We lost our Sammy Ca

We lost our Sammy Cat yesterday. He was 20 years old. (I don't know how that translates into people years.) He was a big part of our world. Only cat/animal lovers can understand how those little beings work their way into your hearts. My lap will feel empty for a while, but Eve will be able to kiss me goodnight without Sammy's tail in her face! His system just wore out. Sammy Cat moves on to his next adventure. We'll miss him. Peace, Gordy Graham

It snowed in our tow

It snowed in our town last night, and we live on a hill! Eve and I walked in the snow to get home last night - the car just wouldn't climb that steep rise. As anyone who knows me will attest - "I am a driver!" So imagine how tough it must haave been for the average driver, if even I couldn't make it! LOL (No editing, Eve!) Peace, Gordy Graham

My second book, "Cha

My second book, "Change Is An Inside Job," included a section on "Lessons Learned." One lesson that still holds true is, you can't be all things to all people. We all bring something to the game, which suggests that we can achieve much more through collaboration, so let's find areas of interest where we can combine our efforts. I don't choose to be "the Lone Ranger," so let's see what we can do together. One other point - something that will ring the cash register for everyone would be helpful during these belt-tightening times! Peace, Gordy Graham

Gordy Graham: Happy New Year 2011

It's a New Year - le

It's a New Year - let's make it one of the best! Our time is precious, so let's use it wisely. This is a good year to make a positive difference. Let me know if I can be an asset to your efforts! Peace, Gordy Graham

The year 2010 is win

The year 2010 is winding down. It's been challenging. We lost two of our closest friends, and two of Eve's family members. They leave holes in our lives. I'm ready for 2011. Let's make it a good one and do great things! Peace, Gordy Graham

Thanksgiving brings

Thanksgiving brings out the best in people; free turkeys to the needy, dinners for the hungry and open doors for the homeless. It's a day to give thanks and to be thankful for all we have; it's a day to share with those less fortunate - my kind of day! I'm blessed and thankful for my wife, Eve, my family and many friends - also a profoundly good dinner! ...And thanks for being you and for all you bring to this world. Peace, Gordy Graham

Every city or agency

Every city or agency I've worked with over the years is special. However El Palo Alto in California's Bay Area, will always hold a unique place in my memories for its special people, great heart and outstanding accomplishments. People change, but the desire for continuous improvement is alive and well in E. Palo Alto!. Peace, Gordy Graham

Keeping your vision

Keeping your vision for the future, and a clear picture of current reality, can be challenging at times, but the gap between the two is what creates the motivation needed to keep on keepin' on! Peace, Gordy Graham

Hindsight is always

Hindsight is always 20/20. It's filled with would'ves, could'ves and should'ves. There's a concept that has great merit: "deliberate preparation for a predetermined outcome." There's no free lunch. As a great athlete once told me, "Game day is the day before the game." Take nothing for granted. Prepare to win. Preparation plus opportunity equals success! Peace, Gordy Graham

Hindsight is always

Hindsight is always 20/20. It's filled with would'ves, could'ves and should'ves. There's a concept that has great merit: "deliberate preparation for a predetermined outcome." There's no free lunch. As a great athlete once told me, "Game day is the day before the game." Take nothing for granted. Prepare to win. Preparation plus opportunity equals success! Peace, Gordy Graham

Election day! Eve an

Election day! Eve and I mailed in our ballots last week, so it's just a matter of waiting now for the results. For so many years elections held very little interest for me. Now I find myself extremely concerned with who is chosen to represent our city, state and country. If labels applied I would be considered a liberal. However, there are issues where I am quite the opposite. The person running for office, not whether they're Democrat, Republican or Independent, is more important to me than his or her political affiliation. Two politicians from my state of Washington that I always admired are Dan Evans, a Republican, and Boothe Gardner, a Democrat. It does seem that the Democratic position on most issues is closer to my own views. Equal access to opportunities, honesty, fairness, optimistic view of the future, independent thinker, not controlled by the money, a commitment to keep jobs in this country - these are the qualities I'm looking for. One person can make a difference, and each vote counts. Peace, Gordy Graham

It's Monday night, N

It's Monday night, November 1st. Tomorrow we have the opportunity and the feedom - paid for by the blood of Patriots - to cast our ballot for the people we feel will best advocate for those issues that we support. Newspapers, radio and the Goliath of the media and the tube have been bombarding our living rooms with ads - paid for by the candidates? Not really! The media ads are funded by groups that have the most to gain by getting a candidate elected. In my humble opinion, the candidate with the bucks to hire the best writers, the most ad time and the largest and highest paid staff will be most likely to win. Once in a decade or so there's an upset. I'd really like to see a couple tomorrow, but I've only got one vote. Fortunately, my wife Eve and I are usually on the same page. Money talks, but the Washington Huskies beat U.S.C.; anything can happen. Get out and vote! Peace, Gordy Graham

Maintaining good men

Maintaining good mental health when things are positive is no challenge; it's when times get tough that it takes discipline. I've found that the glass half full is more encouraging than the glass half empty. My humble opinion. Peace, Gordy

There are so many go

There are so many good, caring people in our cities and states that keep providing services and support in spite of the continuous political battles that fill the air waves. How you can character assassinate someone and then have lunch together is bizarre in my humble opinion! ...But I guess that's politics! Peace, Gordy Graham

I'm not ready for th

I'm not ready for the change of season! The summer was too short and we are already deep into fall. Time seems to speed up, and there's so much that needs doing and you'e trying to change the world! I think I'll just step back and enjoy life as it unfolds, enjoy my wife and partner, Eve, and continue to make my little contribution to imporve things in the world while recognizing that there are many others on the same journey. Peace, Gordy Graham

It's amazing how muc

It's amazing how much time we spend in the Circle of Concern! This is the area where we have no control over the outcome, i.e., the weather, or whether our plane will be on time, etc. I always come back to my Circle of Influence, and ask myself what I can do about it, then take the necessary action if it's within my Circle of Influence, or let it go if it's outside. I sometimes find myself spending too much time in the Circle of Concern, however I always recognize that I have a choice! Peace, Gordy Graham

Humility is a strang

Humility is a strange thing. The minute you think you've got it, you've lost it. - Unknown Peace, Gordy Graham

I attended a 2-1/2 d

I attended a 2-1/2 day seminar over the weekend, taught by Lou Tice. This is the seminar that impacted my life 38 years ago. There were 300 or so participants from all across the world. It always amazes me how relevant the same concepts are today. The way we think has a direct correlation on how well our life works. This is as true today as it was all those years ago. Truth is truth, and it's timeless. Going through a session as a participant again is always a good reminder. I'm in Chicago on Wednesday doing an event for a company there. I'll do a better job because of this weekend. It's a good reminder to think about what you think about! Peace, Gordy Graham

While I was out for

While I was out for my daily (almost) walk, I was thinking about all of the travel I've done over the years. I've flown, just on United, a million and a half miles since they started the mileage program. There's a song with the lyrics, "I've been everywhere man." However it's generally in and out, airports, hotels and conference rooms. The only times I actually visit an area, as a rule, is when my wife, Eve, travels with me. Last week I was in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Got in at night, car to the hotel, conference center, car to the airport and home. They told me Nova Scotia is a beautiful place. I've been there now, but haven't seen much of it! However, I love what I do and plan to stay places a little longer when I have the opportunity. When I look back at my life - 17 years in prison, a year on bread and water - it seems more like fiction. What a blessing it is to be in the game. I never forget where I came from, though, or miss a chance to visit men and women in prison whenever I can. Peace, Gordy Graham