Even The Bad Can Cause Good

I couldn't help be see the Ripple-esq qualities of this story that a good friend of mine shared with me recently. I hope you enjoy it as well.

Have a great weekend my fellow Ripplers!!!

STORY NUMBER ONE

Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from boot-legged booze and prostitution to murder.

Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." He was Capone's lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie's skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.

To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, but also, Eddie got special dividends. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block.

Eddie lived the high life of the chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him.

Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly.

Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object. And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was.

Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn't give his son; he couldn't pass on a good name or a good example.

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done. He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al "Scarface" Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great.

So, he testified.

Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street. But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine.

The poem read:

"The clock of life is wound but once,

And no man has the power to tell

Just when the hands will stop

At late or early hour.

Now is the only time you own.

Live, love, toil with a will.

Place no faith in time.

For the clock may soon be still.

STORY NUMBER TWO

World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O'Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific.

One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship.

His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the mother ship he saw something that turned his blood cold: a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way toward the American fleet.

The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger.

There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet. Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber's blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now-broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent.

Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible and rendering them unfit to fly. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction.

Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet.

He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft.

This took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy's first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor.

A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man.

So, the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2.

SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?

Butch O'Hare was "Easy Eddie's" son.

Forrest Gump's Mom Had It Right

Forrest Gump said, "My momma always said 'life if like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are gonna get.' "

I think Forrest's mom was most certainly a relater. She understood something about people. She got it. I love the symmetry of that line to what has become my life's passion: teaching anyone and everyone that will listen about the power of connection. When it comes down to it, connecting is nothing but a mystery that courage and a little gumption (no pun intended) will help you discover and solve.

Life, and by association the people in it, is very much like a box of chocolates. True there are all sorts of great pieces to enjoy and consume at your leisure. And of course sometimes you select the piece that looks so yummy and you can't wait to eat it but when you take a bite you discover that beneath that attractive surface lies a filling that isn't going to be to your liking. Oh the disappointment and displeasure when that happens. But sometimes you continue to chew, you refuse to spit it out and you muddle through.

Maybe that piece is something you never want to eat again. But the candy people understand that sometimes you have to give things a second chance and in most boxes of candy you get two pieces of the same kind of candy. Perhaps, just maybe, you go back to that piece and you give it another try....just to make sure you don't like it. Sometimes, as in life, your suspicions are confirmed but perhaps, just maybe, your initial impression turns out to be wrong. That piece of candy isn't nearly as bad as you first thought and in fact, as you consume the second piece, it actually begins to grow on you. Carmel and a kid named Mike was that way for me as a kid.

People are exactly the same. Sometimes you need to take a second bite or rather make a second effort, just to make sure you aren't missing out.

Go forth and find your box of chocolates my fellow Ripplers and don't just look for the pieces (and people) you know. Take a chance. You never know what your gonna get but in the end isn't that what makes life more interesting?

Thanks Ms. Gump!

Ripple On!!!

Fear

Fear....
Fear is the enemy.
Fear is crippling.
Fear is blinding.

Fear....
Fear is holding you hostage.
Fear is keeping you down.
Fear won't let you win the race.

Fear....
Fear will strip your soul.
Fear will leave you shallow and cold.
Fear will be your master.

Why such vivid imagery of fear you might ask? Because fear keeps you, me and everyone else from achieving, having and doing the things we are destined to do. Fear is the great equalizer to great ideas, great accomplishments and a world of possibilities. Fear is where great things, great people go to die.

In visiting with so many of you these past few weeks, hearing hopes, dreams and aspirations for the new year ahead, the underlying theme in almost every conversation is...fear. "I am scared I won't have the courage to try for that promotion." "I am scared to put my idea on the table for fear of being laughed at." "I fear what might happen if I decide to leave this relationship and go it alone."

Whatever fear you may be facing know that it is a temporary road block to that which you are destined to do, to have, to achieve and to be.

Fear is what we are left with when we no longer have faith. Faith in ourselves. Faith in our abilities. Faith in what is possible.

Have faith my Ripple friend I believe in you. You too should believe in yourself.

Have faith in yourself and believe in your heart you are here to do what you are here to do. Do this and fear will find no crevice, foothold or ledge with which to plant itself and grow.

Go Forth and Believe In Yourself.....and see what Ripples come from it!

Ripple On!!!

A Quote To Ponder

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Powerful words from a powerful man.

And for the Ripplers out there that I know that are struggling with various issues....a good reminder to stay the course. The decisions you are making, though difficult at the time, will undoubtedly prove to be the right ones.

Ripple On!!!

Steve