The Importance of Getting Seniors Online

How and why we've got to get our senior community online

Have you ever tried to walk a techno-challenged friend or relative through emailing a photo or downloading a coupon? For many in our senior community, the idea of embracing technology isn’t foreign. The entire twentieth century was one giant technological step after another. But living the past 80 years doesn’t automatically mean you will embrace every new invention. Regardless of age, we will adopt technologies helpful to us and shy away from those which aren’t.

Leaders continually try and fail to convert older generations to new technologies. For some leaders failure leads them to frustration and frustration leads to resentment. If that wasn’t unfortunate enough, in extreme cases, resentment can lead to ostracizing seniors altogether.

A Graceful Response to Racism

ASU Fraternity Suspended after Offensive MLKDay Party

A recent story broke surrounding an “MLK Party” held by an Arizona State University fraternity. In summary, students arrived at the party dressed in “basketball jerseys, flashing gang signs and even drinking from watermelon cups.”

Why a Quarter Is Worth as Much as a Ten Dollar Bill

Investing in Parenting

It was the middle of July and I was trying to take in a baseball game with my 15-month-old son, Isaiah. If I lived in San Diego it wouldn’t be such a big deal, but July in Phoenix is miserable. Like, 113 degrees miserable.

From the moment we arrived to the moment we got home it was a struggle. Just battling the heat from the car to the stadium took nearly every ounce of energy (and hydration) I had. When we arrived at our seats, Isaiah didn’t want to sit for longer than an inning, so we walked around the stadium several times. Despite the struggles of the day, I would never take back that experience.

My Philosophy for a Happy Life

How to Gain the Trust of Others by Staying on Schedule

How to Gain the Trust of Others by Staying on Schedule

Double booking is never good. Usually, individuals can be easily forgiven. But when it comes to managing the schedule for a public entertainment venue, double booking is the worst thing that could happen.

(With the exception of hosting a Super Bowl game and losing power to half of the stadium in the middle of the nation’s most watched event…just saying.)

I marvel at how the staff for every major sporting and entertainment venue can manage such a bizarre schedule with such consistency. One night the arena will be hosting a concert and the next night it’s a monster truck rally. Pulling off events like this requires a type of planning that is difficult to comprehend.

When a venue fails to plan, it means more than just a double booking: it means lost revenue and the potential for future loss of business. It could even mean the loss of jobs.

The Nine Day Report on Isaac

baby-isaac-9-days

Thank you to those who have been praying for us and offering to help our family with anything we need. It is so encouraging to know that we are not alone and that Isaac is loved through your love to us!

Because so many have continued to ask for updates on how Isaac is doing, I’m taking time today to share his status. I’m not changing themes on my blog, just taking this opportunity to answer the many questions that have come our way.

Next week I will return to posting my thoughts and observations on leadership. Thanks for hanging in there with me during this transition.

Let the Update Begin

Isaac Michael is 9 days old! He continues to grow healthier and stronger every day. From the moment he was born, the nurses all said he is a model preemie. Not like en vogue, but rather, he is the best case scenario when it comes to a baby born at 34 weeks.

Climbing Out of Debt and Overcoming Shame

shame

My favorite Friends episode is the Thanksgiving one with Brad Pitt. It’s worth a watch for many reasons. One of the story lines is Joey conquering his Everest: eating an entire turkey. After changing from his jeans which “have no give” and into maternity pants, or as he calls them “his eating pants” he finishes off the bird.

I overcame my Everest. Just like Joey’s turkey, it seemed as if it were impossible to conquer. Positive thinking is all good, but when you’re faced with what I was facing, it does little good.

In the spring of 2009 I became debt free conquering $60,000+ in debt accrued five years prior.

Welcoming Baby Isaac to the World

Isaac Michael Shrein

We had a due date of February 18, 2014 but found ourselves holding baby Isaac Michael on January 7th. Our little guy arrived six weeks early, much to our surprise.

At the beginning of January my dad and I were thinking about attending CES in Las Vegas on January 7th. Apparently CES doesn’t let nobodies like us in, so we stayed home. Looking back, I am glad CES wouldn’t let us in.