Happy Halloween!

The Fear That Lies Beneath the Bed

I know everyone has experienced it, some time or another. The irrational fear of going into the basement, entering a dark room, or walking through a grove of trees at night- especially at this time of the year when all the leaves are gone and there are just sticks and spooky shadows. For whatever reason, we just know something is watching us, stalking us, and at any moment- when we least expect it- is ready to grab us from behind and drag us away.

Generations of kids- and sometimes not so kids- have lived in fear of what lies beneath the bed. They are in terror of leaving a foot too close, too long next to the edge of the bed. I admit it, I have always been afraid of that brief moment after my foot hits the floor and I start to stand up. "Is there anything under the bed?" Just to be on the safe side, I always offer a quick prayer as I put space between myself and the edge of the bed.

It happened on one of those nights when everyone is asleep and you're there still wide awake...feeling thirsty. I wanted to get a drink of water, but that would mean I would have to get out of bed...and it's dark. I was a prisoner of my own irrational fear.

No!!! Enough is enough! I decided to prove to myself (and to all of humanity) that this fear of something being under the bed is completely unfounded! It'’s not like I had never seen beneath the bed before. All previous inspections had turned up not one demon, not one monster, not even one bad guy! I would symbolically, and actually, put my foot down once and for all and not be afraid. I was not going to pray for protection either! I was going to be the grown man that I was and just do it!"

I flung my covers off with authority and in a mighty gesture I took my small step for man- giant leap for mankind and planted my foot squarely on the floor. My other foot majestically took the spot right next to the first as my body swung around to an upright sitting position. I sat there for a moment as if I was King of a newly conquered world. And then it happened.

In a wink of an eye, my foot was grabbed from the dark underbelly of the bed. I gasped for air, felt my blood run cold and I could feel my whole body swell with fear. After all those years of waiting for me to blink, to let down my guard, something had grabbed me, caught me- like a fly in a spider's web! My own arrogance had lead me to this demise. "Do I dare look?"”, I thought. Of course, I have to look!

I looked down at my feet and there, with a firm grip was my worst fear. An arm, a skeleton arm, partially clad in a dark robe sleeve protruding out from under the bed, it's bony fingers securely wrapped around my ankle. I was stunned, injected by the venom of fear. I couldn't think. I couldn't scream for help. I had already screwed myself on the praying thing. I began to accept my doom.

I felt the grip of the hand tighten as it started to pull back as if to pull me under the bed. I didn't move. The arm pulled again, this time a bit more forceful and with a jerk. I still didn't move. A light turned on in my head! It had waited too long! What started out as a scrawny 6-year-old boy was now a "too-much-for-skeleton-demon" 240-pound man- definitely not to be dominated by bone and robe!

I kicked my leg up as hard as I could and could barely contain my smile when I heard his bony head clunk against the bed rails. I laughed as I did it several more times. This was fun now! I felt his grip loosen, so I quickly reached down and grabbed the arm that had held me bound and yanked that so-called demon out from under the bed. And then I saw what I believe no one else has ever seen before...I saw fear in the face of fear!

I laughed in its face- "HA!" and let it go. It and his black robe began disappearing...Nay! Running...Nay! Fleeing into the darkness.

What exactly was I supposed to glean from this moment? I am not entirely sure, but I know I learned a couple of things, four things actually.

First: Sometimes, as in the case of my skeleton friend, you can wait too long for some things.

Second: Sometimes, as in my case, good thing do come to those who wait.

Third: Size does matter.

And Fourth and the probably the ultimate lesson: THERE WAS SOMETHING UNDER THE BED!!!!!!!

Sunday Scripture Choice

Psalm 37:23, 24

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

SUCCESS: S- Steering

If success is accomplishing that which you set out to do, wouldn't it follow that it is important to know "that which you set out to do"?

Where do you struggle? Myself it is the daily things that get the best of me. You see I have a clear picture of my long term goals, and tackling the things that are the big ticket items is no big deal. But those daily things, those short term goals eat me alive!

I rarely establish my daily goals. Weekends OK. But all those days during the week I am so willing to let the day's events dictate my actions.

The day's events fill all the time and I rarely take the time to get my stuff done on a timely basis. When I come to a dead line that effects my long term goals- I then have to push everything and "last minute" my stuff. This operation always steals the sense of accomplishment, makes it hard to fit in the important or fun events that come around all the time.

