"Just Another Thing" Monday's Warm Cocoa, 28 October 2024

“Seeing my dad helping others during a chemo treatment is something I’ll never forget!” – Don Dancer

Just Another Thing

“I was with my dad in the hospital,” Don said. “He was enduring another chemo treatment in an effort to arrest the cancer that had invaded his body.”

Don sat across a table in my office as he spoke. He seemed to be grateful for a chance to relax, and he shared a teaching moment, a story about a time when his father taught him an unexpected, yet unforgettable lesson.

“My father was lying down with three or four intravenous (IV) tubes connected to him, dripping medicine into his body to kill cancer,” he continued.

Don voice was sincere and he was speaking in the melodious manner common to those residing in the High South. He took a moment to set the scene by describing how he was sitting next to his father for quite some time, before getting up to stretch his legs and use the restroom.

“When I returned a short time later, my father was no longer in his bed! He had gotten up, rolled his IV stands across the room and he was sitting, talking with three or four ladies,” he continued.

Don looked with surprise at his father, he had sores surrounding his mouth, he had drip lines hanging from posts connected to both arms. And, the fact that his father had hobbled across the room shocked him and he was a little exasperated. So, he asked his dad what he was thinking? What was he doing?

His father replied, “I was ministering to those ladies.”

Being the preceptive person Don’s father was, he continued, since he could see an opportunity to impart some of his hard-earned-wisdom to his son.

“Son,” he said, “Cancer is just another thing. There is always something wanting to steal your happiness, every day, if you allow it to. I decided a long time ago that I would be happy every day. So, I wake up every day, thank God, ask him for forgiveness and ask for a good day.”

Then, seeing additional questioning in Don’s eyes, he continued, “There is always, just another thing. Don’t let it take your happiness! I’ve gotten through many things and this is just one more thing. Regardless of what happens because of your decisions, and things that simply happen to you, you have to say to yourself, today’s the day! I’m just going to have a good day. This is not going to steal my happiness!”

Don’s voice was low as he said, “seeing my dad helping others during a chemo treatment is something I’ll never forget!” 

And, though I never Don’s father, I could seemingly see the memory of this experience with his dad dance across his eyes from where is resides in memory, the place where his father continues to live and teach his son.

“I was with my dad in the hospital,” Don said. “He was enduring another chemo treatment in an effort to arrest the cancer that had invaded his body.”

That’s when his father taught him an unforgettable life lesson. There is always something wanting to steal your happiness, every day, if you allow it to. So, decided to be happy every day. Wake up every day, thank God, ask him for forgiveness and ask for a good day.”

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QOrnyleXDNG8ASRHxr4_CwbcY9FVUUse/view?usp=sharing

“Winning does not equal development.” – Adè Harding

Eavesdropped Coaching

I was sitting in the background, trying to meld with a small chair and table just outside of, kitty-corner, to an indoor soccer field. I’ve never really been interested in soccer, a game the rest of the world, outside of the United States, calls football. But, you don’t really care about that. All I need you to be sure of is, I wasn’t sitting there to watch soccer. I was simply a vehicle. A chauffer, for my grandson. Now, he was in there, on the other side of a wall, garnished by netting, created to keep soccer balls slightly under control. I was grateful to be benefiting from that structural control and it didn’t escape my notice that Ade Harding was talking with the kids he was coaching about that very subject, control.

“Develop control,” he said in his kindly, English accent. “What happens if you simply kick the ball hard and let it bounce high? It can be stolen.”

Yes. As you can tell by now, I wasn’t just sitting there. I was eavesdropping. Coach Adè had captivated a new student, someone who could related to him in ways his younger, more energetic students could not.

“Because I’ve mastered these principles I can still play better than many young players, even though I’m 61 years old, have a damaged knee and walk with a cane.”

His personal description was a secure-hook, enabling him to reel me in. I began to listen more intently, wanting to learn from this proven master teacher and coach.

“Slow down. I want you to develop a soft touch with the ball,” he continued.

As a result, children, some as young as five or six years of age, began to hop on one leg while gently guiding a soccer ball around closely-spaced, short plastic markers.

“You’re not just learning to control the ball in these exercises, you’re building the muscles that will allow you to have the ability to move laterally, quickly and efficiently. Most people you’ll be competing with are singularly-focused on fast, forward movement. You’ll be able to maintain control of the ball in every direction. They’ll fly right by you as a result,” he taught.

His students were heeding his words and worked to achieve the outcome he anticipated. It wasn’t easy. He knew it wouldn’t be easy and that they may become disheartened. So, he offered additional instruction to them.

“We all make mistakes. You know when you do. You don’t need a coach to tell you you’ve made a mistake. When you recognize you’ve made a mistake, simply correct it and keep going.”

I was no longer sitting in the background, trying to meld with a small chair and table just outside of an indoor soccer field. I wasn’t simply a vehicle. A chauffer, for my grandson. Now, I was standing at the wall, listening and learning.

