Grandpa had many adventures in his long life, but on that Saturday in 1953 he wasn’t sharing stories about any of that. Instead, we just exchanged a few simple words before he took my untested young grip with his weathered hand.
Life Experiences
What Would You Like For Christmas?
Our gifts of choice have become donations to the other’s favorite charity. I’m happy to say that our children have picked up this choice too and now there is far less holiday hassle and less wrapping paper in the recycle bin after Christmas. If you’re like us and don’t need another piece of jewelry, shirt, or sweater then a family Holiday Donation Exchange may be the best choice.
Now What?
I and many of my friends are not happy today. The old Chinese curse comes to mind, “May you live in interesting times.” And there’s no doubt about it; things are about to get very interesting. We need to get on with it, roll up our sleeves, pull on our boots, and go to work. It won’t be easy.
TED: Ideas Worth Spreading
Charlotte’s TED talks were Friday, October 28, 2016 at the Dale F. Halton Theater. Over 1000 people came together under one theme – EXPLORE. The agenda is simple – to make great ideas accessible and spark conversations, in more than 110 languages. TED’s only purpose is to start the dialogue, it’s up to the listener to create the action …
Newfoundland – Again, But With Different Eyes
I had visited Newfoundland 25 years ago, but on a different mission. Then I was neither the traveler nor the tourist, but “the businessman” who had come for the fish, or more precisely, for access to the fish and the profits to be made. This time, it was my turn to be the tourist with National Geographic as my guide …
Growing Up on 98 Acres in Charlotte
I wasn’t expecting to see a young barefooted boy, carrying a black pond net and white plastic bucket, suddenly appear during my morning visit to the park .. Every child in our city should have access to nature. Thanks to the many parks scattered everywhere in our county, there are many opportunities for almost everyone to find adventures outdoors …
Massage – More Than Relaxing
Can a massage be more than just relaxing – can it be an investment in sustained good health? Massage therapy improved my body’s ability to recuperate during that period of intense training. I don’t train as hard as I once did, but I continue to see Sara Vavra for massage sessions. Like Robin Sharma suggests, it’s an investment in my health and makes me feel better both while I am having it, and for days, sometimes weeks, afterwards.
Experiences Make the Best Memories
Experiences, like choices, do matter. They guide, coach and teach us throughout our lives. But as Albert Camus says, “You must undergo it.” Undergo it is just what a small group of 14 boys and dads from Troop 55 did this summer. They spent two weeks hiking the trails of Philmont Scout Ranch, a 137,000-acre Boy Scouts of America high adventure base, located in the rugged mountain wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rocky Mountains in northern New Mexico.
Pickup Trucks and Responsibilities
Years ago, I made the choice to own a pickup truck. Of course I knew friends would want to borrow it, for moving to a new home, taking stuff to Goodwill, or bringing home their huge Christmas tree, but that didn’t stop me. My truck is a simple F-150 4×4 regular cab, short bed with a manual transmission. There is no carpet, and only crank windows with large wing vents for a great breeze on a summer day. The one luxury is an old cassette deck. The truck is twenty years old, simple and mine …
Paralympic Gold Comes At A Steep Price
A fresh group of athletes from 176 countries are arriving in Rio de Janeiro to compete in the 2016 Summer Paralympic Games. From September 7 to September 18, competitors will go for the gold in 528 events – and, dare I say, with more courage than the participants who recently moved out of Olympic Village.