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Archive for family life

Why are you settling for mediocre?

Thursday, December 15th, 2011

Nothing mediocre...you deserve better.

As I write this there are 16 days left in 2011. How was your year? For me it’s been a very trying year, both business and personal challenges have reared their ugly heads this year and both have been faced and brought under control… thankfully.

All around me I’ve been listening to the media, other business owners, relatives and friends many spewing doom and gloom and casting enough blame for their circumstances on anyone and everyone.

It is at this time of year…every year…that I take time to reflect on the highs and lows of the year past and prepare for what’s ahead in the new year. In doing this exercise, I once again find that if the results sucked there is only ONE person to blame or chastise…ME. In your case…YOU.

Other people can create circumstances and throw challenges in our path Read More→

America’s Fat!

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

Everywhere you turn these days the media is talking about the…quite literally growing… obesity problem in this country.  The statistics are alarming.  Did you know that more than 30% of our 330 million fellow citizens are overweight and suffering health issues?

I worked in emergency medicine for 30 years, many of those in the field on an ambulance or paramedic unit.  I saw, and carried, many people suffering from falls, shortness of breath, heart attacks, and a huge increase in diabetic issues all as a direct result of poor eating and weight issues. This issue is now effecting a whole new generation … our kids. Read More→

Smart phones…I’ve opted out!

Monday, March 28th, 2011

How many of you watched the video of the lady walking through the mall, texting and walking right into the fountain a few weeks ago? The big, 40 by 40 foot fountain, right in the MIDDLE of a mall? We all laughed right, could never happen to us…no, not us.

Technology is great, but looking around at my own life as well as observing others I’ve realized that we are beginning to be controlled by technology rather than using it to make life easier. As an example, I watched a colleague the other day who was working hard on a website project. Every time his iPhone® buzzed with a new email, text or update he, like Pavlov’s dog, stopped working, read the message, answered the message and then tried to get back to work only to be disturbed again in 30 seconds by the reply or rebuttle. He got virtually nothing done in 30 minutes.

Take this test for fun or the shock value… Read More→

I just got off a flight from Hartford to Baltimore for a fairly routine 4day-3 night business trip. What happened at the airport before we left will probably stick with me for the rest of my life.   There were several members of the US Army waiting to board, some with families to see them off, some without.  One particular family stood out, a young corporal, his wife, a really cute son about 2 years old and a relatively new baby about 6-9 months old in stroller soundly sleeping.

The Southwest Airlines staff member began boarding the flight and opted to allow all of the military personnel to go aboard out of sequence as a thank you. I could tell the young soldier wasn’t ready to leave but all the other guys from the unit were going so…hugs and kisses and off he went.  His wife crying, his son now crying very hard, the soldier wiping a tear as he walked through the door onto the plane. Read More→

Reverend Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Church in Florida thinks it’s a great idea to burn a copy of the Muslim Holy book the Koran on the anniversary of the 9-11 attack. He is getting international attention with his intention and free publicity for his ministry, which should by now be attracting just about every wingnut in the country. This is a great example of how not to use controversy to your marketing advantage.

The number of issues that I need to explain to my kids about this is unbelievable.

His first amendment right to say what he wishes – I respect that. However, how do we feel when someone burns our flag, or how would he feel if a Muslim burned his Bible?

He is a minster – a man who has chosen to preach acceptance and tolerance and the practice of good deeds to his flock. Where is any of this evident in inciting riots and furthering hatred? After all, the attacks were carried out by extremists…every country, religion and political party has them…why should we call attention to their actions by insulting others who were not involved. Read More→

So there I was watching my two eight year old sons skim boarding at the beach…over and over…how hard can it be ?? The picture is Chris executing a 180 turn perfectly.

Skim boarding done right!

The process is easy, pick up the board, wait for a little water at the end of the wave’s journey ashore, throw the board, run after it, hop on, balance yourself and ride it for a short distance. I can do that. Bad thought, evil thought, why do I listen to these voices in my head?

So I announce to my stunned kids that I’m going to do it too. They hand over the board, stand WAY back and start looking for my life insurance and a cell phone to call the ambulance. I wait for my wave, the perfect wave, it rushed ashore, white foam, the perfect depth of water for skimming…I can do this. Read More→