My Ticket Was Paid

"I kept my head down and read a lot."

• My friend and train companion
  

My Ticket Was Paid

There was a huge swarm of people all around me as I walked toward the platform where my train was to arrive. I couldn't ever remember being in the midst of so many people and remember thinking how grateful I was to have purchased a ticket that provided me with a reserved seat. I nervously looked next to the person who was accompanying me and was immediately calmed since I could detect no angst from him at all.

He was a quiet man and I had never seen him become agitated in the very least. Perhaps it was his demeanor, but I suspected it was more than that. Since he was in his fifties I had the feeling that beneath this immovable shell was a depth of wisdom and knowledge that if tapped could turn into a well-spring of acumen that would be of great benefit to me. And, at that moment I heard the whistle of a train and felt the rush of humanity around me thrust forward in one uncontrollable mass.

The train was not the picture of what I expected. The locomotive was of vintage design. It was black and used coal for its propulsion. While this was a larger version, it reminded me of the only other working trains of its type that I had seen working. There are two of them and they are housed at the Golden Spike National Historic Site at Promontory Summit in Northern Utah. They were there to remind everyone of the completion of the first Transcontinental Railway in the United States in 1869. But this was not the United States and it was far from 1869. I was in Shanghai traveling to Wuxi, China.

The air was thick as we boarded the train and I was grateful to slide into my designated seat. It signaled the end of my feeling of being a fish in a huge school of fish fleeing from a predator. It was a large comfortable seat. The window on one side was open and my companion sat in the seat next to me on the other side. It gave us a chance to talk.

Our conversation was slight in the beginning as the train pulled out of the station. But it was a long train ride and we had lots of time to get to know each other better. He was a college professor and was well read. In China, he was known as an "intellectual." This, combined with his age, meant that he had some direct experience with Mao's Cultural Revolution. In order to know what that experience was I knew that we would have to have careful conversations in such an open environment.

I am remembering this particular conversation today because it seems so relevant and so right that I do so. It's Memorial Day and I'm feeling grateful for those who have paid for my ticket to ride the freedom train I've enjoyed for my entire life. I don't know hardly any of them but, when I rode a different train every day to work past Arlington National Cemetery, I would see their brilliant white markers shooting out of the ground acting as bookmarks in the book of life. This conversation is another such bookmark that reminds me of the precious nature of freedom.

During the Cultural Revolution intellectuals we killed if they did not teach the party line. In quiet tones I asked my companion to tell me how he dealt with this; how he survived these many years of oppression. He shyly said, "I kept my head down and read a lot."

We spent a few days together. He was the teacher. I was his eager student. We had a strong bond because I knew then as I know now that I would not be free today if others had not given their all so that I could be free today. I express my quiet and thoughtful gratitude to those that have paid for my ticket. My commitment to them and to you is that I will work to make sure that I express that gratitude by paying for the ticket of freedom for others to come.

Robb’s Plan of Simplification

"I've been simplifying my life."

• Robb Genco
  

Robb's Plan of Simplification

We were driving through Provo Canyon. It is a place that one can't help but to notice nature's beauty. And, the beauty didn't disappoint. We turned one corner and felt the breath rush through our lungs in a gasp as water spilled from the top of chocolate colored cliffs and cascade down to the raging river below.

"Look at that!" Robb said as he looked and pointed at the water fall. "It won't be long until I'm going to be fishing in that river!"

"That sounds fun." I replied. "I kept thinking that I'd go fishing again, but when I never went I gave all my fishing gear away."

"You should get some new gear!" Robb said.

We kept driving and the beauty kept presenting itself to us. We were surrounded by towering white capped mountains enveloped in bright blue sky.

"My coon hound is going to love running through this national forest!" Robb laughed as we neared Deer Creek. "I can't wait to be out there with him!"

Robb continued to tell me about how he was continuing the process of simplifying his life so he could spend more time enjoying the simple pleasures of life.

"People seem to be in a continual rush now. The sad thing is that they don't even know what they're rushing toward. They don't know how to accept the natural beauty all around them and just enjoy it anymore. I just keep simplifying my life so I can enjoy it more and more." Robb taught me.

