There's a calming effect I experience when I walk under an overpass. There is a pinging in my ears as the sound of the cars "whooshing" by bounces back and forth against the concrete pillars stimulating my senses. Even in an instant of seemingly chaotic stimuli a person can get lost in the moment All my senses are heightened as I take each step, and my head is down as I read the words of Mark Twain in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer." I am focused on the story in my hands, but aware of the step I'm in and the steps to come. The cracks in the concrete remind me of the childhood game to be played alone or with others. "Don't step on a crack, or you'll break your mother's back!" we would declare one to the other. As I think this reading of Tom's excellent adventure in whitewashing Aunt Polly's fence, and simultaneously take an extended stride to avoid a crack. I resist the temptation to stop a moment and take a moment to climb the concrete that ascends toward the ceiling of the overpass to read a few moments and enjoy the waves of sounds under the bridge of concrete. It calls to me but I politely decline the invitation and trudge along. The browned leaves rustle beneath my feet as I step back into the sunlight. A welcomed warming to my chilled cheeks and inviting me to play some more. Again, I do not check my pace and continue along the paved walkway. It's a cool winter day with a bright encouraging sun. Today I am simply determined not to be engaged in spirited follies of the usual nature, but to enjoy an early morning perambulation of a reserved nature and to stimulate my creative eye by the leisurely reading of a fine piece of American literature.
ej
19 November 2007
12 November 2007
Dying Young
i always believed i would die young
i had dreams that would lead me
guiding my life to lay me to rest
in a grave of rocks and stubble
i don't know why i had visions, gray
but the coolness of the stones
against my face, unmoved by my cold flesh
no blood was shewn and no tears poured
my corpse lay quiet, breathless, souless
never questioning or beckoning for reason
still, beneath the smooth rock i rest
never again to speak a word of distress
jjf
i had dreams that would lead me
guiding my life to lay me to rest
in a grave of rocks and stubble
i don't know why i had visions, gray
but the coolness of the stones
against my face, unmoved by my cold flesh
no blood was shewn and no tears poured
my corpse lay quiet, breathless, souless
never questioning or beckoning for reason
still, beneath the smooth rock i rest
never again to speak a word of distress
jjf
06 November 2007
A Starry Dream
Last night, I dreamt of a world where the stars and the heavens were so close I could reach above my head and touch them. I felt the soft touch of the clouds against my cheek as I took a nap in the sky, with the sun smiling ever so gently above me. When I arose and saw the stars, I picked one out of the sky and tossed it in the air. I looked around for a friend, because I wanted to play. As soon as I thought it, I could see Johnny waving hello! So, I took the star in my hand and threw it towards him with all my might! He jumped effortlessly in the air and caught it with a smile. We tossed it back and forth until we fell lazily upon a cloud, and I drifted off to sleep, just as my eyes opened and it was morning.
ej
ej
Eternal Inferno
I am reaching beyond my ken
clawing through a tenebrous chasm
i close my eyes to see the light
as the ululating winds dull my mind
the trembling of my finger tips
my fluttering sand filled eyelids
and quivering frigid chaffed lips
the light that never appears
scorns my soul with eternal inferno
burning my core without blister
leaving it's impression that not one
no not one will see or feel
jjf
clawing through a tenebrous chasm
i close my eyes to see the light
as the ululating winds dull my mind
the trembling of my finger tips
my fluttering sand filled eyelids
and quivering frigid chaffed lips
the light that never appears
scorns my soul with eternal inferno
burning my core without blister
leaving it's impression that not one
no not one will see or feel
jjf
02 November 2007
“Everyone is replaceable”
I had a Mentor that taught me that every person is important in the world. He educated those that would listen by using parables that would be familiar to the students, that they might grasp more complex concepts. Throughout our lives, we gain knowledge from our mentors, whether they are direct or indirect lessons. Their examples leave a lasting impression in our minds and help shape the person we choose to become.
Now, I have been in sales for many years. Most of my sales experience comes from trial and error. When I was eight years old, I got involved with a sales club, which allowed me to “run my own business.” I managed my own schedule, managed all monies, kept a sales log, created a client database, created sales zones, and kept record of zone rotations. I did this all the way through my second year of high school. I made two dollars per item I sold, and I was able to save money for items that I wanted that my parents were unable to provide for me. In high school, I was highest earner for candy sales for my tennis team, simply because I knew how to get results with a minimal amount of effort. The “work smarter, not harder,” concept was in effect. I learned that doing the simple things: smiling, making eye contact, being genuine, exuding confidence, etc., will make all the difference in a sale.
We can also learn under those, who may or may not teach, correct principles. I believe we have the choice to take the best of what they offer, and leave the rest on the table. I have attended sales training seminars as an adult, and they continue to press the importance of those before mentioned key elements. You also have to know what you’re trying to sell. The reason I bring up my experience in sales is because I once had a mentor that said to our group, “Everyone is replaceable.” We all nodded our heads in agreement, but even as I did so, I began to consider what he was really saying. Yes, I agree that in the corporate world, where companies are huge and have hundreds of guys that can all do the same thing, they can be replaced. My mentor was a small business owner, and in order for him to keep his business running well and thriving with new clientele, he had to sell himself. He was a teacher, mentor, and role model for children, teenagers, and adults alike. What made his business special…was his special ability to teach a class in a style that was all his own. Those that participated or watched his class, could feed off his energy and be excited, and leave wanting more. When he decided that he wanted to expand, he trained any Dick, or Harry, or Chimp to try and take his place. There were a few of us that believed in the betterment of the program, and that you could take a simple hobby, and turn it into something exceptional that you could share with others. When a business is built upon one specific person and not one person who has been trained, or possesses the skills or traits to follow in the same footsteps, it can only lead where his business ran…into the ground.
