Mark McIntosh's Blog, page 31

Pep Talk: "Transporting Precious Cargo"

It was a Saturday afternoon in mid March, the weather warming nicely, the Buffs and 'Cats from Los Angeles for the Pac 12 basketball tourney title and a simple dude from Missouri is finally getting around to reading Thursday's paper. Hey, better late than never, right?

A front page Denver Post story freezes my marrow. There's debate going on, in the Colorado state legislature, concerning an educational retention bill. It would make it tougher to graduate young kids, early in their education - kindergarten, first and second grade - if there are obvious literacy challenges. One of the bill's sponsors is a former school superintendent, Millie Hamner. The life-long educator, with a doctorate in Curriculum and Leadership from the University of Denver, admitted this: "Really, this is a plea to parents to read to children, to spend time with their children developing language early in their lives."

Wow. Has it come to this? We have legislators pleading with parents to spend time with their kids to help them develop necessary reading and writing skills? First, let me say thanks to all who enthusiastically embrace the responsibility of fostering an educational environment at home. This is a topic for another day but we need more of you!

It does make me think about parenting and a recent conversation, via texts, with teenage daughter's mom about fetching the volleyball standout from practice. We had some rain/snow mix going on in the Mile High City and a concerned mom reminded me: "Be careful driving." I responded with: "You bet. I'm carrying precious cargo."

Our kids. 25% of our population, 100% of our future. A Centennial State law maker is begging parents to spend more time with them emphasizing reading and writing? And we wonder why education seems broken? Kids must have early-education literacy fundamentals mastered before moving on. I've been called many things in life, smart rarely one, but that just seems to make sense, right? Please say yes.

In sports, it always starts with the fundamentals. Football, you have to run, throw, block, tackle, stuff like that; basketball you must pass, dribble, and shoot; baseball....well, you get the point. If you don't have the fundamentals mastered you're gonna get your butt kicked whether it's sports or educating kids, right?

I can remember my first television sports job in Harlingen, Texas. I once did a "Christmas for the Needy" story on a family of eight living in desperate poverty along America's border with Mexico. Many of the kids were school age but none spoke English. My piece focused more on the love present in the cardboard shack with no running water or electricity. Two king-sized beds dominated the primitive space. I told a story about love and hope but was dismayed by the reality and the link between education and poverty. I wonder what those six kids are doing today?

Then my mind wanders back to transporting precious cargo, our kids, and showing them the way. Two words dominate the thought process: create and care. When we create something, whether lives, relationships, careers or buildings, doesn't it make sense to care for it?

The basketball game on the television had ended. Tad Boyle's team had shown great heart in winning four straight games in four days to claim the Pac 12 basketball post-season championship title. In a game far more important than basketball, we need to have great heart in our duty to care for our creations - kids.

It ain't always easy, right? Parenting is tough work. But let's never grow weary of doing good in that area, okay? Where this week can we get better? There's always room for improvement, right?

Transporting precious cargo.

This week's Pep Talk was finally finished, the next day, two hours before zooming around the globe for your thoughts. Please let me know, will ya? I love to hear from you. I learn, thanks.

Anyway, it's exactly noon on Sunday the 11th of March; vigorous workout complete, the CU Buffs are Pac 12 champs in their first year in the league; the sun shines brightly; Billy Joel plays in the background and we're wrapping up a chat about playing like champions when it come to raising healthy and productive kids.

How do we effectively transport precious cargo? The answer to that question is far above my pay grade, but I'll offer this as a launching pad: With love, encouragement, discipline, joy, patience, goodness and self control because against such things, unlike literacy retention, there is no law currently on the books or proposed.

Pep Talk: "Priceless Rewards Produced"

Have you ever had a moment in life warming marrow with significance? Sure, we all have, right? It might be winning a championship, getting married, the birth of a child or achieving a professional goal. Landscapes on this journey we call life forever burned into brain - good and bad.

