Inspired to See the Glass Half Full

So the last day of the first half of 2017 was also a palindromic day.  Yes. 6/30/17 is the 181st day of 2017 as well.  And it was a good day at work, a great evening umpiring, and then a nice night at home.  It has been a busy 1st half of the year, and as we think about the halfway point, I would like to think that the year is half full, and we are gonna spend the rest of the year filling it more!  Yes, this is what I am inspired to do for the rest of the year!

Rocketing Inspirations

I learned on FB (from a friend's page) that the 180th day of 2017 is National Bomb Pop Day.  At our Little League, on 6/29/17, they are called Rocket Pops.  And inspiration was rocketing all around today, from the morning Change Management Session, to work and more meetings all day, to spending time with my family.  A day filled with fulfillment and inspiration.  And, as I prepare to go to bed on time (another inspiration) I realized that today, I have a picture AND a song!  Rockets are THAT inspirational.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtVBCG6ThDk

Inspired to Let it Go

Although the 179th day of 2017 was not a bad day by any means, there were a lot of events and activities on 6/28/17 that stressed me out a bit.  I am really tired and need to get to bed, but before I do, I will remind myself to be inspired to let some of these go.  Just Let it GO!

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

Inspired by Family Ties

On the 178th day of 2017, I was reminded all day about the ties that families have.  This morning, we were concerned about the brother of a co-worker and we were all relieved when he was OK.  And, on 6/27/17, Anna and Sarah returned home.  I am not surprised, but I am so happy that they are home.  It inspires me to enjoy my family as much as I can.  There was much laughter on the way home, and laughter is good!  I love the ties our family has.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H3JuQUQTLQ

Inspired to Solve

Day #177 has come and gone.  And, on 6/26/17, I spent a lot of time searching for solutions.  Happy to report many were found and shared. That brought a lot of inspiration at work and just serves to inspire me to keep trying to find more solutions.  But now I am tired and the solution is sleep.... Goodnight!

Inspired to Hope Through It All

6/25/17 started at Church, as most Sundays do.  And we had a unique conversation based sermon where we were asked to ask questions and discuss the "elephant in the pew."  One of the questions from the pews on the 176th day of 2017 was about having hope in the face of all that is going on these days.  I appreciated all that Pastor Bob told us about having faith, believing in the goodness of the world and that it will prevail.  I am inspired to have this hope, the hope for the good of the world. The hope that good will prevail.  It's not always easy, but it is necessary.  Especially these days!

Teams Inspire

We are at Day #175 of 2017, approaching the halfway mark of the year.  6/24/17 was a day filled with Little League and filled with teams.  Spent the morning with Alexa and her friend running errands to get ready for the Little League Tournament while a team of Little League Board members and coaches worked to get the fields ready after last night's storms.  Meanwhile, in Oaklyn, teams of first responders and public works employee were helping neighbors affected by the storms.  And, of course, once the games started, teamwork was on display.  The team that ran the stand, allowing me to participate on a team of umpires for the two games; The four teams of U10 baseball players, leaving it all on the field to win the game; The team of Oaklyn LL leaders who managed all the tournament details - all great teams.  I know I am inspired to work on teams, here in Oaklyn, at work, at Church, even at home.  I love working with others.  And today was a day of it.  Gonna sleep well tonight!

Inspiring Umpiring

It was hot and humid on the 174th day of 2017. So, of course, on 6/23/17, the District 13 U10 Baseball Tournament started and Oaklyn once again was the host field!  I really enjoyed umpiring with my friends and neighbors and we had a great game and a great night (we even had some breezes).  I am inspired to continue to umpiring, as a volunteer, to help Oaklyn Little League and help the kids.  You make 50% of the people mad with every call, but, it's worth it.

