Expert in the Rough, Brian Monahan

Buy a Rubber Duck, Feed The Hungry, Win a Car!

Make a Difference in the World!

Direct and to the Point Request:

Getting to the Point – I just spent some time at the Freestore Foodbank in Cincinnati learning about how they feed the hungry.  It is my hope that you will take the time to visit their website and help them feed the hungry. 

RubberDuckRegatta.org – The Upcoming Rubber Duck Regatta is the easiest way you can contribute in the short term.

Long Version:

A few years ago I stumbled onto the “Cincinnati Battle of the Blogs.”  I am not sure it was a formal battle but it involved blogs and I have more than my fair share of them. The premise of the “Battle” was a challenge to raise the most money for the Freestore Foodbank.  I decided to jump in and see what I could do.

A friend who worked for Local 12 at the time, shared the idea with their news director and they added my link on the Local 12 website to my blog Expert in the Rough, this led to some nice awareness of the “Battle.”

If you didn’t know it the Freestore Foodbank distributes over 12 million pounds of food annually and is on pace for 16 million pounds in 2010 (Fiscal Year 2010-2011) and to be quite honest they are probably only scratching the surface of the real need.

Over the last few years I have continued to learn more about the FSFB and have begun to fall in love with their mission.

In 2009 for my birthday, you might recall I shared my “Service Made Simple” blog post about my Birthday Cornhole Tournament.  I think we donated some serious corn to the FSFB in 2009.

Moving forward, I have added various links to the blog to help promote the cause.

Just last week the Freestore invited me down for a tour with a crowd of fellow bloggers and “Freestore Groupies.”

I must admit the experience was very enlightening.  People are going hungry in Cincinnati and abroad.  Most disturbing many of them are children who have no options to change their situation.

Some quick facts; the Freestore Foodbank provides over 2500 “Power Pack” meals every weekend during the school year to children at schools with 85% of students are enrolled in free or reduced lunch programs. (Lunch Programs Administered by the Public School System in Cincinnati and NKY)  That is 85% of the students requiring assistance with meals.  85 out of 100 students are in need.  What about the schools with 84 of 100 students in need or 75 or even 25 out of 100 students in need.  Children are going hungry every day and every week.  I was startled that this program is only hitting around 50+ schools in the region.

I am not here to guilt you but share some facts and figures.  I know I have a very generous readership and everyone has their pet projects.  I know these figures have changed my commitment to making a difference for those who are hungry.

This leads to why they asked my down in the first place.  They have their annual Rubber Duck Regatta at the WEBN Riverfest Fireworks on Labor Day Weekend.  Their goal is 125,000 rubber ducks dumped into the Ohio River with a race to the finish.  The purchaser of the winning duck will win a Honda Fit Car and a possible $1,000,000 dollars if their duck also has one of the special Kemba Credit Union Stickers placed on 1 out of every 3000 ducks sold.  The kicker is should that winning duck have the Kemba sticker the FSFB will win a million dollars as well.

I just love this promotion.  Ducks are $5 each or 6 for $25.  I have my 6 entered in the race.  I already plan to sell my wife’s Toyota Corolla next week when we win the car.

I hope you will dive in and join the Regatta.  FYI, all monies raised from the sale of the duck go straight to the benefit of feeding the hungry.  The event sponsors have paid for costs related to putting on the event.  That means $500,000+ can provide for over 2 million meals for the hungry.

Just visit their site.  They say it better than me.

FREESTOREFOODBANK.ORG or RUBBERDUCKREGATTA.ORG

Pictures from the visit:

Sea of Duckies

“Stick Your Neck Out”……AKA “Get a Pair,” is one of my favorite success strategies.  I have always been a firm believer that the “World” is presented on a silver platter for those willing to take a risk and put their spirit on the line.

As many of you know, one of my dreams is to be a keynote speaker.  I have been training with Toastmasters for the last 2 years and continue to hone my speaking skills.  With that being said, I still have a long way to go.  Since joining Toastmasters I have had numerous opportunities to speak and have taken on various opportunities.  I have had limited opportunity to share my passions about living a passionate life.

Today I followed and article link to the TEDx Cincinnati Event being hosted at the Ar0noff Center on October 7th.  If you are not familiar TED is a international conference hosted annually to share “Ideas Worth Sharing” featuring some of the worlds most thought provoking leaders.  TED speakers have included people like Jane Goodall, Al Gore to Sir Richard Branson.  The conference is so popular you must apply and be accepted to attend.

