Ted Schneider on "IMPROV LEADERSHIP" on WRLR 98.3 LP FM

   Happy Anniversary? 3/13/21 – It’s difficult to comprehend how much has changed in the last year. It has been almost a year that I have worked from home. Our focus as a society has shifted rapidly, from shortages of certain items in stores to a turbulent political scene and back to shortages of vaccines. We have witnessed acts of kindness and acts of violence. A year ago, going to the grocery store meant wearing latex gloves, hazmat suits, masks and sanitizing everything when we got home (or leaving it in our cars or garage for three days) to now wearing a mask and washing our hands thoroughly before and after the trip. We have been inundated with so much information and disinformation about the virus that its hard to know the truth. We have been afraid to come in contact with other human beings and we are still cautious about coming in contact with other humans. People have found new ways to entertain themselves virtually and Zoom is now much more than just an old Mazda ad (zoom, zoom in case you forgot). We have witnessed a ton of creativity and innovation and face masks have become a fashion statement and a new industry. Ironically one thing hasn’t changed, no matter what the topic (stimulus checks, minimum wage, vaccines, climate change, electric cars, Dr. Seuss books or Mr. Potato Head) there are two distinct sides people take. We still live in a world of “take a side and stay entrenched there” and it vividly shows up on social media and on the news. I was really hoping for a shortage of controversy, turmoil disagreement and adversity. Perhaps someday this will be in short supply and we can climb out of our fox holes and find some common ground. Happy Anniversary.

Change 3/6/21 – Seeing how quickly the snow has disappeared the last few weeks, reminded me of how quickly things change. It seems like just yesterday I was questioning why Mother Nature decided to dump 15.3 inches of snow in two days and today it is 80% gone. One minute you are walking fine and in the next breath your knee starts to hurt. The sun is out, it’s a beautiful day and clouds sneak in and it begins to rain. You think being a student is drudgery and will never end and one day you wake up, “schools out” and you have to find a job. You are driving down the highway listening to music, feeling great and a tire blows and quickly changes the mood. Without warning a loved one becomes sick; it turns out to be terminal and the next thing you know you are dressed in black at a wake.  To be fair, some change is gradual and because it occurs slowly, we don’t notice it. But other times change is sudden due to the abrupt shift in your situation. Appreciate what you have now, enjoy what you are experiencing and take some delight in your circumstances because life can be unpredictable. 

Share your gifts 2/27/21 – Each of us has a talent, a skill or a special ability that I would call a gift. There are many things I would consider gifts, such as but not limited to, you play a musical instrument, you draw or paint well, you speak multiple languages, you are athletic, you can sing (singing in the shower doesn’t count - I even sound good there), you are skilled with your hands like wood working, you write well, or you can juggle. There are soft skill gifts too such as, you make people laugh, you have the ability to light up a room with your smile, you help others in need, you have a vivid imagination, you are creative, you are a leader, you speak well in public, or you always have a positive attitude.  No matter what your special skill or talent is, (and yes you do have one don’t be shy) it is a gift that you can share with others. Make your part of the world a little better by sharing something that is uniquely you.

Aging 2/20/21 – We all age differently. Some need to have their parts replaced while others go with OEM parts for life.  Some are in great shape physically while others will not be invited to the next Senior Vogue or Senior GQ shoot. Some men go bald while others have most of their hair (everywhere). Some women sport batwings while others have toned more human looking arms. A variety of diseases and ailments affect some while bypassing others. Some keep their local Walgreens prescription center thriving, while others just take over the counter supplements. Some look good in gray while others it’s not really their best color option. Some go to the brow bar frequently, while others purchase a forehead weed whacker. Some have smooth and wrinkle free skin while others apparently opted for the rugged, worn leathery look. Some have retired while others continue to work. What this means is there are no rules, no handbook, and certainly no aging standards. We are human and there are a variety of forces at work on each of us that affects the outcome of our lives. Environment, heredity, habits, consumption, sleep, exercise, mental outlook, work, relationships and even luck all have some impact on us. But perhaps life is simply like a game of Texas Hold’em. We are each dealt two private cards (hole cards) and we are able to have some flexibility by using some of the shared community cards. It seems that we only get to play that one hand, and keep in mind some try to cheat playing cards but I don’t think you can cheat playing the aging game. This means we all need to do the best we can using the cards we have at our disposal and folding is not an option so “go all in” when its your turn to bet (and by all means bluff if you have to).

