Jimmy V....

Jimmy V....what a moment he was in! Upset victory that will last forever in college basketball history.
Most of us are familiar with his famous speech at the ESPY's from 1993 - while suffering from cancer he repeatedly pushed us not to give up, never give up. Cancer never affected his mind, his heart or his soul. As I watched the ESPYs this year, I thought about some of his other words of inspiration from that speech.

1. Always remember where you came from.
From many walks of life, it all started somewhere. Whether it be rich or poor, easy or hard, nuclear or dysfunctional, loving or lonely, peaceful or violent....we all have a beginning. He insisted on remembering friends, family, neighborhood, etc....from his childhood. Learning values, traditions and other things that helped mold him. We have all experienced the same - but do we hold on to them? Stay grounded....remember where you came from....

2. Know where you are today.
Job, family, friends, responsibilities, volunteering, mentoring, health, children, bills, reading....how are we spending our "today"? Helping only ourselves, or others too? Building for tomorrow? Enjoy the moments we are in each day? Smells? Sounds? Tastes? Sights? Touches? He always said each day you should think, laugh and cry....

3. Know where you want to be tomorrow.
Goals? Aspirations? Plans? Not only keep lists for things to do today, but also next month, next year, etc....short term and long term. Plan for tomorrow, today. Visualize where you want to be, things you want to do....and start working your way there, today.


Admittedly, it is hard to remember the past or prepare for the future when we are so bombarded with day-to-day expectations, worries, accountabilities and responsibilites. Time, it is necessary to make time for these thoughts. Write them down, tell your story, map your direction in life - others may find it interesting one day.

What do think?

Lee Corso

I was fortunate to meet Lee Corso, ESPN College Football analyst and former FSU Seminole, when he was guest speaker at an event a year or so ago benefiting physically challenged youth.

He shared his views on how he judges people, and I wanted to repeat them here for you - I was certainly impressed with his comments.

Two things he considers when evaluating a person:

1) How you treat people that you do not need.
Do you ignore these folks? Turn away? Go out of your way to be cordial? It is a struggle to be nice to everyone, granted. But think of the difference you could make by being nice to someone when it is least expected. I have always heard it is easy to be kind to someone that is kind to you, but ever more of a challenge to be nice to someone who is mean to you.

Whether it be the waiter, the gas station attendant, the sales clerk, the teller, the garbage man, the homeless, the ex-whatever, the disabled, the poor....just to name a few. How do we treat these folks?

2) The time and energy you devote to helping others.
Depending on your own situation, how much time can be put here? Maybe you have been a recipient of someone's help? Giving back can be done in many ways, and only you can decide on the right way in your situation. Volunteering, money, effort, sweat-equity, mentor, words, food, clothes, referrals, etc., lots of ways to help others.


Obviously, I agree with Corso's insights. The bottom line for me is making a difference in the lives of others - to whatever degree you see fit.

How are you doing it? What are you giving to others?

One of my proudest examples - hope you don't mind me sharing this - was my experience as the Chairman of the Board for the Rotary Youth Camp in North Florida. The annual camp is for kids with physical or developmental challenges. For 3 years I helped raise money, plan the camp, attract campers, organize an annual banquet, volunteered at the camp and met many, many thankful parents.

It is hard to describe the impact these kids had on me, and how the overall experience helped make me a better person. I didn't need these kids (relative to Corso's comment), but I certainly realized the time and enery I put into it was nothing compared to their efforts required to make it through a single day, and these kids needed us.

So, what do you think?

Take care!

Mickey

MLK and some of his words....

I am currently reading a book about famous speeches that have changed the world (according to the author). Of course, MLK's I Have a Dream speech is in it. As many of you know, I am enamored with inspirational quotes, stories, speeches, etc....so I wanted to share a few lines from his speech and get an opinion or two from anyone as to what the words may mean to you. His words certainly appeal to me because of content, but also eloquence, style, metaphors, hyperbolies, influence and meaning.

"....judged....by the content of their character" :

Strong words. Not color, not gender....but what you have inside? Your values?

"....rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force." :

Obviously, he was not a fan of violence and the way he stated it was powerful. Can we get there with words, understanding, listening, spirit, will? Or is physicality the norm?

"....time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.":

I can visualize what he is describing - better understanding what he is saying.

The art of communication....a master artisan. Regardless of anyone's opinion of his political stance, social views, etc., he is and always will be regarded as an excellent presenter.

What are your thoughts?

Secretariat....having Heart!

