Today, I am thankful to be old enough to remember Saturday afternoons watching American Bandstand.

I can’t help but smiling as I think about watching the dancers so I could learn the newest steps.  I remember the weekly Rate-A-Record segment; “It’s got a good beat and is easy to dance to” was a popular score justification.  Everyone wanted to be like the cool kids on American Bandstand.

Then there are the contributions made to popular music, introducing rock ‘n roll to the masses as the first show to merge popular music and TV.  Songs introduced on the show one week were top forty hits the next.  There are landmark music history moments, too.  Dick Clark changed the ‘all white” rule of the previous host and provided a national stage for Little Anthony, Chuck Berry, Chubby Checker and more.  On the air for thirty years, American Bandstand introduced stars from Buddy Holly to Madonna, the Everly Brothers to Donna Summer.

Although there are numerous other television shows that Dick Clark is responsible for, American Bandstand is what I will most remember him for, with much gratitude and appreciation.

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Nostalgia.  People just need to get over it.  Move on.

Those words were spoken in a meeting today, as someone was reacting to a recent conversation he had with some folks.  It got me thinking about whether or not nostalgia is a good thing or a bad thing.

Then, I heard the news.  Davy Jones died.

Today, I am thankful for the nostaligic memories this news brought rushing back to my consciousness.

I’m a Believer.  Pleasant Valley Sunday.  Valleri.  The Last Train to Clarksville.  Hey, Hey, We’re the Monkees.  Loved that song and the goofy intro to The Monkees TV show.  Who hasn’t done that silly beach walk with their friends?

Which one was Davy, you ask?  The cute one,  of course!

If you’re fan and want a short trip down memory lane or if you just want to see what all the fuss is about, watch this video, featuring Davy.  Prepare for some toe-tapping be-bopping chair dancing swooning.  (Click the song titles above for some more!)

Thanks for the memories, Davy.  Rest in peace.

As for nostaligia, I’ve decided that it is A-OK, as long as looking back doesn’t hinder you from looking forward.

Ellen commented that it is good for the universe to wear clothes with positive words like that.  She asked Jennifer if she ever watched “What The Bleep Do We Know?”

Today, I am thankful for the reminder to focus on possibilities!

In one of my leadership classes at Otterbein University, we watched the documentary, “What The Bleep Do We Know?” as a thought exercise to help us realize the world is filled with unlimited possibilities.  This movie really opened up my world to ontological thinking – essentially, your thoughts focus on what might be possible rather than what is.

The original 108 minute film – released in theaters in February 2004. Starring Marlee Matlin and 14 Scientists and Mystics. Exploring the worlds of Quantum Physics, Neurology, and Molecular Biology in relation to the spheres of Spirituality, Metaphysics and Polish weddings. Part documentary, part drama, part animation, How does it all fit together???

If you haven’t seen this documentary, I encourage you to.  You can read more about it here and then order a copy for yourself here.  (I just did!)  Enjoy discovering what’s possible for you – and, be thankful for it all!

The opportunity to learn a musical instrument can inspire a child to discover talent, expand creativity, develop social skills, and learn sef-discipline.  Music in our schools is vital to the health of our communities and the continued development of our culture.

Yet, many children do not have this opportunity.

In honor of tonight’s Grammy Awards, below are some organizations striving to keep music alive and available to all children.  Click the links and explore.  Whether it’s donating an instrument, contributing funds, or giving your time and musical experience, you can help.

The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation keeps music alive in our schools and communities by donating musical instruments to under-funded music programs, giving youngsters the many benefits of music education, helping them to be better students and inspiring creativity and expression through playing music.  [They] believe that kids thrive when given the chance to learn and play music. Putting an instrument into their hands improves the quality of their education and their lives. The window is brief and all kids deserve a chance to play music in school!

Make a financial donation to the foundation here.  Find out how to give them a used instrument here.  Start the process to seek a grant here.

Instruments of Change [strives to] profoundly impact the lives of disadvantaged children through the gifts of musical instrument donation, instruction and performance. [They] accomplish this mission by seeking our new and gently used musical instruments that are not being played and place them with children whose parents do not have the means to purchase an instrument of their own.

