Brief Moments

      On a daily basis this spring of 2014 I far too often see a spirit of fear driving the attitudes and behavior in customers, co-workers and organizational leadership.  It's often not the larger global awareness causing concern regarding Putin's dubious expansion into Ukraine, the new outbreaks of Ebola, Al Qaeda threats, the Syrian war, Afghanistan or any other ongoing/emerging crisis far from home.  Most are too unaware of what's happening globally because our lives are too busy trying to survive. Paying attention requires too much additional learning and understanding which might require doing something.      Some of this fear stems from a completely dysfunctional U.S. government bent on opposing anything the other party desires or focusing so tightly on extremely uneducated philosophies that at no level can they be trusted to do what's in the best interest of citizens.  The perception that our government only works for large cor...

     I'd like to find the first corporate MBA who thought moving Black Friday to Thanksgiving day, pulling employees away from their families and ask them what they're doing today.  I'm sure it's not at a checkout counter in retail. Like the changing family structure in America our Thanksgiving occurs on three different days:  Last Sunday with one set of in-laws and siblings nearby, today with my other in-laws and Sunday with my father's family in Grand Rapids.  We won't see those in California, Washington, D.C. or Hawaii but have either already spoken with them or will shortly.  All three occasions we'll be missing my oldest son who's working at a homeless shelter in Kalamazoo.      A family member recently said to me that we were going to have a "crappy Christmas" based on cash flow. My response was immediate.  If we're together it will be a wonderful Christmas because that's all that matters. I just don't have mu...

     This exercise suggested by a friend/mentor would have been interesting begun more than 30 years ago and rewritten every five years without reviewing previous renditions.  In the recesses of memory there have been several perfect days in my life.  One wonders though whether those fleeting synapse impressions are accurate.  That's a different exploration as we consider what it might be like were that day to be tomorrow. It's not chronological, but activities that may vary and accepting the flow of what comes has become an important part of my personal definitions of happiness and success. Early     The day would begin without an alarm's noise before sunrise.  The exercise of grinding the coffee beans and the wavering odor of a  fresh coffee pot hints at hope. Waking daily to a mental song from history (another day's writing), a brief analysis ensues accepting or rejecting relevance.  The first hours are spent in readin...

    I can't decide if the movie producers of Atlas Shrugged are making the films because they subscribe to Ayn Rand's pure hatred of  humanity and God. I suppose it could be the venture capitalists making the series hope that visually showing that truth might help some part of society see how hateful and evil her philosophy is.   Lead producer John Aglialoro graduated from Temple University which was founded by a Philadelphia (my birth place) Minister Russel Conwell , a servant and mentor to many. The Hank Reardon trial lays out the new philosophy clearly.      " There was a time when men believed that ‘the good’ was         a concept to be defined by a code of moral values and         that no man had the right to seek his good through the         violation of the rights of another ."    The dialogue is of cou...

     Moving into this nicely brisk fall morning before sunrise I'm grateful for a faith which gives hope in these times of utter ignorance being paraded as something to be celebrated.  Wednesday while quoting rates to a home buyer I was told:      " I'm not interesting in locking an interest rate because defaulting on the Federal debt will be        the best thing that ever happened to this country and rates will drop." Exactly. As we all know historically when businesses or individuals go bankrupt, they immediately get higher credit scores and better interest rates on their next endeavors.  As someone who teaches economics (among other subjects) when I suggested that his vision wasn't going to be the result he stated " You watch too much CNN and obviously have no idea. I'll probably just pay cash anyway but good luck with your delusions."     Self-analysis says I actually watc...

     Shared by Lead with Giants! Thank you.      As the semester's ending and both my undergraduate and graduate students move on to their next opportunities I'm struck by hope.  Even in a global economy filled with uncertainty and modest job opportunities for most.  In part that stems from having spent more than a year with the graduate students, and the progress in the undergraduate students not of understanding theory, but of understanding self and how to apply theory to personal, professional and public life.      The level of connectivity continues to grow exponentially in our societies.  The pace of change so rapid that boxing paradigms leaves one in quicksand rather than a firm foundation our grandparents and parents could build their lives upon generations ago.  The continuity with which one can survive, achieve, and contribute is rooted in the attitude we start with, the ability to observe ...

