Quick Spinning Wheels and Going No Where Fast!

Stuck in the Driveway

Today some friends of my next door neighbor was stuck in her driveway.  (You know the drill... To much snow and not enough momentum....)

We went to help and found his fast spinning tires had melted some holes and he was going noway.  That was for certain!

With shovels we cleared the snow and Ice.  He finally hit the traction sweet spot but did not take of as you'd think.  It still seemed a struggle to get the car moving.  Then we was the cause....

We Laughed at Fist

We laughed inside first then out loud later.  It was pretty funny to see the back tire sliding along on the ice.  No rolling here.  Nope, not one bit.  We were watching a great lesson of life.  Here it is.  When you release the emergency brake you can really get moving.

Then the lesson sunk in.  

How many times in life do we think the problem is the one right before us.  You know the spinning tires. The revving engine and the lack of results.  It is the obvious problem we call on the experts to help us.  They come with their tools and help to shovel us out and send us on our way.

So often the story continues in our lives.  The obvious "real" problem is gone but we don't realize there are hidden and/or forgotten areas of our lives that are the cause of our grief.  Those core issues stand in the way of real progress.  They are the elephants in the room that nobody can see but everybody senses is there.

Lesson learned.

Look for the cause so you get going with real solutions to move life forward effectively.

What do Justin Bieber and Bono of U2 have in common?

Don't let anybody tell you big stars in music entertainment don't have a soft spot in their hearts?

This weekend when Justin Bieber was in Salt Lake City he took time as his concert was getting ready to start to go up to the hospital and visit Millie Flamm, a seven year old fan who was too sick to attend his concert.

You see he made a little extra effort to reach out and help.  He made her day by performing for her and visiting.

She was delighted.

This story reminds me of what happened to Elsha Stockseth, friend of mine, when Bono of U2 came to Salt Lake City some years ago. (She still talks about it.)

Yes, you guessed it he came by and gave some special attention to her and helped her to have the time of her life.

So you see Justin Bieber and Bono share a common soft spot in their hearts for those facing real challenges in their lives.  Each saw the world through their fans eyes. They saw a need and filled it in ways meaningful to their customers (fans).

How cool is that?

There is a life lesson in there for us a humans, community members and business owners.  Reach out to those with great need.  Share with your fans what is meaningful to them!

Maybe we can begin to change our world a little by reaching out to those we know who are facing challenges at this time of their lives.

Maybe you'd like to be friends with Elsha on facebook.  She shares some pretty amazing stories.

Enjoy this little video of Bono meeting up with Elsha.

Who would have thought...

Perspectives change over time. My Mustang is long gone and my youngest just graduated from High School. Some choices make all the difference.

I am a family man. My life is filled with love.

Life is better than when I began because ...

The Rainy Day - Oh, That's Bad! No, That's Good!

The other day it was raining and I was stuck inside.

It started raining like crazy outside. It was nice and cozy inside. I can barely hear the dripping of water outside.

Oh, that’s good! No, that’s bad!

The dripping sounded different than usual. It was just outside my door.

Oh, that’s bad! No, that’s good!

My curiosity caused me to open the door to look outside and discover the overflowing gutter.

Oh, that’s good! No, that’s bad!

Opening the door let water rush into the house from the porch.

Oh, that’s bad! No, that’s good!

The water flowed into the drain missing all the stuff on the floor.

Oh, that’s good! No, that’s bad!

The puddle on the basement stair landing revealed a clogged drain.

Oh, that’s bad! No, that’s good!

We caught it before it flooded the entire basement and ruined our precious stuff.

Oh, that’s good! No, that’s bad!

We had to act quickly to stop the landing from filling with water.

Oh, that’s bad! No, that’s good!

It was clear the water was coming from the overflowing gutter and the ladder was a few feet away. It was cleared easily.

Oh, that’s good! No, that’s bad!

It took our attention off the water still flowing into the house from the clogged drain in the basement landing.

Oh, that’s bad! No, that’s good!

We got the tools, cleared and drained the clogged drain in the basement landing.