Start making daily priorities for your yourself. Identify three things YOU need to get done. Write them down and get them done no matter what. At the end of a week, I guarantee you that you will see your accomplishments and feel successful. If these are the things truly important to you, they most likely will be moving towards your long term goals, and after a month, three months, you will see your success path opening up before you.

It takes me seven weeks to revisit this theme. I will keep a log of my daily accomplishments and share the results at that time.

Making A Stand

Here we are on the last week of Daylight Savings Time. What is that?!? I know that it was all set up as a type of "summer bonus", but I'm not really sure why we don't just stay on Daylight Savings Time. Is there anyone who really likes it the other way? Who really wants that extra hour in the morning? It's cold, dreary, snowy, rainy...and one less hour of sunlight!Driving home in the dark every evening- yes that is what I need to feel fulfilled.
Arizona does not participate in Daylight Savings Time. I always found this to be odd. On one hand I respect the "go-it-alone" attitude, but on the other hand, it just seems a strange place to make a stand. They are willing to play with all the other states on other things: Interstate shipping, voting dates, constitution... "but don't touch our clocks!"

It's odd until you spend one afternoon in Arizona. Holy Hot Batman!! It's not human! At that point, it makes sense to get the sun down at the earliest possible hour.

Now what I think Arizona should do is have Daylight Savings Time in the winter. Imagine this: January- 80 degrees and...an extra hour to play golf!

Now that's making a stand!

Loser No More

So the White Sox have won the World Series. I am actually happy for them. I thought that throughout the year, they were one of the most consistent teams. They finished first in the American League, and despite maybe slowing down a little in late August, early September, they turned it on when they needed to.

The best part of the "Sox" winning this year, however, is that another "cursed" team can no longer hold on to the "cursed" excuse. The Red Sox exercised their demon last year, the White Sox this year, maybe the Cubs' time is coming soon...but probably not.

Personally I would rather that my team win it each year, but that is probably as likely as the Cubs actually winning it all (or winning)...OK so it's still more likely than the Cubs winning it all.

Anyway back to the White Sox. I really liked this team, and especially their manager Ozzie Guillen. I looked and found a quote of his that typifies his philosophy and in general mine as well.

Read it. Learn it. Live it!

"Whether you won or lost the night before, it's a brand new game, ... It' s my job and my coaches' job to remind the players that no matter what happened last night, it doesn't mean anything today... You just have to get up every day and fight. If you carry it over, you're a loser."

Top Ten Headstones

For Halloween this year, I have successfully bribed the kids to not go Trick-or-Treating, but to instead help me do a "cemetery". I won't go into details today, but I thought I would give you an example of the headstones we have created. There are ten, so why not do a...

Top Ten List of the Headstones in the Jensen Family Cemetery!!!

10. Sure Shot Jackson- The only thing sure is that he was shot.
9. Zahm B. Rizon
8. Miss N. Kranium
7. Barry Dalive- Opps
6. Belle E. Upp
5. Broak N. Bawdy- Lived on the edge and fell off
4. Bad Lee Burned- His life was well done
3. Rest in Peace-("Peace" crossed out) Pieces.
2. Dee Capitated- She HAD a good head on her shoulders
1. Eaton Alive- Tasted like chicken

Under God

I pledge Allegience to the Flag of the United States of America and to the replublic for which it stands, One Nation, Under God, Indivisable, with Libery and Justice for all.

A lot has been said about this little series of words and I have to admit, I have a lot to say about it as well, but let's keep it limited for simplicity sake.

The current debate is whether "under God" is appropriate for our school kids to recite. In some opinions, it is the same as state sponsored religion.

The other side would say that if someone is opposed to "under God", just don't say it.

But the counter arguement is that one shouldn't "have" to not say it- it shouldn't be said at all due to it's acknowledgement of diety which is a church issue not a state issue.

I say, what about those whose religion does not allow them to say the Pledge of Allegience at all? Say... the Jehoviah's Witnesses. Their children are subjected daily, within our schools, of looking at the flag, of having to listen to the Pledge, of studying, discussing the idea of national boundries and politics. What about them? I believe they just do not participate when our activities violate their personal beliefs. Is this acceptable? Where do we draw the line?

I think we need to really consider the difference between oppression and just having a minority opinion.

I commonly have a minority opinion when it comes to most theology questions and I am able to simply let the masses have theirs when I am with the masses and I get to have mine when it's just me and mine- or when I have the majority opinion.