Those of you - thanks by the way - who frequent Pep Talk know one of the core beliefs suggested is to never grow weary - you and me - of doing good things for each other. Trust me, this thought is no revelation from a simple dude from Missouri - darn it. It's there for everyone to see within the best-selling book ever, the Bible. Yep, right there in Galatians, sixth chapter, ninth verse for those scoring at home.

Anyway, trying like heck to "do good for others" has always seemed a good idea, at least personally, for what it can manifest in our lives. Ya know, that ol' "Law of Circulation" mumbo jumbo. Well, if you believe in that, here's a recent example:

It was an early Thursday morning. Good sweat behind and busy day ahead as I turned the key to start the car. Immediate code red. The ten-year-old Audi A6 was running just fine an hour before on trip to gym, but now it's coughing, smoking and decomposing before startled eyes. One of those, "What the heck is going on around here?" moments.

I had to fetch daughter and let her drive me to school - she has a learner's permit and drives well - with the volleyball standout wondering, "Dad, what's wrong with your car? Is it going to blow up?" Lights on the dashboard were flashing "Check Engine!" as precious princess, glad to be alive, exits car quickly upon school arrival. I jump into the driver's seat and sputter toward a neighborhood gas and service station. Buddies there take care of the car's general well being. By the way, the boys at Circle Conoco near Denver's Congress Park neighborhood, now have a new nickname for your humble correspondent: "Smoky."

The news was not good. "Mark, you can't drive that car." What to do? This is where taht "what goes around comes around" belief, just my opinion, began to rear its beautiful head. A quick call to neighbor delivers car about 15 minutes later. New wheels in minutes! I'd love to promote a business promising that sometime on Mac and Doog! Then it got better.

Despite having new wheels and rolling toward appointments, the grave condition of beloved transportation device was sobering: defective ignition coils and possible catalytic converter issues. The repair bill, estimated to approach $5,000. I know the darn car's probably not worth that amount. In addition, hey, full disclosure here. on summer mornings in the Centennial State I love to write from a spot jokingly called Poor Man's Porch. Budgets are tight at Victory Productions.

While driving back to the office I remember a direct mail piece received about three weeks ago. It advertised a Denver-area repair shop specializing in repairs to Audi and VW's. Honestly, I had kept the marketing piece with the thoughts the company might be a good client of our afternoon show on Mile High Sports Radio. I grabbed the card, dialed the number in search of hope. I found it.

A friendly guy named Ryan answered the phone. He listens intently to the explanation of predicament and offered: "Mark, the first thing you should do is call Audi, give them your vehicle identification number and see if there are any open recalls on your car. I think there might be an open recall on your car for ignition coils."

This dude was sharp and helpful. Hope, as prevailing spirit, had replaced despair. A quick call to Audi confirms the manna from heaven. There is a recall and repairs are FREE! Things started moving quickly after that: tow truck summoned - Audi paid for it too - repairs completed, car returned the next day. Order restored.

In saying a quick prayer of thanks cranium immediately went to the "never grow weary of doing good for others" suggestion and, at least for me, its great value. Let's see here: Car coughs and snorts to a stop; neighbor swoops by and provides transportation; knowledgeable repair man offers solution. Repair bill goes from Mach 5 to zero real fast. I am grateful.

Did a personal dedication, despite falling short too often, to "never growing weary of doing good for others" have anything to do with this good fortune? I know there will be others - buddy who's the hubby of the wonderful neighbor one of them - who will suggest, "Mac, it's just a random act." I choose to believe differently. What about you?

This week do good for others. I know, simple, not easy. But the effort often produces priceless rewards when we least expect it!

Pep Talk: "No Short Cuts"

It's late on a Saturday afternoon in late February. Billy Joel plays in the background but cranium is focused on Martin Luther King, Jr.

I have been watching with interest the saga surrounding the MLK Memorial dedicated last year in our nation's capitol. The civil-rights hero had a dream and, I can only speak for myself, challenged each of us to get past color of skin and focus on courage of heart in transforming America for the better. The memorial sits on our National Mall adjacent to the Franklin D. Roosevelt memorial and between the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials. It's the first major memorial on the Mall dedicated to an African-American and non president. Impressive.

