Every day, in a corner of the world, someone is crossing a finish line. Someone is winning an award, taking a first step, breaking a barrier that had never been broken (especially the self-limiting ones).
When I took my first unassisted steps and graduated to becoming a toddler, my parents were there.
When I was 9 years old and hit my only home run in Little League, my teammates were there at home plate.
When I did my first radio show, all alone, my boss was there. (Okay, he did not exactly celebrate it as a victory so much as telling me that I "didn't screw up too badly", but he said it with a proud smile).
Did any of these victories change the world?
The answer is YES...they changed MY world. And each one was celebrated with those around me.
Somewhere in the world today, perhaps in your circle, a child will read his first book with no mistakes, a new salesperson will score the first big account, or a pilot will complete her first cross-country flight with 300 people on board, delivered safely.
You have an amazing opportunity to be there at the finish line with a big smile, a hug, a high-five or words of congratulations.
What will this accomplish?
It shows your true soul. It shows your pride in the accomplishments of others. It shows you are a person who genuinely cares enough to share in the positive energy created with even the smallest victories and breakthroughs.
Celebrate every victory with the same enthusiasm and conviction that you would use to celebrate your own, and feel the power that comes from it.
If you have completed reading this message...congratulations! I am proud of you. I hope it affects your life in a positive way, and inspires to to celebrate the victory of at least one other person today.
Thank you for being here at the finish line, sharing this journey with me.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Stack the Wood, Then Light Your Fire!
In a conversation over the weekend, a friend told me of one of her friends who owns a gigantic stack of motivational books, CD's, DVD's and ticket stubs from numerous events with some of the industry's heaviest hitters.
Her life, however, is a mess...and she can't figure out why.
In my opinion, personal development materials (books, CD's, DVD's, seminars, speakers, strategies) are just firewood.
Some people have acres and acres of firewood, either stacked neatly or strewn all over their property, which doesn't do anyone any good...
...unless that person has the SPARK to set it ablaze, or is willing to put in the extreme effort to combine a couple of those pieces (i.e. rubbing two sticks together) until they create fire.
Too many people think that next book or next seminar is the one that is going to "change their life forever".
To me, that is garbage. YOU have to be the most important part of the equation.
Some people only want a small fire...and some people want to burn their crappy village down and build an amazing new one so that many peoples' lives are improved.
Whatever you want to create or achieve in life, YOU need to be the accelerant to make that fire burn brightly!
Her life, however, is a mess...and she can't figure out why.
In my opinion, personal development materials (books, CD's, DVD's, seminars, speakers, strategies) are just firewood.
Some people have acres and acres of firewood, either stacked neatly or strewn all over their property, which doesn't do anyone any good...
...unless that person has the SPARK to set it ablaze, or is willing to put in the extreme effort to combine a couple of those pieces (i.e. rubbing two sticks together) until they create fire.
Too many people think that next book or next seminar is the one that is going to "change their life forever".
To me, that is garbage. YOU have to be the most important part of the equation.
Some people only want a small fire...and some people want to burn their crappy village down and build an amazing new one so that many peoples' lives are improved.
Whatever you want to create or achieve in life, YOU need to be the accelerant to make that fire burn brightly!
Friday, May 15, 2009
The Wonder of Wonder
As I enjoyed a sidewalk lunch this week, I noticed several sets of parents with their children. The coming and going of adult feet taking long strides mixed with the pitter-pat of tiny sneakers trying to keep up.
At the table nearest mine, a young man of about three years had just polished off a sugar-laden milkshake (complete with a three-year-old-sized burp for effect). As I laughed a barely-contained laugh, I silently wished his mom the best of luck at nap-time. This kid would be pinging off the walls for hours!
Just then a plane flew overhead. The boy, as well as several others kids in the parking lot, looked up and smiled as they waved, laughed and pointed.
“Airpane, airpane!!”
The adults never looked up.
Just then a motorcyle rumbled past, toward the exit.
The little boy said “Vrooom, vroom…mo’cycle!”
An adult commented: “That moron should be wearing a helmet”.
Just then two young girls, presumably sisters, approached. They were paired in matching shirts that said “Smile”. As they passed the little boy, they waved and both exclaimed “hi”. The little boy waved and, with a shy smile, looked away (then right back).
The adults didn’t seem to notice, as they chattered along in their own conversation.
