Tiger Woods performance yesterday at The Masters demonstrated what it means to get back up when you have been knocked down by adversity, failed in the face of pressure, and tripped and fallen all on your own. And in doing so, he made history with his first major championship since 2008 and his fifth Green Jacket for winning at the Masters. THE BACK STORY Tiger Woods’ story is one for the books. Many have been written, along with a plethora…
A military trip to Iraq helped me understand when we know WHY we do something, things will always work better. It was 2004 and I was headed to Iraq with Utah Army National Guard. While preparing to deploy, our battalion chaplain Major John Worster, a Catholic Priest from Idaho, encouraged us to find out our reason for going. “Uncle Sam has ordered you to go,” he said. “But you need to find your own reason.” His purpose became the hope…
It’s Spring Break here in Cache Valley. Flocks of people tired of the cold (we had snow last week) are flying the coop headed for the warmer turfs of St. George, Vegas, Disneyland, and Hawaii. Of course, there are plenty of us sticking with the herd content to graze upon whatever Mother Nature dishes out. WHAT ARE YOUR SPRING BREAK PLANS? Are you traveling by car, plane, or maybe train or boat? Are you enjoying a staycation at home? Or,…
I used to wonder how much more get-up-and-go I had. But not anymore. Every time I think I can’t get up again, I find energy comes from within that allows me to get up and do incredible things. Like getting up when knocked down by doubt and discouragement. Like rising when I trip over the same obstacles again and again. Like falling flat on my face when my energetic enthusiasm runs faster than my legs have strength. That’s an…
Cody & Erica – I am truly grateful for the beautiful love you are creating in your family. I love watching you raise beautiful Savannah. Life is full of a mixture of moments. How we move through these moments, and the way we help our children move through them, will become a connecting vine no matter if the moments be calm or chaotic. Such thoughts and your love have inspired this little gem. I love you both. Dad CONNECTING VINES…
Are you a creator, or a consumer? Do you add more than you take away? Are you part of the 20% that does 80% of the work? Are you part of the 1% creation force? Or are you simply a lurker? PARETO PRINCIPLE – THE 80/20 RULE Many of us are familiar with the 80/20 Rule where 20% of anything is generally responsible for 80% of the result. Formally this is called the Pareto Principle. In business, it’s generally thought…
I have talked about a variety of difficult subjects in the past nine years I have been writing the Monday Morning Boost. Suicide, addiction, cancer, incarceration, death, and war are just a few. While several have created great discussions, none have spiked the response barometer like last week’s “Your Name Is Safe With Me.” The sheer number of private and public responses has been incredible. More importantly, the level of thoughtful discussion truly has been heartwarming. I am honored my…
I recently was called out for associating with someone who some feel is not a good person. In fact, quite a few people. I was caught totally by surprise. Not because I wasn’t aware of their concerns, which I wasn’t, but by the incessant nature of those trying to save me. Some were kind and respectful in their approach, truly concerned that my name and the Red Edge brand not be tarnished by association. Others were more insistent, telling me…
I wrote a poem yesterday about the challenges we go through while on this journey we call life. May this little gem bless you as much as it has blessed me. I TRUST I WILL RECEIVE By Les Patterson Oh the challenges of life Be they large or kindly small May my heart wax confidently That in faith I may conquer all. May I look with courage strong Upon the obstacles in my path To see them as stepping stones…
Thirty years ago yesterday a love story began. It’s not a perfect love story, it’s full of challenges, mistakes, and rough patches. But it’s also full of joy, happiness, wonder, and amazement. Most importantly, it’s full of kindness, forgiveness, hope, and love. Elisa and I grew up in the same neighborhood. Her dad was my scoutmaster and I helped sheetrock their basement as a teenager. But Elisa was three years younger than me — a lifetime when you’re a teen —…