IT HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT WEEK IN AMERICA, NOT IN THE LEAST FOR SOME PEOPLE CLOSE TO US…
1. On Wed. we learned that a 90 year old friend, "Danny" in TN passed away. He lived a good full life, attended daily Mass every single day for years since he retired. His wife, who survives him was known as "Mom" to my wife--which shows how close they were (NOTE: my wife's mother passed away about 5 years ago).
2. On Thurs. the awful killing spree in CT happened. An event like that defies understanding for anyone with a moral center, a value for human life and a "heart." There is no explaining it or understanding it except as a product of a very sick mind…
(While watching this with sadness and astonishment we discovered that our daughter, who had fallen down a short flight of stairs earlier in the week was in the hospital to be fully checked out. Fortunately, after a series of test and an overnight stay for observation, she was released around midday yesterday, sore but otherwise OK.)
3. Yesterday morning we were awakened by the call of close friends who live nearby to tell us that their 31 year old son Chris, a police officer in MO for only two months answered a routine 911 call to help an unconscious woman, and after helping load her into the ambulance, her son (also previously judged mentally incompetent) leaped out of hiding and shot Chris, killing him. We spent time consoling those friends yesterday, and I drove them to the airport early this morning, as they left for MO to arrange for Chris' funeral--still shaking their heads in stunned disbelief.
-------------------
THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE MESSAGE IN THESE KINDS OF TRAGEDIES
Our time on earth is limited, and we don't know how long we will be here.All we can do is live it fully, being the best version of ourselves, every day. That's easier said that done, but at this time of year, we certainly can understand how important it is to have the Christ in Christmas helping us and being with us. The meaning in our lives is provided by the people in our lives--loved ones, friends, and passing acquaintances. NOW is the time of year to appreciate them all the more.
-----------------
IF YOU DOUBT THAT CHRISTMAS IS STILL A VERY SPECIAL TIME FOR AMERICANS--WATCH & LISTEN TO THIS
NO MATTER HOW MANY POLITICALLY CORRECT, BUT NARROW MINDED PEOPLE TRY TO UNDERMINE IT--CHRISTMAS IS SPECIAL--AS IS THE REASON WE CELEBRATE IT
"Peace on earth; goodwill to men." Trying to deny millions of Americans who could share in this by banning it in schools, in public settings, and so forth…is the wrong way for our country to move. Now, more than ever, we need God's help. Those who turn away from God (or whatever their particular religion calls "God") deny access to the most powerful force in the world--a force for good, a force for goodwill, and a force to create a better future. This is help we all need.
-----------------
WHAT DIFFERENCE CAN YOU MAKE? WHAT DIFFERENCE CAN ANY OF US MAKE? A LOT OF DIFFERENCE!
We can all be leaders if we choose to do so. We can all influence others--more by our actions than our words--but words are powerful too. A man once asked me a hard question: "Why do you write--books, articles, etc.?" It gave me pause, and I took that pause to think, really consider why I do it. My conclusion was my answer to him: "Because I think I have experiences, ideas and thoughts that will help them to be better, do better and enjoy life more. I write because I hope it helps people who read it."
-----------------
HOW CAN YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE? START! EACH JOURNEY STARTS WITH BUT A SINGLE STEP….
Start with your family and friends. Help them understand how you feel and what you think. Be open to the fact that each of them may feel or think differently. In a wonderful lesson I learned from Mr. Sam Walton, try to find something good, something that will make what you do better, in each part of what they share with you. Don't judge others intentions--you can't possibly know what they are or were. Take them at face value and try to understand their behavior and positions from their standpoint--it will be different from yours. That alone makes it valuable.
-----------------
ISN'T IT GREAT THAT THE LINES I JUST WROTE APPLY EQUALLY WELL TO WORKING WITH CUSTOMERS AND BONDING WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS?
You see, the fundamentals apply everywhere. I had a wonderful suggestion from one of my associates at the Prosper Group when we were reviewing ROADMAP TO PROFITABLE GROWTH. He said, "These principles can apply equally to people's personal lives. Why don't you include a comment early in the book pointing that out?" And I did. I also realized when talking with others, that another topic came up. Helping many Americans find profitable growth could actually help the recovery in the USA. Imagine that, a simple book that could "save the economy" or even "save the country." Is this too grandiose a thought? Rachel Carson's simple book THE SILENT SPRING changed the world immensely, triggering the entire environmental movement, and introducing the idea of considering the environmental impact of our actions.
-----------------
THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT I STILL WRITE FOR THE SAME REASONS I ALWAYS HAVE--"TO HELP PEOPLE"
Many of you may not know that a couple of months ago, I began taking BOXING lessons at a local gym. Yes, "at my age!" It have been fun, and great exercise, and I've only done very light sparring a couple of times. I don't know if I ever want to really get in the ring and "fight someone." What I do know is that there is a lot to learn in boxing that applies to life, work and the world in general. Thus, what else would you expect? I am working with the two founders, John & Tim Sullivan to write a little book. Our working title is "IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT BOXING; IT'S ABOUT CHANGING YOUR LIFE! Stay tuned as we progress on it. The lessons are surprisingly similar to life, work, etc. and easy to understand. If it sound's like a fun project, it is!
