ENLIGHTEN PERSPECTIVE

by Mike Buck

If you will, take the time to read these, I promise you’ll come away with an enlightened perspective.

The subjects covered affect us all on a daily basis and they’re written by Andy Rooney, a man who has the gift of saying so much with so few words.

Enjoy…

I’ve learned… That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I’ve learned… That when you’re in love, it shows.

I’ve learned… That just one person saying to me, You’ve made my day!’ makes my day.

I’ve learned… That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I’ve learned… That being kind is more important than being right.

I’ve learned… That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I’ve learned… That I can always pray for someone when I don’t have the strength to help him in some other way.

I’ve learned… That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I’ve learned… That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I’ve learned… That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I’ve learned… That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I’ve learned… That we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.

I’ve learned… That money doesn’t buy class.

I’ve learned… That it’s those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I’ve learned… That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I’ve learned… That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I’ve learned… That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I’ve learned… That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I’ve learned… That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I’ve learned… That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I’ve learned… That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I’ve learned… That life is tough, but I’m tougher.

I’ve learned… That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I’ve learned… That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I’ve learned… That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

I’ve learned… That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I’ve learned… That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I’ve learned… That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you’re hooked for life.

I’ve learned… That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.

I’ve learned… That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get do.

If only one (1) of these have given you an enlighten perspective, it was worth the effort.

Christmas

by Mike Buck

Once again we find ourselves enmeshed in the Holiday Season, that very special time of year when we join with our loved ones in sharing centuries-old traditions such as trying to find a parking space at the mall. We traditionally do this in my family by driving around the parking lot until we see a shopper emerge from the mall, then we follow her, in very much the same spirit as the Three Wise Men, who 2,000 years ago followed a star, week after week, until it led them to a parking space. – Dave Barry

Leadership for Thursday

by Mike Buck

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.

- Burton Hillis

Leadership for Thursday

by Mike Buck

To survive and prosper, you and your organization must be able to achieve “big things” throughout each year … You can’t get those big things done without effective leadership.

~Santa Claus

Leadership for Thursday 12/3/09

by Mike Buck

Adversity pushes the envelope of accepted performance.

Until a person learns from experience that he can live through adversity, he is reluctant to buck mindless tradition or challenge himself to press his limits. Failure prompts a person to rethink the status quo.

Adversity provides greater opportunities.

Just about every entrepreneur I’ve met has numerous stories of a setback that opened doors to greater opportunity.

Adversity prompts innovation.

The ability to innovate is at the heart of creativity – a vital component in success. If you want to succeed, you have to learn to make adjustments to the way you do things and try again.

Adversity recaps unexpected benefits.

Some of the greatest success stories can be found in the unexpected benefits of mistakes. Did you know that Kellogg’s Corn Flakes resulted when boiled wheat was left in the baking pan overnight?

Adversity develops maturity.

American playwright William Saroyan spoke to this issue:

“Good people are good because they’ve come to wisdom through failure. We get very little wisdom from success, you know.” As the world continues to change at a faster and faster rate, maturity with flexibility becomes increasingly important. The problems we face and overcome prepare our hearts for future difficulties.

Adversity creates resilience.

A study in Time magazine in the mid – 1980s described the incredible resilience of a group of people who had lost their jobs three times because of plant closings. Psychologists expected them to be discouraged, but they were surprisingly optimistic. Their adversity had actually created an advantage. They were better able to handle adversity than people who had worked for only one company and found themselves unemployed.

Adversity motivates.

Bill Vaughan suggests that “in the game of life it’s a good idea to have a few early losses, which relieves you of the pressure of trying to maintain an undefeated season.” Always measure an obstacle next to the size of the dream you’re pursuing. It’s all in how you look at it.

If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you always got, doing things differently more times than not creates adversity but, it is the avenue to success.