Forget Auld Acquaintances? Never!

I'm not surprised at the number of people who are glad that 2009 is over--in fact, many of my Facebook friends are giving an upright single digit to the passing year in hopes of better days ahead. Me? I got no complaints.

Don't get me wrong--I have plenty of reasons to curse the past 12 months and wish them good riddance. The financial crisis alone gave me fits in 2009. I had to step down from the last job I ever thought I'd have and was laid off from the next job 7 months later. I've been unemployed for three months and have been forced to take extreme legal measures to save my house and my sanity. On the surface, 2009 was a suckfest.

However, the suffering also provided opportunity. My faith took a substantial boost and my spiritual relationships are stronger than ever. I cleared out the cobwebs of complacency and started focusing on substance rather than success. Thoughts and actions are clear and precise with the wisdom that can only be obtained from a kneeling position. Forget this past year? Never! I'd rather remember 2009 for the necessary process of forging me into a stronger man, a better friend, and a more patient servant.

For everyone who can't wait for this past year to be over and done with...just remember that, in the midst of all the chaos, there were moments of beauty, grace and profound reason that planted the seeds of future success. Be grateful for the challenges in 2009 that made you smarter and more resolute--and be mindful of what memories of this past year that may someday strike a happier chord.

Bless the old and welcome the new. Happy 2010 to all!!!

Lesson from today's big news...

Success is 99% inspiration and 1% perspiration.

That's the lesson one might take away from the announcement that President Obama has been given the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, just 9 months after taking office. Even some of his most ardent supporters are calling the honor "premature."

I don't begrudge the President his award...but in the humbling moment when the news was delivered to him, I hope that his first thought was, "Man, I hope can accomplish enough to really deserve this."

Despite the best efforts of those around us to provide encouragement and affirmation, the "secret" of real success, lasting success, the kind of success that leaves a legacy instead of a track record, is that there's no "secret." Under every day circumstances, awards come from effort and accomplishment not hope and potential, no matter how great the possibility those last two words might hold.

It helps if you're talented or smart or handsome or funny or strong or even lucky, but in the end success can only truly be quantified in the amount of effort it took you to get there.

New year, new coach, new attitude

Wow.

Has it been a year since I blogged last? Funny, in my blog of October 7, 2008 I had just finished the Cowtown Half-Marathon and claimed to know more kinds of pain than Eskimos have words for "snow."

One year later, I just finished the Cowtown again (more on that story tomorrow--very motivational) and the pain now compares to the Eskimo word for "MANmythighshurt!"

But the 13.1 mile run didn't hurt my fingers so I have no excuse for the lack of blogging. I'm back in the saddle now, thanks to a great new coach who figures to have me on target for a speaking career more successful than I ever imagined.

I'm glad to be back. Thanks for being so patient.