By The Dawn's Early Light

Selected Messages from the CEO to the Spartans of Invictus

What Good Can We Do in the World?

“The noblest question in the world is: What good may I do in it?” — Ben Franklin

I am not sure we wake up in the morning and say, “What good can I do for the world today?” I certainly don’t. I’m usually hoping someone doesn’t talk to me until I at least get a cup of coffee.

Multi-Task, Prioritize, and Operate Fearlessly

“I learned to multi-task, prioritize, and operate fearlessly at the Naval Academy and those principles have been the beacons of my entire life…a life I never dreamed of.” – Mike Yeager, Naval Academy Distinguished Graduate, Class of 1976

Do What You Can

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Teddy Roosevelt

We are all here on this earth for just a brief shining moment.  What we do with that time is up to us and quite frankly, will only really be known and appreciated by our families, our co-workers, and those that we touch daily.  In fact, two generations from now most people will not even remember our names. 

Gaining Wisdom

“By three methods we may learn wisdom. First, by reflection, which is noblest. Second, by imitation, which is easiest and third by experience which is bitterest.”– Confucius

Of course, every day is a learning experience and if we follow Confucius’ tenets we should always be increasing our Wisdom, which is the quality of having experience, knowledge, and…

The Trumpet of Freedom

“Live with passion, and give your gift.”

Passion is the driver but your gift is yourself. Nobody has what you have to give…so start with that. As with many of my brother and sister veterans here…I’m passionate about three things: the privilege of being able to continue to serve our country, the pursuit of leading a better life, and the opportunity to protect America.

Finding Happiness Through Virtue

“Virtue is nothing else but right reason” – Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Seneca was born over 2000 years ago in Spain and was subsequently educated in Rome. He had a highly successful, and quite dramatic, political career in Imperial Rome.  In his essay, On the Happy Life, Seneca talks about happiness and how a person must live to achieve it.

A Message of Unity

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am concerned with what is happening in America today. I look and I see a country truly divided.  Half the country liberal and half the country conservative.  Then I reflect and think, “isn’t that the way…

Justice for All

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”  – Martin Luther King

Over the past two weeks, I have written (and rewritten) a couple of heartfelt exposés on the unrest in America.  However,  after consultation with my staff, I have decided to delay one of the more…

A Hero Going Home

“When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.” – Tecumseh

The Power of Positive Thought

“The person who thinks they can and the person who thinks they can’t are both right!” – Confucius

As the Holiday season rapidly approaches, I always take this time to reflect upon what has occurred this past year and perhaps what I/we can improve upon going forward.  When I started Invictus in…