Notes from the Worthams' Family

Paraprosdokians

2011-07-22T10:57:00.000-04:00

I got this from a friend of mine in the Jaycees today and found it both funny and very wise:

PARAPROSDOKIANS
Definition: 'Figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising, or unexpected; frequently used in a humorous situation.'
eg .. 'Where there's a will, I want to be in it!'

Ok, so now enjoy!

1. Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

2. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on my list.

3. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak!

4. If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong.

5. We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

6. War does not determine who is right - only who is left.

7. Knowledge is knowing tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a Fruit Salad.

8. Evening news is where they begin with 'Good Evening,' and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.

9. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.

10. A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.

11. I thought I wanted a career. Turns out I just wanted paychecks.

12. Whenever I fill out an application, in the part that says, 'In case of emergency, notify: ' ... I put 'DOCTOR.'

13. I didn't say it was your fault. I said I was blaming you.

14. Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy.

15. Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman!

16. A clear conscience is the sign of a fuzzy memory.

17. I asked God for a bike, but I know He doesn't work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.

18. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.

19. Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.

20. There's a fine line between cuddling and holding someone down so they can't get away.

21. I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not so sure.

22. You're never too old to learn something stupid.

23. To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.

24. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

25. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

26. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a kitchen makes you a cook!

27. A diplomat is someone who tells you to go to hell in such a way that you look forward to the trip.

28. Hospitality is making your guests feel at home even when you wish they were.

29. When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember, the Fire Department usually uses water!

Words of Wisdom "The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese."

Examples of What I've been Doing When Not Blogging

2011-06-29T10:50:00.000-04:00

I've said it before, and I'm about to say it again - I'm a horrible blogger. It seems that over the course of the last six months, I just don't have the energy to post anything. It's not because I don't have anything good to post, you can look at my Facebook page for proof of that. I think it's because I've been posting so much on Facebook about my travels as the 87th MIJC President that by time I get done with that, I don't feel like doing it again.

And yes, I know that I could link this blog with the Facebook notes, but it doesn't translate as I want it to look ... and I'm a bit OCD about the way my notes/posts look.

At any rate, let me share with you an example of what I've been doing during my term as President. Here's a speech that I gave in Frankenmuth back in March in tribute to the Frankenmuth Jaycees being around for 50 years:

"Let me begin by telling you a personal story. I grew up in Kalamazoo, MI and was raised by my Grandparents. Every summer until I was about 11 years old, we would go on a weeks long vacation. Now, we would always go south and either visit Kentucky or Tennessee (where my Grandpa was from) or we would visit Maryland (where my uncle lived). Now our next door neighbors, the Kerecemen's would also go on vacation during the summer, but they would go north. Usually they went to Traverse City or Mackinac City.

So what's the point of this story? Easy, it's to tell you that until I went on my honeymoon in 1998, I never went north of the city of Grand Rapids, MI.

When I shared this story with my wife, as we were planning our honeymoon, she got a grin on her face and said, "Well, we'll just have to take care of that!" So she made sure that we went to Traverse City and to Mackinac.

Yes, she made me drive over The Bridge - both ways.

Yes, she made me drive in the outside lane.

But later on, she made me drive on I-75 and we visited Bronner's.

I joined the Kalamazoo Jaycees about three years later and as I moved up in the organization, I started hearing about the things that the Frankenmuth Jaycees did for their community ... but it was all hush-hush for some reason. I assumed it was because I hadn't eaten at Zehnder's yet or had sampled the Black Label - I wasn't fully initated or prepared for the Frankenmuth experience. Howrever, in time my good friend Deb Cross brought me to attend the World Expo of Beer in 2004.

Now for a guy who lived a pretty sheltered life, imagine how amazed I was at the spectacle that is the World Expo of Beer. Imagine, how amazed I was at that event. Imagine how impressed I was to see a group of young leaders raise over $100,000 for their community.

This group of people put the energy of WEB, energy I've felt and carried with me, into the restoration of a local park, into the building of a canoe launch, and into a new playground. They've put it into numerous programs that improved the life of everyone in the city of Frankenmuth.

And it only took me 30 years to get here.

In the Jaycees, we remind each other and the world that one person can make a difference. When I swear in a new member of the Jaycees at any of our 43 chapters, I have them say, "I am one and I am only one. I can't do everything, but I can do something ..." For 50 years my friends in the Frankenmuth Jaycees have been doing some amazing things.

And to the point that one person can truly make a difference, your Past President Bill Hart had an idea that started the Volkslaufe. It is because of that event, that my son Alex experience Zehender's Chicken for the first time.

Thank you, Bill for helping share great food with my son.

My tag line that I use for my year as MIJC President is "We Build Leaders!" and I always ask Jaycees throughout our state what is it we do. But to be fully honest with you, I can't take credit for that tag line. I can't take credit for it because, in a way, it was copyrighted and trademarked right here in Frankenmuth. It's been passed on for 50 years and it's been handed down to a group of 80 + young professionals who I am blessed to honor this evening. In fact, I'm proud to say to my FrayJays that you are the top growth chapter of the year. You are +8 and it's only March 4th. You are doing great things and I thank you for that.

I'll leave you with this parting thought. It may have taken me 25 years to learn that there's nothing to fear in the lands north of Grand Rapids, MI. Indeed there is a very bright and happy place just north of Flint, located off of M-83. It's a place where the people of the city of Frankenmuth build the best leaders around - and they're called the Frankenmuth Jaycees.

God bless you all and your families. And may God continue to Bless the Frankenmuth Jaycees now and for the next 50 years."

February 2011 MIJC Assembly Keynote Speech

2011-02-13T22:44:00.000-05:00

“THINGS THAT MAKE ME SMILE – The Jaycees, Dr. Seuss, and The Places We’re Going to Go”

There are a lot of things that I do that really make me smile. For example, pulling up my Fantasy Football scores and noticing that, thanks to the Detroit Lions, I won a game over Gary Bulson. Those times when I leave the office after a very hectic day, turning on the car and finding that the iPod is singing Dave Matthews to start the commute to a fabulous Jaycee event. Getting the occasional text from my friend Steve Pickelmann and his bro-mance partner John Badeen reminding me to bring my Presidential koozie with me the next time I head up to Frankenmuth or over to the L-I-V. There’s even that time I sat with my friends Mary Jo Knitter and Angela Wolf when we noticed our plane did indeed have pilots and flight attendants and we could finally escape Detroit Metropolitan Airport and head to the 2011 United States Jaycees Leadership Academy in Tulsa, OK.

Yes, all of these things have made me smile and I’m sure that there will be 1,000’s of more things like these. When you think about it, for all of us, Happily Ever After usually comes along with various things that make us smile. What’s the point of living Happily Ever After if you aren’t going to smile? Now, thanks to the great work and the foundation that the folks from 2010 gave us, we are in a position where we can move forward with a number of changes that will transform the Michigan Jaycees into something that will always make us smile.

Tonight, I wish to share with you something very special, something that I look forward to doing on those nights when I get home early enough at night. On occasion, I like to find my daughter Cristiana and I like to read her my favorite book. A little thing Dr. Seuss wrote titled, “Oh, The Places You Will Go.” In the book, Seuss writes:

“You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go.”

This sentiment has never been so close to the truth as what we will do in 2011. You see this year, after years and years of talk, we have decided – together – that we’re going to implement change in the way that our organization operates. You’ve heard about some of them already. Electronic award submissions.; a competitive awards program that no longer separates us based on size; an awards program that says to each of us “Be your best and let that decide who wins”; merging the Membership Area of Opportunity in with the ID Area of Opportunity.

Let me touch on that one for a bit because it can be a bit of a scary concept.

It can be scary because it is so close to the heart of the huge elephant that sits in the room. We’ve heard numerous times, “If we’re not growing, we’re dying!” You know, after a while of hearing that it can be very daunting to be the person or the team who is in charge of membership for our chapters. And whenever we change the ways we do membership in the Michigan Jaycees some hearts skip a beat or two.

Change can be scary, trust me I know. I know firsthand how scary it can be because when we came out of our November Board retreat my knees were knocking and I kept hearing a voice in my head saying, “Seriously? We’re going to do this? Are you nuts?!”

Then I remembered to look around me at the team that we have here tonight. I looked at them and I looked at all of you who are doing amazing things in our local chapters and I knew that we were going to be OK. I was recently reminded of this a couple weeks back when I heard my friend Andy Squires from the Greater Muskegon Jaycees (who is having a pretty good night) say, “It’s amazing what you can do for your community when you surround yourself with the best of the best!”

So right now, let me show you the best of the best. I need to have someone raise the house lights a little bit for me right now. If you are a Local Membership Vice President or a Local Membership Director, will you please stand up right now?

Notice there’s a lot of people standing right now. If you look closely, you’ll see that I’m standing here with you as well.

Change can be scary, but there’s no way that I’m letting you face it alone. Henry Giessenbier and Martin P. Luthy won’t let me. Plus there are a few other people who are here as well who are standing with us. For example, if you are a local chapter President – if you’re one of my Presidential peeps, will you please stand up?

Looks like our team is getting a little larger and none of us are alone. We’ve all decided that we will succeed and be on a strong team together. And there are many others who are there with us. Don’t believe me? Watch this.

If you’re a member of a local Board of Directors, if you’re an IDVP, a Management Vee Peep, a CDVP, a Secretary, a Treasurer, or other auxiliary officer of local Board, will you please stand up right now? If you are a general member of any of the 43 local organizations that call themselves “Jaycees”, will you please stand up right now?

If you are a 2011 Region or District Director will you please stand up right now? If you are a member of the 2011 Michigan Jaycee Board of Directors, please stand up.

Notice, there are a lot of people standing up right now, all dedicated to the proposition that Service to Humanity is the Best work of life and that it happens here in Michigan where WE BUILD LEADERS. And this is just the tip of the iceberg! Don’t believe me? Watch this.

If you know, Right Here, Right Now, that the Sky’s the Limit because Now More than Ever there are people who are looking to Join the Journey to Soar to Success by Building Our Future and Bringing It On to Happily Ever After, please stand up!

Change can be scary. But when I look across this room at the people who are standing firm with our local chapters, I know that 2011 will be more successful then we dreamed.

My friends, you have brains in your head and feet in your shoes. You will steer us in any direction you chose. You’re not own on your own, I’m here with you too – and together we will see each other soar through and through.

In February, we’ll grow our organization and we’ll spread our hopes, our vision, and dreams to new places and light fires in new hearts … and that is not at all scary.

Indeed - that is what makes me smile.

Thank you for being on the greatest team of leaders ever assembled. May God bless you all and may He continue to bless the Michigan Jaycees.

This Is The Motor City and This Is What We Do!

2011-02-07T20:54:00.000-05:00

Despite pretty much everyone else in Michigan posting and reposting and linking and re-linking the Chrysler Super Bowl commercial from last night, I feel the need to keep it going. People need to know that why Detroit (and in many ways the entire state of Michigan) has been taking it in the teeth for a while, we don't quit. WE KEEP GOING! THIS IS WHAT WE DO!

Enjoy this video ... the script is found underneath the embed.

Commentator: I got a question for you. What does this city know about luxury? What does a town that’s been to hell and back know about the finer things in life? I’ll tell you, more than most! You see, its the hottest fires that make the hardest steel, add hard work and conviction. And the know how that runs generations deep in every last one of us. That’s who we are. That’s our story. Now it’s probably not the one you’ve been reading in the papers. The one being written by folks who have never even been here. and don’t know what we’re capable of. Because when it comes to luxury, it’s as much about where it’s from as who it’s for. Now we’re from America – but this isn’t New York City. Or the Windy City. Or Sin City. And we’re certainly no one’s Emerald City.

Eminem: This is the Motor City. And this is what we do.

After a Long Absence, A First Quote about Stars

2011-01-11T09:07:00.001-05:00

It just hit me that it's been way too long since I've blogged. So much has been happening in my crazy life that it just made the time fly by. I hope that I'll be able to get back to this during my term as the 87th MIJC President, especially because I'm sure there's going to be many great stories to tell about this next year.

But for now, let's get back to the First Quote of the Day thing that I've used in the past to help keep things in perspective (and for some good kicks and giggles):

I will love the light because it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars. ~ Og Mandino

When I was a kid, I wanted to goto space. At night, I'd look out the window and stare at the stars until I fell asleep. Today, when I'm driving all over Michigan, there are times when I look up from the highway (only when it's fairly empty) to find my old friends Orion, Ursa Major, and Mars. In both cases, it always makes me smile when it is dark.

Be Real - The Disease Called "Perfection"

2010-09-29T13:20:00.000-04:00

I know it's been a long time since I posted a personal blog, been a bit busy with Jaycee stuff and real life. But I feel the need to post something today. Actually, I'm just copying and pasting something that I read. I have to give credit for this post to my old elementary school friend Casey Roon (http://www.caseyroon.com/), who found it on another blog she reads.

I hope you take time to read it over and keep this in your heart today:

You’ve got to read this post.

In fact, since the author wants to share it with everyone who will read it, he has allowed me to repost it here… This wonderful post is entitled, “The disease called “Perfection”" and it was written by a single Dad named Dan Pearce (http://www.danoah.com/) ... seriously, go check out his blog after you read this amazing post… He is one heck of a writer, and one heck of a Dad…

“As a warning, the following post was written in complete desperation. I have recently learned some very sobering truths from people that I love dearly. These truths have set in motion a quest within me to do whatever I can to make a change. Today is not geared at funny. Today is geared at something greater. Read it to the very end. I promise you will be affected in a way you have always needed to be. I spent more than twelve hours writing this post because its message is that important to me.

I wonder. Am I the only one aware that there is an infectious mental disease laying siege on us right now? There is a serious pandemic of “Perfection” spreading, and it needs to stop. Hear me out because this is something for which I am passionately and constantly hurting. It’s a sickness that I’ve been trying to put into words for years without much success. It’s a sickness that I have personally struggled with. It’s a sickness that at times has left me hiding in dark corners and hating myself.

And chances are it’s hit you too.

What is the disease called “Perfection”? Perhaps a list of its real-life symptoms will help you better understand it. We live in communities where people feel unconquerable amounts of pressure to always appear perfectly happy, perfectly functional, and perfectly figured. “Perfection” is much different than perfectionism. The following examples of “Perfection” are all real examples that I have collected from experiences in my own life, from confidential sources, or from my circle of loved ones and friends. If you actually stop to think about some of these, you will cry as I did while writing it. If you don’t, maybe you’re infected with way too much of this “Perfection” infection.

“Perfection” is a wife who feels trapped in a marriage to a lazy, angry, small man, but at soccer practice tells the other wives how wonderful her husband always is. “Perfection” keeps people from telling the truth, even to themselves. My husband is adorable. He called me a whore this week because I smiled at a stranger. When I started crying, he said he had a game to go watch. I love him so much.

“Perfection” is a husband who is belittled, unappreciated, and abused by his wife, yet works endlessly to make his marriage appear incredible to those around him. “Perfection” really does keep people from being real about the truth. You would have laughed, guys. She said that I suck at my job and will never go anywhere in life. Then she insinuated that I was a fat, rotting pile of crap. Isn’t she the best?

“Perfection” is a daughter with an eating disorder that keeps it hidden for years because she doesn’t want to be the first among her family and friends to be imperfect. She would give anything to confront it, but she can’t because then the “Perfect” people would hate her as much as she hates herself for it.

“Perfection” is when a son has a forbidden addiction, and despises himself for it. “Perfection” makes us believe that nobody else could understand what it is like to be weak and fall prey to the pressures of the world.

“Perfection” is a man who loathes himself for feeling unwanted attraction toward other men.

“Perfection” is a couple drowning in debt, but who still agree to that cruise with their friends because the words “we don’t have the money” are impossible ones to push across their lips.

“Perfection” is a mom hating herself because she only sees that every other mom around her is the perfect mother, the perfect wife, and the perfect neighbor. I’d give anything to be Mrs. Jones. Today she ran 34 miles, cooked six complete meals, participated in a two-hour activity with each of her seven children, hosted a marriage class with her husband, and still had time to show up for Bunco. What this mom doesn’t know is that Mrs. Jones is also at home crying right now because the pressure to be “Perfect” never lets up.

“Perfection” is a dad hating himself because he can’t give the same thing to his kids that other dads do, and then hates himself further because he takes his self-loathing out on his kids behind closed doors. You know what would have been nice? If you were never born. Do you realize how much money I’d have right now? Now come give Daddy a hug because I can force you to give me validation.

“Perfection” is a child hating herself because the boys at school call her fat, and when she goes home she tells her mom that school was fine. Her mom never stops to question why her daughter doesn’t have any friends, becaue her mom doesn’t want to think that anything might be less than “Perfect”.

“Perfection” is a man feeling like a smaller man because his neighbor just pulled in with a new boat.

“Perfection” is a woman who is so overwhelmed that she thinks about killing herself daily. “Perfection” makes it so that she never will because of the things people will think if she does. How could I make my suicide look like an accident? If I kill myself, I don’t want anybody knowing that I ever had any problems. She never stops to look at why she wants to do it, because healing means admitting imperfection.

“Perfection” is a man who everybody heralds as perfect, and inside he is screaming to be seen as the faulty human being that he always has been. Because to no longer be “the perfect one”, that would be freeing.

“Perfection” is a woman having an affair because she’s too afraid to confront the imperfection in her marriage.

“Perfection” is a twelve-year-old boy killing himself because he is ashamed that he can’t stop masturbating.

Stop, and read that one again.

There is a twelve-year-old boy buried 20 miles from where I sit because the “Perfection” that has infected the people around him infected him to the point that he deemed his own life worthless. “Perfection” pushed him to take his own life over something most of us would consider negligible in the life of any teenage boy.

“Perfection” is my friend’s cousin swallowing hundreds of pills because she just got the news that she was pregnant, out of wedlock, and the shame was too much to bear. She was only attempting to cause a miscarriage. 24 hours later, she closed her eyes and never opened them again. She is dead because of the “Perfection” infecting those around her. We’d rather you die than shame this family. Thanks for taking care of that, honey. By the way, we’ll do the right thing and make ourselves out to be the victims now. We have to. We’re infected with “Perfection”.

I could go on. This is all a small sampling of the disease called “Perfection”. You have brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, extended family members, neighbors, friends, and children who are ALL these things, yet none of us will ever know. “Perfection” is a hideous monster with a really beautiful face. And chances are you’re infected. The good news is, there is a cure.

Be real.

Embrace that you have weakness. Because everybody does. Embrace that your body is not perfect. Because nobody’s is. Embrace that you have things you can’t control. We all have a list of them.

Here’s your wake-up call:

You aren’t the only one who feels worthless sometimes.

You aren’t the only one who took your frustrations out on your children today.

You aren’t the only one who isn’t making enough money to support your lifestyle.

You aren’t the only one who has questions and doubts about your religion.

You aren’t the only one who sometimes says things that really hurt other people.

You aren’t the only one who feels trapped in your marriage.

You aren’t the only one who gets down and hates yourself and you can’t figure out why.

You aren’t the only one that questions your sexual orientation.

You aren’t the only one who hates your body.

You aren’t the only one that can’t control yourself around food.

Your husband is not the only husband who’s addiction sends him online for his sexual fulfillment instead of to you.

Your wife is not the only wife that is mean and vindictive and makes you hate yourself.

Why didn’t somebody, anybody, put their arm around that 12-year old boy and let him know that they loved him and would always love him? What was he being told and taught that he would end his own life over something that almost no teenager can control? Maybe that beautiful and wonderful boy would still be alive if even one person had broken down the “Perfection” that completely controlled all those in his life from whom he desperately craved validation.

Why didn’t somebody, anybody, tell a beautiful pregnant girl that there was nothing so big in life that it couldn’t be made right. Maybe that incredible young woman would still be alive. Maybe her now one-year-old child would be learning to walk or say “Mommy” right now. Maybe.

Maybe.

The cure is so simple.

Be real.

Be bold about your weaknesses and you will change people’s lives. Be honest about who you actually are, and others will begin to be their actual selves around you. Once you cure yourself of the disease, others will come to you, asking if they can just “talk”. People are desperate to talk. Some of the most “perfect” people around you will tell you of some of the greatest struggles going on. Some of the most “perfect” people around you will break down in tears as they tell you how difficult life is for them. Turns out some of the most “perfect” people around us are human beings after all, and are dying to talk to another human being about it.

You’ll love them for it. And you’ll love yourself even more.

Let’s not forget this quote: “I went out to find a friend and could not find one there. I went out to be a friend, and friends were everywhere.” Somebody who is being a friend doesn’t spread “Perfection”. Somebody who is being a friend spreads “Real”. Then, and only then, can we all grow together.

I am not perfect, nor do I want anybody to think of me as such. Here’s my dose of real:

I once stole a box of money that was meant for a child with cancer. There was more than $150 inside. That was 12 years ago, and I still hate the person in me that did that.

I believe in God, but not religion. It took me 30 years to find the courage to say that. It took me 30 years to believe that I could be a good man and still believe that.

I once got so angry at my wife that I hit the wall. The dent is still there, haunting me every time I see it because I never thought that was something I would do.

I once sat in my bedroom crying uncontrollably because I felt like everybody thought I was fat and ugly. I was a full grown man.

There are some people I avoid bumping into in public because I feel like I’m not as good as them.

I judge people harshly who share the same features that I hate about myself.

Sometimes I’m sad. Sometimes I’m not funny. Sometimes I just want to be alone. Sometimes I stay at home on a weekend because I just don’t want to see the “Perfection” going on around me. Sometimes I want to drop-kick a perfect person’s head across the room.

“Perfection” infects every corner of society. It infects our schools. It infects neighborhoods. It infects our workplaces. This is not to say that there aren’t a lot of genuinely, happy people. I am one of those people. Most of the time. There is nothing more beautiful than a person finding true happiness in who they are and what they believe. No, this is not me trying to diminish the happiness in others. This is merely me pathetically attempting to put a face on a problem that I see everywhere but few people ever notice.

This is me, weeping as I write, asking the good people of the world to find somebody to put their arm around and be “real”. This is me, wishing that people would realize how beautiful they are, even with all of their imperfections. This is me, sad and desperate for the girls in this world to love themselves. This is me, a very imperfect man, trying to help others feel a little more perfect by asking you to act a little less perfect.