Inspirations at a Funeral

The week of raging emotions continued on the 173rd day of 2017.  6/22/17 started off with a retirement party for a dear colleague (and his wife who is retiring as well) and ended with a funeral for another dear colleague.  In events such as these, many people get up and speak about the person in whose name the event is being held. In a retirement, it is done as a way to speak to the person about how they have affected others in their workplace.  At a funeral, it is done to tell family and friends how the departed has affected others in their lives.  What this inspires me to do, however, is to tell people how they have affected others in the here and now.  One should not have to wait until retirement to hear the great impact of their work.  We should not wait for someone to leave us to talk about their accomplishments and influence.  I am inspired to inform and commend for a job well done, in the moment.  It's a good reminder to us all, I think.  And, I wanted a song today since Rick's love while on this Earth was music, so here is Rick's favorite song.  And we are all weeping tonight, not just the guitars.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJDJs9dumZI

Inspired by Memories

What a wild day the 172nd day of 2017 was.  I woke up already a bit maudlin on 6/21/17, because I had not heard from Sarah or Anna since their international takeoff (this has since been remedied). And I was rushing to get to work on time for an 8AM meeting.  I arrived to a building with no power and spent most of the day at work dealing with the systems issues caused by a loss of power in our major data center.  Left at 3 (we actually closed early) and made it back to arrange dinner, finalize arrangements for the post-Promotion party, and got to the ceremony to play in the band.  The ceremony was very emotional for me, but also very inspiring.  This is an amazing group of kids (yes, I am biased, but even the teachers say it too!)  I am so inspired by them and what they have achieved and what they will achieve in the future.  Maybe it's because I had a ceremony after 9th grade as well, but this one hit me in the emotions.  I loved the slide show, cannot wait to get the DVD so I can watch it over and over.  So, let's enjoy the memories, with Barbara, and then get ready to make some more!  CONGRATS OPS Class of 2017!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBPQT2Ia8fU

Inspired to Sail Away

The 171st day of 2017 was a big day in the Sherr Family.  Because, on 6/20/17, we drove to airport for Anna and Sarah to depart on their international excursion to Europe to go to the International Choir Festival in Northern Italy.  A big trip for Anna, first time out of the US.  And I am so glad she is having this experience and happy Sarah can go with her.  I am inspired by her courage.  But also need to dig deep to be inspired to be calm as they leave the US with an unsettled world political climate.  I pray for an excellent experience for them and the whole choir and I pray for their safe travels as they "sail away" to their adventure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FO5ijPecVY

Inspired by a Good Cry

There were more tears than planned on the 170th day of 2017.  I walked into a morning meeting on 6/19/17 and my colleagues seemed upset (and I do not think it was because I was 9 minutes late). Later in the day, I found out why.  This past weekend, our good friend and colleague Rick Magee passed away.  Rick was, as I said on a friend's page, simply the nicest person who worked at Penn. And the fact that he was extremely competent just made it even better to work with him.  We are all better for having known him.  So, I was driving home, in the rain storm, pretty maudlin, and this song came on the Beatles Station (I am loving Beatles Radio on Sirrius XM!)  And, the guest DJ who announced it said it was one of her favorites because it brings her to tears.  And, you know what, it brought me to tears too.  I guess you can say it is sometimes a good thing to be inspired to have a good cry.  And that was my inspiration tonight, I DID have a good cry.  And there is nothing wrong with that!  Be it about worries, work stress, politics, a relationship, someone who has passed, or just because you need one, I think we should all be inspired to have a good cry once and a while.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAmiVJxl-Z0