Romo Pride

Have you seen the movie remake of The Longest Yard? One of the guards- "Guard Lambert" was played by a real NFL linebacker named Bill Romanowski. He wore number 53 in the game as he did in "real life". There were other NFL players in the movie, but none of them crack me up like "Romo".

Romo was plenty intense in the movie, but the extra stuff on the DVD is where I really got a kick. Romo was so pumped up to play that he had to be contained. In fact in the last scene of the game, Adam Sandler is to run over Bill for the final Touch down. Romo, in an interview, admitted that he couldn't just let him do it. There was going to be at least two takes because the first time- he was making the tackle. (In the movie, if you watch the hit- there is no way Adam Sandler makes the yardage needed.) That's pride! No wonder he was so tenacious on the field when he was playing in the NFL.

But the comment that really made me laugh, was by the director. He was commenting on how intense Bill was and how anxious he was to do a "realistic" job for the movie. (I think he just misses hitting people).

After making an impressive hit on someone and receiving a compliment for it, Romo asked the director, "Do you want me to spit on him?".

"No, No Bill. The tackle is good. Thank you."

You gotta love the intensity and the willingness to do a good job!

Sunday Scripture Choice

1 Samuel 3:10

And The LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

Happy Birthday Mariah!!!

SUCCESS: S*U*C*C*E*S*S- Spirituality

What does it profit a man to gain the whole earth, but lose his soul?

The true measurement of success comes not from the acomplishment of the task, but from who you became in the process.

Will you be a better person? Will you grow in the process? Will you have to abandon your own morals, standards, or rules to get there? Will you be proud to talk about your success?

If you answer any of these questions in the wrong way, I fear you will not have the feeling of success at the conclusion of your journey. Make sure that your goals and ambitions include a good healthy dose of spirituality-whatever "spirituality" means to you- or it will not be a true success.

President Bill Clinton Said...

"There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America."

My Visit to the Gov's Office

When I woke up this morning, I didn't think I would end up in the Utah Governor's Office, shaking hands with Gov. Jon M. Huntsman Jr..

Life takes some weird twists, doesn't it?

Holy Toledo!

Driving home last night, I was saddened to hear about the passing of Bill King, the man behind the mic for the Oakland A's, Raiders and Warriors.

Let me first say, I'm not the most knowlegeable fan of Bill King, in fact, reading about him last night, I learned more than I ever knew. But I am and always have been a Raider and A's fan. Growing up on the East Bay through the 70's, were there any other teams??!

I mostly became familiar with Bill King as he called the A's games on all those afternoon games while working on the windmills on the Altamont Pass and all the nights while fishing for "stripers" on the Delta. "Holy Toledo" will forever be etched in my memories of all those games.

I am no longer in the Bay Area and am outside the normal radio waves of Raider and A's broadcasts but I actually thought of Bill while watching Albert Pujols' game winning homer the other night. The thought of "Holy Toledo" crossed my mind as the ball sailed into the rafters of Minute Maid Stadium and I wondered if Bill King was still at it. I got my answer.

The call of "Touch Down, Raiders!" is another sound bite that will always remind me of Bill King. I moved away from California his final year of Raider Broadcasts, so he IS the voice of the Raiders as far as I'm concerned.

A very nice summary of Mr. King's work can be found at: Mychael Urban's Article

Here's an excerpt:
"King's accounts of Raiders games, including the infamous "Heidi" game against the New York Jets in 1968, the "Sea of Hands" game against Miami in the 1974 AFC playoffs, Dave Casper's "Ghost to the Post" touchdown reception that gave the Raiders a 1977 playoff win at Baltimore, the memorable "Holy Roller" play against the San Diego Chargers in 1978 and "Old Man" Willie Brown's interception return for a touchdown in Super Bowl X are regularly replayed and will forever be a part of the game's lore." As they and he should be.

So long Bill. Thanks for your work you did so well.

George Carlin said...

"If the reason for climbing Mount Everest is that it’s hard to do, why does everyone go up on the easy side?"

A Little Too Far

Recently I was strolling through the aisles at the local library and I happen to see a familiar looking cover of a book that caught my eye. It was one of those "dummies" book. If fact it was called "EBay for Dummies".

I have always been interested in making my millions on eBay, so I stopped and noticed the many other eBay books that surrounded the "dummies" book and browsed through them.

