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!

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.

So what’s ON SALE?  Never hurts to do a little soul-searching!

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

“Do you suppose that’s true?” It is a great question that my good friend, Jolene Brown CSP, recently shared with our “mastermind” group. Jolene was recently returning from one of her many speaking engagements. Her seatmate struck-up a conversation, or more likely a monologue, to authoritatively go on-and-on about information she had read about a “politically sensitive” topic. She was trying to “educate” Jolene on the topic. Rather than trying to counter the discussion … Jolene simply asked her seatmate, “Gosh, where did you hear about that? Do you suppose that’s true?” The seatmate wasn’t prepared … “what do you mean?” Jolene repeated the question. “Do you suppose that’s true? I’m just curious.I am wondering if you’d be willing to share your resources or documentation with me?”

With the on-set of mass media and ultimately personal technology, we evolved into the “age of information.” Information, however, is not necessarily the “truth.” Sometimes information does uncover the truth. There have been some incredible journalists who have devoted their life to searching for the truth. Sometimes the truth is missed because of speed or sloppiness. And sometimes the truth is violated with “spin.”

There are times I wonder if more intellect and creativity go into designing the “spin” rather than seeking the truth. Spin is designed to slant perspective … to create a slanted reflection of truth. Spin generally has an element of truth. But I have always said … half the truth is always a lie. When you remove the costume from “spin” what you see underneath is manipulation. This, in and of itself, should beg the question, “do you suppose that’s true?”

Often, we can see spin coming like a tornado. Other times it is far more subtle.

The explosion of all aspects of the internet and social media are good examples. Information is everywhere … the truth is not. Everyone can post their viewpoint … and, regardless of the author’s intention, there will always be those who receive it as the ultimate truth. Today’s information is created in overwhelming quantities. And, in fact, there are many advantages to endless viewpoints. They provide a kaleidoscope of insights and can strengthen our ability to discern. The kaleidoscope, however, only becomes useful and productive when it leads us to the truth.

In some ways, postings on the internet and various social media are a virtual version of conversations that were once held on “front porches” across America and around the world. But with one very big difference. The conversation on the front porch had context. The conversation was in the midst of a defined relationship. Not just more information.

I suppose, in some ways, we lost context but gained variety.

It is in the midst of this onslaught of information (and we are in slow motion compared to where we are headed) I become increasingly convinced that clearly indicating and understanding our core values has become more important than ever. Our values can bring focus to the overwhelming blur of information.

It would serve us well to ponder more truth and “forward” less information.

Disclaimer: This article is simply my viewpoint. Nothing more. Nothing less. It is your job to ask the question, “Do you suppose it to be true?

So where is your dwelling place? I don’t mean where you live, but rather what you think about. Worry about. Dream about. In other words … what do you dwell upon? Or maybe, for some, the more likely question is … what dwells upon you? It is usually one way or the other.

I would suggest that where we dwell has everything to do with where we are headed. Or not. I have often heard that you become what you think about. I have also heard that you become who you hang with. I suppose they go hand in hand. Think about it! Where you dwell has a lot to do with what you dwell about. And what you dwell about has everything to do with where you are headed.

So who and what define your dwelling?

Is your dwelling reactively defined by an automatic lifestyle or do you dwell with intention. Some tell me they don’t have a moment to think … much less to dwell. I’m not convinced we have to stop to dwell. Good or bad, we dwell even while we are moving 100 miles-an-hour! But I do think we need to stop to think about what we dwell upon. Most of us just don’t think about it. And it has significant implications!

It might do us some good to stop, for a moment, and simply think about what we have been dwelling upon over this last year … and what we would really like to dwell upon in this New Year.

The blank space below is not a design error. Rather, it is designed just to be a pause. A moment. For you to stop and dwell. Your tendency might be just to pass over this “white space” and keep-on reading. It is what we so often do.

But I hope you will stop, for just a moment, in this little dwelling place below … and dwell on what you dwell about. Or what has been dwelling on you.

What we dwell upon has everything to do with how we lead … and ultimately with how we live.

But one final note … I am so grateful to so many people and organizations who have been deeply dwelling on their core values over the last few months. Since publishing GOOD to the CORE this past year I have become increasingly aware of how truly difficult the concept of core values can be when you get dead serious about it. I think we have seen many examples over the last decade in just how deadly it can be when we don’t dwell on our core values. I hope this new decade will prove to be different. I am convinced the hope of something different starts one person at a time. When it comes to core values … let the dwelling begin!

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!