Today, three words inspired me: “Going the Distance.”

 

When I retired from the military after 30 years in 2004, I received an autographed picture of my favorite Country Music Singer, Toby Keith.

 

Unfortunately, he finished his race last Monday, February 5, 2024.

May he rest in peace.

 

Toby Keith Cause of Death: Stomach Cancer Symptoms, Causes And More (today.com)

 

My question is, what round, quarter, or time in your life are you in?

 

I realize that might not mean much to some of you; however, let me add more context to my question.

 

This past weekend, while visiting the city of New Orleans for Mardi Gras, I thought about all the people going great distances to assemble for the various parades and events.  I witnessed people from different parts of the United States.

 

Then, before the 0700 AM Mass on Sunday morning, I attended St. Rose de Lima Catholic Church in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.   I met two people interested in where I was from, not being a local parishioner there.

 

What you don’t know is that for over 38 years, I have, in some shape, form, or fashion visited St. Rose de Lima Catholic Church in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, multiple times with my wife.  My wife was the last class to graduate when the church had a school associated with it.

 

Nonetheless, ironically, my wife decided not to make the trip this weekend, and I had promised after Mass in the morning that I would return home.

 

Through the conversations, they knew my wife and her older brother, who attended St. Rose de Lima Catholic School.

 

Immediately, I thought about a person preparing to go the distance.  You and I, for the most part, probably have a favorite sport or activity we like to play, which requires us to go the distance in preparation.

 

Therefore, I also see it as going the distance as it relates to how well we have lived.  Can we now do what we used to, and what preparation is required to continue these things?

 

Not knowing the two people I met, I gave them clues about who I was associated with as my weak ties became strong ties connecting my wife’s family with them.  Both of the people I met went to the same school with my wife and knew her late brother, who passed away years ago.

 

I always find it interesting to see the six degrees of separation between the people I meet and their connections with me.

 

My question to you this morning is, when people start connecting the dots in your life, what might they say about you?  How far have you gone in making a difference in someone’s life?  How far back will they reach as they remember you, negative or positive?

 

We only have a specific amount of time on this earth, so why not make a difference while we can?  I’m also aware that each person has a resolve to do certain things or not in life.

 

As I walked away from the people I met over the weekend, I wondered if my weak ties that started the conversation became strong ties.

 

When someone calls your name today, how well will they remember you going the distance, or are you already knocked down?

What history are you making for yourself?

 

There is something about achieving dreams and making history, like last night’s Super Bowl for those in attendance.

 

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/going-the-distance/

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Most of you are aware that last Wednesday (June 19, 2024), many people around the United States were able to celebrate the newest federal holiday.

Although this holiday is only in its third year, I have seen a difference in places of employment taking advantage of this specific federal holiday.

Banks were closed, trash pick-up did not occur, mail did not run, and most federal buildings were closed.

It was Juneteenth National Independence Day, which celebrates the end of slavery in the United States.

Depending on when and where you were born, this holiday may not mean anything for many.

However, today, “From Dreams to Reality” is not about hatred, pointing fingers, watering down Juneteenth, or any other negative words or connotations. It’s about unity.

Today is about recognizing both the power of the pen and the people.

“Juneteenth was first recognized as a federal holiday in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. (Power of the Pen)

This historic event marked the first new federal holiday since the adoption of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.”

Juneteenth: History, celebrations and more about the federal holiday (msn.com)

When I think about when President Ronald Reagan signed Martin Luther King Jr. Day into law on November 2, 1983, this is a true testament to resilience. (Power of the People.)

MLK federal holiday declared | November 2, 1983 | HISTORY

Essentially, from Martin Luther King Jr. Day being signed into law and then Juneteenth being in law, it was 38 years.   Believe it or not, we are officially celebrating an end to things like the Jim Crow Laws and what freedom means in America.

Jim Crow Laws: Definition, Facts & Timeline | HISTORY

Everything that happens on Juneteenth only reminds us how far we have come as a nation and people of color.

I am not naïve that racism will never be eliminated; however, I’m forever grateful to those who stood in the gap to help eliminate it for me and others after me.

As my parent’s rest in peace, I know they are rejoicing in heaven seeing the results of President Joe Biden signing the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.

However, that doesn’t stop me from educating our youth and my children.

I must tell you that I had a wonderful four-hour Juneteenth Celebration at the Birmingham V.A. Medical Center in Birmingham, AL.

Knowing Juneteenth is a Federal Holiday, the Birmingham V.A. Medical Center held its program on Friday, June 21, 2024.