    Having just picked up two new undergraduate classes (the nature of adjunct faculty) to lead starting next week on site for a local employer through the community college; and having preached way too hard during the A-to-Z challenge, I'm taking a short cut to end the month.      I'll admit I'm slightly offended by the Disney portrayal here, but lyric wise I am grateful for the gift of new mornings the Lord gives daily.  Hope  springs. And if we ever meet in person, online or on the phone,  I don't care who you are Don't call me "sir".   Jon works just fine, because in His eyes we're equal.  Status is something humans often wrongly place. Over 50 years of existence the most important thing I've learned beyond serving others above self is that everyone I meet has something to teach me.  Regardless of what some social BS decides or tries to apply.     Hypocrisy!  Darn, human again. I've changed...

     There's a wonderful line in the movie " Chicken Run " about leadership:  "The fences aren't just out there in the yard.  They're in your heads."  Today's A-to-Z Challenge comes directly from tremendous artist Todd Rundgren.  Enjoy.  Believe.  Do Something . We've been waiting so long, We've been waiting for the sun to rise and shine Shining still to give us the will Can you hear me, the sound of my voice? I am here to tell you I have made my choice I've been listening to what's been going down There's just too much talk and gossip going 'round You may think that I'm a fool, but I know the answer Words become a tool, anyone can use them Take the golden rule, as the best example Eyes that have seen will know what I mean The time has come to take the bull by the horns We've been so downhearted, we've been so forlorn We get weak and we want to give in But we still need each other if we want ...

     Filling in as the talk show hows on WSJM AM 1400 and FM 94.49 this morning I'm taking a shortcut in a hectic week.  I miss Sting.  Saw a concert documentary of a performance a couple of weeks ago that I came across on Directv and although his voice is showing some signs of age the Spirit was as beautiful as ever.  So was the music of course.  As mentioned before we don't hear this kind of quality on the radio anymore.  Now more than ever we certainly could use the depth of soul and purpose on what we feed our ears.      May your day be filled with purpose, hope, faith and peace.

     Most of us have felt rejected at one time or another.  By a potential mate, spouse, friends, jobs we've applied for, coworkers or bosses.  In my case certainly there were times over the decades where my thinking and behavior deserved being fired or turned away. Other occasions though the rejection doesn't have anything to do with us, but the paradigm of those dismissing our opinions or relationship.  Those who've struggled to find meaningful work during the last five years of the current recession know first hand, often applying for hundreds or thousands of jobs with no feedback or even "thank you but we're going in a different direction" after multiple interviews.           If one doesn't have both spiritual and internal fortitude rejection can easily become a self fulfilling prophecy as the attitude and posture exude "I'm not worthy" where we go. I've never met anyone who wasn't worthy as a human ...

    The older I become in the frantic pace of much of American society, the more I value moments of quiet.  Of peace.  Of contemplation and restoration.  Knowing that in doing so, I am restored to face whatever may come that differs from the planned vision.  Being open to change knowing there is a greater purpose and calling involved alleviates pressures which lead to blame instead of solutions, doubt instead of action, and fear which turns to hiding or harm.  Peace be upon us all this Sunday, with some left over for Monday.  Just as we don't eat but one meal a week, finding moments of solitude daily is the beginning of global peace.  One person at a time. These quotes below come from my Pinterest boards when I assign time to other creative endeavors. Take time to be still and KNOW.  "The face in the water looks up.  She shakes her head as if to say that it's the last time you'll look like today." Genesis. Amen ...

    The overload of this week's schedule put me behind in the A-to-Z Challenge .  Having started for a new full time employer immediately after presenting at the Western Academy of Management , commitments serving other organizations through mid-May still exist and I value integrity too high to just abandon them.     Within the contract at the new organization was a goal to reach $4.1 million in sales by August 31st.  It's clear now after three weeks that we'll pass that number in 30 days. My first impression is of gratitude to God for the opportunity, but also an understanding that seeing anything as an opportunity or an obstacle is a choice, just like attitude and happiness.  After all generating that volume of new clients creates paperwork and follow through for teams of individuals in other locations and ongoing follow up by me to ensure what's been promised is delivered.  That is the nature of all businesses whether service or...

