My friend Sharon slipped in her home and broke a hip a while back. Now her wishes are coming true! Read on, and be merry...
Went back to Dr Novotny today, see if I could ditch the crutches or not. after having my hopes dashed last month, wasn't even hoping today..
he did an x-ray, took me to a room, looked at the pix. MY BONE IS 100% HEALED!!!!! I hugged him, I cried. A pronouncment my year-long ordeal of hell is over.
For the FIRST TIME, I stood up and looked at the x-ray! Will always have the rod and 2 screws, he showed me where the screw was that he removed, can see a shadow, will always be a scar there. he showed me where the bone was broken.
You always put on your best face, never let anyone know how much the pain really is, or how down you really are. There were some days of nothing but hell. I watched out my hospital room as 80 year old folks walked down the hospital hall on their walker, when I all I could do was move my foot and nothing else. There were days of having to have help just to move, to get to wheel chair to go to the bathroom 5 feet away, having to pull that cord in there for help, like a geriatric patient. 2 weeks of bleak winter days laying in the hospital. No One has to stay in the hospital that long. Remember them trying to get me up 2 days after surgery, and dropping to the floor like a wet noodle, having a blood transfusion since I lost so much blood in surgery. I just wanted to slip away, into a dark place at that point and not try anymore, not have any more pain, physically or spiritually.
Still use 1 crutch as I need for stability and with ice. Bone is healed, now on to therapy to rebuild hip muscles so I can WALK NORMAL AGAIN! :)
Short of some therapy and medical bills, my ordeal is officially pronounced over!!!
I thank God for this blessing to go through such trials that I have a much bigger appreciation of life and of good health. And empathy for others who are struggling.
Thank you for all of your support.throughout the whole ordeal. May you have as happy a New Year as I'm having!! I've been waiting for this day for a very long time!
HOT DAMN AND HALLELUJIAH!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
The Truth About Diet Soda
From the Internet:
We talk a lot about ''watching what we eat,'' but if you never gave a thought to what you ate and instead watched only what you drank, you could probably cut 450 calories a day out of your life. (Yes, nearly a pound of fat loss a week!) That's what a study from the University of North Carolina found. Americans today drink about 192 gallons of liquid a year—or about 2 liters a day. To put it into perspective, this is nearly twice as many calories as we did 30 years ago.
When confronted with the growing tide of calories from sweetened beverages, the first response is, “Why not just drink diet soda?” Well, for a few reasons:
Just because diet soda is low in calories doesn't mean it can't lead to weight gain.
It may have only 5 or fewer calories per serving, but emerging research suggests that consuming sugary-tasting beverages--even if they're artificially sweetened--may lead to a high preference for sweetness overall. That means sweeter (and more caloric) cereal, bread, dessert--everything.
Guzzling these drinks all day long forces out the healthy beverages you need.
Diet soda is 100 percent nutrition-free, and again, it's just as important to actively drink the good stuff as it is to avoid that bad stuff. So one diet soda a day is fine, but if you're downing five or six cans, that means you're limiting your intake of healthful beverages, particularly water and tea.
There remain some concerns over aspartame, the low-calorie chemical used to give diet sodas their flavor.
Aspartame is 180 times sweeter than sugar, and some animal research has linked consumption of high amounts of the sweetener to brain tumors and lymphoma in rodents. The FDA maintains that the sweetener is safe, but reported side effects include dizziness, headaches, diarrhea, memory loss, and mood changes. Bottom line: Diet soda does you no good, and it might just be doing you wrong.
We talk a lot about ''watching what we eat,'' but if you never gave a thought to what you ate and instead watched only what you drank, you could probably cut 450 calories a day out of your life. (Yes, nearly a pound of fat loss a week!) That's what a study from the University of North Carolina found. Americans today drink about 192 gallons of liquid a year—or about 2 liters a day. To put it into perspective, this is nearly twice as many calories as we did 30 years ago.
When confronted with the growing tide of calories from sweetened beverages, the first response is, “Why not just drink diet soda?” Well, for a few reasons:
Just because diet soda is low in calories doesn't mean it can't lead to weight gain.
It may have only 5 or fewer calories per serving, but emerging research suggests that consuming sugary-tasting beverages--even if they're artificially sweetened--may lead to a high preference for sweetness overall. That means sweeter (and more caloric) cereal, bread, dessert--everything.
Guzzling these drinks all day long forces out the healthy beverages you need.
Diet soda is 100 percent nutrition-free, and again, it's just as important to actively drink the good stuff as it is to avoid that bad stuff. So one diet soda a day is fine, but if you're downing five or six cans, that means you're limiting your intake of healthful beverages, particularly water and tea.
There remain some concerns over aspartame, the low-calorie chemical used to give diet sodas their flavor.
Aspartame is 180 times sweeter than sugar, and some animal research has linked consumption of high amounts of the sweetener to brain tumors and lymphoma in rodents. The FDA maintains that the sweetener is safe, but reported side effects include dizziness, headaches, diarrhea, memory loss, and mood changes. Bottom line: Diet soda does you no good, and it might just be doing you wrong.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Yes Man
We headed out with Troy and Dona to catch this flick, which spoofs the kind of cultish behavior typified by a dynamic hero cheerleading an auditorium full of deliriously happy, chanting people.
Besides Jim Carrey's usual flair for ad-libbing and physical comedy (e.g. his highly-caffeinated rambling about the greatness of Red Bull - after ingesting them all night long), what I liked about it was the way that the conflict arose without his character (Carl Allen, a previously humdrum loan officer at a bank) doing or saying something surprisingly wrong. The solution was in coming to grips with the fact that while life passes you by if you say "no" to opportunities, that blindly saying "yes" to everything can be equally hollow due to the inherent dishonesty of it.
It's a great ride with a fast-moving plot, see it while you still can!
Besides Jim Carrey's usual flair for ad-libbing and physical comedy (e.g. his highly-caffeinated rambling about the greatness of Red Bull - after ingesting them all night long), what I liked about it was the way that the conflict arose without his character (Carl Allen, a previously humdrum loan officer at a bank) doing or saying something surprisingly wrong. The solution was in coming to grips with the fact that while life passes you by if you say "no" to opportunities, that blindly saying "yes" to everything can be equally hollow due to the inherent dishonesty of it.
It's a great ride with a fast-moving plot, see it while you still can!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Tough Times
"Tough times don't last, tough people do." - Les Brown
Following a year-long investigation by the state's attorney's office, outspoken public figure Les Brown's charitable organization was not only exonerated from charges of mismanagement, but praised when it was discovered that he had put $13,000 of his own money into the program to subsidize it. Not all good deeds are destined to lay in the shadows, sometimes fate uses them as an example for others to see.
America embraces those who endure tough times without complaint, whether it's of their own making or not. Few baseball players were as despised in the media during their playing days, or revered by the time of their death, as Ted Williams. What about Muhammad Ali, the boxer who famously threw his Olympic gold medal in the river as a protest against the American government, and later received the loudest cheers and the honor of lighting the torch at the opening ceremony of the 1996 Olympic games?
Both Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn played their entire 20+ year baseball careers for a single team, almost unheard of today. They also endured far more losing seasons than winning ones. And they were celebrated as model citizens, why? Because they continued to smile and speak respectfully, even as their prestige grew to a level that could have been quite influential.
In this day and age in American society, refusing to be negative equates to remarkable optimism! It's tough, and it's worthwhile.
Following a year-long investigation by the state's attorney's office, outspoken public figure Les Brown's charitable organization was not only exonerated from charges of mismanagement, but praised when it was discovered that he had put $13,000 of his own money into the program to subsidize it. Not all good deeds are destined to lay in the shadows, sometimes fate uses them as an example for others to see.
America embraces those who endure tough times without complaint, whether it's of their own making or not. Few baseball players were as despised in the media during their playing days, or revered by the time of their death, as Ted Williams. What about Muhammad Ali, the boxer who famously threw his Olympic gold medal in the river as a protest against the American government, and later received the loudest cheers and the honor of lighting the torch at the opening ceremony of the 1996 Olympic games?
Both Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn played their entire 20+ year baseball careers for a single team, almost unheard of today. They also endured far more losing seasons than winning ones. And they were celebrated as model citizens, why? Because they continued to smile and speak respectfully, even as their prestige grew to a level that could have been quite influential.
In this day and age in American society, refusing to be negative equates to remarkable optimism! It's tough, and it's worthwhile.
iPod Nano Modernizes McDonald To 2005
I saw a 24-year old co-worker trading text messages with another co-worker during a meeting one time, and concluded that I need to take steps to keep up with technology. Later I mentioned that I'd probably buy and iPod at some point, and he offered me his.
According to Wikipedia:
"Testing by technology-enthusiast website Ars Technica has shown that even after being sat on, dropped by a jogger, dropped four times from a car moving at various speeds, then being driven over twice by the car, and finally dropped from nine feet onto concrete, the unit's screen was damaged but it could still play music. The unit finally stopped playing music after being thrown 40 feet (12 m) into the air and landing on concrete."
I'll keep that in mind the next time a song makes me so jubilant that I feel like flinging something skyward.
Nano is now in its fourth generation in four years, but I take some comfort in the fact that the endurance ratings were reportedly a little lower for these new-fangled ones. That's me - a stickler for quality, even if it means lugging around a four-year-old dinosaur of a machine.
So now I dabble in the iTunes world, snapping up a dozen or so songs and realizing that the rights to the original Beatles tunes have not been released. Still, my morning drives and walks into work are sunnier, my workouts mellower, and my pockets a little more gizmo-occupied.
According to Wikipedia:
"Testing by technology-enthusiast website Ars Technica has shown that even after being sat on, dropped by a jogger, dropped four times from a car moving at various speeds, then being driven over twice by the car, and finally dropped from nine feet onto concrete, the unit's screen was damaged but it could still play music. The unit finally stopped playing music after being thrown 40 feet (12 m) into the air and landing on concrete."
I'll keep that in mind the next time a song makes me so jubilant that I feel like flinging something skyward.
Nano is now in its fourth generation in four years, but I take some comfort in the fact that the endurance ratings were reportedly a little lower for these new-fangled ones. That's me - a stickler for quality, even if it means lugging around a four-year-old dinosaur of a machine.
So now I dabble in the iTunes world, snapping up a dozen or so songs and realizing that the rights to the original Beatles tunes have not been released. Still, my morning drives and walks into work are sunnier, my workouts mellower, and my pockets a little more gizmo-occupied.
Friday, December 26, 2008
7 Pounds
See this movie if you like:
1. Will Smith.
2. "Perspective" movies - ones that prove that things could always be a whole lot worse, and you've really got it pretty good.
3. Charitable giving.
4. "Pursuit of Happyness" - Smith's last flick about a brilliant man making enormous sacrifice for a dramatically good cause.
5. A romantic plot.
I'd recommend seeing it in theaters - something about the large screen and dark theater builds the emotion better for this type of film.
1. Will Smith.
2. "Perspective" movies - ones that prove that things could always be a whole lot worse, and you've really got it pretty good.
3. Charitable giving.
4. "Pursuit of Happyness" - Smith's last flick about a brilliant man making enormous sacrifice for a dramatically good cause.
5. A romantic plot.
I'd recommend seeing it in theaters - something about the large screen and dark theater builds the emotion better for this type of film.
Cry-Free Christmas Stuns Family
Christmas is a time of joy and generosity, and these were in abundance in the Goodfield home of Duane and Vermeda Freidinger on Christmas Day. Predictably, the presence of Freidinger's six grown children and their significant others gave rise to sugar- and gift-induced emotional highs. But expectations were shattered when the couple's eleven grandchildren failed to cry for the entire event.
Shrill, powerful wailing has been as much a part of the annual holiday gathering as the pre-meal blessing since grandchildren were first introduced in 1992. Outbursts ranging from a handful of sobs to barrel-lunged tantrums have been fueled by unsatisfactory food, head-vs.-thing collisions, or simple crabby fatigue. Yet as the 1:00 activity stretched into evening hours, the family sensed history in the making.
"I don't know. I just don't wanna cry," said Trevor Heffren, who grew pouty-lipped but kept his composure during a custody dispute over toy-sized trucks with his younger brother Tyler. The youngest Heffren and youngest grandchild may be due much of the credit for the tearless occasion, as his freakishly tank-like strength makes him and his famous grin nearly indestructible.
Surprise contributions came from Darren and Jane's two little ones, who declined to be interviewed. The two siblings steeled themselves through several frustrating moments when the younger one just could not seem to figure out Wii bowling, to the horror of a gallery full of raggedy-nerved computer simulated fans who were repeatedly assaulted by balls that slipped out of hand.
While the new Wii system drew the loudest (and delighted) screams of the event, it notably did not cause any significant injuries despite hours of midair flailing by long-limbed adults near child brains and sharp-edged furniture.
By 9:00, weeplessness was assured as Lane shrugged off a vicious accidental kick of a chair during a Wii match, and Duane and Vermeda each participated lively in bowling and tennis, respectively, without incident. Not even a series of bitter defeats at the hands of his son could incite Troy to tears.
"It wasn't for lack of trying," Duane said resignedly of the absence of bawling. "We had all the right ingredients... snacks conducive to mood swings, kids without enough nap time, nice icy backyard for slipping and falling. It just wasn't meant to be this year, that's all." Freidinger pointed out that the deal may have been sealed by the momentum of week-old fuzzy blanket-wrapped puppies brought into the house by Troy and Dona midway through the afternoon. "Nothing bad seems bad when you've seen puppies."
Shrill, powerful wailing has been as much a part of the annual holiday gathering as the pre-meal blessing since grandchildren were first introduced in 1992. Outbursts ranging from a handful of sobs to barrel-lunged tantrums have been fueled by unsatisfactory food, head-vs.-thing collisions, or simple crabby fatigue. Yet as the 1:00 activity stretched into evening hours, the family sensed history in the making.
"I don't know. I just don't wanna cry," said Trevor Heffren, who grew pouty-lipped but kept his composure during a custody dispute over toy-sized trucks with his younger brother Tyler. The youngest Heffren and youngest grandchild may be due much of the credit for the tearless occasion, as his freakishly tank-like strength makes him and his famous grin nearly indestructible.
Surprise contributions came from Darren and Jane's two little ones, who declined to be interviewed. The two siblings steeled themselves through several frustrating moments when the younger one just could not seem to figure out Wii bowling, to the horror of a gallery full of raggedy-nerved computer simulated fans who were repeatedly assaulted by balls that slipped out of hand.
While the new Wii system drew the loudest (and delighted) screams of the event, it notably did not cause any significant injuries despite hours of midair flailing by long-limbed adults near child brains and sharp-edged furniture.
By 9:00, weeplessness was assured as Lane shrugged off a vicious accidental kick of a chair during a Wii match, and Duane and Vermeda each participated lively in bowling and tennis, respectively, without incident. Not even a series of bitter defeats at the hands of his son could incite Troy to tears.
"It wasn't for lack of trying," Duane said resignedly of the absence of bawling. "We had all the right ingredients... snacks conducive to mood swings, kids without enough nap time, nice icy backyard for slipping and falling. It just wasn't meant to be this year, that's all." Freidinger pointed out that the deal may have been sealed by the momentum of week-old fuzzy blanket-wrapped puppies brought into the house by Troy and Dona midway through the afternoon. "Nothing bad seems bad when you've seen puppies."
Thursday, December 25, 2008
How Trendy Are Our Genes?
