Baby Anthony -'I wish you were by my side'

In the dark of the night

Those small hours
Uncertain and anxious
I need to call you


Rooms full of strangers
Some call me friend
But I wish you were so close to me
In the dark of night
Those small hours
I drift away
When I'm with you


In the dark of night
By my side
In the dark of night
By my side, by my side, by my side
I wish you were
I wish you were


Here comes the clown
His face in a wall
No window
No air at all


In the dark of night
Those faces they haunt me
But I wish you were
So close to me


By my side
By my side
I wish you were
I wish you were
By my side
In the dark of night
Those faces they haunt me
I wish you were so close to me


Yes I wish you were
By my side

Slow Dance: A poem dedicated to the missed blessings in our midst.

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round,

or listened to rain slapping the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight,

or gazed at the sun fading into the night?

You better slow down, don't dance so fast,

time is short, the music won't last.

 

Do you run through each day on the fly,

when you ask "How are you?", do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed,

with the next hundred chores running through your head?

You better slow down, don't dance so fast, 

time is short, the music won't last.

 

Ever told your child, we'll do it tomorrow,

and in your haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch, let a friendship die,

'cause you never had time to call and say hi?

You better slow down, don't dance so fast,

time is short, the music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere,

you miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,

it's like an unopened gift thrown away.

Life isn't a race, so take it slower,

hear the music before your song is over.

Reprinted with permission from the author
About the Author
David L. Weatherford is a child psychologist with published poems in "Chicken Soup for the Soul".

Funny Friday's: The Topic, "Baby dancing to Beyonce"

Good moves kid!

Share this if it made you smile...

Anthony's favorite Oprah Moment (other than when she said she was retiring)

Anthony's all-time favorite Oprah moment! 

When she would go to the park; workout and then steal a child's wagon, and wheel it around with 67lbs of fat.   

Farewell Oprah!

Power & Vision

Leaders are visionaries with a poorly developed sense of fear and no concept of the odds against them. ~Robert Jarvik


A leader is a dealer in hope.  ~Napoleon Bonaparte

Leaders need to be optimists.  Their vision is beyond the present.  ~Rudy Giuliani

It's not a hill
It's a mountain as you start out the climb
-U2

I want YOU!

Remember those old posters of "Uncle Sam" pointing that Scrooge-like finger at you? 

He managed to make me a little uncomfortable, so anytime I would see one of those posters, I would always make believe like he was pointing at someone standing right behind me.

Uncle Sam did his fare share of recruiting for the military with only 3 words...

Q- Why was Uncle Sam so successful at getting people to join the military?  

His good looks aside --The sign was communicating the idea that each person has a responsibility to their country--

It is like his rickety finger is reaching out and pressing against your forehead when you walk by it.  By making the message personal, you felt the weight of responsibility to fight for the stars and stripes.

Similar to Uncle Sam, the Apostle Paul uses the same concept in the verses located below:

____

12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.

Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.

14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part.
15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body.
16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body?
____

It is very important that the Church understands this powerful principal.

-Though we are many, we are also individuals-  

Together we are to use what the Lord has blessed us with to ensure His Church thrives. 

If understood and applied, I believe the Church would operate in a much healthier manner.  When individuals use their unique gifts & talents -- we end up blessing one another. 

Like the brave soldiers that fought for you and I at the beckon of Uncle Sam,

it is easy to forget when gathering for church on Sunday's, how much is done by the people that have said "yes" to Father God. 

Have you found your unique Gifts?

What areas in your life do you feel Passionate about?

Can you find a place in your local church to offer your Unique Talents?

Coming together is a beginning.  Keeping together is progress. 

Working together is success.  

~Henry Ford

Man's Best Friend

For all you dog lovers...watch what happens when this dog tries to play 'fetch' with a statue...

Share this with your friends if you love your pet!

Urgent END OF THE WORLD message by A. Kladitis (This message expires in 24 hours)

 

This message is for Harold Camping.
-Since you decided to tell the whole world that Judgement Day is coming on May 21st. 
I thought it would be a good idea to let you know what you will be experiencing on Sunday, May 22nd. 

Extreme Embarrassment.

Without going through all the mumbo jumbo, I'll just get right to it Gordon Ramsey style... 

If Jesus Himself does not know the 'Day or Time' why would you presume to??????

-The only thing that is going to end on Saturday is your reputation-  

Followed by your ministry, credibility, friendships & life in general.