The founders of TED have decided to allow the concept to grow by allowing local organizers to create independent local TEDx events.

After reading and article on Cincinnati.com and following the link to the Tedxcincy.com website, I decided to put my name in the hat.

OMG – What if they pick me?

So what would I talk about?

The Personal Passion Project of course.

Their mission is “Ideas Worth Spreading” and my mission is “Passions Worth Fulfilling!”

Check Out the TEDx Cincy website.  www.tedxcincy.com

Take a moment and click on the Speakers Tab. Then if you feel like sticking your “Neck out For Me” fill out the form and recommend me.

Here are some links to get an idea about what my passions are:

http://www.expertintherough.com

http://www.expertintherough.com/the-personal-passion-project

After you do that send me an email and/or post a comment on Facebook or on my blog about how you are going to “Stick Your Neck Out” to fulfill your dreams or passion.
www.tedxcincy.com link for those on Facebook (in case the link does not embed)

Is your Passion on Pause, Press Play?

Play is a funny word if you think in terms of VCR’s and DVD players versus the act of playing.  It is even funnier when you pair it up with a concept like Passion.

I think a lot of people suffer from a misdiagnosed passion problem.

Most people as they get older lose touch with their passion and believe their passion has become a lost cause.

I am suggesting possibly their passion is merely on pause.

Being my day job is in the audio visual production industry this metaphor should be a slam dunk for me.

Were talking about Passion being like the media in your CD player or DVD Player.  It is the music or the movie you play for enjoyment.

What happens when you press pause.  It holds the music or enjoyment at a certain spot.  That is right where you left off.  To get it started again you just press play.  Nothing fancy, nothing overly technical.  Just press the stinking play button.

I am suggesting you merely need to Press Play to get your passion and enjoyment started again.

So back to the word “play,” and one more metaphor, isn’t play something you do for enjoyment.  You play with your toys.  You play with your friends.  You play with Passion.

That is right.  Play is the answer to your Passion problems.  Press Play.

If you need some help finding your Passion Play button checkout The Personal Passion Project.

http://budurl.com/PassionProject

Recently I was in for my annual review with my employer.  They asked me to rate myself in a number of areas.  It was the typical elements of an employee review.  Rate myself on organization, creative problem solving, effectiveness, ability to lead, ability to work with others and timeliness.

I must admit (brag), I was doing good in all areas but one.  The last one, timeliness.  I have noticed I have been arriving at work late more often than in the past.  I must qualify this comment since the Internet is forever these days but I more than cover my hours every week so it’s not a matter of not enough, just when and where.

As I pondered this “deficit” I asked myself what was different in my life and why was I now arriving late.

OH!  I remember I have a 18 month old daughter now and life has been truly turned on end.

No longer is my life just work, I have a family to engage.

As I continued to ponder this dilemma being the “Company Man” that I am, what should I do about this deficit.  I cannot move forward being delinquent in my duties.  If I am supposed to be at a work at a certain time, then I should be there, “RIGHT?”

My answer arrived in moment of joy.  My family and I have created a bit of morning tradition.  We sit on pillows in the kitchen and eat breakfast and then we dance to the boom box.  Then I go to work.  I have a running joke when it comes to my daughter.  If she enjoys something you better not start since there is not end game.  She can dance or eat Popsicles until the cows come home.

So one particular morning when Ella had no interest in ending our morning party, I declared I was going to have “Family Overtime.”  What a novel concept.  Overtime for something I enjoy.

To carry out the little metaphor think of overtime for the things you enjoy as paying time and a half or double time making it a greater incentive.

So, back to the review and dilemma of being out of integrity with my employer.  I decided to take another chance.  During my review, I went ahead and was honest.  I shared that right now my family life is very important and from time to time I might be engaging in “Family Overtime.”  We didn’t really discuss it in detail but they didn’t dispute the idea.

So be it: “Family Overtime!”

What areas of your life do you need to go into “Overtime?!”

There are so few; yet so many things that truly affect me spiritually on any given day.  Hugh MacLeod the artist behind the GapingVoid cartoons truly inspires me.

Just in case you have not heard of him I wanted you to experience his work.

This is todays cartoon.

