Welcome to Breakfast with John

Hello and welcome:

As a writer and consultant, I've observed that my best writing and thinking time of the day is earlier in the day. There are, after all, two kinds of people in the world - morning people and night owls - and I'm one of the former. I married one of the latter and learned quickly that despite my ability to rise and have an intelligent conversation as my feet hit the floor, such conversation is only welcome after, as Lori says, it's a decent hour to have conversation. My early conversation shows up here instead, where I'll awake no one without his or her prior permission.

Why this blog?
This will be a place where I'll share reflections and observations from life, work and faith. I've learned from one of mentors, Alan Weiss, that we need not lead a professional life and a personal life. It's challenging enough to handle one life these days, he reasons, so why add pressure? That's exactly why there's a wide range of thoughts and contributions which will be fair game around here - my blog, so I get to make the rules.

Where to start?
I read recently from a guy I deeply respect - Dan Kennedy - that people of high accomplishment all seem to have a written statement of personal values. I found that interesting since I had created parallel statements of value: Who I Am and What I Do. They've changed through the years but remain the same at the core. Originally written on July 4, 1999, here they are, just in case you're interested:

Who I Am
I am a spiritual being experiencing a human condition. The Spirit of God is in me. In the past, I have confused things by considering myself a human being with spiritual aspects and qualities. I know now that I am spiritual, and only through my thoughts, words and actions do I blur my spirituality. I emphasize and prioritize my spirituality by communing with God (Be still and know that I am God) speaking with Him and listening to Him daily. This is as natural to me as inhaling and exhaling. I am a good example of a spiritual being as I choose peace in all situations. I recognize that the need to be right is ego-driven and the ego’s purpose is to “edge God out.” I know that the emotions of fear, worry, jealousy, anger, bitterness and resentment are ego-driven. Only the ego takes offense. I earn, I do, I accomplish anything and everything as a part of the Spirit and through my spirituality. I am one with and connected with all creation, with all living beings and with all life. I am a grateful being, glorifying the Spirit of God in all aspects of my being.

What I Do
I do things that most other people don’t want to do, i.e., public speaking, selling, writing and listening. I work to improve on these things to do them as well as or better than most of those who are willing to do them. I do these things in ways that generate positive results for organizations and people. Then I find organizations and people who so value the result of how I do these things that they pay me very well to do them. As a result, I can live as I choose to live, give as I choose to give, and love those I choose to love. Thus, discipline leads to freedom and acceptance of responsibility affords me a liberty and lifestyle few others experience.

Let's be clear about something. This blog is not about me. It's about life and what's important in life. Yes, it will gravitate toward the world as I see and filter it. In the end, it will be thoughts and concepts, wisdom and tips that have found me or I them.

I'm glad to have had you visit. Leave a comment if you will and come back soon. Thank you.

Keep the faith,
John Earl Carroll