Had a Bad Day? Smell a Rose!

 

Helloo0O Ladies and Gentlemen!

Welcome to Graceland Ontario, your one stop location for success advice from the greats. Today, we’re going to talk about appreciation.

It’s also my Mum’s birthday, so this one goes out to her.

When, I was young, my Mum and I had very different opinions on certain things. She liked looking at pretty things in shops, I liked buying toys. She liked gardening, I liked watching television. She liked walking for exercise, I liked gluing the rug (no joke).

She’d say, “isn’t that a beautiful flower?” and I’d nod my head before quickly going on to play. I didn’t understand how you could be happy by watching a flower.

But, as years go by, though we still have disagreements once in a while, I’ve come to understand and live by her perspective.

Everything’s beautiful, even in ways we wouldn’t maybe see at first. Everything’s strong, but tender; colourful, sometimes while looking bland; wonderful while coming across as normal.

And, the more I learn about people, that they like to be liked, that they fancy someone who listens and cares about what they say, that they are, in general, inherently good, the more I thank my Mother. You see, she taught me something most people never learn. She taught me how to appreciate good things and, by not much of a stretch, other people.

Now, before you stop reading because this is either sounding way too new age-y for you or just “soft”, wait a sec.

When you appreciate life, others and yourself, you develop true kindness. You honestly enjoy seeing the best in others. Now, I’m not saying you aren’t already like that. But I am saying we’re all a work in progress and that it never hurts to put in a bit more to up your skills. Through appreciation, it becomes hard for us to be put down and hurt for, as Albert Schweitzer said, “Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate”. It helps us become stronger and more likely to go out there and live a full life because we realize at a deep level how good everything is, even the bad. You’ve gotta be part of a world like that. Sitting out is wasting all the beauty and opportunity. When you have that mindset, you realize the bounty open to everyone and, with your deep appreciation of others, it makes it that much easier to persuade and work with other people to fulfill your goals.

I don’t know how you live, but I’m sure you make a similar choice to me in the morning. You decide to have a good day, no matter what, a so-so day, no matter what, or a bad day, no matter what. Chances are, your day will turn out that way simply because you’ll only focus on the information that makes something a “good”, a “so-so” or a “bad” day. You can go, “wow, she’s looking great for eighty” or you can think, “she’s a week away from the grave”. You can breathe deeply and savour the gift of air or you can complain about pollution.

I tell you, whenever I choose the more positive, more appreciative viewpoint, take what my mother taught me and thank God for the smell of roses on a mid-August day, I always, always feel better.

And, from experience, I’ve learnt it’s not just me.

Happy Birthday Mum and talk to you all next week!

Alex H.

If you like this Graceland Ontario post, you might also like these other updates:

• Graceland, Ontario: Elvis and the Photographer: A Story of Gratitude
• Graceland, Ontario: Here's to Thanksgiving Day, Time to Eat, Love and Play
• Graceland, Ontario: They Gave Then, Now It's Your Turn
• Graceland, Ontario: It's Time to Decide...
• Graceland, Ontario: Who Wants to Be Called "Fat"?
• Graceland, Ontario: Welcome to Graceland, Ontario!

Great Leaders are Hated

Helloo0O Ladies and Gentlemen!

Welcome to Graceland Ontario, your one stop location for success advice from the greats. Today we’re going to talk about standing for what you believe in.

Now, as many of you know, Margaret Thatcher, once Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, passed away yesterday. But, though I will not venture to say whether I liked or disliked her political positions (I doubt whether I have the expertise to say anyways), the news of her death’s struck me rather strangely.

Here we have a woman who was the first female prime minister of the U.K. (and, at present, the only), a woman who led her country for eleven and a half years with an iron fist, who stood tall through a war and tough economic times, who brought her nation to the level of respect it had long since enjoyed in world politics. And what did she get for it?

Some respect… but an equal amount of criticism and hate.

