I was watching television the other day and there was one more story plastered across the screen about a business caught in the throws of an ethical dilemma. It got me thinking about the difficulty some people are having in this country when it comes to "doing the right thing." The dilemma they were discussing on this show about businesses was similar to the dilemma they are having in some athletic programs we hear about (See my last blog below on the Duke LaCrosse incident.) The “dilemmas” come down to the people and the individual “poor choices” they are making that affect the others around them.

I don't know about you but the accusations of rape and the arrests of two Duke University Lacrosse players on first-degree rape, sexual offense and kidnapping charges makes my stomach ache for several reasons.

I remember when I grew up, Spring break was a short few days where you went out and played, hung out with friends or just caught up on some great sleep time. Compare those "Opie" days with now and you would think you were shot to a different planet. Well guess what, you have been!

I was reading the comments made by Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy...and I was totally blown away! As many of you know Tony Dungy's 18-year old son recently committed suicide. Upon reading this article - I was totally in awe of this man's ability to keep his composure and deliver such a strong and compelling message to those in attendance at his son's funeral. Those who are not moved by his words and are unable to reflect seriously on his message are made of brick! Here's the amazing highlights from the AP story as I read it:

The rules committee of the California Interscholastic Federation's L.A. City Section handed down a lifetime coaching ban to an assistant football coach at San Pedro High School who was caught cheating on videotape during an October game. The punishment was recommended by the school's principal, Diana Gelb. The coach, as you know, was caught on videotape moving a first-down marker during a crucial fourth quarter play. The rules committee agreed that a lifetime ban was the proper punishment.

Continuing with the story of the San Pedro high school assistant coach that was caught on tape cheating. The head coach's response: "Everyone makes mistakes". Let's see how many other character lessons we can spotlight in this little gem:

I wanted to let you know about a great book that is being offered with a special promotion. Jim Canterucci is the author of a book called "Personal Brilliance", and for one day only (Tuesday, December 6th), he'll extend incredible bonus merchandize to you when you purchase "Personal Brilliance" . One of the promotional offers is a short e-booklet from yours truly, entitled "Strategies For Saving Your Sanity".

Paul Bryan, a 20-year veteran of coaching and the assistant football coach for San Pedro High School made a poor choice! In his school’s playoff game against Gardena High School. His team was leading 7-6 with 7:19 left in the game. They decided not to kick on a fourth down from their 44-yard line.

Since this is the time of the year when we give thanks for all the things in our life, I want you to step back and really think about what you are thankful for?

“The world is filled with a boatload of jerks!” This is one of the themes I teach audiences around the country. Now, I know some of you reading this are thinking that this is not the politically correct thing to say. I also know that some of you work with elementary kids and immediately think, "No, you be nice to me, I’ll be nice to you". I say to you, grow up, step back and rethink with me! The "jerks" theme is a theme that I needed to learn years ago in order to save my own sanity, and help others save theirs. There are a boatload of people who are just downright mean, nasty, disgusting and despicable. You know who they are!

With the passing of Rosa Parks I am reminded of what courage it must have taken for her to do what she did so many years ago. Compared to her, I’m a whimp when it comes to standing up for doing the right thing. I’ll admit it, I see or hear something that I know is not right and I still debate with myself as to whether or not I should say or do anything. And I’m the guy teaching good character! But never forget: Ethics is easier said than done.

Have you been following the Uniondale , NY principal who cancelled prom? My new found hero is Brother Kenneth Hoagland, the principal of the Catholic Kellenberg High School . He made the decision to cancel prom based on a pattern that was getting WAAAY of out of control. Some parents were actively participating in illegal activity by supplying the means for kids to hold "all night celebrations" including alcohol, sex, and other outrageous behavior.

I recently did a keynote speech at a youth conference in New Jersey on the importance of taking charge of your life, making good choices, and the importance of good character.   After the keynote speech, they asked me to hold discussion groups, separated by gender.  My task was to address a burning question for many teens of “Why Wait To Have Sex?”  I didn’t even need to set the stage, the teens jumped right into the question right from the get-go.

General Russel Honore became a recognizable figure to all Americans the day he took over relief efforts on the Gulf Coast. By any measure, this is a huge task with little time for excuses, or political correctness. In a recent press conference, Honore told a reporter “You are stuck on stupid, I’m not going to answer that question,” I thought I would wet my pants! I love it! Finally someone who tells it like it is. Finally someone who says what we've all been thinking.

"I NEED HELP!" That was the subject line of a recent email I received from a frustrated, emotionally-drained mother. In her message she explained how, over the years, she'd done EVERYTHING for her 19-year old daughter... including paying for her tuition, books, car, gas, insurance, food, clothes, and rent-free living at home. What the mother has received in return is a 19-year old, name-calling, disrespectful daughter who is failing college!

Hurricane Katrina is the most widespread natural disaster in American history.  It is sure bringing out the depth of our shared human experiences.  When I first heard about Katrina, it was a category one storm.  It changed to a category five so quickly that many of us didn't have much time to give serious thought to the fact that the meteorologists kept upgrading the category of the storm and the potential for the damage. However, in the aftermath, we have all observed what hit the Gulf Coast was devastating in so many ways.  We will experience the effects of Katrina for a long time to come.  

What's wrong with this picture? High School athletes and their parents sign an athletic code of conduct making a commitment that the athletes will make the right choices both in season and out of season, both in the classroom and out of the classroom and both on the bench and off the bench. The code is primarily related to the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, but also speaks to the issue of expecting good sportsmanship, ethics, integrity and associated behaviors of athletes.

Do you have at least one problem, stress, or frustration every day? Some of these may be small like breaking a shoelace; others might be devastating, like losing a job. It's important to understand that the only people without stress are dead! Everybody has some degree of stress in their life ranging like shirt sizes from small to extra large. What we are all looking for is a strategy to manage stress and the daily problems of living and not allow them to manage us. A strategy that teaches us how to make frustration our friend is what we all want. All of us want to feel as good as we can everyday.