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"Victory comes, at times, just when one no longer expects it." – Martin Buber (1878-1965)

I first came across Buber’s work while in college; specifically, in my Philosophy of Religion course with Ms. Pak. A brilliant thinker, Buber, in this case, shows us just the kind of attitude it takes to win. No matter the field of endeavor, it is often those who stick it out the longest that earn the prize. I must be clear here and note that I do not advocate futile efforts and attempts; some pursuits are lost even with “sticking it out.” What I am pushing for, instead, is an attitude of sustained energy – pushing all the way through, even when the end is uncertain.

World Series Champions and NBA Champions are not made by one game; they are forged in the depths of a grueling series. For some, it’s that fourth game that changes things...others, such as the NBA, the seventh and final one. No matter what point brings such turnaround and victory, it is never an...

“If we lead with questions rather than answers, curiosity can strip us of an agenda and stop us from holding so tightly to our own ideas and beliefs…” - Marcum & Smith in “Egonomics”

Like Bristol, I was “born with a huge bump of curiosity.” I have always tinkered. As a child, I tinkered with electronics (much to the chagrin of my parents), electricity (all it took was one shock and I never played with it the same way), irrigation systems (oh, mommy just loves to tell this story), and so many other things. Today, I still tinker; the only difference is that I now tinker with ideas...

From the moment a book was first placed in my hands, I became an avid “thought-tinkerer.” I could not believe that there was only one “best way” or that “conventional wisdom” was correct. I remember arguing with my 3rd or 4th grade teacher that blood was not red – that is, not until it was out of the body. Of course,...

"We need to give people what we rarely get" - Frankie Mazzapica

I am overwhelmed by the desperation I see in the eyes of my audiences with each trip. While their demeanors hold and posture the socially-acceptable "everything is alright," their eyes say otherwise. They are starved for acceptance, recognition, and...here it comes...love...

On a recent trip, a friend smiled brightly because of "the way you make friends everywhere you go." I thought nothing of it possibly because I have worked at making it a habit to not only greet all who tend to me in stores, restaurants and other places of business, but to ask them their names and thank them personally. "Thank you, Deb," I might say. Or, "you really are the best, Tim." It is S.O.P in my world and now seems to flow out naturally and with ease...

To many, this might be posturing; being overzealous and manipulating people. To me, however, it is the way of life. I once heard it said that "a wise man knows everything, but a shrewd man,...

We graduated college together. So, when we met again about six years later, it was a loud and boisterous reunion. We were good friends in college but had simply lost contact after graduation. Interestingly, though, once we met again, it was as if we had never missed those years. Now, we connect on a regular basis, do business together, and even plan on playing golf together. During one of our lunches, Summer had said something so potent that I had to stop lunch and our discussion to appreciate the weight of it all:

"If people are not on your path, then they're in your way"

Subsequently, I typed them into my PDA and would not allow another word as I did so. Summer had basically diagnosed the cancer that is at the center of the human condition...one that blights our "crops" each year. With each project, I am more and more convinced that people aren't really what their companies claim them to be - "our best asset." Perhaps it's because you cannot "truly" put people on the balance...

“Anyone can tell what time it is. It takes more to tell what season it is.” - Frankie Mazzapica

In times of uncertainty and distress, it's quite easy for us to feel (perhaps rightly so) that the waters won't subside. It's easy for us to feel that we've lost everything - including all hope. We're concerned about how we'll provide for our posterity and wonder if there's any end in sight. Though the four decades of my life may not be much, I have found that little, if anything, is random. I have found that there is purpose in everything; even, and especially, when we cannot see it. The Significant Life® begins with the recognition that, without purpose, life becomes meaningless; it becomes a mass of random occurrences that are unrelated and, therefore, have no value. Such a world, I cannot believe in...

Wise King Solomon noted that to everything there is a season; the challenge for you and I lies in being able to recognize which season it is. For instance, it would be...

"You are living in the wonderful time of awakening; this is the time when more people will come into conscious realization of their own value."

 I can’t help but think about how many folks are living a disengaged, drowsy life, and, for some, many are sleep walking. This disengaged and drowsy lifestyle has made them numb; numb to all that is great and valuable, not only in themselves, but also in life and others.

How can one justify such an existence? Ever wonder what story they tell themselves each day? How they put stylus to scroll, pen to paper, and document their life –with a straight face? What kind of blatant disregard for self would such an act take? When they look at themselves in the mirror, do they know who that stranger is? Or have they become so accustomed to seeing someone else in the mirror and being alright with it?

 Want to know who “they” are?  

 “They” are...you...me. Every single time we devalue ourselves...