Introspection

Have you ever wondered why woodpeckers don’t get headaches?

I heard something interesting this week that caught my attention, and I decided to write about it.

Before I get too deep, I believe you need to know the answer to that question.

Why Don’t Woodpeckers Get Headaches? | Ask A Biologist

Today, I’m blessed to know I rarely have headaches.

Even in those moments of giving up coffee for Lent.

I’m aware that some are not as fortunate as I am, as today we live in a society where so many people are affected by migraine headaches.

We visit our doctors for appointments, and they ask, “What are you allergic to?”

So today is about introspection.

INTROSPECTION Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster

When was the last time you took time to reflect, looking inward by examining your thoughts and feelings?

It was a reminder to me when I heard the woodpecker question, as something I had never thought about before I heard it.

There are things we take for granted: that the tree will bloom again after the hard winter’s weather and flowers will spring forward at just the right time.

We are all uniquely and wonderfully made, with various qualities and tolerances.

As a lifelong learner, I am fascinated by the prospect of learning something new.

This past Wednesday, at one of my Toastmasters meetings (Professional Speakers), Sara Ivie, DTM, told a story about the people of Gander who sheltered over 6,500 people during 9/11. It was a story I had never heard before, and it led me to greater introspection.

We all know what happened on September 11, 2001, when al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four planes, crashing two into the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon, and one in Pennsylvania, killing nearly 3,000 people and triggering the U.S. “War on Terror.”

But what I didn’t know, or had forgotten, was how long the airspace was shut down and the exact locations where planes were redirected or diverted to land.

How Gander, Newfoundland Took In 6,500 People On 9/11

“There were roughly 4,500 planes in the air at the time, and 38 of them landed in the rural Canadian town of Gander, according to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.”

It’s a story of hospitality that is so much needed in our current history today.

The Canadian town of Gander is still remembering its efforts as it recently celebrated the 25^th Anniversary of 9/11.

Town of Gander to Mark 25th anniversary of 9/11  – NTV: Newfoundland and Labrador’s Most Trusted News Source

Nowadays, everyone has something to say; however, it’s up to us to listen and reflect on what they say.

Many iconic figures have addressed this theme directly or indirectly. Here are some notable ones:

“The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.” — Oscar Wilde (reflecting on the inevitability of opinions)

“People always have something to say, but rarely do they say it with kindness.” — Maya Angelou (emphasizing compassion in discourse)

“Everyone has an opinion, and they’re usually wrong.” — Mark Twain (a humorous take on human judgment)

Today, I challenge you to reflect on what has caught your attention this week and prompted introspection as you search for answers.

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/introspection/

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Subliminal Messages

This week, something caught my attention while watching television.

It was more negative advice from a political point of view.

We all have various words we have learned over time that we know exactly who’s saying them when we hear them.

One is “Drain the Swamp” commercials.

I often wonder what people are thinking or feeling when they hear that word and what their reactions might be if they understand politics.

To me, it’s just like someone saying the “N” Word.

When I hear it from someone not from my race, then I know the context behind their words.

I don’t like it, especially if I know the context behind it.

When we hear the word “Woke,” we have to decide and know who’s saying it and what they are conveying to us.

As much as I try to stay neutral or non-partisan, something seems to trigger an uncomfortable feeling that Rodney King would say.  “Can’t we all just get along?”

As I walked into Walmart this weekend, it was my second time seeing a shopper with a gun strapped to his hip.

I had to ask myself what message he was sending to other shoppers who walked past him as he and his wife shopped.

Then, on the other hand, I had to stop and ask myself another question: why?

Why did he decide today to strap on his pistol to go shopping, Walmart of all places?

Was it a comfort factor?

Did he need to feel bigger, or was he making a point?

Every day we get messages with people even saying one word.

Because I am somewhat naïve about the gun-carrying law in Alabama and Georgia, I checked the rules to support this blog.

I know that “Alabama residents can legally carry firearms in Georgia under Georgia’s constitutional carry law or with a recognized out-of-state permit.”

What this means is “an Alabama resident does not need a Georgia Weapons Carry License (WCL) to carry a handgun in Georgia, either openly or concealed, provided they meet Georgia’s age and eligibility requirements (21+ for civilians, 18+ for active military).”

I bring that to your attention because Georgia was where I first witnessed the Georgia Weapons Carry License (WCL).