Snow = different meanings 2/13/21 – I was out shoveling the other day and the neighbor’s children were playing in the back yard enjoying the abundance of snow. I certainly didn’t share their enthusiasm based on how much snow has fallen so far this season and the hours I have spent shoveling. It made me think of how something as simple as ‘snow’ can create a different image and mean something different depending on your age, your occupation, your disposition and even your health. For example, when you are young snow = play time, making igloos or forts, having snow ball fights and creating snow angels. If you plow and/or shovel for income snow = job/money. If you are a USPS letter carrier snow = more physical effort walking the route. If you have to drive in it, snow = slowing down, delays and accidents. If you are older or have a medical condition, snow = death or injury. If you are a film director snow = it fits or doesn’t fit the script. If you are a weatherman (or woman) snow = a forecast/prediction. If you are an airport snow = cancelations. If you are a bird snow = stay in the nest. If you live in Florida snow = not applicable, that’s why I moved here. If you are me snow = steps and exercise. What does ‘snow’ mean to you? 

Highs and lows 2/6/21 – There are times in our lives when the planets align in a rare formation and everything works perfectly. There are other times the planets must have been sucked into a black hole and we suffer the consequences. I reflected on some of the ‘highs’, beautiful summer days that went on and on, an improv performance where I “was on”, a radio show when we laughed so much it was hard to talk, first dates that were incredible, family events where everyone connected, days at work when I nailed a presentation, vacations that were fun, relaxing, educational and well beyond what I imagined, witnessing the birth of my three children and many others. But when I reflected on the ‘lows’, divorce, getting laid off from a job, death of a loved one, physical injuries, first dates that were a disaster (for the record I can only recall one and I think I was 11 years old), car accidents etc. I realized that even though I was dealt a lousy hand at the time, the game of life wasn’t over. It was merely a dip, a roadblock to climb over and the journey continued. At the time its hard to see anything positive, but it’s how you react to the situation and if you are able to walk away from it several things occur. You learned a lesson, you appreciate the ‘highs’ more, you get to laugh about it after the statute of limitations runs out and you are promptly rewarded a scar (physically and/or emotionally) as a reminder. Enjoy the highs and live in the present when they occur to soak up all they have to offer (and don’t worry about posting it on Instagram), and tuck your chin in, relax and keep your elbows and knees bent when you fall so you are able to get back up and keep living this mysterious thing, we call life.  

Seeing the best in people 1/30/21 – I was listening to the Rolling Stones album, ‘Exile on Main Street’ and the song, ‘Following the River’ has one particular line that states, “Because you always saw the best in me.” This made me think of how we sometimes can view another person. We focus on the negative or a behavior or trait that annoys us or we judge them because they are different than us. But think for a moment of those people closest to you and I am willing to bet that they always see the best you have to offer. What if for a week we all focused on and looked for the best in people. What if we looked past some prejudice, looked past some difference and instead we only saw the best in them. I am not suggesting to pretend you don’t like something in particular about them, I am simply suggesting look for the good they bring to the party, their redeeming value(s) or something positive. Just imagine how much easier life could progress if we always looked for the best in people first. 

  Life on a train 1/23/21 – Life reminds me of riding on a train. When we are young it seems, we are aboard an old steam engine as it slowly goes down the tracks making every stop, at every station. We yearn to be older than we are and we want the future to come sooner than is possible. As evidence, we count our age in quarter years, I am 11.25 years old, 11.5 years old etc. As life goes on, we continue to transfer to faster and faster trains and by the time you reach my age we find ourselves on the latest, fastest bullet train flying down the tracks of life. No more local stops, you are on an express train. The conductor ignores you pulling down on the brake signal to stop or at least slow down a little. The stations (which you believe represent years) whiz by the window as you look out and its hard to believe you have past so many stations. The only thing you can do is enjoy the ride (I wouldn’t suggest jumping from the train at 200 mph), make the best of the ride, and take advantage of what the train has to offer and do it before you arrive at the end of the line. 

