Our Union upheld…

Tomorrow is Independence Day.  It was 163 years ago today however, when a monumental event may have prevented the United States from being split into two, separate countries.  It came with a horrific toll: 

The battlefield was not a testament to heroism.  It was an ugly health hazard - a field of corpses that deeply concerned Pennsylvania's governor.

Nor was that corpse-strewn field a monument to greatness.  The North's general, Meade, had so bungled the battle, leaving Lee to regroup, that he submitted his resignation to President Lincoln.  But Meade's opponent, Lee, had done no better, marching blindly into slaughter - a blunder so great that he submitted his resignation, too.

The battlefield was Gettysburg...

     Harry Beckwith 

Of all the Americans who have died in all the wars our country has ever fought, almost half - 620,000 - died in the Civil War.  Of all the Civil War battles, the one battle with the highest number of casualties was Gettysburg – 51,000 Americans.

Today, we should remember war is not some distant video game of drones.  James McPherson helps us remember the words of Lincoln’s greatest general that still resonates: 

Like Lincoln, he believed in a hard war and a soft peace. 

War is cruelty and you cannot refine it. 

Ulysses S. Grant 

I believe every American should visit the Gettysburg National Military Park and pay tribute to those courageous Americans that preserved our union in the face of immeasurable cruelty.  

In one of history’s most succinct and famous speeches Abraham Lincoln spoke to unite all Americans: 

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. 

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. 

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. 

July 4^th  and July 3^rd, are days for us to remember; to honor; and to rededicate ourselves to a united, United States of America.  

May God bless you; and may God bless America! 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

Just for the fun of it…

How about a little ditty today just for the fun of it?  Actually a collection of little ditties.  Here are a few that have caught my eye – and my sense of humor – over the years.  I attribute all of them to that favorite Unknown Sage of ours.

I have read some of these in a book; some I have seen online; many I have seen on something as simple as a T-shirt, coffee mug, hand towel, or bumper sticker.  I bet you see quips, quotes, and pieces of positivity every day, too.  Hopefully, you’re paying attention:  

Always…when there's a scenic route, take it.  Arriving late and nasally challenged because you've mistakenly driven by the septic plant is still better than being punctual and bored. 

Robert Fulghum 

From time to time life’s nicest pleasures come from simple, old fashion, off-line sources, true?  Admittedly, I’m leveraging social media to share this post with you.  I don’t have enough room in my closet for all of those T-shirts I’ve seen, and I don’t have a big enough bumper for those bumper stickers.  I guess there really is a place for the online world in our lives today. HaHa! 

Here we go: 

            Love, Marriage, and Family 

I told my wife she should embrace her mistakes... so she hugged me. 

Retired: Free to do whatever my wife wants me to do. 

Murphy's Paradox: 

Doing it the hard way is always easier. 

Children enrolled in ski lessons are required to wear a location beacon in case they get lost.  We find most of them. 

“Adulting”? 

The officer said, "You drinking?" I said, "You buying?" We just laughed and laughed... Now I need bail money. 

You know that little thing inside your head that keeps you from saying things you shouldn't?  Yeah, I don't have one of those. 

Nothing is easy to the unwilling. 

Labor Rates:

     Regular        $ 24.50

     If you wait    $ 30.00

     If you watch   $ 35.00

     If you help    $ 50.00

     If you laugh   $ 75.00 

Masters of the household 

A dog accepts you as the boss...  A cat wants to see your resume. 

Welcome to my kitchen where many have eaten here and few have died. 

Billings' Law: 

Live within your income, even if you have to borrow to do so. 

From a Father’s Day card: 

Dad, you taught me to always keep going and to never lose sight of my goal or my sense of humor along the way.

Technology 

It’s commonly referred to as “technology”.  I trademarked it as Dark Ages Computing ® 

Just once, I want a username and password prompt to say, "close enough". 

Never let a computer know you're in a hurry.    

The New Math Version of Murphy's Law: 

If there is a 50/50 chance of something going wrong, nine times out of ten it will.     