"Identical twins who were raised in different households were more similar in their emotions then were fraternal twins who were raised together. If one identical twin was generally positive, the researchers found that there was a high likelihood that the sibling on the other side of the country would be as well. These findings point to the importance of genes in how happy we are, and other researchers have replicated this finding. For example, a Danish team used twins as participants in their research to analyze how variable happiness is over time. They were interested in how much people's moods naturally bounce up and fall down from their own personal happiness average. The Danish researchers estimated that about a quarter of variability in happiness is based on direct genetic factors." - Ed Diener
"In cultures around the world, extroverts tend to experience more positive feelings, as though they are prone to this by biology." - Ed Diener
I've felt as though my genes predispose me to anger through the years. And though the study suggests genes to be a key factor, they also suggest that they're not the only factor. Like other circumstances beyond our control, we can focus on what is controllable - namely the response to angry influences. Do we fan the flames by piling up recent and old sob stories? Or deflect them into the trash by turning our attention to more productive things? Bad genes deserve the same treatment as bad jeans.
"In cultures around the world, extroverts tend to experience more positive feelings, as though they are prone to this by biology." - Ed Diener
I've felt as though my genes predispose me to anger through the years. And though the study suggests genes to be a key factor, they also suggest that they're not the only factor. Like other circumstances beyond our control, we can focus on what is controllable - namely the response to angry influences. Do we fan the flames by piling up recent and old sob stories? Or deflect them into the trash by turning our attention to more productive things? Bad genes deserve the same treatment as bad jeans.
Chipper Monks
In a recent study, researchers thought their equipment was malfunctioning - monks were showing positive brainwave patterns out of their prefrontal cortex (associated with the experience of positive emotions) that was thirty times as strong as that of a control group.
It appears that positive emotions and the experience of spiritual contact - of getting in touch with that larger than ourselves - are intimately related. When people attend church services, sing hymns, meditate, and engage in other activities, they often feel a surge of positive emotions.
Why wait?
It appears that positive emotions and the experience of spiritual contact - of getting in touch with that larger than ourselves - are intimately related. When people attend church services, sing hymns, meditate, and engage in other activities, they often feel a surge of positive emotions.
Why wait?
A Taste Of Low-Fat Yoga
I tell people that somewhere between age 35 and 85 I'll have to stop playing contact sports. One of the keys to staying young is staying flexible. When I mentioned that to a co-worker recently, she said that she took yoga classes that were offered right in our office building, and that in fact there was a free trial coming up. How could I pass up such a blogworthy moment?
Preparing as I often do, I was at lunch with another yoga practitioner friend and asked for wardrobe guidance. She politely explained that basketball shorts would not be a viable option. Still, being a temperature-minded guy, I filled a bag with shorts, some fairly snug running pants, a t-shirt and a long-sleeved shirt.
The class was to be right after work. Around 3:00 an announcement came over the loudspeaker about deteriorating weather conditions outside, the kind that causes parents to sprint for the parking lot to pick up their kids from school's early dismissal. Would it also keep yoga instructors from making it to Corporate, especially since there was no pre-registration?
I made my way down right on time to the stated location, in the basement, and waited for about five minutes by myself. I'd dressed just right, going with the t-shirt and pants combo. A second woman showed up, and after a few minutes of small talk our instructor Erin from Main Street Yoga arrived.
Erin's my age, my nationality (Irish, how about that) and my ideal style - pleasant, peaceful, optimistic, modest. Quickly she had us lying on a mat with our legs straight up against a wall. I briefly envisioned myself in this pose while wearing basketball shorts (in later poses, I came to understand why my friend also said that women don't wear baggy shirts). My 20 minutes of daily stretching for back therapy came in real handy here, apparently I have developed flexible hamstrings for a man, enough that my knees even hyperextend slightly.
After an hour of contorting myself into shapes like a star, triangle, dog, mountain and mangled tree, we were in the 5-minute meditative cool down period. Even though the effort had been relatively easy and the time had passed quickly due to the constant stream of directions, I always appreciate reflection. Following this eyes-closed spell of listening to positive phrases, we gently rolled to our feet and the day was done.
This might be the last time men make up half the membership of a session, but I thought this was a nice segway from the work day to life. The next ten sessions are $70, which seemed like a good use of time and money. Let's roll! Or should I say "shanti, shanti, peace, peace..."
Preparing as I often do, I was at lunch with another yoga practitioner friend and asked for wardrobe guidance. She politely explained that basketball shorts would not be a viable option. Still, being a temperature-minded guy, I filled a bag with shorts, some fairly snug running pants, a t-shirt and a long-sleeved shirt.
The class was to be right after work. Around 3:00 an announcement came over the loudspeaker about deteriorating weather conditions outside, the kind that causes parents to sprint for the parking lot to pick up their kids from school's early dismissal. Would it also keep yoga instructors from making it to Corporate, especially since there was no pre-registration?
I made my way down right on time to the stated location, in the basement, and waited for about five minutes by myself. I'd dressed just right, going with the t-shirt and pants combo. A second woman showed up, and after a few minutes of small talk our instructor Erin from Main Street Yoga arrived.
Erin's my age, my nationality (Irish, how about that) and my ideal style - pleasant, peaceful, optimistic, modest. Quickly she had us lying on a mat with our legs straight up against a wall. I briefly envisioned myself in this pose while wearing basketball shorts (in later poses, I came to understand why my friend also said that women don't wear baggy shirts). My 20 minutes of daily stretching for back therapy came in real handy here, apparently I have developed flexible hamstrings for a man, enough that my knees even hyperextend slightly.
After an hour of contorting myself into shapes like a star, triangle, dog, mountain and mangled tree, we were in the 5-minute meditative cool down period. Even though the effort had been relatively easy and the time had passed quickly due to the constant stream of directions, I always appreciate reflection. Following this eyes-closed spell of listening to positive phrases, we gently rolled to our feet and the day was done.
This might be the last time men make up half the membership of a session, but I thought this was a nice segway from the work day to life. The next ten sessions are $70, which seemed like a good use of time and money. Let's roll! Or should I say "shanti, shanti, peace, peace..."
Christmas Poem
This year some of the kids and kids-in-law bought a Wii game system for Mom and Dad - the perfect gift for a household that's occasionally flooded with people of three generations. Sis-in-law Zina suggested that a poem be written for the occasion.
Away in a manger,
No crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus,
Bored out of his head.
The stars in the sky,
Look fine for a minute,
But little Lord Jesus,
Can't see the fun in it.
The cattle are lowing,
Whatever that means,
But little Lord Jesus,
Is thinking of screens.
I love Thee Lord Jesus,
Look down at my Wii,
And help me to master
Guitar Hero III.
Away in a manger,
No crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus,
Bored out of his head.
The stars in the sky,
Look fine for a minute,
But little Lord Jesus,
Can't see the fun in it.
The cattle are lowing,
Whatever that means,
But little Lord Jesus,
Is thinking of screens.
I love Thee Lord Jesus,
Look down at my Wii,
And help me to master
Guitar Hero III.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
The Dalai Lama Of Cub Fans
Jack got me a book for Christmas The Cub Fan's Guide To Happiness. It's written by George Ellis, author of a web site called The Heckler, so I expected it to be amusing, which has proved to be true so far. What was unexpected was the occasional pearl of real life wisdom.
"Winning really isn't the only thing. It's a bonus."
How often is our stress rooted in the desire to be right, when there are often many forms of right? Earlier this week I was asked at work to evaluate the cost of an option. When I presented my write-up, it was originally rejected. Did my stress level rise? Yep. I'd mentally strayed from merely presenting a cost, to advocating for a position, and there's a stark difference between thinking "this is what it is" and "this is what it should be." This wasn't a conversation about life or death (well, it was about life insurance, so sort of, but...), it was about a harmless fact! Oh, I did press back, making sure that I understood why the other position was taken so that I could get the most information possible. And it took me some long hours to re-craft my write-up. Learning by doing in that fashion is a great educational tool for me. And if at the end of the day I agree with the decision-makers? Bonus!
"Winning really isn't the only thing. It's a bonus."
How often is our stress rooted in the desire to be right, when there are often many forms of right? Earlier this week I was asked at work to evaluate the cost of an option. When I presented my write-up, it was originally rejected. Did my stress level rise? Yep. I'd mentally strayed from merely presenting a cost, to advocating for a position, and there's a stark difference between thinking "this is what it is" and "this is what it should be." This wasn't a conversation about life or death (well, it was about life insurance, so sort of, but...), it was about a harmless fact! Oh, I did press back, making sure that I understood why the other position was taken so that I could get the most information possible. And it took me some long hours to re-craft my write-up. Learning by doing in that fashion is a great educational tool for me. And if at the end of the day I agree with the decision-makers? Bonus!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
2008 Resolutions In Review
As a visual guy, new year's resolutions have been a fun part of life the last couple of years. How'd things turn out this year? And which ones should be re-upped for 2009?
1. Count negative comments for one month. While I haven't hit this one per se, this month has been successful so far in developing a habit of monitoring any slips into excessive negativity. The little notebook I carry around doing an hourly mood check has kept me more focused throughout the day. Keep for 2009.
2. Average 50 blog posts a month. Counting December, Hidden Blog's hit that mark in 17 of its 18 months so far. Keep it.
3. Determine a way to increase blog searchability. One way is to increase sites that link to your page, which led to the creation of a new Facebook account. As of March Hidden Blog had never ranked higher than 42nd in Google search results... now it's consistently in the top ten, reaching as high as six on several occasions. This one's a no-brainer, our reason for existence. Keep it.
4. Read ten books. In fact it's been 15 so far, as seen in the reading list at the bottom of the site. We're well on our way to meeting the ten-year vision of reading 100 books. Keep it.
5. Back healing. Thanks to a stretching routine prescribed through a few physical therapy visits, I was able to play four different sports this year, as well as some basketball on the side. Hitting two home runs in a game and accounting for six touchdowns in another exceeded my wildest expectations since I could hardly bend over at the start of the year. Oh, it still flares up significantly from time to time, but this one was a success. It's time to think of other physical goals. Drop it.
6. No sugary snacks or drinks. I'm the kind of guy who usually has to quit something cold turkey, and that's what happened here. I had a handful of desserts and sodas throughout the year, but less than 1% of 2007 for sure. By now this qualifies as a lifestyle change that no longer needs monitoring. Drop it.
7. Drink 8 glasses (64 oz.) of water a day. I thought I'd be able to track this one better than I did. I've got other physical goals in mind for next year. Drop it.
8. Run a race 5K or longer. Unless I can convince someone to strap on some boots and sprint through the cold with me, this one ain't gonna happen. Drop it.
In all, that looks like six out of eight to me. Not bad. Still, there's room to improve. "What gets measured, gets done," and I want happiness to keep getting done so we'll keep measuring!
1. Count negative comments for one month. While I haven't hit this one per se, this month has been successful so far in developing a habit of monitoring any slips into excessive negativity. The little notebook I carry around doing an hourly mood check has kept me more focused throughout the day. Keep for 2009.
2. Average 50 blog posts a month. Counting December, Hidden Blog's hit that mark in 17 of its 18 months so far. Keep it.
3. Determine a way to increase blog searchability. One way is to increase sites that link to your page, which led to the creation of a new Facebook account. As of March Hidden Blog had never ranked higher than 42nd in Google search results... now it's consistently in the top ten, reaching as high as six on several occasions. This one's a no-brainer, our reason for existence. Keep it.
4. Read ten books. In fact it's been 15 so far, as seen in the reading list at the bottom of the site. We're well on our way to meeting the ten-year vision of reading 100 books. Keep it.
5. Back healing. Thanks to a stretching routine prescribed through a few physical therapy visits, I was able to play four different sports this year, as well as some basketball on the side. Hitting two home runs in a game and accounting for six touchdowns in another exceeded my wildest expectations since I could hardly bend over at the start of the year. Oh, it still flares up significantly from time to time, but this one was a success. It's time to think of other physical goals. Drop it.
6. No sugary snacks or drinks. I'm the kind of guy who usually has to quit something cold turkey, and that's what happened here. I had a handful of desserts and sodas throughout the year, but less than 1% of 2007 for sure. By now this qualifies as a lifestyle change that no longer needs monitoring. Drop it.
7. Drink 8 glasses (64 oz.) of water a day. I thought I'd be able to track this one better than I did. I've got other physical goals in mind for next year. Drop it.
8. Run a race 5K or longer. Unless I can convince someone to strap on some boots and sprint through the cold with me, this one ain't gonna happen. Drop it.
In all, that looks like six out of eight to me. Not bad. Still, there's room to improve. "What gets measured, gets done," and I want happiness to keep getting done so we'll keep measuring!
Hidden Blog Unveils Dynamic Color Scheme
Hidden Blog, ranked in the top ten Joe McDonald sites by Google, changed its colors Sunday as the world anticipates the new year.
"People like change. Sameness dulls the senses. Change inspires hope," said John Wooden, the blog's oft-quoted spokesperson and basketball coaching icon.
Hidden Blog's original design contained standard "sand dollar" complementary colors. The burnt orange, brown and tan tones of that default template are gone, replaced by a bold mixture of red, blue, black, white and light gray.
The new palette pays tribute not only to America, but to the uniform of its long-suffering sons of Chicago, baseball's Cubs.
"Americans chose change this November," said Rudy Giuliani, whose leadership book brought several quotes to the site. "Hidden Blog is an active part of America's future."
Cubs manager Lou Piniella described the move as "absolutely the right thing to do, whoever he is."
"People like change. Sameness dulls the senses. Change inspires hope," said John Wooden, the blog's oft-quoted spokesperson and basketball coaching icon.
Hidden Blog's original design contained standard "sand dollar" complementary colors. The burnt orange, brown and tan tones of that default template are gone, replaced by a bold mixture of red, blue, black, white and light gray.
The new palette pays tribute not only to America, but to the uniform of its long-suffering sons of Chicago, baseball's Cubs.
"Americans chose change this November," said Rudy Giuliani, whose leadership book brought several quotes to the site. "Hidden Blog is an active part of America's future."
Cubs manager Lou Piniella described the move as "absolutely the right thing to do, whoever he is."
Short And Sweet
Today is the shortest day of the year... 9 hours and 16 minutes to be exact.
It's also the coldest day of the year by chance... -22 degrees wind chill.
And it's been a great day. Cozied up indoors with good football, it's been a productive morning of paying bills, replacing old binders with new ones, doing dirty laundry, smelling Christmas cookies, reading a good book and, of course, writing a few lines.
To think that tomorrow there's nowhere to go but up!
It's also the coldest day of the year by chance... -22 degrees wind chill.
And it's been a great day. Cozied up indoors with good football, it's been a productive morning of paying bills, replacing old binders with new ones, doing dirty laundry, smelling Christmas cookies, reading a good book and, of course, writing a few lines.
To think that tomorrow there's nowhere to go but up!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
McDonald Rebuffs Smith Movie
In private conversation Friday night, Hidden Blog parent Judy McDonald refused to attend Will Smith's newest movie "7 Pounds," creating an insignificant wave of mild surprise.
Earlier that evening Joe McDonald had contacted his brother Jack via cell phone en route to Bloomingdale for a Christmas weekend getaway. The younger McDonald, transferred to California with State Farm earlier this year, had recently arrived at O'Hare airport and was awaiting Judy's pick-up to drive him back to their childhood home.
During the phone call the brothers drafted an agenda featuring a Saturday afternoon visit to the Bloomingdale theater. Employing family rules of engagement, Jack was to propose the plan to their mother for executive approval.
"It looks like a good one," Joe commented. "So does 'Yes Man' by Jim Carrey, but I'm saving that one for later. The last two Christmases have been good for movies. I like movies."
In fact, the third-generation Irish clan had attended other movies together as part of prior visits. Judy's patent refusal shortly after Joe and Dena's arrival was both surprising and welcome.