Will you help me spread “Real”? Tell us below just how perfect you aren’t. You never know who might be alive tomorrow because you were real today. You never know who needs to feel like they aren’t alone in their inability to be perfect. Even if you comment as an anonymous guest, please comment. Tell us what you struggle with. Tell a sad or dark secret. Get vulnerable. Get real. Let’s see if we can get 10,000 people showing the world that we’re not defined by perfection.

And please, share this post on Facebook, twitter, and your blog. If you want the people around you to start being real, you have to be real first. I believe in the power of numbers and that enough people reading it might actually help shake down a few of the problems we cause for each other. If it’s your first time here, we’d love to have you follow us. I promise it’s not always this intense (or nearly this long). I’ll post something really funny tomorrow.

- Dan Pearce, Single Dad Laughing Being Real

Harry Potter is Coming!

2010-08-23T10:59:00.000-04:00

Having watched Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix last night, it has occurred to me that another positive thing that comes in November (aside from a changing of the guard in Lansing) is the next Harry Potter movie comes out.

For those of us who have been holding our breaths for a while, here's a little something to get us over the hump.

Today, I'm an Angry Politico

2010-08-19T11:41:00.007-04:00

Pretty much everyday, when I get to work and boot up the computer, I read the latest political news from the MIRS News Service and from the Gongwer News Service. These are both "Inside the Lansing Beltway" rags that typically get their scoops right. There are very few times that I doubt their accuracy.

Both MIRS and Gongwer reported on something today that left me completely bewildered. As my beloved GOP gets ready for our August convention where we will nominate candidates for Secretary of State, Attorney General, and a number of other statewide offices, a racist hit piece on candidate Paul Scott was mailed to GOP delegates. The piece looks like this:

Now, I don't care if you don't like President Obama because of his policies (which I don't). I don't care if you don't like Mike Steele because of how he currently runs the National Republican Committee (which I think has been troublesome). I don't care if you don't like Paul Scott because he's only served one term in the Michigan House of Representatives (which does not impress me).

I do care that someone is trying to insinuate that you should not support them because "they have something in common?"

I'm curious - what do they have in common? They're all men, so should you not support them because of their gender? Sure, because there have been no positive male leaders in the history of our country.

No, that's not it? Hm, must be their apparent appreciation of wearing dark suits. Those types of clothes must distract people from the public policy debates that we need to have these days?

No, that's not it neither? Must be because they're black ... and how dare the GOP support someone who is a minority!

I have proudly been an African-American Republican for over two decades. I have put up and fought against the charges of being an "Uncle Tom" because I believe in less government, lower taxes, and allowing people to be and think for themselves. I have participated in a number of heated arguments at the Thanksgiving table because I believe the GOP best represents the public policies I support.

And I still believe this despite knowing that there are "closet" racists within the party. I know there are and there are just as many "closet" racists in the Democratic party as well. I maintain that is why Keith Butler was torpedoed in the GOP primary in 2006. But I have stuck with the GOP, have worked for the GOP, have volunteered and voted for the GOP for years rather to be taken from granted by the Democratic party.

However today, I am angry. I'm pissed off. I want to throw something because of crap like this! I understand where this Tea Party thing comes from. The partisanship in Washington has led to gridlock and opportunities for horrible policies to be enacted in sloppy ways. People are still trying to figure out what all was slipped into the Health Care Bill, things that have nothing to do with health care. It can be frustrating watching Congress go nuts when there's nothing that is really putting them in check.

But at a time where my beloved party can regain some traction back from the losses we suffered two years ago (and can even take back the Governor's mansion), the "closet" racists decide that these types of attacks and arguments are appropriate now.

How f'n idiotic!

If our goal is to win, then let's focus on the policies that will help us win - and those policies do not include anything that is based on race. If our goal is to win, the get behind the candidates who have worked hard to build the base of voters that will win the election for us. You want us to "stick with our pride and principles" then either put your name on this hit piece and get the hell out of the racist closet or frankly, shut the hell up because you're destroying our party, our state, and our nation!

If the GOP wants to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, then by all means let's keep mailing hit pieces like this and let's keep insinuating that minorities don't deserve to be in the GOP leadership or in the tent at all. Keep that up, and watch this angry politico leave the party in hopes of finding something else!

Finding Calm Within Ourselves

2010-08-10T17:14:00.004-04:00

Not much time to write a full blog today, but I did want to share something an old high school friend posted on Facebook today. He posted the following:

"In the end, a healthy man's life comes down to a few simple things: --If you want others to be more loving toward you, choose to love first. --If you want a peaceful outer world, reconcile your own inner world. --If you are tired of cynicism and negativity out there, cultivate hope in here. --If you wish to find stillness in the world, find the calm within yourself." --Richard Rohr

My friend, Matt, always had a knack of knowing when I need a reminder on the wonderful and simple ways we can get back to basics in this complicated world.

Here's to my friend Matt and to all of us who need to remember to tap into our inner calm from time to time. Thanks, buddy!

Faith Works Both Ways

2010-08-09T12:49:00.004-04:00

While trying to figure out what I wanted to do for lunch today, a random search about John Denver led me to an article about the movie Oh God! Frankly, I don't remember too much about the movie since it was released in 1977, when I was three. I do know that I've watched with my Mom and I think my Grandpa as well. My main impression at the time was "Hey, isn't that the guy from the Muppets and the really funny old guy that makes Grandpa laugh all the time?

For those who haven't seen the movie, the basic premise is this. God (played by George Burns, in the form of a kindly old man, selects an assistant supermarket manager (played by John Denver) to be his spokesman to the world. The movie covers the skepticism that Denver faces from the media, his wife, and really the entire world.

According to the article, at the end of the movie God (after testifying in court) leaves this parting shot for the world to remember:

It can work. Don't hurt each other. If it's hard to have faith in me, maybe it will help to know that I have faith in you.

All my life I've been told that I have to have faith in God. Have faith that things will always be better. Have faith in yourself. Yada Yada Yada.

But isn't nice to know, or at least to think from time to time, that something or someone else will have faith in you too. The working part of faith isn't always a one way street. Faith can work both ways and empower everyone involved with it.

So here's to us, who from time to time have a hard time with faith. Here's helping us remember that He has faith in us too. May we not let him, or each other down.

What To Do After You Lose A No-No? Watch Bull Durham

2010-07-26T21:54:00.005-04:00

I will admit that tonight I was a fair weather Detroit Tigers fan. I watched the game up to the point where we lost our no hitter tonight by giving up a grandslam. It was at that point that I switched over to Bull Durham.

Now, according to Wikipedia (I know, can't trust it), it was voted the best screenplay of 1988 by the New York Film Critics' Circle. Sports Illustrated named it the best sports movie of all time in 2003. And for years there was talk of a sequel being made, but that never came to past ... especially since Susan Sarandon and Kevin Coster are approaching the 60's (or something like that).

I just think the movie is funny as hell. One of the scenes that stands out to me is this one that takes place during a pitchers conference on the mound:

Larry: Excuse me, but what the hell's going on out here?
Crash Davis: Well, Nuke's scared because his eyelids are jammed and his old man's here. We need a live... is it a live rooster?
[Jose nods]
Crash Davis: We need a live rooster to take the curse off Jose's glove and nobody seems to know what to get Millie or Jimmy for their wedding present.
[to the players]
Crash Davis: Is that about right?
[the players nod]
Crash Davis: We're dealing with a lot of shit.
Larry: Okay, well, uh... candlesticks always make a nice gift, and uh, maybe you could find out where she's registered and maybe a place-setting or maybe a silverware pattern. Okay, let's get two! Go get 'em.

Here's to all of those Tigers fans who try to hold on as long as we can, but sometime just get distracted by the best baseball movie of the '80's.

"Someone ... stand in front of the little man ..."

2010-07-20T22:41:00.004-04:00

So after the work day was done today, I decided I'd watch a little bit of Steven Speilberg's "The Terminal". This is one of the many movies that I've come to like after watching 80 millions times. Most critics liked it, but I've not heard a lot about it from my usual crew of friends.

Basic story goes like this. Tom Hanks plays Viktor Navorski of a fictional country Krakozhia (located somewhere by Albania). While flying to New York City, his country experiences a coup and loses it's diplomatic status and denies all incoming flights. Because of this, the US cancels his visa and won't let him in. He can't go back home, he can't come in the US, he's stuck at JFK ... for months.

There is one moment in the film where, in his broken English way, Viktor saves another foreigner who is trying to bring medicine to his dying father. After doing, the story spreads throughout JFK about the man who stood in front of the little man:

There was 20 men. Immigration gun was drawn. The Dixon was ready to fire, to kill the little man with the pills. But then someone walks into the room and stands in front of the little man.

"Put the guns away," the man say, "Nobody will die today!"

This clip (and you only really need to watch the first 4:30 of this clip) from movie that I share tonight is dedicated to all of those folks who decide to stand in front of the little people to say "Nobody will die today!"

There She Stands

2010-07-07T21:43:00.004-04:00

Amazingly enough, today was a light day for me. I got to hang out with my Sweet Pea while Niki was at her Kalamazoo Jaycee Board of Directors meeting. It is always fun to hang out with my Sweet Pea.

Tonight, we decided that we wanted to listen to music and for some reason my hand drifted to a DVD concert of Michael W. Smith. He did a show for his 20th year in the music business, and despite the fact that he held the concert in Columbus, Ohio, it was a pretty good show. I highly recommend the DVD to anyone who likes MWS.

Part of his playlist that night was the song "There She Stands. He wrote it about America (really ... our flag) shortly after 9/11. Every time I see that video, I just get chills and memories about that day come flashing back to me.

It occurs to me that nine years later, as our country moves from one crisis to another, as we deal with faith that might be shaken, throughout it all There She Stand.

Where ever the sun shines and where ever rain falls and where ever the wind blows, There She Stands.

And I am so very proud to be an American.

Here's to those who make sure There She Stands and fights and dies for our right to be free.

There She Stands
Words and Music by Michael W. Smith

When the night
Seems to say
All hope is lost
Gone away
But I know
I'm not alone
By the light
She stands

There she waves
Faithful friend
Shimmering stars
Westward wind
Show the way
Carry me
To the place
She stands

Just when you think it might be over
Just when you think the fight is gone
Someone will risk his life to raise her
There she stands

There she flies
Clear blue skies
Reminds us with red
Of those that died
Washed in white
By the grave
In their strength
She stands

When evil calls itself a martyr
When all your hopes come crashing down
Someone will pull her from the rubble
There she stands

We've seen her flying torn and tattered
We've seen her stand the test of time
And through it all the fools have fallen
There she stands

By the dawn's
Early light
And through the fight
She stands

First Quote of the Day - Get Your Dream

2010-06-29T10:50:00.004-04:00

While many people today will say, "Tuesday, you had better treat me better than your bastard cousin Monday" ... and I am one of those people, I am constantly reminded that good things are waiting to happen if we are willing to work towards them.

Let's take today's First Quote of the Day that arrived in my email a few hours ago:

You got a dream? You gotta protect it. People can't do somethin' themselves, they wanna tell you you can't do it. If you want somethin', go get it. Period.
~ Christopher Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness

Throughout the highs and the lows of things, there is no day and there should be no person who can destroy our dreams. Here's to those of us who have dreams and are going to do something about them.

Movie Monologues - We All Have A Destiny

2010-06-19T13:45:00.009-04:00

Life can be funny sometimes, or at least very ironic. I write today's blog at the Panera Bread on West Main in Kalamazoo. Today is June 19, 2010. I'm at Panera Bread writing this because there's no power at my home thanks to last nights storms.

It was exactly one year ago today that I was asked to leave the Michigan Municipal League. One year ago, I met my old boss at the Panera Bread on West Main in Kalamazoo and was told my services were no longer needed.

Talk about being without power.

After leaving Panera, one year ago, I felt completely powerless. I felt lost. I felt there was no way out. And I went home and I pulled out a bunch of sleeping pills. I counted 35 of them, figuring that 35 pills (one for each year of my life at the time) would help me go to sleep and never wake up again.

One year ago today, I wanted to die. But my friends Mariah Davis and Angela Clock saved my life by making sure that I wouldn't have the opportunity to take any of those 35 pills. I continue to say to them often, how grateful I am that they didn't let me go. Because of them, I'm still here to figure out what my destiny should be. Thank you again.

In the movie Forest Gump, there's a character, Lt. Dan Tyler(played by Gary Sinise), who believed his destiny was to be like many of his forefathers - and to die in battle. Turns out that he wouldn't, but he would be wounded and lose his legs. He felt lost, he felt powerless, and he said:

Now you listen to me. We all have a destiny. Nothing just happens, it's all part of a plan. I should have died out there with my men! But now, I'm nothing but a goddamned cripple! A legless freak! Look! Look! Look at me! Do you see that! Do you know what it's like not to be able to use your legs? Did you hear what I said? You cheated me. I had a destiny. I was supposed to die in the field! With honor! That was my destiny! And you cheated me out of it! You understand what I'm saying, Gump? This wasn't supposed to happen. Not to me. I had a destiny. I was ... Lieutenant Dan Tyler! Look at me. What am I gonna do now? What am I gonna to do now?

Those are a lot of the feelings that I had one year ago today. One year later, I have come to realize that yes, we all have a destiny ... but we write it each and every day we're alive on this Big Blue Marble. We write it each and every day and it can be different. It can be whatever we want it to be. Before, my destiny was to be a success at the MML and in the Lansing Lobby Corps. My destiny was to work my way up in that organization and to make a name for myself at the State Capitol.

Today, my destiny is to be a better person than I was before. My destiny is to be a better friend than I was before. My destiny is to not let the little things distract me from what matters - which is my friends and my family.

So, here's to all of the Lt. Dan's in the world. We may lose our legs. We may lose our jobs. We may lose something. But we will always pick ourselves up and re-write our destinies so that we become what we have always been destined to be.

Better than we are right now.

Movie Monologue - The Magic of Moonlight

2010-06-16T10:11:00.004-04:00

Ever since Armando Galaraga was robbed of his perfect game, I've been searching for any and every baseball movie I could find. From Field of Dreams to Bull Durham to For Love of the Game - which is not a very good movie ... but it's about a perfect game so it works.

I never did get to watch all of Field of Dreams. I do remember in the past, when I have watched it, that it made me come close to tears in thinking about how long it has been since I've played catch with my Dad. I've actually never played catch with him, I played with my Grandpa, and I really miss him.

Grandpa would tell me, from time to time, that there's magic all around. He'd watch his Cubbies or his Tigers and watch amazing things happen. He'd remark how magical some of the plays were. I'd ask him if he'd ever want to play baseball and he'd say "No ... it's not for me." But somehow I think he'd like to have a go at it sometime.

In Field of Dreams there's a character called "Moonlight" Graham. The character talked about what his dream was. He said:

Well, you know I never got to bat in the major leagues. I'd like to have my chance just once, to start down a big league pitcher, to stare him down and just as he goes into his wind-up, wink, make him think you know something he doesn't. That's what I wish. A chance to squint at the sky so blue that it hurts your eyes to just look at it. to feel the tingle in your arms as you connect with the ball, to run the bases, stretch a double into a triple, and flop face-first into third, wrap your arms around the bag. That's my wish, Ray Kinsella, that's my wish. Is there enough magic out there in the moonlight to make this dream come true?

Here's to all of the "Moonlight Grahams" out there, who look at the blue sky with tears in their eyes. May their tears be tears of joy for a long long time.

Movie Monologues - Rocky Balboa

2010-05-27T15:08:00.008-04:00

I was looking for something around the house earlier this week and I tripped upon some old things from my previous employer - namely, my severance agreement. It's been almost a year since I left and upon reading the agreement, a whole bunch of memories came flooding back. Some good, some bad, some in between the blacks and whites of the color scale.

During my summer off from work, there were many times that I felt like screaming at the world. I wanted to attack the world for what it did to me. "It's not fair! It's not right! I don't deserve this!" It's so easy to fall into the blame game, which is a game that doesn't get you anywhere.

At some point last year, I took my son to see his first Rocky movie. In that movie, there's a part where Rocky talks to his son who is frustrated at always living in his father's shadow. Rocky says:

You ain't gonna believe this ... but you use to fit right here. I'd hold you up and say to your mother, "This kid is gonna be the best kid in the world. This kid is gonna be better than anybody I ever knew" ... and you grew up good and wonderful. It was great just watching you everyday. It was like a privilege. Then the time come for you to be your own man and take on the world and you did.

But somewhere along the line you changed. You stopped being you. You let people stick a finger in yoru face and tell you you're no good. And when things got hard you started looking for somethin' to blame ... like a big shadow. Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows, it's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You. Me. Nobody is gonna hit as hard as life! But it ain't about how hard you can hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep movin' forward, how much you can take and keep movin' forward. That's how winning is done!

Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth! But you gotta be willing to take the hits and not pointin' fingers sayin' you ain't where you wanna be because of him or her or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain't you! You're better than that! I'm always gonna love you no matter what ... no matter what happens, you're my son, you're my blood. You're the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself, you ain't gonna have a life.

You know, as cheesy as the Rocky movies can be, they can make a good point every now and then.

Here's to all of us, who get hit - time and time again, and refuse to stay down. Here's to all of us, who take the best that life has to give us, right on the chin, and keeps moving forward.

Speaking of Brothers

2010-05-17T23:15:00.003-04:00

Seems like the month of May is going to be full of thoughts about brothers. I didn't get a chance to post when it happened, but I became an Uncle this month - if you can believe that.

OK, first some background. I am the only child of Quinton Worthams and Ernesta Whitlock. My parents were married for about five years or so and shortly after I was born in '74, they divorced. Mom brought me back from L.A. to live with my Grandma and Grandpa in Kalamazoo. Dad stayed out there where he re-married and had three children with Cristina Worthams. My half-siblings are (in order of age), Quinton Jr, Robert, and Jennifer.

We lost Jennifer in a tragic car accident in Atlanta last October and Dad asked me to attend both the services in Atlanta and in L.A. During that time, I got to know my little brother and realized that we have a pretty big bond. Robert lives in the Washington, DC area and I hope that when I go on lobbying trips to DC, I'll be able to catch up with him and his wife Nailah.

At any rate, back to the story - I'm an uncle. Robert Jr was born on April 28th around 7:20 in evening. He is 8 lbs, 2 oz and I'm sure he'll be like his dad and will be growing like weed.

I started thinking about Robert and RJ on my way home from work tonight. As always I was listening to the iPod and Toad the Wet Sprocket's "Brother" came on. On the version that I have, Glenn Phillips (lead singer) says "You know, I never wrote a song with the words 'I love you' until I wrote a song about a man. This one is for my brother because I love him." Here's the video for those who would like to hear the song:

Well, here's to those of us who love our brothers ... especially the ones that we have had a second chance to get to know again. Congrats RDW and Ms. Naliah - and welcome to the Big Blue Marble, Mr. Robert, Jr!

Brothers In Arms

2010-05-09T23:42:00.006-04:00

Somehow, it is fitting that this is the post that is my 100th post for my blog. My how time flies!

I told myself that I would be in bed about 90 minutes ago, but there have been too many things running through my head tonight ... and I feel like I need to get them out.

It all began yesterday with a phone call I took from a good friend from the east side of the state. I asked my friend awhile back to help me with something I want to work on this year. I asked him because I trust him. I trust his advice and his observations. He's a very decent and good man and I am grateful to be able to call him my friend.

At any rate, he called to tell me of something he's observed. At first, I wasn't all that concerned about it. I wasn't concerned because when we move forward in life, when we look to do something new, when we look be the best that we can be, you just have to play life however it comes to you. And that was my initial thought ... things are the way things are and it will be the way it will be.

However, over the past 24 hours I've started to think about reasons why. Why do people do things that they do? Why do I do the things that I do? At the end of day, is it worth the struggle? At the end of the day, will I be better for trying to work on what I want to work on?

Dire Strait's Brothers In Arms came up on the iPod a couple times during the day. The final line of that song suggests that "We are fools for making war on our brothers in arms." In the political world, the world that I have chosen to make my profession, it seems that we are always making war on our brothers. One day, we are standing arm in arm, working towards common goals, and trying to make our world a little bit better than we've found it.

The next day, we're fighting against each other, tearing each other apart in some damned foolish battle of ideas. An election comes and goes, someone wins, someone loses, and we forget to be brothers again at the end of the day. It's painful to watch. It's even more painful to be involved in it.

Of the many regrets that I have, the friends I've lost because of things like this often climbs its way to the top of the list. I think of the friends I was really close to 6 years ago, 10 years ago, 20 years ago and I miss them. I know we're not "brothers in arms" like we used to be and I'm partially to blame for that.

But that's in the past. For now, I must focus on the present ... which brings me back to Brothers In Arms.

The first time this song caught my attention was when I heard it during the Season 2 finale of The West Wing. In that episode, the President has just told the nation that he has M/S and of course, the first question that folks asked him was "Are you going to run for re-election?"

He struggled with that question and at first he decided that being the President of the United States wasn't worth it. He felt this way up to the point when he had an imaginary conversation with Mrs. Landingham (his personal secretary who had died the previous episode). In that conversation, he imagined she said:

You know if you don't want to run again, I respect that. but if you don't run because you think it's gonna be to hard ... or you think you're gonna lose ... well, God, Jed, I don't even want to know you.

Do I continue on the path that I began this year? Do I continue to press forward on this very personal project I want to do? What do I do?

Tonight, I have determined this is my answer, and it is what it is:

You Never Know What Will Get You Home

2010-05-07T11:01:00.005-04:00

I have to tell you that this feels like one of the longest weeks of my life. It feels that way partially because of things at work, partially because of things I've done/screwed up, and partially because I get to start work on the next big ass personal project that will keep me busy for the next few months.

When I get weeks like this, I usually panic and shut down. I really get to the point where I resent myself, I hate myself, and get to a dark place (not as dark as I got last June, thank God for that). I typically have this thought that I should never be the one who screws up. I should never be the one that hurts anyone else. When I am that guy that screws up, I am reminded how less than perfect I am - and I hate that and I hate myself for being imperfect.

