Writing your own obituary - and living it

First, I want to congratulate my friend Phil Gerbyshak, the  author of 10 Ways to Make IT Great, for today is the last day of the first part of his life...  and the first day of the next adventure.  Phil left his corporate job today in favor of his Make IT Great life that lies ahead.  Wishing you the very best my friend.

On to my obituary.  What a morbid thought, writing your own obituary...  who wants to think of dying and obituaries?  Those were my thoughts as I started reading the first way to Make IT Great.  Phil suggest we all take on inventory of where we really are and compare it to where we want to be by having you write an honest obituary about yourself if the unfortunate happen and today was your last day in this life.  Would you be happy with the story?  Hmmm.  I can say I have had some great moments, but not the life I really hoped for deep inside.  Don't take me wrong or think that if you are part of my life today I am not appreciative of you...  I'm looking at me from the 50,000 foot view, after all, that's how I hope things will look.  That's got to be much better than looking up at me from the devils den.

Phil goes on to suggest you then rewrite your obituary based on the story of your life you had hoped it would be.  That seems fun, mainly because most of it would be a fantasy, and we all know how good fantasy thoughts can be!  Wink-wink.  What a difference between the obituaries.  Night and day.  Reality versus a dream. Go live the fantasy.

If I only apply the concepts Phil teaches, or offers, as the first way to make it great, I'll be a better person; and will have made me a much better.  I'll sure be feeling great.  That one step alone is worth the price of admission.  My recommendation, we all get Phil's book, work hard to do and share the 10, or 11, ways to make IT great, we'll be better for it, and just perhaps, have a lot more fun doing it.

Volunteering - One Person's Story

26 miles completed!!!!!!!!!!! On Sunday, we completed 13 more!

This posting is written by and dedicated to Rebecca Ballinger.  Here's her what she experienced in her first Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, in her words:

Many have asked me to tell about my experience so here it is....

It was AMAZING!! The people were just unbelievable. Everyone was so kind. I met a lot of really great people. The whole thing was unbelievably organized. I'm still not sure how they do it- it seemed effortless. They also seem to think of everything! They had volunteers on bikes that would go along the route to check on everyone. They had "sweeper" vans that would go by & cheer you on. If you needed/wanted to stop, they would pick you up. They had stops about every 1.5-3 miles. At all stops they had the porta potties, water, Gatorade, snacks. At every other stop they had a medical team. Each stop had a fun "theme" just for entertainment (80's, pirates, cows, tropical, etc etc) Along the route, it was amazing to see the # of people that came out to cheer us on. People decorated their homes, kids sat in driveways handing out water, juice & candy. It was so touching.

I went up on Friday night. Mom came with me. Once we checked in at the hotel, I checked in for the walk. Then she & I went to Fire & Ice to eat dinner. If you've never been, they are SO COOL. After dinner, went back to the hotel & went to bed, couldn't sleep until sometime after 11 and got up around 4:30am. (Beautiful hotel!!) Went to the lobby a little before 5am & boarded a bus which took us to UMASS where the opening ceremony was held at 6:30am. The walk began at 7am.

On Sat, we completed the 26 miles. Anne (a friend I met that morning) and I walked together. Originally there were a group of 6 of us. 2 split off early on & went ahead. Anne & I walked with Stephanie & Mel until the 10th mile & then they stayed behind. Anne & I were the last ones back in (from those who completed 26 miles)!! They kept reminding us, there is always a first & always a last- it didn't matter. It was actually pretty fun because we were "escorted" in by 2 girls on bikes, a sweeper van (ready to pick us up if we couldn't make it) and then once on campus, all the men on the Harley's revved there engines, honked & then followed us to the finish line!!! I was able to get most of it on video. By that time, I was TIRED and SORE SORE SORE!! My feet were absolutely killing me. It was about 7:10pm. We sat in the Spaaah Zone for a little while & sat on the massage chairs & foot massager. Then we went over & retrieved our stuff (which a volunteer kindly carried for me) and went to our tent (which a "tent angel" kindly set up for us). We were going to go shower. I started to not feel so great- kind of nauseous & light headed so I didn't want to risk it & went over to medical- they picked me up actually. I knew I had had enough to drink but just felt yuck. I rested there for about 30-40 mins & felt much better- and hungry. So, they gave me the OK to leave & when I headed out, Anne had come to check on me & we went over to get something to eat. By the time we finished it was about 9pm so I went & changed my clothes & we went to bed. It started to rain at night but we were already in the tent & the noise was kind of nice. It stopped quickly & was dry in the morning.

