Back in the early 1980’s when I was in college, I was fortunate to be a production assistant at KNBC Los Angeles in Burbank, CA. After my local public affairs show was wrapped up from taping, I would hang around the studio networking and meeting people. My usual routine was to check out who was to be a guest on the Tonight Show starring Jonny Carson and attend the show. One-night, Burt Reynolds was scheduled to appear and I thought it would be awesome to see if I could meet him. I usually hung around with the sound engineers and I was often invited to observe and sit at the soundboard. Prior to the show, I needed to tap a kidney. Standing at the porcelain fixture, I was doing my business. Staring straight ahead, I heard a few guys enter the necessary room. Their voices sounded familiar. As they continued their conversation I recognized who they were. Standing on one side of me was Burt Reynolds and on the other side was Doc Severson. As I was finishing my business, I started to laugh, and Reynolds caught a glimpse of me and said, “What’s so funny, buddy? I replied, “No one is going to believe I am taking a leak between you two.” His retort I’ll never forget was, “And no one will if you take a peek.” Laughter filled the room. I was washing my hands and Mr. Reynolds proceeded to tell a story to Mr. Severson and myself about a similar situation he had heard about with John Wayne. (Not verified) Mr. Wayne was standing at a urinal and someone standing next to him noticed him and said, “Hey, you’re John Wayne” and turned, as this person continued doing his business on Mr. Wayne’s leg. The next day, dividers were installed in all the studio urinals. I never officially meet Mr. Reynolds, yet I encountered his quick wit and good nature. RIP Mr. Reynolds. Thanks for the laughs.

Look for the Sore Thumbs

Idioms are expressions whose meaning is not predictable from their usual definition.  If someone spurts, “Boy you stick out like a sore thumb.“ as I did at a recent trade show, it’s not meant to be taken literal, yet it does signify someone notices they are very different from the people or things around them.

 I arrived to set up an industry trade show for the Arizona State Florist Association EXPO in Phoenix.  This is a gathering of flower industry retailers, wholesalers, growers, and manufacturers who meet yearly to trade, learn and network at a one-day event.

Maybe it was the juxtaposition of 105-degree heat outside and then shockingly cold air-conditioning in the event center that jarred my senses and made me aware of them.   In the trade fair area, several tables down from where I was exhibiting, I noticed something that stuck out.  Unlike all the other flower related companies and manufactures was this “sore thumb,” aching to be noticed.  A company that occupies the space of whipping up tasty meals with simple recipes and pre-measured ingredients delivered to your door every week.  I had to check them out.

Not knowing who they were or why they would be exhibiting at this sort of event I was curious.  I am reminded that “curiosity also killed the cat.” So, I approached, cautiously at first, I did not want to get “tangled in their web.”  I introduced myself and asked what their business was and curious about why they would be here. The lead salesperson shared with me that they were invited by the event organizer because she used their service and since she was always too busy to shop at her local market, she knew her fellow florist friends were always short on time, and they too would benefit from this ready to cook meal service. Ah ha!!! I instantly saw the connection and was intrigued. 

It was explained to me using a well-created app, how it all works. Choose what looks delicious. Let the company shop and deliver the meals.  Enjoy all there is to love about cooking and eating without the hassle of shopping and having too many leftovers. Their introductory deal looked too delicious to pass up and I was sold, “hook, line, and sinker” 

The point of this story is simple. Here was an opportunity that this salesperson was offered and who saw the potential to stick out like a “sore thumb.”  What opportunities are you preparing for and are ready to jump on, like a “dog on a bone” especially when “opportunity knocks.”

Gratitude is a Virtue

What do Fortitude, Justice, Gratitude, Prudence and Temperance have in common?  They are the capstone virtues which are taught at a Public Charter School called Liberty Common School in Fort Collins, Colorado.  A consistent, top ten rated school in Colorado run by former Congressmen, the Honorable, Bob Schaffer who help establish this classical focused school.  Mr. Schaffer is now the Headmaster and he e-mailed me one day to ask if I would be interested in speaking on the virtue of Gratitude with the students.at their Lyceum* which would include his 600 Middle and High School Students. 

I was honored to be asked to do.  As a Toastmaster, I was both fearful and grateful for the opportunity.  Fearful because I knew these kids were good listeners and learners and they would be listening with a critical ear.  Grateful for the opportunity and the experience of sharing the virtue of Gratitude with these students.

It took several weeks to prepare, practice and polish my speech.  I knew I had a good formula when I gathered stories and experiences that I thought would connect with the students and be relevant to their lives.  I included a challenge and a call to action at the end of my presentation that I thought would give the students something to think about and perhaps even do.

I arrived on the appointed day a few hours early so I could take a tour of the school and ask my student escorts lots of questions while visiting the many classrooms we entered while the students were in session.  There were lectures on History and English.  In the practical Sciences I was impressed with the 3D printers the students were working with to build a prosthesis out of recycled plastics.   I saw the creative process in ceramics class and how it related the use of pottery in antiquity.  I was impressed with the level of attention by the students even with my interrupting their class and the amount of learning that was taking place. At the end of the tour I wanted to go back to school because it looked and sounded enlightening and engaging. 

After this visit it was my time to speak and so I did in the school gym.  My 12 minutes of comments and a short Question and Answer session was fun to do.  The elation from the experience was really capped when Mr. Schaffer awarded me a school coin with the capstone virtues and the school logo emblazoned on it as a token of the school’s appreciation for my time.

The moral of this story is this. If given a chance to speak to students, do it.  It’s a humbling and happy experience. And be grateful for the opportunity.

Here is my presentation  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_phkhoil_Q

*A Lyceum, it is a hall for public lectures or discussions usually held in a gymnasium the original near Athens where Aristotle established his school

This was a fun interview to do on behalf of the Optimist Club of Erie and our upcoming Easter Egg Hunt on Moving to Erie podcast https://movingtoerie.com/2018/03/19/bradley-beck-erie-optimist-club/ #optimist #erie

It is a privilege to be associated with the Leadership Program of the Rockies which focuses their efforts on timeless principles and leaders in action. The Annual Retreat is February 9 -10, 2018 at The Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, CO. I hope you can join me. Oh and my cameo is at :45. #LPRRetreat2018