This has been something that has been on my mind lately as I have heard this idea recently from at least one podcast that I listen to, if not more than one.  It's also in my heart too as it's really hitting me hard as of late.  

I look at my parents.  Thank God I still have them in my life as they are right around that 80 year old mark.  I've only known them to be hard workers, good people, having lot's of friends, both being difference makers in their careers and quite frankly fantastic parents to me and my sister.  I wonder what they would do with the opportunites out there now, if they found them in their early years?  I'll have to ask them and that sounds like it could be a great podcast to do too with them.

I am really intrigued with what their parents (my grandparents), my great-grandparents, my great-great grandparents and so on would do with today's opportunities.   I know that everything is relevant to the time that they are in or a part of.  I also know that it's not really possible to find the answers to these questions since my relatives are long gone.   I'd like to think the skills they had during their lifetimes would somehow benefit them if they were around today.  One advantage for sure is if they had their prior knowledge with them.   They could compare as to how hard they really had it and how much better we are off in today's world.  

I know for a fact that with that prior knowledge would be pure gold.  Just imagining it I think can be used to our advantage today!  I look at it from the viewpoint what would I want my kids, my students & players, to learn from me today to apply to their futures.  I also view it from the standpoint that based upon all the work, sacrifice, hardships, tough choices, etc., that they had in their lives - that I don't want to waste my opportunities that I have.  Simply put, I would obviously not be here if it were not for them doing what they did - touch times & tough choices and all.  I really feel that I would dishonor them if I did not work hard at going after my dreams and goals.  It's a force that is certainly bigger than me and it's very powerful too.

My son is working on being a certified Geneologist and has a lot of details on our family tree.  I need to dig a little bit to make more personal connections to my family members and find out a little bit more on maybe exactly what they might do with today's opportunities. 
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Am I the only one thinking like this?  I wonder???

“Make your somedays turn into your everyday”—John Addison
 
I’ve has a lot of somedays.  Especially recently it seems.  Lot’s going on around me, and most of it is self-created.  The distractions have gotten in the way of my somedays.  When I saw this quote, I knew I needed to see it and let it sink in, since it was obviously just meant for me.  ;-)
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I have been spending a large portion of most of these summer days just putting things off since I’ve been doing other things.  Since we got our new puppy, things have been a little crazy or maybe I should say different around our house.  This is our first dog – ever!  My wife and I did not grow up with dogs at all in our lives.  Our daughter has been begging for one ever since I can remember.  Well, after a combined 140 years of not owning a dog (our ages combined for our family of 4), we got one in June.

It sure makes life more interesting, that’s for sure.  I’ve always been against getting a dog because of the money and the time involved.  I guess I had to look at it differently since there is more to life than just the things I’ve been focused in on.  This takes the focus off of me and puts it onto something else that depends on me.  It is something bigger than just myself.  We as a family get to rally around and be a part of something that we all can do together and Kirby helps to bring us together more than we realized we could be.  He’s a difference maker with me and my family from the first time we saw him.

But, like I said – there have been distractions.  I’ve been the one getting up with him every morning early and we have connected because of it.  So there are things that I have not been able to work on or spend time on that I really want to do.  Throughout the day as well, it’s been up to me to take care of him and do the things that have to be done.  I’ve tried not to complain as I’m grateful that I have the time to be able to help him and our family out with this important investment.  It’s taken me awhile to realize that I simply need to re-allocate my time a little bit.  The time I have is more valuable now as this is a repeated lesson throughout my life that I needed to be reminded of.  I think it’s a lesson for everyone else too. 

My somedays have to be brought into being todays.  My wife and I watched a news story the other night about a wealthy guy who was attending all of these different sporting events at the age of I think 55.  He had the means to do it and he said that he had a lot more yesterdays than he had tomorrows left in his life.  My wife and I looked at each other.  We know that is true and a very good statement to think about and then do something about.  Actually looking at the fact that we did get our first dog helped us with this thought too. I’ve heard this lesson brought up many times in my life.  It’s time to really take my somedays and make them part of my todays.
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So as I get back into my blog postings, my podcasts, starting my book(s), my leadership lessons, classes and workshops, getting ready for another basketball season, another school year and to keep learning all I can about taking care of a dog – along with helping my family to realize that this statement is for them too, it’s time for my todays to connect with my somedays.  How about you?

