In the interest of full disclosure I wanted to tell you at the mid point where I am with all of my resolutions.
Resolution 1 - I want to lose 30lbs by my birthday in June. Update: As of this morning I am down 37 lbs and I am continuing to drop. I am always relearning the lessons I am trying to teach you. In the end it comes down to what I am always telling you. No magic, just hard work and a commitment to change a path that was not working for me.
Resolution #2 - I want to complete the Field Instruction Paramedic Process for the new FD. Update: Part of what I said in the orignal resolution was this. **Look back at the things that you value in yourself and in the people close to you. These people and things will reach out to you and help you when you need it the most**. With that in mind, and after careful reflection I retired from the FD to work more on the things I value and the people closest to me. This I am working on.
Resolution #3. - I am going to set aside 30 minutes a day to reach out to my family and friends for things that do not have anything to do with the things I am trying to accomplish. Update: Hmm, jury is still out. The intent here is to spend 30 physical minutes doing this a day..and that I am not doing. 6 more months left to get this ironed out.
Resolution #4 - I want to learn how to play the guitar and do at least 3 cheesy magic tricks. Update: Again the jury is still out. I can play part of Sweet Home Alabama, and the big book of magic is still on my night table waiting on my considerable magic potential.
Resolution #5 - I want to see the ocean this year with mom. I want to plan a Griswald family type trip. Update: Almost...we had a great road trip, truly memorable. Missed having you both there but like you guys always do, someone stayed back to the heavy lifting. Seeing the ocean with mom is still on the list.
Resolution #6 - I want to commit to send you at least 3 blogs a week, whether you need them or not. Update: Tragic failure here. But I intend to get back on track.
I turn 51 on Sunday. When I think back, of all of the great things I have been able to do. Being a dad, is far and away the best thing I have done and will do. One of the perks is that I still take credit for the way you turned out, even when it is you doing the hard work.
Love Dad
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Pick Me
This was more than a couple years back but again, it is a true story. There was a round of layoffs coming and I was part of the group that was at risk. The affected group was encouraged to apply for a series of new positions. As luck would have it (and at the 11th hour), a couple of positions opened up. A perfect fit for my skill and experience level. I applied for both. Surprised the hell out of me when I did not get either position. It would be nice to tell you that I was just barely edged out but the truth is I was not even in the running for either position.
Things happen for a reason.
I have always believed that the shortest distance between two points in the best and preferred way to go. When I see the most direct path no longer available to me, I have to always be careful to not to second guess why that direct path is no longer available.
Occam's razor - the simplest explanation is most likely the correct one. I did not get those positions because there were better qualified, experienced, people that fit that group of people.
You always run the risk of over analyzing things like this. When doubt creeps in, you can end up in that doubt spiral that is so hard to get out of. When that doubt creeps in, I just count up all the wins I have had. There is a recognizable pattern in the wins. They happen because I work hard, believe in myself, and put the occasional thing that does not happen in the right perspective.
The way it worked all those years back was that after not getting looked at for either of those remaining positions, I ended up getting a better position with more pay at the very last minute. There was no magic there, just hard work, perspective, and a belief I have in myself to always end up in the right spot. As it turned out, those two positions I did not get ended up being rolled up in the layoff's a couple of months after they were filled.
Things happen for a reason.
So if you encounter a situation where you are not selected or picked, appreciate the people that did not select you. You always want to be picked by someone who see's who you really are. This is true in employment, relationships, roommates, and the people you hang out with. It is early on and you both have had a tremendous amount of success. You should without much effort see in your own lives that it is not magic. Old school stuff, hard work, believe in yourself, and let the other stuff go. Perspective is a powerful thing.
Never, ever let what someone else cannot see, define what you can see.
Love Dad
Things happen for a reason.
I have always believed that the shortest distance between two points in the best and preferred way to go. When I see the most direct path no longer available to me, I have to always be careful to not to second guess why that direct path is no longer available.
Occam's razor - the simplest explanation is most likely the correct one. I did not get those positions because there were better qualified, experienced, people that fit that group of people.
You always run the risk of over analyzing things like this. When doubt creeps in, you can end up in that doubt spiral that is so hard to get out of. When that doubt creeps in, I just count up all the wins I have had. There is a recognizable pattern in the wins. They happen because I work hard, believe in myself, and put the occasional thing that does not happen in the right perspective.
The way it worked all those years back was that after not getting looked at for either of those remaining positions, I ended up getting a better position with more pay at the very last minute. There was no magic there, just hard work, perspective, and a belief I have in myself to always end up in the right spot. As it turned out, those two positions I did not get ended up being rolled up in the layoff's a couple of months after they were filled.