Alabama Concealed Carry Gun Laws: CCW & Reciprocity Map | USCCA

Alabama Gun Laws and Regulations

What I didn’t know until today was that “Alabama is considered an ‘open carry’ state, which means that most adults may openly carry a firearm without a permit. ” As of January 1, 2023, Alabama no longer requires permits for concealed carry, making the state a permitless or constitutional carry state. (Individuals may still get permits if they want to take advantage of reciprocity offered in other states.)

Although there is a long list of places in Alabama where carrying a gun is illegal, without express permission from the authority in charge.

Therefore, what subliminal messages are you receiving or seeing today that have required you to pause just for a moment?

I’ll give you a moment to think about it.

Even in this ridiculous world we live in, I know that sometimes our faith is all that is required to get past the subliminal message we take in.

“Sometimes we need the salt of tears to remind us how to savor the sweetness of life.” ~ Lysa TerKeurst

“The things surrounding you in your home serve as subliminal reminders of you who are.”  ~ Denise Linn

Today, I challenge you to take a moment to reflect on the subliminal messages you are receiving or seeing today that have required you to pause.

 

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/subliminal-messages/

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Are Teachers Teaching Your Children How to Fish?

Ever since the pandemic in 2020, I have had continuous thoughts about Are Teachers Teaching Your Children How to Fish?

My youngest grandson was affected during his senior year in High School, as I witnessed what was happening from High School to College.

Although he has graduated from college, I often wonder about how the education system is being challenged while the administration is dismantling various parts of it.

The Plan to Abolish the Education Department—One Year Later | NEA

Bills axing the Education Department introduced by GOP lawmakers

I have personally visited the Board of Education before the pandemic and am thinking very hard about seeing them again to get a better understanding.

One piece of advice that I received is to understand which schools are invested in getting their teachers National Board Certified.

I’m aware that there are “Five Core Propositions” that describe what teachers should know and be able to do.

Proposition 1: Teachers are committed to students and their learning.

Proposition 2: Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students.

Proposition 3: Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning.

Proposition 4: Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience

Proposition 5: Teachers are members of learning communities

The National Board certification process is designed to collect standards-based evidence of accomplished practice. In all 25 certificate areas, candidates are required to complete four components.

COMPONENT 1: Content Knowledge.

COMPONENT 2: Differentiation in Instruction.

COMPONENT 3: Teaching Practice and Learning Environment.

COMPONENT 4: Effective and Reflective Practitioner.

Maybe it’s because I have a master’s in education with a concentration on Instructional Technology that all this bothers me when it comes to education.

I always get a kick out of watching kids work at the cash register when pennies were in use or when the machine was out of order.  Many of them could not add or subtract without pulling out their phones for assistance.

It is the dismantling of the education system that sends the message about what is being taught in our schools these days.

When I look at the credentials of various people running our country, one has to think why they were chosen for the job.

Suffice to say, in the end, what cost will all of us pay for how this country is being run, or those affected, for making poor decisions?

Do you remember the words of the three R’s in Education and Learning

The 3 R’s of Education: Reading, Writing &Arithmetic

The phrase 3 R’s of Education encompasses:

Reading: the ability to decode text, comprehend meaning and engage with ideas.

Writing: the ability to express thoughts, structure ideas and communicate effectively.

Arithmetic: the ability to understand numbers, operations and problem-solve in everyday life.

We need all 3 R’s today in our society, as reading is a daily habit for me.

When I think of how people communicate and what I went through with all the various research papers I wrote without the use of AI, it is unbelievable.

Finally, as I sit on various boards, being able to understand the finances and numbers and manage funds is so important.

It’s this foundation I believe we all see continues to be weakened with no voices being heard to protect it.

Interestingly enough, families will move into neighborhoods that support a great school system; however, are they engaged in what is being taught to their children as they pay the costs of living in that area?

In a recent article online from AL.com, “Many Alabama virtual school students lack basic math and reading skills, report cards show.”

https://www.al.com/news/2026/08/many-alabama-virtual-school-students-lack-basic-math-and-reading-skills-report-cards-show.html

That alone signals trouble to me.

It’s already bad enough that Alabama is ranked 43^rd in the public-school ranking by state for 2026 as we begin to start another school year this week.

https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/public-school-rankings-by-state

Therefore, the question is: Are teachers teaching your children how to fish or just helping them bait the hook?

Today, I challenge you to think about whether teachers are teaching your children how to fish or just helping bait the hook.

Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day.  Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime. Proverbs

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/are-teachers-teaching-your-children-how-to-fish/

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Why Local Businesses Near Huntsville Trust McKinley's Thoughts for Leadership Training

You can tell within five minutes of a meeting whether a team has a real leader or just someone with a title. That gap is what pulls most business owners into looking for help in the first place. In and around Huntsville, a lot of that search ends at McKinley's Thoughts, a program built by a retired Command Sergeant Major who spent 30 years leading soldiers before turning that experience toward local businesses.

