Disney Day 3 - Sea World

What a great day with the exception of the transportation from and to Sea World.

It was a cold morning with frost on the grass. But once it warmed it was fabulous. Sea World is a must visit. The pace is slower than Disney and the exhibits are devoted to the planet and our relationship with the sea.

The Shark aquarium is a definite place to visit. I wish I could dive it someday.

One of the highlights was feeding the dolphins and the underwater viewing. I had never seen dolphins playing with bubble rings before. Much like smoke rings they blow them and play with them. I have pictures.

Chris, Nicole, Ethan, and Mike actually fed and got to touch dolphins. It was way cool.

The shows were awesome too. Shamu did not disappoint. A seal show was really fun to watch.

The arctic display was one of the best. In a recreation of the top of the earth the aurora borealis was used to highlight the beluga whales.

This place is a must visit.

More on the end of day luau later.
Bob Doan
Elkridge, MD
Sent from My Blackberry

Disney on Wednesday

Ok. It is cold. They had snow on main street USA last night for the special Mickey Christmas. Of course they were making it.

But it was cold enough for frost here last night. And I'm standing in front of Sea World waiting for it to open. At least the sun on my back is warm. My fingers are numb though.

Sea World opens in 25 minutes. We got here a bit early.

Disney is still Disney.

Kids are still kids.

The lines are long. But there sure are a lot of smiles

Peter Pan's Flight is E's favorite. We have done it four times.

The Christmas lights on the castle are fabulous. I'll add pictures when I can. Internet is $10 per day and who is spending time in the room surfing.

Another day of fun is about to begin.
Bob Doan
Elkridge, MD
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Disney - The Flight

So there we were, trapped in a 737 at 35,000 feet with two energetic children. The three grandparents strategically seated behind the family. Well except for Jax who was in our lap.

Who knew a two hour flight could be like Gilligan's three-hour tour.

Jax managed to exhaust everyone before slipping into semi-slumber. Ethan sacked out for a bit. I tried to listen to my Ipod, but the interruptions were continuous.

A cell phone was lost and after an exhaustive search, which included the restrooms, was found under the seat where the owner was sitting.

The sun was shining at altitude. And it promises to be a great day.

U-huh

Bob Doan
Elkridge, MD
Sent from My Blackberry

Disney - The Flight

So there we were, trapped in a 737 at 35,000 feet with two energetic children. The three grandparents strategically seated behind the family. Well except for Jax who was in our lap.

Who knew a two hour flight could be like Gilligan's three-hour tour.

Jax managed to exhaust everyone before slipping into semi-slumber. Ethan sacked out for a bit. I tried to listen to my Ipod, but the interruptions were continuous.

A cell phone was lost and after an exhaustive search, which included the restrooms, was found under the seat where the owner was sitting.

The sun was shining at altitude. And it promises to be a great day.

U-huh

Bob Doan
Elkridge, MD
Sent from My Blackberry

Disney Adventure

Ok. And so it begins. We have successfully met up at the airport. A huge party of 5 adults and a 3 year old and a 9 month old.

Coming from three different starting points that was no small task.

But we have cleared security and are on the plane preparing for takeoff to Orlando.
Bob Doan
Elkridge, MD
Sent from My Blackberry

Authenticity--Team Leaders

I read an interesting article on authenticity as it relates to leaders and leadership this week. It really got me thinking. The article by Rob Goffee and Gareth Jones is Managing Authenticity: The Paradox of Great Leadership.

I've met a lot of leaders in my life and had the opportunity to work for some truly great leaders with whom I really connected. I had never really though about why we connected before, or why I really knew these leaders cared about me as part of their organization.

On the other hand, I have also had the opportunity to be part of organizations where it was clear the leaders didn't have it together and for whom I had no illusions that they were great leaders. They were just doing the job--and not that well.

It dawns on me that I was assessing the authenticity of their leadership.

What is authentic leadership?

Well, the Center for Authentic Leadership describes it as follows:

"The measure of a man or woman is more than the sum of one’s words or deeds. It is the impact of who we are being as we speak and act that leaves the greatest imprint on others."

Goffee and Jones stated it as simply as the following: "First, you have to ensure that your words are consistent with your deeds; otherwise, followers will not accept you as authentic."

You've probably been in the presence of leaders which make your "skin crawl" because you know that although they appear to be your best friend, you are convinced they really don't care about you and are out for whatever they can get out of you to advance their personal issues. They have a problem with authenticity. I call it something more obvious--they are flat out disingenuous.