Father Figures Inspire

Most Father's Days, as they are Sundays, start in Church.  The 169th Day of 2017 was no different. And I got up to offer Prayers of the People on 6/18/17 and I was thankful for many things.  I am thankful that I have had an amazing father in my life.  And, REALLY thankful that a few health hiccups last year have not slowed my dad down (much!)  There is no doubt I am truly blessed in the father department.  That brings us to how thankful I am for Sarah and Alexa and Anna who turned me into a father, truly the best part of my life - FAMILY!  And we shopped for clothes (FOR ME!) today and had a Father's Day Lunch (and Anna's belated Birthday Lunch), and then did more shopping (for many other community functions).  So Father's Day was a pretty amazing day.  But, my inspiration for today comes not only from the fathers, but also from the father figures in our lives.  I suggested this morning that we should average out the distance between Mother's and Father's Day and just have Parents' Day!  Because there are individuals in all of our lives, who are not fathers, heck, they may not even be male, who are fatherly to us.  Mentors, Teachers, Coaches, Bosses, I have had a bunch.  We also need to remember (and be inspired by) the single moms who are mother and father to their kids.  And also to families who have two moms, who are both mother and "father."  The world is a complex place, and I feel that these days can sometimes marginalize others.  So, although I have had a traditional life, with amazing traditional father (and grandfather) figures in my life, here's to ALL of the folks "doing the job!"  HAPPY FATHERS' DAY to all those Father Figures out there. Let's listen to some George Michael and go to bed!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_9hfHvQSNo

Dads and Grads Inspire

We had a great time on 6/17/2017.  On the 168th day of 2017, we surprised Sarah's dad for his 75th birthday and Father's Day!  I love happy surprises!  It is the season of inspirations, Dads and Grads. So I am truly inspired by all the graduates I have been seeing pictures of, on Facebook.  And, of course, there are many inspirations around fathers and fatherhood, but I will save them for tomorrow. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jim!

Summer Inspires

Day 167 of 2017 was another one of those days that did NOT go the way I had planned.  6/16/17 started off with a meeting at work, even though this was a use-it-or-lose-it PTO day.  I ended up only using the 2:30-5PM slot, sadly.  But I did get to pick up my kids from School (their last 2:43 dismissal of the year) and hang out for the rest of the afternoon.  It was a warm humid day, National Flip Flop Day, I have found, and so I will take inspiration that Summer is coming and life will hopefully be a bit calmer.  Work might not be, but all the other things should calm, I hope.

Inspired to Smile

The 166th day of 2017 was National Smile Power Day.  And so, on 6/15/17, I focus my post on smiles (I think I have the same song link as well).  Smiles inspire me.  I like to smile at people as I walk down the street.  Sometimes I get a strange look but, usually, people smile back.  It's just a better way to go about the day.  I am inspired to spread smiles, and I hope you can all do so as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbgmQGUQj2E

The Flag Inspires

These days, it's interesting to try to be patriotic.  So many things going on make me embarrassed to be from the US.  But, on the 165th day, we celebrate the flag.  Yup, 6/14/17 is Flag Day.  And, I will choose to dwell on the positive aspects of the flag and the inspirations I experience from those who are fighting overseas to keep us safe.  I am inspired to think we often pledge to be "One Nation, Under God, INDIVISIBLE, with LIBERTY and JUSTICE for ALL!"  Let's hope that leaders of this nation can remember these words as we move forward from yet another national tragedy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFV_tmTcU0Q

Inspired by the Birthdays of Friends

Except for Leap Years, the 164th day of the year means one thing.  And the 164th day of 2017 was 6/13/17 and the birthdays of two of my amazing friends.  Alex Kudera, with whom I have been friends since the first day I remember, and Kathy Press, my steadfast friend and confidant with whom I have been friends since I moved in to Oaklyn.  Friends are inspiring and it is great to celebrate the days of their birth.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwscb3QIVSg

Inspired to Escape the Heat

The 163rd day of 2017 was even warmer than yesterday.  And, not having any reason to be outside on 6/12/17, I stayed inside: in my office, in my car (with the AC powerful), in the Oaklyn School (for a meeting), and in my own home.  Today, all I could be was inspired to stay cool, and hydrate.  Hoping for cooler weather soon (but it does not look like it tomorrow!)  Glenn says it best, the HEAT IS ON!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA_r1xEA_2M

