writing – Dave Glardon

One Small Hole Can Sink the Ship

October 19, 2026 by Dave Glardon, posted in Motivational Humor

Good morning and, dare I say, happy Monday! I hope your day and your week are off to a great start!

I’m sending this one out a bit earlier than normal. Sure, same day, but to some readers it’s a completely different time of day. In fact, for most of my readers, it’s dinnertime or later. So, to those of you in China, I’m doing this for you! For several weeks, your readership has been many times higher than the rest of the world combined. Welcome to the party!

I guess it just goes to show that a message of hope and positivity can bridge not only languages, but civilizations and political ideologies. That doesn’t surprise me, because at the end of the day we all want the same thing – a life of health and happiness, and enough wealth to make it enjoyable. What that means is entirely up to you. We all define success in our own terms.

When people ask what I write, I tell them motivational humor. “Why? What are you trying to accomplish?” Well, I want to help people find a higher level of success in life. Besides, I’m writing a book, and I’d like to find an audience who may want to buy it. Let’s be real, posting blogs online isn’t a profitable enterprise. It’s something you do as much for yourself as anyone.

But last week a close friend asked me the same question, and instead of the rehearsed answer, I gave it a little thought. I finally told her I’m trying to help readers achieve a higher level of self-actualization. That’s more than just success. It’s more than just making your dreams come true. It’s about fully experiencing life on your terms, or at least on terms acceptable to you.

If you took Psychology 101, you’ve heard of self-actualization. It comes from the mind of Abraham Maslow who, in 1943, defined the human “Hierarchy of Needs.” It takes the shape of a pyramid, with physiological needs (air, food, shelter, etc.) at the bottom of five levels, going through safety needs, love & belonging, and esteem, with self-actualization at the top.

The idea is simple – you have to fill in the bottom layers before you can build higher. Unless you’ve got adequate food and shelter, acceptance and esteem are pretty low on the list of priorities. And even if you do achieve self-actualization (not everyone does), let somebody hold your head underwater, and you’ll drop right back down to the bottom of the pyramid.

When we talk of success, people always think of business and financial success. That is, after all, what we’ve been conditioned to think. But it occurred to me that, in the pursuit of self-actualization, we need to be successful in not some, but all areas of our lives. And sure, that’s a tall order. But it is attainable. It just takes a lot of work and a little luck.

That’s why I talk sometimes about health. You can be as successful as you want in your career, but health can halt your progress faster than anything. Take it from the guy who went for a leisurely bicycle ride three years ago and ended up having a stroke. It can happen to any of us. I was able to go back to work. Not everyone has that option.

I talked Friday about being kind and ending everyday interactions in a way that leaves others feeling valued. Unless your ultimate aim is to be the world’s most formidable jackass (I think that title has already been claimed), kindness will factor into your best version of yourself. You can’t spread misery and enjoy happiness.

Finally, I talk a lot about dreams. I think dreams are our most important possessions, because it’s from dreams that life’s greatest achievements are born. In the words of Disney Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald, “If you can dream it, you can do it.” But the opposite is also true – if you can’t dream it, you probably can’t do it. Dreams are that important.

So, if you’ve noticed a gradual change in my writing, it’s just a natural part of this blog’s growth. As a comedian, they told us it takes 6-8 years to find out who you are onstage. I think the same is true of writers. We evolve, partly from our own needs and partly from getting to know our readers. So, please, introduce yourself. We could become best friends!

That’s all for today. I don’t think there’s any overriding message, other than in order to be the ideal version of yourself (in your own mind), you’ll need to find success in every area of your life. I’m not there yet, but I’m working on it. And that’s all any of us can ask of ourselves. As for how we get there, that’s a journey we can take together. Have an awesome day!

Tears or Cheers – They All Count the Same

May 15, 2026May 15, 2026 by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning, and happy Friday! I hope you’ve all had an awesome week!

This has been a special week for me. Our granddaughter is graduating high school, and I couldn’t be more proud. I won’t share her life’s details except to say she overcame a mountain of adversity to reach this exciting accomplishment, but she would never have accepted anything less than complete success. I told her the other night she is who I want to be if I ever grow up.

She attended a county career center for the past two years, in a veterinary science program. That means two graduation ceremonies – one for the career center and one for her home school. I don’t mind. It’s not like they’re charging admission. Honestly, I think they missed a huge opportunity there because grandparents would absolutely pay it. I know. I’ve done it.

Her career center ceremony was this past Tuesday. The room was buzzing with anticipation. And then they started playing that song. You know the song. And I was instantly reduced to a blubbering old man who couldn’t form a word if his life depended on it. I haven’t cried that much in a long time, and I’m not ashamed to say it.

So, tonight is her actual high school graduation. Different venue, different participants, different speeches. But one thing won’t change – they’ll start the whole thing off with that song. I’m crying just thinking about it. Ladies, do we get extra “sensitivity” points for crying at the mere thought of crying? There has to be some kind of scale there.

And next week I get to do it all again with our next granddaughter. Different venue, different participants, different speeches … and that song. I’ve come to realize that’s what turns on the waterworks for me, much like a bridal march brings out the macho in women. It’s not the song itself, but the meaning behind it. A beginning and an end. A day they’ll never forget.

You may find this hard to believe, but I used to be fairly critical of the younger generation. Please tell me you find that hard to believe. I don’t know why, and that’s something about my past I wish I could change. For the record, I was equally critical of politicians and CEOs, if that counts for anything.

But when I look at these young people proudly walking across that stage to receive the written proof of their accomplishment, I see diversity and intelligence and passion and, above all, hope for the future. Not so much my future, because I’m closer to the other end than I care to acknowledge. But their future, and their kids’ future. And I think it’s in very capable hands.

There comes a time for all of us when we have to step back and hand over the reins. It’s like the first time sitting in the passenger seat of your car as your teenager adjusts the mirrors. It takes trust, and a lot of love, not to mention a really tight seatbelt. And they won’t get it right every time. But they will get better. And, with very few exceptions, none of their mistakes can’t be fixed.

So, to all the young folks graduating and moving on into the world this week, congratulations! To their parents, woohoo!!! And to their should’ve-retired-at-least-a-year-ago grandfathers, don’t forget to pack some tissues. (I had to write the retirement thing in case my wife reads this.)

That’s all for now, folks. I’ll be back next week with … well, something. Enjoy your day and do something kind for yourself or somebody else. And have an awesome weekend!

It’s Your Year – Make it Count!

January 1, 2024January 1, 2024 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!

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!