As we drove past Deer Creek Reservoir later in the afternoon I thought back over the last week and realized that I had been one of the people he was describing. I remembered the conversation I'd had with my friends Allison and Jennifer where they told me that I needed to take some time off and get some rest. I looked out the window and saw a huge increase in the number of people, from just a couple of hours earlier, taking their advice and they hadn't even heard it!

I remember thinking that this day was one of the most beautiful days I could ever remember and that it wasn't more than a few days ago when someone had commented to me about the beautiful day it had been. I hadn't noticed. I was too busy working to even acknowledge that day's gift of beauty!

I looked out at all the people engaging with the natural beauty of the mountains through my car window. I was thinking about the words Robb had been speaking to me. I decided then and there to plan an outing with my family so we could do nothing but enjoy each other's company and the beauty that surrounds us. Then, to make it real I came home and told everyone to put the date on their calendar!

Now I'm making the commitment to you as well. I'm going on a little outing with my family this coming weekend. It's something that's long overdue. It's a good start to following Robb's plan of simplification. I invite you to join me in creating a life that will allow acceptance of the natural beauty surrounding us and enjoying it in simple ways!

Transporter to the Past

"One of your class mates has moved this with her for over forty years."

• Carol Butterfield
  

Transporter to the Past

Lots of us tend to get discouraged from time to time when we feel as if we aren't making as much progress as we had hoped. Perhaps it's because you haven't made as much money as you think you should have by this time in life. Perhaps you don't have the power you've always assumed you'd have. Maybe you feel beat down; that your dreams have passed you by. If this sounds as at all familiar, I understand because there have been such moments for me. Yesterday there was a different kind of moment for me.

I was just going out with my wife, daughter and Mother for a Mother's Day Celebration when my Mother asked my daughter to run into her house and get a paper she wanted to give me. I was curious to be sure. I had no clue as to what it was and as it turned out my wildest guess would not have come close to the truth.

When my daughter came back we all got into the car and my Mother handed the paper to me saying, "My neighbor asked me to give this to you. His daughter was in school with you as a child and she has been carrying this with her ever since."

I took the almost newsprint-type paper in my hands and began to unfold its three creases. It crackled quietly and felt smooth to my touch. It had been preserved in the most meticulous way. Its color was bright and the paper was wrinkle free. The hand writing was that of a child.

To my lovely Mother

Mother you are wonderful

You act like a Brother.

You are the loveliest lady in town.

You should be a circus clown.

By Lynn Butterfield

I read it aloud. My daughter, wife and Mother laughed. Then Annie, my daughter said, "Oh! That's so cute!

I felt a little embarrassed. I was a little amused. Then I was amazed!

I was astonished at this little poem's revelation. I have been going through life without remembering who I used to be. I've been looking into the future to who I hope to become for so long that I had forgotten to see how far I've already come. Perhaps you can understand the lack of fulfillment such a focus in life can have.

If you can, then my little poem can offer you the same hope it's offered me. You really have made great progress in your life. You just haven't taken notice of it. So take notice of it now. Take pleasure in your growth, your victories, and your life. I'm going to do that a lot more now that I have a little reminder.

I've decided to frame my little aide memoire and hang it on my wall so I can look at it regularly. That way, it can speak to me in a way that nothing else can; it'll say, you've come a long way and don't forget it! It'll be my transporter from the past and my window to see that the future holds great success and growth. What will your window be?

 

The Self Interest Principle

"My boss selected me to work with her in my company's mentoring program."

• Kilee Johnson
  

The Self Interest Principle

I looked down at the caller ID flashing on my screen. It was about 3 p.m. If I hadn't looked at the caller ID I still would have had about a fifty percent chance of guessing who it was. My middle daughter gets off work about then and she was calling to check in.

"I had a great day today." She said.

"Why is that?" I replied.

"You know that I've been trying to get in to my company's mentoring program so I can move in to management? Well, my boss selected me and she's going to be my mentor." She commented breathlessly. She was clearly so excited that she could hardly get the words to come out of her mouth fast enough.

"Great job!" I said. "Most people would be sitting and wondering why they weren't getting selected. But you've done well by pursuing this hard. You deserve it."

