Early to Phlog, Early to Rise, Makes a Man Healthy, Wealthy and Wise!

Early to blog this week, heading to Phoenix for some cross-cultural R&R. Early to rise on my way by daylight at latest-full of promise fearing the unknown and the expectations of meeting old friends, making new friends and a grand adventure. But... as always reality rarely meets the potential of this new day. Healthy not really may have a broken ankle-doctor called today can't call back till next week-seems an eternity. Wealthy not money but yes wealthy in many other areas and wise-that's a more lifelong journey that I constantly travel down.

Much like many of you, I think of myself as open minded, fair, compassionate, empathetic, but life's experience has indicated that a personality slow to judge/get all of the facts and tolerant are not on that list. I have been described (and not unfairly) as being a "hard" man. That is true! My upbringing and  ten years of early adult poverty, as a student living independently, without any parental or governmental support, were contributing factors in that survivalist approach to our world. As a means to succeed in that environment, I became obsessed with the ethic of hard work, little sleep, and self sacrifice as needed. I can't remember a time when I didn't have something to do or I felt like I was done with a day's activities. The real issue is that I don't tolerate well others who don't live in a 110% world, who don't want to succeed, and don't view their lives as a constant battle to overcome diversity. This intolerance has led to lack of civility and jumping to judgement without understanding where others came from.

So, one of the many things, that I have been really working on in my life is to tone down the survivalist mentality, to become more tolerant of other behaviors, to listen, to be more understanding. I am a much nicer person today than in older time, but, as in most of life's experience, my past still haunts me and I am indeed a product of that environment. I have always been committed to service to others. I have always led in some way or form. My peers have always nicknamed me "Maestro", "Doctor", "Sensei" (I sort of like these names).  I love teaching, mentoring, serving as this is the payback for those who took an interest in me. This a duty as a member of the populace of mother earth. So, I  am trying to listen before I speak, to hear what is being said to understand what is being said and to try and feel that sentiment as if others do. I have to remember to put on my face and be pleasant-you know you still see the driven 110% Steve when he is focused and concentrating and I do not process input but rather react to that input, sometimes badly. So, enough running only to say, I ask others to help me in knocking the rough edges off. I have hope that working with young people will help me to become more tolerant and understanding. It is with this hope that I am embarking on yet more self-education, another career opportunity, and another growth opportunity.