Achieve Moore

Kryptonite of Crazy! (Behind the Scenes)

2010-02-07T11:54:00.000-05:00

I had to give a talk on leadership yesterday. I had spoken on the topic before but decided to bring some new material. I work best under pressure so I put off final prep for the day of a 3pm speech. (not my best laid plan.)

The night before I went to bed at 10 to get a good rest... for whatever reason I didn't get to sleep till 6am. Each hour that passed increased my worry for the next day... tossing and turning, I was getting concerned. I woke up at 10:30, instead of the planned 8am, in a bit of a panic. Not only did I need more prep time, I was in a place of disorientation, lack of sleep and general crazy head from some medicine I was on. I was flying around my home like a crazy person accomplishing nothing. I found myself in my closet searching for an outfit, throwing clothes on the ground and eventually sitting down in a whimper. It was 3 hours before I was supposed to be "superman" and I was a puddle on the floor in my closet. In other words, I was not myself, even my dog henry noticed. So, I did what I never do... I reached out and asked for help.

I called two best friends, Vern and Angela, and said, "I'm falling apart and I can't do this. I need help!" They met me at my office and helped me pull myself together. They didn't actually do a whole lot of work, but they did exactly what I needed...they showed up. They gave me the space to freak out, supported my re-construction, and were just there. They served as my "Advance Team" as they called it and got me set up so I could just show up and take the stage...

But that is not all...

As I did my pre-talk ritual of a prayer asking for the inspiration to inspire and share the right words to get the message that this group needed to hear, the wind blew up and took my talk notes with it, right into a swamp area two stories below me...

Luckily I was in a place of faith and just laughed. The event planner came out and asked me if I was ready to go. "Absolutely! Lets Rock This!" I took the stage and gave a pretty good talk. I'll be honest and say it wasn't my best, but the message was solid and the humor and inspiration were on. I told stories that hadn't been told, jokes I never thought of and found passion for my topic that was previously unrevealed. I connected with the audience and as the music played me off the stage at the end, I looked up and said thank you! I called Vern and Angela and told them that I was able to turn the switch to "on" but I would have never found the switch if it wasn't for them!

At the end of the day, I learned that everyone falls apart, even me. And, friends are the people who don't judge it, but just show up and help you put yourself back together.

After the talk, I went to the restroom, looked in the mirror and noticed for the first time that day that in my craziness in the closet, I had chosen a t-shirt to wear under my blazer that probably fought the Kryptonite of crazy. It was my Superman Logo Tee. I spread my jacket, puffed out my chest and laughed!

No Matter What!

2010-01-21T16:01:00.003-05:00

If you know me personally, you may have seen me gain and lose weight like Oprah Winfrey. Its never been obscene, but I've struggled with about 40lbs for most of my adult life. Now let me be clear. This blog is not about weight loss... its about success. And while thin does not translate success (to me), commitment and follow through do.

I will spare you the rollercoaster ride that has been my journey and simply tell you this. When considering my next attempt at healthy living and body transformation, I wrote down three simple words. One small committment: No Matter What. This was actually inspired by my roommate and friend whom I have watched workout 5-6 days a week for 14 months with a dedication unlike any other I have seen. She has lost over 70 lbs and inspires me greatly! (Thanks Mija~!)

I decided that I would get up at 6am and go to the gym every day (6 days a week for the next 12 weeks) No....Matter...What. No matter what happened, no matter what I felt like, no matter what! This was primarily about going to the gym, but eventually began to translate to other areas of my life. I have recently taken on more responsibility at work, added two graduate night classes, take care of my dog henry and still run a business on the side of all of this. All great excuses for bad eating and no gym time, especially at 6am. But all that falls into the No Matter What category. So excuses can suck it!

I have now done this for about 3 weeks and feel great. Its working, and I haven't missed a beat. Until today. I had a family member who needed to go to the doctor at 7am. I agreed to take him and decided that I had to go to the gym at 5am if I was going to make it happen. I went to bed at 9:30pm last night and set the alarm. The buzzer sounded at 445 and as if I was in a movie, I rolled over, hit snooze and fell back asleep but not before I murmured, "no matter what." I woke up again by 5:30, but it was too late to get my work out done. I was bummed, but packed my gym back and decided to go at lunch, which is exactly what I did.

This isn't a miracle in itself, but it did remind me of two important lessons.
1. Strong Commitments Matter! My "no matter what" philosophy was such a motivator that going to the gym later wasn't even a second thought, it just happened. If I was more casual about my committment, I could have easily blown off just one workout, which would have set the domino's into action and my old patterns would have come back. (How many times have I had one bad meal and threw in the towel for the whole day or week?)

2. Progress not perfection I don't have to be perfect in this process, but I do have to remain committed. I also realize that every workout is not the highest quality, but as long as I continue to commit to going "no matter what", I will progress and meet my goals. This concept is not my own, but works in so many areas of my life.

I think this is working because I don't have too many rules for myself. I'm not a fan of rules, but I can follow just one. No matter what!

Can you use this idea for a major commitment you have made to yourself? Have a similar story? Comment on the blog and let me know!

The pilot light is not out...

2010-01-10T14:07:00.000-05:00

2010 has arrived, and to be quite honest, it feels good. I have entered this new year, new decade, new today with a renewed sense of action, purpose and identity. See, it goes back to 2008. That was a big year for me. In 2008, I bought a house, got my dog, wrote a book, turned 30 and really kicked off my speaking career. One would think the momentum of all of this would carry me right through 2009. That didn't quite happen. While I did remain busy and accomplished plenty by most standards, 2009 was somewhat of a year of recovery and rest for me. It was a year in which I could look inward, really get to know more about myself, my direction and of course, my dog Henry. In other words, I did a whole bunch on the inside, but not a ton on the outside.