Thanks to Hugh for being generous in his Creative Commons Licensing.  I am also thankful I have not found a way to monetize this blog which has allowed EITR to maintain its non-commercial status and share his work, however, this is might be a commercial for Hugh.  Be sure you check out his work for yourself at GapingVoidGallery.com and buy yourself a print.

Sometimes I find myself jealous of those who have chosen the path of bliss.  Those people who live unaware and uninspired.

Why is it important for me to be successful?  Couldn’t I have more fun boating and drinking?  How about a 9 to 5 job with no chance of promotion?

Sometimes I wonder if chasing success and getting it is really just a booby prize.  Maybe a life of unawareness might be more enjoyable.  Take what I am given.  Want not.

Awareness is often promoted as a positive thing in personal development circles but happens to be the “consequence” for Adam and Eve for taking a bite of the forbidden fruit.  In the Old Testament they refer to this forbidden fruit as the “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.”  Sounds like a big deal to me.

So what is the answer?  Ignorant or Aware?  Aware sounds so much nicer than ignorant!

From the Book of “Expert in The Rough.”

Here is my stab at this “New Age Old Dilemma.”

I believe it is all about balance, learning and unlearning.

We are all ignorant and skewed in our perspectives.  We don’t know what we don’t know and what we do know is not always true for everyone.

I have met some ignorant people who are blissful and I have met some ignorant people who are miserable.  Of those who are miserable their ignorance comes with consequences.  They often are given what life has left over or “universal leftovers” to steal a term from my Dad.

I also have met some aware people who are miserable and I have met some aware people who are blissful.  Of those who are blissful they have used their awareness to create a better life.  Often this bliss comes from an unlearning so to speak or a chosen ignorance.

Then there are the miserably aware folks.  They dissect every aspect of their life and never find peace.  Nothing is good enough and more and better is a life long “Gap” to being happy and blissful.  If your goals are always more and bigger how can you ever find peace and be still because your desire for more will keep you in perpetual motion.

What camp do you belong to?

Gotcha! If you even take the time to answer that question you are a member of the aware.  I am not sure what that means but at least you are not ignorant, right?

Sorry to waste your time.  This blog post was like an episode of 48 hours (60 minutes and no new information).  No answers here, I am just exploring whether ignorance is an alternative to awareness.

I have always heard it is not what you know but more importantly the questions you ask yourself.

Back in the day people looked to prophets and philosophers for answers but today we have TV commercials.

“What would you do for a chocolate covered ice cream bar?”, is the question for the 21st century.   That chocolate covered ice cream being….The Klondike Bar.

I personally would do just about anything.

Fun Image Links for WWYDFAKB?

Wikipedia Klondike Bar Info.

I suspect most of us have been trained well to determine what we want or don’t want in life but we aren’t very good at the next step.

• I want a new car.
• I don’t want bad credit.
• I want to be happily married.
• I don’t like salmon.
• I want a job that fulfills me.
• I don’t want to step in dog poop.
• I want to vacation in Hawaii.
• I don’t like being yelled at.
• I want be healthy and fit.

And the beat goes on…..and the beat goes on…..and the list goes on.

It is very easy to come up with a list of what we want or don’t want/like but we often forget to ask ourselves an important question.  The question about what we are willing to do to make this list a reality or an action step.  Cause and Effect.  Action and Reaction.  Instant Karma.

This concept even applies to my fans of “The Secret” and “The Laws of Attraction.” Many mistake The Laws of Attraction for the laws of inaction.  Even the Laws of Attraction require us to get clear about our intention which is a form of action.  Intention is the will (action) of our spirit.

So, what would you do for a Klondike Bar?…..meaning what would you do to fulfill the list above.  (Exercise Opportunity – Write Your List of Wants 5-10)

For me I have been willing to go to marriage counseling with my wife and work less hours to make our marriage more vibrant and exciting.  I have taken ten years to pay down my 20’s debts and boost my credit score to top tier.  I actually tried some salmon at a tasting recently and realized it is not all that bad.  I don’t have a dog which mostly satisfies the dog poop scenario.  I really haven’t had a big dream about vacationing in Hawaii but I love San Francisco and have been there numerous times in the last 3 years.

Alright, I admit my job and fitness I am still working out some details.

Long term I would love to be a keynote speaker and author.  I am currently willing to work at my flexible job in audio visual and I have been speaking to industry groups and training with Toastmasters a public speaking organization.  My blog here at EITR and Meeting Point Cincinnati have allowed me to hone my writing style and serves me well for speech writing and eventually a book.