I went through therapy last year and at one point in my sessions I talked about how I get in this spiral of resentment. I was reminded that in the history of the Universe there was only one person who was ever 100% perfect. And that guy got Himself was hung on a tree. You'd think that would bring some balance to my screwed way of thinking. It does, somewhat. But it also makes me think if perfection gets you a tree, what the hell will happen to me.

On top of all of this, there are a number of friends who are going through their own weeks of hell. One is recovering from a miscarriage. Another friend finds herself taking care of her mother who is recovering from a heart attack. Things that truly make my troubles pale in comparison.

I found myself telling my friends "Don't worry. Things always work out." Funny that I'm quick to give that advice but don't 100% believe that.

I have to remind myself of something that Jim Lovell is reported to have said. He was asked if there was an airplane emergency that he recalled fear. He said:

Uh, well, I tell ya, I remember this one time - I'm in a Banshee at night in combat conditions, so there's no running lights on the carrier. It was the Shangri-La, and we were in the Sea of Japan, and my, my radar had jammed, and my homing signal was gone ... because somebody in Japan was actually using the same frequency. And so it was - it was leading me away from where I was supposed to be. And I'm lookin' down at a big, black ocean, so, I flip on my map light, and then suddenly: zap. Everything shorts out right there in my cockpit. All my instruments are gone. My lights are gone. And I can't even tell now what my altitude is. I know I'm running out of fuel, so I'm thinking about ditching in the ocean. And I, i look down there, and then, in, in the darkness, there's this, uh, there's this green trail. It's like a long carpet that's just laid out right beneath me. And it was the algae, right? It was that phosphorescent stuff that get churned up in the wake of a big ship. And it was, it was, it was just leading me home. You know? If my cockpit lights hadn't shorted out, there's no way I'd have every been able to see that. So, uh, you, uh, you never know ... what ... what events are going to transpire to get you home.

Here's to those of us who, from time to time, need gentle reminders that we must keep our faith in our friends, in our state, in ourselves that things are going to be alright. We never know what will get us home.

God Bless You, Ernie

2010-05-05T09:22:00.002-04:00

I'm sure over the next few days there will be plenty of blogs about the passing of Ernie Harwell. I've written about him before, about the grace he displayed as he was signing off from this world. And I've written about how much Mitch Albom has a gift with words that I'll never have.

So once again, I turn and share Mitch with you ... who this morning in the Detroit Free Press shared Ernie with all of us

Ernie Harwell: Gone now, but never forgotten.

The powerful part of this article for me is the following:

We knew this was coming. Ernie, in his final grace, prepared us for it. He told us not to worry. We still worried. He told us not to cry. We cried anyhow. He told us he had led the life he'd wanted, that he was ready to say good-bye.

But we were not

I'll leave the rest to Mitch to say. All I can say is how much I admire Ernie Harwell. Not just for his voice and his talent in calling baseball games, but for the way he lived his life. I have been recently reminded how far short I am from being someone capable of doing the right things. I hope that someday I get myself to the point where I have the courage to be as humble, as graceful, as peaceful, as good as Ernie Harwell.

God Bless You, Ernie. I will miss you. Tell my Grandpa that I said "Hello" and may the two of you enjoy the great games you'll call together from the best Press Box anyone could have.

Movie Monologues - A Whisper of Rome

2010-04-29T16:31:00.000-04:00

Another monologue post today, this one from Gladiator. Early in the movie, Caesar (played by the late great Richard Harris) shares with the audience the following thought:

I am dying, Maximus. And when a man sees his end, he wants to know that there was some purpose to his life. How will the world speak my name in the years to come? The philosopher? The warrior? The tyrant? Or will I be the Emperor who gave Rome back her true self? You see -- there was a dream that was Rome. You could only whisper it. Anything more than a whisper and it would vanish. And I fear it will not survive the winter. Let us whisper together, Maximus. You and I.

So in the movie, he's talking about making Rome a more democratic nation, one where the true power of the country came not from the Emperor, but from the people and their representatives in the Senate.

OK ... so what's that got to do with anything on this Thursday?

Lately, I've been thinking of a lot of things in my life, from work to family, to music, to Jaycees, to everything. And it seems that I will come up with great ideas and novel thoughts and as soon as I start to voice them, they disappear because I've spoken in more than a whisper. Perhaps that's a sign that I've stretched myself too thin and am thinking about way too many things. I don't know.

What I do know is this - our dreams. Your dreams. My dreams. These are things that we must take great care with if we wish to see them come true. We can not force them, or say them in more than a whisper because we could be responsible for making them vanish.

So here's to dreams. Here's to dreams that we care deeply for. And here's to making sure they don't vanish.

The Fifth of November - The Story of Us

2010-04-25T22:39:00.005-04:00

Tonight, I've been enjoying the debut of the History Channel's "America - The Story of Us". I've enjoyed many of the documentaries, particularly about the Revolutionary years and the birth of our nation.

I've written about the courage of the Founding Fathers before. The willingness to stand up for our "Natural rights", to state with conviction that Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness are things that can not be denied by man or by government. Such courage is a rare thing of power and inspiration.

I did find it a bit ironic that at the same time (during commercial breaks), I flipped between the History Channel and "V for Vendetta", a movie that is about an anarchical hero who stands up against a government that is oppressive. About 20 minutes into the movie, "V" talks about why he is fighting and issues a call for the people of London to take action on November 5th.

The next time we will see a November 5th comes shortly after the next general election. The next time we will witness a November 5th, it will be three days after some potentially amazing things have occurred in the State of Michigan.

Here's to those of us who are looking forward to those changes, those of us who are looking forward to the exercise of our voices at the ballot box, and those of us who want to make sure that "... fairness, justice, and freedom are more than words - they are perspectives"

Youtube has the video of "V"'s speech at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n631x7FWlcc.

But if you're like me and want to read the speech, here it is (written by Andy Wachowski & Larry Wachowski, from characters created by Alan Moore & David Lloyd):

Good Evening, London. Allow me first to apologize for this interruption. I do, like many of you, appreciate the comforts of the everyday routine, the security of the familiar, the tranquility of repetition. I enjoy them as much as any bloke. But in the spirit of commemoration - whereby those important events of the past, usually associated with someone's death or the end of some awful bloody struggle, are celebrated with a nice holiday - I thought we could mark this November the fifth, a day that is sadly no longer remembered, by taking some time out of our daily lives to sit down and have a little chat. There are, of course, those who do not want us to speak. I suspect that even now orders are being shouted into telephones and men with guns will soon be on their way.

Why?

Because while the truncheon may be used in lieu of conversation, words will always retain their power. Words offer the means to meaning and for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth. And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country isn't there? Cruelty and injustice ... intolerance and oppression. And where once you had the freedom to object, to think and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillance, coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission.

How did this happen? Who's to blame? Well certainly there are those who are more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable. But again, truth be told ... if you're looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror.

I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldn't be? War. Terror. Disease. There were a myriad of problems which conspired to corrupt your reason and rob you of your common sense. Fear got the best of you and in your panic, you turned to the now High Chancellor Adam Sutler. He promised you order. He promised you peace. And all he demanded in return was your silent, obedient consent.

Last night, I sought to end that silence. Last night, I destroyed the Old Bailey to remind this country of what it has forgotten. More than four hundred years ago, a great citizen wished to embed the fifth of November forever in our memory. His hope was to remind the world that fairness, justice, and freedom are more than words - they are perspectives.

So if you've seen nothing, if the crimes of this government remain unknown to you, then I would suggest that you allow the fifth of November to pass unmarked.

But if you see what I see, if you feel as I feel, and if you would seek as I seek ... then I ask you to stand beside me, one year from tonight, outside the gates of Parliament. And together, we shall give them a fifth of November that shall never, ever, be forgot!

Jane Be Jane ... or is it Dave Be Dave?

2010-04-23T12:17:00.002-04:00

I was driving home from Traverse City earlier this week, following the conclusion of the Michigan Bankers Association Bank Education Summit and Trade (BEST) show. As I drove US 31 south from the Grand Traverse Resort, I got a chance to view both East Bay and West Bay and it made me smile.

It also made me a little sad because it's tough leaving such a beautiful area of the state. There are times when I can look at the water, watching the wind and the waves and I just feel peaceful. Sometimes looking at the water helps me to feel less loss in this world.

And it just so happened as I looked at the water, Ben Folds Five's "Jane" came on the iPod. There's are a couple of lines in the song that always hit home for various reasons.

"Jane be jane
you're better that way
not when you're trying
imitating something you think you saw ...

... you're worried there might not be
anything at all inside
but that you're worried
should tell you that's not right
don't try to see yourself
the way that others do
it's no use ...

But it's your life
and you can decorate it
as you like
beneath the paint and armour
in your eyes the truth still shines

So, here's to those of us who, despite our outward appearances, still struggle trying to figure out how to live our lives.

Changing Our Birthright

2010-04-13T23:30:00.003-04:00

I got the following in today's "First Quotes" and it's very true. It was given by Kelsey Grammar in an interview that he gave Esquire a while back. He said:

"Part of what's great about America is that you are not consigned to one existence. You can change your birthright. In fact, one of your obligations is to widen the scope of what your life would have been if you’d been born into it and stayed there."

Here's to all of us changing "our birthrights" and being whatever the hell we want to be!

It's Hard to Stay Mad When There So Much Beauty In The World

2010-03-26T13:07:00.004-04:00

Today is my 36th Birthday. It's so hard to imagine all of the 36 years of events, history, stories, things I've done. It's hard to remember all of the people, places, and names I've encountered. It's hard to remember all of the lessons I've learned, passed on, taught, forgot or ignored.

No one knows how long they'll live for, we just know for sure that someday it ends. Philosopher's will debate what comes after that, if it's truly an end. But I would imagine that when we get to that last second, it is a lot like this Kevin Spacey monologue from American Beauty.

I'd always heard your entire life flashes in front of your eyes the second before you die. First of all, that one second isn't a second at all. It stretches on forever, like an ocean of time. For me, it was lying on my back at Boy Scout Camp, watching falling stars. And yellow leaves from the maple trees that lined our street. Or my grandmother's hands, and the way her skin seemed like paper. And the first time I saw my cousin Tony's brand-new Firebird. And Janie... and Janie. And... Carolyn. I guess I could be pretty pissed off about what happened to me, but it's hard to stay mad when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much. My heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst. And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it. And then it flows through me like rain. And I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life. You have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure. But don't worry, you will someday.

Here's to all of us remembering to feel gratitude for every single moment of our stupid little lives.

And here's thanking you all for the well wishes you've sent me at the start of my 36th year on this wonderful little planet of ours.

First Quote of the Day - John Wooden

2010-03-24T09:37:00.004-04:00

It's been a while since I've shared one of these, but I saw this one last night and just knew I had to share it. This is from John Wooden:

Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.

Here's to all of us remembering that!

Michigan Jaycee Hotline Article - March 2010 - "Following Through"

2010-03-04T08:59:00.003-05:00

As the 2010 Michigan Jaycee Management Development Vice President, I get to write a monthly "Hotline Article" that is targeted at our membership. In my case, it's targeted at the local Management Vice Presidents that I get to help and support this year. Here's what I wrote for March"

Following Through ... All The Way To Blue Chip

I’ve been spouting off numbers for as long as I can remember. 525,600 is a number that I’ve used since the very beginning of my Jaycee career. 44 is the number that I wore when I played basketball in high school. I now have another number to add to this list of numbers to know. 32. As of the date I write this article (February 24, 2010) 22 chapters have already submitted their initial Blue Chip paperwork and our team has heard from 10 other chapters who will have their information to us in the next five days. That means that 32 chapters are on track to achieve their 2010 Blue Chip! 32 chapters have stepped up to the plate and are saying publicly that “WE ARE GOING TO STAND UP AND BE GREAT THIS YEAR!!!”

Congratulations to all of the chapters that are on their way to achieving Blue Chip in 2010. You are going to enjoy the many successes that we have to gain from this adventure. As you continue to implement the 2010 Blue Chip program, please feel free to let me or anyone on your MIJC Management Development Team know if you have questions or need any help.

Part of submitting the initial Blue Chip required you to create your 2010 Chapter Plan. These plans have been reviewed by the MIJC Board of Directors and you’ll be getting them back with some constructive feedback shortly. All of the plans were well done and set up a great foundation for things this year.

But now that the plans have been written, now is the time that our real work begins. Your chapter plans isn’t what makes the difference between a Good Jaycee chapter and a Great Jaycee chapter. The plan isn’t the thing that is going to recruit the members that you’ll need to Blue Chip. The plan isn’t going to write the CPG’s that are needed to run a good project.

The difference will come from you, from you following through on the things you’ve laid out in your plan. That is the only thing that is going to make the difference for this year.

Webster’s dictionary defines “follow-through” as: “The act of continuing a plan, project, scheme, or the like to its completion.” In other words, follow-through, according to Dr. Roy Pollock (an expert in organizational leadership), is pre-requisite to completing your plan. In the context of leadership and organization development, follow-through means putting into action the outcome of your plan … at least long enough so that you become the plan yield great results.

There’s a “human factor” that is involved with follow-through. Sometimes you don’t feel like making the phone call to a member, handing out that survey, speaking up at a GMM. Sometimes we feel like there’s no point in trying to implement our plan.

But here’s where leadership comes into play. Follow-through is best done when you can see the benefits of following through. It’s best done when you’re willing to take action to make sure that you get things done.

This is something that we, as Jaycees, are really good at. We’re Jaycees because “WE BELIEVE … that service to humanity is the best work of life.” The enthusiasm that we have in our organization makes us stand out as the best young persons organizations in the world. We become leaders through the things that we do. If we don’t follow-through and run the projects that our communities needs, our enthusiasm just goes to waste.

Our organization builds leaders … but not just any type of leader. We’re building a new type of leader – one that follows-through on our plans and promise for the community. We build “transformational leaders”. These are the types of leaders that broaden and elevate the interest of their members. These are people who generate awareness and acceptance of the purposes and the mission of the Jaycees. These are people who stir our members to look beyond their own self-interest and do what’s best of the chapter.

The greatest leaders in the history of mankind have been transformational leaders. They’ve transformed the places and the people they work with into the stuff that betters the quality of life in our world. They’re people like Abraham Lincoln, Jesus of Nazareth, Theodore Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy.

They’re people who attend GMM’s, write CPG’s, work hard at building support for our movement, and help their chapters BLUE CHIP each and every year. They’re people who call themselves Jaycees … because “WE BELIEVE!”

The plans have been written. Our work has just begun. If there’s anything that I can do to help you along the way, please feel free to call me.

In Leadership, Friendship, and Service In the Jaycees -

Dave Worthams
2010 Management Development Vice President
“STAND UP and BE GREAT!”

In My Life - 2/20/2010 MIJC Dinner Invocation

2010-02-20T18:00:00.001-05:00

A couple of men from the city of Liverpool, England once wrote:

There are places I will remember, all my life, though some have changed
Some forever but not better; some have gone and some remain.
All these places have their moment
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I’ve loved them all.

Tonight, in the next couple of hours, some people in this room will add to their list of places that they will forever remember – the Grand Traverse Resort. They will add this because, in the next couple of hours, they will have joined the ranks for the select few who can call themselves Outstanding Local Vice Presidents. Some in this room will join the list of those who can call themselves Luthy Presidents. Someone in this room will join the ranks of the most prestigious few who can call themselves Otto Presidents.

But for me, I will remember this place as the spot that my friend Fay Poissant, one last time, reminded us what it means to be one of the special few who declare triumphantly that we are Michigan Jaycees. It means, quite simply, that we will forever be able to say that we can accomplish anything we set our minds to because – as Fay will remind us The Sky’s the Limit.

Have You Ever - 2/20/10 MIJC Lunch Invocation

2010-02-20T12:00:00.002-05:00

This weekend marks the end of my term as the MIJC Chaplain. I've had a wonderful time and really enjoyed the opportunity to provide some insights and to share inspiration with my Jaycee peeps. Here's what I said in my next to last invocation:

Alecia Moore (also known as Pink), a performer at the most recent Grammy’s broadcast, sang:

Have you ever hated yourself for staring at the phone?
Your whole life waiting on the ring to prove you’re not alone.

I personally know of a number of people in this room who, a couple of weeks ago, waited by their phone to see if they would get a call inviting them to discuss their year as a local officer. For some, the wait was excruciating. And the exultations were many when the call finally came and they were told “Yes, this award interview committee wants to talk with you.”

I am told that these officers discussed the highs and the lows of the year. I am told that they also talked about the things that were done to empower and inspire others in their chapters. And I am told that a few embodied that quality few leaders have – the quality that allows a person to stare fear in the face and to say “I don’t care!”

Today’s lunch is for those who make the first cut. Today’s lunch is dedicated to those who got that call. Today’s lunch is all about those who knew from the very beginning of this year, from LOTS onward, that The Sky’s The Limit

Ted Nielsen (1/1/39 - 2/2/2010)

2010-02-02T13:15:00.011-05:00

Just when you thought 2010 was going to be an "OK" year, something happens that shakes you away from that idea. We found out that Niki's father Ted passed away this morning. He was 71 years old and was a very nice man. He was a very great man, quiet and humble despite his size. I will miss him greatly, but not as much as Niki and her sister Nancee will. There's something special about being one of "Daddy's girls" and I really feel their hurt in the fact that their "Daddy" is gone - but never forgotten.

Theodore Christian Nielsen (1/1/1939 – 2/2/2010)
Cherished Husband and Father passed away suddenly on February
2, 2010. Born January 1, 1939 in Douglas, Michigan, Ted served his friends and
neighbors throughout his entire life. He served in the United States Army
overseas before coming back to marry his sweetheart Anita Wolters.
He continued to support his community by serving in the Saugatuck Police
Department and by working in the Saugatuck Public Schools, retiring from there
in 2004. Not willing to sit idle, Ted looked to help others by volunteering at
Christian Neighbors in their food pantry. He also remained active with the
Saugatuck Masonic Temple #328 throughout most of his life. He leaves behind
Anita, his wife of 48 years; two daughters – Niki (David) Worthams of Kalamazoo,
MI and Nancee (Michael) Hutchinson of Fort Wayne, IN; one granddaughter
(Cristiana); one step-grandson (Alex); mother-in-law Ruby Wolters sisters-in-law
Carole Wolters and Sally (David) Nye, and many dear friends. In respect of Ted’s
wishes, he has already been cremated. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that
donations be given to the Saugatuck Masonic Lodge #328 or Christian Neighbors in Douglas, MI. Arrangements are by the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes-Saugatuck Chapel. For more information and an online registry, visit www.lifestorynet.com

God Bless Challenger

2010-01-28T14:47:00.004-05:00

When I was a kid, I loved anything to do with NASA, the space program, the Space Shuttle, or just being out there. I wanted to be an astronaunt before I came to the realization that I sucked at math and I was cursed with bad eyesight.

But in the sixth grade, I still had a fire in my gut for spaceflight. I think I started to lose it on 24 years ago today, on January 28, 1986 when the Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrated. I remember being at St. Augustine's Elementary/Middle School coming back from lunch being led by Sister Mary Ann. She suddenly stopped the progress of the line and said "I have an announcement. The Space Shuttle blew up."

My immediate reaction was to say loudly "You're kidding!" Sister Mary, who was never known for her sense of humor replied sternly, "No I'm not and that's enough out of you!" We went back to our classrooms and watched the aftermath of the day. I didn't cry, right away. I saved that for later that night when it hit me that those seven people were forever gone.

President Reagan gave what many will say was his best speech ever that day. The ending of this speech, where he quotes the poem "High Flight" is so powerful that I still get the shakes just remembering him giving the speech.

So, in honor of the Challenger 7 (Michael Smith, Dick Scobee, Judith Resnik, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe), here's Reagan's speech. God Bless You and your families.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd planned to speak to you tonight to report on the state of the Union, but the events of earlier today have led me to change those plans. Today is a day for mourning and remembering. Nancy and I are pained to the core by the tragedy of the shuttle Challenger. We know we share this pain with all of the people of our country. This is truly a national loss.

Nineteen years ago, almost to the day, we lost three astronauts in a terrible accident on the ground. But we've never lost an astronaut in flight; we've never had a tragedy like this. And perhaps we've forgotten the courage it took for the crew of the shuttle. But they, the Challenger Seven, were aware of the dangers, but overcame them and did their jobs brilliantly. We mourn seven heroes: Michael Smith, Dick Scobee, Judith Resnik, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe. We mourn their loss as a nation together.

For the families of the seven, we cannot bear, as you do, the full impact of this tragedy. But we feel the loss, and we're thinking about you so very much. Your loved ones were daring and brave, and they had that special grace, that special spirit that says, ``Give me a challenge, and I'll meet it with joy.'' They had a hunger to explore the universe and discover its truths. They wished to serve, and they did. They served all of us. We've grown used to wonders in this century. It's hard to dazzle us. But for 25 years the United States space program has been doing just that. We've grown used to the idea of space, and perhaps we forget that we've only just begun. We're still pioneers. They, the members of the Challenger crew, were pioneers.

And I want to say something to the schoolchildren of America who were watching the live coverage of the shuttle's takeoff. I know it is hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It's all part of the process of exploration and discovery. It's all part of taking a chance and expanding man's horizons. The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we'll continue to follow them.

I've always had great faith in and respect for our space program, and what happened today does nothing to diminish it. We don't hide our space program. We don't keep secrets and cover things up. We do it all up front and in public. That's the way freedom is, and we wouldn't change it for a minute. We'll continue our quest in space. There will be more shuttle flights and more shuttle crews and, yes, more volunteers, more civilians, more teachers in space. Nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue. I want to add that I wish I could talk to every man and woman who works for NASA or who worked on this mission and tell them: ``Your dedication and professionalism have moved and impressed us for decades. And we know of your anguish. We share it.''

There's a coincidence today. On this day 390 years ago, the great explorer Sir Francis Drake died aboard ship off the coast of Panama. In his lifetime the great frontiers were the oceans, and an historian later said, ``He lived by the sea, died on it, and was buried in it.'' Well, today we can say of the Challenger crew: Their dedication was, like Drake's, complete.

The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and ``slipped the surly bonds of earth'' to ``touch the face of God.''

This Is Why I'm With Coco!

