• Main Menu
    • Home Page
    • Secure Area
    • File a Claim
    • Make a Payment
    • Refer a Friend
    • Join our Newsletter
    • Important Links
    • Insurance Glossary
    • View our Blog
    • Location(s)
    • Employee Directory
    • Contact Us
    • Extra Page 1
    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
  • Automobile
    • Automobile Insurance Home
    • Auto Insurance Quote
    • Request ID Card for Auto Policy
    • Request Declaration and Coverages Page for Auto Policy
    • Send Declaration and Coverages Information to Lien Holder
    • Add Vehicle to Existing Auto Policy
    • Remove Vehicle from Existing Auto Policy
    • Add Driver to Existing Auto Policy
    • Remove Driver from Existing Auto Policy
    • Mechanical Breakdown
  • Homeowners
    • Homeowners Insurance Home
    • Homeowners Insurance Quote
    • Request Declaration and Coverages for Existing Homeowners Insurance Coverage
  • Renters
    • Renters Insurance Home
    • Renters Insurance Quote
    • Request Declaration and Coverages Page for Existing Renters Insurance Coverage
  • Motorcycle
    • Motorcycle Insurance Home
    • Motorcycle Insurance Quote
    • Request ID Card for Motorcycle Policy
    • Request Declaration and Coverages Page for Motorcycle Policy
    • Add Motorcycle to Existing Policy
    • Remove Motorcycle from Existing Policy
    • Add Driver to Existing Motorcycle Policy
    • Remove Driver from Existing Motorcycle Policy
  • Business & Commercial
    • Business & Commercial Insurance Home
    • Commercial Auto Insurance Quote
    • Request ID Card for Commercial Auto Policy
    • Request Declaration and Coverages Page for Commercial Auto Policy
    • Add Vehicle to Existing Commercial Auto Policy
    • Remove Vehicle from Existing Commercial Auto Policy
    • Add Driver to Existing Commercial Auto Policy
    • Remove Driver from Existing Commercial Auto Policy
    • General Liability Quote Form
    • Business Owners (BOP) Quote Form
    • Workers Compensation Quote
  • Health
    • Health Insurance Home
    • Health Insurance Quote
    • Disability Insurance Quote
    • Long Term Care Insurance Quote
  • Recreational Vehicle
    • Recreational Vehicle Insurance Home
    • Recreational Vehicle Insurance Quote
    • Request ID Card for Recreational Vehicle Policy
    • Request Declaration and Coverages Page for Recreational Vehicle Policy
    • Add Recreational Vehicle to Existing Policy
    • Remove Recreational Vehicle from Existing Policy
    • Add Driver to Existing Recreational Vehicle Policy
    • Remove Driver from Existing Recreational Vehicle Policy
  • Life
    • Life Insurance Home
    • Life Insurance Quote
    • Term Life Insurance Quote
  • Earthquake
    • Earthquake Insurance Home
    • Earthquake Quote
    • Request Declaration and Coverages Page for Existing Earthquake Insurance
  • Locations
  • Video Library
    • Auto Insurance Videos
    • Homeowner's Insurance Videos
    • Mercury Insurance Videos
Auto Homeowners Umbrella Earthquake Commercial
Home > Blog > Monday Motivation with John O'Leary: BRIDGE BUILDER
MONDAY, JULY 31, 2017

Monday Motivation with John O'Leary: BRIDGE BUILDER

“What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remainsbridge builder
and is immortal.” – Albert Pike 

Each year I have the honor of speaking at my favorite nonprofit in Missouri, the FOCUS Marines Foundation. They serve men and women who enlisted for their country, fought oversees, came home, but continue to battle PTSD, survivors’ guilt, depression and physical injuries.

FOCUS gathers marines together for eight days on a beautiful ranch to connect with others and learn skills to grow physically, emotionally, professionally and relationally in order to begin living again.

One of their founders is named Walt Suhre. Walt enlisted with the Marines over six decades ago. He served his time, then graduated law school, worked hard for years and retired. His life has been an example of how the motto shared by marines, Semper Fi (Always Faithful) isn’t just a phrase echoed while in active duty, but one exemplified through the remainder of their lives.

Rather than simply retire and strive to improve his golf scores, Walt has continued to volunteer, impact and encourage. Even as he advances in his twilight years, he tirelessly and enthusiastically serves others less fortunate than himself.

I asked Walt why he remains so generous with his time, talent and treasure. With the ever-present grin he wears, he replied that others had helped him, it’s fun to help others, and there remains a mighty need.

I learned recently that Walt’s time as executive director for FOCUS is coming to an end. He’ll be shifting duties to another leader, and remain in supportive roles within the group. To celebrate this wonderful man and friend, I’d like to share one of my favorite poems.

It’s titled The Bridge Builder and was written by Will Allen Dromgoole. It reminds us that we can all still make a difference, there is still a mighty need, and the time has never been greater to knock down walls that separate and build bridges that unite.

