Inauguration Day

The American Presidential Inauguration Day ceremony, with it's speeches and festivities, has always represented both national renewal and continuity of leadership. It is always intended to honor the incoming leader.

This is my 12th time to witness Inauguration Day. Once again, the events brought to my mind thoughts such as: transition of power, classy, pomp and circumstance and royalty. I am reminded of the great burden of being President. And also the price they pay. Most often, they ride into town on a big white horse. The country is usually proud and happy for them with great words of praise. And then years later, pushed aside with yesterdays newspaper. They almost never live up to expectations, because the expectations are so high and grand.

The celebration today seemed bigger than ever. And rightly so, in one respect. It is the 1st time in the history of our country that the hand on the bible was not the hand of a white man. Certainly a historic day.

Regardless of our vote last Nov., today is a day to enjoy, a day to savor. Our new leader brings words of hope and optimism. And Lord knows we need some of that. Times are hard, the challenges are great, and four years from now, when the oath is repeated, we will know just how these things played out. I for one, do hope, that great and better things do indeed lie ahead for all of us.

God bless our leaders and God bless you and yours.....Ric

You-nique

Know that although in the eternal scheme of things you are small, you are also unique and irreplaceable.

Each second we live is a new and unique moment of the universe, a moment that will never be again. And what do we teach our children? We teach them that two and two make four, and that Paris is the capital of France. When will we also teach them what they are? We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the years that have passed, there has never been another child like you. Your legs, your arms, your clever fingers, the way you move. You may be the next Shakespeare or Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel.

Look at you. You have a special gift. There is that thing that you get, that others don’t. Math or music or designing. Art or maybe Sales. Maybe you have a heart that beats for fairness. It is something different for everyone. But you have been equipped with a talent that is unique. Someone probably noticed it in you when you were growing up, your hidden strength. Look back over your life. What have you consistently done well? What have you loved to do?
Take a good look at your successes and your affections. This is where you will find it. Say hello to your “you-nique-ness.”

We have each been given something special. Don't worry about the skills you don't have. Don’t covet others strengths. Just enjoy that which is uniquely you. Go to your place. Unleash your abilities. We need you. And I am betting you will find an uncommon joy.
Why are you trying to fit in, when you were born to stand out?

Wishing you the best, Ric

Need Some Advice?

No man is an island. There will be times when we don’t know what to do. We know we need help. But we seldom seek help. We usually keep our problems to ourselves.
Men especially, but also people in general, are much to proud, macho, invincible and reluctant to appear vulnerable or weak.

Many are brought up in an unrealistic environment. We are led to believe that strength is good. We are supposed to be successful at everything and failure or weakness are not allowed. To be honest I don't know at what age most of us imbedded these beliefs.
Men may have a harder time with seeking advice than women do. The pressures that are created for the male start at a very early age. Playing at home with siblings or friends, then at school, our male world continues to develop until we arrive to the business world. By then we are hardened as "most males should be", and the business world continues to prolong the myth of the male toughness to never show weakness or emotions. We like to be in control.

How then do we seek advice or help if needed? Very simply we don't. We don't utilize the support system around us.

It is about time that we become more human, that we recognize not only our weaknesses, but that seeking help is not a shame. If we stop putting ourselves in this difficult position we may discover that being vulnerable is part of being human, and that seeking help is not a shame.

We go to the doctor when we need medicine. We go to the plumber when the water is leaking everywhere. We go to the lawyer when we are facing tough legal issues. We should look at more everyday issues the same way. Talk to someone who has been there, one who has gone through the same thing. More than likely they will be glad to help and you can have saved yourself more and bigger problems.

I will occasionally have someone come to me with a question or a problem. If you really believe I have some unique insight, and you’d like to probe my brain on a particular topic, then please do seek me out. I love focused discussions with specific intent. I love investing time with people who’ve thought long and hard about a topic or problem. I love it when you’ve at least attempted a point of view. That is when engagement becomes meaningful. That is when I’m motivated to interact and help.

But go to someone you trust. And then when they give you advice, take it.

I am amazed at the number of people that, no. 1, don’t seek advice at all, and no.2, those that ask for specific advice from someone they trust, and then reject it or fail to follow through and do what was advised. I see it in our pool matches each week. Some players don't need or want any advice, they are good. And then, some ask for advice, then decide not to take it. But whether it is something as small as a game of pool or something more important, it is ok to ask for help. It is OK! The best minds do it all the time. My kids, not so much. But the smart and successful are always asking for advice, the more advice the better.

Don’t take any wooden nickels and don’t put all your eggs in one basket……Ric