One of My Favorite Professional Sports Moments Ever

I am not much of a professional baseball fan.

In fact, I rarely watch it.

Sometimes I pay attention to the World Series, but I don't lose any sleep if I miss it.

Nevertheless, there is one thing I adore about it.

Mariano Rivera.

He's a pitcher from Panama who plays for the New York Yankees.

What makes him so great in my eyes? His "best relief pitcher of all time" stats?

Nope.

It's the way he carries himself, despite his superstar status in the sport.

I have never seen any star player in any North American professional league at any time conduct himself like Mariano Rivera conducts himself. (And that's saying something coming from someone who grew up watching Wayne Gretzky.)

A model of decency and humility.

Happily, it's not only me who thinks so.

How You Can Save an Endangered Species Today

I'm concerned about the future of a species that seems to be dwindling fast.

It's a human sub-species that we are familiar with.

It's the "optimist."

You know the type.

The person with something positive to say, usually with a smile.

The person who looks at the bright side.

The person who sees opportunity, instead of defeat.

The person with nary a bad word to say about anyone.

In these modern times characterized by a pervasive cynical press this species is dying, folks.

What can we do to prevent extinction?

1. Keep them close. 
2. Let them know how important they are to us: look them in the eye, and tell them how much we value them and their positive outlook on life.

I'm optimistic the species can be saved with this spiritual nourishment.

Open Letter to our BECA Family in Nicaragua (Spanish)

Estimada Familia BECA.org Nicaragua,

Recientemente los becados del programa han compartido sus pensamientos con nosotros por medio de la encuesta intensiva.  (Para ver el resumen de los resultados, ir aquí.) 

Ahora, a mi me toca.

Primero, quiero agradecerles por el alto nivel de su participación en la encuesta:  46 de 51 la llenaron -- más de 90%!  

Tomamos los resultados seriamente y el equipo dedica sesiones a la evaluación de sus respuestas.

Dos grandes puntos derivados de la encuesta que me llamaron la atención:

1. Descontento con el programa. Parece que la mitad de nuestros becados intensivos están contentos con el programa. Lamentablemente, la otra mitad no.
2. Descontento con nuestros coordinadores. Las quejas parecen indicar un equipo parcial y sin la disponibilidad de resolver problemas.

¿Qué es mi reacción?

Sobre todo, me siento sorprendido con los resultados. Este año, para ser la primera vez, mandaba el equipo. En realidad la gran mayoría de las decisiones fueron tomadas por el equipo. Y cómo saben, el equipo está compuesto 100% de los graduados de su programa.

[Paréntesis: mi perspectiva es un poco diferente. Estoy orgulloso del trabajo del equipo. Manejaban más de 50 intensivos -- distribuidos en todo el país - y más de 110 aspirantes (Curso Uno). Ni siquiera mencionar las numerosas jornadas que supervisan cada mes, etc.]

Está sorpresa viene a un momento interesante en el camino de la fundación. Estamos en la transición de buscar apoyo y sociedades con las empresas y instituciones de Nicaragua. Además, esperábamos contar en el apoyo de nuestros mismos graduados quienes están trabajando.

Les pregunto, si la mitad de los supuestos beneficiarios de nuestro programa no están contentos, ¿cómo podemos pedir apoyo?  Sin mencionar pedir apoyo adicional de los donantes extranjeros. 

Tiempos interesantes . . .

Gracias por leer,

My Early Nicaraguan Mornings

They play out approximately like this:

3:15 am. Rise and shine. Actually, more like just shine.

3:15 - 3:30 am: Inspirational reading on my Kindle. I follow these daily devotionals:

• Daily Guideposts Fun, light read
• My Utmost for His Highest - Dry and deep, but occasionally inspirational
• Through the Year with Jimmy Carter - Enjoy this the most. Shares personal anecdotes

3:30 - 4:15 am: Sudoku with coffee. In bed. I've written about my passion for Sudoku before.

