2009 New Year Thought

Just as our new president and his growing new team will be using the next three weeks to do the foundational organization work for taking charge of the administrative branch of our national government, all of us could do much the same... We can also dedicate this time to laying a foundation for moving our individual and collective lives in a new and more uplifted direction.

For me, despite the economy, this means staying very focussed and giving superior service for my massage therapy practice and my yoga practice.

The best in 2009,

Richard Chandler

- Richard Chandler

Bailout Landmine Commentary

As our elected leaders continue to grapple with allocating the new 850 billion of debt on behalf of all of us, with the intent of making our mutual economic future brighter rather than even more grim, I revisited the wisdom of Peter Drucker. It seems to Bonnett and I that the rush that allocated at least half of this amount, without having anything like the process we have recently witnessed for the auto companies, was foolish. Where is the accountability, to us as taxpayers? What provisions were built in to the allocations to make sure that our national interest was and will be served?

We are curious to actually be informed about whatever may be decided upon in the months to come, and to know if it will make sound business sense to the companies involved, and to us, the financers. It is only right that this happen prior to money being handed out, so we have time to weigh in on it prior to final votes.

We hope there are also provisions to call back in the money, and take possession of the outstanding company assets, should these beneficiaries of the money continue to make decisions that handsomely reward top management, while losing money and asset value.
It is our hope that the focus for the coming ‘jumpstarting’ capital infusion will be used to rebuild infrastructure, as that is the only way we can be assured of long-term benefits from such huge expenditures.

Please take a minute or two to click on this Peter Drucker link, as well as this Warren Buffet link, for some inspiration of how to do things in a more successful way.

- Richard Chandler

How Music Lowers Blood Pressure

We just heard about a new study on the news today that demonstrated that listening to one's favorite music lowers blood pressure, as the walls of the veins and arteries expand as one listens. So put on a cd and relax your way to better health!

- Richard Chandler

A Model for Success by a Surprising Source

“We are pleased with our performance in the quarter, given the challenging economic environment, ... We continue to strive to be an innovator in the industry by constantly updating our products and merchandise as we seek new customers, while remaining faithful to the traditional Polo customer. This strategy, balanced with sound business practices in a competitive marketplace, is what built Polo Ralph Lauren and made it a leader for three decades, and this strategy will take us into the next decade.”

- Ralph Lauren (1939- )

How the Junior Senator Barack Obama, while still in his first term, could run for president and win (even winning the primary against the Clintons), is mind-blowing!

For me, a good part of that success seems related to what Ralph Lauren said in the quotation shown above and again below. There is something magical about serving people by innovating, finding new customers, [new voters, Independents and Republicans], being responsive to present customers, [Democrats], and having sound business practices. [Running a campaign very efficiently]

We might all do well to utilize this model for success in whatever large venture we would like to successfully execute. It works. It has worked for decades and will work far into the future because it is based on what matters most... serving others in responsive, intelligent and respectful ways.

- Richard Chandler

First Published on Famous Quotes Homepage

Honoring Veterans Day

Today, we had a day to commemorate our veterans, including those who are no longer with us. Bonne and I hope you might find something you can do to participate, even doing something so informal as to thank a current or past military man or woman for their service to our country.

I have the good fortune to play contrabasson in the St. Cloud State University Wind Ensemble. We are put on the "American Spirit Veterans Tribute" concert this evening at SCSU in their Ritsche Auditorium at Stewart Hall. It is a treat for me to play these American arrangements, including two by one of my favorite composers, John Phillip Sousa. I hope you too found some ways to honor our veterans today.

- Richard Chandler

Living Composers Featured

I had the good fortune to hear the live broadcast of the Friday night Minnesota Public Radio broadcast by the Minnesota Orchestra in which they played seven new works by living composers. The pieces played were unique and profound. Our orchestra played them with beauty and conviction. We do well to remember that "all music was once new." Please check out the links below to read about how living composers are generating new works for our times and perhaps for the very distant future.

Composers Institute nurtures talent and new orchestral music
From Belarus to Minnesotat, a composer's journey

- Richard Chandler

What We Can Do To Help Our Country, Our Planet & Ourselves

What can you and I do as citizens to help our country.... starting today? We can do our part to help the environment and reduce dependence on foreign oil by doing these things, that ironically, will also personally save us money!

1. Immediately throw out all of the incandescent light bulbs that you can replace today with compact florescent light bulbs. This will pay for itself relatively soon in lower electric bills. Bonne and I did this and find that our lower energy costs far exceed the initial investment in new bulbs. (Please remember that the compact fluorescent bulbs contain mercury and you must be very careful if one breaks and make sure you recycle them by returning the burned out ones to the place of purchase.)

2. Use surge protectors that you can shut off for all ac/dc adapters that power most computer, television, telephone and a host of other electronic equipment.

3. Shut off the lights when you are not in a room!

4. Pump up your tires. Most tires are under-inflated and your gas mileage suffers as a result. More money back in your pocket, less use of oil and fewer carbon emissions poisoning our air.

- Richard Chandler

First Published on Famous Quotes Homepage