Monday Moanin Thought #299 Memorial Day 2018- Service And Gratitude

Happy Memorial Day 2018 Monday Moanin to all of you. When I think of Memorial Days celebrated in the past, I am reminded of  two common themes. One is service and the other is gratitude. For today’s thoughts, I will focus on gratitude. As I reflect on this day , I am filled with gratitude and awe for all of the men and women that serve on our behalf to ensure the freedom we enjoy. Read more

Monday Moanin Thoughts #298 Final Weeks? Try These Reminders

Happy May 2018 Monday Moanin to everyone. For many of you in the Midwest the final few weeks of the 2017-18 school year are winding down. Congratulations! In my recent meetings with school leaders there are a few common themes I takeaway. Most stakeholders in schools are exhausted, anxious, uncertain, stressed,  and looking forward to a break to recover, renew, and reestablish the passions that have carried them through this year. As I was preparing to write this, I was impressed and motivated by many thoughts and comments that were posted today on Twitter by several of my PLN members.  They are listed below. See if any of these work for you in the closing weeks.   Read more

Monday Moanin Thoughts #297 Happy Mothers Day, Lead Like Mom

Happy Monday Moanin! Yesterday we celebrated  Mother’s Day 2018 and I hope all Mom’s had a special day with their families. Most of us can reflect on how our own mom’s have influenced us as people and leaders. When I think of my mom, I am filled with many examples of how she helped shaped my life and those of my five brothers. Luckily, she still influences all of us  to this day. Rose Hickey is a  95-year-old dynamo. Her gifts are many and she still is the leader of our family. After my dad passed away in 1991, my mom modeled for all of us resiliency and strength.  It was not an easy time, yet she led us through our grief and though missing him, continued to enjoy and live a rewarding, full life. In the past two years,  she has battled many health issues and visits to the hospital and rehab facilities.In November that she moved out of her condo and into a retirement facility.  This morning, my wife and I visited her at her apartment and she is doing well.   When she was in rehab part of her physical therapy for balance, was having putting contests with her PT.  For her gift, we bought her a putter, 3 Pro V’s and new putt return machine. She was having a ball and made several putts. She is amazing and still strong and resilient. Read more

Monday Moanin Thoughts #296 MSU Agribusiness Management Graduate Talks The Three C’s

Happy first Monday Moanin of May 2018 to all of you. This past weekend I attended my daughter Emma’s Commencement Exercises from Michigan State University. My wife and I are so proud of her accomplishments and we are thrilled that she became the third person from our immediate family to be a Spartan graduate. Me in 1977 (ouch), son Paul in 2003 and now Emma in 2018. Read more