Chocolate cake for my wife!

On my way home from another long week, I received a text from my wife asking me to bring home something sweet!

I recognized at that point how much satisfaction it gave me to know I could make someone's day by simply taking some time to stop by the store and pick up a $5 piece of cake!

At this point in my life I find myself searching for the hills and staying out of the valleys!

Lessons in life don't choose appropriate times to emerge.

If you are fortunate, the love of family and good health will allow you to combat an uncertain future.

Priorities are shifted and your focus is now survival vs cake and ice cream!

Friends have allowed me to review my assets and consider how they might apply to a completely new paradigm.

Major changes take years not months to realign.

Last month I reached 60 years of age and feel fortunate that I surpassed my father's legacy of 59 years.

I've been married now for 28 years, my son Matt is emerging to be a fine young man.

The Noblemen continue to "Help Kids and Change Lives."

I am confident that my new path will in time yield results that allow me to provide for my family in a way that pleases me.

I accept the fact that "change" happens and how I react to it molds me into the person I am today.

...and last Friday after making my wife smile by simply purchasing  a robust piece of chocolate cake reminds me of some wisdom I received from Wayne Dyer!

"If you are always striving you never are arriving"


NobleOne

In search of my "Sweet Spot"

I spent 16 years working hard for a company I was passionate about.  We were involved in emerging technology and were considered experts in the field.  I traveled daily and covered over 1600 miles of territory.

The income was good as well as the benefits, however something was missing!  My time with my family suffered and dining out everyday took it's toll as well.

It's hard to find that "center" where work, family and health all are balanced.  The challenge for me is recognizing the need to be open to changing my tactics to reward all areas in my life.

How 'bout you?  Are you enjoying success in some areas and yet lacking in others?

I experienced a paradigm shift and left a successful career to pursue a passionate endeavor that severed my income in half and created a number of challenges.  The rewards were many and the personal growth was undeniable, however again there were failures that I did not overcome!

I have said many times "if you love what you do, it's really hard to consider it work."

Returning to the "for profit" world has been quite the challenge! In the recent past I enjoyed a confidence and a life that was meaningful and impactful!

Today I live in a world of sales whereas I'm constantly fighting for an audience and I currently lack the knowledge in order to perform at a level that I'm used to.

When you have resided at the top of the hill, it's difficult to tolerate the closed doors and unreturned phone calls.

Perhaps it's time to take my own advice and discover the "magic in the middle."

In today's world it's not what you know it's who you know.  I'm so fortunate I know quite a few folks in Hampton Roads and I need to "plug in" to the things that offer a return on my investments.

My eyes are open and my priorities are shifting. There are many things that are important to me and require my involvement in order for them to continue to thrive.

So today on this Mother's Day my hope this that all of you recognize that it's not easy to make all aspects of your life work.  It requires daily assessments of your actions and deeds.

The challenges in your life can be nurtured by alternative involvements that empower you! Only you know what those actions are!

It's time for me to dance as well as dig, and win on all fronts.  In order to excel personally, changes need to happen and my lows will be lifted by my highs and somewhere a comfortable balance will be achieved!

NobleOne

A Good Day!

I would have to say "a good day" is relative to what is important in your own life.  There are a number of things that contribute to what I would consider a good day for me.

Most of my days start out with a good hug with my wife.  If at the end of the day we are still smiling and enjoy each other's company, a good day!

If I have the opportunity to get in some sort of physical exercise before I go into work or even on the weekend, a good day!

I I accomplish something at work that I consider worthwhile for me and the company I work for, a good day!

If I run into an old friend and spend time in a good conversation or I meet a new friend and we have a good discussion, a good day!

If I have a conversation with my son, a good day!

If I have the opportunity to help someone out, a good day!

If I fix something that's broken, a good day!

If I eat well and don't feel guilty about it, a good day!

If I get the opportunity to stop by and visit my Mom, a good day!

If I learn or experience something new, a good day!

If I get in touch with my higher self, a good day!

How 'bout you, what's your criteria for a good day?

A place I call home!

As life serves you both highs and lows, it sure is nice to have a place to go home to!

Many years ago my wife asked me to check out this farm that was for sale in "the county." My good friend Keith and I were going down that way to explore the "Party on the Bay" venue for a benefit we were working on with my cousin Willard.

We were a bit intimated when we cautiously started to drive down the rather long driveway only to be confronted "nose to nose bumper to bumper"  with a rather large white truck.

I put my truck in reverse and slowly backed up to let the truck pass.  That day I met Jim "Turbo" Cohen and he couldn't of been more pleasant.