Inspiring Piano Recital

6/11/2017 was a great day.  The 162nd Day of 2017 was the Music Celebration Day at Church, was the 75th Birthday of my Aunt Teddy and the 8th Birthday of a dear neighbor who has celebrated with me at the Snack Stand for the past five years.  It was also a vert hot day, especially since I umpired two playoff games in 90+ degree heat.  BUT, while some (or all) of those events inspired me in many ways, the deepest inspirations came from my daughters' piano recital today.  I love how the recitals are setup from the kids who have been just recently taking lessons to the students in lessons for a long while.  Alexa got to finish off the recital this year and this, again, reminded me of the time passages as previous inspirational posts.  But, today, as I have been trying to do, I just sat back, relaxed, enjoyed, and allowed myself to be inspired by my amazing children and their wonderful teacher. And, speaking of piano, I figured I could throw this Billy Joel song in there. <3

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

Inspiring Celebrations

The 161st day of 2017, in palindromic form, was a great one.  So many celebrations on 6/10/2017, the main one we attended was for our good friend Warren Bigelow.  I was Warren's Confirmation Mentor and, as the brother of one of Alexa's best friends, we have often found ourselves in the same place discussing baseball, school. soccer, history, and current events.  Warren also shares (with his family) my love of board games (also with my family).  We have had epic competitions and I hope that, even though he is going away to college, this will happen again in the future.  Then, back home, we witnessed birthday and graduation celebrations for other kids.  I know things are crazy these days, but the youth I meet inspire me to have hope for the future.  I know that Warren will do amazing things.  And, with apologies to Greer, I had to use this song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GwjfUFyY6M

Inspired to Honor the Passages of Time

6/9/2017 was Day #160 of 2017.  It started with the last Donuts with Dad at OPS with both Alexa and Anna as Alexa will be leaving OPS this year.  And after the day's work, I drove home to have dinner with them... but I was foiled.  We have reached the age where friends are more enticing than dinner with dad on a Friday night.  But that's OK.  Watching my daughters grow up well has been inspiring and fills me with joy.  I just need to also remember to slow down (I have been saying that a lot lately) and enjoy the moments...as they grow and mature and become the wonderful people I know they will become. <3  I love this Al Stewart song.  Time Passages, indeed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm6TsYypBpY

Best Friends Inspire

So here we are Day #159 of 2017.  And 6/8/2017 was a 13 hour day at work (just a lot going on) and I did not spend a lot of time with anyone other than work colleagues today, but I did note, tonight, that it was National Best Friends Day.  I did not see many of them today, but here's a nightly hat tip to all of the Best Friends in my life and the inspirations they have imparted upon me.  Especially to my good friend Ryan who, with his wife Kristy, just welcomed Baby Leo a week ago tonight!  Here's a Queen song for you all!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaZpZQG2z10

Grandfatherly Love Inspires

The 158th day of 2017 would have been the 109th birthday of my paternal grandfather, Aaron Bechtel.  Penn Class of 1931.  Father, Husband, Grandfather, Bridge Player, Great Books Maven, Tennis Player (Abigail, remember "can't get it over the net"?), Backyard Farmer, Union Organizer, Anatomy Professor (to nurses at Hahnemann, no less), my hero.  On 6/7/2017, I listened to the Beatles Station on satellite radio both on the drive to and from work.  I love the Beatles, I love the foundation that grandfather laid for all of us in our family, and I love the love with which he enveloped us all.  So, since it's hard to find Beatles songs online, I have to go with this Glee cover!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWqels4iVYM

Inspiring Student Athletes

It was a great ending to 6/6/2017.  The 157th day of 2017 started off frustratingly, as OPS Field Day was postponed by this never ending pattern of soggy weather.  So, I went to work and got a lot of work done, and then was happy to hear all of the Little League games were played as scheduled. BUT, the best part was sitting in the Collingswood Cafeteria at the Athletics Awards Ceremony.  It was inspiring to see all of these student-athletes (amazing to witness so many of the same faces I saw at the Academic Awards Ceremony) in the room and to witness their successes on the field and in the classroom and their community.  I hope Alexa was inspired as well, since this is, I hope, the first of many of these that we will attend!