Scroll down this page to donate a musical instrument.  Make a financial contribution here.  If you are a music educator, offer to share your experience here.

Charity Music Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit public service organzation, whose mission is to help cultivate the next upcoming crop of young artists by providing musical instruments, on loan, to homeless students, at-risk, and disadvantaged youth wishing to explore their hidden musical talents.

Follow your state link from this list to find out how to donate an instrument.  Click here to make a financial contribution.

Help keep music alive.  Help children discover their potential greatness.  Help our communities thrive through musical arts.

The movie is the true story of recently widowed father of two, Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon), who decides to buy a run-down wildlife park and move his family there to give everyone a fresh start away from sad memories.

Of course, memories aren’t so quickly left behind and running a zoo isn’t easy, either!  This heartwarming story takes viewers through the evolution of the family’s grief and recovery, with a sprinkling of humor.  One of the life lessons in the story is something handed down from Mee’s father to him, and from him to his children:

You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.

Think of these words when you’re about to have a difficult conversation; be brave enough to say the first words.  When attempting to do something you’re unsure of, twenty seconds of courage will get you started.  When choosing a new path, bravely take that first step.

When making New Year’s resolutions later this week, be brave enough to think big!  What do you want to change?  What do you want to start?  What do you want to stop? Remember, all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage.  Something great will come of it.

Happy 2012!

Tuesday Tidbits are weekly messages I send to my leadership team. They are generally short & sweet, often focused on leadership or teamwork, always positive and, hopefully, motivational. I hope you also find some meaning in them.

At one point, Beane goes to the home of Scott Hatteberg, a player that all the other teams thought was washed up. Scotty used to be a catcher, but an elbow injury and surgery meant he couldn’t throw the baseball any more. But, what he could do was get on base. Here is generally how part of the conversation went:

Beane: I don’t care about your elbow. As far as I’m concerned, you’ve thrown your last ball from behind the plate. I want you at first.

Scotty: But, I’ve been a catcher my whole life.

Beane: Well, you aren’t anymore. Do you want to play for the Oakland Athletics? Then you’re going to play first base.

Scotty: But,

Beane: You don’t know how to play first base. Of course you don’t. We’re going to teach you. We are going to teach you.

I’m not giving away the rest of the movie by telling you that Scotty accepted the offer. He still wanted to play baseball. He struggled a lot at first. Even though Scotty had been playing the game since he was a kid and had been a good catcher, it was really hard to play well in a completely new position.

Guess what, though? He learned. He changed. Scotty became an adequate first baseman, but more importantly, scored a lot of runs. And, scoring runs is what helped the team win games.

I was so struck by this interaction that I pulled out a pad of paper and pen in the theater and scribbled as much as I could recall. What a great lesson for us all!

Things change. We are sometimes asked to take on new roles. New leadership may have a new way of playing the game. They might think that different things should be a priority. But in the end, if you can approach the game with an open mind, play to your strengths, trust the new vision, and come together as a team, chances are you’ll win the game.

In baseball or business.

Tuesday Tidbits are weekly messages I send to my leadership team. They are generally short & sweet, often focused on leadership or teamwork, always positive and hopefully, motivational. I hope you find some meaning in them.

Well, I for one would never have thought to put Lady Gaga and Mother Teresa side by side in an article about leadership.  Fortunately, someone else did.  Click HERE to read the Shumpeter post, published yesterday in The Economist.

Newslink: Leadership features articles about the development and practice of leadership skills in today’s business world.

A couple things are great about this.  First, I get free books to add to my library.  If you’ve followed any of my posts, you know I love books and love to share them with my team, so adding to my library is a good thing.

Second, there is no pressure to post a “positive” review.  I am simply asked to share my unedited thoughts about the book here on my blog and on at least one commercial site.

Over the next week, I will be posting three such reviews:

This Is The Moment, by Walter Green

On This Day In Christian History, by Robert Morgan

Surviving Your Serengeti, by Stefan Swanepoel

I hope you find these reviews, and others posted here, useful.  Please share, what books have you read lately?  Would you recommend them?  Why or why not?

