davidNprogress

Twenty years.... Launch day of the Sprint network It is hard to wrap my head around that number thinking how long I have been with my employer as of today. I joined just five years of working after graduating college to be part of something that at that time was totally new. Prior to 1996 by law there were only two wireless carriers in each town. That helped things remain stable as this newfangled technology was growing and at the same time limited competition. The government decided more players in the marketplace would reduce prices and increase innovation. Of course the billions of dollars that were to be made in the spectrum auctions were not a bad thing either for Uncle Sam. I was working for one of the two at the time and thought it would be exciting to be part of a ground up new start opportunity.   During these last many years I have been part of a lot of changes. I stepped into this company as a newlywed and soon had a house, a son and a growing set of respo

This week is our 21 st wedding anniversary. I can clearly remember the days as a teen and later as a young adult longing to have love in my life. I was never much of a ladies guy and there were times when I was sure I would never find the right person. It turns out I did not need to find anyone as thanks to a mutual friend we found each other through a blind date. Imagine that! A simple lunch set up turning into a lifetime of togetherness. We are proof that it can happen. Someone this week through e-mail made a comment about our length of marriage success and kiddingly said he should get advice from me. Me being me I could not help but respond with some top of mind thoughts. Here they are Marry the right person to start (people are not fixer uppers) Be partners (no separate accounts; no secrets) Have common interests (hobbies that you do together) Have uncommon interests (Hobbies that make you/her happy and provide “me” time) Honor with actions (Always strive to th

While out at lunch the other day I had to pull the car over for a rather long funeral procession. As the police motorcycles, hearse and other cars streamed by the King and Country song “Let my life be the proof of your love.” Let my life be the proof, The proof of Your love Let my love look like You and what You’re made of How You lived, how You died Live is sacrificed So let my life be the proof The proof of Your love Some pretty serious words to ponder sitting there in my car at lunch on Monday. I have no idea who was in the hearse or what kind of life that person may have led. Just judging by the number of cars in the procession this was a person of great impact.  As I waited, I thought a lot about my life. Is it proof? Do others know through my actions what I feel in my heart and say in my head? When the end of my journey comes will I leave any legacy? Here is the good news. My ride this Monday was far different from the person in the hearse as I was up

“Just because you are passionate about something doesn’t mean you won’t suck at it” Mike Rowe I grew up with a passion for music.  My greatest thrill as a youth were the times when I was performing as part of the high school choir, show choir, or the marching band. What an amazing feeling to be in front of hundreds of people and to relish in the accolades of their feedback at the end of each performance. As a senior, my peers were even so kind to vote me as “best male singer”.   There was only one problem. I actually kind of sucked. In spite of my great passion for music and my strong desire to be good with an instrument or an amazing singer, I did not possess any innate ability to be any good. I have a terrible voice, poor rhythm and a lack of psychomotor skills. Heck, even after four years in the high school band I was never able to fully memorize and play the school fight song. Now that is bad. Had I followed this passion for music without a realization of my actual

Our first empty nest trip together 2015 was a big year for us as it was the year our son graduated from high school and moved on to college leaving us as empty nesters.  As the time approached my mind was filled with thoughts  about how our life and potentially our relationship would change. Our only child household had in many ways been centered on the life of our son with activities and the joy of having his friends around. There are a lot of marriages that are held together by having the child in the middle. That is a great danger if not handled with care which can lead to couples falling apart after the children have gone. On the other side, there are marriages that post children move into a new season that is full of richness and of new adventure together. It can be the beginning of the best of times together as a couple.  Six months into our empty nest life and our fear of the change has gradually abated. We have grown new relationship habits and continue to look

Yes 2016 is here and it is time once again to reflect on the year that was and plan for the year can be. For years I have taken time to write down my goals and think about what I can do differently and what I can do the same to ensure the coming months go well. There is always a lot of excitement about the start of the New Year. I have read that somewhere between 40 to 50 percent of people set resolutions or goals. I have also read that as many as 80 percent of people break at least one resolution within the first five days after setting them. Pretty sad huh? I have been there too and have at times found myself not following through with my goals and soon I am angrier and disappointed at myself more then I was before making them. One goal I have is to ride the bike 2,000 Miles in 2016 It is this feeling of repeated failure after not achieving that I think prevents many people from bothering to even try to have goals. After all, what is the point if you know you will