Vivere Amor Accipio

You live you learn
You love you learn
You cry you learn
You lose you learn
You bleed you learn
You scream you learn

You Learn - Alanis Morissette

There is a gentleman I met while in Phoenix not long ago. An older guy in his middle eighties but the abilities of a much younger man. When I first came upon him, he was moving items for donation in the 110 degree heat of Arizona. A small amount of sweat on his forehead, but moving better then most half his age.

He introduced himself as Garth and in anticipation of my next question, "yes, Garth Brokks was named after me....way after me." So right away I knew I would like this man, his humor and goodness. As we worked, we talked and I learned.

Garth lived for many years, working and struggling just like the rest of us. A job here, a new job there with job loss and started a new business that changed everything for him. But in all of that living, he had a wonderful wife that worked side-by-side with him. So much so that Mrs. Garth started a stained glass shop in the front of Mr. Garth's welding shop. She did so only because the welding business wasn't keeping her busy enough in the front office.

Their daughter now runs that shop and the welding business is no longer. It is sad to report that Mrs. Garth passed away some time ago. But there is still a sparkle in Garth's eyes when he speaks of Mrs. Garth. The love in his voice when he talks of her, and their lives together speaks volumes of a wonderful life.

In the various conversations I had with Garth, it was what was learned in life, the adjustment to it and the picking up of oneself that resonated so much. Garth kept living, loving and learning with each step along the way. When something knocked him down, he got up, dusted off the pain, and began moving again.

All along the way he not only helped himself to keep moving, but he helped others along his way. He continues to do so today, he is a great example is that the more you give to others, your life will be rewarded ten times that amount. He taught me life lessons during our conversations. He reminded me that life is a grand thing.

Vivere (live), amor (love), and accipio (learn) through out your grand life.

DUI

As your weekend quickly approaches, I felt the following video from Australia would be appropriate. Similar to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration here in the United States, the Australian Traffic Accident Commission is tasked with trying to promote road safety.

There have been many different roads campaigns both here in the U.S. and in Australia, along with hundreds of others around the globe. It bears repeating that traffic safety, buckling up, no texting while driving, and turning over your keys after drinking save lives.

I have to reminded and encouraged in all aspects of traffic safety just like the next person. It was recently that a friend from high school whom has been in law enforcement for a number of years sent this video.

It can be disturbing to watch at moments; it can be quite sad at times. But the reality of the choices we make when we get behind the wheel of a car have consequences. Maybe not this time, but maybe it will happen to you the next time. Again, maybe it will never happen to you.

Statistics from the M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) reveal that on average someone is killed by a drunk driver every 45 minutes. In 2008, an estimated 11,773 people died in drunk driving related crashes; a decline of 9.8 percent from the 13,041 drunk driving related fatalities of 2007.

So hold on and watch the video. See if it changes your thoughts if only a little bit about driving impaired.

Bring It On

"Study strategy over the years and achieve the spirit of the warrior. Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men." ~Miyamoto Musashi

The story of warriors can be taken in multiple context depending upon what fits the need. But in general, there are two ways to describe a warrior. One would be in reference to "someone engaged or experienced in warfare." The second refers to "a person who shows or has shown great vigor, courage, or aggressiveness."

In the context of what I write, it follows the second reference above to how we each engage in our own life. Each day we are confronted by circumstances which will either hinder or enhance our progress towards a better life. Of course it takes vigor and courage to battle the hinderance. It also take vigor and courage to accept or embrace the circumstances that will help us.

When we wake up in the morning we have a choice to make in how we will approach the day. We can cower to the possibility of something good or bad happening to us. Or we can stand tall as a warrior and proclaim, "bring it on." It is this second choice that I make. Whatever comes my way, I'm as ready as I'll ever be.

It will be with confidence in yourself to overcome or to take on whatever comes your way. Choose to stand strong and take it all on. Stand strong and loudly proclaim, "bring it on world."

Shine Your Light

"That's all a man can hope for during his lifetime - to set an example - and when he is dead, to be an inspiration for history." ~William McKinley

Each of us in some form or manner want to leave some relic of our existence when we leave this earth. There are some that may say it does not matter; that they have no need for people to remember whom they were or what they did. But each of us do leave a mark on time, large or small, and either good or bad upon the memories of people.

Those memories of what you did in life may seem meaningless. We get trapped into thinking that our "15 minutes of fame" that was famously coined by Andy Warhol, is all that we will ever get. The fame we think is the only one people get is either something grand or something notorious. That is not the case in most of our lives. It is said that a lighthouse does not have to fire a cannon to make its presence known. The lighthouse only has to shine.

The same can be said for you when it comes to leaving your mark upon others. When you live your life in the best possible way, you lead and leave others with your example. And like the lighthouse, you shine brightly for those still traveling in the darkness trying to find their own way.

Your memory will serve as the light for others to live on in. That is how your life will live on with others. Live your life by example to others, the good and the bad but always with the intent of living the best way you can. In this way, others will be guided to their own best life.

Breakfast With Salman Rushdie

"Finding some quiet time in your life, I think, is hugely important." ~Mariel Hemingway

In all of my travels, it is very rare that I come within ear shot or even see famous people. For all of the media exposure that so many get, there are so many others that are average, everyday people like you and me.

So it was with great interest that the man sitting one table away from me seemed very familiar. In my hotel in central London, the business lounge provides breakfast on the top floor for members. This particular morning I chose a later time to arrive.

With only three of us in the room, there was no particular reason that I sat near this man. The only thing that drove me that direction is that it was close to the television. It also gave me a clear view of the Thames River. Well then again, maybe I did have a reason for sitting where I did.

Something about the presence of the man sitting near me and his familiar face told me he was of some importance or celebrity. After a short while it dawned on me that it could very well be Salman Rushdie. Yes, that famous auther who wrote the Satanic Verses which became the scorn of many Muslims. So much that in 1989, Ayatollah Khomeini, (leader of Iran at the time) issued a fatwa or decree telling all Muslims to kill Rushdie and his publishers.