"Now we get to see it later, maybe with other people," Dena didn't say.
The trip still qualified as a wild success, filled with games, T.V. watching, and Mom's delicious home cooking. The gift exchange included the boys changing light bulbs and moving furniture to help prepare the home for eventual sale.
Earlier that evening Joe McDonald had contacted his brother Jack via cell phone en route to Bloomingdale for a Christmas weekend getaway. The younger McDonald, transferred to California with State Farm earlier this year, had recently arrived at O'Hare airport and was awaiting Judy's pick-up to drive him back to their childhood home.
During the phone call the brothers drafted an agenda featuring a Saturday afternoon visit to the Bloomingdale theater. Employing family rules of engagement, Jack was to propose the plan to their mother for executive approval.
"It looks like a good one," Joe commented. "So does 'Yes Man' by Jim Carrey, but I'm saving that one for later. The last two Christmases have been good for movies. I like movies."
In fact, the third-generation Irish clan had attended other movies together as part of prior visits. Judy's patent refusal shortly after Joe and Dena's arrival was both surprising and welcome.
"Now we get to see it later, maybe with other people," Dena didn't say.
The trip still qualified as a wild success, filled with games, T.V. watching, and Mom's delicious home cooking. The gift exchange included the boys changing light bulbs and moving furniture to help prepare the home for eventual sale.
This Poem Is So-So
Why do people only write poems when they're madly in love with someone? Don't average people deserve sonnets too?
My friend,
I look your way,
And happen to make contact
With your medium blue eyes.
The light of day,
Touches your face,
Its fairly smooth skin,
About right for your age.
Your smile,
Shining with years of decent hygiene,
Radiating gentle breath,
As if you brushed before breakfast.
You walk,
Confident like a middle-class worker,
On the cutting edge of last week's fashions,
Nearly limpless.
Taller than the short,
Shorter than the tall,
Your wit makes me laugh sometimes.
A mind sharp enough to solve half my problems.
How blessed to have your friendship,
Whenever it fits your schedule!
When I was troubled and you happened to be around,
You mostly listened,
Carried the load if it wasn't real heavy,
Said the things I needed to hear, and not.
I thank God for all my friends sort of like you!
My friend,
I look your way,
And happen to make contact
With your medium blue eyes.
The light of day,
Touches your face,
Its fairly smooth skin,
About right for your age.
Your smile,
Shining with years of decent hygiene,
Radiating gentle breath,
As if you brushed before breakfast.
You walk,
Confident like a middle-class worker,
On the cutting edge of last week's fashions,
Nearly limpless.
Taller than the short,
Shorter than the tall,
Your wit makes me laugh sometimes.
A mind sharp enough to solve half my problems.
How blessed to have your friendship,
Whenever it fits your schedule!
When I was troubled and you happened to be around,
You mostly listened,
Carried the load if it wasn't real heavy,
Said the things I needed to hear, and not.
I thank God for all my friends sort of like you!
A Christmas Surprise
Remember the friend of mine who'd sent a thank-you note to her support group? Well how do you like this?
"I just wanted to send a quick WONDERFUL update to all of you!!! Scott's biopsy came back negative for cancerous cells!!!! We are so blessed! All of the praying and positive thoughts worked!!! We are going in for additional testing today - they are speculating that it may be some type of spore that he inhaled that has grown abnormally in his lungs. We are so thankful and truly blessed.
Thank you all so much for all of your support! Words cannot express how much I admire each one of you for the compassion you showed me!"
"I just wanted to send a quick WONDERFUL update to all of you!!! Scott's biopsy came back negative for cancerous cells!!!! We are so blessed! All of the praying and positive thoughts worked!!! We are going in for additional testing today - they are speculating that it may be some type of spore that he inhaled that has grown abnormally in his lungs. We are so thankful and truly blessed.
Thank you all so much for all of your support! Words cannot express how much I admire each one of you for the compassion you showed me!"
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Grade Expectations
"Clear expectations as well as a solid understanding of how and when to meet them is what we all need. Happiness-promoting workplaces are those that have policies and supervisors in place that facilitate this process." - Ed Diener
It's not just the workplace that thrives on clear expectations. Without lines and limits, driving would be quite the adventure. Without recipes, picking a cake would be like playing the slots. In friendship and marriage, we can do our part and be open about the expectations we have.
It's not just the workplace that thrives on clear expectations. Without lines and limits, driving would be quite the adventure. Without recipes, picking a cake would be like playing the slots. In friendship and marriage, we can do our part and be open about the expectations we have.
Getting Engaged
"Offices that allow team members to give presentations, write reports, make sales, participate in meetings, and conduct research are more likely to have employees who feel engaged rather than bored." - Ed Diener
I like to think that people are more proud of something that they own than rent. A job without variety feels more like renting. Give them a chance to do something personal and uniquely theirs.
I like to think that people are more proud of something that they own than rent. A job without variety feels more like renting. Give them a chance to do something personal and uniquely theirs.
Converting Your T.V. To Digital
Proving that people of all ages can easily self-manage the transition!
http://beta.video.msn.com/play/?G=8f127b73-997c-499d-9c37-38c28f2b4211&v=hulu
http://beta.video.msn.com/play/?G=8f127b73-997c-499d-9c37-38c28f2b4211&v=hulu
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Some Thoughts On Global Warming
WASHINGTON – When Bill Clinton took office in 1993, global warming was a slow-moving environmental problem that was easy to ignore. Now it is a ticking time bomb that President-elect Barack Obama can't avoid.
Since Clinton's inauguration, summer Arctic sea ice has lost the equivalent of Alaska, California and Texas. The 10 hottest years on record have occurred since Clinton's second inauguration. Global warming is accelerating. Time is close to running out, and Obama knows it.
"The time for delay is over; the time for denial is over," he said on Tuesday after meeting with former Vice President Al Gore, who won a Nobel Peace Prize for his work on global warming. "We all believe what the scientists have been telling us for years now that this is a matter of urgency and national security and it has to be dealt with in a serious way."
But there are powerful political and economic realities that must be quickly overcome for Obama to succeed. Despite the urgency he expresses, it's not at all clear that he and Congress will agree on an approach during a worldwide financial crisis in time to meet some of the more crucial deadlines.
Obama is pushing changes in the way Americans use energy, and produce greenhouse gases, as part of what will be a massive economic stimulus. He called it an opportunity "to re-power America."
After years of inaction on global warming, 2009 might be different. Obama replaces a president who opposed mandatory cuts of greenhouse gas pollution and it appears he will have a willing Congress. Also, next year, diplomats will try to agree on a major new international treaty to curb the gases that promote global warming.
"We need to start in January making significant changes," Gore said in a recent telephone interview with The Associated Press. "This year coming up is the most important opportunity the world has ever had to make progress in really solving the climate crisis."
Scientists are increasingly anxious, talking more often and more urgently about exceeding "tipping points."
"We're out of time," Stanford University biologist Terry Root said. "Things are going extinct."
U.S. emissions have increased by 20 percent since 1992. China has more than doubled its carbon dioxide pollution in that time. World carbon dioxide emissions have grown faster than scientists' worst-case scenarios. Methane, the next most potent greenhouse gas, suddenly is on the rise again and scientists fear that vast amounts of the trapped gas will escape from thawing Arctic permafrost.
The amount of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere has already pushed past what some scientists say is the safe level.
In the early 1990s, many scientists figured that the world was about a century away from a truly dangerous amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, said Mike MacCracken, who was a top climate scientist in the Clinton administration. But as they studied the greenhouse effect further, scientists realized that harmful changes kick in at far lower levels of carbon dioxide than they thought. Now some scientists, but not all, say the safe carbon dioxide level for Earth is about 10 percent below what it is now.
Gore called the situation "the equivalent of a five-alarm fire that has to be addressed immediately."
Scientists fear that what's happening with Arctic ice melt will be amplified so that ominous sea level rise will occur sooner than they expected. They predict Arctic waters could be ice-free in summers, perhaps by 2013, decades earlier than they thought only a few years ago.
In December 2009, diplomats are charged with forging a new treaty replacing the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which set limits on greenhouse gases, and which the United States didn't ratify. This time European officials have high expectations for the U.S. to take the lead. But many experts don't see Congress passing a climate bill in time because of pressing economic and war issues.
"The reality is, it may take more than the first year to get it all done," Senate Energy Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., said recently.
Complicating everything is the worldwide financial meltdown. Frank Maisano, a Washington energy specialist and spokesman who represents coal-fired utilities and refineries, sees the poor economy as "a huge factor" that could stop everything. That's because global warming efforts are aimed at restricting coal power, which is cheap. That would likely mean higher utility bills and more damage to ailing economies that depend on coal production, he said.
Obama is stacking his Cabinet and inner circle with advocates who have pushed for deep mandatory cuts in greenhouse gas pollution and even with government officials who have achieved results at the local level.
The President-elect has said that one of the first things he will do when he gets to Washington is grant California and other states permission to control car tailpipe emissions, something the Bush administration denied.
And though congressional action may take time, the incoming Congress will be more inclined to act on global warming. In the House, liberal California Democrat Henry Waxman's unseating of Michigan Rep. John Dingell — a staunch defender of Detroit automakers — as head of the House Energy and Commerce Committee was a sign that global warming will be on the fast track.
Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., vowed to push two global warming bills starting in January: one to promote energy efficiency as an economic stimulus and the other to create a cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from utilities. "The time is now," she wrote in a Dec. 8 letter to Obama.
Mother Nature, of course, is oblivious to the federal government's machinations. Ironically, 2008 is on pace to be a slightly cooler year in a steadily rising temperature trend line. Experts say it's thanks to a La Nina weather variation. While skeptics are already using it as evidence of some kind of cooling trend, it actually illustrates how fast the world is warming.
The average global temperature in 2008 is likely to wind up slightly under 57.9 degrees Fahrenheit, about a tenth of a degree cooler than last year. When Clinton was inaugurated, 57.9 easily would have been the warmest year on record. Now, that temperature would qualify as the ninth warmest year.
Since Clinton's inauguration, summer Arctic sea ice has lost the equivalent of Alaska, California and Texas. The 10 hottest years on record have occurred since Clinton's second inauguration. Global warming is accelerating. Time is close to running out, and Obama knows it.
"The time for delay is over; the time for denial is over," he said on Tuesday after meeting with former Vice President Al Gore, who won a Nobel Peace Prize for his work on global warming. "We all believe what the scientists have been telling us for years now that this is a matter of urgency and national security and it has to be dealt with in a serious way."
But there are powerful political and economic realities that must be quickly overcome for Obama to succeed. Despite the urgency he expresses, it's not at all clear that he and Congress will agree on an approach during a worldwide financial crisis in time to meet some of the more crucial deadlines.
Obama is pushing changes in the way Americans use energy, and produce greenhouse gases, as part of what will be a massive economic stimulus. He called it an opportunity "to re-power America."
After years of inaction on global warming, 2009 might be different. Obama replaces a president who opposed mandatory cuts of greenhouse gas pollution and it appears he will have a willing Congress. Also, next year, diplomats will try to agree on a major new international treaty to curb the gases that promote global warming.
"We need to start in January making significant changes," Gore said in a recent telephone interview with The Associated Press. "This year coming up is the most important opportunity the world has ever had to make progress in really solving the climate crisis."
Scientists are increasingly anxious, talking more often and more urgently about exceeding "tipping points."
"We're out of time," Stanford University biologist Terry Root said. "Things are going extinct."
U.S. emissions have increased by 20 percent since 1992. China has more than doubled its carbon dioxide pollution in that time. World carbon dioxide emissions have grown faster than scientists' worst-case scenarios. Methane, the next most potent greenhouse gas, suddenly is on the rise again and scientists fear that vast amounts of the trapped gas will escape from thawing Arctic permafrost.
The amount of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere has already pushed past what some scientists say is the safe level.
In the early 1990s, many scientists figured that the world was about a century away from a truly dangerous amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, said Mike MacCracken, who was a top climate scientist in the Clinton administration. But as they studied the greenhouse effect further, scientists realized that harmful changes kick in at far lower levels of carbon dioxide than they thought. Now some scientists, but not all, say the safe carbon dioxide level for Earth is about 10 percent below what it is now.
Gore called the situation "the equivalent of a five-alarm fire that has to be addressed immediately."
Scientists fear that what's happening with Arctic ice melt will be amplified so that ominous sea level rise will occur sooner than they expected. They predict Arctic waters could be ice-free in summers, perhaps by 2013, decades earlier than they thought only a few years ago.
In December 2009, diplomats are charged with forging a new treaty replacing the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which set limits on greenhouse gases, and which the United States didn't ratify. This time European officials have high expectations for the U.S. to take the lead. But many experts don't see Congress passing a climate bill in time because of pressing economic and war issues.
"The reality is, it may take more than the first year to get it all done," Senate Energy Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., said recently.
Complicating everything is the worldwide financial meltdown. Frank Maisano, a Washington energy specialist and spokesman who represents coal-fired utilities and refineries, sees the poor economy as "a huge factor" that could stop everything. That's because global warming efforts are aimed at restricting coal power, which is cheap. That would likely mean higher utility bills and more damage to ailing economies that depend on coal production, he said.
Obama is stacking his Cabinet and inner circle with advocates who have pushed for deep mandatory cuts in greenhouse gas pollution and even with government officials who have achieved results at the local level.
The President-elect has said that one of the first things he will do when he gets to Washington is grant California and other states permission to control car tailpipe emissions, something the Bush administration denied.
And though congressional action may take time, the incoming Congress will be more inclined to act on global warming. In the House, liberal California Democrat Henry Waxman's unseating of Michigan Rep. John Dingell — a staunch defender of Detroit automakers — as head of the House Energy and Commerce Committee was a sign that global warming will be on the fast track.
Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., vowed to push two global warming bills starting in January: one to promote energy efficiency as an economic stimulus and the other to create a cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from utilities. "The time is now," she wrote in a Dec. 8 letter to Obama.
Mother Nature, of course, is oblivious to the federal government's machinations. Ironically, 2008 is on pace to be a slightly cooler year in a steadily rising temperature trend line. Experts say it's thanks to a La Nina weather variation. While skeptics are already using it as evidence of some kind of cooling trend, it actually illustrates how fast the world is warming.
The average global temperature in 2008 is likely to wind up slightly under 57.9 degrees Fahrenheit, about a tenth of a degree cooler than last year. When Clinton was inaugurated, 57.9 easily would have been the warmest year on record. Now, that temperature would qualify as the ninth warmest year.
Live By Learning
"When you're not learning about your profession or how to deal with people of life, then it's over. All windows are shut. Whether you're 15 or 50 or going down the homestretch, you've gotta keep learning."
- Don Meyer, 4th winningest basketball coach in NCAA history, who lost a leg in a collision with a semi-truck, then discovered he has cancer, and continues to coach
- Don Meyer, 4th winningest basketball coach in NCAA history, who lost a leg in a collision with a semi-truck, then discovered he has cancer, and continues to coach
The Office - Japanese Version
Combining two of my loves: good Saturday Night Live parody and The Office:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/20337/saturday-night-live-snl-digital-short-the-japanese-office#s-p2-st-i1
http://www.hulu.com/watch/20337/saturday-night-live-snl-digital-short-the-japanese-office#s-p2-st-i1
Why Pizza Is Good For Your Health
MIRAMAR, Fla. – Police say a pizza delivery man fought back with the one weapon he had handy when a gun was pulled on him in a stickup: A large, hot pepperoni pizza.
Delivery man Eric Lopez Devictoria, 40, flung the steaming pie at the gunman, buying time as he ran for safety, police said.
