Tag: Goals

Does the Bathroom Really NEED Baseboards?

by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning! I hope your Friday is off to a nice start. Okay, depending on where you live Friday may be about over, but we won’t get hung up on that. I just want you to have a good day!

First things first. When my wife read my post earlier this week, she had one comment. “Did you use the word ‘Monday’ enough?” Well, maybe. I made a deal with Monday. It was feeling bad about its reputation, so I agreed to spread its good name, and in return it’ll be nice to me. Besides, there’s no such thing as bad publicity. Politicians are living proof of that.

Also, before I launch into today’s message, I want to share a personal celebration. I’ve been on a medically-assisted weight loss program that’s shaved off 30 pounds. But the best news came in my blood test results this week. Every number was within range, with one exception and it’s moving in the right direction. And since the first time I heard of A1C, I’m no longer pre-diabetic!

So, yes, goals can be achieved. Even for old guys like me. And some of those goals come with hidden blessings. Sometimes they come with constipation, too, but you get the idea. No matter what goal you’re chasing, expect some consequential changes you may not have considered. By anticipating those changes beforehand, you can formulate a plan to work with or around them.

Unless you’re remodeling a bathroom you didn’t personally build in the first place. Take it from me. I ran into all manner of “hidden blessings” on that job. I’m not sure my pastor would approve of the words I used to consecrate them, but he didn’t see the mess I tore into. And no, I didn’t anticipate any of it. If I had, that bathroom would still look exactly as it did, just older.

But that’s a good example of how unexpected surprises can derail an otherwise straightforward task. I was certain I could completely demolish the old bathroom in one evening, and then install a new tub, toilet, vanity, mirror, lights, and ceiling fan Saturday morning. Then I’d tile the floor and tub walls. That would all be completed by noon Sunday, and all I’d have to do is paint.

Except the floor had to be done before the toilet and vanity, and I didn’t anticipate the huge bulge in the wall behind the vanity, because it had been covered by a floor-to-ceiling closet. When I removed the closet, I also found out the popcorn ceiling had been done after the closet was built, so now I had a perfect outline of the 2×4 walls on the ceiling. More consecration.

I got the job done a couple of days late, if we can agree to define “done” as “usable, safe, and reasonably watertight.” Which is the way I tend to finish most jobs of this sort. My wife lovingly referred to our house as the island of misfit (missing) trim. I ripped out all the carpet in our house and installed 1000 square feet of laminate flooring by myself. The baseboards can wait.

And they did. Fourteen years later, we sold the house without them. I’m not proud of that, and my wife has used it against me more times than I’d care to admit. But I’ve learned that usable, safe, and reasonably watertight is only good enough for life rafts. I won’t start any project now unless I’m certain I not only can but WILL finish it. In other words, I’ve been sitting around a lot.

How about you? Are you one of those who gets started before daylight and doesn’t stop until the second coat of paint is dry? Or do you work to restore functionality first so you can take a breather? Be honest. You already know which one I am. And, while I don’t hide from that, I am trying to change. But at this age, I’ve learned to accept it – at least for planning purposes.

Take some time this weekend to think about your usual manner of tackling a project. Even if you’re one of those “no sleep until it’s completely done” people, I bet there are still things you’d like to change. And, if you fall anywhere short of that level of perfection, give it some serious thought. I’ll give you a challenge in Monday’s column. (See what I did there?)

That’s all for now. Enjoy your weekend and make it a point to see what I’ve got in store for you on Monday. (Now that I’ve said that I absolutely HAVE to come up with something good.) Have an awesome day!

© 2026 Dave Glardon – All rights reserved

There’s Happiness in the Little Things

by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning, and happy Friday! I hope your day is off to a great start. I’m vertical with a cup of coffee, so life is good!

You know, sometimes it’s the little things that make us happy, or at least contented. We tend to go through life looking at the big things, thinking if we could just do this or acquire that, life would be perfect. And that’s okay. If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know I’m a strong believer in the power of dreams. If not, we need to fix that. I don’t bite!

Yes, it’s important to have dreams. They motivate us to go a step above, to put in that little bit of extra effort that somehow seems to multiply and bring us exponentially closer to our goals. They give us a glimpse of life beyond what we know today. And they have a way of elevating our spirits when life is trying its best to hold us down. We all have those days.

