From Loser to Winner

“If I were given the opportunity to present a gift to the next generation, it would be the ability for each individual to learn to laugh at himself.”
-- Charles Schulz

***

The Story of Sparky:

For Sparky, school was arduous. He was not gifted academically, athletically, or socially. The 8th grade was especially difficult for Sparky; he failed every subject. While in high school, he flunked physics, Latin, algebra, and English. Sparky did not fare much better in sports. He appeared to his classmates as being socially awkward. It wasn’t that he was disliked by his peers; he just didn’t seem to fit in. Nobody ever went out of their way to include him. Outside of school, Sparky would be surprised if a classmate acknowledged him.

When it came to studies, sports and the social scene, Spark felt like a loser. However, there was one thing that Sparky felt particularly confident about; his drawing ability. Of course, no one else seemed to appreciate it. In his senior year of high school, he submitted some cartoons to the editors of the yearbook. The cartoons were turned down. Despite being rejected, Sparky was convinced that he had the ability to become a professional artist. Being an artist would be a great profession for Sparky. He could excel without the need for social interaction or additional schooling.

After completing high school, Sparky wrote a letter to Walt Disney Studios. Walt Disney Studios instructed him to send some samples of his artwork based upon a suggested theme for a cartoon. Sparky spent a great deal of time drawing the cartoon. Eventually, he completed it, submitted it, and waited patiently for a reply. Finally, the reply came from Disney Studios. He had been rejected once again; another loss in the long list of losses for the loser, Sparky.

Unwilling to give up on his dream of becoming a professional artist, Sparky decided to write his own autobiography in cartoons. Through cartoons he described his childhood as being a chronic underachiever, socially awkward, and feeling like a loser much of the time. His cartoon character, a self-image of his childhood, would one day become famous worldwide.

Sparky, the boy who failed over and over while in school and whose artwork was repeatedly rejected, was no other than Charles Schulz. Schultz was the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. The little cartoon character whose kite would never fly, who never succeeded in kicking a football and whose mantra was “good grief” is Charlie Brown. It is no wonder where Charlie Brown got his first name.

Thanks to the work of a young artist who refused to give up on his dream, A Charlie Brown Christmas premiered 46 years ago today. At the last moment, CBS thought about nixing the premier. It was believed that the audience might have a hard time identifying with a protagonist who was a loser. The show did air and has aired virtually ever year since its premier.

Charles Schulz’s life epitomizes that “in adversity lies opportunity.” Think of the millions of children, and adults for that matter, who have been entertained by Charlie Brown and company. Charles Schulz lived a life of rejection. Yet, he did not allow rejection to define him as an artist. What might have happened if Charles Schulz would have given up on his dream?

Charles Schulz’s life depicted in a comic strip teaches us life is hard and life is full of challenges, but in the end, things always seem to work out for the good. The next time you find yourself struggling or maybe feeling like you just don’t fit in, remember Sparky, the loser, who in time became a winner worldwide.

***
From A Charlie Brown Christmas:

Linus quotes the second chapter of the Gospel according to Luke, verses 8 through 14.

”8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.'"

"...And that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."***

It’s your life: live it, love it, & celebrate it!
MJD

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother!

“But I’m strong, strong enough to carry him. He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.”
-- performed by The Hollies (1969)

***
Are you strong? Are you in shape? Can you run a mile? How about running a ½ mile carrying another person? Sound like a lot of work? Not for Andover High School cross-country runner, Josh Ripley. This past September, Ripley was competing with his team in the Applejack Invite in Lakeville Minnesota. 261 competitors had entered the race. For Ripley, the race started out like any other race; ordinary until about a mile into the race when Josh heard the sound of someone in distress. After rounding a corner, Josh found fellow competitor, Mark Paulauskas, bleeding profusely and clutching his ankle. Paulauskas had been spiked (cleated) and was unable to walk. The runners ahead of Ripley were either too focused to notice Paulauskas or simply chose to ignore him.

The 6’5” Ripley scooped up the 5’5” Lakeville freshman into his arm and began running with him. Ripley asked Paulauskas if he could say a prayer for him. Paulauskas agreed. Paulauskas said that Ripley kept trying to assure Paulauskas that he would be alright. After running with Paulauskas for almost a ½ mile, Ripley was able to hand off the injured freshman to the Lakeville coach.

Ripley was in last place and considerably far behind the other runners when Paulauskas was handed off to Paulauskas' coach. Filled with adrenaline and a competitive spirit, Josh Ripley was determined to finish the race. Finish the race he did; he passed 50 runners on his way to the finish line. Ripley finished 211 out of 261 competitors.

