ONE BRICK AT A TIME

As a kid, I enjoyed watching new home construction. I was particularly fascinated with the work of the bricklayers.

It wasn't just their ability to keep the bricks in neat rows, but the mixing and careful application of the cement between the layers. Nor was it only their removal of excess cement that was required to complete the adhesion process.

They simply added one brick at a time until they reached their goal of a beautiful completed project.

The lesson stuck with me as I continued to learn more about the one-at-a-time concept.

As a kid, sports held a fascination for me as well. Whether trailing by one run - one basket - one game or set - there was a reality that all was not lost simply because there was much to be done in order for me to achieve my goal.

In life and business I applied the same reasoning - suffered the occasional losses but somehow allowed to take place the homeostasis principle - the force of nature that enables us to recover and carry on.

Incremental progress is not necessarily a bad thing - despite the conclusion one might reach from the political news in the media.

Whether it's the debt crisis - the election results prompted by the Super Pacs - the alternative energy discussions - an "instant" solution seldom makes an appearance.

As a kid watching Jack Lord and Elvis as they romped around Hawaii, I longed to visit there at some point in time. Fortunately, that goal became a reality - twice.

The first visit meant more to me than the second trip. The irony is that the latter visit was for the most part not paid for by me. In addition,the accomodations for that latter visit were perhaps a little more grandiose than those of the first trip.

I was a smoker prior to the first Hawaii visit. After one of my all too often "brief" smoking cessation attempts, success was achieved for an extended period of time.

Quitting smoking was a big goal - although a friend of mine used the AA theory that "You didn't quit - You just stopped."

When quiting (or stopping) this time, my decision to place a gallon jug in a conspicuous location of the walk-in closet was another good one in a time when too many bad ones were being made.

This second decision involved making a daily contribution into the jug. It was in the 80's and my contributions represented a portion of the current price of a pack of cigarettes, for which I had been doling out way too many shekels.

While usually a dollar a day - the ante was occasionally raised with the input of some spare change. This routine continued for at least two years.

If temporary financial needs - an occasional business training trip away from home, family visits, etc. - interrupted the daily deposit process, the deficit was quickly made up and deposited in the jug.

The end result was a one week trip for two to Hawaii that included four island visits - courtesy of a Boscov's department store promotion.

It was a dream come true and everything I had pictured, even if
neither Elvis nor McGarret made an appearance during the stay.

The second trip was for a similar length of time. It included a stay at the beautiful Hawaiaan Hilton - good food - various social activities - and several meetings requiring the requisite shaking of hands and the display of the ever present smile.

I was extremely grateful for this second opportunity but it took none of the lustre away from my more modest initial budget-financed trip.

My realization of the first trip was simply due to an application of the principle of bricklaying.

When reading the various discussions or debates in the media on how we can improve the economic situation in this country, I can only conclude that none of the political pundits want to do it "step by step" or "a little at a time."

It seems that everytime someone comes up with a cost cutting proposal worth considering - whether it be trimming our social programs - asking the wealthy to "pay their share" - getting our tax code problems resolved - monitoring our military budget - reducing the size of Congress - employing alternative energy sources - or achieving a stronger regulation of lobbyists - the answer is always the same.

"It's just a drop in the ocean and the financial gain would be too small to have any real impact."

The incremental progress theory goes out the window when these cost cutting proposals are made. It's Sinatra singing, "All Or Nothing-At All" but the "All" applies to only the ideas of those who protest the more conservative but "tried and true" method for goal achievement.

There appears to be a conclusion by too many that there is a "quick fix" solution out there but one, for some unfathomable reason, that we just haven't come up with yet.

Therefore, the selection of any of these step-by-step proposals is quickly dismissed and we continue to suffer through the same problems. The theory of instant gratification once more has raised it's ugly head.

The overwhelming rationalization - or perhaps, more aptly put "excuse" - is that the "laying one brick at a time" process is too time consuming and guarantees no real solution.

I recall the bricklaying was only one of many ingredients required to arrive at a beautiful completed home for someone - maybe even one of us. However, if constructed well, perhaps it could eventually become the residence of our kids, grandkids, or great-grandkids.

The successful home construction required the input of many trades people besides bricklayers: draftsmen, excavators, carpenters, plumbers, plasterers, roofers, electricians, soffit and fascia experts; just to name a few.

It required a community of participants with one common goal and it could not have occurred without the incremental actions of many.

This community action required the integrated efforts of many and included some building adjustments along the way to allow for the other trade people to achieve the desired product of their skillset.

Perhaps a wall needed to be moved slightly - a doorway raised - wall plugs rearranged, roof beam strengthened, even the access entries to be changed to accomodate the needs of an electrician, plumber, engineer, installer, or the eventual homeowner.

If you've ever had a home built you realize there are bound to be many required variations from the original plans in order to achieve the completed product.

Unfortunately, that type of community cooperation is found lacking from the many politicans whom we have elected.

It's a shame, but the end result is "our bricklayers" have too often been replaced by "our brickheads."

As citizens of this great country, we can make a change in that situation - but, it will require us to also lay one brick at a time.

There is no one quick fix.

Like the bricklayers, we all have to work to remove the excesses to achieve the desired adhesion.

Whether we be Republicans, Democrats, or Independents, if we fail to realize this, it will be those same kids, grandkids, and great grandkids referenced above who will suffer the most.