At least one shot was fired as Devictoria fled, but the deliveryman wasn't hurt and was able to quickly call police, according to authorities.
Three teenage suspects were nabbed soon after Wednesday's run-in with the cheesy weapon, police said, adding they were charged with armed robbery.
Delivery man Eric Lopez Devictoria, 40, flung the steaming pie at the gunman, buying time as he ran for safety, police said.
At least one shot was fired as Devictoria fled, but the deliveryman wasn't hurt and was able to quickly call police, according to authorities.
Three teenage suspects were nabbed soon after Wednesday's run-in with the cheesy weapon, police said, adding they were charged with armed robbery.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Mark Wahlberg Talks To Animals
Okay, this Saturday Night Live skit gave me a good belly laugh the second time I watched it, because the first time it struck me as so absurd. By now I've watched it like five times. It helps if you know who Mark Wahlberg is.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/37753/saturday-night-live-mark-wahlberg-talks-to-animals
http://www.hulu.com/watch/37753/saturday-night-live-mark-wahlberg-talks-to-animals
The Brotherhood Tree
I may be here on Wednesday night between 5-9. If any Hidden Blog readers want to know for sure when I'll be there, just let me know.
WJBC Brotherhood Tree:
http://www.wjbc.com/WJBCBrotherhoodTree/tabid/8306/Default.aspx
WJBC Brotherhood Tree:
http://www.wjbc.com/WJBCBrotherhoodTree/tabid/8306/Default.aspx
Larry King - Hit Or Miss
If you like satire and know about Larry King, then you'll like this, otherwise skip it:
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/nasa_simulator_prepares
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/nasa_simulator_prepares
Job Crafters
"Job crafters are folks who take initiative to make small changes around the office to bring their work in line with their larger vision of what they value in life." - Ed Diener
I like things to be organized! I see training and organization tend to slip to the bottom of the pile at the office, and sometimes rightfully so. My strength comes from using those passions for teaching and organizing to make a difference in the way we do business for our customers.
I like things to be organized! I see training and organization tend to slip to the bottom of the pile at the office, and sometimes rightfully so. My strength comes from using those passions for teaching and organizing to make a difference in the way we do business for our customers.
How To Add 33% To Your Life
"If nobody ever worried about what was in other people's heads, we'd all be 33 percent more effective in our lives and in our jobs." - Randy Pausch
That sounds like good advice, as long as the person has a pure enough heart and selflessness such that their words need no investigation for a deeper meaning.
That sounds like good advice, as long as the person has a pure enough heart and selflessness such that their words need no investigation for a deeper meaning.
Wealth By Giving
"Practicing positive communication, appreciation, and kindness are likely to boost your happiness, improve your relationships, and add to your portfolio of psychological wealth." - Ed Diener
During our Leadership McLean County class last Friday we had 34 people each give an example of a volunteer organization they'd served. Later a collection of those people volunteered to help deliver food to needy people.
Trying out new charitable organizations not only makes life better for others, but more interesting and healthier for ourselves. When we do varied things, we have more to talk about with others. And the more we talk with others, the better we feel, not to mention the more we may inspire others to serve.
During our Leadership McLean County class last Friday we had 34 people each give an example of a volunteer organization they'd served. Later a collection of those people volunteered to help deliver food to needy people.
Trying out new charitable organizations not only makes life better for others, but more interesting and healthier for ourselves. When we do varied things, we have more to talk about with others. And the more we talk with others, the better we feel, not to mention the more we may inspire others to serve.
Resistance Training
"Kmart was opening so may stores it was regarded as the Genghis Khan of the discounting business. Sam [Walton] has always been clear about his attitude: 'Meet them head-on. Competition will make us a better company.'" - Herb Fisher
That's a good point. Part of knowing how good you could become is seeing how good someone else has become.
That's a good point. Part of knowing how good you could become is seeing how good someone else has become.
Birthday Presence
I stopped by Hidden Blogger Brandi Peterson's 35th birthday bash at Rosie's Pub on Friday night. Surrounded by friends... what a great way to live. I'm sure she'd say that she's too blessed to be stressed, and yet she's overcome her fair share this year, losing a job for budgetary reasons and then working her way back into an unfamiliar one that's given her family more security.
Another young friend of mine is going through a family struggle with cancer. On this same day, she sent a note out to a support group:
"I was just so overwhelmed looking around at the room, filled with such wonderfully giving and caring people. I think at times we all may feel overwhelmed by a sense that we want to do 'more', or feel that we need to do 'bigger' things to help people, but I can attest to the fact that sometimes something that you think is 'small' - like an e-mail or phone call, can change the tone of someone's day for the better. You have all had an impact on my life as I go through this with my husband. Words cannot thank you all enough......thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Our presence of love makes a difference, in whatever form it takes.
Another young friend of mine is going through a family struggle with cancer. On this same day, she sent a note out to a support group:
"I was just so overwhelmed looking around at the room, filled with such wonderfully giving and caring people. I think at times we all may feel overwhelmed by a sense that we want to do 'more', or feel that we need to do 'bigger' things to help people, but I can attest to the fact that sometimes something that you think is 'small' - like an e-mail or phone call, can change the tone of someone's day for the better. You have all had an impact on my life as I go through this with my husband. Words cannot thank you all enough......thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Our presence of love makes a difference, in whatever form it takes.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Community Involvement = Better Health
From the Ceridian Corporation:
Many studies have shown that close relationships with others can improve your health and help you live longer. In fact, a new study has found that personal connections within your community could actually have a greater impact on your health than your genes. The study, led by Dr. Takeo Fujiwara of the National Institute of Public Health in Japan, involved identical twins and found that the siblings with a strong sense of belonging and community involvement were healthier than the siblings who didn’t feel as connected to their communities, even though they shared similar DNA and backgrounds.
These findings are important to consider as we end a year that has been difficult for many people. We often isolate ourselves as we struggle to overcome the challenges of financial stress, job worries, hectic schedules, and other daily demands. But it’s important that we maintain close social ties and that we think and live more communally so that we can better support and depend on people within our community. In this newsletter, you’ll find tips to help you establish and strengthen connections within your community.
Expanding your community
Make an effort to grow your personal network whether yours is large or small. Connecting in new ways with new people will allow you to respond to your community’s evolving needs. Here are a few ways to meet new people:
· Join a club, class, or other group. Try a hobby club, an exercise class, or a group sponsored by your house of worship. Joining a group allows you to meet others with similar interests.
· Take a walk. Walk your dog or take a stroll through your neighborhood. Chances are you’ll meet other walkers, dog walkers, and residents who live near you.
· Connect with co-workers. Attend your company’s social events. Enjoy a lunch or coffee break with a co-worker or two. Extend an invitation to a co-worker you don’t interact with often. Try introducing yourself to someone new every day.
· Take the first step. Don’t wait for others to approach you. Introduce yourself to people that you’d like to meet. Strike up a conversation with someone at a social gathering, with someone waiting in line next to you, or with a parent at your child’s school.
· Be prepared to reach beyond your comfort range. If you feel uncomfortable introducing yourself to a group of people who already know each other, try approaching just one person at a time. Then ask to be introduced to the rest of the group.
Cultivating a sense of community
The practical and emotional support of a close-knit community can help ease stress and increase your sense of belonging, security, and self-worth. Here are some ways to help foster that sense of community:
· Host an event. Plan a dinner, movie night, game night, or holiday party. Start a hobby group. Invite friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers and introduce them to each other. Or invite friends and neighbors to a potluck dinner. It’s much easier on the budget, and fun sharing everyone’s favorite dish.
· Volunteer. Getting involved in local civic or social programs will help you become more engaged in your community. If you need help finding volunteer opportunities in your area, ask other people about their experience with local volunteer programs. Your local newspaper and your house of worship may also be able to provide information. You can also search for opportunities in your area on Web sites like VolunteerMatch (www.volunteermatch.org) or Points of Light Foundation (www.pointsoflight.org) by entering your ZIP code and interest or skills.
· Build a sense of community in your neighborhood. Get to know your neighbors, and help them to get to know each other, too. Invite some neighbors over for coffee or dessert. Organize a neighborhood event, such as a block party, scavenger hunt, progressive dinner, community yard sale, or softball game. Start a walking group or neighborhood-watch program.
· Network. Don’t just network for yourself, but connect others who can help each other as well. You might be able to connect a parent with a tutor for her child, a neighbor with a handyperson who’s looking for odd jobs, or a co-worker with a colleague who can provide some expertise on an important project.
· Start a time bank in your community where every hour you spend doing something for a neighbor -- from child care to garden work to transportation -- you earn a “time dollar” to spend on something you want someone to do for you. Visit TimeBanks USA at www.timebanks.org to learn more about time banks, including how to start one in your community.
· Stay in touch. Connect frequently with friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. It’s hard to find time to catch up with everyone you know, but staying in touch allows you to be aware of people’s needs and it can make it easier to find support when you need it. If you have difficulty staying connected, try sending a short e-mail or making just one phone call a day. This will allow you to strengthen your relationships even when you’re busy.
While feeling connected to your community won’t make you immune to every stress, disease, and challenge, it can offer the support you need to get through difficult times. By creating a sense of community and updating your social ties, you can improve your health and the health of those with whom you develop close relationships.
© 2008 Ceridian Corporation. All rights reserved.
Many studies have shown that close relationships with others can improve your health and help you live longer. In fact, a new study has found that personal connections within your community could actually have a greater impact on your health than your genes. The study, led by Dr. Takeo Fujiwara of the National Institute of Public Health in Japan, involved identical twins and found that the siblings with a strong sense of belonging and community involvement were healthier than the siblings who didn’t feel as connected to their communities, even though they shared similar DNA and backgrounds.
These findings are important to consider as we end a year that has been difficult for many people. We often isolate ourselves as we struggle to overcome the challenges of financial stress, job worries, hectic schedules, and other daily demands. But it’s important that we maintain close social ties and that we think and live more communally so that we can better support and depend on people within our community. In this newsletter, you’ll find tips to help you establish and strengthen connections within your community.
Expanding your community
Make an effort to grow your personal network whether yours is large or small. Connecting in new ways with new people will allow you to respond to your community’s evolving needs. Here are a few ways to meet new people:
· Join a club, class, or other group. Try a hobby club, an exercise class, or a group sponsored by your house of worship. Joining a group allows you to meet others with similar interests.
· Take a walk. Walk your dog or take a stroll through your neighborhood. Chances are you’ll meet other walkers, dog walkers, and residents who live near you.
· Connect with co-workers. Attend your company’s social events. Enjoy a lunch or coffee break with a co-worker or two. Extend an invitation to a co-worker you don’t interact with often. Try introducing yourself to someone new every day.
· Take the first step. Don’t wait for others to approach you. Introduce yourself to people that you’d like to meet. Strike up a conversation with someone at a social gathering, with someone waiting in line next to you, or with a parent at your child’s school.
· Be prepared to reach beyond your comfort range. If you feel uncomfortable introducing yourself to a group of people who already know each other, try approaching just one person at a time. Then ask to be introduced to the rest of the group.
Cultivating a sense of community
The practical and emotional support of a close-knit community can help ease stress and increase your sense of belonging, security, and self-worth. Here are some ways to help foster that sense of community:
· Host an event. Plan a dinner, movie night, game night, or holiday party. Start a hobby group. Invite friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers and introduce them to each other. Or invite friends and neighbors to a potluck dinner. It’s much easier on the budget, and fun sharing everyone’s favorite dish.
· Volunteer. Getting involved in local civic or social programs will help you become more engaged in your community. If you need help finding volunteer opportunities in your area, ask other people about their experience with local volunteer programs. Your local newspaper and your house of worship may also be able to provide information. You can also search for opportunities in your area on Web sites like VolunteerMatch (www.volunteermatch.org) or Points of Light Foundation (www.pointsoflight.org) by entering your ZIP code and interest or skills.
· Build a sense of community in your neighborhood. Get to know your neighbors, and help them to get to know each other, too. Invite some neighbors over for coffee or dessert. Organize a neighborhood event, such as a block party, scavenger hunt, progressive dinner, community yard sale, or softball game. Start a walking group or neighborhood-watch program.
· Network. Don’t just network for yourself, but connect others who can help each other as well. You might be able to connect a parent with a tutor for her child, a neighbor with a handyperson who’s looking for odd jobs, or a co-worker with a colleague who can provide some expertise on an important project.
· Start a time bank in your community where every hour you spend doing something for a neighbor -- from child care to garden work to transportation -- you earn a “time dollar” to spend on something you want someone to do for you. Visit TimeBanks USA at www.timebanks.org to learn more about time banks, including how to start one in your community.
· Stay in touch. Connect frequently with friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. It’s hard to find time to catch up with everyone you know, but staying in touch allows you to be aware of people’s needs and it can make it easier to find support when you need it. If you have difficulty staying connected, try sending a short e-mail or making just one phone call a day. This will allow you to strengthen your relationships even when you’re busy.
While feeling connected to your community won’t make you immune to every stress, disease, and challenge, it can offer the support you need to get through difficult times. By creating a sense of community and updating your social ties, you can improve your health and the health of those with whom you develop close relationships.
© 2008 Ceridian Corporation. All rights reserved.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Positive Journal Sets Record
Aided by a barren calendar, positivity apprentice Joe McDonald set a personal record by recording observations in 13 different hours on Sunday.
The ongoing December experiment, in which the mood-prone McDonald seeks to sustain happiness by noting his feelings at the top of each hour, had predictably progressed erratically over the first week. Aiming to nurture a habit of checking his negative emotional triggers in time to minimize their effect, a mark is scored in the journal whenever he successfully finds himself in (or brings himself to) a good mood before the new hour arrives.
"It's been an exercise, sometimes as tough as physical exercise," he said, "I caught myself brooding a bit while driving to a family reunion, but I was able to turn it around with a little reflection and a dose of singing."
To ward off darker moods, McDonald has employed tactics such as reading, stretching, playing music or games, counting blessings, visualizing success, and writing in an obscurely-known blog with a small but loyal following. Sometimes, the best action has been inaction.
"Sleep has been helpful. Actually one of the hours I missed on Sunday was because I took a catnap around 9ish while chilling out to the Naked Gun movie. Fortunately I woke up in time for the baseball scenes - they're the best!"
The same might be said for the days of December so far.
The ongoing December experiment, in which the mood-prone McDonald seeks to sustain happiness by noting his feelings at the top of each hour, had predictably progressed erratically over the first week. Aiming to nurture a habit of checking his negative emotional triggers in time to minimize their effect, a mark is scored in the journal whenever he successfully finds himself in (or brings himself to) a good mood before the new hour arrives.
"It's been an exercise, sometimes as tough as physical exercise," he said, "I caught myself brooding a bit while driving to a family reunion, but I was able to turn it around with a little reflection and a dose of singing."
To ward off darker moods, McDonald has employed tactics such as reading, stretching, playing music or games, counting blessings, visualizing success, and writing in an obscurely-known blog with a small but loyal following. Sometimes, the best action has been inaction.
"Sleep has been helpful. Actually one of the hours I missed on Sunday was because I took a catnap around 9ish while chilling out to the Naked Gun movie. Fortunately I woke up in time for the baseball scenes - they're the best!"
The same might be said for the days of December so far.
Mr. Positivity Announces Two-Syllable Layoff
Mr. Positivity has been scaled back to simply "Mr. Positive," a spokesperson announced Monday afternoon, citing national influences in an emotional press conference.