Fitness I have been at least willing to get health check ups and I plan to have surgery on my foot later this year so I can run (and walk) enjoyably again.  Until then I am willing to start running 3 days a week even if I fail.

Enough about me.  What is so powerful about the concept of “What would you do for a Klondike Bar?” is a second step.  So many of us walk around miserable believing we must accept what life has given us.  It is my belief that knowing what you want or don’t want without a plan to make it reality is cruel and unusual punishment.  It is a carrot you cannot consume.  It is a sore that will not heal.

Step 1 – Identify what you want.

Step 2 – What would you do for a Klondike Bar?

Step 3 – Do it, live it and love it!

Before it melts

A self proclaimed “Self Help Junkie,” I have read just about every “self help” book under the sun.  You know, the classics….Think and Grow Rich, PsychoCybernetics, The Road Less Traveled, The Power of Positive Thinking and don’t get me started with “self help crack” Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books.  Yes, I think I have read them all and I am looking for a new drug, I mean type of book.

I thought you might be burnt out as well on the “self help” craze and looking for a new direction.  I have a new  book category for you “Thought Provoking.”  I have tired of the idea that someone might have an answer for me.  Do I really want to limit myself with the constraints of someone else’s concept of “self help.”

Thought provoking takes self help in a different direction.  Instead of telling me what to do it provokes me to reflect on an idea or a concept and create something new.  You can even take this a step further and not only seek to be provoked but become the provoker.

In todays information age there are plenty of answers available but are there enough people with the courage to provoke new thinking?

Thought provoking material on my nightstand:

• Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior

• This Will Change Everything: Ideas That Will Shape the Future

• Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?

Blogging is an interesting recipe.  One part inspiration, one part obligation, one part guilt and a whole lot more work than you could ever imagine.

The thing I like most about blogging is following an inspiration.  The part I hate is following inspiration and not being able to fully cook my inspiration.  The results of my half baked inspirations lay dormant in my Wordpress and Google Docs as drafts or unfinished inspirations.

Over the weekend I was inspired to share these half baked ideas as cliff notes if you will, a title and a 2-3 sentence explanations of what the blog post was supposed to be about.  I hope you enjoy these.

I am going to call it Inspirational Spring Cleaning.

Last Will and Testament

Blog posts are the new cave drawings.  Blog about your ideas, your wishes for the world and someday you just might get quoted.

The Aladdin Factor

One of my favorite books of all time, ask for what you want and people often will give it to you.  So easy, so simple.  My request, read my blog, make comments on my blog, share it with friends.

Get Out of Your Element

This one of my favorites, that comfy life you have been living might just be holding you back from new ideas and new opportunities.  Carpe Diem my friends, stand on your desk and smell the sunflowers.

The Things I Learned Last Week

This was going to be a recurring blog post, something simple like everything I needed I learned in Kindergarten kind of cheesy.  I believe you can drastically improve the quality of your life by taking a few minutes weekly to reflect on your lessons learned.

Follow the Energy

It has been said the only thing more contagious than enthusiasm is lack of enthusiasm.  I recommend you find someone who inspires you and ride their coat tails.

Just Show Up

This is the little brother of the Aladdin Factor.  In all of my years… my desk and couch are the least lucky places.  Opportunity is directly proportional to the amount of time you place yourself engaging people.

Cash for Clunkers

I think this is a fun concept.  Wouldn’t be great if we could trade in negative co-workers, bad habits and other undesirables for cash.  What would you trade in for cash?

Door Prize

I don’t know where I was headed with this one, but if you are still reading and make a comment on my blog I will send you a book from my extensive business and self help library.  In fact tell me what book you want (ala Aladdin Factor) and If I have it is yours.  Otherwise I will recommend the closest book I have to your topic.  Limit 20 people.  A guess that sounds like a Door Prize.

John Denver and 4 Non Blondes

This was my tribute post about how John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High” and 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up” still impact my life.  Both songs reference a certain age 27 and 25 respectively.  The also reference a great big hill, for whatever that means.  But you realize quickly as I knew you would this is a half baked idea and I am still trying to get up that great big hill of hope.  The truth John and 4 Non were reflecting on life just like I am today 38 years old with a new baby in my life and I must say my perspective has changed.

