Isn't it funny that sometimes both can push us to do well but then at other times each can get in the way?

Regardless of the first sometimes benefit, I don't think either is good.

Look at the definitions of both…

pride: 1. the quality or state of being proud: as a: inordinate self-esteem : conceit b: a reasonable or justifiable self-respect c: delight or elation arising from some act, possession, or relationship  2. proud or disdainful behavior or treatment  3. ostentatious display

ego: the self especially as contrasted with another self or the world

Much to much self in those meanings.

Ultimately our lives are about service to others. This is what we need to actively reinforce (with ourselves and among ourselves). It's what will make the world a better place.

We all know it. We just need to be grown-ups and hold ourselves accountable to it.

(tgim)

"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

A friend of mine caught 212 in the stands at last night's ALCS Game 6. Note the signs where the home run landed that set up Boston for a 4 – 2 win (pushing the series to a seventh game after being down 3 games to 1).

Cool.

"U.S. mood plummets as crisis deepens: Reuters poll"

That's a top 10 headline from this morning's news.

You dig a little deeper in the piece and you'll also find the number of people who feel more secure in their job rose as did the number of people who feel safe from foreign threats. Unchanged was the fact that "About two-thirds of Americans said they were confident their children will have a better life."

I'm not denying things seem very challenging right now but a 10-question poll of 1,207 likely voters does not define the "U.S. mood." Who are they beyond "likely voters?" What's their age? Where are they from? Were the polling calls made during dinner? Who asked the questions? Did they lead a desired response with their tone?

Polls can be helpful but we need to look deeper.

(warning: proceed with caution… I'm a little angry)

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Always avoid taking a seat in the row in front of an exit row. They don't recline.

I learned this the hard way about 15 years ago.

Today, enjoying the exit row (which by the way, if no one's in the middle seat, is almost like first class… without the free beer, of course), I watched the person in front of me push and push until I let him know, that alas, his efforts, while noble, would reap him only an education rather than the comfortable slumber he so diligently sought.

A few year ago, a close friend of mine brought to my attention the classic essay "A Message to Garcia." 1500 words (a 10-minute read) on initiative and responsibility.

I blogged it a year later, published it a last year in SalesTough™ (a book I coauthored for sales people), and last week we published a website around it (BeLikeRowan.com… Rowan was the hero).

The timing with today's business environment couldn't be better. I hope you enjoy it.

If you have kid's, we've even created a version for them (from age 5 to 9, I think).

I'm ecstatic about it.

When you stop seeing beauty
You start growing old
The lines on your face
Are a map to your soul

When you stop taking chances
You'll stay where you sit
You won't live any longer
But it'll feel like it

– Bono of U2
   in the song Summer Rain

Saw the plate at Busch Gardens yesteday. A coincidental perfect match for my intended tgim post today (live or love… take your pick). Note to vehicle owner: you need your new tags.

(the song: apparently only on the B side of a UK release of the single "Beautiful Day"… couldn't find it on iTunes… great song)

Bono's humble, non-rock-elitist thoughts on the success of a Beautiful Day, after the jump.

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First it was my joints… they started hurting a bit more every once in while.

Then the recovery time after athletic activities grew longer.

Last week, my barber casually reached into my ear with his trimmer.

And there it was on the counter… my new “personal trimmer”… waiting to be taken home… my companion to better grooming as I walk through midlife.

I know… a bit too personal maybe. I thought I’d share it in order to help my fellow midlifers who might not have had someone tell them they should consider getting one too. Too many wives are not having the uncomfortable discussion… hint: they’re good for noses too, man.

(if you can stomach it, here’s the conversation with my 11 and 8-year-old boys when they saw it)

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My blogging hero wrote a post on effort yesterday that I absolutely love. 212ers… it's particularly worth your time but no one should miss it (including your high school and college students).

How well the 212 video would have fit (in my self-centered-I-wish-everyone-knew-about-212-not-so-humble-opinion).

About an hour before I read it, I saw this license plate on a very nice Mercedes (I'm obviously becoming a license plate stalker).

When I saw it [so lucki], my first thought was "Probably not. I'm guessing you worked for it."

Then my cynic came out… "Maybe not. Maybe you were given the car. Maybe you inherited money and bought it."

And I realized it didn't make a difference.

One… because who cares what I think? And two, because…

Someone worked somewhere along the way. And to be able to work (to contribute) is to be lucky.

I'm guessing that for most of us… time spent worrying and complaining about the economy and the money we may have lost (on paper) in our 401(k) plans has no return on investment and could be better applied to our efforts in creating value in the world (and making things better).

Bottle that negative energy and we've probably got our cure.

You in?

Barack sent me another one at 3am this morning.

He wants another $5.

In the footer it says the email is from the DNC and the "communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committe."

Is the email from a different Barack Obama?