Tent sleeping was actually fine & kind of fun. You are so exhausted by that time that you don't even notice. The showers were in huge trucks & the water was nice & hot. Had sinks to use. All bathrooms were porta potties but really you kind of got used to it & they were clean. They always had antibacterial wash for your hands.

On Sunday, we took our time getting up. I showered since I didn't the night before. We had a hot breakfast & packed our stuff. We hit the road about 8am. We decided we would take it nice & easy. After a couple miles, legs felt fine but my feet were feeling it. At mile 8 I decided to have medical tape my feet up because I felt like I was going to get blisters on the bottom. That helped a lot. I had Anne go on ahead of me (it was VERY hard to stop & then start up again because your legs seized up and I had to wait for medical). At mile 11, Garrett, Brianna & my mom greeted me with signs. I cried (actually- everyone but Bri did!!) It was just very overwhelming & wonderful. I walked on- only 2.2 miles left!!! When I reached the UMass campus, the motorcycles were there cheering everyone on. There were a lot of people cheering!! Garrett brought Brianna to me so that I could carry her in- maybe about .25 miles. As I approached the finish line, Anne was sitting waiting for me- she waited to cross the line with me!! I thought that was so sweet!

After the walk was over, there was a closing ceremony. They handed out money to different organizations. This weekend, we raised 5.8 million dollars!!

By the end, I was very sore. Limping around a bit. When I sat down, I felt fine- it was getting up & getting moving again. I ended up with 3 blisters- only 1 actually hurt. By Monday, they had all reabsorbed into my skin & my feet felt fine!! I was exhausted though. Garrett said I didn't move a muscle on Sunday night. I also napped 3.5 hours with Brianna yesterday! Today, I feel great! I do still have a bit of a stuffy head (can you believe it!! Longest running illness of my life and BAD timing!).

The experience was incredible and I will definitely do it again. Hopefully next year I won't be sick for a month so I can do some longer walks beforehand to get ready! I plan to get a team together so if your interested, get your walking feet ready!!

My final note:
Thank you Rebecca! I'm not sure if the donation Web page is still open, but here it is, if you are so moved to make a donation. Please go to: www.avonwalk.org/goto/rebeccaballinger

Thank you very much for your support!

Volunteers against cancer - something we should all be doing

Cancer seems to be the disease that is likely to have touched nearly every persons life.  My grandfather, my dad, my mom, my father-in-law, my ex.  My friends Mike and Heidi.  Becky's won the fight twice.  Warriors like Alan Hobson that refused to quit fighting.  Some won the fight, some lost.  They are some of the people that heard those life changing words that they had cancer.  This writing is not about them, it's for them and the countless others who's focus must be turned to the fight of and for their life.

This is a reminder of what we can do to help them and those who are yet to find out they are in the fight.  For us common folk, we can help raise money to find a cure...  to help the families...  to give because we can.  I urge you to find a way to help, to give of your time, your money, your compassion, your love.  Here's just a few suggestions.

Relay for Life are American Cancer Society sponsor events that take place across America.  Volunteers seek pledges and donations.  It is a moving event that goes on through out the night.  People are walking all night long...  memorials for those that have have lost the battle, celebrations for those that have won the battle and support for those going through the battle.  Find a location and make it a point to stop, walk a bit and give if you can.

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer takes place over 2 days where volunteer fund raisers journey 39 miles helping to forever alter the lives of thousands affected by breast cancer worldwide. Together, the goal is to unite with one purpose and one goal - to end this deadly disease (paraphrased from the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Web site).  Walkers all raise at least $1,800 for the fight.  A special person in my life, Rebecca Ballinger, made the walk this year.  With her permission, I hope to post her experience in this years Boston walk.  Watch for it, then become a part of it.

