Monthly Archives: April 2013

Dads Are Coaches for Life

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Dads Are Coaches for Life . . .

College game day.
The stadium exploded, a deafening roar.

Today’s story is from Ben Thompson. His father is Rick.

Virginia Tech had just beaten No. 1 ranked Duke, 64-60. The game was hard fought, a squeaker throughout. Victorious, Ben looked into the crowd. His eyes focused only on one.

Dad's a coach for life

Father and son, Rick and Ben Thompson

When Ben was Young Rick worked with his son from the moment he could dribble a ball. This father knew his stuff. He was a revered high school basketball coach. His team won the state championship in 1991.

Under Rick’s charge, Ben blossomed into a star.

He was the captain of the team his dad brilliantly coached.

A grown-up Ben was now coaching at Florida’s Saint Leo University, a small NCAA Division II team. Then came the day he received a momentous call, from Virginia Tech, his alma mater. A dream job was offered to this very young man. Would he coach at Virginia Tech? The catch, “We need to know now.”   READ MORE 

Kids Don’t Die Young

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Kids Don’t Die Young . . .

The order of things.

by Greg Hague

Greg Hague's son, Corey

Corey today.

We presume an order to life.

  • Have kids when we’re young.
  • Die when we’re old.
  • Dads pass before sons.

It’s not always that way. June 30, 2000 – Corey’s 19th birthday. A new high school grad, Santa Clara awaited that fall. This young man exemplified ethics, kindness, quality friends…everything right. We went with Corey to a party at his best friend’s home.   READ MORE 

The Kids Want Off Your Payroll!

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Upscale Dogs and Secret Bars

Today’s story is about Brian Shebairo and his childhood pal Chris Antista.

I’m mentoring 600 of your kids. They’re about to graduate from ASU. I’m giving a talk on “Finding a Job”. It’s a big deal…to you and to them.

They want off your payroll. And you agree!
Crifdogs hotdogs

A good idea.

  • I thought about law. I’ve done it. Try to solve life-crippling problems. Fight emotion fraught fights. Not for your kids.
  • Medicine? Lives at stake. Their hands in strange places they weren’t meant to be. No way.
  • Corporate America? Bosses who know less than they do (they’ll think). Nope.

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Dad’s Prized Possession

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Dad’s Prized Possession

The Hamilton — a gift from mom to dad.

by Greg Hague

Dad wore it for most of his life. Hamilton was the brand inscribed on the face. Piaget, Rolex…many cost more.

Greg Hague's Hamilton

The Hamilton. Mom to Dad. Dad to me. Me to Jason last Christmas.

But The Hamilton was priceless to Dad. It was Mom on his arm, Mom at his side. The Hamilton had a black leather band, a pearl face and a bezel of platinum. Mom had the jeweler set small diamonds at 3, 12 and 9.

A small hand in a cross, centered below, counted the seconds. The Hamilton was kept in Dad’s top bureau drawer. It had a place of its own. It always lay flat, perfectly straight, with the band pointing north. The Hamilton was positioned an inch from the left side of the drawer. Dad’s money clip sat angled, just to the right…also a gift from Mom.   READ MORE 

Teach Your Kids to Resist the Urge

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Teach Your Kids to Resist the Urge . . .

Why is Facebook worth billions and you’re not?

Today’s post is based on a study by Harvard psychologists Diana I. Tamir and Jason P. Mitchell.

A study by two Harvard psychologists uncovered a proven way to make a bundle, raise smart kids and have great friends.

Greg Hague

My dog Tanner listens!

People like to express opinions. They like to talk about themselves. You already know that. Why? Because you want to, too. What you probably don’t know is the strength of the urge. It’s biological. We’re wired that way.

A part of your neurology (the mesolimbic dopamine system) gives you a feeling of pleasure when you eat good food, make lots of money, or see a good looking member of the opposite sex.

Talking about “you” stimulates your brain in the same way. It’s a dopamine-like reaction. You feel great, as with sex or chocolate.

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I Was Dad’s Little Helper

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Friday was payday!

Today’s story is from David Vogt.

Dad's little helper.

David Vogt with dad Bill, his model in life.

I had just turned 6.
I was building a barn in rural Illinois.
I was working for Dad.
I was paid 50 cents an hour.
Dad was a factory worker. He made screws for telephones.

Back then, he needed to moonlight construction to support our family. He eventually rose into management, a high paying job. That week, he was pouring a concrete floor for a barn. It was backbreaking labor.   READ MORE 

Dad’s Long Walk Without Shoes

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A long walk without shoes. A craggy dirt road.
An hour to school. An hour back home.
My name is Shawn Kumar. This is about Dad.

Today’s story is from Shawn Kumar.

Proud dad, proud son.

Nand & Shawn Kumar…proud dad with proud son.

What kids now expect, he would never have dreamed. My father grew up in India. He was thankful just to have shoes. As hard as it was, Dad dreamed of the best, only good things. He did it back then. He does it today.

My father was determined to create an opportunity-filled life for the family he one day would have.

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