“Modern” Medicine 

My doctor asked if anyone in my family suffered from mental illness.  I said, "No. We all seem to enjoy it." 

I told my wife I wanted to be cremated.  She made an appointment for next Tuesday. 

Cirino's Law of Burnt Fingers: 

Hot glass looks the same as cold glass. 

          Young's Handy Guide to the Modern Sciences: 

If it is green or it wiggles -- it is Biology.

If it stinks -- it is Chemistry.

If it doesn't work -- it is Physics. 

I hope you enjoyed today’s little compendium.  Please share those you see while traveling life’s highways, OK? 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

C'est la vie! and Deja vu

I hope you enjoyed a happy and safe July 4^th holiday!  Here’s to our forefathers who freed this country from the British.  There were three things that helped them do it:  Leadership, Free Speech, and the French. 

Two of these three remain part of our everyday lives.  (I’m not as sure about the French).  I know a lot of families with ancestors that immigrated to America.  I don’t know very many from France though, do you?  C'est la vie! (Which, of course, is French for: Such is life - their bad!) 

The French helped Americans gain our independence; gifted the Statue of Liberty to us signifying their friendship; and then said, “bon chance!” (Which, of course, is French for: You’re going to need it!) 

Today, we have our leaders to poke free speech fun at.  Managers and executives at our companies are frequent targets of humor.  It’s OK, they mean well: 

But even top management types are mostly harmless when you get to know them.  Given lots of love, some even make good pets.                                 

Rick Levine 

After a while all good employees settle in and get used to our managers’ idiosyncrasies, don’t we?   When our reporting lines change – frequently – we don’t have to let it bother us.  No matter who our boss may be today, it will likely change soon so we can just focus on getting our jobs done, don’t you think?  Cirque du Soleil!  (Which, of course, is French for: Same circus - Different clowns.) 

At work, our glasses remain half-full. (Wine glasses? Oops – my faux pas!)  In America, our country and our companies remain among the best in the world.  Having received France’s help during the Revolution, today we are blessed to live in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave!  Vive La France!  (Which, of course, means “Thank You” to France!) 

As we know, 2024 is our next Presidential election year… Magnifique!  (Which, of course, is French for: Is it over yet?)  If we took all of the money spent on political commercials, including those mud-slinging, character-slamming, negative-messaging, “approved by” blasts from our soon-to-be-elected, leaders, we could all take as much vacation time as the French do.  A la mode!  (Which, of course, is French for: I’ll have my vacation with ice cream, too!) 

Even the positive, political campaigns follow the same old claims and promises.  Lower cost-of-living; more jobs; pothole repairs; blah, blah, blah.  Brings to mind Lawrence J. Peter’s perspective: 

What this country needs is more free speech worth listening to.                             

Freedom of speech is truly one of our greatest freedoms.  A price we must pay for this great freedom is listening to someone’s speech, even when it irritates us, yes?  Sacre bleu!  (Which, of course, is French for: Up yours buddy!) 

We must try to remain patient during the upcoming months of Presidential campaigning – leading this country is not for the faint of heart.  And if the campaign staffs resort to the same, old talk tracks, well:  Deja Moo!  (Which, of course, is French for: That feeling we’ve heard this bull before.) 

So here’s to our leaders; the support we received from the French; and our great freedom of speech in the Land of Opportunity.  Certainly, without this freedom I would not be able to write my little ditties.  And without these, it would be harder for you find something to break the monotony at work.   True Mon ami? 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

We remember…

I never served in the military.  I can only imagine the commitment, self-sacrifice, and bravery our country’s veterans must have had to preserve our way of life.  It continues with those who serve today. 

Memorial Day is a “day of remembrance”.  As the struggle for our freedom continues we pause to remember those who served; who sacrificed; who died; for America; for our America; for our nation of great opportunity. 

According to Wikipedia the history of remembrance goes back over 150 years: 

In 1868, General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic called for a "Decoration Day", which was widely celebrated. By 1890, every Northern state had adopted it as a holiday. The World Wars turned it into a generalized day of remembrance, instead of just for the Civil War. 

