Monday, February 28, 2011
A Month of Sports Transitioning
A Championship Game at The Start to a Diamond at the end. February starts with the build up to the Superbowl and ends with baseball team playing their first Spring Training Games!. Taking us from The Lombardi Trophy to Diamonds.
A Homeless Man given a HUNDRED!!! Dollars in the EARLY!! 1960's !!??
Half- a -century ago, Almost no one thought of homelessness as an issue.No one was actively a part of large community or national rallies to demand that the homeless be well-provided for.Yet, I just read on Page 241 of a Best Selling Biography of a well known man giving a HUNDRED DOLLARS to a homeless man outside of a hotel in MAJOR US City.
Who could this very enlightened -obviously- person be? Who could this erudite, caring, well-educated, savvy and socially aware and enlightened soul be? Albert Schweitzer? Mother Teresa? Ted Kennedy? Eleanor Roosevelt? Mitch Snyder? Martin Luther King? or perhaps just an anonymous wealthy and noble social organizer? I could go on with this. I do believe that you will find the answer to this as startling as I did when I first learned of this fact! The book that I found this information in is entitled - The Last Boy. The Subtitle of this tome is- Mickey Mantle And The End of America's Childhood. The man who donated this 100 dollars without declaring a press conference right after giving this to a down and out man in New York City was the then Center fielder for the New York Yankees.
You noticed, a short time ago, that I wrote in another blog entry that Mickey was vilified , by some for exploiting his celebrity to move to the front of the line in order to get a liver transplant. This same biography shows in great detail, that Mickey was rather lacking both as a faithful husband and a good father. Sports writers often described him as being " mean , surly, obnoxious and immature." I am not going to try to praise my Caesar- Number 7 was ,after all ,My Boyhood hero- by attempting to deny or explain away any of what I JUST typed!
However, Mickey Mantle did give a hundred dollars to a homeless man. He often welcomed rookies to the team with great enthusiasm. He also offered to be the first person to listen to them when they felt an overwhelming need to unburden themselves.He often picked up dinner checks. At one point, The Mick left a 50.00 tip for a waitress after having lunch with a teammate. The team mate, feeling that Mickey was being far too generous protested his action, " Mick, The bill is TOO small for that tip." Mantle, speaking softly but very intensely said, " I've seen people bust their azzes to make just about nothin'. I know how hard this girl worked and that is the tip I am leavin' for her!" He cared about people, knew some people really needed a boost and was willing and eager, at times certainly NOT always, to provide it. Mantle also said that when he first joined the Yankees, he idolized Joe DiMaggio and it hurt him that Joe ignored him. He practiced the idea, at some level, treat others as you want to be treated!
Here in The Washington Area, An NBA legend played his final games. He came to Washington invited here by the then owner of the Team, Abe Pollin.. Pollin want this King of Hoops to put his style and imprint on his team. Brought here to become a part owner and team executive, This legend decided that he wanted to play one last time and became an active player once again.
This Lord of The Court still played amazingly well for periods of times. Yet, He was known to mistreat rookies for not playing well in games for not practicing at a standard that he found acceptable. He was heard make insulting comments about their manhood and their sexual orientation. He once challenged a statement made by the owner about the salary demands of free agents. This legend smirked, " If he is too cheap to spend what he needs to spend, He needs to sell the team to someone who will."
He played for Abe Pollin for 2 years. At the end of the second season, He promptly retired again and shortly there after he was invited to come to a meeting with Mr. Pollin. He expected to be offered more of the team and be set up to eventually own the team. Instead, He was told, " I don't want you as my partner. I do not like how you treat my players. I don't like how you disrespect me." The Legend left that day humbled and humiliated.
I am absolutely certain this NBA legend has done some noble things some noteworthy and impressive things outside of the game of Basketball. I know this just as I know that Mickey Mantle has his clear failings! I guess it is often true that you will notice every misstep of people that you have a low regard for and will ignore the missteps of those who you greatly favor.
Mickey, as much as I thought I knew you, I discovered a reason that I did not expect to find to consider you to be noble and, indeed, a hero!
- Johnny -
Who could this very enlightened -obviously- person be? Who could this erudite, caring, well-educated, savvy and socially aware and enlightened soul be? Albert Schweitzer? Mother Teresa? Ted Kennedy? Eleanor Roosevelt? Mitch Snyder? Martin Luther King? or perhaps just an anonymous wealthy and noble social organizer? I could go on with this. I do believe that you will find the answer to this as startling as I did when I first learned of this fact! The book that I found this information in is entitled - The Last Boy. The Subtitle of this tome is- Mickey Mantle And The End of America's Childhood. The man who donated this 100 dollars without declaring a press conference right after giving this to a down and out man in New York City was the then Center fielder for the New York Yankees.
