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.

MFC - Days 31, 32, & 33

Days 31, 32, & 33 - I had an employee at my job today complain because he wasn't being allowed to fix stuff during his training period.  I asked him if he ever saw "Karate Kid" and explained to him that just as Daniel had to "wax on, wax off" for a period of time so that he could learn the principles before putting it together to fight, he also was learning the principles prior to letting him fix anything without supervision.  I thought it was clever.  I don't think he'll last long.

MFC - Day 30

Day 30 - Today I interviewed a few people to work for the park.  I am always amazed at how many applicants have no idea where they are going in life.  I recall one applicant that was in his 3rd year of college and when I asked him what type of job he hoped to get with his degree; he responded "I don't even know what jobs are available for someone with my degree."  I get this response quite often and I am amazed that someone would go to college just to go to college.  It seems like very few actually have a plan for their future.  I am great full for the things I have learned in LIFE and The Mental Fitness Challenge to put me on track to living the life I always wanted.

MFC - Days 27, 28, & 29

Days 27, 28, & 29 - It's been pretty busy and I haven't been near a computer so I it's been hard to post the past few days.  Yesterday was great!  I went for another bike ride, went to the beach and read, and hung out with some friends.  I couldn't help myself from laughing at the beach while I was reading - was I working out at the beach?  I think a few people may have found it odd that I was highlighting in the book I was reading.

MFC - Day 25 & 26

Day 25 & 26 - Work has really been sucking up a bunch of my time.  I've worked a little over 70 hours so far this week with 2 days yet to go.  I've been able to listen to cds regularly, but reading has been difficult.  I'll be making up for that soon.  Sorry for the short posts, but I'm exhausted!

MFC - Day 23 & 24

Day 23 & 24 - I worked 30 of last 48 hours.  I still managed to get cd's in, but other than that I have a bit of catching up to do in the reading category.  The Mental Fitness Challenge has really helped me get through these past few day.  A couple of more weeks with heavy hours and it should taper off just a little.

MFC - Day 22

Day 22 - Today was quite the struggle with attitude.  I'm pretty sure there was a time or two that I was less than positive.  I did, however, manage to turn a few negative situations into positive ones via a positive attitude. The Mental Fitness Challenge definitely helps as a constant reminder.

MFC - Day 21

Day 21 - What an awesome day!  I went for a bike ride - something I haven't done in a very long time, went to the beach to do some reading, and had a family cookout.

The bike ride was great.  I only went for about a half hour, but I'm borrowing a bike and it needs a few things fixed so I didn't want to go too far.  That, and I didn't want to go so far that I couldn't make it back - I'm a bit out of practice.

I always love the beach.  It's great to enjoy God's majesty while reading a great book.  The beach where I go brought a bunch of kite surfers out because of the breezy conditions, which is always fun to watch.  Here's a not-so-great picture of one of them getting some air-time!

It's pretty crazy that there were only about 8 people on the beach where I was.  It covers about a half mile stretch and the water is about 250 yards from where you park. There's another half mile of beach adjacent to it that was packed - with only a 30 yard walk from parking.  I'm not sure if people are lazy or if I'm missing something, but I enjoy the space.  I read for about an hour and got a bit sun-burnt which is typical for the first trip to the beach of the year.  It's kind of like the Mental Fitness Challenge.  When you first get into it you may be a bit overwhelmed, but after sticking with the program, it becomes something you love.  That may not be the best analogy, but hopefully you get the idea (all one reader)!

MFC - Day 19 & 20

Day 19 & 20 - I have to admit that yesterday after a long day of work, I fell asleep as soon as I got home so I didn't get any reading in.  I look forward to making it up at the beach tomorrow.  The weather has been fabulous and one of my favorite things to do is to relax and read on the beach!

MFC - Day 18

Day 18 - With the focus still being on attitude, I actually found it a bit easier today.  Things are still crazy at my job, but I found myself starting out with a positive attitude as opposed to stopping myself in the middle of letting negative (or sarcasm) come out.  Looking forward to seeing how tomorrow goes!

Dr. Ben Carson in the movie "Gifted Hands"

I recently watched a movie called "Gifted Hands" which I found to be pretty inspiring.  I love movies based on real life and this one proved to be worth it.  Ben Carson played by Cuba Gooding, Jr. starts out life with less-than-ideal circumstances.  He has trouble in school, had a bad temper, and lived in a fatherless home.  He did, however, have a very special mother that believed in her children and taught them that despite their circumstances, they could be anything they dreamed of if they worked at it.  She encouraged Ben to use his imagination (elephant - from "The Ant and the Elephant" book by Bill Peet) and learned early on that television was not going to aid in getting their dreams.  She limited their tv time to 2 pre-determined shows per week.  When they complained, she sent them to the library and told them to read 2 books per week.

This turned out to be a changing point in young Ben Carson's life.  He began to love reading and started his self-directed education.  He quickly turned his failing grades around and became one of the smartest students at his school.  He would devour books in any subject that interested him and eventually settled in to the biology field, which led him to be a doctor.  He was amazed at the power and mystery of the brain calling it the only part of the body that really is a miracle.  Every other part of the body was pretty well understood and you could predict what would happen...except the brain.  The brain was so powerful that no one really knew how it could do what it does.  This led him to be a neurologist.