Salman Rushdie was placed under police protection by the British government. As of this year (2010), Salman has not been harmed, but it is said that 38 others connected with the book have been killed.

So my mind kept thinking and rationalizing his presence in this place. No body guards and such. But after so many years, I had to think he had slipped back into obscurity and maybe it just wasn't as big of a concern anymore.

But was it really Salman Rushdie? I never asked because I've always felt that there are times of approach and there are times of quiet. This seemed like a time of quiet. We both nodded a good morning to each other and left each other to our quiet and peaceful breakfast.

He may have simply been a person that looked extremely similar to Salman, but I'd like to think otherwise. That I had breakfast with Salman Rushdie and that we enjoyed the peaceful quiet of the morning.

Each of us need those quiet moments in time. To pull ourselves back from the hurried and noise filled life that surrounds us each day. A time to reflect on things that matter to us. A time to just let down our guard a little bit and not be looking over our shoulder.

Maybe next time I'll ask to be sure, but then it might disappoint me. Then the peaceful and quiet breakfast that I had with Salman Rushdie will disappear forever for both myself and for him.

Diary of a Memory

"Memory...is the diary that we all carry about with us." ~Oscar Wilde

Years ago, a film came out called Mary Poppins. It became another Disney classic based upon the books by P. L. Travers. It remains to this day a favorite of mine.

As I walk the streets of London this week during a business trip, the memories of past visits come to mind. I walk past St. Pauls Cathedral and it reminds me of a song from that movie. The song was sung by Mary Poppins and is referred to as the tuppence a bag song. It was of the old woman sitting on the steps of St. Pauls Cathedral selling bags of bread crumbs to feed the birds.

I am also reminded of the cathedral's triumphant survival of the air raids on London during World War II. Truly remarkable that it survived.

And then I remember back to only a few years ago that my wife visited London with me. I see the places we walked and shared with each other and great memories flood back in my mind. She could not be with me this time, but the memories are here with me today as if she were as well.

One day again, we will share the streets of London with each other. New memories will be formed into the diary of my mind. Find your own memories and replay them as if reading the diary of your life. Live life well and create new memories with the ones you love.

One Day Like This

Just wonderful lyrics from Guy Garvey of the British band Elbow. This particular song is called "One Day Like This" and if you click on the link you can hear the entire song on YouTube.

It is a song that tells me that I have many wonderful things in my life. I have my wonderful wife Laura, beautiful children and grand children. There are my friends and co-workers as well as a decent job. There are many other large and small things that I realize make life so wonderful.

What made me behave that way?
Using words I never say
I can only think it must be love
Oh, anyway, it's looking like a beautiful day

Someone tell me how I feel
It's silly wrong but vivid right
Oh, kiss me like the final meal
Yeah, kiss me like we die tonight

Cause holy cow, I love your eyes
And only now I see the light
Yeah, lying with me half-awake
Oh, anyway, it's looking like a beautiful day

It is truly a love song. It is a love song for living life. All that I have I am thankful for and each of those things in my life make it a beautiful day. The things in your life make it a beautiful day as well. Even the smallest of things make it a great day for you.

So throw those curtains wide!
One day like this a year'd see me right!

Many of us get to have a thousand days like this. And each of us will have at least one of these days. Do not despair and hide in the darkness. Be thankful of the things you have in your life. Love life and "throw those curtains wide" and have a beautiful day.

Journey Home

Phil Richards - Long Journey Home

"When we are sure that we are on the right road there is no need to plan our journey too far ahead. No need to burden ourselves with doubts and fears as to the obstacles that may bar our progress. We cannot take more than one step at a time." ~Orison Swett Marden

When we start out on a path towards something new and exciting in our life, it appears a thousand miles long. We even wonder if we are on the right path at all. The questions cloud our mind and cause us to second guess our ability to even proceed.

It is a cruel trick we play on ourselves that is called self doubt. Self doubt is the "ball and chain" attached to our life that prevents us from proceeding with the journey. It slows us and attempts to hold us in one place, never to find what is at our journey's end.

You can rid yourself of this self doubt and continue your travel. But the path may create indecision when a crossroads appears before you. Now you have to make a decision to go left or go right. Do I take the well worn path or the road less taken? Indecision will try to stall you and keep you from moving forward. But you can overcome it by simply choosing and taking on your decision with excitement of the unknown.

We all learn eventually that our journey of life is pretty much an unknown. It is how we choose to travel along the path that will dictate if it is an enjoyable or miserable one. And our paths are so different from each other, we have to love our own path and not covet the other.

When we finally settle into our journey of life, the excitement of where it will end up is replaced by excitement of the journey itself. At that point, we come to realize that the journey is really a journey home. Whether 999 miles remain to be traveled or only a single mile, enjoy every step along the way. Know full well that home awaits you.

Begin to enjoy the travel, step by step, mile by mile to the journey's end.

C3 Journey Leaders - July 2010

"Friends are as companions on a journey, who ought to aid each other to persevere in the road to a happier life." ~Pythagoras

While on the journey of life, it is best traveled with friends, with brothers and with sisters. Each of them will stand to your left and to your right. Each of them will cover behind you and keep an eye out on the road ahead of you.

Yes, life can be traveled alone. But life traveled with others is a much happier, much more meaningful life.

Building A Life From Dirt

“Whenever you make a mistake or get knocked down by life, don't look back at it too long. Mistakes are life's way of teaching you. Your capacity for occasional blunders is inseparable from your capacity to reach your goals. No one wins them all, and your failures, when they happen, are just part of your growth. Shake off your blunders. How will you know your limits without an occasional failure? Never quit. Your turn will come.” ~Og Mandino

Today I draw some inspiration from a family friend. Her name is Belinda and she herself is a source of inspiration. Belinda is a woman who has survived a brain tumor not once but twice in her lifetime.

What she sent me was a story, much like many that circulate around but meaningful if you are in need of a lift. The story tells of one day when a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.

Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. So he invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.

At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw.

With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake off the dirt and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take another step up.

Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

Now the story does have a twist about the donkey coming back later and biting the farmer in the hindend, causing a fatal infection to the farmer. A moral about trying to cover up your mistakes that come back to bite you.

