John TV: Episode #37

cul·ture [kuhl-cher]  noun, verb, -tured, -tur·ing  …  The sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings and transmitted from one generation to another.   In what condition is your transmission?

John TV: Episode #30

COACHING … the best investment strategy you could ever plan.  As the NFL kicks-off a whole new season … maybe you should be thinking about just what kind of “coach” are you?

John TV: Episode #23

It is an old saying, but so often true … “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”  So true, unless we refuse to snooze.  Five years later, so much has changed … yet so much remains the same. 

Silent Alarm … five years later.  A message more relevant than ever!

John TV: Episode #22

Five years later … Silent Alarm is a message more relevant than ever.  Do you hit the snooze with hopes to return to norm … or do you strive to transform?

John TV: Episode #17

I’m still soul-searching … on what’s up for sale.  One way to shore-up what’s really on your list of “core values” is to check-out what is on the “clearance” rack in the store of your life.  Real core-values are never “up-for-sale” … at any price!

Memories Light the Corners

Today’s post is the featured article from the February 2010 issue of The Front Porch Newsletter. If you would like to automatically receive The Front Porch e-newsletter on the last Thursday of each month just click here to sign-up for your complimentary subscription.

I think I was born a generation too late. Frank Sinatra and Barbara Streisand were two of my favorites. If my memory serves me well, each in their own way, had a vocal gift rarely seen. It was not only a rare gift, it was a raw gift. They didn’t have all the technology of today’s artists.

Sappy for sure, but one of my Streisand favorites was The Way We Were. It strikes every nerve of nostalgia. We seem to always view the past with a sense of fondness … often with a sense of longing. You know … the good old days! I have a simple theory on this … the past always looks great because we actually survived it. And anything you survive always looks simpler! Hence, so many people saying, “Things were simpler back then.”

We have interesting recall. And an amazing ability not to recall some things at all. Ask any investment advisor to show you all the economic downturns of the last 50 years and you might just be surprised. Your reaction may be the same as mine … wow, I don’t even remember that downturn, or that one.

Somehow, I think we will remember this one. Maybe!

Remembering these challenging economic times, won’t be nearly as important as remembering the lessons they have the opportunity to teach us.

Recently, I was in San Antonio and had the opportunity to visit the Alamo with my good friend Dave Sparkman. Dave likes to read all the narrative on every plaque and I was inspired by his example to really take it in. Our visit was a great lesson.

Actually, I am not sure I had “remembered the Alamo” … correctly.

I remember it now. I was reminded of how the courage of a few … when remembered … have the ability to change the course of history. The courage of the men at the Alamo was nothing short of amazing. Against all odds, they were willing to take the ultimate stand.

To them, the odds were not nearly as important as “the stand.”

They fell indeed. And their fall built the courage upon which others would firmly stand. While not easy, we live in incredibly interesting times. Especially if we are willing to learn … and live our lives with courage.

Anyone can lead in the “good times.” But by definition, it is in these times that courageous leaders are defined. We need the courage of the men at the Alamo. Not to fall, but to stand.

And we need to remember … to remember the lessons we need to learn from these interesting times. So who is taking notes? Because I know we will certainly forget.

When I began writing my first book, Silent Alarm, we had just experienced the tragedy of September 11th, the bankruptcy of United Airlines, the downfall of Enron, and the related implosion of Arthur Andersen. I knew our alarm was ringing … and I wondered if we would just hit the snooze and simply go back to sleep. Just close our eyes and drift back to “normal.” Get back to … the way we were!

Maybe we did. And so here we are.

Here we are at a time that calls for courage and real leadership. Not flashy leadership … but the kind of gutsy leadership the permeated the men of the Alamo and those who remembered them.

We also need some note-takers … so when we look back on these days, as the simpler “good old days,” we can remember the way we were and what we learned.

Like the Alamo … the course of a nation, of a company, of a community, of a family, just may depend upon it.

Just wondering? Have you been taking notes throughout these interesting times? I’d be curious about your thoughts on one lesson you think we should be learning from these times … they may very well make for some great discussion on the front porch! CLICK HERE to share.

John TV: Episode #15

Decisions … decisions … decisions.  Life is full of them.  And the outcome of our work, our family and our life ultimately depend on them.

The 13th Card

Thanks to so many of you who participated in the Second Annual 12-Days of Gratitude from December 1-12.  (See details at my blog post for December 2nd).  I, too, took the time to write a note to thank twelve different people in my life.

I enjoyed writing each card and reflecting on the blessing of each person with gratitude.  My list of twelve people came from various walks in my life.  Some I have known for only a short while in my life … and others I have know for a lifetime.  All of them have made a difference.

About half-way through my 12-day run, I realized there was a need for one more day … for one more card of gratitude.  A 13th card.  And it would be going to someone I never met … at least until now.

I received an email alerting me to an opportunity to show one more installment of gratitude.  Whether you participated completely or partially in the 12-Days of Gratitude… I would ask you send this one card.  “The 13th Card.”  Address the envelope first.  Don’t even think about just signing and sending.  In this card be willing to be vulnerable and make a connection.  It won’t be that much of a sacrifice … at least not in comparison to the sacrifice they have made for you.  You should make this one a Christmas Card.  And the envelope should be address as follow:

A Recovering American Soldier 
 c/o  Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington, D.C.  20307-5001

You may have never met, but when one recovering soldier reads your card, there is no question in my mind that you will be connected.  Your few moments to write this card may very well be how they feel the touch of Christmas this year.  It may very well be how Christmas touches you!

JOHN TV: EPISODE #11

In a world of ever-increasing speed … what if you gave yourself a gift.  This is a gift that is impossible not to share.  Beyond any form of social media … nothing beats a face-to-face meaningful conversation.

2nd Annual Twelve Days of Gratitude

The 2nd Annual Twelve Days of Gratitude (Dec 1st- 12th) is underway.  Last year I introduced the 12-Days of Gratitude in my Front Porch Newsletter and again made the challenge in the recent November issue.

The concept is to write a note of gratitude to 12 different people who have made an impact in your life.  One note each day for 12 consecutive days … from December 1st through 12th.  If the intended recipient is still alive, mail it to them.  If not, simply tuck it in a treasured file.

Last December, numerous people took-up this challenge.  Some managed to write all 12 days … others did whatever they could.  All of them would tell you it transformed their awareness of gratitude.  It will take you about 10-minutes a day, yet the return on investment just might change your life!

Numerous people from across the nation have emailed me letting me know they are taking up this year’s challenge.  And it is not too late for you to do the same … we are now on DAY-3 but it will only take a few minutes for you to do three notes today to catch-up … and then just one a day for the rest of the journey.  If you do … I have a feeling, beginning on Sunday, December 13th, it will likely transform how you experience the 12-days of Christmas!

Grab a stack of notes cards and a pen … and let your celebration of gratitude begin!