Friday, April 22, 2011

Had to share this Facebook strand from today...

Hi Max!

Started a strand on Facebook today and my answer to my own question surprised me a little bit. Surprised me and compelled me to post this here:

The Seven Levels of Communication: Go from Relationships to Referrals (Michael)
"For you parents, if you had an hour with your child and you weren't sure if you'd ever see them again, what would your advice to them be? What would you say? Write it in the comments below and then you know what I'm going to ask you to do right? Share it with them - if they aren't available, e-mail them, write them, or blog it to them. It's time it was said. Share. Your. Wisdom. +m2"
10 hours ago · Like ·
3 people like this.

The Seven Levels of Communication: Go from Relationships to Referrals "Max, this is dad. First, I love you. I love you more than anything in the world and when I see you, hug you, and high-five you, the entire world melts right away. You mean everything to me. My job has been to send you off to the world a loving, caring, helpful, and productive person and it is so beautiful to see that happen. I'm so proud of you. I'll always be there for you - watching over you, cheering you on, and sometimes prodding you along. My words today are: read the Bible. That's my bit of advice. Within its contents you will learn about love, people, trust, right, and wrong. If I could have written a guidebook, this would be it - and its written by a far better author than me. Follow its lessons and live its intentions. You will be fine. You are the best. You are the greatest. Love you, Dad. +m2"
10 hours ago · Like · 3 people
The Seven Levels of Communication: Go from Relationships to Referrals Truthfully, my answer surprised me a little as well. It just came out of my fingers as I was typing. I was like, "that would be my advice?" and I was compelled to share it even though I knew it would probably make some cringe, others gripe, and others unlike this page. That's okay. I am very open to people - I do not judge. I enjoy my Jewish, Arab, Chinese, Japanese, and Indian friends and have gotten lots of great ideas from our conversations. What I gave was my advice to my child. Your answer may, and very likely will, be different. It is what it is. I am what I am. I'd love to see you share what you would tell them. Of course, I'd love even more to see you share WITH THEM what you would tell them. Sorry such a long strand today... but I was compelled to share. +m2
10 hours ago · Like · 2 people

Jay Pierce Wow, can I just copy what you wrote and say the same to my son? That was awesome!
9 hours ago · Like · 1 person

The Seven Levels of Communication: Go from Relationships to Referrals Absolutely Jay - tweak it to your taste. Thank you! +m2
9 hours ago · Like

Andrea Boeh-Sheridan All the lyrics from "I hope you dance". Ava Grace, you will always be my greatest joy.
9 hours ago · Unlike · 1 person

The Seven Levels of Communication: Go from Relationships to Referrals http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV-Z1YwaOiw <-- for those who want to see what Andrea is talking about - love it! +m2
9 hours ago · Like

Jennifer Goodfriend-Irvin I need to do this, blog, or write to my children. It is heavy on my heart right now, thanks for the "push" to share with them. Lately my Oldest daughter, who is 12 has been on my mind. Boys, and school, and attitude and fashion, braces, clothes, are all sooo important right now. I want to share with her that although the people she is "friends" with right now may make comments to her about acne, or her clothes, or who they are hanging out with, THESE "friends" dont defy you. Sure I have middle school friends I still talk to, but they aren't my best friends, or my confidants. These years are so hard for that age. I have told her this of course, but the ADVICE part is hard! They believe nothing we say is right, you know, cause I am just MOM! But a nice little letter to her will be nice. Life is hard, and if you can get thru the " Nay sayers".. you will succeed and you will be fine! :)
7 hours ago · Like

The Seven Levels of Communication: Go from Relationships to Referrals Love it Jennifer. The positive about writing it is that we can edit and make the wording "just right". Plus, they can read it over and over again and know that we love them. +m2
7 hours ago · Like

Michelle Florand Schwartz K & S: I love you. Make good choices, practice good hygiene and keep your kitchen clean. Always be honest with yourself and others, and if it is grey..stay away, because things are usually black and white. Be true to yourself and always be a person who gives and who is also able to receive. (They hear this from me on at least a weekly basis...and tell me the same things back.) Mom smiling!
4 hours ago · Like

The Seven Levels of Communication: Go from Relationships to Referrals Love it! Do you mind if I share that with Max? +m2
3 hours ago · Like · 1 person

Michelle Florand Schwartz not at all. My kids are 22 and 18. They are pretty cool young adults!
2 hours ago · Like

Justin Nielsen This is extremely timely for me. My Father passed away unexpectedly Wednesday. I know a lot about his life, but for years I have asked him to write it down. Too late now and I have many questions. I love what you wrote Michael and passion will guide the pen if you let it. I have decided to write in a book about me. You can buy good ones that prompt thoughts and ask questions.
21 minutes ago · Like

The Seven Levels of Communication: Go from Relationships to Referrals Sorry for your loss Justin. As someone who has lost a father, I understand but could never feel how you feel. Best wishes and prayers to you and your family. +m2
2 minutes ago · Like

Hope you enjoyed this conversation as much as I did. It was thought-provoking and interesting to me.