"America is in the middle of a fantastic diet," said Joe McDonald on behalf of the identity. "Jobs, even those hard-to-lose jobs around the financial sector, are melting away. Assembly lines are spewing fewer cars. Gas prices have been trimmed in half. The stock market's a third leaner than it used to be. It's time for patriotic Americans to shed some of their own."
As expected, Positivity's 40% reduction in syllables was met with skepticism by noted pessimists.
"You can change words all you want, but words don't feed the family," stated that executive who gives speeches that sound like cliche contests.
"Aren't there better things to be doing than worrying about names?" added the neighbor who buys fully loaded new cars every few years.
"I don't see how dumbing things down dignifies the cause," mused the English professor who never gives A's.
"What a friggin' waste of life," spat that gym teacher who got off on yelling all the time.
Despite the naysayers, the news was overwhelmingly hailed on both sides of the Congressional aisle and across branches of government.
"Short names are genius," boasted senator Chris Dodd (D - Connecticut). "They're easier to remember for hard-working middle class Americans."
"Cutting names is like cutting taxes... a simple solution that helps everyone," gushed Ron Paul (R - Texas).
"The nation is ready for a message of change, even change for change's sake," said Robert Gibbs, future White House press secretary speaking on behalf of Barack Obama's less than fully-formed administration. "This meets that criteria."
"Switching from a noun to an adjective is a gutsy move," remarked Mike Bess, governor of the Arkansas district of Optimist International. "If we had half the confidence of Mr. Positive, we'd have done it long ago."
McDonald was quick to celebrate the past. "Positivity has a real place in the world. What would it mean for the 'Now Discover Your Strengths' test to claim that my top-ranked strength was 'Positive'? Unintelligible gobbledy-gook. 'Mr. Positive' reaches the next level, a typist-friendly leap forward for the human race."
"America is in the middle of a fantastic diet," said Joe McDonald on behalf of the identity. "Jobs, even those hard-to-lose jobs around the financial sector, are melting away. Assembly lines are spewing fewer cars. Gas prices have been trimmed in half. The stock market's a third leaner than it used to be. It's time for patriotic Americans to shed some of their own."
As expected, Positivity's 40% reduction in syllables was met with skepticism by noted pessimists.
"You can change words all you want, but words don't feed the family," stated that executive who gives speeches that sound like cliche contests.
"Aren't there better things to be doing than worrying about names?" added the neighbor who buys fully loaded new cars every few years.
"I don't see how dumbing things down dignifies the cause," mused the English professor who never gives A's.
"What a friggin' waste of life," spat that gym teacher who got off on yelling all the time.
Despite the naysayers, the news was overwhelmingly hailed on both sides of the Congressional aisle and across branches of government.
"Short names are genius," boasted senator Chris Dodd (D - Connecticut). "They're easier to remember for hard-working middle class Americans."
"Cutting names is like cutting taxes... a simple solution that helps everyone," gushed Ron Paul (R - Texas).
"The nation is ready for a message of change, even change for change's sake," said Robert Gibbs, future White House press secretary speaking on behalf of Barack Obama's less than fully-formed administration. "This meets that criteria."
"Switching from a noun to an adjective is a gutsy move," remarked Mike Bess, governor of the Arkansas district of Optimist International. "If we had half the confidence of Mr. Positive, we'd have done it long ago."
McDonald was quick to celebrate the past. "Positivity has a real place in the world. What would it mean for the 'Now Discover Your Strengths' test to claim that my top-ranked strength was 'Positive'? Unintelligible gobbledy-gook. 'Mr. Positive' reaches the next level, a typist-friendly leap forward for the human race."
Sunday, December 7, 2008
People Dander
"The psychologist Michael Cunningham maintains that we can even grow allergic to some people, much in the way that we can be allergic to ragweed, cat dander, or peanuts. Although people's obnoxious behaviors are often minor, if they are repeated frequently enough, we may become allergic to these annoying or insensitive habits... By choosing friends carefully, surrounding yourself with happy people, and communicating well with others, you can avoid unnecessary conflict." - Ed Diener
We know what annoys us. I gravitate toward people who are open-minded without pushing their views on others, who see a better future, who bring smiling energy to the day, who communicate responsively, gratefully, respectfully toward others, and inclusively. We scout our food to avoid allergic reactions. Why not scout our relationships?
We know what annoys us. I gravitate toward people who are open-minded without pushing their views on others, who see a better future, who bring smiling energy to the day, who communicate responsively, gratefully, respectfully toward others, and inclusively. We scout our food to avoid allergic reactions. Why not scout our relationships?
Scientific Study Shows Running Bad For Your Vision?
A certain strawberry blond relative who lives in my house was out for a morning run through 10 degree temperatures, when her glasses started to fog up. Any of us who have breathed steam into an Illinois winter know that's par for the course, right? What this test subject experienced next was all too familiar to winter drivers - total ice-over. Drivers don't have the option of taking their windshields off to clear their view. Of course, drivers don't have their eyelashes turn into mini-icicles either!
Expose Yourself
"I think the best executives are those who have touched all the bases and have the best overall concept of the corporation." - Sam Walton
That's a theme I continue to see in business. A person who keeps her eye on the big picture out of natural curiosity - thinking as if she owned the company herself - is driving toward success more quickly than someone who doesn't.
That's a theme I continue to see in business. A person who keeps her eye on the big picture out of natural curiosity - thinking as if she owned the company herself - is driving toward success more quickly than someone who doesn't.
Remedies For Feeling Trapped
It's natural to feel trapped sometimes. The mind slides into a certain level of comfort and then starts seeking out the boundaries where it ends. It might be that a person is used to coming home right after work, and finds himself in a job that requires twenty hours of overtime for the foreseeable future. It might be that someone's child has always done well in school, and now is pulling a low grade in a class with a teacher who just seems to be out to get her for some reason. Or maybe a badly sprained ankle and a husband out of town on business have made caring for the kids nearly overwhelming.
Unmovable boundaries can drive a person right to the edge!
How about imagining if the fence was even tighter for a while? Recently I wrote about a game called "Would You Rather?" Here's a new spin on the game:
Would you rather have a job that works thirty hours of overtime, and for which you have no training?
Would you rather have a child with a dread disease and no hope of an education?
Would you rather be a single parent without legs?
Did you know that when slave ships crossed the ocean, the men and women were laid on their backs under an 18-inch high ceiling, in tightly compacted rows, in the cold dark, with the rats, and without sanitation or adequate food? That's trapped.
When the "woe-is-me"'s attack, when the grass seems greener on the other side of the fence, then it's time to pull the fence in for a while. In the "Mr. Positivity" experiment, those pangs hit me again this morning - negativity withdrawal perhaps? Fortunately there are plenty of remedies to take. I imagined what life would be like without a car, or the energy to stand for an hour or climb a flight of steps. I flipped on a comedy. I spent some time dreaming about some exciting things coming up in my life. And I sat down to visit with you.
Life is usually much more than we make of it.
Unmovable boundaries can drive a person right to the edge!
How about imagining if the fence was even tighter for a while? Recently I wrote about a game called "Would You Rather?" Here's a new spin on the game:
Would you rather have a job that works thirty hours of overtime, and for which you have no training?
Would you rather have a child with a dread disease and no hope of an education?
Would you rather be a single parent without legs?
Did you know that when slave ships crossed the ocean, the men and women were laid on their backs under an 18-inch high ceiling, in tightly compacted rows, in the cold dark, with the rats, and without sanitation or adequate food? That's trapped.
When the "woe-is-me"'s attack, when the grass seems greener on the other side of the fence, then it's time to pull the fence in for a while. In the "Mr. Positivity" experiment, those pangs hit me again this morning - negativity withdrawal perhaps? Fortunately there are plenty of remedies to take. I imagined what life would be like without a car, or the energy to stand for an hour or climb a flight of steps. I flipped on a comedy. I spent some time dreaming about some exciting things coming up in my life. And I sat down to visit with you.
Life is usually much more than we make of it.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Oh Boise!
You've got to understand that going into this college football bowl game, traditional powerhouse Oklahoma was a heavy favorite over little-heralded Boise State, even though they were undefeated at the time. That was probably fair. One of the most dramatic finishes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7Duuh7vLZE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7Duuh7vLZE&feature=related
We Need People
Do you ever wish you were the only person in the world? If endowed with supernatural powers that'd let you build or visit anything to boot, life would be a dream - for a while. Even spending one weekend without humanity though - meaning no T.V. except re-runs, no news, no conversations - can be an energy-sapper. The fact is, we need the randomness that comes from being with people to add spice to life.
Losses Lead To Wins
During a time of turmoil at Wal-Mart...
"...a bunch more of our managers left. It was a real, bona fide exodus, and by the time it was over, I'll be one third of our senior management was gone. For the first time in a long time, things looked pretty grim. And at that point, I have to admit I wasn't sure myself that we could just keep on going like before...
...most setbacks can be turned into opportunities. And as things turned out, this setback presented us with one of the great opportunities in our company's history." - Sam Walton
Things have been turmoil around here lately. At least three times this week a significant decision has gone opposite of the way I'd preferred. On the bright side, the "Mr. Positivity" log improved slightly in terms of volume of entries. And in one of this week's key decisions, a new idea did emerge that could prove a good solution.
"...a bunch more of our managers left. It was a real, bona fide exodus, and by the time it was over, I'll be one third of our senior management was gone. For the first time in a long time, things looked pretty grim. And at that point, I have to admit I wasn't sure myself that we could just keep on going like before...
...most setbacks can be turned into opportunities. And as things turned out, this setback presented us with one of the great opportunities in our company's history." - Sam Walton
Things have been turmoil around here lately. At least three times this week a significant decision has gone opposite of the way I'd preferred. On the bright side, the "Mr. Positivity" log improved slightly in terms of volume of entries. And in one of this week's key decisions, a new idea did emerge that could prove a good solution.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Why Is It Better To Give Then Receive?
"A very important finding comes from Stephanie Brown and her colleagues at the University of Michigan: giving support to others is more important to longevity than receiving support. She found that elderly individuals who game little emotional or practical support to others were more than twice as likely to die during the five years she followed them compared to people who gave to others. Even accounting for initial health and other factors, people who gave to a spouse, to friends, and to neighbors were blessed with greater longevity."
I suppose that ties in with the idea of having a purpose in life. We can control whether or not we help others, and not whether someone helps us. So if our purpose is to help others, then our lives are better... and longer. In a sense, when we give to others, we're giving to ourselves too.
I suppose that ties in with the idea of having a purpose in life. We can control whether or not we help others, and not whether someone helps us. So if our purpose is to help others, then our lives are better... and longer. In a sense, when we give to others, we're giving to ourselves too.
My Friend Mr. Sandman
Sometimes you just need to sleep!
I'm no kid any more, but I can tell when I'm getting cranky. And yesterday after a 5:00 rising and a series of high-stress meetings, I came home and was faced with something that I absolutely did not want to do. I often find that my feelings of "absolutely do not want to" soften if I just get some rest. So after a 7:30 bedtime last night, we're up and at 'em this morning.
I'm no kid any more, but I can tell when I'm getting cranky. And yesterday after a 5:00 rising and a series of high-stress meetings, I came home and was faced with something that I absolutely did not want to do. I often find that my feelings of "absolutely do not want to" soften if I just get some rest. So after a 7:30 bedtime last night, we're up and at 'em this morning.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
ICE Is Nice
A friend forwarded this to me:
Apparently this is a standard procedure all paramedics follow at the scene of an accident when they come across your cell phone.
ICE - 'In Case of Emergency'
We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.
If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence this 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency) campaign.
The concept of 'ICE' is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell(mobile) phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name 'ICE' ( In Case Of Emergency).
The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as 'ICE.'
For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc. A great idea that will make a difference!
Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile phones today!
Please forward this. It won't take too many 'forwards' before everybody will know about this. It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest.
ICE will speak for you when you are not able to.
Apparently this is a standard procedure all paramedics follow at the scene of an accident when they come across your cell phone.
ICE - 'In Case of Emergency'
We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.
If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence this 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency) campaign.
The concept of 'ICE' is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell(mobile) phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name 'ICE' ( In Case Of Emergency).
The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as 'ICE.'
For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc. A great idea that will make a difference!
Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile phones today!
Please forward this. It won't take too many 'forwards' before everybody will know about this. It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest.
ICE will speak for you when you are not able to.
Open Door Policy
"If the associate happens to be right, it's important to overrule their manager, or whoever they're having the problem with because otherwise the open-door policy isn't any good to anybody." - Sam Walton
The ability to appeal a decision is a vital one in American society, in the home, and at work. No one likes to feel like part of a monarchy, where a single ruler's decision always binds. And knowing that people all make mistakes, why would that make sense anyway if the goal is to reach the best conclusion possible? When managers are overruled, it's important to accept it with grace, even thankfulness for those with the best perspective, and continued support of the co-worker. To do any less is to flash ego.
The ability to appeal a decision is a vital one in American society, in the home, and at work. No one likes to feel like part of a monarchy, where a single ruler's decision always binds. And knowing that people all make mistakes, why would that make sense anyway if the goal is to reach the best conclusion possible? When managers are overruled, it's important to accept it with grace, even thankfulness for those with the best perspective, and continued support of the co-worker. To do any less is to flash ego.
Oldest Friend
"After a visit, everyone in the store has no doubt that he genuinely appreciates our contributions, no matter how insignificant. Every associate feels like he or she does make a difference. It's almost like having your oldest friend come just to see if you're okay. He never lets anyone down." - Andy Sims, on Sam Walton
Is that kind of affection a knack, a skill? The ability to talk with people of all backgrounds is a gift, but the kind of true, honest caring that people buy into comes only from a sincere appreciation of all the things that make a person genuinely likable.
Is that kind of affection a knack, a skill? The ability to talk with people of all backgrounds is a gift, but the kind of true, honest caring that people buy into comes only from a sincere appreciation of all the things that make a person genuinely likable.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Mr. Positivity's Journal
One of my new year's resolutions last year was to journal an attempt to be more positive for a month. One idea I had was to be more intentional about monitoring my moods - "what gets measured gets done," so how would someone become more positive without paying better attention?
Today it didn't take long for work to derail my attempt to monitor. My little notebook reads: "8:00, happy." I did think about it around noon, and again around 7:00, but there's definitely room for improvement!
Still, there was progress because my awareness was higher. During a meeting reviewing potential interview candidates a memory flashed through my head of a woman who we'd hired years ago and didn't turn out so well, being quirky to boot. I had the opportunity to get a laugh by making fun of that former co-worker, but held off. If the first step is to stop thoughts from becoming words, maybe the thoughts will eventually get tired and go away!
Today it didn't take long for work to derail my attempt to monitor. My little notebook reads: "8:00, happy." I did think about it around noon, and again around 7:00, but there's definitely room for improvement!
Still, there was progress because my awareness was higher. During a meeting reviewing potential interview candidates a memory flashed through my head of a woman who we'd hired years ago and didn't turn out so well, being quirky to boot. I had the opportunity to get a laugh by making fun of that former co-worker, but held off. If the first step is to stop thoughts from becoming words, maybe the thoughts will eventually get tired and go away!
5 Ways To Protect Yourself From Cold/Flu
From the Internet:
The season is changing and we have finally arrived at that bittersweet time of Daylight Savings. I always feel like this simple one-hour time change throws me into a pretty significant physiological shift. For me, it also marks the beginning of the flu and cold season.
Ever wonder why the winter months are when we get sick the most? While many experts have their myriad reasons, the culprit is not as simple as "it's cold outside."
There are few steps that you can take to protect yourself and your family from what seems to be the inevitable flu. The guardian of the health of our body is the immune system. While intangible and challenging to identify, the immune system has very specific signs and symptoms.
