The Battles We Fight

A few weeks ago, as I sat in the nail salon while waiting for my wife to get her pedicure, I had an epiphany.

The people who owned the Nail Salon were in deep chatter in their native tongue.

As I tried to figure out which language they were speaking and looked around the shop for clues, I realized they were all Vietnamese; I immediately thought about the battles we’ve fought and are still fighting.

For me, it was a humbling experience, as I wore my military hat that stated I was a Gulf War Veteran.

Although I didn’t serve in Vietnam, my father did, and I came in just as the war was ending.

I often wonder what other nationalities think of Americans.

We have many foreigners who have prospered and broken the code to success.

However, in that moment of all the chatter that was going on back and forth subconsciously, I was thinking it had not been that long ago since the Vietnam War ended.

I know some are unaware of when the Vietnam War ended, which was on April 30, 1975.  I had already joined the military in June 1974.

I was able to hear some of the war stories as a new recruit and witness the things we don’t talk about today.

Vietnam War | Facts, Summary, Years, Timeline, Casualties, Combatants, & Facts | Britannica

However, I have come to realize that many are still reliving the Civil War that ended in 1865 with the surrender of the Confederate Army.

When and How Did The American Civil War End? | History Hit

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I’m somewhat reminded of the words Abraham Lincoln said to Ulysses S. Grant that are still happening today: “Politicians, not Generals, will set the terms of peace.

As we look at a nation that remains divided, “The battles we’ve fought” are still being fought.

Understanding it’s football season, we even have a Blue and Grey Bowl.

The Blue-Grey All-American Bowl took place at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Raymond James Stadium last year on January 27, 2025, and was broadcast on ESPN’s family of networks

This year, the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl is in Dallas, Texas, on December 21, 2026, at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium (TX).

All-American Bowl Schedule – Blue-Grey Football High School All-American Football Games and Combines

Even at our youth level, today’s players are being prepped for the battles ahead as they prepare for scouts and college football.

Ironically, various schools will not teach anything about Critical Race Theory (CRT), yet the students are learning about it on the football fields.

Many understand the consequences of teaching CRT and remain focused on securing school funding, a measure introduced by the state legislature under the current administration.

Trump Signs Orders to Defund Schools Teaching CRT and Promote School Choice | NTD

In a few weeks, I plan to be in the presence of a Medal of Honor recipient.  Major James Capers Jr., as I prepare to attend my second Military Influencer Conference this year in Tampa, Florida.

James Capers Jr | Vietnam War | U.S. Marine Corps | Medal of Honor Recipient

I met Major Capers last year at the 2025 Military Influencer Conference, during the MIC-MIGHTY 25 Gala in Atlanta, Georgia.

So, when you think about “The battles we’ve fought,” just know they are continuous if we want them to be.

“Soldiers generally win battles; Generals get credit for them.” ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

“Part of the happiness of life consists not in fighting battles, but in avoiding them. A masterly retreat is in itself a victory.”  ~ Norman Vincent Peale

Today, I challenge you to reflect on the battles you’ve fought.  The question is, are you still fighting them?

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/the-battles-we-fight/

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Huntsville, AL Businesses: Book a Motivational Speaker Who Actually Knows Your Industry

Huntsville's business community is different from a lot of mid-size cities. It's anchored by aerospace, defense, and a fast-growing tech sector, and that changes what actually works on a stage in front of your team. Generic motivational content lands flat here. Here's what to look for instead, and how to avoid booking the wrong fit for your event.

A speaker who's worked with engineering-heavy, technically-minded audiences understands that Huntsville teams respond better to concrete frameworks than abstract inspiration. Someone unfamiliar with the region's pace and culture often defaults to a generic keynote that could be delivered anywhere, and it shows within the first few minutes. Local familiarity isn't a nice-to-have; it's the difference between a talk that resonates and one that's forgotten by the following week.

What Should You Look for When Comparing Motivational Speakers in Huntsville, AL?

When comparing motivational speakers in Huntsville, AL, look past the highlight reel and ask about substance: does the speaker offer a specific, teachable framework, or just an hour of high energy with no follow-through? Ask for examples of past corporate audiences similar to yours, and request a full clip from a live event rather than a polished sizzle reel that only shows the best thirty seconds. A speaker with real leadership experience, not just stage experience, tends to bring content that holds up under scrutiny from a technically-minded audience used to asking hard questions.

How Much Does It Cost to Book a Motivational Speaker in Huntsville, AL?

Pricing varies widely based on event length, audience size, and whether the engagement is a single keynote or a full workshop day built around hands-on practice. Ask for a clear breakdown that includes travel, any materials, and follow-up resources, rather than a single flat number, since hidden costs are the most common source of budget surprises after booking. Local speakers based in the Huntsville and Madison area often reduce travel costs considerably compared to a national bureau flying someone in from out of state.

What Questions Should You Ask Before Booking?

Before committing, ask what the speaker's core message is in a single sentence. If they can't summarize it clearly, your audience likely won't either, no matter how much energy they bring to the room. Ask how they customize content for different industries, what their typical audience size looks like, and what happens if you need to reschedule close to the event date. A speaker who answers these directly, without vague marketing language, is usually the safer bet for a corporate budget.

