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Tom Morris

Great Ideas. With Power. And Fun.
About Tom
Books
Novels
Retreats
Blog
Talks
Client Testimonials
Contact
ScrapBook
The 7 Cs of Success
The Four Foundations
Plato's Lemonade Stand
New Book on Steve Jobs
NormanLear2016.jpg

On Life, Age, Loss, Joy, and Learning

Oh, my. If you have 7 minutes and 44 seconds—and who doesn't, unless you happen to be on the wrong side of a firing squad right now, and if that's true, then get off this blog for crying out loud—and if you want a major blessing today—and who doesn't, including anyone facing that firing squad, especially given the fact that it could delay the dreaded action by 7 minutes and 44 seconds, PLEASE watch this short video on my old buddy Norman Lear, where you'll learn how dancing naked in front of a mirror at age 93 just might be the secret to longevity, you'll be delighted, and entertained, and made to think about television today, and age, and loss, and learning.

Click this: http://nyti.ms/29xbgRt And then come back here if you'd like.

I first met Norman when I was 39 and he was 69. I was just beginning to do philosophy beyond the classrooms of Notre Dame, out in the broader world, and we had made contact by telephone. Can you imagine what it was like for a kid who grew up watching All in the Family and debating the issues it raised around the living room to come back to my office one day after a class and press the answering machine and hear, "Tom! This is Norman Lear! Here's my home phone number. Give me a call!" I was just astonished.

Shortly after a bunch of great phone calls, he sent me plane tickets to come visit him at his beautiful vacation house in Vermont, an old home once owned by Robert Frost, then by the abstract artist Kenneth Noland. Its grounds are adjacent to a state forest and are as peaceful as you can imagine. I spent most of a day sitting on the big front porch with Norman and the Dean of the Harvard Divinity School and his wife, and with the co-founders of Tom's of Maine, one of the most ethically and environmentally sensitive consumer products companies of our time. We philosophized all day, and through a great lunch. Mid afternoon, Norman asked me to talk a short walk with him. We ended up lying in the grass on his spacious front lawn, pondering life and creativity. And we laughed a lot.

Then, a short time later, he brought a bunch of television producers to see me speak in front of my first audience of over 5,000 people—all convenience store owners at their national meeting in Las Vegas. We had lunch afterwards and since I was going to speak the next day to the top leadership of Merrill Lynch at a retreat in Santa Barbara, Norman invited me to fly to California with him on his plane, where the conversation continued. He got off in LA and let me have the G4 for the rest of the ride to my destination, and then came up the next day to hear that talk as well, on a different topic. I was due to go to LA for a third presentation the following day, so he offered to take me back with him. We talked and napped and talked more in the back of his limo. Then, after a visit at his amazing home in Brentwood, his driver took me to my next speaking event.

Norman played a big role in my life during those days, with his cheerful encouragement and belief in what I was starting to do as a public philosopher. He helped give me the confidence to leave university life and launch out on an adventure that was in its inception, and even now, nearly unprecedented for an academically trained philosopher in our time. Whenever I was with him, his assistants were taking calls constantly, and Fed Ex was delivering packages every few minutes, it seemed. But I never felt like I had only a fleeting sliver of his attention. His gift to me included full presence, full focus, and uninterrupted conversation of the liveliest and most probing sort. I try to remember that whenever a young person just starting his or her own adventure wants to talk—for advice, wisdom, or just encouragement.

We've kept in touch over the years, in fits and starts. He's called me several times about possibly getting involved in something he was doing. He's made me think, and made me laugh. I just love hearing his voice. Norman turns 94 on July 27. And he's still creating. He has a new show upcoming on Netflix, as well as a documentary of his life about to come out. Happy Birthday, old friend. Continue to learn and dance and create!

 

Newer:Art and Social ResponsibilityOlder:The Tree, The Fruit, and The Ladder
PostedJuly 7, 2016
AuthorTom Morris
CategoriesAdvice, Life, Wisdom
TagsNorman Lear, All in the Family, I'm not Dead Yet, Television, Movies, Tom Morris, TomVMorris, age, wisdom, joy, presence, philosophy, loss, love, learning

Some things that may be of interest. Click the images below for access, or for more! Tom

The New Book, Fall 2018!

The New Book, Fall 2018!

On stage in front of a room full of leaders and high achievers from across the globe.

On stage in front of a room full of leaders and high achievers from across the globe.

Maybe, my favorite book of all time. Published in 1905, it's a charming and compelling tale about the power of the imagination and simple kindness in dealing with great difficulties. You'll love it. Click the cover to find it on Amazon!

Maybe, my favorite book of all time. Published in 1905, it's a charming and compelling tale about the power of the imagination and simple kindness in dealing with great difficulties. You'll love it. Click the cover to find it on Amazon!