Saturday morning with gray overcast skies Steady winds in Pure Southwest Michigan Weekend Edition feeding awareness in the background Lists of deadlines swirl in neurons unwritten As reminders to do, not stresses that harm The lapdogs run through the mountains of logs That the electric company felled in hopes Of protecting their precarious lines While yapping at the neighbors four times their size Through the boundary fences of backyards So many rush through daily agendas Unfocused on meaning and purpose As completion becomes the only objective That quality falls or service substandard With mediocrity ruling the journey The children are taught by observation That activity levels measure success With no planned moments of nothingness Time to search internally and find The purpose and meaning of who we are Stop! He shouted from keyboards and classrooms Listen! To nothing but the soul of reflection Wait! In the moment of existence Dream! From within, not bin...

     The start of the A-Z blogging challenge catches me rather busy this week officially rolling into a new full time position while filling in for Wild Bill Lewis on 97-5 Y-Country , working on a couple of articles for the Herald Palladium , teaching Organizational Behavior for Lake Michigan College and preparing for a Bridges Out of Poverty Day One Training to lead at  Andrews University soon.  Then there's the homework for my PhD in Organizational Psychology.      In working (or volunteering) for more than 25 years in community and individual development and teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, I've come to abhor the word average .  The average American makes less than a 1/4 of what are U.S. Congressman does, and .0000008th of what the average CEO makes. President Bush was only an average (C) student in college, but managed to become President. I don't know the real numbers, but I know a lot of business ow...

     The last week of August this year I suddenly was asked to teach four graduate classes and three undergraduate classes on four different campuses.  So aside from an election night moment of hope and a couple of linked posts to worthwhile blogs or writings of associates there's been no time to share in this medium.      With a week to start before class the first question tends to be "What textbook are we using?"  Then given my abhorrence for texts that give lots of theory and outdated economic reality examples, while helping students relate concepts to the world they live and work in, becomes rather consuming.  Particularly while working on my own PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology; writing for the local paper; filling in as a talk show host on regional radio in the morning regularly; and working to help the engagement between the Tea Party and liberals in my region in solving What Matters Now in my communitie...

     I had the honor last night of attending the United Way Community Volunteer Celebration, an evening recognizing some of the many individuals from high school age to retirement who have given of themselves without seeking reward to build community.      State representative Al Pscholka spoke briefly and told the story of an 11 year old boy who's father left the house one day and essentially never came back though 35 years later they did have contact.  It's not hard for boys of that age to find trouble.  Particularly in single parent homes regardless of how amazing and wonderful the mother is.  The boy's mom had to go to training to become a housekeeper to provide for the family but then she got cancer.      While mom was in training however, an interesting thing happened. Those of us with faith would call it an intervention by God. A man, father to four children of his own who lived a few blocks away...

     The science of neurology backs up the adage of a picture's worth a thousand words.  On the fourth of July at 8 pm I became a temporary free agent in the employment market.  That doesn't concern me because I know that God works all things together for the good for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose. I also know that there are opportunities coming that will amaze me in their ability to not only meet family needs but have a clear measurable life changing impact.      So aside from cleaning out the 300 books and computers from my previous employer in 115 degree heat last week, I felt a need to create a number of things available on Pinterest .  You may download them or share them as you choose.  I only create with common graphics for them to be shared.  May you find something that motivates you to be more than you are today, beginning now.  After managing my way through a variety of bur...

     The schedule this past week hasn't allowed opportunities to write here (lots of writing elsewhere).  I work better with Pandora playing in the background and understand the science behind that (a post for another day).  Sometimes, like during the Steely Dan story the other day I'll use the database of songs I have, but Pandora provides an interesting mix which gives me opportunities to hear things I don't already own regardless of age.      After a couple of weeks sans family while they're spread out around the country and in the Middle East it will be nice to have two of them back home next week.  The dogs certainly missed them as well.  So while it's an odd 50 degrees and raining here today as I create multiple PowerPoint lectures to turn into videos (all of which end up at Slideshare and YouTube for the lifelong learner); these two songs came up back to back and were perfect for missing my wife.  Always l...