I am Thankful

I am always thankful for my family and friends, without them I could not be the person I am. I am thankful for the trials and tribulations, successes and failures, love and laughter that make up my life. We are the sum of our experiences and I am thankful to have had every one of mine.

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know everything,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge
because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,
because it means you’ve made a difference.

Be thankful everyday.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Ode to the Gadget

I am a gadget freak. There, I said it. For the most part, I’ve been able to tame my affliction and not let it drive my life. But every once in awhile, like when a new, cool gadget is close to being released but hasn’t been yet, I find myself fully engulfed in the symptoms of a full blown case of gadget-itis. Okay, deep breath…

My friends are peripherally aware of this problem; my wife is the one who has to live with it the most. She’s good about humoring me at the right times, saying the right things, while not really understanding the depth of my pain. The fact that she could have all my cast off - once cool and new - gadgets doesn’t even phase her.

This latest outbreak is being caused by the imminent - NOT SOON ENOUGH - release of the Blackberry Storm. The first touch screen Blackberry chock full of features that allow it to compete with the iPhone - but with the business apps and enterprise features the iPhone lacks. I already pre-ordered one from Best Buy and the internet rumors say it will be available next week. Next week, not today. Arrgh! Deeeep breaaath…

I have often wondered why more employers don’t use this gadget affliction to motivate their people. I am not the only one so possessed. An employer could structure a “gadget allowance” into comp plans and probably increase retention rates dramatically. I know it would have kept me in place longer at several employers. It was always a struggle for me to have outdated technology (gadgets) while my clients had all the new cool stuff.

I know I’m not alone in this. I’ve discussed this with colleagues and friends over the years and they all agree. Employee compensation is not always about the salary and bonus. It’s often the additional benefits that motivate people the most. Car allowance, reasonable mileage reimbursement, golf outings, travel perks, gadget allowance - what do you think?

Gotta’ go - If you need me, I’ll be surfing the web for the latest Storm information while standing in line at Best Buy.

Rock the Vote

Finally, Election Day has arrived. Have you voted yet? If not, stop reading this and go let your voice be heard. I’ll wait…

   “Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.” - George Jean Nathan

Welcome back and thanks for voting. This has been an amazing election. Not just because of the obvious reasons - race, gender, age, or fresh start - but also because of the attention we as a nation are paying to it. Whether you are liberal or conservative, there was plenty to keep everyone focused and actually studying the issues and candidates. I have been impressed with the number of people that have been discussing the races. They are reading, talking and generally listening to what is being said. The bigger challenge has been sifting through the chaff that is being tossed around.

   “The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.” - John F. Kennedy

There is so much information available on so many issues and candidates that it has been hard trying to decide what is true and what is important. As much as this election has given me a glimmer of hope again in our process (it’s tough trying to be an idealist in a cynical, news cycle world), I grow weary, wary and upset with all the misinformation tossed around.

   “A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls.” - Dan Quayle

Thank you for voting. Thank you for caring. Thank you for believing in the possibility of a better world.

   “I can see Russia from my house.” - Tina Fey or was it actually Sarah Palin…

Oh, and thanks for taking a step back with me once in a while and laughing about such a serious subject.