Good News on the Doorstep

REVERSALS, ... IN LIFE, AND IN SCREENPLAY FICTION

Well, it has been quite some time since my last entry in GOOD NEWS ON THE DOORSTEP, this blog. Indeed, last year my fraternity brother, mentor, and friend, Dr. George Arangio received the Ivy League Football Association's highest award in NYC, and so many of us celebrated him. That great event made it into this collection of good news, reveries, and reflections on all things. Since then, baby-sitting, the Nutley Hall of Fame Nominating Panel, re-writing the screenplay for Bad News on the Doorstep, travel, Army and Cornell Football, and other excuses have kept me away from a more regular schedule of adding to this blog. MEA CULPA.

But, as some of you have seen on my Facebook, two sudden communique's yesterday stunned me to finally pause, reflect, and write. Yes, it was BAD NEWS, ... from Cornell of the sudden passing of my fraternity brother Jack Smythe, ... and then the death of a fellow wearer of the "C", former Big Red linebacker, Steve Garcia. Oh boy, sudden REVERSALS in life, so reluctant was I to accept.

Jack was bright, humorous, a Buckeye from Rocky River, an entrepreneur, devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was not sick, so his sudden passing has left so many of us Cornellians with a pain deep in our spirits. The same goes for Steve, ... so faithful, so committed to Cornell Football, his family, friends, and public service. REVERSALS in life we all find difficult to accept.

Those of us who believe in Eternal Life and the Eternal One who promises it to those who expect it, the consolation is my friends are in a better place. But, having experienced such sudden REVERSALS in my own life relative to those closest to me, ... I still wonder how I and others have survived such loss. "The Lord will not give you more than you can handle;" "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians, 5:8). Yes, a balm to our spirit, mind, and body, ... but such REVERSALS.

Yet, in my writing experience, I discover that REVERSALS are essential in quality writing, and a SURPRISE that creates emotion, drama, doubt, pain, but even hope.... suddenly HOPE? Yes, that it can only get better; that maybe there is eternal life, that "... what the Enemy has meant for evil, God will be turned for good." (Genesis, 50:20).

But it hurts, so why are REVERSALS so essential for good writing??? BECAUSE THEY ARE REAL,  AND THEY TEACH. A sudden change in direction, a REVERSAL in writing will surely get your attention, and teach a lesson. The best lesson here relative to my two friends suddenly passing to their eternal reward?... ENJOY THEM IN THE MOMENT, ... in this moment we can find a portal to eternity where all the best that life offers can be experienced. I enjoyed my time with Jack and Steve, ... but gee, not as much as I would now, knowing they would leave so quickly. We learn more and more each day, even with REVERSALS.

In conclusion, great writing requires REVERSALS, but in life, without our HIGHER POWER, REVERSALS CAN TAKE SO MUCH FROM US. With the Lord and the wisdom of the ages, while we seemingly are never prepared for REVERSALS, the hurt can be minimized, ... and we can start enjoying the next moment, even more. Particularly, while the loss of my college friends was a tough REVERSAL, I am reminded they are now in a better place, and I can be too, if I can only remember to enjoy this next moment, once the hurt of the REVERSAL has subsided.

Until next time, Joe, finding GOOD NEWS ON THE DOORSTEP

 

 

Johnny Manziel Most Exciting Ever?

Joseph Rocco Cervasio shared a link.

3 minutes ago

 

Who cares if Johnny Football plays in the NFL? In the game of College Football, have we ever seen anything more exciting? Not me. And for all of his detractors, we can learn much from this fearless kid who plays like he's in his backyard, o...n the sandy field by the rail road tracks, ... having fun with his childhood friends. Maybe the way we should live life. Here was the big takeaway for me after the Duke game: Johnny ordered his teammates to not look at the scoreboard, ... to forget it and to just go out and get it done. Indeed, so many of us through envy, greed, fear, ignorance, and lack of focus look at the scoreboard too often. Condolences to my good friend Jimmy Knowles, former Cornell stalwart, Head Coach for the Big Red, and now proud Defensive Coordinator at Duke. (Jimmy and the Blue Devils should be proud of their accomplishments this year.) And finally, imagine if A+M had a defense???? Johnny Football wins a second Heisman and his team beats those to whom they lost. Who cares if the kid goes to the NFL? We know that's a different game. In the annals of College Football, Johnny stands alone for excitement, performance, talent, strengths, skills, .... and leading by performance, ... not leading by some of his immature comments and actions in the off season. Give the kid a pass, ... Leadership is situational, and vs. Duke, he LED his team to a comeback victory. Want another opinion??? Talk to the Duke kids. They played against the most exciting one to ever step on the college gridiron.

"A Symbol of Hope" by Joe Cervasio is winner in 2013 Legacies Writing Contest

... and you can read it if you like on Facebook at "josephroccocervasio"

I hope you find something in it that can change a life for the better, ... or make some history.

BY POPULAR DEMAND: "Just Who Do You Think You Are? "... The Notes, ... well, Almost.

To my old friends, colleagues, and teammates of the past who have expressed interest, here is the outline distributed to the 2013 Cornell Football Team on their Career Day on Friday, April 26, 2013.

