Dream Big!

The future is not promised. But yesterday today was the future and it is here. I believe what Eleanor Roosevelt said to be very true: “the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” So dream big today and tomorrow will belong to you!

CJ’s 3 Ss: Scribe, Share, and Stand. Scribe: It helps me to write down my goals and dreams. If they are in my face every day, it motivates me to do something today to get closer to them. Share: I share my dreams with others that are in my corner. It creates an instant cheering section and a team to keep me accountable. Stand: I stand by my dreams and never let anyone shake my tree. There will never be a short supply of peeps that will try to tell me I can’t accomplish my dreams. So I have to constantly stand strongly in the face of adversity.

Remember that today was yesterday’s tomorrow!

Deliver Quality!

I have a poster hanging outside of my office door that reads: To deliver quality means to deliver what our customers need and value. Nothing else will suffice!

Clearly that's a great approach to business process and product quality management but I am challenging myself to take that approach in other areas of my life.

If I look at each role I play (husband, parent, coach, friend, teammate)as an opportunity to deliver what my customers (wife, children, players, friend, teammate) need and value, I'll win and they'll win! Nothing else will suffice!

Squids on the Ground!

Squids on the ground

Squids on the ground

Lookin’ like a fool cause your Squids on the ground!

Punched in the mouth

Helmet turned sideways, Squids hit the ground.

Think you are all that but you’re looking like a fool,

Army’s O is driving and your Squids on the ground.

Yeah you beat us 9 years but we’re gonna turn it around,

This is our year fool now get your Squids off the ground!

Go Army, Beat Navy!

On, Brave Old Army Team!

The Army team's the pride and dream of every heart in gray.

The Army line you'll ever find a terror in the fray.

And when the team is fighting for the Black and Gray and Gold,

We're always near with song and cheer and this is the tale we're told:

The Army team - Rah Rah Rah – Boom!

On, brave old Army team, On to the fray, Fight on to victory, For that's the fearless Army way!!

Am I That Guy?

Am I the guy that everyone wants on their team? Everyone wants that guy because they know that in good times and in bad times, I will stand in the gap. They know that I will do whatever it takes to help them succeed and achieve their dreams well ahead of mine. They know that I will be strong and steadfast in my opinion and confident in my expertise but will also listen intently to their input and earnestly consider it. They know that to me TEAM means 'together everyone accomplishes more' and I will bring everything I have to every task. They know I will work hard and play harder and never, ever take myself too seriously. They know that quit is not in my vocabulary and I will fight until the final bell, play until the gun goes off, and run until I cross the finish line.

Am I that guy? I'm working on it.

It's Simple

Simply do what is required but do it with ferociousness and integrity.

Simply communicate with others but do it succinctly, thoroughly, and with candor.

Simply be the best you that you can be but be you with transparency.

Simply correct wrongs you have done but do it quickly and with a plan to not repeat them.

Simply forgive but forgive without distain and forget expeditiously.

Simply love but love without conditions.

See, it’s simple.

CJ’s 3 Ps – Present, Personal, and Personable

I love the advances in technology. I love the gadgets and all the conveniences, efficiency, and connectivity that they have to offer. As I saw a woman and her friend at an intersection around the corner from work this morning, I had a thought that maybe all of this technology also serves to pull us further apart. I was in the left turn lane and a woman pulled up to the intersection on the corner to my left. Just as she was about to make a right turn, her car died. My very first thought was I need to see if I can go over there and assist. It would have taken me some time to get back to her. I was trapped by the traffic light though and as I looked over, I realized that she wasn’t panicking. Also what was interesting is that all of the vehicles behind her were simply going around. Then I thought you know, she probably has a cell phone – who doesn’t – so she’ll be fine.

No one stopped to assist, asked her if she was ok, and a couple of dudes even looked annoyed that they had to inconvenience themselves by going around her. I remember a time not too long ago when people would stop and offer to help someone who was in need. These days I think we just assume that everyone has a cell phone, AAA, or something along those lines.

No matter how advanced we get, we should never forget the power of personal contact. Even in our relationships we seem to choose the convenience and speed of sending a text message over talking, most of the time. I mean I can’t even tell you the last time I actually took the time to write a letter, put it in an envelope, put a stamp on that bad boy, and mail it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not ready to hand over my smartphones or my laptops just yet. But I will make an effort to be more present, personal and personable in my interactions with people.

All The King's Men Needed Some Super Glue

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall;
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the King's horses,
And all the King's men,
Couldn't put Humpty together again!


This classic nursery rhyme has been on repeat in my head all day today. When it first popped into my head, my first thought was clearly they didn't have Super Glue when this little ditty was written. I'm thinking Super Glue would've hooked Humpty right up.