Team leaders need authenticity. They need to be comfortable with themselves and also not be afraid to be vulnerable. Who they are deep in their very souls needs to be congruent with who they are as a leader. This does not mean leaders can't play different roles--we are all called to different roles as situations require--but the way the roles are performed needs a sense of consistency that can only come from internal congruence.

Great leaders are not poor leaders trying to be great. They are not insecure people acting out their part--they are congruent in all aspects of their life and they are comfortable with themselves and the role they are called to serve in.

Goffee and Jones kinda summed it up: "Authentic leaders remain focused on where they are going but never lose sight of where they came from."

Holiday Frenzy

Ready. Set. Start your holiday engines!

Yeah--Thanksgiving is here--with three NFL football games, turkey, food, family, and friends. And following that is a glorious week in the "real" south visiting the magical land of Mickey! At least it's still warm there.

And then back for the final two-and-a-half week push to Christmas!!!

And even here in beautiful, almost warm, Howard County, Maryland, there has been a small success--the Columbia Mall reinstated the annual poinsettia tree which they dispensed with last year. It is back by popular demand to brighten our holiday moods. And with the economy tanking--all help is needed to brighten our moods.

By the time January comes we are going to be really ready for a mid-Winter rest. But it is all good. And we have so much to be thankful for--especially the opportunity to travel and to be with family and friends.

My prayer for the season is that we would appreciate all of the blessings that God has given us and not become fixated on what we could or should have. Our glass is truly full and it is usually overflowing with blessings. This season, may we share these blessings with those around us. Share our laughter, our love, our time, our possessions as they are needed, and our hope in the future. And that hope is?

Hey--and while you are at it don't forget--Jesus is the reason for the season. Don't be afraid to say: Merry Christmas, God loves you, too!

Today is the Day--Get Started

I ran across a brand new song by one of my favorite Christian artists this weekend. The song is "Today is the Day" and it is by the usually high energy Lincoln Brewster. And this song is high energy--just the way I like it.

I've been listening to the song in the car ever since I found it because it really speaks to me. Maybe it is the culmination of a lot of things I've been through lately and a lot of baggage I'm hauling around.

The song opens with these words:

I`m casting my cares aside

I`m leaving my past behind

I`m setting my heart and mind on You

Jesus
I`m reaching my hand to Yours

Believing there`s so much more

Knowing that all You have in store for me is good

Is good

What comfort these words are to people who are saddled with the loads and shots that life sends them.

But it is the chorus which rises out of the mundane, "stuck in the rut of life" situation that we sometimes find ourselves to proclaim:

Today is the day

You have made

I will rejoice and be glad in it

Today is the day

You have made

I will rejoice and be glad in it

And I won`t worry about tomorrow

I`m trusting in what You say

Today is the day

So, today is the day and as some have written--it is the first day of the rest of your life. It is not too late to turn around and start over. Will it be easy--no. But it will be worth it.

The song closes with a modification of the chorus which goes:

And I won`t worry about tomorrow

I`m giving you my fears and sorrows

Where you lead me I will follow

I'm trusting in what you say

And if you really want to know what it means--check out Matthew 6:25-34 and remember God said we are more valuable than the birds or the flowers and He takes care of them!

Today is the Day!

Lighting the Christmas Palm

Alright--so most of you know that Chris and Nicole and Jax are in New Orleans for a conference/holiday. I have been playing the part of the bachelor and keeping the home fires burning. So last night Chris is out in New Orleans headed for dinner and sees a sight which causes her to snap a picture with her camera phone.

Now--you know I am a huge Palm Tree guy and that the thought of Christmas lighted Palm Trees is one of my favorite sights. So imagine my delight when I got the picture she took.

It made me smile.

And that is why I keep saying that I live too far north--no Christmas lighted Palm Trees on the street corners to brighten the holiday season.

Jax and Poppop Steal a Couple Moments

Something rare happened on Sunday. Jax and I had some quality time together.

For some strange reason he parked himself on my lap and proceeded to play and coo and sing for over 40 minutes. He was relaxed and so was I.

He wants to be mobile so bad. He really needs some alone time on his belly--but he hates being on his belly because, I think, he feels isolated and he can't interact with everything around him.

He is so personable. And boy, does he like to eat. Anything. I just sense he wants to be grown up beyond his years--which is a good thing.

There is a little button on the top of the toy he is playing with and it causes the lights to light and songs to play. He figured out how to play the songs by hitting the button. And not just once in a random fashion, but in a repeated fashion he found the button and caused the toy to light and sing.  Wow.

Look out Ethan--your little brother in right on your heels!