Big Fish

I've just watched the movie Big Fish--I guess that fathers usually are larger than life. In my younger days, it would have been a very entertaining movie. Now, it's very moving.

Sometimes, big boys do cry.

Thanks for the Memories?

At last count, my wife has compiled well over thirty photo albums. Each of these contains 200 to 300 photos of our lives (mostly kids and pets, of course). They are priceless to us. And, I don't think I'd change anything about it.

But, I can't help but ponder....how many of those precious moments did she miss, while trying so hard to capture them for later?

Yes, you can always go back and view the event over and over. But you only live it once.

Oh yeah......

Today, a very good friend of mine helped me re-focus on this blog. While explaining the meanings of some of the words in my other blogs, I remembered why it was I started this thing in the first place.

As I explained to her, the title "busted boomer" refers to many things. Obviously, I am a baby boomer. The description of "busted" has to do with some of my feelings about being part of the best (and worst) generation of Americans yet. Sometimes I feel really "busted" -- both monetarily and mentally bankrupt.

Don't get me wrong, I am extremely proud of some of the accomplishments of the boomers: more equal rights, much more production and technology, not to mention the "freedom" movement of the 60's (and oh yeah, that music!). Unfortunately, we are also known as the "me" generation--a reputation we've truly earned. It seems (not necessarily is) that we cared mostly about advancing our standard of living. Many of us did so in the name of our children. We wanted to give them more and more and more.

Too bad we gave them so many things, and so little real direction. Of course, we spent time with them--helping them achieve. But, as my daughter once told me, she would have preferred to have lived in less of a house, and be allowed to stay in one place longer. It would have meant I never took that last promotion, but would that have been so wrong? Maybe sometimes, it's really more about not advancing, and simply taking care of what you have.

I truly wished I'd given her (and my sons) more instruction and guidance in living their lives, instead of so many things. I wanted so much to let them be individuals, that I sometimes forgot to provide the proper direction. My children are more a product of what I gave them, when they might really be better off being a product of what I had not given them.

Now, they just have to learn it the hard way--and I wish it weren't so.

No Wonder They Don't Grow Up!

Time Magazine calls them "Twixters". Some know them as "Boomerang Kids". I refer to my three as "Adultlescents". Whatever you call them, it's easy to see where their priorities lie: Technology News Article | Reuters.com

K.I.S.S.

It's strange how modern life can be so de-sensitizing. There is so much coming at you that you fail to take notice of most of it. If only there were a way to slow it down to a pace you could absorb! But, as we all know, that simply isn't possible. However, there are ways to counteract that flow.

One of the most wonderful concepts I've heard through the years is K.I.S.S. You probably know that stands for "Keep It Simple, Stupid". If we could simplify ours lives, we would probably enjoy them more. I , for one, am ready to simplify. I no longer need all the things that I once did.

I can't help but think that if I "de-clutter" my life, it just might become fuller. I don't wish to become paralyzed by those things. They are not me, but they have somewhat defined me in the past. Shame on me. While I certainly don't intend to become a Monk, I do intend to revisit the notion of living life.

Will Rogers once said: "Lord, let me live until I die".

I like that idea.

Ancient Chinese proverb??

In my various sales and training roles over the years, I've had the pleasure of knowing many interesting people. One of them (Jerry Reynolds) I counted among my closest friends. He is gone now, but wow, what a character he was.

Jerry was a motivational speaker. He hired on to our company as a consultant, and stayed involved for maybe five years. During that time, I attended many different type sessions with him--from basic selling, to sales management, to self-improvement.

He used material from everywhere. And since I never knew the difference between what he was quoting and what he was "coining", I can only relay one of his favorite sayings. He claims it is an ancient Chinese proverb, but you be the judge. He said:

"Man must sit on chair, with mouth open, for a very long time, before roast duck fly in".

How true!!