Things you don't want to hear in the hospital...

This post doesn't really have a lesson or great insight, but I thought I'd share my recent experience that I can now look back on and laugh!

This past Friday I went in for my 3 month ct scan and x-rays.  It's become pretty routine and usually uneventful, but this time I heard a couple of things you never want to hear in a hospital.  The first was when I was laying on the ct machine just about to get a needle stuck in me (for the contrast) when the technician said "That's not good. Look at this needle!" (to another technician)  I wasn't sure if I should pull my arm away or if that would get myself stabbed.  My instincts screamed to pull it away but my logic said to prevent being a possible pincushion.  Turns out there was something wrong with the sterilization protection (I think) and they go a new needle and all was fine - except I'm sure my blood pressure was a bit elevated.

The second came in the x-ray room when the technician said "That's the first time that's ever happened!"  I'm guessing he must have been new, but apparently he hasn't had anyone as vertically enhanced as myself.  I ended up having to sit on a stool for chest x-rays.  By the time the pictures were taken, they had a group of 4 gathered to guess my height.  I think it was because I wear my Adidas sweatsuit when I get done so I don't have to wear the hospital gown and all that goes with it and apparently the striped on the suit make me appear exceptionally tall.  I've noticed whenever I wear it, I get more than the usual comments regarding my height.    

Ray Kroc

Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald’s, is a great example of how to Finish Strong.  Today, every five hours somewhere around the world a new McDonald’s restaurant is opening.  However, what’s amazing about McDonald’s is that Ray did not conceive the idea until he was 52 years old.  By that time he had already been a struggling paper cup salesman, real estate broker, piano player and milk shake mixer.  Here’s what Ray said about that time in his life:

“I was 52 years old.  I had diabetes and incipient arthritis.  I had lost my gall bladder and most of my thyroid gland in earlier campaigns, but I was convinced that the best was ahead of me.”  - Ray Kroc

He deeply believed that this new restaurant concept was his biggest idea ever.  He chose to fully commit himself to make it happen.  However, in order to realize his dream he would have to mortgage his home and borrow heavily.  You have to remember that Kroc conceived the idea in a time when the family home-dining experience was very much ingrained in our culture.  People did not eat out very often.  However, Ray believed if Americans could order good food in a clean place and get it fast, they would come.  And, of course, he was right.

He truly was the father of “fast food.”

Most of us at 52 years old would find every reason not to take the risk and roll the dice on an untested concept.  However, Ray believed in himself and was determined to succeed.  Today because of Ray Kroc living his dream, McDonald’s serves more that 47 million customers a day across 117 different countries and employs hundreds of thousands around the world.  He once said, “When you find something that you love to do, you’ll never have to work another day in of your life.”  He took the risk and finished strong.

Thinking ahead

I became an uncle for the 12th and 13th time this year.  It's really pretty amazing at just how cute my new nieces are - it's even more amazing to think of the world they'll be living in as they become teenagers.  I once heard someone say one of the toughest thing for the newest generation will be to come up with a username that hasn't been used before!  Really - think about it!

I heard of a pretty cool thing someone I know did when they had their first child recently that I hadn't heard of before.  They created and e-mail account for their newborn.  At first it sounded pretty silly, but as the reason was explained and the more I thought about it, it started to sound like a brilliant idea.  Here's a few of the reasons:

• The sooner you make an e-mail account, the more likely it will actually look like an actual name - not a name with 18 numbers/characters mixed in after it.
• My friend will e-mail his infant son from time to time letting him know how proud he is because he rolled over, stood up, spoke, etc. for the 1st time.  How cool is it going to be for that kid to look back at these e-mails when he's a teenager and old enough to have access to his account.  
• You can also e-mail advice to your future teenager.  For instance, "How to treat a woman", "Never give up", "How proper manners make a difference", etc.  Pretty much anything you want your child to know that will help them become the best person they can be.  These thoughts often come to your mind when your child is very young, but may happen less frequently as they grow older and become more independent.  
• You never know what tomorrow will bring.  How many times have we heard that someone lost their parent when they were just a child.  Your advice may live on beyond the appropriate time to share this advice with your child.  
• You may be able to share the "behind the scenes" story of how you planned their surprise 8th birthday party.  There are many stories that you may share that may fall through the cracks and be forgotten forever if they aren't written down as they happen.
• You can add pictures of special events.  I know parents post every moment on Facebook, but are you prepared to go through a dozen years of pictures to get to them?
• Grandparents may e-mail your child with stories and advice that may never be told later on.
• When you get an e-mail that you must share with at least 10 people or face the consequences, you only have to think of 9 other people to annoy.  (ok - maybe not that one)

So if you know of a new parent, you may want to share this idea - it may just create that time capsule that will change a life.

-Dan

It's been awhile...

Apparently I'm not the greatest blogger in the world - I think I left off part way through my MFC experience.  I finished and it really helped me improve in quite a few areas.  I'll work on posting more in the near future.
-Dan

MFC - Days 34 - 38

Days 34 - 38 - Wow, I've missed posting a few days.  Things have been pretty busy which is really no excuse but that's all I've got.  I've been getting a lot of reading and listening to cds in.  I really need to set some time aside to post and reflect.