-----------------
FINALLY, I WANT TO CLOSE WITH THE PLIGHT OF OUR NATION AND A REFLECTION ON IT AS WELL
The time has come for prayer. Prayer that our government leaders will find it in their hearts and heads to work out their differences and do what is right and best for our country! I am not naive enough to think that we can alter their behaviors "simply by prayer", but prayer is a powerful force, and it works! God gave man free will, and some of the messes mankind gets into because of that free will must make him wonder how wise He was to do that… So whether you believe in God, or Jesus, or Allah, or Buddha, or the many other forms of Supreme Being we human look up to, and whether you read the Bible or the Koran or the Torah or the Book of Mormon, or any of the other holy books…
-----------------
Now is the time to PRAY… for those who are suffering here and around the world, for our country and its leaders to find new faith and a way to work together, and for everyone how is meaningful in your life. Hanukkah is just ending; in just 9 days, Christmas will be here, followed immediately by Kwanzaa, and the New Year…
Start now, if you have not been. Live it to the fullest. Resolve to think hard about the piece that follows, since it is part of my Christmas gift to you:
This holiday season, I want to share with YOU the thoughts from the first half of a speech that was never made. Unfortunately, it was cancelled due to lack of attendance—because of the current troubled economic times—and the pressure on overloaded workers and productivity crunches.
Never-the-less, this is a message that I want everyone to have during this holiday season. Times are tough. The pressure is on, in so many ways. Take a few minutes and read these brief questions. Then think really hard about YOUR answers to them. I believe you will start the New Year with a whole different set of priorities if you do this.
>>>What matters most, in your life? Think hard. Is it…?
Your Family?
Your Loved Ones?
Your Friends?
—Or you—as a person?
Your Health & Well-Being?
Your Self-Esteem?
Your Integrity?
—Or….Your Relationship with God?
>>>Which of these matters most?
Sure, they are all important, but when “push comes to shove” and you must choose among competing “important” parts of your life, what will you choose to favor over the others? Now hold that thought and let’s “shift gears.”
What matters most in your work?
Your Job?
Your Income?
Your Satisfaction?
Your Prestige/Position?
Your Achievement?
Your Advancement?
Your Career?
Don’t say “all of them.” That’s a “cop out!” Certainly prioritizing and doing well in some of them leads to success in others, but what order of importance do you assign to them. What matters most?? Consider this bit of wisdom, I first heard from Stephen Covey. (Author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People): “So often we climb the ladder of success without ever checking to see if it is leaning against the right wall.”
Now, think again. What matters most? It’s hard to choose, but if you don’t think about it, the urgent will push out the important, and whether that leads you to "what matters most" is questionable.
>>>What about your happiness? What is happiness anyway? Can you even describe it?
TRY! (Hint: it’s not about material possessions!)
When Was The Last Time You Were Really Happy?
What Were You Doing?
With Whom? Where?
Why Did That Make You Happy?
>>>What matters most? (That made you happy?) Take a couple of minutes & think hard
On your deathbed will you say, “I wish I’d spent more time in the office!”? Also consider whether you “work to live, or live to work?” That’s not a trivial question. Think about it.
What matters most is sometimes best considered from the perspective of others.
Who Really Cares About You?
Who Is There For You When You Really Need Them?
And Who Isn’t?
Who Are You Really There For?
And Who Are You Not There For Enough?
Remember, “Don’t apologize or make excuses, because those who matter don’t mind, and those who mind, don’t matter.” I don’t know who said that first, but it sure is true most of the time.
Now we are back where we started. What matters most—in your life? That answer—or series of answers—should be the guide you use to set your priorities. Setting priorities is among the hardest thing in life and in work! It’s so easy to say, and so hard to do, especially if you decide you want to “enjoy true happiness” and “satisfaction” as a result of your choices.
Click on this audio attachment and listen to it. The message is profound! Think about it.
(It is Harry Chapin's song, "Cat's in the Cradle")
I can’t tell you the "right" answers (for you), but if you’ve read this far, you are starting to come up with some of them. There’s no “Undo” button when your kids are growing up—miss that and it's gone. You get a short time with them, and then they are out on their own. There is no "do over" for time spent away from family and loved ones--even on "important business." There is no “Pause” button or “Rewind and Replay” when a loved one is afflicted with a serious (or terminal) illness—or if they are involved in a tragic, fatal accident. At those awful times, the issue of “what matters most” is often clearer than it had ever been before—and it may be too late.
Take the time now, in this Holiday season and starting New Year to think about, and then choose, what matters most; what comes first, second & what must be dropped off the list, because compared to the other things, it matters almost not at all?Once you decide on those priorities—on “what matters most,” then you must take action? Live for what matters most. Think about it every time you have a decision to make. Then make the right decision—do the right thing—because nothing different happens until you do!
When you consider “what matters most,“ and “get that right” you will improve your life—and be happier and more successful in your work. Hopefully, when you have thought about what “happiness” really is, and really means, you will find it too.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
`````````````````````````````````
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year…and may God bless you and yours this holiday season.
Comments