My favorite photo and quote from the first week of my new blog:

My barn having burned down, I can now see the moon. -  Mizuta Masahide

My barn having burned down, I can now see the moon. - Mizuta Masahide

I'll Rise Up and Fly.

When I was young I thought I could fly. If I ran just right I'd rise into the sky and go over the yard and the house and the trees until, floating a bit, I'd catch a good breeze and neighbors would see and squint into the sun and say "Come here and look at what this kid has done!" I'd continue to rise, and with such a big smile, my grin could be viewed at least for a mile. And, even today I think, if I try, the time may yet come when I'll rise up and fly. (TM)

When I was young
I thought I could fly.
If I ran just right
I'd rise into the sky
and go over the yard and the house and the trees
until, floating a bit,
I'd catch a good breeze
and neighbors would see
and squint into the sun
and say "Come here and look
at what this kid has done!"
I'd continue to rise,
and with such a big smile,
my grin could be viewed
at least for a mile.
And, even today
I think, if I try,
the time may yet come
when I'll rise up and fly. (TM)

My Favorite Recent Photo: A young lady named Jubilee gets off to a head start in life by diving into some philosophy!

My Favorite Recent Photo: A young lady named Jubilee gets off to a head start in life by diving into some philosophy!

Great new Elizabeth Gilbert book on creative living and the creative experience.

Great new Elizabeth Gilbert book on creative living and the creative experience.

The back flap author photo on the new book  The Oasis Within .

The back flap author photo on the new book The Oasis Within.

A great little adventure novel about risk and loss and love and friendship. And books! And food! And France, from Paris to Provence!  Click here!

A great little adventure novel about risk and loss and love and friendship. And books! And food! And France, from Paris to Provence! Click here!

My favorite book in years. You'll be surprised at how much philosophy you get from this page-turner of a story.  Click it!

My favorite book in years. You'll be surprised at how much philosophy you get from this page-turner of a story. Click it!

Something different. Paola Requena. Classical guitar. Sonata Heróica.

Two minutes on a perspective that can change a business or a life.

On the beach where we do retreats, February 16, 2018, 77 degrees. Philosophy in shorts and a T shirt done right.

On the beach where we do retreats, February 16, 2018, 77 degrees. Philosophy in shorts and a T shirt done right.

So many people have asked to see one of my old Winnie the Pooh TV commercials and I just found one! Here it is:

Long ago and far away, on a Hollywood sound stage, I appeared in two network ads for the wise Pooh, to promote his adventures on Disney Home Videos. For two years, I was The National Spokesman for that most philosophical bear. This is one of the ads. I had a bad case of the flu but I hope you can't tell. A-Choo!

Now, for something truly unexpected:

Five Years ago, a friend surprised me by creating an online shop of stuff based on my Twitter Feed. I had forgotten all about it, but stumbled across it today. I should get this shirt for when I'm an old man, and have my home address printed on the back, along with, "Return if Found." Click to see the other stuff! I do love the dog sweaters.

Five Years ago, a friend surprised me by creating an online shop of stuff based on my Twitter Feed. I had forgotten all about it, but stumbled across it today. I should get this shirt for when I'm an old man, and have my home address printed on the back, along with, "Return if Found." Click to see the other stuff! I do love the dog sweaters.

Cat videos go philosophical. The now famous Henri Le Chat Noir, existential hero. Click image for the first video I saw and loved.

Cat videos go philosophical. The now famous Henri Le Chat Noir, existential hero. Click image for the first video I saw and loved.

The next business book I'm buying. It's about how ideals power business growth. For a great short video, click  here . For the book,  here .

The next business book I'm buying. It's about how ideals power business growth. For a great short video, click here. For the book, here.

Another Musical Interlude. Two guys with guitars, one an unusual classical seven string, one a bass, but playing chords.

After hearing my talk "True Success," people often ask me how I discovered what I call "The 7 Cs of Success." This new ebook, exclusively available on zolabooks.com, is the answer. In it, I carry on a dialogue with a sample of great thinkers who've understood the keys to life and business success. I go to  The Tao Te Ching, The Analects of Confucius , the letters of Cicero, and through the centuries. Click the cover to go see this book! And thanks for coming to visit!

After hearing my talk "True Success," people often ask me how I discovered what I call "The 7 Cs of Success." This new ebook, exclusively available on zolabooks.com, is the answer. In it, I carry on a dialogue with a sample of great thinkers who've understood the keys to life and business success. I go to The Tao Te Ching, The Analects of Confucius, the letters of Cicero, and through the centuries. Click the cover to go see this book! And thanks for coming to visit!