There has been controversy about the design. Specifically a quote carved into the memorial's side. I think, just my opinion, it's a good example of the danger of taking short cuts when more effort would have resulted in better outcome.

Here's what's burrowed into the stone on one side: "I was a drum major for peace." Well, that's not exactly what King said when others suggested his leadership made the orator a "drum major" for social change. Opponents of the inscription said, and I agree, it made King sound arrogant. What he actually said in a 1964 speech just a month before his assassination, was this:

"If you want to say I was a drum major, say I was a drum major for justice; if you want to say I was a drum major, say I was a drum major for peace; if you want to say I was a drum major, say I was a drum major for righteousness." Humble.

Kudos to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar for stepping in and saying, "Hold on here folks. We must get this right." Why a stoneworker from China, not America, chiseled the words and why nobody in the project's development process stepped forward to correct the prose are topics for another day, the point is this: When we screw up the best darn thing we can do is try and fix it as fast as possible. Unfortunately, often those screw ups come along when we're trying to cut corners and not giving our best effort.

What is our best effort? That's a tough question to answer, right? Dang, sometimes "best effort" means just surviving the heartaches of life that show up when we least expect it: Divorce, illness, injury and job loss to name just a few. And then there's moments where "best effort" is moving forward from any of the before-mentioned, or other, calamities that strike and leave us wondering, "What the heck is going on around here?" And yes, there are moments when "best effort" involves us continuing to excel in ways honoring, nurturing and adding value to the communities we serve - home, work and elsewhere. "Best effort" ain't easy to define but always worthy of pursuit.

I'm just a simple dude from Missouri but it seems to me the more time, spent hanging out in the "best efforts" category, the better. It's tough to dwell there when we're cutting corners, wherever we roam.

This week, let's keep this MLK goof in our craniums as an example of the challenges we bring forth in our lives when choosing to take short cuts. Let's don't go there, K? Because more often than not, when choosing such a course, we lose our way and repairs to relationships, careers, health or monuments are costly considering the deep initial chisel.

This week's Pep Talk: "Make Headlines"

It's a weekday ritual in preparation for a daily three-hour afternoon sports talk show on Mile High Sports Radio in Denver: scanning ESPN's website looking for topics that might spark interesting, engaging and entertaining conversation. Partner Jimmy Doogan and I really try and walk the talk in having a show focused on listeners and asking them questions. Everybody has a right to their opinion, right? I'm just a simple dude from Missouri, been called a lot of things in life, smart rarely one, but that's why it's called, Drive Time with Mac and Doog: Ain't about us, it's about YOU!

It was a Friday, the second one in February, and, toward the bottom of the headlines, this caught my eye: "Youkilis to marry Brady's sister." Apparently, veteran Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis and Julie Brady, one of New England quarterback Tom Brady's three sisters, are engaged and gonna get hitched. Good for them and good luck in that honorable and challenging thing called marriage - been there a coupla times and it was bumpy. But something else about the story resonated. It took me to a joyful moment.

My son graduated from high school four years ago. As a graduation gift, with the help of an amazing buddy, I planned a "Dad and Dude" weekend to Boston to watch his beloved - at the time - Red Sox play at Fenway Park. Just a few weeks from enrolling to study film at New York University the hard-working young man had visited the fabled venue far earlier in life. At about 18 months old, the chocolate-chip-eyed baby boy, his mom and yours truly caught a game at baseball's shrine before heading to vacation on Martha's Vineyard. What I remember about that moment - of course Kyle doesn't - was my now 22-year-old son swinging a miniature bat around and almost taking the heads off of others seated close. Another memory bringing smile to face and warmth to heart - two darn powerful things for which I'm grateful. Each is good for us.

