This book was an interesting read. As I said, I recently read arguably the most in-depth book on Abraham Lincoln and sad to say, I was looking for more of the same from this book on Revere. If you do that, I will say this: you will be disappointed. This book reads more like a historical fiction, but it’s not. It’s a biography of his life and efforts for the Colonies. Needless to say, I did walk away with some amazing new knowledge of someone who was very important to Boston and the American Patriots.

Why You Should Read It:

• In school, all we are taught is that Paul Revere alerted his fellow Patriots that the British were coming. There is so much more to that story!
• Even though is name isn’t on the Declaration of Independence, he was very instrumental in the vents leading up to that event.
• Did you know Paul was a business owner his whole life? And a cartoonist? Those are just a few of the things you’ll learn.

What You Can Expect to Walk Away With:

• We all read about Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, but Revere is oftentimes left out. Why? He wasn’t from the “upper” class and thus was held back from higher service, both in the military and in the Mason Society. He’ll begin to feel his pain and his passion for the cause.
• You will definitely learn more about the events leading up to the Boston Massacre. What a crazy few years it was in Boston.
• Finally, while it only very briefly touches on the Revolution itself, you will see how hard it was in that period to not only live, but have the passion to fight the cause.

Paul is an American hero. I only wish we’d learn more about these men – and women – who played a role in making this country. This is a very basic book about Revere and I will admit, I am disappointed it wasn’t more like Team of Rivals, but in the end, I know more about Revere now than when I started and isn’t that what books are supposed to do?

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1. Book Review – My Brother’s Voice
2. Blink – Book Review
3. The Noticer – by Andy Andrews – Book Review

When I announced I was running for mayor of Mason City, Iowa, in November 2002 (just five months after graduating from high school), I knew I was going to win. Mason City was the ninth largest in the state at the time, with nearly 30,000 residents. But people in politics knew who I was and were excited for my candidacy.

I was leading the race headlines and in the early days of internet campaigning, the launch of my campaign site made the news. I released my economic plan via my website. Only 18 years old when I announced and 19 when the vote totals told me I was not the winner — I was heartbroken.

Weeks later I finally got out of bed, and reflected on what I learned.

1. Be willing to say, “I don’t know”

Nothing is worse in life than making an ass of yourself. During one of the debates of the campaign, the editorial board of our local paper asked about one of the local non-profits which was rumored to be in financial trouble. The question was about the taxpayers needing to potentially step in and save the organization. I responded as though I knew about the situation which while, I didn’t put my foot in my mouth, I said more than I should have. I could have saved face and just said, “I don’t know.”

2. Be prepared for any situation

Campaigns, just like life, can often bring crazy events and moments. In a campaign, those crazy unscripted moments can completely destroy a candidacy.

Mine wasn’t public but I received a phone call late on a Friday night. There was a guy on the other end of the line who wanted to voice his opinion on the issues. While this isn’t a problem, two things were. First, he didn’t even live in our community. Second, he talked to me for over two hours. I handled it very cordially, but next time, I will end the call much faster.

3. Plan, then spend every penny like your life depended on it

For my small local campaign, I raised just under $1,000. For an 18 year old, that was pretty good in my opinion. I ended the campaign with just under $70 in the bank.

While I was proud I managed the money, I should have planned before the launch of the campaign what our goals were and where and when the money would be spent.

It’s the same with life: when you have a vacation account, you get to take the vacation when you reach a certain savings level.

4. The race is long – very long

Just like most goals, it can take a long time to reach the destination. Even though this campaign was shorter than most, it was long. By the end, win or lose, I was ready for it to be over.

Pace yourself. Keep everything in front of you. Anything worth chasing in life will take time. Just like me wanting to run a marathon, it will take me longer than most people to train for it, but it will be worth it in the end.

5. Try something new

For the campaign it was me who was new. I was a young candidate with new ideas. I was fresh. Always come with fresh ideas, fresh attitudes and innovative ways to tackling a problem.

When you do, people listen. It’s not all about “change” it’s about vision and believing in yourself.

