Q1 Done

Today marks the end of the first quarter of 2018. Remember on January 1st and

through the first week of January how you planned your strategy to navigate through

2018. You had goals and dreams. Today as we close out the first quarter of the year

let’s reflect on how you have done.

Did you stick to the goals you set? Did are you disappointed in the results? Does

it really matter? The time is gone, we can’t go back to change it, to achieve our

goals of days past. But you know what you can do, you can move forward. You

can set new goals if that is what you makes you happy. Or maybe today you reflect

on the changes you did make, the days that delighted you, the memories you made,

the lives you touched and those that touched you.
Let’s wrap up the first quarter embracing life as it is. Let’s look back with fondness,

but no regrets. As I often say, “It is what it is” Time to move on. What does quarter 2

look like for you. Take a minute to think about what it will take to have a good quarter

this quarter. How will you feel on June 30th. Sit for a minute and quietly think about

your future. What do you want to change, what CAN you change, what can you

spend 15 minutes a day on that will get you to that goal?

Today, on this last day of the first quarter and on this Easter weekend,

I wish you peace!

Where the weather is warm....

You wake up in another state, another season, realizing all of the things that happen

in your world happen in this world too. The young girls dancing their way down the

hotel hallway, enough makeup on to ensure each feature of their beautiful little faces

can be seen from 100 feet away, ready for their day of competition in cheer-leading.

Side note: This is a sport that did not even exist when you were that age. The workout

room at the hotel with a sparse few that will get their workout in early before the busy day.

The coffee smells wonderful, the sky is blue and the sun will shine brightly today. The

golfers head out early for a day on the links, hoping for that elusive hole in one.

The weary Moms and Dads in Orlando to spend thousands on the theme parks,

hoping the memories will stick for a lifetime.
My room overlooks the pool where the cleaning crew is out early prepping the area

for the day, they have the job of making sure everything balances perfectly.

Conference attendees scramble to their meeting rooms, coffee in hand.

Other than the weather change, this is pretty much the same as Minnesota, the

hustle and bustle of the week continues into the weekend, focus shifts on a

Saturday morning. It’s a different pace.

It’s Saturday and no matter where you laid your head last night, I wish you a

peaceful day!

Spring...Is Springing

The crack of a bat at training camp, the Final Four, the white shoes of Easter Sunday,

all signs that the winter is almost over.

Suddenly it is the middle of March, soon the trees will bud and we will have forgotten

about the days that the wind stung our face as we walked outside.

What do you look forward to this spring? I can’t wait to hear the birds chirps, I am excited

to get my bike out to pedal for an afternoon, the morning runs and eating at the sidewalk

restaurants. Of course I look forward to the summer months that follow, but there is a special renewal

every spring, just like when January 1st rolls around, in the north you look forward to spring

with the same excitement, a chance to start anew.

This week the calendar will say it is spring, the temperature might not reflect it but we are

just a little bit closer to that time of renewal. During this time I wish you Peace!

Welcome to the World Baby Girl

Last night our family welcomed a new baby girl to the world. Our niece Sara and her

husband Travis had their first child. She is a beautiful little girl.

In 2018 one has to wonder what this child might see in her lifetime. As she grows into

a young lady will see she the possibilities of the lifetime ahead, will she be a dreamer,

setting goals and striving for peace and love like her sweet mother? Will she have a

love of the outdoors like her daddy? Will she be a list maker? Riding a Harley?

It is exciting to think about what lies ahead for this young lady, one would hope that

all things are equal for women, love is the way of the world and peace rules everywhere.

These are the things I wish for this baby and every baby born in these days. When they

are 50 years old in 2068, I hope they can look back at the trying times, grateful for the

changes that the current generation has changed.

Sara and Travis’s baby girl, I wish you peace.

Our Day of Infamy

March 11th is our day of infamy, the day my Dad took his last breath. On that Sunday

morning our family watched CBS Sunday morning together, after the final scene we

put on some music in the hospital room and within an hour Dad passed away. It was as all

deaths are, bittersweet. He was no longer in pain but we had lost our rock. The one who

was always there was not.

It’s a safe bet that we won’t stop remembering that Sunday morning as the day we let go.

Now we feel him and share the stories with our grand-kids. The love for him never fades.

On this Sunday morning, I did what I usually do, watched CBS Sunday morning, enjoyed

my coffee and remember my Dad. This Sunday morning, 11 years later, I shed a tear for

him as the last trumpet sounded on the show. I miss him. Everyday.

The Drinking Fountain

Yesterday I found myself at the gym in the morning, part of my goal to get to the

gym everyday this month, I am trying to establish a habit. As I finished my first

set of exercises I walked over to the water fountain to grab a drink. A beautiful

African American woman had just taken a drink. My first thought was, she is

stunning, second I wished for her muscular arms. Then my mind went to a time

when her and I could not drink out of the same fountain. It is difficult to fathom

that until just over 50 years ago segregation was ended, before that this woman

would have had to drink from a fountain labeled Colored.

How is this even possible that someone who is made up of the same basic structure

was forced to be thought of as a second class citizen? The very thought that a race

would think they are better, and often hide behind Christianity to protect themselves.

If you are of the belief that we are all children of God, shouldn’t we be loving,

respectful and kind to ALL others.

Today, choose kindness. Today, choose love. Today, I wish you peace.

Never to Old for a New friend!

Sometimes in life you are lucky enough to meet the right person at the right time, yesterday was one of those days.

I had been tasked with having a conversation about an unpleasant situation. With a bit of dread and some determination I finally reached a point where I had to deal with the alleged problem. I was sure the outcome would be fine, but it was one of those times that the idea of dealing with that conversation was intimidating.

I faced the issue marching down the hall to talk to a woman that I had met in passing. As I knocked on her door I took a deep breath. As she opened the door her smile let me know I was welcome. The conversation was just lovely. She instantly made me feel at home, voiced her concerns, listened as I spoke and then it happened. I had a new friend!

With each story we shared we leaned into the conversation a bit more. She gazed out her window answering questions, telling of her love of a city in Mexico, this city, family, friends and neighbors. At one point she said proudly, "I am 90, for Christ's sake". She told me of her husband that she lost 30 years ago and misses everyday, the thought of him bringing an even larger grin, he made her laugh and still makes her smile.

She is very active, still painting, still walking down Nicollet Mall, a regular at Orchestra Hall, Target and Walgreen's.

The story I have linked is from last summer. She is one of the most lovely ladies I have ever met. If you have 4 minutes, take the time to watch this video. It will be worth it. There was also an article about her in a past Star Tribune. Nancy reminds me of a good old friend who values nature and every day, Yvette Johnson. It is so wonderful to have these kind of people in life.

Today I am thankful for all of my good friends!

Yesterday afternoon Nancy reminded me to put anger aside, don't let people get to you. Contemplate and reflect, hold your tongue and have some compassion. When it is time don't give in, learn to compromise. Life is too short to carry a chip on your shoulder. Lots of wisdom in that lovely lady. I will carry that with me today, and be reminded of it every day as I walk by that door down the hall.

As always I wish you peace!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1dvy0dIwag&t=10s