Last week was productive & fulfilling. Jennifer and I delivered Meals on Wheels. During the 5 days we delivered, we ran 3 different routes, making a total of 43 stops, and delivered 64 meals. “…It is more blessed to give than to receive” Acts 20:35. We really enjoy delivering Meals on Wheels mostly because of the personal interaction. The amount of effort it takes to give and be a blessing to someone wanes in comparison to the amount of joy you receive by doing it.
I have started reading “The Fred Factor”. The basic premise of the book is that the author, Mark Sanborn, moved into a new neighborhood. He heard a knock on his door. He opened it to discover his new postal carrier, Fred Shea. Fred is an over-achiever to say the least. He goes way above and beyond the call. Fred offers to hold the mail while Mr. Sanborn is away on speaking engagements and even retrieves a package that was delivered by U.P.S. to the wrong address. Mr. Sanborn “…concluded that Fred-and the way he did his job-provides a perfect metaphor for high individual achievement and excellence in the twenty-first century”. He has identified 4 principles that he learned from his postal carrier that make up the Fred Factor. 1) “Everyone makes a difference”. 2) “Success is built on relationships”. 3) “You must continually create value for others, and it doesn’t have to cost a penny”. 4) “You can reinvent yourself regularly”. In the chapters I’ve read so far, he goes on to discuss other “Freds” he has come across and how he makes a point to let their employers know when someone has really gone above and beyond the call. I found this particularly interesting, because it is something I do as well. I believe in rewarding extraordinary service. He then discusses how management can incorporate those principles into their organizations. More on the book later.
As I said in my 1st blog, My mom was in San Antonio and Jennifer & I were going to help her celebrate her 85th birthday. We had a great dinner and party at Mi Tierra. I grew up in San Antonio, and Mi Tierra has always been my favorite Mexican food restaurant. It’s touristy, a little over-priced, kind of tacky, and WONDERFUL!!! We had a great turnout and a great time. My mom took the 5 candle off of her cake and put it in front of the 8 so it read 58 instead of 85. Gee, I wonder where I get my goofy sense of humor. The weekend also afforded me an opportunity to bury a hatchet or at least take neutral corners with someone. We’ll just call it a work in progress and leave it at that. But the weekend was about my mom. Happy birthday to one of the 2 most important women in my life.
