Ted Schneider on "Improv Leadership" on WRLR 98.3 LP FM

     Summer solstice 6/24/23 – June 21st is the start of summer and the longest day of the year (although I recall some days that never seemed to end and it wasn’t on June 21st). Like everything else in life, good news, bad news, we get the longest day but the shortest night (clearly there is no free lunch). The other side effect (there should be a warning like the drug commercials state) daylight hours gradually decrease each day after June 21st (hardly seems right – we celebrate the beginning of summer but it signals less light each day)? This reminded me that we celebrate our birthday but it really means the clock continues to tick – a reminder there is a time limit on our existence. It means you know at the end of each day there is one less day in your personal life expectancy bank account. The simple solution - enjoy each hour of life – celebrate each day and enjoy it to the fullest. Remember, the word “solstice” comes from the Latin words sol “Sun” and stitium “standing” – don’t be like the sun on summer solstice and simply stand still in the sky – get out there, move and enjoy what life has to offer (no matter how long the day is or how short the night is). 

Chess 6/17/23 – What if you woke up one day and found yourself a piece on a chess board? What piece would you be? Would you be a Pawn because you sometimes feel insignificant and feel expendable because there are many of you? Would you be a Rook, you work hard, are loyal and devoted to protecting others? Would you be a Knight, because you always come to the rescue and you jump over other pieces to get where you want to go? Would you prefer to be a Bishop because of your strong religious beliefs and nature? Would you be a Queen - the most powerful piece on the board because you are allowed to move in any direction and as many squares as you like - although like many women you can easily burn out by attempting to do too much and be everywhere? Lastly would you be the King because the King barely moves and like some in society they make others do all the hard work and still expect loyalty? In the end it really doesn’t matter what piece you are – it’s the decisions you make, how you interact with the other pieces you encounter and how you navigate life around your own little personal chess board. What’s your next move? Make it count.  

Three repositories 6/10/23 - We have three repositories in life, one labeled Yesterday, one labeled Today and one labeled Tomorrow. Yesterday is like a landfill – it fills up with our memories, joys, highs, lows, disappointments, regrets and our experiences (we deposit and bury our past here and sometimes people even get stuck here). Tomorrow is a sealed container that we are not allowed to look into – we can’t see how many days are left in this bin, it might be one day, hundreds of days or could even be empty. Today is the playground that is filled with unlimited possibilities and it’s real time. Remember where you can affect change and where you are able to create and shape life as you see fit – Today. 

 Heart 6/3/23 – The heart pumps blood around your body and maintains blood pressure. The heart also works together with the brain to balance out decision making. The brain often takes the role of being logical while the heart is led by emotion (resulting, at times, in a stalemate). Recently my heart told me it felt good about the relationship I am in and I wanted input from my mind too so I scheduled a Zoom meeting with both of them to discuss this further. My mind was pushing for some tangible signs, benefits and results while my heart was telling me if I don’t listen to it I increase the risk of regret.  My heart also made the point that if I followed it, a more satisfying life could result. My mind abruptly interrupted the conversation and said it was flexible and could bend but reminded me that the heart can break. The heart responded back that my mind was psychologically impaired due to age and that anything that came out of it might be a little suspect. I concluded the meeting (while trying not to take sides) and told my heart I was going to place my trust in it to see where this relationship goes (and my mind didn’t seem to mind). Sometimes you simply have to follow your heart.  

 40 years? 5/27/23 - My father died of cancer 40 years ago this week at the age of 52. He was only alive for a little over a third of my life but made a lasting impression. He was a quiet man (he was raised that children were to be seen and not heard which meant I was always an exception to him – I was seen and heard often). I remember some advice he gave me, most notably, “Give 110% no matter what you do” and “People will judge you by the company you keep.” I also recall him asking me on many occasions, “You think everything is funny don’t you” to which I replied on many occasions, “Yes” (even now I am smiling writing this). As a postal carrier he was home by 4:00pm so he was always around and he was involved in Boy Scouts (paper drives, weekend camping trips etc.). Before the post office he was a washing machine repairman – he did repairs on neighbor’s machines all the time like a doctor making house calls. I recall him being an excellent driver, he did car maintenance and he raced a little when he was younger (so there’s no question where I get my need for speed). My grandfather appropriately called him a “jack of all trades” since there was little he was unable to do. He was a good poker player and could shoot pool with the best of them. I have fond memories of my father but wish I could have had more years with him to create even more memories. Lastly, he instilled in us that anything was possible and that there was always a plan B – which held true until cancer cut his life short unexpectedly – unfortunately there was no Plan B for that. Dad, thank you for the time we had with you, we miss you, rest in peace. 

My top 10 rules for happiness 5/20/23;
     Be challenged in life (at work and in my personal life) pushing the existing boundaries
     Find something to laugh about throughout the day
     Surround myself with positive influences (people, literature, images, music etc.)
     Exercise is a daily ritual
     Eat healthy and with a balance
     Get some needed rest and sleep
     Bounce back with a positive spin & attitude regardless of what knocks me down
     Do something for someone else asking nothing in return
     Realizing there are no do-overs in life but hopeful that I get a chance to do better tomorrow
      At the end of the day feel good about what I accomplished and who I am

60+ 5/13/23
Someone asked me the other day what it felt like to 60 years plus,
I said don’t make a fuss.
Being over six decades old does not mean the ends in sight,
Not giving up without a fight.
I mentioned at this age you have gained some knowledge, wisdom and a scar or two,
But who knew,
That it isn’t as scary as you once may have thought or feared,
Although it does seem weird,
That all at once every insurance company in the world knows how old you are,
You’re simply a star.
You have paid into social security, made your mark in the world and your kids are grown up,
Clearly you’re no pup.
But besides a few wrinkles, some gray hair and perhaps even losing a step,
You still have some pep and you’re no schlep.
You have reached an age when you shouldn’t worry what others say or think,
Perhaps you do need extra zinc?
Being over 60 is a privilege because there are no guarantees that you will hit this number,
Especially if you snore like you’re cutting lumber.
It’s actually a good time to be alive because at some point you simply don’t care,
Go ahead and stare.
Lastly, you might feel like you have experienced some wear and tear and you’ll want to swear,
Don’t worry soon you’ll be on Medicare.