   After a full year of just kinda sitting here, I'm ready to take action. I am feeling motivated around the areas of my health and fitness, financial wellness, career prospects and hey, might as well throw relationships in there! Why not? I have spend the first two weeks of this year really cleaning house, literally and figuratively in an effort to really commit some action to this motivation. Its not a flash in the pan sense of motivation because of a burning new years resolution, but more of a nurturing of the pilot light that has never been extinguished. I've felt this resurgence of passion, energy and faith in my body these past few weeks that I once may have dismissed as youthful naivety and fervor and which I thought might be forever gone.

You too have this pilot light, its one that I realize cannot be extinguished no matter how cold, wet, dark or trying the times may be, no matter how much we convince ourselves that we "used to" want something, care about something or be someone. I realize all it takes to find is some time, some clearing away of the life shit that we layer on or hide behind, and a willingness to look.

I did just that and I have come up with a plan. To reach some of the goals I set for myself a long time ago, that still remain, I've made some commitments. Here are a few of them.

I will :
1 . Use my knowledge of health, fitness and nutrition to be in better shape.
2. Increase my blog posting quality and quantity as well as my subscribers.
3. Make at least $10,000 extra this year.
4. Take Henry to the dog park more often.
5. Increase my community service.
6. Spend a few minutes each day learning something new.

This is just the beginning, but I wanted to put a few out there... maybe inspire you to make some commitments to yourself, find the fire inside and take action. These are not goals. My goals are much more specific and detailed. These are some of the general action steps I'm taking. I'd love to hear what you have planned for 2010 and beyond.

And if you cannot find your pilot light, feel free to light yours with mine... its burning bright!

This was me at my 31st bday. I got to be a Rockstar at Karaoke with a live band, back up singers and an audience who couldn't get enough! Try it sometime! I dare you!

What is heartache?

2009-12-20T22:14:00.001-05:00

I was on a road trip today and started reflecting on the year. I thought about the many great times, adventures, joys, sorrows and heartaches of the year. That got me thinking about heartbreak. Something many people feel this time of year as we reflect on the people we've lost in our lives, the relationships that have ended, or just the disappointment that comes along.

Heartache is a very real feeling that we all have experienced. That physical weight, pressure, pain and sensitivity in our chest. I wanted to know what actually caused that. This day and age, I believe I can find almost any answer I am seeking via a cursory search of the internet. I searched and searched and the answer to what I thought was a rather simple physiological question was no where to be found. Every piece about the topic simply described the associated feelings and admitted that the answer was unclear. There was minor evidence presented about the long term effects of continued heartache on the actual heart, but nothing to explain the phenomenom of heartbreak.

My roommate suggested that it may be an indication of a higher power, which I do believe, but this made me consider even more the presence of some sort of soul. If the same biological science that can trace blue eyes to one piece of a chromosome cannot explain the global phenomenon of heartache, it may be beyond science. Perhaps its part of humanness.

This is not meant to be a dissertation or proof, simply a consideration. I'm reminded of a question from the Broadway show Wicked, "What is this feeling, so sudden and true?"

Happy Holidays!

A funny take on a diversity issues....

2009-10-16T12:46:00.000-04:00

Freshmen Speak: What is success?

2009-09-24T09:42:00.000-04:00

I teach a class called Strategies for Success. It is a college success class, but I tend to think success can't be compartmentalized into subjects. There are some universal truths about success. I took the class on a journey of defining success yesterday. At first they gave me words like, "money, happiness, a house, admiration!" One student even said, "A dog!" Everyone laughed when I agreed (because of my little boy Henry.)

What was interesting was that when I asked them to come up with a definition in smaller groups, they excluded all of the discriptors they came up with and decided on rather vague answer like: "Its what you make of it, meeting your own goals, never giving up." They decided that success was a personal definition for each person.

One of the big struggles that emerged was that as 18 year old college students, they were often towards meeting their own ideas of success and the requirements of outside forces, specifically: Family. We discussed the difference between success as measured by outside metrics and success as defined by self.

We discovered that some people are very successful according to the standards of society, but don't feel very successful. Other people are happy with their own achievements, but don't meet any extrordinairy standards externally. Which are you?

We even talked about the "destination" of success. I posed this as a question in which I was seeking advice. I said, "I'm successful by many standards, but feel like there is so much I want to do. How do I balance this struggle?" Several students had earnest pieces of advice for me: "Appreciate where you are now, but keep working for your goals", said one. They basically told me I could feel successsful now and still work on it. The exception is the one student who said we only really know if we are successful once we are dead when we look back and decide.

How do you define success? According to external rules and labels or by internal metrics? Do you care what people think? (Of course you do!) But what is really more important? When is success determined? At the end of life, at the end of the day, after each decision, every moment?

My favorite answer came from a young lady in the back. "The only way you can fail is if you stop trying." That is a great definition of success. What do you think?

9 Things

2009-09-09T09:45:00.000-04:00

I write this on 9.9.09 and it inspired me to think of 9 things I can do in or for 9 minutes to to improve my life or the life of others. Here is what I came up with. I came up with two lists, one sweet, one sour, just for kicks.

