I recently met up with some friends in New York City, my childhood friend said,” dude, why haven’t you been writing recently”. I couldn’t answer at the time , I gave a typical human answer I’m busy with life.
Well now that I’m into 2013 , I have decided to catch up and post at least once a week. I don’t know how many people read my musings, but the fact that one person does makes me feel humbled and honored.
Please check back soon, I have a new piece in the works
Confucius once said,“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”
Sitting on the Front Porch allows a certain reflection of the world around me. It is a time to sit access and face the honesty one can only have with themself. Just last week , I watched an interview on 60 minutes with Arnold Schwarzenegger, he said,”my process is to wrap my mistakes in a compartment , ignore it and move forward. I concur with that approach, however if one doesn’t learn from their mistakes they are doomed to repeat them .
As for Confucius , his second point Imitation. There is an old saying, “Fake it till you make it” If you haven’t mastered the skills of introspection, find the proper behavior and at least emulate it till it becomes part of your routine.
lastly , experience the most bittersweet of all activities. Some experiences are wonderful and some rip you to the core. But the right combination provides a sculpting of your life. If we pay attention the gains will be immeasurable.
Time out -The proverbial cue for a stop and recognize about what is going on. Good or Bad .
During my time out from life, I learned several life-lessons that I believe have changed me in an emotionally positive manner. But more importantly, these are profound lessons that anyone could use to be a better person.
I learned that when everyone wears the same clothes, people are not so different. When I was younger and played sports, everyone wore the same uniform. Every teammate wore looked alike, and so until someone told you or showed you they were faster, stronger, or better , or came from a better or worse socioeconomic background, you had no idea. I played on the same team, lived in the same dorm with people who were from the ghetto and others who were wealthy. Yet we all learned to get along, because nobody really stood out as different. It’s not our money or possessions that define us; it’s our character.
2) I learned that everything a person needs to survive can fit in a box. when you put your keepsakes away in the garage or attic,Surprisingly, we store them in a box . These are our truly most treasured possession, picture having to store everything you treasure in the trunk of a 1975 Ford Pinto. I am sure that you could . Sure, a new car and a beautiful house and all sorts of new STUFF is nice…but we can survive just fine without all of that. Maybe things would even be easier if we learned to downsize our lives.
When I had unlimited disposal income , it would take a new TV or expensive watch to get me excited. Today a sincere conversation and a cup of really good coffee gets me excited.
3) I learned not to take short cuts. In life, there is always a person who feels entitled. It is like going to the local deli and standing there when your neighbor comes in and thinks nothing of cutting in front of someone in the line. This selfish behavior always causes hostility among those who wait their turn. In short, humility teaches those who will listen to value the golden rule. You never advance yourselves by walking on others; instead you learn that others’ rights are as important as your own.
4) I learned to walk in the lines. Life rules provide non visual lines , telling you where you can cross the street, where you can park your car, where you must never enter. Cross the wrong line and you have to pay the consequences. Sure, there were always the rebellious ones who tried to walk as close to the lines as they could, sometimes even crossing briefly. But the people who care about themselves stayed far away from the lines. In life’s process they learned that nothing good comes from trying to blur the line between right and wrong . Entitlement is a path to Karmic ruin.
5) I learned that the key to overcoming anger and depression is to help others. It’s probably not a shock to hear that a lot of people in our lives are depressed and in a bad mood. I spend my time, though, coaching others in sports and in business. And I must say–I am never depressed, I am at peace. I may have moments of anger or being down, but being so grounded allows it to dissipate quickly
I don’t recommend everyone takes a time out. But if you want to become a better person that others will enjoy being around, I do recommend that you try adopting the lessons that time outs teach
Recently, Todd Glassberg added to his Man of Steel Persona and had the sillouette of Rocky Balboa tattooed on his Back with words of Inspiration ” Don’t Quit Before The Miracle Happens”. It is a testament for his friend, who is battling back from an AVM of the Brain. It will be a long road, but with patience, faith and tenacity, he should make a complete recovery. Deenis Byrd recovered, Eric Legrand is improving, so let us all believe and not quit.
As I was writing this a news flash popped up in my Facebook window.
