Standing in Line

A woman and her three children

Standing in Line

We were sitting in a local restaurant enjoying our dinner when I looked to my left and a one table to the front to see a woman and her three children just finishing their dinner.  I noticed this little family from the moment we sat down.

They were all eating, smiling and laughing as they ate their food.  The children were especially delighted when their server delivered a large dessert with four spoons. They each claimed a utensil and took a taste.  Each savored the moment and when finished they their faces shown as billboards of satisfaction and happiness.  That is, until their server returned and told the mother that her credit card had been rejected and there was not enough money left on her gift card to cover the charge.

It was then that I watched her eyes fill with water as if a moist storm had instantly arrived.  Her tears flowed freely and she spoke in broken words to explain that she didn’t’ have the money to pay.  The server turned to walk away seeking a manager. I lifted my hand in a gesture to get her attention just before she passed.

I said, “Miss.”  Ready to offer to pay. I didn’t get her notice.

The man at the table next to me successfully got her attention and handed her a wad of money.  I didn’t hear what he said, but I watched as the server turned instantly and went back to her start. 

She handed the money to the distressed parent.  Tears were transformed into a gratitude-filled smile and things seemed to have returned to a complete satisfaction.  That is until the server turned to walk toward the cashier.

As she turned, the couple at the table to my front reached out and placed another wad of bills in her hand.  They expressed their sincere desire to help and asked that the gift card, submitted by the little family, be returned to them for use at another time.  The server gasp and a larger smile ran across her face.

I sat watching, smiling and hapless.  I have stood in many a line waiting to get into a restaurant.  I’ve stood in many lines waiting to pay my own invoice for refreshment.  But, never have I seemingly stood in line hoping to help without success.  Still, the evening was not unsuccessful.

“People come here and are often not able to pay their bill.”  I heard the server say.  “But, tonight my faith in humanity has been restored.”

There are lots of problems facing us today.  Some would say that such problems show that we’re living in a time that demonstrates how unsuccessful our culture is.  I see many such signs myself.  But, how unsuccessful can a society be when there are caring and generous people all around us?

I was unsuccessful in helping someone in need on this one occasion.  Still, I recognize success when I see it.  I was surrounded by kind, generous and caring people.  I’ll gladly stand in line with such people any time!

Guide Dogs

Two Dogs

Guide Dogs

There are two dogs living with me.  One is a pure bred “Door Step Breed” (a dog who shows up on your door step and stays until they’re invited in to the family) and the other is a long hair Corgi. We try to take great care of them.  We feed them right and give them exercise every day. 

One of my daily jobs is to take these frisky pups for a walk each morning and night.  When we started walking together, my mind believed I was doing it just for them.  After all, who would want to take a walk just after waking in the morning and about one hour before going to bed?  But, a couple of mornings this fall began to shift my vision.

We were walking not long before sunrise when I looked up at the bright stars in the sky to drink them in.  As I gazed up into the star-sprinkled sky I noticed that three of the brightest stars were in a unique orientation.  I was witness to a fairly rare planetary alignment of our solar system and enjoyed its wonder for a little more than a week, until the planets began to drift out of line again.

This display was just the beginning of my vision changing experience.  The belief that I was walking only for the benefit of my pups began to be transformed to a new point of view.  I was beginning to watch for beauty I would otherwise be missing and I wasn’t disappointed.

Just three days ago I was walking into a bright pink, cloud enhanced sunrise that took my breath away.  And, if that wasn’t enough, as I turned to make my way back home, the pink display shifted, before my very eyes, to brightly highlight the towering snow-capped wilderness peaks just to the west of my house.  It was magnificent!

My dogs have shown me their personal magnificence in another way as well.  I found myself looking very carefully at them, the other day just to make sure they weren’t sporting watches, as they seem to instinctively know when it’s time for us to go outside together.  Because when it’s time to out, they come directly to me and give me “the look.”

I used to interpret “the look” as a statement of, “It’s time for you to take care of me.”  But, now I realize its correct understanding is, “We’re ready to help you live a better, more healthy life.   Let us show you the spectacle just waiting for you, if you’ll allow us to be your guide!”

I always thought of guide dogs as those who helped people whose eyes didn’t function.  But, my dogs have taught me that even people who have perfectly functioning eyes don’t always see well.  I’ve needed them to open my eyes in ways I never would have considered.  They’ve guided me to a better life, a life filled with increased health, wonder and love. 

They’re true, guide dogs.

Land of the Brave?

What can we do? – Michael Sears

Land of the Brave?

I had been working throughout the day.  It was so busy I hadn’t had the chance to hear any news, until the evening when two of my daughters telephoned me.

These two daughters are a very attuned to watching for terror and possible terror.  They both live in New York City and are aware, first hand, of what it means to be frightened by others who attack the innocent en mass.

“Did you see the news of France?”  Both daughters asked.

“No.”  I replied.

They went on to give me the details of what they knew.  All I could do was listen.  And, when asked what it was we could do I said, “All we can do is move forward in faith.”

The next morning I had the opportunity to spend some time “catching up” with my friend Michael Sears.  We discussed lots of things, but the conversation turned to current events again and Michael asked, “What can we do?”

At least I had been thinking about that very question for about a day, so I had a slightly better answer.

