ON SECOND THOUGHT

"On Second Thought..."

Would Christ Recognize Christmas?

If you read my introduction to "On Second Thought" last week you have an idea of what's coming.  


"On Second Thought" is purely my opinion and editorial about a particular topic that may get you to think about an issue in a different light.  Maybe form a new perspective.  


Have you been asked yet how your Christmas went?  Funny how people are curious about what we did, where we went, what we bought, and what we received isn't it?  One gentleman told me about how much he ate over the holiday?  Funny to hear someone tell you that he ate too much goose!


I can remember being in elementary school and you and your friends compared what you got and how many things you were given.  There was a certain amount of "one-ups-manship" as to who got the most or the coolest toys.


Then we become adults.  Our toys get bigger and more expensive.  Like the guy in the commerical who goes to the living room and sees a new Mercedes Benz!   My my he must have been a good boy!


Personally, I'm not a big fan of Christmas.  Now don't get me wrong I had a good one this year.  I had fun with all my loved ones, received some cool gifts, did some fun things, heard Mannheim Steamroller, played with my grand kids...good stuff right?  I'd say so.  Now if it was left to these things, I'd be pretty good with the whole concept.  


But On Second Thought...


I was thinking would Christ recognize His own birthday celebration?  Gosh I wonder.  He wouldn't with the jerk I encountered in a Trader Joe's store.  Hey I know you're still out there weasel boy.  Or the dope who thought the stop sign didn't refer to him.  Or the sheer madness that Christmas has become.  Stop and think about it.  The greatest nation in the history of the world bases its economy on its Christmas sales and yet more individual families will go into debt buying things they can't afford.  Go figure.


 I think Jesus for the most part would be His courteous and gracious self with Christmas.  Appreciative for the recognition.  But maybe He would think that things had gotten a bit out of hand since the manger in Bethlehem.  Ever notice when you read about the Wise Men bearing gifts that they didn't turn to Joseph and say, "what did you get us this year?"  


Our celebration with Christmas has gotten to the point where I read a news story where the following is so unusual it made the internet.  A family decided to fore go their gift buying, kids included, and took the money and used it to help less fortunate families. Imagine that!  


So it got me to thinking.  Can you imagine if a minister announced to his congregation that he was going to promote that every family for just one year, donate the money they were going to spend on gifts and as a church, use the money to make a difference in the community they serve?  Would you like to know how long he'd be preaching there?  OK so he softens his approach and says to his flock, "how about we go 50 - 50 next Christmas?  After all we'll be blessed for doing so."  Sorry but I don't think these sheep are following their shepherd down this path.


But On Second Thought...I bet Jesus would be alright with it.  After all it's His birthday.




Next week's On Second Thought:  Best Friends

On Second Thought

ON SECOND THOUGHT...


You're having a conversation with a friend, family member, or neighbor when they say; 'but on second thought."  


WHOA!  Time out.  Weren't they just sharing a 'first thought' about the conversation you were having with them?  You hear a change in their voice and notice a difference in their body language.  They've had a second thought.  It's as if this second thought negates their first thought.  "Never mind what I just told you".  This second thought will offer a different point of view from what they had just shared.  It's the other side of the coin. 


Second thoughts may reside down the road less traveled.  We may visit a second thought but not long enough to introduce it to anyone else. We just think about it on the inside.  They may at times seem to come from out of the blue.  Sometimes a second thought surprises not only the person who hears it but even the person who speaks it.  Second thoughts may be seen risky as in, "did I really say that? Where did that come from?  What do these people think of me now?"


At times we may have wished we had kept a second thought to ourselves and simply stuck with our first thought.  My mother put it this way: "You know you don't have to say everything you think."  Translated from mom speak: "Please don't say anything that will embarrass either your father or me."  Sorry Mom...well not really.  See having a second thought is that easy.  My first thought was 'ya she's right'...but then on second thought 'why not say what I'm thinking'?


On Second Thought is my new blog dedicated to sharing with you my second thoughts on a variety of topics ranging from; family, politics, life, friends, work, entertainment...really just about anything.  No need to agree with me.  Just hear another person's viewpoint beyond that acceptable first thought.  To see that possibly 'first thoughts' aren't necessarily 'final thoughts.'


And if you are so moved to have a thought of your own on any of my second thoughts, then email me at: rdcreek@cox.net or go to www.thelifeworkscoach.com and tell me what your thinking about on the topic at hand.  I may print your response in future articles.

My Second Thought for this week is sure arouse more than a passing thought:  

Would Christ Recognize His Own Holiday?

What do you think?

What Will Your Legacy Be?

I am fascinated with cemeteries. There are countless stories on the headstones at any cemetery. I love to read the markers and headstones and wonder about the person it speaks to. I mean wouldn't you love to ask, "well how did you end up here?" Well maybe not that one. But at least the general type questions. What did you do in life? What were the times when you were alive? Tell me about your family. Did you have any unfinished business? Wow you didn't live very long...what happened?

To be honest wouldn't it be cool to have a little audio player where you could record your own story and epitaph. I mean think of it. Someone walks up, pushes a play button, and there you are telling them who you were and what you did in life. Just think of the possibilities!

Some people call what you did in life and with your life, a legacy. And whatever your legacy is going to be has to be fashioned while your alive. So if you haven't started...well its time right?

You don't have to build a school or start a foundation to make a difference with your life in the world. And you don't have to be influential. Each of us is influential in our own ways.

With a small act of kindness, we can impact a friend's or co-worker's day. By taking time to share our knowledge, we can improve someones chances for success. Gretchen Rubin writes, "One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy."

Beyond your immediate circle, you can make a difference by linking up with an organization that serves the less fortunate or those who have been challenged in life. There are dozens of worthy causes to serve. Who could you be making happy?

Don't wait to make a difference - your legacy begins now.

PUSH PLAY...beeeep..."Hi thanks for stopping by today. I'd say its nice to see you but...anyway alittle about me....and hopefully the difference I made while I walked on the earth."

Excuse Me...What Time Is It?

Anyone ever ask you what time it is?

Of course they have...all through life people are asking "What time is it?" We have watches on our wrists, clocks in almost every room of where we live, clocks on our computers...banks have signs that tell us the time. Songs are written about time. We measure time by calendars. We measure time by events in our lives. We may hear a song on the radio that takes us back to a 'time' in our lives.

Time. There's one more way I'd like you to look at time. Talk to any elderly person and they will tell you they can't believe how fast the time went! They'll start a sentence with, "why it was just yesterday...my goodness where did the time go?"

You see for many of us the tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it. Time gets away from us before we even realize it.

