Mark McIntosh's Blog, page 29

Pep Talk: "Lift a Spirit"

Whenever blessed to have the opportunity to stand before a group of people and encourage them, the topic of change, and how to effectively deal with it, always is addressed.Ya know, those unexpected things in life, those unwanted things in life appearing at just the wrong time and leave us saddened and shocked. For example, the recent movie-theater shooting draws all the headlines as the media saturates our lives with coverage of funerals, recoveries and the constant - perhaps futile - question pointing toward, “Why?”One grieving mother of a young woman who perished that horrific moment summed it up well when interviewed by stating, “It is so SENSELESS.”Amen to that sister. The point is this, each and every one of us usually has something going on in life challenging our emotional, physical, financial or spiritual well-being. It’s, unfortunately, just the way life is. We are frequently shocked and saddened. However, this Pep Talk is offered to encourage you, and others, to not allow whatever is occurring right now, subdue you.We must keep faith in ourselves that within our souls lies resolve, defined as “a firm determination to do something,” to weather the storm. Trying times always, at least in my cranium conjure a visual of folks in the path of hurricanes “batting down the hatches.” We know the future is going to be rough and uncertain but we’re preparing to the best of our abilities to survive and, ultimately, thrive despite what ails us.Recovery from adversity ain’t gonna happen unless we believe it’s possible. It gets tough to maintain a positive attitude when the road gets rocky. That’s why it’s wonderful to have folks around us who can lift our spirits in the trying time. Be that type of person this week, okay?Recently, while cleaning up around the Victory Productions office, I ran across a letter a friend had sent me years ago. I was struggling with the fallout from divorce - emotionally wounded. My buddy, Billy Mac from Hackensack, would say, of those predicaments from life, “You gotta lie down and bleed a little before rising to fight again.” Well, I was darn lucky to have another wonderful friend who cared enough about me to send, framed, a poem of hope. At this moment, it’s shared with you in hopes it lifts a spirit, or two, in your world. The beautiful prose is titled, Twenty-Four Things to Remember...and One Thing to Never Forget:Your presence is a present to the world.You’re unique and one of a kind.Your life can be what you want it to be.Take the days just one at a time.Count your blessings, not your troubles.You’ll make it through whatever comes along.Within you are so many answers.Understand, have courage, be strong.Don’t put limits on yourself.So many dreams are waiting to be realized.Decisions are too important to leave to chance.Reach for your peak, your goal, your prize.Nothing wastes more energy than worrying.The longer one carries a problems, the heavier it gets.Don’t take life too seriously.Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.Remember that a little love goes a long way.Remember that a lot, goes forever.Remember that friendship is a wise investment.Life’s treasures are people, together.Realize that it’s never too late.Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.Have health, hope, happiness and hugs.Take the time to wish upon a star.And don’t forget....for even a day...how very special you are...especially to me.Many years ago, a human being knew I was struggling and took the time to copy this poem, print it, frame it, then send my way. Obviously it had significance, I saved it. Lucky for me, it was unearthed during a recent cleansing of the office. It still means the world to me. It lifted my spirit. Thanks Stuffers.Be that kind of friend for someone this week. We all know someone struggling with illness, loss of loved one, divorce or job loss. Send them the above poem.It sure meant the world to me. I dunno, just a simple dude from Missouri, but who knows, maybe it will lift the spirit of someone in your world too.Do it!

Pep Talk: "Of Dire Need"