Our dream was to buy a motorhome and explore the country, hopefully finding a place to retire along the way. I kept a picture of a motorhome on my desk where I would see it all day as I was working. It was a constant reminder of what I was working for. Six years ago, that dream came true. We bought the coach, traveled across much of the country, and found our new home.

And that doesn’t mean my dreaming days are over. Not by a long stretch! There are still lots of things I’d like to experience before my time is up, and I plan to check off as many of them as I can. They range in grandeur, from taking my wife on a bucket-list trip to Hawaii all the way to learning how to relocate a live rattlesnake. My wife isn’t so happy about that last one.

And I’ll do those things in a relatively short period of time, simply because at this age you don’t take time for granted. I’ve already had a heart attack and a stroke. The fact that I’m still here tells me God still has plans for me, and I believe one of them is to spread a message of optimism to anybody who’s willing to listen. Especially now, we need all the positivity we can get.

And part of that message should always be to appreciate the blessings that surround us every day. Little things, like a child’s laughter, a spring rain, the sun’s rays peeking through the clouds, chipmunks playing in the yard, birds playing in the air, or the warmth of a summer day. Yes, too much warmth isn’t always comfortable. Neither is snow. But it’s pretty … on postcards.

Beyond that, think of all the people who genuinely care about you. They may be family, friends, mere acquaintances, or even the cleaning lady who always has a kind word as she empties your trash. And it could be somebody you’ve never met. Don’t believe me? Sit down in the middle of a store clutching your chest. You’ll have lots of concerned friends.

Okay, don’t do that. But the point is that we’re surrounded by blessings we don’t always perceive. The secret to happiness lies in our ability to recognize and be grateful for them. And if we’re not finding them where we are, maybe we need to get up and go looking for them. That can be as easy as taking an evening walk or watching kids in the park. Just don’t stare.

Some people may not think they have much to smile about because of health issues, chronic pain, or personal loss. Still, off the top of my head I can think of two women I watched as cancer took its horrendous toll, and they both lived their best life to the very end. We all have challenges. But a challenge isn’t a roadblock – it’s simply daring you to step over.

That’s all for today. I hope you’ll all take time this weekend to immerse yourself in life’s many blessings. They may not make your problems disappear, but problems have a way of fading in the presence of a smile. Try it. And be sure to let me know how it works! Meanwhile, enjoy your day and have an awesome weekend!

© 2026 Dave Glardon – All rights reserved

Got Plans? Reality Will Take That Challenge!

by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning, folks, and happy New Year!!! I hope yours is off to a great start.

It’s been some time since my last regular post, so I’ll try to keep this at least reasonably brief and focused. Those of you who know me best are already laughing.

We all face each New Year with hopes, dreams, and expectations of how life will take shape. But sometimes fate has a mind of its own and we’re just along for the ride, or so it would seem. In my case, fate got a running start Christmas Eve and, by the end of the weekend, gave me a full taste of what life can be when we haven’t treated our body with the best of intentions.

I knew how 2025 was going to end and what the first days of 2026 would bring. Or so I thought. The morning of Dec 29, my wife was scheduled for some pretty intense abdominal surgery that would have kept her in ICU for at least a few days. We knew it would be a rough ride, and it would be some time before life got back to normal. But sometimes we don’t have a choice.

We spent the weekend doing the things we love most – spending time with friends, breakfast at our favorite little restaurant, a trip to the top of Mt. Lemmon, and just generally spending as much time together as possible. It was the perfect weekend. Then fate stepped in and took a swing at the kneecaps. Or the gallbladder, as luck would have it.

I woke up just before midnight the night before her surgery with the worst abdominal pain I’ve ever had. I went from the bed to my recliner, back and forth at least a half-dozen times, stopping by the bathroom each time to empty the contents of my entire digestive system. I brought up food I don’t even remember eating. Of course, it’s possible it mutated over time. That’s my theory.

My wife was convinced I had an intestinal virus and, at 3:30 in the morning, called the hospital to cancel her surgery. By 7:30, I was on an ER bed expecting news of the impending detonation of my appendix. As it turned out, I had a gall stone blocking the entrance to the bile duct, and my gallbladder was expanding faster than a politician’s wallet.