But what I draw from the story reminds me of Belinda and her fighting the brain tumors. We know and eventually accept that life is going to throw an obstacle in our way. Like the donkey, some dirt is going to get shoveled on you, lots of it and very different types of dirt.

The idea is to shake it off and keep moving. You need to turn the obstacles into stepping stones. We can get beyond our circumstance not by stopping, but by never giving up!

Belinda nearly lost her life years ago. Her husband Mark talks about it in my book CHANGED LIVES of their fight and survival. Belinda did not stop and succumb to what others might have considered her fate. Not Belinda though, she kept moving and overcoming.

Even when a growth was found again a year ago, she kept moving and the growth went away. A miracle? I believe they occur and in this case she is living proof of that. But we each can learn and take inspiration from Belinda's life experience.

Finally, in her story she sent me there were five simple rules for life.

1. Free your heart from hatred; learn to forgive.
2. Free your mind from worries; most never happen.
3. Appreciate what you have; you'll have so much more.
4. Give more; you'll get much more in return.
5. Expect less; you'll get what you need.

Get to know the stories of others that have been through the well, having dirt thrown down upon them by life. Then be inspired by them to jump start your own life.

Pile Of Tires

"Opportunity is often difficult to recognize; we usually expect it to beckon us with beepers and billboards." ~William Arthur Ward

The picture just screams, "Dang it, another flat tire and nothing for miles. I guess I'll have to wait for someone to come along and help." Another missed opportunity that we failed to recognize.

Now granted, the purest would say it is a truck full of tires that couldn't be used in this situation. But your imagination can see what I am talking about. It is the idea of opportunity just yelling out at us and we are not in a position to hear it. Those types of opportunities rarely occur in life.

We normally have to position ourselves for opportunity and then mindfully keep our eyes open. But how do we position ourselves for any type of opportunity? We read more, we learn more and we interact more with life.

Opportunity does not come to your darkened doorstep and knock. Opportunity does not find you sitting in front of the television watching mindless shows. Opportunity does not find you, you encounter it.

By learning more, by trying new things, by interacting with people, the probability that opportunity will meet up with you is enormous. You still have to be aware and cognizant of it happening, but it will happen.

So get up off the bumper of your life and look around. The opportunity might be right behind you or just around the bend.

Help, I'm Drowning

"We experience moments absolutely free from worry. These brief respites are called panic." ~Cullen Hightower

This past weekend was one in which the unexpected happened beyond the planning I had done. One in which you get brought to your fear and have to face it without fully realizing its going to happen. Oh the joy of trying to face your personal fear when all along you have been trying to avoid it.

My personal fear is the one of drowning. Falling into the water, being submerged and never coming back up. It is silly to even admit at my age, but I can not swim. I can't float on the water nor tread water to save my own life. The fear can be pretty overwhelming at times and stems from an incident when only 7 or 8 years old.

As I tell the story, though my brothers would disagree, is that we were all at the local pool. I had just started learning to swim albeit not very well. So I was confined to the shallow end and my brothers were to keep an eye on me. Bouncing about in the pool, having a good time two unknown kids came along, one high, one low and took me under the water and held me down.

It seemed like I was under water for 10 minutes but in all reality was only 10 seconds I suppose. But it scared the living daylights out of me and became my biggest life long fear. The joke in my family became that I could no longer take a bath for fear of drowning.

Over the years I have tried with little success to truly over come this fear. I can take a bath thank you, but bodies of water, boats and such still make me nervous. Most times I try to avoid placing myself in situations that could cause me to confront the fear. So to my surprise, this weekend challenged me on this front.

An overnight camping trip for instructors of the C3 Journey program in the north Georgia mountains to discuss some upcoming events. As we sat around the fire at Raven Cliff Falls, the conversation turned to a planned kayak ride down the Chattahoochie River the next morning. Now my plan was to head back home and do some work around the house. It was a planned avoidance of the water, but my wife was with me and encouraged me to go down the river.

It was a 'spur of the moment' decision on my part and said yes. What could go wrong, but inside I was feeling the fear build. So off to Wildwood Outfitters and a 'fun' afternoon of kayaking; something I had never done before. A quick lesson and into the water we went.

Not too far down the river, I tipped over in shallow water and thought oh geez, here we go. I continued my trek with the others down the river, manuevering as best I could. I felt better as things went along and the fear subsided a fair amount until half way through the journey. Here we were coming up on a Class 2 rapid. Many would consider this nothing, but to an unexperienced paddler and one fearful of water, it could have been a Class 6 in my mind.

As I neared, two fellow kayaking folks had got hung up about ten feet past the drop. I was heading straight for them and no other way around. I told myself, drop into it and then muscle your way to the right and around them. The old saying, "the best laid schemes o' mice an' men" by John Steinbeck was never more appropriate. Head first into the first two kayaks and the rushing water spun my boat around and then upside down.

The interesting thing in these (to me) terrifying moments is that there was a panic button right there underneath the water. In a moment I was grabbing for whatever was nearby as I was caught upside down in my kayak. Lucky for me while unlucky for my friend was his loose t-shirt that I grabbed hold of.

I am surprised I didn't pull him under and soon enough I was untangled and able to get my feet in the turbulent water. All three feet of water that is. All of a sudden the panic was replaced by embarrasment and trying to regain composure. And trying to find my kayak and paddle...the first rule is to never lose your paddle.

The rest of the journey was filled with a few more exciting moments. Although nothing that made me confront my fear of drowning more then the incident at what I call, "That Damn Rock Rapid". I would like to tell you that a miracle occurred and my fear is completely gone. I would like to tell you that its that simple. But it isn't, there is still work to do in overcoming the fear.

What I can tell you is that I know that I need to confront my fear more often. That the only way we ever get over our fears is to face them. To avoid and run from the fear will only embolden that fear. You give it strength over your life by avoiding it. By facing the fear, you take away that strength from it. You keep facing the fear and eventually you overtake it. I should have learned that long ago, but last Saturday was my first step.

