Father's Day 2010, then and now:

John S Wren, MBA+++ Life's short, start now!: It's Father's Day, and I've been thinking about my...: From Father's Day 2010, Still true today. Thanks for the memories, Pop. Johnny.   "It's Father's Day, and I've been thinking about my dad this morning. Pop passed on November 15, 1979, he was just 55, far too ..."

Socrates Cafe, a fun way for all ages to learn. Come think with us.

Each week I facilitate 3 meetings of Socrates Cafe. For now, we are meeting online. They are free and open to everyone.

I organized and facilitated the first Socrates Cafe here in Denver over 20 years ago and I've been helping start new meetings ever since.

There are 3 Socrates Cafes I go to for my own benefit each week. I'm interested in them because 1) they are fun, and 2) they give me a chance to practice my critical thinking, my listening skills, and my ability to express myself.

Recent research shows Socrates Cafes are a good way for the generations to spend an hour together in a way that includes everyone, more and more nursing homes and rehab facilities are scheduling meetings for clients and encouraging clients to organize a session with family and friends.

If you'd like to know more about Socrates Cafes I suggest you attend one now while they are online. You might also find it helpful to read Chris Phillip's book "Socrates Cafe."

Here are the 3 meetings I'm usually leading right now each week here in Denver that are for now meeting online, click for more information and to rsvp:

Tuesdays, Denver Trinity Church
Fridays, LoDo Denver
Saturdays, University of Denver

My network is my net worth?

That's what I was told last night. 

But it's true only if I'm making regular deposits to the relationship account, doing meaningful work for them that results in their being delighted and me getting compensated.

In politics, where networks are sand castles, the question voters, volunteers and contributors ask is "what have you done for me lately?" 

In business, even more so that politics, it's the same question with a sharper focus. Having a name, contacting the name and staying in touch has no impact on my net worth unless I've received pay from the customer for doing work that delighted him or her, and who as a result has become a good client who gives my repeat sales and referrals to qualified prospects, people who have good potential of going through this cycle with me.

Of course none of this applies to my family, nor to a handful of my very close friends, nor to work I'm called to do by God when the order is to burn the bridge and give it my all, whether that is sponsoring/mentoring one person or fighting for some cause. In this realm my network is my negative net worth, and it is in this realm that I've labored for the last 23+ years. What I've learned from these thankless days, especially the extraordinary time spent with my father, is that it really is true, if you want gratitude, get a dog.

Wonderful Sunday morning

Catching #10 bus back to my apartment after lunch with youngest daughter at Mercury Cafe for great breakfast and wonderful music, stop at Tattered Cover, then meetup with oldest daughter and grand daughter, the three of them head to zoo, me to do laundry, which I've put off for too long.