Positive Alternatives

In this episode we interview Andre Morgan, a Chicagoland Youth Sports legend. His legacy is foretold by his lineage of both grandparents and parents who showed him the right way to succeed is to trust your own ability to succeed. He truly lives the live of a Positive Alternative. Settle in for a great conversation.

On a recent trip to Denver I spent some time checking out the legal weed trade. Was the scene as scary as I had been told in all of my meetings? It was not long after driving on the residential streets of the Uptown area that the skunky smell of marijuana wafted my way. I share some old guy observations here. And Yes, I did enter one of the many stores and snooped around. I was fortunate the "budtender" was so forthcoming.

It's probably the better choice to respect the court by respecting yourself first. The young man came before the judge freely expressing his opinion by displaying a derogatory comment on his t-shirt. The Judge is in charge of the courtroom and today the young man found out why respect is the better road to take.

Positive Alternative 5 Minute Thoughts - Change things up, go on vacation, center your thoughts, focus on the now. Whatever works for you to re-energize and get back at it. The world needs you at your best and your are just the person this world needs today and everyday.

Before I head out for a short vacation, I want to send out my annual comments about HS Seniors heading off to College. Life changes dramatically as the freedoms a young adult enjoys can to quickly become overwhelming. Parents have set the family expectations but time and distance can sometimes blur the message.

Positive Alternatives 5 Minute Thoughts - Enjoy the Life you deserve to love. Don't wait for it to find you...Go Get It. A passionate approach to living a great life is a true Positive Alternative.

From great pain can come great love. In this episode we see how a mom who lost her beloved son to a drunk boater, reached out to a mom who lost the use of her legs to a drunk driver. It's a lesson that gives hope and teaches one and all that love is the best medicine.   Turn Tragedy Into Support

Positive Alternatives 5 Minute Thoughts - What you say in response to a perceived slight tells more about you than in does about the other person. In this world of texting, be the cooler head.

It's the time of year when I try to arrange school talks. The demand on schools time makes it hard for people like me to get some time in their schedule to talk to the teens about making good choices when it comes to alcohol and drugs. To be able to impact even one young mind to make better choices before a problem occurs makes the talk worth every valuable minute.

Positive Alternatives 5 Minute Thoughts - In this episode I talk with my good friend Rita Kreslin as we promote the 17th Annual Bikers Take AAIM fundraiser coming August 25th. It should be a great day and it's for a great cause. 2019 Bikers Take AAIM

Jennifer Cifaldi, Illinois Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor, has worked long and hard to keep impaired drivers from endangering our families. With the recent legalization of marijuana in Illinois, Jen is working hard to make sure our officers are prepared to properly identify drug impaired drivers. With all of the drugs available, it's a real challenge to know what's what out there.

Positive Alternatives 5 Minute Thoughts - The Homeowners Association where I live ordered the basketball hoop to come down so down it came. What also came down is the kids outside playing and the energy in our neighborhood that their activity brought. We have been lessened by that short sighted decision. I also discuss the mixed messages from the marijuana crowd. Which way doth the wind blow today?

In this episode I share some of the actual comments I recorded from last week's Naperville City Council discussion on whether or not to sell recreational marijuana in their city. The discussion was open to the public and open to any and all comments. Most of those who showed up opposed the sale of recreational marijuana. The City Council's position was much closer as they voted 5-4 to opt out. 

DUI Court is not as busy these days. I've noticed this trend for the past year. I am left to surmise that perhaps ride-sharing businesses are having an impact. A very positive impact. We all benefit from the safer highways and byways.

Outside my door and around the corner there are many, many places to buy alcohol. Grocery stores, gas stations, and numerous restaurants. Alcohol is entrenched in our psyche as normalized. On the discussion of whether or not to allow two businesses to sell recreational weed to adults, suddenly; family values prevailed in my community. They voted to Opt Out.

Positive Alternatives 5 Minute Thoughts - Don't close your mind to opposing opinions. The tricky part of growing your position is when you don't allow yourself to listen to people who just might have something to teach you. If you shut your mind to the possibility, you truly will never know what you might have missed. 

Former Professional Wrestler and Current Wrestling Manager, The Russian Brute (George Petraski) takes time to share some pro rasslin' stories with this long time fan of the sport. The Russian Brute is also very giving in that he also spends valuable time promoting reading programs at elementary schools while dressed up in his Russian Brute persona. Did I mention he has a sandwich named after him. You have to listen to find out where you can find it! TRB Sports

Positive Alternatives 5 Minute Thoughts - Too many distractions can keep us from being focused on the bigger issues. Don't "tilt at windmills" and miss the chance to work together and positively impact your world. Teens need adults clear headed thinking.

In this episode we interview Jacy Good, founder of  Hang Up and Drive who shares her tragic and compelling story how she came to be a leading advocate for keeping our roads safe from distracted drivers. Jacy has appeared on Oprah Winfrey, has spoken at the United Nations, and has shared her message over 1100 times in 39 states and 3 countries on this important life changing subject. She is a strong woman and I am honored she took time to speak to me on this podcast.

Positive Alternatives 5 Minute Thoughts - Freedom Of Choice is a key component of being a free country. It's the lines we draw regarding the freedom of a particular issue, or choice, that creates tough discussions and, at times, conflict.