Paul and Me

I recently read a biographical account by A.E. Hotchner entitled "Paul and Me," about his decades long friendship with Paul Newman.  Hotchner was there for the first batch of salad dressing, mixing the concoction with a canoe paddle while Newman poured in the ingredients, as well as a number of other schemes and dreams.

The book not only brought out the wonderful human qualities of Paul Newman, but also his tenacity.  The incident that sticks in my mind happened when Newman decided to build his Hole in the Wall camp for special needs kids.  He decided he wanted to open it the following summer.  All of the experts, architects and contractors, said it couldn't be done.  They gave a more realistic completion date involving a couple of years for this massive project.  Newman said it would be done.

When construction workers were unable to work in the severe winter that descended on the work site, Newman hired Canadian construction worker who were acclimated to severe weather.  Of course, the facility opened the following summer as Newman intended.

There are other such accounts of accomplishments in the face of seemingly, insurmountable odds.  Reading these had me thinking about the times I've taken the more logical path, lining up my good reasons why something can or cannot be accomplished.  Or as my good friend, Linda, says, giving away my power.

"Paul and Me" is a fun and inspiring read.  It's probably sitting on the library shelf right now just waiting for someone who could use a little inspiration.