The sweet list:
1. Spend 9 extra minutes at the gym.
2. Meditate for at least 9 minutes a day.
3. Spend 9 minutes writing a letter to an old friend.
4. Spend 1 minute every hour for 9 hours taking deep cleansing breaths.
5. Park in a spot 9 minutes away from my office.
6. Spend 9 minutes playing with my dog henry.
7. Think of 9 ways to increse my income.
8. Think of a sincere compliment for 9 people I come in contact with today.
9. Write a quick blog entry. :)

The sour list: (Just a bit of humor)
1. Prepare 9 meals in the Magic Bullet.
2. Walk to my office printer 14 times to find that it keeps printing the wrong direction.
3. Eat all 9 meals prepared on the magic bullet.
4. Watch 1/3 of a golden girls episode.
5. Wait for a meeting at work to start late, again.
6. Stalk 9 people on facebook.
7. Tweet about the 9 people I stalked on facebook.
8. Listen to my roommate talk about the annoying people at work.
9. Plan to teach my students using my socialist/nazi agenda.

Have an Amazing Day!

Never Never Never Give up...

2009-09-04T10:31:00.001-04:00

One of the most important messages in life. This video sums up a major part of my message.

Authentically Britney

2009-09-02T13:53:00.006-04:00

I went to the Britney Spears concert last night. (Photos and videos to follow on FB soon!)It was a spectacular show as expected and fun to let go and just dance. She showed up with amazing stage work, dancers, and all the spectacle one could expect at the circus. Britney didn't really sing much live, but that wasn't expected (and frankly preferred as she is no Celine or Beyonce.) The experience did make me think. Because of the intense media scrutiny of Britney's career rise and fall and rise again, we all have figured out that she isn't quite the sexy sassy vixen that she plays on stage, in real life. Despite the Cavalli, Jimmy Choo's and extensive hair extensions, she is still a home grown country girl with problems like the rest of us, maybe even more dramatic.

My point here is that, as a professional speaker, I feel like I need to live the message I teach or at least admit my shortcomings. Perhaps the entertainment world is different, but since Britney doesn't sing very much and is clearly playing a role, I couldn't help but wonder...does she feel like a fraud?

She say's she's "a put on a show, kinda girl." So maybe its all a show. Maybe we all put on a show. Do you? What show do you put on for the people around you? For yourself? How can you be more authentic, truly you?

Despite the grandeur of the show, my favorite moment was one of true authenticity. Britney's two sons were brought out to the side of the stage to watch her perform "Everytime", a pretty and classy song. When she saw them, she lit up and waved with a huge smile. At the end of the song, when the lights went down, she ran over and gave them both a kiss. The boys were swept away as to not see the remaining PG 13 portions of the concert. But that was real. It was a mom at work taking a moment to give her kids a kiss.

Take off the masks, the costumes and accents, and just be you for a moment today. ENJOY!

Countdown to College Success Tip #3

2009-08-23T10:39:00.001-04:00

Only one more tip to go!

Countdown to College: Tip #2

2009-08-17T22:44:00.001-04:00

Countdown to College Success Tip #1

2009-08-15T16:36:00.001-04:00

Big life, small budget!

2009-06-28T19:01:00.009-04:00

Times are tough for everyone from college students to real life adults in this economy, so I thought I would try to put together some info for those of us who still want to live on a low budget! I happen to be an expert in this, not because of how good I am with money, but because of how bad I've been with money! Over time, I developed some terrible habits with credit cards, loans, overspending and no discipline. Hopefully my mistakes will help you! This article will be broken up into several parts because there is a bunch of info, but very little attention span among our group!

I keep hearing all these get rich quick ads and debt management solutions on the TV and radio. There are really only two keys to surviving a financial storm. Spend less and make more! I know, I know, you are thinking, "No Kidding Einstein", but, its the simple advice that tends to work and its taken for granted. Lets start with the hardest one, Spend less...

1. Kill the Credit Cards. No matter how much you think you need them for emergencies, you are only feeding an addiction. Each dollar spent on a credit card will cost you many times more than that. This is a lesson I've had to learn over and over and over... Please look around at the credit mess the country is in and stop the madness as Susan Powter or Billy Mays would yell.

2.Have a Stay-cation. This is a vacation where you stay home. It may sound lame at first, but I recently did it and found that I have created such life for myself at home that I had plenty to do and enjoy in my house. I have a community pool to lay out at, a spa of a gym, a mac book, which is good for hours of entertainment, a keyboard, books, 90 channels of cable, and a great dog to play with. I spent less money on my stay-cation as I cooked every meal. It was amazing! I highly recommend this

3. Shop Smart. In a time of financial stress, we often begin looking for bargains, but sometimes we don't look hard enough. Do you clip coupons? I don't. Frankly, it is a lot of work and if its gets down to that I will. Also, coupons are available on line. I do however buy generic brands whenever I can. Brand Name Groceries are rarely worth the extra dollars you are paying for. That extra money is used for the marketing and packaging. Store brand groceries can be just as good and save you tons! Plan ahead before you go shopping so you don't end up buying more than you need and you will save big time. Another great tip is buying in bulk. This can be expensive up front, but think about how long 100 rolls of toilet paper can last, if you can store it. If you have an Apple Iphone, you can download an application to help you shop smarter. Scan the barcode and find out where you can buy the item for less. That alone may be worth the cost of the iphone.... maybe.

4. Unplug the appliances. Many appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when they are switched off. These "phantom" costs occur in most appliances that use electricity, such as dvd players, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances. In the average home, 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. This can be avoided by unplugging the appliance or using a power strip and using the switch on the power strip to cut all power to the appliance.

5. Drive Smart! Combine errands into one trip. Keep tires properly inflated and aligned to improve your gasoline mileage by around 3.3%. Reduce drag by placing items inside the car or trunk rather than on roof racks. Clear out your car; extra weight decreases gas mileage. Use air conditioning only when necessary and when you do, keep the windows closed. Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas. Drive Safely: Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration, and hard braking) wastes gas. It can lower your highway gas mileage 33% and city mileage 5%.