"Thanks" She whispered.

I followed with, "Do you know why you're being successful?"

"I think so." She responded.

"It's because the Principle of Self Interest." I coached. "People are successful when they are working to improve their personal position in life. Some would say that this statement is just another way to say that people are selfish. But that's not the case!"

The truth is that we improve our own position by serving other people. This is a time proven principle taught by the world's greatest philosopher over two thousand years ago and it's still hardly understood by most people these many years later. I think I'm just barely beginning to understand it.

It's also been proven scientifically. My friend and collogue Ron Mitchell, one of the world's foremost authorities of entrepreneurship demonstrated it through his research and it's one of the founding principles used in his New Venture Template.

The New Venture Template is a tool used by thousands of entrepreneurs at www.venturecapital.org, the site created by non-profit Wayne Brown Institute, to help aspiring business owners determine if their business idea can be successful.

Wayne Brown Institute Volunteer Mentors use this very principle, give first and then receive, as the basis of their work in helping entrepreneurs for free. It is the founding principle that has allowed the greatest economy the world has ever seen to be created and sustained for more than two-hundred years. We've all been its beneficiaries.

The great thing about using this time honored principle is that it can be used on a large or a small scale. Kilee has been using it on a small scale and will hopefully be using it on a large scale to the benefit of all of us in the near future.

The pursuit of self interest always improves the whole if done in an ethical and honest way. It is the most effective way to improve the lives of the most people while creating unlimited opportunities for each individual. I hope you will use this principle to create unlimited opportunity for yourself and others.

It's a simple thing really; go out and do something you really want to do today and keep asking yourself, "What do I really want to do with my life!"

The Best Hockey Player I’ve Ever Known

"I would give up playing in the NHL for this."

• John Martin
  

The Best Hockey Player I've Ever Known

I've known John Martin for most of my life and have admired him the whole time. We met at the ice rink and spent many late nights practicing there together. We traveled together to play games. We were on the same team. But, we were never the same. His skills on the ice set him apart from me and everyone else. He's always been the best hockey player I've ever known.

John still plays hockey and he does some coaching as well. To the casual observer he has lived his life around the sport his calls his own. He even lives in a place called Alaska; the perfect climate for a man who loves the ice. And, its' there that he has raised his family.

Not long ago I had the chance to meet his family again. John's daughter was getting married and she kindly invited me to come to a reception to honor her special event. As soon as I walked into the reception hall I saw and was able to greet her. Then I began to scan the room so I could greet her father. It's been more than ten years since I've seen him.

There was music playing and there were people dancing almost everywhere I looked. I saw John across the room so I began to dance my way over. In a short time I gave him a stout embrace of friendship. He is still the strong man I remember, but one thing has changed. He's not alone anymore; he's created a strong, wonderful family.

As we stood talking, I watched something akin to the sun beam from his eyes as he described and introduced the members of his family to me. He told me of their accomplishments and even a little of their personal challenges. I met his first grandchild. He has a growing legacy. I could tell how much he loves his family and how the center of his world has changed. But I didn't know how deep the change was until he said, "I would give up playing in the NHL for this!"

Another change was occurring as the night was deepening. It was time for me to bid my friend a farewell. And this time I was bidding my friend a different farewell too. My vision of John has been forever changed. Yes. He's still the best hockey player I've ever known but he's become a lot more than that. He's also become one of the best father's I've ever known.

While the change happened in minutes from my point of view, I know that it has really taken much of a life time. Or, perhaps I should say life times. A family contains more than one life. In any case, it's at least one person investing in the growth and happiness of another. I can see what it's done to change John's life and he's once again caused me to admire what he's done with his time, effort and skill.

Creating strong bonds with other people who are important to you will take all three of these ingredients. But, you have all three and you can build your skills one step at a time. I know that's what John has done because I've known him long enough to have seen him grow over the years. I know he's faced challenges and that he'll continue to face them just as you and I will. But, I also know that the love he receives from the people he cares for have him skating through life in a way he never could on his own.

You can too. So, begin to invest your time, effort and skill in someone important to you today and then look in the mirror and you'll soon see that sunbeam in your own eyes.