The Journey Continues

"Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome."   ---Arthur Ashe

It all begins today!  Beginning at Noon Pacific time I embark on a six month journey of education.  It will be difficult, fun, educational and empowering.  Today, I begin a six-month course for writers.  It is a very busy course with daily assignments, critique and confidence building.  Taught by those that have done it and taken the journey before me.

It is not for the faint of heart and I have already learned that I will get out of this course what I put forth.  I am bursting at the seems with excitement.  Sadly, most people in my life have little or no interest in it whatsoever.  They find my talking about it extremely boring and many times just tune me out.  I guess that leaves the unseen cyber world as my confidant.

I will be extremely busy, but hope to stop by now and then to share my experiences, successes, failures and excitement.  It is the journey that excites me.  You never know where the journey may lead.  

"The journey has been incredible from its beginning."   ---Sidney Poitier

"It's a life's journey of finding ourselves, finding our power, and living for yourself, not for everyone else."   ---Mariska Hargitay

"The person born with a talent they are meant to use will find their greatest happiness in using it."   ---Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Where Have All The Leaders Gone

"Leadership is unlocking people's potential to become better."   ---Bill Bradley

I ventured out today on a date with my wife and viewed the movie Lincoln.  As a student of screenwriting and movie making, I am sure this movie is embellished somewhat for entertainment purposes.  I am no history expert on the life or actions of President Lincoln and I am sure he had many faults, as we all do.  However, what I do know of his life and his Presidency it leaves me with the question of what has happened to real leaders in this country?

 

It seems to me in today's world that politicians on both sides are more yes people to the rich and corporate entities that support them than they are leaders.  Our current President is so ripe with potential and ability and squanders it with inflexibility and party lines that his potential is lost.  His most recent challenger in the election is another potential great leader that could not get over his own prejudice and education that he became extremely intolerant.  Neither man has lived up to their true potential and shown real leadership.  

 

"Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes."   ---Peter Drucker

 

Today's leaders are intolerant of anyone with beliefs other than their own.  During my life I have not witnessed one President that has demonstrated true leadership.  In my opinion, both political parties in America are way off track and intolerant of one another.  Any party that caters to one side more than the other is certainly biased and unfair.  The so called Tea Party is nauseating to say the least.  Radio talk shows fuel and feed this intolerant, inflexible type of behavior.  

 

I am not a member of either political party and do not favor one side more than the other.  I wonder what happened to responsibility.  Everyone in politics wants a balanced budget, but scoffs at it if it hits their own back yard.  NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) is the way of politics.  Every politician wants to cut spending as long as it is done in another state.  Would fairness not support an equal cut across the board to all programs in equal amounts?

 

Where is a President that stands before the people and says, we are in trouble, we need to change, we all need to sacrifice.  Where is the President that bails out the people and not the Corporations or Banks.  Where is the President that says we are going to let the banking and real estate sectors solve their own problems, but we have set up programs to ensure no one starves or goes homeless.  Does the money not belong to the people?  Where is the President that looks Congress in the eye and states he will not sign a budget with a deficit.  Where is the President that stands before the people and answers to the people and not to the financial supporters of their election.  

 

Where have all the leaders gone?

  

 

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. 

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."   ---Abraham Lincoln   

Superbowl or Super Waste

"Tonight I plan on having such an awesome night, Morgan Freeman should narrate it."   ---Author Unknown

The Superbowl of 2013!  Was it super or a super waste of time?  On my drive home from the game I was shocked at the amount of traffic on the road on their way home from Superbowl parties and gatherings.  I wondered if every city in every state looked like this at this moment.  There was far more traffic on the roads following the Superbowl than I have ever seen following Fourth of July celebrations.  That is a great many parties taking place around this grand country.

I have to admit, I am a Superbowl party enthusiast.  I believe everyone should have or attend a Superbowl party.  In America one of the things we do best is come together as family, friends and neighbors and celebrate.  We do it often, but not nearly often enough.

I must admit that as the day approached I was somewhat depressed, because our 60+ inch television is having difficulties.  Procrastination led to not getting it repaired in time for the big game to host my own party.  I know, I know, as popular as I think I am there should have been multiple Superbowl party invites.  Sadly, there were none.  Sure, I could venture to a Sports Grill and watch the big game, but that takes the fun out of it for me.  It's not just a game, it's a grand celebration and should be done with someone you know or love.  What to do.

Getting out of church just two hours before the big game, I gave my undivided attention to finding a party for my family to attend.  Just who's party shall we crash?

"Life is all about learning lessons and counting blessings!"   ---Author Unknown 

In years past many Superbowl parties were held at my parents home.  Many family members would attend and it would be a grand feast!  We would have drawings, games and prizes.  It made for great times and greater memories.  My Father passed away last August and I was certain my Mother was going to one of my Sister's homes for their grand party.  I guess all things eventually come to an end.

Before making the final decision on the party I would crash, I phoned my 82 year-old Mother.  I asked her where she was going for the Superbowl?  She replied... nowhere.  I asked who was coming to her home for the Superbowl.  She replied... no one.  The phone filled with silence.  How could this be?  How could the woman that hosted such grand Superbowl parties not be attending one, nor hosting one.  I asked, do you mind if we come to your home for the Superbowl?  Her enthusiastic yes was followed by, I have no food.  I replied that was not a problem.  On our way we stopped off at the grocery store and loaded up with food and snacks.  We made it to her home thirty-minutes before kick-off.

My Mother lit-up when we entered her home and it was evident that she enjoyed the company.  It was a very valuable lesson for this arrogant guy.  Superbowl parties are not a waste at all.  In fact, they are just the opposite.  They are an incredible opportunity to reach out to our fellow citizens and bring a few hours of joy to all of us.  Loneliness is a very real thing in many people's lives.  I should never have assumed that my Mother was going to be taken care of and invited to a party.  In fact, in the years to come, after my sweet Mother leaves this Earth; I will do my best to find someone that would otherwise be left out to attend our party or take the party to them.

The Superbowl is a football game.  It is also a showcase for wonderful, fun commercials and a unique half-time show.  Most of all, the Superbowl is a party for all of us to love, laugh and show friendship to one another.  It is an opportunity to celebrate life and reach out to others.  

"Sometimes I feel like the last cookie in the cookie jar; broken and alone."   ---Author Unknown

"The one thing we can never get enough of is love. And the one thing we never give enough is love."   ---Henry Miller