Leading from the Heart

Leadership is a great privilege but carries with it a great responsibility to those you lead.Engage your brain & your heart in the process. - Marc

The Wooden Bowl

The Wooden Bowl

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now. 

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson. 

The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered 

The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and 

failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. 

When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. 'We must do something about father,' said the son. 'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.'

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence. 

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?' Just as sweetly, the boy responded, 

'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up. The four-year-old smiled and went back to work..

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. 

For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, 

neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: 

a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life.'

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back sometimes. 

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you 

But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, 

your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.

People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

American WWII Cemeteries in Europe

The American War Cemetery and Memorial Netherlands at Margraten (sorry about the ad that runs on this video, just close it when it starts) is one of the 24 overseas American cemeteries maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission. There have been 8,301 soldiers buried in the cemetery and the names of 1,722 missing American soldiers have been memorialized on the Walls of the Missing here in Neatherlands.  70 years after the end of war, all of the graves has been adopted by grateful citizens from throughout the Netherlands. The “Adopt a Grave” program began in 1945. This is but one cemetery across Europe.  It is located at Maastricht, in the Netherlands, where American soldiers who died in "Operation Market Garden" in battles to liberate Holland in the fall/winter of 1944 lie buried.

Every one of the men buried in the cemetery, as well as those in the Canadian and British military cemeteries, have been adopted by a Dutch family who mind the grave, decorate it, and keep alive the memory of the soldier they have  adopted. It is even the custom to keep a portrait of "their" American soldier in a place of honor in their home.

The American War Cemetery and Memorial Netherlands at Margraten is one of the 24 overseas American cemeteries maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission. 

Annually,  on "Liberation Day," memorial services are held for "the men who died to  liberate Holland."

When you have a chance visit these cemeteries in Europe and remember your fathers and grandfathers who fought in WWII and the millions of American's who continue to serve our country with honor, protecting our Freedoms!

If you would like to know about the American Battle Monuments Commission click here to go to the American Battle Monuments Commission web site.  Clearly one of the places that represent well spent American tax dollars.


Marc

Today is a good day for a Good Day

Today is a good day for a Good Day, make sure that today you are willing to do what you ask of others, lead from the front!

My Airport Check-In Philosophy

Better three hours too soon than a minute too late. - William Shakespeare

Monday November 10, 2014 is a good day for Good Day

Today is a good day for a Good Day remember that effective leaders take decisive action in critical situations. More opportunities are lost through inaction than by wrong actions.

Today is a good day for a Good Day!

Today is a good day for a Good Day.  Remember, Those who achieve great things are not any smarter or more capable than others. They have simply decided to make use of what's available to them.