On the same aisle, I noticed another "dummies" book, "Vocabulary for Dummies". This time I didn't look at the books around it, but started noticing how many other "dummies" books were located in almost every section.

In a short time, I found the one. The one where I have to say maybe we have gone a little too far. You see, I don't like the "dummies" books. Not that I'm afraid of admitting that I'm a dummy, it's just that I don't feel the need to advertise it.

Now subjects like eBay or Volkswagen Repair, or Raising Gerbils for dummies are all OK in principle. These are subjects to launch yourself into, even if you are a dummy. But this last book I found is not a subject for dummies..."Home Schooling for Dummies".

I guess if you're teaching dummies, it may be OK, but if you are planning on conducting home school- you may want to start out at a level higher than dummy.

Bad Monday

How do You feel after a rough weekend?

Sunday Scripture Choice

Psalms 1: 1-3

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

SUCCESS: S*U*C*C*E*S- Segmenting

"When I took office, only high energy physicists had ever heard of what is called the World Wide Web...now even my cat has its own page."- President Bill Clinton

Look at the Internet. You can't! You don't have enough time in your lifetime to see all the pages. And at the rate that new sites are available, you couldn't even keep up with the new ones. You would be hard pressed to keep up with new blog pages on Blogger!

As huge as the Internet is, it was built one page at a time. Bill Clinton or Al Gore just didn't invent the whole thing in one day, using the entire White House staff to make pages all night and then say "Here it is!!" They must have spent an entire three day weekend! But the point is they only could invent it one page at a time.

Likewise, you're goals- if they are grand and inspiring, if they are challenging, don't happen over night. They are built over time, by a series of events. Events that form mile markers along the way. Identify those mile markers.

If your goal is to Climb Mt Everest, are there things in between that must be accomplished? Purchase of gear, training, smaller practice mountains, bake sales to finance your trip? You know where you want to go, you should have increased your "understanding" of what it takes to get there; now, just specifically identify steps on your way. When you accomplish those steps, celebrate them.

By doing this you will not only prepare yourself to succeed at your primary goal, but you will build momentum along the way.

Robert Wilensky Said...

"We've heard that a million monkeys at a million keyboards could produce the complete works of Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know that is not true".

Speaking of Disney...

Don't get me wrong, I grew up on Disney. I love their cartoons. I love Disneyland. I'd love to visit Disney World with my kids some day. But there is one issue I have with the Mouse.

I love a constant flow of movies at the Box Office followed by a constant flow of those movies being sold as DVD's- that's all good and fine. My problem is that I am opposed to the cheap movies. What I am talking about is the cheap (as in cheaply done- not cheaply priced) follow-up movies.

Take the movie "Aladdin" for example. Typical Disney movie. Great characters. Great story. Great music. Great Animation. And then the sequels. Characters not the same, story weak, Music...well, sucks, and the animation is Saturday morningish! You can spot these by the "Available only on Disney DVD and Video!".

If they ain't good enough to go to the theater, they ain't good enough for me to treat them like the real ones! The kids or course, want to know the "rest of the story" because of the trailers they load the movies with, but I hold my ground. We have withstood the pressure of the Mouse and we have yet to buy a non theater-released movie.

There are times in a person's life that you have to make a stand! And for me and my house- this is one of them!!

Now if they want to price them a little bit cheaper...

Not For Me

I know I am a little slow on the mark here, but I was recently in a different grocery store than I usually visit. And as I made my way down the isle, my eye caught one of those featured products on the end of the row.

Disney brand "Ol' Yeller"dog food.

It's been a while since I've seen the movie, but if I remember it right- things don't turn out so good for Ol' Yeller.

I don't have a dog- not that I have an issue with dogs- I have a cat and I do have issues with cats. But if I did have a dog, I can't see ever buying Ol' Yeller dog food for the poor thing.

One- What signal does that send to the dog?
Two- What if my dog isn't old or yellow?
Three- What will the kids think when they finally bug me enough to see the movie?

There are many things in life to spend my money on, Ol' Yeller dog food will not be one of them.

When Small Things Become Large

Siberious Tigerous (or something like it) is the Latin or scientific name for a Siberian Tiger. They are fierce animals with great hunting skills. Big, very powerful, and not to be underestimated.

Feline domesticus is the Latin name for the house cat. Supposedly, they are exact miniatures of their Siberian cousins. They have the same brute force but only weight 6-12 pounds as opposed to a couple thousand, or what ever it is a Tiger weighs. It's a cute thought but beyond the "that's nice", I've never gave it much thought.