Things happen for a reason.
So if you encounter a situation where you are not selected or picked, appreciate the people that did not select you. You always want to be picked by someone who see's who you really are. This is true in employment, relationships, roommates, and the people you hang out with. It is early on and you both have had a tremendous amount of success. You should without much effort see in your own lives that it is not magic. Old school stuff, hard work, believe in yourself, and let the other stuff go. Perspective is a powerful thing.
Never, ever let what someone else cannot see, define what you can see.
Love Dad
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Battle Ready
The Pilgrimage was from a point in Espanola, NM to a church outside of Chimayo, NM. 10.2 miles up and 10.2 miles back. I have developed OCD from my years with the FD. It is a great thing for a Firefighter to have but kind of annoying in everyday life. I check things more times than I need to and I always assume the very best plans will go right to hell by a twist of fate that I cannot anticipate.
So when I started out at 05:00 AM on Friday, I was carrying cold weather gear, rain gear, water, and assortment of fruit and snacks..my backpack was not light. Weather was forecast to be in the mid 50's. Thick socks, hiking boots, and I am already dressed in layers. I am ready to adapt, improvise, and overcome any obstacle.
I am starting to learn (a little late in life, but what the hell) the importance of planning for and adapting to plans that go much better than I could have imagined. This is one of those life skills that is important. I am hoping you will master this skill very early on in life. Being able to identify those situations that do not require the ability to improvise, adapt, and overcome is as important as identifying those that do.
The 10.2 miles up is all uphill and a daunting hike. Despite the clear, warm morning, I did not take the cold weather gear out of my backpack. I missed other opportunities to lighten my load along the way. Every couple of miles on the uphill climb there are tents where there is free cold bottled water, apples, banana's, and oranges. In retrospect, the best thing here would have been to drink my water and eat my fruit and lighten my load. By mile 4 I could have been comfortably been traveling uphill with a very light backpack. I did lighten my load at about the 18 mile mark.
Planning for worst case is relatively easy. Planning & adapting to best case can be much harder and is less intuitive.
The walk was beautiful and peaceful in a way that is difficult to describe. I certainly could have made it much easier than I did. I can't escape the feeling that I was the guy who was in armor and battle ready ...at a pool party.
There are plenty of times to wear your armor and be battle ready. Learn how to recognize when to not be battle ready. There are plenty of times when you will have to carry a heavy ass backpack and other times when there is no need to do so.
Love Dad
So when I started out at 05:00 AM on Friday, I was carrying cold weather gear, rain gear, water, and assortment of fruit and snacks..my backpack was not light. Weather was forecast to be in the mid 50's. Thick socks, hiking boots, and I am already dressed in layers. I am ready to adapt, improvise, and overcome any obstacle.
I am starting to learn (a little late in life, but what the hell) the importance of planning for and adapting to plans that go much better than I could have imagined. This is one of those life skills that is important. I am hoping you will master this skill very early on in life. Being able to identify those situations that do not require the ability to improvise, adapt, and overcome is as important as identifying those that do.
The 10.2 miles up is all uphill and a daunting hike. Despite the clear, warm morning, I did not take the cold weather gear out of my backpack. I missed other opportunities to lighten my load along the way. Every couple of miles on the uphill climb there are tents where there is free cold bottled water, apples, banana's, and oranges. In retrospect, the best thing here would have been to drink my water and eat my fruit and lighten my load. By mile 4 I could have been comfortably been traveling uphill with a very light backpack. I did lighten my load at about the 18 mile mark.
Planning for worst case is relatively easy. Planning & adapting to best case can be much harder and is less intuitive.
The walk was beautiful and peaceful in a way that is difficult to describe. I certainly could have made it much easier than I did. I can't escape the feeling that I was the guy who was in armor and battle ready ...at a pool party.
There are plenty of times to wear your armor and be battle ready. Learn how to recognize when to not be battle ready. There are plenty of times when you will have to carry a heavy ass backpack and other times when there is no need to do so.
Love Dad
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Say Thank You
I will be traveling down to NM to do a pilgrimage on Good Friday.
For me it is a celebration of everyone and everything I have in my life...and there is a LOT to celebrate.
It is a great weekend to celebrate things like this. Don't forget to do this in your own way.
The battle will resume early next week.
Love Dad
For me it is a celebration of everyone and everything I have in my life...and there is a LOT to celebrate.
It is a great weekend to celebrate things like this. Don't forget to do this in your own way.
The battle will resume early next week.
Love Dad
Doubt 2
I have said this before but it is so true. Anyone who approaches an important task or objective with an absence of fear or doubt does not understand fully what they are undertaking.
