"It's time to get angry"

Have values like integrity and honor become outdated? Is there no room for them in our current consumer culture and atmospheres of corporate greed? Since when did they become idealistic principles? Am I a few generations out of place?

I don't mean to barrage you with questions, but I'm curious to know where the outrage is. I know that I'm certainly guilty at times of hunkering down and hoping for the best. I certainly don't have all the answers, but I certainly know enough to see that we are way off kilter.

Now is not the time to play the blame game. Now is not the time for pointing fingers and political positioning. Now is the time for bold leadership. It's time to get back to basics.

This got me fired up today:
It's got so horrible that we ought to be revolting
By: Simon Caulkin

Predictions for 2009

During my lunch, I read business management and leadership blogs. There is an untold wealth of free information and wisdom from some very innovative business people. The spectrum ranges from current and former CEO's of fortune 500 companies, to published business gurus, captains of industry, budding entrepreneurs, all the way to everyday people who are no more known than I am. Today's lunchtime reading included this jewel from Tom Asacker, a corporate branding guru:

Nine Predictions for 2009

I encourage you to read it, and then by all means share it with everyone you know. The media seems to be hammering on gloom and doom. We need grass roots efforts, like Tom Asaker's, to keep our chin up, keep things in perspective, and doing what American's do best: work hard and innovate.

Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?

In yesterday's Hartford Courant, there is a story about parents taking a sample version of the CMT and CAPT tests:

Mock Exam Will Expose Plainville Parents To Modern Education

I think that this would be a great idea for the Manchester PTA. We should see what it is like for our kids when they face these tests. It could help us better prepare them everyday, not just on test day.

Happy New Year

The photo on my wall at home, originally uploaded by jasoncalacanis.

I would not call myself a religious man, but I would say that I am spiritual. A piece of wisdom that I have learned the hard way over the last few years of my life: things happen exactly when and as they should. Be that because of karma or some intelligent being that is beyond my comprehension, if you are open to it, life gives you what you need when you need it.

I happened upon this picture this morning from an unrelated subject. It stuck a chord with one of my many "personal improvement projects." I think I will create something similar and hang it on my wall.

I wish you peace and prosperity during the year two-thousand and nine.