What Leadership Training Actually Is

Forget the image of a rented conference room and a slideshow nobody remembers by Friday. Real leadership training is coaching people through the stuff that actually trips them up at work: hard conversations, missed deadlines, a team that's stopped trusting each other. It's less about theory and more about giving someone tools they'll still be using six months later.

Why It Matters More Than Most Owners Realize

Huntsville's economy runs on defense, aerospace, and a growing wave of small businesses trying to keep good people. And good people don't leave jobs, they leave bad managers. That's usually the moment a business starts typing "leadership training near me" into Google at 9pm after a rough week. What they're really looking for is someone who's actually led people under pressure, not a certificate mill. That's the whole reason McKinley's Thoughts exists: three decades of active-duty command experience, paired with certified John Maxwell coaching, applied to real teams instead of hypothetical ones.

How It Actually Works

There's no one-size-fits-all package here. A first conversation is spent figuring out what's actually going wrong: Is it a communication breakdown? A new manager who's never led anyone before? A team that's technically skilled but falls apart under stress? From there, the training gets built around that specific problem using modules like Conflict Resolution, Emotional Intelligence, or Strategic Planning, whichever fits.

The Process, Step by Step

1. A real conversation first — no sales pitch, just an honest look at where the leadership gaps are.
2. A curriculum built around your team, not a generic template pulled off a shelf.
3. Workshops that involve people doing the work, not sitting and listening for two hours.
4. Time between sessions to actually try things, because skills stick when they're practiced, not just discussed.
5. Coaching that continues after the workshop ends, so the lessons don't fade in a month.
6. Honest tracking of what's changed — better communication, fewer blowups, faster decisions.

What Actually Works

Get leadership at every level in the room, not just the managers who already agree with you. Pick a trainer who's actually led people, not just studied leadership theory. Treat this as something you keep doing, not something you check off a list once a year. And pair the group sessions with one-on-one coaching wherever you can; it's where the real breakthroughs happen.

Where Most Companies Go Wrong

The biggest mistake is buying a generic seminar because it was cheap or convenient, then wondering why nothing changed. A close second is treating training like a one-time event instead of an ongoing relationship. And a lot of companies pick trainers purely on credentials, without asking whether that person has actually led anyone through a hard moment. That's usually what separates a forgettable seminar from a company that finally finds leadership training near me and sticks with it for years, because the person leading it has actually been in the room when things went sideways.

Conclusion

Nobody becomes a better leader from one workshop. It happens through repetition, honest feedback, and someone who's actually done the job pushing you to get better. That's the difference between training that looks good on a calendar invite and training that changes how your team actually works.

Ready to Build Stronger Leaders in Your Organization?

McKinley's Thoughts brings 30 years of active-duty leadership experience straight to your team, no fluff, no filler. If your business needs leaders who can actually lead, let's talk.

Address: 256 Bob G. Hughes Blvd, Harvest, AL 35749

Call: (706) 627-4863

Email: sitruc3@gmail.com

Reach out to McKinley's Thoughts today and let's build the team your business actually needs.

FAQs

What are the 7 C's of leadership? Character, Competence, Communication, Commitment, Confidence, Courage, and Compassion. They're not abstract ideas either — a leader missing even one of these usually shows it fast, whether it's broken trust or a team that stops speaking up.

Why do you want to attend leadership training? Honestly, most people attend because they hit a wall — a promotion they weren't ready for, a team that's not listening, or a conflict they don't know how to handle. Training gives you the tools so the next wall doesn't stop you.

What are the 5 P's of effective leadership? Purpose, Passion, People, Process, and Performance. Miss any one of these and the others start to wobble — passion without process burns out, process without people feels cold.

What are the seven qualities of a good leader? Integrity, self-awareness, courage, respect, empathy, gratitude, and resilience. None of these are talents you're born with. They're built, usually the hard way.

What are the 8 pillars of leadership? Vision, communication, integrity, accountability, empowerment, adaptability, decision-making, and emotional intelligence. Most leaders are strong in two or three and weak in the rest — training is about finding out which ones need work.

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Accountability Partners

Career Planning Concept. Businessman Getting Help Building Bridges To Success.

During my time in the military, we had something called the buddy system, where two individuals always knew each other’s whereabouts, both mentally and physically.