Oh, that’s good! No, that’s bad!

I tracked gunk into the house all over the place.

Oh, that’s bad! No, that’s good!

There were plenty of towels to wipe up the mess and help dry things out.

Oh, that’s good! No, that’s bad!

Some of the towels were purchased yesterday. My wife was NOT Happy!

Oh, that’s bad! No, that’s good!

I apologized. She forgave me.

Oh, that’s good! No, that’s bad!

I had forgotten just what a wonderful person she is. So, I told her.

Oh, that’s good! Yeah, that is good!



Listen to The Teach Jim Show where I tell the story in full and liken it to problem solving and lead generation systems.

Unsuspected Blessing

Sometimes it is the things you like least you gain the blessings you cherish most. I got a call the other day to write a little about Jenna. Wow what a blessing. After a little reflection I realized I don't tell my kids about the blessing they are in my life. Each one really adds their unique influence on my life and I appreciate their influence. They are so good to me. I'm glad to be on this journey of life with them.

Anyway, here is the bit I wrote about Jenna.

Jenna Harris is a fun loving, conscientious young women. Her smile is delightful and her laugh is contagious. Full of conversation, she drives away the silence of solitude and fills it with fabulous friendship and fun. She has a way of taking the everyday and making it extraordinary. Her attitude of consideration for those around her shows in her conversation and sensitivity to each situation.

Deep down she faces the same challenges of uncertainty experienced by emerging high school students, but to see her interact with friends, associates and strangers you would not know it. She has a quiet confidence which seems to stem down to her very soul. This deeper strength reveals itself in a variety of settings.

Jenna's recent responsibilities as "Mary" in Davis High's presentation of The Secret Garden shows this strength. After each performance she would ask the anxious questions, "How did I do?", "What worked?", "What can I improve?". It might of appeared she was lacking in confidence; however, before each performance she would draw on her inner strength and would perform with a grace and gratitude larger than life. The balance of being an innocent little child in the part of Mary merged with the maturity required to command the spotlight as Jenna provided each audience with a richly entertaining evening. People were touched because the acting did not get in the way of the meaningful message. A wonder to watch.

Each day is another day of delight for those who know and deal with Jenna Harris. Each of us can embrace the surprise of spontaneity we will experience as we interact with this young woman and her associates.

Hope you enjoyed. Best of a great new day enjoying the pains and blessings life provides.

Newspaper Delivery Done

My friend, Steve Allen, passed away today. Every morning Steve and his family deliver newspapers. Foul weather, holidays, illness or car problems have not stopped this family from delivering the paper. Years of diligence and consistent performance. Amazing.

This morning Steve was not feeling well. He has had some unexplained pains in his legs for the last few days. Friday night he was walking with a limp. In his usual way, he discounted his discomfort and expressed hope the doctors would come to some conclusion this week.

Sunday morning Steve was delivering newspapers as always, despite the pain and discomfort. Around 6 am he began to experience pre-heart attach feelings. (He has had several of these attachs before.) He called his daughter to have her bring his medicine. Once he took his medicine without response his daughter said we are going to the hospital. Steve insisted in driving his car to a nearby church so it would be easily picked up. Then off they went.

The hospital was advised of Steve's condition en route. On arrival, Steve was telling the staff of allergies, medications, his doctor and such. Then it happened. Massive heart attach. His daughter ushered out as the hospital staff launched into life saving measures. Despite their valiant efforts, Steve Allen passed away. Today was his time to return home.

When the doctor came out to tell the family the end results, Steve's daughter was the only one there. Where was the family... they were finishing newspaper delivery. What an amazing family.

Steve Allen did as he always does, perform his duty despite personal pain and discomfort.

So today... for Steve Allen ... newspaper delivery done.

From SteveAllen

New Year - New Challenge

Yes, I did it. I took on a new challenge this year. 365 photos over the year. A photo a day. So far so good.

Finding the next picture is a bit of a challenge. Help with suggestions to the blog via comments. I'll see what I can do.