2010-01-23T10:30:00.004-05:00

Last night was the last episode of The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. Now, I've been a fan of Conan for many years and believe that the level of disrespect that he was experience in the last couple of weeks by NBC not only was undeserved but is truly despicable. All of the parties involved will say "It's just business" but that's not an excuse. NBC screwed up big time.

It's also not Jay Leno's fault, entirely.

As I watched the show last night, Conan once again showed why he's a great comedian. He also showed how to take the high road with his ending statement (just before "Free Bird". This is what he said:

"Before we end this rodeo, a few things need to be said. There has been a lot of speculation in the press about what I legally can and can't say about NBC. To set the record straight, tonight I am allowed to say anything I want. And what I want to say is this: between my time at Saturday Night Live, The Late Night Show, and my brief run here on The Tonight Show, I have worked with NBC for over twenty years. Yes, we have our differences right now and yes, we're going to go our separate ways. But this company has been my home for most of my adult life. I am enormously proud of the work we have done together, and I want to thank NBC for making it all possible.

Walking away from The Tonight Show is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Making this choice has been enormously difficult. This is the best job in the world, I absolutely love doing it, and I have the best staff and crew in the history of the medium. But despite this sense of loss, I really feel this should be a happy moment. Every comedian dreams of hosting The Tonight Show and, for seven months, I got to. I did it my way, with people I love, and I do not regret a second. I've had more good fortune than anyone I know and if our next gig is doing a show in a 7-11 parking lot, we'll find a way to make it fun.

And finally, I have to say something to our fans. The massive outpouring of support and passion from so many people has been overwhelming. The rallies, the signs, all the goofy, outrageous creativity on the internet, and the fact that people have traveled long distances and camped out all night in the pouring rain to be in our audience, made a sad situation joyous and inspirational.

To all the people watching, I can never thank you enough for your kindness to me and I'll think about it for the rest of my life. All I ask of you is one thing: please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism -- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere.

Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen."

Here's the video of it:

2009 left me feeling cynical about a number of things. But watching Conan survive this gives me hope.

Farewell for now, Coco. I'll see you on your new show soon (go FOX!)

Wake Up and Live!

2010-01-21T09:46:00.002-05:00

Another good one from the "First Quote of the Day" series (courtesy of Southwest Michigan First).

Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you go riding through the ruts, don't complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don't bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake Up and Live!

- Bob Marley

A Slaves Revolt Is Not A Pact With The Devil!

2010-01-15T15:07:00.003-05:00

So I've been fuming about a statement Pat Robertson made about the situation in Haiti. He actually said that Haiti is suffering because back in the 1700's, when they drove out the French, they made a pact with the Devil in order to do and ever since then they've been plagued by the Devil.

It angers me that this sly form of racism continues to permeate our society. Take a look at the history book, Pat! The slaves revolted and that is what got the French out.

The slaves revolted and that gave a great example for people who are enslaved to fight for their freedom.

Haiti revolted and showed the world that slaves could be free.

This article by C.S Manegold turns Robertson statement on its head and reminds us of the truth.

And it's truth that we need rather than people like Robertson trying to spread their ignorant and offensive racist remarks about a country that has been devastated by natural disaster.

First Quote of the Day - by Tony Blair

2010-01-13T08:37:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of Southwest Michigan First:

Governments are too busy firefighting to truly make a difference. It is frightening with the day-to-day hustle and bustle of government how little time is spent on the major issues.

- Tony Blair (former British Prime Minister)

Reflections on New Year's Eve - by Diether Haenicke

2010-01-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

The Kalamazoo Gazette has been reprinting selected column written by Western Michigan University President Emeritus Diether Haenicke. Those who have be following my blog will remember that Diether was a hero of mine and passed away in February of 2009.

The Gazette recently announced that they would not be running anymore reprints of his column. But I think it is fitting during the early part of this new year to share this one with you. Diether's thoughts about New Year's eve, but more importantly his thoughts about the fact that the New Year is just a date and that it perfectly fine to make your "resolutions" on any date of the year.

So from those of us who are tardy with resolutions (or just don't do them), here's my good friend Diether, who's words were initially published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on December 29, 2004:

The date at which a year ends or begins is rather arbitrary. The Chinese do not ring in the New Year on Jan. 1. Neither do American schools and universities or state government. The academic year starts on the first of September, and the fiscal year for government agencies, banks and businesses may begin and end at variable dates on the calendar.

Even our regular calendar year did not always have Jan. 1 as its first day. Up to the late 16th century, the New Year was rung in with a week of festivities beginning on March 25 and ending on April 1.

When King Charles IX of France decreed the adoption of the Gregorian calendar for his country, presumably in 1582, the beginning of the New Year shifted to January 1. Those people who did not keep up with the change of the calendar were ridiculed as “poisson d’Avril,” which became the English April fool.

The new calendar spread quickly throughout Europe and, from there, to the rest of the western world. By now, most of the world runs on our western calendar. Dates on the geopolitical stage are set by our calendar, airplane schedules follow it, our calendar’s months and days are used to set the dates for all international commerce, deliveries, conferences and private travel. For our personal lives in the West, New Year’s Eve is on Dec. 31 and the new, fresh year begins on Jan. 1.

The calendar, as much as the hours of the day, gives structure to our lives. We see special meaning in particular numbers and celebrate our 50th, our 60th or 70th birthdays with greater gusto than, say, the 42nd. The beginning of a new century, as on New Year’s Eve of 2000, stands out in our minds as a noteworthy event, although no major changes occur in our lives or in the events of the world at large just because the clock strikes 12 at midnight.

While setting the beginning of the New Year may be arbitrary, we have grown accustomed to use the end of each year for reflection and for resolutions, because we need milestones in our lives that mark endings, transitions and new beginnings.

For many of us, New Year’s Day is the one important day of the year that looks into the future, a day when millions of people make hopeful resolutions — to lose weight, to try harder, to be kinder and more caring, to get more order into their lives or simply to become better persons.

Most of these resolutions stay on the list for many subsequent New Years, because the resolutions’ power diminishes as quickly as the year unfolds, and they have to be repeated, 365 days later, with just as much enthusiasm and good intention.

I gave up making New Year’s resolutions a long time ago. If I want to make changes in my life, I think any day of the year is a good one to do so, and I don’t believe that the magic of the year’s end lends any strength to such wishful intentions.

However, I never forego the opportunity for reflection and hope that is embedded in the year’s end. It is a good time to give thanks for all the blessings one has received in the old year — that one was spared or survived major illness; memorable hours or days spent with families and friends; elations experienced through concerts, books, good conversations or art. And no matter how old one is or feels, there are the hopeful wishes for the future that visit us at year’s end — that our blessings may continue or, if not, that we may be given the necessary strength to cope with hardship.

As I replace New Year’s resolutions with New Year’s wishes, I wish fervently, particularly at this time, that our world may become more tranquil; that good solutions be found for the many troubles here at home and abroad; and that the angelic pronouncements of peace on Earth and good will toward men may hold reign over our world throughout the New Year and long beyond.

First Quotes of the Day

2009-12-31T09:32:00.005-05:00

I haven't posted these in a while, although I've been saving some of the good ones in my inbox for a while. So here they are to end 2009 and to help us all set a good/better course for 2010 (courtesy of Southwest Michigan):

A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.

~ Conrad ‘Connie’ Brean (Robert De Niro in Wag the Dog)

You are the same today as you’ll be in five years except for two things: the books you read and the people you meet.

~ Charlie “Tremendous” Jones

It is vitally important that you love what you do because if you don’t, you won’t do your best.

~ Kevin Sharer

Never undertake anything for which you wouldn’t have the courage to ask the blessing of heaven.

~ G. C. Lichtenberg

Nothing truly great can ever be achieved in just one lifetime.

~ Joel Osteen

Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open.

~ Elmer Letterman

We must not allow other people’s limited perceptions to define us.

~ Virginia Satir

Only those who can see the invisible can accomplish the impossible!

~ Patrick Snow

The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things; he is the one who gets the people to do the greatest things.

~ Ronald Reagan

The most important thing is to have the vision. The next is to grasp and hold it. You must see and feel what you are thinking. You must see it and grasp it.

~ Ronald Reagan

And with that last one, I wish you all a very Happy New Year! Let's make this the best 2010 that we can make it.

God Bless You - On the Good Earth

2009-12-24T23:37:00.005-05:00

I can tell you hardly any of my friends remember the year 1968. Most of my friends weren't even born then, and those who were were in their early years of life. History tells us, however, that 1968 was a horrible year. April of that year saw the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. June saw the assassination of Robert Kennedy. And throughout the year there were riots, and fires, and crimes, and a lot of bad things.

It should be noted, however that the Tigers did win the World Series that year. And, in December of '68, NASA launched Apollo 8, the first manned vehicle that entered lunar orbit. Three men sailed 60 miles above the surface of the moon and took the first picture of "Earthrise." As the broadcast what they saw, it seemed for a brief moment in that year, that we all gathered as one peaceful people.

That was 40 years ago today. 40 years later, those of us in Michigan are ending a pretty crappy year (another budget shutdown, high unemployment, and hardly any leadership to be found around these parts). On a very personal note, I am ending a very crappy year where I lost a number of people who I held in my heart (Dr. Diether Haenicke, Coach Dick Soisson, and my sister Jennifer Worthams).

But as bad as it seems, I think back to the '68 Tigers' and to Apollo 8 and I have to smile. I have to smile because at the end of 2009, things are going to be better. I have faith that they will. When I think of what mankind has achieved in our short time on this planet ... crappy years can not hold us down.

And so, on this Christmas Eve, I share with you this clip from the HBO series From Earth to the Moon. This scene is a reenactment of the reading that Bill Anders, Jim Lovell, and Frank Borman broadcast to the people of the planet Earth. And I say along with them, God Bless You - You on the Good Earth.

For those who will be reading this through Facebook, here's the transcript of what was read:

William Anders
"We are now approaching lunar sunrise and, for all the people back on Earth, the crew of Apollo 8 has a message that we would like to send to you.
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.
And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

Jim Lovell
"And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

Frank Borman
"And God said, Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.
And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas – and God bless all of you, all of you on the good Earth."

I Don't Like Advent

2009-12-23T16:59:00.004-05:00

On occasion, Fr. Ken Schmidt at St. Thomas More Student Parish in Kalamazoo (where I still go for Mass from time to time ... because I am admittedly sometimes lazy about going to Mass), will come up with really good homilies. I really think he has a gift to write speeches that can get a person thinking without regurgitating the Gospel readings that were heard 30 seconds before.

He usually posts what he writes weekly, so that those who don't hear them can still read them, which is how I came to today's blog. See, while I did go to the 11:30 Mass on Sunday, Ken was scheduled for a different one - so I missed out.

So as I played catch up today, I came across this. And considering there have been many times this year that I have not heard or not perceived God talking to me, times when I felt a little lonely, Ken once again gets me to think about the fact that God was there all along in His own time:

"Advent is really hard. It's a time for waiting, which I don't do well at all. I want to know, now; I want to plan; I want control. But it's God's schedule, not my schedule. Advent is a season that says, "slow down; stop; wait;
hope; be patient; expect." Those things don't make much sense if we refer them to preparing for the birth of Christ, because it's already happened. They do make much more sense in the present, as Jesus continues to break into our personal lives – but when? how? where's he leading me? what's down the road? and what's will happen
after that? And the worst – I don't know!

I don't think Advent is just hard for me. We're not a culture that waits very well. (These examples aren't intended to provoke guilt, because there are a lot of reasons why we do what we do.) When I receive Christmas presents during Advent, I want to open them now, I don't want to wait for Christmas, or make them last through the 12
days of Christmas. When parents learn of a pregnancy, they don't have to wait to find out the baby's gender and health and genetics – it's hard to wait. Graduates are finishing school and looking for employment or applying to graduate schools, and they often don't know where they'll be six months from now. The doctor's office calls and says "Your tests came back and we want to refer you to a specialist," and then we have to wait for appointments and more tests and dark thoughts fill our minds. Sometimes we have periods of prayer and God doesn't seem to be saying anything or doing anything and we start to wonder and maybe doubt, and it's hard to hope and believe.

It seems to me that Advent is a time of intense training, a practice period for patience, a season of learning to wait, to have hope, to expect to encounter God but knowing when or how. It's a time of darkness, wondering whether God is there. It's a time to trust that, even when I don't feel God's presence or notice God's action, God is still a love and transforming my life with grace.

Then a moment will come when God's life breaks forth in some way – perhaps new, or unexpected or even miraculous. We may have to wait for a long time, like the Hebrews who waited generations for a Messiah. We may have to wait for a lifetime as Elizabeth and Zechariah did waiting for a child. God may come in a totally shocking
way as he did to Mary and Joseph as they dealt with her pregnancy.

I'm comforted by Mary's reactions – she asked questions, "What do you mean by saying that?" "How can this possibly be true?" and Finally, "Yes, I'll do what God wants." And then she rushed off to see her cousin Elizabeth, who also had some strange experience with an angel and her own shocking news of a pregnancy. And I think they must have talked a lot as they reflected on their experiences and wondered what was God doing, and drawn some strength and faith from one another. So then Mary could go home and faces the stares and the gossip and the finger pointing, and she could be taken into Joseph's home and family and be safe there. She had months of pregnancy and years of child-raising to wonder, "What does this all mean? What's going to happen to me, and to my son?" even as she desired to please God.

So Advent is a time for waiting, watching, and wondering;
a season for trusting, hoping, and expecting God to be here;
it's thoughts of not knowing and feelings of darkness and fear,
and efforts to plan and manage what's not under our control.
It's a season for practicing patience, and for some of us, it's very hard.

That's why I don't like Advent; and why every year I still try to be faithful to Advent."

I am just like Ken. Those who follow this blog know that I'm all about movie spoilers before I actually go see a movie. You know that I'm that guy who reads the end of the book before anything else (Yeah, I was one of those folks who scanned through the early posted copy of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows the week before it was released to book stores.

So it should be of no surprise to you to hear me say that it's been killing me not to open the presents that Niki and the kids put under the tree a week ago.

You know, earlier this year, when I was asked to leave the MML, there was a time I didn't feel that God was with me, that I had finally done something so bad that even He couldn't put it back together.

But then I get a call in September saying "Hey, come on back to Lansing and show people that you can land on your feet despite what some other folks think." And then I get approached by folks to come back to the Michigan Jaycees and be a part of their leadership again. And I get to the end of 2009 and find myself still here, alive and kicking.

Yes, while I am not the most patient person in the world, even though I am not worthy of the gifts that I have been given, God still transforms me despite the fact that I don't like Advent.

How blessed it is to believe in God and to be loved by Him, despite it all!

12-19-2009 MIJC Board Invocation - Because I Knew You

2009-12-20T16:35:00.004-05:00

The 2009 Michigan Jaycees Board of Directors met for the last time last night at our holiday party. Here's what I said for the invocation last night.

People always say that, during the holiday season, things get really crazy. If you’re not fighting with some mother for the latest and greatest toy at Toys-R-Us, then you’re getting cut off on the roads or you’re almost in accidents racing for those parking spots at the mall.

Preachers will use the phrase “Remember the reason for the season” in order to get us to realize that Christmas isn’t about buying and giving and receiving gifts. The season is about change, a subject our organization professes to be all about.

This year, we have brought 850 people into our organization. And they have changed for the better. Those of us who have served in the leadership of this organization have spent thousands of hours doing what we do, and we have changed for the better.

And as we remember “the reason for the season” (and especially because Adam, Debi, and Wendy think everyday should be a musical), I want to say to you all that:

Like a ship blown from its mooring by a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird in distant wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better,
But because I knew you, I have been changed for good.

May the reason for my season bless and keep all of you and may you always remember that the Sky’s the Limit.

I Should've Paid More Attention in High School English

2009-12-16T08:35:00.005-05:00

This is something that I first wrote back in '07 and as I settle into my annual case of Holiday season blues, I revisit the emotions and thoughts I expressed back in the day:

"To be or not to be, that is the question;
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing, end them. To die, to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to - 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;
To sleep, perchance to dream. Ay, there's the rub,
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause. There's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life,
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
Th' oppressor's wrong, the proud man contumely,
The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,
The insolence of office, and the spurns
That patient merit of th'unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? Who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscovered country from whose borne
No traveler return, puzzles the will,
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all,
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sickled o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pitch and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry,
And lose the name of action"
- Hamlet, Act III, Scene I

Sometimes I think of what would be, what could be, and what should be. Sometimes I think, "You know, if I had paid more attention in English, could I have written
Harry Potter?" I think, "If I had not allowed some internal sense of embarrassment choke it out, could I have tapped into an interest into the arts and become a great actor?"

Sometimes I fill my head with so much regret that I actually and physically lose focus - drifting into some memory, wishing I could change ... something, anything, everything. "If I hadn't completely misinterpreted Pygmalion would I have made such a mess of relationships my senior year of high school ... if I ... if I ... if I?"

Regrets are really annoying things. And they're triggered by somethings, anythings, everything. As I go in and out of phases where I pay attention to my MySpace page or my Facebook page, I find more and more people from my past on here. And as I read up on them and find out how they're doing (and a number of them have really good blogs, by the way) - suddenly a regret attack happens. "Wow, I wonder if I hadn't done "x", could I have helped her with "y"?"

I've heard that keeping an journal, writing in a blog, or even doing something creative will help exorcise regrets ... but maybe that's just a temporary fix. Or maybe I've just done so many stupid things that no matter how much I write, or how deep I dive into work, that's there's no holding them back when the dam breaks.

Hamlet says, "to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing, end them ..." ... OK, so he's talking about whether to die or to continue living. But I think he might actually be talking about whether to drown yourself in those horrible memories, those regrets, or to fight against them to stay in the present. Whether we should choose a life of silent acceptance of anything, something, everything - or should we choose a life of action against something, anything, everything.

"To be" surrounded by regrets ... "or not to be, that is the question"

But how do you live a life of action without making mistakes? After all, we're all human and as such will make mistakes. And if you live a life of action, what can you do when after a while you find it is not fulfilling? What if you find yourself dizzy from trying to fix all of the mistakes? How are you supposed to go on from there?

You just have to keep pluggin' along. I think someone wrote a song that goes like that. They better not have won a Grammy 'cause that is a really stupid saying.

All I want is an answer to these questions before I get to that "consummation Devoutly to be wish'd."

The Greatest Political Speech EVER!

2009-12-03T13:57:00.005-05:00

Today I am attending my first Michigan Bankers Association "Bank Management and Directors Conference" at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, MI.

I know, exciting stuff!

But I heard the best story this morning. One of our speakers, Eugene Ludwig (former US Comptroller of the Currency) shared a great story about one of the greatest speeches of all time. He told the story of a Mississippi Legislator named Noah S. "Soggy" Sweat, Jr. He served in the Mississippi Legislature in the 1950's and during this time there was a big push to limit the production of whiskey in the state.

Now, Sweat campaigned on the message that he would never shy away from the tough issues and that he wouldn't be afraid of speaking his mind on behalf of his constituents. The problem with the limitation of whiskey was that the issue was polling around 50/50. It was a no win situation.

So he didn't say anything and avoided the issue for month until he was forced to speak on the subject on the floor when it came up for a vote. He was asked by a member of the opposing party what he thought about prohibiting whiskey production, and this is what he said:

My friends,
I had not intended to discuss this controversial subject at this particular time. However, I want you to know that I do not shun controversy. On the contrary, I will take a stand on any issue at any time, regardless of how fraught with controversy it might be. You have asked me how I feel about whiskey. All right, here is how I feel about whiskey.

If when you say whiskey you mean the devil's brew, the poison scourge, the bloody monster, that defiles innocence, dethrones reason, destroys the home, creates misery and poverty, yea, literally takes the bread from the mouths of little children; if you mean the evil drink that topples the Christian man and woman from the pinnacle of righteous, gracious living into the bottomless pit of degradation, and despair, and shame and helplessness, and hopelessness, then certainly I am against it.

But;

If when you say whiskey you mean the oil of conversation, the philosophic wine, the ale that is consumed when good fellows get together, that puts a song in their hearts and laughter on their lips, and the warm glow of contentment in their eyes; if you mean Christmas cheer; if you mean the stimulating drink that puts the spring in the old gentleman's step on a frosty, crispy morning; if you mean the drink which enables a man to magnify his joy, and his happiness, and to forget, if only for a little while, life's great tragedies, and heartaches, and sorrows; if you mean that drink, the sale of which pours into our treasuries untold millions of dollars, which are used to provide tender care for our little crippled children, our blind, our deaf, our dumb, our pitiful aged and infirm; to build highways and hospitals and schools, then certainly I am for it.

This is my stand. I will not retreat from it. I will not compromise!

I hope someday I will be able to tread the middle as carefully Soggy Sweat did! ;)

About My Dear Sister - Eulogy for Jennifer Worthams (1983 - 2009)

2009-11-14T07:00:00.002-05:00

Jennifer Delores Worthams
September 29, 1983 - November 2, 2009

Good morning. On behalf of my family, let me simply say “Thank You.” Thank you for the prayers, for holding us in your hearts, for the flowers, for being our supporting friends. It truly means a lot to us and is helping us get through this trying time.

I am the kid from Michigan, the big brother that occasionally appeared in pictures, that might show up in discussion through email, who was often heard about in stories.

She was the kid sister who lived in California, the girl I would occasionally ask my Father about, the little lady who sometimes sent a holiday or birthday card, the girl who sang “Happy Birthday” to me when I turned 18.

We were/are related.

We were/are family.

But we were mostly strangers.

That is why I am blessed to be here with you today and was as equally blessed to be at her memorial service last week in Atlanta. I am blessed to be here because, finally, I get to know Jennifer. I had hoped that we would have more time to know each other, as she had recently found me on Facebook. I was looking forward to communicating with her, but alas time has run out on that wish.

I do want to thank all of you again for sharing your stories of Jennifer with me. It has helped me gain a picture of her smile, her laugh, her sense of humor, her wonderful ability to care for other people in her heart. I understand that she and I shared a love of restaurants, especially P.F. Chang's. Allow me to give this gentle warning to my father - like Jennifer, I too am very protective of my left-over rice. So hands off!

I have also learned that she and I have inherited, successfully, that legacy of leadership that our father has given us. I think that's the meaning of the word "Worthams". To be a Worthams is to be a leader.

My sister was a Worthams.

