It’s been a while since I’ve published one of my discursive posts. “Discursive” sounds far more complimentary than “rambling” to describe this blog. Plus, if you are a regular visitor to this space, I hope you find that I do indeed proceed “coherently” from topic to topic. If you find yourself yearning to be further entertained by “Random Somersaults,” please note the new look to the archive page. Since the topics are rarely time sensitive, the archive is there for you to scroll through and click on a post that may sound interesting. RANDOM SOMERSAULT: Gratification is achieved when I receive engagement from readers whether commenting on how they liked a post, correcting a typo, or sharing the blog on their social media. However, the biggest satisfaction comes when someone sends me an interesting nugget for possible inclusion in an upcoming post. Such was the case with this gem. DYK? Acronyms are things that you can pronounce like a word, like POTUS, NASA, [and] PETA. Initialisms include things like CIA, DEA, [and] ASPCA. That’s all I needed to roll through some information to find out more. It's oll korrect if you want to join me and continue down this rabbit hole. Scroll through this link to find out more about the difference between an acronym and initialism. BTW, the use of “ok” debuted in the Boston Morning Post on March 23, 1839. The term “oll korrect” was a humorous reference to the common use of “all correct” in the newspaper industry at the time. Dive deep into this article and you’ll learn that the true origin of “ok” was not confirmed until the 1960s when an American linguist traced it to the newspaper in the 1800s. Onward. This is a beautiful time of year. As a native New Yorker, allow this shoutout to the Instagram account NewYorkUpdate that captures the natural beauty of the Empire State. This recent post features Letchworth State Park, a spectacular park located not too far from where I grew up, that is nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of the East.” Aside from the fall colors, it is also the season of conflict. Sports and politics – two topics of which I care deeply – are in full swing. Apart from the obvious nature of the intense competition in pro sports, rarely does a day pass without some type of controversy related to the games played. I purposely avoid much discussion of politics in my blog so I won’t expand on the constant dissension in the political arena especially during election time! RANDOM SOMERSAULT: While this is the one time of year when the four major sports leagues (initialisms: NFL, NHL, NBA and MLB) are in action at the same time, it is a rare occurrence that they all compete on the same day. The “sports equinox” that happened on October 20, 2022 marks just the 27th time that the four major leagues played games on the same day. Furthermore, there will be a record four “sports equinoxes” this year which is a far cry from the 16-year span from 1985 to 2001 when there were no such instances. Sports and politics have the unusual ability to evoke emotion, far too often in a negative way. This is because of how we passionately identify with teams, politicians and issues that are important to us. Merriam-Webster provides numerous meanings for the word, “community.” But, it is far more than a word. It is a powerful concept. As humans, we crave that sense of belonging that comes with being part of a larger group in which we have much in common. While we seek the comfort found in connecting through shared interests, it is not a case of surrounding yourself with like-minded people. In fact, the strongest communities are those consisting of a wide range of diversity. Look no further than the diversity and inclusion efforts initiated by so many companies today. A workplace is one community that demands a high level of energy and commitment from its members. The most successful and functional organizations are those with teams that blend different individual talents, viewpoints, and backgrounds. The same goes for those communities outside of work. As simplistic and idealistic as it seems, life is better when we focus on our commonalities rather than our differences. When doing so, it helps reduce the adverse impact of the “noise” we face daily. For me, most of my communities include a diverse group of people. This applies to my circles of professional colleagues, family, and friends. Unfortunately, because of the current state of our country, the topic of politics has become so toxic that is has created rifts in some of our communities. I know I am not alone in this thought. Sadly, civil discourse related to political issues has diminished as it is easier to simply avoid the topic in many cases. Yet, I remain mildly encouraged that I am still able, on occasion, to engage in intellectual, thoughtful, and polite discussions with friends and family “on the other side of the aisle.” Sports on the other hand tends to unite a wide range of people to form a community with an unwavering devotion to their favorite team. Aside from the live drama that unfolds in a game, it is this special bond, regardless of our differences, that engrains sports into the fabric of our culture. Case in point. One of my many “communities” revolves around sports. As someone who lives far from family and many close longtime friends, it provides me great joy to be able to connect regarding our affection for our Buffalo teams, the Bills and Sabres. A regular cadence of numerous text threads populate as we engage about our shared love. Another important community centers around my professional life. One of the motivating factors for me changing course in my career and resigning from my previous company after 30 years was the strong desire to help others. I seek clients that allow me to strengthen their communications processes. The result of improved communication impacts, if even in a small way, the lives of people. My skills and expertise can be utilized across industries which is why I devote a fair amount of time to networking and broadening my professional community. I have been energized by the number of people wanting to help others. This vibrant group shares inspiration, knowledge, leadership principles, and perspectives to enrich individuals that, in turn, enhances the overall community. A perfect example is a weekly Twitter chat hosted by Michelle Garrett (@PRisUs). The #FreelanceChat attracts fellow freelancers and consultants to this forum where we can learn from one another. A special shoutout to LinkedIn, a wonderful resource, which I now utilize daily to aid in this process. In fact, it led me to meeting a fascinating person and innovative CMO, Scott Hess who recently dropped the word “discursive” into his post. The word caught my attention, so I thought I’d steal it, if I may, to lead off this blog. This community features so many messages and content that provide encouragement through thoughtful words of wisdom. A few Mondays ago, my week started with one such LinkedIn post by Alex Dudley: It is far easier to stay positive, especially in these trying times, when you belong to a welcoming community.
Every day I’m grateful for the community in which I live. I gain great comfort on my daily walks through the neighborhood made only richer when stumbling across a message like this I found on a streetlight.
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WHY "RANDOM SOMERSAULTS?""Random Somersaults"
features storytelling based on themes spurred by personal and professional experiences and thoughts that represent a broad range of topics with a few random, yet relevant, detours. It is a terrific way to get to know Pete Fierle as you gain insight into how he processes information through this less formal and creative style of writing. The blog has been described as “fun and informative” and “what fun to meander through ideas and streams of consciousness.” AuthorPete Fierle has a love for all mediums but a special affinity for the written word (that flows from a keyboard or fountain pen) as a powerful platform for storytelling. ARCHIVEBe sure to check out the archives and roll through past posts for a variety of topics and stories.
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