Inspired by Kindness from Strangers

The 59th day of 2017 was a travel day for me.  And, honestly, on 2/28/17 I was not looking forward to said travel.  But, a lot of things happened to turn the day into a great one.  The Registrars meeting wrapped up and I am already looking forward to the next one in 360 days and I got to see a Spring Training game.  But my inspirations (and the reasons for the great day) came from the kindness of strangers that I encountered today.  The Canadian baseball fans that were at the game, to cheer on the Blue Jays, the Blue Jays players who kept giving baseballs to the Canadian kids (AND their Nan!), the amazing people I met along my travels: the toll taker, the rental car return guy, the check in lady at Southwest, the gate clerk, the flight attendants and pilots on the plane....everyone just seemed so kind today.  And that inspired me and made me think we have a chance in this crazy mixed up world!
<3

Inspired to Sing

The last full day our Florida Meeting was the 58th day of 2017.  2/27/17 ended with songs.  Songs inspire me.  I love music.  It was fun to sing with my new colleagues.  Music feeds my soul and my soul was fed tonight.  Now to bed, meetings end tomorrow AM and then flying back home!  NIGHT

Inspired by Good Conversation

Good conversations filled my 57th day of 2017.  2/26/17 started with great sessions at our meeting. Then proceeded to great conversations at lunch, at dinner, and into the night.  I am inspired by all of the new colleagues I am meeting and the amazing conversations that I am experiencing.  Not only about Higher Education, but also parenting, pets, sports, life......  great conversations inspire!

Inspired to Relax

2/25/2017 and we have reached the 56th day of 2017.  Had a great morning of meetings with the AAU Registrars and then we had an afternoon to relax.  So I got a magazine, sat outside to read, and fell asleep.  Waste of time, NO!  Second nap in two weeks.... I think I need to be inspired to relax more.  Relaxation DOES refresh and revive and makes for better outcomes all around.  NIGHT!

Inspired to Learn

We have reached day #55 of 2017.  And, as 2/24/17 is a palindromic day, it was destined to be great! And it WAS!  Had a great flight (well, as great as a flight could be) to Tampa and had a nice drive, with a new colleague, to Sarasota.  Here at the AAU Registrars Meeting and ready to learn and be inspired by this amazing group of cross-country colleagues.  It is great to be in the company of people who "get it" about our daily work.  Tonight was also Dr. Seuss night at OPS, so I am also inspired by his quote.  Learning, Dr. Seuss, amazing colleagues - GREAT day.

Inspired by Du Bois

Today is 2/23/17, the 54th day of 2017, and the 149th anniversary of the birth of W.E.B. Du Bois.  Du Bois completed what is thought to be the first scientific study of race in the world and it was published at the Univ. of PA by Penn Press.  Years later, in current time, Du Bois is still inspiring present generations of Penn Students.  This quote of his inspires me to do the former and work hard to prevent the latter!  Hope others are so inspired as well!

Inspired by Robin and Joe

Being at Penn for as long as I have, I have met many many people.  And, on the 53rd day of 2017, I would like to celebrate two of them, a Band couple even!  On 2/22/17, I enjoyed watching the video of Robin and Joe Coyne's interview on Fox29 News.  Hate truly has NO HOME in my world, and I am inspired by their efforts to spread this message across our community in South Jersey.  I am buying signs from them and giving them away to my friends and fellow church congregants.  Keep up the good work, Robin and Joe!

http://www.fox29.com/news/local-news/237420006-story

Inspirations from This is Us

The 52nd day of 2017 was back to work!  2/21/17 was a good (but, again long) day at work and then after work meetings and driving kids places..... normal.  But, finally, we had some time together as a family to watch our favorite show these days, This is Us.  What a show.  It inspires me to laugh, cry, laugh, and cry again.  It is rare to find a show on TV these days that is so well written and acted. Emotions ran high in our house tonight, but a good cry is always cleansing....

