Todd Glassberg – Father’s Day from the Front Porch

Posted on June 17, 2012 by toddglassberg

It is Father’s Day, a day of reflection. Accross this world where Father’s Day is celebrated, children reflect on the parent called Dad. Some Dad’s are considered good Father’s, some are not considered at all.

The one thing I have come to realize, is that one cannot deny that another has given us this chance for life. Our beginning.

As a grown man, I remember and embrace all of my Father’s best intentions, his love and his guidance. I remember, he is just a person like myself and not a mythical figure. He gave of himself . I applaud that, as I have seen in my life the good times ebb and flow like the waves on an ocean. But a parents love doesn’t waiver.

I thank you for life Dad, without you I couldn’t experience the pure undying love I experience with my children. Life isn’t always a Utopia but my Love for my family is.

Happy Father’s Day.

Todd Glassberg – Views from the front porch – When Icons and Servitude are Real !!!

Posted on June 13, 2012 by toddglassberg

Todd Glassberg & Son & Games2U of Freehold Meet Boomer &Carton

5 Good Guys

Last Saturday my son and I volunteered at the Boomer Esiason Foundation / Adorama 2nd annual street fair on 18th Street in NYC. Fun was has by all , excitement was plenty; but the true meaning of the day was to support an important cause: Finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. People stopped by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s booth and found out how they are fighting Cystic Fibrosis with new drugs, research, and scientific breakthroughs.

Understanding the value of the day, i brought my son along with my to see how giving back for a cause is rewarding.

The exclamation point of the day was Dylan getting to meet Boomer and Carton, our local beloved Sports Radio Personalities. Dylan said, “I can’t believe they are as nice as they seemed on the radio” . That made me proud, not only did he take in the meaning of the day, but he took in the interaction with his icons.

Thank you Boomer and Carton . We will always support for charitable efforts.

Todd Glassberg- Views from the Front Porch- Objects in the Rear View Mirror May appear larger than they are !!!!

Posted on June 5, 2012 by toddglassberg

I have been speaking with my teenage daughter recently about the life of being a teenager. No matter how old I get, one thing is truer than before; the memories of my parents speeches to me are more relevant.

I have become a regurgitation machine. I find my parents words on my lips daily. I finally found the representation of life after death. It comes from our sayings, thoughts and perceptions. Behavior is not genetic, our approach to behavior is learned via the years we spend with our parents.

So when will they learn. My daughter and her friends live for today , they don’t look ahead and they don’t realize that mistakes and experiences of their past are like objects in the rear view mirror, they are closer than they are.

Who we are and who we become are based on a few truths. We are a products of where we have been , where we want to go and our perception and coping mechanisms as we travel there.

I wish them well.

Celebrating Birthdays – Todd Glassberg’s View from the Front Porch

Posted on May 22, 2012 by toddglassberg

I recently celebrated another Birthday. Like New Years eve , it was another Milestone in which to assess my perspective of my existence .

Our Birthdays in general are the one day in the year that is truly about us. Its when we celebrate the feeling of being a part of something.

I haven’t written in awhile because I have so much to say but I haven’t decided in which flavor to say it. When I was born, a circle of family and friends were excited. As I have attained the top of the hill there is a different circle. The players have changed.

My 46 years can be summed up as follows :

Key moments:

Todd Glassberg survived being born 2+months premature at 4 lbs 2ounces.

Parents divorced when I was 3. They each re married. Dad is married 35+ years to a wondeful person. Mom died in 1984.

Grandparents are now gone. Cousins (my first friends) on my Dad’s side are excommunicated by me, because they forgot what it means to be family. Cousins on Mom’s side, still tethered but no strong connection.( Once again that family thing)

Brother, alive but disconnected. What was his perspective that caused him to forget that family doesn’t judge. Sister still a part of my life and a central part of my spoke.

Childhood friends 2 very close since age 6. Like brothers from another mother. Adult friends a handful that I wouldn’t change for the world. they have been there at my best and worst moments.

Acquaintances (almost friends) Many of these, we share dynamic moments but time, responsibility and our needs to be centralized prohibit full functional interdependencies.

I survived 2 near death experiences, a drunk driving accident on my 18 birthday and a medical un explained emergency on my 43rd birthday. One could say that period was my first shit sandwhich, filled with greatness and spoiled by over indulgence.

I have created a family of my own. Married 17 years , 2 lovely children. God granted me one daughter and one son. I get to experience both without having to share the same directions.

So as I sit and write what can I wish for on this anniversary of my existence.

I hope that I have touched all of you in one way or another. Even if it were negative , we exchanged an energy that sparked a reaction, there fore I didn’t just exist. I lived.

I wish for continued, health, strength, drive, ambition, compassion,love and desire to make amark in this world that we live in. May these words serve as a reminder , that we are all truly similar and our hopes and fears and desires travel the same paths.