Step forward and get in the face of your fears. Find ways to confront the fear and eventually you will find the fear running from you. I may have nearly panic'd myself into drowning, but I've also panic'd that fear into one day leaving me.

Enthusiastic Optimism

"Enthusiasm is the mother of effort, and without it nothing great was ever achieved." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Enthusiasm is brimming over the opening of a new hotel in the battle-scarred city of Sa'Ada, Yemen. As the folks cheerfully said, "We don't expect foreigners to visit now, but I think that if the situation stays stable, maybe they will come." I call that optimism at its ultimate test. I would also venture to guess that I am now on a government watch list for just searching the Internet on Sa'Ada, Yemen to figure out where it is located.

I found the story interesting because no matter where you are or what your circumstances are, there is always room to be optimistic. You build a hotel that has a high chance of being shelled into ruins, yet have the enthusiasm to believe foreign tourists will eventually arrive. You get up in the morning looking forward to a day that will produce great things in your life. Both take enthusiastic optimism to achieve.

The day might bring hardship but you keep moving forward. You keep optimism alive and push towards your goal. It takes enthusiasm to keep you moving forward and without it you might as well let the "shelling of the hotel" begin.

Would you call it rose colored glasses? I suppose you could, but if the glasses let you see possibility, then by all means wear them. Anything is possible if you simply look through the smoke and destructive obstacles in your life. See what can be and then pursue it enthusiastically; pursue it with enthusiastic optimism.

Greatness Inside

"When I chased after money, I never had enough. When I got my life on purpose and focused on giving of myself and everything that arrived into my life, then I was prosperous." ~Wayne Dyer

In the news lately has been the pending decision of Lebron James, basketball superstar. He is in free agency and everyone is awaiting his decision regarding where he will play next year. Will he stay in Cleveland; will he go to Chicago; will he land in Miami? All of these questions will be answered.

What I have found interesting is the talk of money. And it is a lot of money they are talking about. Roughly $16 million per year to play a game, albeit very well. And I am not here to question "how much is too much" or try to say that no one is worth that kind of money. There are thousands upon thousands of people that have mind-boggling amounts of money.

In the talk of a possible contract, it was stated it might be $15 million or maybe $16 million. The people reporting state that $1 million dollars won't make the difference because it is "only $1 million dollars" we are talking about. Maybe not in the context of his contract, but it is an amount that could make a huge difference to others. Heck, I'll sign up to take it if he doesn't get it. But then I can only jump six inches off the ground and maybe get up and down a basketball court only once or twice.

It is the pursuit of money and what you do with it that makes a difference in this life. I contend and hope for everyone that you make as much of those mind-boggling amounts of money as you can. Yet what I truly hope is that you do something good with those amounts of money.

I wouldn't suggest you give it all away and I wouldn't suggest how you spend on things in your life. We all spend up to our means which is just fine. What I hope for is that you can do something for those less fortunate. For those that do not have the means to achieve. You setting up a program for learning, for improving life for those may just birth greatness out of others. It will certainly birth greatness in you.

So go out and make mind-boggling amounts of money. Each of you have the capacity to do so. Each of you have the ability to do great things. All I ask in return is you give back a little to others to make a difference in their lives. Then you will truly be great, then you will be a king inside.

Glass Of Water

"I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it." ~Groucho Marx

There she was, the Delta Airlines flight attendant, standing at the front of the plane and pleasure was not written upon her face. It was getting late in the evening of a holiday with one more to go and 142 passengers.

Sometimes you can just see it all over a person. The pain or frustration of a day, a job or a lifetime. Many people would see it on another person and shy away. Not me though, I only wanted a glass of water.

The way she addressed or responded to people was not all that pleasant. I would describe it as a tourist asking a New Yorker for directions on a hot and humid day in Times Square. It was not going to be fun but I was determined to make an effort. Besides, all I wanted was a glass of water.

Rumbling down the aisle, "watch your elbows please" was the constant and stern warning of my flight attendant. I say 'my flight attendant' because I was going to make her smile and let her day finish brighter then it appears to have started.

So many times we see people that we would rather avoid. We get a perception of them that probably isn't very flattering. But we can never know what exactly is happening in their world. So much is hidden inside but it surfaces on the faces of those having a bad day. You can make a difference in that day, sometimes by simply asking for a glass of water.

When our row was approached, before asking for something I instead to ask how she was. I offered up a pleasant great day and thanking her for working on a holiday. All of a sudden it appeared, a smile. The hard shell of the day seemed to melt away. Maybe things would be just a little better. Maybe what troubled her was going to be okay.

And then, she offered me a glass of water.

Gone Fishin

"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after." ~Henry David Thoreau

Today marks a final work day before an extended holiday weekend here in the United States. On Sunday we celebrate the American holiday called Independence Day, which is not the one depicted in the movie with Will Smith. It is a time to remember those that fought and waged for our independence as a country. Along with the barbecues, parades and fireworks it will be a fun weekend.

It is also a weekend where I would love to be on a quiet lake. To be out in the middle of the calm waters with a fishing pole, cigar and cool drink catching fish. It is a serene thought that crosses my mind which takes me to that lake. I guess you could call it that 'special' place inside my head. Catching fish, quietly, consistently and then putting them back going about my business without any fanfare.

I have watched those fishing tournaments, the fancy fishing boats that some use. The racing across the waters to areas found with fish finders and six different pre-lured fishing poles. All going after the high profile fish, making a large impression on the viewing public. These fisherman are good at what they do and deserve credit for the work they do.

Those of us that do not have the expensive boats and sponsorships still get out there. We read the currents and temperatures, looking for a place to throw out our line. The catch can be hard at times but the result is still a great feeling. We go about our fishing without fanfare or notoriety.

The interesting thing is that we tend to forget that we actually fish every day. We enter into other peoples lives and impact them in ways we may not realize. But with each encounter or "catch", we have the ability to impact them in a positive way. To impact them such that when we leave or "throw them back", they are a little better.