6. Eat Smart. Eating at home can save you loads of money. Carrying your lunch to school or work is the new trend anyway, but you have to make it yourself. And what about your coffee? As my friend Brandi says, "Well, you can either spend $8 on 1lb of coffee which will last 2 weeks, or $3 per cup at Starbucks. When you average it out, you spend over $700 more on coffee if you buy from Starbucks on a regular basis!"

Look for other creative ways to spend less and let me know what you find!

Coming next in part two: "How to make more money"

Amazing Book Jimmy!

2009-06-13T10:37:00.002-04:00

I got these comments all in the last few days and it makes me feel like what I do matters...

Hi Jimmy-

I just finished reading your book and I must say, it was one of the best books that I've read about college students! I'm going to email some people at the Univ of Tennessee and up at Bowling Green and highly recommend that they take a look at it. Your life story is really inspiring and although I'm done with undergrad, I definitely learned some things that I can apply to my job and grad school.
-D.

Look here for the book!

"...And I have you to thank for motivating me to be a better person and work towards my goals!"
- K.

"I hope you continue to impact students, you have so much to offer!"
-K.

"You are an amazing teacher in school, and in life."
-H.

I don't share these to brag...ok, a little, but more importantly, these comments will be filed away and pulled out whenever I feel like it doesn't matter, or those days when I don't feel very successful. I do this with really sincere holiday cards too. What do you do to pick yourself up when times are tough?

Inspire someone today!

-J.

My A.D.D. Life

2009-01-26T21:01:00.000-05:00

Running with Scissors!

2009-01-22T15:04:00.001-05:00

I copied and pasted this!~ so sue me... no don't really....

Makes so much sense!

THOSE BORN 1920-1979

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s!!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn’t get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As infants &children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren’t overweight because,

WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day.And we were OK.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down t he hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo’s, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD’s, no surround-sound or CD’s, no cell phones, no personal computer! s, no Internet or chat rooms…….

WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not poke out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend’s house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn’t had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagin e that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned H OW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

If YOU are one of them CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good .

While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn’t it?!

Are you Moody?

2009-01-12T15:41:00.002-05:00

I was sitting here looking at the very gray sky and feeling the chill in the air and to be fair its only 65 degrees. I realize this is not a tundra, but I do realize that being a Florida man has spoiled me. This eather puts me in a foul mood, just kinda dim. That is until I realized that I was letting the weather affect my mood and I, being a stubborn man refuse to let it happen. I actually have a choice in my mood. However, there is no magic pill that will just change my mood... well there probably is, but that path no longer suits me.

5 Ways to Change your mood instantly!

1. Move your body! Research shows us that our emotions are tied in heavily with our physicality. If you are slumped over, breathing shallow and looking down for much of the time, chances are you will feel, well, down.

2. Change your scene. If you are down and want to be up. Get yourself in an environment full of life and energy. My office tends to be quiet and gray at times so I step out and walk on campus where there is often so much energy that it changes my state.

3. Watch this video (it works every time for me):

4. Music Rocks! Some music that makes you want to move a little will change your mood almost instantly. And you can't help it cause you know you start dancing when she says, "If you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it. Oh oh oh!" Pick a song that works for you.

5. Water and Oxygen! The two things we need most other than food will actually change your state by giving you the energy and alertness that comes along with being hydrated and oxidated. More is better in this case!

Remember of course that these are suggestions to help you change your state if you are in a bad mood and want to get in a good one. Sometimes we are in a bad mood and just wanna stay there. Thats fine too... just keep it to yourself, don't be spreading that disease! :)

Moodily,
J

Driving Thoughts - Traffic

2009-01-11T15:00:00.000-05:00

What do you do while sitting in traffic?

Here are five tips to make your commute more fun and useful!

What other things do you do?

New Semester New Start!

2009-01-08T09:18:00.003-05:00

In college, so much attention is given to the first semester of the year. It's the fall with its football games, big events, and sometimes even homecomming. The poor spring semester hardly gets any attention. I mean of course there is Spring Break, but what else? I'll tell you what is great about the Spring Semester

The secret about the spring semester for me was one of redemption. If you look at my GPA from all the spring semesters I was in college (which would number five), you will see a much higher number than that of my fall semester. This usually happened because in the fall, I would get so involved with school life and really spread myself too thin. I actually once earned a measley 1.8 GPA in one fall semester! YES! America's College Success Coach went on academic probation! Believe it, in fact, love it, because that is why I am the authority on college success! I've failed. The spring semester was always my chance to cut back a little and really focus on what was important... getting the grade. I remained involved, but it was more realistic than 5 clubs, a full time job, a fraternity and SGA all at the same time. Besides without a good GPA, I couldn't be student leader. By the way, the semester following my 1.8 GPA, I earned a 4.0 with a final college gpa of 3.0. Solid!

Other students, especially freshmen finally get a clear picture of what they want college to be, finally understanding that it is not all about what they imagined or feared, but a whole different experience. This is a great time to create your college destiny. Many students will change their major, roommate, friends, hair color, and who knows what else!

Use this January as a fresh start to your college life, or you real life... (as if college isn't real!) Commit to making it yours!

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T01:06:00.002-05:00

May this new year be the best yet, but not as good as the many to come!

Driving Thoughts

2008-12-22T15:30:00.003-05:00

I will be inserting my video blog from time to time... this is the initial pilot episode! More to come!

This has nothing to do with the Holiday's, but Happy Holidays too!

What is age?

2008-12-10T10:14:00.003-05:00

So what is age? I'm a mere 19 days from turning 30 and I couldn't be happier. The funny part is that everyone around me keeps consoling me with, "Don't worry, the 30's are great!" as if that is some consolation prize for leaving my 20's.