I memorized the "To be or not to be" soliloquy from Hamlet months ago, and recite it nearly daily. It's longer than you think, and is a powerful meditation on life and motivation, fear, and the unknown. To find some good 3 minute videos of actors performing these lines, click  here . Watch Branaugh and Gibson for very different takes.

I memorized the "To be or not to be" soliloquy from Hamlet months ago, and recite it nearly daily. It's longer than you think, and is a powerful meditation on life and motivation, fear, and the unknown. To find some good 3 minute videos of actors performing these lines, click here. Watch Branaugh and Gibson for very different takes.

This is a book I read recently, and it's one of the best I've read in years on happiness and success. Shawn helped teach the famous Harvard course on happiness, and brings the best of that research and more into this great book. Click on it. I think you'll like it!

This is a book I read recently, and it's one of the best I've read in years on happiness and success. Shawn helped teach the famous Harvard course on happiness, and brings the best of that research and more into this great book. Click on it. I think you'll like it!

A favorite performance of the great Brazilian bossa nova song Wave, by Tom Jobim. Notice Marjorie Estiano's fun, the older guitarist's passion, the flutist's zen. Marjorie's little laugh at the end says it all. That should be how we all feel about our work. Gladness. Joy.

I happened across this great book on death and life after death. Because of some uncanny experiences surrounding the death of her father and sister, this journalist began to research issues involving death. Her conclusions are careful and well documented. If you're interested in this topic, you'll find this book clear, fascinating, and helpful. A Must Read! For my recent conversation with the author on HuffPo, click  here .

I happened across this great book on death and life after death. Because of some uncanny experiences surrounding the death of her father and sister, this journalist began to research issues involving death. Her conclusions are careful and well documented. If you're interested in this topic, you'll find this book clear, fascinating, and helpful. A Must Read! For my recent conversation with the author on HuffPo, click here.

Henri discovers the first book about his unique philosophical ponderings. Click image for the short video.

Henri discovers the first book about his unique philosophical ponderings. Click image for the short video.

Just read this book, which was recommended by a friend. It's a great step by step account of how to build a public and social media platform for any service or product you have.

Just read this book, which was recommended by a friend. It's a great step by step account of how to build a public and social media platform for any service or product you have.

This is the only ebook version of my first presentation of the 7 Cs of Success, and is another ZolaBooks exclusive. It's now available in ebook form for the first time since its initial publication in 1994. See how all my practical philosophy got started! I still consult this book!

This is the only ebook version of my first presentation of the 7 Cs of Success, and is another ZolaBooks exclusive. It's now available in ebook form for the first time since its initial publication in 1994. See how all my practical philosophy got started! I still consult this book!

My favorite website to visit nearly every day. Maria Popova may read more and write more than any other human being on earth, and her reports are always amazingly interesting. This is really brain candy, but with serious nutritional benefits as well. Visit her often!

My favorite website to visit nearly every day. Maria Popova may read more and write more than any other human being on earth, and her reports are always amazingly interesting. This is really brain candy, but with serious nutritional benefits as well. Visit her often!

One of my newest talk topics is "Plato's Lemonade Stand: Stirring Change into Something Great." Based on the old adage, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade," this talk is about how to do exactly that. Inquire for my availability through the contact page above! Let's stir something up!

One of my newest talk topics is "Plato's Lemonade Stand: Stirring Change into Something Great." Based on the old adage, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade," this talk is about how to do exactly that. Inquire for my availability through the contact page above! Let's stir something up!

A frequent inspiration. Monday, 30, April 2012. Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli perform "Time to Say Goodbye." Notice how they indwell the lyrics, and still manage to relate to each other so demonstratively.

My friend Bill Powers writes on how to handle the technology in your life and stay sane. A beautiful meditation on how we've always struggled with the new new thing, and sometimes win. Recommended!

My friend Bill Powers writes on how to handle the technology in your life and stay sane. A beautiful meditation on how we've always struggled with the new new thing, and sometimes win. Recommended!

Above is a short video on finding fulfillment in anything you do, that was taped a few years ago. I hope you enjoy it!

This is a beautiful and difficult book on the odd relationship between repeated failure and eventual success. It's full of great stories and moments of meditation. You will find yourself teasing out the insights, but they're powerful and worth the work.

This is a beautiful and difficult book on the odd relationship between repeated failure and eventual success. It's full of great stories and moments of meditation. You will find yourself teasing out the insights, but they're powerful and worth the work.

One of the best books in the past year or more, G&T is a wonderful look at how givers can rise high. Grant is the youngest tenured professor at Wharton and its most popular teacher. Here, he shows why! A really good book.

One of the best books in the past year or more, G&T is a wonderful look at how givers can rise high. Grant is the youngest tenured professor at Wharton and its most popular teacher. Here, he shows why! A really good book.

The Core of Wisdom. Always. Seek This.