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Jewish World Review Feb 7, 2014 / 7 Adar I, 5774 The secret to a rich life is to have more beginnings than endings: Part 2 By Dave Weinbaum
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Please oblige me whilst I reminisce. Commenters from my last column said my
experiences helped them a lot. There'll be one or two more missives—then back
to the disaster that is the Dems and the Obama Administration. In the meantime,
listen to my newly contracted radio show on Friday mornings or the podcast on
www.daveweinbaum.com for me and my callers' political observations.
Thanks for your indulgence!
If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort
When I was ten a teacher decided to put me on stage in front of the whole school to
introduce the singing of the Star Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance. (Yes
they did that back then.) The problem was no one told me how to prepare or what to
expect.
I froze—in front of the entire school—kids and teachers alike . I was so scared two
teachers had to walk me off the stage. No one said anything to me. I wanted a quick
and merciful death.
From that day until I was 35, I refused to speak in front of any group over three.
Even if I was talking to three people I would have panic attacks and have to move on.
Attending a business coop meeting in Springfield MO, I made the mistake of taking a
bathroom break. Upon returning, I noticed a few stares from the other members.
Joe Post, the president of the coop since its inception in 1959, announced that
they had conducted an election for a new president. Guess who won!? That's right,
MR. PANIC. I thought he was kidding. Seemed to me I was the most unlikely
choice in the room.
I was scared to death. I might have to be on radio or TV. Then thousands of
people would know I was a fraud and not worthy of the success I had attained up
until that time. On the other hand, being a news-junky, I knew that political leaders
tended to say the most idiotic things, smoothly. I knew that if I were ever to make
a difference, I had to accept.
I served two terms as president of the Springfield MO. Coop. Then I was elected
be president of the St. Louis coop, where I succeeded myself for a second term. I
did what I needed to do, scared out of my mind, but somehow I got thru it. Here's
what I found out about myself.
After my 8 years as president of two coops I was elected to represent parts of
six states as a national advertising representative, making it to the Administrative
Council and head of another prestigious committee.
If I had declined the original coop election, I probably would have been out of
the restaurant business and living a much less rich life than I am now.
My new beginning enhanced my life.
Next week I'll tell you about some more beginnings I took up that have made my
life richer—and may help yours'.
By the way, the presidents after me insist I run the meetings in the Springfield coop.
I have obliged for the last 31 years.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
JWR contributor Dave Weinbaum hosts DaveWeinbaum.com. He is a businessman, writer and part-time stand-up comic and resides in a Midwest red state. Comment by clicking here.
© 2011, Dave Weinbaum |
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