Frankly, I'm thrilled to leave the 20's behind. They were a mess and an adventure and a blast, but I'm never one to look back. I don't long for the days of high school or college, or any other time. I prefer to look ahead and imagine the outstanding future that is to come.

It made me wonder why people are so concerned about turning 30? Is it regret for lost dreams? People! We are only 30! Look at Paula Deen, she didn't make it big until her 60's! Relax already. Is it that we didn't turn out as we had hoped? Well, that implies that we have now grown up and we are done! I'm a work in progress and happy to be such! I will be growing every day of my life, changing and learning and I'm cool with it!

I never had a 100% clear picture of what 30 would look like, but I feel incredibly blessed and surprised to be at this place in my life. Everything is perfect! Not because I have everything I every wanted, but because my life is what it is and for that I am grateful! A little too far in the clouds for you? Ok. Lets just say, "Life is beautiful."

So, if you see me between now and my 30th birthday, don't console me, congratulate me! I've made it to 30 in one piece! That is a feat and now life keeps getting better and better and better.

I've learned...

2008-10-28T10:35:00.003-04:00

Thank you Andy Rooney for these very true words of wisdom:

I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.
I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.
I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.
I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.
I've learned. ... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.
I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.
I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is hand to hold and a heart to understand.
I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.
I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class.
I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
I 've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.
I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds.
I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.
I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.
I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.
I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.
I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.
I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
I've learned.... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his/her little fist, that you're hooked for life.
I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.
I've learned .... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

Choices each day

2008-10-16T08:12:00.002-04:00

I don't like copy/pasting but this was great and perfectly describes how I like to live my life.

Michael is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a
good mood and always has something positive to say. When
someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I
were any better, I would be twins!"

He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad
day, Michael was there telling the employee how to look on the
positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to
Michael and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive
person all of the time. How do you do it?"

Michael replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself,
'Mike, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a
good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.' I choose to
be in a good mood.

"Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim
or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it.

"Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to
accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of
life. I choose the positive side of life."

"Yeah, right, it isn't that easy," I protested.

"Yes, it is," Michael said. Life is all about choices. When you
cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose
how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect
your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. "The
bottom line is: It's your choice how you live life."

I reflected on what Michael said. Soon thereafter, I left the tower industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that Michael was involved in a
serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications
tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care,
Michael was released from the hospital with rods placed in his
back.

I saw Michael about six months after the accident. When I asked
him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I'd be twins.
Wanna see my scars?"

I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone
through his mind as the accident took place. "The first thing that went through my mind was the well being of my soon-to-be-
born daughter," Michael replied. "Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. I chose to live."

"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked.

Michael continued, "The paramedics were great.They kept
telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me
into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors
and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'He's a dead man.' I knew I needed to take action."

"What did you do?" I asked. "Well, there was a big burly nurse
shouting questions at me," said Michael. "She asked if I was
allergic to anything. 'Yes,' I replied. The doctors and nurses
stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep
breath and yelled, 'Gravity.' Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead'."

Michael lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything.

A powerful reminder

2008-09-16T09:15:00.002-04:00

I recieved this via email yesterday. It is a really good reminder of the bigger picture. It also brings up some controvesial points... What do you think?

....
David Letterman wrote this; it's the David we don't often see....

" As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark
'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?''

A.. Is it that we have electric ity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?
B.. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?
C.. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?
D.. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more
food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
E.. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?
F.. Or possibly the h undreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?
G.. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the
world is just not good enough either.
H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide
services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
I.. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.
J.. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of
trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.
K.. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or
prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss .
L.. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and
pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
M.. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy. Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to
get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect
you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and
see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it.

The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a
''dishonorable' ' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?

Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they
specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask
why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!

Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and preciative.' 'With
hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe understorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'

David Letterman

Please keep this in circulation. There
are so many people who need to read this.

What did we learn?

2008-09-11T11:22:00.002-04:00

It has been 7 years since Sept 11. 2001. 7 years since I ran from the collapsing buildings, fearful for my life and that of my two friends. 7 years since I was pretty sure it was all over. It is in these times that I have to look back and wonder, what did we learn? How have we changed?

It was one of the life changing moments for me that really taught me even more about strength, courage and persistance. It taught me about fear and leadership, society and cultural memory. I will forever hold that day as an important marker in my life and remember how grateful I am for my life and my loved ones.

Did you learn something that day?

Making History

2008-08-28T10:46:00.002-04:00

It's official, Barack Obama is the first African American to be nominated for President of the United States by a major political party. For a moment, do not consider yourself a Democrat, Republican, Independant or otherwise. Don't politicize this. Just take a moment to realize that only 50 years ago in 1968, the Supreme court made racial segregation unconsitutional, though it still happens today. Take a moment to breath in the significance of the moment. A man who represents a group of people that were considered property and counted as 3/5 of other human beings, a group who were not allowed to drink water from the same fountain as white people, a group still very much in the minority, has been selected by the Democratic party to be the leader of the free world. That is progress. That is enough to give me chills. The simple fact that we can see a black man in the race for president is amazing, the fact that he may actually win is simply inspiring. No matter what political party you are a member of, you have to admit this is pretty significant for the United States. Don't get me wrong. I certainly don' think this means we are all good now, and racism is gone, it simply gives me hope that a combination of time and education can cure the painful disease of ignorance and hate. Take a moment to realize you are experiencing a very important moment in the History of the United States. Consider this, If Barack Obama wins the presidency, African Americans will be the first and second most powerful people in the world, Obama being second only to Oprah.