As the day has gone on I got to thinking about how awesome it is that I have some Super Glue in my life. When I fall, as I often do, I can count on the Super Glue in my life to put me back together again. While the actual Super Glue has ingredients like Propenoic Acid and Ethyl Cyanoacrylate, my Super Glue has ingredients like the love and support of my awesome wife, support and love of great friends, the love of family that surpasses anything I could screw up, the encouragement of my children who tell me that no matter what they love me and are glad I am their dad, business relationships that I know have my best interest in mind, and peeps I can call on day or night and talk about anything under the sun.

Sure hate it for you Humpty but this brother has some folks in my life that can put me back together again. No matter how great the fall.

Mobile Shout Out 080111: Plan, Commit, Execute Ferociously!!

Today Matters!

I believe more than ever that every day matters. We can't get yesterday back and tomorrow is not promised. But we can make the most of today and have a plan to do better tomorrow. Family matters, true friendships matter, relationships matter. I can make it my goal each day to be the best me I can be. So that is my goal. I can let the people who love and care about me know that I appreciate them and stand my ground when negative and dissent try to come in. It's all good except for the parts that aren't, and I won't spend any time or emotional energy on the parts that aren't.

Can't Complain!

Off work today and loving the time away from the grind. Saw both kids off to school this morning. Got a nice walk in. Enjoyed a cup of coffee at a relaxed pace. The pool is clean and now I get to spend the rest of the day with my lovely bride. Think we'll pick up a new picnic table today for poolside and have a burger at this really good new place we found. (Sorry Steak n Shake - LOL) Thinking of checking out Tyler Perry's new flick tonight. Halleluyer!!!!

Happy to report that Little Man has almost completely shaken this virus. Yes!!!

Victoria had a great week! She qualified for regionals for long jump, triple jump, AND the 300 meter hurdles. The day after that she tried out for and made the Varsity Cheer Team. I have a legit excuse now to go to every Varsity football game in the fall. : )

Life is good, can't complain!

Mobile Shout Out 031511: Happy Tuesday! Make today great! It is your choice!

Laughter On Demand: The Charlie Channel

I realized the other day that I have the ability to make myself laugh, pretty much on demand. I might recall a movie scene, a funny joke, something my wife or one of my kids said, a funny commercial, or something hilarious a friend did or said. What a cool ability! I mean life is wild and we all have some tough situations to deal with. I can always tune in to the Charlie Channel though and pick myself up. What is also cool is no one else has to get it. Laughter is a great medicine and look Mom, no co-pay!

I encourage you to find your own inner channel that you can tune in to on demand. It doesn’t cost you any money and it doesn’t require anyone else to assist you. You have an inner DVR with no space limitations and it doesn’t require electricity to operate. So sit back, relax, hit rewind, and throw your head back and laugh!!

Glimpse!

One of the child characters on the show Parenthood has Asperger Syndrome. On last night’s show his parents gave him a birthday party and the hired entertainment was a man who also has Asperger Syndrome. The writer’s built a lot of humor into the character – at one point in the middle of the party planning meeting he asked to use their bathroom and hopped in the shower while he was in there – but there was also a great and thought-provoking underlying theme. The parents got a glimpse at what their son could be when he grew up and became an adult. He could function in society, took care of himself, and owned his own business. It gave them hope that their son would be able to overcome his challenges and live a ‘normal’ life.

Each of us has someone who is looking at our lives and is getting a glimpse of what they can or will be. It may be a child, a spouse, a co-worker, a friend, or a relative stranger who senses a connection. They have chosen to emulate you and to inspire to be like you either in total or in a particular aspect of your life. It’s an incredible responsibility. When someone looks at you and sees a glimpse of their future, what do they see?

Each of us has our own set of challenges and obstacles to overcome. The journey that we take to overcome them has as big an impact on others as the result when we get there. We can set a positive example with each step we take along the way.

Catch Someone Doing Something Right!

Many of us receive performance evaluations for the work that we do. But that feedback and accompanying reward often only come once a year. The most impacting reward you can give can be recognizing and showing appreciation for the little things someone does each and every day. Catch someone doing something right today and at least offer a handshake, a smile, or a word of encouragement.

I guarantee they will appreciate it and you will feel good about it in the process. It’s a win-win!

Teamwork is Key!

Heard an expression a few years back and it was an acrostic for the word TEAM. Together Everyone Accomplishes More!

I really agree with the concept and believe that teamwork is the key no matter the venue. A business team, a sports team, or a family all have members that bring a differentiating value to the table. Use your strengths and work on your areas that need improvement and add value to the team that you are on.