With Love and To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Sunday is Son-Day (on Saturday even!)...

Hi Max!

Yesterday was Saturday, but it was such a wonderful day! As a family, we went to Shawnee Mission Park. It was so nice - 68 degrees, sunny, and a light breeze. We drove around the park to see the water and the trees. Lots of people out and about!

We stopped at the same shelter at which we hold our July 4th Client Appreciation Parties. There is the huge jungle gym and slides. There is a giant sandbox. You were most interested in the creek that runs through the park. You are SO WATER-CRAZY! :) We threw twigs and branches in the water. We went down by the creek (in a very safe area) and put our hands in the water.

The weather was beautiful. We weren't in any hurry. We walked and played. It was just a really terrific afternoon. Had to share. You spell love like this... T I M E. Had a great time today!

With Love and To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

The Ride Home After the Game...

Hi Max!

I know I know... why so soon!? :) I was inspired to post a little faster than normal by Tammy Richards. Tammy and I graduated from Gardner-Edgerton High School together in 1987. She married my across-street neighbor Tim Richards, who also graduated with us. Great people and they are raising great kids. One of the reasons why is because of what they are reading - and then applying with their kids. Here's what Tammy recently wrote on Facebook:

The Ride Home
by Tammy Richards on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 10:16pm
This is part of the last chapter in a book I just finish. The book is written from a baseball perspective, but his advise goes for any sport or activity your kids are involved in. My timing in reading it could not have been better. In the last few weeks I have had a chance to ride home with the boys after baseball games. Some had gone well, and others not so much. I love baseball, so I always enjoy reliving parts of the game with them. I want my boys to remember the ride home as one of the best parts of the game. I felt it was worth sharing, so here you go. Enjoy!

Don't make the mistake of being a critic on the ride home, stewing over a loss or making too much of a victory. This is the time to let your kid know how great they are, regardless of the way they played. That they're valuable to you, and that you're glad they're your kid. It's a time of encouragement. A time to soak in your kid's kid-ness. I've said it all throughout this book, the time goes by too, too quickly to make it anything but fun. Your kids will figure out life along the way. They'll figure our the fundamentals of the game.

And one day, you'll drop that kid off somewhere- college, most likely- and then you'll ride home by yourself. And you'll miss those rides home, and you'll either wish you'd made the most of them, or you'll be thankful that you used that time wisely.

Every message your send is received. Make the ride home the best part of the game.
Bill Severns, Keepers of the Sandlot

Max, I thought you would love that and I look forward to sharing many rides home after games and celebrating your successes. After all love is spelled T I M E.

With Love and To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

Sunday, April 10, 2011

The Importance of Books... A Love of Reading!

Hi Max!

I want to tell you about a love of my life. A love of my life is reading books. I read three or four books per week. And I don't read them, I devour them. I respect them (still don't write in books to this day). I have so much respect for books. You can't always be with your friends - and I truly believe that the biggest influence in your life will be who you associate with and spend your time around. The next biggest influence will be the books you read. I love books - reading may be the most important talent you can learn in school. Reading and learning. Max, become a great reader.

Here is what one of the most influential leaders had to say about books and this is why we will also incorporate an allowance system similar to Mr. Maxwell. You are not necessarily named after John Maxwell, but it did have an influence on our choice of Maxwell over Max. Here is his video:

Reading is different then watching videos or watching TV. You can learn from those, but it doesn't take any imagination. Books allow you to fill in the gaps with your imagination. I've hard Imagi-Nation referred to as the most powerful nation in the world. Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we NOW know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world and all there ever will be to know and understand." You get imagination from reading books - it triggers, hones, and broadens your imagination. Like a light into a prism that is splayed into all its glory - who knew that light was actually all colors - a book adds color to your imagination, thoughts, dreams, and ideas.

I love books. I love you. I can't wait to go over books that we are reading. I can't wait. Amazingly, you'll be reading soon - it wouldn't surprise me if you read at 4 years old. I won't push you, but you already have your daddy's love for books. Today, you played with your books like they were cars. You open them like you can read them. Great to share this love with you Max.

With Love and To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)