I Didn't Write the Memo I Just Read It: Selected Poems, Musings, and Leadership Observations - Softcover

Venturella, Vinnie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1504953053 ISBN 13: 9781504953054

Publisher: AuthorHouse, 2015

Synopsis

In this, his fourth book, Vinnie Venturella takes a thought-provoking look at some of life’s experiences. His observations are at times instructive, funny, sarcastic, smart, insightful, and action oriented. He shares thoughts about his faith, America, his professions, leadership, his kids, family, and friends. They’ll make you laugh, cry, go “hmm” or at least think.

Vinnie takes an “in your face” and “tell it like it is” look at things. If one, a few, or all of these observations resonate with you, he’s met his intent. They are a result of decades of experiences, observations, and lessons learned. He hopes his unique style, content, and format appropriately deliver the message as intended.

Vinnie retired as a Chief Master Sergeant from the United States Air Force after 21+ years as a Combat Controller in Air Force Special Operations. He has been in a leadership environment since 1985. He is a Certified Financial Planner and works in the personal finance industry. Vinnie, his wife, Tammie, and their daughters, Meaghan and Sophia, live in North Carolina. They attend Manna Church, and Vinnie wants everyone to know he’s still under construction.

About this title

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

I Didn't Write the Memo I Just Read It

Selected Poems, Musings, and Leadership Observations

By Vinnie Venturella

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2015 Vinnie Venturella
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-5049-5305-4

Contents

I Didn't Write the Memo I Just Read It, 1, 
Veteran's Day Parade, 2, 
Let's Be Honest, 3, 
Catch People Doing Things Right, 4, 
I Pray Everyday, 5, 
Resilience, 6, 
Proud To Be an American, 7, 
Impossible Questions, 8, 
Be Yourself, 9, 
The Bank, 10, 
Think Outside the Box, 11, 
The Onion, 12, 
Sophia, 13, 
The Thousand Gnats, 14, 
Keep Pounding, 15, 
It's Always There, 16, 
I Cannot Lie, 17, 
You Brought This on Yourself, 18, 
Meaghan, 19, 
Known and Remembered, 20, 
What If, 21, 
Personal Responsibility, 22, 
Reliability, 23, 
Compromise, 24, 
Really, 25, 
The Magic Elixir, 26, 
Haters, 27, 
Life is a Job Interview, 28, 
Bring Your "A" Game, 29, 
Some of Life's Snippets, 30, 
Success, 31, 
Leaders, 32, 
Without ... There, 33, 
"MO", 34, 
The Sunshine, 35, 
The American Dream, 36, 
Accountability, 37, 
Things That Make You Go Hmm, 38, 
Tammie, 39, 
You Know What I Mean, 40, 
To Get Better by the Letter, 41, 
The Company Man, 42, 
You Can Just Feel It, 43, 
No Less, 44, 
Availability, 45, 
What Does That Say, 46, 
Perspective, 47, 
I Know How to Do This, 48, 
There Are No Hard Decisions, 49, 
What Perfection Might Be, 50, 
Forward or Backward, 51, 
The Train Isn't Stopping, 52, 
Meritocracy, 53, 
Scrogg, 54, 
"D", 55, 
Attitude, 56, 
Hope, 57, 
Are You Adaptable, 58, 
Like and/or Respect, 59, 
They Don't Flock, 60, 
Unconditional Love, 61, 
Obliviousness, 62, 
Fear of Failure, 63, 
Even When No One is Looking, 64, 
Making Sausage Isn't Pretty, 65, 
Myths, 66, 
Absolutes, 67, 
He is Simply a Good Man, 68, 
He's a Soldier, 69, 
The Most and Best, 70, 
The Box, 71, 
Some Great Lines, 72, 
Things We Don't Want to Hear, 73, 
Being Self-Aware, 74, 
Despite the Neurosis and Eccentricity, 75, 
The Bucket List, 76, 
The Reason for the Season, 77, 
Diseases Some Can't Cure, 78, 
We Are What We Are, 79, 
What about Tomorrow, 80, 
Not Free From Repercussions, 81, 
His Own Language, 82, 
When it Calls, 83, 
Only in the Dictionary, 84, 
The Dash, 85, 
New Year's Resolutions, 86, 
Gym Etiquette, 87, 
Your Moment to Shine, 88, 
That Guy, 89, 
Choices have Consequences, 90, 
There is No Rule Book, 91, 
Drive, 92, 
Don't Shun the Journey, 93, 
A Promise to Deliver, 94, 
Old Glory, 95, 
Winning, 96, 
Courage, 97, 
Sometimes it's All You Got, 98, 
You'll Never Be the Man, 99, 
We're All Expendable, 100, 
The Short List, 101, 
Class and Elegance, 102, 
What's the Difference?, 103, 
Chess, 104, 
Duty, 105, 
You Get What You Deserve, 106, 
What Were You Thinking, 107, 
Big Eddy, 108, 
Fortune Cookies You Never See, 109, 
The Airport, 110, 
When You Know You Have Girls, 111, 
It Should Start With You, 112, 
One-Up Guy, 113, 
You Reap What You Sow, 114, 
They Shouldn't Be an Option, 115, 
It's Counterintuitive, 116, 
Reality TV, 117, 
Your Compass, 118, 
Feel Free To ..., 119, 
It Does Not Lie, 120, 
What Are You, 121, 
The 26 Degrees of Johnny Utah, 122, 
Because it's The Right Thing to Do, 123, 
It's Ironic, 124, 
Personal Finance Room 101, 125, 
"Life" in the Movies, 126, 
Emotions are Based on Perspective, 127, 
Retirement, 128, 
T.E.A.M., 129, 
The Pension Dynamic, 130, 
Potential, 131, 
The Look, 132, 
Passion, 133, 
Tolerance, 134, 
Practice, 135, 
Mama Richetti, 136, 
Rules, 137, 
Imagine, 138, 
In the Eye of the Beholder, 139, 
Nowhere to Look but Up, 140, 
It's Still the Greatest Place on Earth, 141, 
The Negative Will Never Outweigh the Positive, 142, 
The Power of Self-Talk, 143, 
Character, 144, 
One, 145, 
Not Just any Leaf, 146, 
Trust, 147, 
It's a 50/50 Proposition, 148, 
Faith, 149, 
Passive Aggressive, 150, 
Dig Deep, 151, 
Zero Day PT, 152, 