You are supposed have doubts and fears. Doubts and fears do not really ever go away. You just simply learn how to manage them and put them in perspective. Doubts and fears help you weigh the risks and adjust your approach to what is in front of you.
They can however spiral out of control from time to time and paralyze you. Think of them as the thread that hangs from your shirt. If you keep pulling it your shirt starts to unravel. Don't keep pulling at it. If the thread is hanging here. Trim it.
Doubt and fear are a integral part of any worthwhile endeavor. You are going to be much happier if you can accept they are part of the package. Don't avoid or dodge them, they belong there.
Remember...if you focus on any one single part instead of looking at the whole thing...you perspective goes right into the toilet and it stops making sense. Doubt and fear are a part of he whole thing..if you focus all of your attention on them...it all stops making sense.
Also very key point. If you keep pulling at that one thread (instead of cutting or trimming it) things will become unraveled.
Remember, there is a reason they call it LEARNING and not KNOWING.
Love Dad
You are supposed have doubts and fears. Doubts and fears do not really ever go away. You just simply learn how to manage them and put them in perspective. Doubts and fears help you weigh the risks and adjust your approach to what is in front of you.
They can however spiral out of control from time to time and paralyze you. Think of them as the thread that hangs from your shirt. If you keep pulling it your shirt starts to unravel. Don't keep pulling at it. If the thread is hanging here. Trim it.
Doubt and fear are a integral part of any worthwhile endeavor. You are going to be much happier if you can accept they are part of the package. Don't avoid or dodge them, they belong there.
Remember...if you focus on any one single part instead of looking at the whole thing...you perspective goes right into the toilet and it stops making sense. Doubt and fear are a part of he whole thing..if you focus all of your attention on them...it all stops making sense.
Also very key point. If you keep pulling at that one thread (instead of cutting or trimming it) things will become unraveled.
Remember, there is a reason they call it LEARNING and not KNOWING.
Love Dad
Monday, April 18, 2011
Keep the Faith
Another pearl from the past posts.
Keep the faith.
The unshakable faith in yourself. Sincere belief really starts with you.
Have you ever heard one person berate another person in that hard, unforgiving way that makes your stomach turn? There is never a real good reason to talk that way to anyone. When it reaches that level, it is time to just walk away.
Being driven and having high expectations is a good thing. There are times when you are going to fall short of a desired or expected result for yourself. When you fall (and you will), how you talk to yourself is so very important. It is far to easy to berate yourself in that hard, unforgiving way that is so damaging. There is never a real good reason to talk to yourself that way. And there are times that you simply have to walk away because it has reached that level.
That golden rule thing about treating others like you want to be treated is right on the money. People forget that the golden rule applies to them first and foremost.
Forgive and you will be forgiven,
Trust and you will be trusted,
Believe and people will believe you.
So if you are running the race with someone and you fall and they pass you, that is not the end of the race unless you do not get back up again. The pain of the bruised ego and body eases a great deal when you are back in the race.
Keep the faith, that unshakable, sincere belief in yourself.
Run Forrest...
Love Dad
Keep the faith.
The unshakable faith in yourself. Sincere belief really starts with you.
Have you ever heard one person berate another person in that hard, unforgiving way that makes your stomach turn? There is never a real good reason to talk that way to anyone. When it reaches that level, it is time to just walk away.
Being driven and having high expectations is a good thing. There are times when you are going to fall short of a desired or expected result for yourself. When you fall (and you will), how you talk to yourself is so very important. It is far to easy to berate yourself in that hard, unforgiving way that is so damaging. There is never a real good reason to talk to yourself that way. And there are times that you simply have to walk away because it has reached that level.
That golden rule thing about treating others like you want to be treated is right on the money. People forget that the golden rule applies to them first and foremost.
Forgive and you will be forgiven,
Trust and you will be trusted,
Believe and people will believe you.
So if you are running the race with someone and you fall and they pass you, that is not the end of the race unless you do not get back up again. The pain of the bruised ego and body eases a great deal when you are back in the race.
Keep the faith, that unshakable, sincere belief in yourself.
Run Forrest...
Love Dad
Monday, April 11, 2011
Always Be On Time*
For every hard and fast rule there is always an *.
True story. Young man was scheduled to work early AM shift at his job and accidentally slept in. His supervisor called the home and his dad answered the call. Dad woke the young man up and he rushed out the door. Supervisor called an hour later asking for the young man and the father said he should have been there already. Dad gets in car to find young son and finds son has perished in tragic accident. Accident was a result of high speed.
Always be on time*.
*When you are late, be late.
Love Dad
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)