Pelham Place Jay Pelham

The Art of Giving Back
Welcome back to Pelham Place, this episode we are going to explore a topic that goes hand in hand with the holiday season—the art of giving back.
In a world that often moves at such a fast pace, the concept of giving reminds us of the impact that those small acts of kindness can have. It's not just about the generosity of material possessions; it's about the generosity of spirit, time, and compassion.
Giving back really is is an art form — it’s a way of creating positivity and change in our lives and the lives of others. It's a direct connection to kindness. And kindness can transform communities, one act at a time.
So, what does it mean to truly give back? It's more than writing a check or making a donation, although those financial actions are clearly valuable. Giving back is about understanding the needs of others and finding creative ways to make a difference.
One of the most beautiful aspects of giving back is that it's not limited by financial resources. Time is a precious gift, and the act of giving one's time to a cause or an individual in need can be just as impactful as any financial gift or donation.
As we navigate the holiday season, it's worth reflecting on how we can incorporate the art of giving back into our lives. It could be as simple as volunteering at a local shelter, spending time with someone who may be feeling lonely, or supporting a cause that aligns with your values.
The art of giving back is also about sustainability. It's not just a seasonal practice; it's a mindset that we can carry with us throughout the year. Consider integrating giving into your daily routine, whether it's through random acts of kindness or supporting local businesses that prioritize social responsibility.
Now, let's talk about the ripple effect of giving. Just as a single drop creates ripples across a pond, our acts of kindness can create a ripple effect in the lives of those we touch. It's an amazing cycle where the impact of giving multiplies and spreads, creating a wave of positive change.
As we embrace the art of giving back, let's challenge ourselves to think creatively about how we can contribute to the well-being of others. Maybe it's organizing a neighborhood cleanup, starting a community garden, or initiating a youth mentorship program.
Remember, the art of giving back is not about the size of the gesture but the intention behind it. Every small act of kindness contributes to the larger picture of compassion and empathy that we're collectively creating.
So, as we approach this holiday season, let's be mindful of giving back. Whether it's through time, resources, or a heartfelt gesture, let's spread kindness that brightens the world around us.
Thank you for joining me today. Go out and continue to create a masterpiece of   generosity.

Thanksgiving
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I want to pause, reflect, and dive into a conversation about kindness and gratitude.
In a world that sometimes seems chaotic, where headlines can be overwhelming, we often find solace and strength in the simplest of things—kindness and gratitude. So, I think it’s important that we advocate for spreading kindness and fostering gratitude in our daily lives.
As we approach Thanksgiving, a time traditionally dedicated to expressing gratitude, I want to explore the power of kindness in our communities.
Kindness is like a ripple effect. When we are kind to others, it creates a positive impact not only on them but on ourselves and the people around us. It's a simple yet powerful force that has the potential to transform our communities and spread throughout the world.
Now, what about gratitude? How can we incorporate gratitude into our daily lives, making it more than just a once-a-year practice, celebration, family feast?
Gratitude is about acknowledging and appreciating the good things, big or small, in our lives. One way to make it a daily habit is to keep a gratitude journal. Write down three things you're thankful for each day. It could be as simple as a kind word from a friend, a beautiful sunset, or that your car started right up when it was time to leave for work this morning. I truly believe that everyone, from any walk of life, can find something to be grateful for. In fact, a few years ago, I had a great conversation with retried Marine, Craig Grossi. His book, Craig and Fred, tells the story of how he rescued a dog - named Fred - while fighting in Afghanistan and had to make some tough decisions to ultimately bring Fred back home. Now, they travel the world and speak to audiences about being stubbornly positive. Listen to this clip:
(Clip from Craig Grossi)
It's all about finding joy in the little things. So, as we approach Thanksgiving, think of some ways that you can spread kindness in your community. It could be volunteering at a local charity, reaching out to someone who might be feeling lonely, or even just offering a genuine compliment. Small acts of kindness can have a huge impact on you and the person on the receiving end.
Now, let's talk about Thanksgiving specifically. How can we make Thanksgiving more than just a day of feasting and incorporate the true spirit of gratitude into our Thanksgiving celebration?
Thanksgiving is a perfect opportunity to express gratitude. Instead of just focusing on the food, take a moment to go around the table and share something you're thankful for. It creates a sense of connection and reminds us of the importance of gratitude.
It really is a beautiful tradition to incorporate. And, if folks don’t want to speak up at the table, have everyone write something on a piece of paper, then pass a hat around the table and let each person read one out loud. That actually seems like it would be more fun!
Before we wrap up, I would just encourage everyone to approach the holidays with an open heart and a spirit of kindness. Take the time to express gratitude not just on Thanksgiving but every day. It has the power to transform our lives and the world around us.
That concludes this special episode of Pelham Place. Wishing you all a Thanksgiving filled with love, gratitude, and the warmth of kind deeds. Until next time, be kind and do good.