Though we Americans are addressing many difficulties today, this is nothing new.  In the book Pickett’s Charge ©, Robert E. Lee said this in that Civil War battlefield aftermath: 

We must expect reverses, even defeats.  They are sent to teach us wisdom and prudence, to call forth greater energies, and to prevent our falling into greater disasters. 

Step-by-step, we continue to overcome our reverses.  Step-by-step, we gain wisdom and prudence from our defeats.  Step-by-step we strive to prevent greater disasters.  All while maintaining a certain sense of American humor and ingenuity: 

     Consider how far a step-by-step approach took American diplomat Charles Thayer in negotiating with a German prison director at the outbreak of World War II…

     He (the prison director) had the British vice-consul brought from his cell, and one by one I handed over items: pajamas, shirts, socks, and a toilet kit...

     I then produced a bottle of sherry, explaining that the vice-consul should have it served before his luncheon.  The director said nothing, but took the bottle submissively. 

     Next I produced a bottle of champagne which, I said, should be properly iced with the vice-consul's dinner.  The director shifted uneasily but remained silent. 

     Next came a bottle of gin, another of vermouth, and a cocktail shaker.  This, I explained, was for the vice-consul's evening martini.  “Now you take one part of vermouth.” I began, “and four parts of gin, add plenty of ice”.

     “Verdammit!” the director exploded.  “I am willing to serve sherry and champagne and even gin to this prisoner, but he can damn well mix his own martinis!”

     By taking a step-by-step approach, Thayer substantially accomplished his mission. 

William Ury 

Only in America do cultures of diversity live together so united.  Truly, we have our differences and there is plenty of strife.  Americans have much work to do in the pursuit of a more perfect union. Still, we benefit today from those who came before us.  They gave us great opportunities. 

But what are we making of our opportunities?  What opportunities (and debts) will we leave for our future generations? 

In every community, there is work to be done. 

In every nation, there are wounds to heal. 

In every heart, there is the power to do it. 

Marianne Williamson 

We will pause our work on Monday to honor the men and women of our armed forces; especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice: 

On Memorial Day let’s remember.  Then let’s go back to work Tuesday – working to overcome our difficulties; working to leverage our opportunities; working to preserve our way of life for future generations. 

Yes Marianne, “In every heart, there is the power to do it!” 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

Christ’s birthday…

Wishing you a day of peace, hope, joy and celebration with family and friends. 

Of course, Christmas is more than just one day, true?  Whatever our spiritual beliefs, may each of us find meaning to our life during this season in a way that lasts throughout the entire year.  We may not want to look back and celebrate all of what’s happened in 2020.  I’m sure we are looking forward to a better 2021!  

Lest there be any confusion, may we be reminded of that which was important this year, and that which wasn’t. 

We are reminded by bankers to be of good cheer: 

A little boy received a new drum for Christmas.  Shortly thereafter, his father came home from work and the mother told him, “I don’t think the man upstairs likes to hear Georgie play his new drum, but he’s certainly subtle about it.”  “How do you know”? asked the father.  “Well, this afternoon he gave Georgie a knife and asked him if he knew what was inside the drum.”  

Herbert Prochnow 

We are reminded by the gospel to be satisfied with who we are not what we bought: 

You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are – no more, no less.  That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. 

Matthew 5 

We are reminded by the novelists to remember (and be thankful for) our “fortunes”: 

Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.  

Charles Dickens 

I am reminded to offer His blessings to you and yours from me and mine. 

“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!” 

GAP

Independence…

Happy Independence Day Americans!  Here’s to a fun (and safe) July 4^th holiday.  Here’s to our country – “Land of the free and home of the brave”.

Our Founding Fathers had certain ideals in mind when they fought for our country’s independence.  They had a vision for the common man; free from oppression; living in harmony; pursuing happiness.  We have some work to do for that vision to remain intact.

Today, the term “it’s a free country” too often takes on overly individualized interpretations.  Being free doesn’t mean we can do whatever-the-duck we feel like: 

Freedom means choosing your burden. 