6. Do what has always worked

Aside from trying new tactics, it’s also about doing what has worked. One thing I didn’t do during the campaign was phone-bank. We didn’t make a single call. Part of the reason was financial. I had also never run a campaign and didn’t even know how to set one up. For us, we did yard signs, coffees and normal media pushes. It worked, but not enough to win.

7. Be willing to lose

I lost this campaign as a 19 year old. Going in, I thought I was going to win. I didn’t expect to go up against the people that ended up joining the race. By putting myself out there, I was willing to lose the race. But one thing I wasn’t willing to do was compromise my vision for the community. That is where understanding that you could lose is so powerful. When you understand losing happens, winning becomes easier.

8. Win!

At the end of the day, the goal of any campaign is to win. Win at all costs. Go to the mattresses! The votes didn’t give me the win (although I placed third among ten candidates). When I spoke to my supporters after the final totals were known, I said, “The votes don’t show that we won, but I believe we did. We got people to care. We got people to talk. We got people involved in the process and for that, we are all winners.” A bit idealistic, but true.

So I lost, so what, at least I ran. I’m a stronger person for it. When it comes to living a life of dreams, you have to take action. You have to be a candidate for your best life. You have to try new things and be dedicated and run a long, steady race. But no matter what you do, be willing to lose so that you can win.

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*Beginning in 2010, I started writing a bi-weekly column, “From Richard’s Oft Cluttered Desk” which appears every other Wednesday.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. – 1 Peter 4:8

Over the last year, over 1,800 committed couples took the ultimate step and declaration of love. They got married.

“But wait a second, Richard! How in the world did only 1,8-000 people get married in the last year?” you might be asking. Well, it’s because those 1,800 were gay and lesbian couples in my adopted state of Iowa. Last April 3, the state supreme court ruled, 7-0 I might add, that discrimination of marriage to men and women only was unconstitutional.

It was a beautiful day.

In November 2008, the same night (then Senator) Obama was elected, California approved Proposition 8, reversing the law allowing gay marriage in that state. I was angry. I was hurt. I was stunned that night.

A mere six months later, as I watched Twitter and Facebook to the news on the court decision, I was nervous. I was scared. I didn’t want to keep seeing love lose. On that day, it didn’t. Love and common sense law won out. Through all the losses before that day and those that have come since (see Maine), I have not cried. But I did on that day. Years of frustration and hurt and segregation came to an end.

It was an honor to say I was an Iowan again.

I know a few people who have either gotten married or are engaged and I couldn’t be more proud and excited for them. Love always wins.

As I wrote last year, “Today, the hope now exists in Des Moines, Iowa. In Cedar Falls, in Dennison, in Decorah, in Estherville, in Mason City, in Keokuk, and everywhere in between. In Iowa, under the law, all love is now equal.”

There are still legal battles to be fought and rights to maintain. But as the saying goes, “Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.”

There is a Christmas poem that I love. I look forward to it every year. It’s long so I won’t bore you with it here. But it ends, “[...] of all the gifts, love is the best.” It is. And love always wins.

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1. Let There Be Love…
2. Gratitude Week: Love
3. Give Love

Richard’s Thoughts…
I’m sure we’ve all heard this lesson, but what does it really mean? How can you incorporate it into your life? Well, for me, today marks a very special anniversary. On this day in 2003, seven years ago, I lost my campaign for mayor of Mason City, Iowa. I was disappointed. I was depressed. I had lost. I had poured my heart and soul into the four month campaign. And I lost.

But what also happened – the amazing thing – is that I also won. I found a new passion. I found that politics wasn’t the only place for me. I loved speaking with people and talking about living life full of dreams and passion. It did take a few years after that loss to begin chasing my dream, but the time was worth it.

The great thing about losing the campaign was that it taught me more about myself than winning ever could. Seriously – I ran for office! And I won the hearts and minds of over 600 people; most of whom I’d never met. I lost so I could find my way, my path. What is yours? You are where you are in life for a reason. What is it? Have you found it? The Time is Now.

