I know, I know.....

It's been over a week since I've stopped in to "talk"..... Sorry. However, I have a good reason, and I'll prove it with a picture. I've had out of town company in and was busy deepening relationships. (I'm not sure about the lady in front of me.... I guess she's a little upset about my bad stomach....)



I've said it before, and believe it strongly, that our time can never be spent better than investing in other people. My brother Craig came to town, as well as my best buddy "Iron Mike". We had a great time playing golf, eating, watching football, laughing and going to a Rays game to see them beat the Blue Jays 4-0. We had GREAT seats....


Our pastor has encouraged the entire church to read a book called "One Month to Live". It's a 30 day read that helps us think about how we should really be living our lives..... I'll share some of this journey with you and hopefully get you to think a little about this yourself.


The authors, Kerry and Chris Shook, tell us to live passionately, love completely, learn humbly and leave boldy. We'll look at these directives closer throughout the upcoming days. I hope you'll come back and join me for the journey.

God bless.

Aging with Grace.....

Okay, Grace is the name of my colorectal surgeon...... You know you're getting up there when you have to schedule a colonoscopy. Not a good thing. I've actually had mine already, and am "clean" for 10 years.

However, a friend of mine is having one this week, PLUS an upper endoscopy! I'm assuming this is due to a doctor that was "double dog dared' to do them both at the same time and see if things really do go all the way through.... I'm not sure.

Anyhow, this all reminded me of the famous .... okay, very popular ..... okay, just a little ditty I remember from some time back.

Sit back and enjoy the You Tube video below. I think you'll enjoy it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N0w2rORwSc

Succeed at Failing....

I was reading an article in my Golf Digest today that was interesting. It asked the question "Why do golfers refuse to quit the game?" And the answer was, " They've succeeded at failing".
Very interesting thought process and perspective. My mind began to race (race in slow motion of course -- we're talking MY mind) through the many areas of our lives that we could apply this great lesson on how we handle failure. What came to your mind?

Listen to these additional quotes --
"When failure is the norm, resilience becomes second nature."

"Champions have taught us how to take an experience and essentially write the story of its effect," says Dr. Jim Loeher. "If you see a failure as an opportunity to learn and get better, it will be. If you perceive it as a mortal blow, it will be. In that way, the power of the story is more important than the experience itself."

Think about that for a while today. Let's let resilient be second nature today. Let's agree to do our best at being "good story tellers". Let's make our stories powerful, growing and building off past failures, moving forward, ready to face whatever tomorrow holds with confidence and wisdom.

"Monk Moments"

I am doing extensive research into an unexplored area of psychology, and of course, wisely using that time to work toward my Doctorate in, as I like to call it, "Monkology". Yes, you heard me, Monkology. No, I'm not planning on moving to a monastery or becoming celibate..... (However, I guess I'm part way there..... but I digress.....)

No, I'm talking about "Monk like" actions, as you'd see on the detective TV show. He has his peculiarities, as I contend that we all do. And I think I can prove it. Take today for instance.......

I have a small , blue, plastic garbage can in the corner of my garage. I guess you could call it "purgatory" for the Steenhold garbage. It's where our trash goes temporarily when I don't feel like taking it outside to the main garbage can. (I'm assuming the recycled bottles in the garage pray for that trash to make it to the big garbage can "in the sky" so it doesnt' smell up the garage.....)

Anyway, yesterday I put this garbage can in the corner, but it was backward, with the higher side sticking out when that side really should go against the wall. I said at that time, who cares, I'll be dumping it soon anyhow. Well, that lasted about two trips by the garbage can. Today, I could take it anymore, and HAD to turn the can around properly. That's craziness! It's a garbage can in the stinkin corner of the garage! What's the big deal?

Of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg..... For instance, when I adjust the volumn on the television, for some reason I can't move it from 15 to 19, or 20 to 24.... It either has to be on 20, or I have to move it to 25. The volumn HAS to be on an increment of 5. That makes about as much sense as the 9.7% of unemployeed people in our country today. (Okay, not the same cents.... sorry.)

Now, I told a good friend of mine about this, thinking he would laugh and ridicule me until I cried..... like back in college.... oh, never mind. But no, he just proceeded to tell me how for some strange reason, when he climbs stairs he can't do it without counting them.... no ridicule.

So, come on, I know you're out there. Share with us one of your "Monk Moments". We all need to know we're not the only one's out there. We need to support each other and lead the way, letting the world know that "strange is the new normal"...

I look forward to hearing from you.

Today

I'm looking out the window and it's really pretty out.... I also saw my first leaf drop.... which let's me know that.... uhhh.... fall must be real close..... unless it was just a dead leaf.....

(I'm trying really hard to post something every day. Whew, this isn't easy.)

Road Rage Tips

Let's just jump right back into this thing....... meaty stuff from the very start...

Say you're in a bad mood, somebody pulls out in front of you and you really want to lay on the horn and then see where things go from there. TIP: You must be observant, and assess the situation first.

For instance, I had that happen to me just yesterday. I was driving along and a ragged, run down muscle car pulled right out in front of me. I wanted to honk, but did I? NO. And do you know why? Because I was observant and assessed the situation. I noticed that the car had just pulled out of the gym...... not a good idea.

Now, if that car had just pulled out of a beauty salon, I'd say lay on the horn and enjoy yourself. After all, what's the worst that could happen.

I know, I know, some of you are thinking, "Hold it Terry, I know some women who I think could beat you up, so that tip doesn't hold water." First of all, maybe or maybe not.... I've been working out, you know. But secondly, think about it. What woman who just had her hair and nails done is going to take the time to try and catch, stop and beat up a 50+ year old man. Uh huh, see what I'm talking about? Be observant and assess the situation first.

So remember, from the gym -- no honk. From the beauty salon -- go for it!
You're welcome. Glad I could be there for you.
It feels good to be back.

Lazy Days of Summer

Okay everybody (and by everybody -- I do mean both of us), the lazy days of summer are almost over. I've had a busy summer of travel.....some was work and some was play. But it's all coming to an end, and fall is upon us......

I think I'm ready to get back on this "horse", and share some of my thoughts and experiences again, whether you want them or not.....

I just wanted to prepare you so you had time to cover your ears, etc. Stay posted. We can all experience and share things together.

God bless.