“The past is really almost as much a work of the imagination as the future.” – Jessamyn West
Anyone who knows me knows my love of coffee. Whether it’s from my favorite coffee shop, or Dunkin Donuts, or instant coffee heated over an open fire. No sugar or cream, just hot, black coffee. It’s the perfect way to start the day or end a meal.
Then there are afternoons when my cravings take me elsewhere. To a cup of tea. Now in my favorite teacup, featuring a “Penny Black” stamp. Printed in England in 1840, the Penny Black was the first adhesive postage stamp.
Whenever I drink tea, the flavor pulls memories from hidden corners of my mind. My father and uncle having tea on Sunday afternoons after dinner. My mother making the tea, even though she preferred coffee. My mother-in-law enjoying her cup with a spot of honey. A visit to the Bath Postal Museum to see an actual Penny Black.
The gift of this cup.
Read More
Topics:
inspiration,
love,
memories,
mother,
story,
listen,
moment,
joy,
little lessons,
time,
father,
parents
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." - Charlie Chaplin
PS – There’s a bonus “little lesson” at the end of this post.
After finishing a productive day at a client in Brooklyn, New York, I needed to decompress. I took off my tie, hung the suitcoat in the back seat, and pointed the car due south. To the tip of the island – to Coney Island.
In the late 19th century, an amusement park opened in this seaside resort. There were rides, food stands and sideshows. The Coney Island boardwalk and beaches transformed the peninsula. Every weekend, throngs of people rode the trains from New York City to escape the confines of the tenements.
This was Thursday, not the weekend, so I didn’t expect any crowds. In fact, that was essential to my plan. I was going to ride the world’s oldest wooden roller coaster – The Cyclone.
Read More
Topics:
dreams,
inspiration,
love,
story,
happiness,
joy,
little lessons,
emotions,
wonder,
balance
"The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living." - Marcus Tullius Cicero
A winter evening, sharing the warmth of home and the warmth of friendship. Through mutual agreement, there was no talk of politics or current affairs. Instead, we took turns telling stories – stories of the recent past, mutual history and distant memories.
Recollections of experiences, or at least of how we remember the experiences. As time passes, the way we remember things change. We’re impacted by what we’ve learned since the original event. Certain colors fade while others become even more vibrant. What was once trivial is now recognized as a significant moment.
Read More
Topics:
memories,
story,
people,
joy,
little lessons,
emotions,
perspective
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” – Edgar Degas
I’ve spent 7 of the last 8 weeks on the road. My travels took me from coast to coast and north to south – Atlantic Ocean to Pacific Ocean, Lake Michigan to Lake of the Ozarks, and crossing the Mississippi 4 times in a car and 8 times in a plane. Along the way, I visited 10 states plus the District of Columbia.
Food is always an important part of my journeys. Breakfast in a tucked away diner. Dinners in steakhouses and other restaurants accompanied with wine. Lunch at a hotdog stand. A wedding at a castle. Breaking bread at the family table on a friend’s farm.
Read More
Topics:
reflection,
friendship,
personal relationships,
family,
journey,
travel,
story,
people,
little lessons,
time,
wonder,
perspective
“As you get older it is harder to have heroes, but it is sort of necessary.” – Ernest Hemingway
The 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, was born on October 27, 1858. When he was only 19, he lost his North Star, when his father died unexpectedly. Roosevelt went on to be a prolific writer, war hero politician, and world adventurer. He was also the father to six children and died at only 60 years old. He became my boyhood hero when I read a library book about him, and now there are 29 different books about him in my office.
Read More
Topics:
family,
memories,
story,
listen,
little lessons,
father,
honor,
perspective
“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” – Carl Jung
A client and I were discussing reliable sources of information on our industry. After reviewing different websites and blogs, we moved onto individuals who offer insightful posts.
“Are you on Twitter?”, I asked.
Long pause. “Well, my Twitter account is really for my musician persona. I don’t use it for corporate work.”
Musician? That never came up in our previous discussions.
Read More
Topics:
reflection,
personal relationships,
generation,
honesty,
story,
people,
little lessons,
perspective
“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” – Kahlil Gibran
On Day One of the road trip, I was introduced to a great local diner. Reasonable prices, good service and most importantly, an endless cup of hot, black coffee. Looking around, you could sense this was where “the locals” hung out.
I had an 8:00am conference call Tuesday morning, so I arrived at the diner around 6:45. Sitting at the counter, I enjoyed a plate of eggs and ham, followed by a bowl of fruit. Read the daily news on my smartphone, plus caught up with some friends on social media.
My coffee cup was near empty, and it was 7:15, so I thought it was time to ask for the check. Just then, an elderly gentleman sat down in the chair next to me – passing the 3 available seats along the way. The waitress addressed him by name, taking his order for oatmeal. The coffee was poured without a spoken request.
He turned to me and said, “Good morning, how are you today?”
Read More
Topics:
story,
listen,
people,
little lessons,
kindness,
father,
social media,
parents
“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” – Warren Buffett
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” – Nelson Henderson
Lately, I’ve been thinking about my parents. A lot.
It started with finding a stack of letters my mother had saved. They were letters I’d sent to my parents when I was in the military.
Read More
Topics:
reflection,
family,
memories,
reactions,
mother,
story,
listen,
little lessons,
father,
future,
mail,
letters,
parents
"All man's miseries derive from not being able to sit quietly in a room alone." – Blaise Pascal
Because of my job as a consultant, I spend a significant amount of time away from home. Business travel isn’t glamorous, it isn’t miserable, it’s just part of my job. I’ve been a landscaper, a trash collector, a waiter and a soldier. Put into the proper perspective, life on the road isn’t that bad.
I’m fortunate and have wonderful clients. We’ve shared dinners that are more like a gathering of friends than a corporate event. Exchanging stories, including some “tall tales”, that bring smiles and laughter to the table. We create memories, not close business deals.
Read More
Topics:
reflection,
Reading and Books,
memories,
travel,
story,
people,
little lessons,
emotions
“Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.” – Josh BillingsOne day in 1981, a friend of mine asked me to cover for her for a few days at her part-time job. Little did I know that that favor would be the beginning of a life-long love affair……………………………with mail.
Read More
Topics:
goals,
friendship,
story,
mail,
letters
