Kiss of Truth

Yesterday the Boston police arrested a “seemingly normal, ideal guy” who was a Boston University medical student, calling him a predator: the Craigslist stalker. Philip Markoff, a young man not even 30 years old, has been charged with identifying women on Craigslist who advertised massage services, going to their hotel room, binding them, and robbing them. One of these victims was murdered, and Philip Markoff has now been formally charged with that crime too! By all accounts of friends and associates, the news of Markoff’s arrest came as a huge, totally surprising event.

April 21st, 2009 | Tags: interests, love, protection, service, thought | Category: Mental Preparation, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

I marvel at the ignorant stupidity of that intelligent species called mankind. There seems a duality in every corner of the reality of the human condition. We have recorded history and enjoy the wisdom of hindsight, yet we ignore our hard-learned lessons and repeat every mistake; we tend to know what is right, yet we do not always choose it; we can put on a military uniform, enter into combat, kill dozens of other humans, destroying their homes and families, then come home in that same day, stroke the cat, display the gentleness of sensitive understanding to our loved ones, and get on our knees and pray, believing we have done God’s work. We can justify any behavior, yet some actions are punished while others commit the same crimes and are not. We profess happiness in a mal-contented existence. And, for every “composer” in the world, there is a “decomposer”. No, I do not excuse myself. I am guilty by association, yet remain obligated by unspoken forces to participate in the fabric of society. To tear this cloth, attack the status quo relentlessly, or divorce myself entirely – even if it may be ultimately correct in the scheme of the cosmos – is a sin, punishable by such terms as “crazy”, “lunatic”, “outcast”, whacko”, or “recluse”. I am continually amazed, yet never shocked and surprised. I ride the last car of the coaster, resisting the g-forces, trying each day not to practice hypocrisy, and I watch… speaking only now and again.

March 19th, 2009 | Tags: balance, business, change, destructive, econodude, economy, fear, frustrated, future, giving, hope, ignorance, intelligence, invest, love, nation, prayer, success, technology, thought, unemployed, unemployment, war | Category: Consistent Action, Flexibility, Goal Setting, Mental Preparation, Motivation, Research and Development | Leave a comment

As unemployment rates rise to levels not seen in decades and our nation faces one of the worst economic disasters in its history, one new company pledges to finance the rescue and creation of thousands of jobs across the country. “The EconoDude.com mission is one of hope and integrity for everyone,” says EconoDude founder, Kurt Turrell. “We cannot rely completely on government or a stimulus package to fix our economy and get people back to work.” According to Turrell, it is the responsibility of every person to help. “I heard this news story about a school in Maine that had to cut several jobs due to lack of funds. Everyone on the staff of the school donated one day’s wage and they rescued those cut jobs,” adds Mr. Turrell. Turrell modeled EconoDude with that philanthropic cause at its heart.

March 6th, 2009 | Tags: business, communication, econodude, economic crisis, economy, hope, integrity, jobs, nation, plan, responsibility, success, unemployment | Category: Consistent Action, Flexibility, Goal Setting, Mental Preparation, Motivation, Research and Development | Comments (5)

Unemployment rates in the nation are above 7.6%! That is the highest since the early 70’s. That means that nearly eight out of every 100 people are out of work. That is an astounding number! Each and every day there are more reports of layoffs from the biggest – and seemingly most secure and solid – companies in the United States. And the number of unemployed continues to grow at an alarming pace. And like all accidents and life-changing events, it is not real until it happens to you! It is unwise to believe a layoff cannot happen to you. Be prepared by being proactive in making yourself more valuable to your employer; consider these ten ways to increase the likelihood of keeping your job:

February 9th, 2009 | Tags: challenge, change, education, Flexibility, giving, goals, idea, interests, job loss, job security, keeing your job, keep your job, Motivation, nation, plan, protection, respect, responsibility, success, thought, unemployed, unemployment, value | Category: Consistent Action, Flexibility, Goal Setting, Mental Preparation, Motivation, Research and Development | Leave a comment

Dreamer, Dancer, Deliberator: Preacher, Pugilist, President

By Kurt Turrell
January 20, 2009

Dawn has broken and the day is new. Draw ye near, I’ve a story for you. A chronicle of three, yet a legend of one; the account of greatness, of perseverance like none. ‘Tis some notes on history, of bravery and vision, yet a journal of today, of new hope arisen.

Captured in the media of black and white, pleading: “I have a dream…” he championed what’s right. His was a time of turmoil, of division and pain; though he stood in defiance, peacefully sane. A natural leader of mankind, a symbol of free; he taught peaceful awakening, about we, not me. An accidental martyr, and man of divinity, King is the first of an inspirational trinity.