Additionally, because my Toastmasters Club V.A. Voices Toastmasters is associated with and sponsored by the Birmingham V.A. Medical Center, we were invited as a vendor in the program with other hospital sections.

I’m proud that the Birmingham V.A. Medical Center, which I’m associated with, supports Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Beyond (DEI-B).

It was the best four hours of learning in a while that was both educational and entertaining, particularly in the culture of celebrations that evolved on Juneteenth in 1865.

I was unaware of three specific things: the color of Red and the connection to Juneteenth.  (Red drinks, Red Velvet Cakes, and Red Watermelons.)

Juneteenth: Why red food and drinks have become powerful symbols | CNN

The second was the Juneteenth flag colors, created in 1997.

What the Juneteenth Flag Means – the Colors, Symbols, and History (oprahdaily.com)

The third was about the Birmingham African American Genealogy Group (BAAGG).  I did not know it was the oldest African American Genealogy Group in Alabama, established in 1999.

The Birmingham African American Genealogy Group Inc – Alabama 1999-2024 (baagginc.blogspot.com)

Never in my wildest dreams, when I joined Toastmasters five years ago, would or could I have imagined that I would be part of a program of this magnitude.  The theme was “From Dreams to Reality,” which says it all!

I don’t know how you celebrated your Juneteenth this year; however, I ask that you think about how you will take some time to reflect on the importance of Juneteenth next year.

“Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory or an acceptance of the way things are. It’s a celebration of progress. It’s an affirmation that despite the most painful parts of our history, change is possible—and there is still so much work to do.” —Barack Obama

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/from-dreams-to-reality/

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This week focuses on the various dispositions of what others see.

 

I overheard a father telling his son what he would do to him; however, it was not worth repeating if he disobeyed one more time.

 

That same day, as I visited my local Walmart, many know someone usually checks your receipt on the way out the door.

 

Depending on how many items they may wave to you on your way out the door.

 

As I prepared to show my receipt for the salad and bread, I was given the wave I usually receive from one of my favorite Walmart Checkers.

 

Although he is grossly overweight and unable to stand physically for too long, he sits with a smile worth seeing on the way out the door.

 

What you would witness is if you can imagine a big smile and a wave that states have a good day without saying a word.

 

I tell myself that, of the 30-plus times I’ve seen him, it’s always the same authentic smile and wave.

 

I would like to have what he is drinking.

 

Sadly, others could learn a lesson watching him.

 

Every day, we have various choices regarding our disposition for the day.  Maybe, you witnessed or noticed that sometimes you and I can become irritated at something so small that it turns our world upside down.

 

Sometimes, it can be something minor that turns into something major that we think is too big to deal with, and it lingers throughout the day.

 

Then, on the other hand, it could be a combination of taking a personal timeout and just praying about it, provided we are focused enough.

 

As I continue to study the various aspects of positive intelligence and master the importance of finding gifts and opportunities in every situation, I often wonder what others are doing about their specific dispositions on display for all to see.

 

We’ve all heard impatient mothers or fathers tell their children, “Wait until we get home.”

 

Is waiting something we want to do?

 

We live in a different time, with various generations seeing and mirroring others.

 

As I attended the 0800 Mass this morning, my disposition was to satisfy an obligation and attend Mass before returning home.

 

Travel and Catholics’ Sunday Obligation to Attend Mass (learnreligions.com)

 

This was the disposition I had before going to sleep, knowing that I had a Sunday obligation to participate in Mass even when away from home.

 

It felt good when the Priest said, “Turn to your left and right and greet the person next to you.”

 

That alone made it all worth the 26-minute ride to get there.  Not to mention, I had googled “Catholic Churches near me” and found one that had Mass at 0800 before traveling back home from my weekend in Tennessee.

 

Finally, the last exciting conversation was just before checking out when one of the housekeepers knocked on a door and said, “Housekeeping.”

 

Ironically, as I was behind the maintenance man heading to my room, he said, “Just kick it in; that will give me something to fix.”

 

Sometimes, people say the darndest things, and it doesn’t matter who’s listening.

 

My first thought is that it’s a Sunday morning and not even 10:AM, and that’s your disposition for the day.

 

Today, I challenge you to consider your disposition for this past weekend.  Did it show on your face, or was it concealed from others?

 

I took notice of the various dispositions of others, watching and listening to people complain about how hot it was this weekend.

 

It doesn’t bother me because I have been in temperatures over 130 degrees in the shade, and my mantra is that I will not complain.

 

As we prepare for the summer heat, let’s turn not to let the heat get the best of us or our attitudes.

 

As the Dalai Lama might say, “Don’t let the behaviors of others destroy your inner peace.”

