A Week of Rescues

by | May 23, 2011 | Sathya Sai Baba | 0 comments

This is the true story of my week:
Tuesday – We came home to find a strange cat in our front yard pursuing a baby bunny.  We shooed the cat away and I caught the bunny.  It was not harmed but was vulnerable on our lawn.  I put it in the field next to our house in the high grass for protection.  
Wednesday – I was running with a group of about 15 from Fleet Feet Tulsa when we saw a small bird in the street up ahead. We assumed it was dead or would fly off but it did not move as we came upon it, we had to yell out to everyone to watch out.  We ran and jumped right over it.  We could see that it was alive.  On our way back I crossed the street, picked up the bird and placed it under a tree in a yard.
Thursday – My daughter woke me up from a dead sleep at 2 am.  There was a baby frog on her window sill, under her AC unit upstairs in her bedroom.  I got out of bed, got the frog and put it out in our front yard.  I was actually rescuing my daughter from the frog more than the frog from anything particularly dangerous.
Saturday – I was a course marshal for the Jenks Aquarium 1/2 marathon in Tulsa.  I was stationed at mile 8.  A woman came up to me and asked if she could get back to the start by going straight down Harvard Avenue. I told her no, the quickest way was the Creek Trail she had just taken.  She started to cry. I asked her what was the matter and she said, “This is my first 5k.”  She had gotten mixed up and started the 1/2 marathon instead and was 5 miles OVER the distance she would have run for her 5k.  I lent her my phone and she called her husband, who came and got her.
Jennifer Lebeda – runner of the longest 5k EVER!
Sunday – We were sitting in All Souls Unitarian Church listening to the sermon when the fire alarm went off.  We all got up and those towards the front went out to the garden on the side of the sanctuary.  I noticed a frail elderly woman 3 pews ahead of us. I gave her my arm, assisted her outside and found a bench for her to sit on (I didn’t get a photo of her).  My wife did the same thing for another woman.
 
What do they all have in common?  Their plight was brought to my attention in some way.  With the bunny there was was an actual attack taking place right in front of me.  With the bird, it was right in our path, we couldn’t have avoided it if we wanted.  With the frog, it was brought to my attention in a very definitive way by my daughter’s distressed voice next to my bed.  With Jennifer, she asked for help otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to tell she was in distress. In the case of the elderly lady, it was the only instance among the five where it had anything to do with me paying attention to something not particularly obvious.  All the rest grabbed my attention and I responded.


When you need help, do you make sure you are letting people know it?  Are you looking out in the world to see who else might be signaling in some way that they need help?

Drawing, photos and commentary by Marty Coleman 

Quote by Sri Sathya Sai Baba, 1926-2011, Indian guru

Bible Wisdom – Neighbors and Enemies

by | May 18, 2011 | G. K. Chesterton | 0 comments
Actually, I have always had pretty good luck with neighbors. We did have one crotchety, cranky old man a few doors down when our kids were little. He yelled at them for walking on his lawn and ‘climbing’ his chain link fence. By ‘climbing’ I mean touching and holding onto it.   I think I chewed him out one time.  His name was Mr. Wilson. Really. 

But this quote isn’t just talking about real neighbors, it’s talking about people you are familiar with, maybe even were/are friends with.  I mean, when you think about it, how many of us have ever had an enemy who was a stranger?  All the vast numbers of celebrities who read my blog, I understand you can have stalkers and angry people who you don’t know, but for all us non-celebrities, it’s a good chance the enemy is our ‘neighbor’.


How to love them when they are so annoying, that’s the question! How do you do it?

Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman of The Napkin Dad Daily

Quote by G. K. Chesterton, 1874-1936, English Writer

One year ago today at The Napkin Dad Daily – Sports do not build character, they reveal it.