Today, as adults, we sometimes need a buddy system not just for our whereabouts, both mentally and physically, but also for someone to bounce an idea off that we’re thinking about in life.

In recent years, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in two Maxwell Leadership Accountability sessions that last, I believe, 90 days each.

Each one of those accountability sessions was where we met each week for an hour to discuss various things we were working on.

It was a commitment within the group to be accountable to each other.  Although we had three people within our group, it was probably the most meaningful weekly conversation I’ve experienced.

We are all undisciplined in various areas of our lives, whether we know it or not.

As John Maxwell says, “Accountability makes us better.”

Sometimes we need to recognize there are gaps in our lives that need help closing.  What gap do you need closing today?

Accountability Makes You Better | Maxwell Leadership

There is also a word called self-accountability.

Meaning taking responsibility for our own actions.

We should all take notice that having the proper mindset is so important.

I can vividly remember my Saturday morning 5- to 10-mile runs with two or three running buddies years ago. Especially during my time in the military when I was stationed in Hawaii and Fort Bragg.

Back in those days, you were required to run four miles within 32 minutes.

It paid off for me when I went to Airborne and Air Assault school during my time in Hawaii from1985-1989.

I didn’t hurt knowing I was already in great shape from being a Drill Sergeant for three years prior, 1982-1985.

I knew if I didn’t show up, they wouldn’t call me out because back then no one carried phones to go running.

That’s why our words must matter along with the proper mindset.

How we speak to ourselves is so important, which is tied to our purpose.

Having the proper mindset is so important.

If you haven’t read Carol S. Dweck’s book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, I would highly recommend it.

Dweck’s Mindset Theory: How to Develop a Growth Mindset – Growth Engineering

For those who have accountability partners, continue to tap into each other for support.

For those who don’t have accountability partners, I pray that you pick some who will help hold you accountable.

Try it; you might like it.

This week, as you look at your busy schedule, think about those who are holding you accountable.

Sometimes procrastination can get the best of us, myself included.

Although my running days are over, I still hold myself accountable for my weight and appearance.

Today, I challenge you to think about who’s holding you accountable when no one else is. Think about the last time you were held accountable for your actions or just doing something you said you would do?

We are all aware that life sometimes gets in the way, and sometimes we need to be like the Nike slogan and “Just do it!”

“Your life does not get better by chance; it gets better by change.”~ Jim Rohn

“The moment you take responsibility for everything in your life is the moment you can change anything in your life.” ~ Hal Elrod

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/accountability-partners/

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Stop Complaining

Have you ever noticed that in life we meet people who complain about anything and everything?

When was the last time you complained about something that was either trivial or not?

What I would challenge you to do is sit in the lobby of any hospital and watch the people entering or exiting the facility the next time you feel like complaining.

How do we look at life?

This is not a rhetorical question; it’s a question for you to decide where you are going and whether you are accepting your lot in life.

Having said that, my heart is heavy once again as I receive notifications about the deaths of two people whom I knew who recently passed away.

These are people that I knew personally and witnessed them adding value to others.

How we make the most of our time here on this earth is up to us.

This goes for gossip as well.

I’m reminded of James 3:5 and the “Taming of the Tongue,” where I learned years ago to let things go.

When I received the meaning behind James 3:5, I was told to ask three questions:

Is it true, is it kind, is it necessary?

In response to the three questions, should the person continue speaking only if they can say “yes” to all three?

James 3:5 In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.

Persons/Places/Events

James
The author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus. He was a leader in the early Jerusalem church and wrote to Jewish Christians scattered among the nations.

The Tongue
A metaphorical reference to human speech and the power of words. In this context, it represents the potential for both good and harm.

The Body
Represents the whole person, emphasizing how a small part (the tongue) can influence the entire being.

The Spark
A metaphor for a small action or word that can lead to significant consequences, much like a tiny flame can ignite a large fire.

The Forest
Symbolizes the broader community or world, illustrating how words can have far-reaching effects.

This past week, Toastmasters International announced an increase in membership dues from $60 to $72 for the six-month dues renewal fee effective August 3, 2026.

Just years ago, when it went from $30 to $45 to $60, now, on August 3, 2026, to $72, I’m sure there will be members unwilling to pay the dues increase.

For some, it will be “The Spark” that ignites a large fire among other members.

I witnessed it coming based on what happened when Membership dues increased on August 1, 2023 (from $45 to $60 semiannually).

Of course, the August 2023 change was the last time the core membership dues were adjusted, with the 2025 new member fee increase being the most recent fee-related update. New member fee increase: October 1, 2025 (from $20 to $25).

