Recently, I was in NYC for a one-day business trip.  Since I had just finished my meetings for the day, and had almost an hour before the taxi would pick me up, I decided to see at least one Big Apple landmark that I had not already seen on previous trips.  On my way to the Russian Tea Room, I passed Carnegie Hall … and that gave me an idea.

You see, my daughter has been taking singing lesions – and she’s pretty good.  In fact, she’s one of a very few people who can sing up to and actually hold a ‘C’ note, four octaves above middle C.  That’s a stratosphere I’ll never visit personally, but I admire her talent.  (Let me assure you, it came from Angela’s side of the family, not mine.)

So, as I was walking in front of Carnegie Hall toward the Russian Tea Room, I wondered what it would feel like to perform in what many consider to be the most prestigious, legendary landmark of the music world.  Hmmm … assuming there were no performances that night, why not see if I could talk my way into the auditorium – if nothing else, just to see the Hall from a performer’s viewpoint?

I decided to try it.

After a few minutes of friendly negotiating with a security guard, I found myself being escorted down the aisle to the stage.  Something about ‘Hey, I’m from North Carolina just visiting big ‘ole NYC’ and my Southern accent may have had something to do with it.  While I was admiring the beautiful ornamentation and stately decor, which reminded me of the interior of the Paris Opera House, the guard commented, ‘Since you’re here, why don’t you sing?’

What a good idea!

After belting out a rather uneven rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’, the guard said, ‘Now you can say that you performed at Carnegie Hall’.

And so I can.

Who knows now long it will be before I receive a letter from Carnegie Hall asking for an ‘encore’ performance, but I certainly enjoyed the opportunity for the first one.  And, I have no idea how long my daughter will pursue singing.  Kids at 10 years old change their minds often.  What I do know is this; there is something about seizing your opportunities and doing your best that will always bring great rewards and personal satisfaction – regardless of one’s singing ability.

Venue:           Carnegie Hall
Performer:      Mel Johnson
Music:            Happy Birthday, a cappella
Audience:       One security guard
Feeling:          Priceless

What opportunity can you seize today?

If you travel much, you know how nice it is to relax and enjoy the ‘comforts of home’. This hotel was at the end of a long business trip through Europe – multiple meetings in several countries. connected by air and train, all crammed into a few hectic days.

Yes, I was ready for a rest day.

So, I called ahead to a friend to get a recommendation on a hotel outside London. Couldn’t have been happier with his suggestion. There is something about a well-appointed hotel where the staff actually enjoys providing old-fashioned ‘hospitality’ that is, well … comforting. By the simple act of entering the lobby and being greeted by the concierge, I knew I was in good hands.

By the way, if you notice that your concierge is a member of Les Clefs d’Or, you are in for a real treat. Every time I meet a member of that organization, I make it a point to get their card. Their knowledge and contacts are invaluable – especially when you’re new in town.

…can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race – Calvin Coolidge

For my friend, Pete, happiness includes riding a motorcycle. We had just finished our monthly meeting of a group of hard-charging business owners, when Pete sauntered over to his bike to ‘saddle up’ for the ride home.

It had been awhile since I was on a bike (too long!) so I said, ‘Can I give it a whirl?’ That’s me in the picture returning the bike to Pete … a bit reluctantly.

So it started me thinking … motorcycle riders cut across all lines of society. I know several regular riders, like Pete, a successful real estate attorney, who are button-downed business types you wouldn’t normally think of riding. I know some others who probably never wore a suit in their life. Some are tough in a bar fight, and some are tough in the business world – like my buddies in this group. But, regardless of their backgrounds or current occupations, they all share one thing in common – a love of freedom. Freedom to enjoy life without worry – for at least the time they have the wind in their hair and a new horizon in front of them.

Of course, not all my friends ride. But in this stressed-out world, with all of the economic, political, and business challenges we face every day, it pays to find some way to have fun.

I did. Will you?

Red Rock Country – that’s what they call it.And you can see why.

I was returning to Las Vegas from Phoenix and decided to take a detour through Sedona.I’ve heard a lot of buzz about this town – beautifully inspiring rock formations, a famous artist community, and a great place to relax and enjoy nature.

Like any ‘artsy’, high-end tourist town – think of La Jolla, without the ocean – there are plenty of art galleries, fine restaurants, ice cream shops, jewelry stores, real estate offices … and of course, t-shirt shops.That just means the place is popular.

The thing that interested me the most, however, wasn’t the town.So, after a nice lunch at a sidewalk café in the heart of Sedona, I drove out into the natural beauty of the deep red canyons and evergreen forests for a little hike.Yes, in addition to their famous Saguro cactus, Arizona also has trees – green ones.Especially headed North towards Flagstaff.The elevation at the forest was high enough that I could still see snow on the ground between the trees in late March.Surprising what you learn when you get off the beaten path.

Having seen it, I’d say the buzz about Sedona’s beauty is right.In fact, America is a big, majestic country with a lot of interesting places to visit.This summer, get your loved ones out of their daily grind and away from the TV – and go see this great country of ours firsthand.It will make some great memories.

“Life is not measured by the breaths we take – but the moments that take our breath away”

By the way, you should join my ‘Post Card Club’.I send a few post cards to friends and clients whenever I travel.Just email me your address with the words ‘post card’.Then look for one in the mail.You never know what interesting place I’ll visit next!

So, I decided to drive – all 356 miles from Vegas to Phoenix – and back again.Very glad I did.Not only was it more fun than flying, I had a chance to see a part of the country I have never seen before.

Perhaps the biggest sight?Hoover dam.Wow, is it massive!And the engineering that must have gone into that structure.Hoover dam was built in the 1930s.It has enough concrete to pave a two-lane highway from San Francisco to New York.It forms Lake Mead (110 miles long) and supplies water & electricity for hundreds of miles to cities in Southern California, Nevada, & Arizona.I wonder what the early pioneers would say?

Today, you can still drive across the actual dam itself.But, because there is so much traffic twisting thorough the narrow roadway (and perhaps for safety reasons as well) they are building a new bridge – 4 lanes, high above the riverbed.Look at the size of that bridge – amazing how they construct these things.

Reminds me of a famous quote:

‘Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve’ – Napoleon Hill.

What is your big dream?

Add a comment and I’ll share mine with you – and what I’m doing to achieve it.

Of course, the Swiss are also known for some valuable exports – like watches, cheese, and most importantly … chocolate!

Luxemburgerli

The best chocolate shop I’ve found is Sprungli – and it is a favorite local brand. I like the shop at Bahnhofstrasse 21 (21 Bahnhoff Street) – it has a coffee shop on the second floor. Of course, the first floor has more varieties of chocolate than most Americans have ever seen in their life.

They have something called the ‘Luxemburgerli’ that is … well, ah … simply out of this world.

My favorite – Truffles

Check out the Sprungli website and see if you agree that the Swiss know chocolate. Then, order some. You’ll be glad you did.

There’s something about relaxing on a broad sandy beach that can’t be beat –especially when you have jet lag.

Of course, if we had the time, I might have stayed over and taken Angela out for some Miami Beach nightlife – it can be a lot of fun.

One of these days, I think Angela and I will sneak away, just the two of us …