I knew about the shortage of houses in El Salvador but what I didn’t know was the culture of the people in this small country with fewer square miles than Massachusetts. I knew about Habitat homes in Charlotte, I’d been working on them for years, but Habitat for Humanity in El Salvador builds differently.
Relationships
Becoming That Guy
I want to be that guy. You know him. He always takes time to listen, never jumps in. When you’re with him, you feel important. You matter with that guy. Some are born that way, others need time. The saddest are those who never become that guy; even when they try. I wasn’t born that guy. I’ve been given plenty of time. So if I want to join, I’ll need to get to changin’ – and here’s where I’ll start.
Fast Pay Makes Fast Friends
Do you pay your bills on time as they arrive, before they’re even due, or do you wait until the last minute, maybe longer? How about the people who pay you, your clients or employer? Does that money arrive on time, or do you often need to wait – even needing to chase down your pay check? As a small business owner, I lived every emotion. To understand what fast payment can do for a relationship, on both sides, follow me on my Saturday morning routine in the mid 1980’s.
“Take Good Care of Yourself, Bruce,” Then His Eyes Closed
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.
Yes, it does matter
Sometimes I wonder if what we do, or say, or think make a difference. People are so busy. Do they listen, or care? In my heart, I think they do. Of course, it doesn’t always show up right away. It may take weeks, or even years. People may not ever realize that the ideas stored in their brain were planted long ago, waiting for the right time to emerge. They may not remember who said it, or did it, but that doesn’t matter.
Doing the Right Thing
After 17 years, McIntyre and Company was a proud and established brand. Every one of our 30 professionals were positive about our future and it showed in their daily work ethic. Then, on a Friday in 1997, the unthinkable happened. We got fired.
She only has one gear – forward
Sometimes you need to take a step back, other times a step forward is best, but when you lose a leg, just thinking ‘steps’ takes courage. Family and friends offer help, doctors and therapists give suggestions, but it was hard for Janelle Tuck Lenhart to trust their advice, especially since they all had two healthy legs. Her case was different. She felt alone.
NYC on little cash
Don’t run out of money in The Big Apple. We stopped in New York for one night on the way home from our honeymoon in Bermuda. We stayed at The Ritz, and while we had considered leaving some of the luggage at the airport we ended up with everything at the hotel. About five bags plus two […]
The perfect honeymoon, almost.
Taking time for a honeymoon is a good choice – location is not important but time is. Bermuda was wonderful. Castle Harbor was perfect. Everything was like a story book. BTW: it is now The Rosewood at Tucker Point. We rode motor scooters everywhere; stopping at secluded private white sand beaches for a swim and generally just […]
Get me to the church on time!
Take what the moment gives you. The night before the wedding, my best man Dave and I were packing my stuff. I had my golf clubs ready to travel; Dave asked if Joyce played golf. “No, but we are going to Bermuda, I need my clubs”, I smiled. “Wrong”, said Dave. The clubs stayed home. Best […]