So whether its down by the fishin hole or at the neighborhood grocery store, we are all fishermen in one sense or another. We can be high profile fishermen such as Anthony Robbins or Dr. Phil helping people create great lives. Or we can be the normal average Joe, "catching fish, quietly, consistently and then putting them back going about my business without any fanfare." Each of us can make an impact on another, each of us can make a difference in the lives of someone else.



Keep out the "Gone Fishin" sign and enjoy the wonder of it.

Half Way July

"A well-ordered life is like climbing a tower; the view halfway up is better than the view from the base, and it steadily becomes finer as the horizon expands." ~William Lyon Phelps

Here we are, the halfway point of the year 2010. July first and the rest of the year lay out in front of us like the top of a tower. We have made our way, slowly and surely seeing an ever expanding horizon. The top may look insurmountable, but you just cut the insurmountable in half.

Continue your climb, continue with the goals you set for this year. It was way back at the bottom (January 1st) that you set out on your journey. The winds buffeted you; the rains tried to wash you away; heat and cold have placed their burdens upon you as well.

There are even people at the bottom yelling for you to stop. They are telling you that you can not make it. They are urging you to turn around and come back. But you have and continue to disregard their attempts to pull you back down.

And why do you keep moving towards your goal? As Janis Ian said, "once you're halfway home, you know that you can probably get the rest of the way there."

Those same obstacles will continue to claw at you. In fact the higher you get, your own fear may try to grip you. A fear so consuming that you may freeze your movement or turn around. Overcome those fears and look to the horizon. See the wonderous views expanding before you and know how much greater that view will be from the top.

The second half remains ahead of you, success is there and you can make it to the top. The further you go, the voices which try to hold you back will begin to fade. The obstacles will become less of a burden. Your own instincts will guide you further to the top.

Pretty soon you will be there, firmly at the top, basking in the completed journey. You will look out across the wide expanse and say to yourself, "wheres my next tower to climb?" And you will.

Band Of Differences

"I know there is strength in the differences between us. I know there is comfort where we overlap." ~Ani DiFranco

I have been trying to stay true to a workout schedule over the last month or so. Running each day for about 40-50 minutes, it tests my resolve to remain consistent. Most of this is due to the Peachtree 10K Roadrace that my wife and I run in each year.

It becomes more of a challenge each year but I keep plugging along. Due to the heat here in Atlanta, I have been running on the treadmills at the gym I attend (C3 Fitness) where its much more bearable during the time of day I train.

Each day I see some of the same folks including a friend by the name of Jim Crumbley. Jim is a former United States Marine and owner of a security firm called Risk Response and a pretty great individual to be around. Being former Marine, he prides in taking care of his body. There he is lifting weights, going through the routines that sculpt a body. Doing the lifts that I have never had much of an ability to do.

I view my lifting ability as just smart enough and just strong enough to get done what I can. Which means I'm not the strongest of individuals. My forte in my earlier years was running. Some may joke that I could quickly evade a situation as opposed to having to test my strength.

I spoke with Jim recently of my admiration for his lifting ability and to my surprise he commented about my ability to run. His knees are nearing the brink of shambles and running is not something he can do much of these days. We then sort of chuckled and celebrated our differences when it comes to the physical abilities each has.

And it is those differences we have, those things which we can choose to celebrate and share. Think of the HBO movie based upon the book called BAND OF BROTHERS. A wide variety of individuals together under a common cause. Each with different strengths and weaknesses, depending and trusting the other to cover those differences.

Everyday life can also celebrate those differences and not in a manner that I'm better or worse than anyone else. The celebration is that we have friends, buddies or others that will stand in for us. In turn we will stand in where another person's weakness exists. In this manner, we all begin to lift each other to greater lives.

To stand alone will get you only so far in life. Standing together with others will return so much more into my life then could be accomplished by myself. I know that standing alongside Jim Crumbley, Mark Creath, David Spell or any one of a hundred men I call my brothers will sustain me for a lifetime.

Celebrate our differences by using those differences to strenghten the other. When you change your attitude, you change your life. Stand with others in a band of differences and together greatness will be achieved.

Larger Capacity

Arrested Development or Cardiac Arrest ~ George Grie

In truth, the only restrictions on our capacity to astonish ourselves and each other are imposed by our own minds. ~David Blaine

I came upon the above art work that got me to thinking about something my friend Dean Sweetman told me recently. Capacity within oneself is so much more than what we limit ourselves to. If you are going to get something bigger, you are going to have to get bigger yourself. You have to be able to contain and receive that which you are trying to possess.

Everything comes to us that belongs to us if we create the capacity to receive it. ~Rabindranath Tagore

We box ourselves in by negatively thinking of what we can actually accomplish in life. Like the balloon trying to rise to great heights, the nice convenient room we have built in our mind prevents it.

The capacity you're thinking of is imagination; without it there can be no understanding, indeed no fiction. ~William Trevor

You have to break free from the thoughts and limitations you place on your life. Believe in your ability to expand your world. The confidence to do so exists inside if you will simply allow it to see the light of day.

As is our confidence, so is our capacity. ~William Hazlitt

Putting it in perspective, a myth exists that we only use roughly 10% of our brains ability. This is actually wrong because that number is really only the 'perceived' amount we use. While we may only be consciously aware of certain portions of our brain activity, all of our brain is doing work whether we're aware of it or not.

I just think that we're capable of so much more; we don't utilize all our capacity like we should. ~Marcus Allen

We have ability inside that we fail to acknowledge. Maybe that is fear or failure; practice fearlessness. Maybe that is a friend filling you with discouragement; get a new friend. Maybe that is lack of knowledge; learn more by reading.

Wisdom is nothing but a preparation of the soul, a capacity, a secret art of thinking, feeling and breathing thoughts of unity at every moment of life. ~Herman Hesse

Prepare yourself for greater things. Break through the walls that you keep yourself confined within. Start imagining a bigger you capable of greater capacity to achieve. And then start to build a bigger you. Don't wait, start now and you will become bigger then you ever first imagined.