Several minutes later, as the mother and two girls made their way back out of the cafe, I commented on their matching “smile” shirts, and how nice it was to see them say hello to the little boy. Their mom seemed genuinely appreciative that I had noticed.
As we spoke, a puppy (with its new owner) approached. The kids all made their way, giggling, to see this wonderful creature. The dog, being a child himself, played right along with them.
The only comment I heard from an adult was (with a slight frown): “We had a dog like that once…peed all over the rug for the first three months.”
As I wrapped up my lunch, I pondered these questions:
Where did our sense of wonder go?
Did it evaporate into thin air as we grew older and knew the hidden secret behind everything?
Has it been stomped down by the ‘reality’ we have come to accept as truth?
Can we ever hope to get it back?
As I walked to my car, another plane flew overhead. With a smile, I stopped, shaded my eyes slightly from the sun, and watched as it descended to the nearby airport.
Pretty cool moment, I thought, as I heard the excited “Airpane, airpane” from my little friends on the sidewalk.
Wonder is a wonderful thing.
At the table nearest mine, a young man of about three years had just polished off a sugar-laden milkshake (complete with a three-year-old-sized burp for effect). As I laughed a barely-contained laugh, I silently wished his mom the best of luck at nap-time. This kid would be pinging off the walls for hours!
Just then a plane flew overhead. The boy, as well as several others kids in the parking lot, looked up and smiled as they waved, laughed and pointed.
“Airpane, airpane!!”
The adults never looked up.
Just then a motorcyle rumbled past, toward the exit.
The little boy said “Vrooom, vroom…mo’cycle!”
An adult commented: “That moron should be wearing a helmet”.
Just then two young girls, presumably sisters, approached. They were paired in matching shirts that said “Smile”. As they passed the little boy, they waved and both exclaimed “hi”. The little boy waved and, with a shy smile, looked away (then right back).
The adults didn’t seem to notice, as they chattered along in their own conversation.
Several minutes later, as the mother and two girls made their way back out of the cafe, I commented on their matching “smile” shirts, and how nice it was to see them say hello to the little boy. Their mom seemed genuinely appreciative that I had noticed.
As we spoke, a puppy (with its new owner) approached. The kids all made their way, giggling, to see this wonderful creature. The dog, being a child himself, played right along with them.
The only comment I heard from an adult was (with a slight frown): “We had a dog like that once…peed all over the rug for the first three months.”
As I wrapped up my lunch, I pondered these questions:
Where did our sense of wonder go?
Did it evaporate into thin air as we grew older and knew the hidden secret behind everything?
Has it been stomped down by the ‘reality’ we have come to accept as truth?
Can we ever hope to get it back?
As I walked to my car, another plane flew overhead. With a smile, I stopped, shaded my eyes slightly from the sun, and watched as it descended to the nearby airport.
Pretty cool moment, I thought, as I heard the excited “Airpane, airpane” from my little friends on the sidewalk.
Wonder is a wonderful thing.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
And the Skies Are Not Cloudy All Day...
Ahhhh, Springtime in New England. As I take my favorite window seat in a diner overlooking the scenic shore of Lake Champlain, I realize I am on the wrong side of the glass: the IN-side.
As nice as it is in this diner, I wish to be at the lake's edge, on a porch swing, enjoying my 'waterfront office space".
Alas, it is overcast today, and drizzling frequently, as it has been doing for two days, and will continue to be doing for at least one more, according to the local weather reporter.
Does this slow me down, or relegate me to a day spent under the covers, praying for sunshine?
NO!!!
I'm wearing a big smile, feeling the warmth of an imaginary sun as I write this blog entry. I love to write, and that is the source of today's sunshine for me.
We all face some cloudy days in life. It happens...and when it does, it can help us to appreciate the sunny ones even more. It is what we choose to do with these cloudy days that makes all the difference.
Do you crumble and hide every time a cloud comes into your 'personal' sky?
It is up to each of us to get moving and find the sunshine in each day. I have known people who actually preferred cloudy days. Whenever the sun decided to cast a warm ray their way, they actually sought out the comforting shadow of a cloud. That way, they could complain that the sun never shone upon them.
Me? I love the sun. I love to bask in the glow of great happenings, and I invite as many people as I can to enjoy the sunshine as well. And if a cloud happens to come along, we simply pick up our stuff and find the next bright spot. Some days it can be challenging, but it's out there, just waiting for you to make the effort to push past the clouds.
