Who Knew It Was A Real Product ?!

A year or two ago, Karen and I watched every episode of Monk on Netflix.  I've already blogged about the show itself, but I recently had an experience that took me back to that show.

If you've never seen it, I certainly recommend it.  The title character has some serious OCD issues, one of which has to do with the kind of bottled water he drinks.  In many episodes he finds himself in situations where bottled water is being offered, and he declines unless they have his favorite (only acceptable) kind available.  The name of that brand: Sierra Springs.

Similar to any television show, I presumed this was a made-up brand name.  That is until I noticed the name on the plastic bottle I use to water some of our many house plants.  Sierra Springs!

Song Of The Day:
Of the many available water themed songs I could have picked, I landed on "Waterfalls" by TLC for this post.
Why?
Because there is a line in the song that goes just stick to the rivers and lakes that you're used to.  I think Monk would have liked that lyric.

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From Court To Ice?

One of the coolest things to see at the Denver Nuggets Scout Sleepover was the transformation of the basketball court into the ice rink for the following day's Colorado Avalanche game.

I neglected to take enough pictures of the middle of the transformation, but I got the beginning, absolute middle, and end from a similar vantage point.

Most people likely have no awareness of the changes in the seating that go along with this transformation.  Along each end of the court, there were dozens of rows of folding chairs that had to be picked up and taken off to store somewhere in the arena.  Then there were metal risers that were broken down into sections and also carted off to storage.  There are yet more sections of folding chairs in the main seating areas, which (when removed) convert into the opening and hallway connecting the ice and the locker rooms.  Although I didn't capture the changes in photos, it was fun to observe in person.


Song Of The Day:
Speaking of a "Cool Change" here is that titled song by the Little River Band.  I've heard several other versions through the years, but really like this one.  I know it really has nothing to do with transformation of a court to an ice rink, but at least the title fits this post!  :)

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A Boy Scout Sleepover ?

Several weeks ago I received an email from the Denver Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America.  I get emails periodically from them, mostly with updates regarding Council news and upcoming camps.  But this one was different.  This one contained information regarding a "Boy Scout sleepover" at the Pepsi Center, home of the Denver Nuggets.

For a reduced ticket price of admission, any attendees would get to participate in the sleepover, including a few other events: shooting baskets on the floor after the game, watching a movie on the giant big screen above the court, sleeping on the club level overnight, and enjoying some late night snacks and then donuts and juice in the morning.

Of course I purchased tickets for my two Boy Scout sons, and I was able to get two additional tickets for my friend Aaron and his son Nicholas.  Together the 5 of us enjoyed a great evening of professional basketball (so what if the #1 team in the NBA beat the Nuggets like they were high school players), some card games, and fun conversations.  We also learned some valuable lessons for the next time including where to try and "camp" as a group (there are four "open" boxes that face the court/ice, as well as a restaurant area where they turn the lights off at night - the rest of the club level was lit up as bright as could be ALL NIGHT LONG which made sleeping a tough endeavor).

We all also got a special patch for the boys' sashes.  I think it's pretty cool, and certainly one that none of the other boys in their troop will have.


Song Of The Day:
The pictures above tell plenty of other stories, but I saved one to include here because it goes specifically with today's song.  "Good Morning" from the movie Singin' In The Rain is probably more about the amazing dancing, but the phrase it's great to stay up late, good morning, good morning to you was running through my mind as I walked around the arena in the early morning hours ...
and subsequently snapped this photo of the sunrise.

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Are You Committed Or Just Interested ?

How is it that some people just get things done while others merely talk about it or wish for it?  What makes the difference?  Is there some innate reason?  Some biological factor?  Or is it a matter of the situation and the support being provided?  Is there an intellectual or experiential influence?  Is it a learned behavior or skill?  Or is it something you either have or you don't have?

In the end, it is a matter of commitment.

Pick a story of some amazing success you read or heard about.  You may find it in the world of business perhaps, or maybe an extreme personal change, such as weight loss or physical fitness.  Now think of a few more stories, either in that same genre or in another area of human success.  Consider the important elements of each story and you will begin to see a pattern emerge.  While some individual factors apply some of the time, the concept of deeply rooted personal commitment to the "project" at hand will occur in ALL of them.

