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Tim Tebow's story inspired one reader

You never know which newsletter will touch nerves. It is something of a crap shoot each time you write.

I wrote this week about Karin Muller in the Philippines.
Karin disarmed a group of hostile communist soldiers.
She did it by simply offering them coffee.
Guy Kawasaki wrote about it in his book, "Enchantment".

Rev. Michael Henderson wrote:
"Another good one, Jerry.
"Reflects what St. Paul said in Romans 12:9-21."

Richard Weiler wrote: "BRILLIANT JERRY!
"Thanks for sharing this."

Richie Moye commented:
“I’m reminded of a quote from ex-USC president Thomas Jones.
“Friends come and friends go but enemies accumulate”
"I’m reading the epic story of Tim Tebow’s life.
"He was born in the Philippines to missionaries.
"Thanks for your ration of food for thought."

Turning enemies into friends is important.
A first step is to understand their thinking.
How do you do that? You ask them or their friends.
Then you extend your hand in friendship.
Offer them coffee and the chance to become friends.
Most people will take it and gladly bury the ax.
Forget those who won't. It's their problem.
Have a friends-to-enemies story to share?
Email it to jerrybellune@yahoo.com

Relish competition

Blog reader James Jordan sent me a refreshing note this week.
It contained a story about Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford’s injury.
Heisman Trophy winner Bradford is out for up to four weeks.
He was injured in Oklahoma’s loss to BYU last week.
Florida’s Heisman winner Tim Tebow wished him a quick recovery.
So did Texas’ Colt McCoy who came in second in Heisman voting.
Even N.Y. Giants QB Eli Manning talked with Bradford.
All three of these quarterback rivals showed real class.
Bradford was considered a shoe-in for the NFL.
Instead, he elected to return to Oklahoma for his junior year.
That shows class, values and common sense.
I’ve been competitive all my life.
It’s a big reason I love journalism.
Journalism has given me every chance to compete.
Bill West and I competed on rival newspapers years ago.
We continued as friends as well as fierce competitors.
Now Bill works with us and is our unofficial morale officer.
Competition is healthy. Enjoy it. Let it make you better.
Respect your competitor. But out-work him. Out-smart him.
Out-everything you can to serve your clients and community.
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