I listen to the dynamic duo of Dan and Kim on the Mix Morning Show on Mix 93.1 out of Springfield, MA. For as long as I can remember, Dan and Kim have promoted Katelynn's Ride in western Massachusetts. Katelynn’s Ride benefits Baystate Regional Cancer Programs Pediatric Oncology and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund.  Eleven-year old Katelynn Battista of West Springfield lost her battle with cancer in 1997. She was a patient at the Jimmy Fund Clinic of the world-renowned Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Baystate Medical Center in Springfield MA. Katelynn’s life and spirit made a memorable impact on radio personalities Dan Williams & Kim Zachary of Mix 93.1 FM and Steven Stark of the USPS.  You can find links to donate on their Web site and follow KRide2010 on Twitter.

These are just a few of the many, many ways you can give of yourself for the betterment of others.  Also, I know there are lots of other causes, cancer is just one.  Support the one that touches your heart and reaches you personally.  I'd guess most of us wish we could do something for all of them.

The Arizona Immigration Laws - law vs compassion?

Reading some of the thousands of articles regarding the newly legislated immigration laws in Arizona.  I gotta tell ya, my gut is still telling me it still comes down to illegal is still illegal.  Why don't we just do it right?  If I jump the fence at a major league ball park, chances are I might get asked for my ticket.  If I don't have one, out I go.  If I were to jump the gate in a local bank and start chatting with a teller, I'll likely be thrown out and arrested.  Why is this different with anyone who can't prove who they are and whether they have a right to be where they are?

Granted, I know little of the immigration law or what it takes to come into this country to legally live and work here on a long term basis; but I do understand right and wrong.  Having said that, if it came down to survival of my family, I would do just about what ever it took, including becoming an illegal immigrant.  I do have compassion and understanding for the plight many foreigners face and why they want to come to this great country.  There is a right way and a wrong way...  there just is not a fast track to help the estimated 450,000 illegal immigrants in Arizona alone.  Convince someone who's house was just broken into; or a woman that was just raped; it is okay because we didn't ask if it was okay for the alleged perpetrator to even be there because someone else might have been offended.  Since we don't want to offend anyone, so we ask no one?  Come on people, use your head, have you read the paper or watch TV since since Sept 11, 2001, it's the world we live in today.  It's coming to America! 

One story that has me concerned is a AP story I found on FindLaw.com.  I can't reprint any part of it here, you'll have to read it there.  It's being reported by the AP and others all over the Internet that experts feel the new laws will lead to racial profiling and discrimination.  So, if a bad person from (you insert the place here) gets stopped by police and has no identification, are the police expected to just let them go and do no further investigation?  Are the experts concerted that if the police stop someone of Hispanic decent and they also have no identification, they should not be allowed to question them because that's discrimination or profiling?  Well, I would agree that they might be profiled as someone trying to hide something.  I just don't get it, this is not a racial issue at all.

To those in the U.N. that might think Arizona's laws are "hostile to ethnic minorities and immigrants" are wrong.  The laws are aimed to deal with law breakers.

Some of my references:

1. New Your Times, Arizona Enacts Stringent Law on Immigration By Randal C. Archibold Published: April 23, 2010 
2. FindLaw.com, AP story UN rights experts criticize Arizona law posted May 11, 2010
3. The Washington Examiner, A carefully crafted immigration law in Arizona by Byron York on April 26, 2010
4. A CBS News article titled Arizona Immigration Law Faces Legal Challenges posted April 26, 2010
5. NPR story titled Arizona Passes Tough Illegal Immigration Law. A dialog led by Ted Robbins on April 20, 2010.

Crime and Punishment - another case of inequity or just plain stupid?

A 17 year old kid, acting like many kids do, stepped onto the field during the 8th inning of a Philadelphia vs St Louis game.  You've likely read all about, watched the video several times and thought, how stupid.  I couldn't agree more.  Even after this youngster called his dad on a cell phone and asked him about going on to the field, to which dad advised against it, he went for the run anyways.  Got tasered, arrested and faces a $2,500 fine.  All of which I think he deserved. 

Here's my problem,  In Pennsylvania, the fine for littering is a maximum of $900, and only that much if you dump your trash somewhere important.  Go out in the country to sump your trash and the fine drops to about $300.