For a moment, put aside the traditional considerations for assessing health. Instead, I’d like you to consider some new approaches and angles that will provide you with insight into the likelihood that you will stay healthy or get sick this winter season.
1. Sugar and processed foods impact the immune system.
Studies have shown that through a complex system of chemical processes sugar and processed foods depress the immune system. There exists a direct link between the amount of these foods that you consume and your health.
Obvious foods such as sodas, candy, cookies, ice cream, and potato chips are the big guns that should be kept concealed.
Even more disturbing are the foods that you think are healthy that hide sugar and many refined ingredients: yogurt, and yogurt drinks and “pops;”most cereals; juices; fruit roll ups and “leathers;” “healthy” cookies and treats, soy ice cream and frozen treats. While being marketed as healthy choices, these foods aren’t much better than the obvious poor choices. Work hard during flu season to keep these foods away. Read ingredient labels and watch out for: corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup or “HFCS,” brown rice syrup, fructose, sucrose, barleymalt and the obvious, sugar.
2. Fresh foods offer the highest quality vitamins.
It’s shocking to me how often I see people turn to orange juice for vitamin C in an effort to fight off a cold or flu.
It is important to understand that the majority of vitamin C in orange juice is added after processing. Vitamin C and others like zinc, vitamin E, and magnesium help to support the immune system and are a great defense during flu season.
Choose better by eating fresh whole foods such as cherries, berries, and apples, and vegetables such as spinach, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots and sweet potatoes.
I know you probably hear this suggestion all the time, but it can’t be stressed enough. It is imperative to find creative ways to prepare vegetables. Sautee, roast or grill vegetables with olive oil or real butter, add some fresh sea salt or sprinkle with organic low fat cheese and kids will be more likely to eat.
3. Sleep will boost the immune system.
At night while we rest, the body is working to rebuild the immune system. Deep sleep allows a complex set of hormonal changes that recharge the body so that it’s resilient the next day. Get a full night sleep of 8-10 hours.
Stick to a regular schedule. Resist the temptation to stay up late and watch that favorite show.
4. Fatigue is the first sign of a distressed immune system.
As already stated, the immune system desperately needs sleep to keep the body healthy. When the immune system is fighting to keep you healthy, it requests that the body get extra rest to help in the fight.
If you seem more fatigued than usual, it could be a very strong signal that you are on the brink of getting sick.
The best way to fight off a cold or flu is to act immediately and get extra rest. Pay attention to the health of others around you such as those at work. If you hear of a bug “going around” and you notice that you're tired, there’s a good chance that extra sleep will ward off the cold or flu. This is the time to take a mid-day nap.
5. Wash hands frequently, but avoid antibacterial products.
This seems counterintuitive, but the best way to kill environmental germs is to use soap and hot water and scrub hands thoroughly. Bacteria live all around us. They are on every surface we touch and in every breath we take. Without bacteria, our immune system wouldn’t learn to be strong.
Our internal bacterial system fights off invaders and thereby gets more effective at winning the battle. It’s just like working out: In order to become stronger, you must work hard in the gym. Your body is a bacterial gym. Again, this comes back to the immune system. If you foster a strong immune system, your body will fight off invaders and therefore become more resilient to future battles. While it is imperative to wash hands frequently during flu season, remember that the hands are only one very small way that germs enter your system. Killing off the germs on hands with antibacterial products is futile and weakens your - and the world’s- future ability to confront germs.
The season is changing and we have finally arrived at that bittersweet time of Daylight Savings. I always feel like this simple one-hour time change throws me into a pretty significant physiological shift. For me, it also marks the beginning of the flu and cold season.
Ever wonder why the winter months are when we get sick the most? While many experts have their myriad reasons, the culprit is not as simple as "it's cold outside."
There are few steps that you can take to protect yourself and your family from what seems to be the inevitable flu. The guardian of the health of our body is the immune system. While intangible and challenging to identify, the immune system has very specific signs and symptoms.
For a moment, put aside the traditional considerations for assessing health. Instead, I’d like you to consider some new approaches and angles that will provide you with insight into the likelihood that you will stay healthy or get sick this winter season.
1. Sugar and processed foods impact the immune system.
Studies have shown that through a complex system of chemical processes sugar and processed foods depress the immune system. There exists a direct link between the amount of these foods that you consume and your health.
Obvious foods such as sodas, candy, cookies, ice cream, and potato chips are the big guns that should be kept concealed.
Even more disturbing are the foods that you think are healthy that hide sugar and many refined ingredients: yogurt, and yogurt drinks and “pops;”most cereals; juices; fruit roll ups and “leathers;” “healthy” cookies and treats, soy ice cream and frozen treats. While being marketed as healthy choices, these foods aren’t much better than the obvious poor choices. Work hard during flu season to keep these foods away. Read ingredient labels and watch out for: corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup or “HFCS,” brown rice syrup, fructose, sucrose, barleymalt and the obvious, sugar.
2. Fresh foods offer the highest quality vitamins.
It’s shocking to me how often I see people turn to orange juice for vitamin C in an effort to fight off a cold or flu.
It is important to understand that the majority of vitamin C in orange juice is added after processing. Vitamin C and others like zinc, vitamin E, and magnesium help to support the immune system and are a great defense during flu season.
Choose better by eating fresh whole foods such as cherries, berries, and apples, and vegetables such as spinach, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots and sweet potatoes.
I know you probably hear this suggestion all the time, but it can’t be stressed enough. It is imperative to find creative ways to prepare vegetables. Sautee, roast or grill vegetables with olive oil or real butter, add some fresh sea salt or sprinkle with organic low fat cheese and kids will be more likely to eat.
3. Sleep will boost the immune system.
At night while we rest, the body is working to rebuild the immune system. Deep sleep allows a complex set of hormonal changes that recharge the body so that it’s resilient the next day. Get a full night sleep of 8-10 hours.
Stick to a regular schedule. Resist the temptation to stay up late and watch that favorite show.
4. Fatigue is the first sign of a distressed immune system.
As already stated, the immune system desperately needs sleep to keep the body healthy. When the immune system is fighting to keep you healthy, it requests that the body get extra rest to help in the fight.
If you seem more fatigued than usual, it could be a very strong signal that you are on the brink of getting sick.
The best way to fight off a cold or flu is to act immediately and get extra rest. Pay attention to the health of others around you such as those at work. If you hear of a bug “going around” and you notice that you're tired, there’s a good chance that extra sleep will ward off the cold or flu. This is the time to take a mid-day nap.
5. Wash hands frequently, but avoid antibacterial products.
This seems counterintuitive, but the best way to kill environmental germs is to use soap and hot water and scrub hands thoroughly. Bacteria live all around us. They are on every surface we touch and in every breath we take. Without bacteria, our immune system wouldn’t learn to be strong.
Our internal bacterial system fights off invaders and thereby gets more effective at winning the battle. It’s just like working out: In order to become stronger, you must work hard in the gym. Your body is a bacterial gym. Again, this comes back to the immune system. If you foster a strong immune system, your body will fight off invaders and therefore become more resilient to future battles. While it is imperative to wash hands frequently during flu season, remember that the hands are only one very small way that germs enter your system. Killing off the germs on hands with antibacterial products is futile and weakens your - and the world’s- future ability to confront germs.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
All-Time Chimp
"I really looked up to monkeys as a kid. Monkeys have contributed a lot to society in their way. They were the first astronauts in the Sixties. Which I'm sure made perfect sense in the monkey brain. 'I see, so instead of the little bellhop uniform, you want me to get into a rocket and orbit the earth at supersonic speed. Yeah, I think that is the next logical step for me. Because, I been working with the Italian guy and the crank organ and I feel I'm ready to handle the maximum re-entry G-forces.'" - Jerry Seinfeld
Complaining: Why Not?
"Complaining does not work as a strategy. We all have finite time and energy. Any time we spend whining is unlikely to help us achieve our goals. And it won't make us happier." - Randy Pausch
Friday, November 28, 2008
Taking Some Time
From Lou Tice:
How can the ancient tradition of Sabbath help you perform better at work and
feel energized and much more creative?
The ancient idea of Sabbath makes sense in modern times, too, and not just
in a religious way. How often do you set aside some time for yourself where
you entirely alter your routines? That is what is supposed to happen on the
Sabbath, or on a sabbatical, which comes from the same root word.
Sabbaticals are sometimes necessary if we are to stay fresh and creative. A
highly successful businessman I know took nine weeks off from his job. He
called it a sabbatical, and he went to Maine where he designed a barn and
took a photography course. When he came back to work, he told me that he was
filled with new ideas and felt much better equipped to lead.
Now, perhaps you are not in a position to take nine weeks off. But no matter
how busy you are, you can build in some time for short sabbaticals, even if
they are only two or three days at a time. Get off the main thoroughfare of
your life and live in an entirely different way for a while! Walk instead of
ride. Plant trees if you work in an office. Take a computer class if you
plant trees for a living. You get the idea.
You will find yourself feeling refreshed, revitalized and renewed. Try it
and see.
How can the ancient tradition of Sabbath help you perform better at work and
feel energized and much more creative?
The ancient idea of Sabbath makes sense in modern times, too, and not just
in a religious way. How often do you set aside some time for yourself where
you entirely alter your routines? That is what is supposed to happen on the
Sabbath, or on a sabbatical, which comes from the same root word.
Sabbaticals are sometimes necessary if we are to stay fresh and creative. A
highly successful businessman I know took nine weeks off from his job. He
called it a sabbatical, and he went to Maine where he designed a barn and
took a photography course. When he came back to work, he told me that he was
filled with new ideas and felt much better equipped to lead.
Now, perhaps you are not in a position to take nine weeks off. But no matter
how busy you are, you can build in some time for short sabbaticals, even if
they are only two or three days at a time. Get off the main thoroughfare of
your life and live in an entirely different way for a while! Walk instead of
ride. Plant trees if you work in an office. Take a computer class if you
plant trees for a living. You get the idea.
You will find yourself feeling refreshed, revitalized and renewed. Try it
and see.
You Will Think This Is A Great Article
From Lou Tice:
Do you know what a self-fulfilling prophecy is? If you do, do you know how
it works?
Most people know that a self-fulfilling prophecy is an event, which, because
it is predicted and expected, is therefore more likely to happen, and even
be caused to happen.
Here's one of my favorite examples. According to "Success Magazine," two
different groups of psychologists were asked to observe the same child at
play. One group was told beforehand that the child was emotionally
disturbed. The other group was told that the child was a genius. When the
psychologists were asked to report on their observations, each group had
found evidence to support their preconceived ideas.
Now, it is important to realize that self-fulfilling prophecies are everyday
experiences - not just laboratory experiments. What do you expect your day
to be like when you get up in the morning? How do you expect your kids to
behave? How much success do you expect for yourself?
If you predict failure, failure is generally what you'll find, and if you
expect excellence, excellence is very likely what you'll see. How we think
about a situation determines how we behave, and how we behave, more than
anything else, determines the results we get.
That's how self-fulfilling prophecies work - there is nothing magical about
it. What you get in life is pretty much what you think and believe coming
back at you. So, what do you expect for tomorrow?
Do you know what a self-fulfilling prophecy is? If you do, do you know how
it works?
Most people know that a self-fulfilling prophecy is an event, which, because
it is predicted and expected, is therefore more likely to happen, and even
be caused to happen.
Here's one of my favorite examples. According to "Success Magazine," two
different groups of psychologists were asked to observe the same child at
play. One group was told beforehand that the child was emotionally
disturbed. The other group was told that the child was a genius. When the
psychologists were asked to report on their observations, each group had
found evidence to support their preconceived ideas.
Now, it is important to realize that self-fulfilling prophecies are everyday
experiences - not just laboratory experiments. What do you expect your day
to be like when you get up in the morning? How do you expect your kids to
behave? How much success do you expect for yourself?
If you predict failure, failure is generally what you'll find, and if you
expect excellence, excellence is very likely what you'll see. How we think
about a situation determines how we behave, and how we behave, more than
anything else, determines the results we get.
That's how self-fulfilling prophecies work - there is nothing magical about
it. What you get in life is pretty much what you think and believe coming
back at you. So, what do you expect for tomorrow?
Follow The Zebra
In the book "Zebras Don't Get Ulcers," the typical zebra day is described as tedium punctuated by very anxious moments. One moment the zebra is hanging out with his buddies, eating grass, and gossiping about the wildebeest, and the next moment a ferocious lion is breaking up the party. The zebra reacts, physiologically speaking, like the rest of us might. His heart rate quickens, his system is flooded with adrenaline and cortisol, and he runs away. But an interesting thing happens once the zebra has reached safety: all of his physiological stress responses diminish and the zebra returns back to his normal business-as-usual attitude. Unfortunately humans - because of our unique ability to predict the future and remember the past - are not always so resilient.
We have greater capacity for chronic stress. It increases risk of stroke and heart disease. It directly triggers heart attacks.
Fortunately, most of us live in a society where we're safe from lions. We can afford to forget the terrors and stresses of the past. If we can just do it!
We have greater capacity for chronic stress. It increases risk of stroke and heart disease. It directly triggers heart attacks.
Fortunately, most of us live in a society where we're safe from lions. We can afford to forget the terrors and stresses of the past. If we can just do it!
Brick Walls
A man's girlfriend of many years suddenly told him that she didn't love him. It had been a long-distance relationship and he was in town for just the week.
"In the hotel, I spent much of the day on the phone with my parents, telling them about the brick wall I'd just smashed into. Their advice was incredible.
'Look,' my dad said. 'I don't think she means it. It's not consistent with her behavior thus far. You've asked her to pull up roots and run away with you. She's probably confused and scared to death. If she doesn't really love you, then it's over. And if she does love you, then love will win out.'
I asked my parents what I should do.
'Be supportive,' my mom said. 'If you love her, support her.'
And so I did that. I spent that week teaching, hanging out in an office up the hall from her. I stopped by a couple of times, however, just to see if she was all right. 'I just wanted to see how you are,' I'd say. 'If there's anything I can do, let me know.'
A few days later, she called. 'Well, I'm sitting here missing you, just wishing you were here. That means something, doesn't it?'
She had come to a realization: She was in love, after all. Once again, my parents had come through. Love had won out. At week's end, she moved to Pittsburgh.
Brick walls are there for a reason. They give us a chance to see how badly we want something." - Randy Pausch
"In the hotel, I spent much of the day on the phone with my parents, telling them about the brick wall I'd just smashed into. Their advice was incredible.
'Look,' my dad said. 'I don't think she means it. It's not consistent with her behavior thus far. You've asked her to pull up roots and run away with you. She's probably confused and scared to death. If she doesn't really love you, then it's over. And if she does love you, then love will win out.'
I asked my parents what I should do.
'Be supportive,' my mom said. 'If you love her, support her.'
And so I did that. I spent that week teaching, hanging out in an office up the hall from her. I stopped by a couple of times, however, just to see if she was all right. 'I just wanted to see how you are,' I'd say. 'If there's anything I can do, let me know.'
A few days later, she called. 'Well, I'm sitting here missing you, just wishing you were here. That means something, doesn't it?'
She had come to a realization: She was in love, after all. Once again, my parents had come through. Love had won out. At week's end, she moved to Pittsburgh.
Brick walls are there for a reason. They give us a chance to see how badly we want something." - Randy Pausch
Thanksgiving
"Keeping so many people motivated to do the best job possible involves a lot of the different programs and approaches we've developed at Wal-Mart over the years, but none of them would work at all without one simple thing that puts it all together: appreciation." - Sam Walton
Dena and I took a walk on Thanksgiving, and it's easy to rack up a list of things to be thankful for:
- good health, as I've learned a lot about managing any back pain
- good job, and co-workers who know how to have fun
- good family
- good friends, through LMC and other activities
- good home and neighbors
- freedom to do just about anything at the drop of a hat
- freedom from danger, living in the U.S.A.