Anyway, Kyle's graduated from high school; he and his old man head to Boston to watch the Red Sox for a weekend series. It happens, this was August 2008, the same weekend the Brady-led Patriots were playing an exhibition game in nearby Foxboro. That incredible pal Rich Fisher - "Fish Daddy" to me - set us up big-time at each venue: seats right behind home plate at Fenway and, because of his friendship with Brady, a couple a seats in the future Hall of Famer's family suite at Gillette Stadium. I'm pretty sure I met, briefly, Julie while sitting there watching the game. The Brady family is very welcoming and friendly. They made two complete strangers feel welcomed and comfortable. A long overdue "thank you" to the Brady clan for contributing to a wonderful weekend for a father and his son.

And that's where this all ends: a father with tears in his eyes about a wonderful moment in his life - road trip with his boy. It came from scanning ESPN's website. It also comes at an interesting time in the relationship: A young man working hard, and making progress, in a dream to make his mark in the entertainment industry - not an easy chore. He wants and deserves his space. The thought of a similar road trip and hanging with the old man, in all likelihood, not real high on his "good-time" agenda at this juncture of his life.

And then it comes to your humble correspondent and, "Will I have courage to accept and receive?" For some reason, that question makes me think of my father. Three decades ago, when I was in my early 20's, he wasn't very cool either. That sure changed before my old man departed to lung cancer in 2007. Miss our golf games buddy.

Stepping back and letting kids spread their wings. Ain't the easiest thing in the world, right? Parents, let's make sure, despite feeling ignored, to keep encouraging our kids to chase dreams. It will strengthen their spirit and help them soar like eagles.

I can't remember a darn thing about topics discussed that day on Mac and Doog. However, preparation for it took me to first, a wonderful memory, and then, a present experience. Now the question becomes, given those two truths, what does the future hold for father and son? I sure hope, and will try like heck to facilitate, it grows into friendship and admiration I was blessed to share with my old man.

Friendship and admiration. Two things that make life fulfilling. Okay, here's the challenge this week: Let's be a good friend and act in healthy and productive ways others would admire - home, work and elsewhere.

Who knows, maybe we'd make headlines too. Have a good week. For those where that just ain't possible right now, hang in there!

This week's Pep Talk: "Pick One"

I want to start this week's Pep Talk with thanks to you. Our conversations - phone, email, face-to-face, letter - surrounding unique, challenging and inspiring experiences - yours and mine - often trigger these musings designed to encourage others to play like champions wherever roaming - home, work and elsewhere.

That is certainly the case this week. What started as a simple phone call to discuss a business project quickly became far more relevant. What emerged from a lengthy chat - more life than business - is, at least for me, a great love story centered on service to others. The storyteller is a woman, spouse, mother and friend. The dynamo was describing a family event from a few years ago. You know, one of the moments we encounter in life that leave us wondering, "What the heck is going on around here?"

How storyteller and devoted spouse dealt with the deep cut and lasting scar, again, at least for me, represents two incredible expressions of concern for others. Thinking beyond ourselves. The story began with hubby informed a lengthy and successful career had been terminated. We've all been there, right? Those times in life when something cherished is taken from us, unexpected and unwanted? Sure we have. It sucks. The question becomes, how are we going to react, right?

Well, this adoring grandpa, hurt deeply an employer no longer valued him, knew devoted bride and family had other important matters needing attention: their son's wedding 800 miles to the east. The storyteller explained, on the couple's long drive to America's heartland, husband uttered nary a word about his personal pain. In an incredibly loving gesture, a man knew his bride of 35 years was focused on the wedding. He didn't want to muddy the waters. He stood down for a greater cause. Impressive if you ask me.

The story got even better. Once the wedding was complete, with grand success, husband informs wife of the situation. What she did next was just as, maybe more, impressive. Without her husband's knowledge wife marches into husband's former employer and informed the boss, in a one-way conversation, she is married to a honorable, loving and integrity-filled man who walks that talk daily. Remember the 1960's hit song, Stand by Your Man by Tammy Wynette? In the court of public opinion, this could be Exhibit A.

