When you loose your way, when you hit a major roadblock, when you make a huge mistake and you think your dream has been lost, don't give up.
Go back to the beginning. Remind yourself what your dream was and why it is so important. Take a deep breath. Refocus yourself and your team. Take stock in what you have accomplished and what you have learned. Then start again.
The Wright brothers first plane did not fly. Apollo 1 happened before Apollo 11. Edison discovered at least 1,000 ways not to make a light bulb before discovering 1 way to do it. The first (and still only) children's respite and end of life care facility in the United States took over 10 years to develop.
Because You Matter
This quote describes so simply, yet elegantly, one of the primary goals for building Connor's House and what we hope to accomplish.
"You matter because you are you. You matter to the last moment of your life, and we will do all we can not only to help you die peacefully, but also to help you live until you die." Cicely Saunders, M.D. St. Christopher's Hospice
A Good Day
Today was a good day for our country. It showcased everything that is good about the United States of America. We witnessed the peaceful transfer of power between two men who by most accounts do not agree on to many things other than their love for, and desire to serve, this country. Today, unlike any other day I can remember in my life, our country came together to celebrate and to hope. Today we put aside our differences, no matter how large or small, because we recognized something historic was taking place and we all wanted to be part of it, together. Only history will tell us for sure, but today may well be a day that defines a generation. For the greatest generation there was Pearl Harbor. For the baby boomers there was John F. Kennedy's assassination, Martin Luther Kings I have a dream speech, and the first moon landing. For my generation there was Ronald Reagan being shot, the Challenger and the Berlin Wall coming down. For the current generation, today just might be another one of those days...either way, today was a good day for our country.
Quotes from the Inauguration
Some quotes from today's inauguration speech that I think are worth considering for any person or group of people seeking to make a difference in the lives of the poor, the sick, the widow, the orphan, or the downtrodden (or for that matter anyone chasing a dream).
"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the fainthearted -- for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor -- who have carried us up the long, rugged path toward prosperity and freedom.
(we must remember) what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
...(they knew) our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
...the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves.
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends -- hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old. These things are true.
This is the source of our confidence -- the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back, nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."
Barack Obama
"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the fainthearted -- for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor -- who have carried us up the long, rugged path toward prosperity and freedom.
(we must remember) what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
...(they knew) our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
...the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves.
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends -- hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old. These things are true.
This is the source of our confidence -- the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back, nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."
Barack Obama
Blood Drive Results
47 pints of blood were donated at the blood drive today! We exceeded the goal by almost 20%! Thanks to everyone that donated and to the great staff from NJ Blood Services.
The Week in Review
- I finished my second full week of training for the Ocean Drive 10 Miler and the Long Branch Half Marathon. It was a good week of training but I'm happy I have a day off tomorrow.
- I started a really interesting book on running: Run Less Run Faster. I built my current training plan largely based on the authors FIRST method but the book is causing me to rethink some things (I will keep you posted on that).
- The second Connor's House blood drive is tomorrow, January 18, 2009. We currently 46 slots filled. Our goal is 40 donors so if we get a few walk ins and not to many donors are rejected we should come pretty close. I'm feeling much better about this than I was last week.
- Finished the new Connor's House brochure.
- I'm even more tired of ice and snow than I was last week.
- Did not get as many blog posts done as I would like this week because work was extremely busy and I was spending most of my evenings working on the new Connor's House brochure.
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