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Wonderful Gift

Three days each week when I swim bright and early at the YMCA indoor pool, the same two lifeguards are usually on duty. These ladies have been there for at least the past two years, and while I seldom speak with them, knowing they trade off watching over me from that perch above the pool is comforting… just in case something were to happen. As I leave after my hour in the water, I always wave and smile on my way out the door – a simple thank you for their role in my efforts to stay healthy.

On Valentine’s Day, one of them hurried over when I arrived and handed me a plastic sandwich bag with a note attached. I noticed they did the same for everyone who came that morning. Since I don’t carry ‘cheater’ glasses to the Y, I waited until returning home to read it. Each item listed on the note pertained to the contents in the bag. This gesture brightened my day… and I keep the gift on my desk.

The ‘Survival Kit to Help You Each Day’ (Love Survival Kit) includes:

Toothpick… to remind you to pick everyone’s good qualities including yours

Rubber-band… to remind you to be flexible; things might not always go the way you want, but it can be worked out

Eraser… to remind you everyone makes mistakes; that’s how we learn

Tea Bag… to remind you to take time to relax daily and go over that list of blessings; that is what makes life worth living every minute of every day

Band-Aid… to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else’s

Candy-Kiss… to remind you everyone needs a daily hug or compliment

Mint… to remind you that you are worth a mint to your family and others around you

Bubblegum… to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything you desire

Big Heart… to remind you that you are loved greatly and that you too have a huge heart

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Lessons Learned #1

As we celebrate the beginning of a new year, here is an organization I learned about in 2013 that is touching a lot of young people’s lives:

Helping Others – Since 2007, I have closed the year by sharing an organization doing great things for others. Take a minute to discover St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Our friend’s young daughter participated this year, and experienced wonderful joy getting her head shaved to help find a cure for children’s cancer. From one event with 19 shaved heads 13 years ago, to this year’s 1,383 events with 58,716 shaved heads and $34 million raised, these dedicated folks are making the world a better place.

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Lessons Learned #2

Number two on the list of best things I learned during 2013:

Taking Action – July 4, 9 a.m. I’m trimming shrubs. An SUV slowly circles our cul de sac. The driver searches for something. Perhaps a lost dog. I walk over to his car. “Have you seen a 13-year-old boy in a green shirt on a scooter?” I shake my head. “Our son is autistic. He was in the driveway. This has never happened.” Let me help. I knock on five doors. One neighbor is home. We jump in our cars and start driving streets. I pass four policemen doing the same. One hour later. No sign of the missing child. I head home. In front of our house, the father talks with my wife. The boy is safe with his mother. Found three miles away. At a shopping center. We shake hands. Tears build in the man’s eyes. He leaves. Two days later a Starbucks gift card appears in our mailbox with a note: “David… Thank you for not hesitating to get involved in finding Andrew. ~ Chris”.

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Lessons Learned #3

The third best lesson I learned last year:

Bright Future – Kyle and I attended the Shell Houston Open in March. We followed a rookie who played at our favorite university. There were 12 people walking with us. The throngs were elsewhere, tracking Phil and Rory. The object of our attention – here on a sponsor exemption since he didn’t have a Tour card – sprayed the ball all over the place, scrambled to a 70 and would eventually finish T-50. A few months later, though, he made history by becoming the youngest winner on the PGA Tour since 1931. For the year, he earned nearly $4 million, finished 10th on the money list and made the Presidents Cup. Keep an eye on this talented 20-year-old in his burnt orange polo. Golf’s next superstar might be Jordan Spieth.

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Lessons Learned #4

Here is lesson #4 for 2013:

Tough Guys – One of my current projects is shadowing crew leaders for the company that oversees the electric grid in Houston. This allows for ‘in the moment’ feedback on how they interact with direct reports and team members. I have gained tremendous respect for head linemen, journeymen, apprentices and helpers: unsung heroes who work in high-risk situations in all kinds of weather. While you enjoy Christmas morning, some will be away from their homes repairing downed power lines and getting the lights back on. Spare a thought for their safety.