Margaret Thatcher was a true leader. She stood up for her ideals, did what she thought was right, took the bananas as they were thrown at her and ultimately was backstabbed by her own party. Even then she earned herself a baronessies and a comfortable place as a national icon. Yet, I’d say little of what she attained has been acknowledged by the people she led with news of her death, at least in comparison to what you’d think given her accomplishments.

Sometimes we need to do what we think is right. Sure not everyone will agree with us. I might not even agree with everything Thatcher did, but I sure do respect her. Anyone who can take that kind of hammering from those you’re trying to help is worthy of all the esteem they can garner.

Now, contrary to the title of this post, great leaders aren’t hated, not always. But you’ve got to be willing to be hated, willing to be like Margaret Thatcher, the “Iron Lady”. Because she got things done and she got them done her way and she lost no dignity doing so. She was the greatest ally and the most revered enemy. When you need to get things done, she’s the one to model.

Because people without the strength to stand by themselves don’t achieve great levels of success. Sometimes you can be liked or you can do what needs to be done. Successful people choose the latter, however painful it may be.

It’s up to you whether you’re capable of that level of excellence.

Alex H.

 
If you liked this post, you might also like these other Graceland Ontario updates:

• Graceland, Ontario: Step in the Fresh Snow
• Graceland, Ontario: The Elvisian Diamond Jubilee Special
• Graceland, Ontario: Words of Wisdom: Vince King
• Graceland, Ontario: "Image Scrimmage"
• Graceland, Ontario: Elvis Presley meets Usain Bolt: Do You Use Their SECRET?
  

Earned Respect

 

 

How’s it going Ladies and Gentlemen?

Thanks for coming back to Graceland Ontario, your one stop location for success advice from the greats. Today we’re going to talk about standing for your principles.

Another sad post… As you probably know if you’re Canadian (and probably don’t if you’re not ), the great Stompin’ Tom Conners, local singer and legend, passed away a couple days ago at the age of 77 (which is far too young these days). The man who was named for the way he kept time with his left foot wrote classics like “Sudbury Saturday Night” and, most popularly, “The Good Ol’ Hockey Game”, not to mention about 298 others.

But what he might be remembered most by was his pride in being Canadian. It was only a couple months ago on Canada Day that I compared the man to Elvis in the U.S. for the patriotism he was synonymous with in my country. I mean, he openly spoke out against Canadian artists who sought fame in the larger United States who with a population ten times ours have about as many extra opportunities. He fought to keep a Canadian identity in music, even as more and more American recordings crossed the border.

Now, I’m not against American music − as you probably know from this blog, I’m a HUGE Elvis fan. But someone needs to stand up for something if it’s going to live, and Stompin’ Tom was the man to do it for us Canadians and our music. Proud to the end, a true patriot.

Stompin’ Tom’s death signals an end to an age in Canadian music. But even though he only sold nearly four million records (compared to Elvis’s over One Billion), his music will live on to all those who remember him for standing what he believed in, even when it wasn’t popular.

What does this mean for you? Stand for something you believe in and don’t stop, even if it doesn’t look like it’s going your way, even if others think you’re crazy for it. They’ll respect you in the end. At the Toronto Maple Leaf’s hockey game the night Tom’s name was called, most of the fans stood up during the playing of “The Good Ol’ Hockey Game” in respect of him.

I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t mind a tribute like that when I pass on.

Stand for what you believe in and I'll talk to you next week!

Alex H.

In tribute of Stompin’ Tom, here’s a Youtube link to his hit, “The Good Ol’ Hockey Game”, his most famous song.

If you like this Graceland Ontario update, you might also like these posts:

• Graceland, Ontario: Be Really Good At Something
• Graceland, Ontario: So, I Suppose We're Talking About Legacy
• Graceland, Ontario: "Image Scrimmage"
• Graceland, Ontario: Elvis, Sir Isaac Brock and the Success Constant
• Graceland, Ontario: The Only Guarantee

The Respectful Parting: Firing with the Future in Mind

Helloo0O all you wonderful people!

