I admit it. I’m getting older. I can see all the signs.

This time of the year, I’m addicted to the many classic Christmas movies which fill our TV screens almost 24/7 during the month of December. I don’t know if it’s nostalgia, hope for the future, seasonal loneliness, or a simple longing for a “happy ending.”

I tear up much too fast and far too often. I readily demonstrate the three most telling symptoms of a “softie”:

1. Tear in the eye
2. Lump in the throat
3. Warmth in the heart

… and all three usually occur midway through these Christmas classics. I love these trips down Memory Lane even though I’ve seen most of these classics more times than I can remember. While they never get old to me, I also have to admit that I have little interest in the animated specials or “cartoons” as we used to call them unless I’m watching them with my grandchildren.

However, this year I had advanced notice of an animated special featuring one of my all-time favorite Christmas stories … which, by the way, is based on a true story. The night it aired, I had plans I couldn’t get out of so I taped it to watch later when I got home.

As a result, I ended up watching the entire movie in the early hours of the morning. It was perfect. Full moon shining across the lake and through my floor to ceiling windows, snow falling gently, roaring fire in the fireplace, giant bowl of buttered popcorn, and enough ice cold Coke to float a boat! What more could anyone ask? I got comfortable, adapted the necessary mind set, snuggled up in a warm blanket and settled in for what turned out to be a fabulous rendition of “Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus!”

Now don’t jump to conclusions. Although animated, it was a very powerful story that rendered a tremendously relevant message for adults as well as children. Although the network special only lasted 30 minutes, I managed to experience all three of the “softie symptoms” within the first five minutes.

This version had everything … the cutest and most lovable “Virginia” I’ve ever seen, an innocent younger brother who worshiped his big sister, the mean older school mate who spilled the beans even though she wanted to believe, concerned parents who weren’t sure how to handle this critical situation, an alcoholic street Santa who was wiser than first appraised, and a grumpy newspaper editor who had a change of heart that brought joy to the hearts of millions of children for decades to come. This is a classic that should be viewed by children from 9 to 90. It redefines hope, faith and the true Christmas Spirit at time when everyone in the country could benefit from a “spiritual boost.”

I mentioned earlier that this classic was based on a true story. Eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York’s Sun newspaper because a few of her friends told her Santa was not real. Her father told her that “If you see it in the Sun, it’s so!” The novel response was printed as an unsigned editorial September, 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Frank Church has since become history’s most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.

The story of Virginia’s inquiry and the Sun‘s response was adapted into an Emmy Award-winning animated television special in 1974 featuring the voices of Jim Backus and Jimmy Osmond, and in 1991 it was adapted into a made-for-TV movie with Richard Thomas and Charles Bronson. In New York City, local television journalist Gabe Pressman has recounted the story every Christmas for the past 30 years.

Here’s the story as it was written on that fateful day 112 years ago. You’ll find it as heart-warming and relevant as it was the day it was written.

DEAR EDITOR:

I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.” Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?”

VIRGINIA O’HANLON

The Editor answered:

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except what they see. They think nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exists, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there was no Santa Claus? It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus? You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children or men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, and romance can push aside that curtain and view the picture and the supernatural beauty and glory beyond. Is it real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else more real and abiding.

No Santa Claus? Thank God he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now,Virginia, nay ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood!

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you’ve experienced at least one of the three “softie symptoms” or maybe even scored a “hat trick” (3 scores) as I did. Later tonight, I’m playing the role of Santa for 150 young needy children who still have faith in the “Santa” we all grew up with. It’s an awesome responsibility but a treasured privilege I won’t soon forget!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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How many times have you joined others to sing a Christmas carol in church or caroling through the neighborhood and really never thought about the actual words of the song or the fact that it may have a unique origin? Too many to count I’m sure.

Most Christmas carols are sung from memory dating back to our childhood. While there are dozens of favorites which re-emerge each holiday season, there is one, in particular, that is more than relevant in today’s chaotic world.

