I miss my Dad.

It’s been seven years this week since George P. Nornes left this earth, and sometimes it seems like just yesterday.  He was an amazing man, husband, father, teacher, and God’s faithful servant.

Dad used to travel to different churches as a lay preacher.  The presentation I remember most is based on an essay written by Bert V. Dunne in 1945, “Don’t Die on Third.” 

This posting is written in my Dad’s memory.

It was the early 1900’s.  A baseball game.  Detroit  vs. Cleveland.  Bottom of the ninth, tied score, two outs.  George Moriarty was on third base for the Tigers. 

Moriarty had two choices.  He could wait to see if the batter got a hit and then run for home base.  (If the batter missed, the inning would be over without a score. Even with a hit, the runner could be thrown out at first.)  Or, Moriarty could reach the plate on his own efforts.

Moriarty didn’t want to be stranded at third base.  He wanted to score.  He didn’t want his run to be left in the fate of someone else.  So he watched the pitcher’s wind-up to get the timing just right, and then took off to steal home plate.  He used his skills, experience, and desire to win, to reach home.  And he was safe.

It’s a good thing he did.  The batter missed the ball.

Moriarty wouldn’t have scored if he’d depended on the batter.  He made it happen.  In the few seconds that it took to slide into home plate, a point was scored–on the scoreboard in the outfield, and more importantly, in Moriarty’s internal book of success.

You’re moving around the baseball diamond in your own career right now.  Or in your job search.  You had a good hit, your teammates (network/colleagues) have moved you around the bases, and you’re one base away from scoring.  But you’re worn out.  You’re on third base and nothing is happening.  No interview, no promotion, no change in your boss. You’re tired.  

You have two choices: wait for someone else to do something for you, or make it happen for yourself.

Your choice determines your future.  It influences how you think and feel about yourself.  It creates your character.

Don’t quit now.  Don’t give up.  Keep studying the play book.  Learn from your coaches.  Watch for the opportunity.  You will never regret staying in the game.  You will regret quitting.

Don’t die on third.

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My friend, Chere Bork, just completed her first triathlon at age 55.
My friend, Mark LeBlanc, walked 500 miles across Northern Spain in 33 days.

Are they living intentionally?  You bet.

Chere and Mark are each doing what is necessary to make sure life doesn’t pass them by.  They are getting off the sidelines and getting into the game.

Here are brief introductions to these living with purpose people…

Chere Bork has a heart as big as the ocean. She absolutely loves people.  And she is always looking for or creating ways to make you feel special.  Chere is a nutritionist, wellness coach, and media spokesperson.  Her clients love her, and she knows (and has fun with!) nutrition and healthy eating habits better than anyone I know.  When she’s not coaching, writing a cookbook, or doing something active outside, she’s spending time with her family and volunteering.  (Chere and I co-facilitate the Apprentice program in the National Speakers Association-MN Chapter’s Institute for Professional Speaker Development.)

Chere decided to run a triathlon when she turned 55.  So she did.  She set her goal, followed her goal, and achieved her goal.  But it was more than that for Chere.  Read her story in her own words.  You will be inspired.

  There are two things I appreciate most about Mark LeBlanc.  First, he has learned through ups and downs and successes and failures what it takes to live an authentic, purpose-focused life while building an extremely successful business.  Second, we both come from small towns in northwestern Minnesota.  Mark grew up in Fertile, and I grew up in Climax.  Ya’ just gotta’ love the small town guys.

Mark has been changing the lives of thousands through his speaking, teaching, and coaching.  Do you want to build a business or grow your business?  Then you need to talk to Mark.  He’s the best.  His million+ steps across Northern Spain significantly transformed how he things about work and life.  Read his story in his own words.   

Mark’s book, Never be the Same, is on my List of Top 10 Favorite Books.  You’ll learn about life, business, and how to just keep moving forward when times are tough.  You will never be the same after reading it.  It really is a great book. 

Give yourself a gift today.  Read Chere and Mark’s stories.  Be ready to be challenged.  It’s never too late to start living.

Live with purpose.   Get off the bench.  Get in the game. 

“No matter what your current situation is, good or not-so-good, hang in there.  Miracles do happen, memories can be healed, and dreams do come true.  Make a commitment to yourself first, not to the finish line…You can always take another step.  You can take another one, too.  Deliberately, in the direction of your dream.  It may be a baby step, but you can take one.  Today.  Tomorrow, and the next day.”  >From Never be the Same by Mark LeBlanc.