Welcome back Graceland Ontario for your weekly fix of success tips as modeled by the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll himself (and you can’t do much better than him… I mean, check out those cheek bones! But I digress…) This week we’re going to be talking about remembering people on the pathway of life (and success) and how to deal with them when it's 'just not working'.

So, as we tango through life, whether it be school, work, the barber’s shop, we meet people who become associates, business partners and plain, ol’ employees. Then, days, months, years down the line, we realize that the partnership is a bad idea and either it’s outlived its usefulness or was never meant to be to start with. It’s time to ‘fire’ that person from your business life. Now, there are three ways to deal with this: one, ignore it (this would suggest being indecisive, and if you don’t know my opinions on that check out what I write on it. In short − it’s not good); two, break off the relationship casually, stating things aren’t working well and it’d be better for both of you if you did your own things or, three, step on their toes, tell them the hell where to go and screw the relationship up permanently (Donald Trump, anyone...?).

Let’s tie this to our friend, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Elvis met many people through his career. Oftentimes he partnered up with them for long times (the Jordanaires, the TCB (Taking Care of Business) Band) or re-partnered up with them at later dates (Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana, his original guitarist and drummer, played with Elvis during the ’68 Comeback Special). When the partnership had to end (because of a dispute or someone else was better for the role), it did − no hard feelings. Then, if there was a use for the partnership in the future, it could be re-exploited.

Hopefully you’re getting the point I’m trying to put across − sometimes, partnerships should never have occurred but we, as fallible mortals, don’t know when this is true or not. Even if there’s a clear problem in the present, your ex-partner might be able to help you (and you him) in the future. This makes financial (they can help you make money if you need them), health (you’re not worrying over some psycho ex-partner killing you) and social (you might have a friend even if you don’t have a partner) sense. Asides, who wants to have a long argument over a partnership that’s dead when you can have a short conversation putting both people out of their woe.

Now going back to Elvis, who generally had good relations with his fellow workers − after his death, many of these musicians have said or done something positive in correlation to Elvis. Done a song, a speech, a dedication… the 'Elvis Presley in Concert' shows where former musicians do modern arrangements to recording and movie footage of Elvis live. Now, I’m not saying money had nothing to do with this sponsorship but, from the genuineness in what they say, it seems most of the people who worked with Elvis looked upon him favourably. So favourably that, if he were still alive and required their services, they’d probably accept.

On the other hand, there are other bands with one person becoming ‘the star’ and ditching the rest of the guys. Oftentimes these ‘stars’ release one record, maybe score, maybe not, fall from grace, then go into quiet retirement, living off the royalties from the band they backstabbed. I’m not going to name any people in particular (though I’m sure you can fill in the blanks) but clearly these individuals, by hurting those they worked with, even if they didn’t intend to work with them again, messed themselves over in the long-run. They certainly can’t boast having a legion of individuals who would work with them if they needed (like Elvis), a group of friends they could talk with outside of business or even a safe life (gotta watch out for those psycho ex-partners).

Now, I’m not saying people who shouldn’t work with you must stay or that you should keep in good contact with them if they’re bad news. Simply that you’re nice and respectful to them, even when you can’t work with them anymore. Remember the old adage ‘action speaks louder than words’? Your simple lack of response to their ideas and proposals will give them the idea − you don’t have to shout in their face!

Elvis’s Lessons:

So, what’s the point? Here it is: Do what is best for your career, even if it means parting with somebody, but remember to be respectful during the break-up process. It makes the process less messy, it leaves the option of re-partnership possible and it gives you the opportunity to keep a person in your social life even if they have no part in your financial circle.

P.S. Remember to leave a comment below or email me at alexghilson@gmail.com to discuss this post personally with me.