For many of us in life it's time to action. Time to live with your priorities in mind and stop wishing things were different. Time to stop smoking, start exercising and eating right. Time to make that appointment, hug your child (even if they are older and now bigger than you), tell your friends and family members how much they mean to you, start that business, read that book, take that trip, make a difference.

What time is it?

It's time to start living and stop waiting.

Why Stop Now?

A woman in South Korea who tried to pass the written exam for a driver's license with near-daily attempts since April of 2005 has finally succeeded on her 950th time!

The aspiring driver spent more than 5 million won ($4,200) in application fees, but until now failed to score the minimum 60 out of a possible 100 points needed to get behind the wheel for a driving test.

Cha-Sa-soon, 68, finally passed the written exam with a score of 60 on Wednesday, said Choi Young-chul, a police official at the driver's license agency in Jeonju 130 miles south of Seoul.

Police said Cha took the test hundreds of times, but had no specific total. Local news media said she took the test 950 times.

"NOW she must pass a driving test before getting her license," Choi said.

Cha said that she needed her driving license for her vegetable-selling business.

So the next time you start out on an endeavor just think of Ms. Cha and don't give up. People who find ways to say 'yes' rather than give up, in the end succeed.

P.S. Let's hope the actual driving test went quicker!

Thoughts Are Powerful!

It has been suggested that we have around 60,000 thoughts per day...whew. That to me is astounding number. What is even more astonishing is how many of these thoughts are self-defeating ones. How easy it is to allow our train of thoughts to jump from one track of thinking or subject to another.

How difficult it can be to stop an old mental tape from playing over and over again about a frustrating conversation that we had with someone at work or at home. We replay the mental tape until we are exhausted and yet where have we found ourselves? The answer is in the same place we were before but now with wasted mental, physical and emotional energy. We have solved and resolved nothing.

Do your thoughts shape your life? Albert Einstein believed so. He said, "The world we have created is a product of our thinking; it cannot be changed without changing our thinking." James Lane Allen, author of the book, "As a Man Thinketh" states, "You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you."

So how do you take control of your thoughts? How do you direct them from self-destructing thinking and behaviors to self-constructing and positive behaviors? By making a decision to do so and then committing to a thought controlling program, then you can begin to change your life. After the decision and commitments have been made, you must implement a mindful state of being...that is living a life that is mindful of what you think and are doing.

Now What? What If? It's Not Too Late!

I was talking to a friend recently about the state of events of being in "mid-life". We discovered that there are alot of 'mid-lifers' who agree that as they were "painting their lives" they ended up in the corner of their world. Not deliberately mind you. Maybe the fumes of life's moments got to them because one day they looked up from painting the floor and there they were pushing their backsides up against the wall and wondering how in the devil they got there. Stop and think about the frustration of it all. Can't step forward...WET PAINT!...can't go backwards...WALL! In a word, many mid-lifers feel TRAPPED! This was not suppose to happened right?

Sometimes people...mainly that baby boomer generation, 1946 - 1964, experience that great torture of watching a repeating movie of their lives when they could have believed in and pursued the dreams and goals that were available and attainable to them.
Sure its true you can't always dictate what issues come at you in life. Work, family, relationships, children, older parents, economy, health, etc. we all get to experience them. Raise your hand if none of these are a challenge for you...(that's what I thought...) each of us has one or maybe all of these.
So what can a 'mid-lifer' do to get out of the painted corner of their lives before its too late?

Don't be a Spectator!
While we all say we don't have enough time to do justice to our goals and dreams, each of us has all the time there is. None of us really has a time management problem. We really have a dream and goal-focus problem. We spend too much time worrying about the things we want to do but can't, instead of concentrating on doing the things we can do but don't. It is the regret for something we did or didn't do yesterday and the apprehension of what we can't do tomorrow that is the biggest energy drain on our lives. So many 'mid-lifers' become spectators, resigned to live their lives vicariously through others. They can see success for others but can't imagine it for themselves.

Stayed Focused on You
Avoid the tendency to measure your own progress by looking over the fence at greener pastures. There are many others who may have started a little earlier than you, and you may become discouraged if you see them harvesting success when some of your seeds are barely in the ground. Comparisons rarely benefits anyone. You'll always be able to find someone smarter, younger, older, wiser, richer, more clever, better looking, or working harder than you. So avoid comparing yourself to others. You will only lower your goals and settle for average when you could have had excellence.

Work on Your Attitude
Having a good attitude is the single most important key to success in anything and getting out of that corner. One of my favorite quotes is "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." Hey I never said it was easy but it is the truth. You have to think like a winner to be a winner and that can be a challenge. Our attitude has a profound effect on our environment and there are those people who given the opportunity will squash it like a bug. Its what they do in life. They poison every conversation with their negativity and will draw you deeper into the corner you find yourself painted into if they can. Why should you have a great attitude when they don't is how they think. Do these people really ever go far in life? I mean really? Go flush your toilet right now and you'll get a visual of where these people are headed! They want you to join them.

Life is completely what YOU make of it. You create your own reality. So focus on the good things. Focus on adding value to your life. Focus own creating success for yourself and that's exactly what will happen.

And by the way...if you currently find yourself painted in the corner...think about it. Whoever said you couldn't walk on wet paint or knock a hole in the wall if it meant getting out and moving on. Sometimes you do what you have to do to keep moving. As my grandfather told me once, "alittle wet paint never hurt anyone."

Look Who's Having a Birthday!

You may notice that this blog is in pink...and you may ask why? Well because its in honor of a very special woman. Its her favorite color. I learned this about her shortly after meeting her at a little dessert cafe called Delice on a Saturday morning. And since we first met, I've learned that she has an amazing number of qualities that makes her special.

Karen...in a word is a terrific woman! She's a mother who loves her four children with an allegiance second to none. I only hope they stop every once in awhile to thank her. (I wonder if they have ever seen their Mom when she's in her Mama Bear mode...you just don't mess with her cubs.)

Did someone say "let's go"? That's all it takes to head out of town on any kind of a trip for Karen. Seeing new places and meeting people works every time. And if there is even a remote chance of sharing a bottle of wine...well she's there!

Karen will surprise you at times. How many women do you know when asked what their favorite holiday is will tell you 'Halloween'? Christmas is a really close second.

From the word go Karen knew she wanted to be a nurse and that is just what she has done with her life...spending the majority of her nursing career with newborns and working in the Intensive Care Unit for babies. She's one smart woman who values education and applying it to help others.

She's a loyal friend to those who have had the opportunity to know her and develop a relationship...some that have lasted for years...(even people from Clear Lake, Iowa!)

She loves nature and making things grow...flowers, gardens, plants...Here's alittle trivia fact about Karen...she loves to cross-stitch and actually went to a "camp" in Arkansas for cross-stitchers! You can't make that up!)

