Money, power, fame and fan adulation appear to be important to politicians, sports figures, television personalities, and online influencers among others. Given all the...
What is good service? When guest expectations are low, and we exceed them . . . not too exciting. But when guest expectations are high, and we manage to do even better, then we have accomplished something.
Courage.
The power to make your own decisions. The ability to act despite all odds when you know you are right. The ability to stand apart from others when your convictions are more important than your popularity.
A good friend in Michigan announced the very recent passing of his father. I never met his father, but the son, my friend, is someone with whom I have spent time discussing things professionally and also passing time as we solved the world’s problems. The man was in his mid-nineties and a World War II veteran. A year has passed since I received a similar announcement from another friend in New York. In the latter case, I had met her father once, and we had dined together, having had a great, enjoyable and memorable evening.
Derek DelGaudio’s In & Of Itself is a film I can't explain. I believe it is one of the most poignant, emotionally moving, and challenging minutes I have spent. I have watched it three times in its entirety. Each time I go away feeling something inside of me has changed. And it has. I just can't explain it. I would encourage you to take that journey yourself. Turn your cell phone off and any other distractions. Turn off your inner dialogue and let the film flow to you.
This is the story of a remarkable woman, Renée M. Popovits, who discovers her talent for painting watercolors and describes the underlying adventure and insights that led to each of her paintings.
The gently sloping hills of Arlington National Cemetery overlook the nation’s capital. From this vantage point, thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines look across the Potomac River in formation. It is as if in their passing, they continue to look over us and the country because it is their legacy. Here, colonels are among corporals and privates among generals. Alas, they have come together for their final rest. Some served for a short time while others did so for a lifetime. But now, time is irrelevant as we salute them, pay respect to their deeds forever as they have arrived for their final rest.
A quick search indicates that slaves may have been brought to North America in the 1500s. Other sources point to the early 1600s. It is safe to say that slaves were brought to North America over 400 years ago.
As Black History month nears its end, we should all think about how patient, tolerant, and forgiving the African-American community has been toward this country and its political leaders throughout this country’s history.