If you are lucky enough to live in a community with a theater specializing in independent films, you have access to a cultural gem.  One such community is Maitland, near Orlando, Florida, home of the Enzian Theater.  I had the pleasure of enjoying a show there several years ago, and the wonderful experience has stayed with me.  Given the timing of both my trip to Utah and the Sundance Film Festival, the Enzian Theater is a perfect topic for this week’s Sunday Service.

“As Central Florida’s only full-time, not-for-profit alternative cinema, Enzian exists to entertain, inspire, educate, and connect the community through film. For more than 25 years Enzian has championed the belief that “Film Is Art.” Along with first-run independent features, Enzian offers a variety of special events, such the nationally-recognized Florida Film Festival.” (www.enzian.org)

An evening at the Enzian is much more than just watching a movie.   While waiting to be seated, you can enjoy drinks at the Eden Bar, an outdoor delight.  Once inside, guests enjoy full table service; drinks and appetizers or a complete meal as they watch the show.  The menu  reflects the same “creativity and individuality” as the theater’s movie selections.

As mentioned above, the Enzian Theater is also the home of the Florida Film Festival, this year from April 11-17.  Described as “the best regional festival I have ever attended” by Eugene Hernandez, editor-in-chief of indieWIRE.com, it celebrates current cinema, independent films, food and fun.  For local residents and movie stars alike, the festival is an event in filmmaking.

If you would like to support the cinematic arts through the Enzian, you can become a member of the Enzian Film Society.  All members enjoy discounted tickets, a free popcorn at each show, free special screenings, and advance tickets for the Florida Film Festival.  Annual memberships begin at $60 and go up to $2200, with corresponding,  increasing benefit advantages. 

You can also help the theater continue its excellent programming and community arts programs by donating directly to its operation.  For 25 years, Enzian has been a non-profit community-supported organization.  With only a quarter of its operating budget coming from ticket sales, it cannot operate without financial contributions.  If you can help, click HERE and support the theater’s mission to “entertain, inspire, educate, and connect the community through film.”

Even if you don’t have any ties to central Florida, I would urge you to seek out your local indie theater and support it.  The arts community in your area needs your help, too.

Storytellers broaden our minds: engage, provoke, inspire, and ultimately, connect us. -Robert Redford, President and Founder, Sundance Institute

Photos courtesy of www.enzian.org

He is probably best known for his roles on Taxi and Who’s The Boss. His recent  appearance on Oprah, however, was about his dream job, at which he has been working for the last year; high school English teacher.

Danza originally went to college to be a teacher.  To help pay his way, he was also an amateur boxer, and that avenue eventually led him to acting.  But, after many years on the large and small screen, he decided at the age of 58 that he wanted to go back to his original passion and teach.  He remembered how he struggled with motivated learning, and really believed that he could help today’s students.

Imagine being a 10^th grade student at Northeast High School in Philadelphia who walks into the classroom on the first day of school and sees Tony Danza.  And, he’s your teacher!  Imagine being a teacher walking into the faculty room, and Tony Danza is now your peer.  It was not an easy road for him, for sure.

Long story short, Danza got off to a rocky start, but ended the school year strong.  After so many years out of school, he just needed to focus his passion, find his stride, and then his students responded.

At the end of the Oprah piece, short clips were shown of students and faculty commenting on how Danza did in his first year back to teaching.  One of the comments made by Mrs. Linda Carroll, the school principal, stood out for me.

You are not a teacher until someone is learning.

Couldn’t we say the same about leaders? 

You are not a leader until someone is following.

Many people claim to be leaders.  In the absence of anyone following, are they really leaders?  If leadership is influence, and no one is being influenced, is there a leader?  If you’re a leader, who is following?  If Oprah interviewed them, what would they say about you?

If you want to know more about Tony Danza’s latest career choice, read THIS interview.  Although he is specifically commenting about his role as a teacher, many of his insights apply to leadership of all kinds; self-control, empathy, giving to others, and more.

In closing, I invite you to consider this:

If you could have your dream job, what would it be?  What’s stopping you?  Feel free to share your thoughts by adding a comment.  You just might inspire someone else to pursue their dream job!  Imagine the possibilities!