Six hours later I took an assisted nap in the operating room, and by early evening I was headed home. Say what you want about our healthcare system (I’ll probably agree), medical technology is nothing short of miraculous. I never got to thank the robot that assisted with my surgery.

I felt better the next day … sore, but with four new holes in my belly, that’s to be expected. That night, I couldn’t sleep in bed without an abnormal amount of pain. The third day I was tired and sluggish, with moderate pain and a low-grade fever. Back to the ER, where I rang in the New Year. My liver enzymes were way up, and I was developing a mild case of jaundice.

After two full days in somebody else’s bed (with none of the good stories to go with it), another round of tests, and more holes in my arm than a cheap pair of sneakers, they determined I must have passed an errant gallstone or two. All told, it could have been a lot worse. I’m just happy to be back in my own little corner in my own little chair (all due credit to the original Cinderella).

So, what’s the point of this rambling post? Well, there are a few things I’d like to impart. First, never assume you have any idea what tomorrow will bring, because we never really know. Life has very little regard for our plans and feels no compulsion to support them. About the time we think we’ve got it figured out, something will come along to humble us.

Secondly, pay attention to your body when it starts talking (or screaming, in this case). What ended up being a relatively routine surgery with mild complications after could have been a whole lot worse. Gallstones aren’t necessarily the benign inconvenience we think they should be, and the cemetery is full of people who found that out the hard way.

Finally, life isn’t over until the fat lady sings. Thankfully, I don’t know any fat ladies who sing, and I plan to keep it that way. Until then, I’ll make the most of every day and rededicate myself to the goals and dreams I’ve let slip by year after year. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Not even a celebratory toast (or regular toast) on New Year’s Eve. All we can do is pick up the pieces and move on.

This post was much longer than I’d planned (you knew that from the start), but I hope I’ve inspired you to do three things – take care of yourself, enjoy time with those you love, and never let life’s speed bumps bring you to a complete standstill. Regardless of how it started, my 2026 will be the most awesome year ever! I hope you’ll come along for the ride.

That’s all for now. I’ll be posting more regularly in the coming months, but in a different format I’ll share with you soon. Thanks so much for being with me all these years. I hope your day, and all of 2026, are the best ever!

© 2026 Dave Glardon – All rights reserved

When Plans Meet Reality, Keep Stirring

by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning! I hope your day is off to a nice start.

In business, each month begins a new set of books. The old month is over and what’s done is done. All we have now are projections for the new month. In most cases, it’s a shot in the dark, like a kid telling you their grades will improve, and their room will be spotless by Friday.

I was once tasked to write a business plan for a corporate expansion – one that, if projections came true, would create more than 1,000 new jobs and result in the local government giving our company a large regional airport for free. I’ll save you some time. The company did expand into the new line of business. And the airport still belongs to the county.

The numbers just didn’t work. If we had hired all those people and put our plan into motion, we would have run out of new customers in a matter of months. And that’s if every potential customer in the nation bought our new product during that time. This wasn’t like Beanie Babies™. It was a mobile data terminal for heavy trucks. Exciting, huh?

My plan showed a profit of more than $20 million in the first six months. Wow! After that, our profit would drop to zero and all those people would be unemployed. So, the boss had an idea. “What if we increase our per-unit cost, and double the time it takes to build each unit?” Well, now we’d lose $13 million in the first six months and would never recoup that loss. Back to the drawing board.

We played with those numbers for a month, and I finally told the boss I sure hope somebody a lot smarter than me would be reviewing the plan. He assured me this is how ALL business plans are written. I find that a bit disturbing. Thank God we weren’t building airplanes. Thank God we weren’t building airplanes. 

It’s easy to start new endeavors with an overabundance of excitement. “Wow, I’ll be rich by next Friday! I should buy that new car now before the prices go up!” Thankfully, the practical side of our brain kicks in and brings us back to earth, maybe a little too much. Then we start to doubt the entire premise. “This can’t be that easy. Maybe the whole idea is stupid.” Sound familiar?