My Father Inspires

2/20/2017, day #51 of 2017, was, as all of the 51st days of the years are, the birthday of my Dad. David Sherr has been inspiring me my whole life (look, here, inspiring me to stand, probably walk, and definitely smile!)  I smiled a lot today, as I found myself telling "dad jokes."  Dad jokes, being friendly to everyone, helping people, volunteering my time, being a dad to my kids, being the best husband I can be, all are things that my father has inspired me to be and do.  Thanks dad, sorry you were not feeling all that well today, but THANK YOU for all that you have done, and continue to do to inspire and assist me in life!

Inspired to Understand My "Enemies"

Day #50 of 2017 started at Church (it was a Sunday after all!)  And, Pastor Michael had a really good message on 2/19/2017.  We heard the lesson of turning the other cheek, and Michael turned that into a sermon message about praying for (and, more importantly, understanding) one's enemies.  I am not sure I have many enemies in my life, I certainly have tried to live my life in a way that does not create many.  However, I have a lot of people with whom I do not always agree.  To me, Michael's message is a message I have been resonating with a lot lately.  The need for more empathy in this world, to understand WHY someone might be feeling a certain way, even if it is a way with which you disagree vehemently.  There are many examples of this in my life, especially around politics, but even in other realms of my life (an evening meeting gave me an environment for me to try Michael's suggestions in short time!)  It is when we understand (and, yes, pray for) those with whom we have major disagreements that we can have a better chance of finding a middle ground.  Or coming together for a better solution.  Would that I am inspired to keep following this advice and, frankly, hoping I do not create many enemies.

Warmer Weather Inspires

Day #49 (another good number, 7 (my fave number) squared) was a beautiful day outside.  2/18/17 was springlike in its temps and the sun was out and the birds were chirping.  We will forget that I did not get up until 2PM so I missed most of this amazing weather, but I sure to feel better after the rest! As we got in the van to do errands, Anna stated to me, "this feels like Spring."  And it did, Spring, the Snack Stand, again baseball (and softball) starting up, a lot of things to look forward to and be inspired by.  After a long, stressful week of work, it was exactly what I needed!

Thon Inspires

It's the 48th day of 2017 (I love the number 48 - (2^3 * (3*2))).  And 2/17/2017 is the first day of Thon, a huge fundraiser and spirit session at Penn State.  This year, my niece, Ashley, is a full-out participant, dancing for 46 straight hours!  The dedication of these students inspires me.  What an amazing event each year that raises funds for kids with cancer.  I hope that other college students are inspired to do the same!

#BeKind Inspires

Well, being tired these days makes the natural germination of inspiration a little less prevalent.  So, on the 47th day of 2017, I turned to the internet again for inspiration.  And, what do you know, 2/16/17 is "Do a Grouch a Favor Day!"  Coincidentally, OMAYSC is sponsoring Random Acts of Kindness Week at OPS this week and the district's mantra of #BeKind has been on display.  Being nice to others, even when they are grouchy, or may not be nice to you.  That is the way I usually try to live (yes, I admit I fail sometimes), but today, I think I did pretty well.  I will be inspired to live this mantra every day, not just on 2/16.

Inspired to Sleep

I am very tired on the 46th day of 2017.  2/15/17 was another day filled with work and meetings and community events.  And, sitting at the computer, finishing the emails of the day, I am inspired to get done and get to bed at a decent hour.  I am tired.  And sleep is good.  Wish me luck!

Love Inspires

Not hard to be inspired on the 45th day of 2017.  I awoke on 2/14/17, got dressed, and came down to a Valentine's Candy display from my amazing wife.  Wearing my Heart Tie (that Sarah got me for a Valentine's Day of yore), I received a lot of smiles and they got me through the day.  Then, to Senior Night at Collingswood where we saw so much love expressed: from parents to daughters, from coaches to players, from teammates to teammates, love was in the air today and was inspiring.  It is so much easier when we focus on loving one another.  All we need is love!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWEEaH3QZoI

Pitchers and Catchers Inspire

So we have arrived at one of the most inspiring days of the year.  Day #44 (of course, it's a palindromic day!) of 2017 was another day filled with work and Alexa's basketball game, but the most inspiring thing of the day for me on 2/13/17 were the words "Pitchers and Catchers Report"  In Spring Training, all teams have "a chance" for success, and this even means that Spring is soon coming.  I am inspired to continue to press on, through a heavy time at work, through this stressful political time, through the last days of the cold-dreary winter, because Spring, the season of hope, warmth, and BASEBALL will soon be here.

