Monday, June 4, 2012

Are you a chicken, pigeon, or eagle?


Look around you and look at yourself.  Are you a chicken, pigeon, or eagle? All three are birds, but are dramatically different.  All three have wings, but with different capabilities.

 A chicken has wings, but does not fly.  Honestly, chickens primary roles in the world are to produce eggs and to be eaten. Generally, you find them locked in a pen and they must be fed. And when they walk, they are constantly moving their head back and forth, cackling. I have known humans with these traits. It may be someone in your office! They are always going around gossiping or complaining. You must keep them busy or they will make their way into everyone else’s business.  Generally, they need a farmer (leader) to keep their job, protected, or used. Otherwise, they will not work or a wolf (competitor) will eat them alive. They have no desire to be promoted or be in charge of anything.  If you give them their check (chicken feed) and keep them busy; they will produce and be happy.  Just don’t ask them to fly!!

A pigeon has wings and can fly. Pigeons have been used to carry messages in history.  You rarely find one pigeon alone. Pigeons can easily be persuaded to leave one area for another if there is someone throwing out some seeds, but their waste is very toxic.  Generally, you see pigeons in very public places. Are you a pigeon or know one? They must be part of a special group or “click”. They must be part of the center of attention.  The pigeon people are always changing jobs, companies, or careers because of the offer of more money. Also, they leave behind very toxic waste.  After they leave, the office has to be reorganized.  The division has to be shut down. The choir is no longer on one accord.  Quality people are forced to leave.   As long as they were getting the attention and being constantly rewarded; it’s all good! Don’t be around them when they stop getting attention and it’s time for them express their unhappiness (dispose of their waste)!

An eagle is a very special bird and in fact very rare in places. Eagles have wings, but they don’t fly; they soar!! Eagles are a display of leadership and strength.  No matter where you take an eagle, they are always looking to make their nest at the highest of heights.  Storms (problems) only serve to lift the eagle higher. Eagles do not travel in groups. Eagles do not eat dead stuff. You probably see where I am going. Are you an eagle or know an eagle?  They do not belief in being involved with negative people or participating in unproductive activities. They are constantly setting their sights on something greater or higher. They embrace the challenges of life with a confidence that constantly allows them to rise about it.

Are you chicken, pigeon, or eagle?

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Giving Honor!


Memorial Day is supposed to be the time we remember those military veterans who gave their lives for our country.  http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html  I would like to take it further and also give honor to those who have not died, but volunteered for military service! Remember a lot of our service people are dealing with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  I don’t think most us realize that those who have given their life had to first make that decision when they enlisted.  Decisions to fight, protect, or die for our right to the freedoms that we as Americans enjoy.  Although things in America are no way perfect; it is far better than a lot of other places in the world.  

Remember those who have died and thank those who live! Thank You Joe, Rico, Tim, Arthur, Joyce, Leon,  and Nicky!!!

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Why Bother?


Are you like me and watch movies with some creature, killer, or tornado heading toward an individual and the individual waits until it gets 5 feet from them to begin to start running; you think or scream “why bother running now!”

They see it coming a mile away, but when danger is upon them they decide suddenly to run. What is even more amazing to me is that they look back and realize the thing is 1 foot away and attempt to go faster.  If you are not going to run as fast as you can; I think “why bother looking back!”

So my friends, do you do that? See a problem coming a mile away and wait until it gets right upon you before attempting to avoid it!  My question is at that point – Why Bother?

Do you have a friend, love one, co-worker, or relative that does this?  They know months, weeks, and days in advance that something is coming, but just stand there looking! Suddenly, they realize it is going to consume them, hit them, or affect them; then they try to run. Of course, they fall down or look back. It always happens in the movie.

Like Jeannie to Forrest! “Run Forrest Run!” 

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Interesting Quotes


1500 years ago, everybody knew that the Earth was the center of the universe. 500 years ago, everybody knew that the Earth was flat. And 15 minutes ago, you knew that people were alone on this planet. Imagine what you'll know tomorrow.

Agent K- Men in Black Movie- 1997

  

Lieutenant Daniel Taylor: Have you found Jesus yet, Gump?
Forrest Gump: I didn't know I was supposed to be looking for him, sir.

Forrest Gump-1994


All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has come.




The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

You Can Rest, But Quitting Is Not An Option!


