Local business coach and speaker Perry Maughmer shared the article below in his company newsletter this week.  We thought you would enjoy seeing these tips from Mark Twain for how to live a great life!  (note: want to subscribe to Perry’s newsletter, Archimedian Point or learn more about his coaching services – contact him at perry@perrymaughmer.com.) Mark Twain was a prolific writer, satirist, humorist and lecturer, and he always had some sort of quirky, sometimes ironic, wisdom on just about everything.  As the author of books like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, his prominent place in literature has been forever cemented in history.

Perhaps you read the recent Columbus Dispatch article on Michelle Melland.  She’s the 50 year old wife and mother of twin teenage girls who battles ALS, the incurable, paralyzing and eventually fatal disease otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Greg Knopp, one of my college fraternity brothers, now lives in Washington DC and serves as the Executive Director, Political Affairs for the American Council of Engineering Companies.  In a recent newsletter to his members, Greg shared the following:
“After 35 years in the advocacy business, the best secret I’ve learned about growing your organization (or yourself, for that matter) is that there are no secrets. What makes a real difference is a commitment to the fundamentals, to what Covey referred to as “principles.” Jim Rohn put it this way: “Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals. ”It’s not fun. It’s not sexy. It requires focus, hard work and patience. But when you trust both the process and yourself, you will see results.”

We’re sorry to share that our father, Joseph Palmer, died last Friday March 10th. Dad would have been 86 on March 22nd. We are so thankful to God for his long and good life and we are so thankful that God gave dad to us – what a priceless gift! If we can love the way dad loved as a husband, father, grandfather and friend, we will have lived well indeed.

Presidents’ Day has long been a time to reflect on the many achievements of the United States’ greatest leaders, thinkers and architects of democracy. Originally celebrated on February 22nd to coincide with the birthday of the country’s first head of state, George Washington, Presidents Day was later shifted to the third Monday in February as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington and Abraham Lincoln, many now view this day as one to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present. Our country’s leaders have all taught us valuable lessons. We share with you today three simple considerations from ‘Honest Abe’ reminding us honesty seeds trust in our homes, workplaces, worship spaces, and communities, and most importantly, is the keystone of our credibility as leaders. 

Last Thursday, a celebration of life service was held for Susan Zanner. While guests came to grieve their loss, they also came to celebrate Susan’s ultimate victory. Printed in the order of service was a poem we share with you today written by Linda Nielsen titled A Gift. Susan discovered her cancer was a gift; a gift that came to her in many ways, through many people, over many months and years as she walked the path so many have walked.

Charitable giving continues to uniquely define the United States when compared to other nations.  With many of our clients giving considerable sums to charities each year, we thought our readers would be fascinated and inspired by the following excerpts taken from an article entitled “Philanthropy’s 3 Percent Solution,” written by Adam Meyerson, president of the Philanthropy Roundtable and published in Philanthropy Magazine.

Undoubtedly the life of John Glenn has inspired all of us. In memory and honor of this man’s humble and generous spirit, we share a reflection by Columbus Foundation President and CEO Doug Kridler. Godspeed, John Glenn!

Though the story shared with you today may have some age, its message is timeless. Published on December 14, 1982 was the story winning first place  in a popular magazine’s contest, “My Most Moving Holiday Tradition.” It has not only encouraged families to adopt the tradition in their own home, but also inspired an Atlanta, Georgia family to start Giving101, a nonprofit passionate about unleashing the amazing power of contagious giving. May we remember throughout the season to give from the heart and remember Mother Teresa’s words, “It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.”

As we celebrate a time to count our blessings and shift our hearts to the gifts and graces that flow into our lives every day, we share with you a story of one family’s Thanksgiving ritual; the gratitude tree. May it encourage us all to take time during this busy season to express all that we have to be thankful for in our lives today and every day thereafter.