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2. FOCUS: You’re Unique!
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The book’s title, Team of Rivals, says what the focus will be throughout the book. Once Lincoln was elected in the Election of 1860, Lincoln put every key rival of his into his administration. That’s the focus of the book.

The challenge for Goodwin was to remain focused on how all these differing personalities and political ambitions played out in the White House. In all honesty, this book could have been four separate works, but rolling all these stories into one gives, what I believe to be the most comprehensive look from inside the White House of this pivotal period in America’s history.

I have read Michael Shaara’s book, The Killer Angels, which is about the three days at Gettysburg. I have also read a few of Stephen Ambrose’s works, which I enjoy because not only does Ambrose discuss the historical nature of the battles, he talks about the personalities involved in making the history.

Whether is be true or not, I can say for one that I have no other [ambition] so great as that of being truly esteemed of my fellow men, by rendering myself worthy of their esteem. How far I shall succeed is gratifying this ambition, is yet to be developed.
-Abraham Lincoln

That is the only thing lacking in Goodwin’s book. She references various battles, some of which I have read about, some were new, but with little information on the war itself, it was hard to put both knowledge bases together. I enjoyed learning about the political side of the war, but somehow I need a way to connect the knowledge I have of the battles themselves to President Lincoln.

No matter what, for anyone interested in learning about this president and understanding why he was the most progressive president our nation has ever seen, this is the book for you. Lincoln’s name stands the test of time and this work by Goodwin shows why.

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1. The Revolutionary Paul Revere – Book Review
2. Blink – Book Review
3. Anything is Possible

Kiva is a fantastic non-profit organization you should consider joining. The program allows you to loan (at minimum) $25 to a entrepreneur anywhere in the world. The terms of the loan can be short (as little as six months) and as long as two years.

I’ve been a part of this community for most of 2009, and have given 11 loans in that time. You can check out who I’ve given to on my Lender Page.

I’m writing about this today because I received an e-mail update on one of my loans. Here is what it said:

This is an update on your loan to Abdul Razaq Mohammad Ayob in Afghanistan.

Abdul Razaq’s business is currently going on well. The loan that he received supported him so much. He could buy more wood and the other essential supplies of his business. Now he is able to design all kinds of wooden things and is happy that has attracted a new number of clients.

Finally, he would like to thank all the lenders specially Kiva.

Please consider it… the best part is that once your loan is repaid you are free to take the money back if you want, or re-loan it out. You can change the world!

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For some of you, it is a moment in time you will never forget. It’s one of those moments where you’ll remember where you were and who you were with. My first moment like that is the first Gulf War, Somalia and the O.J. Simpson Bronco chase.

On July 20 this year, I found this clip on YouTube of President Kennedy’s speech where he said we were going to go to the moon in this decade. “We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone [...]”

What would your speech sound like? What are you going to commit to doing because it is hard, but worth doing? Anything in life that you want, that is a dream, but is hard, is worth doing. I wish you luck on your journey!

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Today we live in a world where a billion people don’t get enough food to survive. That number will only go up without collective action.

Today we live in a world where the climate is changing. We must make a collective effort to change our treatment of our one planet.

Today we live in a world that sometimes seems to become less tolerant over time, instead of the other way around. Our worlds must soften to offer respect, hope and love.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The words Life, Liberty and Happiness are all capitalized. They are capitalized because they are a part of the human condition and can’t be taken away. Much as governments before this one and more to come have tried to take them away, Life, Liberty and Happiness are unalienable Rights. They are haves to survive.

Today as we celebrate the birth of freedom, recognize that we’ve come a long way and sacrificed much to get here. But what will the next year, the next five years, the next hundred years tell us about our torch? Did we grasp it and hold on tight to pass it on to the next generation of Freedom’s Children? Or did we squander this birth-right, this New World, that was created out of a simple statement: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”

Pledge today to carry the torch firmly and pass it on to future generations.

(photo courtesy of karmablue via Flickr)

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This photo is from the Iranian Presidential Election protest yesterday the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City. I was at a tennis event just across the street and it was amazing to hear the protest for over two hours and the car honking for their support. It was a small group, but historic nonetheless.

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(photo via tonythemisfit from flikr)

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