Karen is quite the cook if you ever get the chance to watch her in action...and then sit down to a meal that has you wondering what to eat first and then telling her you've had plenty! From sushi to small town cafes...sometimes its about the food but more times than not its about just the time spent to enjoy life.

So I could go on and on about this lady...but really I wanted you to get to know her alittle bit.

There's much more to her. But on this Thursday, October 28th, find a way to say to this special woman:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN!

You can find Karen on her blog: Karen's Kapers or on Facebook.

Harvest of Hope Conference

This past Saturday, October 23rd I had the opportunity to speak at the Harvest of Hope Conference here in Omaha.  Last year I was the keynote speaker and was blessed to be asked to return this year as a workshop presenter.  I presented "Dads Matter" a workshop designed for fathers dealing with the issues of divorce and their relationships with their children.  Despite perceptions that have persisted for years, many dads understand their role and are more than willing to fulfill it.
It was a great time and the workshop went well.  It was interesting to hear men reveal issues that are important to them when their marriage has ended but their relationship with their children goes on.  My many thanks to the folks at the Harvest of Hope conference.

Seeds of Greatness...Take Your Time

When we were five years old, one year represented twenty percent of our total lives. At fifty, a year represents two percent, or one fiftieth, of our life experience. No wonder it took so long for holidays to arrive when we were elementary school - and little wonder also that after age fifty, when a year represents such a small portion of time we've already spent, it goes by in a seeming blink of an eye. It's alittle like a videotape speeding up as it rewinds and accelerating almost near the end of the reel. So goes your remaining time as it dwindles down.

Take time to hear a robin's song each morning
Take time to smell the roses as you go,
Before you leave, please say 'I love you'
To the ones you know
Take time out for a sunset
And its afterglow.

Take time to climb a tree with the kids this summer
Explore each country back-road you can find
And take a moment now and then
To build a castle in the sand
Take time to hike that mountain
When you can.

Take time to play, your work can live without you
Give up the urgent for the afternoon
And take a loved one by the hand
And slowly gaze at that full moon
Don't let this minute pass you
For the years go by too soon.

And make each day "safari" day
Before this moment slips away.

Take time to live.

3 Secrets to Reinventing Your Life

Michelle Gamble-Risley is not only the owner of a business she successfully reinvented, she's also the author of "Second Bloom: 10 Steps to Reinvent, Rejuvenate and Realize a New Life."
This book provides a 10-step strategic process for reinventing yourself and your life.
Here are Gamble-Risley's top three tips for reinventing yourself:

1. Define Your Values. "Get real about your values." You can say, "My family is really important to me" but if your traveling two weeks a month and working 60-70 hours a week...well, actions speak louder than words. Get real. What truly are your priorities, and what would you like for your life?

2. Know what works. "Figure out what works and what doesn't. If something's not working, don't hold on to it. Find a way to do what you want to do by figuring out what strategy you need to employ to make it work."

3. Get out of your own way. "I watch lots of people chase their own tails. they're fearful, they make excuses, there's a lot of 'I can't because...' You have to go for it and believe in yourself. If you can't do that, then stay where you're at."

ENCORE! Life's Next Act

I'm really excited about a new workshop that I have developed for LifeWorks. Many people, namely baby boomers, have expressed to me that unlike their parents who were of the Greatest Generation, made famous in part by former news anchor Tom Brokaw, that retirement ISN'T the finish line for their lives. Matter of fact for many boomers its a new beginning.

By and large, boomers believe that they can shape their future and that what happens in the future mostly depends on them. Consistent with this view, boomers continue to believe that if that really want to do something, they will find a way to achieve it!

So with that in mind, my new workshop is entitled "ENCORE!" Life's Second Act. The workshop aims to equip and motivate individuals 50+ years of age, first by imagining their possibilities, secondly researching what their personal "second act" (dream/passion) could be, and thirdly creating a plan of action for achieving that goal.

The workshop itself offers:
How to Develop a Reinvention Strategy
A Life Assessment Inventory Survey
A Five Point Personal Action Plan
Educational Blog Articles / Online Support
One Personalized Coaching Session

This is a great workshop for any club, organization, civic group, or church. Matter of fact, Metropolitan Community College in Omaha is looking to add ENCORE to its spring non-credit curriculum.

So if your group is looking for a fun, educational and potentially life changing workshop be sure to contact LifeWorks today. Go to www.thelifeworkscoach.com and contact me today to arrange your event.

Reinventing...Not Retiring

In my last article I wrote about how the Baby Boomer generation as well as countless others are determining that there is alot more to accomplish in their lives. Places to go, people to meet, goals to achieve, passions to embrace.

Growing up in the Creek household included reminders from my parents that there were no acceptable reasons for not working. My dad was quick to point out to me that he could turn to the want ads any day of the week and find available jobs. I may not 'like' the job but it would do until I found something more to my liking.

So there wasn't much discussion, if any, about pursuing my passion, dreams or goals. Even my high school counselor when I became a senior had one session with me about "my future". After all I was getting ready to graduate and I needed my life mapped out before I left the hallowed halls of Webster City high school.

"So" he said, "what do you think you'll want to do with your future?" How should I know? I was 17 at the time! Now many years later I've seen a myriad occupations and pursuits I would have enjoyed learning and incorporating in my life. Who had ever heard about being a Crime Scene Investigator? Not me but to be honest it I wished I had known there was such a profession back in those formative years.. I would have liked being a forest ranger. I mean really...drive around in a jeep in beautiful mountains, the wildlife, and out in the open country! Sign me up! And being a college basketball coach would have been right up my alley.

For you it may be an occupation, a trade, or a skill you'd like to pursue. It could be a country to visit, book to write, business to start that has always been a passion you'd like to achieve. But for one reason or another, or even upon the "advice" of a loved ones, you never took that next step. I mean those you respected would have said how silly you were being.

So why not start your journey today? Why wait any longer? Making the effort to embracing your life's passion is closer than you may believe.

Here are some initial steps you can take in 'jumping off the end of the dock' and start to swim:

1. TAKE ACTION Avoid being paralyzed and overwhelmed by the challenge. Author Joe Vitale writes, "Do anything to keep the momentum going forward."

2. JUST TAKE THE NEXT STEP You don't have to "see" your destination to reach it. Vitale says, "It's like driving your car at night when there's no street lights. Your headlights may allow you to see only the next 100 feet in front of you. And then finally, you make it to your destination."

3. IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE RESULTS, CHANGE WHAT YOU'RE DOING Jim Rohn, personal development expert suggest asking yourself, "What can I do today so the next five years are not the same as the last five?"

4. EVALUATE HOW YOU ARE SPENDING YOUR TIME Rohn asks, "Do you focus on the majors? Spend major time on major things and minor time on minor things."