Thankfulness is a great exercise of peace, and my favorite form of meditation.
Dena and I took a walk on Thanksgiving, and it's easy to rack up a list of things to be thankful for:
- good health, as I've learned a lot about managing any back pain
- good job, and co-workers who know how to have fun
- good family
- good friends, through LMC and other activities
- good home and neighbors
- freedom to do just about anything at the drop of a hat
- freedom from danger, living in the U.S.A.
Thankfulness is a great exercise of peace, and my favorite form of meditation.
Check Your Work(ers)
"You've got to give folks responsibility, you've got to trust them, and then you've got to check on them." - Sam Walton
People like responsibility, and the freedom to use it as best and creatively as they can. And people have weaknesses. Checking up on people isn't an insult, it's an acknowledgement of human nature.
People like responsibility, and the freedom to use it as best and creatively as they can. And people have weaknesses. Checking up on people isn't an insult, it's an acknowledgement of human nature.
Monday, November 24, 2008
I Love That You Hate Me
I heard this quote from a pastor last week:
"I love it when people say they don't like me, 'cause they're honest."
Someone, somewhere, doesn't like something about us. And to some extent that's fine. But if we want to improve, we come out ahead if someone gives us tips. And we make it easier by asking for tips.
"I love it when people say they don't like me, 'cause they're honest."
Someone, somewhere, doesn't like something about us. And to some extent that's fine. But if we want to improve, we come out ahead if someone gives us tips. And we make it easier by asking for tips.
A Sermon For Managing Expenses
"We didn't pay much. I wasn't that I was intentionally heartless. I wanted everyone to do well for themselves. It's just that in my very early days in the business, I was so doggoned blinded to the most basic truth, really the principle that later became the foundation of Wal-Mart's success. You see, no matter how you slice it in the retail business, payroll is one of the most important parts of overhead, and overhead is one of the most crucial things you have to fight to maintain your profit margin. That was true then, and it's still true today. Back then, though, I was so obsessed with turning in a profit margin of 6 percent or higher that I ignored some of the basic needs of our people, and I feel bad about it.
The larger truth that I failed to see turned out to be another of those paradoxes - like the discounters' principle of the less you charge, the more you'll earn. And here it is: the more you share profits with your associates - whether it's in salaries or incentives or bonuses or stock discounts - the more profit will accrue to the company. Why? Because the way management treats associates is exactly how the associates will then treat the customers. And if the associates treat the customers well, the customers will return again and again, and that is where the real profit in this business lies, not in trying to drag strangers into your stores for one-time purchases based on splashy sales or expensive advertising. Satisfied, loyal, repeat customers are at the heart of Wal-Mart's spectacular profit margins, and those customers are loyal to us because our associates treat them better than salespeople in other stores do. So, in the whole scheme of things, the most important contact ever made is between the associate in the store and the customer." - Sam Walton
The larger truth that I failed to see turned out to be another of those paradoxes - like the discounters' principle of the less you charge, the more you'll earn. And here it is: the more you share profits with your associates - whether it's in salaries or incentives or bonuses or stock discounts - the more profit will accrue to the company. Why? Because the way management treats associates is exactly how the associates will then treat the customers. And if the associates treat the customers well, the customers will return again and again, and that is where the real profit in this business lies, not in trying to drag strangers into your stores for one-time purchases based on splashy sales or expensive advertising. Satisfied, loyal, repeat customers are at the heart of Wal-Mart's spectacular profit margins, and those customers are loyal to us because our associates treat them better than salespeople in other stores do. So, in the whole scheme of things, the most important contact ever made is between the associate in the store and the customer." - Sam Walton
Forget About It!
"I guess it could be called management by wearing you down." - David Glass, Wal-Mart employee
"You might call his style: management by looking over your shoulder." - A.L. Johnson, Vice President, Wal-Mart
Okay, so I don't agree with everything that Sam Walton did! There's a line to draw between interest and interference. The former is appreciated, the latter not so much.
"You might call his style: management by looking over your shoulder." - A.L. Johnson, Vice President, Wal-Mart
Okay, so I don't agree with everything that Sam Walton did! There's a line to draw between interest and interference. The former is appreciated, the latter not so much.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Walton's List
"Except for reading my numbers on Saturday morning and going to our regular meetings, I don't have much of a routine for anything else. I always carry my little tape recorder on trips, to record ideas that come up in my conversations with the associates. I usually have my yellow legal pad with me, with a list of ten or fifteen things we need to be working on as a company. My list drives the executives around here crazy, but it's probably one of my more important contributions." - Sam Walton
In recent years I've become a checklist-maker. I carry some type of writing pad with me, and whenever someone gives me a good idea or a task to do, I draw a small rectangular checkbox, and then write the task next to it. When I complete that task, I check the box. In the meantime, it reminds me of what needs doing. I also use that pad to record good ideas like the ones that the LMC class poured out last night during our end-of-day debriefing. We're going to pass that input along to the Steering Committee and see what kind of difference it makes.
Sam Walton described himself as thoroughly unorganized. So if he finds success by list making, how much more might we find who are more organized naturally?
In recent years I've become a checklist-maker. I carry some type of writing pad with me, and whenever someone gives me a good idea or a task to do, I draw a small rectangular checkbox, and then write the task next to it. When I complete that task, I check the box. In the meantime, it reminds me of what needs doing. I also use that pad to record good ideas like the ones that the LMC class poured out last night during our end-of-day debriefing. We're going to pass that input along to the Steering Committee and see what kind of difference it makes.
Sam Walton described himself as thoroughly unorganized. So if he finds success by list making, how much more might we find who are more organized naturally?
Midwest Food Bank
Yesterday we visited there as part of Leadership McLean County. It's an inspiring story, one that's better told through their web site than through any ramblings I could write.
http://www.midwestfoodbank.org/?link=home
http://www.midwestfoodbank.org/?link=home
Dena Saves Home From Suicide Dryer Attack
So Dena was running a load of laundry through the dryer last night. In recent years, we've started using the lower settings on the 15-year old machine since it runs a little hot. But last night, after 2-3 minutes, Dena picked up an odd smell and scurried over to it. When she opened it up, the venting grate at the rear was red-hot, as well as some of the clothes inside. Who knows what would have happened if she had walked upstairs after starting the machine? When I did the same for our microwave some months ago, it took all day to remove the smoky smell from the carpet, furniture and clothes. What kind of fire would this have drawn? Thank goodness the only inconvenience out of this will be using part of a Saturday to shop for a new dryer! Sometimes everyday heroes like Dena become national heroes because of a single incident. This is not one of those times. Still, it rocks!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Close Counter
"I've been asked if I was a hands-on manager or an arm's-length type. I think really I'm more of a manager by walking and flying around, and in the process I stick my fingers into everything I can to see how it's coming along. I've let your executives make their decisions - and their mistakes - but I've critiques and advised them. My appreciation for numbers had kept me close to our operational statements, and to all the other information we have pouring in from so many different places. In that sense, I think my style as an executive has been pretty much dictated by my talents. I've played to my strengths and relied on others to make up for my weaknesses." - Sam Walton
I do love so-called "dashboards" of key information as a manager - who wouldn't want to have one when driving a car? - but I haven't arranged them in my new job just yet. As usual, trust has to be built first. In any relationship, it must be proved that you care before much else is taken seriously. At any rate, keeping in the numbers like Sam did is a nice way to show my interest in the work without interfering with it.
And as for strengths - yesterday was a very good day at work. Why? I'm charged with developing the department's annual plan, and since it's a form of writing and facilitating, Hidden Blog readers can understand why it was hardly a problem to power my way through it until 8:00 last night. That type of project fires me up.
I do love so-called "dashboards" of key information as a manager - who wouldn't want to have one when driving a car? - but I haven't arranged them in my new job just yet. As usual, trust has to be built first. In any relationship, it must be proved that you care before much else is taken seriously. At any rate, keeping in the numbers like Sam did is a nice way to show my interest in the work without interfering with it.
And as for strengths - yesterday was a very good day at work. Why? I'm charged with developing the department's annual plan, and since it's a form of writing and facilitating, Hidden Blog readers can understand why it was hardly a problem to power my way through it until 8:00 last night. That type of project fires me up.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Dramatic National Championship
Have I posted this before? Don't know. Don't care. Love it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XafWnuJWYvA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XafWnuJWYvA
Under The Weather
Note to weathermen: Get some sleep before you go on the air.
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/156/
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/156/
Two Great Gifts
"My role has been to pick good people and give them maximum authority and responsibility." - Sam Walton
Forgive And Get Out
"My boss was Ferold Arend, and he told me we were going to set a new record of opening a store in three weeks. I said okay. But he had made a mistake by a week so we really had a target date of two weeks from the day we began. We tried desperately, but we didn't quite make it. We opened on Thanksgiving Day, and the store was horrible. I was standing out in front when Sam [Walton] drove up. He saw the disaster, but he was smart enough to know how hard we'd been working and that if he told the truth we would have just disintegrated. He said, 'The store looks really good, guys.' And he drove away and left us."
In Sam's shoes I probably would have said something more accurate like "Thanks for all your hard work here, fellas," but the point is that you have to appreciate a person who knows when to ease up on the reins.
In Sam's shoes I probably would have said something more accurate like "Thanks for all your hard work here, fellas," but the point is that you have to appreciate a person who knows when to ease up on the reins.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Cookie Momster
"But I have to say I enjoy adulthood. In enjoy the fact that now, if I want a cookie, I have a cookie. Okay? I have three cookies or four cookies or eleven cookies if I want. What was the big deal with the cookies? 'Not before dinner.' 'Not too many.' 'You've had enough.' 'Not now.' Well, now I'm a grown-up, give me the cookies! many times I will intentionally ruin my entire appetite. Beyond recognition. Then I call my mother up right after it to tell her. 'Hello, Mom? I just ruined my entire appetite... cookies.' So what if I ruin it? See, as adults we understand, even if you ruin an appetite, there's another appetite coming right behind it. I see no danger in running out of appetites." - Jerry Seinfeld
Nun Sense
"Indeed, nuns who used a number of different positive emotion words in their autobiographies - happy, interested, love, hope, grateful, eager, contented, amusement - lived, on average, over ten years longer than those who used few such words." - Ed Diener
If it's good enough for God, is it good enough for you?
If it's good enough for God, is it good enough for you?
What's All The Promotion About?
"It really is amazing how much merchandise you can move with just a little promotion." - Sam Walton
In business, promotion is a mixture of placement, wording, and enthusiasm.
In relationships, genuine appreciation is promotion.
In business, promotion is a mixture of placement, wording, and enthusiasm.
In relationships, genuine appreciation is promotion.
Free Speech
"We all loved to find unusual items and store managers had a lot of freedom to try different things." - Sam Walton
"I think a lot of companies would have fired Phil for that one, but we always felt we had to try some of this crazy stuff."
Freedom is my most cherished value. Most of what people call sins are in fact restrictions on others' freedoms - freedom from pain or loss. When we act to preserve virtuous freedoms, we sow happiness. Freedom brings people's creativity to life. It brings failure, and through failure, eventually success.
"I think a lot of companies would have fired Phil for that one, but we always felt we had to try some of this crazy stuff."
Freedom is my most cherished value. Most of what people call sins are in fact restrictions on others' freedoms - freedom from pain or loss. When we act to preserve virtuous freedoms, we sow happiness. Freedom brings people's creativity to life. It brings failure, and through failure, eventually success.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
She Deserves A Coroner Office
Forget everything your mind might conjure up about the word "coroner." Beth Kimmerling, the coroner of McLean County, is the best example I have of passion leading to greatness. I offered to write an article for her in support of her recent re-election, but she didn't need it, her 61,000 votes were the most of any elected official.
A coroner? Yep.
Even a regular blogger like me has a hard time putting it into words adequately.
Her father was a funeral director, and she loved to ask about how such-and-such person died, and why. Though she got a degree in business - the popular, default choice - she started over from scratch and got her nursing degree.
Coroners determine the cause and manner of death (1,200 in the county per year), coordinate autopsies and special "inquests" where a jury weighs on the manner of death based on the forensic evidence. They prod and explore dead bodies, sometimes bloodied, dismembered, burned, outside in freezing temps, or infant. They deliver heartbreaking news to loved ones of the deceased. The office is on call at all hours of the day, naturally. They get paid much less than I do.
She insists on breaking bad news personally. She loves to talk about her job and does it in plain English, defining several basic terms. She teaches with case studies, she finds humane ways of saying things like "it's not compatible with life." She exercises daily, to cleanse her mind and stay focused. She hates asking people for money. She senses when her staff is a little burned out and gives them a day off to recuperate.
61,000 votes seems low!
A coroner? Yep.
Even a regular blogger like me has a hard time putting it into words adequately.
Her father was a funeral director, and she loved to ask about how such-and-such person died, and why. Though she got a degree in business - the popular, default choice - she started over from scratch and got her nursing degree.
Coroners determine the cause and manner of death (1,200 in the county per year), coordinate autopsies and special "inquests" where a jury weighs on the manner of death based on the forensic evidence. They prod and explore dead bodies, sometimes bloodied, dismembered, burned, outside in freezing temps, or infant. They deliver heartbreaking news to loved ones of the deceased. The office is on call at all hours of the day, naturally. They get paid much less than I do.
She insists on breaking bad news personally. She loves to talk about her job and does it in plain English, defining several basic terms. She teaches with case studies, she finds humane ways of saying things like "it's not compatible with life." She exercises daily, to cleanse her mind and stay focused. She hates asking people for money. She senses when her staff is a little burned out and gives them a day off to recuperate.
61,000 votes seems low!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Not A Miracle, But Close
Notice: The following blog entry contains math. And yet the surgeon general has determined that it is easily readable. So soldier on.
A friend of mine is a freshman in a college math class, and she occasionally asks me to review or help answer some homework assignment questions via e-mail.
She sent me this question:
2) Consider the curve defined by the equation y+cosy= x+1 [0,y][y,2pi]
a) find dy/dx in terms of y
Being 15 years removed from this stuff, I decided to Google the phrase "dy/dx in terms of y" hoping that I could get a refresher on the basics. And guess what? The first item found in the search was this one:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071019001332AAg5HRU
It not only provided a sample problem to illustrate how to solve for dy/dx generally, it provided the EXACT PROBLEM from her assignment. The odds against this are incalculable. Someone's deity hard at work!
A friend of mine is a freshman in a college math class, and she occasionally asks me to review or help answer some homework assignment questions via e-mail.
She sent me this question:
2) Consider the curve defined by the equation y+cosy= x+1 [0,y][y,2pi]
a) find dy/dx in terms of y
Being 15 years removed from this stuff, I decided to Google the phrase "dy/dx in terms of y" hoping that I could get a refresher on the basics. And guess what? The first item found in the search was this one:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071019001332AAg5HRU
It not only provided a sample problem to illustrate how to solve for dy/dx generally, it provided the EXACT PROBLEM from her assignment. The odds against this are incalculable. Someone's deity hard at work!
Cereal Killer?
"I hated those little snack-pack cereals. Still do. Don't like portion control.
And on the side they would explain how to cut along the perforated lines and pour the milk right into the box.
What was the point of this? Pretending that your parents couldn't afford a bowl?"
- Jerry Seinfeld
And on the side they would explain how to cut along the perforated lines and pour the milk right into the box.
