.
I have also started work on a related website to provide a few products to help inspire and impact you and those around you. I'm hopeful to be another helpful voice not only in written word of the internet, but also on your coffee cup, on your wall and in other means to help you on your path to greatness. I'll let you know more later.
Until then, believe in a dream, envision the possibility - nothing can destroy the dream but your own lack of faith in it. Have faith in your dreams and allow them to become real by becoming specific in your plans.
I have also started work on a related website to provide a few products to help inspire and impact you and those around you. I'm hopeful to be another helpful voice not only in written word of the internet, but also on your coffee cup, on your wall and in other means to help you on your path to greatness. I'll let you know more later.
Until then, believe in a dream, envision the possibility - nothing can destroy the dream but your own lack of faith in it. Have faith in your dreams and allow them to become real by becoming specific in your plans.
Monday, June 05, 2006
The Attitude Process Of Life
“Enjoy the process. In the middle of this is where everything happens.” ~ Dean Sweetman
For life to be enjoyable, your attitude towards that which happens in and around it determines your impact on it. The idea that we want to simply 'get through' life will make it boring and dull. But to try and impact those around you will make it so much more worth while.
In doing so, there will be a process you become a part of. It may be in your job, church, home life or most anything that you engage in. The thing to remember is that you should enjoy that process you are a part of. All of what you do is in that process of life happening around you.
The good, the bad and the boring will happen. To experience each event should be embraced. Once you learn to enjoy it, you can have a large influence on others in your world. Help them to enjoy life or 'the process'. Movement causes change and change creates an impact. Make a positive impact on your life and others.
For life to be enjoyable, your attitude towards that which happens in and around it determines your impact on it. The idea that we want to simply 'get through' life will make it boring and dull. But to try and impact those around you will make it so much more worth while.
In doing so, there will be a process you become a part of. It may be in your job, church, home life or most anything that you engage in. The thing to remember is that you should enjoy that process you are a part of. All of what you do is in that process of life happening around you.
The good, the bad and the boring will happen. To experience each event should be embraced. Once you learn to enjoy it, you can have a large influence on others in your world. Help them to enjoy life or 'the process'. Movement causes change and change creates an impact. Make a positive impact on your life and others.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Life Checking Your Attitude
A busy week on the road so it has been difficult to get any writing done. As I am back home now, a small story to illustrate how your attitude is always being tested.
With air travel these days, fewer planes mean fuller flights, longer lines and sometimes stress in the whole process. So much more could be done by the airlines but I won't go into it at this point. My only thought would be that I'm surprised a major bus company has not yet bought out any of the major airlines.
When boarding for my recent trip, the whole process was not handled very well. It had been a long wait and many in the crowd were getting impatient. I had been in line to board but although my boarding pass was valid, the 'ticket machine' could not read the bar code. I was directed back to the boarding gate desk for another ticket.
Back in line once again and awaiting my turn, my thoughts were that I was handling myself pretty well. I'm staying calm, smiling and understanding to the situation. The gate attendants were attempting to get a second machine working and would direct the 'next' person in line to that machine. Remain calm I said, this will soon be over and you will be in your seat on the plane.
All at once a female passenger could no longer wait and cut in front of me to the next machine. I politely interrupted her but I'm sure the tone of my voice indicated otherwise. We exchanged insincere 'no, you go first' apologies but you know what the underlying meaning of that is. Those types of exchanges are, "hey, you cut in front of me and it was really rude." Followed by the reply, "get lost, I just might be more important than you!" So you get the picture!
Being the gentleman, I do insist that she go first but only through gritting teeth. We make our way onto the plane, I'm sure my seething is noticeable. Down the second aisle of the plane, further back we go. Can it be, please say no, why is this happening? We are sitting next to each other! Who says God has no sense of humor.
We sat in a bit of silence for a short while. But knowing that we have an eight hour flight ahead of us, best to salvage the day. Our talk is at first polite and short but eventually both of us apologize for the small scene. I think to both of our embarassment, the stress of boarding had gotten the best of us. A good laugh then ensued as we talked a bit about attitudes.
In life, situations will occur where your attitude will be tested. It may be on the road as someone cuts you off, you yell something and then the light turns red as you pull up along side them. It may be getting disgruntled at the guy who took that parking space, only to find he is a customer at your business meeting. Or it could be a stressful exchange while waiting to board a plane, only to find out the two of you will be sitting next to each other - for eight hours.
Find ways to check on your own attitude. For if you do not, life will certainly find a way to do it for you.
With air travel these days, fewer planes mean fuller flights, longer lines and sometimes stress in the whole process. So much more could be done by the airlines but I won't go into it at this point. My only thought would be that I'm surprised a major bus company has not yet bought out any of the major airlines.
When boarding for my recent trip, the whole process was not handled very well. It had been a long wait and many in the crowd were getting impatient. I had been in line to board but although my boarding pass was valid, the 'ticket machine' could not read the bar code. I was directed back to the boarding gate desk for another ticket.
Back in line once again and awaiting my turn, my thoughts were that I was handling myself pretty well. I'm staying calm, smiling and understanding to the situation. The gate attendants were attempting to get a second machine working and would direct the 'next' person in line to that machine. Remain calm I said, this will soon be over and you will be in your seat on the plane.
All at once a female passenger could no longer wait and cut in front of me to the next machine. I politely interrupted her but I'm sure the tone of my voice indicated otherwise. We exchanged insincere 'no, you go first' apologies but you know what the underlying meaning of that is. Those types of exchanges are, "hey, you cut in front of me and it was really rude." Followed by the reply, "get lost, I just might be more important than you!" So you get the picture!
Being the gentleman, I do insist that she go first but only through gritting teeth. We make our way onto the plane, I'm sure my seething is noticeable. Down the second aisle of the plane, further back we go. Can it be, please say no, why is this happening? We are sitting next to each other! Who says God has no sense of humor.
We sat in a bit of silence for a short while. But knowing that we have an eight hour flight ahead of us, best to salvage the day. Our talk is at first polite and short but eventually both of us apologize for the small scene. I think to both of our embarassment, the stress of boarding had gotten the best of us. A good laugh then ensued as we talked a bit about attitudes.
In life, situations will occur where your attitude will be tested. It may be on the road as someone cuts you off, you yell something and then the light turns red as you pull up along side them. It may be getting disgruntled at the guy who took that parking space, only to find he is a customer at your business meeting. Or it could be a stressful exchange while waiting to board a plane, only to find out the two of you will be sitting next to each other - for eight hours.
Find ways to check on your own attitude. For if you do not, life will certainly find a way to do it for you.
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