​"I learned about the strength you can get from a close family life. I learned to keep going, even in bad times. I learned not to despair, even when my world was falling apart. I learned that there are no free lunches. And I learned the value of hard work." — Lee Iacocca
 
One thing I know for sure is that learning never stops.  At least it shouldn’t stop if we know what’s good for us.  This weekend I learned about strength in family.  I have a very good friend that lost his wife to cancer.  I’ve seen these losses before for others and it always has lessons for me and for others to learn from and for the most part I’ve learned many but honestly I could say maybe I’ve lost a few of them over the years.  Not proud of it, but it’s probably true.

This one hurt too, just like the others and just like the deaths of a loved one that you have suffered too.  Finding out part of the back story in that my friend, who I’ve known since 1st grade along with him being the best man in my wedding too; how he’s handled this over the last year and a half or so – simply amazing!

These lessons have pushed me into a little bit more action than previous lessons.  I guess all the previous lessons along with this one and for sure the ones that are to come in the future, could all be put into a book.  That book should be drawn on often, if not every day.  It comes down to this – these lessons should help us to live a better life each and every day!  What we say and do.  How we treat others.  Things that we shouldn’t waste our time on and things we do need to spend our time on.  The list can go on a lot longer too.

Part of this idea above from Lee Iacocca is the value of hard work.  Things that have been decided that are worth it (and that is different for everyone) are usually things that will take some hard work to make them happen.  For the most part, things that come easy may not be really worth it in the end.  Through all the ups and downs in life, the heartbreak and the moments of happiness and enjoyment, there has to be some solid effort that is put into our equation of life.  Not much if anything comes free to us.  It has to be earned for sure.

Another part is the not quitting, not giving up!  Having to have faith in our situations, ourselves, our loved ones, and for the most part faith in something bigger than ourselves.  It helps so much to have our lives going in a direction towards things that we are passionate about, so that when the tough times hit (and they always do), we can find our way through the storms in order to keep going and not quit.

The lessons I’ve learned this past week or so are powerful.  But like I said, so are the other ones that I’ve learned in the past.  Now, maybe they are all coming together.  Maybe now I have enough of a “reason why” to do some things differently and make some changes that I’ve been dabbling with for years.  What lessons have you learned lately from life?  Any time you want to share them – please do for I know they will help me along with they will help others too.

“Three Ways To Raise Your Happiness Instantly:
1. Look at pictures of your loved ones. 
2. Start your day with positive statements.
3. Compliment 3 people.”

- Dr. Jonathan Fader

Great way to not only start out a week, but how about every day!  Just try this – see how many people you can help change their day by doing this.  I know it won’t help everyone you come into contact with, but it will for sure help you!

Since I’ve been home recovering from back surgery, there hasn’t been one day where I haven’t looked at pictures of my family and friends.  We have them all over the house, on our fridge and yes, I’ve obviously looked at those pictures online too that are out there.  For me, what a great focus on the important fact that I want to continue to try and do things to help them.  It also hammers home the point for me not to let them down with my choices that I make in life.  There is also plenty of inspiration from these pictures too.  Always great to connect with pictures of our loved ones, lot’s of lessons there.

Starting my day with positive thoughts, ideas and statements is something I try to focus on every single day; that and my first cup of coffee.  There are plenty of examples out there for us to focus on.  Since I usually work on my Blackboard sites for my classes every morning, I see first thing my quote of the week!  This helps me so much, you don’t think I do these quotes just for you??  These positive statements help get my day going in a direction that I want it to start out in. Since I know I will encounter plenty of negative during my day, this is an instant defense to that.

The complimenting of 3 people – that one I have always tried to do for a long time, but I never really thought of doing at least 3 people.  That is something I will be doing more of for sure.  It’s amazing to see the look on someone’s face when you say good morning to them, or good to see you this morning, or even that they look nice today.   At times, this really works on someone who is mostly negative or even someone that you might not get along with too well; this can work wonders on.  Try it sometime, you might like the results.

"Look back and be grateful, look ahead and be hopeful, look around and be helpful." - Unknown

Taking some time more often than usual to look around in our lives, is something that can be very beneficial and valuable for us to do. Just taking a few moments now and then to pause the craziness in our lives and look around at all the things that will be helpful to us.

This quote jumped out at me and I'm a firm believer that as long as we are looking, things that we need to see do make an appearance - then it's up to us to recognize that and grab a hold of it and use it.  This unknown quote is something that did just that for me.

As I look ahead to having my back surgery this week, I must say it’s amazing to have so many thankful thoughts and feelings flooding over me.  Looking at others that I met at a pre-surgery class that I went to last week, that they will be having the same surgery as I am and to see the different circumstances that they are going through compared to me.  Amazingly grateful and feeling very blessed.