“Slow down,” Coach Adè said again. “Develop a soft touch.”

“Ok coach. I’ll keep working on it,” I said, as practice ended, just before I left to drive my grandson home.

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QOrnyleXDNG8ASRHxr4_CwbcY9FVUUse/view?usp=sharing

Monday's Warm Cocoa, 14 October 2024, "Free Lunch"

“Someone anonymously paid our son’s tuition for the full year!” – Jeremiah Johnson

Free Lunch

“Anonymous.” 

The word stuck as Jeremiah spoke it. He was telling me a story. It was a story of giving.

Nature was giving us the perfect evening. The temperature was in the mid-seventies, there was a slight breeze, and the live music was comforting, without being too loud. All of this combined to allow me to sit back comfortably and listen to Jeremiah’s answer to a question.

“How is your son doing in his new school,” I asked.

“He’s doing well,” Jeremiah responded. “Have I told you what happened?”

“No,” I said. “Please tell me.”

“Our friend suggested we apply to a small private school near our new home,” He started.

Jeremiah, his wife and their son moved to a different state two or three months ago. He was back in town for a Friday and Saturday business visit. It was the perfect opportunity to spend Friday evening together; to hear how anonymous generosity turned into free lunch for kids needing help.

“After our son was accepted into his new school he and I went in to complete his registration,” he continued. “As soon as we finished all of the paperwork. I pulled out my checkbook and asked what amount I should fill in for tuition. You can imagine my surprise to hear, ‘there is no need for you to pay anything. An anonymous donor has paid his tuition for the entire year.’”

“You have no idea who it is?” I asked, because of curiosity.

“No,” he answered, with a peaceful look of gratitude glowing from his face, through the dimming dusk.

That could have been Jeremiah’s final answer to my question. But, he didn’t end the story there!

“When my son and I got home we shared our tale of anonymous generosity with my wife,” he continued.

His wife was stunned and they all shed tears together before they received and inspiring idea.

“We had the money to pay our son’s tuition,” Jeremiah continued. “So, when inspiration hit us, we set our ‘Free Lunch’ plan into motion.”

As a result, another anonymous donor now provides a generous monthly deposit into their son’s school’s nourishment department, to provide free lunch for students needing a little extra help.

“Anonymous!” 

The word stuck as Jeremiah spoke it. He had just told me a story. A story of inspired giving.

Nature gifted us the perfect evening for such a story to be told. The temperature was in the mid-seventies, there was a light breeze, and the live music was comforting, without being too loud. All of this combined to allow me to sit back comfortably and listen to Jeremiah’s explanation of how a “Free Lunch,” has become a reality, no matter what his son learns in his coming economics class.

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QOrnyleXDNG8ASRHxr4_CwbcY9FVUUse/view?usp=sharing

"Sharing Breakfast," Monday's Warm Cocoa - 7 October 2024

“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” – Dalai Lama

Sharing Breakfast

“Hey, I want to get together for breakfast,” Anu said, as we greeted each other during a 1 Million Cups gathering.

Because we’re friends and I always feel broadened after our conversations together, I quickly responded with, “Sure.” 

I feel broadened partly because of Anu’s wide, welcoming smile, but there’s more to him than his big, infectious grin. This was confirmed again on Friday morning, as the aroma of freshly made breakfast filled our nostrils. Good food seems to be a familiar scent that has become a constant companion whenever Anu and I get together to talk. It isn't the food itself that I most look forward to, but the stories he tells between each bite, stories that fluidly reveal his own, personal, evolving path.

Five years ago, Anu, a geneticist with a promising career, found himself at a conference, a world away from his lab. It was there he met Scott Ford, a man whose passion for transforming the lives of Rwandan coffee farmers ignited a spark within him. Scott's vision, to double the income of these farmers, resonated deeply with Anu, stirring a quiescent desire to make a real difference in the world.

Scott's story, which is itself a testament to the power of purpose, resonated with Anu's own yearning for a life beyond the confines of his scientific pursuits. He saw an opportunity to use his skills and knowledge to empower others, to create a ripple effect of positive change.

So, Anu made the decision to leave his secure job, as a geneticist, to be part of Westrock Coffee's mission. His was a leap of faith, a testament to the transformative power of singular belief. It was a journey that led him to dive deep inside, to discover who he is and what he wants to do with his life.

His time at Westrock opened his eyes to more than the vast potential within the coffee supply chain. He saw an opportunity to reimagine himself, to unlock latent potential, to use his natural and developing talents to assist African farmers.

Dalai Lama said, “Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.”

Anu's life, is evidence to the power of inspiration, purpose, and friendship, as well as a reminder that even the smallest act of kindness, a conversation over a cup of coffee or breakfast, can have a profound impact on each one of us, as well as on the world. He’s still a geneticist, splicing his unique skills with others to create a future where African farmers are not just producers, but partners in a shared vision of prosperity.

Who will you share breakfast with?

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QOrnyleXDNG8ASRHxr4_CwbcY9FVUUse/view?usp=sharing