5. MAKE SURE YOUR HEART IS IN IT You have to find something you love enough to be able to take risks, jump over the hurdles, and break through brick walls that are always going to be placed in front of you.

6. PUSH YOURSELF TO REACH YOUR POTENTIAL! Passions, dreams and goals worth pursuing in your life will demand that you give 100% effort.

"Who Said We Were Finished?"

Have you seen the latest AARP commerical? The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) commerical? Retired...ha! This isn't your parents or grandparents AARP!

The AARP is one of the most dominant organizations in the United States serving the retired population. They are bringing to light that largest, most influential, and wealthiest generation, the baby boomers, really don't plan on retiring. They are just going to shift to other dreams, goals, or to discover their passions in life. I heard a gentleman say the other day that he would know he was retired "about three days before I die."

For many of us we were raised by parents of the Greatest Generation, made more famous by the efforts of former NBC newscaster Tom Brokaw with his book and TV specials. The parents of the Greatest Generation taught their children who would become baby boomers to "get a job so you can pay your bills and buy food." My grandfather always talked about the day when he could retire...and then...well he'd be retired.

Now there is a generation of over 77 million baby boomers who don't see life in the same light. They still have dreams to live, goals to accomplish, passions to discover. Don't even bring up the "R" word. In the AARP commerical, a lady decorating a cake even says, "I want to fall in love again." Check their website...the opening page is a middle-aged couple in a romantic kiss. My grandfather would have a fit! THAT is NOT retirement.

I have the feeling that many of us who claim the title of baby boomer would rather go out with a bang and not just a whimper no matter how old we get. After all, baby boomers who lived through the 1960's shook up the whole world. Who chanted "the whole world is watching" in 1968? The baby boomers! Who burned their bras? Baby boomers! Burned draft cards? Baby boomers. Fought for equal rights? Baby boomers! Protested an ugly war? Baby boomers! Were the first to talk about the environment? You got it.

It's evident that there is a new "R" word for this generation and its not 'retire'. The new 'R' stands for "reinvent". People in their 50's, 60's, 70's and beyond want another journey to experience. They want to discover and return to their roots of the 1960's. The Baby Boomer generation always enjoyed hearing "you can't do that...you can't say that...you can't go there."

Well we're still here and we have some unleft business to attend to. For card carrying members of this generation of dreamers, its still our time. Time to discover our passions and live them to the fullest.

In coming blogs I'll be addressing the "how" of making those discoveries. I'll be offering advice, tips, and plans that everyone can use to guide them on their path to fulfillment.

Discover Your Passion

Welcome to Discovering Your Passion!

At one's core, in one's heart, resides the power, that unique passion, that 'thing', we want to accomplish in life. That "it" we've at least wanted to take a shot at. That hidden desire in our lives that we've kept hidden in a box deep in our souls. It could be a new profession, a trip you've always wanted to take, learn a new skill, go back to school, 'that dream', reunite with a friend, the thing we wanted to do in life but maybe those we trusted gave us a direction that was more comfortable for them!

Stop and ask yourself..."do you spend time doing things you don't want to do in places you don't want to be, for no other reason than you feel you have to?"

Do you ask, "What am I chasing after? * Why am I chasing it? * What is my purpose?

My LifeWorks blog is here for you. Articles, tips, motivational stories, real people successes and plans will be posted regularly to help those who are ready to start their adventure. I am convinced that the greater percentage of baby boomers are ready to reinvent themselves. That's who baby boomers are in today's world.

A survey revealed that people 80 years of age and older had very few regrets for the things they had attempted in life. Conversely, the same group of people reported that they DID HAVE regrets for the things they hadn't tried in life. As one older gentleman put it, "his use on or before expiration" date had come and gone for trying those things he would have pursued if he were younger. Baby boomers and others want to discover what their passion, dream, "it" is today and then go out and achieve it.

For some it means leaving a legacy, others its about fulfillment, and for some people it's not getting cheated in being all they can become in life.

So let's get started...yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not promised, and today is all we have. I look forward to helping you and hearing what "passion" you've disocvered and brought to light.

A LifeWorks Moment

A "LifeWorks Moment" is a time, story, incident that occurred in my life when weaved into all the others, makes me the person I am today as well as my business LifeWorks. I find when I do presentations, workshops, and speeches, people enjoy being able to connect with me.

I get that look from audience members that says, "yep been there".

Its been a tough year for the the Class of '71 for the Webster City Lynx. My graduating class was a pretty good size one for a school out in the cornfields of north central Iowa. We had slightly over 200 graduates. But now we're at that age when its sad to hear but not unexpected, to learn of a fallen classmate. You're first thought is "holy cow are you kidding..." Then you stop and realize "hey we're the same age. We played on the same team, lockered next to each other." And now they're gone!

Some of my classmates have died in tragic ways. When you remember the person and then see how they have died...well it just doesn't add up.

Now the Purple & Gold of '71 will celebrate its 40th reunion in August 2011. I'm in that phase of my life where I tell people "I don't even feel 40 let alone be celebrating my 40th year after graduating." There may be a slight bit of denial going on with me!

Through the past few months several of my classmates have died. Actually enough of them passed away that it set off an alarm. So a picnic was held this past weekend for those who could attend back in Webster City. You know get the old gang back together before someone else bites the bullet. Not too many attended. But for those who did I understand it was a good time.

Forty years! Classmates have passed on. Many of us live all over the United States. Many have remarkable careers. I think the one thing we weren't thinking of in 1971 was the day when we'd share pictures of our grandchildren. Grandchildren! Are you kidding? That's tough to admit when as a baby boomer we're just never going to get that old.

And then I noticed something in one of the 'post-picnic' emails. There was a message from one of my classmates who apparently attended the picnic. This classmate wrote, "I know I wasn't very popular back then but I still remember 'the days of the Class of 71'.

Ugh! Somewhere in that line is a story. This person is in their mid-50's. They are nearly 40 years removed from that graduation night of May 1971. I feel somewhat sad for that person. Part of me wants to say "oh get on with it" and another part of me says, "well its what they remember about those days and how some people treated them."

For those who "blended in", were wallflowers, and just went about life...yep you weren't too cool then. You may have lived on the "other side of town." Or maybe your parents were blue collar workers. You may have even went to the 'wrong' elementary school. And probably like every other high school there were the "cool" kids. They may have been alittle more athletic, maybe alittle more attractive and maybe their parents had alittle nicer house and car. And I guess that buys you an attitude that says "I'm alittle bit better than you." Apparently there's still at least one class member who has that memory after all these years. So as much as we want to say "Hey we're the Class of '71 let's hear it for the Lynx..." well maybe we haven't changed all that much after 40 years.

