35 Trips Around The Sun and Counting

Today is a milestone in my personal life. I can now officially run for President of The United States. Suffice it to say, until someone decides to begin an exploratory committee to determine whether or not my views are marketable to the American public, I will not be quitting my day job anytime soon.

Then again, perhaps my project managemnt and value added style is exactly what is needed to resolve the lingering problems that seem to never go away. I would venture to guess that most politicians are not formally educated in Project Management Institute practices. I would also suspect that many of them are not intimately familiar with project risk management and business continuity planning. From my perspective our political leaders focus more on getting re-elected and less on solving real problems. Solving problems and getting the their root cause is something I do on a daily basis. Does this qualify me to run the most powerful nation on earth? According to our Constitution, I only need to be born here in the United States and 35 years of age. Talk about low expectations. Truth be told, most of the people who would be good leaders have no desire to become President because of the lack of privacy and the media circus it creates. Sadly, this has allowed our Nation to fall victim to Political leaders who promote their own agenda rather than what's in the best interest for the masses. I am a firm believer in common sense and I think that our leaders should be focusing on domestic issues first. There is no valid reason why people should be hungry, or without health care, or lacking an education if they are willing to work. Yesterday I saw a Walmart greeter with no arms and legs proudly performing his job. Here was a person who could have easily looked for a handout and received it, yet his own sense of pride and self worth pushed him to put on his uniform and greet every patron with a genuine hello. I remember thinking that I wish more workers had this person's sense of enthusiasm. If you couldn't tell from the title of this post, Jimmy Buffett is one of my favorite creative personalities. Many know of his music, but he is also a writer, film maker, and humanitarian. In one of his songs he asks a cheerful street sweeper why he sweeps so cheerfully. The sweeper just replies, "It's my job". I believe that the secret to success is taking care of yourself, working diligently at whatever task you are performing, and serving others. Deep down inside we are all the captain of our soul and the master of our destiny. Thus far I have enjoyed 35 trips around the sun. When I reflect back on my past, I see a series of learning experiences that have helped to define who I am today. Some have joked with me that I am now officially middle aged and entitled to my mid-life crisis. All I can say is that the gift of life is anything but a crisis. It's a gift. Each day is a miracle. I hope I am blessed enough to share many more miracles with the people I love.