Even if nobody asked……
1. The best venue to see a concert remains Bank NH Pavilion (still 'Meadowbrook' to me) in Guilford, NH. 42 rows, family owned. I have so many great memories from there but one that sticks out is seeing Don Henley with my kids 8-10 years ago. My wife and I were seated a section over and a few rows back so I could clearly see them. For the most part they were grooving along to every tune but when the band took up ‘Life in the Fast Lane’ they shot out of their seats and danced with passion and purpose. I’m telling you, a burst appendix couldn’t have wiped the smile off my face, then or now. And to think, I had listened to that song for 40 years but on that night, I heard and saw it for the first time.
2. I love dogs (even Kevin) so don’t kill me on this one but when I hear people introduce their dog as a “rescue dog” I wonder if having the dog is a little more about them than the dog. Never mind how the dog feels about that introduction! I mean, imagine introducing your adopted child as your “orphan kid”?
3. Two kinds of listeners in the world: those who can recite back what was said to them, almost word for word (‘stenographer listeners’). The second type are those who interact with the point of what was said to them (‘engagement listeners’). Be the latter, not the former.
4. “There's not five or six QBs in a draft. There's just not. There never will be. That's you and me in the desert. We haven't had a drink in two days. And we see water and we're just going to drink the sand. That's what this is.” – top NFL personnel executive on Thursdays draft.
5. “Do you have any questions?” generally doesn’t get you a question. You appear too afraid to get one. “What questions do you have?” tells people you have the confidence to field a question. So it gets asked. Be the latter, not the former.
6. The single greatest witness of the Christian faith takes place at a Christian funeral. Not a Sunday service, or a bible study, or a wedding. A funeral. So powerful.
7. I know you’re “super excited”. I can "super" tell. I can also see the dollar signs in your eyes. Now please go away. And take adding SUPER to everything you say with you. Please.
8. Quite ironic: “I Write the Songs” by Barry Manilow was actually written by Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. My dad played that song over and over and over for a stretch late in his life. And no, I didn’t tell him Santa doesn’t make the toys. I was a good son.
9. Good habit to adopt: When saying “thank you” to someone, add why you’re thanking them. Even if its blazingly obvious. “Thank you for serving us today.” “Thank you for the coffee.” “Thank you for being really good at your job.” It makes a HUGE impact, and it doesn’t cost you anything.
10. Quote worth considering: “When someone tells you something is wrong, they’re usually right. When they tell you how to fix it they’re usually wrong.”