Hephzibah Menuhin

One of the burdens we Americans carry is the concern for and the caring of others.  The Statue of Liberty; symbol of our country’s liberty, is inscribed:

Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

I don’t think “breathe free” means being individualized or undisciplined, do you?  Freedom requires continuous adherence to the rules:

Piloting your own plane may suggest a desire for freedom.  It usually takes a lot of self-control, however, to earn the money necessary to buy your own plane.  And once you are at the controls, concentration and rules are vital.  Undisciplined pilots do not live long.    

Alfred P. Sloan, Jr.

Pick any popular pet peeve; texting while driving; parking in handicapped spaces when not actually being handicapped; bringing pets on a plane declaring “emotional support animals” (trivializing heroic service dogs performing invaluable service to those truly in need).  Does it seem like today’s list of “I’m special; the rules don’t apply to me” is getting longer?

I believe our country’s center of power lies not with the individual, but rather with each individual finding common ground for the pursuit of the collective good for all.  John Wesley believes it’s not about “me”; it’s about how “we” share our fortune with those less fortunate:

Do all the good you can. 

By all the means you can. 

In all the ways you can. 

In all the places you can. 

At all the times you can. 

To all the people you can. 

As long as you can.

America is independent and the land of the free; but as it has been said many times, freedom is not free:

Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it.  It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it. 

Unknown Sage

Yes, America is the land of the free because of the brave.  And bravery is found in many more places than on battlefields.  We witness bravery every day in every way by average people who are proud to be Americans!  We inherited that from our Founding Fathers:

John Hancock, whose name has become synonymous with the word signature, has the largest signature on the Declaration of Independence.  It is said that after he signed it, he turned to his comrades and said, 'I don’t want the King to have any problem finding my name’. 

Laurie Beth Jones

So, let us all enjoy America’s independence today.  And then tomorrow, let’s go back to work - working to ensure this country remains what our Founding Fathers envisioned.  Let us honor those with bravery – past and present – those who gave their lives for our freedom; our independence; our fortunes.  Let us continue to work to make this a country all of us - in common – an America to be proud of.

GAP

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

Hoping in Duple Time…

What stimulates your hope? 

The Polka is a happy, little tune - don’t you think?  (Really, Gary?  The Polka?  Slow day?)

No, really.  I was station-surfing the other day; looking for a little hard-rock music; it was my “Mandatory Metallica Monday”.  I came across Polka music on the radio and it immediately triggered memories of my childhood - and the movie “Home Alone”.  Did you see that movie?  John Candy played Gus Polinski, the leader of a Polka Band from Milwaukee. Remember his pride over one of their hits, “Polka-Polka-Polka”?  Classic!

From Centralhome.com (of all places):

Polka is defined as a vivacious couple dance of Bohemian origin in duple time; it is a basic pattern of hop-step-close-step; a lively dance tune in 2/4 time.

Vivacious; lively; duple time; doesn’t that just perk you right up?  OK, who brought the accordian?

Answer.com adds:

Polka music is a form of European dance music which originated in Bohemia (what is now an area within the Czech Republic).

And from Wikipedia:

Apparently, it was so well-received that it became a sort of dance craze, spreading across all of Europe, and to the US.

“OK Gary, but the Polka?  Today?  How does that stimulate hope?” 

Well, you see the Polka is part of my family roots.  When I was grade school aged and visited my Aunt and Grandmother in Chicago, I watched my Cousin John practice and play the accordion.  At family gatherings everyone would dance (lively; in duple time!).  I remember the cold beer would flow, as would the rich happiness of blue collar, working families, who made the most of celebrations that they could rarely afford.  Although they struggled to make ends meet, when they partied – they really partied – and they polkaed!

There have been other dance crazes, for sure.  In the ‘60’s it was the Twist.  Anyone remember the Hustle from the ‘70’s?  Who hasn’t heard of the Electric Slide?   How many of these dances will outlast the Polka?

 

Back to Wikipedia:

The actual dance and accompanying music called "polka" are generally attributed to a girl, Anna Slezakova of Labska Tynice, Bohemia, in 1834.

