Wednesday, April 18, 2007
A Starfish Story
At the recent Optimist International Regional Conference in Denver, President Ronnie Dunn told a story about a little boy walking on the sea shore with his Father. As they walked along they noticed that there were thousands and thousands of starfish washed upon the beach. The little boy stopped and picked up a starfish and threw it back into the ocean. Then, he picked up another starfish and threw it back into the sea. His Father stopped the little boy and said you can't possibly make a difference to all the starfish on the beach." The little boy looked up to his Father and said, "I made a differnce to the one's I threw back." Honesty from the mouths of babes. Have you found that one starfish in your life you can make a difference with today-everyday? Look around. It may be just a random act of kindness or it could be something you already do, yet, you don't preceive it as special. Find a Starfish everyday.
Friday, April 6, 2007
Going with the Flow
Have you ever forgotten an important date or event?
I did. April 5 was my anniversary. My wife and I have been married for eight wonderful years. I had scheduled a meeting for that evening not even thinking about the importance of the date. I spoke to my wife several days prior and let her know that I had scheduled a meeting. She said, “O.K.”, and just assumed we would celebrate our anniversary over the weekend at a more leisurely time.
Then, a reminder opened up on my Outlook and it said, “It’s your anniversary.” Panic flushed through my being. “Oh crud! I’m in the dog house now.” Then, I received an e-card from my oldest daughter wishing my wife and I, “Happy Anniversary”. Again the feeling of, “I’m in trouble now”, came over me.
I immediately called the person I was to have the meeting with and asked if we could reschedule. Once I explained my situation we both had a laugh and they were gracious enough to reschedule. I then called my wife at work.
“Hi, Honey”, I said.
She started to laugh and said, “Did we forget our anniversary?”
“You forgot too?” I said.
“Yes, I just read Kristi’s e-card and laughed.”
She said, “We have both been so busy that we just forgot about it.”
“Can we make a date and go out to dinner?” I said.
“Sure”, was her reply. “How about going to the Renaissance Hotel for some Sushi and Jazz? Hazel Miller is playing tonight.”
“Awesome”, I said and we meet at after work.
I arrived at 6:00 o’clock and my bride was waiting. As soon as I walked in the door we both laughed and hugged and said, “Happy Anniversary.” We had a nice dinner and listened to some great music by Hazel Miller. If you ever get the chance to see Hazel you will be in for a treat. (http://www.hazelmiller.com/ ). She sings everything from the old standards, jazz, funk and rock and has a voice like velvet. She makes each song her own. She sang several songs to my wife and I and wished us, “Happy Anniversary.”
We ate, listened to some great music and had the best anniversary we have had to date. Not planned. Relaxing and fun. There are several morals to this story.
One, I have a saint for a wife and I am the luckiest guy around. Two, that not everything has to be planed and it can turn out to be wonderful. In fact, as I look back on some other events in my life, those that were the most serendipitous seem to have been the most memorable. Often going with the flow and making the best out of a situation will serve one better. Did I mention my wife is a saint?
I did. April 5 was my anniversary. My wife and I have been married for eight wonderful years. I had scheduled a meeting for that evening not even thinking about the importance of the date. I spoke to my wife several days prior and let her know that I had scheduled a meeting. She said, “O.K.”, and just assumed we would celebrate our anniversary over the weekend at a more leisurely time.
Then, a reminder opened up on my Outlook and it said, “It’s your anniversary.” Panic flushed through my being. “Oh crud! I’m in the dog house now.” Then, I received an e-card from my oldest daughter wishing my wife and I, “Happy Anniversary”. Again the feeling of, “I’m in trouble now”, came over me.
I immediately called the person I was to have the meeting with and asked if we could reschedule. Once I explained my situation we both had a laugh and they were gracious enough to reschedule. I then called my wife at work.
“Hi, Honey”, I said.
She started to laugh and said, “Did we forget our anniversary?”
“You forgot too?” I said.
“Yes, I just read Kristi’s e-card and laughed.”
She said, “We have both been so busy that we just forgot about it.”
“Can we make a date and go out to dinner?” I said.
“Sure”, was her reply. “How about going to the Renaissance Hotel for some Sushi and Jazz? Hazel Miller is playing tonight.”
“Awesome”, I said and we meet at after work.
I arrived at 6:00 o’clock and my bride was waiting. As soon as I walked in the door we both laughed and hugged and said, “Happy Anniversary.” We had a nice dinner and listened to some great music by Hazel Miller. If you ever get the chance to see Hazel you will be in for a treat. (http://www.hazelmiller.com/ ). She sings everything from the old standards, jazz, funk and rock and has a voice like velvet. She makes each song her own. She sang several songs to my wife and I and wished us, “Happy Anniversary.”
We ate, listened to some great music and had the best anniversary we have had to date. Not planned. Relaxing and fun. There are several morals to this story.
One, I have a saint for a wife and I am the luckiest guy around. Two, that not everything has to be planed and it can turn out to be wonderful. In fact, as I look back on some other events in my life, those that were the most serendipitous seem to have been the most memorable. Often going with the flow and making the best out of a situation will serve one better. Did I mention my wife is a saint?
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