It was not a typical Saturday morning in the Mile High City. No, it was a little more than 24 hours since horror filled the air inside an Aurora, Colorado movie theatre as a 24-year-old, with no regard for human life, shot 71 people, 12 of them mortally.So while precious princess drives toward a busy weekend of driver’s education classes, I’m sitting in the passenger seat reading the paper. Actually, at this moment it was impossible to read because of the tears blurring my eyes. Three pictures in the Denver Post stirred such emotion. Two display anguish. One from a father who lost a son and woman who lost a friend. The third photo is of a mother, overwhelmed with joy, hugging a son who was in the theatre but escaped unharmed, at least physically.My mind wandered back to the day before and our radio show, Drive Time with Mac and Doog. Normally from 3-6pm each weekday on Mile High Sports Radio we talk about sports, not this day. No, the three hours were spent talking about life, and its fragility.We had two callers who were in the theatre when madness, dressed in full-body battle armor, descended upon an unsuspecting throng gathered to see the premier of Dark Knight Rises. One was a man attending the, in a trilogy, final Superman movie with a sister, who was shot in the leg. Luckily the caller’s sibling was treated and released from a local hospital. The other caller was in the theatre adjacent to the unfolding massacre. He thought, initially,  knuckleheads in the back of his theatre, also showing Dark Knight, were shooting off firecrackers until bullets began flying through the wall separating the two theaters.So daughter and dad are driving south on Interstate 25 and, while sitting in the passenger seat and reading, I’m struggling with emotions. I’m thinking of those grieving and how tragic a day it was, and will continue to be, for those who lost loved ones. I was also thanking my lucky stars an almost 16-year-old bundle of amazement, I’m proud to call daughter, was not interested in attending the midnight showing. My heart ached in trying to fathom the feelings that must be pervasive within those who hugged a loved one and left them with, “Have a good time at the movie” and now deal with the reality a child, spouse or friend is gone forever.It’s such a powerful reminder to one of life’s sobering truths: we just never know when an event will radically alter our journey. We see it played out daily with the news of accidents, illnesses and other calamities that confound our imaginations and leave us wondering, “What the heck is going on around here?”The reminders of this truth are usually not so outlandish, but they exist for each of us. Unexpected, and unwanted, stuff happens. The question becomes, how will we deal with the challenges of picking up the pieces and moving forward in healthy and productive ways? This tragedy is also another reminder of another of life’s great truths: we need each other always, but especially in times like this. I just hope and pray that once the dust settles and the pain, if it’s possible, subsides, those directly affected by this tragic moment will realize the great value in rallying around each other in attempting to move past the sadness and anger positioned to dominate the future.How do we deal with such tragedy? We rally around each other, that’s how. We unite with like-minded folks and encourage - give hope and confidence to - one another that, we can survive and, ultimately, thrive despite the unwanted and unexpected changes life throws our way. The venues may change, but the strategy is the same. We must realize we’re not alone, rally with others of similar experience and, most important, encourage self and everybody else to move forward in ways honoring, nurturing and adding value to the communities we serve.Tragedies have a way of reminding us to truly count our blessings and cherish each day because, “You just never know.” Thoughts and prayers to the deceased, wounded and witnesses. What they experienced is unimaginable.Perhaps this Pep Talk comes down to this: life’s uncertainties bring anguish and pain. We know that. Let’s make sure this week one thing is perfectly clear, certain: We will care for one another, especially in time of dire need.

Pep Talk: "Marinating in Love and Learn"

Anybody out there moved lately? What a pain in the butt, ain’t it? That’s my world and it’s really been, while laborious, an emotional joy ride relieving almost 20 years in a cherished home. But hey, it’s mentioned often in this forum that life is all about change, right? Question becomes, good or bad? In this case, it’s wonderful. After nine years of courtship darling girlfriend and your humble correspondent are taking the next step.Back to the story, I’m trying to take advantage of moving and get really organized. I write “Memories” on a storage container lid and think about what has been deposited. Almost two decades in Congress Park, the village tucked into Denver’s near-east side and close to the beautiful Botanic Gardens. Ya know, momentous from those moments that have become part of our DNA. Those times, and the emotions the times produced, that become part of our DNA and define us.When moving here, from Denver’s nearby Hilltop neighborhood, after divorce number one, first priority was getting close to kindergarten son’s parochial elementary school. Mission was accomplished when a fixer-upper, less than a block from school, become available. A man recovering from divorce and five-year-old son moved in while mother and former wife pursued a new opportunities in Los Angeles.An interesting time in life for sure. That was long ago, long before Pep Talks and the Comeback Coach stuff was born. Life was demanding but one of the best makers of Hamburger Helper - the kids down the block will vouch for me, I hope - had a responsibility - still do - to weather the storm. Faith demands that of me. Life had thrown a lemon and it was time to transform it into a sweet and savory margarita. I know, simple, not easy. Let’s never forget, we’re in this together! Okay, to the point. Moving, packing up and the experience is triggering many thoughts, emotions and all that other stuff. Two words keep popping into cranium: love and learn.What you say?Well, another cool thing about this savored tree-lined street in Congress Park is this: at one end of the block, there’s a church. At the other end of the block is the before-mentioned school where son and, after second marriage, little sister attended and learned.I’ve been called a lot of things in life, smart rarely one of them, but I’ve always thought it was cool to have a church and school as block bookends. Good mojo. At one end, an institution dedicated to encouraging others to love one another. The church serves many denominations. I see the human kaleidoscope often when departing or arriving home considering my alley garage stands maybe 60 feet from a popular gathering spot on the church’s south side. There’s an admired strong sense of community present.At the far end of the block rests a school building, long-time parochial and now private, with the critical, noble and challenging mission of educating our nation’s most precious resource. Our kids, 25% of our population, 100% of our future.One end of the block stresses love, the other, learning. Love and learning? Bartender, buy everybody another round, will ya? I was lucky. It’s a prayer everyone who stepped into the humble abode benefited, from that quality marinade. The energy emanating in this little piece of the Mile High City was “Love and Learn.”How about this week, we make sure that dynamic duo oozes from us too. Marinating in love and learn can’t be bad for you, right?Have a great week!