Lady Gaga shaved head in memory of Terry Richardson’s mom. As you may or may not know photographer Terry Richardson’s is her friend and frequent collaborator. In light of his mother’s recent death, Lady Gaga showed support using a favorite medium: her hair.
“I did it for u Terry,” Gaga wrote in a post to LittleMonsters.com, she posted photos as well of her head shaved in the back to resemble Richardson’s own hairline. She like all of us comesurate with our loved ones. I applaud her for that.
As the Jewish holidays are amongst us, let us all remember those who have passed and even more important , the people who are on the mend and need our support to become complete again.
Everyday since 2003, Todd Glassberg spends a few moments each day reflecting on the Test of our morality and ethics. When I was less experienced and mature, I tended like most to strive for quick gratification and lived along that grey line of right and wrong. Today , I follow simple presentations of the moral philosophy.
Let me provide some back ground about Morality and ethics In formal education , the word ‘ethics’ is “commonly used interchangeably with ‘morality’ … and sometimes it is used more narrowly to mean the moral principles of a particular tradition, group, or individual.” Certain types of ethical theories sometimes distinguish between ‘ethics’ and ‘morals’: “Although the morality of people and their ethics amounts to the same thing, morality is usually based on the notions of duty, obligation, and principles of conduct, while ethics is referred to the acts of approach to practical reasoning, based on the notion of a virtue, and generally avoiding the separation of ‘moral’ considerations from other practical considerations.
So each day we are faced with these choices, they are tests of our will and our conviction of who we are at the moment and who we want to be for those to discuss.
I have narrowed my desire for a grey existence. I tend to treat others the way I am treated. The main difference is when I am treated unfairly, I just ignore it and keep it moving. If my needs “Agenda” doesn’t match others than I don’t waste my thought on how to change the situation. I find if a situation needs to be over thought , than it is not a good place to be.
Climbing the corporate ladder, climbing the social ladder, climbing the emotial ladder. We have heard this statement over and over again. Todd Glassberg agrees to this in theory just not in practical application. Every movement we make forward, up or sometimes backwards cannot be with so much effort.
There is an underlying theme, don’t quit. I say this all the time during football practice, “keep driving” . Once we stop moving we are affected by the forces against us.
Todd Glassberg Views From The Front Porch says, What does this mean to you?
This Japanese proverb relays the alteration of life. Some would more naturally translate it into English as “Always rising after a fall or repeated failures”. or the other popular sayings ‘if you fall off the horse , you must get right back on.
In this Japenese silk print The first Kanji is literally “7″. The second means “fall down” . The third is “8″. And the last is “get up”, “rouse”, or “rise”.
Basically if you fail 7 times, you should recover from those events and be prepared to rise an 8th time. This is also applies if it is the world or circumstances that knock you down seven times… …just remember that you have the ability to bounce back from any kind of adversity.
I feel this way , it is a philosophy of my life. I like everyone have experienced adversity and feel that if you humble yourself and start the process over, you can begin to conquer the mistakes that have held you back.
Funny thing about life . You never know what may happen. As I write this I think of Forrest Gump ” Life is like a box of chocolates” . It sure is . I recently had the pleasure of reading a prospective business partners presentation. I was intrigued , however as an experienced participant of humanistic interactions, I waited to learn more before I released my thoughts on the possibilities.
So I set a phone follow-up , still hesitant as to the nature of progression As they say you never know what life has in store and the other cliché it’s not done till you sign on the bottom line. The phone conference started slowly , feeling each others ideology out, Then a small statement was made and it was quickly understood that our interests were similar.
Wow life is funny, sometimes when we are presented with information we are hesitant to accept it and we are even more hesitant depending on the messenger. I’m writing this to let my readers understand that delivery is just as important as content. And follow thru is the bow that ties the box.
Todd Glassberg is looking forward to exploring further possibilities with our new Internal Associates. Their perspective will provide great insight, to worlds culture and assist with global opportunities.
Like Jimmy Hendrix sang,
“No reason to get excited,” The thief, he kindly spoke
“There are many here among us Who feel that life is but a joke
But you and I, we’ve been through that And this is not our fate
So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late”
We met, we agreed, we will succeed.
Live life, take info and opportunity when provided. And always believe that in life , you never know. that’s the beauty.
