Life is a series of short stories with interesting characters (or at least I hope it still continues to be). One of the most interesting characters I had the pleasure to know passed on recently. He was bombastic, opinionated, loud, caring, passionate, and believed deeply in his path. God only...
“Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.”~ John C. Maxwell I recently read an article that shared sociologists tell us that even the most introverted people will influence 10,000 others in an average lifetime. That is a lot of influence in the...
At the quarterly employee meetings we’re showing homemade videos that we made several years ago. We laughed a lot making these, and we based them around our standards of behaviors. They weren’t scripted (somewhat obviously), and we didn’t spend a lot on props or location (obviously), but the message came...
I had a lot of conversations on the bike with different people last week. I had a lot of time to think as well. I think I’m a negative thinker. I was checking in with myself on all the thoughts and comments I had and was mortified that my attitude...
Keep all special thoughts and memories for lifetimes to come. Share these keepsakes with others to inspire hope and build from the past, which can bridge to the future.” ~ Mattie Stepanek I had the wonderful opportunity last week to visit my elderly Aunt and Uncle in Missouri. They live...
I'm on Ragbrai this week. I’m writing this from the road – literally; I’m in someone's front lawn in Algona, Iowa with my best friends this week. We're eating steak and drinking beer and celebrating each other's accomplishments. Mine? I did one hundred and five miles. This was the century...
I’m looking out my window right now. A Clarion resident has been on a quest as of late. He’s walking for his health, day in and day out – rain or shine. He doesn’t know it, but he is motivating a lot of people … and we are cheering him...
A friend had a house band party in Des Moines last Saturday night. There were two 45 minutes sets by the band and then a couple of breaks. We all brought cool beer and wine plus a snack to share. It was like a hipster potluck – I was smiling...
“All good men and women must take responsibility to create legacies that will take the next generation to a level we could only imagine.” ~ Jim Rohn As I reflect on Dr. Whitters’ retirement parties last week, I can’t help but think what an incredible testament to a true leader....
There’s controversy brewing in Sioux City regarding fireworks. The state passed a law making fireworks legal, and now a percentage of people – those with frightened pets and family members who don’t like loud noises – are complaining because people are abusing the new “right”, and now the mayor wants...