You noticed, a short time ago, that I wrote in another blog entry that Mickey was vilified , by some for exploiting his celebrity to move to the front of the line in order to get a liver transplant. This same biography shows in great detail, that Mickey was rather lacking both as a faithful husband and a good father. Sports writers often described him as being " mean , surly, obnoxious and immature." I am not going to try to praise my Caesar- Number 7 was ,after all ,My Boyhood hero- by attempting to deny or explain away any of what I JUST typed!
However, Mickey Mantle did give a hundred dollars to a homeless man. He often welcomed rookies to the team with great enthusiasm. He also offered to be the first person to listen to them when they felt an overwhelming need to unburden themselves.He often picked up dinner checks. At one point, The Mick left a 50.00 tip for a waitress after having lunch with a teammate. The team mate, feeling that Mickey was being far too generous protested his action, " Mick, The bill is TOO small for that tip." Mantle, speaking softly but very intensely said, " I've seen people bust their azzes to make just about nothin'. I know how hard this girl worked and that is the tip I am leavin' for her!" He cared about people, knew some people really needed a boost and was willing and eager, at times certainly NOT always, to provide it. Mantle also said that when he first joined the Yankees, he idolized Joe DiMaggio and it hurt him that Joe ignored him. He practiced the idea, at some level, treat others as you want to be treated!
Here in The Washington Area, An NBA legend played his final games. He came to Washington invited here by the then owner of the Team, Abe Pollin.. Pollin want this King of Hoops to put his style and imprint on his team. Brought here to become a part owner and team executive, This legend decided that he wanted to play one last time and became an active player once again.
This Lord of The Court still played amazingly well for periods of times. Yet, He was known to mistreat rookies for not playing well in games for not practicing at a standard that he found acceptable. He was heard make insulting comments about their manhood and their sexual orientation. He once challenged a statement made by the owner about the salary demands of free agents. This legend smirked, " If he is too cheap to spend what he needs to spend, He needs to sell the team to someone who will."
He played for Abe Pollin for 2 years. At the end of the second season, He promptly retired again and shortly there after he was invited to come to a meeting with Mr. Pollin. He expected to be offered more of the team and be set up to eventually own the team. Instead, He was told, " I don't want you as my partner. I do not like how you treat my players. I don't like how you disrespect me." The Legend left that day humbled and humiliated.
I am absolutely certain this NBA legend has done some noble things some noteworthy and impressive things outside of the game of Basketball. I know this just as I know that Mickey Mantle has his clear failings! I guess it is often true that you will notice every misstep of people that you have a low regard for and will ignore the missteps of those who you greatly favor.
Mickey, as much as I thought I knew you, I discovered a reason that I did not expect to find to consider you to be noble and, indeed, a hero!
- Johnny -
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Needy does rhyme with Greedy
"When "I " is found in nearly every sentence I speak and becomes just about all that I think about then, I am in MAJOR trouble!", I'm quoting me because this IS an issue that I need to work on FAR more and a vital issues that I must gain MORE traction on and victories over.
I still have the childish idea that the person who gets the most obvious attention and focus is the person who is excelling in life It may just be true that this is the person who is simply the most demanding, the most insistent and the person who prays upon those least likely will be the most reluctant to say " no" to him or her.
In many social situations that I find myself involved in, there are numerous people to associate with and to chat with. Some people would actually be pleased and delighted to be asked to enter into meaningful conversation. There are times what Johnny can also be spelled "S-H-A-L-L-O -W!!!"
One way to become a more interesting, engaging and internally and substantially "richer" person is to engage in many conversation with people who have different opinions , different perspectives and perhaps who just think differently.When people fixate on those things which are popular, they are deciding to wall themselves off and limit, starve and continually shrink the influences affecting their lives. When I become to needy and greedy and needy , I'm also likely to become snobbish and excluding and I'm making myself the type of person that I would not find to be appealing to interact with were I to be someone else!
There are also conversations to have that do not need to be dependent on others. Prayer and Meditation are good things to pursue at my seemingly loneliest and emptiest times. God does tell me that He is available to me 24-7 and that He always delights to have me be in contact with. He is also never too busy, preoccupied or too busy or distracted.
I am also a reader. Books allow you to become engaged, involved, provoked, challenged fed and educated at any time you wish to be.
It is clear to me that when I'm needy I'm also becoming obviously , insensitively and obnoxiously greedy. If I take a step back and examine myself and consider what the best and healthiest options are that are available to me, My history shows that I'm likely to deal well with that time of struggle and uncertainty!