My sister was a leader, as evidenced by all of the young people who are here in this church today to celebrate her life, by those young people who spoke today about how she set a shining example for them to follow.

Yes, my sister was a leader.

26 years is an amazingly short amount of time to be on this earth. Our cousin Michael remarked earlier this week that we should not concern ourselves with the quantity of those years, but with the quality of those years. I must say that our cousin Michael is a very wise man.

I flew to Jennifer’s memorial service from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, arriving at the airport two hours before the flight was scheduled to leave. Instead of just listening to my iPod to pass the time, there was a voice in my head that said “Stop by a newsstand and buy a book to read on the flight down.”

As I walked into the newsstand, the first book that caught my attention was the latest book by Mitch Albom titled “Have a Little Faith”. The book is about Albom’s quest to fulfill his hometown rabbi’s request to write the rabbi’s eulogy. During the eight year effort, Albom came across a sermon the rabbi gave shortly after the death of his daughter.

The rabbi said:

If you ask me, and you should, why this wonderful, beautiful child – who had so much to give – had to die, I can’t give you a rational answer. I don’t know.
But in a commentary to the Bible, tradition tells us that Adam, our first man, was supposed to have lived longer than any man, a thousand years. He didn’t. Our sages, in quest of an answer, related the following:

Adam begged God to let him see into the future. So the Lord said, “Come with me.” He took him through the celestial chambers, where the souls that were to be born awaited their turn. Each soul was a flame. Adam saw some flames burn purely, some barely flicker.

Then he saw a beautiful flame, clear, strong, golden orange, and healing. Adam said, “Oh Lord that will be a great human being. When shall it be born?”

The Lord replied, “I’m sorry, Adam, but that soul, as beautiful as it is, is destined not to be born. It has been pre-ordained that it will commit sin and tarnish itself. I have chosen to spare it the indignity of being besmirched.”

Adam pleaded, “But Lord, man must have someone to teach and guide him. Please, do not deprive my children.”

The Lord gently answered, “The decision has been made. I have no years left to allocate to him.”

Then Adam boldly said, “Lord, what if I am willing to bestow on that soul some of the years of my life?”

And God answered Adam, saying, “If that is your wish, that I will grant.”

Adam, we are told, died not at 1,000, but at 930 years. And eons later, there was a child born in the town of Bethlehem. He became ruler over Israel and a sweet singer of songs. After leading his people and inspiring them, he died. And the Bible concludes: “Behold, David the King was buried after having lived for 70 years.”

My friends, when sometimes we are asked why does someone perish, someone so young in age, I can only fall back on the wisdom of our tradition. It is true that David did not live long for his day. But while he lived, David taught, inspired, and left us a great spiritual legacy, including the Book of Psalms. One of those Psalms, the twenty-third, is read sometimes at funerals.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters,
He restoreth my soul …

Is it not better to have known my daughter for four years, than not to have known her at all?
My father has said numerous times that he struggles to find the good in Jennifer’s death. It seems that the sun does not shine as brightly as it did a month ago. How can it when an angel no longer flies among us?

I think, however, our angel is still here. I think our angel tapped my shoulder in Detroit and got me to pick up a book, a book that helped me write this speech.

I think our angel flew to that kid from Michigan and reminded him that while she is gone from this earth, there is still two kid brothers to look after, a sister-in-law, a sister-in-law to be, a brother-in-law, and there is still a father to learn from, there is still family to be with.

There is still good to be a part of in this world and Jennifer would want us all to be a part of what is good, even though the sky is dark.

Is it not better to have known our angel, my dear little sister, for 26 years than not to have known her at all?

Tonight is About Dreams - 3rd Quarter MIJC Dinner Invocation

2009-11-10T18:00:00.000-05:00

Saturday Evening, May 2, 2009

Tonight Is About Dreams

I have to start this invocation out with something a little funny. A couple weeks ago, my son informed me that he would like a drum set for Christmas. As we traveled to Guitar Center to price them, we were listening to the Dave Matthews Band. At one point, he turned to me and asked, “Dad, have you always listened the Dave Matthews Band? Because you should listen to their stuff! Their drummer is a beast!”

Yes, my 14 year son has just discovered Dave Matthews and I am now officially old!

Speaking of DMB, though, they once sang:

I can't believe that we would lie in our graves
Wondering if we had spent our living days well
I can't believe that we would lie in our graves
Dreaming of things that we might have been

Tonight is about dreams. Some of our thoughts will turn to those who have come before us to live their dreams – and we’ll smile.

Tonight we will hear about the dreams of Darlene Dresch, as she takes the oath of office and becomes our 86th President.

Tonight we also celebrate the 3rd Quarter of President Fay’s dream, of being a growth organization for a second consecutive year. And somewhere in this room and throughout our state, Jaycees from all around will dreams of dreams of their own and become inspired to follow them all the way to the Sky and back.

Something More - 3rd Quarter MIJC Lunch Invocation

2009-11-10T12:00:00.000-05:00

Saturday Afternoon, November 7, 2009

Something More

Jennifer Nettles sang:

Some believe in destiny and some believe in fate,
But I believe that happiness is something we create.
You best believe that I’m not going to wait
Because there’s gotta be something more.

This morning we spoke about not letting opportunities slip us by. We spoke about folks who have bet it all on us, folks who are not waiting.

As we sit down for lunch, surrounded by these people who believe in us, let’s remember regardless of destiny, fate, or whatever we want to call it. There is always something more around the corner for those of us who are daring enough to rise up to that challenge of believing in something more.

Taking The House - 3rd Quarter MIJC Convention

2009-11-10T06:00:00.002-05:00

Saturday Morning, November 7, 2009

Taking The House

My friends, I must tell you that I have made a terrible mistake. Thursday night of this week, the night before we started the final steps of our annual elections process, I made the error of watching Ocean’s Eleven. Every time I watch that movie, I get the following thoughts floating through my head (in no particular order):

“Man I wish I was as cool looking as George Clooney!”
“Man, I’d love to get a crew together for a classy hest like that!”
“Damn it! Clooney’s right on when he says those lines!”

Which lines?

These lines:

Why do this?

Why not do it? Because yesterday I walked out of the joint after losing four years of my life and you’re cold decking “Teen Beat” cover boys.

Because the house always wins. Play long enough, you never change the stakes, the House takes you. Unless, when that perfect hand comes along, you bet big, then you take the House.

Did I rush that?

I felt like I rushed it.

Seriously though, these lines are spot on. If you do the same thing and never change how you play the game, you’re going to lose. If you don’t make the most of your opportunities when you get those opportunities, you’re going to remain behind the rest of the pack.

This weekend, we’re going to see people who are betting big. We’re going to see people who are betting big on us. I wouldn’t be surprised if these people, more likely than not, are going to take the House because of what we do as an organization.

My question to you this weekend is, “Will you join them and bet it all?” Or shall we all forget that The Sky is the Limit?

Faith In You - 4th Quarter MIJC Fellowship Breakfast Remarks

2009-11-09T21:55:00.002-05:00

Sunday November 8, 2009

“Faith In You”

Let me begin by apologizing for not being here with you, enjoying the bacon and eggs that our fine Executive Vice President guaranteed for today. As some of you know, my half-sister, who lived in Atlanta, passed away this week and as you hear President Fay read this speech on my behalf, I am leaving on a jet plane to be with my family. I want to thank all of you for your support and your kind words. It reminds me why it is great to be a Jaycee, because we always have each others backs.

WOW! This is the last breakfast I get to run for the year. Some previous Chappy’s will say they looked forward to their last breakfast, but I find that I am slightly stunned at how fast the year has gone. I have had so much fun in this role and I will miss being your Chappy next year.

Let me take a moment to thank President Fay, once again, for appointing me as your Chappy. I am not sure she realizes how surprised I was when she called me a year ago. I remember when my cell phone rang that night. I was on the I-69/I-94 interchange and when she asked me to be her Chappy. I almost ran into a truck. Perhaps that was because I was driving so fast, but I like to think it was because she caught me by surprise. I am so very happy that she did ask me because I kinda missed all of you guys.

Also, I am grateful for her appointment because serving in this role has given me the chance to go out to folks and do that “preachin’ and teachin’ thing” while at the same time sharing my appreciation for music with you.

I remember early in the year, coming up with a list of songs that I wanted to use during the year and let me tell you, it is difficult picking just four songs to use. I think I should share with you some of the songs that didn’t make the cut, just so you know what other artists were competing for your time. So let me say that the following songs are listed for you, in no particular order and with the full recommendation that you should listen to them:

“One” by U2 – I came real close to using this song in the 3rd quarter, but then Michael Jackson grabbed my attention in a dramatic fashion. Would have been a great one to remind us all that we’re on the same team, that we’re all one and the same. Probably would have also made me tear up thinking about dancing to it back in high school.
“Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica – This would have been a similar message to “One” and would have also reminded me of high school football bus trips around the Kalamazoo area.
“Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zepplin – Considering the amount of Woo that we typically consume on these weekends, I’m sure that we’d come up with a number of different interpretation about this song. However, there’s a rarely used MIJC Bylaw that says “No Stairway to Heaven. Denied!”
“Colorful” by The Verve Pipe – A nice reminder that we need to be in for the long haul and things always change for the better over that time. “We live in drama but we’ll die in comedy.”
“The Humpty Dance” by Digital Underground – I couldn’t go with this one because I’d look like MC Hammer on crack while it was playing.
“Heaven” by Live – I actually would have used this one in May, but couldn’t find the CD in time for the Convention. That’s what I get for waiting until the last minute to pack my stuff.
“Jump Around” by House of Pain – I’d totally break this down for you, but I do worry about having President Fay jumping all around before having her first two cups of coffee.
“I Stand” by Idina Menzel – It sums up what a lot of us are Jaycees for.
“Defying Gravity” by Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenowith – From the musical “Wicked”, reminds us that everyone deserves the chance to fly.
“Conviction of the Heart” by Kenny Loggins – The live version of this song just gets stuck in my head all of the time and reminds me “How long must we wait to change, the world only changes while we live in it.”
“Ernies Tragic Love Triangle” by Domestic Problems – It’s a happy little song about the stress caused by being “friends” with people who have differing opinions. Or maybe it’s a just a song about Bert and Ernie and Big Bird, who knows?
“The Rainbow Connection” by Kermit the Frog – How can you not have a song that comes from Kermie?
“This Side” by Nickel Creek. One of their best songs and would have been a good one for our MC Jim Williams to sing along with since both he and I are big Nickel Creek fans.
“This Is Your Time” by Michael W. Smith – A song that asks us, if faced with the question of faith, what would we say?

The nice thing about music is that there so much out there, we could stack our Fellowship Breakfasts well into the term of the 200th MIJC President. But since I don’t have that kind of time, let’s get into the song for today. Today’s song continues our exploration of faith. As you will recall, in February we talked about the changing power of faith. Last quarter, we talked about the need to keep our faith. Today we wrap things up with a reminder about the importance of our faith.

Today, we listen to a fellow named Gordon Summner. You will know him better by his common name, Sting. The song for today comes from his album Ten Summoner’s Tales and is titled “If I Ever Lost My Faith In You”

Let’s give it a listen:

If I Ever Lose My Faith In You
Lyrics & Music by Sting

You could say I lost my faith in science and progress
You could say I lost my belief in the holy church
You could say I lost my sense of direction
You could say all of this and worse but

If I ever lose my faith in you
There'd be nothing left for me to do

Some would say I was a lost man in a lost world
You could say I lost my faith in the people on TV
You could say I'd lost my belief in our politicians
They all seemed like game show hosts to me

If I ever lose my faith in you
There'd be nothing left for me to do

I could be lost inside their lies without a trace
But every time I close my eyes I see your face

I never saw no miracle of science
That didn't go from a blessing to a curse
I never saw no military solution
That could always end up as something worse but
Let me say this first

If I ever lose my faith in you
There'd be nothing left for me to do

I must share with you how often this song reaches out to me. During my time as a legislative assistant to a number of state legislators, there were times where all I could do was just scratch my head as I tried to figure out why they did certain things and why they acted in certain idiotic ways. “You could say I lost my belief in our politicians.”

There was a while where I didn’t go to Church. I remember the last time I went to my grandmother’s church and the good Rev. Matthew Wright decided to lecture the congregation about the need for women to remain in the kitchen and “fix us some cornbread and chicken!” You could say “I lost my belief in the holy church” after that … because he really did seem like a game show host (and not a very good one at that). Feel free to ask Niki if she agrees with this assessment!

We have seen our country struggle with the wars throughout time. Most recently, we are struggling with what to do in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some will say they “never saw no military solution.”

Last night, however, we found ourselves with a new opportunity to believe. Last night, five people chose to rise up before you and we asked you to come along with us on a grand adventure. We asked you to renew your faith in our organization.

Now it is important for everyone here to not only renew your own faith but we must go out and renew the faith for those 2000 people who were not here with us this weekend. We need to band together with President Fay and with President Darlene to dare our members to get excited again and to believe in what we do.

If they lose their faith in our work, our efforts, and our abilities – what are they to do?

So let us vow, together, that we will not let them lose their faith.

Let us vow, together, right now that we will always have faith in this Jaycee thing that we do.

Let us stand up, together, right now, and say that we will spread that faith over the course of the next year in our home chapters, with members new and renewed, with members young and exhausted.

And let us begin, right now, as our current President, Fay Poissant and our new President Darlene Dresch remind us why we are the greatest young persons organization in the world by saying

“We believe ….”

Did I Ever Tell You I Was Struck By Lightning 7 Times?

2009-11-01T11:57:00.003-05:00

I've written before about the great messages in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and as I watch the movie this morning, I'm reminded of another one.

There's a running gag in the movie about an old man who keeps saying to Benjamin "Did I ever tell you that I was struck by lightning seven times?

The last time we hear from the old man, he reminds us of something God is telling us over and over again, "We're lucky to be alive."

Ain't that the truth!

Worthams' Writings - December 2002

2009-10-26T12:00:00.000-04:00

I was going through some old files on my computer the other day and came across a number of "newsletters" that I wrote when I was a District Director for the Michigan Jaycees in 2002. During my term, I put together a monthly newsletter for the chapters that I served (basically all the Jaycee Chapters from Coldwater over to the Lake Michigan and from the state line up to Allegan) and part of the newsletter had a column I titled "Worthams Writings".

I know, very witty title, eh?

At any rate, I figured I'd reprint part of the December column for kicks and giggles:

I figured I'd end this year with some of the lessons that I shared with you through this column. At first, I couldn't remember all of the things that I said because I tried to do so much in our short time together. But then, just as I typed that last sentence, it hit me. That was the first thing that I wrote you about -

#1 - Pay Your Rent, 'cause there is No Day But Today! You can be bigger than you are if you dare yourself today You see, as officers in the Jaycees, we are tasked to empower our members with that spirit of the "dare." Through the results of our projects, we help our communities. Through organizing those projects we dare our members to better themselves. Through our members bettering themselves, other people take notice of what the Jaycees are. Through their noticing us, we spread our dare.

#2 - From Collin Powell - Fit no stereotypes. Don't chase the latest management fad. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier! Flitting from fad to fad creates confusions, reduce your creditability and drains your chapters. Sometime speed is more important than quality, sometimes an unapologetic directive is more appropriate than having a group discussion ... true leaders honor their core values, but they also realize that flexibility is sometimes necessary to executve those values. in addition, the ripple effect of your enthusiasm and optimism is awesome. On the flip-side, so is your cynicism and pessimism. Leaders who whine will get the same from your chapter. Approach every task with a gung-ho attitude that says to your chapter, "We can achieve awesome goals, we can succeed" and watch that spread throughout the rest of your chapter.

#3 - From Mark Levin - Listen and empathize with your members and your prospects! You have to empathize with the prospective member. Levin writes, "This means that to really be able to recruit members for your organization you have to learn to THINK LIKE A PROSPECT, not act like a membership recruiter. To be able to retain members you have to think like a user of your organization's programs and services, not like the producer of those programs and services." If you can empathize with a prospective member, you'll be able to understand what gets them to join. If you can empathize with your current members, you'll be able to understand what will get them to stay.

#4 - You have to keep breathing This is something that occurred to me while watching the movie "Cast Away" ... towards the end of the movie, the main character talks about what kept him alive on the island and how he will deal with the fact that his life and his fiancee has moved on without him. He says: "One day logic was proven all wrong because the tide lifted, came in, and gave me a sail. And now here I am. I'm back. In Memphis, talking to you. I have ice in my glass. And I've lost her all over again. I'm so sad that I don't have Kelly. But I'm so grateful that she was with me on that island. And I know what I have to do now. I have to keep breathing because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring You have to keep breathing and you have to keep believing in the Jaycees ... because no matter what happens, tomorrow the sun will rise - and you never know what the tide will bring.

#5 - Perfection is right under our noses My friend, Fr. John Fleckenstein told a story about a man who wanted to find a city where everything was perfect and better than what he had. So he haded out one day to search for the city. When night fell, he rested and to make sure tha the continued on the right away he placed his shoes so they were facing the direction he wanted to head.

During the night, three strangers came across the man and realized what he was trying to do. So to play a trick on the man, they turned his shoes around 180 degrees. When the man awoke, he put on his shoes and started out walking in that direction. Soon he came across the city he was looking for, but it was a familiar city, with familiar streets, and he knocked on a familiar door where he had diner with familiar friends. He realized that the place he was looking for was under his nose the entire time.

John taught me that it's like that in our lives as well - if we empty ourselves out in service to others, then things will be better - right here, right now. The Jaycees can make our communities the "perfect" place that we want. All we have to do is pour ourselves into the best work of life!

#6 - Size really doesn't matter if you use your voice! Another friend of mine, Fr. Ken Schmidt talked about a passage from the Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians. Back in the time of St. Paul, the community of Thessalonica was a small community and had a brand new small church organization. Despite the size (or lack thereof) they were the model of action for others, one that we should continue to follow today in our chapters.

Ken said, "Thessalonica was dominated by the huge Roman Empire. But they didn't let the political situation overwhelm them or get in the way of living out the Gospel. And they're praised for the action, actions which speak so loud and clear that word spread all over Greece, to other churches, and even the church in Rome realized that they should strive to follow Thessalonica's example ... Little Thessalonica made a difference! What actions do we take on behalf of those who have no voice ... do we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed and just do nothing, or do we confront and repair the injustices in our midst."

As we finish this year and plan for the next, let us not forget those who need the services of the Jaycees in our communities. And don't let the size of your chapter keep you from making a difference. Don't let size keep you from Paying Your RENT!

.

I really enjoyed being a MIJC District Director back in the day, as you can tell! ;)

What is Darkness - By Matthew Stover

2009-10-25T12:00:00.001-04:00

Let me begin by warning you that this blog is about Star Wars. The first movie that my mother ever took me to was Episode IV which left quite the impression on me. When Empire Strikes Back came out in 1980, I talked my Grandpa into letting me go and watch it by myself. Same thing with Return of the Jedi in 1983. I was hooked on this saga from day one.

Now, despite the painfulness that parts of The Phantom Menace is, the basic story of the prequels still have me hooked. I've found that the novels of the movies quite often are better than the final product. Which brings me to Revenge of the Sith.

The novel of Sith is ten thousand times better than the movie. The work that author Matthew Stover does in conveying the power of the story and the struggles of the characters is amazing. His use of the second person narrative to describe the internal thoughts of Obi-Wan Kenobi and of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader come across very powerfully. If you haven't read it or brought it into your literary collection, I highly recommend that you do.

However, there's four passages of the book that convey a good lesson about the power of love which I'd like to share with you:

The Dark is generous.

Its first gift is concealment: our true faces lie in the Dark beneath our skins, out true hearts remain shadowed deeper still. But the greatest concealment lies not in protecting our secret truths, but in hiding from us the truths of others.

The Dark protects us from what we dare not know.

Its second gift is comforting illusion: the ease of gentle dreams in night’s embrace, the beauty that imagination brings to what would repel in day’s harsh light. But the greatest of its comforts is the illusion that the Dark is temporary: that every night brings a new day. Because it is day that is temporary.

Day is the illusion.

Its third gift is the light itself: as day are defined by the nights that divide them, as stars are defined by the infinite black through which they wheel, the Dark embraces the light, and brings it forth from the center of its own self.

With each victory of the light, it is the Dark that wins.

The Dark is generous, and it is patient.

It is the Dark that seeds cruelty into justice, that drops contempt into compassion, that poisons love with grains of doubt.

The Dark can be patient, because the slightest drop of rain will cause those seed to sprout.

The rain will come, and the seeds will sprout, for the Dark is the will in which they grow, and it is the clouds above them, and it waits behind the star that gives them light.

The Dark’s patience is infinite.

Eventually, even stars burn out.

The Dark is generous, and it is patient, and it always wins.

It always wins because it is everywhere.

It is in the wood that burns in your hearth, and in the kettle on the fire; it is under your chair and under your table and under the sheets on your bed. Walk in the midday sun and the Dark is with you, attached to the soles of your feet.

The brightest light casts the darkest shadow.

The Dark is generous, and it is patient, and it always wins – but in the heart of its strength lies weakness: one lone candle is enough to hold it back.

Love is more than a candle.

Love can ignite the stars.

Are you that love? Can you be that love? Can any of us be that person who holds back the Darkness in our lives. I wonder?

10-23-09 MIJC Invocation - "The Search for Perfection"

2009-10-24T11:36:00.002-04:00

I would like to tell you a story. In August of 2002, a friend of mine named John Fleckenstein was ordained into the priesthood. It seems like I have known John for years, since before high school in fact. Throughout all of that time, and despite the fact that he was a senior when I was a freshman, I have known that John would be a major and positive difference on our community.

And he has been.

During his freshman year at Western Michigan University, John came up with an idea that there should be a celebration of the connection between the WMU campus and the Kalamazoo community. "Let's have the two get together before a football game and enjoy a good tailgate," he said.

"Let's call it CommUniverCity Night," he said.

"We'll have fireworks, the Broncos will win the game and for one night WMU and the City will be good neighbors," he proclaimed.

That was about 20 years ago. John's idea remains in effect today, has helped WMU break Mid American Conference attendance records, put the Broncos on ESPN and ESPN 2 for live broadcasts of the game, and is a tradition that grows stronger each year.