Vision, Leadership & History

by | May 17, 2011 | Isaac Newton | 0 comments
You know who you never hear Donald Trump talk about?  His father.  Trump Jr. always gives off the impression that he is a self-made man, didn’t need or get any help.  The story seems to be that his father was a low level real estate guy, nothing big.  The truth is Trump Sr. was a very wealthy, very successful commercial real estate developer.  His estate was worth 400 million when he died.  Trump Jr. would never have been able to achieve what he did without the start his father gave him.  
This quote is by Sir Isaac Newton.  There has never been a scientist (yes, including Einstein) who was a more brilliant genius over the course of his entire life.  Nobody during his life could come close to competing with his intelligence and scientific discoveries.  Yet, he says this.  He says his genius existed simply because he climbed up on the shoulders of the scientists who came before him and looked out from there. 
In leadership it is perfectly fine to take credit.  It’s fine to know who you are and what you contribute.  But if you are honest, you will acknowledge that some person, some company, some idea, some invention came before you did, without which, you never would have been able to achieve what you have.  
It’s sometimes called humility.  It is also called self-awareness.  If you are to be a leader, you have to have that at the top of your toolbox of skills.  You can’t use the rest of the tools effectively without it.

Quote by Sir Isaac Newton, 1643-1727, English scientist.  The title ‘scientist’ does not adequately convey all that he did. I highly recommend reading up on him, he had one of the most amazing minds of his or any era. 

Going to Church Doesn't Make You a Christian

by | May 16, 2011 | Laurence Peter | 0 comments
The question then becomes,  If you bring a car into church, does that make it a garage?
Seriously though, the labels and definitions we use for ourselves and others are often decided by what we do.  But what about when the definition of something, in this case ‘being a Christian’, is defined by a person saying and believing they are one, nothing more.

I have a daughter who is soon to get her Ph.D in Neuroscience.  She will be a given the title ‘neuroscientist’ because an established institution says she is one.  But what if, over the years, she never progressed in her field? What if she failed at her experiments, failed at getting grants, failed at getting a professorship and making a career of it.  If she continued to show up at some lab and put on a lab coat, would she still be a neuroscientist?

She would be if her institution said the criteria was that she only had to say, “I am a neuroscientist” and believe she was one to be one.  Then she could go into any neuroscience lab and fiddle around; do good, do damage, do whatever, all because she simply said and believed she was a neuroscientist, and that was good enough.

That is how much of Christianity works.  If you say you are a Christian, then you are.  You don’t have to prove it, you don’t have to act like one, you just need to say you are one.   If you do that you can go in any church and fiddle around; do good, do damage, do whatever.



Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman of The Napkin Dad Daily


Quote by Lawrence Peter, 1919-1990, American Author and Academic.  Author of ‘The Peter Principle”.


The Peter Principle states:

In a hierarchy every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence … in time every post tends to be occupied by an employee who is incompetent to carry out its duties … Work is accomplished by those employees who have not yet reached their level of incompetence.”

One year ago today at The Napkin Dad Daily – I draw elsewhere besides church – The Dental Patient

Sunday in Sunrise, Chapter 4

by | May 14, 2011 | Marty Coleman, Sunday in Sunrise - A short story | 0 comments

Prologue

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapters Ten & Eleven

Epilogue

Chapter 4

Maria never saw the old man; she was staring at the redheaded girl with a thousand freckles.  “Hi, come on in.  My name is Art and this is Maria.” I said as I held open the door.  The old man reached out his hand, “Hello.  I am Angus and this is Melissa.” His hand was coarse and strong.  “Melissa, say hello and shake their hands”.  Melissa, still with eyes wide and unblinking, reached to me, then Maria.  Maria smiled and said a simple “Hi”.  I said, “Actually, Melissa and I have already met.  She stole my watercolors at the quilt shop”.  She squinted her eyes and pursed her lips “I did not, I was there first!”  I laughed and said, “Yes, you are right.  You got there first, fair and square, and the watercolors were yours to buy.” She smiled and said, “I am glad I got there first but I am no good at watercolors”.

I escorted them into our kitchen, and asked them if they wanted some tea, both said yes.  As I poured the tea I said, “So, Melissa, I guess you want to learn how to use those watercolors?”  She responded, “Yes, I tried to use them but I made a big mess and ruined everything”.  “What did you ruin exactly?”  I asked.  “I ruined this.”  She pulled out an envelope from the little bag she had with her. There were some bits of color on the edges but for the most part it was it was grey, muddy and quite waterlogged. It was still damp.

“Well, the first thing we might do is let you use some better paper, that’s one of the reasons this didn’t work out so well.” I said.  “NO!” she exclaimed.  “I need to be able to paint on an envelope because I need to send it to someone.”  “Well, we will keep that in mind, but I still think you might learn more if we at least start on some better paper, is that ok?”  “NO! I want to learn on envelopes.” She squinted her eyes again.  “I know pretty paintings can be done on envelopes because of this one.”  She brought out another envelope. It was the one I had seen in my box the week before.