Exactly

2008-08-16T21:43:00.003-04:00

I went to a concert recently of a friend, Amy Steinberg. (www.amysteinberg.net) She is an incredibly talented songwriter and singer who is truly documenting her adventures in life through song. She is the type of artist who reflects the human condition in her music with such imperfect precision. You know, the kind of music that just makes you say, yes, thats exactly what I am feeling!

One of her older and possibly most popular songs is called Exactly, which starts with the lyrics:

i am exactly where i need to be
i need to be exactly where i am

These words are such a reminder that yes, no matter where we are in life, this is where we are meant to be at the moment. Good times or bad, its all part of the journey. She claimed the know the purpose of life in one song and it was simply put.

The purpose of life is to live.

Dorthy was right!

2008-08-15T14:46:00.003-04:00

I've spent the last two weeks traveling quite a bit. First to North Carolina on a train, which, by the way, was a lot less adventurous and exciting than I had imagined. (Lesson learned, fly the friendly skies) Then I returned home for a few days of back to back meetings, late night events and packing and unpacking. I was then off to San Antonio, TX, a former home of mine, and current home of some family, whom it was very good to see. Talk about crazy households, they have a sweet puppy, a 1 and 1/2 year old genius child, a super dad, and an 8 month pregnant mommy. I applaud people with children, simply for their ability to keep the child alive or as my friend Jan put it, keep from killing their spouse!

I took a brief trip down to Laredo, TX to speak and train a group of outstanding Resident Assistant's at Texas A&M International University, which is practically in Mexico. The RA's were great, funny and really committed to helping their residents succeed. Leadership opportunities such as RA, Orientation leaders and SGA can be such a valuable experience for students who want the edge. I also applaud incredible RA's who make it their job to care.

During these trips, I couldn't help but click my heels and think, "It would be great to be home." Not that I wasn't enjoying myself, but moreso that I really enjoy my home. I missed my bed, my dog Henry all of which have apparently become my comfort zone. In education and training, we often motivate people to leave their comfort zone, but I now know that we also need to spend some time in it. That's why its called a comfort zone. What is your comfort zone? Where do you feel most at peace?

Is Yelling Love?

2008-08-07T09:45:00.002-04:00

I just got back from a great trip to see my cousin in North Carolina. My cousin is more like an older sister to me and it has been a few years since we caught up so it was definitley good to see her. While I was there, however, I noticed something very different about her and her family. They are the Yelling Family. You know, the family that seems to live on the edge at all times so that when something mildly disagreeable happens, all hell breaks loose...yes, the yelling family. Well, apparently, some people live in this daily environment and still love eachother, settle down at the end of the day to watch a movie together, and act as if they were not cussing each other out earlier. I started looking around and realized that many of my married or partnered couple friends live like this. (As a single guy, I live pretty drama free.) My first thought was: Why is everyone yelling?

Is this what modern love looks like? To be quite honest, I'm not sure I want to be a part of that. And while I was grateful that they felt close enough to me to be open and honest, rather than put on a show, I would have appreciated a bit of forced smiles and explative depression.

It really got me thinking. Why are we so much nicer to strangers and people we first meet? Well clearly because we don't want them to think bad of us. But what about our family? What must they think? I know we want to be "real" with them, but is it hurting our relationships?

We do take our family for granted. My challenge to you this week is to make sure you are as nice to your family as you are to a customer at work. As for being real, BE REAL, but do so and treat your loved ones as if they are truly your loved ones.

Taking people for granted is easy. Living with the regret of taking them for granted is not.

Need your story! :)

2008-07-17T20:48:00.001-04:00

Hi,
Want to be in my upcoming book? I need your college stories! 100-500 words about you and your college life. This can be your personal experience or a story that you know from working at a University! If selected, your story will be featured in the No BS Guide to College Success out in bookstores this September! *Yes, I can turn it around that quickly! The book is ready to go, its just awaiting a few more stories...
The story can fit into any of these topics:
Getting Started
Academics
Money
Relationships (friends and other)
Involvement
Picking a Major
Partying
Teachers
Health and Fitness

Email me at speakerjimmy@gmail.com if you are interested!

Thanks,

Jimmy Moore

Semian angel

2008-07-03T11:58:00.002-04:00

I was at lunch today and one of my favorite songs from the 80's came on. Semian Angel. Do you know it? You can see it here:

Apparently neither did I. It was actually Send me an angel. Easy mistake. But it made me wonder how many other parts of life I've completely misunderstood, without much harm. It reminded me that I live in a reality that is completley the creation of my own experience. The things that we agree on become common reality, but for the longest time, I assumed everyone knew that song was Semian Angel. Do you have any assumptions that may not be accurate? If so, where did you learn them?

Just some food for thought.

Resistance!

2008-07-03T10:44:00.002-04:00

Some great thoughts about resistance:

"Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance. Are you a writer who doesnt write, a painter who doesnt paint, an entrepreneur who never starts a venture? Then you know what Resistance is."

"Resistance arises from within. It is self-generated and self-perpetuated. Resistance is the enemy within."

"Procrastination is the most common manifestation of Resistance because its the easiest to rationalize."

"Aspiring artists defeated by Resistance share one trait. They all think like amateurs. They have not yet turned pro."
"To the amateur, the game is his avocation. To the pro its his vocation. The amateur does not love the game enough. If he did, he would not pursue it as a sideline, distinct from his real vocation. The professional loves it so much he dedicates his life to it. He commits full-time."

"Resistance hates it when we turn pro."

You may or may not be an artist, but we all have something that we aren't getting done. Can you look inside yourself and ask why? Is anything holding you back? What is holding you back?