What is Success?

How do you answer the question..."Success is...?" The problem for most people who want to be successful is not that they can't achieve success. The main hurdle for them is that they misunderstand success. Success can have many different faces. Maltbie Babcock said, "One of the most common mistakes and one of the costliest is thinking that success is due to some genius, some magic, something or other which we do not possess."

So what is success? What does success look like? Most people have a vague picture of what it means to be a successful person.

Most individuals equate success with money. Nothing wrong with that. More power to you if you are skilled with such success. But if that's your only definition of success then you might not have the best of definitions. Through the ages, great men have taught that wealth and what it brings are at best fleeting. Everyone enters the world with nothing and exits with the same amount.

For example, in 1923, a small group of the world's wealthiest men met at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago. They were the "Who's Who" of wealth and power. At that time, they controlled more money than the total amount contained in the United States Treasury. Here is a list of who was there and what eventually happened to them:

*Charles Schwab - president of the largest independent steel company...died broke.

*Arthur Cutten - greatest of the wheat speculators...died abroad, insolvent.

*Richard Witney - president of New York Stock Exchange... died just after his release from Sing Sing prison.

*Albert Fall - member of U.S. president's cabinet...was pardoned from prison so that he could die from home.

*Jes Livermore - greatest "bear" on Wall Street...committed suicide.

*Leon Fraser - president of Bank of International Settlements...committed suicide.

*Ivar Kreuger - head of the world's greatest monopoly...committed suicide.

Even Greek millionaire Aristotle Onassis who retained his wealth and died at a ripe old age, recognized that money isn't the same as success. Onassis maintained that "after you reach a certain point, money becomes unimportant. What matters is success."

So what is it in life that inspires you to be successful? How can you achieve it? Who needs to be involved with your pursuit?

Whenever I used a tool from my grandfather's work shed, or his lawnmower, his fishing tackle, whatever it was I can hear him say..."just make sure you put it back better than you found it."
Given that thought, maybe we can each measure how successful we are if we use our lives and talents to make our individual worlds better as we've live in them.

Workplace Ethics and Principles

Author John Luther wrote, "Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are, to some extent, a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it piece by piece, by thought, choice, courage and determination."

American businesses focus on profitability and success. They profess doing whatever it takes to make profits. So, the question is:

Where do workplace ethics fit in such a scenario?

Well, if you see the recent cases of scandals, frauds, and irregularities that have been reported in the media related to businesses, government and corporations, it seems almost mandatory that ethics/principles need to make a strong comeback in the American workforce.

But, how do you train employees in something like ethics?

Character 360 is an ethics/principles training program, from LifeWorks, a personal and professional development business. Character 360 helps build strong teams and foster enhanced ethics thus creating increased work productivity.

Business ethics in today's world play an important role in a company's success or failure. A company has a special obligation to its customers and clients to be ethical. Research has proven that if your business is honest, fair, and trustworthy, people would rather do business with you than with a company that does not have these qualities.

A Character 360 Seminar/Workshop will promote:

• Improved productivity
• Increased profitability
• Improved employee morale
• Enhanced recruitment and retention of employees
• Better company reputation
• Long-term success

Contact me, Dick Creek, today about your company and building a stronger more productive business and reputation. Character 360 is available in the following formats:

Lunch-n-Learn

Keynote Presentation

One Day Workshop

Call me today at: 402.391.4364 to set up your event or you can email me at: rdcreek@cox.net

Take the next step towards a stronger and respected company by scheduling

Character 360

A LifeWorks Moment

Who doesn't like reading a really good book, article, column, etc. by a outstanding writer. But for me there are times I'd rather read about the author and get to know who that person is. Those times and experiences that have made them the person they are and how those times influence how they interact with people. I guess we could call it the "pull back the curtain" and "sneak a peek" approach in getting to know them. I mean really everyone likes reading a personal story about someone else!

So today I start a column with my LifeWorks blog called "Snapshot". This column will be about a time in my personal life that had an affect on who I am today and will offer you a peek behind the curtain of my life. It could be an incident that happened, a person that I have known, something funny, something sad. My hope is whatever is written will help you get to know me. That "Snapshots" will be fun to read and offer a bit of wisdom.

I had the great fortune in my first profession of my life to be a minister. That surprises many people...not sure if that's a good or bad thing come to think of it. Being in the ministry provided me tons of experiences that most people will never have. There were so many 'life' moments that occurred at any time that quoting the Boy Scouts, you just had to "be prepared".

When I was 22 years old, I got my first call that a gentleman was at the local hospital and close to dying. If I remember correctly he was a retired farmer in his 80's. As I entered his darkened hospital room, he opened his eyes and I introduced myself and who I was. I told him that a family member had asked me to visit him. He was very close to checking out and leaving this earth. I said all the right things that I had been taught to say at a moment like this. I was caring, called him by his first name, did my best to offer comfort. Not bad for a 22 year old. The old man listened intently and looked me straight in the eye. It may sound funny but I was pretty proud of myself. I mean after all I'm a 22 year old! What don't you know at that age. But then the tables were turned. I'll never forget that my hands were on the bed railing. He took his withered hand and tightly squeezed my hand and looked at me and said, "Do something I can't go yet!" There was a real sense of urgency and a hint of panic in his voice. He repeated himself, "Boy do something I'm not ready and I can't go yet." My first thought was I don't remember being in class and going over this particular issue! I had no answer that would satisfy him. Talk about feeling inadequate. The look in his eyes is something I've not forgotten...he was serious in his request. And it was one I couldn't do anything about.

Later that day the old farmer passed away. Not sure if he got things worked out the way he wanted it or not. My guess is he didn't.

What did I learn? Several things that I share with people in many of my presentations. First of all today is all you have... period. No one and I do mean no one has a guarantee they will be here tomorrow. We're all one heart beat from the end. Second, whatever needs to be resolved with another person should be attempted as soon as possible. I understand it takes two to resolve an "issue" but have the knowledge that you tried. Third, whatever you do have no regrets at the end of your way. And finally, live your life to fullest...there are no dress rehersals.

Where Have All The Leaders Gone?

Take a look around where you work. Maybe in your church. Your child's sport's team. What about your city, state and even federal government. Stop and look in your own family. Has it struck you that our society has a shortage of competent, inspiring, dedicated leaders? For all the woes we face in our country and families today, as a society we need to be about the business of identifying new potential leaders.

Dale Carnegie was a master at identifying potential leaders. Once asked by a reporter how he managed to hire forty-three millionaires, Carnegie responded that the men had not been millionaires when they started working for him. They had become millionaires as a result.