- Johnny -
I still have the childish idea that the person who gets the most obvious attention and focus is the person who is excelling in life It may just be true that this is the person who is simply the most demanding, the most insistent and the person who prays upon those least likely will be the most reluctant to say " no" to him or her.
In many social situations that I find myself involved in, there are numerous people to associate with and to chat with. Some people would actually be pleased and delighted to be asked to enter into meaningful conversation. There are times what Johnny can also be spelled "S-H-A-L-L-O -W!!!"
One way to become a more interesting, engaging and internally and substantially "richer" person is to engage in many conversation with people who have different opinions , different perspectives and perhaps who just think differently.When people fixate on those things which are popular, they are deciding to wall themselves off and limit, starve and continually shrink the influences affecting their lives. When I become to needy and greedy and needy , I'm also likely to become snobbish and excluding and I'm making myself the type of person that I would not find to be appealing to interact with were I to be someone else!
There are also conversations to have that do not need to be dependent on others. Prayer and Meditation are good things to pursue at my seemingly loneliest and emptiest times. God does tell me that He is available to me 24-7 and that He always delights to have me be in contact with. He is also never too busy, preoccupied or too busy or distracted.
I am also a reader. Books allow you to become engaged, involved, provoked, challenged fed and educated at any time you wish to be.
It is clear to me that when I'm needy I'm also becoming obviously , insensitively and obnoxiously greedy. If I take a step back and examine myself and consider what the best and healthiest options are that are available to me, My history shows that I'm likely to deal well with that time of struggle and uncertainty!
- Johnny -
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Number 200 !
Today, I saw a middle school girl talk about why she enjoys being able to speak well. Sandy, not her name,accompanied her mom to an training session at a TLI! This stands for - The Toastmaster Learning Institute. This was conducted by the District 27 Toastmasters. This is intended to help people gain new insights as to how to grow as a leader and a communicator. Toastmasters was once thought of as a Public Speaking Improvement organization. Most people do not give Public Speeches in the old- time and traditional sense. We all to communicate, in many ways continually and Toastmasters make its mission to help us seek to continually improve in the myriad ways we all seek to communicate publicly - both verbally and non verbally.
Later that day, I attended a 20TH Anniversary meeting for a Toastmaster Club- The Galloping Governors Club. There were photos and many discussion of the proud history of this well-regarded club! The VPE- The Vice-President Education of this club was overcome by emotions as he gave a speech today. He spoke on the topic of " Together We Will get there". He urged us to ask more of ourselves, to have a vision to invite others to gain what we have obtained and to trust that others will be our partners as we attain our dreams.
Some say that strong and SILENT men are great! I maintain that men who can speak in a way to prompt others to act are even better!
- Johnny -
Later that day, I attended a 20TH Anniversary meeting for a Toastmaster Club- The Galloping Governors Club. There were photos and many discussion of the proud history of this well-regarded club! The VPE- The Vice-President Education of this club was overcome by emotions as he gave a speech today. He spoke on the topic of " Together We Will get there". He urged us to ask more of ourselves, to have a vision to invite others to gain what we have obtained and to trust that others will be our partners as we attain our dreams.
Some say that strong and SILENT men are great! I maintain that men who can speak in a way to prompt others to act are even better!
- Johnny -
Friday, February 25, 2011
Is Tough too often misdefined?
I've been bullied a lot in my life, I've been hit and intimidated more than I care to count.I've even cried and cringed at times. Life is fascinating. We are all taught and we all know that to be sane and grounded we must GET! that we can not control others.Thus, We truly cannot control whether people treat us poorly or well either verbally or physically. As is often said when we discuss keep people such as The President, not only Mr. Obama but anyone who has served in this office, " If someone is really determined to get at him, Then it is going to be very difficult to stop him or her."
Thus, As I keep learning, It is how you tutor your spirit that really determines whether you are truly brave and resilient. Can you take things in stride? Can you put your roughest moments in perspective?Do you decide that while suffering is inevitable, misery is optional.
A person who limps from intense pain and cries because he or she is dealing with overwhelming physical or emotional suffering is in tumult and struggling. Yest, The limping while in pain does not, at all mean that he or she is physically weak. The tears that he or she is shedding does not mean that he or she is physically weak, does not at all denote that he or she is a coward.
The desire to continue on and the willfulness not to be detered is a sign of heart, determination and bravery. Toughness is not solely defined by muscle, the ability to inflict pain and the ability to willfully physically dominate another. That is merely a way to express what some regard as toughness. The desire to progress, to live well in spite of and to not let others choose who you are, what you want, what you believe in and what you represent is, to me, the best way to demonstrate toughness and steadfast and disciplined courage.
