What's in Dave's Head

As we approach 2014 many of us will be making ambitious New Year’s resolutions.  It’s a rarity that we actually keep them.  But if we keep in mind people who have overcome obstacles to achieve their goals, it can serve to motivate us as we work to keep the promises we make to ourselves.  Think about Diana Nyad.  In September the  64-year-old succeeded in swimming from Cuba to Florida.  It took her 53 hours—and five tries—to make the 110-mile journey.  She had failed in her first four attempts, the first of which was 35 years ago, in 1978.  Her advice: Never give up, no matter how many times you have failed or how old you are.   Diana has become an inspirational figure for me.  I’m no great athlete and have never tried anything as challenging as swimming across the Florida Straits for more than two days straight in shark-infested, jellyfish-filled heavy seas.  I’m a regular guy who happens to love sports, particularly competitive open-water swimming.  But through my own small

A feature article in the Dec. 22, 2013 Washington Post about Cam Newton, the quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, offers some lessons about perseverance and overcoming adversity.   The article notes that after a remarkable collegiate career and record-breaking rookie season in 2011, Newton had a disappointing season last year, when the Panthers went 7-9 and his performance regressed.  During the offseason Newton changed his approach to focus on improving his fundamentals and adapting to changing defensive schemes.  This year the Panthers are currently in first place in the NFC South division with an 11-4 record.  The intent of the article is to show that Newton’s off-season self-examination and willingness to change could be a tem plate for Washington’s beleaguered quarterback, Robert Griffin III.  Indeed, all of us should strive to look objectively in the mirror, take stock of where we are and make the necessary changes to get us to where we want to be. There are a num

Christmas is my favorite time of year, by a long shot.  Like Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol , it’s a time for looking backward, forward and at the present.  It’s a time of bonding with family and friends.  And for me the mystery of salvation is uplifting and humbling.  Donna and I are spending lots of time with our kids.  Jack flew in from Los Angeles Friday evening with Klondike, his five-month-old toy American Eskimo.  Kate and Eileen and Eileen’s husband Andrew live nearby.  Everyone was over yesterday for our annual trim-the-tree party.  We also had an adventurous meeting between Klondike, who weighs seven pounds, and Eileen’s and Andrew’s pit bull/Rhodesian ridgeback mix. 2013 has been a challenging year for me and Donna.  The biggest setback was that I lost my job in a corporate reorganization.  Yet we both are healthy, we have many, many blessings to be thankful for and look forward to a fulfilling 2014.  We wish you the same.  Merry Christmas! Copyright © 2