“Actually, not only have I met you before Melissa, but I have met this envelope before”.  “What does that mean?” Angus asked.  I didn’t think he had been paying attention. He had been looking out the kitchen window at our birdfeeder, watching the cardinals and the blackbirds fight for food.  “Well, I have Box 745 at the Post Office and they put this in my box instead of 845.  Of course I noticed how beautiful it was.  I remember thinking that Melissa, whoever she was, was a lucky girl to get such a beautiful letter.  Bettina at the post office really liked it too.  She said it was ‘love in the mail’.”

Angus didn’t show much of a response, but Melissa smiled wide. “It’s from my brother, he lives in Alabama”.  “Wow, that’s a long way away.  What’s he doing there?”  I asked.  Melissa was just about to say something when Angus stirred in his chair and said, “We should get on with the lesson.  I have to be back home in 45 minutes.”  Melissa shrank just a bit.  I took the hint to not ask any more and we went into the studio for her first lesson.  Angus went outside to smoke a cigarette. I could see him through the large north window of the studio. He stood motionless, head down, contemplating the smoke.

Melissa said, “I want to be able to paint a sunrise to send back to my brother. Can you teach me how to do that?”  Maria who had been by my side the whole time, still watching the redheaded girl, piped up, “He can teach anybody anything!”  Melissa looked at Maria and smiled.  “Good!” she said.  I turned to Maria, “Maria, can you go get some envelopes from my office?”




A Man That Hordes Up Riches – Well Wealth #4

by | May 12, 2011 | Richard Burton, Well Wealth - 2011 | 0 comments

I learned a lot from my first father-in-law. He was frugal and planned well. He was able to retire at age 55 and have a long second career in a field he had great passion for. He taught his whole family to be conscientious about money and I appreciated learning how to be that way as well.
 
 
It did bring up some issues however.  When my first wife and I went on our first vacation we had to have a discussion about money. This is what it came down to:  she was worried about spending too much, and I was worried her concern would override our willingness to have fun and enjoy the vacation.    Now, I wasn’t going to go out and buy something expensive and crazy, but I did want us to enjoy ourselves and to do that we would be spending some money. 

I came to realize something on that vacation.  You know the cliche statement ‘I want to get away from it all’ that accompanies planning a vacation? Well, what exactly is ALL? It might include your job, obligations, stress, location, routine, family, weather, etc.  You know what else it might include? A desire to escape worrying about money. That is what I wanted a vacation from.

There is a time to worry about your money and be frugal. There is a time to enjoy it, share it, spend it.  My first wife understood what I was talking about and agreed to loosen up the wallet a bit. I, in turn, promised not to spend $10,000 dollars on a painting of Elvis on black velvet.

 
 
Drawing and commentary © 2026 Marty Coleman 
 
Quote by Richard Burton, 1925-1984, Welsh actor
 
 

Money is Usually Attracted, Not Pursued – Well Wealth #3

by | May 11, 2011 | Jim Rohn, Well Wealth - 2011 | 0 comments

What is money attracted to?  It’s attracted to worthy people. Who is worthy? Those that invite money in, give money something to enjoy and appreciate, and appreciate money in return.  Just like personal hospitality with family and friends, right? So, treat money (and the people who have it) with respect and admiration, offering something of value and money will be attracted to you.
Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman of The Napkin Dad Daily
Quote by Jim Rohn, 1930-2009, American businessman
One year ago at The Napkin Dad Daily – Manners Are a Sensitive Awareness

The Real Measure of Wealth – Wealth Week #1

by | May 9, 2011 | Anonymous, Well Wealth - 2011 | 0 comments
Do you know how much money Einstein had?  Do you know how big Mark Twain’s house was?  Do you know if Florence Nightingale had expensive clothes?  What kind of car did Amelia Earhart own?

Chances are you don’t know the answer to those questions. That is because their wealth and worth weren’t defined by their money and material possessions.  What about you?  Are you under the impression that your wealth and your money are the same?  If your money goes away does your wealth go away?  How can you protect your wealth even if your money and material goods disappear?



Perhaps your wealth is your legacy, not your money.  What does your wealth look like now? What would you like it to look like?


Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman of The Napkin Dad Daily

Quote by Anonymous


One year ago today on the Napkin Dad Daily – Political Correctness

Sunday in Sunrise, Chapter 3

by | May 8, 2011 | Marty Coleman, Sunday in Sunrise - A short story | 0 comments

Prologue

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapters Ten & Eleven

Epilogue

Chapter 3

By the time I arrived home it was time to feed my dogs. I have 2 dogs. One is named ‘Flat’. She got this name when we brought her home from the pound 3 years ago. My precocious youngest daughter, Maria, (which her mother insisted was to be pronounced“MAR e uh”) age 7, asked if it was a boy or a girl. When I said it was a girl she said with a snicker ‘Then where are its boobies?’ I said ‘girl dogs don’t have boobies that show unless they have babies.’ Her deadpan older sister, Daria, in middle school and growing unequally in her various body parts said, ‘In other words, she’s flat.’ The name stuck.

The other dog got its name in similar fashion. We found it roaming the streets in a rain storm. We brought it home and before I could dry it, it shook all it’s wetness off, all over me.  That same precocious daughter said ‘It likes to shower people!’  Its name is ‘Shower’.
 
After the dogs were satisfied, I noticed the little yellow light on my phone was blinking.  Getting a message was almost as rare as getting mail.  The voice on the other end was gravelly but clear.  The man speaking said he was interested in the art lessons I advertised.  He said his kid wanted to learn how to paint and he couldn’t afford the money or take the time to drive to the museum school in the city 30 miles away.  He asked if we could do lessons on Thursday afternoons as it was his only day off.
 
I called him back and we made plans for him to bring his ‘kid’ over.  He must have said ‘my kid’ about half a dozen times.  He had that type of voice that you imagined had at least 30 years of cigarette smoke behind it. Right before he hung up he said ‘Oh, the kid wants to learn watercolor stuff most of all. Do you even know how to do that type of art?’. I assured him I did.
 
Maria, asked if I really was going to give art lessons. I said, ‘Yes, why do you ask?’ She said, ‘Because you are REALLY going to have to clean your studio now!’ I was not looking forward to that.
 
By the time Thursday afternoon rolled around I had done a pretty good job of cleaning up. I had found 3 sets of watercolors I forgot I had, a broken electric pencil sharpener that I put on the large pile of things to fix on my garage work bench, an apron I had used when I was a waiter and, down in the back of the bottom drawer of my art dresser (where I was stuffing the apron) a very old card I had received from my unwife. Yes, I call her my unwife. She calls me her wasbund.
 
The card was a first anniversary card.  We had been living in a very small farmhouse in Michigan at the time, close to the graduate school I was attending.  It made me tear up to read how happy she was about our first year of marriage and how excited she was for our future. The painting on the front was of a sunrise.
 
As I wiped away my tears I heard a knock on the door. Maria ran to the front door first and opened it. Walking up I saw a grizzled old guy in a pair of bib overalls, a John Deere hat and boots with dry, caked-on mud. He had a face that matched the voice I had heard on the phone. And next to him, with eyes as big as an owls, was red headed Melissa.
 

© 2011 Marty Coleman

 

Self-Conscious vs Self-Aware

by | May 6, 2011 | Anonymous | 0 comments

It’s funny how close being self-conscious is to being self-aware. Actually, aren’t they the same?  One is conscious of self, one is aware of self.  Same.  But that really isn’t the case.  Self-consciousness isn’t really about being aware of self, it’s about being aware of what other’s think of your self.  You are conscious of other interpretations of your self (even if they haven’t ever been thought or spoken by another human).
 
Having raised 4 girls I can testify to the destructive power of self-consciousness.  The concerns of what others thought of them was, at times, paralyzing.  Would they think I am fat, flat, false, fearful, fatuous, farty, flamboyant, flakey, fanatical, frigid, freaky, flippant, foreign, figidity, fortunate, or maybe fake?
 
Self-awareness, on the other hand, is not about what others think, it’s about what YOU think about your self.  Being self-aware means you KNOW others will have different opinions about you (when they think about you at all that is).  But you also know that it’s YOU who ultimately judges whether your self is the self you want or not.  
 
And in the end, the 60 year old has it right, most people are too busy thinking about themselves and worrying about what others think of them to actually think much about you.

Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman 

 
Quote by Anonymous