Right smack-dab in the middle of America, in the beautiful state of Kansas, there is a little town called Pretty Prairie. It is aptly named because, right now, it is surrounded by the most beautiful snow covered farmland and fields. Some years ago I was given the gift of working on a documentary film about a very special event which happens every year in that town of about 500 people. Those fine folks produce the biggest “Night Rodeo” in the state of Kansas and that is what the film is about. It is titled “Little Town-Big Rodeo.” While I was spending time, breaking bread, sharing and visiting with these genuine salt-of-the-earth Americans, I was reminded, again and again, of something that I have found in all of the great people that I have met in my blest life. They do whatever it takes to finish the job. Whether it’s a promise to a neighbor, commitment to their Country or staying on board a brahma bull, they do it. Like the rodeo champions, both cowboys and cowgirls that I have met, I can say that these folks are as tough as rawhide…

They were tough for sure but not a-one of them was mean.

May this be said of all of us throughout the year!

More articles like this can be found in “The Desert Wind,” my Monday morning blog series. (See the sidebar.) If you enjoy these inspirational messages, please click here to subscribe to my blog.

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Nobody likes to feel like an afterthought. I recently found myself catching up on birthdays for two of my bright and beautiful daughters-in-law. I pride myself on remembering and responding to special dates and days in our family. I blew it! Sometimes there are reasons for things being missed but there are never excuses.

Charlie Cox was my Dad. He was a wonderful man and the one to blame for all of my thank you’s and please’s.  In the dictionary, right next to the words courtesy and kindness, you will find the name Charles Walter Cox. Dad was a world class municipal bond trader and from his office on Spring Street, in Los Angeles, California, he would often travel north to San Francisco or east to Chicago, New York or Boston. On those long train trips he would visit every five-and-dime or toy store at his destinations, to collect gifts and trinkets to bring home in his suitcase. Every Christmas morning we would awaken to the prospect of stockings, hung by the chimney with care, filled with treasures from across Charlie’s beloved America. When we reached into those repositories of joy, we knew that Dad had remembered us every day of the year and every mile of his travels. We were never an afterthought with Charlie; we were always on his mind.

It works the same way in business. Guests, Clients and co-workers must always be “present” in our hearts and minds.

“Oh, that we could always see such spirit through the year.” (The Charlie Brown Christmas Children’s Choir…)

Bless you and your Family’s Holidays!

More articles like this can be found in “The Desert Wind,” my Monday morning blog series. (See the sidebar.) If you enjoy these inspirational messages, please click here to subscribe to my blog.

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