Planned Adventure

"A lot of my time was spent searching, thinking and planning my life." ~Ryan White

My family has started planning for a trip in January of 2011 to Ireland. It is a trip to Cork in order to fulfill one of my mother's wishes. Before passing away in October of 2008 from Pancreatic Cancer, she asked that some of her ashes be spread in her ancestral Ireland.

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The planning process we are going through reminds me of when we took her to Ireland in 2004. We planned and worked to make the trip as perfect as can be. While Mom understood all of the planning, she was more interested in the adventure that would happen. She understood that all of those plans wouldn't play out as "planned". She knew that life provided a great adventure beyond all of the planning.

So with this upcoming trip to retrace her footsteps and to fulfill a wish, we are planning. But we are also expecting adventure. What she taught us is to not spend our life figuring it all out ahead of time. She taught us to live life. That is the adventure, the ability to overcome failed plans and enjoy the act of living.

We will plan our trip, our day, our weekend, our lives. And the real adventure will be how we accept failed plans and accept the wonder of living. Plan your life, but plan for adventure and enjoy every minute of it.

Street Cop

"If you run, you'll only go to jail tired." ~Unknown

Just recently I finished reading a new book by David Spell called STREET COP. It is one of those books that tells the tales from nearly 30 years of life in law enforcement. A life you thought you may have understood a police officer goes through. But this one is more personal and brings you right into the action. And it is that action for which I'm thankful for people like David Spell.

Each day we get up and go to work, the store or any of a hundred different things. The visible life of police officers is the one in which we see them involved in catching speeding cars or showing up at our fender benders. The life that some may criticize as 'interference' in your daily life.

What we fail to see and maybe choose not to see is one in which bad guys do bad things, ugly things, to other people. The bad guys rob, beat up their wives, sell drugs to our children and they shoot and kill in bloody messes. It is these same bad guys that are confronted every day by good guys just like David Spell.

Each day, the good guys are chasing down these bad guys and keeping you and I safe. It is only in their spare time do police officers get the chance to try and slow us down on the roads. It is only in their spare time do police officers get the chance to help write up an incident report from your little fender bender.

You may wonder why police officers are so careful when pulling you over as well. One police officer is quoted as saying, "In God we trust, all others we run through NCIC (National Crime Information Center)." When you read STREET COP you will see just how much danger they put themselves in. And this goes on each and every day, "TO PROTECT AND SERVE" isn't just a line from a movie.

Grab hold of David's book today and see what happens as we go about our daily life. And than thank a police officer next time you see one. Thank your 'lucky stars' they are out there chasing down the bad guys and the occassional dog.

More Then Blue Loves The Sky

"Moving on, is a simple thing, what it leaves behind is hard." ~Dave Mustaine

A fellow I know by the name of John Toner suffered a great loss recently. His wife, Sabrina Toner passed away unexpectedly. He along with their four daughters have had their lives suddenly and drastically changed by Sabrina's passing.

It is a great story of a loving mother who taught her daughters and husband so much in the short time that was their's. This was very evident in one of their daughters at the memorial service. Only nine years old, this brave young girl approached the lecturn and read a poem.

This was a poem she had written for her mother and wanted the whole world to hear. I can not remember all of the lines, but you will be moved by what I can repeat here.

I love you so very much
I love you more then colors love the rainbow
I love you more then words love the book

It goes on and is a very sweet but touching gift from a young daughter to a mother. her actions also teach us as adults that we can be strong and loving at the same time. She did not break down. She stood before the world and expressed what she and her family felt. And that was simply love for their mother Sabrina.

We can all be taught that moving on from a tragic event such as the loss of a loved one is tough. It is tough on kids and it is tough on adults. We can move on but leaving behind is the tough part. The love we carry inside for others and the sweet memories move on with us. That we must never forget.

Prayers and condolences fill the empty as much as possible for the Toner family. Yet it is love for Sabrina that will comfort them. More then leaves love the tree, more then blue loves the sky.

Give Up? Never

"Never, never, never give up." ~Winston Churchill

David P. Baker is an independent film maker who has seen quite a bit of the scene behind the making of a film. His raw and honest view is refreshing to read and follow.

An article he wrote on his blog is an example of why I like him so much. The article is titled Don't Give Up. In that blog article he provides a glimpse into why he refuses to give up. He has a dream, a vision and passion to achieve what he wants in life.

His story and those like his have always intrigued me. They have also pushed me in my own pursuits. Their stories can inspire and teach each of us a valuable lesson about living our lives. And that lesson is....never give up.

But will an inspirational quote or a word of encouragement push you to greatness? No, it will only give you a moment to reflect and maybe a small amount of encouragement. What truly drives you to greatness is inside of you. Once you find it (and it is there), then you will be amazed at what you can accomplish. So never, ever, ever quit.

Memorial Day

"It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived." ~General George S. Patton

In 1865, Henry C. Welles, a druggist in the village of Waterloo, NY, mentioned at a social gathering that honor should be shown to the patriotic dead of the Civil War by decorating their graves.

In the Spring of 1866, he again mentioned this subject to General John B. Murray, Seneca County Clerk. General Murray embraced the idea and a committee was formulated to plan a day devoted to honoring the dead.

Townspeople adopted the idea wholeheartedly. Wreaths, crosses and bouquets were made for each veteran's grave. The village was decorated with flags at half mast and draped with evergreen boughs and mourning black streamers.

On May 5, 1866, civic societies joined the procession to the three existing cemeteries and were led by veterans marching to martial music. At each cemetery there were impressive and lengthy services including speeches by General Murray and a local clergyman. The ceremonies were repeated on May 5, 1867.

The first official recognition of Memorial Day as such was issued by General John A. Logan, first commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. This was General Order No. 11 establishing "Decoration Day" as it was then known. The date of the order was May 5, 1868, exactly two years after Waterloo's first observance. That year Waterloo joined other communities in the nation by having their ceremony on May 30. (Story reprinted from Ancestry.com)

So what will you do today? You will relax, maybe go for a swim and grill out with family friends. But also take a few moments to remember those that have gone before you. Take a few moments to reflect.

