“. . . A journey of a thousand miles must begin with one single step.” Lao Tzu My wife Carol and her cousin-in-law, Romona, are discussing the subject of steps. This conversation – about the total number of physical steps made during the day – is actually a dialogue that occurs often when visiting our beach condo which is less than 100 feet from where our cousins live. Such close proximity provides an opportunity for frequent chats between these two ladies of kindred spirit. In some of … [Read more...]
Surprise Success Secret
“Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game.” Michael Jordan We are idling past Boggy Point, the last public boat launch before Perdido Pass Bridge and entry to the Gulf of Mexico. Just a few minutes earlier, I had started the engines of Lil’ Luci, pulling out of my boat slip in Terry Cove for the beginning of our offshore fishing trip. It is a beautiful day in June and the seas are predicted to be pretty flat. The air is full of excitement! There are eight onboard for this trip. U.S. federal … [Read more...]
Whistle
“Just whistle while you work Put on that grin and start right in to whistle loud and long Just hum a merry tune Just do your best and then take a rest and sing yourself a song When there’s too much to do Don’t let it bother you, forget your troubles Try to be just like a cheerful chick-a-dee And whistle while you work . . .” Source: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs She is singing along to a song being played as background music at the restaurant in Orange Beach, Alabama where we … [Read more...]
The NET
“One thing about championship teams is that they’re resilient. No matter what is thrown at them, no matter how deep the hole, they find a way to bounce back and overcome adversity”. Nick Saban Zzzzzz . . . The distinctive sound of a singing drag, coupled with a severely bent rod, indicate a good-sized fish is on the end of Steve’s line. He is my cousin-in-law, accompanying me on an inshore fishing trip along coastal Alabama in Orange Beach. “That’s a nice fish!” I exclaim. Even though I … [Read more...]
Head-On
“You cannot change what you refuse to confront.” (Source unknown) “Rob!” shouts Larry, jolting my mind out of deep thoughts during an ongoing conversation in which I am not engaged. Unfortunately, the only word I hear is the last one – my name – which my son-in-law has purposely spoken louder to get my attention. (He’s probably a little upset at being seemingly ignored). Has this ever happened to you? Perhaps you have been the person not being heard. If so, you know how Larry … [Read more...]
Vacation
“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” Winston Churchill For many of us, the month of May is a time of change or at least a time when we contemplate change in our lives. We may start thinking about summer vacation. May is also the time for graduations. I will be attending two different graduation ceremonies this month for grandchildren - one for high school and the other for grammar school. While an obvious “break” may be on the minds of my grandchildren and their … [Read more...]
Defeat
“If I find 10,000 ways something won’t work, I haven’t failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward.” Thomas Alva Edison There is no success without failure. Thomas Edison failed many times before he succeeded in his pursuit of inventing the light bulb. How many of us give up after one or two unsuccessful efforts at some task? Who among us would even try three times? Failure is not permanent. Napoleon Hill, renowned author on the … [Read more...]
Start
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Aristotle How you handle the first hour of your day may in part be affected by whether you are a ‘morning person.’ After living most of my life with my wife Carol, I do recognize that some folks wake up at a more moderate pace than others. My wife does indeed fit the description of the ‘unhurried starter.’ Recognizing this fact, I have adjusted my early morning interaction with her. Less is more when it comes to … [Read more...]
The Letter
“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” Ralph Waldo Emerson My non-verbal facial reaction and slightly audible ‘hmmm’ from our seats in the back row of the audience informs Carol, my wife, of my chagrin for the facilitation of this particular part of the marriage preparation weekend being presented by the other couple teaming with us. Roger and Dottie are propounding instructions for a non-scheduled, unwelcomed outline change. Instead of the … [Read more...]
Bowline Knot
“The experience of being understood, versus interpreted, is so compelling, you can charge admission.” B. Joseph Pine, II, The Experience Economy Ask any boating enthusiast to list the top marine knots they use and most will include the bowline knot. Why do boaters like this knot? As someone who has great passion for boating and fishing, and who often finds a way to be on the water, I can give three reasons: The bowline knot is simple to tie, absolutely will hold under a heavy load, and … [Read more...]
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