Inspired by Bubbe

The 43rd day of 2017 was a great day of family, starting at Church and going all the way to the evening FH game for Alexa.  And, through all of the events, things from which inspiration could be drawn were experienced.  However, my inspirational focus today was from someone with whom I did not interact.  2/12/17 would have been the 101st birthday for my grandmother, Nettie Soskin.  Bubbe was a very inspiring force in my life.  From having the heart to become, with Sol, foster parents for my dad and his brother AND sister, to being a rock in our family and always willing to share her table with anyone with an appetite.  To her tenacity and strong will that she imbued in all of us to always fight for what is right and always to treat people with the respect you would want others to treat you with.  An amazing lady and I always have her in my heart.

Hidden Figures Inspired

42, according to Dougas Adams, is the answer to life, the universe, and everything.  And, on the 42nd day of 2017, the movie we chose for family movie night out was the answer for me.  On 2/11/17, we went to see Hidden Figures.  What a movie!  It was refreshing, inspiring, thought-provoking, and sobering as well.  I had a lot of movie moments, laughter, tears, goosebumps, and I learned a lot too. It was an amazing movie and I hope it inspired my daughters as well.  There always needs to be people to be the first....may this movie inspire a generation to seek higher heights!

RGC III Inspires

Before there was RGIII, there was RGC III.  And 2/10/2017 was the birthday of my good friend and colleague, Greer Cheeseman.  I had the day off (use-it-or-lose-it PTO) on the 41st day of 2017, and so, when Greer asked, I was able to say yes to the rrrrroadtrip to Columbia with the Band to play for the Women's Basketball Game!  There is little I would not do to try to help Greer.  He is a tireless advocate for the Penn Band, he is an amazing Penn Quaker, he has humor, wit, and does MAGIC.  He is a wonderful father and grandfather and he loves Disney almost as much as I do (well, maybe just as much).  He is even keeled and patient and kind.  He is an inspiration to all and, this Spring semester, is finishing his 44th year with the Penn Band.  When I grow up, I want to be like Greer (because that way, I do not REALLY have to "grow up").  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Greer!

Inspired by Teamwork

We had a faux snow day on the 40th day of 2017.  The morning of 2/9/17 was windy and snow filled and, thus, Penn opened late.  This meant that the leadership team of SRFS had to coordinate communications, logistics, and coverage for our offices both before Noon, and, after Noon (other areas got more snow that we did here in the Philly vicinity).  Then, with a limited staff in the Registrar's Office (due to weather and scheduled PTO), we worked to make sure all tasks got covered and all meetings were attended (virtually and in person).  I love being part of such great teams.  I am inspired by the desire of my colleagues to always work to do the best for our students.  I am not always the best at delegation, but I am really working on this facet of my work life.  And having great teammates makes that easier to do!

Science Inspires

I have to admit, this has been a long, tiring week, and today was another long and tiring day.  So, I was struggling to find an inspirational topic on the 39th day of 2017.  39 is a good number (13 x 3) so I was hoping to get inspiration for my inspiration.  SO, on 2/8/2017, I meandered over on the internet to see who was born today.  Hoping to get inspiration.  And I DID.  Dmitri Mendeleev was born on this day in 1828.  And, as we approach 300 years later, my kids are still learning his genetic methods in science class.  I love to watch them work out science experiments and theories and I appreciate the ways their teachers stretch them.  And I am inspired to keep their love for science fed.  More than ever, we need science in our world and in our lives.  More than EVER.  May we all be inspired to honor science and facts in these turbulent times.