CHAPTER 1

    I Didn't Write the Memo I Just Read It

    I didn't write the memo I just read it
    I figured out the rules and norms of my environment
    I figured out the majority of human dynamics
    I am not the smartest guy around; I just pay attention better than most
    More people need to read the memo, study it, learn it, memorize it
    The memo is a metaphor for life's observations
    The memo tells us the rules, the expectations, the lay of the land
    And how things are supposed to be
    I try not to say "I told you so"
    But so much is in the memo ... just read it
    I didn't write the memo I just read it
    Not much happens completely new
    Just pay attention
    Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me
    John Wayne said life is tough if you're stupid
    Rocket science and molecular biology do not affect most people
    But being aware of life's interworkings is critical
    Most of what we need to know
    To survive or even be successful is already known
    Pay attention
    Be observant of your surroundings
    Understand your environment's norms
    Learn from others' mistakes
    Just read the memo


    Veteran's Day Parade

    Everyone loves a Veteran's Day Parade
    What's not to love
    America's finest honoring and being honored
    Plus the thousands participating in the parade
    They are Vets and/or love Vets
    So many want to see the Active Duty Soldiers in formation
    The Soldiers were there two and half hours early before it started
    They were the very first to arrive
    Who knows how early they had to link up on base
    Hundreds of them
    All voluntold to be there ... it was their turn
    Most would admit giving up half a Saturday was not their first choice
    But all would admit the honor of having participated
    They loiter in small groups as all Soldiers do
    Telling lies and truths of the Friday night just passed
    Nonstop small talk and camaraderie
    Partaking in the Red Cross' free coffee and donuts
    Parade organizers getting all participants in their correct spots
    Making sure everyone knows when it's their turn to start
    We're getting close; there is a discernible buzz
    The Senior Enlisted form them up ... it's a sight to see
    The banter ends as quickly as it started
    Hundreds of Soldiers, rank after rank, perfectly aligned
    The colors start moving out
    The sign the formation is about to move
    They march in perfect precision, the cadence loud and proud
    Each step in unison; heard as one large thud with each step
    The spectators stand, clap, cheer, salute
    These are some of America's finest
    Families of the Soldiers and strangers alike are full of pride
    Forgotten is the banter from minutes earlier
    Each Soldier in a zone, knowing his/her role ... to represent
    Old timers in their uniforms, hats, and patches acknowledge the formation
    With their symbols of brotherhood some salute, some tear up, all share in the moment
    There are thousands of participants but so many came to see the Soldiers
    Bands, Floats, Veteran organizations, First Responders, tons of participants
    But it's the Soldiers so many came to see
    They were voluntold to be there but they too are proud and march a little taller
    Throughout the whole parade, so much praise and honor is echoed
    But the Soldiers ... eyes straight ahead ... staying aligned ... staying in lockstep
    The cheers are deafening ... this is America ... these are our Veterans
    The formation is coming to the end of the parade route
    Thousands of other participants behind them along the same route
    Everyone loves a Veteran's Day Parade
    "Thank you" to our Veterans ... they make America what we are
    Have you thanked a Veteran today?