I am definitely hopeful as I look ahead to after the surgery is complete.  I will have a very long recover period where I will not be in school and I’ve told my principal that I will still have my hand on things from home for some of the time I will be out.  This has also led me to know how truly grateful I am that I have a job that I’m very passionate about.  It has struck me as to how much I will miss my students, working with them, helping them, getting to know them, seeing them understand things, see positive changes they are making, etc.  My coworkers are my friends as they are the ones that I spend a huge amount of time with – I will be missing them too.

The looking around to be helpful is something that I have prided myself on my entire teaching career.  Now I’m the one that will need some help.  It brings me to tears as I am writing this as I have my wife and my family.  My wife will be taking some time away from her job to help me as I get back home after my hospital stay.  My son and daughter will be home from college for a few weeks, they will be around to help me and my wife out.  My mom too will be helping out along with other family members, friends and neighbors that have told us they will do whatever we need.  This also ties into the thankful and grateful part.  I cannot understand at times how lucky and blessed I am.  Both for having a job that I care deeply about working with my students, but also all the fabulous people in my life that are there for me when I need them and are there other times for us to do things together and help each other at the different stages in our lives.

These quotes of the week always make sense (at least to me) to start a week off on a Monday with.  This quote especially should be one that you should take a moment or two and let it sink in a little.  (all of these that I find I feel the same too – but this one is a little extra special)  Then let me and others know what does it mean to you – how can you use this to make some changes this week and beyond that will pay some huge dividends sooner or later in your life.



So if you are reading this in the next couple of days – have me in your thoughts would you please – say a prayer if you are inclined to do that, for I will appreciate all of them.

"There's always something to suggest that you'll never be who you wanted to be. Your choice is to take it or keep on moving." -- Phylicia Rashad

We face choices every day in our lives.  We can make choices that take us closer to where we want to go, or we can make choices that will take us further away from our goals and dreams.  It’s up to us.  Along with the fact that we don't usually have all the time in the world to make these choices either.

There are also plenty of things in life and people too for that matter that will get in the way of those choices.  Not only will they get in the way, they will also make us believe that maybe we can’t do what we set out to do.  We all know people that are what’s called “dream suckers”.  They just suck the life out of any dream that we might have and make us feel like we can do it or even worse, it’s stupid for us to even try.

There are two major things we can do to help ourselves with this issue.  One is to have such a large dream, something that we are so fired up and passionate about,  that makes it nearly impossible for anything or anyone to get in the way of us making it happen.  The second thing is for us to identify those obstacles or brick walls (both things and people) and for us to work hard at avoiding them and choosing not to allow them to affect our efforts.

The main reason this caught my eye this week were the events that me and my family went through last week and are continuing to go through this week.  We had a family funeral to attend as my cousin Dave passed away suddenly last week.  To see the tons of people that turned out at the family get-together at their home along with the funeral service the next day – it was totally amazing.  To hear all the stories about how he affected so many people was awesome and inspiring too.

My cousin chose to keep moving to chase his goals and dreams.  He didn’t let any of those brick walls stop him at all, in face he used them to inspire himself to stick to his plan.  One of the many thoughts that struck me was that from all the different people he affected and helped during his lifetime, he helped them by going after his goals and dreams.  He went after being a professor at a university, and he did that and more.  He wrote a book in his field that is referenced so many times around the world.  His studies and projects that he worked on were leading to new ways of thinking and lead others to new discoveries too.  He loved sports, especially soccer and basketball.  His coaching encouraged so many kids to stick with the game and getting better along with battling through their fears.  Huge life lessons!

You see, by going after our goals and dreams we can help many more people along the way than if we don’t go after them.  In fact we will hold others back from attaining their goals and dreams by not going after ours.  That was a huge lesson my cousin left for others. I for one took notice.  How about you?  Any of these thoughts connect with you?  Are there people out there that are an example for you?  Always looking to learn – share your thoughts so that you can help others too.

"The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more things you'll have to express gratitude for." - Zig Ziglar

During the last few weeks I’ve really been focused on expressing more gratitude in my life.  There have been many times during my knee surgery recovery that I have felt a little down about things.  I’ve tried to use some of my own advice that I’ve not only tried to help others with, but I have received the same help from different people too.  That help was the idea about wrapping your arms around the down, sad, anger, etc… whatever those feelings and emotions are, and then learn from those feelings and move on.  I’ve really tried to give it 15 – 30 minutes some time to really get in touch with those feelings and learn from them. Then I add some gratitude to the process and I have found that gratitude will help make those feelings hurt less so that I can move on and not let them hold me back from doing things I have to do and from living life.

