Archive for the ‘Many Reasons to Be Happy’ Category

Sharon and I just returned from a trip to Austria and Slovakia. We visited the cities of Bratislava, Trnava, Salzburg, Mondsee, and Vienna. Vienna can be described with these words: Grand, Historic, Musical, and Electric. As we walked the streets of Vienna, we encountered people from every corner of the earth and heard their myriad languages being spoken. The city was pulsating with human energy and it was friendly and safe. The city’s history illustrates the richness and complexity of human development over the ages. It was as if history and humanity were rushing at us from all directions. We were awe-inspired. Go there!

Those of you who have read “The New American Prosperity” know of my encounter with winter wrens in February of 2009. Perhaps it has to do with my growing slightly older, but I am increasingly intrigued with wildlife and birds in particular. I think of birds as “flying flowers.” 

We recently bought a bird feeder and now we have dozens of tiny visitors in our backyard—mostly “perching birds” of several varieties. There is also a pair of doves that clean up the seeds spilled on the lawn by the little birds up above. And now, they’ve been joined by a pair of ducks that must have seen all the fun and decided to start their family in our backyard. We wonder at the colorful diversity of the birds. It is fun to observe their behaviors. It is sometimes a distraction to have them there, so busy, right outside our bedroom window.

Is bird watching “old fashioned” or just plain fascinating whatever your age? This simple hobby may be one of the easiest ways to connect with the natural world to help us keep many other “man-made” things in perspective.

I just couldn’t bring myself to title this blog “Happy Mother’s Day.” I wanted the title to be something more creative after all these years of buying Mother’s Day cards and wishing the moms in my life well. The truth is no group of people deserves our thanks more than our moms.

My mother has been a part of my life from the very moment I was born (and long before that). My mother paid more personal attention to me than anybody I’ve ever known. She paid attention to what I ate, drank, wore, read, said, saw, thought, spoke, and learned. She attended to details that only mothers have the patience to faithfully tend to. She was just plain there for me in every way the phrase “being there” can possibly imply. If ever there was any doubt about who loved me, I knew my mother did. Thanks, Mom.

My wife is the mother of my children. She’s been there for all seven of them when I couldn’t or didn’t have the patience to be. I’ve told my children often that the best thing I ever did for them was to choose Sharon to be their mother. Thank you my dear. 

Happy Mother’s Day, Moms of the World!

This is a message of appreciation to those who originally subscribed to this blog. As you know, we have discontinued the formal subscription process, but the positive messages and practical insights are still here for your benefit. I also welcome your comments. Tell your friends there is a helpful dialogue going on about all that it means to be a smart and happy American in spite of the ups and downs of life that we all experience.  –Darby Checketts

Like most spring days, I arose at first light.
I opened the drapes and then the window.
A dusting of snow glistened on nearby mountains.
Above, mighty clouds billowed.
Below, delicate flowers bloomed.
The smell of evening rain still hung in the air.

I was unaware that it was Earth Day.

A busy day ahead, I shaved and showered.
The fresh, flowing water was always invigorating.
I quickly dressed.
My cotton shirt, woolen slacks, and leather loafers were the perfect combo.
I ate my breakfast.
Steamed oats, nuts, raisins and a side of fresh fruit tasted great.

I was unaware that it was Earth Day.

I now know that our high-tech society has arrived at the true Age of Star Wars. This morning, my grandson emailed his new phone number to me saying that “…it had been sent from his new Google Android phone.” He was responding to an email from his mom (my daughter) suggesting that he should “…send a quick note to all of our family aliases” to let them know. Of course, “aliases” is a high-tech reference to those pseudonyms we use in place of our real names when communicating on the Internet. Nevertheless, I was intrigued to see our family androids reaching out to our family aliases. Ain’t technology great? Big smile everyone!

You know, those Canadians are good neighbors. Thanks to them for hosting a generally congenial Olympics and yet a grand event full of intense and earnest athletic competition. This comment from Sports Illustrated columnist, S.L. Price, sums up some important elements of the Vancouver games…

“The USA’s 37 medals set a record for success at a Winter Games, and came amid the most controversy-free American performance in decades. With skier Bode Miller redeeming his cavalier performance in Turin, Team USA kept as low a profile as an athletic superpower can, predicting no wins, displaying no arrogance, celebrating with class. It was a switch no one predicted: The Canadians acted more like out-there Yanks, and the Americans acted like humble Canucks. And it helped set, for these games, a graceful tone.”

I’m sure Americans are proud of our athletes who represented us well and we’re also happy for Canada’s triumph.

What are we re-learning from the Vancouver Winter Olympics? My opinion?

1. For two weeks, there’s predictably enjoyable TV to watch each night. And, thanks, Bob Costas, for the truly great host you are.

2. Managing the Olympics is a big job, especially when the weather is not cooperating.

3. On a ten-point scale for fitness, coordination, and endurance, I might have rated myself a “6.5.” After watching mogul skiers, speed skaters, and other superb athletes, I’ve changed my rating to “3,” but I’m not giving up.

4. Most of all, it is a wonderful thing that millions of Americans are inspired by the pairs figure skating gold medalists from China, Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo. Theirs is a universal story of true love, remarkable dedication, and dazzling performance. The Olympics cause us to forget all the diplomatic difficulties we’re having with China. For two weeks, we are all connected as citizens of one small planet where world peace is still our fondest dream.

This western holiday began with a papal decree in the late Fifth Century AD. There are some who decry this holiday as “shameful.” And yet, whatever the resistance may be, the popularity of Valentine’s Day continues to grow worldwide. To most, it is a delightful day. What is its purpose? Is it a celebration of romance and love? Of course it is. Is it a day to express affection for those we each hold dear? Of course it is. It seems the whole wide world could use a little love and affection about now. So, when will you buy your boxes of chocolates and Valentine’s cards and who will you take to lunch or dinner at that special restaurant? Who will you lift up in some special way that says, “I truly care.”

My earliest remembrances of Valentine’s Day are of the various heart-shaped treats my mother would create and of my bashful delivery of Valentines to those elementary schoolgirls I thought to be my special friends. The day took on real meaning when I found my “true Valentine,” Sharon. It is a good day to remember that the love that brought us together has kept us together all these years.

Invictus is the Latin word for “unconquerable” and it is the title of a new movie starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. The movie tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team, Francois Pienaar, to unite their country. I enjoy it when a genuinely inspiring movie comes along. I recently saw The Blind Side with Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, and Quinton Aaron. Another one’s coming in January, Extraordinary Measures, with Brandon Fraser, Harrison Ford, and Keri Russell.

It was when I was first introduced to the process of computer programming that I heard the phrase “garbage in; garbage out.” This means, if you put faulty information into the computer, you get a crummy computer program. Isn’t the same true with much of life? If you put mostly junk food in your body, what do you get? You get poor health. If you think negative thoughts, what do you get? You get a bad attitude. How about movies? If you watch a crummy movie, what do you get? Nothing worthwhile. Watch a good one and you get inspiration. 

Invictus made me thankful for the courage of great leaders. The Blind Side helped to stimulate my own spirit of fairness and generosity. Thank goodness for the good movies. Thank goodness for the true stories behind them.