I am now a Blogger
by
Gordon Graham
Technology has finally forced me to enter the world of "Bloggers." Is that the word for people who Blog? Phones are being pushed aside by texting, and the web has made face-to-face (live) communication a rarity.
Progress can be painful for those of us who enjoy the human to human interaction. I've been a public speaker all of my (legal) career. The energy and creativity that evolves from live interaction would be hard to duplicate through the internet. (That's probably a point that could be argued by "Techies." Is that the word for people who are addicted to technology)
Anyway, I'm going to enter this highway to the world to offer insights that may add value to people challenged by a rapidly changing world.
Affirmation for the day: I believe in myself and I believe that I can make a difference!
Peace,
Gordy
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Memorial Day
Memorial Day
by
Gordon Graham
Memorial Day is a reminder to all of us that, “Freedom isn’t free.” Just in my lifetime, thousands of brave men and women have given their lives to preserve our right to live in a free society. We take so many of these freedoms for granted, and yet even today they are challenged by leaders who would deny us the right to choose our own destiny. A free society cannot survive without fair and just laws. Laws that do not discriminate based on gender, race, color, economics or political persuasion.
We should be able to disagree without being disagreeable. However, with the awesome power of technology, talking heads can polarize a country, a community and even a family. We have evolved into character assassination when a misspoken phrase can destroy a candidate’s chance of success. The truth can be slowly buried by airtime, and the bombastic attacks that play in living rooms every day across the country.
When I’m giving a presentation I have a tendency to misspeak, to say something that could be taken out of context. However, I can apologize and move on; the media doesn’t capture the error and play it over and over to make me look like something I’m not!
Television is a great resource for entertainment, news, weather, etc. It has control buttons that allow you to select stations and adjust volume, but the control I really like is the “off” button! So when the vitriol starts I change stations or hit the “off” switch. That really helps my mental health!
One of our most powerful freedoms is to choose, every two to four years, those who represent us in congress. We live in a diverse society. The United States offers the same freedoms, the same rights to all citizens that choose to obey the laws of a free society. We have a responsibility to exercise this freedom with the highest regard for all.
Have a peaceful, thoughtful – Free! - Memorial Day!
Peace, Gordon Graham
by
Gordon Graham
Memorial Day is a reminder to all of us that, “Freedom isn’t free.” Just in my lifetime, thousands of brave men and women have given their lives to preserve our right to live in a free society. We take so many of these freedoms for granted, and yet even today they are challenged by leaders who would deny us the right to choose our own destiny. A free society cannot survive without fair and just laws. Laws that do not discriminate based on gender, race, color, economics or political persuasion.
We should be able to disagree without being disagreeable. However, with the awesome power of technology, talking heads can polarize a country, a community and even a family. We have evolved into character assassination when a misspoken phrase can destroy a candidate’s chance of success. The truth can be slowly buried by airtime, and the bombastic attacks that play in living rooms every day across the country.
When I’m giving a presentation I have a tendency to misspeak, to say something that could be taken out of context. However, I can apologize and move on; the media doesn’t capture the error and play it over and over to make me look like something I’m not!
Television is a great resource for entertainment, news, weather, etc. It has control buttons that allow you to select stations and adjust volume, but the control I really like is the “off” button! So when the vitriol starts I change stations or hit the “off” switch. That really helps my mental health!
One of our most powerful freedoms is to choose, every two to four years, those who represent us in congress. We live in a diverse society. The United States offers the same freedoms, the same rights to all citizens that choose to obey the laws of a free society. We have a responsibility to exercise this freedom with the highest regard for all.
Have a peaceful, thoughtful – Free! - Memorial Day!
Peace, Gordon Graham
Communication
Communication
by
Gordon Graham
Technology offers so many tools for communication, and yet it’s still our biggest challenge. Faxing, texting, e-mails, blogs, Twitter, etc., have almost eliminated face-to-face conversation. There’s something about a handshake, looking another person in the eye, reading all of the non-verbal messages that are an important part of truly understanding another person that’s been all but lost with the advent of technology. However, whether we like it or not that’s the world we have created.
Peace, Gordon Graham
by
Gordon Graham
Technology offers so many tools for communication, and yet it’s still our biggest challenge. Faxing, texting, e-mails, blogs, Twitter, etc., have almost eliminated face-to-face conversation. There’s something about a handshake, looking another person in the eye, reading all of the non-verbal messages that are an important part of truly understanding another person that’s been all but lost with the advent of technology. However, whether we like it or not that’s the world we have created.
Peace, Gordon Graham
The Power To Change the World
The Power to Change the World
by Gordon Graham
The power to change the world? What an overwhelming thought! Who would be so audacious as to even consider such an impossible task? Certainly not yours truly! However, when I started the process of changing myself, miraculous things began to take place. My world suddenly got larger, people seemed friendlier, opportunities were more abundant and I realized that when you change yourself, you change the world.
That is an empowering awareness. For so many years I was stalled in neutral waiting for someone to give me a chance, to find me a job, to discover what a "helluva guy" I am! The phone stayed silent, the doorbell never rang and the mail carried bills and great savings on everything from soap to lawn mowers. How could people be so short sighted? How could they miss such a talent?
I've had many people come into my life who have opened doors for me. They gave me opportunities that few with my background ever receive, but ultimately we make our own breaks. The willingness to take a chance, or perhaps it's courage - either way you've got to reach for what you want. The one absolute truth for me is that friends are the greatest gift that life offers.
I am blessed with a wealth of good friends. They range from C.E.O.'s to convicts. My wife and partner, Eve, brings honesty, integrity and balance to my life. She keeps me from getting too full of myself. So, call an old friend today. Tell someone how important they are to you. You have the power to "make someone's day!"
Peace,
Gordon Graham
by Gordon Graham
The power to change the world? What an overwhelming thought! Who would be so audacious as to even consider such an impossible task? Certainly not yours truly! However, when I started the process of changing myself, miraculous things began to take place. My world suddenly got larger, people seemed friendlier, opportunities were more abundant and I realized that when you change yourself, you change the world.
That is an empowering awareness. For so many years I was stalled in neutral waiting for someone to give me a chance, to find me a job, to discover what a "helluva guy" I am! The phone stayed silent, the doorbell never rang and the mail carried bills and great savings on everything from soap to lawn mowers. How could people be so short sighted? How could they miss such a talent?
I've had many people come into my life who have opened doors for me. They gave me opportunities that few with my background ever receive, but ultimately we make our own breaks. The willingness to take a chance, or perhaps it's courage - either way you've got to reach for what you want. The one absolute truth for me is that friends are the greatest gift that life offers.
I am blessed with a wealth of good friends. They range from C.E.O.'s to convicts. My wife and partner, Eve, brings honesty, integrity and balance to my life. She keeps me from getting too full of myself. So, call an old friend today. Tell someone how important they are to you. You have the power to "make someone's day!"
Peace,
Gordon Graham
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Speech: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Phoenix, AZ
I really enjoyed speaking to about 250 members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Phoenix, Arizona on May 21st.
The topic I spoke about was "Managing Change in Challenging Times."
Managing change both personally and professionally can be extremely difficult in today’s fast paced world. Maintaining balance as a spouse, parent, employer, employee, community leader, etc. can get a bit overwhelming at times. I talked about insights and techniques that can add some additional tools to people's tool kit of life.
The topic I spoke about was "Managing Change in Challenging Times."
Managing change both personally and professionally can be extremely difficult in today’s fast paced world. Maintaining balance as a spouse, parent, employer, employee, community leader, etc. can get a bit overwhelming at times. I talked about insights and techniques that can add some additional tools to people's tool kit of life.
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