 

Have a great week ahead, and watch your dispositions.  You never know who’s watching you!

 

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/dispositions-and-what-others-see/

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When was the last time you thought about bravery being on the line?

I often write and tell people that America is quick to forget history lessons from the past.

“Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it.” Is a quote stated by American philosopher George Santayana.

https://quoteinvestigator.com/2024/03/04/past-repeat/

Question for Quote Investigator: The study of history teaches vital lessons; however, those lessons are often unheeded. Here are five versions of a popular adage:

(1) Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

(2) Those who do not learn from the experience of history are doomed to repeat it.

(3) Those who cannot learn from the mistakes of the past are destined to repeat them.

(4) Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

(5) Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.

As a Brigade Command Sergeant Major (Bde CSM) from 1998-2000, I had several Noncommissioned Officers under my control write a book report on Normandy or D-Day.

The purpose was preparation for a staff ride to Normandy, France.

As a leader, I wanted them to know the sacrifices of those who paid the ultimate price as we prepared for a seven-day Staff Ride to Normandy, France, and witness what bravery was all about.

Anytime I hear or think of Normandy, I see bravery on the line.

Ironically, shortly after I took on my leadership role as the Bde CSM Tom Brokaw, a well-known journalist, wrote the book “The Greatest Generation” in 1998.

The Greatest Generation (book) – Wikipedia

To this very day, from the time that I visited Normandy, (latter half of 1999 or earlier part of 2000) the lessons of repeating history continue to ring loudly in my ears.

I believe that until you have visited the cemetery in Normandy where soldiers are buried, you will not fully understand what the word bravery means.

Normandy American Cemetery | American Battle Monuments Commission (abmc.gov)

For those who speak French or have roots in France, The Normandy American Cemetery, in my humble opinion, is even more breathtaking than Arlington National Cemetery, which I have visited and walked to.

The Normandy American Cemetery and the history of the D-Day gravediggers (outono.net)

Last week (June 6, 2024), we celebrated the 80th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion or D-Day.

I feel so blessed to know what bravery looks like and how that specific history lesson of 80 years ago during World War II changed the world as we fight for democracy.

I’m incredibly honored to know that I stood near the location where Presidents Ronald Regan and Joe Biden respectfully gave the 40th and 80th Commemoration speeches of D-Day.

I also consider my visit to Normandy, France, and those who attended the staff ride with me a powerful reminder of those who went before us.

As a member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club and Sergeant Morales Club, I was responsible for their training and development.

The dramatic story of Pointe du Hoc, the backdrop to Biden’s D-Day anniversary speech | Health News Florida (usf.edu)

As mentioned previously, I had them write a book report.  I also read each of their book reports for clarity and purpose.  This was part of my Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development (NCOPD) Program to help them write better.

You must set standards when you’re in charge of Hundreds of Enlisted soldiers.

Initially, I received pushback when I told them they would not go to Normandy if they didn’t write it.  Their attitude changed when they could walk on the five beaches: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.

They understood why Pointe du Hoc was critical and a strategic location where the brave men of Army Rangers scaled cliffs in the face of withering German Machine Gun fire.

They could also hear the unmistakable sounds of what a German Machine gun sounds like compared to an American machine Gun.

We also visited one of the strangest events of the D-Day invasion, which took place in Sainte-Mère-Église.

As a paratrooper, I know what it means not to land on the ground in the middle of the night.

The D-Day paratrooper who landed on a church (aleteia.org)

Although this celebration or anniversary may have slipped by many because they have no idea of what bravery on the line looks like, it’s a reminder that all branches of military service are putting bravery on the line every day.

It reminds me to continue to tell our history to those young men and women following in our footsteps.

I get it when I think of bravery on the line and having walked the five beaches of Normandy, especially Omaha Beach.

The Greatest Generation that Tom Brokaw wrote about in his book gives credit to those who were part of the Normandy Invasion.  By the way, today, there are few in numbers that are still alive and able to tell their story.

The book I read cover to cover in my preparation for Normandy was Victory #1 Beyond the Beachhead: The 29th Division in Normandy by Joseph Balkoski, and Stephen E. Ambrose (Foreword).

It’s an excellent read for understanding D-Day.

Maybe the history of Normandy doesn’t mean much to you today, or you have no desire to visit France; however, remember, “Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it.”

Every day, many continue to forget about the freedoms we have today as we witness the wars in Ukraine and in the Holy Land.

Some have even forgotten about the bravery that was on the line during the September 11, 2001, attacks when four commercial passenger airplanes carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States.

Bravery on the line happens daily, whether we notice it or not.