We got through a big event at our house this past week.  Both of our kids went off to college.  It’s been a real emotional tug-of-war for me with both of them gone now.  I’m trying to focus on how proud I am of both of them along with being excited for all the opportunities that will come their way too.  When I focus on the gratitude part of them being my kids and all the great memories of them growing up and the many lessons they have taught me; that helps in dealing with them being gone.  This summer especially since I was on the mend from my knee surgery for around half the summer, they both were a big help to me.    Their sacrifices were a difference maker for me and helped me to get to this point of being more self-sufficient and getting around better.

There is also a lot of gratitude for me knowing that my wife and I will have more time for each other and really, more time for ourselves too.  We have been getting in touch with old friends and plan on doing more things with them as time goes on with our kids being mostly out of the house.  School is starting again soon, so I am getting in that frame of mind to get things ready for the start of school after Labor Day.  Again, I’m looking at the start with gratitude since I do enjoy doing what I’m doing along with the fact that I get to work with some great students and staff.

So take a look as to where you are at in your life and if having some more gratitude about things can make a difference for you.  Just try it and I’d be willing to say that you will find things around you looking a whole lot better.  In fact, let me know how it goes as you know, I love learning things from others when it comes to success and leadership principles.

"Gratitude is a vaccine, an antitoxin, and an antiseptic.” — John Henry Jowett

I have found this quote to be totally true many times in my life, but more so recently.  As I have been continuing my recovery from my knee-replacement surgery, I have focused on this quote many times, especially over the last day or two and let me tell you; gratitude is every bit of a vaccine, an antitoxin and antiseptic.    There have been a few down moments when I start feeling sorry for myself, but this is such a great attitude and outlook adjustment.  I have talked to my wife about this too and she totally agrees and has helped me to refocus my attention back on getting better and looking ahead.

This also got me remembering a few more things about my stay at the hospital.  My first roommate was an elderly gentleman from another country, who could not speak English to well.  Plus, being in such close quarters, it was not hard to hear things about what he was battling.  He was dealing with throat cancer, something wrong with his jaw along with having recently broken one of his legs too.  This got me feeling better right away about my status but I also picked up on how hard his son was working on making sure he was being taken care of.  The questions, the time spent in the hospital and on the phone, all to make sure his dad was getting the best care possible.  His son had to be a little younger than me, but I was impressed.The language barrier was helped a little with a few doctors & other medical personnel that could speak this man’s native language.   So many times you hear of people kind of being left on their own when it comes to these types of health issues.  This man's son did such a great job, a lesson for me and everyone.  Well, they had to move his dad from this hospital I was at to another one for the different and specialized treatment that he needed. 

I was alone for a couple of hours until my new roommate arrived.  Again, quickly finding out that he was a guy my age having just went through his second back surgery. Now this got my attention quickly as I have back surgery coming up in early November.  This guy was a nice guy, hard worker throughout his lifetime and again, I could pick things up even without really talking to him right away.  We did talk a few times through the curtain telling about our stories a little bit to each other.  It was great to see the support that he had there from his wife and his mom the first evening after his surgery.  Then his wife was there for a good part of the day on Thursday.  He also had a buddy that came in on Friday morning to visit for a little bit too.  

I noticed quickly this guy appreciated the people that came to visit him and that he was very grateful for their time spent with him.  He was in a lot of pain it seemed, but it didn't keep him from doing the little things he had to start to do to get better.  We found ourselves talking a few times, trying to keep encouraging each other a little bit along with having some fun with some light-hearted comments and a bit of laughter.  We spent a little time talking about how will have to find a new profession / career as with his injuries his doctors have told him he would have to make some changes.  As I had my time to spend thinking, this got me thinking how grateful I was for the time spent with both roommates and the lessons that each gave to me.

I am now into my Physical Therapy sessions.  First was four  visits here at home and now I have started this week going to my regular Physical Therapist as an outpatient.  I knew it would be challenging and difficult, but I have also been thinking about this for months leading up to my surgery, the fact that I have to do these exercises and work through the pain in order to get better.  I can tell already from the people that I have been working with, that there are many more lessons of gratitude here for me to learn from and to focus on.  There will be more thoughts, observations, lessons and discussions coming from this for sure.  We all have things that we go through everyday.  There are always lessons of gratitude there for us to learn from for sure.  What are some of the lessons you have learned on your journey in life?