Mark Paulauskas was taken to an emergency room and was given twenty stitches to close the wound. Paulauskas said he was incredibly grateful for Ripley’s act of compassion and selflessness. Some are lauding Ripley as a hero; a label that Ripley quickly discounts. Ripley said, “I did nothing special. I really feel I just did the right thing. Any of my teammates would have done the same thing. It wasn't an act of heroism. It was an act of kindness that I know I needed to accomplish."

Josh Ripley's story sounds familiar; it is a modern day Good Samaritan story. The runners who passed by Paulauskas are like the priest and Levite who ignored the injured traveler. Ripley is the Good Samaritan who "being moved with compassion" stopped to render assistance to a fellow man in need. (Luke 10:25-37)

I ask you: How many times have you turned a blind eye when someone was in need? With our busy lives it is not difficult to offer a variety of excuses why we cannot lend a hand to someone in need: "I'm too busy," "It will make me late," or "someone else will help them." What about the occasions where we were too preoccupied with our lives that we did not even notice someone in need? How many times have we missed the chance to do what Josh Ripley referred to as "The right thing?" Stopping to help someone in need is always the right thing; it may not be the easiest or the most popular thing to do; it might even disrupt your plans. But, one thing is for certain, the right thing is always the right thing to do. Ripley stopped to do the right thing. It most certainly cost him a chance to win the race. However, the true winner of the event was not the person who crossed the finish line first; the true winner was a competitor by the name of Ripley.

Today, take time to step outside of your world. When you do so, you will find plenty of opportunities for you to come to the aid of another. Remember, demonstrating compassion not only benefits a person in need; it makes you a better person and in turn the world a becomes a better place to live.

His welfare is my concern
no burden is he to bear
we'll get there

For I know
He would not encumber me
He aint heavy, he's my brother

- The Hollies

***
It's your life: live it, love it & celebrate it!
MJD

Live Like You Were Dying

“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.”
~ Abraham Lincoln

***
In 2005 Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc., addressed the graduating class at Stanford University. During his commencement address, Jobs talked about work, life, and death. Yesterday (10/5/11), the world lost Steve Jobs: an inventor, a pioneer, a visionary, and a world changer. Steve Jobs died at the age of 56 after a battle with cancer.

The year prior to his commencement address Jobs was diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer. Below is a portion of his address where Jobs speaks to the students about death.

"When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: 'If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right.' It made an impression on me.

Remembering that I’ll die is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.

Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because death is very likely the single best invention of life."

"It is life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true."

"Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma -- which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

Steve Jobs - thank you for following your heart and intuition. You’ve truly changed the world! And, thank you for reminding all of us that our time here is limited, and how important it is to live like you were dying!

Heaven’s Headlines: The Pearly Gates Have Gone Digital – Welcome Steve Jobs!
Rest in Peace – Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

It's Your Life: Live it, Love it, Celebrate it!
MJD

Life's Not Fair

"Life is never fair, and perhaps it is a good thing for most of us that it is not." ~Oscar Wilde I hear quite often, "That's not fair." I hear it from children and adults alike. What makes us think that all things have to be fair? It bothers me that such disillusioned thinking has such a grasp on our society today. The other day, I heard two parents talking how it wasn’t fair that at a sports banquet only a couple of athletes were recognized for their performance during the season. Well, not everything is intended to be fair. “Life is not fair!” The sooner one understands this concept the better off they will be. I grew up in an era when we all knew that life was not fair nor was supposed to be. People were recognized and rewarded based on their attitude, work ethic and ultimately their performance. Rewards were earned! I’ve found in today's culture, children participating in youth sports get rewarded regardless of their performance, effort, and attitude. That wasn’t the case when I was young; there were no juice boxes and snacks for just showing up and, most certainly not, if you were a member of a losing team. When you lost; you lost, period! The only thing you might get from a loss was a lecture from your coach or your dad on what you and/or your team needed to do to win your next game. In the early 70’s, I played Little League baseball. The baseball facility had a concession stand where players from the winning teams would gather for their just reward – a treat from their coach and/or parents. No player from a losing team would venture near the concession stand; a reward after a loss, unthinkable! That’s just the way it was; never once did we think, "That's not fair." We understood winning brought rewards; losing brought nothing. We did not complain; we accepted the reality that our performance and ultimately winning would determine the reward. Understanding the “Life’s not fair,” principle only made us want to work harder. I understand the "rewards for participation" philosophy. It is about protecting the child’s ego; it is about making sure a child feels good about them self and the experience. While I believe that a positive self-image is critical for happiness and success, I also believe that rewarding a child merely for "showing up" sends the wrong message. According to Behavioral psychologists, behavior is learned through conditioning (rewards and punishment). Yes, children playing youth sports should be recognized and rewarded for their performance. They should also be recognized for how they embrace sportsmanship and teamwork, and for their attitude and work ethic. Participating in sports can teach children valuable life lessons. One very valuable lesson is that one does not become successful "by just showing up." The "rewards for participation" philosophy leads to a sense of entitlement. What type of lesson do we teach a child when he/she misses practices; complains about practice drills/exercises; does not put forth their best effort; is selfish and does not get along well with teammates; yet, the child plays the same amount of time as the other players and is rewarded for his/her participation or lack thereof. We are teaching entitlement! Whatever happened to the hard lessons of "You reap what you sow," or "You only get what you deserve?" So what did my youth sports experience teach me? It taught me that "Life's not fair." It taught me that if I want to be successful (win) in the baseball world, the academic world, the business world, or in any "world" for that matter, I need to work incredibly hard and never give up. It taught me that the only thing I am entitled to is that which I truly deserve. As I look back, I can say that I'm glad there were no treats when we lost a little league baseball game, for it taught me one of life’s most valuable lessons; that being, "Life's not fair" nor should it be! It's your life: live it, love it & celebrate it! MJD