Welcome to the month-long, Halloween special edition relaunch of Pelham Place. To conclude this month of daily episodes, enjoy this reading of The Tell Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe. 
It’s true! yes, I have been ill, very ill. But why do you say that I have lost control of my mind, why do you say that I am mad? Can you not see that I have full control of my mind? Is it not clear that I am not mad? Indeed, the illness only made my mind, my feelings, my senses stronger, more powerful. My sense of hearing especially became more powerful. I could hear sounds I had never heard before. I heard sounds from heaven; and I heard sounds from hell! Listen! Listen, and I will tell you how it happened. You will see, you will hear how healthy my mind is. It is impossible to say how the idea first entered my head. There was no reason for what I did. I did not hate the old man; I even loved him. He had never hurt me. I did not want his money. I think it was his eye. His eye was like the eye of a vulture, the eye of one of those terrible birds that watch and wait while an animal dies, and then fall upon the dead body and pull it to pieces to eat it. When the old man looked at me with his vulture eye a cold feeling went up and down my back; even my blood became cold. And so, I finally decided I had to kill the old man and close that eye forever! So you think that I am mad? A madman cannot plan. But you should have seen me. During all of that week I was as friendly to the old man as I could be, and warm, and loving. Every night about twelve o’clock I slowly opened his door. And when the door was opened wide enough I put my hand in, and then my head. In my hand I held a light covered over with a cloth so that no light showed. And I stood there quietly. Then, carefully, I lifted the cloth, just a little, so that a single, thin, small light fell across that eye. For seven nights I did this, seven long nights, every night at midnight. Always the eye was closed, so it was impossible for me to do the work. For it was not the old man I felt I had to kill; it was the eye, his Evil Eye. And every morning I went to his room, and with a warm, friendly voice I asked him how he had slept. He could not guess that every night, just at twelve, I looked in at him as he slept. The eighth night I was more than usually careful as I opened the door. The hands of a clock move more quickly than did my hand. Never before had I felt so strongly my own power; I was now sure of success. The old man was lying there not dreaming that I was at his door. Suddenly he moved in his bed. You may think I became afraid. But no. The darkness in his room was thick and black. I knew he could not see the opening of the door. I continued to push the door, slowly, softly. I put in my head. I put in my hand, with the covered light. Suddenly the old man sat straight up in bed and cried, “Who’s there??!” I stood quite still. For a whole hour I did not move. Nor did I hear him again lie down in his bed. He just sat there, listening. Then I heard a sound, a low cry of fear which escaped from the old man. Now I knew that he was sitting up in his bed, filled with fear; I knew that he knew that I was there. He did not see me there. He could not hear me there. He felt me there. Now he knew that Death was standing there. Slowly, little by little, I lifted the cloth, until a small, small light escaped from under it to fall upon — to fall upon that vulture eye! It was open — wide, wide open, and my anger increased as it looked straight at me. I could not see the old man’s face. Only that eye, that hard blue eye, and the blood in my body became like ice. Have I not told you that my hearing had become un  usually strong? Now I could hear a quick, low, soft sound, like the sound of a clock heard through a wall. It was the beating of the old man’s heart. I tried to stand quietly. But the sound grew louder. The old man’s fear must have been great indeed. And as the sound grew loud

Introduction by Malcolm J. Pelham, Jr.
Read by: Lauren Moran
A Visit from St. Nicholas, a poem originally published anonymously on December 23rd 1823, tells the story of a family settling in to sleep on Christmas Eve as the father is disturbed by noises on the lawn outside.
In 1837, Clement Clarke Moore claimed authorship of the poem, as it continued to be printed in the newspaper each year around Christmas. 
Moore, known as a professor, did not want to have his name connected with the unscholarly verse. However, upon insistence of his children, the work was included in Moore’s own book of poems published in 1844. 
Join us for this special Pelham Place reading of A Visit from St. Nicholas - better known as ’Twas the Night Before Christmas - read by our friend, twelve year old Lauren Moran.
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the houseNot a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;The children were nestled all snug in their beds;While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.Away to the window I flew like a flash,Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,Gave a lustre of midday to objects below,When what to my wondering eyes did appear,But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,With a little old driver so lively and quick,I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;So up to the housetop the coursers they flewWith the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too—And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roofThe prancing and pawing of each little hoof.As I drew in my head, and was turning around,Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath;He had a broad face and a little round bellyThat shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;A wink of his eye and a twist of his headSoon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,And laying his finger aside of his nose,And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
 
*A Visit From St. Nicholas, by Dr. Clement C. Moore, is a work in the Public Domain.
 

As summer comes to an end, here is another replay from an earlier episode. Award-winning producer and engineer, Jack Miele, discusses the business and technology of releasing music. 
Website: www.jackmiele.com
Instagram: @jackmieleproductions
 
 

Students, parents and coaches are all getting back into the swing of things as Fall sports are ramping up. Dr. Bhrett talks about the dynamic between coaches and parents, the skewed understanding of success, what parents are doing wrong, and what coaches can do better to include the parents in the coaching process.
Dr. Bhrett is the author of the book The MindSide Manifesto: The Urgency to Create a Competitive Mindset as well as The Game Plan workbook. He also hosts The Secrets to Winning Podcast and can be found speaking and presenting on stages, boardrooms, and locker rooms across the globe. You can find Dr. Bhrett at his website, www.themindside.com to find out more about his practice. But listen in as we talk about podcasting, Bhrett’s college days as a player for LSU baseball, entering the corporate world, and making the transition out of it, as a clinical psychologist, and then we get into some things that are relevant to all of us today - the secrets to success that we can all use in life, youth sports and parenting a child who plays youth sports, and how to get back up after being knocked down in life during a crisis like the coronavirus pandemic.
Dr. Bhrett McCabe - www.themindside.com