Todd Glassberg- Views from the Front Porch – When is the result

Posted on April 24, 2012 by toddglassberg

When is the result, that is not exactly what I think on a daily basis. The thought is not when, but what and if there will be a positive result the the hard work I put in on my road back from the field of humble pie.

My yearly anniversarry is coming, no not my wedding anniversary ; the anniversary of my mistakes. People always say forget the past , forget your mistakes , don’t look back. However if we forget from where we have come , we may certainly walk that road again.

Todd Glassberg will never walk the same roads of the broken streets of my life. I have mapped the outcomes and realize that those roads lead to nowhereville and waste of time ave.

I am clearly writing this as an annual rememberence of humble pie, my favorite pie of all.

Todd Glassberg- Views from the Front Porch- Why does Todd Glassberg Write

Posted on April 21, 2012 by toddglassberg

Shocking as it may be , I have been writing since I was 8 years old. It seemed that even though I had an outgoing outward persona, I was truly a deep thinking introvert who desired to protect my true voice.

When, i was younger my writing went through phases. At first is was the imaginative stuff of pre teen experience. As I hit my teens and early 20′s it was the testosterone driven angst or romantic fantasies. My 30′s brought adult frustrations and trial and tribulations. My 40′s seems to tie it all together.

I started writing publicly, because I realized I have a voice and perspective. i never really expected anyone to read or yet comment on my thoughts; however from time to time friends from different eras of my life have responded and provided feedback and input on my writings. i have found this to be a truly flattering offshoot of this project.

You see I feel we all have at least one book in us. I am ready to write mine. I just can’t decide from what angle. My life has been through many different transitions good and bad. Do people want to know my truth? Can they learn from my triumphs or from my mistakes ? I know I can make a difference.

So why does Todd Glassberg write ? I have to say it is I feel I can make a difference. I can be read anonymously without the fear of human interaction.

Do you have a voice? Are you anxious to share it? Your feedback will help me shape ,which direction I go.

Todd Glassberg-Waiting From the Front Porch

Posted on April 12, 2012 by toddglassberg

Hurry up and wait. Waiting in line is an inescapable fact of life, from the checkout at the Grocery Store, the Post Office, the Airport and the Bank. Additionally, we find ourselves waiting for the inanimate aspects of our life as well; waiting for Love, waiting for Success, waiting for our Dreams. In reality waiting is the big source of boredom, impatience, and irritation. If stress had an ingredient label it would list waiting as the number one in the list.

Do you ever notice how you immediately give off a negative reaction while waiting in line . Today’s big business understands , they are paying attention . Have you identified some of your local businesses that you like more than others. Is it because they have implemented several factors that make waiting more tolerable. As consumers, we can’t control how a business addresses these factors, but we can choose to patronize businesses that make waiting less stressful. In general, life is less stressed when standing in lines with the following characteristics:

Short. Enough said.
Fair. You’re likely to feel less frustrated if a line obviously operates on the first-come, first-served principle. That’s why many stores have adopted a single line feeder or the cattle call to multiple cashiers rather than multiple lines. This is done so you don’t end up feeling as if you picked the wrong one.
Respectful. You’re apt to feel less aggravated when waiting for help from an employee who is working hard rather than one who seems to be ignoring you or chatting with friends. I usually respond with a snotty ” no keep talking , I ‘ll wait till your done. I don’t want to feel as if my time isn’t valued.
Entertaining. Waiting time passes faster when you have a diversion to keep your mind busy. 7-11 knows this; they entertain customers waiting for coffee with 7-11 TV.

Wait for It, Wait for It… You can also manage your own behavior to reduce the stress of waiting in line. Here are some quick tips for :

Allow plenty of time. Reduce pressure by budgeting your time for the longest possible scenario’s you may encounter . If the line is long, you’ll be okay—and if it’s shorter, you’ll be running ahead of schedule.
Take some deep breaths. relax, accept the process.
Practice mindfulness. Focus your awareness on what you’re experiencing from moment to moment, good and bad, without judging it. Anchoring your mind in the present helps keep you from stressing over something that happened earlier or worrying about whatever comes next.
Move around a little. For prolonged standing, shift your weight and change your stance every three to five minutes. You can also do some discrete stretching. For example, to stretch your toes, spread them as wide as you can, hold for a few seconds, and then relax. Keep the blood flowing and the endorphins won’t back up.

Last but not least waiting has a positive side. it is a built in time out to let your Body Mind and Soul wander. Use the immobile time to drive your thoughts.

Todd Glassberg – Views from the Front Porch- Haters Amongst Us

Posted on March 19, 2012 by toddglassberg

Inspired by True Life

Over the past few days I have been seeing sayings like this posted all over Facebook. As I sit here on a truly lovely day from my Front Porch, I think about this growing aspect of the Human Condition.