The "Ike Special"

“Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.”

-- 1 John 3:18

***
Fall is in the air; cooler temperatures, falling leaves, and, oh yes, football season! Football season ushers in bonfires, tailgates, and cookouts throughout the weekend. Each weekend, thousands of football games are played from the high school level through the pro ranks. Typically, professional football games are scheduled on Sundays, college football is reserved for Saturdays, and high school stadiums are alive on Friday nights. No other sport attracts more spectators week in and week out like football.

To me, the very best football takes place under the lights on Friday night. Sure college and pro football is exciting, but if you want to watch two teams playing for the spirit of the game, you need to go no further than your local high school. On Friday night, you will not find players with exorbitant contracts; you will not sit through television timeouts; and you are not likely to find much of the narcissistic behavior that is so prevalent on Saturdays and Sundays.

On Friday nights you will find kids playing for the love of the game, not for money and fame. You will find players with a wide range of abilities – some very good players and some not so good. It is Friday night, not Saturday or Sunday, that you are likely to witness the best display of character and sportsmanship. On September 24, 2010 at a high school football game in the State of Washington, the unlikely occurred. A player with Down Syndrome became the center of attention when he scored his team’s only touchdown. The touchdown was a culmination of character and sportsmanship displayed by both teams.

The story of Ike Ditzenberger depicts everything that is right about high school athletics. With 10 seconds left to play in a 35-0 football contest, Ike Ditzenberger scampered 51 yards for his team’s only touchdown. Ike a junior at Snohomish High School (WA) was called into the game to run the last play of the game. Coach Mark Perry called the “Ike Special”; a running play designed for Ike to carry the football. Ike was well familiar with the play since his team ends each practice with the running of the “Ike Special.”

The players from the opposing team, Lake Stevens, demonstrated the true meaning of sportsmanship. They gave up a shut-out to allow Ike Ditzenberger an opportunity to score a touchdown. Ike fell in love with football watching his older brothers play the game. For Ike, scoring a touchdown would be a dream come true. Lake Stevens players chased Ike all over the field, making his long touchdown run possible. When Ike crossed the goal line he was surrounded by his teammates. It was not long before Ike burst into a touchdown dance with his teammates. On that September night, Ike Ditzenberger’s dream came true. The coaches and players from both schools stepped outside of themselves and the game to give one player a special moment in time.

Ike Ditzenberger’s story is not just a story about a touchdown. It is a story about inclusion; it is story about compassion; and it is story about character and sportsmanship. You are not likely to hear many stories like the “Ike Special” at a collegiate or professional game. No, the “Ike Specials” take place on Friday nights. If you are looking for some good, hometown, entertainment, take in a high school football game, who knows, you just might witness something “special.”

To see Ike’s touchdown run visit:

***
It's Your Life: Live it, Love it, Celebrate it!
MJD

Heal the World

“Heal the world – make it a better place – for you and for me and the entire human race.”
-- Michael Jackson

***
In 1991 Michael Jackson released the song Heal the World. It has been reported the Jackson maintained that out of all of the songs he recorded, he was most proud of Heal the World. Heal the World speaks to the heart of what each us can do to heal the world; we just need to care! In the song Jackson says, “There are ways to get there if you care enough for the living, make a little space, make a better place.”