Pep Talk: "The Wisdom of WOHELO"

As an admitted baseball nut, the disastrous 2012 Colorado Rockies’ baseball season has been difficult to watch. The franchise, now in its 20th season, is threatening to produce its most disappointing season and could lose 100 games for the first time. Pure and simple, the Rockies stink.But as a baseball fan I continue to endure and each weekday on Mac and Doog, this simple dude from Missouri, along with co-host Jimmy Doogan, continues to press for someone from the Rockies’ front office to “fall on the sword” and be held accountable for the losing. One of the bright spots has been outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, the five-tool - run, hit, throw, field and hit with power - standout has made his first All-Star team - you go Cargo.The other night, while watching the Rockies lose to the St. Louis Cardinals, television announcers Drew Goodman and George Frazier were engaged in a conversation about the all-star voting process. Primarily because of fans voting for their favorite player, regardless of whether they have produced standout statistics, or are injured, it has become a joke. Goodman said something rattling the bones. “Folks have got to realize that players voted to the All-Star team should be deserved.” Amen brother.That short phrase, “Should be deserved” is what burrowed deep into my brain. What does it mean to be “deserved?” According to Merriam-Webster it means, “Do something, or have, or show, qualities worthy of reward, or punishment.” Life will often - illness, injury, divorce, job loss to name a few - throw moments our way that have us wondering, “What the heck is going on around here?” Those life lemons leaving us bewildered, perplexed and challenged with, “Why me?”On the other hand, life often produces moments of euphoria, happiness and joy, when perhaps we’re really not that “deserved” of emotional, physical and/or financial reward. They appear nonetheless. Yeah us!What can we do to be deserved, in healthy and productive ways, home, work and elsewhere? Here’s three ideas courtesy of Luther Gulick, founder of Camp Fire Girls, now known as Camp Fire USA. First, a little background on the Hawaii native who was a pioneer in youth development for our country.In the late 1880‘s, Gulick, as superintendent of the physical education department at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, instructed a peer to devise a winter, indoor, sport for boys. That peer was James Naismith and the sport was basketball. Gulick helped Naismith promote the sport, became an international official and was inducted into basketball’s Hall of Fame in 1959.But it was 1912 when Gulick, along with wife Charlotte, planted another seed that speaks to this Pep Talk message about “deserved.” By this time, a century ago, Gulick, who studied medicine at New York University, was spreading his message about the importance of physical fitness in schools. Furthermore, the couple had become increasingly concerned about the lack of attention to young girls and their development. They watched young boys march off to many a summer camp experience and wondered, “What are we doing for the girls?” Camp Fire Girls was born. The mission was to promote physical fitness and learning experiences for girls designed to empower them to think beyond being a homemaker.The Gulick’s stressed three things in Camp Fire endeavors. These three rock solid traits, remain the founding principles of an organization, now coeducational, and known as Camp Fire USA to mentor America’s youth: work hard, make healthy choices and show love and respect for self and others.So there ya go. What can we do this week, in our efforts to be deserved of events honoring, nurturing and adding value to our lives? Well, let’s take a cue from Gulick and work hard, make healthy choices and love and respect each other.While there is no guarantee of success, what we become in living WOHELO - Camp Fire acronym for work, health and love - will make us deserved of the possibilities.Have a great week!