Still, John heard a calling - you must provide leadership to the students.

So during the rest of his time at WMU, John served as Student Body President and help reinvigorate interest in the student government and the services it provides to the entire campus. He was very successful, so successful that it brought him a new opportunity to serve the University.

After graduation, John started working for WMU in their athletic department, as the Corporate Development Director. As always, John was successful at this, building new relationships with area businesses and foundations. Still, after four years (and many rounds of beer and tequila shots with me), John heard a calling.

You must provide service to the Church, to the community, and to the people.

So, on Sunday, September 29, 202, I heard the first homily from my good friend Fr. John. Just before Mass started, he asked how I and my family was doing. I mentioned something along the lines of "We're good. Still working to get ourselves in trouble, but we're good." This was a reference to my work in the Jaycees at the time. He replied, "Well, make sure you pay attention to the homily today, it might have something there for you."

John's homily was based on the following verse: "Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important that yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also for those of others."

John proceeded then to talk about the tendency of people to search for things that are better, to search for perfection. He told the story of a man who wanted to find a city where everything was perfect. So one day, he headed out to find this city. When night fell, he rested and to make sure that he continued on the right way, he placed his shoes so they were facing the direction that he wanted to lead.

During the night, three strangers came across the man and realized what he was attempting to do. So to play a trick on him, they turned his shoes around 180 degrees. Sure enough, when the man awoke and put on his shoes, he started out in the direction he was facing.

Soon he came across the city he was looking for, but it was a familiar city. He walked down a familiar street, knocked on a familiar door, and had dinner with familiar friends. He realized that what he was looking for was under his nose the entire time.

John wanted to remind me, and in a way remind us all, that this applies in our world today. If we empty ourselves in the service of others, the things will be better.

As Jaycees, we can make our communities the "perfect places" that we are searching for. All we have to do is pour ourselves into the best work of life - service to others.

So let us make sure that we finish our year strong. As we move through the 4th quarter, let's continue to work hard, let's reach our goals, and be the stuff that perfection is made of since it's right here under our noses.

First Quote of the Day - Explore, Dream, Discover

2009-10-13T09:40:00.001-04:00

I just got today's "First Quote of the Day" from the folks at Southwest Michigan First. It's a pretty good one by Mark Twain:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

I think we all should do exactly that.

The Old Man in a Hole

2009-10-06T11:05:00.003-04:00

From a speech I gave last night at the Madison Heights Jaycees General Membership Meeting:

I want to thank President Kelly and all of my friends here in Madison Heights for having me out here tonight. I was trying to remember when I was here last and I think it was about five years ago. As I recall, Jim Coulson bought me some food that night. I tell you, it must have been really good food because it’s kept me away for a long while! Just kidding.

Earlier today, as I was killing some time at work, I had a chance to read through your minutes from your last couple of meetings. There appeared to be some discussion about “We still have chapter. Yay!” I think it’s good to celebrate this. I think it’s good to celebrate it because it is always a good thing to be a part of a Jaycee chapter. The fact is that we are one organization, we are one body. Wherever you go means a lot. Wherever you go, whenever you need help, there will always be someone who can and will help you. That’s becoming a sentiment that seems to be decreasing in our society today and frankly it’s something that our country needs more of these days.

I’d like to share with you a couple of examples how this works for our organization. This first example I can tell you from first hand experience. You see, I lost my job earlier this year and it really threw me for quite a loop. Fortunately, I was able to make it through those troubling times partially due to the support that I received from many Jaycees throughout the state. My Jaycee friends checked in with me and made sure that I was OK. They reminded me that things are going to be all right and sure enough, they were correct.

For my second example, I’d like to share with you a story that I got from one of my favorite television shows, The West Wing. During the episode Noël, one of the main characters was going through a troubling time. After realizing that he needed help, a friend of his tells him the following story:

I can tell you that you’ve got people who know the way out. Your RD/DD team – Lisa West and Adam Nelson, your incoming DD Mark Garrison, MIJC President Fay and myself and the whole MIJC team are here to assist you with your plan to get those 5 members that you want to get this year. We’ll even help you get the 5, 6, 7, 8 members beyond that as well.

There’s one other thing that I want to share with you tonight. A little something about faith that I learned recently. It’s from Mitch Albom’s column from Sunday’s Detroit Free Press. I love reading Mitch’s writings, but the one that he wrote yesterday really struck a chord with me.

The old man stood backstage behind the curtain. He was a little wobbly.

“All set?” I whispered.

“Here we go,” he said.

I hooked his thin arm around my elbow, and we stepped into the spotlight. Instantly, the noise was thunderous, a screaming, loving shower of applause, filling the building from floor to rafters. It roared as we walked gingerly across the stage to a waiting chair, his 91-year old body taking small steps, because as we near the end of life, we step as slowly as when we began.

Finally, Ernie Harwell sat down …

Harwell is dying from cancer. His doctors didn’t want him doing this. His wife was worried it might be too much. But the voice of summer, the voice of our childhoods, our companion on long car rides and cheap beach radios and transistor headphones hidden in a schoolchild’s ear, the Tigers’ announcer for almost half a century – and easily the most beloved man in the state of Michigan – wanted to be there.

Because it was helping others …

… it was Ernie’s turn to talk. I asked him questions about his early career, about his time legends like Jackie Robinson and Ty Cobb. He told a funny story about Rachel Robinson getting expensive gifts from Jackie after road trips, while Ernie’s wife, Lulu, was lucky to get “a bar of soap from the hotel.”

The he spoke about an unexpected subject: his ambition. He admitted early on he wanted success, fame, and he chased it from a small newspaper to a major league broadcast booth. “But none of those things fulfilled me,” he said. One night in 1961, he attended a Billy Graham service. And there he gave his life to Jesus. He didn’t announce it on the radio. He didn’t make it a big deal to the outside world.

But inside it was the biggest deal …

Finally he spoke about dying.

“I don’t know how many days I’ve got left … but I praise God because he’s given me this time … I can really know … whose arms I’m going to end up in, and what a great, great thing heaven is going to be”

When he said that, a shiver spread from my chest to my fingers. It is one thing to read about belief, but it is another to witness it in the face of death, spoken in a calm, serene voice. “Whose arms I’m going to end up in.” No matter what religion you may or may not follow, when delivered that way, how can faith not be a beautiful thing …

As a sportswriter, I have walked alongside greatness, walked alongside skill, walked alongside power, success and fame. But I have never been arm-in-arm with pure goodness and faith the way I was that night. And while I know it looked as if I was boosting Ernie up, it was, and will forever be, the other way around.

Ernie Harwell’s faith carries him through his end of days. His faith and my memories of him calling Tigers’ games will keep him with me forever.

But beyond that, his faith is God has given him more meaning and purpose than the many successes he’s had in baseball, or those World Series homerun calls he’s shared with all of us.

And that give me faith, because we as Jaycees have that same faith. Because we have that faith, our chapters will succeed and thrive here in Madison Heights and throughout our state. And at the end of the day, what a great, great thing we’re going to be. Thank you again for having me out here tonight. May God Bless you all.

From the SI Vault - The Good That Comes from the Tigers

2009-09-25T14:20:00.004-04:00

One of my cousins, from the west coast asked me "How can you like the Tigers? They're so weak compared to other teams in the MLB."

This is my answer(No city has been harder hit by the economic downturn than - 09.28.09 - SI Vault). The Tigers, as you will see in this article from Sports Illustrated are more than just a baseball team. They're one of the few shining lights we have left in Detroit. Beyond that, they know that they are and as such, they run out every ground ball and are still in first place in the AL Central. They don't just play for the money. They play for me, and for every person who comes to that ball park, and for every person who comes to visit downtown Detroit.

That's why I'm a Tigers fan ... because they are Detroit, Michigan fans.

9-20-09 MIJC EBOD & BOD Invocation

2009-09-20T22:10:00.004-04:00

Casting Stones

As you may have heard all throughout the year, I have used songs, TV shows, movies, and a whole lot of pop culture items to promote positive message this year. I've not used the Bible more than once and I've done that on purpose, trying to be sensitive about promoting one single religion or denomination in our organization.

But a funny thing happened this summer. I found myself with more time on my hands than I'm used to. Aside from filling that time with stories about Sesame Street and trips to the library, I have been trying to read my Bible more and have even watched the "Catholic Channel" on the Dish Network. Doing so has reminded me that, for me, God works in mysterious ways and has the most fortuitous timing. Recently, one of the readings for a daily mass included a reading from the Gospel of St. John which I believe will be very helpful in setting the tone for today's meetings. I'd like to share it with you now:

A reading from the Gospel according to St. John:

But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She replied "No one, sir." Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore."

The Gospel of the Lord

Now, on the way here I found this stone. And I have to tell you, I want to throw this.

Can't throw it.

I'm dying to throw this.

Can't throw it.

Can't wait to throw this.

I won't throw it.

Aside from the Gospel reading, I try to remember that the 84 people who came before President Fay and the 184 people who will come after her and the thousands upon thousands of people who call themselves Jaycees wouldn't be able to throw this stone either. No one of us is perfect and no one of us will ever be able to pick up and throw it properly.

It The Sky's Indeed the Limit, then so should our desire to forgive, to understand, and to move on. 'nuff said.

Thank you too, Ernie.

2009-09-16T11:26:00.003-04:00

Tonight, Ernie Harwell (the voice of the Detroit Tigers for many years) comes back to the ball park to say "Thank you" to his fans.

You see, Ernie's been diagnosed with inoperable cancer and we're going to lose him at some point in time.

This editorial by Tom Gage in today's Detroit News sums up all of the thoughts I've got going through my head right now about Ernie.

Thank you too, Ernie.

I Shall Not Seek, Nor Shall I Accept ...

2009-09-04T12:21:00.004-04:00

I have witnessed a number of discussions over the past couple of weeks about the future of the Michigan Jaycees and about the impending elections process that we annually put ourselves through. While it's been good to discuss ideas and share thoughts about what needs to happen in order to make the Michigan Jaycees stronger, there is also a sense that we're at the edge of a precipice. We're balancing ourselves on a point where we can come together as one, or we can fall apart.

I cannot allow us to fall apart.

I want to share with all of my Jaycee friends something that the 36th President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson said in March of 1968. Specifically, I want to highlight the following remarks from this video:

"Yet, I believe that now, no less than when the decade began, this generation of Americans is willing to 'pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.'

Since those words were spoken by John F. Kennedy, the people of America have kept that compact with mankind's noblest cause.

And we shall continue to keep it.

Yet, I believe that we must always be mindful of this one thing, whatever the trials and the tests ahead. The ultimate strength of our country and our cause will lie not in powerful weapons or infinite resources or boundless wealth, but will lie in the unity of our people ...

And in these times as in times before, it is true that a house divided against itself by the spirit of faction, of party, of region, of religion, of race, is a house that cannot stand.

There is division in the American house now. There is divisiveness among us all tonight ... So, I would ask all Americans, whatever their personal interests or concern, to guard against divisiveness and all its ugly consequences ...

What we won when all of our people united just must not now be lost in suspicion, distrust, selfishness, and politics among any of our people.

Believing this as I do, I have concluded that I should not permit the Presidency to become involved in the partisan divisions that are developing in this political year ...

Accordingly, I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President."

With that, I urge all of my friends in the Jaycees to come together, right now, and work on those things that we need to address as one people, one body, one organization that is indeed the "Greatest Young Persons organization in the world." I fully intend to do what I can to support those who will be elected to Michigan Jaycee office in November in whatever that capacity will be.

Thanks for your support and your belief in me and in the Michigan Jaycees.

Imagine What You Will Know Tomorrow

2009-08-30T18:44:00.003-04:00

As I have started taking classes again, I find that despite the fact I'm in an entry level class for my Masters in Legal Studies course, I'm learning a lot more about things I thought I already knew. It's mainly been how to interact with different styles of learning, with different communication styles of other people, and it's been a good experience thus far.

Today, I've been writing one of two papers I have to do for my "mid-term". During a break from the paper (in which I'm also writing this blog), Men In Black - Part I was playing on the tube. Funny movie and I really enjoy it.

It makes a good point, however, about 40 minutes into the film. Will Smith's character is shown that we are not alone in the Universe and asks the question "Why not just tell people?" The answer from Tommy Lee Jones is very accurate.

A person is smart. People panic, easily. But beyond that, Jones' answer about what we know and when we knew it and right on spot.

Imagine my friends, what we'll know tomorrow.

Today's First Quote

2009-08-26T10:48:00.002-04:00

Courtesy of Southwest Michigan First:

"You were made for success – created for unique and magnificent destiny!
Dream the extraordinary!
Pursue your passion with faith and tenacity
and you will bring that destiny into reality." - Chris Widener

8/16/09 - MIJC August Fellowship Breakfast Remarks - How To Keep The Faith

2009-08-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

“How To Keep The Faith”

I am trying to remember a time, during which I was a Michigan Jaycee, where we were +31 during at the half-way point of our year. I am trying to remember a time in my Jaycee career where we came into the August Fellowship Breakfast at year-to-date growth. I am trying to remember but I’m not coming up with it. Perhaps this is because, as my children remind me, I am getting really old. Or perhaps it is because this year is going so well and our chapters are spreading the fire so extensively that it’s blinding to me. Whatever the reason, I am so very grateful to all of you in this room for doing what you’re doing because it is making the Michigan Jaycees stronger. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU!

Today, we continue our musical adventure by returning to the topic of faith. We all say, at some point of most Jaycee meetings, “We believe that faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life.” Today, we’re really going to examine this line.

If we believe that God, whoever that may be for each of us, created each of us, then there is a bit of God in each of us. We could re-write that first line of the creed to say: “We believe that faith in Man gives meaning and purpose to human life.” Now, I’m curious about something. Has anyone here ever been burned by your fellow man? Anyone here believe that you’ve been wronged by someone else? Have you ever been hurt by the actions of another person? If “… faith in Man gives meaning and purpose…,” and you get harmed by your fellow man, what does that do to your faith?

Have you ever had your faith shaken and not stirred? How do you recover? To find the answer, we now turn to today’s song, “Keep The Faith” by the King of Pop – Michael Jackson.

I will be honest with you, with the King’s passing, I really felt that I need to pull from his songs for today’s message. However, I just couldn’t get a good message from “Dirty Diana” and my ankles aren’t strong enough for the “Smooth Criminal” lean anymore. But for whatever reason, today’s song has been popping up on my iPod in a more consistent manner lately.

So, with that introduction in mind, here we go with the song for the quarter.

Keep The Faith
By Michael Jackson

If you call out loud will it get inside
Through the heart of your surrender to your alibis?
You can say the words like you understand
But the power’s in believing, so give yourself a chance.

‘cause you can climb the highest mountain, swim the deepest sea.
All you need is the will to want it and a little self-esteem.

So Keep The Faith.
Don’t let nobody turn your ‘round.
You gotta know when it’s good to go to get your dreams up off the ground.
Keep The Faith.
Because it’s just a matter of time before your confidence will win out
Believe in yourself no matter what it’s going to take.
You can be a winner but you got to Keep The Faith.

And when you think of trust does it lead you home
To a place that you only dream of when you’re all alone?
And you can go by feel ‘stead of circumstance
But the power’s in believing so give yourself a chance.

I know that you can sail across the water, float across the sky – high.
Any road that you take will get you there if you only try.

So Keep The Faith.
Don’t let nobody take you down
Just keep your eyes on the price and your feet flat on the ground
Keep The Faith
Because it’s just a matter of time before your confidence will win out.

I told my brother how to do the thing right
Lift up your head and show the world you got pride
Go for what you want, don’t let ‘em get in your way.
You can be a winner but you got to Keep The Faith.

I know that Keepin’ The Faith means never givin’ up on love.
But that power that love has to make it right
Makes it right.

Keep The Faith
Don’t let nobody turn your around.
You got to know when it’s good to go to get your dreams up off the ground
Keep The Faith,
Because it’s just a matter of time before your confidence will win out.

Better stand up and act like you wanna do right.
Don’t play the fool for the rest of your life.
Work on it brother and you’ll make it someday.
Go for what you want and don’t Forget The Faith.
Look at yourself and what your doin’ right now.
Stand back a minute just to check yourself out
Straighten out your life and how you’re living each day.
Get yourself together ‘cause you got to Keep The Faith.

Don’t let nobody take you down
Just keep your eyes on the prize and your feet flat on the ground.
Keep The Faith
Because it’s just a matter of time before your confidence will win out

Life up your mind before your mind gets blown.
Some things in life you best just leave them alone.
Go for what you want don’t let it get in your way
You can make it happen but you got to Keep The Faith.

I’ll show my brother how to do the thing right
Lift up your head and show the world you got pride
Go for what you want don’t let ‘em get in your way
You can be a winner if you Keep The Faith
Straighten out yourself and get your mind on track
Dust off your butt and get your self-respect back
You’ve know me long enough to know that I don’t play
Take it like you want it but you got to Keep The Faith.

Don’t let nobody take you down
Just keep your keep your eyes on the price
And get your feet back on the ground.
Keep The Faith
Because it’s just a matter of time before your confidence will win out

But ‘til that day I said you got to Keep The Faith.

What I appreciate the most about this particular song is that Michael’s definition of “faith” isn’t about God. It’s about love. We have to love ourselves and if we’re going to truly be the best organization for young persons in the world, then we must love the Jaycees as well. And that means all of the Jaycees, even the parts that drive us crazy.

There are a number of chapter presidents throughout the time of our organization who can tell you tales upon tales about drama within their chapters. There are RD’s and DD’s who can spin a good yarn about the soap operas in their regions. There are MIJC officers who can tell you about the drama of some of our meetings (but they better not because what happens at E-Board stays at E-Board). And I’m sure there are at least 82 former MIJC Presidents who could give you an earful about the troubles they faced (but not President Fay or COB Brian … because they’ve got things going pretty good for the past couple of years).

Here’s the thing with drama – it burns people out. And when people get burned, they lose faith. When Jaycees get tired, we get chippy and sometimes we turn on each other. It happened a lot in the days when we had contested elections. When we turn on each other our faith in our fellow man can lose its meaning. We have to remember, however, when those things happen why we joined the Jaycees. We have to remember that, while we are the greatest young persons organization in the world, we are not a perfect organization.

I will admit that there was a long time where I wasn’t willing to remember this particular lesson. I was wrapped up in the drama, licking my own wounds from people who had (in my opinion) turned on me. Here’s where we come across the second lesson, and hardest part about our faith. We have to forgive. I don’t forgive very easily.

The annoying parts of our organization, the annoying parts of people, are still a part of what’s good in them. Again, if we are going to be Jaycees and if we’re going to love being Jaycees, we have to embrace everything about the Jaycees. And we have to forgive those parts of the organization that hurt us. And that’s pretty damn tough.

For the longest time, I was the type of person who would say “Fine. I’ll forgive you when I have made things even with us. When I’ve made things square between us, then I’ll forgive you for what you’ve done.” That’s not forgiveness – that’s vengeance, that’s drama. Forgiveness is looking past the hurt. Forgiveness is looking past the drama. Forgiveness is looking past the desire for vengeance and saying to people who harmed us “It’s all good. I forgive you. There’s nothing more that needs to be done. I accept you as you are, nothing more and nothing less. We’re square.”

It’s taken me close to five years to get to a point where I was willing to say that. I’ve been able to say that to a number of folks around our organization. I’ve not had the opportunity to say it to some others and look forward to having the chance to do so. And there’s one man that I’ll never be able to say that to and I hope today he’s looking down from Heaven and will forgive me for my failures in our relationship.

It’s a tough thing to do, to forgive, but if I’m going to be a Jaycee, it’s something that I’ll have to learn and start doing. I suggest to you, that if we’re all going to be Jaycees, it’s something that we’ll all have to learn and start doing.

Now, the nice thing about our organization is that we don’t let anything get in our way. Like the King said, “… it’s just a matter of time before our confidence will win out …” if we Keep Our Faith.

So as we begin the annual election cycle for our organization, in the event we have some contested elections, in the event we have to make choice, in the event that things may or may not turn out the way we want in regards to appointments that will be made – at the end of the day we are all Jaycees. At the end day, drama burns itself out and leaves the best to be built upon.

And what is the best for our organization?

Well that’s simple … it’s every person who raises their hands with me right now and says: “We believe that faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life.”

8/15/09 - MIJC Convention Evening Invocation - Working Hard So We Can Play

2009-08-15T19:00:00.000-04:00

Working Hard So We Can Play

Debbie Allen said, “I do work very hard, and when I finish a project, I can party all night.”

A friend recently reminded me of the importance of keeping things in balance. Whether it is our professional lives, our personal lives, or our work in the Jaycees, finding that balance can be pretty tricky. Some of us might feel guilty when we’re not working – having been told that only hard work is rewarded with raises and promotions.

But I suggest to you that tonight, as we get into the big awards of the evening, we’re going to see that hard work is rewarded with lots of playing. We’re going to see that hard work is rewarded through the benefits that we have brought to numerous communities throughout our state and numerous lives that are better because of what we do.

If that’s not a reason to celebrate with a beer or two, then let’s at least remember that all work and no play a burned out Jaycee will you be. So let’s set sometime out tonight to have a good time and to celebrate the fact that we are discovering that The Sky has no the Limit.

8/15/09 - MIJC Convention Afternoon Invocation - Let People Know You're Serious

2009-08-15T12:00:00.000-04:00

Let People Know You’re Serious

Muhammad Ali is quoted as saying, "People will know you’re serious when you produce." When George Forman or Joe Frazier stepped into the ring with Ali they knew that he was serious about kicking their butts.

When the Jaycees produce, we go beyond words because after a while promises and declarations will sound hallow and silly. Sometimes we trick ourselves into believing it by histrionically cheering the same thing over and over again.

“I am the Greatest” would make us laugh if Ali never won a fight. Having results to show is proof for ourselves, especially when those results have us at year-to-date growth at the half-way point of our programming year.

Let’s keep letting people know that we’re serious about spreading the word about our organization. Let’s show the world that our results truly make us "The Greatest Young Persons Organization in the World."