Inspired by Teachers

So the 38th day of 2017 was a tough one.  Another long and hard work day on 2/7/2017 and, at midday, education in America took a pretty big hit.  It is obvious that the value of education is not seen by those who are controlling the leadership in Washington today.  Me?  I am forever inspired by the teaches I have had, the teachers who are now teaching my children, my friends (and family) who are teachers, and all those amazing people who work so hard for the children.  In my mind, education is the great equalizer and I am inspired to help those who help the youngest citizens of this world!

Band Music Inspiration

What a day the 37th day of 2017 was.  A long (but productive) day at work capped off with two meetings on 2/6/2017.  But then I got home, grabbed a quick dinner, and was treated to a wonderful gift.  Alexa and Anna were practicing Band music.  I really am inspired by their talent and how well they were working together to get the music as together as possible.  As you all know, I love music, it feeds my soul and inspires me to more on!  And tonight, this was the tonic I needed!  <3

Ian Inspired Me

When the Pastor is away, sometimes it is hard to be inspired to get to Church.  But, on the 36th day of 2017, that was NOT the case.  We had the blessings to hear a guest sermon from Ian McCurry today and it truly inspired me.  And I was also inspired by Julius' Children's Sermon, and the speaking about money and taxes and God. A fitting set of messages for my first week as Financial Secretary of the Church.  And a perfect message about when we resist the powers of evil and we speak out against hatred and fear, we are giving God what God needs (and giving the government what they deserve as well). And, finally, I really appreciate the benediction we have been using each week, it is also inspiring.  Anything, these days, that makes sense in this crazy world is so worthwhile.  So I leave you tonight with its inspiring words:

"Go forth into the world in peace,
 be of good courage,
 hold fast that which is good,
 render to no one evil for evil,
 strengthen the fainthearted,
 support the weak,
 help the afflicted,
 honor all people,
 love and serve God,
 rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit."

And for my non-religious friends, I posit that the first 8 lines apply to us all.  May we all be inspired to live our lives in this manner.

Inspired By the Beatles

On 2/4/2017, we had a really nice day planned.  After morning errands and rehearsals on the 35th day of 2017 we went to the Philly Pops with friends to see their Beatles Show.  It was a really nice concert and I was inspired by the talented musicians, by the Beatles tribute band, but, moreso, by the Beatles themselves.  Their lyrics, their creativity, their dramatic vision.  One of the songs they played this afternoon was Imagine.  I know it is a Lennon song, not officially Beatles, but its lyrics also inspire me, especially in these crazy political times....this song, as they reminded us, is about peace. I am always inspired to pursue peace, and I hope others are as well!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwUGSYDKUxU

Fridays Inspire

Day #34 of 2017 was a day I needed.  2/3/17 was the end of a long week (and I was only in the office four of the days) at work.  And Friday is here.  Not sure if it was because of it, but everyone seemed in a better mood today and, although the tasks were plentiful, there were lots of laughs.  I am inspired to rest and relax this weekend.  I have some work to get done as well, but Friday is here to inspire me to get some down time!

FB Friends Day Inspires

So the 33rd day of 2017 was a distinct day for many reason.  2/2/17 was Groundhog Day (darn rodent saw his shadow), 33 is a palindrome, I wrote my last check (as Interim Treasurer) for my Church (and it was check #22410 - sum of these numbers is 9, which is 3x3 on the 33rd day....NUMBERS!)  But Facebook also decided it was Friends Day - a FB holiday!  So, tonight, as I have many times already in this young year, want to draw my inspiration from my many FB friends.  I am inspired by their resilience, their commitment to their causes, and, of course, the pictures of their cats and food!  And, for a FB friend of mine, I will also pick a song of the day.  This one is for you, John.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCQGnVrTsAM

Inspiring Piano

First day of February and the 32nd day of 2017.  2/1/2017 was a long, tiring, and, kinda stressful day at work.  Finally got home in time to take my girls to piano AND heard them playing before we went (last minute touch ups and all!)  I LOVE LOVE LOVE the hear the progress that they are making on their piano technique and I love the music they make.  I am inspired by their dedication and hard work and I am loving the results.  After a long day, piano music made it all better!