Where is the logic in that?  $2500 fine for interrupting a baseball game, no harm to the environment, no one will likely be injured (other than the idiot going on the field when he knew better)....  that does not necessarily make sense to me, but if the fine can serve as a deterrent, that could be good.  Unfortunately, it doesn't look like much of a deterrent, ask Tom Betz, the 34 year old undeterred next night moron in Philly.

I suggest we raise the fine for littering to $5,000 and 1,000 of community service.  After all, that has to be twice as bad as just running onto a ball field.  Maybe we could even borrow some of Sheriff Joe's pink jumpsuits to wear while doing community service.  Come on lawmakers, let's have some balance here and make the fines appropriate... and fitting of the crime.

Teaching kids responsibility and initiative... ...what's wrong with that?

Have you ever taken a look along the road as you drive?  How about looking at the town park or youth ball fields?  What will you find?  Tons of trash, it's everywhere.  Are we a society of lazy pigs, born and brough up in pig pens?  Okay, enough ranting and on with the story.

I know a young lady who works as a teacher in a pre-school and day care.  Ever since sending her a copy of Kirk Weisler's Dog Poop Initiative, she has begun teaching responsibility and initiative to the next generation.  Simple, age appropriate things, to help her kids to become scoopers instead of pointers (you'll need to get and read Kirk's book to fully understand that).  Little things like picking up a paper towel that might have missed the trash can in the bathroom.  I've learned that she has been quite astonded by the attitudes of these little tykes, almost to the point of where it looks like their indifference or lack of responsibility is already part of their makeup (silently being taught by observation of and doing the same things their parents do).  Hard to believe but easy to see.

During the summer (when it's more of a day care than a school), the kids often walk to a local town owned park rather than the school's own playground for a change of pace.  During the trips, the lessons in responsibility and initiative were easily continued as they found plenty of litter along the way and in the park.  The teachers suggested good citizenship by helping clean up the park by picking the trash left behind by other less responsible people.  Some teachers even took initiative of their own, to ensure they kids were protected, by providing rubber gloves to wear as they collected and disposed of the litter it in plastic bags.  The park became a cleaner place; the kids were taught good citizenship and initiative to do the right things, but guess what?

Parents complained.  They didn't want their precious children to be picking up the trash of others, after all, they were not playing the school all that money for their kids to pick up the trash!  Holy cow!  Here's the kicker, one parent that came and complained the loudest about not spending so much money, was in arrears in payments thousands of doallars to the school, yet used money as part of her argument.  That figures.

Check out these sites: "Kids Against Trash", "Kids Stuff World" or "Zoom, by kids, for kids".  I couldn't find any Web site that supported the irresponsible adults I just talked about, but they might want to take a look at Larry Winget's book: "Your Kids Are Your Own Fault", the guide for raising responsible, productive adults.  I think the next generation is going to be our own damn fault, for better or worse.

Thoughts?

A Time for Reflection, and change

I made a post on Facebook earlier this week saying "Ever tried so hard to make something better... go round and round doing good things only to take a look at where you are... an find out nothing has changed, nothing is better? What an energy and life zapper!".   That same night I was by someone, "is this post about me or something I 've done"?  I think now I might have answered too quickly when I said "no, it is just about everything and just how I feel".  In retrospect (isn't that often the best perspective), I think I should have given a resounding "YES IT IS".  Not personal for that one person, but personal for everyone, including me.

For starters, let's be clear that you are not going to read any new revelations here, nothing new and nothing that has not been said before.  I'm thinking that all the facts, leadership scoop, management expertise words of wisdom are already out there, just some of them have not clicked with us yet.  This is just my perspective and how I see things.  Some things that seem totally logical to me, but completely foreign to others, maybe you.  So, here's my perspective and frustration, my suggestions and thoughts, I hope something clicks for you.

It all boils down to Rule Number 6.  Google it, I'm not kidding.  What a different world we would live in, if we all applied Rule Number 6.  Apply it at home, apply it at work, apply it everywhere and every aspect of your life.