Rainy Inspirations

Well, the weekend was definitely over and it was back to work on the 156th day of 2017.  6/5/17 was a cloudy, dreary day.  But, I spent most of the day inside anyway, in meetings, sessions. etc.  Was happy to see that all of the Little League games were able to be played.  Alexa's team capped off their season with a good win.  So inspired to see that good things can happen, even amidst the rainy dreariness.  Hoping for the same tomorrow, as we have Field Day planned!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzFnYcIqj6I

My Parents Inspire

So, I have to say, one of the most important days in my life was the 155th day of 1966.  And, on the 155th day of 2017, I thought a lot about this fateful day.  Because 6/4/2017 is the 51st Anniversary (great number, 51, 17 x 3, is) of my parents' wedding.  And, as I posted on their memory pic today, I am so happy that they married and started our family, which of course included myself and my sister, and is the main foundation of the wonderful life I have today.  My parents have inspired me all of my life.  They showed me how to be empathetic to others and how to succeed by ensuring others succeed as well.  My parents showed me that marriage is an amazing partnership and is filled with love, laughter, hard work, and compromise.  They raised me to believe in the basic goodness in all people and to treat all people equal, no matter what their size, shape, color, or background.  They have also inspired me to try to be inspiration for others, they truly have "paid it forward" all the days of their lives.  So happy to have been able to share their day (even if just online) and thrilled they will be able to share our day (#18 in July) while we are on our family vacation.  And, since I am still providing songs when I can, even though not this year's theme, I will, once again, share their song.  LOVE YOU MOM AND DAD, Thanks for EVERYTHING!!  Here's to many, many more!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fllN8bUJ77c

Baby Inspirations

I met the cutest boy baby I have ever seen on the 154th day of 2017.  6/3/17 started off in such an amazing way as the Sherr Family traveled to HUP to the post-partum floor (yes, we saw a Penn Nursing alumna as well!) to see Koob and Kristy and BABY LEO!  He has a perfect face, perfect ears, perfect parents and I was inspired by him.  You see, babies are pure goodness.  Born into this world without prejudices, without anger, without anything but pure goodness.  I am inspired to try to depend on these core values, we come into this world as a child, we should try to retain that child-like purity and shed prejudices, anger, and more.  I do not think Justin was singing about little kids in this song, but it is a catchy tune!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kffacxfA7G4

Inspired By Prom

Day #153 found me at home, after work, perusing Facebook checking out the prom pictures of my friends.  6/2/2017 seemed to be prom night for many, many high schools.  It was a reminder that my kids will soon be in these pics, attending these proms, and then going away to College.  I am inspired, thus, to hold on to my kids as long as I can, and then be ready to let them grow and go.  And, I hope they dance!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV-Z1YwaOiw

Inspired Through it All

May was a long month, filled with a lot of twists and turns, and the 152nd day of 2017, the 1st day of June, followed suit.  Woke up on 6/1/2017 as the father of TWO teenagers.  Anna turned 13 and I was filled with joy and pride at the young woman she is becoming.  Then the work day was filled with ups and downs, with twists and turns, and a day I expected to be spent at a Student Affairs Conference was spent attending to tasks of a totally different nature.  Then we had a meeting a church, choir rehearsal, softball game, snack stand counting, errands, and FINALLY we could celebrate Anna's day with cake, ice cream, and extended family.  It was a crazy, busy day and I am exhausted (AND still have 600+ emails).  But I am inspired to push through it all and remain positive and productive.  Milestones occur, at home, at work, and tasks come and go, but a positive attitude can endure forever, time after time!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdQY7BusJNU