Panera Restaurant: Pay What You Want

CLAYTON, Mo. — Panera Bread Co. is asking customers at a new restaurant to pay what they want.
The national bakery and restaurant chain launched a new nonprofit store here this week that has the same menu as its other 1,400 locations. But the prices are a little different – there aren't any. Customers are told to donate what they want for a meal, whether it's the full suggested price, a penny or $100.
The new store in the upscale St. Louis suburb of Clayton is the first of what will Panera hopes will be many around the country. Ronald Shaich, Panera's CEO until last week, was on hand at the new bakery Monday to explain the system to customers.
The pilot restaurant is run by a nonprofit foundation. If it can sustain itself financially, Panera will expand the model around the country within months. It all depends on whether customers will abide by the motto that hangs above the deli counter: "Take what you need, leave your fair share."


 

What do you think about this idea?

Do you think it will last?

Light UP the Darkness

When Bob Marley was scheduled to preform at a peace rally, a gunman came to his house and shot him down.
Two days later he walked on stage and sang.

Somebody asked him, "Why?"

He said,

The people who are trying to make the world worse are not taking a day off.

How can I?

If you did not read yesterday's post, then it would behoove you to do so now. 
Yesterday I talked about 3 ways to successfully build a team. 
As the day passed and my mind took in the entirety of the idea's presented in the post...
Something stuck me harder then dad's hand upside the back of my flat head. 

Most groups that are up to no good are the best at building the most effective teams!  Have you ever noticed just how organized & effective thugs, gangsters, pimps, swindlers, mobs and the Hell's Angels are?  It seems as if the good guys are all busy sitting around at McDonald's sipping on coffee and I am so tired of it. 

Bob Marley's story is truly inspirational! 
On a day when he should have been sitting home feeling sorry for himself, he mustered up the courage to face the darkness.

Isn't it about time that you and I muster up the grits and take on something of significance?
Isn't it about time that when we walk out of our doors in the morning our motto's ring loud and clear...

I, Anthony Kladitis am ready to  

"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 
And God saw the light, that it was good"
-Genesis 1: 3-4

Team Building 101

The process of team building happens in 3 distinct stages:
1. Individuals Assemble
2. Individuals join together as a team
3. Team engages in the task at hand

Let's break down the above stages.

First step, have something that the group can rally around.  Have you ever noticed that there are millions of groups/organizations in the world?  Whether it is a sports team, the NRA, or the followers of this blog; groups all have something in common...they offer something that people feel passionate enough about to join. 

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here is what this first step looks like: 



Individuals are now assembled and ready to begin. During the team building process, the first step is the easiest to accomplish.  A common purpose has brought people together in the same room [or sitting on the same log] , BUT something more must happen for this group of individuals to become a team. 
----They must gel together. 
For team building to be successful, stages 2 & 3 have to be accomplished.

Stage two, the individuals must join together to become members of a team.
This requires agreement on shared goals and a process to achieve those goals. Trust me when I tell you that this stage is both the most difficult & the one you should spend the most time on.  The reasons are numerous.  It is at this stage that there will be the most conflict.  For instance, lets say that your team has gathered for the reason to figure out a difficult issue in the community.  You can bet the family dog that most everyone at the gathering will already have opinions, solutions, and who is going to do what, to whom and when.  With so many views expressed in a passionate way (remember, if the people didn't care, then they would not be attending in the first place) there will be conflict. 
People will be holding on to their values and ideas tighter than a cocktail dress.

With this in mind, the groundwork must be laid out and the best way that I know how to accomplish this is by establishing group norms.  Group norms are the key ideals that will guide your team as they seek to solve the problem. 

An example of a group norm would be as follows:
A.  We will practice respect towards one another.  This means when someone speaks, they have the floor for 1-2 minutes and everyone listens.

After this second stage has been thought through and everyone's blood has been spilled,  you are ready for stage 3...

Third, the team members must become engaged in the task at hand.

Stage three begins the thrill of finally taking on the task.  Nothing is more powerful than a group of people acting together in unison to accomplish something!  What once started out as a group of strangers, now becomes a mighty force to be dealt with.

The picture below tells the final story...

"Individually, we are one drop.

Together, we are an ocean."

-Ryunosuke

Human bicycle

Your most Deadly (secret) Weapon!

What is the most powerful way to persuade  someone?

A. By handing out breathe mints
B. A Bazooka
C. A Gift Card to his or her favorite restaurant
D. Your tongue, especially when you use it to tell others a story

The answer is that whether you are a parent reading to your children at night, a lawyer, or a teacher --your greatest tool is being a great storyteller.

Maxwell & Dickman, in their book, "The Elements of Persuasion" share 5 ways that will help you tell a great story! 

