Welcome:
It’s September, which means the end of summer and back-to-school. Where did summer go?
September is also a month to stop, remember, reflect, and prioritize. This month’s article offers my perspectives on then and now. It caused me to stop, remember, reflect, and prioritize. My hope is that it will challenge you and your team as well.
Mark Rosenberger & The WOW! Team
P.S. Please feel free to forward the e-WOW! Newsletter to friends, colleagues and associates.
Featured Article
"Remembering The Things That Count"
by Mark Rosenberger, CSP
I think it’s time to take a stand, make a noise and remember the lessons of the past.
The date was September 22, 2001. Just 11 days after the attack on the World Trade Center. I was in Nashville, TN for a convention. It was literally the only convention in town. Over 90 conferences had cancelled following the attack.
I was having dinner at my favorite rib restaurant, watching with interest the giant screen TV. The NY Mets met the Atlanta Braves in the first home game since that monumental day. I listened intently as Diana Ross sang, “God Bless America.” There was not a sound to be heard in the restaurant, not a person moving and I’m sure I’m not the only person to choke back a tear.
They broke for a commercial, so I gathered my self, took a deep breath and observed the packed restaurant around me. The commercial ended and returned with the playing of the National Anthem. That very instant has been etched on my memory with fire and passion. As I write this paragraph, goose bumps are again welling on my arms as I recall with vivid clarity, the emotion, pride and respect of that moment. As the opening notes of our Anthem began playing every person in the restaurant stopped what they were doing and stood at attention facing the screen. Every single person stood at attention! I mean everyone—workers, diners, and casual observers—all stood as one and voiced their unity without saying a word.
Words alone will never adequately describe the power of that incident. When the anthem ended I gathered myself, took a deep breath and watched the people around me. I’m absolutely positive I was not the only person to choke back a tear.
It’s now been just shy of two years since the attack. In the last year, I think to myself (and now out loud), “Have we forgotten, are we growing complacent, is Political Correctness taking over for common sense and decency?”
Some examples: The media generally refers to the 9/11 events as the “9/11 tragedy”. Yes, it was a tragedy, especially for the families that lost loved ones but let’s get real. It wasn’t a tragedy; it was an all out, planned attack on our homeland. Period. Quit candy coating the verbiage and call it what it was: a homicidal attack. But that’s not "Politically" correct. I’ll remember it as the attack on 9/11.
Example 2: I recently wanted an American Flag on stage before a presentation. The meeting planner was concerned because they didn’t want to offend people. Offend people? In my own country? With a flag representing my country? I just don’t get it! Who planted this seed that a flag would offend someone? And then my other questions: So what? Fortunately the President of the Company thought it was a: “Fine Idea. In fact, I think we should have more people taking a stand for that flag.” However, I’ll probably never be hired by that meeting planner again. Oh well.
Example 3: The kids in my neighborhood can’t mention “God” while repeating the “Pledge of Allegiance.” I feel it’s one thing to make others who don’t want to say the word ‘God’ repeat the phrase, and still another issue to dis-allow folks who want to use the phrase from reciting those words. But that’s not "Politically" correct.
Wasn’t it interesting how so many folks had a renewed faith and God focus immediately after 9/11 but God can’t be mentioned now. Go figure. I think we’ve gone too far.
Example 4: I now read in the news from Alabama that they are required to tear down the Ten Commandments in the state’s judicial building. And in a separate article, Patrick Cubbage, as a Military Honor guard cannot say “God Bless,” as he hands the coffin flag to family members following a memorial service. He was fired last year for saying, “God Bless” to a family as he presented the flag, which he’s done over 500 times for 500 veterans and their families.
"It's freedom from religion, not freedom of religion,” said Cubbage, a former Philadelphia police officer.
Why was he fired? Because it might offend someone. It’s not Politically Correct. Next they’ll outlaw in the foxhole during combat.
I offer this article not as a flag waving, God endorsing zealot (although I am convinced God is worth endorsing and I am pretty darn proud of my country’s flag) but to challenge all of us (me included) to take a stand on what matters most. My dad had a favorite line he used as I was growing up: “The person who stands for nothing will fall for anything.”
Since I’m a proactive, solution oriented, “what can we learn from this” type of guy, here are some thoughts:
- Send a letter(s) to elected officials and have your voice heard. There is still great power in the pen (and keyboard.)
- Put an American flag on your desk at work, on your car, in your window. Fly it in your front yard.
- Be sure to talk to your children about your core values. They’ll gain core values from you or from the T.V. In 20 years, which values do you hope have the deepest roots?
- Volunteer for a cause you feel strongly about. Participate, get involved, and work to make a difference. It doesn’t mean sell your home and possessions and quit your job. If all of us add a small amount, it adds up to a HUGE difference.
- Say thanks to someone who has worn a military uniform. There are many folks who have sacrificed a great deal to defend our freedoms. I was recently at a conference where they requested that anyone in the audience who had served our country in uniform to please come forward to the stage. The stage was packed from a variety of eras but with one common theme: They were proud to serve their country. The music of Lee Greenwood played, “Proud to Be an American” as the audience stood offering a standing ovation. I’m getting goose bumps again as I recall the scene from the stage. Over the years, not many folks have said thanks.
- Hug the folks that mean the most to you. Add a little extra squeeze to those hugs.
- Take notice and take a stand. As my dad said, “If we stand for nothing, we’ll fall for anything.”
Politically correct or have we gone too far? Or, have we forgotten what matters most? This is one voice remembering 9/11 as more than a tragedy and remembering an entire restaurant standing at attention during the National anthem. It was a special sight to see people collectively taking a stand. They didn’t give a hoot about being Politically correct. Let’s take a stand and remembers those things that matter most.
Go make a difference!
Mark Rosenberger
Lessons of the Trapeze
Trapeze Buddy Success Characteristic:
Show Up
Winning Trapeze Buddies show up. They focus their attention on the present moment, give it their best effort and understand that life is not a dress rehearsal. They make whatever they are doing the most important activity at that moment. They “Show up” with a bounce in their step and a light in their eye.
Have you ever interacted with someone and although they’re present in the flesh, the rest of them just didn’t show up? That’s not a winning Trapeze Buddy Characteristic.