The lyrics certainly ring true even though they were written 146 years ago. Few people realize that “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” was actually a poem, consisting of seven stanzas, written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on Christmas Day in 1863. The Civil War was at its height, and the poet was in deep despair at the time. Two stanzas were later omitted as they contained references to the Civil War.

Hearing the Christmas bells chiming, he realized that God was great enough to overcome the world’s strife. When you hear the words today, you can’t help but wonder if they were written with our current-day mayhem in mind. Over the years this beautiful carol has been recorded by such notable voices as Elvis Presley, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Jimmie Rodgers, Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians, Ed Ames, Kate Smith, Frank Sinatra, Sarah McLachlan, Harry Belafonte, Johnny Cash, the Carpenters, Bing Crosby, and Bette Midler.

Read the words and marvel at their truth and wisdom as they apply to the world of today. Better yet, try to listen to an actual recording of this classic to enjoy the haunting melody as the words reveal a harsh reality which may very well live forever. This memorable carol combines lyrics and music powerful enough to bring a tear to any eye, a lump to any throat, and warmth to any heart.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The world shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

Till, ringing, singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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I recently had a very rare and unique opportunity which left me with mixed feelings … regret and warmth.

REGRET that I didn’t get involved with this organization and its work long ago and …

WARMTH from the experience itself, those I worked with and those who benefited from our efforts.

I was invited to visit a Habitat for Humanity site and ended up working a with phenomenal group of people who united to offer their experience, talent and high level of energy to provide a HOME for one of the many families struggling in these times of dire straights.

I’ve known about Habitat for Humanity since 1984 when President Jimmy Carter got involved with this tremendous effort. However, it first started back in 1976. Since that time, they have built 350,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1.75 million people in 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter.

I’ll provide a few more facts about this tremendous organization and tell you how you can get involved later in this article, but I’d like to tell you a little bit about what I witnessed during my experience.

First of all, it was COLD. After all, we are in the north, and it is winter. That meant nothing to this group of people I had the privilege to meet and work with. It was almost an added incentive to everyone as they worked to finish this house for a very special family in hopes of getting them into their new home by Christmas. Right now it looks as though they’re going to reach their goal with time to spare.

Secondly was the spirit which permeated that house and property. It was almost indescribable. Everyone involved appeared to be enjoying their work, happy to be there, chatting with others about their progress … you’d almost think they were on a payroll rather than volunteering their time and effort. It was indeed a joy to behold. This is the kind of spirit and determination that built this great country of ours. I witnessed teamwork, communication, progress, pride, and accomplishment by everyone involved. It didn’t appear to be work … no one seemed cold … everyone worked as though they were building their own home. I saw volunteers, both male and female, of all ages, creeds, and colors. The time flew by. Again, I was astonished. And to think that this is going on in every one of our 50 states as well as at least 90 other countries … and far too few people are aware of this tremendous opportunity.

If you’re interested in finding a project near your location or obtaining additional information simply visit Habitat for Humanity at http://www.habitat.org/ and use its search engine to find local affiliates. You’ll be glad you did.

Additional Data:

• Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor (sweat equity) into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.
• Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses alongside our homeowner (partner) families.
• To accomplish these goals, they invite people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.
• Volunteers work with future homeowners to build or renovate houses, which are then sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans, with no interest charged on the mortgage.
• The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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Every year television networks flood the airways with holiday movies. We can count on unlimited access to the majority of our Christmas favorites and we do so for good reason. Seeing these classics make us feel good—at a time when the entire country can use a “spirit boost”! I hesitate to guess how many times some of these wonderful “jewels” have been shown … A Christmas Carol, Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life and so many others which never seem to grow old.

The same holds true for certain stories which make us feel good about the season, our loved ones, and ourselves. A good story never grows old, and that’s why we’re repeating this one again this year. It’s a story about a little boy who is obviously wise beyond his years. He receives a tremendous gift by giving joy and happiness to his best friend. This is a short Christmas story that should be shared with your children and/or grandchildren during this joyous season. You’ll all feel better after doing so.

