Category: Stumble Upon

We talked about controllable and uncontrollables

Disney 25 year service award
This was my 25th Disney anniversary recognition by my leader, Tom Madden, in 2009.

 

Larry and i hadn’t communicated for 30 years. As we spent five hours catching up, he responded to a section of our conversation where i had made significant changes in my life (2008-2009), particularly starting a business and the plan to retire from Disney at 55 (i was 49 at the time i made the plan).

Larry said something i had never considered. He said:

You took control of your life.

i had never considered that notion. In fact, it seemed quite the opposite. So i shared with him that perhaps in relinquishing control, i gained control.

It wasn’t until i surrendered everything to God that i was able to “take control” of my life.

 

__________

 

 

On April Fool’s Day 2009, jeff noel began writing five daily, differently-themed blogs (on five different sites). It was to be a 100-day self-imposed “writer’s bootcamp”, in preparation for writing his first book. He hasn’t missed a single day since.

This website is about our spiritual health. To leave this site to read today’s post on jeff’s career health website, click here.

 

He cried a few minutes after we met

Mickey Mouse on Apple Watch
It was at this time that the Food & Beverage Manager and i met.

 

He cried (briefly, and almost unnoticeably) a few minutes after we met.

The waitress behind the Hotel lobby cafe counter gently pushed my oatmeal breakfast tray across the counter while the manager got my cup of plain hot water. The boringness of my drink started our conversation.

And in a handful of minutes what began casually turned into a profound moment for both of us.

How i quit drinking coffee and diet coke and replaced that with plain water led to health talk, which led to…

Him sharing that his wife had a massive heart attack and died less than two years ago.

He shared that because he too is taking steps to become healthier.

i signed a copy of my book and included a personal note about Debi and told him i didn’t expect him to read it, but if he did, i hoped it would have a positive impact on the people he loves.

 

__________

 

 

On April Fool’s Day 2009, jeff noel began writing five daily, differently-themed blogs (on five different sites). It was to be a 100-day self-imposed “writer’s bootcamp”, in preparation for writing his first book. He hasn’t missed a single day since.

This website is about our spiritual health. To leave this site to read today’s post on jeff’s career health website, click here.

 

Noticing is either a habit, OCD, or both

Black-eyed susans
Courtyard Marriott wall mural – our favorite flower.

 

Found it interesting that the first and last photos on yesterday’s camera roll were of flowers.

A recurring theme has me wondering how much hope people actually carry through their day.

The theme is margin (aka breathing room in a busy life).

PS. Since this is being posted on June 25, Happy 33rd Anniversary.

 

__________

 

 

On April Fool’s Day 2009, jeff noel began writing five daily, differently-themed blogs (on five different sites). It was to be a 100-day self-imposed “writer’s bootcamp”, in preparation for writing his first book. He hasn’t missed a single day since.

This website is about our spiritual health. To leave this site to read today’s post on jeff’s career health website, click here.

 

Bound Galley – Not For Sale

Top leadership books
Upper left book corner. Rare.

 

Creating Magic book
The glamour of business travel.

 

Graceland Car museum
Hot on Elvis’ trail.

 

Bound Galley – Not For Sale…

To be on the short list of trusted leaders beats being nothing but a hound dog.

But all i have to do is remember i too spent a lifetime at Disney.

 

__________

 

 

On April Fool’s Day 2009, jeff noel began writing five daily, differently-themed blogs (on five different sites). It was to be a 100-day self-imposed “writer’s bootcamp”, in preparation for writing his first book. He hasn’t missed a single day since.

This website is about our spiritual health. To leave this site to read today’s post on jeff’s career health website, click here.

 

You’ll never get in trouble if you make this kind of mistake

Catholic Lectors
Have never heard a Lector do this – reading something recommended from Lectorprep.org.

 

You’ll never get in trouble for making a mistake while trying to do the right thing.

It was that way at Disney, if you had a great leader. Not sure how it plays out in the Catholic Church.

Note: i did as the note above suggests. Hours later, an email asking me to not do it again. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

PS. Several Parishioners told me immediately after Mass that the context was important and that it helped them understand the reading.

 

__________

 

 

On April Fool’s Day 2009, jeff noel began writing five daily, differently-themed blogs (on five different sites). It was to be a 100-day self-imposed “writer’s bootcamp”, in preparation for writing his first book. He hasn’t missed a single day since.

This website is about our spiritual health. To leave this site to read today’s post on jeff’s career health website, click here.