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Waking up and realizing it’s Saturday.
Finding money in your old coat pocket.
That one square in the waffle that’s the most loaded with butter and syrup.

What do they have in common?

They make us feel good.  Each creates this instantaneous breath of sheer joy and surprise. An Awesome Moment.

You’ll find these smile-inducing moments and hundreds more in Neil Pasricha’s book, The Book of Awesome.

As Pasricha writes on the book jacket, “Sometimes it’s easy to forget the things that make us smile.”

Isn’t that the truth!

Pasricha has pulled together observations that, when we read them, we immediately know exactly how that moment or activity makes us feel.  And it usually brings a smile.

Check out this book.  It’s well written, AND it will bring joy to some of the gloomiest days.  Really.  Find some time to read this book.  One Awesome Moment a day is bound to make you feel better.

The website is an event in itself.  Everyday people posting their own everyday moments that make them smile.  http://www.1000awesomethings.com.

Two more of my favorite moments:
Picking the perfect nacho off someone else’s plate.
Laughing so hard you make no sound at all.

Just Awesome.

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Have you had a day like I’ve had?

It was a day with limited appointments, so ideal for focusing on completing projects.
But I couldn’t stay focused if a zillion dollars was riding on getting a project done by 5:00.
Wandering through the house, gazing over my bookshelves, and staring into the fridge took up an awful lot of time.

I tried to tape Dr. Oz this afternoon.
I got a 60 minute show with about 10 minutes of health content, and 50 minutes of weather warnings.  (Does it really take that long to warn us about the weather?)

Ideas for my postings have been bubbling for days…and today was the day to write them.
And now?  I’ve got nothing.  Nothing is even simmering.
And the harder I try to write…well, writing a complete sentence deserves Author of the Year status.

So it’s 5:30 and not a whole lot has been accomplished.

I’ve got two choices:

1) Kick myself for being lazy, unfocused, incompetent, etc.  You know what I mean.  When we’re in “one of those days,” we quickly find all kinds of descriptors that question our right to be on this planet.

2) Recognize that I didn’t always make good choices today…AND I’ll make better ones tomorrow. I know that I’m competent, energetic, and productive.  I’m making a difference and I re-start tomorrow.

You’ve had days like this, right?  (Please say yes.)

Chalk it up to lessons learned and move on.  The worst thing I can do tomorrow?  Repeat today.  That will start to build a habit.  And it won’t be a good one.

It’s one of those days.  And tomorrow will be even better.

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Just an Update…

There’s an obvious gap in time since the last time I posted here!  I’m sorry about the break in the schedule.  I’ve been spending more time with my mom as she recuperates from two serious heart procedures.  Loved our time together while decreasing the hours I spent on other things.  Now she’s back on track and feeling great!

I am just lovin’ Caribou’s new look.  You may have seen the changes in this very popular coffee shop’s redesign.  They’ve changed the graphics, deepened their colors, and have created a much more contemporary and trendy feel to the place.  Walking in to get my iced chai tea latte becomes an experience – I feel energized, inspired, and hopeful.  Yeah, I know.  It’s only a coffee shop.  But it creates a moment for me.

Their slogan is the same: “Life is short. Stay awake for it.”  And now they’ve added ‘bouisms to their cups and napkins.  Short words or phrases that remind us that today matters—let’s get the most out of it.  “Stay awake for maxing out your passport.”  “Life’s too short for grudges.”

Don’t you just love being around people who bring their own positive “bouisms” with them?  People who show up and bring energy and passion to the conversation.  It’s more than an exchange of information.  It’s an experience.  A moment.  

Lately I’ve been inspired by the ‘bouisms I receive from my network of job seekers.

I’m thinking of my new friend, George.  He speaks so fondly and with such gratitude about the people he’s crossed paths with over the years.   “I’ve worked with some amazing people!” (What a treat to be part of his network!)  And my friend, Maureen.  She’s got a message to share that will change the way we think about people with mental illness.  Her eyes light up as she talks about hope.  “I’m going to help change the face of mental health.”  And my conversations with Mary are just so enjoyable.  She passionately looks for ways to share her expertise and never, ever complains about the tight job market.  “I’m so fortunate.”

How are you showing up today?  What words or phrases are showing up in your conversations?  They’ll change the world around you, you know. 

Don’t miss a day of living.  Life is short.

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