On The Fly

In this episode, the Retirement Mulligan Welcome to the first official morning of the rest of my life. With no alarms and no meetings, chasing a little white ball around The Lakehouse—a par-58 canvas—felt like the perfect way to christen retirement. Golf is a game of profound integrity, so I must disclose that my playing partner, Steve, and I took a couple of mulligans off the tee today. When you overswing like you're launching into low-Earth orbit, the most mature choice is sometimes a do-over. In retirement, these aren't mulligans. They are Executive Retirement Relief Strokes —a benefit package we’ve earned. When the swing connected exactly as intended, it was pure geometry in motion. Watching a crisply struck iron trace a towering parabolic arc against the San Marcos sky is the everyday magic we try to capture here at On the Fly . We witnessed it eleven times today, to be exact. Hitting eleven greens in regulation meant I repaired so many of my own pitch marks that I wonder...

In this episode - Wisdom at 65 . . .   As a wise man once said, "There ain't no free lunch.” Yes, I realize the grammar is completely wrong. However, this statement reveals a lot when you take its meaning to heart. It's about work. At 65, I'm still wondering why more folks don't attempt to learn new skills? Challenge yourself, go beyond what you've comfortably achieved in the past. It's exciting, a little unsettling at times, but that's what motivates me every day. "You don't pay the price - you enjoy the benefit" of work that allows you to contribute to society. During my journey through this maze, we call life on earth. Here are a few nuggets that I've uncovered - not discovered, there is a big difference.  Please understand I don't claim originality to these timeless truths. Like everyone who has come before me, I'm just passing on what's helped me along the way. First, as we mentioned in a previous podcast, I attribute ...

In this episode - See You At the Top . . .   "You can get everything in life you want if you help enough other people get what they want." Do you believe that? If not, why not? This quote comes from the book See You at the Top by Zig Ziglar, first published in July 1974. While poking around in my library looking for something to share with you, I came across this old book. My book is copyrighted in March 1987 (Forty-first printing), still has its worn dust jacket, has been thumbed through my times, and is highlighted throughout the pages with a RED pen. I can hear you saying, "So, what's the BIG deal?" The deal is this, "Man was designed for accomplishment, engineered for success, and endowed with the seeds of greatness." In today's hectic world of instant gratification, I'm reminded of the importance of building a life one success at a time. And it was this book back in 1987 that changed my life for the better when I finally understood - ...

In this episode - Possibility Thinking . . . Dateline - November 22, 1987. “Doctor Schuller, Lori, and I have decided to marry and I’m wondering what’s the “Possibility” of you performing our ceremony?” With a broad smile, Dr. Robert H. Schuller winked at me and said, “It’s a very good possibility. However, my schedule is rather busy, so  you will need to contact my secretary to make the arrangements.” So, the next day, Lori called. “What date are you considering?” She asked. “October 22nd, next year, possibly a morning ceremony.” “I’m afraid he’s out of town that day. The earliest he is available is 6:00 pm.” “That’s fine, we can work with that.” After confirmation with Dr. Schuller’s secretary, Lori called the events manager for weddings the following day. “Who is your Pastor?” “Doctor Schuller.” With a professional demeanor, but apparent disbelief in her voice, “You do know Dr. Schuller does not perform wedding ceremonies anymore? Also, our time slots for weddings and recep...

In this episode: The Most Deadly Disease  . . . Criticisms, constant complaining, and derogatory comments about fellow co-workers. While working retail, I repeatedly heard remarks like this: “ You can’t imagine how miserable it is working with these clowns.” Admit it, you’ve caught yourself sharing the misery of your “difficult co-workers” with other people on break, at lunch, before or after work. It’s been said, “Misery loves company.” Don’t join the crowd. Zig Ziglar called it stinkin’ thinkin’ - boy, was he right on! Did you know the most deadly disease on Earth is not COVID-19, although, right now, it may seem that way? It’s Hardening of the Attitudes . Thankfully there is a way to reverse this destructive tendency. It’s a simple daily process. Author Ken Blanchard shares the secret in many of his parables, “Catch people doing something right.” Did you pick out the keyword in the previous statement? Simple . However, I must warn you it’s not easy. This takes ...

In this episode - Acres of Diamonds . . .   "Each of us is, at this moment, standing in the middle of his or her Acres of Diamonds."  Just this week (February 17, 2022), I've rediscovered this powerful message once again. This got me thinking. Are you struggling with success? I challenge you to listen to this Podcast every morning for one month and practice positive principles. It was over 60 years ago  that Earl Nightingale wrote and produced what has become known as  "The Strangest Secret ."  An LP record sold over a million copies, making it the first spoken-word recording to achieve Gold Record status.  The promise of his message was this: "We become what we think about." I must have been about nine when that quote first entered my mind. Our family's morning breakfast routine was to listen to  "Our Changing World,"  Earl Nightingale's daily five-minute radio program. It was syndicated on our local radio station: "WBYS - ...

Attendance problems, constant complaining, and derogatory comments about fellow co-workers, “You can’t imagine how miserable it is working with these morons.” Did you know the mostly deadly disease on Earth is Hardening of the Attitudes . Admit it, you’ve ca ught yourself sharing the misery of your “difficult co-workers” with other staff members on break, at lunch, before or after work? Zig Ziglar called it stinkin’ thinkin’ - boy was he right on. Thankfully there is a way to change this destructive self-talk. It’s a simple daily process. “Catch someone doing something right.” Yes, you heard me correctly, a simple process, however, let me warn you it’s not easy. This takes a concerted effort on your part to   change your attitude. According to Earl Nightingale; “Our environment, the world in which we live and work, is a mirror of our attitudes and expectations.” What a profound statement. This says to me that the attitude and expectations of my family, friends, an...

"Every day, we put in place plans and ideas that will determine the shape and substance of our tomorrows." Consider for a moment the power of that simple statement. It was 60 years ago when Earl Nightingale wrote and produced what has become known as The Strangest Secret.  An audio recording that sold over a million copies, making it the first spoken-word recording to achieve Gold Record status. The premise of that powerful message was simply this, “We become what we think about.” A truth that had been handed down through generations crafted in many different languages. The bible states it this way, “As you sow, so also shall you reap.” Or this one, “Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” - Robert Louis Stevenson Face the facts; we all want excellent results from life, in our home, our work, and in all our interactions with other people. Be it financial, intangible, or both. Earl said it best, “The most important single...

“It is our attitude toward life that determines  life's  attitude towards us.” I must have been about nine when that quote first entered my subconscious, growing up in Cuba, Illinois. My family’s morning breakfast routine was to listen to Earl Nightingale’s daily five-minute radio program, “Our Changing World,” on the local radio station: “WBYS - AM and FM—Canton, Illinois.” That jingle vividly echoes in my mind. Nightingale’s deep, resonant voice captivated my imagination. Little did I know that program would have such a profound impact on my thinking. Subsequently, Earl Nightingale shared many profound quotes that have influenced my life. “Your attitudes and expectations are a merciless reflection of you.” I’m proud to say that I’m a life-long learner. A student of the game of life. Almost 50 years later I still start my day with this positive daily routine. Set aside time just to listen, read, and reflect. All these years I’ve read and lis...