The Power of Being Real

I might have actually touched on this topic in one of my blog posts.  The act of me sharing these “blog post rejects” is an example of being real.  Who gives an “F” what everyone else thinks.  How many years are you going to live someone else’s life.

The Mirror of Life

Your life is a direct reflection of the thoughts and feelings you have on the inside.  Think of it like a report or an account of your innermost desires and beliefs.  Have you taken the time to look in the mirror or do you prefer to live in the dark?

Blind Faith Strategy

A asteroid or a nuke could end it all today, so aren’t we pretty much always living with Blind Faith.  Life is short so why all of the calculated risks?

100 Ridiculous Things to Do in a Lifetime

This would probably be better titled.  100 stupid things I did in college.  FYI this list does not include urinating off the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge just after the start of the New York City Marathon in 1997 but finishing the marathon might qualify if you get my drift.

Tell me about something ridiculous you would like to do in this lifetime.

The Truth about Starting from Scratch

Unless you are headed back to your momma’s womb there is no such thing.  Quit your pity party and take an account of what positive resources you have in your life.  If you’re breathing that is number 1 on your list.

The Quest for Imperfection

Live and learn, live and let die, if you can’t be with the one you love, love the one your with.  Perfection is the booby prize in life.

Does Your Monkey Have a Name

We all have something that is holding us back in life.  Maybe if you name it you might be able to deal with it.  That way you can tell that Monkey to get off your back.

Blogs and Babies Need Lots of Love and Attention

Note:  Babies need more attention, I am short sighted to mention them in the same sentence

We is More Selfish than I, Let me Tell you Why

Don’t know where I was headed with this one but sounds like an interesting blog post.

Limit, Restrict and Condense

Twitter is so popular because we are all immersed and inundated with too much information.  WE are now in what I call “The Over Information Age.”  Your greatest opportunity for success is providing products or information in condensed format as we enter this age.

Make a Big Splash, Go For the High Dive

Physics – More speed, mass and velocity equal more displaced water.  Why are you limiting yourself to the 3′ board when you can go for the “High Dive”

Risk

Take One!

Who are You, Am I Talking to a Wall

This must be my bloggers Pity Party Post, nobody reads my blog, I must be a bad blogger.  Sorry for those who do read, you are not nobody.  Even inspirational bloggers have bad days.

Track Your Life, Innocent Moments of Big Impact

Like the day you met your best friend, the day you met your wife.  I like to contemplate if certain life acquaintances or circumstances disappeared how different my life might be.

I still think the day I was going to look at an apartment and the landlord did not show up and I found another apartment down the street and eventually my “wife to be” moved in across the street and kind of changed my life.  I know that sentence has a lot of “ands” and yes that is how you know something was a big impact in your life because “and something else” happened.

Go First and Change the World

The world has enough followers, Earth needs more leaders!

The Great Pumpkin Post

I love pumpkins and I love pumpkin pie.  I also love the “Peanuts” Halloween special “The Great Pumpkin.”  I think a lot of people have excuses about their life that are more in line with being “Great Pumpkins” than being real.  Is there any excuses you need to let go of to start living your “Great Life!”

I feel much better now, I hope you do too.

I can now move on to some fresh topics and new inspirations.  Thanks for reading!

Thanks to Richard Terpening for being the very first guest post on Expert in the Rough.  Read on.

What can I contribute to Society?

-Make a contribution to my favorite organization.
-Donate things I no longer need to the local mission.
-Donate blood
-Volunteer my time to the community.

After a trip to my local shopping center, I discovered a simple suggestion.

Contribute Courtesy

An effective display of this conduct is to simply smile. A simple smile can change attitudes. A simple smile can create a pleasant day.

So I will simply end this with a simple

-Richard Terpening

Richard is the author of “Literature of a Liberated Runner”

Description:

What do you think about while you’re running? Literature of a Liberated Runner is the Literature of my Long runs. When I am out running I am free from distress. I have a clear mind that explores concepts that I am never consciously aware of. I become a child, a poet, a soldier, a saint, and I find myself in different adventures and with new ideas. I also have the ability to think clearly about issues that need to be resolved. This is a book of essays, poems, and short stories that I created during my long runs.

You can purchase his book on Lulu by clicking here.

I have not read his book yet but I am going to download it today.  I am very excited since my blogging spark began when I started writing my blog Running Revelations.