The reporter next wanted to know how he had developed these individuals to become such valuable leaders. Carnegie replied, "Men are developed the same way gold is mined. Several tons of dirt must be moved to get an ounce of gold. But you don't go into the mine looking for dirt," he added. "You go in looking for the gold."

That's exactly the way to develop positive, inspiring, dedicated leaders for our businesses, families and communities. Look for the gold, not the dirt; the good, not the bad. The more positive qualities you look for, the more you're going to find.

HAVE YOU MADE IT A PRIORITY TO FIND POTENTIAL LEADERS AND SUPPORT THEM?

Fathers...Who Needs Them?

Let's be honest. When it comes to the holidays we celebrate in this country, one in particular ranks fairly low on the holiday ladder. I mean Halloween, Easter, July 4th, Memorial Day and others in many ways garner more attention... and dollars spent. Now give Hallmark its due. There is a dollar to be made with this holiday so I guess that's good as we strive to turn our economy around...(wink)

I would contend that a particular national holiday needs to leapfrog many of our current U.S. holidays and dare I say challenge Christmas for that top spot. Keep in mind when God sent down the 10 Commandments with Moses there was nothing about observing Christmas in them. Not a word. BUT there were instructions about FATHERS. There it is in Commandment #5..."Honor your father...." I read all Ten and found nothing about Christmas...which most people in some way spend time and money on and will tell you its the most important holiday. Not to...well...even if you go into debt...you just do celebrate Christmas. Duh. We measure the economy of the greatest nation on earth by how many dollars are spent at Christmas to determine if we had a 'good holiday season'. I'm not here to bash Christmas. Although I do have some opinions if you'd ever care to hear them.

Next Sunday could well be the most important holiday of the year...Father's Day. If you look at Father's Day from a scriptural perspective, I can build a bullet proof case for Fathers over mangers, wise men, gifts and cute adorable children..(mine once)...dressed as angels.

I can build a huge case for the need and support of fathers in today's society. Who cares if a kid gets presents at Christmas if there is no father or even a male figure in that child's life! Many of our issues with children, young people, and even young adults stem from the fact that there are NO fathers involved. When did this society dumb-down the importance of fathers. The need of fathers crosses all social and economic landscapes. From poor neighborhoods, to the guy in the corporate boardroom, to the man maybe sitting in church, they all need to step up to the plate and fulfill their roles as fathers.
Sadly a good deal of men don't recognize the role of being a father. Simply being a 'donor' to an egg to create a human being is not being a father! That is at its best just fulfilling a biological step in making a baby. And oh, for men today, please understand that an infant grows into a child, then an adolescent, then a teenager, young adult, a grown up adult, and maybe someday a father themselves.
So who needs fathers? Well their children do. The mothers of their children do. Our schools do. The churches they may attend do. Our places of business do. Country clubs do. Government does. Little League teams do. Children's clubs do. I mean really we need fathers everywhere we turn.

In 2010, I would guess we have less fathers then we did 20 years ago. Oh sure we have more children, but less fathers. The need for loving, competent, interested, time-giving fathers may well be at a critical stage in our country. Mothers have been bailing fathers out for too long attempting to fulfill both roles. In my opinion, Moms were never meant to do both...they're just capable of pulling it off sometimes. But even Moms have limits.

So here comes Father's Day on June 20th. I have a father who is 81 years old and as I've gotten older I'm amazed at how smart he has become! I'm not sure my father graduated from High School. I know he's a decorated Korean War veteran spending 4 years in the Navy. I know he was gone for weeks at a time when he worked as a fireman for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad. I know when he worked for the local factory and it went on strike, my father picked up a job with a survey crew to earn some extra dollars for food. My Dad held the stick that the other guy looks at through his scope. Dad said they called it the "idiot stick."
I know that when my dad faced the challenges of drinking he got help and has mentored countless others throughout the years. And I will always remember watching my father hold my mother's hand the last hours of her life as she slipped away from him. My father was not perfect and he would tell you so himself. But I do know this. He worked at being a father...he learned about being a father...he taught me about the cost of being a father, and without his example, both good and bad, I'd be less of a father today.

The other day in an elevator, a woman turned to another and said, "Oh my gosh its June already and I need to start thinking about Christmas gifts." Ugh
Maybe some of us can spend more time thinking and planning and promoting strong, loving, involved fathers for our children. That would be the best gift ever!

Your Checklist for Achieving a Life Goal

Have you ever had a goal only to get side-tracked and lose your vision for achieving it? Here is a checklist that can help you stay on course.

Don't Just Think About It...Ink It

Unless you take the time to write your goal down it will get lost in all your other activities in life. Many times a goal will get lost in life's other challenges and problems.

Suspend Reality

Don't judge your goals or let your abilities or resources get in the way. If you had every skill and resource in the world, what would you set out to do? Let it flow.

Think BIG!

Michelangelo said, "The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we hit it." What's one goal that makes you stay awake at night excited about what the next day will bring?

State Your Goals in the Positive

Don't focus on problems, focus on what you want. Don't be one of those people who will tell you why something can't be done.

State Your Goals in the "I am."

Write your goals in the first person.

Be sure your goals are your goals.

If your goals are influenced by the expectations of others and are not from your heart, don't waste your time; you won't have the spirit or passion to achieve them.

Make sure your goals align with your values.

Don't sacrifice your core values for a goal that isn't worth it.

Voices

I'm not sure if you know who Campbell Brown is. Apparently not enough people know who she is either. At one time she was a reporter for NBC News. As of late, she has been an anchor for CNN and having a nightly news show of her own. This week it was reported that Ms. Brown has decided on her own to call it quits with her CNN gig. Her number of viewers is one of the lowest of news talk shows. According to her, she just wanted to report the news and not "hype" it up. Well for the American viewer they want the hype, the yelling, degrading, the shouting and name calling. I applaud her for having the courage to step up and say "I'm not going to be like the rest of my competitors" even if it means walking away.
Have you ever listened to Bill O'Reilly? Makes you wonder why you live in the U.S. Sean Hannity, Glen Beck, and a myriad of other talk show hosts and spin doctors have a hard time finding enough negative things to say. Granted we live in a really challenging times. Times in government, on the streets, health care, housing, employment, etc. are tough. The issues are demanding on any government leader from Main Street America to Capital Hill. Have you ever listened to Michael Savage? Bill Maher? Talk about a pieces of work! Someone please remind me why I love this country!
Does it seem like to you, no matter your political allegiance, that yelling, accusing, name calling, and mud slinging has gotten out control with these people. I do. Really I get it we have some really bad leaders in this country. Take a look at the governor of South Carolina! What about David Patterson in New York. Rod Blagoevich who I believe still has a Federal court date.
So there will always be stories to report on and opinions to give. But I believe we live in a country that desperately needs people to stand up and lead rather than yell and name call. That's easy to do. Always will be. But someone stepping up and making the tough decisions and leading...well let's hope someone does soon. In a very modest and quiet way Campbell Brown drew a line in the sand. Good for her.