Small Gifts

David Cramer Photography
Full moon shot taken the morning of January 1, 2010

"May no gift be too small to give, nor too simple to receive, which is wrapped in thoughtfulness, and tied with love." ~L. O. Baird

Its one of those mornings, driving into work a bit late going and stressing over all that needs to be done. On my particular drive as I curve around the cloverleaf to the freeway on-ramp it came into view. A view of the near perfect, dusty colored and huge Moon.

The color and view was very similar to the one shown above. It was a picture I would have loved to have gotten with my own camera. To pull over right there and stand in awe of this small early morning gift. But that may have started a chain reaction of others pulling over, a traffic jam may have begun, the police, etc.

So I kept moving, wondering if others were taking in this view. Wondering if they saw it as an early morning gift as well. And then the song "Mr E's Beautiful Blues" by The Eels came on and as the song goes (slightly altered), "gosh darn right, its a beautiful day."

This song talks about the pain and suffering that exists beneath the surface for many people. But it is a 'beautiful day' out there. If you can see and grab onto these small gifts, they can help you change your world just a little bit. To know that the stress of whatever is going on in your life can be brightened by seeimingly small things.

A beautiful morning full moon or a smile from someone can make all the difference. Whether you are receiving or giving of the small gift, the impact can be huge. So take advantage of it, grab hold of it and change your life.

Sweeping Streets

If a man is called to be a street sweeper
He should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted
Or Beethoven composed music
Or Shakespeare wrote poetry

He should sweep streets so well
That all the hosts of heaven and earth
Will pause to say
Here lived a great street sweeper
Who did his job well

~Martin Luther King, Jr~

This is one of my favorite quotes that I share with you today. You can make a difference every day simply by doing what you do, to the best ability that you can.

Jon's Big Rock Birthday

"Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday To You, Happy Birthday Jon"

Okay, today is your birthday and you're out in Colorado doing some type of rock fetch for the University of Georgia Geology Department.  The quiz of the day then is; what kind of rock is shown above? Yes, another test, another quiz and another final that I'm sure you weren't expecting.

But its your birthday and I'll go easy on you...the answer is well hidden below.  Proud of you and the end of this four-year madness of school is getting close. Enjoy your birthday and don't let any big rocks fall on you...although the one above would look nice in the front yard!

Answer: Krishna's butter ball "balancing rock" in Mahabalipuram, India

Single Ember

“Abruptly the poker of memory stirs the ashes of recollection and uncovers a forgotten ember, still smoldering down there, still hot, still glowing, still red as red.” ~William Manchester

A story was told at a recent meeting I attended. The speaker was Ps Steve Bullen, who along with his wife Simone paster theC3Church - North Atlanta. Steve was speaking to a large group of men about re-igniting their lives. He tells a story of many years ago during a beach-side conference that always held a very large bonfire at conference end.

The days leading up to the conference, folks involved with putting on the event had built a huge pile of wood and timbers. This was going to be a very large fire for those gathered. But as the conference started, the rains came. Rain pouring down for two to three days, through out the week soaking everything including the bonfire wood.

When the final night came, the rains had ceased and everyone was expecting a grand fire. As you would expect, the wood was damp and the day's sunshine had not fully dried it. So paper and bruch and lots of matches were consumed trying to get this bonfire started.

Then out of the corner of Steve's eye, he sees someone coming with a large fuel can, gasoline one would expect, letting the liquid fly towards the pile. It was estimated that it was probably two or more gallons of the highly flammable stuff.

To no one's surprise, there were a few small embers from the failed lighting attempts still glowing within the pile. Now if you have never seen what happens with gasoline; the fumes are flammable and all it takes it a small spark or ember to ignite it completely. An instant solar flare occurs that lit up the entire coastline. So bright that ships thought it was a light beacon. So intense that...well, you get the picture.

The amazing thing that one can draw from this story is that all it took was one small flame. One small spark or ember to change everything. Something so small and singular in purpose we somehow forget that it exists. But it does exist. It exists in each of us, deep inside where we have forgotten it.

That one small flame glows, just waiting for you to throw something on it. To let it ignite your life and explode into something great. Oh yes, it does exist and all it takes is that one small flame. A small touch or a small amount of movement to change your life.

Expecting Good

"Nearly all the best things that came to me in life have been unexpected, unplanned by me." ~Carl Sandburg

We each have this tendency to go through life expecting bad things to happen to us. We figure that when times are good, something bad is about to happen. And when things are going bad, we expect them to continue to go bad. It is a self defeating attitude that gets you no where.

What if you expected good things to happen? What if encountering an elephant on a bus were a good thing and not bad? What if you looked beyond the rough exterior of another person and found something good?

Take the story of Simon Cowell. Most know him by his prickly persona on American Idol and the UK’s X Factor, which has made Simon Cowell richer than Midas.

Yet if one were to expect the unexpected, underneath the seeming brusque exterior is actually a kind and generous gentleman. Back in 2008, Simon saw the story of a three-year-old cancer patient and family in a video on The Oprah Winfrey Show. He decided quietly to help. The family had been traveling 100 miles per day for their daughter’s radiation treatments and was financially at a dead end.

Simon stepped in and gave the girl’s family enough money to completely pay off their mortgage and allow them to focus their efforts on fighting the disease. He credited Oprah with teaching him to enjoy giving and said, “I never knew that doing good could feel so good.”

The unexpected good that we find from giving, the unexpected good we find from looking beyond the outer exterior can bring new light to everything. The flat tire you get may be placing you in opportunity to meet someone that can change your life. That painful divorce may be opening a door to meeting someone so wonderful. A job loss could be a gateway to starting that business you always wanted to.

We have to begin to expect the good within the unexpected. All that appears bad on the outside is not always bad on the inside. We'll get what we expect in most cases. If we expect the bad all of the time, then it is likely that which we will find. But to start expecting something good in most everything will begin to yield better things.

Expect the unexpected and expect that it will be good.