P.P.S. If you're interested in seeing Elvis singing in the '68 Comeback Special (where he re-partnered up with original guitarist Scotty Moore and drummer D.J. Fontana), here he is with "Heartbreak Hotel".

Service Pays Dividends

Helloo0O Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome back to Graceland Ontario, your one stop blog discussing the traits that made the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll successful and how those same traits can be used to make you more successful. This week, we’re going to make a reference to last week's post but we’re going to be talking about service.

Last week, we talked about how it was Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of England and the British Commonwealth’s Diamond (sixty year mark) Jubilee. Here at Graceland Ontario (which is part of Canada, where her Majesty is head of state), we talked about stability as one of the main reasons why people love her. Another trait she exhibits is service.

The average person works for over twenty years before they earn their pension. A few exceptional people work for thirty years. If you’re a martyr, you might work forty years. I can’t tell you anyone I know who worked for fifty, let alone sixty, years. Most people get to the age of sixty and want a pension (not that I can blame them) − if you asked them to work for sixty years until they’re 86 (yep, her Maj’s birthday’s in April and she’s in her mid-eighties) they’d think you were crazy.

“So, she’s dedicated. Why should I care?”

People admire a person, man or woman, who would dedicate that long to their country. Some people feel patriotism for their nation, for the Queen it’s her job. People respect her because of her service, they respect her very much − even if they don’t believe in the monarchy.

Now, though Elvis in no way showed that kind of service to an office, he did to his fans.

In, "A Predicament Called Presley," September 7, 1957, Elvis said, "…fans want my shirt. They can have my shirt. They put it on my back." He loved his fans because he felt they were responsible for where he’d been put. But it went deeper than that.

Patrick MacDonald, music critic for the Seattle times, wrote on August 16^th, 2002, the 25^th anniversary of the King’s death, that, at one concert, “[Elvis] kissed a lot of girls and gave away a lot of scarves, but was kindest to a cute little girl who presented him with a royal crown on a satin pillow. She got a hug, a kiss and a scarf.”

I mean, this was in the middle of a big concert. Not only could Elvis respect his fans but he could respect his fans as individuals. He, a busy superstar, took the time to give one little girl a hug, a kiss and a scarf. That extra little service to his fans made him exceptional.

Elvis would kiss his fans, he would talk to his fans, he would stop shows for his fans. Considering how important he was, he was really dedicated to his fans. And, what was especially important, he could single out his fans and make them feel like human beings. For a man that busy, what an incredible achievement; what a wonderful way to show service to his fans. And guess what? His fans love him back for that extra effort. And people who see his shows respect him for treating his fans that way, even if they don’t like his style of music (like they respect the Queen for working so long even if they don’t appreciate the monarchy).

So, what does this mean for you? It means that when you put in that little extra effort, give a little extra service to those around you, people notice. And they respect it. And the more service you give, the more respect you get. And even if people don’t like your style or work, they begin to appreciate you as a person. Then, they tell their friends about their appreciation and soon more people respect you. Over time, that appreciation of you, as an individual, can work into your finances (everyone’s a potential customer) and your social life (all the possible tea dates you can now have). For a little extra service given at your place of work everyday that sounds like more than healthy compensation.

Elvis’s Lessons:

Both Elvis and Queen Elizabeth II have given incredible service, in the Queen’s case to her country and in Elvis’s to his fans. They make others feel special by giving that bit extra than everybody else. And even if people don’t like their style, they respect them for giving that bit extra. When you start adding that extra little bit of service, people start respecting you more, too. And even if they don’t like what you do, they can tell their friends and get more people interested in you. The more people interested in you, the better it is for your financial and social lives. It’s a lot to gain for a little extra service given.

P.S. If you're interested in seeing Elvis showing service firsthand, here's a video of him interacting with his fans (while on horseback!).

P.P.S. If you agree (or disagree) with what I'm saying, remember to drop a comment below or email me at alexghilson@gmail.com. I'd love to hear your stories, feedback and constructive criticism.