Don't mean to tease you all, but if you want the "blanks" filled in, just give a call. It would be my pleasure to pass on the answers, but better yet, just to talk and catch up.

Joe Cervasio

“JUST WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

… AND THE SEVEN SECRETS TO MAKE IT SO!”

 

By Joseph R. Cervasio,

ILR 1969, Cornell Football 1965-68

 

 

 

1. Welcome and Thank You.

 

 

 

1. Definition of Enthusiasm.

 

 

 

1. Purpose Statement.

 

 

 

1. “Just Who Do You Think You Are?”

 

 

 

1. The Answer

 

 

 

1. The 7 Secrets to Make it So:

 

L—E—A—D—E—R—S

 

 

VII.     The Rest of the Story

 

 

________________________________________________________________________

 

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THE 7 SECRETS OF LEADERSHIP=L-E-A-D-E-R-S

 

 

 

Secret # 1, The Foundational Secret: L=Live in the________________.

 

1. The past is _______, the future is a ________, this moment is a gift, and that is why we call it the _________.
2. ________ dwells on the past; we strive and lust for the future out of________.
3. The barometer you are not in the present moment: _________.
4. To the _____, the present hardly exists.
5. If the mind carries a ________of the past, you will experience more of it.
6. When you receive a good gift, you are_______. If the present moment is a gift, why the_________? You will see that we spend little time ______this present; spending most of the time in the past or future,

 

“A feeling of peace and timelessness will show you have entered the present.” (Now or Never: The 11 Secrets of Arimathea {NN11SA}); “I have little use for the past and rarely think about it…” (Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now); “Be anxious for nothing…” (Paul, Philippians 4:6) “Use every moment and every meeting to gain knowledge.” i.e., become a life-long learner and listener (NN11SA);

 

Secret #2, E=_____________

 

1. Empathize, do not ______________, which is cheap; walking in others’ shoes requires ___________________.
2. Love that expects ____ _____is the most powerful force in the world.
3. _______love eradicates selfishness, envy, jealousy, greed, lust, ignorance, and self-pity from the giver.
4. Love_______.
5. Enter their______.
6. __________ in entering others’ worlds builds understanding that leads to ____.

 

“Love every moment and every person, regardless how unlovable.” (NN11SA); “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends, …” (John, John 15:13); “(Different) behaviors are not good or bad—but unless we acknowledge that we all function and reason differently, we will never understand one another, (NN11SA); “The Platinum Rule: Do unto others as they want to be done unto.” (Larry Wilson, Social Styles) Tim Tebow vs. Tom Brady lesson.

 

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Secret #3, A= Act _________:

 

1. _______creates reality.
2. _____what you are becoming.
3. Your ______ is in this moment.
4. Don’t dig up the seed. Stay in the process of __________.
5. Do not be afraid of  ___________.
6. Develop another ______________.**

 

“Practice faith until it is stronger than fear, lust, doubt, and anxiety.” (NN11SA); “Act as if in cold blood that it is, and it will become infallibly real.” (Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich); “This, too, shall pass.” (Og Mandino, The Greatest Salesman in the World)

 

Secret #4: D=______ it now

 

1. Embrace ________, ________for others.
2. Don’t be better, be________.
3. Look forward to _______and the ________it will cultivate in you.
4. For situations to change, you must________.
5. Do it now, but never be __________.

 

“Activity dedicated to others will not tire the doer, but rather inspire and revitalize.” (NN11SA); “If you want to predict your future, invent it.” (Einstein); “Faith without works is dead.” (James, James 2:16) “Try not, … do or do not. There is no try!” (Yoda of “Star Wars.”) “Joe, don’t run ahead of your interference. Be patient.” (Carmen Piccone, Cornell Football Coach, 1968)

 

Secret #5: E=____________________

 

1. Recognize Inner______________.
2. Do not stereotype or limit _________.**
3. Do not stereotype or limit _________.**
4. Believers and atheists alike believe in the ____________in man.
5. Be __________/__________/__________of your miraculous capabilities.

 

“Know that in the moment, if you have done your best, all is well.” (NN11SA); “Don’t complain about the kids. They’re the only ones we have.” (Joe Paterno, Penn State Football Coach)

 

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Secret #6: R= Resist__________, ______________

 

1. ______ to surrender to the moment.
2. Give up the____________________.
3. Surrender is_________________ and ____________________.
4. Escaping to the past and future may be sign of _______, manifesting as_______________, _______________, _____________, ____________.
5. But, do not take counsel of your _____________!

• F=FALSE,E=EVIDENCE,A=APPEARING,R=REAL.
• F=FUTURE, E=EVENTS, A=APPEARING, R=ROTTEN.

 

“Child-like joy and increased energy will be the signs of successful surrender.” (NN11SA); “Resist not.” (Rhonda Byrne, The Secret); “It is what it is.” (Anonymous/You)

 

Secret #7: S=Serve;  _______ to lead.

 

1. Serve others so as to begin to understand your__________.
2. Service ushers you_________ ________ ________.
3. Service builds the ________ essential to leadership.

