Are you going to have a good day...

I have just two quick stories to share today.

First, I have been walking to work for several weeks now. Most mornings I pass an older gentleman on his porch swing about halfway between home and work. At first we just smiled and nodded to each other. Last week we began exchanging good morning. Today I said hello first and asked him how he was doing. He smiled, nodded, and said, “Are you going to have a good day…..SAY YES!” Of course I smiled back and said I would have a great day.
It was a great reminder that so much of our day is determined by our own attitude. If you start the day in a funk and let every little thing get under your skin you will have a funky day. If you start with a smile and a determination to have a good day you won’t guarantee yourself a good day. But you will guarantee a much greater chance of a having a good day.

As if that wasn’t enough entertainment for the morning something else happened one block later. This may seem like a strange story to relate, but here goes nothing. I heard braches rattling high above as I walked down the street. As I got close I stopped and looked up to see what was going on. I looked up just in time to see a squirrel begin a rather rapid, unplanned descent from the tree. The poor squirrel landed right in front of me. He immediately hopped up and ran off. The amusement is not that a squirrel fell out of a tree. It is that I believe it was the same squirrel that fell out of a tree on the same block last week. It was just a strange coincidence that made me smile again.
I hope everyone has a good day (say yes!)

A show about nothing...

I have been thinking that my blog is on a track similar to the TV show Seinfeld. Without a theme this is rapidly remaining a blog about nothing. I have had several thoughts about possible themes, each quickly countered by a good reason to avoid that topic.
Here is at least a partial list:
· Work related: Do I really know enough to offer professional insight? No.
· Education: No longer actively teaching I am sure I would run out of insights quickly.
· Humor: hmmmm….that just seems dangerous
· Sports: I can’t name all the starters on any team I like. Obviously not a good start.
· My life: Am I really that interesting? This gets a “has possibilities” rating…I am different enough to be at least slightly interesting at times.


At this point any insights are welcome!

Keeping the momentum

Despite a busy few days I wanted to make sure to get a post in. I had grand designs of posting over the weekend but moving took care of that. While it was a relatively easy move, it still drained more energy and time than expected.
I am still searching for a theme for my blog other than random thoughts. As I still meander through topics I have decided to list a few of my goals in life. It can’t be a bad idea to keep your hopes and dreams in front of you.
(These are in no particular order)
· Write a book
· Have a loving family
· Have something I do be labeled a “tour-de-force”
· Visit all 50 states
· Coach a youth sports team
· Create a volunteer program
· Live in a small community


I know some goals are more easily achieved than others. I also know that this list has changed over the years and will continue to change. It is nice to have your goals in front of you though.