A recent article in my local newspaper told the story of three remarkable brothers. The youngest of the three had just graduated from high school, and the article reported that this young man – like his two older brothers – had completed twelve years of school without a single absence. Think about it! These three boys showed up every single day of their entire elementary, middle school and high school careers. No sick days, no “mental health days”, no cutting class. They were present. They were present not only in the sense that they were in attendance but also in the sense that they were involved. All three excelled in both academics and sports, and their teachers described them as… [Read More]
A Year from Now
I recently came across a statement from author Karen Lamb that got my attention. In fact, I wrote it on a sticky note and put it on my computer monitor where I see it every day. Karen Lamb said, “A year from now, you may wish you had started today.” Thought-provoking, isn’t it? How many ideas have you thought about but never executed? How many goals have you set but didn’t stick with? How many good intentions of eating healthier, exercising, saving money, building relationships, volunteering, connecting with family or friends, starting a business, writing a book, learning a language, working harder in your career have fallen by the wayside? Don’t you wish you had started a few of those… [Read More]
April, Bluebonnets, and the View from the Top of the Tree
It’s April. And in Texas, that means it’s bluebonnet season. Every year these hardy blossoms – the state flower of Texas — cover fields like blue blankets, and it’s a rite of passage for every Texas child to be photographed in a patch of bluebonnets. Several years ago, some folks in my neighborhood came up with what I’m sure they thought was a brilliant idea. They created a flower bed around the base of a large tree in their front yard. That’s not so unusual, right? The uniqueness of this project lay in the fact that the bed was shaped like the great state of Texas. And what better flower to plant in the bed than bluebonnets? Perfect. Great idea,… [Read More]
Just Decide
We all know people who have made major changes in their lives or their careers. Do you know someone who has quit smoking or lost a lot of weight? Do you know someone who has established a successful exercise program, improved their grades, built a profitable business, increased their sales, paid off their debts, or started a savings program? If you were to question these people about their accomplishments, nine times out of ten, they would begin telling their story by saying, “I just decided…” “I just decided…that I would quit smoking.” “I just decided…that I was tired of being overweight.” “I just decided…to exercise every day.” “I just decided…that I could make better grades.” “I just decided…to do whatever… [Read More]
Can We Talk?
The late comedienne Joan Rivers was famous for her line “Can we talk?” Songwriters have composed songs with that title, and in a recent front-page article in the Dallas Morning News, it was reported that a cross-country trekker named Chris Andrews has made it his goal to break America’s phone fixation by encouraging people to talk. He’s walking across the country to inspire folks to have real, face-to-face, eyeball-to-eyeball conversations. What a concept! It’s not that Andrews is anti-technology. On the contrary, he carries a smartphone and a camera and even has a website (www.LetsTalkUSA.com). His mission is simply to get people to balance technology with human contact. As a recovering smartphone addict, Andrews believes that our devices have caused… [Read More]
Sweat
A personal trainer once told me, “Sweat is our friend.” He was right. According to the University of Nevada School of Medicine, sweat serves several important purposes. It not only helps cool the body but also maintains body temperature and clears toxins. “Working up a sweat” during a physical workout indicates that you’re making progress; good things are happening. But our physical health isn’t the only area of life that benefits from sweat. Your level of success and achievement is driven by it. You see, the “secret” of success is no secret. Ask anyone who’s accomplished anything great. They’ll tell you that they did it as the result of one little four-letter word – WORK. If you want to do… [Read More]
PRESS “PAUSE”
It’s December – certainly one of the busiest months of the year. It’s a time when businesses are wrapping up deals, preparing year-end reports, drafting next year’s budget, and tying up the loose ends of 2016. In your personal life, it’s a time when you decorate, shop, wrap, cook, clean, travel, send holiday cards, plan and/or attend social events and school functions, and attend services at your church or synagogue. In the metropolitan area where I live, there are literally hundreds of concerts, shows, plays, recitals, special performances, parades, caroling and Christmas tree lighting events scheduled every afternoon and evening. It’s the month when we get together with family and friends to enjoy Christmas or Hanukkah and New Year’s Eve… [Read More]
Thanksgiving
I love Thanksgiving. I love the tradition, the gathering of family and friends and, of course, the food! I especially love the idea of giving thanks. When we acknowledge how fortunate we are, we become better human beings. When we give thanks, we’re filled with a joy and inner peace that comes from sincere gratitude and appreciation. Giving thanks puts things in perspective. We all have hurts, hardships, and hurdles, but giving thanks for our bounty, benefits and blessings causes us to see our lives from a different point of view. Thankfulness generates positive feelings that fill up the holes in our hearts. If you want to have the best Thanksgiving ever, here’s a suggestion. Today, start an on-going list… [Read More]
From the Heart
A couple of weeks ago I was in Nashville working with MV2 Entertainment, a talented group of creative people making music and growing a unique business. While there, my colleagues and I stayed at the Homewood Suites Hotel near Vanderbilt University and the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. It was at the hotel that I met Tonni Carter. Tonni works in the food and beverage services division of the hotel, and she was brought to my attention by a member of our party. He noticed the gracious, loving attention that Tonni was giving to a special group of guests — patients and family members of patients who were in town for treatments at the medical center. His comments about Tonni made… [Read More]
Are You Fun?
What a pleasure it is to be around people who are fun. Not the silly, goofy, loud, always-joking-around kind of people. They can be annoying. I’m talking about the people who smile, who are optimistic, who have the gift of finding a little humor even in difficult situations, and who make the time you spend with them enjoyable. They make you glad that you were in their presence, and you feel more energized, happier, and more positive just from having been with them. A wonderful story is told about Theodore Roosevelt. The day of his funeral, as the ceremonial procession moved slowly and solemnly along Pennsylvania Avenue, there was a policeman standing on a street corner. As the funeral procession… [Read More]