The power of standing down and/or standing up! Where might it be time to stand down for another? Stand up? Where is it time to put welfare and concern for others before self? One of my favorites statements in the best-selling book ever written on wisdom is in Galatians where we're challenged: "Never grow weary of doing good for others because at the proper time we'll reap the harvest if we just don't give up."

I'm just a simple dude from Missouri, but a man standing down for his wife and a woman standing up for her husband seems to fit the "never growing weary of doing good" criteria. It's reaped a harvest for these incredible human beings: more than three decades of loving and committed matrimony, two beautiful children, three grandkids, community respect and exciting business projects. In my book, they're turning life's lemons - heck with lemonade - into sweet and savory margaritas. Sorry, couldn't resist.

Stand down. Stand up. This week, pick one. Take action in loving service to another. Rarely, if ever, is that a bad thing. Have a good week!.

This week's Pep Talk: "Where Resilience Rules"

Devoted Pep Talk readers know mentor Bill McCartney is often referenced when speaking of overcoming adversity and challenging situations. I love the way the former national champion football coach describes it: "We get knocked down. It's okay to lie there and bleed a bit. But eventually, we must rise, dust ourselves off, and continue the march." Amen to that brother. I would call it, "turning life's lemons - heck with lemonade - into sweet and savory margaritas."

I witnessed a good example of transforming life's lemons into margaritas recently on a trip to St. Louis, Missouri for a friend's wedding. This man has been a good buddy since our college days at Mizzou. The former roommate has always had a "can do" attitude toward life - home, work and elsewhere.

Like most of us, that optimistic spirit has been tested more than once. Most recently, about five years ago, when a 24-year marriage, that produced three beautiful children, crashed and burned. The successful business owner was, as Coach Mac would say, "knocked down and bled a little bit" but found the resolve to dust himself off and continue the journey in ways honoring, nurturing and adding value to himself, his children and now, new bride and her three children.

I'm sure most of us can relate, right? We've had those moments leaving us wondering, "What the heck is going on around here?" The question becomes, "What are we going to do with unexpected, and unwanted, twists and turns life tends to throw our way at the most inopportune times?"

Those thoughts ran through my cranium as, along with darling girlfriend, we celebrated and rejoiced a marriage and second chances. As the band played into the night and the mood grew more festive, my mind suddenly shifted to someone else I had spent time with earlier on this day. A friendly woman sitting next to me on the flight from Denver into the state of Missouri's largest city. "I am trying to find my way" offered this gentle soul upon descent into Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. The southeast Missouri resident is dealing with the recent and sudden death of a beloved husband of more than 40 years.

The mother of four and grandma of ten stays busy with community activities and spoiling grandkids. But there's a wound to the heart and she wonders if it will ever heal. Our conversation ended with prayer for her courage and strength for the days ahead.
In the best-selling book of wisdom ever written, in Jeremiah, we're encouraged to remember God has a plan for us; to prosper, not harm us; to give us hope and a future. While grooving to the music, with arm around the love of my life, another prayer surfaced for my airplane buddy: "May you someday emerge from this painful moment with hope for a bright future like Becky and Tim have from their challenging times."

Challenging times. We all have them. Stay strong. It's okay to lie down and bled a little but don't lose hope. Rise and march on. I know, easy to talk about, far more difficult to execute. Do it anyway. Forge a future where resilience - readily recovering from disappointment - rules. While there is no guarantee for success against whatever ails us, resilience sure seems to improve our chances. An absolutely gorgeous bride and handsome groom tearing up the dance floor is proof of that truth. I hope it's your truth this week too.

This week's Pep Talk: "A Good Gospel"

Like many of you, this simple dude from Missouri is an early riser. I can still remember wonderful parents and others in my youth declaring, "The early bird gets the worm." It has always resonated with me. Wouldn't you know it, opposites attract.