Here's how to do it like the pros!

Passion: Start by asking “what do I really care most about?” If you find your passion, then your audience will catch it the same way they catch the flu. Your passion needs to authentic. If the audience thinks your acting solely out of self interest-you’re toast, just pack up your stuff and go back home...

Hero: You are the hero. The hero’s job is to make the audience see what you see. Pull the audience into your world. Make them see your message from the inside out. Help them see it through your eyes and as if they were standing in your shoes. Stop being so abstact, a personal touch moves people...

Obstacle: Clearly define the problem. How does your new idea help them overcome it? You and your new idea are the hero, mounted on a ragin bull ready to head into battle! You have a sword in your hand and you’re about to crush the enemy. Before you charge, make sure that you and your audience share the same dragon. Ask yourself “what is the dragon that keeps me up at night?” does it keep my audience up as well? If you can slay that dragon --you’re on your way to success.

Awareness: Does your idea bring something new to solving the audience’s problem? What insights are embedded in your message? What lessons can the audience take away and use again? Does your audience nod in agreement as you discuss your solutions or do they remain stone silent and look at you like its National Bad Hair Day?

Transformation: How will your idea change the audience for the better?
How will they be different by using your idea? What is transformational about your message?  Think of ways that will not only fill people's minds but also move their feet!
Successful stories make an audience feel as well as think.

  

The more you can turn your message into a story

the more likely your message will succeed!  

*You can check out Maxwell & Dickman's website for more cool ideas like the one's above!

The Unexpected Note

Below is a note sent to me from one of the many friends & followers that I have had the privilege to meet as I journal about leadership, theology and life. 
It came as a pleasant surprise that helped show that if you put yourself out there and try to make a difference, then you truly will..
_____________

Mr. Kladitis, 

-Thank you.


We have never met, but I have wanted to contact you since I began following your blog in January. Today, it occurred to me that this is a good week to contact you, since it is National Teacher Appreciation Week.   


I know from your blog and from the little blurb at the top of your facebook page that you are a Pastor of Youth and Young Adults by trade. To me, you are a teacher. Your words have taught me many things.


You have taught me how to reconnect with my faith. While we do not share the same religion, I read your words and filter them through my religion and I feel more connected and spiritual.


You have taught me to listen. Everyone has a story. You showed me how listening can be exactly what someone needs at any given time.
And you have taught me about the power of prayer. In my own life, I never really prayed much. At least not outside of the organized services I attend. But your words taught me how healing it can be to pray.


So, in honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to thank you for being a teacher. For giving so selflessly and generously of yourself so that others may learn. Thank you for touching my life.


Thank you for being a teacher.
______________

I want to thank the author of this note and all 303 followers of W.O.A.D.
Together, we are changing the world for better and helping a charity that is so dear to my heart.

If you would like to help the charity "now i lay me down to sleep" all you have to do is click "follow" on the top right part of this blog.

For every follower, I will make a donation in baby Anthony's name.

-Please consider helping-

Stay Blessed,

Anthony J. Kladitis

     

Funny Friday's: The Topic, "Mr. Closed Eye Worship Guy"

We all know this guy. 
He is the person with the Bible on his cell phone & wears a 1998 Christian T-Shirt around town.

A Rare Commodity: Leadership

Have you ever noticed that when something is hard to come by it becomes valuable?

Take Honus Wagner. 
Although he has one of the greatest baseball names, he was by no stretch of the imagination the best baseball player ever.  Yet, someone paid over 1,000,000 dollars for one of his cards.  (Yes, a cool million.)

Why would someone do this?
The answer lies in the fact that the Honus Wagner card is the rarest of all cards.

When something is hard to get, difficult to find, or out of your reach...the value always goes up. (Think Crazy Elmo)

Like the Honus Wagner card,

Leadership is also rare.

Seth Godin says in his intriguing book Tribes, "Few people are willing to go through the discomfort required to lead." The reason is because a leader stands tall, looks to the future and is willing to take a risk to get to a place of uncertainty. 

 

A good example can be found in American history. 
The Pioneer's were a group of people that blazed a trail when nobody believed it could be done or would take the risk.  They left most everything behind for a dream of a better future. 

A leader is similar, in that they follow their dreams in spite of the obstacles that lay in their way.  You and I live in a world of uncertainty and leadership is required for times like this. 

-Like the Pioneer, will you step out into the unknown?

-Will you set you sights to the distant horizon for a better future?

If you do.  You will no doubt wrap your arms around risk but at the same time embrace living life to the fullest.

All men die,

But not all men really live 

-William Wallace