How could he say, “everyone is replaceable?” It doesn’t make sense to me. Each person possesses unique skills, and talents. If you have a staff that is not well rounded, or functioning as one unit, you cannot expect positive results. What he left behind, was a legacy. A legacy that began when we were all sold on the roots of what was already believed in so deeply. Honor. Respect. Perseverance. Integrity. I believe he missed some very important lessons during his experience as a teacher, mentor, and businessman. In a small family owned business, I would think each person is important to making the business run well, especially, one that is based on the appeal of one specific person. If he had built his business selling the program, rather than just himself, there could have been a more realistic expectation from his staff when he up and left without letting his people know. Everyone is replaceable??? Give me a break. Not everything in this world has to be so cold hearted, and “it’s business, baby, only business!”
ej
Now, I have been in sales for many years. Most of my sales experience comes from trial and error. When I was eight years old, I got involved with a sales club, which allowed me to “run my own business.” I managed my own schedule, managed all monies, kept a sales log, created a client database, created sales zones, and kept record of zone rotations. I did this all the way through my second year of high school. I made two dollars per item I sold, and I was able to save money for items that I wanted that my parents were unable to provide for me. In high school, I was highest earner for candy sales for my tennis team, simply because I knew how to get results with a minimal amount of effort. The “work smarter, not harder,” concept was in effect. I learned that doing the simple things: smiling, making eye contact, being genuine, exuding confidence, etc., will make all the difference in a sale.
We can also learn under those, who may or may not teach, correct principles. I believe we have the choice to take the best of what they offer, and leave the rest on the table. I have attended sales training seminars as an adult, and they continue to press the importance of those before mentioned key elements. You also have to know what you’re trying to sell. The reason I bring up my experience in sales is because I once had a mentor that said to our group, “Everyone is replaceable.” We all nodded our heads in agreement, but even as I did so, I began to consider what he was really saying. Yes, I agree that in the corporate world, where companies are huge and have hundreds of guys that can all do the same thing, they can be replaced. My mentor was a small business owner, and in order for him to keep his business running well and thriving with new clientele, he had to sell himself. He was a teacher, mentor, and role model for children, teenagers, and adults alike. What made his business special…was his special ability to teach a class in a style that was all his own. Those that participated or watched his class, could feed off his energy and be excited, and leave wanting more. When he decided that he wanted to expand, he trained any Dick, or Harry, or Chimp to try and take his place. There were a few of us that believed in the betterment of the program, and that you could take a simple hobby, and turn it into something exceptional that you could share with others. When a business is built upon one specific person and not one person who has been trained, or possesses the skills or traits to follow in the same footsteps, it can only lead where his business ran…into the ground.
How could he say, “everyone is replaceable?” It doesn’t make sense to me. Each person possesses unique skills, and talents. If you have a staff that is not well rounded, or functioning as one unit, you cannot expect positive results. What he left behind, was a legacy. A legacy that began when we were all sold on the roots of what was already believed in so deeply. Honor. Respect. Perseverance. Integrity. I believe he missed some very important lessons during his experience as a teacher, mentor, and businessman. In a small family owned business, I would think each person is important to making the business run well, especially, one that is based on the appeal of one specific person. If he had built his business selling the program, rather than just himself, there could have been a more realistic expectation from his staff when he up and left without letting his people know. Everyone is replaceable??? Give me a break. Not everything in this world has to be so cold hearted, and “it’s business, baby, only business!”
ej
Never Alone
he was a boy without a home
sweet and tender as he could be
he ran and played without a care
he knew someday he'd have a family too
he'd been down and out and left alone
he knew times were tough but he was too
he believed in God and the Holy ghost
so he would never feel alone
in his soul, his faith ran deep
never complained when the climb was steep
he believed in good no matter the cost
he prayed for those who might be lost
even though he didn't have as much
he knew he would always have His love
they walked into the room of 50 kids
playing games, singing songs
they'd tried so long to have their own
today they were blessed to take one home
every child was smiling sweet
some were afraid, heads down low
they met his gaze and knew he was the one
they had been looking for all along
he was sweet and tender as he could be
ran and played without a care
in his soul, his faith ran deep
he would never feel lonely
he finally had a family
ej
sweet and tender as he could be
he ran and played without a care
he knew someday he'd have a family too
he'd been down and out and left alone
he knew times were tough but he was too
he believed in God and the Holy ghost
so he would never feel alone
in his soul, his faith ran deep
never complained when the climb was steep
he believed in good no matter the cost
he prayed for those who might be lost
even though he didn't have as much
he knew he would always have His love
they walked into the room of 50 kids
playing games, singing songs
they'd tried so long to have their own
today they were blessed to take one home
every child was smiling sweet
some were afraid, heads down low
they met his gaze and knew he was the one
they had been looking for all along
he was sweet and tender as he could be
ran and played without a care
in his soul, his faith ran deep
he would never feel lonely
he finally had a family
ej
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)