Read the story together and then discuss the true Spirit of Christmas.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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Well, it’s that time of year again. We seem to be caught up in this holiday whirlwind that will sweep us into the coming year before we know. There seems to be so much to get done in such a short period of time. I can’t help but feel that this continuous chaos overshadows the “reason for the season.” What I witness today is a far cry from the “Christmas Spirit” I remember as a child.

To add to this sad realization is the fact that 4 of my 9 grandchildren have arrived at that tender age where they may very well have doubts about the authenticity of “Jolly Old St. Nick.” They may also, for the first time, be experiencing a mental and emotional tug-of-war between the concept of focusing on “the birthday of Jesus” OR “Santa’s annual visit.” In previous years, they managed to deal with both glorious events with very little concern.

If you’re experiencing any of what I just described, you might want to consider a very unique and rewarding solution this year. While so many are involved with shopping, decorating, gift wrapping, errands, and parties, others strive to stay out of the weather, maintain warmth, seek a place to sleep, find warm clothing, and simply manage to find their next meal.

This year you have a wonderful opportunity to reveal and instill the True Spirit of Christmas into the minds and hearts of each and every member of your family. The impact on your children and/or grandchildren can and will be enormous and permanent. And the strategy is indeed simplistic.

This season, and there’s still plenty of opportunity, volunteer your time and energy to assist those who are less fortunate this year. In doing so, every member of your family will rediscover the true meaning of Christmas and create new traditions that will live on for many festive seasons to come.

What To Do

This time of the year, your choices are plentiful. Do a little research to make certain you find an event that will be meaningful for every member of your family. Sit around your dining room table and share the options you came up with. Discuss each one and have a family vote.

Listed below is just a sampling of the many events taking place this time of the year. Google your local city for “volunteer opportunities” or call a few of the organizations listed here.

Have your children search their closets and toy boxes to find things they can donate to your local toy drive. The U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots and other similar programs are available everywhere.

Offer to shovel a driveway or sidewalk for an elderly neighbor or someone you know isn’t physically capable of doing it themselves.

Volunteer at the local homeless or drop in center. They often need help preparing/serving the meals, handing out gifts, decorating, organizing donations, singing, etc.

Help out at a children’s Christmas party. Many community associations or non-profit organizations put on a Christmas party or event for children. They often need volunteers to help with games, crafts, gift-wrapping, etc.

Volunteer at a local senior’s home or hospital. Everyone enjoys a visit during the holiday season and many people do not have family to come and see them. Have your family sing carols with the seniors, play a game, or just chat. The gift of time will mean a lot to them.

Simply go Christmas caroling in a neighborhood where you know there might be a good number of seniors. They would love to have you stop by. This used to be a normal event years ago. What happened to us? How did we get so busy? Why did we forget how good this felt for everyone involved? How do we bring it back?

If you run out of ideas, check with any of the following organizations in your area for further information. They’ll all be thrilled to hear your offer of assistance and you’ll be glad you did. If you have a small family, invite neighbors to join you or have your children invite friends from school. The more the merrier. And you’ll all enjoy The Greatest Gift of All.

• VFW
• Jaycees
• Elks Club
• Lions Club
• Big Sisters
• United Way
• Eagles Club
• Rotary Club
• Food Banks
• US Marines
• Big Brothers
• Social Services
• Senior Centers
• Salvation Army
• Local Churches
• Nursing Homes
• YMCA / YWCA
• American Legion
• Rescue Missions
• Meals on Wheels
• Retirement Homes
• Junior Achievement
• Community Centers
• American Red Cross
• Knights of Columbus
• Child Welfare Agency
• Chamber of Commerce
• Child & Family Services
• Neighborhood Associations
• Foster Grandparent Programs
• Hospital Gift Shop Volunteers
• Community Action Organizations

Read more:

10 things The Salvation Army will be doing this Christmas

Throughout the Christmas period, The Salvation Army will be:

