As a kid I took freedom for granted. In middle class, white, small town America, of course we were free. It wasn’t even a question. Less than 2 decades removed from WWII and well into 50’s-60’s struggle for civil rights, I grew up in an isolated little bubble in which freedom was as obvious as […]
Continue readingAuthor: Rich
Now That I’m Officially An Old Guy
“How do you continue to hope when so many things go wrong? How can you remain optimistic?” It was a question at last weekend’s FREEDOM TOUR CLASSIC. I chuckled (maybe not the best response) because I’m not exactly a fount of optimism. Nobody’s ever going to look for me on the Good Ship Lollipop. Maybe […]
Continue readingHow Did That Happen?
Neurosurgeons aren’t known for their warm bedside manner. In the weeks after my injury, I was desperate for a definitive prognosis. Nurses and therapists offered a lot of “keep trying, anything’s possible.” I just wanted someone to tell me the outcome. I liked my doc. Gruff, matter-of fact, cared a lot but didn’t spend time […]
Continue readingKerfuffles
There are always kerfuffles. You can plan and prepare all you want. Doesn’t matter. Something always happens that you didn’t expect. The test is how you handle it. Is your system resilient enough to deal with kerfuffles when they arise? During the FREEDOM TOUR CLASSIC, our biggest event of the year, I didn’t want to […]
Continue readingGodspeed, Still
Last time I told you about Jerry Schemmel and the Race Across America. After two years of training and preparation, Jerry and his team were ready for anything. Anything except 116° temps in the California desert. At checkpoint #3, race docs diagnosed heat stroke and told Jerry he couldn’t continue. I can’t imagine the disappointment […]
Continue readingGodspeed, Jerry
Our friend Jerry Schemmel won’t join us for this year’s FREEDOM TOUR CLASSIC. He has a reasonable excuse. Jerry embarks today, June 15, on an epic challenge. Jerry will compete in RAAM, the Race Across America. 3000+ miles. 170,000+ feet of climbing. 12 states. 3 mountain ranges. 30% longer than the 3-week (with 2 rest […]
Continue readingQuid Pro Quo
It’s gotten a bad rap lately. Quid pro quo might be an a form of blackmail. I’ll withhold this thing you want – or need – unless you do as I wish. Often it’s not-so-subtle manipulation, Godfather-style. I did you a favor, now you owe me. Do that enough, strategically, and one can accumulate a […]
Continue readingJust Because
Groucho Marx once said he wouldn’t join any club that would have him as a member. I wonder what Groucho would think about our recent conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. A few weeks ago I got a call from a guy who’s bringing a national ride to northern Colorado. He wanted some help with […]
Continue readingPlaying Our Part
We are creatures of story. We remember stories. We dream stories. We pass our culture through stories. As much as we wish to be driven by data and facts, every marketer and politician knows behavior is shaped by stories. The bible is a collection of stories designed to reveal the long arc of God’s big […]
Continue readingSmall World?
“It’s a small world after all.” Anyone who ever visited a Disney property likely left with that song embedded in their brain. And why not? Silly songs aside, we do live in an increasingly small world. Maybe. In my country the pandemic has begun to abate. Plentiful vaccines, few masks, folks emerging from isolation and […]
Continue readingSeeking Easy
“Are you seeking people who are easy to love?” It was a social media question. Got me thinking. Am I looking for people I can love without looking in the mirror? People I can love without being forced to challenge my own privilege, wealth, and security? Do I like loving those who allow me to […]
Continue readingNot Fair
If you catch me in a vulnerable moment when I’m not worrying about others’ opinions, I might tell you it feels like my injury isn’t fair. What does “not fair” mean? Mostly I’m acknowledging my disappointment because things didn’t turn out as I expected. Probably there’s some entitlement – things like this aren’t supposed to […]
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