First I must say , I am at peace and feeling a moment of pure rythym in my life. But , I have to admit , I have a few of these people in my life. One would think that after my walkabout , I would have avoided this type of person all together. Readers, I have a secret for you, people who are Haters don’t HATE you, they ultimately hate themselves.

They have probably watched your whole life and compared themselves step by step. The reason they were a shoulder to lean on was twofold. One it gave them the dirt of your weak moment, which inside allowed them to feel better about their own misery. Second, they needed to be needed, because in every other aspect of their so called life, they felt truly alone.

I know this person, they act like a friend but as I have written before their agenda is to collect info, to either use against you or to remind you to feel less than adequate. Don’t, I repeat don’t get angry, feel pity. Take a small step back turn and walk away. You can glance back one last time and think, This is the last time you will have any connection in my life. Now go Hate yourself.

Todd Glassberg -Views from the Front Porch – Taylor Glassberg a Vision of Excellence & Strength

Posted on March 9, 2012 by toddglassberg

I sat down this morning on the Front Porch and began my ritual. I took the first sip of my coffee and soaked in the sun. I let my mind wander. I was thinking about my children and my daughter came to my mind.

Being the parent of a 15 year old is an adventure, an experience. I have to say as parents we love our children and sure they frustrate us from time to time, because they don’t always do what we expect.

What we expect, truly expect is to hand down the lessons of our greatest successes and let them learn from our unfortunate failures. Yesterday I had an epiphiny . My daughter gets it, just not always in the manner that I expect.

Do you remember being a teen thinking how to fit in, be accepted and please your parents, your teachers and anyone who would judge you. I surely do. What happens and probably for most still this day is a feeling of emptiness and angst for selling your soul to find acceptance. i don’t do that anymore, the people whoo like me do so because I fulfill my part of the equation, those who don’t, never will for whatever reason.they ratinalize. That is their issue, not mine.

The one thing about being a parent is … we are the soul keepers or at least I feel I am. I am here to love, protect and prepare my children for their adulthood ; hopefully with less dysfunctionality than I have. I have simple rules don’t experience things before you are emotionally ready (sex,drugs,responsibilities for another etc). Do well in school, it is not for me, I had my turn. Be a kind person to those who are deserving . Forget the rest, don’t let people rule your soul.

So the direct point of my lovely daughter being a vision of excellence and strength. My daughter has shared my greatest successes, but unfortunately she has been affected by my biggest transgressions (mistakes of judgement). She faced everything with the strength and coutrage of someone with many more years of experience. Still to this day people (her peers) will ask about the sins of the father – (crummy influence of their parents) like it is a fair comparison of the whole being of the child. Taylor Glassberg is a pillar of strength, even when she fakes it till she makes it.

I didn’t truly appreciate the fact that she has learned lessons from my mistakes or that she would waxed poetic on experiences we shared ,until yesterday. I don’t want to get into specifics but my daughter surprises me and I truly love her and would sacrifice my world for what she needs. Not what she wants, remember that for the things she needs, to become a complete person who will be stable, happy and fulfilled.

So for thos parents who put YouTube videos out there chastizing their kids and love the attention; we should celebrate the brighter side of the struggle to produce well rounded, healthy minded successors to our domain.

My princess, I am here with you.

Todd Glassberg – Who is Looking at my LinkedIn -Views from the Front Porch

Posted on March 7, 2012 by toddglassberg

I have a routine, don’t you ? I get into work turn on my computer and begin the daily script in my mind. I open my email, grab the coffee and flip the lid. As my first sip goes down and warms up my stomach; I scan my new messages and begin to set the priorities for the day.

I check Facebook, LinkedIn, my Blogs, my Skype; etc.etc. There are so many different ways for people to contact me. However LinkedIn, always draws my interest.

Why ? I can only conceive that it is because I can glimpse through the window; I can see how many times my profile showed up in search, who viewed my profile and then I can daydream through the next half of my cup of coffee as to what or why they perused my profile.

LinkedIn is the “I play a Doctor on T.V. “view of a persons life. As a user I list my previous jobs, my skills, my marketplace viability. I have yet to meet a person that got a job or a piece of business through this intriguing software. But I assume it could happen or why would there be such a tool.

The unveiling to me is (drumroll please) ; who viewed my profile and why?

Today I noticed a mixed bag: a family member, two ex-coworkers one whom I vaugely remember and the other was someone who always treated me harshly. The other few were various random people who read my blog. Why do the ex-coworkers check out my profile ? Are they hoping to see good things or are they hoping to see me languish. No matter , its just perspective anyway, a reoccurring theme I always try to infuse in my writing is one person trash is another one’s treasure, it always depends on what prism you are looking through.

I believe that many of us have these observations, I can’t be alone. So Todd Glassberg’s view from his front porch says, ” Put yourself our there, be available and true to yourself, be interesting; make it count. The people looking for your treasure will find you and the people who are jealous,envious or wish you ill will’ can be thrown in the trash.

Have a great day