I’m telling you this as only an example of the spark that can ignite a larger flame. You can’t even imagine the people who complained three years ago and how they voiced their feelings of dissatisfaction.

Everyone has something to complain about; however, is it worth it?

We have choices in life: accept our lot or change it.

I won’t get into what the Bible says; however, we should accept and rejoice in what we have been given.

Hence, as an advocate for developing greater emotional intelligence, choosing to change requires self-awareness, courage, and deliberate action.

It also requires discernment. That’s what I learned from reading the Bible.

Every day is a choice, and complaining about it is not the answer.

Therefore, on this day, if you’re complaining about something, is it worth the emotional stress, or can you just let it go?

Besides, we’ve all heard the phrase Why complain? It does go anyway.

How we downplay it is totally up to us.

Therefore, we should just be grateful and rejoice in what we have been given.

I’ll give you two quotes to think about this week:

“You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.” – Shirley Chisholm

“Never tell your problems and complaints to anyone; twenty percent don’t care, and the other eighty percent are glad you have them.” – Lou Holtz

Today, I challenge you to ask the question the next time you feel like complaining: Is it worth it? Give yourself 24 hours to think about it. If not, think about taking a trip to your local hospital and sitting in the hospital lobby that I mentioned earlier.

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/stop-complaining/

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The Scars We Hide and Those We Don’t

Allow me to ask you a question:  Have you ever heard the words “What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger”?

This famous saying comes from the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who wrote in his 1888 book Twilight of the Idols.

What Doesn’t Kill You, Makes You Stronger Meaning: What Does It Mean? – English Study Online

Although I’ve spent many years in Germany, I was unaware.

As a product of the Civil Rights Movement and a Baby Boomer, I grew up with parents who didn’t believe in sparing the rod.

There are various versions of Proverbs 13:24, tied to sparing the rod depending on how you feel; I’m sure one of them suits you best.

Proverbs 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Today, we know that what happens to children who misbehave or do not listen to their parents is different from what it was in the past.

I don’t consider myself someone who misbehaved, but someone who obviously didn’t understand what I was told to do.

Sometimes I took those whippings for the team.

I recently burned myself about a month ago, taking something out of the oven. The burn was not visible on the front of my arm, but on the back of my forearm, which was hidden from those approaching me from the front.

Although I didn’t see the scar until two days later, I felt it for days after the event.

As I think about the scars we hide, I’m always concerned about the scars we don’t see.

Just like my burn that showed up after the fact. I didn’t see it right off; it took it forming properly for me to see it.

Every day, when I walk into places like Walmart or other places where I must navigate past people, I look at their faces.

Each person has a different façade they bring to the marketplace.

Granted, I didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth and have lived all over the world after my high school graduation.

It was in those lessons of understanding responsibility, where my parents, who didn’t believe in sparing the rod if one of my siblings got hurt or I didn’t obey, helped make me stronger.

There is a time and a place for everything, and luckily, I had great mentors in the military who shared their wisdom.

But what about our youth today- who’s giving them the guidance and wisdom required to be more disciplined in life?

Many years ago, I was required to study Sigmund Freud as part of my Clinical Mental Health Counseling program to understand the Id, Ego, and Superego.

Maybe that is why the scars we hide and those we don’t are what my unconscious mind is thinking about today.

Freud’s Theory of the Unconscious Mind: The Iceberg Analogy

We don’t know what the surface is until we trigger something, and then it’s up to us to react either in the Id, ego, or superego.

One of the things I’m most proud of is my patience as I write in my journal when I need to exercise better self-control.

Although I know the scars that I had to go through to get to a point in my life, many don’t see the scars because there’s an analogy of not keeping good records of bad things that resonates within me.

Don’t Keep Records of Bad Things – Mckinleys

This week is my reminder that “The Scars We Hide and Those We Don’t” are real, and it’s a matter of letting go of things that can rob you of your joy.

Frank Sinatra has said, “Don’t hide your scars. They make you who you are.”

All those people whom I see with frowns on their faces that I mentioned in places such as Walmart or other places where I must navigate past people, this is why I look at their faces.

“Live your life in such a way that you’ll be remembered for your kindness, compassion, fairness, character, benevolence, and a force for good who had much respect for life, in general.”  ― Germany Kent

“No matter how dysfunctional your background, how broke or broken you are, where you are today, or what anyone else says, YOU MATTER, and your life matters!”  ― Germany Kent

Today, I challenge you to put a smile on your face, because someone else is in a worse shape than you.

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