“Each one of us needs to make the decision to be a better person.”  I said.

He looked across the table at me and his face told me he wasn’t sold on my answer.  We talked about it more.  He still wasn’t convinced.  That’s ok!  We’re still great friends and always will be.  He’s exactly the kind of man I was talking about – he has a good moral foundation, he’s hard working and is always thinking about ways of helping others.

Still, he thought my solution was too simplistic.  Perhaps he’s right.  But, I can’t help but think that one, multiplied by three hundred million is three hundred million.  It is no longer simply, one.  If we all decide to change ourselves into our vision of our very best self, then nothing can stop us from creating a world free from the fear of terror and full of promise for every individual.

When we are successful individually, perhaps this time, we the people will be transformed into the greatest generations the world has ever known.  What can we do?  Only you can answer that question for your self!

Wrong Turns

“You make a lot of wrong turns!” – Craig Kamis

Wrong Turns

I was walking through SEATAC with my wife the other day when she made the comment, “I expected you to be better at navigating airports than you are.”  The funny thing was that I hadn’t been in SEATAC for many years and thought I was doing well!  Perhaps I’m just used to making wrong turns.

As we walked along through the concourse, my mind traveled south to San Diego where I had received a similar comment from a colleague while working there more than thirteen years ago.  As we were driving to another meeting destination he looked up from the passenger seat at me and said, “You make a lot of wrong turns!”  So, it’s been documented, from at least one other source, that I’ve been making wrong turns for a long time now.  Interestingly, I’ve never viewed it that way because I’ve always been able to get where I was going.

Because I’ve always been able to reach my destination I’ve just adopted the view that my process is one of resourcefulness.  By resourceful, I mean I’ve had an address or a destination in mind and I just keep making turns until I get to the right place.  I may not be the first one there and I may make the people who are with me a little crazy, but I can always count on myself to get to my desired location because I keep trying.

This concept of “keep trying & keep turning” is something you and I can keep in the fore front of our minds when we’re feeling a little discouraged about where we find ourselves financially, physically, occupationally or even with our relationships.  As long as we try to make good decisions and keep acting to become who we want be, we’ll be successful.  Making small adjustments in what we do every day will add up to great things in the end.

Alexis De Tocqueville, a French political thinker and historian best known for his works Democracy in America and The Old Regime and the Revolution, wrote, “But what most strikes me in the United States is not the extraordinary size of a few projects; it is the countless numbers of small ones.”  He thought of the United States as a great nation as a result.

So, yes, you and I do make lots of wrong turns.  And, some times we don’t navigate our way through very well, but if we keep making countless numbers of small turns, aimed in the right direction, they’ll all add up to our benefit in the end. 

Keep trying. Keep turning. Thinking in this way will cause you to soon view yourself as being resourceful and successful.

It Started With One Crazy Dog

My Friend Barry

It Started With One Crazy Dog

“I rescued this dog from our local pound and he’s turning our lives upside down!”  Barry said to me over the phone.

My friend Barry is a financial and investment expert.  And, it was at that point where his entire life seemed to begin to unravel.  He started having problems with his back and had surgery twice to try to get it repaired.  Then he had surgery on his eyes to correct his vision and was almost blinded as a result.  Then the final straw, keeping his personal life together, broke as his wife left and their marriage ended!  But, that wasn’t the end.

His business was struggling because of his personal problems and it finally collapsed in bankruptcy. Talk about challenges!  I was concerned for him and worried that his life would never provide him with the joy and success he deserved.  I unfortunately lost touch with him about that time, eight years ago.

Then, while working with Tony, a common friend, I was able to receive an update.  Barry had worked through his two back surgeries, gotten his eyes fixed and married a wonderful new companion.  He also rebuilt his business into a thriving enterprise!  I was thrilled to hear of his regained successes and the lessons he learned.

Sometimes it appears as if our successes in life are all disappearing quickly and when such struggles descend we have a tendency to believe that we’ll never find success and joy ever again.  Unfortunately, such a belief can become a pattern of continued discontent, gloom and despondency.  But, no one need live in such a pattern.  Barry is living proof.

When talking with Barry he explained that even though he was literally tortured during his worst of times, he believed he could turn it all around one step at a time.  “At first, I just made an agreement with myself that I would do my physical therapy every day.  When the pain began to lessen I added one other small thing to accomplish on a daily basis.  Focusing on small progress encouraged me and allowed me to continue forward while building confidence.”

Speaking of building personal confidence Barry said, “Just do one thing you’re good at every day.  That alone will help you feel encouraged.”

When you’re life feels as if it is turned upside down remember Barry and what my Uncle Truss said to me once. “Things will turn around for you again.  You can count on it!”

Barry even got to the point where he could count on his dog again.  A few visits with a good local trainer got both of them straightened out.  That too teaches you and me something else encouraging. 

There are times when it’s helpful, necessary and important to reach out to others for help.  Not one of us can be successful on our own.  We need to be surrounded by people who can help us make progress.

Barry put it best, “Working with a crazy dog made me look deep inside to discover areas where I needed to improve personally.  While it appeared as if my problems all started with that crazy dog, I soon learned, from him, that I could live a happier life if I just made a few small positive changes and got some help.  Now, I’m glad to say that my new, improved life all started with that one crazy dog!”