What was the point of this? Pretending that your parents couldn't afford a bowl?"
- Jerry Seinfeld
It's Either Happy Or It's Snot
A research team surveyed a group of subjects to determine their general happiness level prior to the experiement. Then during the experiment, each was injected with a cold virus, and isolated for several days. Those research interns (no doubt) assigned to measure the results found that happier people not only thought they were healthier, but the volume of mucus produced demonstrated that they were healthier.
Shake It Off
"Two things about Sam Walton distinguish him from almost everyone else I know. First, he gets up every day bound and determined to improve something. Second, he is less afraid of being wrong than anyone I've every know. And once he sees he's wrong, he just shakes it off and heads in another direction." - David Glass
Around here (and for a reformed night owl like myself) the sky's dark this time of year when the morning alarm goes off. How much brighter would each day be if two things were true:
1. We were certain that we would improve the world that day.
2. We were as indestructible as Superman?
Isn't "indestructible" more of a physical myth than a mental one? Being mentally strong does take exercise like any other kind of strength, but the right self-image - that we can shake anything off - will in time become our reputation and a living part of us if we can master it.
Around here (and for a reformed night owl like myself) the sky's dark this time of year when the morning alarm goes off. How much brighter would each day be if two things were true:
1. We were certain that we would improve the world that day.
2. We were as indestructible as Superman?
Isn't "indestructible" more of a physical myth than a mental one? Being mentally strong does take exercise like any other kind of strength, but the right self-image - that we can shake anything off - will in time become our reputation and a living part of us if we can master it.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Parallels Between Obama, Lincoln
A look at some of the parallels in the lives of Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama:
• Reached national prominence in Illinois after being raised elsewhere: Lincoln in Kentucky and Indiana, Obama in Hawaii and Indonesia.
• Served eight years in the Illinois Legislature: Lincoln in the state House, Obama in the state Senate.
• Spent two years in Washington before running for president: Lincoln served one term in Congress, while Obama was two years into a Senate term when he announced.
• Spoke out, while still political unknowns, against the United States declaring war: Lincoln criticized the Mexican-American War while in Congress. Obama opposed invading Iraq.
• Reached national prominence on the strength of oratorical skills: Lincoln made his name with the Lincoln-Douglas debates and famous addresses such as his “House Divided” and Cooper Union speeches. Obama wowed people with his keynote address at the 2004 Democratic convention.
• Reached national prominence in Illinois after being raised elsewhere: Lincoln in Kentucky and Indiana, Obama in Hawaii and Indonesia.
• Served eight years in the Illinois Legislature: Lincoln in the state House, Obama in the state Senate.
• Spent two years in Washington before running for president: Lincoln served one term in Congress, while Obama was two years into a Senate term when he announced.
• Spoke out, while still political unknowns, against the United States declaring war: Lincoln criticized the Mexican-American War while in Congress. Obama opposed invading Iraq.
• Reached national prominence on the strength of oratorical skills: Lincoln made his name with the Lincoln-Douglas debates and famous addresses such as his “House Divided” and Cooper Union speeches. Obama wowed people with his keynote address at the 2004 Democratic convention.
Exercise Without Motion
"Your physician could assign you gratitude exercises and savoring training to reduce your unhappy moods and create more positive emotions in you. Among the proof that happiness is beneficial to health is the fact that people who are happy become sick less often than unhappy people. Just imagine a life with fewer doctor's office visits, shorter hospital stays, and more health and vitality! In scientific studies of happy people, those who are satisfied with their lives and have an optimistic outlook tend to report fewer symptoms of illness, and actually get sick less often when measured objectively." - Ed Diener
Some of my exercises:
- Listening to or singing an upbeat song. Though it involves motion, playing the guitar helps wake me up in the morning, which also helps raise my mood.
- Visualizing something I'm looking forward to. This is especially helpful as I'm waking up or falling asleep.
- Counting blessings, such as by thinking of someone less fortunate than me, or just recalling the events of the last day.
Bonus: Though it involves a little motion, drinking water early and regulary through the day helps stave off unwanted hunger pangs, just like brushing teeth keeps plaque away.
Some of my exercises:
- Listening to or singing an upbeat song. Though it involves motion, playing the guitar helps wake me up in the morning, which also helps raise my mood.
- Visualizing something I'm looking forward to. This is especially helpful as I'm waking up or falling asleep.
- Counting blessings, such as by thinking of someone less fortunate than me, or just recalling the events of the last day.
Bonus: Though it involves a little motion, drinking water early and regulary through the day helps stave off unwanted hunger pangs, just like brushing teeth keeps plaque away.
Mr. Xerox
"Most everything I've done I've copied from someone else." - Sam Walton
Billions of human-years of experience around the planet have resulted in some pretty great ideas. Which is faster, to come up with them ourselves or to read them?
Though imperfectly, through the years I've seen things in my bosses that I try to copy.
Susan Waring - (1) She is results-oriented. During her presentations she offers a half-dozen or so figures that illustrate our progress for the year. Within our mentoring relationship she ends each session by asking what we should talk about next time, to make sure it's worth our while. (2) She's inclusive. She established a series of informal visits with groups of employees (hundreds, ultimately) to hear what was on their minds and to share with them some things that were going on.
Barbara Bellissimo - (1) She's also results-oriented. Under her leadership, our company seemed to become more expressive of its plans with target dates. (2) She's a consistent communicator. There was emphasis on "Completed Staff Work" - i.e. a template for bringing a report to a meeting. Regular, weekly communication structure included a preview of upcoming announcements to leadership.
Joe Monk - (1) The guy always seems to have a smile on his face! (2) He has a little cheerleader in him, in a way that expresses just enough vulnerability to give a "regular guy" quality.
Gerry Brogla - (1) When pressure was at its highest, I've seen him become utterly calm, especially in his tone of voice, in a way that helps keep the peace.
Rusty Hendren - (1) He's extroverted and willing to be silly, which greases the wheels of creativity. (2) He is supportive of work/life balance, including flextime and the "dress for your day" policy. (3) He is eternally thankful and generous with praise, with triple exclamation points. (4) He challenges conclusions, and doesn't settle for groupthink.
Rusty Schopp - (1) He's empowering, even rewarding people who used him little in making decisions. (2) He almost never became angry, and brought humor to almost every conversation. (3) He cares about people's personal lives and is open with his own. (4) He is open-minded. More than once he deferred to the group against his better judgment. (5) At the same time, he questions the reasons behind change, not settling for "I don't know why we do it this way."
Billions of human-years of experience around the planet have resulted in some pretty great ideas. Which is faster, to come up with them ourselves or to read them?
Though imperfectly, through the years I've seen things in my bosses that I try to copy.
Susan Waring - (1) She is results-oriented. During her presentations she offers a half-dozen or so figures that illustrate our progress for the year. Within our mentoring relationship she ends each session by asking what we should talk about next time, to make sure it's worth our while. (2) She's inclusive. She established a series of informal visits with groups of employees (hundreds, ultimately) to hear what was on their minds and to share with them some things that were going on.
Barbara Bellissimo - (1) She's also results-oriented. Under her leadership, our company seemed to become more expressive of its plans with target dates. (2) She's a consistent communicator. There was emphasis on "Completed Staff Work" - i.e. a template for bringing a report to a meeting. Regular, weekly communication structure included a preview of upcoming announcements to leadership.
Joe Monk - (1) The guy always seems to have a smile on his face! (2) He has a little cheerleader in him, in a way that expresses just enough vulnerability to give a "regular guy" quality.
Gerry Brogla - (1) When pressure was at its highest, I've seen him become utterly calm, especially in his tone of voice, in a way that helps keep the peace.
Rusty Hendren - (1) He's extroverted and willing to be silly, which greases the wheels of creativity. (2) He is supportive of work/life balance, including flextime and the "dress for your day" policy. (3) He is eternally thankful and generous with praise, with triple exclamation points. (4) He challenges conclusions, and doesn't settle for groupthink.
Rusty Schopp - (1) He's empowering, even rewarding people who used him little in making decisions. (2) He almost never became angry, and brought humor to almost every conversation. (3) He cares about people's personal lives and is open with his own. (4) He is open-minded. More than once he deferred to the group against his better judgment. (5) At the same time, he questions the reasons behind change, not settling for "I don't know why we do it this way."
Saturday, November 8, 2008
May Not Be Suitable For Minors...
...at least not if they want to learn proper form for shooting a basketball.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmsswpD4c7w&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmsswpD4c7w&feature=related
Yes, We Can
I don't pretend to fully understand his stance on all the issues, but my theory is that this type of "Yes, we can" attitude can propel America or any nation toward greatness.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf73EGESd-I&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf73EGESd-I&feature=related
Mahler Or Mozart?
"In an early study, the researchers instructed participants to estimate the steepness of a hill in front of them. The researchers instructed participants to ware a heavy backpack. Under the increased physical load, people guessed that the hill was far steeper than the backpack-free participants had estimated.
In the next round of research, Proffitt and Clore took a new group of participants to the same hill, and played classical music composed by either the upbeat, bouncy Mozart or the despondent Mahler. This time, when the participants made their slope estimates, those who had been subjected to tot emotionally heavy Mahler pieces estimated the steepness of the hill at 31 degrees. Compare this with the estimate of 19 degrees made by those who were treated to the light, flute-filled Mozart compositions."
Mahler: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7sgq-UgWR4&feature=related
Mozart: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM-rNTa8SBk&feature=related
What's your Mahler - Political differences? Bad directions? Hideous fashion?
What's your Mozart - A warm meal? A good night's sleep? A fun game?
Which do you choose to listen to? Which do you allow to fill your head?
In the next round of research, Proffitt and Clore took a new group of participants to the same hill, and played classical music composed by either the upbeat, bouncy Mozart or the despondent Mahler. This time, when the participants made their slope estimates, those who had been subjected to tot emotionally heavy Mahler pieces estimated the steepness of the hill at 31 degrees. Compare this with the estimate of 19 degrees made by those who were treated to the light, flute-filled Mozart compositions."
Mahler: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7sgq-UgWR4&feature=related
Mozart: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM-rNTa8SBk&feature=related
What's your Mahler - Political differences? Bad directions? Hideous fashion?
What's your Mozart - A warm meal? A good night's sleep? A fun game?
Which do you choose to listen to? Which do you allow to fill your head?
It's Why He Wasn't Named Secretary Of The Treasury
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq-eeWow_WU&feature=related
Freedom Writers
I'd forgotten how much I liked this movie. Lessons like:
1. "Fortunate" means being able to walk anywhere in town without fear of being shot at.
2. People of very different cultures have similarities, maybe common music interests, or common hardships. Focus on what unites.
3. Respect is borne of caring.
4. Dream, and chase it.
See it! If you've already seen it, see it again!
1. "Fortunate" means being able to walk anywhere in town without fear of being shot at.
2. People of very different cultures have similarities, maybe common music interests, or common hardships. Focus on what unites.
3. Respect is borne of caring.
4. Dream, and chase it.
See it! If you've already seen it, see it again!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Movie Therapy
"Positive emotions serve to bring us back to our baseline by undoing our negative feelings. Just as sweating helps cool us down to our normal temperature after exercise, happiness can restore us after a negative emotional event. In fact, happiness, like sweating, has a direct effect on our physiological arousal. Fredrickson conducted a study in which she showed short scary movies to the participants. As expected, the films were arousing, and were accompanies by reactions of fear. After screening the horror films, Fredrickson showed clips from funny, neutral, or depressing movies. Participants who saw the amusing clips returned to their baseline cardiovascular levels within twenty seconds, compared with the forty to sixty seconds their counterparts who were exposed to the neutral and negative movies required." - Ed Diener
I don't know about you, but my negative emotions run highest when I'm tired - early in the morning, right after work, or late at night. As I get older I get better at catching myself in these moods. In these situations, it's super helpful for me to blot from my mind anything stressful in nature, whether a tough project at work, a difference of opinion with a teammate, or some failure of the past. Those things frequently flutter in, and if I don't expel them immediately with dreams of retirement, an upcoming date with Dena, or a favorite song then they take root and sprout like crazy. No doubt this habit of squelching bad thoughts with good ones has saved me hours of sleeplessness, tense muscles and artery-clogging plaque!
Excuse me now, we're off to see "Freedom Writers" at the Normal Theater. Ahhhhh....
I don't know about you, but my negative emotions run highest when I'm tired - early in the morning, right after work, or late at night. As I get older I get better at catching myself in these moods. In these situations, it's super helpful for me to blot from my mind anything stressful in nature, whether a tough project at work, a difference of opinion with a teammate, or some failure of the past. Those things frequently flutter in, and if I don't expel them immediately with dreams of retirement, an upcoming date with Dena, or a favorite song then they take root and sprout like crazy. No doubt this habit of squelching bad thoughts with good ones has saved me hours of sleeplessness, tense muscles and artery-clogging plaque!
Excuse me now, we're off to see "Freedom Writers" at the Normal Theater. Ahhhhh....
That Is Crude
I saw this morning where the price of light, sweet crude oil had dropped to $65.30 a gallon. Which raised the question: somebody is taste testing this stuff?
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Electable
"I learned early on that one of the secrets to campus leadership was the simplest thing of all: speak to people coming down the sidewalk before they speak to you. I did that in college. I did it when I carried my papers. I would always look ahead and speak to the person coming toward me. If I knew them, I would call them by name, but even if I didn't I would still speak to them. Before long, I probably knew more students than anybody in the university, and they recognized me and considered me their friend. I ran for every office that came along. I was elected president of the senior men's honor society, an officer in my fraternity, and president of the senior class." - Sam Walton
Though we can't control whether other people will consider us their friend, we can consider other people to be our friend, and planting that kind of seed gives the greatest chance for growing relationships.
Though we can't control whether other people will consider us their friend, we can consider other people to be our friend, and planting that kind of seed gives the greatest chance for growing relationships.
Oh, That's Rich
"If we had enough groceries, a nice place to live, plenty of room to keep and feed my bird dogs, a place to hunt, a place to play tennis, and the means to get the kids good educations - that's rich." - Sam Walton
We've got that... though I choose to shoot hoops rather than animals!
We've got that... though I choose to shoot hoops rather than animals!
Beds For Sale
Now that Jack's moving to California, the two beds from his apartment are for sale.
Check out this baby, just a couple months old and, due to Jack's heavy travel schedule, barely used:
And what about this classic number, slept in by old lady (i.e. it was my Mom's childhood bed):
Check out this baby, just a couple months old and, due to Jack's heavy travel schedule, barely used:
And what about this classic number, slept in by old lady (i.e. it was my Mom's childhood bed):
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Dirty Thoughts
Yesterday while serving as an election judge the evening sunlight started to filter in through the windows near the top of the room in which our election was taking place. It so happened that my role at the moment was to help people deposit their paper ballots into the electronic voting machine. Since that role's most challenging task is to hand "I Voted!" stickers to voters, I had plenty of time to stare into space (I think the ratio there may be even higher than the guys who hold the "Slow" signs in construction zones). It caught my eye that the sunlight bounced off hundreds of thousands of particles of dust floating softly through the air. That dust seemed not unlike misfortune.
Dust is everywhere we go. We can take great steps to reduce it, but we cannot escape it. It can irritate in the smallest doses, it can kill in the largest. It doesn't help to ignore it entirely. But it does help to accept that it's merely part of the air, and to relish the cleanliness and vastness of the rest.
Dust is everywhere we go. We can take great steps to reduce it, but we cannot escape it. It can irritate in the smallest doses, it can kill in the largest. It doesn't help to ignore it entirely. But it does help to accept that it's merely part of the air, and to relish the cleanliness and vastness of the rest.
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