Tea With My New Mentor

So now that my time is my own once again, I made good on a promise to have tea with my 80-plus-year-old neighbor, Ripah (a psuedonym). I didn't know it at the time I had made the promise, that she would be my new mentor. However, nothing gives you clarity (after a near-death experience, and having a child) like being downsized. My old mentor is still of value to me, and his lessons I keep in mind. However, I'm at a point where I've essentially graduated from the first quarter of a typical professional life, 25-34, per Robert Kiyosaki, and needed some additional tools in the midst of the next quarter, 35-44.

Ripah is a kind soul with a simple life. I don't know if she's ever been married, but I know she never had any children of her own. I don't know if that was a matter of choice or circumstance, but I do know she would have made a great one. She's surrounded by a huge cadre of nephews, niece, grands, and great-grands. They call and visit from across the U.S., and from the looks of it they can't call or visit her quick enough. They keep her pretty busy. I guess it's partly because she's the last of her generation in their family.

Anyway, I listened first, and then asked some questions about what I had heard. Then Ripah asked me some questions about how I and my wife were doing. She didn't make a judgment or opinion one way or another. Ripah isn't the type of person that one ought to wait on for the answer to "tell me what I should do." She's pretty aware of character, and will only point out the obvious if you've clearly missed it and it hasn't occured to you AND it's important that you not miss it.

What I learned is the importance of service. Not pie-in-the-sky service, or lip service, or service when it's convenient. Ripah spoke of a lifetime and attitute of service in good times, convenient time, obligatory times, and in bad times. I had been getting the vibe over the last year that I needed to put service back in focus in a more consistent way. I needed to weave it back into my life's purpose in a more hollistic way. Ripah really crystalized it for me. Thanks Ripah.

Eat Chocolate to Beat The Recession

At least that what I'm thinking. After all it seems it's one of the few affordable luxuries left these days. Especially if you spring for the dark-chocolate variety (my favorite), but to each his or her own. So, the question will be what type of chocolate? Not all chocolates are created equal to be sure, and price isn't always a determinant factor of quality.

For example at the low end, Mounds and Peanut M & M's are better than average and can be had for between 50 cents and one dollar, depending on where you shop. On the high end, Lindt is a favorite of mine, with Ghiradelli a close second. Their quality is on point, and Ghiradelli is a favorite of mine for baking. For a sample size you'll be shelling out anywhere from 30 cents to 50 cents, again, depending on where you shop. The premium candy bar version of each will run you about $2.50 to $3.50.

The sleeper candy, and the favorite from my youth, is just about anything from Cadbury. I can usually find the premium candy bars on sale for one dollar, and even the regular $1.50 to $2.00 is worth it in my opinion. For me the gem of Cadbury are the Mini-Eggs; candy shell on the outside, pure milk chocolate on the inside. They only come out around Easter, and a sampler pack of about twelve of so, can be had for 50 cents. Too bad I have to wait a few months.

What's The Difference Between The US Army and Parents?

The Army does more before 9 a.m. than most people do all day.
Parents do more after the kids go to bed, than most people do all week.

What Would Seth Godin Do?

Imagine you knew you were more likely, than not, to lose your job in the next three to six months? Now imagine that a month later some guy named Seth Godin told you pretty much the same thing? What would you do? What...would you do?

President Obama

I smile every time I hear it. I had a business appointment today at a local V.F.W. Post, and while I was waiting I watched the all-white, working-class patrons glued to a flat-screen T.V., while they nursed their respective drinks. I just assumed they were watching the Celtics, or something. When I paid closer attention, I saw they were watching a rerun of President and Michelle Obama dancing at one of the inaugural balls.

I'm sorry, but having lived in Boston close to three decade, awkward doesn't even begin to describe what I was feeling. I was expecting some off-hand comments about the expense of the inauguration, or the over-saturation of Mr. Yes-We-Can. What I overheard forced me to check my gut reaction at the door, and to really appreciate all that lead to a President Obama. I heard one man say to the other, I don't like the dress, it makes her look big. I heard the other man respond, with a look of disappointment, yeah.