Pep Talk: "Never Lose Our Nerve"

This week’s Pep Talk was hatched, early morning, while staring at Vail Mountain from a hotel balcony during an annual trek to the mountains for Independence Day celebrations. If you’ve never been to Vail, Colorado and attended its July Fourth patriotic concert, put it on your bucket list. When the visiting philharmonic orchestra, often it’s Dallas’, begins to play our nation’s armed services - Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine and Coast Guard - hymns, rarely is there a dry eye in the amphitheater. For the record, I have always loved the Marine hymn the most. My late father is a Marine and I can remember, as a youngster, hearing him sing it with buddies, over beers usually, and would often join in. By the way, according to Wikipidea, the Marine hymn is the oldest official song of the United States military, here are the lyrics:From the halls of Montezuma,to the shores of Tripoli;We fight our country’s battlesIn the air, on land, and sea;First to fight for right and freedomAnd to keep our honor clean:We are proud to claim the titleof United States Marine.Our flag’s unfurled to every breezeFrom dawn to setting sun;We have fought in every clime and placeWhere we could take a gun;In the snow of far-off Northern landsAnd in sunny tropic scenes;You will find us always on the jobThe United States Marines.Here’s health to you and to our CorpsWhich we are proud to serve;In many a strife we’ve fought for lifeAnd never lost our nerve;If the Army and the NavyEver look on Heaven’s scenes;They will find the streets are guardedBy United States Marines.236 years ago, our nation was founded. Since then, in many a battle, men and women have fought, suffered and perished to protect the American way of life. So many words of this song resonate, but toward the end, third verse, lines three and four really stand out: “In many a strife we’ve fought for life and never lost our nerve.”In the midst of strife, to never lose our nerve ain’t easy. It’s a tall order and takes a ton of courage, defined as “that quality of mind enabling us to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, heart and valor.” It’s sure easy to talk about encountering danger and difficulty with heart and valor, far more challenging to execute, right? When the going gets tough, how do we respond?The challenges come from a variety of sources, emotional, physical, financial and elsewhere. Nobody is immune from the “stuff” life brings our way. Heck, sitting here on a beautiful Centennial State morning, staring at Vail Mountain bathed in early-morning sunlight, and sharing thoughts with you, conjures up images of a loved one battling cancer, challenges at work, relationships needing nurturing and other situations threatening peace of mind. I know you have “lists” too. Bless you in dealing with them.When life throws us lemons, often at the most inopportune times, let’s take a cue from the United States Marines: encounter danger and difficulty with firmness, heart and valor. While there is no guarantee of success, the ability to never lose our nerve will serve us well in addressing whatever ails us - home, work and elsewhere.Have a great week!

Pep Talk: "Winning Plays"