So I pose today's blog post title question as a method of allowing self-reflection and personal honesty.  Consider your most recent personal goal(s).  If you haven't achieved them yet but should have, can you honestly say that you have this deeply rooted personal commitment to reaching that goal?  Or are you just interested in seeing that project to completion, which suggests the influence of what is convenient or easy will eventually stop you from reaching that goal?

I hear people complain all the time about their goals not being met.  "I can't seem to lose this weight"  "If I could just get better organized"  "I need to finish my degree"  "I never have time for a vacation"  "I wish I could get that promotion"  Sadly, each of these situations involves a person who has not accepted the fact that they do not yet (I'm an eternal optimist in that I believe anyone can change) have the commitment to really achieve that goal.  There remain only two choices: 1. make that true commitment or 2. set a different goal that you can commit to.

Stop allowing your inner voice to excuse yourself from progress on goals.  Reject the notion that circumstances have kept you from whatever you are seeking to accomplish.  Find a way to make that commitment or stop holding yourself accountable to achieve it.

Here's a secret: When you finally commit to the goal, NOTHING can stop you from getting there.  Nothing, that is, but your own decision not to achieve it.


Song Of The Day:
So many people try to convince themselves that others are responsible for their lack of progress or success in a particular area.  Even though I can be one of those people at times, I am annoyed by those who constantly live in this make excuses world.  I know the message in the song "Timshel" is more about losing someone close to you, but the phrases "you have your choices and these are what make men great, his ladder to the stars" and "I can't move the mountain for you" make me think of the individual commitment that is needed to really progress toward goals.
Originally sung by Mumford and Sons, I really like the a capella version by the Tufts Beelzebubs.  The video quality in the version linked above is mediocre, but the song on Spotify is amazing!

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That's A Best Picture Nominee ?

This evening my wife and I settled in to view a movie we had recently heard a lot about and decided we should finally watch.  This movie was one of ten films to receive an Academy Award nomination for best picture this year.  Needless to say, our expectations were reasonably high.

I learned two things after watching Gravity:
First, I have no idea what constitutes a "best picture" any longer.
Second, I am thankful my wife agrees with me (she has no idea what constitutes a "best picture" any longer either).


Song Of The Day:
One exceptionally perfect thing that came from watching the film is that it provides a perfect tie in for me to feature a recent song that I simply LOVE!  In fact, I love it so much that you get TWO versions for the price of reading ONE (short) blog post.
"Say Something" is originally performed by A Great Big World (featuring Christina Aguilera) but this a capella version by Pentatonix is absolutely amazing in it's own right.
SPOILER ALERT:  The perfect tie in is found in the lyrics "say something I'm giving up on you" which would have been a perfect phrase to hear Sandra Bullock's character utter to George Clooney's character as he floats off into space.  At that point their intercoms are the only method of connection between them and she begins to lose sight and sound of him.  If he could just say something she wouldn't have to give up on him

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They Forgot MY Sandwich ?!

Editor's Note: This post was originally written over a year ago and somehow I never got it posted to the blog.  So I'm invoking #TbT (Throwback Thursday) and sharing it today.

Despite the negative sounding tone of the title to this post, the experience I recently had with Jason's Deli here on the north side of Colorado Springs was absolutely wonderful!

This year, my work team decided to use our Year End Event "food funds" (roughly $10 per person) to order individual sandwiches / lunch entrees from Jason's Deli.  I have to admit that the "catered food" I have had from this establishment in the past (box lunches during all day leadership training classes) had left me with a mediocre feeling about this place.  It's not that the food was bad, it just wasn't "amazing" like everyone told me it would be.

So we placed the order for our food and I picked it up at the restaurant just before our team meeting / luncheon.  The service at the counter was great and the food was all packaged perfectly!  There were napkins and utensils (for those with soup or salads) and the waitress (I'm not sure what her title actually was) helped me load the three VERY large bags in my car.

It was not until I arrived back at work and set out all the food that I realized ... we were missing ONE sandwich order.  I was very pleased (and I honestly mean that) to find out that it was my sandwich that was missing.

As the Supervisor of the team (and the person filling the first 20 minutes of the meeting so others could eat while I talked) I was not really bothered much at all about the loss of my food.  My team was distraught, but I quickly kept the agenda moving so we could just enjoy our time together (over half my team works from home so it is rare when we actually get together to see each other).