My darling girlfriend is a night owl. We don't live together but on nights where daddy duty does not beckon, and she's not traveling, I'm usually snuggled up against my soul mate. She struggles to comprehend why, even on the weekends, yours truly rarely allows the light of day to win the call to action. In a loving way she tells me, "It would be nice to wake up with you next to me, at least on weekends." I'll try, K?

In keeping with that declaration, recently, while she slept soundly on a Saturday morning, I'm lying in bed deleting unwanted photos from my cell phone. I was having storage-space problems on the darn thing and an employee at a T-Mobile store had told me, "Delete some of those photos." I thought this was a winner: staying in bed making my love happy and getting some work done - that's a dynamic duo!

I'm staring at a photo, taken about a year ago, of my teenage daughter's back. We were standing in line at a Smashburger restaurant after one of her volleyball practices. For whatever reason, spirit moved me to take a picture of the statement on the back of her shirt: "We write our script daily." That was Juggernaut volleyball's 2011 season motto.

Lying in bed staring at that picture - saved - took cranium to another moment, many years ago, centered around darling daughter, who by the way, has made an impressive debut as a driver. Now 15 years old, she has a learner's permit. I have a chauffeur. We make a good team.

Many years ago when this excellent volleyball player was quite younger she came home from parochial school one day and tossed backpack onto counter. I was looking through the darn thing - why do backpacks weigh so much? - seeking to discover what needed to be read, signed and sent back; discarded as trash or left untouched. In this process, I noticed a small piece of paper. Apparently from the children's Mass earlier that Wednesday at school, it read: "We are writing our gospel a chapter a day, by the deeds we do, the words we say. Others will read what we write, determine whether it's faithful and true. What's the gospel according to you."

I dunno about you, but that statement warms the marrow and I've used it often when presenting Pep Talks to audiences. To me, it's asking us this: What's our story? We're writing it a chapter a day, by the deeds we do and the words we say, right? Trust me, I've been called lots of things in life, smart rarely one of them, but you can bet others will read, or watch, what we write and determine whether it's faithful and true. What's the gospel, what's the story, according to us?

Is our story faithful and true? Does it honor us, nurture those dependent upon us and add value to communities served wherever we roam - home, work and elsewhere? If not, why not start today?

The task of writing a good gospel ain't easy, right? Many things will entice us to stray, don't. Stay strong and don't be afraid to ask for help when thoughts of surrender invade mind, body and soul tempting us to stray from this honorable quest.

Lying in bed next to my sweetie, deleting lousy photos led to a beautiful reminder of one of life's great truths. We write our gospel a chapter a day. This week, let's make it a good one!

This week's Pep Talk: "Bucket List Bye Byes"

Anybody out there own a bucket list? Ya know, those dreams you want to make reality? For me a few things come immediately to mind: sing the national anthem at a sporting event; rent a motor home, tour the nation, attend important college football games and then write a book about the experience. Those are a few things at the top my list. There's no list on a wall, or other reminder, but I think about each a lot and dream.

That dynamic duo had a third member until recently when hosting a comedy show was booted from the team. Thanks to a college buddy, turned outstanding comic, the team at Denver's Improv Comedy and friends from many places, this simple dude from Missouri fulfilled that dream on, no kidding, Friday the 13th. Appropriate.

So many wonderful memories of a great night but one really sticks out: the thrill of introducing someone admired. Mark Cordes. Your humble correspondent, a few years back, went to Mizzou with this amazing guy. What we remember of it, brings smiles to our faces. Rival fraternities but kindred spirits. The Kansas City native is a great guy and one funny dude. He put fear aside and 23 years ago, said adios to the corporate world and allowed wonderment to win in chasing a comedic career. Good for him and us. He's talented. Hall of fame comic Robin Williams came backstage recently and told the avid golfer, "You're good." For me that would be like, I dunno, Norman Vincent Peale sitting in the front row and nodding approvingly to a Pep Talk? A validation of effort from a master of your craft? Strong. Powerful.

