“Sometimes, angels need a little help too.” Quote from the movie Christmas Town Happily, I watch as four-year old grandson JR gets all of us involved in the decoration of our Christmas tree. He takes the hand of Nana (Carol, my wife and his grandmother) and asks her to follow him to the tree to watch him as he hangs the ornament in his hand on an empty limb. He gets me involved, too. Eventually, his pleas for assistance evolves into a tag team effort where he becomes the delivery person … [Read more...]
Succeed Through Centerfielders
“You can have an impact anywhere you are.” Coach Tony Dungy While watching the recent Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings NFL football game, the announcer mentioned the difference in stats for quarterback Dak Prescott since Amari Cooper, wide receiver, had become part of the team. The statistics for the 17 games before Cooper joined Dallas, and the 17 games since he started playing on the team, were outlined in a graphic displayed on the television screen. The stats were completely … [Read more...]
How to Win in the Face of Defeat
“It takes a lot of people to make a winning team. Everybody’s contribution is important.” Gary David Goldberg The 2019 World Series championship won by the Washington Nationals is historic. Sports Illustrated described the unlikely victory in this way: “No team has ever overcome greater odds to win the World Series than the Washington Nationals. They rallied from 12 games back in the standings to make the postseason as a wild card. Then in the playoffs they became the first team to mount … [Read more...]
Details Matter
“In the successful organization, no detail is too small to escape close attention.” Coach Lou Holtz The BET, my next book, is in the final phase before heading to the printers. According to the experts, and there are plenty of them if you google certain words, the actual book cover really matters in getting your book sold. The book cover is the first part that a potential buyer sees. Details matter. If you incorrectly spell one word in the first chapter, a reader might give up on you … [Read more...]
A Family Approach to Success
“It is important for me to carve out time in my schedule to spend quality time with my family.” Belinda Johnson Andrew leans over and says to me just a few simple yet, powerful words. The conversation takes place in a gathering hosted by my sister, Janice. Present in the room are her three sons and their families from Colorado, South Carolina and Birmingham, Alabama. We are gathered in the living-dining room of the rented condo on the beach in Orange Beach, Alabama. Meeting seven young … [Read more...]
Jackson
“Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.” Helen Keller River, our Australian Labradoodle and a real member of the Hackbarth family, is traveling with us on a road trip to Jackson, Mississippi. Less than four hours from Mobile, the Capital of Mississippi is home to one of the terminal branches of Hackbarth Delivery Service (HDS). My wife Carol and I have planned this journey to personally say goodbye to Robert Moody, who has been with our company for over … [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...]
Being Connected
“The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival.” Aristotle (384-322BC) “Being aware is more important than being smart.” This is a quote from the book, Sacred Hoops: Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warrior, written by Phil Jackson, NBA All-American and former head coach of the Chicago Bulls. Phil Jackson had the privilege of coaching one of, if not the greatest of players in NBA history – Michael Jordan. He knew that Michael … [Read more...]
The Voice
“If we always helped one another, no one would need luck.” Sophocles (996-906BC) The gallbladder surgery is over and Lucille, my mom, is now settled in her hospital room. After talking for a few minutes, it is apparent she wants to rest. My dad, Carol, my wife, and I go to the cafeteria for coffee and a snack. After a few minutes, Carol returns to check on Mom – an ultimately fateful decision. Dad and I stay behind, continuing our conversation. About 20 minutes later, after a short … [Read more...]
Angel Biscuits
“Our mistakes and regrets are not barriers to becoming who we can be; they are a necessary ingredient.” David Schnarch, Ph.D. I do not drink buttermilk. Just the thought of consuming this beverage is unpleasant. The last time I took a sip of this thick liquid was so long ago that I can’t actually remember specifics. But, the experience permanently sealed in my brain that this was not a drink for me. I only know one person who ever drank this stuff – my mom, who was probably the influence … [Read more...]
