Last night, I attended a gathering of people to help celebrate the retirement of a long-time co-worker. This man worked for nearly 25 years at the same company as me, having put in seventeen previous to this one at a different company.
He is a man that I had interactions with at various points in my own career with each of us at different positions along the way. He was always there with a smile, a bit of cheer in his voice and from what I could tell, goodness in his heart.
As it is with retirement and people moving on from the life of a career job, each of us will move on to new things in our life. The people you once worked with will slip into the past with our memories. We will remember each other and from time to time reconnect. Yet having known each other enrichens our lives. It helps shape who we've become and what we will continue to be.
As you go about your work day, know that one day you will retire or move on to other things. Create goodness in all that you do. It will impact those you work with for a life time. Thank you Ray for the daily smile and good word. Enjoy your life and the memories will live on.
“Life's truest happiness is found in friendships we make along the way.”
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Friday, February 09, 2007
Keeping A Dream
“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.” - Marie Curie
A couple of good friends of mine here in the Atlanta area are guys that inspire me with their level of perseverance. Guys that I look up to as examples of not letting life beat you down. To continue on despite the difficulty.
Both were hit by the down swing in the job market a couple of years ago. The experts say the job market has rebounded but its certainly a different market. Many that were let go were older employees with higher paying salaries. When the various industries started hiring again, they were looking for young people and much lower salary costs.
In trying to get rehired, each of these individuals has continued to look, to try and reinsert themselves into their fields of experience. Both were very good and the circumstances each faced were beyond their control. So they keep doing what it takes to survive, not only for themselves but mainly for their families.
It can be painful to watch their struggle to regain what was lost. Yet I would never suggest that pain is even close to what they are going through. And every time I see these individuals, they are positive and continuing living each day. My wish is for each of them to find their way back into what it is they each do so well.
For each of us, they are great examples of perseverance in the wake of adverse conditions. Life has an odd and non-discriminatory way of placing burden upon people. Keep after your dream each day.
A couple of good friends of mine here in the Atlanta area are guys that inspire me with their level of perseverance. Guys that I look up to as examples of not letting life beat you down. To continue on despite the difficulty.
Both were hit by the down swing in the job market a couple of years ago. The experts say the job market has rebounded but its certainly a different market. Many that were let go were older employees with higher paying salaries. When the various industries started hiring again, they were looking for young people and much lower salary costs.
In trying to get rehired, each of these individuals has continued to look, to try and reinsert themselves into their fields of experience. Both were very good and the circumstances each faced were beyond their control. So they keep doing what it takes to survive, not only for themselves but mainly for their families.
It can be painful to watch their struggle to regain what was lost. Yet I would never suggest that pain is even close to what they are going through. And every time I see these individuals, they are positive and continuing living each day. My wish is for each of them to find their way back into what it is they each do so well.
For each of us, they are great examples of perseverance in the wake of adverse conditions. Life has an odd and non-discriminatory way of placing burden upon people. Keep after your dream each day.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Have Faith
"When you get to the end of all the light you know, and it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly." - Edward Teller
You must have faith in yourself and in your beliefs that all will work out. If not, you will never begin your first step down any path. Start your journey now and learn to believe and trust. Step out into the unknown and achieve.
-the artist is Kevin A. Williams
You must have faith in yourself and in your beliefs that all will work out. If not, you will never begin your first step down any path. Start your journey now and learn to believe and trust. Step out into the unknown and achieve.
-the artist is Kevin A. Williams
Monday, February 05, 2007
Healthier Lives
“Our bodies are getting healthier and we're living much longer and the biggest threat now to being able to function well and productively when we're older is in the functioning of the brain.”
- Ian Robertson
Living a longer and healthier life is something we as men fail to acknowledge early enough in life. But with more information, we can each take care of ourselves much better. A recent article in Best Health Magazine regarding maintaining a healthier heart, also provides a list of the best medical tests for men.
I've provided a list and the article indicates that catching a problem in its early stages is now possible with new technology. But most of these tests won't get prescribed by a doctor unless you ask for them. So here they are, treat your body and then treat your brain. How to treat your brain...look up what each of the tests are and read about them.
30s
Fasting Blood Glucose - once a year
HIV ELISA / Western Blot - once every five years
High Sensitivity CRP and Homocysteine Tests - every five years
Testicular Exam - monthly
Body Mass Index - every three years, or whenever you gain weight
Full Lipid Profile - at least once every five years
Blood Pressure - once a year
Dental Exam - twice a year
40s
Carotid Duplex Ultrasound - once at age 40, then as necessary depending on results
PSA - once a year
Dermatological Exam - annual self-exam; professional exam every five years
64-Slice CT Scan - once at age 40, then every five years or as necessary depending upon results
Glaucoma Test (Tonometry) - one every two years
50s
Colonoscopy - once every 5-10 years or as necessary depending upon results
Hearing - every three years
- Ian Robertson
Living a longer and healthier life is something we as men fail to acknowledge early enough in life. But with more information, we can each take care of ourselves much better. A recent article in Best Health Magazine regarding maintaining a healthier heart, also provides a list of the best medical tests for men.
I've provided a list and the article indicates that catching a problem in its early stages is now possible with new technology. But most of these tests won't get prescribed by a doctor unless you ask for them. So here they are, treat your body and then treat your brain. How to treat your brain...look up what each of the tests are and read about them.
30s
Fasting Blood Glucose - once a year
HIV ELISA / Western Blot - once every five years
High Sensitivity CRP and Homocysteine Tests - every five years
Testicular Exam - monthly
Body Mass Index - every three years, or whenever you gain weight
Full Lipid Profile - at least once every five years
Blood Pressure - once a year
Dental Exam - twice a year
40s
Carotid Duplex Ultrasound - once at age 40, then as necessary depending on results
PSA - once a year
Dermatological Exam - annual self-exam; professional exam every five years
64-Slice CT Scan - once at age 40, then every five years or as necessary depending upon results
Glaucoma Test (Tonometry) - one every two years
50s
Colonoscopy - once every 5-10 years or as necessary depending upon results
Hearing - every three years
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