I had the thrill of exalting this brother from another mother to a large and appreciative crowd. The pride of Truman High School is three years my senior. The times we shared in school where usually centered around two things: sports and parties. He's real big on people, in healthy and productive ways, getting out and having some fun. As smart as he is funny, the buddy with a beloved wife, likes to joke, when talking about having a little fun in life and its importance, of this truth: "None of us is getting out of here alive." Amen to that brother.

We had a blast doing the show. I learned a lot too. Cordes and his fellow Improv cohort Gary Menke taught me a few things about their world and had the crowd chuckling all night long. A bucket list-clearing moment for which, I'm grateful and blessed. However, at this time, cranium remains focused on the importance of fun. I think it should be a priority. We all know life has those unwanted and unexpected twists and turns that leave us wondering, "What the heck is going on around here?" But, despite that truth, try, when possible, to have a little fun. Make it a priority. However, here's where it gets tricky. A priority of having fun must coexist with honoring, nurturing and adding value to communities we serve, right?

Priorities. Defined in Oxford American Dictionary as "something more important than other considerations." Having the chance to boot the bucket, exalt a buddy and be reminded of the joy it brings takes us to this: Priorities. Where are ours right now? Is there any venue - home, work or elsewhere - where there's room for priority improvement?

I've been called a lot of things in life, smart rarely is one of them but it seems to me that the better we handle life's important priorities, wherever we roam, the greater the chance for stuff like love, joy and fun to flourish.

We've heard that phrase, "Good things come in threes" right? Well, give me that terrific trio of love, joy and fun anytime and anyplace. Hey, let's be honest, life doesn't work that way, we know that, right? But when love, joy and fun come together it's memorable and warms the marrow. Sow the seeds for such moments this week by handling priorities. Who knows, something on your bucket list might say bye-bye too. Good luck!

This week's Pep Talk: "The Effort Alone"

There are moments when life gives us wonderful examples of possibility. Often these reminders go largely unnoticed. But then again, sometimes amazing feats occur before a massive audience. The Denver Broncos recent upset overtime win over the heavily-favored Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC playoffs is a good example.

Ironically, Denver's first playoff win since 2005 was, for this simple dude from Missouri, a second powerful reminder of, my opinion, a great truth: hard work, smart decisions and teamwork can spark tremendous accomplishment - home, work and elsewhere, including a football field.

And, a volleyball court. On this second Sunday of January 2012, the initial reminder of this terrific trio's power forced me to listen to the first half of the Broncos/Steelers thriller on radio. I was driving back from Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was opening day for a team of young ladies, including precious daughter, who play volleyball for Juggernaut, a club team based in Denver. This group of high-school freshmen girls showed similar resolve - hard work, smart decisions and teamwork - in playing winning volleyball in five matches played over seven hours.

Hard work. Smart decisions. Teamwork. It seems, just my opinion, to greatly enhance chances of victory wherever we roam. Sorry, concentration on this Pep Talk was interrupted briefly by a buddy - who also had a daughter playing in the volleyball tournament - texting me about the Broncos improbable victory, the Iowa native wrote: "I prefer my crow fried so it tastes like chicken. How do you like yours? Unbelievable!"

Long-time mentor and buddy Bill McCartney and I share mud - what he calls coffee - and water often these days. Frequently, for whatever reason, the leadership-centered conversation steers toward a quotation near and dear to our hearts. It's a statement attributed to Vince Lombardi. The New York native studied for the priesthood and attended law school before shifting his focus to football. Ultimately, Lombardi would, in the 1960's, lead the Green Bay Packers to five world championships. The Super Bowl champion each year hoists a trophy named after the legendary coach who tragically died far too young of cancer at 57 and once muttered: "I firmly believe any man's - substitute woman, child or other moniker here - finest hours is that moment when he has worked his heart out in good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious."

