Hopes and Dreams

Stop turning your troubles into your excuses

Well, believe it or not, in a few weeks, it will almost be time for you to consider writing down those crazy New Year’s resolutions. And while I am not entirely opposed to New Year’s resolutions, I don’t take them seriously anymore because I really don’t know anyone who sticks with them, so I find the whole exercise to be a great waste of valuable time…and, frankly, probably the number one reason I am a skeptic and a doubter is because, in the midst of all that self-examination and belly button gazing, it’s always the same old story of people […]

How to be lucky

I have always loved the quote, “The harder I work, the luckier I get.” It has been attributed to just about everyone, but the one who is consistently listed is Samuel Goldwyn of TV and movie producer fame. Interesting when you think that he might have said that line considering that he was–in a sense–the star-maker in Hollywood, but even he understood the long view of success or luck (as you’d like to believe). Just think back on your favorite movie star and then research how many times they had to do cheese ball commercials or TV sitcoms or print […]

A Little Bit of Kindness

“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” –Henry James. “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” Plato It doesn’t take much to show a little bit of kindness, and if there ever was a time that your city, your community, your family, and your friends need that smidgen of love, friend, it is now. We all need a little bit of kindness. It doesn’t take much, but it does take some work in advance to make sure […]

You can never leave footprints that last

You can never leave footprints that last if you are always walking on tiptoe. Leymah Gbowee If you’re like me, you see a quote, and it just strikes you as a great mental stop. That is what happened with today’s quote and theme. Those who know me know that I am not someone who tiptoes around issues–it is a time matter for me. I don’t like to waste time when, with a direct response, decision, or action, I can move on to other things. No doubt this has gotten me in trouble at times, but chalk it up to impatience […]

You Matter

In thinking about this week’s show and having overheard some conversations with a few people that I know well, I was struck once again about the power of words that sink into the heart of everyone and rattle the fragile understanding of one’s self-worth. It seems to me that words are so many times callously thrown about and off-handedly imply to anyone who will listen that they (the person) are damaged and, believing their pain, they question one eternal truth that has stood the test of time through the ages, and yet so many people struggle with the concept of […]

Wouldn’t it be great if everyone was happy to see you?

Wouldn’t it be great if everyone was happy to see you? I mean, I’m really happy to see you every time you came around. Recently, I saw a photo online of the most adorable little boy who was at an amusement park where he met someone in a costume who looked just like Tinkerbell. She was beautiful and looked very kind and sweet as she kneeled down to hug him and speak to him, and the look on his face for his parents’ camera was so full of happiness, glee, thrill, elation, excitement, and pure joy. When I posted the […]

Sometimes You Have to Be Your Own Hero

I have been looking through the past years of files of the online version of my writing and reviewing all the themes that I have written about. As I scrolled through week after week of posts, one thing that struck me is the fact that I am drawn to a few themes. This is interesting since so much of my writing has been, in a very real sense, random–thoughts that just happened to pop into my mind (after a prayer for guidance), and then five, six, or seven pages later, Shazam and a new radio show appears. For those who […]

Remember people are looking up to you – don’t let them down

There is a small church near where I live, and on the outdoor board that shows the church service times and the pastor’s name and other information, Recently, I saw that they had put up this phrase, “Remember, people are looking up to you – don’t let them down.” I really like that thought because it is so true. I know I speak about this a lot, but friends, hear me—you never know who is watching you, and you never know who is following your steps as they live their lives. You matter. Your words matter. Your actions matter, and […]

What will you do?

Well, it’s bound to happen, and it did…. I fell down some steps as I was going off the stage to write something on the whiteboard. It happened so quickly, and I went down hard and hit my head against the wall and my backside on the steps, and my shoulder took the brunt of the fall. Probably one of the worst things that can happen to a speaker – in the middle of a 2-hour session is to fall down. Luckily, I was able to regain my composure, and I quickly stood and said, “And now I will take […]