1. Visiting elderly people who are housebound and lonely at Christmas.
2. Holding Christmas lunches for people who would otherwise be spending a miserable Christmas alone.
3. Delivering hot food, sleeping bags and small Christmas gifts (such as socks and handkerchiefs) to homeless people.
4. Giving shelter to homeless people and the chance of a fresh start in life.
5. Delivering Christmas parcels of food and presents to housebound older people and others in need.
6. Delivering toys to children from poorer families.
7. Helping and supporting the emergency services when there is a major disaster, fire or accident.
8. Delivering Christmas boxes to prisoners and their families as a message of hope and goodwill.
9. Spreading the joy of Christmas at hospitals and elderly people’s homes with a Salvation Army band.
10. Offering comfort and companionship to those who are lonely or distressed at Christmas time.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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I realize you’ll all be very busy with family and friends tomorrow feasting on fantastic food, watching football most of the day, and giving thanks for all of your wonderful blessings. Relax and enjoy every minute of this once-a-year traditional opportunity which some may take for granted.

I realize you may be busy on Friday as well as many of you will be hitting stores and malls starting at 3 a.m. in some places to take advantage of those many “Black Friday” specials for Christmas. Then you have the weekend trying to recover from the previous two days of chaos and turmoil! Take the entire weekend to enjoy more football, some basketball, and plenty of left-overs.

However, when the first of next week rolls around, pause for just a moment and appreciate how much you’ve enjoyed the past few days. Realize how fortunate you are to be surrounded by loved ones at this very special time of the year. Then think for just a moment about the 1.4 million men and women who are protecting us as we celebrate this treasured holiday season.

These Guardian Angels are scattered all over the planet … far from their families and loved ones and far from their homes. They are obviously out of our site—but far from out of our hearts and minds! PLEASE, take just a moment out of your busy schedule and read about this special program that provides us an opportunity to thank those who are risking their lives so that we may enjoy ours in a safe and secure country.

After tremendous success last year, the Holiday Mail for Heroes program is back again this year.

In this season of hope and giving the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes, Inc. have joined forces to invite Americans to “send a touch of home” to United States service members and veterans across the country and abroad. In its third year, the Holiday Mail for Heroes program is an opportunity to share joy and thanks with our service members throughout the holiday season by way of a greeting card.

Today, more than 1.4 million men and women serve in the U.S. armed forces and over 24 million veterans have served in the past. The holiday season is the perfect time to honor and extend a warm holiday greeting to those who’ve served and continue to do so.

How Holiday Mail works:

The American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes, Inc. have established an extensive process to ensure all cards sent to our service members are safe and arrive in time for the holidays. Holiday cards will be collected through a unique P.O. Box address from Monday, November 2 through Monday, December 7*.

This unique program makes it easy for all of us to say “Thanks!” and “We’re thinking of you!” to these brave Americans, particularly to the millions of soldiers who will be overseas and away from their families during the holidays.

Here’s how it works:

1. Between now and the cut-off date of Monday, December 7th, you send a card to:
   Holiday Mail for Heroes
   P.O. Box 5456
   Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
2. Pitney Bowes screens the cards to make sure they’re safe (no hazardous materials) and forwards them to participating Red Cross chapters nationwide.
3. The Red Cross sorts and reviews the cards, and distributes them to service members, their families and veterans

It’s so easy you could fit it in with your errands today!

They do have some basic rules:

• Sign all cards.
• Address them to “Dear Service Member, Family or Veteran.”
• There’s a limit of 15 cards per person or 50 for a school class or business group.
• Please bundle groups of cards in single, large envelopes.
• To keep the program streamlined, safe and consistent, they ask that you NOT:
  • Send letters.
  • Include personal information such as home or email addresses.
  • Use glitter because it can aggravate the wounds of injured soldiers.
  • Include inserts of any kind—they’ll be removed in the screening process.

Taking part in this program will provide you and your family one of the greatest gifts you could possibly receive during this holiday season. At the same time you’ll be providing these very special men and women with a “little bit of home” at a time when they truly need it. Thank you so much, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and God Bless You one and all!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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I take great pride in being a military Veteran.

