I’ve Found My Inspiration, What Inspires You?
April 25, 2009 by Skip Weisman
Filed under A Champion Business, Attitude of Gratitude
Last night, as I was driving home early in the AM from my 61st live performance of Bruce Springsteen (with & without the E Street Band, this one happened to be with) in Hartford, Connecticutt, my mind wandered and wondered.
I wondered, for the gazalionth time, why it is I am so passionate about the music, message and showmanship of Bruce Springsteen.
If you ask a question often enough you will usually get an answer that makes sense. The answer I got made perfect sense. I knew it was the perfect answer to the question because the answer could be applied beyond my obsession with The Boss.
My answer is I am inspired by Excellence and Mastery. When I see excellence in action and witness a master perform his craft I am usually in awe and that awe inspires me. It may not inspire me to follow the same course the subject I am witnessing is following, but to search for my own path and re-commit to pursuing excellence and mastery in the endeavors for which I am most passionate.
This was a huge and very fulfilling “AHA” moment. As I drove down Interstate 84 on the way back to my Poughkeepsie, NY home, a smile came across my face, and despite the time being 1:30 a.m. I immediately got energized and giddy for the final 30-minutes of my journey home.
Just one more time I can chock up to being inspired to pursue my own path of excellence and mastery after seeing it in play by Bruce Springsteen and the “Heart Stompin’, Hard Rockin’, Booty Shakin’, Earth Quakin’, Love Makin’, Viagra Takin’, History Makin’, Legendary, E Street Band!”
There are opportunities to experience and enjoy excellence and mastery all around us, if ours eyes are open and our mind is flexible enough to appreciate one’s craft. Take a look around and step back for a moment to appreciate someone else’s pursuit or excellence and mastery, as imperfect as it may be and allow their efforts to inspire you.
Thanks, Bruce, see you in Albany in a couple of weeks!
Oh, yeah and please leave a comment, and answer “What Inspires You?”
Attitude of Gratitude on this Thanksgiving Day
November 22, 2007 by Skip Weisman
Filed under Attitude of Gratitude
As I prepare to head to my brother’s home in Brooklyn, NY to share this Thanksgiving Holiday with my family, I want to take this time to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Although I don’t have time to thank everyone for the outstanding life I’ve lived to this point (I’ll be 48 in three weeks) I want to start creating a list of those for whom I am extremely grateful (this is list will be far from comprehensive but its a start and something I will add to as I think of them, so I guess this will be under a new category.
Here goes:
Mom & Dad (M&M as they were known to all who loved ‘em as a nickname for Martha & Mel Miss You Guys every day, more than you’ll ever know!)
Sisters Jane & Marlene (listed here in alphabetical order so as not to show any preference due to previous and experience with their sibling rivalry which still exists to this day to some extent)
Brother Harry (whom I looked up to as my older brother as kid and still do)
Wife Anne (who has brought joy, laughter, practicality, love, stability, and knowledge among many other things into my life the last 8 eight years)
Danny Schreiber, Phil Pron (childhood friends whom I’ve been able to reconnect with thanks to my 25th High School reunion in 2002)…
first girlfriend (Sue Caprio)
first wife Sharon (who taught me many things, most of all how to grow up and lose the focus on myself when she decided she had enough and wanted out of our marriage 10 years ago this fall, there’s anniversary to celebrate, I guess?)
I’ll add to this list tonight after I return home from brother Harry’s filled with Turkey, filling and other just desserts.
Have a GREAT THANKSGIVING and take moment to reflect and appreciate on all those who have made you who you are!
Best wishes for a happy, healthy, fun and prosperous Holiday Season!