Take Off

"I knew that I did not have to buy into society's notion that I had to be handsome and healthy to be happy. I was in charge of my "spaceship" and it was my up, my down. I could choose to see this situation as a setback or as a starting point. I chose to begin life again." ~Warren Mitchell

Many great accomplishments in life are marked with first failures. The kind which make you question if success will ever be a possibility. The American space program was formed in 1958 and had its share of failed rocket launches, failed missions and a few individuals died along the way. But the vision of space flight was never given up. The journey pressed forward with the risks known.

Each of us have set backs and failures along the way as well. There will be those times when accomplishment seems furthest from our minds. The light at the end of the tunnel feels like a freight train coming towards you.

Yet we press on, we continue to move towards our goals. That light may be a train coming but I would choose to enjoy the light in a very dark tunnel. If only for a few moments, my eyes are opened and I can take the opportunity to assess where I am. The train will pass and I will be returned to darkness, but I will have renewed hope in my journey.

And then the tunnel will come to an end. The light of day will return and a big blue sky will open up before me. It is then I will light the fire of a rocket and spring skyward. Greater heights for life; for your life.

It is a choice we make to overcome that darkness. It is a choice we make to press on with our lives. There is so much more for you in life then the limits we impose on ourselves. Release yourself from those chains of gravity you place on life. The setbacks will occur, the failures may happen even when you get moving finally.

Just know the view will be more wonderous and amazing then you could ever imagine.

Stuck In The Mud

"Being stuck is a position few of us like. We want something new but cannot let go of the old - old ideas, beliefs, habits, even thoughts. We are out of contact with our own genius. Sometimes we know we are stuck; sometimes we don't. In both cases we have to DO something." ~Rush Limbaugh

Have you ever encountered those moments in life when you feel like you are stuck in the mud? Your boots are mired deeply in the muck with little chance of moving forward or backwards. A moment that could make you decide to give up.

Life isn't meant to be stuck in one place, one circumstance or as one unreachable destination. Life is meant to be getting out of the mud. Never giving up and always moving beyond the current situation.

If you have ever become stuck in the mud, you can just about guess what happens when the mud begins to dry. If you fail to keep moving or stop trying, the mud will harden around your feet. And it can happen when you delay in making a choice to keep moving.

But what happens if you find yourself stuck in a dry field of mud, unable to move? You keep trying, you look for ways to free yourself. Opportunity in the way of rain could come along and loosen dirt. But why wait, why not keep trying to break free?

The mud and the harden dirt are only obstacles to overcome. They are not answers to your life. You were not meant to be stuck in one place. You were meant to succeed. You were meant to find your destination, your goal and your vision.

So when you find yourself stuck, your boots holding tight to the mud; pull your feet out and keep moving forward to solid ground. Get your life unstuck and keep moving.

Fly On The Window

"Take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly, and try another. But by all means, try something." ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

I happened upon a story recently on a blog site called "The Rat Race Trap" in which a story is repeated from Price Pritchett (You Squared).

The story goes;

There’s a small fly burning out the last of its short life’s energies in a futile attempt to fly through the glass of the windowpane. The whining wings tell the poignant story of the fly’s strategy – try harder.

But it’s not working.

The frenzied effort offers no hope for survival. Ironically, the struggle is part of the trap. It is impossible for the fly to try hard enough to succeed at breaking through the glass. Nevertheless, this little insect has staked its life on reaching its goal through raw effort and determination.

This fly is doomed. It will die there on the windowsill.

Across the room, ten steps away the door is open. Ten seconds of flying time and this small creature could reach the outside world it seeks. With only a fraction of the effort now being wasted, it could be free of this self-imposed trap. The breakthrough possibility is there. It would be so easy.

Why doesn’t the fly try another approach, something dramatically different? How did it get so locked in on the idea that this particular route, and determined effort, offer the most promise for success? What logic is there in continuing, until death, to seek a breakthrough with ‘more of the same’?

Many of us do this same thing, day in and day out. We pull an idea into our mind; a word, a vision or a dream. We set out on a particular path and find that we are not getting any closer. The struggle to push on has us trying harder and harder with less and less success.

We try with ever increasing futility, wondering why we are getting no where. Maybe the answer is in setting a new path for ourself. It could be that a new direction is required.

When you find yourself hitting the window, stop. Step back and look around to see other possibilities. The wind never blows exclusively in one direction. It changes constantly with variations that can take you new places.

Keep trying, but keep trying new ways.

In A Sea

"I think people are isolated because of the nature of human consciousness, and they like it when they feel the connection between themselves and someone else." ~James Taylor

Here I am on the third full day of EMC World, the yearly technology conference put on by the company I work for. Many of us assist, present and meet with customers to give them more detail on our products and services. This year is no different with a large turn out of people. Roughly 7,000 people roaming the Boston Convention Center.

There is always something new and exciting that happens at an event this large. Sometimes stressful, sometimes exhilarating and sometimes just tiring. But the experience is always enjoyable because of the people.

With such a large crowd of people moving about, you can begin to feel like a small boat out in the middle of a very large ocean. Miles from the shore or miles from anyone you know; it can result in feeling very much alone.

Yet there is an expectation that you just might run into someone you haven't seen in a long time. That familiar face suddenly appearing within the crowd with a smile intended just for you. It can lift even the most weather beaten individual. All at once comfort in this large crowd occurs and you become connected.

Within this large sea of people, there is also opportunity to lift and inspire other people. A chance to do something in their life, to make a connection and not leave them alone out in the vastness of crowd. These people can become new friends, new influence in your life or be pushed to a greater level of greatness.

Conventions can be a workload to some, but to me it is a chance to connect with others. To make a difference, large or small in their life. And it doesn't simply happen at conventions. The ocean is large and vast, so is your life and the influence you carry each day.

Whether it be at EMC World, at your job, in school or at the grocery store; connecting with others can have a significant impact. You can be the one that changes the life of another with a simple smile and hello. Approach each day believing that someone in the crowd is waiting for you. Waiting for you to be that friendly face with a smile just for them. When you do, that large and expansive sea of people will become a little smaller.

To those at EMC World; enjoy the final two days and do not lose this chance to connect with someone new. Change their day and next year at EMC World in Las Vegas, you just might see that familiar face in the crowd smiling back at you.