Wisdom – Page 12 – Disney Customer Service Keynote Speaker

Passion Doesn’t Mean Perfection

Dear Son,

People are jealous of successful people, generally speaking. As you journey through life, look around and observe this phenomenon. Wish it wasn’t so, but it is.

As you find your way through life, you’ll be tempted to ease up, to slow down, to back off. Mostly because, it’s just easier than creating waves or controversy.

Sometimes, this is exactly what you should do.

And sometimes it’s the last thing you should do.

You won’t know which one to choose until it’s too late. That’s why life is hard.

Dear Son

Randy Pausch, who wrote The Last Lecture, and shortly thereafter, died, wrote a book about living while he was dying.

I’m writing a book about living while I’m living.

We are all dying, son, it’s simply a fact of life.

Leave a trail for your Family. That’s what I’m doing for you, son.

Yesterday, as my crazy mind was racing, I recalled Randy’s life, his book, and both touched my soul and inspired me, as well as countless millions. And the sad fact that his “anniversary” is soon – July 25. Two years ago Randy left his earthly life.

Somehow, I recalled the cassette tapes I used to make for your Mother. I’d pour over our CD collection, for hours, and create loving tributes for your Mom.

Must have been five or six tapes total. Most likely over 100 of the best Love songs ever written. Most of them Country songs, and most of them obscure songs, meaning they weren’t hits or mainstream.

Here’s one of them, called “Living In A Moment (You Would Die For)”:

So I Told Him This

“My goal is to help you”.

Had a “deep” conversation with our son (9) last night. He has several chores he’s responsible for. One of them is daily. This is the one that we discussed last night.

We finished our simple dinner from our screened-in back porch. The sun had set and it was dark outside, with only the light from inside the house gently illuminating our peaceful surroundings.

Conditioning led me to first offer a consequence for not doing what he is supposed to do. Then it hit me, what about a reward for doing it, instead of a punishment for not? We agreed to use both.

Generally, children are conditioned to think, “when you don’t do something you get in trouble”. I reminded him that the goal isn’t to catch him doing it wrong. The goal is grand and noble. And the goal is deceptively simple.

“My goal is to help you”.

Short Stuff

After yesterday’s longer post, thought a short post would be appropriate.

“Wisdom is knowing when you can’t be wise”. — Paul Engle

Thank you for following this blog.

Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂

Sanibel Saturday

Sanibel Saturday.

What a great way to spend a Saturday, on Sanibel Island.

Started the day, per usual – on my knees.

If you are interested, I have opened a Twitter account, under jeffreynoel

Also on Facebook

Just trying to make the world a little better before my time is up. Social networking appears like the best approach at the moment.

Another approach I love – Carpe Diem – make it a GREAT Saturday. jeff noel 🙂