He informed us that his girlfriend Lisa keep her horses at the farm and told us it would be fine to "check it out."

Something inside just clicked, and the next weekend my wife and our best friend Terre introduced ourselves to Cammie and Scott.

We all realized we simply needed to get out of the way in order for us to be the new owners of this 5 acre oasis in Back Bay.

The farm requires a great deal of work and is certainly not cheap to own however it has brought our family much joy!

Our dog Marlin actually runs the farm, simply ask any of the 5 horses that he commands on a daily basis.

I don't know if we will be here forever, however today as I prepare my Carolina Skiff for this season's adventures to Blue Pete's for a great meal or to traveling across Back Bay to listen to Most Wanted Band play great music or the big adventure south to Carova, I'm thankful!

Have you made your house home?

The right home will let you know!

NobleOne

Leaving Footprints

Last Monday night I attended the Noblemen membership meeting.  It was great to see what I started 22 years ago remains intact.  The meeting was well attended and the philanthropy talked about was significant and clearly making an impact.

Reginald Land was there talking about his new non-profit Option 2.  Reginald was one of our first NobleTeen leaders and the experience clearly impacted his life and set him on a path of significance.

Pete Hansen was there as well and he continues in his new role of heading up student programs at Operation Smile.  Pete was instrumental in helping me run The Noblemen and I love him like a brother and proud that he has embraced philanthropy moving forward.

Elizabeth Evans Pennell and Mary Love, two ladies that I love and can ever thank enough for making NobleWomen a force in the community are continuing their philanthropy through Connect With a Wish.   In May the ladies are again hosting the Pungo Winefest directing the funds to help with local foster kids.

Trey White continues to amaze me every day with Team Hoyt VB and the impact he makes not only in my life but in so many others!

Almost every day I read or hear about someone impacting our local community whose roots were firmly planted in The Noblemen legacy.

I'm not sure where my path is headed, however it's easy to look in the rear view mirror and smile knowing that something I created continues to impact me and others so significantly!

NobleOne

Chapters

My new job at R.E. Michel Company is requiring me to make room for new files.  That means I need to get rid of some old ones.

I recognized that my life has involved so many major chapters.  As I reviewed files, I recalled entrepreneur adventures with my buddy Steve Giuffre  at Buffalo Beach, countless board meeting notes with The Noblemen and WaterFurnace territory manager files.

Before that, Real Estate, Marco Construction Tools and Ferguson Enterprises.  Wow, will I ever settle down or simply keep starting new chapters?

I have friends that have stuck to their guns and kept one career and now are ready or have already retired.  I have to say I'm a bit envious and in the same thought I know better!  I'm simply not built that way.

On the bright side, my resume is chocked full of adventures and knowledge.  I have met countless interesting people and have gained friendships that I am very thankful for.

I've missed out on significant income possibilities, however I have always managed to pay my bills, have a roof over my head, and maintained a successful marriage.

There have been significant bumps and turns in my pathway, however each day offers new challenges and every now a then, a big smile!

How many chapters are in your life?  Any regrets?

My latest adventure is choked full of challenges and I sincerely hope that at some time I will count it among my best!  Today, that is not the case!

Tomorrow I will attend the first Noblemen meeting that I've attended/run since September.  I definitely have some mixed emotions going in, however my best buddy Pete Hansen will join me and we will celebrate the latest grandiose achievement of our protege Reginald Land.

Here is to another chapter of a novel life!

NobleOne

In a New York Minute!

If you are like me sometimes you hear a song and it makes ya think!  This morning on the treadmill I was watching Hell Freezes Over by The Eagles and heard the song "In a New York Minute."

The next line is "everything can change"

The next "things can get pretty strange."

How 'bout you, have you had your New York Minute?

It's interesting how you can grow so comfortable that you think you are simply settled in for a lifetime and then something changes and down the bunny trail you go!

The other interesting thing, that its not just one thing, it effects your whole world.  Nothing is left the same.  Every day you uncover one more thing that requires a redo! Career, family, health, everything takes a right or left turn and you wonder if you can get back to that wonderful "normal" feeling again.

Hard work and an uncertain future awaits you!

For me, I could feel the winds of change, however I did not prepare and take action.  I let it hit me like a ton of bricks!

Consider this...most likely a "New York Minute" will head your way and it's gonna rock your world.

Embrace the rebuild, simply because it will suck to bad if you don't!

I'm not sure where my New York Minute is taking me however I'm paying attention and not going to let me end up on some train track lost forever!

Hoping its only a minute and not an hour!

Enjoy your week and watch the time!

NobleOne

What's "Noble" about The Noblemen!

