What says you?

I finally just read "Five People You Will Meet in Heaven." Although the stories got lengthy for my fast personality style, it was a sweet and very touching book. It's a great reminder to us all that our lives DO have purpose and that we are ALL put on this earth for relationships.

What says you?

Bad Endings

We went and saw Mirrors this weekend. I'm not a big fan of scary movies, but it looked interesting. It certainly had a unique plot and could have been an okay movie if it weren't for the ending. I won't give it away for you, but it tainted the entire movie. What could have been a B- ended up a D-!

A good reminder for us all. Often times the in-between can be forgotten, but how we end is what is remembered. Let's all finish the race well!

A Real Winner

I watched the women's track and field last night. Two athletes saw the gold in front of then and then lost it. I was really impressed with the hurdler American gal. She gave no excuses and said, "Only those who don't hit or knock down a hurdler win." She went on to say, "I usually have two bad races a year, and unfortunately, this was one of them." To me, she IS a winner. Her attitude showed more to me than her performance.

Later, the cameras showed her crying. You could tell she was crushed...her hopes and dreams shattered until another four years, if she can stay with her training. This was a tough moment, but she showed what she was made. She may not have won the gold, but she's a winner in my book.

How it Should Be

We recently went up to South Dakota for a weekend visit. No matter where we went or what we were doing, the people were friendly. They took the time to say hello and even waited for a reply. In particular, we ate at Desperados in Hill City, SD. The owner made a point to come over, introduce himself and get to know us. When we waited a spell for our meal, he got after it and ensured we had our food in a timely manner. The food was exceptional, but it's the service I'll remember for years to come.

Dan took pride in his restaurant...as it should be! If you are ever in the South Dakota area, I highly recommend Desperados. You'll get real fine western food with the cowboy greed: do and give what you said you would.

Healthy Weight

I just read an article with the headline reading "Overweight is Healthy." Although the title is misleading, the information it contained was actually correct. What it address was inside health. Weight really doesn't matter...we are all made different with different genes, bodies, frames, bones, etc. What does count, however, is your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. When these are right, you are healthy.

The article brought up the example of a thin person with high blood pressure. It is true...thin doesn't equal healthy. Heck, being fit doesn't mean you are healthy either. It's all about balance...for all of us.

When I work with clients, I encourage them to not focus on their outward appearance but rather on getting their insides healthy. When that is right, everything else settles into the right place. Some folks want to lose some outward shell, and that is fine. Others are okay with a little layer to keep them warmer. Either way, just be sure to monitor your vital signs and keep them in good ranges. Good health looks good on you!

Swing Vote

We saw the Kevin Costner movie this weekend, and he did, as usual, a great job. This was a different role for him, and it was probably one of his most powerful...if people were paying attention.

Without giving the movie away, he has to vote on the President, and his vote will determine the entire election. After struggling in many ways with the pressure and power of it all, he comes down to a debate with both candidates. Although the question he asks is pointed, his statements leading up to it touched me the most. I hope Americans didn't miss it.

He said he sat there ashamed...ashamed because he has taken everything that this country has to offer but has given nothing back in return. He has been given every opportunity but has taken none of them. With all our faults, we are still a country that cares not only for its own people but the people of the world. The attention to the Olympics reminds us of the spirit of America: ALL people.

What have we done lately for our country? This was a good reminder, for me anyway, to look inward a bit more than outward. If you don't like what you see, set out to make it better. "Be the change you want to see in the world!" One person CAN make a difference.

Good is the Eternal Enemy of the Best

I recently attended a conference in Atlanta, and the speaker kept repeating the above statement. I think it has taken several days for it to really sink in.

Doing poorly is obvious...we stink at it and know it. If we are giving low-level efforts, we get shabby results. BUT...when we do JUST good enough, we may not be able to see how much further we really have to go. Personally, I think this is the state of our country!

We have gotten lazy. We do just enough to get by. I see it in customer service every where I turn. Some how our attitude has shifted to, "hey, you'll take what I give you and like it!" Now, I'm generalizing, of course.

Many people are still striving to be and give their best. Bravo! Let's all keep giving, as Mother Theresa said, until it hurts. One by one, we can reclaim something that made our country great!