“There is no education like adversity.” Sir Benjamin Disraeli Every September, I am reminded of what was one of the toughest periods of time for my wife Carol and me. That journey is a powerful and emotional story told in my new book, The BET. “On September 12, 1979, our fragile life took a turn that we did not anticipate. We went from a bad financial situation to complete disaster. September 12th was the day Hurricane Frederic (“Freddy”) roared into Mobile, causing indescribable … [Read more...]
Do We Ever Graduate?
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." Seneca the Younger We are hosting a graduation party for our oldest grandchild, Gabrielle. She has invited friends and we have extended invitations to many family members. Earlier this year, she walked across the stage to receive her diploma in Interior Design from Auburn University. A proud moment for parents and grandparents. Is it over? Absolutely not. It is only the beginning. She has just started on a new leg of her life. … [Read more...]
Reply
"Everything has two handles: one by which it can be born and the other by which it can’t.” The Art of Living – Epictetus So often, I watch in utter amazement the reaction that we sometimes witness when people reply to a statement which they do not support. Before the paint dries, they are shouting at the top of their voice. The opposing view, which may be part of the solution, is lost in the heat of the moment. Have you had such an experience? Perhaps, you were the originator of such an … [Read more...]
Life 360
“I learned early in sports that to be effective -- for a player to play the best he can play – is a matter of concentration and being unaware of distractions, positive or negative.” - Thomas W. “Tom” Landry As I watch in utter amazement, my wife Carol opens her Life360 app, (labeled as the ‘new Family Circle’), pointing to the geographical location of our daughter Kelly and her family. Data collected via satellites is transmitted into map icons on a display screen. My astonishment is … [Read more...]
Quiet
“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...]
Out of Breath
“It takes 25 minutes to recover from a phone call or an e-mail, researchers have found, and yet the average person receives such an interruption every 11 minutes, Which means that we’re never caught up; we’re always out of breath, running behind.” Pico Iyer, M.A. Lying on the gym floor, I cannot catch my breath! In an aggressive play to secure a loose basketball, I land prostrate on the floor. Seconds later, two tumbling players from the opposing team land with all their weight on top of … [Read more...]
In Control
“Only you can control your future.” Dr. Seuss I like to be in control of my life. I want to know in advance the outcome of the effort I make in any project. In the event of any negative surprises, I need to have adequate preparation time in which to plan my response. How about you? Despite my aspiration, reality exits. With two daughters and their spouses, eight grandchildren (the ‘Exceptional Eight’), and our family pet ‘River,’ I have concluded that I have very little control over … [Read more...]