The truth is, nothing is ever as easy as it sounds, and nothing ever goes completely according to plan. Just ask NASA. But that shouldn’t stop us from trying. We just need to set realistic expectations and anticipate setbacks. If the idea is sound, it’ll still work. You may just need to tweak it a bit.

Fifty-six years ago, man first walked on the moon. It was a lofty goal. And we’ve all seen video of those early attempts at manned space flight. They weren’t pretty. Your dreams are no less important. You may not reach your goal as quickly as you’d hoped, but if you follow the plan and revise expectations based on experience, success is still out there waiting.

That’s all for now. Keep those dreams alive and never let anything stand in your way, especially your own imagination. Have an awesome day!

© 2025 Dave Glardon – All rights reserved

The ‘Perfect’ Time is Now!

by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning! I hope your day is off to a nice start.

It’s a brand-new week. When people ask what we did over the weekend, we can usually rattle off a short litany of things we accomplished – important stuff, like shopping, cleaning, mowing the lawn – things we couldn’t do during the week because we were just too busy. Oh well, there’s always next weekend.

If somebody were to ask the same question Saturday morning about the week just passed, what would we say? Would you be able to tell them you accomplished a personal goal, one that brings you closer to the life you want? Or would you simply say, “I worked.”

Most of us go through life waiting for that perfect moment to put our own plans into motion, but we always find time for everything else. Oh, we may enjoy a weekend getaway every now and then, or maybe even a short vacation. Then it’s back to the grind. And the boss thinks that since we came back all happy and rejuvenated, we should work that much harder for the next month or two.

So, let me ask you a question. How many years have you been waiting for that perfect moment? You know, the time to pick up a new hobby, clean the garage, or build an income on the side? Has there ever been enough time? Will another year really change that?

Here’s the thing nobody told us when we were young – as we get older, time warps. We still get 168 hours in a week, but some of those hours blow by a lot faster than others. The 40 hours at work feel more like 60, we barely sit down and it’s bedtime, and no amount of sleep is enough. By Saturday, time kicks into overdrive and we’re so tired all we can do is watch it fly past.

This cycle continues until we do something to change it. Managing time is no different than managing your checking account. Every hour we spend doing anything reduces our available balance until it’s gone. But what if you were to invest some of that time instead of just spending it?

Investing time is no different than investing money. Some investments will pay off, and others won’t. So, we manage those investments and monitor results. How long would you watch your retirement account dwindle before making changes? A week? A month? A year? Yet we’ll do the same thing with our time, day after day, year after year, hoping for a better result.

Time is one of our most valuable resources. It’s like a retirement account – small investments, repeated every week, can make a huge difference if you invest that time in something that will generate a return. We spend 40+ hours a week generating a return for somebody else. Aren’t you worth at least a fraction of that time?

Take some time this week to consider how you can invest that same amount of time next week. An hour here, an hour there – it all adds up. Make your time work for you.

That’s all for now. Have an awesome day!

© 2025 Dave Glardon – All rights reserved

It Ain’t Over Til the Fat Lady Sings

by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning, and happy Friday! I hope you’ve had an incredible week.

We got lucky here in southern Ohio and had a spectacular view of Monday’s solar eclipse. It was just like the book said it would be … a shadow from the bottom-right slowly spreading across the sun until suddenly, it got almost dark, a good bit cooler, and eerily calm. Two minutes later it was over, and the moon continued its journey. And I went back to work, so the cycle is complete.

Two things stand out that I’ll never forget. First was the naked-eyed view of the corona at the point of totality. It was a clearly visible ring of light around the moon’s shadow – just a reminder that our sun was still there. The other was how much the sun lit the earth up to the point of totality. With even a sliver of sun still showing, it was full daylight. Simply amazing.

We never did see complete darkness. It was inspirational, in the sense that if the sun can continue to provide that much light when it’s completely covered, we’re in good hands. Clouds will come and go, but nothing can block the light completely. Even when it sets in the west for an evening of darkened slumber, we know it’s just waiting to peek through again from the other side.

Which, if you think about it, is pretty much the cycle of life. You go to sleep, you wake up. You cut your finger, it heals. The light turns red, then it turns green. There are more, but you get the point. Nothing in this life is permanent, and if you miss an opportunity, odds are it’ll come back around again. If only Mrs. Kellogg had felt that way about missing homework assignments. “It’s coming!”