8-15-2009 MIJC Saturday Morning Invocation - Being Enthusiastic

2009-08-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

As you know, as the MIJC Chaplain, I get to give invocations and other speeches during various parts of the quarterly conventions. Here's what I said this morning to start our business meeting:

If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

I’ve heard it said time and time again “If we could only capture the enthusiasm that so and so has and sell it in a jar, we’d be rich.” But really, it’s easy to understand how some are overflowing with enthusiasm – they’re doing what they want to be doing and they’re recognized for their efforts.

That’s what this weekend is all about. We are all Jaycees and we should love being Jaycees and as we have fun this weekend, we need to take out collective enthusiasm back to our chapters to help any and all who call themselves Jaycees to be Michelangelo’s, Beethoven’s, and Shakespeare’s.

Let’s bottle up our enthusiasm and show the world just how much fun we have being Jaycees.

The Wisdom of Three Year Olds and Dr. Seuss

2009-08-05T21:02:00.003-04:00

There are times when I am absolutely stunned about the wisdom of my children. It seems that when I'm feeling anxious or down about something, they come through with something amazing.

For example, when I had lost my election for County Commission in 2004, my son Alex decided it would be the right time to draw a picture of the White House (something he's only seen on TV) and caption it "Hey Dad, I know you'll work at the White House someday!"

Another example, tonight as I was getting Cristiana to bed, she asked me to read here the "Go Places" story, and pointed at her copy of "Oh, The Places You'll Go" - by Dr. Seuss. It was a bit fitting as my brain has been whirling for a couple hours about my job prospects. You know, the same ole same ole questions like "Am I actually going to find something before the end of the severance package" and "What will people say during job verification calls" and stuff like that.

There's a part of the story that hit me tonight (and usually does when I read it):

"You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don't.
Because, someties, you won't.

I'm sorry to say so but, sadly it's true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you.
You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly pearch.
And your gang will fly on.
You'll be left in a Lurch.
You'll come down from the Lurch with an unpleasant bump.
And the chance are, then, that you'll be in a Slump.
And when you're in a Slump, you're not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself is not easily done ...

NO! That's not for you!
Somehow you'll escape all that waiting and staying.
You'll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing ...

On and on you will hike.
And I know you'll hike far and face up to your problems whatever they are ...

And will you succeed?
Yes!
You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
KID YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
So ...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea, you're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So ... get on your way!"

So thanks to Cristiana's wisdom, I share this with you tonight. And may Harrison Ford's words give your dreams a good flight!

Battlestar Galactica in 4.5 minutes

2009-08-04T19:42:00.004-04:00

Believe it or not, there are a few of my friends who don't understand my fascination with the reimagined version of Battlestar Galactica. I've tried to share it with them in my own words, but it just doesn't take.

Nevertheless, I try and will try once again tonight's blog. I give something nifty I found on YouTube today. There is at least one scene from every episode of each of BSG's 4 seasons. I also think the use of Kashmir adds a little to it as well.

That being said, those who are interested in not being spoiled may not want to watch the following - consider yourself warned.

Enjoy y'all! See you on the other side.

7-31-09 MIJC EBOD Remarks - How To Make The Most Out of Peaks

2009-08-03T09:00:00.001-04:00

Last Friday night, I was a part of a MIJC Executive Committee meeting (which is normal, considering I'm a part of that committee) and here's what I wrote:

Let me begin tonight's inspiration with a thank-you. I jokingly posted on Facebook, back in November - shortly after President Fay appointed me to be your Chaplain, "Who will pray for the Chaplain when he needs help?" Little did I know that your Chappy would need your thoughts and prayers about a month ago when I lost my job.

For those who contacted me and helped pick me back up when I needed it, I simply say "Thank you." And to my friends, Secretary Laster and Treasurer Morton, I especially say that I keep yo in my thoughts and prayers as we all travel along our respective job searches.

When I was down in the dumps, a friend lent me a book - Peaks and Valleys by Spencer Johnson, M.D. (yes, the same guy who wrote Who Moved My Cheese?). The book talks about how throughout life, we go through peaks and valleys and that it is rally up to us to determine how long we stay on our peaks and how long we stay in our valleys. This works in both our professional lives as well as our personal lives.

One of the lessons in the book is about how to stay on our peaks longer. It reads:

To stay on a peak longer: Appreciate and Manage Your Good Times Wisely. Be humble and grateful. Do more of what got you there. Keep making things better. Do more for others. Save resources for your upcoming valleys."

Friends, tonight we find ourselves at +28 for the second quarter of our year. As of July 2, 2009 we are +31 year-to-date. Unless I'm mistaken, I think we're definitely on a peak. Two weeks from tonight, we will be celebrating this at our quarterly convention ... or at least we better be.

Let us resolve to stay on this peak as long as we can. Let us resolve tonight that we will appreciate our good times wisely, that we will keep making things better, and that we will do what we can to show others that The Sky Is the Limit.

6-12-09 MIJC Mid- Year Board Retreat Remarks

2009-08-02T21:32:00.003-04:00

It occurred to me that I never posted the speech I wrote to start the MIJC Mid-Year Board Retreat (and I understand that folks didn't get copies of it at the retreat). So, to make up for lost time, here it is:

Do These Things Not Because They Are Easy But Because They Are Hard

As part of my continuing efforts to expand my DVD collection, I purchased the HBO mini-series From the Earth to the Moon. As with many of the entertainment references that I’ve made this year, I highly recommend this to you as well. The series covers the Space Race, America’s triumphs and tragedies in our quest for the moon.

There are 12 episodes in the collection, the last episode dealing with Apollo 17 and the last two men who walked on the moon almost 35 years ago. Towards the end of the episode, you hear a speech that President John F. Kennedy gave at Rice University regarding our push for the moon. He said:

"William Bradford, speaking in 1630 of the founding of the Plymouth Bay Colony, said that all great and honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and both must be enterprised and overcome with answerable courage. If this capsule history of our progress teaches us anything, it is that man, in his quest for knowledge and progress, is determined and cannot be deterred ... We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard"
These days, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of excitement about what we do in space. Many people will tell you that NASA continues to be a waste of money and of effort. Who cares about the moon and who cares about Mars … whoopty frickin’ doo!

But when I look up at the sky tonight, from Kalamazoo, and you all look up at the sky from the Mystic Lake, I will remember that despite the 200 miles that separate us – we’re looking at the same thing. When you eventually hit the sack tonight, there will be people in Florida, in North Dakota, and Brazil who also see the same thing.

The moon, the celestial body that on 26 men have walked upon, brings us together and our efforts there should remind us all that we are all a part of the brotherhood of man and that anything is possible.

Truly, at this middle point of the year, The Sky’s the Limit – just ask Neil Armstrong.

Today's First Quote from SWMI First

2009-07-28T15:10:00.002-04:00

It's important that people should know what you stand for. It is equally important that they know what you won't stand for.
Mary Waldrin

This came across my email yesterday and I thought it was a pretty good "First Quote" to share today.

It's good to know what you believe. Part of that is also to know what you will not tolerate when come across it and what you do in that situation.

Thanks, Coach!

2009-07-24T15:16:00.010-04:00

"Death is but crossing the world, as friends do the seas; they live in one another still. For they must needs be present, that love and live in that which in omnipresent. In this divine glass, they see face to face; and their converse is free as well as pure. This is the comfort of friends, that though they may be said to die, yet their friendship and society are, in the best sense, ever present, because immortal."
William Penn, More Fruits of Solitude

I was talking with a friend last night about this year. I have come to the conclusion that the Year 2009 sucks. It really blows, big time (and I refuse to give Governor Granholm credit for that at this moment in time). Putting Michigan's economic woes to the side for the time being, this year ranks fairly high on my list of less than desirable years.

It started with the passing of Dr. Diether Haenicke (President Emeritus - Western Michigan University). That was followed by the loss of my job. This week witnessed the passing of Dick Soisson (former Football Coach and Counselor at Hackett Catholic Central).

Coach Soisson was a great man. Some will say that he was great because of his successes on the football field (over 200 wins, coaching the first team from the Kalamazoo area into the MHSAA playoffs). But I remember him for more than that.

His funeral will be held at the Cathedral Church of St. Augustine's tomorrow (Saturday). I will forever remember a Saturday night at the Cathedral from 19 years ago. That night, the Easter Vigil, was the night that I became Catholic. Much to my mother's and grandmother's chagrin, I decided to go through the RCIA process my junior year of high school and went through it at St. A's. I didn't tell anyone at school what I was doing, it was something private. I was also, at the time, in the midst of my third year as the equipment manager for Coach Soisson ... something he recruited me to do my freshman year.

There was a day in October, when I had just finished carting up the equipment from the practice field, when I passed the coaches locker room when out of the blue I heard "DAVID! GET IN HERE!"

Now, many Irish alumni will tell you when you hear the voice of Coach Soisson at a certain volume and with a certain tone, one of two things happen. Either you soil yourself immediately, or you have a mini heart attack. Sometimes you did both, but regardless of what you did - you reported immediately to the Coach - which I did.

As soon as I reported to him, he quickly asked "Are you going through RCIA at St. A's?"

"Yes, sir."

"Who's your sponsor?"

"Haven't thought about it really. Not sure who to ask, sir."

"Well, sign me up. I'm your sponsor if you want."

"Yes, sir!"

Now, once I got my heart re-started after that conversation, I found out that Coach was the right guy to have as my RCIA sponsor. He answered any questions I had, and sometimes he even answered them during football practice. He made sure that I was made to feel welcome, not only at St. A's, but with the football team as well by having me attend every pre-game mass with the team, even though I couldn't participate fully with the team.

And on that Saturday night of the Easter Vigil, when I went up before Bishop Donovan to be confirmed and officially welcomed into the church, Coach was right there behind me - hand on my shoulder, smiling in that crooked way he had. Once Bishop Donovan had anointed me, Coach whispered "We got ya, now!"

Afterward, Coach had to head home right away, since it was after midnight by time the vigil concluded. Before he left, he asked me to meet him at his car. Once there, he gave me something very precious ... his finger rosary. That rosary helped keep me centered for many years and I've carried it with often ... outside of church.

I lost touch with him after I graduated, like many people who leave for college do with those who helped them in high school. I remember the last time I saw him, though. It was a few years ago when I was going door-to-door, trying to get myself elected Kalamazoo County Commissioner. I knocked on his door in the Westwood neighborhood and waited. It seemed like no one was home and so I turned to leave. As I did, a voice called out to me, "DAVID WORTHAMS, GET OVER HERE!"

Yes, I still had the mini heart attack.

We talked for awhile and at the end of the conversation he said, "So, you're running for office huh?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, you've got my vote ... leave me a yard sign."

"Yes, sir."

Of all the votes that I've been able to garner in my various bids for office, that vote is one I will forever cherish and I will forever.

I hope, today in Heaven, that's still a vote a can count on.

I will miss you greatly Coach. Thanks Coach for helping me be who I am today.

Richard Soisson
1/25/1925 - 7/22/2009
GO IRISH!

Acoustic Africa

2009-07-15T11:59:00.004-04:00

Nothing really wise or witty to say today. I did however, want to share this video with you. This is an acoustic version of Toto's Africa and it is absolutely amazing!

And I will admit that I am a bit jealous 'cause I want to be able to play my guitar like this someday when I grow up! ;)

What Is Our Legend?

2009-07-12T10:10:00.007-04:00

Stories of racism and violence attracted my attention this week (as y'all saw in an earlier blog). It is a sad thing when we, as a people, make the decision that these types of things are just "OK". By that I mean, when we see these things happen, when we read that these things happen, and all we do is shrug our shoulders, purse our lips and say "That's shameful" and then that's it.

I'm guilty of this indifference just as much as anyone else ... and for some reason on this sunny Sunday morning it is weighing heavily on my heart.

This begs the question, "What should we do about it? What can we do about it? Is there anything that we can do about it?" I don't know the answer to that. Perhaps the answer is "Just do something that is within your power."

Last night, after the kids went to bed, I broke out "I Am Legend" starring Will Smith. In the last half of the movie, his character (Robert Nevell) speaks with another survivor about Bob Marley. Bob Marley's music is played a number of times through out the movie and during this particular conversation Nevell explains what Bob did to fight against evil in the world. He said:

"He had this idea. It was kind of a virologist idea. He believed that you could cure racism and hate... literally cure it, by injecting music and love into people's lives. When he was scheduled to perform at a peace rally, a gunman came to his house and shot him down. Two days later he walked out on that stage and sang. When they asked him why - He said, "The people, who were trying to make this world worse... are not taking a day off. How can I? Light up the darkness."

That, my friends, I believe is our task. That is what we can and must do. Racists and those who act on prejudice in our world and seek to do evil don't take days off. Racists and those who would promote evil don't take breaks. We can't take breaks either. We must do what we can to spread our message of hope, our message of love everyday.

So, let's teach our children how to laugh. Let's teach our children how to play. Let's teach our children how to take the best of what we are and increase it. Let's teach our children how to love. Let's teach our children how to love one another. Let's teach our children how to sing. Let's teach our children how to have respect for one another. Let's teach our children how to live as one. Let's teach our children to Light Up the Darkness.

I suggest that should be our legend. Light Up the Darkness.

We've Got a Long Long Way To Go

2009-07-09T11:06:00.003-04:00

In the last 12 hours, I've read two very disturbing stories that highlight the fact that our beloved country still has a helluva long way to go before we can say that we are treating "All men equal."

The first story (http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Pool-Boots-Kids-Who-Might-Change-the-Complexion.html) is about a swim club in Philadelphia who initially accept a dues payment from a summer camp. This summer camp, which is serves black children, brought the kids to the club to swim one day and all of the sudden, they're asked to leave and their dues refunded because "They changed the complexion of the club."

It's sad to think that this type of discrimination still happens today ... but it does all of the time. I've not experienced overt discrimination like this myself, but can't tell you how many time when my wife and I have gone into restaurants together, walked down the street holding hands, and have watched "that look" coming from both white and black people. Some folks will even shake their heads at us. After a while, you just laugh it off.

But these actions by the swim club, you can't laugh off.

And you can't laugh off this second story either(http://www.ohio.com/news/50172282.html) A group of black teenagers chanting "It's a black world now!" attack a white family on the evening of the 4th of July.

Did these kids have a reason to feel that way? Doesn't matter ... because their premise is wrong. It's not a black world. It's not a white world. It's everybody's world ... no matter how many punches you throw or bones you break (either your own or someone else's).

These stories just make me scratch my head and pray that we, as a people, get it one of these days.

Let me end by quoting Phil Collins, from his song Long Long Way To Go, "I've seen all I want to see today."

My Take on the MJ Farewell

2009-07-08T11:18:00.003-04:00

I know, I know, I know. "Let it rest already!" I agree, time to move on and let the man rest, but I do want to quickly share with you what I thought was the most appropriate part of yesterday's service.

"Human Nature is one of my favorite Michael Jackson songs, probably the most favorite. And while he didn't write the song, there's a certain feeling and a level of emotion that he gave the song that just hits me everytime I hear it.

John Mayer's performance of "Human Nature" was perfect. He didn't sing. He didn't have to. He let his guitar, which is his strongest talent in my opinion, do all the proverbial talking. There's a lesson to be learned there. Sometimes we can do more things, we can say more things when we don't say a thing.

Not discounting the words of Paris Jackson about her father (which had me crying a bit) and not discounting the classiness of Brook Shields words about her friend, John Mayer really did a great job.

Two Little Mice

2009-07-03T09:54:00.003-04:00

I've been able to catch up a few movies this week, including "Catch Me If You Can." The movie is classified as a comedy/thriller, but I really think it's more of a movie about the importance of family and of perseverance.

From the get-go, the story of two little mice and a bucket of cream is used to set the tone and to show why Frank Abagnale did what he did. Granted, there's some creative license that is used to make the story a little flashier than the actual story, but there's still a valid message that is told in Speilberg's work.

As I search the job postings, and as I send out resumes and cover letters, I will have to try to keep in mind that I'm that second mouse ... and I'll turn that cream into butter.

And who knows, maybe I can be as cool as Christopher Walken someday! ;)

ABC's - The Facebook Thing

2009-07-02T19:57:00.003-04:00

I blame my friend Angela for tagging me on this one via Facebook. So here you go.

A - Age: 35

B - Bed size: Queen

C - Chore you hate: Mopping

D - Dog's name: Don't got one ... but I do have 2 cats (Indie and Buster)

E - Essential start your day item: Netbook

F - Favorite color: Black

G - Gold or Silver: Gold

H. Height: 5'8.5"

I - Instruments you play: Piano, Guitar, Recorder, Flute

J - Job title: Looking to find one

K- Kid(s): 2 (Alexander - 14; Cristiana - 3)

L - Living arrangements: 3 BR, 2bath, Ranch house

M - Mom's name: Classified

N - Nicknames: Chappy, Dapres, DW's, DQ, DQ Rascal

O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: Not for myself, but was there for Alex and Cristiana's births

P - Pet Peeve: People who are self-centered 24/7.

Q - Quote from a movie: "Ray, the next time someone asks if you're a god, YOU SAY YES!" - Ghostbusters

R - Right or left handed: Right

S - Siblings: Three half-siblings (Robert, Quinton Jr, and Jennifer)

T - Time you wake up: 8:00ish

U- Underwear: yes

V - Vegetable you dislike: Broccoli

W - what makes you run late?: Underestimating the time to get to a place

X-rays you've had: Multiple times ... and a cat scan too!

Y- Yummy food you make: Ice Cream (ok, I don't make it ... but I do go out and buy it).

Z - Zoo favorite: Lions

Goodbye RENT

2009-07-01T18:58:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, while I was up in Lansing visiting friends, I was invited to watch RENT: Filmed Live on Broadway which I must highly recommend to you. This DVD covers the last performance of RENT on Broadway.

At any rate, ever since I first saw RENT at Miller Auditorium way back in '98 (or some where in there), I have gained inspiration from the musical and the story of its creation. Jonathan Larson spread the idea of how important it is to live each day to its fullest because we'll never have another today. "No Day But Today" has been my theme in the various Jaycee offices I've held and while the month of June, 2009 has been one of the worst ones I've experienced in my life, I am glad that my friend helped remind me that there is always hope in everything that we do and experience ... even when hearts are breaking.

Today's blog is a shout out to RENT and to Jonathan Larson. Today's first video is the last video that was posted at www.siteforrent.com to commemorate the closing of my favorite show. The second one is from the 2008 Tony Awards and provides a reunion for the Original Broadway Cast.

Here's to you Jonathan and all the gifted actors and others who have been a part of this great show.

Mr. Wendle - A Message and Music to Move You

2009-06-29T22:02:00.004-04:00

The iPod, tonight, has really been jamming in my ears and that is a good thing since it has helped me decide to continue my educational base through an online program (more on that in a future blog).

At any rate, Mr. iPod has decided to play Arrested Developments Mr. Wendle twice over the last hour. Of course that means one of two things: 1 - I need to put more music in the R&B/Dance/Rap playlist (apparently just having 285 songs in that list isn't enough), or; 2 - the iPod is trying to get me to think bigger thoughts.

Working on the assumption that it's the late, I find myself thinking on the beginning lyrics from the song: "Here have a dollar. In fact, nah brother man, here have two. Two dollars means a snack to me, but it mean a big deal to you. Be strong. Serve God only. Know that if you beautiful Heaven awaits."

Not many songs successfully start out by shaking your thoughts right away ... but this is one of them. Mr. Wendel gets your brain moving and of course, it gets your butt shaking too.

Here's to Speech and Ishi and the rest of Arrested Development. Tonight's shout out is to y'all!

This Continues To Be My Wish

2009-06-28T23:48:00.002-04:00

It has been sometime since I was at the 7:30 PM Mass at St. Tom's. There's something special about sitting in the congregation as a pretty sunset occurs. Of course, there are many times when my thoughts drift all over the place during Mass as well ... I guess that is something I'll have to confess sometime down the road! ;)

At any rate, tonight, as I sat next to Cristiana and Niki, there was a certain shade of color in the sky that reminded me of the movie Contact, starring Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, and James Woods. What you might think would be a sci-fi movie is really something more than that.

The scene I share with you tonight takes places towards the end of the movie and involves Ellie (Jodie Foster's character) expressing that she has experienced something amazing that she'd like to share with everyone else, but can't because she can't really explain it.

There are some friends of mine who do not believe in a higher power and I've never pushed my faith upon them because it's something each person has to decide for themselves, but it is my wish that at some point all of my friends can know what I know.

It is also something that I must keep in my mind as well ... we are not alone. The difficult times that we have before us, the difficult times that we have pushed beyond, throughout it all - we have never been alone. It may seem like it but we have never been alone.

"... I had an experience I can't prove. I can't even explain it, but everything I know as a human being, everything that I am tell me that it was real. I was part of something wonderful, something that changed me forever; a vision of the Universe that tells us undeniably how tiny, and insignificant, and how rare and precious we all are. A vision that tell us we belong to something that is greater than ourselves. That we are not, that none of us are alone. I wish I could share that. I wish that everyone, if even for one moment, could feel that awe, and humility, and the hope, but ... that continues to be my wish."

Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon - R.I.P

2009-06-25T22:54:00.004-04:00

So, today the Grim Reaper has been busy. Not only did Death come to claim Farrah Fawcett at the age of 62 today, but then Death decided that it wouldn't be right to leave L.A. without bring Michael Jackson with him. And considering Death took Ed McMahon early this week - I agree with something Rich Studley tweeted a few moments ago "There is a Heavenly Tonight Show tonight. The reunion of Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon with special guest Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson."

I was going to blog about some quotes from Forrest Gump tonight, but in honor of MJ and to testify to the fact that I was one of the few people who liked the song"You Rock My World" ... I share this video with you tonight.

Rest in Peace, Michael, Farrah, and Ed. There's no more stress and no more paparazzi to torture you anymore.

Thank God This Doesn't Happen in Little League

2009-06-24T21:19:00.005-04:00

Last night, at the Milwood Little League where I do most of my baseball umpiring, I was discussing with my umpire partner about a time when Rod Allen (Tigers baseball announcer) chased a pitcher all over the field after being hit by a pitch. So to help Blair find the video, I give you tonight's blog.

I'm just grateful that Little Leaguer's don't do this when they get beaned. And considering the number of times I've been beaned when I'm behind the plate, they're lucky I don't go Rod Allen on them! ;)

I also think "Yackety Sax" (theme from the Benny Hill Show) adds a lot to this video.