A safety reminder

2008-06-12T16:10:00.002-04:00

A young woman who was a graduate student at my school lost her life to an attacker while she was jogging recently. It was during the day and she was jogging alone. She had her phone with her. The university community will mourn this loss, but if anything let us learn from it.

There are many disturbed people out there. Please Please Please be careful.

A few tips for personal safety:
Walk or jog with a friend.
Avoid jogging after dark. If you must, stay in well-lit areas
Walk midpoint between curbs and buildings and away from alleys and bushes.
Tell someone where are you going and when you will return.

Much love and care.
Jimmy

Sex in this City

2008-05-30T11:55:00.003-04:00

I went to the opening of Sex and the City and It was so fulfilling. I've actually seen it twice... It's a grand opportunity to celebrate the meaningless frothy parts of life like Shoes, Drinks, Hair and Fashion. The show celebrates the friendships that are the real quality of life. Four women who are truly so different have such unconditional love for each other.

Though the central theme of sex and love plays out quite well, its the bond of the women that truly makes this series a favorite of mine. Its the Golden Girls in NYC instead of Miami replacing the talk of cheesecake with cosmos. We love the story of friendship that outlasts anything. We have seen the Sex girls go through breakups, cancer, babies, miscarriages, good sex, bad sex, and everything in between, but in the end they tend to end up in the coffee shop with each other. Sounds like a good life to me.

Take a moment today to send an email, make a call, or get in touch with someone you haven't talked to in a while, just to say hi. Don't worry about catching up the last 6 months or what you are going to say, just say hi, I was thinking about you. It will make you both feel good! I promise.

I'm worth what?

2008-05-28T23:34:00.002-04:00

Recently, my facebook and myspace accounts have been blown up with people trying to "buy" me with virtual money and advertising how much they are worth. "I'm worth $5640, How much are your worth?"

As far as I knew the practice of "buying" another human being has been out of style for quite a while in this country. Secondly, I couldn't help but think... what am I worth?

I have a house, with a mortgage, a car with a loan, a bank account, some clothes, student loans... in financial terms, like most Americans, I have negative value. My credit score is desirable based on the number of credit card offers I get in the mail each day to further grow the value of my negative worth, but is that really what I'm worth?

Is there a value for potential? Is the dollar really the measure of a man or woman? I think not. Yet, we have devised a game online that demarcates our social standing by what people are willing to pay for us. Its bad enough that I may or may not be in your Top 12 or "best Friends" Circle, or even your 5 speed dial buttons, but now you get to put a cash value on me? I think not.

To all those trying to buy me and sell themselves to me (a whole different topic for Dateline NBC), I say try not, buy not. You simply can't afford me. I'm priceless.

What are you worth?

A good reminder...

2008-05-21T12:50:00.003-04:00

I've been asked to be the main speaker for UCF Orientation's Keys to College Success presentation. This 90 minute session is fun, funny and informational and as I've been putting it together, the lessons I've been teaching students have been good reminders for myself.

College is a time that can be truly life changing. It changed my life. Not because of the classes, the tests, or even the diploma. It was about the people that I met. My network. No, not the 5 people I can call for free, nor the hundreds of people on facebook or myspace that I can poke or message or cyberstalk at will. Its the true friendships, mentorships, the real relationships that really changed my life.

An advisor who told me to get involved, the friends with whom I took my first roadtrip, the roommate who taugh me of my appreciate for privacy and space, the girlfriend who first broke my heart, the professor who help me change my major, the admistrator who nominated me for an award. All of these people are what my college experience was all about.

This is what life is all about: people. Think about your relationships, friendships, mentorships and even those you're not a fan of. Its these people who shape your experience.

And now as I am in a postion to teach, inspire and mentor others, I take it very seriously, but with a smile and sense of humor.

You have the same role with everyone you meet, so I ask you, what impact can you have on someone today?

Thought

2008-05-15T08:04:00.002-04:00

"When lost in a familiar world, find something to learn. Suddenly the light will brighten."

J

Be impeccable with your word

2008-05-13T17:15:00.003-04:00

One of the famous four agreements, from the beautiful book about life success is to be impeccable with your word. Our words are certainly one of our most powerful tools as well as our most powerful representative. I was faced with a situation at work today in which some colleagues pretty much twisted my words and painted me as a bully in front of a room full of "important" people. I wasn't present, but luckily I had some allies in the room, including my boss, who quickly stood up for me and dispelled the wrong doing.

I was quick to get frustrated that they would so publicly, yet behind my back share words about me that were not true for their own benefit. Just yesterday they were quite nice and kind to my face about the situation and today a different story.

I don't mind if they didn't agree with me but would have preferred to hear that message face to face. Honesty is so important and I will admit that these colleagues, whom I have made great efforts to be a good parter with now leave a bad taste in my mouth.

They have not only frustrated me professionally, but I don't wish to see them socially. I have lost a level of personal respect. And let it be known, I won't just blog about this. I will most certainly share these sentiments with them face to face, but I figured I would give myself 24 hours of cool down time so I don't misrepresent myself with bad "word choices."

Are you impeccable with your word? How do you let your words both written and spoken represent you?
from The Four Agreements.

Cleaning Buddy

2008-05-11T10:25:00.003-04:00

I just found out that my roommate will be moving out. I'm sad because she is a beautiful, inspirational and magical person, but I'm thrilled because she's leaving to pursue her personal legend.

This leaves me with the task of finding a new roommate so I thought I should do a thorough spring cleaning as to not scare away potential tenants. Its not that I live dirty, but messy, unorganized may be a better word. I call it creativity!