 

An old man going a lone highway,
Came, at the evening cold and gray,
To a chasm vast and deep and wide.
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.

The old man crossed in the twilight dim,
The sullen stream had no fear for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side
And built a bridge to span the tide.

“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near,
“You are wasting your strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day,
You never again will pass this way;
You’ve crossed the chasm, deep and wide,
Why build this bridge at evening tide?”

The builder lifted his old gray head;
“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,
“There followed after me today,
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been as naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him!”

My friends, we’ve all had others build bridges for us with great love: parents, guardians, siblings, teachers, rabbis, bosses, friends, children and strangers.

Today, pause and give thanks to those who came, risked, built and invested in us. We certainly could not have “crossed the chasm vast and deep and wide” without them.

And today, let’s remember there are many more following that may struggle crossing. Let’s serve like Walt and seek opportunities to build bridges for them, too.

This is your day. Live Inspired.

What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal. Walt has been a model of this in my life. Who has been a model in yours?

 

This article was originally published on #1 National Bestselling Author of ON FIRE and Inspirational Speaker John O’Leary’s Monday Motivation blog. John inspires the R.L. Thomas Service, Inc. and we’re honored to share his inspiration with you! Get his Monday Motivation in your inbox here and enjoy his daily inspiration on Facebook, Twitter & YouTube.

 

You can see all of John’s Monday Motivation posts here: http://johnolearyinspires.com/tag/blog/


Posted 11:00 AM

Tags: monday motivation with john o'leary: bridge builder
Share |


No Comments


Post a Comment
Required
Required (Not Displayed)
Required


All comments are moderated and stripped of HTML.

NOTICE: This blog and website are made available by the publisher for educational and informational purposes only. It is not be used as a substitute for competent insurance, legal, or tax advice from a licensed professional in your state. By using this blog site you understand that there is no broker client relationship between you and the blog and website publisher.
Blog Archive
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2010

  • 5 tips to protect your possessions with valuable items insurance coverage(3)
  • spring driving tips(3)
  • john o'leary monday motivation: would you do it again?(2)
  • preventing slips and falls in your home(2)
  • crime spikes on halloween: fictional ghost story or factual concern?(2)
  • 3 easy ways to get rid of fruit flies(2)
  • why 2 experts say you should clean your medicine cabinet — and their 5 key tips(2)
  • john o'leary monday motivation: what do you see?(2)
  • help keep your teens safe behind the wheel(2)
  • 10 best places to get a deal on glasses(2)
  • motivational monday(2)
  • things burglars look for before breaking into a home (and what keeps them away)(2)
  • grilling safety tips(2)
  • ez-prep (severe weather: emergency preparedness and response planning)(1)
  • false facts you believe about money(1)
  • motivational monday with john o'leary: how heroes are made(1)
  • home safety tips(1)
  • john o'leary monday motivation: leave it all behind(1)
  • the flu is a bad souvenir. here’s how a pilot stays healthy while flying(1)
  • are you protecting your family from harmful uv rays?(1)
  • why you might want to wrap your car key fob in foil(1)
  • 10 smartphone camera features that make you feel like a professional photographer(1)
  • life insurance misconceptions(1)
  • should you pay off your mortgage?(1)
  • 19 discounts seniors didn’t know they could get(1)
  • 10 simple & sustainable tips for a healthier you in 2019(1)
  • confessions of a car salesman(1)
  • 6 simple spring car care tips(1)
  • car cleaning tricks that your body shop won’t tell you about(1)
  • drinking coffee won't improve your metabolism — here's what actually works(1)
  • ridiculously simple and free ways to live a more sustainable lifestyle(1)
  • financial book clubs make learning about money more social(1)
  • 6 ways to secure your home when you're away(1)
  • monday motivation with john o’leary: a small act of caring(1)
  • family fire safety tips(1)
  • 9 healthy holiday-eating strategies(1)
  • monday motivation with john o'leary: will you see it?(1)
  • how times of trouble remind us to be grateful “if the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you(1)
  • tips to keep your house plants happy and healthy(1)
  • small money moves to change your financial future(1)
  • john o’leary motivation: it’s not about you(1)
  • always bloated(1)
  • 15 times you should definitely be washing your hands and aren’t(1)
  • john o'leary monday motivation: redefining perfect(1)
  • john o'leary monday motivation: slow down and enjoy life(1)
  • john o'leary monday motivation: where do i belong(1)
  • what to do when you're hacked(1)
  • 20 ways to save money(1)
  • focus on safety all year long(1)
  • power outages(1)

View Mobile Version
QUICK LINKS

Home
About
Get a Quote
Contact

Refer a Friend Leave A Review
                          R.L. Thomas Insurance Service, Inc.

                              21021Ventura Blvd., Suite 215                         
                              Woodland Hills, CA  91364                    
                              Phone: (818) 380-1700                            
                              Fax: (818) 906-0667                                
             

                               License#: 0601754
Powered by Insurance Website Builder