It’s time for a Semper Fi outing. I have several ideas, but would like to hear from any and all who visit this blog. I’m interested in hearing from the men…but also the wives of those men - You have excellent ideas as well. Please contribute!

I’m so tired of people saying it’s hot out! Duhhhhh….don’t you think I know that? I’m here in the same heat with you. It’s like being in a swimming pool and someone saying, “boy it sure is wet in here.” Really? No kidding? Do you realize the more you focus on something the more pronounced it becomes? By constantly thinking, talking, complaining about the heat you actually make it “feel” hotter. Instead, think of all the positives about the heat. Think about what a nice day it really is. If you do that, the heat will not be so burdensome.

Focus on the good and that becomes even better. It’s true! Try it. And when someone comes complaining about a person, think about the good in them, focus on that…and they become better in your eyes! This is not Pollyana thinking, it is the power of positive thinking! There is good in the worst of us, and bad in the best of us. So look for the good, in all things, and focus on that and the bad will shrink away to almost nothing.

The blessing of the power of positive thinking is that it changes you!

President Franklin D. Roosevelt got tired of smiling that big smile and saying the usual things at all those White House receptions. So, one evening he decided to find out whether anybody was paying attention to what he was saying. As each person came up to him to shake his hand, he flashed that big smile and said, “I murdered my grandmother this morning.” People would automatically resond with comments such as “How lovely!” or “Just keep up the good work!” Nobody listened to what he was saying, excepet one foreign diplomat. When the president said, “I murdered my grandmother this morning, ” the diplomat responded softly, “I’m sure she had it coming to her.”

Oh, how much we miss by not listening. I admit to being the worst offender, but am in a listening recovery program! It is only pride and self-centeredness that cause us to scream to be heard and listen only when it suits us. Very few people actually listen well. We love those who do listen well;

His thoughts were slow,
His words were few,
And never formed to glisten.
But he was a joy to all his friends -
You should have heard him listen.

There few actions we can take that says to our friends, spouses, children, employees, relatives, neighbors, etc. that tells them we value them, than to actually listen to them. Listen with our eyes, our mind, our heart, our compassion, our understanding.

A great wingman…is a great listener!

As the movie, “Brian’s Song” showed, the friendship between Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo deepened into one of the best relationships in the history of sports.

Then, during the 1969 football season, Piccolo was cut down with cancer. He fought to play the season out, but he was in the hospital more than he was in the games. Gale Sayers flew to be beside him as often as possible.

They had planned, with their wives, to sit together at the Professional Football Writers annual dinner in New York, where Sayers was to be given the George S. Halas Award as the most courageous player in pro football. But, instead, Piccolo was confined to his bed at home. As Sayers stood to receive his award, tears sprang to his eyes. The ordinarily quiet and soft spoken athlete had this to say as he took the trophy:

“You flatter me by giving me this award, but I tell you here and now that I accept it for Brian Piccolo. Brian Piccolo is the man of courage who should receive the George S. Halas Award. I love Brian Piccolo and I’d like you to love him. Tonight, when you hit your knees, please ask God to love him too.”

“I love Brian Piccolo.” How often do we hear men say words such at those, and really mean it? How much more enriched our lives could be if we dared to declare our affection as Sayers did that night in New York.

And more than the words, what happened that caused these two men to become true friends?There are so many men who need to know the answer to that question. Men are starving for just one true friend like Brian Piccolo or Gayle Sayers. We all have many acquaintances, other men we know and know us, but it is a rarity to have a Gale Sayers - Brian Piccolo relationship. Yet, it is what we all want and need.

Some words that come to mind as a foundation for such a relationship are honesty, loyalty, trust, commitment, unconditional love, time together, openness, encouragement, giving, caring.

All men need a “wingman” who will always be there for him. All men need a genuine friend who will be there by his side when the enemy attacks. A man that will stand beside him no matter what. A man that will pray with him. A man that will support and encourage him. A man that will love him unconditionally! This is the mission of Semper Fi! I know I’ve been missing in action, but I am back and will continue to do my best to help men discover the Sayers/Piccolo joy of men in TRUE friendship.