6 Soldier Stories of Army Bravery · United Service Organizations (uso.org)

You don’t have to serve in the military to understand the importance of bravery on the line, as we witnessed and learned many lessons during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

If you recall the first line written in this blog, “When was the last time you thought about bravery being on the line?”

I’ll say that I’m honored after years of red tape, Cpl. Waverly B. Woodson Jr., a Black medic, is now receiving recognition for his heroics on D-Day 80 years after the Allied invasion of Normandy.

If you listen, watch the video, and understand what happened specifically on Omaha Beach, Cpl. Waverly B. Woodson Jr. put his bravery on the line, saving countless lives.

Video: Black medic finally recognized for bravery during D-Day | CNN

I like the definition of bravery stated by Morgan Harper Nichols.  “Bravery is the audacity to be unhindered by failures, and to walk with freedom, strength, and hope in the face of things unknown.”

I pray that the American people will not forget the history lessons of the past and learn from them as we move into the future.

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/bravery-on-the-line/

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Crafting a successful event hinges on many crucial aspects, and a captivating speaker can truly elevate the experience for your audience. Whether you're organizing a corporate conference, a motivational seminar, or a community gathering, engaging a public speaker from Alabama can bring a wealth of local flavor and expertise to your event.

Public speakers in Alabama come from diverse backgrounds and possess a range of specializations. From business leaders and industry experts to educators, authors, and social media influencers, there's a speaker perfectly suited to resonate with your target audience and event theme.

 

How Public Speakers in Alabama Can Elevate Your Event

Enhanced Credibility and Authority: A renowned speaker brings instant credibility to your event, attracting a larger audience and garnering more interest. Their expertise in the chosen topic lends weight to the overall message and fosters a sense of trust among attendees.

 

Engaging Delivery and Audience Interaction: Skilled public speakers in Alabama captivate audiences with their dynamic presentation styles. They weave humor, storytelling, and interactive elements into their talks, ensuring the content is both informative and entertaining. This fosters a connection with the audience, keeping them engaged throughout the event.

 

Fresh Perspectives and Insights: Public speakers often delve into industry trends, current events, and innovative ideas. Their presentations offer attendees valuable insights and a fresh perspective on the chosen topic, sparking meaningful conversations and takeaways.

 

Memorable Event Experience: A powerful speaker leaves a lasting impression. Their ability to inspire, educate, and entertain creates a memorable experience for attendees, solidifying the positive impact of your event.

 

Finding the Perfect Public Speaker in Alabama

 

With a plethora of talented public speakers in Alabama, selecting the ideal one necessitates careful consideration. Here are some key factors to guide your search:

 

Area of Expertise: Identify the specific topic or theme of your event. Align it with the speaker's area of specialization to ensure a relevant and informative presentation.

 

Target Audience: Consider the demographics and interests of your attendees. Choose a speaker whose communication style and message resonate with your audience, maximizing engagement.

 

Presentation Style: Evaluate the speaker's presentation style. Some speakers favor a formal approach, while others are more informal and interactive. Choose a style that complements your event's format and atmosphere.

 

Testimonials and Reviews: Research the speaker's past engagements. Read testimonials and reviews from previous clients to gauge their effectiveness and audience reception.

 

Speaker Fees: Public speaker fees vary depending on experience, popularity, and the duration of the engagement. Determine your budget beforehand and shortlist speakers whose fees align with your financial constraints.

Beyond the Basics: Optimizing Your Event with a Public Speaker in Alabama

 

Once you've secured a phenomenal public speaker in Alabama, consider these additional tips to maximize the impact of their participation:

 

Collaborative Planning: Work closely with the speaker to understand their presentation style and tailor the event format accordingly. This ensures a seamless flow and a cohesive experience for attendees.

 

Event Promotion: Leverage the speaker's reputation to promote your event. Utilize their name and bio in marketing materials to attract a wider audience and generate excitement.

 

Q&A Session: Facilitate a Q&A session after the presentation. This allows attendees to interact with the speaker, delve deeper into specific topics, and gain personalized insights.

 

Social Media Integration: Encourage the speaker and attendees to share their experiences on social media using a designated event hashtag. This expands your reach and fosters online engagement.

 

By strategically incorporating a public speaker in Alabama into your event, you can elevate the overall experience, engage your audience, and achieve your event goals. With careful planning and the right speaker, your event can become a resounding success.

 

In conclusion, public speakers in Alabama offer a wealth of talent and expertise to enhance your event. By considering the factors mentioned above and strategically integrating a speaker into your program, you can create a truly memorable and impactful experience for your audience.

 

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