Those of you who’ve been reading In the Current for a while now are familiar with my referencing Chris Gardner, the entrepreneur, and philanthropist whose story was portrayed by Will Smith in the movie The Pursuit of Happyness. Last week at a conference in Palos Verdes, California, Chris was the keynote speaker, and I had the opportunity to hear him share his story and meet him personally. Read more
Toward the end of Moonstruck, one of my all-time favorite movies, there is an exchange between Rose Castorini and the college professor (i.e., Olympia Dukakis and John Mahoney). When Rose dismisses the professor’s advances, he tries to save face by concluding that she is unable to invite him up to her place because “people are home.” Rose won’t allow him this rationalization, and her response clarifies: “No, I think the house is empty. I can’t invite you in because I’m married — because I know who I am.” Read more
The recent article What You and Pavarotti Have in Common must have touched a chord, as I received a very enthusiastic response. Many of you commented on one of the quotations included after the article:
“People think I’m disciplined. It is not discipline. It is devotion.
There is a great difference.”
— Luciano Pavarotti Read more
I still have the draft I wrote nearly 14 years ago — a few paragraphs that describe what is most important to me in life. Certain words emerged strongly, clearly, and easily. These words are what I consider to be my “core values,” a term we dismiss, perhaps somewhat skeptically, when we hear it used by leaders of countries and corporations. Countries, companies, and individuals often fall short of their ideals, yet it is critical to know them and keep aiming. Read more