Some time ago we found that we had attracted and "caught" a stray cat in our storage-filled basement. It took us a couple of weeks to figure it out. Our cat, although portly, could not be eating as much food as he appeared to be eating. Finally one night with a flashlight, the extra cat was spotted for a nanosecond as it ducked behind a stack of storage boxes- still packed from when we last moved...8 1/2 years ago.

The hunt was on. I methodically moved boxes, eliminating the hiding spots. Section by section, I was cornering my prey. After many boxes, bags of clothes, and defunct appliances- I had the target in site. It was a nothing cat- the only fat on it's body obviously coming form the number of meals he had stolen from the cat dish during its short stay at our place.

I got down on my belly and scooted over to the storage rack and then with my own "quick as a cat" reflexes- I snagged that kitty and pulled it out from under the shelf.

It was at this point that the feline domesticus transformed into the siberious tigerous that lurked within. It lit into me like it had planned it all along and I was the dumb prey that had wandered into the hunters trap. Fangs, fur and claws are all I saw. It chew up one hand and down the other arm like it was eating corn on the cob.

One of my boys later recounted that he knew I was in trouble and it must of really hurt due to all the bad words I was using and the volume at which I was using them.

As I lay defeated (and crying) my wife was able to get a door open and direct the cat, who was doing it victory march, up and out of the basement. I am sure he is somewhere telling his friends all about the big fat guy he tore up after crashing his crib.

Me? I ended up going to the late night clinic, receiving antibiotics and other such medications through the end of a needle. I would have to later get a number of rabies shots as well- seeing how I could not produce the cat for examination. I'm not sure what hurt more- the bites and shots or having to admit I was in the ER because of some little kitty.

To this day, I wear the scars of my encounter, I will not go down into the basement alone, and I talk to my cat nicely- calling him "Sir".

Mark Twain Said...

"A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way".

Sunday Scripture Choice

Ezekiel 33: 12

Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth.

SUCCESS: S*U*C*C*E- Execution

As Nike put it- "Just do It!"

As the author Maya Angelou put it- "Nothing will work unless you do."

We must be willing to do the legwork, carry out the plans, pursue the vision. I once heard that a goal not written is a wish. I will add, a success plan without work is only a success plan, and will ever be.

I'll admit, however, that sometimes I feel more like Woody Allen- who said, " I don't want to achieve immortality though my work...I want to achieve it through not dying".

But that, however, just makes you old.

URBAN MEYER WEEK: Investment and Responsibility

We've looked at the "what", now let's dive into the "why". Why is this guy so successful? (cont.)

I recently heard an entire speech about Urban Meyers and his "investment" philosophy. Simply put, success comes to the ones who invest in being successful. In football terms it means the team doesn't just show up to the game. They have conducted extensive weight and strength training to be fully prepared physically. They have studied the game to be prepared mentally. They have practiced their game plan so that it has become perfect. They have anticipated the opponents game plan so they are not surprised or unable to adapt. They have become fully invested in the game.

"There's no such thing as luck, there's a big word called investment. If there was luck, why work as hard as we do. I've never been involved in a game where the most invested team lost.

Taking responsibility is a trait that is getting more lost everyday. A winner assumes responsibility for his or her own actions. In the life of a college coach that also means taking responsibility for the lives of many young people who have never ventured away from home before.

"Our coaches are responsible for every aspect of the kids' lives - academic, spiritual, social. We are their fathers away from home."

Besides football games he wins, Urban Meyers takes responsibility for the ones he lost and the kids that play for him.

URBAN MEYER WEEK: Respect and No Fear

We've looked at the "what", now let's dive into the "why". Why is this guy so successful? (cont.)

Urban Meyer respects others and who they are.

"I'm involved with every player. I know every player on this team. My wife is involved and knows everyone of these kids. There's not a kid on this team that can walk through this door and I couldn't tell you his story."

"Everybody has something in their life that they have to share. Nobody wants to, but to be close, they have to. We take pride in being close. As a coach, I have to know those stories and respect where the players come from. If you respect that, there's a chance they're going to respect you, and you'll get more out of them."

When you respect others they in turn respect you. If you are to surround yourself with winners, they have to want to win with you.

