President Obama Sobriety

Rarely watching TV, I was captivated the other night when Charlie Gibson was interviewing United States President, Barack Obama, on the ABC Evening News.

The one word that really made me put things into perspective, was a word the President Obama used to describe how the decision to send US troops to Afghanistan was different from other critical US policy decisions.

Sobriety.

President Obama spoke of a certain level of sobriety that was needed on that particular decision. He said it was the one decision that was different from all the others. I paraphrase here, to illustrate the magnitude:

“Bailing out the auto industry or the financial system is one thing. But picturing Arlington Cemetery, with a mother, sitting in the rain, in front of a tombstone…..”

Short Stuff

After yesterday’s longer post, thought a short post would be appropriate.

“Wisdom is knowing when you can’t be wise”.Paul Engle

Thank you for following this blog.

Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂

A Good Cry?

ABC, Extreme Makeover – Home Edition. This show can humble me beyond belief.

Last night was no exception. Why?

Have you not seen the show?

It makes me cry every time I watch it with my family, which is almost every Sunday night.

I cry, not so much for the featured Family’s situation, as I do for the way the people who help are impacted.

The builder from last night’s show – looked to be 50 to 60 years old – said, “I’ll never do anything the same”.

Let’s assume he was already a good man. What is the significance of a good man saying, “I’ll never do anything the same”?

To see a fellow human being be so moved by a simple act of compassion, almost always makes me cry.

A good cry, to be sure. Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂

Orlando Magic and Disney Magic

Orlando Magic and Disney Magic.

Game three is being played as we speak.

There was a young girl, maybe seven years old, who sang the National Anthem.

My wife told me she is autistic.

While I don’t know the specific story, the summary is there was a time when she couldn’t talk. They discovered her passion to sing.

That changed the course of her life, and the life of her family too.

Who’s to say what’s impossible or possible?

Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂

Maybe I’ll read the headlines tomorrow morning and the Orlando Magic will have won tonight’s game. Who’s to say……