Not long ago, I watched episodes of a miniseries: The Man in the High Castle. It depicts what life would be like if we had lost WWII, and Nazi Germany and Japan ruled the world. In the storyline, the United States is divided: the Greater Nazi Reich in the east and the Japanese Pacific States in the west. The Rocky Mountains serve as a neutral zone – kind of like the DMZ between North and […]

Let me give you a behind the screen view of how these notes come about. I read regularly.  My mom, an English teacher, cultivated a joy of reading when I was young.  I was a poor classroom student as a kid. More interested in sports and recess than the classroom.  But I loved reading.  It helped counter years of classroom neglect.  But if I could do it differently, I probably wouldn’t. Being a reader for 60 […]

“Physically loose. Mentally tight.” – Arthur Ashe Ashe was a Hall of Fame tennis player.  He was an African American playing in a traditionally “white” game in the 1960s and 1970s.  Because he was a pioneer in the sport, he knew that he must always remain on his best behavior.  His decorum had to be perfect. He could not draw unwanted attention. On the court though, it was different.  He could go wide open.  Leap.  […]

I’m a day late on a Mother’s Day salute, but this made me chuckle because it’s true. Coach Krzyzewski, Hall of Famer, said: “Be as tough as your mothers. They show up every day.” It caused me to think about all the tough mothers I know. So many who work. So many are doing the parenting alone. So many have deep ambitions for their children and work hard to fulfill them. So many who have […]

“It seems that the necessary thing to do is not to fear mistakes, to plunge in, to do the best that one can, hoping to learn enough from blunder to correct them eventually.” – Abraham Maslow Maslow was an American psychologist who studied human development and satisfaction. He developed a theory called “The Hierarchy of Needs,” which described the process through which one achieves a good life. Thus, if you want to “happen to the […]

Jon Gordon’s five elements to realize a dream: A positive vision The will to work for it Belief that it will happen A supportive team Faith during the journey Gordon is a favorite author. His book The Energy Bus is popular in business these days. I recommend it. These five steps toward realizing a dream resonated with me. You can substitute the word dream with goal, mission, or destination. Gordon describes the mindset for achievement. […]

“You fuel your heart with six things: what you watch, what you read, what you listen to, who you surround yourself with, how you talk to yourself, and what you visualize.” – Joshua Medcalf, author of Chop Wood, Carry Water! I had the privilege of speaking to the honor students at Bartow High School on the night they were recognized. These kids are the best and brightest in our community. They are doing good things […]

How are you feeling today? Excited – Bored – Hopeful – Hopeless – Dreadful – Engaged – Grateful –Resentful – Joyful? You can feel all sorts of ways. I had a friend who started dreading Monday on Sunday. It became her habit. I hope that’s not your reality. I read a quote today: “Changing what you think can change how you feel.” So often, our thinking defines us. And the thinking determines how we feel. […]

I have a friend named Arnie Bellini. Last week, he set out to swim the English Channel. It is a daunting task – over 23 miles from the Cliffs of Dover across a massive shipping lane to France. There are powerful currents. The water temperature is between 50 and 60 degrees. It can take 12 to 15 hours, depending on the conditions. You don’t even try it without months of training and preparation. Arnie is […]

Loved this post by Greg Berge: Ways to be the Boss’s Favorite: Players They Can Trust – Show up. Do what you promise. Do what you’re called to do. Be accountable. Players Who Make the Right Plays – Do the right thing. Step up to hard things. Lead the way. Players Who Fill a Role – Do your job. Distinguish yourself by the high quality of work that you do. Don’t get distracted. Players Who […]