Please Forgive Me

By

“It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.”   Saint Francis of Assisi The first weekend in October is two weeks away. In 14 days from now, my life is going to dramatically change. I will never be the same. The year is 1976. My fiancé and future wife, Carol and I will be attending a marriage preparation program called Engaged Encounter (EE). Father Gallagher, the priest we have asked to witness our vows, has requested that we attend this marriage preparation. I do not want to go, but Father … [Read more...]

Daily Victory is Lifetime Success

By

The typical process in earning a college degree includes many steps during a four-year journey. Attending class, listening to lectures, and studying are among the requirements needed to pass exams. Requisite exams passed results in completing a course and the award of credit hours. Repetition of all these steps finally ends in qualifying for a degree.  This whole process, requiring many steps and daily effort, is a good example of what is needed for lifetime success. Lifetime success is daily … [Read more...]

Knock Your Socks Off

By

“The keys to brand success are self-definition, transparency, authenticity, and accountability.”   Simon Mainwaring, (social media consultant) My wife Carol and I started Hackbarth Delivery Service (HDS) with a complete dedication to exceptional service. The strategy was successful. Many years later, our company branded that original concept and named it Knock Your Socks Off service. Today, the huge customer response to this brand has verified the value. Branding is an important business … [Read more...]

Quiet

By

“Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.” Francis Bacon (1561-1626) It is quiet. Very  quiet. My oldest daughter’s household of eight are on a family trip to England and Ireland.  My wife Carol and her brother are in North Carolina. My youngest daughter’s two sons start school today, which comes earlier than my oldest daughter’s children who are on the overseas trip.  No noise in an empty house.  Our family pet, River, an Australian Labradoodle, is home with me, resting comfortably on the … [Read more...]

Gabrielle

By

“Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” Arthur Ashe Time seems brief when we compare some of our most cherished events to the journey required to get to these special moments. Our oldest granddaughter’s graduation from college is a great example. For Gabrielle, this commencement at Auburn University in north Alabama represents the end of a four-year voyage and the beginning of the rest of her life. This is a joyous celebration! My wife … [Read more...]

I Believe in You

By

“Some people can’t believe in themselves until someone else believes in them first.”– Sean Maguire, from the movie, Good Will Hunting Call itdestiny. Providence. Throughout my life, people surrounding me have believed in me! Starting with my beloved parents. My mother, Lucille, and my dad, Alfred, made a significant difference by placing their complete confidence in me. Additional advocates include my three sisters, two daughters, eight grandchildren . . . and, the most transformational … [Read more...]

Copycat

By

“If you want to be successful, find someone who has achieved the results you want and copy what they do and you’ll achieve the same results.“  Tony Robbins I remember the adulation of fans when the Beatles arrived for their first concert tour in the United States.  Yes, I know . . . I am dating myself.  Some would describe the behavior of those followers of the most famous English band of the century as being extremely devoted. Observation of the universal music landscape would reveal that … [Read more...]

Boundaries

By

“Don’t ever let somebody tell you . . . You can’t do something, not even me. All right? You got a dream, you gotta protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they wanna tell you you can’t do it. If you want something, go get it. Period.”  Chris Gardner, author of a New York Times Best Sellers book, The Pursuit of Happyness Our backyard in Birmingham, Alabama was quite long, with the ending border tangent to the alley where our garbage can was placed. In the left corner near the alley … [Read more...]

Remember Who You Are

By

“Be like a postage stamp. Stick to one thing until you get there.”  Josh Billings  It is an emotional interview. How could it notbe? Overcome with tears, Clyde stops talking a couple of times. Only five months earlier, he lost his son Paul in a plane crash. In the midst of Clyde’s great sadness, I am privileged to hear his inspiring story . . . unable to listen without being affected. As parents, we understand the yearning to have a positive influence on our children, an effort in which … [Read more...]

Intention

By

“Our intention creates our reality.” Wayne Dyer, Ph.D. The Power of Intention “I leave this life with no regrets. It was a wonderful life – full and complete with the great loves and great endeavors that make it worth living. I am sad to leave, but I leave with the knowledge that I lived the life that I intended.” Pulitzer Prize-winning author and political pundit, Charles Krauthammer, M.D., wrote these words a few weeks before his passing. What a powerful statement to share as a final … [Read more...]