SOMETIMES YOU WIN,
SOMETIMES YOU LEARN
Learning and rebuilding is and experience that I share with many people. While there are accomplishments to be proud of, I’ve had my share of stumbles, disappointments, and bad luck.
My big mouth has given me trouble more than once. I regret anytime that I hurt someone’s feelings that didn’t deserve it. I have no apology, however, for speaking the truth even if it wasn’t the smartest choice.
Mischief maker, rascal, and occasional hellion. I drank before I was 21, inhaled more than once, partied all night, and streaked. Thankfully there was no Facebook when I was young.
I’ve been broke. Count me among the entrepreneurs that know what is like when the best plans and intentions don’t work out. Risk drives failure as well success. Likewise, I also know what it’s like to be gamed by a “big player” with unfair advantage and no scruples.
I have been divorced. It was an experience that was difficult for everyone involved. I did my best to resolve fairly, make amends as possible, heal, and find the place that’s ultimately better for all.
Standing on principal doesn’t always end well. I was the first person fired from the Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee for reporting corruption to the mayor (a fact that would come to light ten years later when Mitt Romney was brought in to straighten out the mess).
When I reported financial exploitation of students and athletes in the school system (2009), I was ostracized and belittled. My son was bullied and threatened as well. After an investigation led by former FLC President Joel Jones, School District 9-R School Board adopted new policies and I was given a spiffy framed certificate of appreciation. It took several years for my son to forgive me, but he appreciates that doing the right thing isn’t always the easiest thing.
I got a C– in eighth-grade art class at Miller Jr. High for bothering other students (my art projects were actually pretty good).
Forgery – I had no idea that “modifying” my CU parking pass was technically a felony because I altered a state-issued document. Thankfully the judge dismissed the charge as long as I paid court costs and promised to never to be seen in his court again. I parked off campus for the remainder of the semester.
Theft. I stole some comic books and candy from a magazine store when I was eight. My mom hauled me back to the store and made me confess. I’ll never forget that.
Disclaimer: There is no guarantee that this is a complete list or that I’ll never make a mistake again.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”