I’m also proud to be father of a United States Marine.

I’ve had the unique privilege of visiting Arlington Cemetery where the site of more than 300,000 white crosses, marking the graves of brave soldiers who gave their lives for this country, takes your breath away.

I’ve stood atop the hill overlooking our nation’s capitol as I witnessed the traditional Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

I’ve spent hours standing at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in D.C. paying my respects and watching thousands of others crying, praying, and conducting a traditional rubbing of the name of their loved ones. 58,195 names appear on that highly polished monument and countless tears have been shed in the silence and reverence in the shadow of that wall.

Having done these things makes it unusually effortless for me to know and feel the true meaning of Veterans Day. However, for many others, it’s nothing more than another day that the banks are closed and the mail isn’t delivered.

If you’re too busy to pause for a few minutes today in honor of Veterans, I suggest you examine closely what you’re doing that’s so important at this moment. I would also suggest you reflect on the fact that you’re only doing whatever it is because of our Veterans. It’s their training, dedication, effort, patriotism, and love of country that provide us with the freedom we so often take for granted.

Take just a moment or two out of your very busy schedule to view this video as a reminder of why we put this day aside to honor our Veterans. Upon completion of the video, I think you might want to seek out a Veteran or the family of a Veteran and provide a simple but heartfelt “Thank You” for the freedoms you enjoy every day of your life.

Personally, I don’t believe there should be a Veterans Day. A single day is a very small price to pay for the enormous sacrifice made by so many hundreds of thousands of American men and women to guarantee the freedom for so many others. I think every day should be Veterans Day.

In fact, for many people it is. Check the following link to see what goes on every day at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport as our soldiers return home from all over the world. This too should bring a tear to your eye and maybe an incentive to treat this day as the hallowed day that it is.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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At the end of this article, I’m going to request that you take a few moments out of your busy day to watch a short video. Many of you will immediately dismiss the thought as you simply don’t have time for that nonsense. You might want to rethink that train of thought.

My request isn’t for me. I’ll never know whether you watched it or not. My request will benefit YOU and possibly many others as a result of your seeing it. Let me explain.

Far too many times, we unintentionally pass up opportunities to “pay it forward” for the simple reason that we don’t have time. We’re too absorbed with “busy work,” we’re off to a meeting, we feel we have more important things to do. What’s more important than influencing the life of another in a positive way?

Let’s try a quick re-frame here. How would you feel if a teacher, counselor, or coach had an opportunity to influence your child or grandchild in a way that would modify his/her life forever in a very positive way? Warm and appreciative feeling, right? How would you feel if that key person in your child’s live could have but didn’t make that difference? What if they were too busy … had to make a phone call … or felt it simply wasn’t that important? Disheartened, resentful, shocked? I would be!

We have no way of knowing how many possibilities we’ve overlooked in the past. Disregard that aspect. Focus instead on the many opportunities awaiting us in the days ahead and begin immediately to seek them out. Don’t let even one potential situation pass you by.

If you’ve ever wondered if you can, in fact, influence others, watch this video of famed author and speaker Wayne Dyer sharing the story of young Teddy whose life was totally transformed by a single teacher … interestingly enough, the teacher’s life was transformed by young Teddy as well. This story may well impact your future thinking and actions. If so, it’s certainly worth the few minutes to view this touching video. You may also have to wipe away a tear …

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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I’m a strong believer in the idea that “things happen for a reason.” I always have been. I know it isn’t a popular belief, but it works for me. I’ve seen proof in many aspects of my own life, and I struggle to deny those instances. I recently experienced a couple of those situations within a month’s time.

When a client contacts us for a consultation, facilitation of a seminar, or a keynote presentation, it’s pretty safe to assume that they’re looking for a return on their investment. Of course, we make certain that they get just that … and more. However, every now and then, I’m blessed to be able to walk away from an assignment knowing I’ve gained as much, or more, than those I actually served.

