Show Me The Money! #NFL #PGA #Charity

Much like "Jerry Maguire," I've been pushed to the point of raising my voice. I'm trying to figure out how to get the NFL to "show me the money!" We all know they have it. The most recent estimates for 2016 state they brought in a whopping $13 billion... with a B. Yet, we cannot pin down how much they're giving to charity, or where it's going. They throw around big words and pretty pictures, but very little substance. I found some statistics for 2016, on nflfoundation.org, but was left with more questions. For example, the NFL states they have donated/contributed $368 million (since 1973), built 482 fields (since 1998) and set up 150 grants over a 3 year period ($35k for four pilot states/facilities). They give no mention of where it goes, or what the percentage is. All they do is tout some number, which I'm sad to say is pretty weak.

In comparison, the PGA Tour donated $166 million in 2016 alone ($2 billion total income for 2016 - 77% less than the NFL). On top of that, the tour just surpassed $2.5 billion donated for their lifetime. After reviewing the facts, I'm a little disappointed in the NFL. For a league that has the pulse of the nation, they do very little to keep us breathing. If we were to ask young people who their role models are, they would undoubtedly say athletes or entertainers. The great majority of those are NFL players, which begs the question, "What should they do?" One thing they should do, is have a bigger footprint on society. Their "Play 60" program is a nice PR move, but it should be "Make 60k," which would center around preparing our youth to be productive citizens. The NFL has a unique opportunity to change the course of history, but for whatever reason, they seem content with being a cash cow. Now, to be fair, the NFL has never asked my opinion, nor have I offered it - until now! It's time for them to stand up and be counted as the role models they are and take this opportunity to positively impact society. The size and scope of their institution, makes them both financially and socially fit to take on this task. Hence me opening my mouth to ask.

Being the naive side seat driver that I am, I have to believe the NFL is looking for any way possible to quell the negative press they have received over the past couple years. Making a conscious effort to help the youth of our country, without being told, would go a long way. On top of that, it's an inexpensive way to change the narrative. Every team should be sending players to juvenile detention centers, child advocacy groups and at-risk youth entities on a weekly basis. This should occur during and after each season. I'll tell you point blank, if the NFL put its full weight behind a program like this, they would change the course of American history. Not a bad goal to have and even better when you can actually do it. The NFL can and should, which would lead to them being the reason America came together.

Todd Coleman
SenseUncommonLLC.blogspot.com

“America’s Soul… If found, please return to the below address.”

“America’s Soul… If found, please return to the below address.”

I went to the gas station this morning for a couple gallons and politely asked the attendant for… “$10 on pump 5, please.”  She immediately smiled and replied with… “You’re the first person that has said please in a week!”  How is that possible?  Am I that removed from reality to understand that people no longer say “Please” and “Thank you?”  Am I the last living relic, from days gone by, that actually appreciates the assistance of others?  If that in fact is the case, we have reached critical mass.  In order to find the answer, I have to look within myself.  What are my objectives throughout an average day?  How many interactions do I have with the service industry?  What is my mindset when I enter these establishments?  And finally, does anything distract me during said interactions?  Sounds easy right?  Well, not so much.  Heck, I have a hard time figuring out where I am at a given time, let alone how I react in each situation…

The first question is simple enough.  “What are my objectives throughout an average day?”  Just to get through it!  Sprinkle in a little of this and a little of that and viola, it’s 5pm and I’m heading home.  In all seriousness, it consists of meetings (face to face & virtual), travel to and from, lunch (which normally includes whatever I threw in the cooler and can choke down in as little time as possible), quiet time to write and putting out whatever fire sparked during the day.

“How many interactions do I have with the service industry?”  This can vary, but sufficed to say, 100+.  You see, I do not differentiate between industries.  I include every person I see at the gas station, people I park next to, individuals I pass entering buildings, neighbors in their yards, homeless individuals, elderly folks trying to get their groceries in the car and with whomever else I may come in contact.  All interactions are important to me and I attempt to leave every person in a better position after our meeting, than before. 

“What is my mindset when I enter these establishments?”  Most of the time I am trying to get in and out as quickly as possible, which means I hit fast forward.  This escalated pace does not keep me from “stopping to smell the roses."  That means I am always on the lookout for someone in need.  That could mean an individual changing a tire, someone with their hands full trying to back out of a store, someone who just dropped a bag and spilled everything on the concrete, or someone who looks like they’re carrying the weight of the world.