Here's the challenge.  Starting today, try to apply the concepts of Rule Number 6....  step back or stop yourself when you find yourself asserting yourself when it is not necessary...  go out of your way to do something different and better for someone everyday.  Write a hand written thank you note...  send a candy bar with the note... bring in a box of ice cream bars to the office some afternoon, hand them out to those you work with (maybe in a different department) and thank them for there part in making it great.  Do something unexpected and heartfelt... make someone feel good rather than stressing them out.

What a compliment - I'm a renegade

Today, I met an IT support professional from Oregon that said as we shook hands...  "ah, you're Dan Greeley, your reputation precedes you".  Wow, laying it on the line to me, I wondered if he meant the reputation was good or bad?  I finally asked and found out it was good, but I sensed a bit of hesitation as he confirmed that.  My new found friend went on to say well "you're sort of know as a renegade" to which I readily agreed, I think to his amazement. 

"You admit it?" he asked with a voice full of astonishment.  I sure do, here's why.  Although not all dictionary definitions paint a pretty picture of what a renegade is; in this context, my view of being a renegade is a good thing.  A renegade can be thought of someone that just refuses to do things that are illogical, don't follow common sense or just don’t make business sense; for the betterment of the business. How do I know? I just know.

Following a "business as usual" model, when there are better, more efficient and effective ways, is a crazy way to operate. It does not make good business sense to follow others down the wrong path.  If a change is in order, then you can not do what you've always done, otherwise, you'll be where you've always been.

If a renegade follows the law, mandates and other necessary business rules of the road and finds a better way, then that is who I am. However, be clear in that if you show me a better way that "helps" the customer and can be done at lower cost in a more efficient and effective manner than what I may have suggested, then we'll go your way in a heart beat. However, I expect the same from you if my way proves to be the best way. Just because a method, process or procedure is how we always did it before is NOT justification to keep doing it. Not following the more cost effective and efficient way is just plain stupid. If that makes me a renegade, then I am.

Being a renegade can be a really good thing, but you must have thick skin, you must be prepared to take a few bruises... lots of bruises, but it your reasoning is solid... in the long run, the organization wins... the customers win... you are a key commodity.

It's All in the Name

Have you ever heard someone say "who would give there kid a name like that"?  How about just meeting someone with a name that seems strange to you (you know, we all have our opinions of what is strange and what is not)?  Well, tonight I didn't know whether I was reading a tabloid sensational story or if I should just get on my knees and start praying.  Lord Jesus Christ was run down in a cross walk in Northampton, MA.  I almost fell down when I learned the Lord Jesus Christ lived in my home town!

I can't be making this up, read it for yourself as the Washington Post, the Boston Globe or as the Associated Press reported it.  Lord Jesus Christ.  I won't speculate how he got the name, I don't want this to turn into a religious discussion.

Reading about Lord Jesus Christ immediately reminded me of my kids art teacher when we lived in New Salem, MA, Sally Alley Muffin Stuffin.  it's true, that's her legal name, she teaches at Swift River School.  Check it out. 

That got me thinking, other than the made up weird names like the author of "The Tiger's Revenge", Claude Balls; what other names are out there that real people have that some of us might think, that's a little strange.  Help me out, provide some facts so we know it's real.

We're now part of the Junior Wolfpack

My son Ryan has taken the next step in his hockey quest by signing a player agreement with the Hartford Junior Wolfpack on Monday, May 3rd. He will be playing the 2010-2011 season out of Champions Arena in Cromwell, CT.

The Hartford Junior Wolf Pack has grown over the seasons and has been developing ways for local and far away players to come and develop in order to take the proper steps to have a successful career on and off the ice. The organization fields one Junior A team (AJHL), a Junior B team (MJHL). A goal of the Wolfpack organization is to provide our players the opportunity to further their education while participating in one of the top junior leagues in the United States. Their goal is to prepare each player to the best of their ability for life on and off the ice and prepare them for the next chapter of their career. The Junior Wolfpack organization is owned and operated by two ex NHL Hockey Players Bob Crawford and Dan McCarthy and as former players they know all the resources needed to run a successful Organization. Crawford and McCarthy have placed Chris Cerrella in the role as Director of Hockey Operations and is also the Head Coach/General Manager of both Junior A and B teams.

