When I volunteered to help at the State Special Olympics it was an unknown world to me. I had no idea what to do or what to expect. My friend recommended I be a “greeter” at the 30-yard dash. I asked, “What does this mean…what do I do?” The volunteers told me, “Oh, it’s easy. …
It’s About Being Available? Not Able!
Sometimes you go through life fat, dumb and happy, until... the “until” came on a Monday morning in 1994 when my doctor told me I was diabetic and that afternoon a dear friend & radiologist showed me the CT scan, said, “Robert, that’s your right kidney…and that’s cancer.” During this time countless people told me …
You Control It…Or It Controls You
To be a rice farmer you understand the Principle of Being Proactive. Years ago, Stephen Covey used this phrase to describe getting in front of a situation rather than reacting to the situation. Such it is with controlling the water in a rice field. A farmer controls the water in the rice field so the …
Never Forget…
Last weekend we celebrated the Best Family Reunion. Our family tree has been traced back to 1244 but our memories and stories go back to the siblings of Willie & Mary Best who had 5 children (my mom, 3 aunts & 1 uncle) who then had 9 children. It’s just cousins now with stories. I …
Love Changes Everything
I remember when “BA” first came to our Center from a large high school. The adjustment was not easy. He had developed his survival skills around loud & tough talking. Over time BA recognized that loud and tough was not part of our culture. Inside, BA had a sweet heart that wanted to be loved. …
“What’s Your Problem?” Freedom From Fear
It was the end of a long day. J went back to the new home he shared with 3 other guys. He thought, “What a great afternoon to sit out on the deck & enjoy my pipe.” The problem was he was out of pipe tobacco. Then he remembered the Safeway store a couple of …
“What’s Your Problem?” – Eyes of The Heart
It was early in my career of working with people, “who just happened to have a disability,’ that I learned this fundamental principle, “the heart has eyes.” What we think we see will shape what we think & usually do. Set the stage. Over my 30 years of being in and around people with developmental …
“What’s Your Problem?” – It’s Just Not Complicated
Friday night dances at the Center were always great but this one night would be special, a live band. The band was a Country-Gospel group that had performed several times at the senior apartments & the Center. The group loved our people, and our people loved them. On this night they allowed our clients to …
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“I Have Cerebral Palsy… What’s Your Problem?”
Years ago, I was Blessed to hear David Ring open his message in our church with these words. I couldn’t control myself. I laughingly said, “Oh yeah!” I knew exactly the meaning behind his question. “David Ring is a Christian evangelist and motivational speaker who has cerebral palsy. David Ring has, since 1973, challenged thousands …
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“Get Your Pom-Poms Out!”
I love this phrase. Several years ago, I invited a good friend to speak at a leadership conference because she is an upbeat…find-a-way-leader. During her presentation on leading & supervising, she paused and said very firmly, “You need to get your pom-poms out!” Bam! She was speaking of the ever-increasing dissatisfaction employees have with their …