They said what? 1/9/21 – It has been a week of reminiscing between talking to an old friend, Wiz, who I have known since we worked together in1975 and going through some old boxes in storage. I am being reminded of people, places and events and I was also recalling specific things said to me. Funny how some things I can remember very clearly and specifically (assuming they must have had some type of impact on me) while most conversations have faded away (they must not have had an impact on me or I simply wasn’t listening).

Here are just a few phrases I recall from over the years (and who said them to me in the parentheses):

· “I can’t compete with your ego” (Nita, a girl I dated after high school)

· “People will judge you by the company you keep” (my father)

· “You should get home” (my mother calling me at work in 1983 on the day my father died)

· “I’ll make this as quick as possible” (Dr. Munsell prior to my last digital prostate exam) 

· “You have to make everything a joke don’t you” (too many people to list)

· “Wilbur” (Tony P. from high school)

· “He is such a handsome boy, but crazy” (woman in Athens, Greece in 1979 talking to my mom based on my behavior crossing the street)

· “It was a small tear but a big repair” (surgeon who repaired my hernia)

· “It’s a girl” (when my daughter Brianna was born)

· “It’s a boy” (when my son Alec was born and when my son Zach was born)

· “You need to achieve a balance regarding humor in the workplace” (Terri, my manager, during my first formal review at Allstate, my first job out of college) 

· “Why are you working here?” (co-workers at Allstate because they thought I should go into acting or comedy based on my behavior).

· “Please don’t touch power tools” (my children on numerous occasions)

· “What are we talking about now?” (several people because I switch subjects frequently in the middle of conversations)

Minimalism 1/16/21 – I watched two Netflix specials last week on minimalism and it made me think of all the stuff I have stored in boxes that for over six years I haven’t touched. Is it time to let go of some of it, the answer was simple, yes. My focus - go through a few boxes a week and either recycle, give away, throw away or keep. This week – three boxes to Goodwill (a decent start). I also deleted some apps on my phone I don’t use and I am going through clothes that I know I will never wear. The process is uplifting because your load is literally being lightened and less clutter puts your mind more at ease. One message from the shows about not letting things or the pursuit of things get in the way of what is truly important was another takeaway. I can recall in my past where “if I just had x I would be happy.” Shortly after purchasing it, it no longer made me happy and really never did. Less stuff also means more time to focus on making your life better by doing what you want. Lastly, we all have experienced less since the pandemic began, less time with friends, less time at sporting events and other entertainment venues, less time in restaurants, bars etc. Let’s take this “less” and learn to make quality count over quantity and more importantly let’s cherish others versus worshipping things. 

Merry Christmas 2020

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

But some were quite bare.

Because of a virus that is like a deadly germ,

Which makes me squirm.

But I thought I can’t let a pandemic get me down,

So, I wiped away my frown.

I began to think of all the good that I know,

And a smile began to grow.

I thought of all the friends I have that have been kind,

And it instantly filled my mind.

With positive images of Christmas joy and cheer,

I started to even tear 

Because I realized that it didn’t matter how much was in my cart,

But what was in my heart.

  What I’ve learned the last few months12/19/20 – In no particular order here are some things I have observed and/or learned the last several months; 1) Those employed in the digital economy have it much better financially than those not in the digital economy (and this has created an even larger gap than existed before), 2) I have gotten used to many changes from wearing a mask in public, working from home full time to no large public gatherings, 3) Sports are not a necessary part of my life (I can live without watching or following), 4) Communicating and staying in touch with people on Zoom is no longer awkward, 5) The pandemic has brought out the best in some people and has brought out the worse in some people, 6) Innovations, creativity and inventions have flourished during this time period, 7) Americans in particular are now accustomed to not being able to find everything they want (or seeing it in short supply) online or in stores (like weights, bicycles, laptops etc.), 8) Many things including getting a COVID vaccination has become political, 9) Entertainment in all forms has changed drastically, 10) Lastly, many believe these are horrible times we are experiencing but if we think back in history to the depression between 1929 to 1933, shortages, rationing and millions around the world dying during WWII and even the turbulent 60’s I think we will continue to adapt, transform and ultimately survive. My hope is that we will be changed for the better as a result of what we are now experiencing.