Everything I do should revolve around moving my message into new audiences, expanding its reach, and booking more speaking engagements. But I cannot in good conscience head down the road of this message only serving me because that is not how it started.

One of the things I missed by going to the gym more than two hours late was a group of older gentlemen who worked out then. This crew of five was all above the age of 80 (and one was pushing 90). How could anyone not make it to the gym when a group of retired gentlemen managed to make it there consistently?

The trickle of panic started with just one bead of sweat. I rechecked my bag, the car, and my wife, Anne's, luggage. I rechecked everything again and again, but could not find the item. I calmly asked Anne if she had seen my brown leather shaving kit bag. When her answer came back with a no, I mentally pressed the full-on panic mode in my head.

A cold nose nudged me awake around 2:30 a.m. The bed was so warm and I knew the outside was so very cold. The long drive to Minnesota’s north shore meant my four-legged best friend Marv did not get his usual four-mile walk to burn up his endless energy. 

Our Christmas Tradition 

My good friend, Adam Richard Rottinghaus, once sent me a note about my drive to share my story with the world.  

“I knew you before I knew your story, and the who man is my friend today would certainly not be the person I respect were it not for one powerful character trait — drive...

Lisa Clifton would probably have entitled this blog, "Lessons From a Reformed (insert colorful swear word for donkey, i.e., jerk, here)". The question you might have is, "What does Lisa Clifton have to do with me reforming my jerkish ways?". Well, let’s jump in the Delorean, hit 88 mph on the speedometer, and travel back to the fall of 2002. 

Throughout the ages, numerous people have held beliefs that turned out to be false: The world is flat. The sun revolves around the earth. Gum takes seven years to digest. People are separate but equal. Women don’t belong in the workplace, and countless other false beliefs.