“Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.” Ralph Waldo Emerson We often underestimate the possible impact we have on others. Our potential influence is enormous. Gigantic. And yet, it is underestimated. At the deepest core of our being, all of us want to make a difference. We want to have impact. We want to leave a legacy. We want to be of service to others. But how? That is the question that gnaws at our core. In the moments of silence, we think about … [Read more...]
Build A Bright Future One Thought at a Time
“Change your thoughts and you can change the world.” Dr. Norman Vincent Peale After noteworthy praise and introduction from a guest school official, our Downtown Rotary Club high school honoree gives a short inspiring presentation to our luncheon gathering at the Battle House in Mobile, Alabama. She wisely incorporates our club motto of ‘Service above Self’ in her speech. Her comments about the butterfly effect get my immediate attention. Have you heard of this concept? The idea is that a … [Read more...]
Why Have a Positive Attitude?
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” Helen Keller Why have a positive attitude? Some may consider this a silly question. As a reader to this newsletter, you have lived long enough to have experienced a number of events that were influenced by positive thinking. And, there are literally hundreds of articles on why a positive attitude is important. But today, I will share the most important one. Life is tough. We do not always … [Read more...]
How to be Happy
“It is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible. From this, happiness in both the short term and the long term for both yourself and others will come." Dalai Lama Ding! The alert from my phone communicates that I have just received a text message. Contrary to my normal practice of silencing all electronic interference while writing, I forgot to turn off my phone this morning. Now distracted, I proceed to read the message. “Good morning, sweet little … [Read more...]
Hall of Fame
“Forget the lottery. Bet on yourself instead.” Brian Koslow The introductory remarks of Gil Carpal – who pioneered the Hall of Fame Award for the Customized Logistics Delivery Association (CLDA) and former CLDA Board member – are soon followed by the same words he has used in past conventions: “This year’s Hall of Fame inductee is . . .” I am sitting in this audience gathered in New Orleans, Louisiana as Gil declares our new inductee -- Ronnie Burns, one of the original creators of our … [Read more...]
Just Coffee
“Life is an echo. What you send out, comes back. What you sow, you reap. What you give, you get. What you see in others, exists in you.” Zig Ziglar As Matt approaches the counter, he remembers what had happened just a week earlier in this same convenience store. As he pulled out his wallet to pay for a cup of coffee, the clerk told him that an elderly gentleman who had just left the store had already covered the cost of his beverage. Matt hurriedly sought and found this thoughtful … [Read more...]
Happy Birthday
“It takes a long time to become young.” Pablo Picasso At this point, it is not too important to be accurate on the exact number – that is, the number that represents my age. I have been around a long time – let’s leave it at that. I hope to be here for at least a few more years. Without excessive revelation, let’s just say that I am in the fourth quarter of my life. Happy Birthday! Hmmm. While I really don’t seek anything special for my birthday, I was amazed by the large number of folks … [Read more...]
Description
“A man’s character may be learned from the adjectives which he habitually uses in conversation.” Mark Twain If you had 10 words that would accurately describe you, which 10 adjectives would you use? What would be the 10 words you would like for others to use in describing you? Finally, do you know what words other people would use in describing you? Fill in the blanks: “I am” (insert the adjective that best describes you) “I am . . . “(using an adjective that others would use in … [Read more...]
Gary
“The human race has one effective weapon, and that is laughter.” Mark Twain Loud laughter fills the room and lingers. Before the audible merriment subsides, he quickly fires away with another joke. Gaining momentum, the laughter now seems to perpetuate itself. Classic Gary! I am in the audience enjoying these magical moments. We are meeting at Hackbarth Delivery Service (HDS) headquarters in the conference room. This segment of the corporate training program for new managers within our … [Read more...]
Imagination Failure
“Great ideas originate in the muscles” Thomas Edison Can imagination be harmful, possibly leading us away from success rather than toward it? Yes! I know because I have been here before. It would be hard to convince Napoleon Hill of a negative outcome related to imagination, a topic that he dedicated an entire chapter in his best-selling book, The Laws of Success. Even if we have not read this book, which I do recommend, we have been exposed to material that declares that imagination is a … [Read more...]
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