Many companies struggle with their brand.  Over 20 years I invested a considerable amount of time with close friends and meeting new ones.  We worked together to help local kids in need, making a difference in their lives as well as our own.

You see there will "always" be kids in need; however the real "nobility" resides in the helping.

Our brand was "Helping Kids. And Changing Lives.  The period and the capital A was by intention.You see it was our lives that were changed, not necessarily the ones we helped.

After our first Trolley ride in 1995 we arrived back at Jungle Golf amazed that we clearly made a difference.  We started out at what I would call "obligatory philanthropy."  There was money in our account and we were obligated to spend it on something worthwhile.

What happened truly exceeded our expectations and we realized we possessed a new skill that none of us had explored in the past!  Giving with no agenda!  It changed my life that night as well as those that shared it with me.

We took our enthusiasm over to Tautogs with lighted cigars because you smoke a cigar when its time to celebrate a new birth.  That birth was "Nobility" and we proved it was infectious and viral amongst our friends and fellow Noblemen.

That my friends is really what started The Noblemen and why it continues today!

NobleOne

Family

My Uncle Ralph use to tell me that at one time our family occupied a very large portion of the Outer banks however nobody claimed to be kin!

Sometimes family is hard work and other times it's your only foundation.  Over these many years I've come to realize and appreciate the importance of family!

Family can just be three or spread across many friends.  I have been blessed with great friends that I consider family and will be by their side for as long as they'll let me.

My "Noble Years" took precedence over my marriage and I made decisions based on "what could be more important than helping kids?"  I've come to realize that my priorities needed adjusting.

Family is comprised of many moving parts, all connected like gears in an engine.  If one gets misaligned or out of sync it effects the whole operation and efficiency.

At one time I had more cousins than I could keep track of and greatly enjoyed gatherings that celebrated everything from Thanksgiving to high tide.  Those times are gone and a part of my life went with it.

Family like friends require an investment and the returns sometimes try your patience! Never the less its simply what you do!

I can't mention family if I don't include the "pets."  I am blessed with a black lab whose love has no boundaries.  A stable full of horses and a few barn cats top off our farm family that can lift the spirits of a dark day and provide a quiet calming assurance that the world is indeed worth living in.

I know that there are many folks that consider family a burden and not worthy of their time.  In some cases I'm confident there are better paths; however families can be built with folks that don't necessarily have to be related.

This world is not always the easiest place to reside.   At the end of the day I'm fortunate to go home to a wife that loves me and to be greeted by a dog that never seems to have a bad day!

How 'bout you?  Where does family fit in to your priorities?

NobleOne

Advertising is the tax you pay for not being remarkable!

First off, no disrespect for those that are in the advertising business!  Think about it, we all know those businesses that don't need to advertise simply because their reputation drives their business.

Getting my feet wet returning to the "for profit" world I have been reading.  One book that my nephew lent me was Remarkable, a leadership parable by Dr. Randy Ross and David Salyers.

I enjoy business and the art of doing it right!  I am now calling on HVAC contractors as well as working in an environment where I get to teach and learn once again.  I pay attention and look for ways to excel and help those around me do things better.

I am fortunate to have landed with a company that puts customers first and loves to do good business. R.E, Michel has been around for 82 years and is still privately held.  I can't count how many associates that I have met that have been around for over 30 years. That speaks volumes to me.

Big goals remain and I look forward to accomplishing them in this next step in my life. Everyday I hear about a good friend retiring, here I am just getting started once again!

My last 10 years were wonderful and impacted me in so many different ways however there are nuances in the "non-profit" world that annoyed me significantly.  The value of leadership is interpreted so differently.

I plan to dedicate these next decades of my life to doing things remarkable and enjoying being compensated for it.

I will continue to make an impact in the people that surround me and enjoy being able to take care of my family.

2017 and beyond holds significant promise and I am laying the foundation to build a better future!

NobleOne

2016 to 2017 Noble to Normal

2016 was a pivot-able year for me!  For some 2016 was amazing.  I've enjoyed reading summations of amazing changes and new beginning for many of my close friends! I celebrate them with you!

In 2016...
Obamacare almost did me in
I had to let go two of my favorite people in this world
I closed down an amazing office
I lost close friends
I left an amazing life changing career for me as well as many others!
I sold my favorite truck
Made life changes!

In 2017
I'm cherishing 28 years of marriage
I'm turning 60
I've returned to the business world and thinking I'm gonna like it!
I've made some new great friends and retained some great old ones!
We've got a new President that I believe will bring prosperity!
I've gone from Noble to Normal

I wish all of you a Happy New Year and I look forward to the next 12 months!

NobleOne...NormalOne