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

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)

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)

Personally, I have been laid off from my work, unemployment funds are running out and not sufficient to start with, my family is in danger of financial ruin and foreclosure, and my business plans (please see www.turrell-enterprises.com) seem to be without immediate possibility. Times are indeed difficult and stressful. Even so, I cannot quit or panic for too long. I must adjust my goals, keep researching and developing the pathway to those goals, take consistent daily actions, and work at remaining flexible. The sun eventually comes back out!

November 13th, 2008 | Tags: business, challenge, change, demand, economy, Flexibility, goals, hard times, hope, job loss, luck, plan, prayer, recession, success, thought | Category: Consistent Action, Flexibility, Goal Setting, Mental Preparation, Motivation, Research and Development | Leave a comment

I have made a choice for prosperity, but I must consider the price tag. Global warming could end all prosperity and all choices for everyone. Although that price tag seems invisible when I wake on a sunny, beautiful Saturday morning and look out my window, I know that the eventual price tag is completely visible and real. The earth – in its own stormy and turbulent way – has shown us the imminent, lurking cost, and it demands that we all change our individual choices. I must accept responsibility for my actions and inactions, and we, collectively must do the same to save our ailing planet. Demand personal change.

November 3rd, 2008 | Tags: change, demand, environment, future, principle, productive, prosperity, responsibility, thought | Category: Goal Setting, Motivation, Uncategorized | Leave a comment