After enjoying Saturday brunch with precious daughter at our favorite neighborhood hangout, I dropped her off at her mom’s. Well, not exactly. The 15-year-old princess, armed with learner’s permit, drove us back toward mom’s nearby home. The sophomore-to-be’s a darn good driver. It’s like I have a chauffeur. For that I am grateful.After a decent hug - teenage girls don’t like to hug their old man’s do they? - I drove away and began to think about a few things: one, how much I love my daughter and hope she never questions that truth; secondly, now that precious cargo had been safely returned to port, how eager a simple dude from Missouri was to share thoughts about winning plays. Thanks for wondering and reading. Seriously, I’d appreciate your thoughts, we’re in this together, right?Anyway, back to the Pep Talk point about winning plays.Ya know? Those moments in life where somebody steps up big time and saves the day, so to speak? The phrase “winning plays” burrowed into my brain while watching Game Four of the 2012 NBA Finals, ultimately won by Miami over Oklahoma City. Late in the close game, television analyst Jeff Van Gundy, while describing the Heat’s Shawn Battier’s great effort in tipping a ball to a teammate that helped secure Miami’s second world title, said this: “It’s all about making winning plays and Shawn Battier just made a winning play.”Not fifteen minutes later, while winding down before bed, I’m watching television coverage of the tragic High Park fire that, as of this completion of this writing Sunday, had grown to the second-largest in land mass and, in terms of homes, businesses, churches, schools and other important stuff, destroyed, largest in state history. Thoughts and prayers to all in harm’s way!  Anyway, back to the point. There was a great story on a local station about volunteer firefighters away from families and livelihoods for almost two weeks. They put down their regular duties to volunteer in trying to protect others’ cherished possessions. Yep, heard that right, kissed loved ones good bye and said, “Gotta go help those in need.” My buddy, Billy Mac from Hackensack, would call that, “Chargin’ from the foxhole.” Volunteer firefighters fighting the inferno knowing their personal homes and valuables were threatened by the raging inferno. Winning plays from these devoted men and women.My mind wanders to Jay Elowsky. He owns the three Pasta Jay’s Italian restaurants. He’s also a Buff to the bone. We got to know each other well during my television sportscasting days in the Mile High City because I covered CU’s athletic teams and he fed them. Pasta Jay’s makes winning plays all the time with its commitment to helping others in the community with its generous ability to provide food for events at little, or no, cost. Thanks Pasta, for the winning plays.Then Janet Elway and the YMCA of Denver come to mind. Six years ago they partnered to create one of the best parties of the year, “Janet’s Camp.” This fun-in the- summertime gathering generates revenue to help the Jim Hiner-led organization get as many kids into summer camps as possible. Many, for a variety of reasons, aren’t going and there’s a whole bunch of folks dedicated to supporting the “Y” wanting to change that reality. I was honored to be this year’s event host. The “Y” has a special place in my marrow: learned to swim, compete in athletics and grow as a person at the Raytown, Missouri YMCA. For anybody who might have worked there then, since, or now, thanks for all you do! Winning plays by a ton of folks.What about us? Where could we, this week, maybe right here and now, decide it’s time to make a winning play wherever roaming - home, work and elsewhere?I know, simple, not easy, right? Let’s give it our best shot, K? Winning plays rarely appear without tremendous struggle. It might be a raging fire, tough basketball opponent or life in the economically-challenged non-profit world, maybe not. Doesn’t matter. The bottom line is this: executing winning plays requires tremendous resolve. Oxford defines resolve as “to decide firmly.” Let’s decide firmly this week to making winning plays.Good luck, we can do it!

Pep Talk: "Someone Who Cares"