For more than ten years, I’ve messed around with a business that could be much more profitable with just a little effort. Several times over the years, I’ve made a declaration: “This is it! Time to get busy! I’m serious this time!” Yet, here I sit with more potential than I can ever appreciate, and a stack of bills growing faster than my excuses. If only I could sell them. The bills, not the excuses.

But here’s the thing. The factors that led me to start a business in the first place are still there. The dream hasn’t faded, and the opportunity I was so excited about is still there, quietly waiting for me to get off my keister and do something about it. And I can do that today. I can choose to pick up where I left off and start chasing that dream. Thankfully, the dream is waiting, too. It knows I’m old to keep up.

Goals have an expiration date. Dreams don’t. And whatever means you found to make those dreams come true ten years ago is probably still valid today. You just have to make the decision and stick with it. And there’s no better time than the weekend to reflect on your dreams, solidify a plan, and put it into action. Not Monday morning or next week or next month – now.

Take time this weekend to reimagine your dreams and commit to achieving them. And if you don’t mind, take a moment to share those dreams with me. You may just light a fire under my butt.

That’s all for now. Have an awesome day and an even better weekend!

© 2024 Dave Glardon – All rights reserved

Don’t Blink!

by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning!  I hope your day is off to a great start.

Today is a special day for much of the United States.  In a few hours, most of us will be able to see the sun and the moon at the exact same place in the sky at the exact same time.  Granddaddy used to always say it’s a lazy man who can see the moon in the daytime.  Well, if it blocks out the sun completely, does that still count?  I think nature has to take some of the blame for this one.

And if you think a full moon brings out the best in people, imagine a dark full moon in the middle of the day.  People are traveling from around the country and spending more than $1000 for a single night in a fleabag motel to find a coveted spot in the roughly 110-mile-wide path of totality, where the moon will completely block the sun … for exactly four minutes.  I get to see it for free.

Of course, based on the price of these high-tech disposable viewing glasses, it may be one of the last things I’ll ever see.  I take some of the best vitamins known to man to help keep me from getting sick, but apparently my eyes are only worth $1.99.  For the record, I spent six times that much on lottery tickets this weekend.  Hey, you’ve gotta have priorities.

My grandson was asking why it’s such a big deal.  Okay, he’s 24 and will likely live long enough to see another one.  Odds are, I won’t.  So, at the appointed time, I’ll be standing in my front yard with my $1.99 glasses protecting my eyes from what could be my last chance to view such an amazing event.  I’m sure I won’t be alone.

Between inflated gas prices, astronomical lodging rates, and all the extras (tee shirts, anyone?), some of these people are paying a lot of money to watch a cloudy sky do what it does every night.  According to the Carly Simon song, an egotistical acquaintance once flew his Learjet to Nova Scotia for the same view.  Hopefully he was equally dedicated to his other endeavors.

I guess the question that comes to mind is, how many of these people would be willing to invest a fraction of the time, money, and effort, to build an income that would allow them to fly their own jet to the next one?  How many, while driving days to witness four minutes of darkness, will pass the time sharing dreams and discussing ways they could work to achieve them?

We all like to say we’re too busy to take on anything new, but when something like an eclipse comes along, time just seems to materialize.  And that’s okay, for a once in a lifetime event.  But what about when the moon moves on, and the sun comes back out?  Will we find the time to chase some of our own dreams?  Or will we go back to whatever we’ve been doing all these years?

Thankfully, most dreams don’t come with an expiration date.  You’re never too young or too old, and plans we made ten years ago can still be put into place.  We just have apply the same sense of urgency with which we’d chase an eclipse.  Or a new romance.  My grandson has mastered that one. 

That’s all for now.  If you have the chance, get outside and enjoy the view.  It’s an experience you won’t forget.  Meanwhile, have an awesome day!

© 2024 Dave Glardon – All rights reserved

It’s a Puddle – Step Over and Move On

by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning!  I hope your day is starting off well.  For those of us in the northern hemisphere, spring is almost here!