Much later that day I sent an e-mail to our R and R Coordinator (they handled the actual puchase of the food and placement of the order) to thank her for the help and tell her how great our Team Year-End Event was.  I also mentioned the missing sandwich, not as a complaint but just so she would know about it.  The next day she informed me that she had called and spoken with a Manager, who apologized profusely and promised to make amends.

I am extremely pleased to report that I am now the recipient of TWO $10 gift card vouchers for free meal(s) at Jason's Deli.  Color me impressed!  I did not expect, nor was I asking for some compensation ... but I can guarantee you that this one simple (and relatively inexpensive for them) act of apology has endeared me to that restaurant for life!

Excellent job Jason's Deli!

Song Of The Day:
Today's song is also a throwback, and it barely fits for this post, but I love this song by Edwin McCain and surprisingly I haven't ever featured it before.  So enjoy "I'll Be" because that was kind of my reaction when I got the gift cards ... well, I'll be.  :)

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How Do I Decide ?

Life presents us with an infinite number of choices.  Almost every decision has numerous choices or options.  Which choice is right?  Which choice will make me happy?  Which choice will give me more fulfillment?  And most importantly, how do I know which option to choose?

I have been pondering on this for a while and have recently had several conversations that have brought me some clarity around this important question.  These conversations areand feel good about their decision.
 likely an answer to personal prayer, although I have yet to apply the lesson for myself.  Instead, I have simply been fortunate enough to share this thought process with people close to me as they ponder their own important decisions ... and it seems to have helped each of them to commit to a choice

It all begins with defining your core goal.

What, above all else, do you want to accomplish with this decision?

If you can define that core goal, then everything becomes easier to decide between.  I'll use a simple example to make my point.  If your core goal is to lose 5 pounds, then EVERY decision you make (from what to eat, when to eat, whether or not you exercise, etc.) is influenced or compared against that core goal.  You'll find it much easier to have the strength to avoid eating that piece of chocolate if you're truly committed to your core goal.

But how do I define my core goal?  I don't really know what main accomplishment I want to achieve in this situation.

Begin by listing those things which are important to you.  Think broadly.  Consider your bigger goals (think "life's worth" or "legacy" if that helps).  Then bring it down to two or three possible core goals.  Using the earlier example, your goal options could have been: lose weight, have more energy, or live longer through healthier eating.  Once you have that list, create a theoretical situation where you have to pick one over the others and decide what you would choose if that scenario were really happening (example: I could take diet pills to lose lots of weight ... but ... one of the side effects is less energy).  Through a relatively simple process of elimination, you'll find that one core goal always "wins" against the other goals.

This doesn't mean the other goals aren't important, but it allows you to make the majority of your decisions based on the impact to the core goal.  Almost nothing will be sacrificed related to that core goal, but your other goals can be moved to the back burner if there is ever a conflict between those priorities.  This allows you to feel good about all the little decisions that will come up later.  If you find yourself questioning your core goal too often at some point in the future, then you likely need to revisit the initial exercise and re-define your true core goal.

I would suggest that this process is not independent of your other considerations in making decisions.  I certainly advocate involving a higher power through prayer or meditation, but I also believe you will get a better answer if you've reasoned through your choices and instead of asking what to do you are asking for confirmation of the decision you have chosen.  As a parent, I am much more likely to provide comforting support to one of my children if I can tell they have really contemplated their choices and put some real effort into their preferred final decision.


Song Of The Day:
The audio quality on the youtube link is not as great, but the a capella version of "All These Things That I've Done" is fantastic on Spotify.  Sung by Boston University In Achord, this version is every bit as good as the original (linked HERE) by the Killers.  I personally prefer the a capella version, but I've shared both because people have different tastes.  The tie in with the post today is the lyrics saying "you've gotta help me out" and "you're gonna bring yourself down" although they also sing of being put on the back-burner.  Anyway, I think about choices we make and how we often seek help from others and we don't want to bring ourselves down later with stress over poorly thought out decisions.  It's also completely okay to put something else on the "back burner" if it is not as important.  In fact, you'll likely be unhappy on some level until you do prioritize to your core goal (or goals).

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