This Pep Talk, initially, popped from cranium while driving toward a Mac and Doog remote at Lukas Liquors. On Denver’s south side, near Park Meadows, owner Larry Merfeld and crew, including darling fiancee Tyson, are fun to hang with. Every other Thursday, co-host Jimmy Doogan and yours truly enjoy three hours of sports talk radio sitting next to the front door and watching patrons pour - no pun intended - in and out of the store.
It’s also a good opportunity to buy darling girlfriend a new bottle of red zinfandel, her favorite wine. So while cruising south on Interstate 25 near Orchard Road, the mood is good, despite the Colorado Rockies, in an afternoon affair against Oakland, demoralizing ninth consecutive loss. Don’t get me started on that - the phone rings.“Mark.......is this Mark McIntosh?” After acknowledging that truth, I counter with, “Who’s this?” Hold on to your hats folks: “Mark, my name is Jenny McElroy, I live near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, read about Bullet’s story in the local paper and wanted you to know I saw a cat last night that might have been Bullet. But the cat seemed younger than 15, so maybe not. Anyway, I left food and water overnight. It wasn’t touched, so I suspect the cat moved on.”My mind wandered to the staff of the Jackson Hole News and Guide. A dude from Denver - me - had called about a beloved, and missing, cat allegedly headed for this majestic spot in northwest Wyoming with a couple named Don and Marie. These wonderful information junkies and disseminators sensed the plea and ran a story, of concern, for a feline named Bullet. My long-time buddy. Then McElroy, a retired school teacher, read journalist Johanna Love’s great piece and called. Nearing my destination, tears began to flow, a mixture of gratefulness and sorrow. Gratefulness for the staff of this cool town’s paper, a woman who cared and others offering advice for locating the family cat who disappeared without a trace after a friend, temporary houseguest and cat caregiver, offered the animal for adoption while we were out of town for the weekend. One veteran newsroom buddy, said, “Mac, get in touch with the local newspaper there.” I think that buddy was Logan Smith. Thanks dude. Anyway, the point is this. Let’s not miss a chance this week, when appropriate, to seek out those who have lost their way and then care for them. In this instance, McElroy,  mother of three, grandma to more, great granny to a few, and, oh, let’s not forget married to husband Glenn for almost 62 years, knew others - a pet in this instance - had lost their way and she cared enough to respond.In a later follow up conversation, McElroy, who taught junior high English for eight years, transformed into a reading specialist and, ultimately, ran a reading lab in a 26-year educational career said something that almost knocked me to the floor. “Mark, I have always been especially kind to kids and animals because they are at the mercy of others.” Amen to that sister. Married at the tender age of 13, changing diapers with first-born baby three years later, the Oklahoma native demonstrated something warming the marrow: caring for others. Now this can get tricky. We’re talking caring for, not enabling, others. There’s a fine line there, right? Anyway, the wise darling also stated this gem: “Mark, sometimes bad things happen to good people, or pets.”Yep, so true. But this week folks, let’s have Jenny McElroy and the News and Guide staff be our guides. They  are wonderfully wired and can sense when someone has lost their way. We’ve been there, right? For a variety of reasons, self-inflicted and others, we lose our way. Man, what an uplifting feeling it is to experience a supportive gesture or encouraging word from someone.So maybe that’s what this musing is about: this week, seek opportunities - reading the local news is one way - to encourage others. This realization unfolded while third-round action, Tiger was imploding, unfolded in the background at the U.S. Open golf tournament from scenic San Francisco. These moments, weekend writing with sports on the television in the background, used to be Bullet moments. She would sit next to my laptop and, with big green eyes, stare at me. Then, perhaps bored with that exercise,  she’d rise and rub her neck on the corner of the contraption, disappear for a while before returning at some point.Bullet’s gone now. I doubt I’ll ever see her again. That’s sad. In defense of the friend who gave her away, I had been looking for a soft landing spot for Bullet since darling girlfriend and I desire to take the next step and live together. My soul mate is allergic to cats. My plan was for Bullet to be adopted by an assisted-living facility in Denver. That way, I could visit her and the venue’s residents who might enjoy some companionship. My plan didn’t work. Life rarely unfolds as planned, right?However, despite the aches of sorrow there are tears of joy for folks like Jenny McElroy, Johanna Love and others who walk the talk when it comes to, that sometimes challenging duty, of caring for others who have lost their way.Let’s be that person this week. Be someone who cares. Good luck!

Pep Talk: "Show Up"

It’s Wednesday about an hour before lunchtime, the house is reverberating. It’s not an earthquake, rare in the Centennial State. No, it’s a dude born in Iowa, our daughters are high-school volleyball teammates, tearing up my bathroom and rattling the abode’s bones. He’s hammering, pounding and sawing ferociously. Bullet the cat is skittish, your humble correspondent is laboring. While buddy plays Rambo on a tired master bath, I’m scrambling to remove pictures and other cherished family artifacts falling from shelves and walls in the sleeping area adjacent to ground zero. It makes me pause to savor heart-warming memories of children, parents, loved ones and their impact on my life. A nice respite from the daily, mundane, “stuff” dominating brain matter these days.So we’re working away, radio blaring in the background, and talking about many things, including our teenage daughters, the volleyball teammates. Our precious princesses are pretty darn good and their two old jock dads enjoy hanging together and watching them compete.Back to the story. I’m grasping savored memories, including, but not limited to, the following:  a picture of the kids with a wonderful couple who lived next door, we socialized often, and now call Rhode Island home;  two fabulous human beings and their old man - me - whitewater rafting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; a framed copy of the scorecard from the first and, to this point, only hole-in-one from a life-long love of golf - a well-struck seven-iron from 165 yards for those scoring at home. Staring at these reminders of life bathe soul with joy and gratefulness.Trying to stay focused, the point is this: The house is falling apart and it is good, except for a frazzled feline. Two dads working together to build a better bath, talking about our daughters’ volleyball and, although it remained unspoken, oozing hope each of these hard-working athletes gains, from sports, as much joy, satisfaction and discipline as their, these days “weird”, fathers extracted from the thrill of victory, agony of defeat and everything in between.The mind wanders to the wonderful support received while chasing personal athletic dreams.  Thanks mom for always getting me to practice on time and making sure nobody’s uniform was cleaner than mine. Everywhere I roamed in Raytown, Missouri, a southeast Kansas City suburb, and beyond, parents, coaches and many others challenged me to “be the best I could be.” Victory Productions, almost a half century later, calls that “playing like a champion.” Different phrases but, my opinion, synonymous.Watching those we love and admire compete in healthy and productive endeavors. Time well spent. Then a reminder hits with the force of a Colorado hail storm:  The importance of supporting others in their pursuit of noble dreams and goals. Not just in athletics, but music, the arts, academics, science - whatever. Maybe it’s visiting someone who is lonely, ill or in a funk that’s left them wondering, “What the heck is going on around here?”Let’s make sure we encourage someone this week with our physical presence. You just never know what kind of impact it may have. I can only speak from personal experience but, long ago, folks back home made a difference for me. You?Let’s make sure we show up for someone, okay? Dang, gotta run, the boss is hollering for me to show up and haul off some junk. The daydreaming’s over but let’s remember the importance of showing up never ceases.Have a good week!