That happened just recently twice within a very short period of time. I was invited to keynote the Michigan Recreation and Parks Association Therapeutic Recreation Institute Conference in northern Michigan. A few weeks later, I traveled to Southern Florida on behalf of EBS Healthcare to spend the entire day with the Physical and Occupational Therapists of the West Palm Beach Schools.

Both groups, although located 23 hours apart, share a number of remarkable characteristics! It’s very obvious that it takes a very special person to be a recreation, physical, or occupational therapist. After meeting, greeting and interacting with these very dynamic professionals, I couldn’t help but associate them with two other groups I highly respect … teachers and soldiers! Members of all three groups are very intelligent, experienced, well-trained, and tremendously dedicated to their work and those they so skillfully serve. The therapists are also extremely underpaid for what they accomplish on a daily basis for students, teachers and parents. However, it’s quite obvious they aren’t driven by money … they love what they do and would probably do it for nothing if necessary. I feel the same holds true for both teachers and soldiers as well.

The time I spent with these Michigan and Floridian therapists was truly priceless. It’s such a joy to be surrounded by such genuinely dedicated people who are concerned about their industry, each other, and those they serve. Their work is indeed exceptionally demanding and yet also extremely rewarding. My personal concern is that they, like teachers and soldiers, are too often taken for granted or simply unappreciated. Far too few people are even aware of what these therapists do or the challenges they must face in their quest to serve and support. And yet I couldn’t help but notice that these unsung heroes simply radiate enthusiasm and devotion!

I’d like to thank Kristine Kading of the Michigan Recreation and Parks Association Therapeutic Recreation Institute, Jill Parmenter of EBS Healthcare of Pennsylvania, and the West Palm Beach Schools for providing me with truly gratifying experiences and the opportunity to meet such magnificent people. In return I’d like to unofficially proclaim the next 30 days as “Hug a Therapist Month.” You definitely won’t regret it and they assuredly deserve it!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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For those of you who aren’t football fans … don’t tune out. This is not a football story. Instead, you’re about to hear a true tale of compassion, integrity, class, teamwork and leadership!

Visualize, if you will, a typical Friday night high school football game. This one happens to be a contest between the Maryville Spoofhounds (don’t even ask!) and the St. Joseph Benton Cardinals … two rival schools about 42 miles apart situated near the Missouri/Kansas border. It really wasn’t much of a game as Maryville was leading 46-0 as the clock wound down to the final play of the game. It looked like an obvious shut out for the Spoofhounds! Those who may have left early due to the lopsided score may have missed the play of the century!

Two high school football coaches + 21 football players + supportive fans joined forces to produce what must be classified as the CLASS ACT of the season! With time for only one more play left on the clock, Cardinals coach Dan McCamey called a time out and ran out on the gridiron to talk to the Spoofhounds and their coach at midfield. He quickly explained that he had a 15-year-old freshman running back with Down Syndrome who had spent the entire season on the bench. Every Friday night he had begged the coach to get into a game.

The two teams lined up for the last play of the game after the coach allowed young Matt Ziesel to join the team on the field. Matt miraculously broke free of a tackler and ran 60 yards for the touchdown that put his Cardinals on the scoreboard. Matt was in seventh heaven as was his family, fans, and teammates. In fact, so was the other team as everyone but Matt knew that the Spoofhounds had allowed him to score.

Here’s another prime example of a good news story that very few people ever heard about. We need stories like this now more than ever before. Those involved on that special Friday night treasured that last play of the game and will never forget it. Years from now, each of those involved will look back with pride and cherish the memory of that special touchdown run by Matt Ziesel!

None of this would have happened if it hadn’t been for the leadership demonstrated by those two coaches and the teamwork displayed by the other 21 players on the field as Matt ran his heart out. I think some future leaders walked off that field that night feeling a little better about themselves and the world in general.

The Cardinals lost the battle that night … 46-6. But they won the war! In fact, both teams did!

See the clip of that special touchdown run by clicking on this link … and please feel free to pass this very special story on to others as well!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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