While running the other day, the topic of having heart came to mind. I thought back to the ESPN special of the top 150 athletes of all time - number 35 was the great Secretariat, the only non-human to make the list.

Obviously, this horse was awesome. What made this horse so special? Well, many will argue that it was the horse's heart that carried it to victory. Most thoroughbreds slow down after the 1st mile, but Secretariat actually sped up.

After Sect's passing, an autopsy revealed a possible reason as to why this horse was so special. The average thoroughbred's heart weighs 8.5lbs - well, Secretariat's weighed in at a whopping 22lbs! So, literally, Secretariat had more HEART than the competition!

Figuratively, I started thinking about how much heart I have, we have. It could be as simple as having the heart and will to ALWAYS run at least as far as my goal I put in the Ipod when I start my run - regardless of tiring. (as you may know....Ipod and Nike have a transmitter and receiver to help track your results!)

OR, it could be as complicated as wondering if I have the heart to make it through a tough career decision or even handling a personal relationship.

Is your heart in everything you do? Are you inspired to go to work each day? Do you believe in what you're doing, selling?

We get one chance in this life to experience some joy, happiness, love, success, etc....I think having your heart in it is paramount.

What did the Tin Man want? Heart!

If we do not have our hearts in everything we do (job, marriage, family, friends, relationships, etc.), what can we do to fix it? Change it? Improve it?

What do you think?

" Dad's been behind him for 65 marathons."

DEVOTION.

I saw this billboard while waiting for the train at the Atlanta airport last week. Maybe you have seen this "for a better life" billboard too. Well, after taking one step away from it, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Team Hoyt is a true story....great story of love and devotion.

My emotions began to swirl, my mind and heart raced....and within moments I was moved enough to call someone to express my thoughts - when they answered, I could barely speak.

When you look at the picture in its entirety and you consider the quote....where does it take you?

I thought of the physical aspects....emotional aspects....inspirational aspects....individual aspects of the father and the son....as a team....I could go on and on.

Specifically for me, this billboard took me down many paths of thought because most of my growing up was spent without a father-figure to speak of (my grandfather was the next best thing, although sporadic). To this day, I sometimes struggle with that empty place....but can look forward to making amends with my children in the future.

As for the picture, look at the proud look on the son's face and the inspired grimace on the father's. Consider the emotional and physical meaning in "behind him for 65 marathons." Putting someone else before yourself?

What do you think about the billboard? Any relationships similar? Opinion on the pic? What is devotion?

Hope all is well......

mickey

William Wallace....

"All men die. Few men ever really live."

Okay, I know most of us aren't clones of William Wallace running around trying to preserve freedom for our countrymen (some exceptions do exist), but we can appreciate some of the words from Braveheart!

How powerful and invigorating those words are. Of course, degrees of "living" varies to the individual, and I know we all have different commitments that affect those degrees to which we strive.

However, are we just passing the days by waking up, going to work, coming home, eating dinner, watching TV, going to bed and then starting over the next day? Add in paying the bills and cleaning the white picket fence....the American Dream?

Is that really living? Look, in today's fast paced world it is easy to succumb to this pattern, or any other that specializes in making ends meet. Unfortunately, routine and comfort typically results in complacency....again, is that really living?

SO, three aspects of "living" to consider:

Prepared Living....

Reading? Documenting? Researching? Writing? Educating? Sharing? Drawing? Remembering? Planning? Recording?

Living with a Purpose....

Are we serving our Communities? Volunteering? Mentoring? Leading by example? Inventing? Leaving a Legacy? Giving? Adopting? Making history? Family? Generations? Friends?

Living with Passion....

Are we Laughing? Dancing? Shouting? Crying? Thinking? Cheering? Inspiring? Creating? Innovating? Influencing? Talking? Sharing? Standing for something? Singing? Communicating?

It's up to us....but one thing is certain - we'll eventually die. What do we do between birth and death? Life choices....

What do you think?

Excellence....

" Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical and expecting more than others think is possible."

I got this from one of those inspirational pictures of an eagle soaring....from someone's office.

Caring? Do we take enough time to get to know folks nowadays? Or do we shy away because of the fear of being hurt? Or showing too much of ourselves? Connecting with people is key - in order to make a difference it takes caring.....but is it wise?

Risking? The opposite of safe, complacent, comfort, etc....but consider the rewards! Does fear of failure keep of from trying?

Dreaming? goals....Aspirations....Something to shoot for....visualization....

Expectations? Varies from person to person....can't hold the same expectations of yourself on others - but push yourself to accomplishment.....and help lead others to places they have never been.... Your thoughts......????