United States – Disney Creativity and Innovation Keynote Speaker

Strength Is Your Responsibility

“Strength is something you forge from within.” — Eugenia ‘Jean’ Finnegan Biden

Watching (not really, more like listening) ABC Evening News a few weeks ago, Vice President Joe Biden spoke of fond memories and important lessons he learned from his mother.

She had died the day before.

Of all the things Vice President Joe Biden said, it’s his mother’s advice at the top here, that resonated the most.

Why?

Personal responsibility is really the key to success. I’ve known this all my life and you have too.

Having a ten year plan has really helped me see what’s still possible, but not guaranteed.

Not six months. Ten years.

PS. This is the first dupe post. By accident. Seems it posted January 9 at Lane 8, but for some reason it also sat in jeffnoel.com It is a major rule to not recycle content here. I’m gonna let this one ride though.

Why? Because one dupe post ain’t gonna end the world. Besides, the endings are different, unbeknownst to me.

FYI Only

We all have a cause(s) we support, right?

If you’ve followed any of my five blogs, you’re probably already aware that one of the five remaining big goals I have before dying is to help raise money to give to those who can find a cure for IBD, Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

You also know, no matter how long you’ve been reading, that I’ve never asked for anything, except that you do something great.

I’m not asking you to make a donation. I have formed a for-profit corporation to make money in various ways, to give away. Sort of like a non-profit but radically different.

Non-profits ask for money. While the future cannot be predicted, and I may ultimately need to ask for donations, the vision is clear – do not ask for money, make money.

Then give it to smart, dedicated people who’ll work tirelessly to find the cure.

Once IBD is cured, we’ll move on the the next big cause.

Anyway, here’s a link from an email yesterday, if you want to give.

You Mean He Just…

“You mean he just decided to ride his bike across the country by himself?”, my wife’s friend asked her recently.

Well, not exactly. In fact, not even close. The idea of a cross-country bicycle trip had been with me since 1973. The actual trip began nearly a decade later. So, no, I didn’t just decide.

It was more like a dream seed that was planted while on a three-week Boy Scout bus trip across the United States. From Pennsylvania to northern Idaho and back. A week out, a week there, a week back.

It was while crossing the Colorado Rocky Mountains when the dream seed was planted.

Out our chartered bus window, on our way across the continental divide (elevation some 10,000 feet) I saw three cyclists at about 8,000 feet on their way to the summit.

Their bicycles were loaded down with saddlebags full of camping gear, tents, sleeping bags. They appeared to be taking a break from their long climb, enjoying a snack and the spectacular scenery.

We sat on a bus, were young teens, and at the mercy of the bus schedule.

They were late teens, early twenties, sitting on bicycles, stopping when ever and where ever they wanted, for as long as they wanted.

To be able to not only see the majestic Rocky Mountains from that height, but to smell them, touch them, hear them….

Freedom Provided By Our Sponsors, Veterans

Freedom. The United States of America. Freedom. United States Military Veterans.

Click here to see an inspirational video in honor of our American Veterans.

Monday night an old friend walked through our front yard to pay a visit. We were in a hurry to go to our company’s service awards banquet. So it was a brief visit at our doorstep.

Now keep in mind, from across the street, another neighbor saw this. He didn’t know I knew the person.

So, a Vietnam Veteran, a Marine, came walking marching across the street. He said, “I didn’t know who that was and I was just coming over to see if you needed any help”.

Johnnie is retired, and is battling some health challenges. He was covering my back. That’s what Marines do. That’s what our Military does. Like I said, Freedom – provided by our sponsors, the United States of America Veterans, active duty, civilians, and their families.

Thanksgiving in July?

Absolutely.

Actually, what about Thanksgiving every single day?

I’m sitting here at the in-store McDonald’s at a local Central Florida Wal-Mart. Getting new tires.

Here are a few things I’m thankful for:

Working for The Walt Disney Company
Actually, simply being employed
Being healthy, as far as I know
Actually, simply being alive
Living in the United States
Actually, simply living in a free & safe country
Being married
Actually, simply being loved and able to love
Being a father
Actually, simply having the privilege to nurture & teach a child

Well, this isn’t exactly the post I had in mind when I woke up this morning; however, it’s the post that my fingers type as I enjoy another vacation day, in the land of the free.

With Independence Day on Saturday, I guess my subconscious took over the typing controls.

I’m OK with today’s plan not working out. Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