Our lives are filled with many things. The things around us and the things we conjure up in our own minds.
Recently , a Life and Death situation has visited my doorstep. Before I tell you the when, what, who and why; I would like to express my viewpoint circa 2012.
Todd Glassberg is writing this from the back porch, not because I like the view better. I am writing it literally and symbolically. Day by day we fall into the habit of looking at the world from one perspective. I get it , it is easy to live on auto pilot. However today I am taking a look at things from an opposite perspective.
I am not going to sit here and say one persons perception is correct over another’s. it is usually only correct for the person having the thoughts. Just the other day I saw a post on Facebook that stated ” I had such a great birthday, thank you my Facebook friend”. My immediate reaction was, wow that is so cool. Then I began to think, what are Facebook Friends ? Are they Friends or are they a collection of lifelong acquaintances ?
My Facebook collection is typically , family, friends, acquaintances ; all of whom I feel I have shared a poignant moment with in my life. Unfortunately there are a few posers, phony’s and situational friends that really don’t stand up to the muster of a friend, but just someone I know . ( or knew)
Today i saw a post that said, ” I am just about sick of those that play the ” I am a real friend game” here on FB.. when they are the most “fake” people there is ! I laughed and that truly inspired this post.
Why then is this hitting me. Last week I learned a friend of mine was gravely ill. I am praying for his recovery. As I sit there and look at him lying unconscious , I have two thoughts; one is ” I wonder what he is thinking” and two, “life is too short and unpredictable to allow a precious moment to go by without it meaning something.
This friend really was sent to me from god. We met through others and from a surface level many people wouldn’t understand the connection. However the thoughts, emotions and laughter we share has been an amazing interaction that I treasure.
As I previously stated my Facebook demographic slightly mirrors my previous life. Yes i said previous life, because now I am much more intolerant for the game and only surround my emotional self with like-minded individuals. This friend stood by me at the darkest time of my life, this friend stood by my wife and children, this man never defended me because he had the insight to know that I am a good person with good qualities. it was never a question about our friendship. For those feelings of comfort i would do anything for him. just like I would do for any of you. If you character towards me and those I love passes muster.
I let people visit my virtual yard, but it takes awhile for them to be invited to the BBQ.
May there be mercy for my dear friend. May he heal from this predicament and may he continue to be a rock for so many. May his wife find comfort in their circle of trust and may his son find the blueprint for a fruitful life.
I doubt any of the posers will read this but if you do, I know who you are. I hope you find a place in your insecure little circle to allow a thought for someone with reservation or the thought if I pray for him , I will be forgiven for my sins.
Pray for him, because people like him gives humanity hope that there is still compassion, empathy and decency amongst us.
The family just got back from a quick jaunt to Arizona, it was a whirlwind tour . We flew out Thursday on Southwest Airlines. what a different experience. It was movie theater first come first serve seating. We did appreciate the comfortable seats, but could have used a movie or some form of entertainment.
Once landed in Phoenix we were shuttled by family to Scottsdale and then on to Munds Falls . An area just south of Flagstaff. The oppressive heat of the Scottsdale desert was replaced by the greenery of the 7,000 ft plus elevation. During the day it was 95 degrees with a cool flowing breeze.
Our 6:30 AM EST departure turned into a 8:30 PST arrival. We felt like we gained a day. So Thursday afternoon we were treated to an experience of off-roading on our cousins ATV’s. The kids absolutely loved it.
Then it was time for the first family meal of the weekend. like cowboys who ride into camp after a day on the trails we all headed back to the Main Bunk house and our Arizona based relative treated us to a good meal and even better family conversation.
Friday was Grand Canyon visit day , we rose early, piled in the car and drove to the big old ditch. I came away from the experience with 2 solid thoughts. Pictures do not do it justice. The evolution of the Ditch is amazing. You cannot fully appreciate the depth and breadth of the landscape without sitting there and taking it all in.
Saturday was Sedona, another trip into the Mountains and Valley’s to visit where some of the countries iconic western movies were shot. Sedona is an eclectic place, new age meets cowboy.
Last but not least we finally headed down to Scottsdale and enjoyed our last day by the pool.
I have one great lasting thought, I felt the warmth of the sun and the warmth of the Lagomarsino family. I felt peace.