So, Spring cleaning it is. Now, with my A.D.D., I find it next to impossible to complete something like cleaning my whole house all at once. It could take me days after I spread it out between distractions like the computer, my piano, TV, my dog, a box of pictures that suddenly needs organizing, cooking, a day trip to Disney. Its always something.

For some reason, when I have a friend over, I find it really easy to multi-task, talk and clean at the same time, and while this may not be the most attentive way to spend time with a friend, its certainly productive. So, I invited Vivian over. I asked if she wanted to be my cleaning buddy, not to clean, but to watch me clean. I know it sounds weird, but it works. After some coaxing with a dinner offer, she agreed. She came over sat in the comfy chair in my cafe' (eat in kitchen), and I went to work. We talked about everything from politics to Britney Spears to spirituality, it was like the wave pool at a water park, from super shallow to super deep.
And, I cleaned like a machine: the kitchen, swept, vacuumed, organized my office, put away the laundry, installed a new lighting fixture, added a dimmer. I was like Martha Stewart, Paige Davis and Bob Villa all at the same time. And all because Vivian was just hangin' out talking to me.

I couldn't help but think, it helps to have a buddy. You see it in so many areas of life. Sometimes its not about help, but just having someone else there. It's recommended that we have a workout partner, a study buddy, a sponsor in sobriety, and most people even have a life partner of some sort at some point. We are social creatures and other people really do matter. This further proves the point I make when I'm on stage. People are the most important thing in this world. If we are working to help other people or improve ourselves, we are doing the most important work there is.

If you are struggling with any area of life, find someone else who's done it or who wants to do it too and buddy up! The results will be amazing! My house looks phenomenal!

The daily buzz...

2008-05-09T16:16:00.002-04:00

http://achievemooreblog.blogspot.com/ is where you can go to see the full blog and hear the full buzz of my blog!

And lets be fair, I'm almost 30 which makes me slightly technological, but I realize there are 12 year olds who are better at this than I am...

Learning Learning Learning....

living learning

2008-04-30T10:05:00.004-04:00

I am not ashamed of the fact that I love to learn. Not about anything specific like 14th century literature or calculus, but about being human. I love to learn about how to further improve myself. I realize there is an implication of imperfection and dissatisfaction in this statement and I do struggle with that. Its more of a searching for elightenment, but as my search used to be external, I have begun to look within. It is there I find many of the answers. I use the resources of this world to help me see inside of myself as there has been much training and experience that has blocked the view.

What do you like to learn about?

"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be ignited." Plutarch

meetings meetings

2007-12-12T10:38:00.000-05:00

A full day of meeting yesterday to create synergy in our division... very office space. People need a little more motivation than a meeting and someone telling us how excited they are. Especially when trying to create great change in an organization. People need a reason to care...

2007-12-10T14:48:00.001-05:00

A strange lady

2007-12-10T13:23:00.001-05:00

I was sitting at a light this afternoon on the way home for lunch when a lady with a silver Ford Explorer, similar in color to her hair, drove up on my passenger side and motioned for me to roll down my window. I thought I must have a low tire or some other bad news. Perhaps I'd been dragging a squirril under my carriage, or was leaking water, oil or gas at an alarming rate. Yes, all of these crossed my mind while I reached over and pushed button to lower my window. As the window sank, I could see her clap with joy and smile as she exclaimed, "WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CAR!" She was certainly commenting on the bright yellow color of my Mazda Protege 5. I laughed outloud with her joy and screamed through my car, "Thank you, His name is Sunny" She laughed again with joy, causing me to giggle and she cried, "I always name mine too. This baby is the silver bullet!" She giggled as a combination between Kathy Najimy and Mrs. Clause would. "I bet you have so much fun with Sunny!" "I do, thanks!"

She completley changed my state. I wasn't in a bad mood, but she put me in a fantastic mood! Thank you Mrs. Clause for the gift of gratitude for my sassy yellow car! We do have fun!

too much cheese but none at all

2007-12-10T09:04:00.000-05:00

So, I was at a retirement party for a colleague at work on Friday. I was the MC for the event and it was a very lovely classy event, no cheese at the podium at all. Each speaker worked hard to avoid sounding as if the retiree were dead, and truly honored his impact on their lives and the organization we work for. It was quite nice. I even ended the event with a comment that "If success can be measured by a persons impact on humanity, then you sir are a successful human being. I hope these same words can one day be spoken about me."

After the formal presentations, we all mulled around grazing on the buffet of cheeses, baby quiches, lemon bars, brownies and hot cider. As I'm working very hard on my health and fitness, I stayed away for the most part.... well, I had a piece of cheese. And as soon as I realized they also served provolone, I was compelled to have another, and another, and another. Soon, I'd eaten enough cheese to actually be full. Thats alot of cheese. It was an absolute cheese binge. This is something much more likely of me on stage vs. at a tray of dairy, but se la vie!

I went to the gym imediatley after work.

Blogging

2007-12-05T16:13:00.000-05:00

I've decided to give the whole WWW movement my attention. I've been publishing a newsletter, getting ready to launch a podcast and now this. A place to hold my intimate thoughts that everyone can see. This is the good behind the scenes stuff. I've never been too good at keeping up with this type of thing, but perhaps, I'll give it a go. I like typing better than writing in my journal anway!
http://www.achievemoore.com/

Blog update

2007-12-05T13:26:00.001-05:00

Apparently you can update your blog from anywhere as long as you have email! Sweet! I love technology.

2007-12-05T13:19:00.000-05:00

So, there it is... the logo/banner for my website. Pretty dapper eh? the suit is a little tight in the mid section, but thats over! I'm so over that, I forgot what I was talking about. Nice tie though, but it looks like it has a stain..... nope. Just a lighting issue. :)