Urban Meyers does not fear losing, only not being as prepared as he should have been. After that, there isn't anything to do. This is not a cope out, but a philosophy that leaves one with no excuses and no regrets no matter the final outcome.

"Some people fear losing. I don't. If they're better than us and they play better, they're going to win. But if we fail because we didn't see a certain thing in practice or because we missed something on film, then that's what drives everybody here."

If you fear losing, you will always hold back and not give it your all. What happens if you give 100% and lose? So most hold back a bit, so that there is always room for improvement. Urban does not. It's all or nothing, and if all wasn't good enough to have more points on the scoreboard at the end of the day, the job was still accomplished. The amazing thing is that in most cases, losing is not what happens.

URBAN MEYER WEEK: Excellence and Working

We've looked at the "what", now let's dive into the "why". Why is this guy so successful?

He demands excellence. When he takes over a program he expects nothing less.

"I think the community expects a good team, the student body expects a good team, and we expect a good team. It's very important to come out first, full of passion, energy and juice".

When excellence is expected, nothing else can be offered and expected to be accepted.

Urban Meyer never expects to be outworked. This extends past his opponent's coaches and players, past his own coaches and players, and past his own expectations.

"Back as a player, I was always the hardest working guy. I would be so upset with myself if I wasn't. Was I the best? I was average, but I outworked everybody. As a coach, am I the smartest? No. But I believe that in a lot of areas I outwork a lot of guys".

You don't have to be the most talented, just the hardest worker.

URBAN MEYER WEEK: Winning

Urban Meyer is a winner. The "why" is important, but just to get a glimpse of the "what", let me give you a sanpshot of what is meant by "a winner" in football terms:

Utah Highlights (2003-04)

• 22-2 overall record and 6-1 mark versus BCS teams
• Directed Utah to a perfect 12-0 record in 2004 and became the first school from a non-Bowl Championship Series conference to earn a berth in a BSC Bowl (Fiesta)
• Utah finished as the MWC winner for the second-straight season to become the only back-to-back outright champion in the league's existence
• Squad averaged 44,112 spectators per game, breaking the school record of 41,478 set in 2003
• 2003 marked the school's first outright conference championship since 1957
• Became only coach in program's history to win conference crown in debut season
• 86% conference winning percentage in '03 was the best since 1953
• Road sweep of Brigham Young, Colorado State and Air Force in 2003 was a Utah first
• Utah ended Brigham Young's NCAA record 361-game, 28-year scoring streak to complete the 2003 regular season

Bowling Green Highlights (2001-02)

• Biggest turnaround in the NCAA in 2001
• First winning season at BGSU since 1994
• 17-6 overall record and 5-0 versus BCS teams

Overall record in 4 years as Head Coach 39-8 (.830)!!!

Utah and Bowling Green the year before he arrived 7-15 (.318)!

Anyone who can move into downtrodden programs and turn it around like that, has my interest.

Now let's find out what makes Urban tick...

URBAN MEYER WEEK: Who is Urban Meyer?

Who is Urban Meyer??! Urban Meyer is the Head Football Coach of the University of Florida. Now before you stop reading because Mike is going into another football story, you may want to reconsider. This guy, Urban not Mike, is a winner and more importantly a leader. This week we will be reviewing this guy, and if you don't see the reason why I admire and wish to emulate him, well, I guess we just come from opposite sides of the street.

Urban Meyer came to Salt Lake City before continuing on to Florida to replace an icon of a coach (for Utah standards) who had run his course and guided a very talented team to a 5-6 record. The first year his team finished 10-2 followed the next year by a 12-0 year.

Luck? I don't think so. Two years is not enough to change over your team enough to call it entirely your own as players go, but Meyer had this team firing on all cylinders. What makes the difference? What kind of leader inspires a team to such heights? What can we learn form Coach Urban Meyers?

1) He wins wherever he goes (Florida is currently 4-1)
2) He demands excellence.
3) He is willing to outwork everybody else.
4) He respects others and who they are.
5) He is not afraid to fail.
6) He believes in investment.
7) He takes responsibility.

Hope everybody enjoys Urban Meyer Week!

Sunday Scripture Choice

Amos 5:14

Seek good and not evil that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.

SUCCESS: S*U*C*C- Commitment

Aoccdrnig to rseearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy,it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

When your committed to a cause, you see the whole picture and small hurdles do not stop you. When you commit to yourself, you look past your ownimperfectionss and you keep your eye on your target and you do not waver.