Things I learned from my dog

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Never leave home without ID.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.

Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back in the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout. Run right back and make friends.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.

Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Make someone's day and perform a random act of kindness. Even your dog likes acts of kindness.

Things you don't forget

There are three things that you won't ever forget if they happen to you. Child birth, a heart attack and kidney stones.

Child birth is one of the most memorable things a woman can go through. Through all the pain and agony, a new life is presented to the world that makes it almost worth while, I hear.

If you ever have a heart attack and you are fortunate enough to survive it, you will never forget the incident. You will always remember the symptoms so in case you ever experience them again, you will know what to do.

Kidney stones are a pain that you will never forget and hope to never experience a second time if you are unlucky enough to experience them once in your life. I had a kidney stone a little over 15 years ago. I hoped that I would never have to go through that pain again. Unfortunately, I think I got to experience the onset of another kidney stone over the weekend. The reason I say I think is because the radiologist at the hospital said there was nothing there yet. This did not make me feel any better. Needless to say, it was not a pleasant experience at the hospital and the pain continues to be unpleasant as I type.

A buddy of mine at work told me a story about his father and a kidney stone that at least gives one kidney stone a redeeming quality. While the doctor's were looking for the kidney stone in the father's abdomen region, they found an abdominal aorta aneurysm (AAA) that they normally find during an autopsy. So getting this kidney stone saved my buddy's father's life.

Make someone's day and perform a random act of kindness.

A Friend is Moving on

Today is my friend's last day at work at the same company where I work.

The first time we worked together, we did not do a very good job of keeping in touch when he left. Thanks to modern conveniences, such as the telephone, IM, email and snail mail, we will still be able to keep in touch.

Justin is getting a wonderful opportunity to advance his career, so I wish him all the best.

When he closes down shop at the end of the day, it won't be good-bye, but truly see you and talk later.

Make someone's day and perform a random act of kindness. A phone call, IM, email or letter is sometimes all it takes.

4th of July

In the United States, the 4th of July is a pretty big holiday, as it should be. It is a time that we remember gaining our independence from England.

We also need to remember it as a day of independence and that our freedom is not free.

If you go to a parade where veterans from the different wars are represented, show them that you appreciate their efforts - hoot, holler, clap, stand up, or whatever suits your personality.

Make someone's day (a veteran would be good) by performing a random act of kindness. Happy 4th of July to one and all.

Footsteps in the Sand

One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking along
the beach with the Lord.

Across the dark sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene, he noticed
two sets of footprints in the sand,
one belonging to him and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life
there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the
very lowest and saddest times in his life.
This bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.

"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life there is
only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when I needed you most
you would leave me."

The Lord replied "My precious, precious child,
I love you and would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints in the sand,
it was then that I carried you."

-Unknown

iPhone - coolness

My buddy John is the first in our work area to have the new iPhone. My daughter does not get to touch or even see it because I know she will want one. I am summoning all my won't power to not want to get one now; my will power is fine - it keeps saying that I will get one.

The iPhone has way too many cool features - everything from being able to call someone, which is what a phone is supposed to do, to taking pictures and rotating the way they look, to getting directions, to being able to playing music and movies in either full-screen or wide-screen format.

The coolness factor definitely is in place. However, my won't power is kicking in with some common sense because I could be completely captivated by this device and absolutely nothing else would get done.

If you have the money, time, and boredom I highly recommend that you visit a vendor or friend that has one.

Short Straw

Everything starts on the inside. If you think you are going to be a success, then you can be a success.

Did you draw a short straw, meaning that you received an assignment that everyone else is happy and relieved they did not get?

If you did, make sure your attitude is positive about the assignment and think about how good you can make the assignment and make it an assignment that everyone else wants in the future.

If you need some extra incentive, your bosses and coworkers should have extra respect for you when you complete the assignment within the time constraints and under budget.

Make someone's day and perform a random act of kindness. Someone may have drawn the short straw and really need it.