The most inspiring part of the story for me was how he pretty much learned all he knew from reading books. It was the way he learned and even skipped college lectures while he read and excelled beyond many of his peers.  He became one of the most educated doctors in his field primarily from his own studies outside of the formal classroom.  This is very much like what the "Mental Fitness Challenge" provides.  I am pretty sure I read more non-fiction, life-changing books than the average person.  But who wants to be average?  

Here's a summary of the movie from Wikipedia:

The movie begins in present day 1987, where Dr. Ben Carson (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) goes to Germany to visit a couple named Peter and Augusta Rausch, who have twins conjoined at the head. Ben knows that chances of saving them both will be at risk, because one baby always dies in situations like that. Ben agrees to do the operation, but he will wait four months so he can come up with a plan to save them both. While looking into some of his books, the movie flashes back to the year 1961, where 11 year old Ben Carson (Jaishon Fisher) starts out life as an African American child from a one-parent home with failing grades at school. Ben has an older brother named Curtis. His mother, who dropped out in the third grade, starts making decisions for him. When her boys need to learn multiplication tables, she has them swear to learn them while she is gone to check herself into a mental institution. When she sees her two sons' success hindered by TV, she schedules timings to watch tv, boys show great interest in watching only a quiz show later on and commands them to read two books per week from the library and give her a book report, she also moves them to better schools.
Meanwhile as time passes, Ben learns how to multiply and to spell. He starts to explore the world of books, and he grows in it. He begins to show a temper; Ben almost hits his mom with a hammer while arguing with her about what pants he should wear for school and almost kills his best friend as a teenager. His friend was saved as the knife that he used to stab him broke when it hit the buckle of his belt.
Having almost killed someone because of his temper, he realizes that he can't do anything about it. He runs to his room and cries out to God, praying that He delivers him from his temper.
He becomes the top student in his eighth grade class, third in his high school class and with hard work and strong determination, he got a scholarship to college, passed the MCAT and went on to medical school. He meets his girlfriend Candy, whom he falls in love with. One day, when he struggles with a test study, she helps him out and Ben eventually passes and gets an A.
In the year 1976, Carson faced adversity from fellow doctors and students while working at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. It is here where he performed an operation as a resident without supervision, risking his medical career to save a man's life. Then in the year of 1985, he saves the life of a girl who has seizures 100 times a day, by removing only half of her brain that was responsible for seizures, procedure called 'hemispherectomy". Candy later becomes pregnant with twins, but loses the babies from a bloody miscarriage. Ben's mother later moves in with the family.
Then the movie goes back to where it began: the year of 1987. Ben is eventually convinced to operate on the two twins, and he manages to make the operation successful, and both twins are saved.

MFC - Day 17

Day 17 - My focus this week is attitude.  It happened to be one of my weaker categories when I did the self-assessment for the Mental Fitness Challenge.  I was self-deceived into thinking I had a pretty good attitude, but turns out I'm pretty critical.  I use sarcasm quite a bit which is not a very good quality when it counts.

Here's how it went today...  With less than a week before the park's big opening day (I probably haven't mentioned it but I'm the Maintenance Manager of an amusement park) things continue to be stressful.  It seems like we have months of work to be ready with less than a week to get it all done.  This isn't my first opening and every year pretty much feels the same level of stress so I should be used to it.  There were many times today that I stopped the sarcastic words from coming out of my mouth as I remembered the Challenge.  I turned to compliments instead finding the good that had been accomplished.  There is still a long way to go, but I think I had another successful day!  Looking forward to another 14 hours day tomorrow.  Wait, was that sarcasm?  I'm looking forward to another productive day tomorrow as we get closer to all the smiles and adventures I'll get to witness as people come from all over to enjoy the hard work we did get the park ready for them!

MFC - Day 16

Day 16 - I think I did pretty good in the attitude category today.  There were multiple times today that I really struggled, by I mentally made an effort to have a positive attitude.  The stress level at work is climbing as opening day approaches giving many opportunities to spread a negative view of things.  I had to re-think the situation many times and spin the potentially negative into a positive which actually accomplished more than when I let my negative seep out.  Hopefully tomorrow proves to be a success as well!

MFC - Day 15

Day 15 - This week's focus is on attitude.  How timely.  This week and next shall prove to be two of the most stressful weeks at work.  With only a little over a week until we open for the season and what seems like 2 months of work to get done, it can be trying times.  I really wish I would have watched Orrin and Chris' MFC video before work today (and probably a dozen times throughout the day)  because I probably came off as having a bad attitude a few times.  I guess if I can make it the next two weeks with a good attitude; I will have shown definitive improvement in the attitude category.

MFC - Day 13 & 14

Day 13 & 14 - Busy weekend, but I did have a great day today with the family for mother's day.  I managed to get some alone car time so I could listen to about 5 cds.  I also gave my niece an "Edge" cd - she loves soccer so hopefully she will enjoy and learn from it.

MFC - Day 12

Day 12 - Worked on my goals for a bit tonight.  Looking for that ahah moment that pushes me through some obstacles.  I really love the cds that come with the Challenge!