 

“The best leaders do not inflict pain—they endure it.” (NN11SA); “We are all destined to lead, but some of us are bound to follow (by refusing to serve.)” (Myles Monroe); “…he that is greatest among you, let him serve…” (Luke, Luke 22:26) “…Those who arrive at their destination teach those who are still on the path…” (Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching); “I don’t know what your future will be; but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found out how to serve.” (Albert Schweitzer.)

 

 

… and now,  the Microwave Answer to Leadership Development:

• Do not __________________________**
• Do not __________________________**
• Develop _________________________**
• … and never forget THE NICKY MELITO STORY

 

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

JOSEPH R. CERVASIO

DIVERSIFIED GLOBAL STRATEGIES

973-725-8713

Nutley, NJ---West Palm Beach, Fla.

"Just Who Do You Think You Are?"

... talk to be delivered by Joe Cervasio to the 2013 Cornell Football Team on Friday, April 26, 2013 at 5:30 PM. Breakout session to follow as part of Assistant Coach and Alumni Liason Pete DeStefano's Career Weekend. Highlight will be the annual Spring Game on Saturday afternoon.

CORNELL UPSETS PENN, NOV. 19, 2011

A spectacular sun-drenched Franklin Field was the arena that displayed a talented group of Cornell underclassman upsetting reigning Ivy Champs, the Penn Quakers, 48-38.

Cornell and Ivy League records for game and season fell. It was a day to remember that began with a group of Cornell coaches and players buying into Secrets 3, 4, and 11 of The 11 Secrets of Arimathea.

"The pre-game chapel meeting was quite an experience," reports Joe Cervasio who facilitated the short module the morning of the game. "I think they were ready to take on LSU today."

Finishing at 5-5, the Big Red is destined to be an Ivy power in 2012.

Baseball Digest Article for Red Sox Fans

Go to http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/07/01/catching-up-with-tina-cervasio/

If you're a Red Sox, Knicks, Red Bulls, Belleville-Nutley rivalry fan, or like to hear stories about Grandmas who loved their baseball, ... you will enjoy this recent article.

IVY LEAGUE TO ASK CORNELL FOOTBALL TO LEAVE?

 

http://web.insidecornellfootball.com/bigred/

... after you see the new Cornell Football Website, it's not hard to imagine the Big Red leaving the other Ancient 7 in the dust. Just maybe??!!!

Indeed, a Perfect Storm is brewing on the most beautiful campus in America, amidst Wrestling, Lacrosse, Hockey domination over the years in the Ivies and now in the national ranks.

Our friends at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton have already taken notice, ... for a variety of reasons.

Most of us would never condone leaving the hallowed Ivy League in football, ... but just maybe some day soon there will be those who may ask us to take a hike, ... take a look at the new Cornell Website, and form your own prophecies relative to Big Red Football's future.

http://web.insidecornellfootball.com/bigred/

Joe Cervasio Returns to Cornell's Johnson School of Business for 2011

William H. Garrapy, Assistant Director of the Leadership Skills Program and Faculty Support at the Johnson School at Cornell University, has set Friday, March 4, 2011 for the reintroduction of "Situational Leadership." The Leadership Skills Program is under the Directorship of Ms. Risa Mish, who last year added this leadership content to the elective Leadership Skills Program for graduate level students.

In 2010 Joe Cervasio of Diversified Global Strategies, LLC was invited to facilitate a day-long introduction of legendary Ken Blanchard's work in this area of Leadership Development. As President of Bluegreen Institute from 2002-2009, Mr. Cervasio had driven the interactive leadership modules that "Situational Leadership" features, servicing mid-to top level senior executives. Now the Cornell students have another opportunity to participate in Cervasio's customized version of this landmark leadership skill building program.

Mr. Cervasio is a graduate of Cornell's School of Industrial Relations, as well as having earned his MBA at the Leonard Stern School of Business at New York University. His experiences as a corporate sales and marketing executive in several industries over his 40 year career are featured in his crafting of the Situational Leadership course. A novelist as well, Joe weaves a story-telling style into his teaching techniques that has earned positive responses from his students.

The following accolade comes from a Johnson School student in last year's lecture:

Joe,

Thank you for leading the valuable “Situational Leadership” LSP at The Johnson School this past Friday.  Understanding the difference between performing, managing, and leading, and applying the right leadership behavior based on the development level and task are especially insightful takeaways.

 Your classroom personality was very conducive to learning and your story telling skills are fantastic.  It was an honor to spend time with you and learn about your interesting background, book writing, and your business.  I’ll never forget the Nicky Melito story!

DP

More information on Cornell's Leadership Skills Program at the Johnson School of Business may be found at http://www2.johnson.cornell.edu/currentstudents/lsp/workshop.html

 

 

THE TIMES OF "BAD NEWS ON THE DOORSTEP" REVISITED

Well, there is hope for the generation after Baby Boomers. My "Younger" Psi Upsilon fraternity brothers at Cornell show their appreciation for the times depicted in my first novel, Bad News on the Doorstep.

Thanks, Schultzie! See below and enjoy.