HOT TOPIX

HOT TOPIX

HOT TOPIX is about having fun. It's about being interactive and reader's giving their opinion. Each edition of HOT TOPIX will be focused on a challenging thought, everyday occurrence, controversial story, or just some really funny incident. Here's what you do. Read the latest edition of HOT TOPIX and then post your opinion. It's that simple. Great opinions will be mentioned in the next edition of the HOT TOPIX replay. All first time respondents will receive a FREE gift from LifeWorks. So what do you have to lose? You get to be heard and receive a FREE gift just by posting your opinion.

HOT TOPIX QUESTION OF THE DAY

A customer in a SUV recently went through a Taco John's drive-thru and placed her order. She pulled up, paid, and the employee handed her a Taco John's bag. The customer then drove off with her "order". We've all done it right? But the employee unknowingly handed the previous night's receipts of $2,000 to the customer. You see each morning the manager drove through and was handed the night's receipts in a Taco John's bag. The customer never returned with the money even though her SUV was caught on a security camera!

Now what would you do if you had been handed that Taco John's bag?

WELCOME TO "HOT TOPIX"

Welcome to Hot Topix.

HOT TOPIX is about having fun. Being interactive. It's about LifeWorks readers giving their opinions. Each edition of HOT TOPIX will be focused on a controversial article, fascinating survey, or just some really funny story of the day.

Here's what you do. Read the latest edition of HOT TOPIX and then post your opinion. It's that simple. Great opinions will be mentioned in the next edition of the HOT TOPIX replay.

All first time respondents will receive a FREE Gift from LifeWorks. So what do you have to lose? You get to be heard and receive a FREE Gift by just posting your opinion!

HOT TOPIX

POLL: 1 in 3 women say pets listen better than their husbands.

A third of pet-owning married women in the U.S. say their pets are better listeners than their husbands according to an Associated Press poll. Eighteen percent of pet-owning men say their pets are better listeners than their wives.

Christina H., 40, talks all the time to her cat, two dogs or three horses about her husband.

She thinks everyone should have a pet to talk to like her horse, "Whistle".

Bill R., 44, talks to a pet, a palm-size crayfish named Cray Aiken when he has a problem with his wife of 19 years! Bill also talks to the family dog. "You definitely feel much more comfortable sharing your problems with them," he said. "A little lick from a big dog can go a long way."

Overall, about one in 10 pet owners said they would talk their troubles over with their pets.

What's your HOT TOPIX opinion? What do you think about people who talk to their dog, cat, horse, crayfish, monkey, pot-belly pig, bird, about personal issues or problems? How would you react to a friend/family member who said they just talked to their pet about their spouse?

Goal Setting Rules

Goals...

Here's what I think...

People generally fall into one of three categories when it comes to goals. Those who have no goals and just go with the flow of everyday living. These people tend to have an attitude that just living life and getting through the day is 'goal' enough. Much like the ancient Romans its "eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die."
The second group would be those who would be lost without a goal or multiple goals in their lives. They may be seen by the public as people who are driven. It's what motivates them not only to get through their day but provides meaning to their future. For me a goal can be my carrot that I dangle out in front of myself.
And the third group of people would be those who have no goals but they aren't necessarily against other people having them. They're simply neutral about the whole thing...which in reality is having no opinion and terribly sad in some ways.
I hear many teachers, motivational speakers, consultants that preach the mantra of having goals. I've read many books by written by people like Jack Canfield or John Maxwell. They each have their "method" in determining one's goals and how to achieve them. It can be for a individual's business, a corporation, club, family, faith, or relationship. You can set a goal for weight loss, moving up in the business world to a new position, learning a new skill.
Here's something I'd like to share with you about achieving your goal(s). And trust me its nothing new or profound. Because no matter what route you determine to take to achieve your goal(s) you must do this: Don't Give Up. Period. When tempted to...don't!
You may need to call a life's timeout due to circumstances, tweak your plan, talk to someone with a different perspective but don't give up.
You originally thought about your goal because it was important to you. Maybe for years you set it on the back burner. But eventually you set out on your adventure. And the best advice I can share with you is when you get discouraged, dismayed, disheartened, you know all those 'dis' words...don't give up! We're on this planet for such a short period of time. Trust me...you don't want to get to the end of your way and be wishing that you hadn't given up on your goal.
A survey was conducted of a large group of people over the age of 80. Many of these folks said there were things they had done in life they were not always proud of and had some regrets. But overwhelmingly a far greater percentage said they had deep regrets for the things they hadn't at least tried to achieve and now it was too late.
GOALS...what's yours? Decide when to start, what kind of plan can achieve it, and share it with a friend or family member. And then start...don't look back... or listen to what others may be saying as you strive towards your accomplishment, and whatever you do: don't give up!

It's About Time...Really!

WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST TIME CHALLENGE?

8% Having leisure/recreational time to spend with the family

9% Finding time to be alone

12% Carving out time together as a couple

34% Scheduling time to exercise

37% Too much time putting out fires and not enough on high-priority goals

Are You Asking, "Why Not?"

If someone you love calls you with an emergency, you rush to help, right? It's because your "why not" or your reason for doing it, is clear and important to you. You don't have to give it much thought. Your action and responses are automatic.

When your reasons for doing something are BIG enough, you'll have the necessary motivation to make sure it happens. If you want to run your first marathon, start your own business, run for a political office, write a book, take that trip you've always dreamed of, you first have to answer the question: Why not?" Your answer builds your case for staying on course to get to where you want to be.

So take the following steps to answer your "Why not?"

1. Write out your 'why not'. Ask yourself, "why do I want to...______." Write down your answer.
2. Be specific and clear. For example: "I want to become a teacher so I can give kids hope for their future." Or, "I want to start my own business so I can spend my life as I wish." Include how your life will improve if you hit your goal.
3. When you find yourself slipping on your goal, remember or reread your why. Or use it as your personal mantra.

So when you wake up in the morning and your feel hit the ground are you headed off to a day that answers 'why not?' Odds are that right now you know what "it" is that you want to do in your life. Why not?

The Pizza Boy

John Schnatter was a 15- year old kid who went from being a dishwasher to a pizza maker in a small sub shop. Now anything is better than washing dishes for a buck right? So Schnatter took to learning how to make pizzas right away to show his boss that he deserved a promotion and away from dish washing.
Today Papa John's Pizza is one of the largest pizza franchises in the world. Below is Schnatter's "Do's and Dont's" to building a strategy to being successful at whatever endeavor you may pursue.