- Johnny -
Thus, As I keep learning, It is how you tutor your spirit that really determines whether you are truly brave and resilient. Can you take things in stride? Can you put your roughest moments in perspective?Do you decide that while suffering is inevitable, misery is optional.
A person who limps from intense pain and cries because he or she is dealing with overwhelming physical or emotional suffering is in tumult and struggling. Yest, The limping while in pain does not, at all mean that he or she is physically weak. The tears that he or she is shedding does not mean that he or she is physically weak, does not at all denote that he or she is a coward.
The desire to continue on and the willfulness not to be detered is a sign of heart, determination and bravery. Toughness is not solely defined by muscle, the ability to inflict pain and the ability to willfully physically dominate another. That is merely a way to express what some regard as toughness. The desire to progress, to live well in spite of and to not let others choose who you are, what you want, what you believe in and what you represent is, to me, the best way to demonstrate toughness and steadfast and disciplined courage.
- Johnny -
The Promises that were NEVER Made!
No one guaranteed that things would always be easy. No one ever told you that your will would automatically be done any time you insisted that this be so!
You never were told that taking your feelings into account would be the paramount issue to be considered before anyone did anything. Your opinion is not automatically the Universal Law just because you prefer that the Universe work that way.
Never were you given an insurance policy that would pay out a Trillion Dollars should you ever be frustrated EVEN slightly.
Therefore, It seems that no gets everything they want and desire! No one every gets all that will please and satisfy them. No one will ever have everyone be willing and eager to co-operate with them all or even MOST of the time!
So, Since life is , too often, frustrating, irritating, annoying,galling and messy, We all have moments where we feel beaten and thwarted! We ,then , all fare better when we smile when we'd rather frown. When we say "Yes" when we petulantly wish to say "NO" and when we say, Let's figure out how we can best work together to get as much of the best that we can possibly attain!
- Johnny -
You never were told that taking your feelings into account would be the paramount issue to be considered before anyone did anything. Your opinion is not automatically the Universal Law just because you prefer that the Universe work that way.
Never were you given an insurance policy that would pay out a Trillion Dollars should you ever be frustrated EVEN slightly.
Therefore, It seems that no gets everything they want and desire! No one every gets all that will please and satisfy them. No one will ever have everyone be willing and eager to co-operate with them all or even MOST of the time!
So, Since life is , too often, frustrating, irritating, annoying,galling and messy, We all have moments where we feel beaten and thwarted! We ,then , all fare better when we smile when we'd rather frown. When we say "Yes" when we petulantly wish to say "NO" and when we say, Let's figure out how we can best work together to get as much of the best that we can possibly attain!
- Johnny -
Thursday, February 24, 2011
The Beauty of Words!
Freedom of Speech is worthless without words. That seems painfully obvious and yet, we do not act as if we know that to be true. How many of our words seem to fit into the realm of being questionable, vain or just not worth listening to.
The best way to show that we value and cherish our Freedom Of Speech is to mull over and consider our words very carefully and to think before we speak. I am a Toastmaster, have been one for 20 years and a week. The words that we use, we are taught, are intended to be used to help people hunger and thirst to join Toastmasters in order to become better communicators and leaders.We, in turn, are continually urged and inspired to seek to become continually better leaders and communicators.
Lives are made fuller by words that enhance our desires to wonder and explore! People smile more readily when they are told of how valuable they are. People will make sacrifices if they are fully convinced that it will lead to a better future. People will work with each other and be more willing to care for each other if they hear , in great and elaborate detail, why we are bonded together and why we need to truly cherish the concept of " one for all AND all for one"!
Our Freedom of Speech is an amazing blessing that we, as Americans, have available to us. Being trained to speak well and to speak yo change minds and move hearts helps us to maximize our God-Given Freedom of Speech!
The best way to show that we value and cherish our Freedom Of Speech is to mull over and consider our words very carefully and to think before we speak. I am a Toastmaster, have been one for 20 years and a week. The words that we use, we are taught, are intended to be used to help people hunger and thirst to join Toastmasters in order to become better communicators and leaders.We, in turn, are continually urged and inspired to seek to become continually better leaders and communicators.
Lives are made fuller by words that enhance our desires to wonder and explore! People smile more readily when they are told of how valuable they are. People will make sacrifices if they are fully convinced that it will lead to a better future. People will work with each other and be more willing to care for each other if they hear , in great and elaborate detail, why we are bonded together and why we need to truly cherish the concept of " one for all AND all for one"!
Our Freedom of Speech is an amazing blessing that we, as Americans, have available to us. Being trained to speak well and to speak yo change minds and move hearts helps us to maximize our God-Given Freedom of Speech!
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