It’s been a while since my last post.  I know, that happens now and then (more now than then, it seems).  I’ve had lower back pain for several years and, the end of January, it paid me back for all those decades of abuse.  Well, I should say it began to pay me back.  The punishment lasted close to a month, and any time I tried to work around it, I found out real quick who’s boss.  Here’s a hint – it’s not me.

Thanks to modern medicine, I’m about back to normal, or my interpretation of the word.  I can sit and stand and walk, which is something I’ll never again take for granted.  And thanks to modern insurance, I get to do it all again.  Back pain can come from a lot of sources, and apparently one wildly successful pain injection doesn’t prove a thing.  We have to prove it twice.  Fun.

We were supposed to leave this frozen tundra a week after I went down, but it’s hard to drive 1800 miles when you can’t sit upright more than 3 minutes.  And my wife refused to drive that distance with me laying across the back seat.  One trip to the doctor was enough for her.  Okay, so I complained about her acceleration and braking and turning and her uncanny ability to find every single bump in the road.  Sue me.

But, when life hands you lemons, you make whatever drink takes your mind off the fact that you’re not where you want to be and way too old to throw a tantrum.  Alcohol may have been involved.  And in case you’re wondering how much bourbon it takes, don’t even try.  I’m told there’s a limit, and it’s not nearly enough.

Since we couldn’t leave for warmer weather, we improvised.  Which means we kept the blankets out a while longer.  Meanwhile, my wife was able to reschedule her second hip replacement for last Thursday.  With two brand-new hips, she’ll be running circles around me in no time.  Actually, I’m okay with that.  I can just sit there and watch.  If she starts running in a straight line, it’s all over.

Life doesn’t always go the way we’d planned.  I’ll wait while you pick yourself up from the floor.  But following a plan is easy.  It’s when the brakes go out that you prove your worth as a driver.  You don’t cancel the trip.  You change your pants, fix the car, and get back on the road.  The destination hasn’t changed.  Just your means of getting there.

We all have visions of where we’d like to be and how we’d like things to go.  Call it what you want, but at its very essence, that’s a dream.  It’s an imagined outcome we hope to achieve.  That may be as complex as building a second income or as simple as getting to work on time.  Regardless, there will be obstacles.  But obstacles were made to be overcome.  And with each one, you get stronger.

As you start your day and your week, expect the unexpected.  Come to terms with the fact that, no matter what, the unexpected will not change your goals.  The dream is still alive.  You just may have to take a different path to get there.

That’s all for now.  Follow your dreams, no matter what stands in your way.  You’re bigger and stronger – trust me.  Have an awesome day!

© 2024 Dave Glardon – All rights reserved

Confidence is So Under-Rated

by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning, and happy Friday! I hope your day is off to a great start.

As we move into the new year and toward the goals we’ve set for ourselves, it’s important to identify what’s standing in the way. It’s not so much about avoiding obstacles, but kicking them in the shins and showing them who’s boss. Now, if you have any ideas for making winter more accommodating to an old guy who needs to get out and walk, I’m all ears.

Today is my oldest granddaughter’s 16th birthday. Yes, I’m that old. She was born when I was 12. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Like most her age, she’s struggling to plan her path in life. What I wouldn’t give to be that age and have all those choices again. Okay, I’d probably end up right where I am, but hopefully with a smaller waistline. Hey, a man can dream!

Watching her navigate this phase of life, the things that stand out most are her creativity, sense of adventure, acceptance of others, and ability to find amusement in the simplest things. All those things will carry her far in this life. She just needs to know that. Of all the assets we can impart to our kids (and one another), none is more important than self-confidence.

Okay, my oldest grandson sometimes takes that to an extreme. It’s hard to control my facial expressions when he’s talking about buying a $150,000 sports car and can’t even afford a bicycle. But I have to remind myself, that’s his dream, not mine. Besides, there may be a reason he wants a car I couldn’t possibly fit into. I wouldn’t want to ride with me. Not with this attitude.

I try as hard as I can to be supportive, and to remind myself that they don’t have to live my life – my job is to help them live their own. Do I think my grandson will own a “Lambo” in the next twenty years? Not for a second. But I don’t have to share that sentiment. His bank will handle that all on their own. Right after they stop charging him overdraft fees.