As an inspiring student athlete, players must be the best player at the highest possible level. The Wolfpack recruits the hardest working and most dedicated student athletes they can find from all over the country.

This will be a great opportunity to see how Ryan takes his skills and small frame to the ice to make some noise with the BIG BOYS!! The Wolfpack Web site says "Junior A hockey is the pinnacle of the skill development program of USA Hockey, and is an important component in the overall development process for elite high school & college student athletes developing as hockey players. Junior Hockey is a stepping-stone and the path to future success at the collegiate, professional, and international levels of hockey".

Ryan goes to the Wolfpack after a successful year playing U-18/Junior-Prep at Ontario Hockey Academy in Cornwall, Ontario, Canada under head ex-NHL'er Ray Sheppard where he is due to receive his high school diploma on May 15, 2010. Ryan carries a 3.97 GPA and considering the study of Kinesiology after a year or two of junior hockey.

We're proud of you Ryan... remember, focus on the prize, outwork everyone and reach for the stars, and most of all, regardless of where all this leads, have fun living your dream.

I don't know if Andy Rooney really said this or if it is just a factual concoction someone else wrote to make it sound like an Andy Rooney comentary. If Andy didn't say this, maybe he should have. Parts of it also remind me of Larry Winget, I can hear him saying it like it is.

Maybe it's time more of us stand up and speak out like the Andy's and Larry's of the world.

'I don't think being a minority makes you a victim of anything except numbers. The only things I can think of that are truly discriminatory are things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black Entertainment Television, and Miss Black America.

Try to have things like the United Caucasian College Fund, Cloud Magazine, White Entertainment Television, or Miss White America ; and see what happens... Jesse Jackson will be knocking down your door.

Guns do not make you a killer. I think killing makes you a killer. You can kill someone with a baseball bat or a car, but no one is trying to ban you from driving to the ball game.

I believe they are called the Boy Scouts for a reason, which is why there are no girls allowed. Girls belong in the Girl Scouts! ARE YOU LISTENING MARTHA BURKE ?

I think that if you feel homosexuality is wrong, it is not a phobia, it is an opinion.

I have the right 'NOT' to be tolerant of others because they are different, weird, or tick me off.

When 70% of the people who get arrested are black, in cities where 70% of the population is black, that is not racial profiling; it is the Law of Probability.

I believe that if you are selling me a milkshake, a pack of cigarettes, a newspaper or a hotel room, you must do it in English! As a matter of fact, if you want to be an American citizen, you should have to speak English!

My father and grandfather didn't die in vain so you can leave the countries you were born in to come over and disrespect ours.

I think the police should have every right to shoot you if you threaten them after they tell you to stop. If you can't understand the word 'freeze' or 'stop' in English, see the above lines..

I don't think just because you were not born in this country, you are qualified for any special loan programs, government sponsored bank loans or tax breaks, etc., so you can open a hotel, coffee shop, trinket store, or any other business.


We did not go to the aid of certain foreign countries and risk our lives in wars to defend their freedoms, so that decades later they could come over here and tell us our constitution is a living document and open to their interpretations.

I don't hate the rich; I don't pity the poor.

I know pro wrestling is fake, but so are movies and television. That doesn't stop you from watching them.

I think Bill Gates has every right to keep every penny he made and continue to make more. If it ticks you off, go and invent the next operating system that's better, and put your name on the building.

It doesn't take a whole village to raise a child right, but it does take a parent to stand up to the kid and say 'NO!' when necessary.

I think tattoos and piercings are fine if you want them, but please don't pretend they are a political statement. And, please, stay home until that new lip ring heals. I don't want to look at your ugly infected mouth as you serve me French fries!

I am sick of 'Political Correctness.' I know a lot of black people, and not a single one of them was born in Africa , so how can they be 'African-Americans'? Besides, Africa is a continent. I don't go around saying I am a European-American because my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather was from Europe. I am proud to be from America and nowhere else.

And if you don't like my point of view, tough...

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!

I was asked to send this on if I agree or delete if I don't. It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God.. Therefore I have a very hard time understanding why there is such a problem in having 'In God We Trust' on our money and having 'God' in the Pledge of Allegiance. Why don't we just tell the 14% to BE QUIET!!!'