    Let's Be Honest

    People always say they want honesty
    I also say the same thing ... give it to me straight
    Do they really want honesty ... do they really
    When an athlete says "it IS about the money"
    So many freak out and claim selfishness and greed
    When a politician heckles a heckler
    So many get upset because he's not presidential or is being childish
    When a teacher tells a parent their kid is a disruption in class
    The parent loses their mind instead of taking responsibility
    The leader tells America our fiscal house is an absolute mess
    Then some, including special interests yell "scare tactics"
    A politician eats some well-deserved criticism
    Then claims racism, sexism, elitism, or some other -ism
    Do we really want honesty
    Let's be honest
    Most people want honesty when it's what they like or expect
    Most people don't want honest information they want affirmation
    Let's be honest


    Catch People Doing Things Right

    Catch people doing things right
    And tell them you appreciate it
    Reinforce positive behavior
    And correct negative behavior
    To catch them you have to be around
    You have to be in your folk's work areas
    People like positive feedback
    When they know they'll be acknowledged
    Then they'll be more apt to do what's right
    People hate when everyone is treated the same
    The good people especially hate when their deeds go unrewarded
    The bad ones like environments where they won't be held accountable

    Catch people doing things right
    Let people know you see them doing what you appreciate
    Let others know when they aren't measuring up
    Performance improves when people have expectations
    Let folks know they'll be rewarded for doing things right
    Let folks know they won't be rewarded for not doing things right
    A word of praise, a pat on the back, or showing appreciation
    A smile, a moment of your time, or buying lunch
    Verbal sunshine, a high five, or a fist bump
    All these are what you do to reinforce what you want
    It seems like magic for something so simple
    Catch people doing things right and people and your organization will be better


    I Pray Everyday

    I pray everyday
    I thank Him for my salvation
    I pray everyday
    I ask Him to take care of our nation

    I pray everyday
    I hope the best for my girls
    I pray everyday
    I hope they glorify Him

    I pray everyday
    I thank Him for the blessings I receive
    I pray everyday
    I ask for mercy for those that grieve

    I pray everyday
    I ask to be the best husband to my wife
    I pray everyday
    I hope I've measured up during this life

    I pray everyday
    I ask that He look over our military
    I pray everyday
    I ask that He take care of their families

    I pray everyday
    I thank Him for what we've won
    I pray everyday
    I thank Him for His Son


    Resilience

    It's not a "nice to have," it's a "gotta have"
    Mentally tough
    Mental, physical, emotional and behavioral balance
    Able to bounce back
    Feels good about her/himself
    Able to deal with adversity
    Dismisses things beyond his/her control
    Has a circle of loving confidants
    Comfortable in her/his own skin
    Has Rhino skin
    Adaptable to change
    Able to cope with chaos
    Learn and grow from setbacks
    Recover from regressions
    Can find an inner peace
    We all go through challenges
    Some small, some life-and-death, some unimaginable
    Being resilient enables us to get through them


    Proud To Be an American
v     Thanking our Veterans; not just on Veteran's Day
    Singing our National Anthem before every sporting event
    Proud to be an American

    Praying to God wherever and whenever we want
    Saluting our flag
    Proud to be an American

    Honoring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice
    Swearing an oath on the Bible
    Proud to be an American

    The Super Bowl
    The Indy 500
    Proud to be an American

    Disney World
    The Grand Canyon
    Proud to be an American

    The All-Volunteer Force
    The Pledge of Allegiance
    Proud to be an American

    Patriotic movies and music
    Able to pursue our dreams
    Proud to be an American

    Celebrating Independence Day
    The strength of the human spirit
    Proud to be an American


    Impossible Questions

    Why don't we know the exact time rain stops?
    Why?
    Why is the ocean blue?
    Do people actually win Publisher's Clearing House?
    How much can you bench?
    Are you serious?
    Really?
    Why do we want to sleep after eating turkey?
    What the ...?
    Do Polar Bears ever get cold?
    Does this make me look fat?
    Why does it shrivel up in cold water?
    Why do they call it a pair of pants?


    Be Yourself

    We're always told to "be yourself"
    Being myself doesn't always work for the world
    It definitely doesn't work always for the bank
    I wish I could be myself at all times
    It doesn't even work with the one it should
    But those few moments when I'm myself are good times
    Being myself is the best of times
    Myself gets things done and is successful
    But it comes at a price
    The price has caused me some trouble
    The trouble although arduous has never been insurmountable
    One of these days it might be
    I try to be myself as much as I can
    We all do
    But when you are responsible for people
    Being myself doesn't always work
    But being myself gets things done and is successful
    And that has gotten me by
    We lean on what has made us successful
    And being myself gets things done and is successful
    Is there a role where I can truly be myself
    At all times
    Maybe
    Maybe being myself has this natural give and take
    Maybe it's an actual dichotomy
    Is being myself what I'm actually looking for
    Or have I already found him
    Maybe

(Continues...)

Excerpted from I Didn't Write the Memo I Just Read It by Vinnie Venturella. Copyright © 2015 Vinnie Venturella. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Edition details

• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1504953053
• ISBN 13: 9781504953054
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 170