Over the last week or so, I have spoken to several people that expressed the feeling of giving up.  They are tired of trying, tired of fighting, tired of figuring, tired of believing, and as my older relatives would say: “Tired of being tired!”  People trying to run their race, while caring the weight of financial issues, business issues, family issues, marriage issues, boss issues, work load issues, friend issues, career issues, health issues, car issues, loneliness issues… you get it. Issues!! We all have them from time to time, but sometimes we face chronic issues.  Chronic issues can make the best of us want to quit. 

You Can Rest, But Quitting is Not An Option!

We as humans must realize that taking a week, day, hour, or a minute to rest from our labor is written in our individual maintenance manual! Somehow we allow ourselves to think that quitting is our only option and resting is not an option! You can rest!! Athletes rest during competition.  Soldiers rest in time of war. GOD rested on the seventh day! I will say again- You Can Rest!!

For those of you workaholics, worryaholics, controlaholics, and fearaholics, rest is defined by Merriam-Webster as “freedom from activity or labor”. 

So sleep in or take a walk! Read a book or play a game! Call a funny friend or wash your hair! Go fishing or watch cartoons!  Listen to music.  Here are a couple of The Xhorter favorites:



Quitting Is Not An Option!!

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

The Rest of the Week


When people would say to me that they couldn’t wait until the weekend got here; I would wonder what was so bad or unimportant about the rest of the week. I could not understand the math of discarding 5 days for two days.  It just seemed like there was something wrong with living that way.  Did they mean they worked a job that they hated? Did they mean they could not really do what they wanted to do until Saturday or Sunday? Maybe the person that they really enjoyed being with was unavailable until then.  Just seems to me that we should give our best effort to make the changes in our life that would enable us to be as excited about the rest of the week and not just the weekend.  Seems crazy to be excited about 105 days and throw away 260 days in a year.  Just saying!

Impossible - Really?


Have you ever been told that something was impossible? Have you told someone that what they were trying to accomplish was impossible?  Merriam-Webster defines impossible as “incapable of being or of occurring. “  I don’t believe in the word “impossible” no matter how improbable.  Believing in and pursuing the impossible is what dreams, innovation, transformation, and creation is made of.  I am amazed at how quick we say things are impossible, but we experienced someone’s impossibilities every day.  Think about it!  Cellular phones, television, electricity, African American president, satellites, modern medicine, prosthetics, cameras, transplants, etc.

So don’t let anyone kill your dreams or don’t you be a dream killer.  Believe and help someone else believe that the impossible can be possible, no matter how improbable. What's your thoughts?

Monday, April 9, 2012

All In


I found myself today reflecting on the term “All In” and realized that it has a greater significance than poker chips.  I believe it actually provides one explanation for what separates the good from the great; low expectations from great expectations; and fear from faith.  The level of our commitment to our dreams, goals, family, career, friends, faith, etc. can actually be one of the factors preventing us or enabling us in realizing the returns we desire!  Just take a moment and think about the people we cheer, admire, and respect the most; they are fully focused, fully invested, and fully dedicated to that “thing”! These people don’t hold back anything. They don’t let doubt, fear, laziness, or negative opinions deter them from pursuing success, happiness, or movement.  Even their failures aren’t failures, but fuel for the fire that burns within. 

Are you “All In” or “Partially Committed”?

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Go For It!


As I watched the NCAA men’s championship game, I reflected on what the coaches probably told their players. It probably went something like this: “Men now is the time! This is the moment that you worked your whole basketball career for. This is the moment that you go after your dreams.  You worked and sweated all year for this opportunity.   The other team will not give the championship to you and there are people that doubt you can get it done, but I BELIEVE!!  I believe that the championship is yours, but you have to fight for it! I believe that the disappointments and successes prior to now have prepared you for the challenge ahead! Envision yourself as a champion. Envision yourself giving 100% effort to that goal. Envision yourself holding the trophy! Envision your teammates and our fans celebrating! Now go out there and make that vision a reality!!”

I believe in our daily lives that we sometimes need a coach to get us mentally prepared for a challenging day or task. We need someone to tell us to stop complaining and go after our dreams.  We need someone to tell us that all our life experiences prepared us to meet our next challenge! We need to look ahead and not behind; look up and not down; move aggressively forward and not constantly retreating. Envision yourself following through on your dreams!  Envision yourself committing 100% to living happy daily! Envision your family, friends, co-workers, and pets celebrating your happiness with you!! Now get up and make your dreams a reality!!!

Here’s a little fight song to send you on your way from Mary Mary! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzCNuYqgbiU&ob=av2n