Alright Anna! 186 years and still going strong!

When my relatives danced the Polka years ago, it was all about celebration.  Celebrating some occasion, for sure; but also celebrating family; celebrating life; celebrating hope!  The hardest working people are often the ones that enjoy family gatherings and modest accouterments the most, yes? 

These celebrations are enthusiastic expressions of hope.  Blue collar families stay pretty focused day-to-day; living paycheck to paycheck.  They have to.  But when it’s time for a family celebration, hope springs eternal! 

Throughout the ages, dances of hope were common among many people. Texas Bix Bender, who brought us such sage advice as:

Don’t squat with your boots on.

and, 

Never drink down stream from the herd.

Also offers us insight about dance, the future, timing, and hope.  In the Great Plains and throughout the West, for instance, we’ve all read lore about the rain dance.  And Texas Bix said:
 

Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

So I’m smiling today about the timing of my life and the opportunity to envision memories of my Cousin John playing the accordion while my Uncle Frank and Aunt Bernice danced the Polka into the wee hours of the morning. Yes - the Polka – a happy (and hopeful) little tune indeed. 

What stimulates your hope?

GAP

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

Start-Up…

I had a LinkedIn exchange recently with a woman seeking career advice.  She was exploring a career pivot; going into business for herself; starting her own company.  She told me she “has this idea…”

That phrase reminded me of my volunteer experience at Denver Start-Up Week in 2017.  I staffed the coffee depot at “base camp”, where local restaurants donated free coffee and pastries daily for Start-Up Week attendees.  That year there were over 12,000 attendees!

In my LinkedIn exchange, I related that experience and recommended books by Brad Feld, a highly educated and tremendously successful investor.  He was one of the keynote presenters at Denver Start-Up Week.  I met him at base camp; commented on his Star Wars shoes LoL! 

I cautioned my LinkedIn pen pal though – Brad’s views are; shall we say; direct.  Like this preface in one of his books: 

Trust Me.  Your Idea is Worthless.

He elaborated that we sometimes feel we have an idea that is totally original and unique.  Based on all the “pitches” he has seen over the years; Brad thinks we haven’t.  It’s OK though… investors don’t invest in ideas.  They invest in people.

Atul Gawande wrote in The Checklist Manifesto ©:

But finding a good idea is apparently not all that hard.  Finding an entrepreneur who can execute a good idea is a different matter entirely.

I suggested to this fledgling entrepreneur to solidify exactly how she will start-up; and then “ramp-up” her company.

Several years ago I was a volunteer consultant for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), part of the Small Business Administration.  I too benefited from the market research they offered on small companies’ successes - and failures.  The stark reality is up to 90% of start-ups fail.  The #1 reason for failure is lack of sales over the first 5 years.  A close 2^nd is lack of capital in the face of slow sales.

Today it’s tempting to turn to investors.  “Hey, I don’t have enough money and our sales are a bit light…  I’ll just ask someone else to fund me… because I have this great idea!  Like Shark Tank.  That’s it; I’ll present my great idea on Shark Tank!”

Makes me think of Mark Cuban who has shared many views on that show as well as in other venues, true?  Starting up a company is so hard they even made a game show out of the premise!  He even summarized his main points in this infographic: https://inc42.com/entrepreneurship/mark-cubans-12-rules-for-startups-infographic/ Rules #1 and #2 standout; Rule #4 is absolutely key to success. I chuckled at Rule #10. 

Still, I have a great deal of respect for the women I have worked for and been mentored by over the years.  I’m meeting with one of my mentors this week.  Teah Bennett was the Female Entrepreneur of the Year in Colorado a few years ago.  Teah started several successful companies; failed at one as well.  She mentors me to this day.  She’s awesome! 

I know that when women put their mind to something, all things are possible.  Our favorite, Unknown Sage offers:

Woman's Equation

Whatever women do, they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult.

So after cautioning my LinkedIn pen pal that her road ahead would be difficult, I encouraged her to go for it!  After all, running her own company is her dream.  Who am I to say a woman can’t succeed?

GAP

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.