Where are you standing, right now?
Are you withering under a dark cloud, or dancing in your own personal sunshine?
As nice as it is in this diner, I wish to be at the lake's edge, on a porch swing, enjoying my 'waterfront office space".
Alas, it is overcast today, and drizzling frequently, as it has been doing for two days, and will continue to be doing for at least one more, according to the local weather reporter.
Does this slow me down, or relegate me to a day spent under the covers, praying for sunshine?
NO!!!
I'm wearing a big smile, feeling the warmth of an imaginary sun as I write this blog entry. I love to write, and that is the source of today's sunshine for me.
We all face some cloudy days in life. It happens...and when it does, it can help us to appreciate the sunny ones even more. It is what we choose to do with these cloudy days that makes all the difference.
Do you crumble and hide every time a cloud comes into your 'personal' sky?
It is up to each of us to get moving and find the sunshine in each day. I have known people who actually preferred cloudy days. Whenever the sun decided to cast a warm ray their way, they actually sought out the comforting shadow of a cloud. That way, they could complain that the sun never shone upon them.
Me? I love the sun. I love to bask in the glow of great happenings, and I invite as many people as I can to enjoy the sunshine as well. And if a cloud happens to come along, we simply pick up our stuff and find the next bright spot. Some days it can be challenging, but it's out there, just waiting for you to make the effort to push past the clouds.
Where are you standing, right now?
Are you withering under a dark cloud, or dancing in your own personal sunshine?
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Long Live Captain Chaos!
Sadly, as I got on-line this afternoon, I was greeted with the news that Dom DeLuise had left us at the age of 75. A big man, with comedic talent that dwarfed his hefty physique.
In my younger days, many laughs were shared with family and friends watching him in such movies as History of the World Part I, Smokey and the Bandit II and my favorite of all his projects: Cannonball Run.
In this comedic-talent tour de force, he played the goofy sidekick Victor to Burt Reynolds' in-control JJ. Lurking inside DeLuise's character, however, loomed a superhero who occasionally surfaced, bringing with him a plethora of power, confidence and blind devotion to helping others.
With a mighty "Dun dun Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!", Captain Chaos would spring forth, complete with cape and black nylon mask tightly drawn over his head and eyes, allowing Victor to become stronger, drive faster and always win one for the good guys.
While his dedication to helping others eventually cost his team the championship in the cross-country Cannonball race, it was well worth it (to him) as he proudly proclaimed: "JJ...I saved that woman's dog!"
Is there a little bit of Captain Chaos inside you? Do you put aside your earthly desires and weaknesses on occasion to do what is right, because it is right?
Can you find imperfections in your personality that you wish you could change? Perhaps it is time to create your own internal superhero who can show up to save the day for you or someone else who desperately needs to be saved.
Think about it. You could be a hero to someone...right now.
Thank you Dom DeLuise for sharing your talents and gift for laughter with us all.
Rest in peace, Captain Chaos!
In my younger days, many laughs were shared with family and friends watching him in such movies as History of the World Part I, Smokey and the Bandit II and my favorite of all his projects: Cannonball Run.
In this comedic-talent tour de force, he played the goofy sidekick Victor to Burt Reynolds' in-control JJ. Lurking inside DeLuise's character, however, loomed a superhero who occasionally surfaced, bringing with him a plethora of power, confidence and blind devotion to helping others.
With a mighty "Dun dun Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!", Captain Chaos would spring forth, complete with cape and black nylon mask tightly drawn over his head and eyes, allowing Victor to become stronger, drive faster and always win one for the good guys.
While his dedication to helping others eventually cost his team the championship in the cross-country Cannonball race, it was well worth it (to him) as he proudly proclaimed: "JJ...I saved that woman's dog!"
Is there a little bit of Captain Chaos inside you? Do you put aside your earthly desires and weaknesses on occasion to do what is right, because it is right?
Can you find imperfections in your personality that you wish you could change? Perhaps it is time to create your own internal superhero who can show up to save the day for you or someone else who desperately needs to be saved.
Think about it. You could be a hero to someone...right now.
Thank you Dom DeLuise for sharing your talents and gift for laughter with us all.
Rest in peace, Captain Chaos!
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