The world is more in need of healing today than it was in 1991 when Michael Jackson recorded the song. The world is broken and is in need of healing. You do not need to look any further than the daily news: war, poverty, starvation, homelessness, disease, discrimination, corruption, hatred, murder, violence and drugs. How did we get here? Our society has been transformed from a “culture of we” to a “culture of me.” Too many people have stopped caring about one another; they only care about what is best for them. Do not get me wrong there are several good, kind, and caring people in the world – just not enough!

It is the responsibility of all to hand off to the generations to come a world better than they way we found it. We will never create a better world if we choose to care only about ourselves. Malcom Forbes once said, "People who matter are most aware that everyone else does, too." We need to put the brakes on this “culture of me” and get back to the “culture of we.” Why, because there is strength in numbers. It has been said, “Individually we are but one drop, together we are an ocean.” Keep in mind, one drop can easily dry up, whereas oceans will endure. If we choose to continue to live like one drop, the world will never heal.

I ask you, can you care just a little bit more? Ask yourself, what can I do to heal the world? It does not take some extraordinary event on your part. No, it just takes a little bit love; love for one another. Love is something we have an endless supply of. Since you can never run out of love, why not give more. Remember, the Good Lord taught us the second greatest commandment is “to love your neighbor as yourself” – Mark 12:31. Let us all begin today by loving our neighbor so we can start healing the world one encounter at a time!

Do your part - Heal the World!

Happy Birthday – Michael Jackson (1958 – 2009)

Watch Heal the World performed by Judith Hill at Michael Jackson’s memorial service by clicking here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwARI0VV5hY&feature=player_embedded

It's Your Life: Live it, Love it, Celebrate it!
MJD

Luck - Preparation Meets Opportunity

I'm a great believer in luck, and I find that the harder I work, the more I have of it.
-- Thomas Jefferson

***
Why is it that some people seem luckier than others? Why do some people always seem to be in the right spot at the right time? Do you believe in Luck? Webster’s Dictionary defines luck as “An event, good or ill, regarded as occurring by chance or fate.” It is true; some people seem to have their fair share of good fortune, while others seem to attract ill fortune.

So, if you believe in luck, you have to take the good with the bad – both good luck and bad luck. What causes a person to be lucky or unlucky? Luck, good or bad, will be determined by preparation and opportunity. Preparation is the antecedent. Opportunity is about timing. So, luck is really about preparation, good or ill, meeting opportunity.

Preparation is about doing the work. It is about rolling up your sleeves and getting dirty. Preparation is a willingness to do the work, being disciplined, and acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills. If you have prepared properly, when an opportunity presents itself, you will have put yourself in a good position to experience good fortune. Some might attribute your good fortune to luck. They are quick to say, “he/she is always lucky.” These people do not understand luck. These people fail to recognize and/or appreciate the preparation that preceded your good fortune. They fail to see the sweat and toil you endured; the discipline and perseverance you underwent; and the time and sacrifice you put forth.

Conversely, when an opportunity presents itself and you are ill-prepared, the opportunity seems to quickly vanish. Opportunities come and go quickly. Hence, you must be prepared. If not, you are going to “miss the boat” and the boat is not likely to come around your way again. Understand, you will not be in a position to tell the boat to wait while you go get prepared. Those that miss the boat fail to see the importance of preparation and prefer to blame it on “another case of bad luck.”

Opportunity is about timing. The timing has to be right and everything has to line up accordingly. Opportunity is manifested in two ways: self created and random. A self-created opportunity is about doing the right things (preparation) so that over time you create the opportunity. You position yourself so that when the work is done the opportunity presents itself. Is the young executive that quickly ascends the corporate ladder lucky, or has he/she done the work. Chances are they have done the work! The young executive was willing to do the work while his/her colleagues were sleeping (figuratively).

A random opportunity is simply about being in the right spot at the right time. Winning the lottery is about being in the right spot at the right time – a random opportunity. It is about purchasing a ticket at the right store at the right time. Even though the purchase of the winning ticket is considered to be random event, one cannot overlook the importance of doing the work to be in the right spot at the right time. You have to be willing to go to a vendor to purchase a ticket. And, you have to be willing to part with your money, knowing the odds are not in your favor (between 16 million to 1 and 120 million to 1, depending upon the game you play). The point is simple; if you are not willing to do the work (do what it takes to play the game), you cannot create an opportunity to win.

There you have it! Luck is about preparation meeting opportunity. It is about work and timing. You may not be able to control timing, but you certainly can control doing the work. Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonalds, says it best, “Luck is a dividend of sweat. The more you sweat the luckier you get.” Today is the day to start creating your own good luck; expect good things to happen, do the work, and in due time the opportunity will present itself!

“Good luck creating good luck,” or should I say, “Good luck with your preparation meeting opportunity,”

***
It's your life: live it, love it, celebrate it!
MJD