In The Dark It is Easy to Pretend

2009-06-22T21:02:00.003-04:00

I've been listening to my "Meditation Music"playlist on my iPod over the past couple of weeks. I've been adding to it to reflect the melancholy thoughts that drift occasionally through my head. Today, as I went through my collection, I stumbled across Phantom of the Opera and added "Music of the Night"

To be quite honest, I've never really listened to all of the lyrics, it's the music that hits me the most. But today, these lines got to me:

Close your eyes for your eyes will only tell the truth
And the truth isn't what you want to see
In the dark it is easy to pretend..
That the truth is what it ought to be...

I wonder if I've been in the dark for a while, dreaming of a truth that in the end is just something I want to believe - but the actual truth is something completely different. It is so much easier to be left in the dark sometimes.

Training To Get Better

2009-06-21T23:09:00.005-04:00

I have come to a decision. As I go through a transitional moment in my life, I have decided that I need to talk to someone about it. I have decided, for the first time in my life, to go get counseling.

As I begin a search for answers, I suppose this could be called a training period. Folks have told me that going to see someone can make me stronger in the end ... and when boxers train for a fight they get stronger in the end ... so maybe it is indeed the same thing.

There's many many lines in the movie Million Dollar Baby that I like and won't go through all of them right now, but I want to share this one with you:

To make a fighter, you gotta strip them down to bare wood. You can't just tell 'em to forget everything you know if you gotta make 'em forget even their bones ... make 'em so tired they only listen to you, only hear your voice, only do what you say and nothing else ... show 'em how to keep their balance and take it away fro the other guy ... how to generate momentum off their right toe and how to flex your knees when you fire a jab ... how to fly back and up so that the other guy doesn't want to come after you. Then you gotta show 'em all over again. Over and over and over ... 'til they think they're born that way.

Is this what I should expect from my sessions with a shrink/psychiatrist/counselor? Is this person going to strip me down and make me so tired that I'm going to just listen and accept what they tell me? Is that the right way to fix what might be wrong with me (assuming there is something wrong with me)?

I do know that this is a new thing for me and I'm a little scared about it ... and usually it's just clowns that scare me.

So let me wrap this one up with a shout-out to Million Dollar Baby (I highly suggest that you see the film if you haven't), and ask that you keep me in my thoughts as I start my training.

First Quote - from SWMI First

2009-06-20T23:24:00.004-04:00

As I posted a while back, I get First Quotes from the folks at Southwest Michigan First. Today's quote hit me right across the chin:

I know God won't give me anything I can't handle. I just wish he didn't trust me so much. - Mother Theresa

Ain't that the truth, Sister. The next couple of months will include some trying times for me, a series of tough discussions about my life and what the proper path will be. My Mother (channeling my Grandmother) tells me that I shouldn't worry because there's nothing that God can't handle. But it's so tough to do that, to leave it to God.

But I suppose, the sooner I do, the sooner that I will find where I'm supposed to be.

The Beauty of Lightning & Ronco Commercials!

2009-06-20T01:10:00.004-04:00

The end of a second tough week for me was sent out with a great light show. The day started with a series of severe storms and ends the same way. According to WOOD-TV 8 (based in Grand Rapids, MI) kept cutting in and out of coverage thanks to 60 MPH winds and over 7.5 inches of water in the city of Holland.

I personally had to chuckle, not at the damage occurring throughout the area, but at the way WOOD-TV was trying so very hard to play it up. Was it a tornado? No. Was it a hurricane? No. It's a storm in Michigan in the summer!

Now, if there's a tornado, well then ... sign me up because I'm all about storm chasing. If I ever go on a vacation that was just mine to plan, I'd look up one of those storm chasing companies that will get you to a tornado and even take your picture in front of it. Actually, if I was a little better with the sciences, I'd try to join one of those scientific patrols that you seen on the series Storm Chasers.

My daughter wasn't as big of a fan of tonight's storm as I was. It seemed that each time there was thunder, she was right out of bed announcing to the world: "Mommy! Daddy! That was thunder! And now we have to fix the clocks!"

I do remember when I was younger, before I started my infatuation with storms, my grandparents would tell me: "Thunder is just God bowling up in Heaven ... and when there's lightning with it - that's God rolling a strike." I wish my grandparents were here this week to tell me more stories about what a storm is, so I can more easily get to sleep tonight.

Oh well, if I stay up late enough, maybe I'll order one of those Ronco Showtime Rotisseries ... chicken anyone? ;)

Time to be Less Moody

2009-06-18T15:21:00.002-04:00

After a series of slightly moody or intense blogs, today now that the sun is shining, I think it's time to lighten the mood. So, let's revisit the times of my youth and sing along with The Cure!. Here's Why Can't I Be You?"

You're so gorgeous I'll do anything!
I'll kiss you from your feet
To where your head begins!
You're so perfect!
You're so right as rain!
You make me
Make me hungry again

Everything you do is irresistible
Everything you do is simply kissable
Why can't I be you?

I'll run around in circles
'Til I run out of breath
I'll eat you all up
Or I'll just hug you to death
You're so wonderful!
Too good to be true!
You make me
Make me hungry for you

Everything you do is simply delicate
Everything you do is quite angelicate
Why can't I be you?

You turn my head when you turn around
You turn the whole world upside down
I'm smitten I'm bitten I'm hooked I'm cooked
I'm stuck like glue!
You make me
Make me hungry for you

Everything you do is simply dreamy
Everything you do is quite delicious
Why can't I be you?
Why can't I be you?
Why can't I be you?

You're simply elegant!

It's My Fault if I'm Misunderstood

2009-06-16T11:56:00.004-04:00

Not sure if you caught David Letterman's show last night, but he once again addressed the joke he made about Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's daughter. I truly believe that he did show poor taste with the joke, but respect the man's first amendment rights nonetheless. Likewise, we have to respect Governor Palin's right to complain about the joke and to point out the damage that it has done.

I remember, back in my freshman year of college, when I first learned about the process of communication. I was told that communication is a two-way street and that it is the responsibility of both the communicator and the receiver to find the "message that is sent." There are so many opportunities for what is intended and what is received to be radically different.

In our everyday lives, we need to remember this rule as we interact with our friends and colleagues because when we forget, bad things can happen to our relationships and other endeavors.

However, I highlight Letterman's apology for what he says in the second half of his comments in the video above. He says: "‘Oh, boy, now I’m beginning to understand what the problem is here. It’s the perception rather than the intent.’ It doesn’t make any difference what my intent was, it’s the perception. And, as they say about jokes, if you have to explain the joke, it’s not a very good joke ... I told a bad joke. I told a joke that was beyond flawed, and my intent is completely meaningless compared to the perception. And since it was a joke I told, I feel that I need to do the right thing here and apologize for having told that joke. It’s not your fault that it was misunderstood, it’s my fault. That it was misunderstood.”

I hope to always have the courage to apologize for when I'm wrong, as I quite often am, and I hope that those who receive unintended messages from me will allow me to have the chance to make things right, as best as I am capable of.

The Trouble with Temper

2009-06-15T21:33:00.007-04:00

How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it? - Marcus Aurelius

I've been thinking alot about my relationships with other people. I always try to be loyal to my friends and often consider those I work with to be my friends as well. The thing with friends is, as they get know you over the course of time, they get use to quirks and other tendencies that someone has. In my case, sometimes they come to find that I can have a bit of a temper.

I don't know where it comes from ... perhaps from the fact that I'm a only child and didn't really have to compromise much when I was growing up. Perhaps that's why I get easily frustrated when things don't go the way I want them to.

The problem I have is that when the temper gets going, and I get really passionate in expressing my feelings - it gets me in trouble from time to time. I try to control it but it appears (especially lately) that I've let it get the best of me. That might be something that friends will tolerate a little bit, but co-workers shouldn't have to deal with it.

So tonight's posting is mostly for me. Here's some anger management techniques that I'm going to have to learn to use (courtesy of the Mayo Clinic - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/anger-management/MH00102):

Take a "time out." Although it may seem cliche, counting to 10 before reacting, or leaving the situation altogether, really can defuse your temper.
Do something physically exerting. Physical activity can provide an outlet for your emotions, especially if you're about to erupt. Go for a brisk walk or a run, swim, lift weights or shoot baskets.
Find ways to calm and soothe yourself. Practice deep-breathing exercises, visualize a relaxing scene, or repeat a calming word or phrase to yourself, such as "take it easy." You can also listen to music, paint, journal or do yoga.
Once you're calm, express your anger as soon as possible so that you aren't left stewing. If you simply can't express your anger in a controlled manner to the person who angered you, try talking to a family member, friend, counselor or another trusted person.
Think carefully before you say anything so that you don't end up saying something you'll regret. Write a script and rehearse it so that you can stick to the issues.
Work with the person who angered you to identify solutions to the situation.
Use "I" statements when describing the problem to avoid criticizing or placing blame. For instance, say "I'm upset you didn't help with the housework this evening," instead of, "You should have helped with the housework." To do otherwise will likely upset the other person and escalate tensions.
Don't hold a grudge. Forgive the other person. It's unrealistic to expect everyone to behave exactly as you want.
Use humor to release tensions, such as imagining yourself or the other person in silly situations. Don't use sarcasm, though — it's just another form of unhealthy expression.
Keep an anger log to identify the kinds of situations that set you off and to monitor your reactions.
Practice relaxation skills. Learning skills to relax and de-stress can also help control your temper when it may flare up.

I hope that over the course of the rest of the year, I'll learn how to apply these in my everyday life and repair whatever damage I have caused.

To Submit, or not to Submit ... what a question!

2009-06-13T01:35:00.004-04:00

I continue, at this late hour of the night, to review a number of personal events that have taken place this week. I wish I could share more details on the struggles I have encountered, but it wouldn't be wise as a number of them have not been resolved. But as I've been sitting at home the past two days, my thoughts at times have drifted to Malcolm X. Those who really know me know that he ranks high among my idols Imagine this list: Ronald Reagan, Abraham Lincoln, and Malcolm X ... wacky isn't it?

In 1963, Malcolm made a mistake. During the coverage of the assassination of John F. Kennedy, when all Muslim ministers were give directives concerning his death: 1 - Make no remarks about it; 2 - If pressed for comment, say "No Comment."

Malcolm gave a speech that week titled "God's Judgment of White America" and it's theme was a common one for the times. It was basically "as you sow, you shall reap." At the end of the speech, he opened a question and answer period and the first question given was "What do you think about President Kennedy's assassination?"

As he did quite often, he answered as he honestly felt. "I see it a case of the chickens coming home to roost" According to his autobiography, he explained: "I said that the hate in white men had not stopped with the killing of defenseless black people, but that hate, allowed to spread unchecked, finally had struck down this country's Chief of State. I said it was the same thing as happened with Medgar Evers, with Patrice Lumumba, and Madame Nhu's husband." Probably not the right time to say it and definitely not in line with the orders for Muslim ministers.

And most certainly, the only coverage was on the first part of his statement. That's all America heard.

Malcolm later met with Mr. Elijah Muhammad and the two discussed the statement. Muhammad was the leader of the Black Muslim's at the time and he silenced Malcolm for ninety days so that the organization could distance themselves from Malcolm's mistake. It is important to note that right away Malcolm said: "Sir, I agree with you, and I submit, one hundred percent."

I submit. That's the meaning of the word "Islam". It's one of the main tenets of the religion. To be a Muslim means that you have submitted to the will of Allah and that you have submitted to his teachings and commandments. How difficult it is to submit! As a Catholic, I have tried many times to submit to God's will, but it's a constant struggle. Malcolm is an idol for me because he understood that struggle as well.

Here's the problem. After Malcolm left Mr. Muhammad, things started to leak out in the press that Malcolm would be welcomed back into the Black Muslim's in ninety days "if he submits."

BUT HE DID SUBMIT! He said it and he lived it! Despite this, people were being given the impression that he had rebelled and wasn't submitting. According to Malcolm: "This made me suspicious - for the first time. I had completely submitted. But, deliberately, Muslims were being given the impression that I had rebelled. I hadn't hustled in the streets for years for nothing. I knew when I was being set up."

This week, I have tried to submit. This week, I have tried to submit and yet stand up for myself in situations where I was being wronged. Come next week, I will be faced with the question - do you try to submit again? But like Malcolm, I have a pretty good sense of when I'm being set up and while I don't know it for fact, there is a scent in the air - and it's ain't good.

Tonight, I wish that Malcolm could help me see my way forward through this mess. I wish I could figure out what my next steps should be so that I can do what is best for me and for my family.

Do These Things Not Because They're Easy But Because They're Hard

2009-06-11T21:02:00.004-04:00

Today was a rough day, and while I still search for the reason why today played out the way it did for me personally, my thoughts drift back to something I shared with the staff members of the city of East Lansing. I was asked to give a brief legislative update to the staff, and as with many things going on in Michigan these days, there's not a lot of good news in it.

I personally hate it when I'm the bearer of bad news first thing in the morning. So I made sure to include some message of hope for them to hear. Because I've been watching From the Earth to the Moon, I decided today I would invoke President Kennedy. Specifically I said:

"William Bradford, speaking in 1630 of the founding of the Plymouth Bay Colony, said that all great and honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and both must be enterprised and overcome with answerable courage. If this capsule history of our progress teaches us anything, it is that man, in his quest for knowledge and progress, is determined and cannot be deterred ... We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard."

As I look past the events of today and as the state of Michigan looks past this recession that we find ourselves in, I think we should keep in mind that we will not be deterred. We choose to succeed.

"First Quote" of the day

2009-06-10T09:51:00.000-04:00

The folks at Southwest Michigan First, the economic development group that has been working to increase opportunities in Kalamazoo County. They also do some "feel good" stuff that includes release a "First Quote of the Day", in efforts to help push the message that there are good things going on in Kalamazoo County.

There are some really good quotes that they put out, and I'll share the really good ones with my friends. Here's today's:

When a friend is in trouble, avoid annoying them by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it.
~ E. W. Howe

In other words, if there's something you can do for a friend who's in need - then get off your ass and do it, don't sympathize with them ... just get it done!

Early thoughts for the MIJC August Fellowship Breakfast

2009-06-04T08:51:00.002-04:00

As you know, I'm lucky enough to serve as the Michigan Jaycee Chaplain this year and I get to give speeches during the "Sunday Morning Fellowship Breakfast". Each Chappy does their own thing for these events and I've been using music to get folks to think a little deeper and to express things I've been feeling about the Jaycees for a while.

One of the things that I've not done, however, is figured a way to truly say "Thank you" to some of my good friends that I've made in and out of the Jaycees. I think I might take August as the chance to do that, using this song.

I'll hook you up with more specific thoughts on the lyrics, but for now (and a little help from Marky Mark), I'll leave this to you.

Great Moments are born from Great Opportunties

2009-05-29T23:20:00.004-04:00

Tomorrow I'm going to have a pretty busy day. Alex has a soccer game at 8:30 followed by a baseball game at 10:30. From there, my three man crew will have to head over to the Parchment Little League where we'll call games at 3:00 and 5:30.

That will then be followed by Game 1 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals ... Detroit vs. Pittsburgh.

Now, partially because it'll take a lot more time than I'll have to get from Parchment to the Joe, and partially because I'm not the coach of my Red Wings (because that would require me to know how to skate on ice) I won't be able to give them a pre-game speech.

But if I could, I'd say something like this:

I'd even try to say it with a great Canadian/Minnesotan/UP'er accent! I just couldn't wear those pants!

At any rate, before I goto bed tonight, I just want to say to my boys "Good luck. Skate hard. And kick their asses!"

There's a reason for tradition - It wins you Lord Stanley's Cup!

2009-05-28T14:28:00.002-04:00

I've been following hockey for a few years now, really started following it back in college. One of the things that you learn right away is that you only touch the trophy that you really want ... in this case the Stanley Cup. To do so beforehand will undoubtedly result in you not winning Lord Stanley that year.

So imagine my surprise on Tuesday of this week, when the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Eastern Conference Finals and their captain Sidney Crosby not only touched the Prince of Wales trophy but actually carried it on the ice!

Don't believe me ... then watch this:

I said right there and then, seasons over fellas!

Now, to prove to you that my beloved Red Wings didn't touch the Clarence Campbell Bowl - I give you this video feed from last night's game.

I'll say it here again - WINGS in 5 (just so that we can win the Cup at home this time).

Until our next post, enjoy The Good Ole Hockey Game!

You Have the Power!

2009-05-26T12:45:00.006-04:00

I was driving home last week from Lansing when, on southbound I-69, the car in front of me kicked up some piece of the road (or a broken piece of car). Whatever it was hit me smack dab in the middle of my bumper/front spoiler. At the time, it didn't seem like the car was damaged, but since I was going just under 78 MPH, I didn't check it at the time.

Later, I discovered that the middle part of my front spoiler is broke. Might be something I can cobble back together but most likely not. The really frustrating thing for me ... I just got the front end of my car put back together earlier this year. Frickin' A, man!

So, as I get to work today - once again pushing on Michigan legislators to ACT NOW to adequately fund our transportation system, it occurred to me ... there are somethings that I can't do by myself. This is something that I need your help with.

Friday, I returned from the 2009 American Public Works Association (Michigan Chapter) annual meeting in Boyne, MI. The APWA is the association of public works directors and employees throughout the state. These are the folks who manage municipal infrastructure (water, sewer, and roads). Each year, I give a Legislative Update to the members of the APWA and try to provide some perspective on what is going on in the State Legislature. This year, my task was to educate them on the Transportation Funding Task Force (TF2) funding legislation that is coming soon.

Part of my presentation included sharing with them a spreadsheet from MDOT that shows what each Michigan city and village can expect to receive in new transportation money if the TF2 bills are enacted. It was good to see them get excited about the possibilities of a legislature finally supporting the efforts to get good transportation in Michigan.

I had to remind them that they have the power to get this done, just like you do. I’ve been told many times by legislators “Yeah Dave, I get it. Transportation needs more money. But I’m only hearing it from you, not from my folks at home.” I need you to ACT NOW!

So how do you ACT NOW? Here’s a link to the Get Michigan Moving Action Center Let me know how you’re doing with these calls. Tell your friends and families to call. We need the legislature to ACT NOW on transportation funding. so that you can send emails or make calls.

Angela - the Theme from Taxi - A Great Way to Keep the Head Up

2009-05-18T22:55:00.006-04:00

I remember, when my mother lived in Detroit and I lived with Grandparents in Kalamazoo, I first was introduced to smooth jazz. I think I was 7 or 8. My mother had tons of records all around, but there was this one that always caught my eye. It was a double LP and it had a guy hanging out of a taxi on the front of it. Mom caught me looking at it and asked me if I wanted to listen to it. I said sure.

That was the first time that I heard a guy named Bob James and the song that Mom played was called Angela (Theme from Taxi). Seven minutes later, I was hooked for life. A few years later, when Mom and I were down in Greektown waiting for a table at the Pegasus, I met Mr. James and got his autograph ... and tickets to a show he was doing the following night. If anything, that hooked me again.

Angela was the first song I played when I DJ'ed for 89.1 WIDR, the WMU student radio station. I did a jazz show every Wednesday night from 8PM - 11PM. I had that show for two years and I made sure to squeeze it in when time allowed. To this day, whenever I feel the need to listen to a song for a pick me up, I make sure I find Angela on my iPod ... and tonight I feel the need to share it with you.

Thoughts from the Nation's Capitol

2009-05-15T22:17:00.006-04:00

In the week that I've been away from the family blog, I've traveled many miles (thanks to the painful work of Northwest Airlines) to Washington, DC - our nation's Capitol.

I have visited Washington a total of 6 times in my life - twice under the age of 10, once when I was in college, once during my service to former Congressman Nick Smith, and twice for my current job at the MML. During my youth, I mainly focused my time at the monuments. I've walked up and down the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, traveled up and down the elevator of the Washington Monument, and walked around the statue at the Jefferson Memorial. As I have grown older, my visits have revolved around the Capitol Building and the various Congressional Offices. That was still a big part of my most recent trip to Washington, but I made it certain that there was more that I wanted to see.

I made it a point to visit our Declaration of Indepedance again. As I waited in line to see the document, a few thoughts occurred to me. First and foremost, how great is our country that the people of our land (and for that matter, people of any land) can come and see the source of our freedom. 233 years ago even putting words embodying the idea that men have the right to "live, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" was so strange that these men actually were called traitors. The courage of these men is something we all should replicate, much like the many nations (namely - France) have done so with their own versions of our Declaration.

Second, while courageous, these men were also cowards. When reading the history on the drafting of the document, you will find that a proposed section critical of the slave trade was removed from the early draft of the Declaration. Could the Civil War have been prevented had these men left that in there. We'll never know.

Lastly, and I guess this goes back to my first thought, there is some great stuff of courage in this document. To quote Nicholas Cage from the movie National Treasure, "Of all the ideas that became the United States, there's a line here that's at the heart of all the others. 'But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and provide new Guards for their future security.'"

When feeling self-pity, when feeling frustrated about my position in life, when feeling lost from time-to-time, I think of this and suddenly remember what this means. If there's something wrong, then those who have the power and ability to do something about it must do something about it. Isn't that what America is all about.

So my friends, I share with you a video of a number of actors and actresses (including Whoopie Goldberg, Ed Norton, Wynonna Rider, Michael Douglas, Mel Gibson, and Morgan Freeman)reading the Declaration of Independence. I hope you listen to it, read along with it, and live it.

Lessons from Buttons

2009-05-08T22:09:00.003-04:00

I don't cry much from movies. I can count on one hand the number of movies that have caused me to shed a tear: Hook, Ali, Closer, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

That last one was released on DVD this week and I went out and purchased it tonight. Despite the fact that I already knew the plot, I still can't help but be touched by it.

There are a few lines, towards the later third of the movie that really get to me. It's a lesson that Benjamin Button is trying to share with his daughter - a daughter that he's not really seen. He says:

For what it's worth, it's never too late (or in my case too early) to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit. Start whenever you want. You can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.

And the very last lines of the movie really wrap it up:

Some people are born to sit by a river. Some get struck by lightning. Some have an ear for music. Some are artists. Some swim. Some know buttons. Some know Shakespeare. Some are mothers. And some people dance.

Here's to all of us having the courage to decide who we want to be.