DO...
Love what you do. "If you have a passion and you're proud of it, you will do a good job."

Be the best in your class and offer the best product. "We want to be the best pizza delivery company in the world and we think we can."

Teach people leadership. "It is very fulfilling to watch people grow," says Schnatter.

DON'T...
Give up too early.

Be afraid the confront the facts (especially the ugly ones) and tackle challenges.

Be arrogant. "When companies start to fall apart it's because they think they're smarter, they're not open and they don't watch trends," Schnatter says.

Reasons You Need a Best Friend

In conjunction with my latest blog article, here are some great reasons you need a best friend in life.

1. Comfort. A best friend is someone you don't have to fill in the blanks with. They already know all the inner details of your life. You can cut to the chase and get right to the meat of any discussion.

2. Connectedness. One of our most basic fears is being alone. Whether your best friend is around the corner or across the world, just knowing they are there provides a connection.

3. Unconditional Support. It's important to have someone in our lives we feel totally at ease with, someone we can be ourselves with, with no conditions for support.

4. Honest Opinions. Best friends will always be totally honest with you. They know you well and are able to tell it like it is. They have your best interests at heart.

5. Self-esteem Boosters. Best friends help us to develop our self-esteem. Having someone in our lives who believes we're important - someone who wants our opinion on things and who values our company--makes us feel wanted boosts our self-esteem.

6. A Fresh Perspective. A good friend can help us find those "A-ha" moments that lead to solving problems and fulfilling dreams. They share things with us that can open our eyes to new ideas and ways to think about the world around us.

7. Personal Growth. Having a best friend means sharing experiences. They know when to push us alittle, support us, challenge us to reach out to new experiences. Conversely, they know how to tell us that it appears where stuck in a rut.

8. LOYALTY! Loyalty means never having to worry about someone spilling your secrets or talking about you behind your back. Best friends = built-in trust. A loyal friend will be on your team no matter what. They will be honest with you, but won't betray you.

Who Needs a Best Friend...We All Do!

"Friends...Who Needs Them?"

This is the story of 3 Midwestern boys - childhood friends - growing up together in small town America. We started kindergarten together at Hilltop Elementary and crossed the stage in May 1971 from Lincoln High School.
My one friend was the epitome of the All-American boy despite the social and political unrest of the late 1960's and early 70's. Think of the "Ballad of the Green Beret" and you'll have the picture.
My other friend was "the" class clown. He went unopposed with that title. I mean how many students after repeated warnings from a 7th grade History teacher find themselves with their mouth duct taped shut?

Then something happened to all three of us....LIFE!

Like being shot out of a canon we went our separate ways. We each had different paths in life that brought pain, disappointment and joy. Sometimes the pain was so deep there was little hope of joy. We each found ourselves in different locales across the country. Time and distance had fractured our friendships that we had always believed would never be contested.
One friend faced personal challenges but persevered. My other friend...well...I'm not sure. he disappeared. Maybe deliberately.
Four years ago I attended what would be my first high school reunion...my 30th. I really went because my Dad had told me that my friend would be there and hoped I would also. I did.
When I entered the local country club (the first time in my life since I grew up on the wrong side of town) a former cheerleader at the receptionist desk jumped to her feet and shouted, "You're here! Oh my gosh you're here!" (Keep in mind that back in the day I never even got a look from her).
And then without missing a beat she said, "He's over there" and pointed to my friend. It looked like a scene from Love Story as we came together and hugged one another. This was a friend who once called me and asked for forgiveness if he had ever said anything hurtful back in the day. No forgiveness was needed.
Our other friend did not attend the reunion. Whenever I'm asked about him, where he is, what he is doing, what's happened to the class clown my answer is always the same: "I really don't know but if you hear anything please let me know."
In 1963 the three of us sat in Ms. Miller's 5th grade class. She was teaching that day how to know when the letters "i" and "e" comes before the other. "For instance" she said, "like the word friend. Remember that the last three letters are 'end.' Friends stay together to the 'end.'"
So Donnie take care of yourself. I know lately there's been a health concern or two. Maybe we can hook up at that 35th high school reunion and represent!
And Dave...just remember that Donnie and I are in the phone book. We both still think of you and hope you are well. Or hey just forget the phone call...just come join us at the country club in 2011 for that 35th reunion.
FRIENDS...Who Needs Them? We all do especially those friends who stick with you to the 'end."

Don't Forget The Simple Things

The other day I went to the gym to workout. Working out is just a normal part of my day even when my brain tells me all the 'reasons' why I should let it go that day. I know the director of the gym I attend and we often visit about what's going on in each other's worlds. As I prepared to start my work out routine, she walked up to me and in a tired voice asked:

"Tell me something good."

Pretty simple request right? So the first thing that came to mind was to tell her, "Well you have two great kids!" She looked up and with a slight smile responded, "Thanks I needed that." Maybe it brought her some perspective about not so much being a director but being a Mom.

I'm not too sure what's going on with many people today but boy they seem to be exhausted and overwhelmed. It was a long, cold, dark winter. The economy tanked. Anyone, no matter what side of the aisle you sit on, is probably fed up with all the health care bantering, finger pointing and accusations. As I talk to friends and individuals, most are fed up with their jobs.

I've talked with people who tell me they don't get to work any sooner than absolutely necessary.

One person who is trying to lose weight told me he stops on the way to work at a convenience store and eats an apple fritter and washes it down with a strong cup of coffee. Just what he needs...a good dose of sugar and caffeine to deal with his boss!

"Tell us something good."

Here's what I have to offer to each of you. First of all the good news is its FREE! And the odds are you really don't need directions or need to be taught. My guess is you have experience.

So here we go. The late Jim Valvano, coach of the 1983 National Champion North Carolina State basketball team gave what is widely recognized as one of the greatest speeches ever given...all without a prepared script, straight from his heart. Battling a cancer that just days later would claim his life, Jimmy V challenged everyone to do the following to get the most out of their lives. Here is a portion of that speech that if applied to each of our lives will do something good for us.

"To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh everyday. Number two is think. You should spend time in thought. Number three is you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day! You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special."

---Jim Valvano

I went to see the rock group Five for Fighting and lead singer John Ondrasik recently. It was a great concert. Ondrasik is a terrific song writer with meaningful lyrics. But he did something at the end of the concert I've never seen someone in a nationally known group do before. All of his band mates exited and Ondrasik stepped to the middle of the stage. He looked out at the audience and told them he understood people were tired, challenged, that money was tight and relationships stretched. "If I could offer you one last thing tonight," he said, "it would be hope." And with that he sang his last song of the evening, all about hope.

So go out and laugh, think about life, and cry when your moved. My guess is it will build the hope that lies in each of us!