4:15 - 5:00 am: Review my day and plan my agenda. I really enjoy doing this. Not sure why.

5:00 - 6:00 am: Morning walk for gym workout. Yuck. My least pleasant part of the morning (the gym part, that is).

Gimnasio "Adrenalina" (July 2013)

6:15 - 7:00 am: Cardio on my elliptical machine. Don't care for this part much, either.

Yeah, I know I should clean the sucker.

There you have it.

Wait a minute! I just about forgot the very best part. 

On my way home from the gym these days I pass by a primary school. No ordinary primary school, however. It's one of the schools that BECA has some students doing their social service. 

I'll tell you what. Seeing those eager, smiling faces makes my sordid trip to the gym every morning all worthwhile.

Six BECA Brigadistas Ready for Action (July 2013)

Why Isn't He Helping?

Interesting situation these days in the BECA weekend community service projects here in Nicaragua.

(Parenthesis: Scholarship recipients are asked to perform community service for three hours every other Saturday. About 75% comply. They are rewarded for doing so with a payment.)

It seems that some of the students are quite unhappy that some of the participants do all the work while the others just sit around and twiddle their thumbs.

A lot of grumbling and finger-pointing."Why should we do all the work? Why don't those guys get off their asses?"

I really understand their frustration. It doesn't seem fair.

But to all of you frustrated students, may I offer a comment?

"Welcome to the real world, muchachos!"

What is happening in the jornadas is not at all unusual.

Some people do most of the work. The rest are largely bystanders.

In the church. In the community. In schools. And in the workplace.

And here's the catch. The lazies are not going to change.

Nope. No matter what you say, or how you look at them. It won't make any difference.

I suggest an alternative strategy, which I admit isn't easy.

1. Take pride in your own contribution and continue doing the best you know how. 
2. Enjoy the nice, warm feeling that goes along with helping someone. 
3. Accept that not everyone thinks or acts the same way.

The option is yours.

Becado Nelson Chavarria (2010)

It Happened Like This

Masaya, May 2013

"Hey, José, long time no see. How are you?" I belted out to catch an acquaintance's attention on the other side of the street.

"Not bad, Walter. Hey how are you?" José blurted back, making his way across the street to greet me.

"Excelente. What happened to you? Are you still living in Masaya?" extending my hand.

"Always. I will die here. I thought you moved back to Estelí or something like that," José responded.

"Nope. I've been spending more time in Costa Rica recently, but I still live here, José. My mansion is in La Reforma," laughing at my own joke.

"Well that explains that. It doesn't explain why you don't answer your phone," eyeing me skeptically.

"Well, that's odd. I still have the same number. Oh well," sighing and then preparing myself for an amicable adios.

"Before you go, write down your number for me Walter," José demanded.

Patting down my pockets, "I have a pen, José but no paper."

"Well I don't have my phone on me either. "Here, scribble it down on this," reaching down and picking up something from the street.

"On this? Are you serious?" I asked incredulously.

"Of course," he retorted. "Hurry up, I have a meeting."

"Okay," I sheepishly replied. "Here you go."

"Gracias. Take care, Walter."

"Ciao, José."

The "A" Word

Someone asked me the other day what really really bugs me. You know the list of contenders: racism, ignorance, poverty, selfishness, etc.

I didn't have an immediate answer and although the subject matter is a little negative for my tastes, I found myself pondering the question later that day.

And come to think of it there is something.

Arrogance.

I have no patience for it.

It has to do with people (or organizations) who think that they are in some way superior to other people (or organizations).

The default is to associate arrogance with money. For me, material wealth is only one of several dimensions in which arrogance can rear its ugly head. Consider the following:

• Intelligence . . . . . . .I can outsmart you!
• Physical beauty . . . You are fat!
• Career . . . . . . . . . . .He's a taxi driver!

Interestingly, I find there is much less arrogance in Nicaragua than in Canada. Or for that matter, than most other places I've visited or lived.

Appreciation.

I much prefer this "A" word.