How Far in Advance Should You Book a Motivational Speaker for a Huntsville Event?

Most experienced motivational speakers in Huntsville, AL get booked out several weeks to a few months ahead, especially around common event seasons like Q1 kickoffs and year-end conferences. Reaching out early gives you more flexibility on date and format, and gives the speaker enough time to properly tailor the session to your team rather than reusing a generic deck on short notice because nothing else was available.

What Makes a Local Speaker Different From a National Speaker Bureau?

A national bureau matches you with whoever's available and fits your budget, often someone who has never set foot in Alabama and has no reason to understand its business culture. A local speaker brings firsthand understanding of the Tennessee Valley business community, from Huntsville's aerospace and technology sector to the region's broader corporate base, and can build that context directly into the session rather than bolting on a few local references at the last minute.

The right fit isn't necessarily the most famous name, it's the speaker whose experience and delivery actually match your team and your goals. Take the time to compare a couple of options directly, ask the questions above, and trust the answers more than the promotional copy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to hire a motivational speaker? Costs vary based on event length, audience size, and travel requirements. Ask for an itemized quote rather than a flat number so you know exactly what's included before you commit to a budget.

What's the difference between a motivational speaker and a keynote speaker? "Keynote speaker" describes the speaking slot itself, while "motivational speaker" describes the content style. A keynote can be motivational, educational, or industry-specific depending on who's delivering it and what the event calls for.

How do I find a motivational speaker for my company? Start with your event's specific goal, then look for speakers with relevant industry experience and verifiable audience feedback, rather than choosing based on name recognition alone.

How long should a motivational speaker talk? Most corporate keynotes run thirty to sixty minutes, though workshop-style sessions can run several hours depending on how hands-on the content is and how much practice time is built in.

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Knowledge and Wisdom

I have written about wisdom before; however, the question is: what do knowledge and wisdom mean to you?

Today, with the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) becoming more prevalent, what does wisdom mean to you?

What is each one of us doing to increase it and learn from the wisdom of others?

Some of it is a knowledge transfer to our youth for those who want to listen.

Some of it is being poured into by others attending conferences and learning new things we did not know.

For all practical purposes, let’s use the word metacognition.  Merriam-Webster defines it as “The awareness or analysis of one’s own learning or thinking processes.”

METACOGNITION Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster

As a lifelong learner, I’m still working every day to acquire new information I was either numb to or didn’t know existed.

We are all an open book.  “When we live our life as if it is an open book, we are free in body, mind, and spirit and allow anyone to read from our pages.” — Unknown

I remember hearing a homily about being a “Living Letter.”

It’s something that I strive to be as I share my knowledge and wisdom with others.

2 Corinthians 4: Living Letters | Ken Boa Reflections

Part of what I have learned over the last three years is a deeper understanding of both my faith and the wisdom packed within the Bible.

I don’t profess to be a Bible scholar by any means; however, what I know today is light-years ahead of what I knew three years ago.

Sometimes we must be intentional in learning more, and that is what I have done over the last three years.

If you have ever read “The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz and Janet Mills,” it’s this wisdom that I continue to learn and dream from as I search for new knowledge and wisdom.

Many of us discriminate against what we want to learn and dream about, or against what we perceive as worth knowing.

Although my parents are no longer on this earth, the life lessons they imparted to me are and remain a powerful insight into who I am today.

It’s that wisdom and knowledge that make me who I am.

Each of us has the freedom to learn once we leave the house as we strike out in our adult lives.

To me, there is so much we can learn from the wisdom that is yet unknown or untapped.

Years ago, I converted to Catholicism and found myself with the wisdom to understand the word “judgment”.

It’s within the specific word that I found out about the poison we put on others and ourselves.

It’s poison when we judge others and feel the need to judge them.

Today, the wisdom and knowledge of understanding that being a living letter is not about judging others and reading have helped take my wisdom to another level.

My question to you is: how has your search for knowledge and wisdom turned out, and what does it mean to you?

I’m well aware that each of us has blind spots we can’t see, yet what do others see in you when they ask for your opinion on something?

I’ll close with a specific reminder that stays with me when I’m attending any social or conference event and talking with people for the first time.

It’s having the wisdom to speak on any topic, or at least to know something about it, as a sign of being well-read.

Although I don’t profess to be a know-it-all, growing up, some adults would tell me, “I’ve forgotten more than you know,” which was a driving factor in learning more than the person I was speaking to.

When I hear those words, it’s a reminder that there is more to learn.

Marcus Aurelius consistently stressed virtues like self-control, patience, fortitude, and wisdom.

“Knowledge alone is not power; it becomes power only when applied effectively through action, judgment, and influence.”

Knowledge Is Not Power | Conversational Leadership

Today, I challenge you to consider what knowledge and wisdom mean to you. Are you passing it on to the next generation, or are you just living and allowing your wisdom to shrink or atrophy?

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/knowledge-and-wisdom/

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