“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” after Liston fell Clay became Ali. A unique poet, elite fighter, and true athlete; his domain beyond the ring still knows no defeat. Muhammed the entertainer, Ali the wartime conscience of a nation; he was a thinker, a stinker, an unwitting proponent of emancipation. Whether a rumble in the jungle, or the draft of Uncle Sam, uncompromising principles guided the man. He shook up the world; he stood tall; he spoke strong; making violence a ballet, proving all doubters wrong.

Now another has come, the third man of this bit. A legacy begun, “Yes we can” was a hit. Given the helm of a nation, during a storm beyond measure, he has already become a national treasure. He is careful and deliberate, he is thoughtful and smart; though politics is his stage, humanism is his art. We look on in awe, with renewed hope, and anticipation; we look to this special man and a fresh administration.

Yes dawn has now broken and the day is brand new. A glimpse of three heroes I have shared with you. As we walk down the path of our generation, we must pass this new hope to every nation. Though King is now gone, Ali got to see, the inauguration of change, in a new land of the free.

January 21st, 2009 | Tags: athletes, Barack Obama, change, freedom, Heroes, hope, Martin Luther King, MLK, Muhammad Ali, nation, Obama, peace, politics, principle, race, thought | Category: Mental Preparation, Motivation | Comments (1)

Self-honesty is the starting point of all success and abundance. One of the most assured failures I know of is dishonesty. We commonly think of New Year’s Resolutions in terms of weight loss goals, quitting smoking, a better relationship, and so on. In my opinion, you increase your chances of successful resolutions if you toss out what seems to be your obvious needs, and commit yourself (by yourself!) to an annual evaluation – a personal interest survey – and then a goal setting workshop. It is more useful to understand WHY you want changes before resolving WHAT to change. The truth and honesty of your underlying motivation – your real interest or reason why – determines the strength of a resolution and the chances of enjoying success and avoiding a failed resolution.

January 7th, 2009 | Tags: challenge, change, environment, goals, interests, Motivation, New Year, New Year's Resolution, New Year's Resolutions, plan, productive, success | Category: Consistent Action, Flexibility, Goal Setting, Mental Preparation, Motivation, Research and Development | Leave a comment

What they should do that makes sense today is what they should have done in past years that would have made sense! Imagine an American car company in the 1970’s or even the 1980’s deciding to copy the best aspects of Japanese production methods while simultaneously taking the absolute lead in researching, developing, and producing alternative fueled vehicles and hybrids! Imagine that same company launching a media marketing / advertising strategy that produced emotional campaigns to explain to the American public what they are doing and why. Imagine that these ads played on the American consumer’s sense of patriotic American product purchasing and exciting innovation, coupled with voicing a deep concern for the future of our planet and future generations. Wow. I imagine that such a company would be kicking-butt right now. Or, perhaps it would have spurred the other car companies to follow suit! Okay…is it too late to try this? I don’t know for sure, but I hope not.

December 4th, 2008 | Tags: American Automakers, anger, auto industry, auto industry bailout, auto workers, bail out, bailout, business, change, depression, Emotions, future, greed, hope, invest, philosophy, politics, productive, responsibility, risk, value | Category: Consistent Action, Flexibility, Goal Setting, Mental Preparation, Motivation, Research and Development | Comments (1)

I have been “unemployed” (hey, I still work very hard!) for months and so our family faces the holidays with absolutely no funds. Many millions have recently lost a job, or remain unemployed. Many millions have faced or are facing home foreclosure. Businesses are suffering or failing. The stock market has plummeted. Our economic status is depressing at best. We all know the score. It may indeed be an unusual holiday season for millions of Americans. In spite of our hardships, with some effort we can seek to have a successful holiday season. Here are a few suggestions.

December 3rd, 2008 | Tags: business, Christmas, depression, economic crash, economic hardship, economy, ful holiday, giving, hard times, Holiday Season, holidays, hope, love, success, tough times | Category: Flexibility, Mental Preparation, Motivation, Uncategorized | Comments (2)

For the thirty-plus years of my adult life I have watched, read, and learned – albeit somewhat passively – about our national and world economy, the politics of big business, the exclusive world of money, and how it all fits together to affect each of us. But a few days ago, while watching more economic bad news on the television, my teen looked at me with an inquisitive voice and said: “I don’t understand…if all this is based on confidence, perception of value, and speculation…why are we in this mess and how does it all fit together? Can’t we just print more money?” Oh boy, thought I, where do I start? Explaining the complicated components of the economy – in fact the world of money – and why we are in a recession and our economy is failing is not such a simple task.

November 24th, 2008 | Tags: business, confidence, economy, environment, fear, foundation, greed, hope, ignorance, money, nation, perception, politics, recession, responsibility, success, thought, value | Category: Consistent Action, Flexibility, Mental Preparation, Motivation, Research and Development | Comments (1)