But you know, I made some of the same mistakes when I was his age. Or five years ago, take your pick. I’m sure my dad would have advised me against spending six figures on a motorhome at this age, but I didn’t ask. We made our own decision based on our own goals in life. I’m such a rebel. Next thing you know, I’ll be tying my own shoes.

I’ve accomplished a lot in life, and I’m happy to be where I am. This is all I want for my kids and their kids. And I did it because my parents gave me the most wonderful gift of all. They believed in me and, as a consequence, I believed in myself. I never heard the words, “You can’t.” The worst Mom ever said was, “Go ahead – I dare you!” But that’s for another day.

Everybody, from the youngest child to the oldest senior, needs to believe in themselves. It’s as important as oxygen. And we are the ones who can inspire that confidence in them. If a simple smile can make a homeless person feel important, imagine what we can do with a few words of encouragement to those we love most. Friends, we could literally change the world.

That’s all for now. Have an awesome day and an even better weekend!

© 2024 Dave Glardon – All rights reserved

It’s Your Year – Make it Count!

by Dave Glardon, posted in Motivational Humor

Good morning, and happy New Year! I hope wherever you are, your day is off to a blessed start.

I know, I don’t usually write posts on holidays. But, being relegated to my own little corner in my own little chair (at the kitchen table) because of Covid, I find myself with all this creative energy and the need to do something constructive with it. I just hope this continues throughout 2024. The creative energy, not the Covid. All I can say is thank God for modern medicine. I’m much better.

I used to tell everyone my only New Year’s resolution was never to make another New Year’s resolution. It seemed to be the only one I could actually keep for 12 months. Over the years, I’ve resolved to get healthy (does surviving a stroke count?), write a book (don’t rush out to the store just yet), build my business (okay, laugh), and lose weight. That last one is the biggest joke of all.

I still want to do all those things, but I’ve learned you can’t just make a wish and expect those things to happen. Believe me, I’ve rubbed the finish off enough lamps over the years to realize there’s no genie waiting inside to magically grant my wishes. The only way for any of this to happen is for me to get up a little earlier each day and make it happen. So far all I’ve done is eat an earlier breakfast.

But you know, it all starts with a mindset. We can’t simply want to succeed; we have to focus on the reasons we want to succeed. Change for the sake of change is doomed to fail. I have a few bosses who could stand to learn that one. But change, based on a clear understanding of what was wrong in the first place, at least stands a chance. I’m not buying bigger pants. How’s that for motivation?

The other thing to keep in mind is that you can’t torment yourself to the achievement of a goal. You have to lighten up. That’s why I try so hard (and not always so successfully) to inject a little humor in what would be an otherwise boring message. It’s impossible to be miserable when you laugh. Okay, abdominal stitches aside. A comedy club is not the place to be right after hernia surgery.

But as a standup comedian, I usually ended my show by reminding my audience of the importance of laughter. I once did a tour with gout in both feet so bad I was nearly crippled. But from the start of my shows until the end, there was no pain – just exhilaration. Sure, the pain came back later, usually with a vengeance. “I’ll teach you to ignore me!” Oh well. It was worth it.

The point is, no matter what your goals for the coming year, face them with a sense of humor. Get rid of that contorted face and stop telling everyone how hard you’re working and what you’re giving up. Nobody wants to hear it, and it’s not doing you any favors, either. Just focus on the reason and enjoy the journey. Who knows? You might even make a few new friends along the way.

I have some dear friends whose health challenges this past year make mine look like a walk in the park. Some of them have no idea what the future may bring, but they’re still out there making the most of each day, because they can. So can you. No matter what 2023 threw your way, you made it this far. So, put a smile on your face, a song in your heart, and get on with life. You ain’t dead yet.

That’s all for now, friends. May 2024 bring you all peace, prosperity, health, and happiness. Have an awesome day!

© 2024 Dave Glardon – All rights reserved

P.S. Those of you who have been with me over the years know how much I love hearing from you. I don’t write these posts for me – it’s all for you. Your feedback helps keep me inspired and on track. And if you know anybody who could use a little more positivity in their life, please share this link and invite them to come along. Together, we can make this thing rock!