Amen to that! Life often takes us on unexpected and unwanted journeys leaving us perplexed and wondering, "What the heck is going on around here?" Few gave the Broncos a snowball's chance in Hades of beating the Steelers. Few parents expected teenage girls who love to sleep, as much as they love to shop, rise early and play inspired volleyball. Where might it be time for us to take a cue from these examples and display great resolve in working hard, playing smart and rallying with like-minded folks in conquering whatever ails us - home, work and community? This is just my opinion, but while venues change - football field, volleyball court, workplace, home or neighborhood - strategies for success remain the same. I know, simple, not easy, right?

Perhaps it comes down to this. Wherever we roam, let's promise one another our best effort. Let's promise one another, even in bleak moments, to work hard, play smart and unite in ways honoring us, nurturing those dependent upon us and adding value to communities we serve.

The community served might be a football team, volleyball squad, family, business, church, service club - whatever. Let's work our hearts out in good cause. While there is no guarantee of lying exhausted on the battlefield victorious, the effort alone will make us winners.

This week's Pep Talk: "High Alert for Good"

Billy Joel and his band are entertaining with The Ballad of Billy the Kid in the background and your humble correspondent has just returned from harassing the neighbors for a bit. In truth, I went up the street to say thanks for them watching the house while I was away and, in case I didn't see them later in the evening, wish "Happy New Year" as Twenty Twelve rolls ashore in our lives.

"How was Chicago?" wonders a devoted wife, mother and friend with a grin. "Did you have fun?" Let me tell ya folks. It was awesome. There are many to thank but one stands above: my darling girlfriend, Kathy. We're in the Windy City - for its politics - visiting her family and the love of my life surprises this simple dude from Missouri with an extra special present once we landed at O'Hare: 22-year-old son Kyle secretly flown in from Los Angeles for the week.

I didn't have a clue but apparently many close friends in Denver and Chicago also helped mightily to pull this off. I was shocked. Kathy and I are sitting in the car waiting for brother-in-law Victor - married to the one-and-only Mary, Kathy's sister - supposedly fetching one of his state managers from another flight. Kathy tells me, "Hey, you have one more gift to open here in Chicago." It was Christmas Day afternoon. "Oh, yea, what's that?" I wondered. "Turn around" she directs. I had no response, just a big holler. My son, two days past his 22nd birthday, was sneaked into town thanks to an incredible woman. No wonder so many people in the staffing business love to work for her. She has a very big heart and enjoys doing good things for others. I'm the lucky recipient in many ways. Yeah me.

Trust me when I say this, because it's the truth, while writing the first draft of this Pep Talk, Frank Sinatra's Fly Me to the Moon was playing from the Ipad. That is Kathy's favorite song. Is that luck, or something else? I say the latter but also understand others think I'm crazy too. That's okay. I would say, and it's just my opinion, our desire to promote unity of spirt would benefit greatly if we focused on doing good things for each other. It's always been a favorite Bible verse for me, Galatians 6:9: "Never grow weary of doing good things for each other because at the proper time you will reap the harvest if you just don't give up."

Kathy Gans walks that talk daily. Lucky me, my kids and many others whether family, friend or business associate. We can too. We can decide the best strategy is doing good. While there is no guarantees of success, it sure makes life fun. Sure, we get burned, perhaps too often, but the rewards are worth the effort. My darling girlfriend knew what it would mean to me to have my ambitious, fun and focused 22-year-old son close for a bit. We had a blast with others we love dearly.

We're challenged to "never grow weary of doing good for at the proper time we'll reap the harvest if we just don't give up." That word "proper" has always fascinated me. Who decides when the time is proper? Anyway, the point is this: Kathy Gans' bone-marrow belief of never growing weary of doing good makes her the apple of my eye. Who out there in Twenty Twelve could use, in healthy and productive ways, a loving booster-like mentality from us? Home, work or elsewhere?

Where could perhaps a loving gesture from one of us bring great joy to another? Let's make sure we look around for opportunities. I share water and mud with buddy Bill McCartney often and when talking about being receptive to something his eyes grow wider while declaring, "Have your reticular activating system on high alert!" Amen buddy.

This week have that "reticular activating system on high alert" in doing good for others. It works!