Pep Talk: "Desire More Pudding"

It’s a Saturday afternoon, storm clouds brew over the Mile High City and humble correspondent’s perched on Poor Man’s Porch. Oldies’ music plays in the background, Dance With Me from Orleans the current song. For the record it reached, back in 1974, #6 on the billboard charts and stayed there for 18 weeks.My mind wanders to the day before and the weekly meeting of a bunch of knuckleheads. We gather each Friday morning around eight, except for the Cuban dude, and challenge one another to play like champions in the game of life from a foundation rooted in faith.One of the guys is fiery. Think Earl Weaver, Hall of Fame manager from the great Baltimore Orioles’ teams of years past. Anyway, this brother from another mother, was sharing with the group about a moment long ago that, at least my opinion, resonates with the truth and benefit of having desirable goals.Yea, having desirable goals in endeavors, expected or unexpected, life brings our way. I’ve always like that word, desirable. Oxford defines it as: advisable, worth doing.Now, back to the story. This buddy of mine on a Friday morning is sharing a moment from long ago. He was a 19-year-old young man assigned to visit an aged woman in the hospital. He walked into the woman’s room and noticed she’s sleeping. The youngster, a greenhorn pastor, didn’t know the woman was comatose, not asleep. He prayed she awaken.She did.The woman, who had been unconscious for about three days, was hungry. A nurse had left some food, before this young man entered the room, for the patient, just in case. Woman awakens, young man visiting, feeds her. Then she slips back into sleep, or coma. Nurse walks in and accuses visitor of eating the woman’s food. He protests, “No, she woke up and was hungry. I fed her.”About that time, the woman awakens again, startling the suspicious nurse. “I want more pudding” proclaims this human being teetering on the brink of life and death. She slipped back into unconsciousness and never awakened again before passing.The point is this: try like heck, despite the obstacles life throws our way making it damn tough, to consistently have desire - advisable and worth doing - to turn life’s lemons, heck with lemonade into sweet and savory margaritas. Life is tough but keep fighting. This woman, until almost her final breath, desired to live. She wanted more pudding!Where might it be time for us to exhibit such desire? Maybe it’s at home, work or elsewhere? Where is it time to take a stand and finally make positive steps toward achieving a goal advisable and worth doing? Where is it time to want more pudding?You know the answer to that question. The question becomes, what will you do with that information? Good luck acting on that knowledge in ways that honor, nurture and add value to the communities you serve.Have a good week!