Finally, “Does anything distract me during said interactions?”  Uhhhh, yeah!  Can you say Smart Phone?  Twitter updates, new posts on Instagram, e-mails, texts and phone calls.  The “Legalized Leash” yanks me back into place about every minute and for some reason I dig it.  This causes me to lose focus during everyday interactions and sometimes makes me miss the emergence of synchronicity.  For example; the other day I was in the car and a commercial came on talking about Tabasco sauce.  Just then I passed a street with the same name.  That has to mean something… Right?

To wrap all this up with a pretty little bow, I’ll show you the wisdom of positivity and patience.  Clearly we all lead hectic lives and have our own issues… But that shouldn’t stop us from lending a hand to someone in need, being courteous to a cashier, allowing someone to merge onto a busy highway, holding a door, or even donating time at the local soup kitchen.  I have lived the other way and am here to tell you that my days go much smoother now that I care about every person I meet.  Giving a smile and a pat on the back is a hell of a lot better than growling while laying on the horn.  We were born to work together, for each other.  No derision can be accepted.  Life is tough enough without adding negative vibes.  Be extraordinary today and positively impact everyone you meet!

Todd P Coleman © 

@SenseUncommonLLC.blogspot.com

See my below poem and pic…

Turn the Page

A new year births new hope

The ability to cope and a chance to prosper

Hold your head high and try to change

Rearrange and bend to avoid the norm

“Weather the storm” and take a chance

“Live the dream” and scream from the rooftop

Don’t stop until you’ve succeeded

Positivity is needed

I’m positive it’s amazing

Blazing your own trail gives a sense of pride

It shifts the tide and rolls in your direction

Make the selection and face the grind

The end result is peace of mind

Todd P Coleman © 

@SenseUncommonLLC.blogspot.com

@theosu8 & @howproseisthat (Instagram)

@todd_coleman16 & @howproseisthat (Twitter)

Thurgood Marshall Poem, written for and read to Wil Haygood... "A Marshall for Equality"

The below poem was written for and read to Wil Haygood at his Thurgood Marshall book release event in Cincinnati, Ohio.  It was an honor being asked to create a piece on Justice Marshall and think I did a pretty good job. I hope you enjoy my verse!  Please peruse other works/books written by Wil Haygood (The Butler, Sammy Davis Jr, Thurgood Marshall, etc...). Originally posted on Instagram (@howproseisthat and @theosu8) and shared on Twitter (@todd_coleman16 and @howproseisthat).

Todd P Coleman ©

SenseUncommon

@senseuncommonllc.blogspot.com

Please Care... or not. It's up to you. Life is fragile, be extraordinary today!

I hope you enjoy my verse/poem and comments (below the pic).  Have a fabulous day!

Please Care!

Citizens in tatters. 

Every last one of them should matter. 

Forced to tread water in the open sea. 

Sink or swim... What will be will be. 

Not for me! 

I'll give hope and inspiration to every soul. 

To lift up their lives is the ultimate goal. 

Food or coin, no matter the need. 

Never lose sight of a positive deed. ©

Todd P Coleman

@howproseisthat (Instagram)

In this day and age, where everyone tries to be the best person they can be, some are falling through the cracks.  I am in no way saying that everyone should rush out and give money to the first homeless person they see.  I'm just asking you to be cognizant of the fact that people are struggling.  We all have our issues and problems and most of us are living paycheck to paycheck, but that should not stop us from being compassionate.  A kind word goes a long way and just acknowledging the problem will lead us closer to a solution.

There are a couple of options... You could donate your time at a soup kitchen or shelter.  You could go through your closet and give unused clothes to Vietnam Vets.  You could get a couple extra canned goods at the store and drop them off at your local Free Store Food-bank.  Heck, you could even make a sandwich and take it to someone in need.

"What's in it for me?"  The short answer is nothing...  However, you will feel a sense of pride and should get a huge smile on your face.  I realize that not everyone in life is a good person, but everyone deserves respect and dignity, until proven otherwise.  I challenge each of you to do one thing differently every day.  Whether that be holding a door for an elderly person, helping someone pick up stuff they dropped on the floor or as we've been talking about donating your time to those in need.  It's not rocket science, it's LIFE.  Be extraordinary today and positively impact everyone you meet!  Thank you.

Todd P Coleman

SenseUncommon

senseuncommllc.blogspot.com