Together everyone really can accomplish more!

Bringing the Funny!!!

Ralph Harris is an amazingly funny comedian. Many of us were introduced to him in 2007 when he was a finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing. Mandi, the kids and I watched every week as he competed and were left in tears from laughing. His comedy is real and that is what makes it so extra funny for me. His takes on relationships, parenting, and how we interact with each other are spot on and laugh out loud funny.

In 2009 – the last time he performed in the Tampa Bay area – I just missed the performance and was sick about it. We learned a few weeks ago that he had booked another show in Tampa. It was pretty close to our wedding anniversary so Mandi and I decided that we would use the show as a backdrop to us celebrating 23 years of marriage. The show was last night at the Seminole Hard Rock Café in Tampa. Seeing him live was a treat beyond what I anticipated. As I write this almost 12 hours later, my sides are still aching from laughing so hard and so continuously. His delivery, style, and interaction with the audience are top notch. I applaud his humility and that combined with the incredible God-given ability to make us laugh at life and ourselves will surely continue his success. Thanks for making our anniversary that much more special and please keep bringing the funny!

You can bump into Ralph online: On Twitter his username is @ralphharris He has a great fan page on Facebook: Ralph Harris Fans and actually interacts with fans on there! I know, crazy right?! Also check his website frequently: http://www.ralphharris.com/ for his calendar and a show near you. Go see him live, you won’t be disappointed!

Talking To Myself

I came to the realization that the most important voice I need to listen to is my own. People will say what they will. Sometimes what people say is very encouraging and uplifting. Sometimes what people say is hurtful or even demoralizing. But if I want to stay positive, stay upbeat, stay focused then I have the power to do that by being disciplined in what I say to myself.

I have to remind myself that I was made for a purpose and that I was given the tools to fulfill that purpose. I have to remind myself that I can win! I have to remind myself that I am unique and that I am the only me that will ever be. I have to remind myself that I can trump every negative experience with 3 or 4 positive ones. I have to tell myself that my attitude won’t be influenced by what goes on around me but will be shaped and uplifted by what goes on inside of me. I have to remind myself that my attitude is a choice and I have the freedom to make that choice everyday. I tell myself that each day is a most precious gift and that I can choose to do whatever it takes to make it awesome.

She Took a Chance

23 years or 276 months or 8,395 days ago, it was the day before she took a chance on me. A chance that I would make her happy, a chance that I would always be there, and a chance that I would be the husband, father, and friend she always dreamed of.

The forecast called for heavy snowfall in the Hudson Valley region and some time that day it started coming down big time. Wedding headquarters was in Newburgh but the wedding was being held at the Cadet Chapel ‘over the mountain’ at West Point. Some awesome friends provided the several 4-wheel drive SUVs that were necessary to transport the wedding party to rehearsal. How cool is that? The snow came to an end some time that night and the roads were cleared and drivable by morning. The clouds cleared and left a brilliant sunny day. I don’t remember there being a cloud in the sky.

So tomorrow we celebrate 23 years of marriage. I could not have hoped for 8,395 better days. I can only imagine how great the next 25,000 + days are going to be!

Charlie Wilson sums it best for me in his song You Are. “You are, the reason I love, the reason I trust, God sent me an angel. You are the best in the world, a wonderful girl.”

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/sy-688987892001/charlie_wilson_you_are_official_music_video/

The Prince Departs

I jokingly refer to our son Jared as the Prince of Zamunda, the heir to the Jackson throne and all that I survey - after one Eddie Murphy’s characters in the still hilarious classic, Coming to America! His schedule at school (Indiana University) is pretty demanding so when he comes home he gets a chance to unwind, refresh, get all of his favorite foods, and be treated like a prince. I mean there are no violins playing to wake him up in the morning or rose pedals dropped at his feet everywhere he goes, but you know what I mean.

We had a fantastic time over the holidays. Amusement parks, movies, lots of good food, lots of laughs, you know the drill. Was so great having the whole family together for Christmas and to bring in 2011. I don't take that for granted because I know that may not always be the case. Well he went back to school today and no matter how many times we do this, it does not get any easier. A part of my heart hurts because I know that I won’t see him again until Spring break, but another part of my heart smiles because I know he is doing whatever it takes to chase down his dreams. In short order, the latter outweighs the former but right now it just kind of stinks.

So proud of him for all that he has done, is doing, and will do. Is it Spring break yet??!!

New Year!

New hope, New dreams, New expectations, New vision, New determination, New friends, New moments, New laughter, New smiles, New fears, New tears, New smells, New tastes, New failures, New victories, New fluffy, New cowbell, New hugs, and most importantly New socks!