Michael Josephson's "What Will Matter"

I am preparing an introductory presentation for a school district on Character Counts (www.charactercounts.org). Character Counts is a program that was designed by Michael Josephson under his primary business called The Josephson Institute of Ethics (www.josephsoninstitute.org). I wanted to share this poem with you that Michael wrote because it really emphasizes the difference between Success and Significance. I chose Significance and still do....enjoy. Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-Lm_U9yEP0. Until next time..."Lead with Character First"....Heidi Ho....

Through Adversity

This morning, I was listening to Dr. James Dobson interviewing a person who had been aborted during her mother's pregnancy, but survived the abortion. My heart was touched with the forgiveness and maturity with which this young lady spoke. She said two things that really hit home with me, and I hope will add value to your life, and those around you as well:

First, she said that her joy comes through adversity. So much could be said about this, but suffice it to say that noone likes to experience pain, either emotional or physical, but it is a reality in this life. This young lady's adversity will serve other people's gain. She is so courageous and brave to share her life with us.

Second, she quoted Abraham Lincoln when he said, "Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing."

Both of these people went through a tremendous amount of adversity, but came out the other side a better person who more importantly, could add value to the lives of others because of their growth through adversity.

Sometimes, when we are experiencing adversity (the tough times), it is difficult to remember that the sun will come up again tomorrow. Remember, forgiveness heals, and the sun will come up again tomorrow. See it through my friend.....Heidi Ho.

Heido Ho

I received several requests from people visiting my blog to explain why I end many of my blogs with "Heidi Ho." Here is the story...

I started using the Heidi Ho salutation kind of like Carol Burnett with her earlobe touch or like Red Skelton with his "And may God Bless" at the end of each show. The reason I use Heido Ho is based on a young female gymnast that I coached for several years in our gymnastics training center. Heidi was the epitome of a perfect gym daughter. She was focused, made changes when asked and was trustworthy. She was a very responsible and mature young adult. Many times, as a coach, I called on Heidi to be the role model and lead the rest of the team gymnasts even though she was much younger than some of the other gymnasts. I could always depend on Heidi. What shined most in her life was her attitude. She always looked for the bright side of things.

As if it was a prophetic thing, one night in May several years ago now, Heidi was not looking like her normal self and I asked what was wrong. Trying to hide her tears, Heidi told me that she had lost the only Track and Field hurdle race she had ever lost on the previous day. In fact as a Sophomore in High School, Heidi was ranked 3rd in the State in High Hurdles. I put my arm around her shoulder and encouraged her. She finally told me that it was ok, and she would have another chance to win the next race against the gal that had beaten her. I then changed the subject and teased her on why she hadn't asked me (her Gym Dad) if she could go to the prom the week before. Furthermore, I told her the least she could do was bring me pictures of her and her date. She said she would. As Heidi went out the door of the gym that night, I remember distinctly telling her to be careful driving. Heidi responded back that she was always careful.

Those were the last words I ever spoke to Heidi, as she died in a head-on car crash the very next day while driving to gymnastics practice. She never arrived for gym practice. I even asked my wife during practice if Heidi had called. She hadn't called. That was not like Heidi at all. After practice ended that night and we were at home, someone phoned us to say that Heidi had died instantly in a car crash enroute to gymnastics practice. After that, I remember someone shared with me that when they looked into the car , Heidi's prom pictures were scattered about. Evidently, she was going to share those pictures with her Gym Dad as I had teased her about.

So, today I still miss Heidi, but I want her strong character to live on. She can still be that leader and mentor, because even today I still see the younger gymnasts (who never knew Heidi) look at her picture on the Wall of Champions and read about her. Heidi was a Champion of Life.

And in some small way, by ending my seminars and blogs with "Heidi Ho," I remind myself and others of the fact that life is fragile and is a journey. We need to remember that life is a gift and we should be sharing a great attitude with those around us that are on their journey in life as well. Until the next blog...."Heidi Ho!"

Lying Is Just Good Salesmanship

As everyone today knows, the era of the cell phone has changed the way our society and culture operate as well as how individuals function on a daily basis. Without our trusty cell phone, we all would feel like we had lost connection with the world. That truth was realized in a very personal way today. My phone (actually a PDA with all my contacts, calendar, and email) died, while I was on a trip to the other end of the state from my home.

I was clearly lost. I couldn't function as efficiently or contact people back who continued to email me and/or call me. Clearly, they were sailing ahead in the Internet Sea and I had been set adrift, thereby spending most of the day trying to stay connected via laptop and desperately trying to find a way to get a new PDA shipped to me overnight. Tonight after only 12 hours of no PDA, I feel vulnerable and have wasted most of the day trying to contact someone from my cell phone provider in my home area that can help me. Unfortunately, the area I am visiting has no cell phone dealer from the company I contract with. So, that exponentially complicated my life and ability to get this issue resolved.

Because I am struggling with this situation today, the experience drudged up loads of memories on other issues that I have had with this same cell phone provider. Topping that list of issues was a conversation I had with a regional vice-president in which I asked him a very simple question, "can I get a new phone under my old contract without renewing my current contract?" The answer was a simple and quick resounding, "yes."

"Well then, why did my cell phone salesperson tell me that I had to sign another two year contract when I moved my cell phone from a Blackberry to a Treo PDA?", I asked him. He said he didn't know why the salesperson would tell me that when clearly the television ads and radio ads were advertising that you could get a new phone anytime without incurring a new contract. I asked him then if this salesperson was lying. His response was, "not lying, just being a good salesperson."

I wonder....was it just good salesmanship? The truth will always come out later. In this case, the fact that this sales person had lied to me does not give me a sense of trust that they can solve my current situation. Indeed, in trying to call the cell phone company this salesperson has not only changed their phone number again, but also changed their email address. I also wonder if this salesperson has to do this time and time again because they can't keep up with all the lies they may have told other customers. It certainly might be good salesmanship according to this vice president, but I believe it to be the worst form of customer service. Again, character needs to reign supreme in each of our lives, even when it doesn't benefit us most. I believe that lies, no matter how white or small, will always catch up with a person.

I hope I get my PDA replaced shortly, but fortunately I can still "blog away" and get most things done on my trusty laptop. I guess cell phone customer service still just isn't what it's cracked up to be. I was reminded by a friend today that "character is demonstrated by what you do when noone is looking." -Heidi Ho-