Pep Talk: "Understand and Pursue"

It was one of those moments jarring bones, brain and soul - like a linebacker from the blindside - that make you pause, desired or not. I had one of those recently while folding clothes, preparing for a Friday edition of Mac and Doog and, hey this is tough work, watching ESPN’s Sports Center.Actor Vince Vaughn is on with a noon-time guy - don’t know his name - and their having fun chatting about Chicago sports and Vaughn’s upcoming movie. The talented thespian is a native of the Windy City - nicknamed for politics not weather - and loves his home-town sports teams and the city. I do too, at least the city.  Darling girlfriend’s from there, the successful businesswoman’s family lives there, we visit often and America’s third-largest city holds great memories for dear friends, like former Cubs’ outfielder Bob Dernier. Sinatra’s not alone, Chicago’s my kind of town too.Anyway, back to the point of this Pep Talk. As Vaughn and the anchor continue to play witty and engaging  mental gymnastics, the conversation steered toward the fact ESPN, at it’s Bristol, Connecticut campus, has an in-house dodgeball league. Ever play dodgeball? It’s a fun and challenging game. Upon hearing this fact, Vaughn immediately asked, “Is it real dodgeball? Do they place the ball in the middle of the court and then you have to sprint and retrieve the ball for your team?” The star of several clever and funny movies seemed skeptical modern-day dodgeball had similar requirements to the game of his youth, and mine for that matter. The “real dodgeball” answer was affirmative and seemed to impress the 42-year-old who also excels in screenwriting and producing.For whatever reason mind wandered back to youth. As I recall, therein lies the first problem, that’s how we used to play the game. Put the ball out in the middle, blow the whistle and first team to the ball has the advantage. I was always one of the guys chasing after the ball. God built me that way: decent size, quickness, strength and desire. I loved to compete and knew it was my job to “go get the ball” for the team.I understood and, thank goodness, embraced the job. It was challenging sure, but it was also a heckuva lot of fun. Team sports, just my opinion, foster great memories and life lessons. So, I knew when the whistle blew I had teammates, coaches, parents and supporters expecting me to get the ball. I tried like heck most times and experienced success and failure. Thankfully, the former more than the latter. But most important, the role was clearly defined and, at that time, this simple dude could not get enough of that funky stuff. I was blessed to grow up in a community - Raytown, Missouri - which really supported youth athletics. Thanks everybody back home.That was long ago and life, like I know for each of you, has taken many detours. Ya know, those “What the heck is going on around here?” moments burrowed deep into soul? Would it be fair to label these episodes of life, “defining moments?” Is that fair? Let me know. I enjoy hearing from you about these musings!This much I hope is indisputable: we must understand and, my opinion, embrace our roles in life. I know, easier said than done, right? Physical, emotional and financial stress make remaining enthusiastic about life a real challenge, for all. Sometimes the roles we have to play suck but we have to try and keep a positive attitude about them. Ya know, that ol’ “lemons into margaritas” stuff.Victory Productions, in partnership with the Denver Improv, had its first Comedy for a Cause event last week. The fun evening honored the Colorado Hawks basketball club for its work in encouraging kids to play like champions in athletics, academics and life. I love the organization’s nickname. The club, founded in 1997, has as its nickname: HAWKS. An acronym for “Hard at work kids.” The staff, coaches, parent and supporters of the Hawks understand their roles: encourage kids to play like champions.What is our role right now, home, work and elsewhere? I pray this week we all find the strength, despite the crap that comes our way, to understand our roles and go get the ball. It’s necessary to win. You gotta have the ball, or at least, “be on the ball.”It was my job, because of my athleticism, to get the ball. But then there were other equally important teammates, who had other skills necessary for success. The bottom line is this: everybody understood their role and pursued success passionately. Whether we’re talking communities, or athletic teams, a collective bunch of determined folks who understand their roles and pursue success passionately have, just my opinion, a decent shot at success, right? Please tell me the answer to that question is more toward affirmative than other choices.A Friday midday, folding clothes, watching ESPN and, then, settling on Poor Man’s Porch to visit with you took cranium to good times and reminders of two of life’s great lessons: Despite what ails us, we keep running to daylight. The venues may change - home, work or elsewhere - but the strategy remains the same. We understand our roles and go get the ball.Memorial Day 2012. A day we honor those who certainly knew their role and went after the ball. They understood, and pursued with passion, the mission: protecting our freedoms. For that we should all be grateful.Understand and pursue. Yes, true, there is no guarantee for success but ya never know, it might just work too, right? Understand and pursue, with passion, our roles in this journey someone long ago coined as “life.” What the heck, let’s try it for a week and ya know, see what happens. Good luck!