How many times do we make our minds up & then nothing can change them? We all do it in many aspects of life - people, food, locations, industries, political parties, and music. I ran across this story today and it really hit a chord with me.
billy-joel-hater-changes-his-tune-with-year-long-dedication-to-piano-mans-music?lite
This is a story of a guy who was very adament about his dislike of Billy Joel's music and then opened his mind just a little bit. He set out to listen to every single Billy Joel album and blog about it. I will let you read the story (or the title) to see what the outcome was.
The key point is that he was willing to try it. How many times have we said that we wouldn't like a particular food, but then finally try it to find out we love it? I have always said that I don't like raw oysters, though I love seafood in general. Well, this summer I tried raw oysters again to see if my tastes had changed. Still don't like them, but at least I verified my opinion.
I try to have an open mind, especially when it comes to music. Play my iPod on random and you will hear Christmas music, rock, country, gospel, easy listening, and many other types of music. Now, if I can be as open-minded about others things in my life......
Let's try it.
Zach, a Tennessee Squire
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
Twenty-five years ago
The date – August 24, 1987. Ronald Reagan was President, George Bush (daddy) was VP, gas was around a $1/gallon, the DOW was at 1,939, Starship’s Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now was popular, and we were watching L.A. Law, Cosby, Cheers, and Family Ties on television. It was also the day I walked into the Corporate offices of HealthTrust, Inc. – the Hospital Company (HTI) for my first day of work. We didn’t have laptops or cell phones. Yes, I remember the implementation of e-mail and voice mail. Ancient, huh?
It was also my first job after college. I am also proud to say that 25 years later – I’m still here. Yes, the name on the front of the building has changed and the people sitting around me have changed. On that day 25 years ago, it would be five and a half years before I would meet the love of my life and another two and a half before I became a father. Pretty wild to think about.
When I started at HTI as a Staff I Auditor, I can’t say that I intended on having a career as an internal auditor or in healthcare. It was a job that paid real money, involved wearing a suit, carrying a briefcase (important!), and I got to travel. Life was definitely good!
Speaking of travel, I have gotten to see several places that I probably wouldn’t have ever seen if it wasn’t for the job. I have traveled from Seattle to Miami and several points in between. I’ve eaten seafood at Gladstone’s on Malibu Beach, watched two shuttle launches (one from the beach & the other from a plane), saw Kenny Rogers throw a perfect game in Arlington, saw the guys throw fish at Pike’s Place market, see John Denver at the Western Washington State Fair, visit an ostrich farm in Victoria, Texas, have authentic Cajun food at Mulates in Breaux Bridge, and eat my way (obviously) across the country. Speaking of that, here is a tip from a seasoned traveler – eat at local places at least once per trip. You can always eat at Outback, O’Charley’s, etc. Go where the locals go. It makes the trip memorable and you see what the town is all about.
People – people who need people. Sorry, ADD kicked in there. I have made so many friends through the years. There are some that I have met along the way that I still consider very close friends. Many were a part of the HTI family. The HTI family – that will require a completely separate blog. Some have died along the way, some have dropped off the face of the earth, and some still drift in and out of my world occasionally. Several though are still on my frequently dialed numbers in my phone. I often tell the newbies – never burn bridges; especially in Healthcare – in Nashville. There are several examples of folks crossing paths multiple times with multiple companies. Always good to keep up with folks.
As I close this blog, I am sitting in a different chair than I was 25 years ago. About two years ago I moved from Internal Audit to Corporate Accounting. Same company, just a different department. Still love my job. Today, I have a laptop, voicemail that I can listen to through my e-mail, and a cell phone that has hundreds of times more power than our first desktop computer. Times have definitely progressed and I hope I have as well. I also have a wife that has stuck by me for over 18 years (18 years…..) and two boys that rock and make my world. Life is indeed good.
A content Squire Z
It was also my first job after college. I am also proud to say that 25 years later – I’m still here. Yes, the name on the front of the building has changed and the people sitting around me have changed. On that day 25 years ago, it would be five and a half years before I would meet the love of my life and another two and a half before I became a father. Pretty wild to think about.
When I started at HTI as a Staff I Auditor, I can’t say that I intended on having a career as an internal auditor or in healthcare. It was a job that paid real money, involved wearing a suit, carrying a briefcase (important!), and I got to travel. Life was definitely good!
Speaking of travel, I have gotten to see several places that I probably wouldn’t have ever seen if it wasn’t for the job. I have traveled from Seattle to Miami and several points in between. I’ve eaten seafood at Gladstone’s on Malibu Beach, watched two shuttle launches (one from the beach & the other from a plane), saw Kenny Rogers throw a perfect game in Arlington, saw the guys throw fish at Pike’s Place market, see John Denver at the Western Washington State Fair, visit an ostrich farm in Victoria, Texas, have authentic Cajun food at Mulates in Breaux Bridge, and eat my way (obviously) across the country. Speaking of that, here is a tip from a seasoned traveler – eat at local places at least once per trip. You can always eat at Outback, O’Charley’s, etc. Go where the locals go. It makes the trip memorable and you see what the town is all about.
People – people who need people. Sorry, ADD kicked in there. I have made so many friends through the years. There are some that I have met along the way that I still consider very close friends. Many were a part of the HTI family. The HTI family – that will require a completely separate blog. Some have died along the way, some have dropped off the face of the earth, and some still drift in and out of my world occasionally. Several though are still on my frequently dialed numbers in my phone. I often tell the newbies – never burn bridges; especially in Healthcare – in Nashville. There are several examples of folks crossing paths multiple times with multiple companies. Always good to keep up with folks.
As I close this blog, I am sitting in a different chair than I was 25 years ago. About two years ago I moved from Internal Audit to Corporate Accounting. Same company, just a different department. Still love my job. Today, I have a laptop, voicemail that I can listen to through my e-mail, and a cell phone that has hundreds of times more power than our first desktop computer. Times have definitely progressed and I hope I have as well. I also have a wife that has stuck by me for over 18 years (18 years…..) and two boys that rock and make my world. Life is indeed good.
A content Squire Z
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