The Joy of GIVING

I remember well the time that my Mom tried to convince me that it was "more blessed to give than to receive". I don't remember my age but, based on where we were living it was sometime from 2nd grade or earlier and, at that stage in my life, I wasn't buying that idea. Not even close!

Now, obviously, as I have gotten older and have had children of my own, I absolutely DO understand and agree with that sentiment. I DO understand and believe that there is JOY in giving!

I'm not trying to brag when I say this (and, likely, many of you are the same way) but, I'd much rather GIVE someone a gift that really puts a smile on their face than RECEIVE a gift. Anytime. 

Here's the thing, friend. You don't have to go out and BUY someone a gift in order to GIVE and to receive JOY by doing so! Don't let the idea of "but I don't have any money" hold you back. Giving is not about money or what you can buy in a store. GIVING, at it's best and purest form, is about you sharing what you have the ability to share because you know it will help someone and/or make that person happy. 

It could be something as simple as time. Spending time with someone and just visiting and sharing the gift of YOU listening and enjoying the relationship that you have with that person. By the way, you don't even have to know the person for this to take place. I can promise you this - there are a LOT of people in your local nursing home that would love for someone - ANYONE - to just spend some time with them to brighten up their day. And, friend, that "someone" can be you. 

It could be a short, handwritten note that simply expresses appreciation or encouragement to someone. 

If you are continuously adding to your "positive mindset" then you have a LOT that can be shared. No, I'm not suggesting that you "preach" these thoughts and ideas to those around you and try to tell them that this is what THEY should be doing. But, rather, simply sharing your positive mindset as a way to uplift and encourage would be a gift worth sharing. 

What is it for you? What opportunity comes your way (maybe on a daily basis) to share and GIVE to those around you?

Think about it. And, try to get in the habit of doing so at other times besides this "special" time of the year. Make it a daily habit and see what happens to and for your life!

I am thankful that I have the opportunity to share this blog and podcast with you. I hope that it is a source of encouragement for you and to you and that it helps you in your daily activities. 

And, finally, never forget that YOU are a gift worth sharing. Think about it and share your talents and abilities with those around you and discover, as well, that there IS joy in giving!

Until next time friend, whatever you do, be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

Rejoice!

I'm done with my series that was inspired by a poster full of really good phrases. If you didn't catch that, just go back for several articles (it starts HERE) and read through the last one.You will also find the website where you can even order that poster, if you'd like. No, I get nothing from that - just sharing something good with you. 

I really don't have a new "series" in mind at this point but, perhaps due to this being the "Holiday Season", I wanted to share THIS word with you for today's article...REJOICE!

Even if you find this and read it during the summer, it doesn't matter - the word applies each and every day.

I actually went ahead and looked up the definition of the word and thought I'd share it with you here:

verb (used without object), rejoiced, rejoicing.

   1. to be glad; take delight (often followed by in): to rejoice in another's happiness.

verb (used with object), rejoiced, rejoicing.

   2. to make joyful; gladden: a song to rejoice the heart.

So, to put it in other terms, the word "rejoice" means to be HAPPY and to MAKE HAPPY!

I don't know about you but, I like that. 

It's kind of like everything that I talk about here through Future You University. Apply these things to your life but don't keep them to yourself - SHARE THEM! 

Go back and read the last article on "Be AWESOME" and you'll see what I mean. I encourage you to not forget to BE awesome but to also share that encouragement with those around you. Let THEM know that they are, indeed, AWESOME,  just because of who they are. 

So it is with the idea of rejoicing or "being happy". YES, rejoice! YES, be happy! But, at the same time, be sure to share that with those around you so that they, too, can find what is needed to rejoice and be happy. 

Again, don't focus on what you don't have or on what is not "right" in your world. Instead, put your focus on what you DO have and on what is RIGHT in your world.

And then, REJOICE! 

As you think about that and incorporate that into your own life, also be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

SHARE and TEACH

CONCLUSION: "Share and Teach Family and Others!"

"Learning", of any type, is achieved through sharing of information. Wouldn't you agree?

Parents, teachers, and others pass along information to our children and they learn - good or bad - that which is shared with them. 

If you will notice on the picture above, I have circled the focus of today's article: "Share and Teach Family and Others!". When I originally wrote the main phrase about finding and keeping our joy and peace, I realized that it was also important to TEACH and SHARE and, especially, to do so with FAMILY FIRST and then others. 

Let's talk about sharing and teaching with our family first. There are not many things that are more valuable than to help our children learn how to find JOY and PURPOSE in their lives. Notice I said, "teach them HOW TO FIND" and not, "tell them what it is". That's one thing we must be careful of and avoid. We can NOT tell anyone else what it is that brings joy and purpose in their life but we CAN help them in the process of discovering that for themselves. 

Go back and read again the articles on finding our joy and also on finding our purpose and use some of the information there to help in this process. We can help our children understand that, often, we find true joy while serving others. We can point out how this is discussed and promoted in the Bible as well as just about every "positive information" source that has ever been printed. You can also hear just about every motivational speaker say the same thing (as well as write the same thing).  WHY? Because it's true!

Helping our children to discover joy through serving as well as helping them understand that they DO have a purpose in life and it begins in the world that is nearest to them - their world - is one of the greatest things we can do for them. Help them to understand that, when we say that their purpose in life begins in "their world" that we are not saying that they are the "center of the universe of their world". Make sense? 

And, don't forget, they will learn best by observing what YOU AND I do in our own lives. That's right - they're watching us!

SHARING AND TEACHING OTHERS - I'll start this part of the article where I finished the last one. Those around us will most often "learn" through observing how we put this into practice in our own lives. Don't miss the importance of this and, especially, how it relates to this process with others (non-family).

Here's a little "warning" for you: If you try to "tell" everyone what to do in this area, you will likely be met with resistance and ridicule. And, when you have a "bad day", you will hear about it from them because you have already presented yourself as an "expert" in the area. Hey, I'm just being real here. People don't like to be "told" or "preached at" by others. 

Here's how this works with others...

Your example through discovering this in your own life will work as a "magnet" for some and it will draw them to you. Notice I said, "some". Not everyone will pay attention and not everyone WANTS to find joy in their life. I know that sounds odd but, truth be told, a lot of people ENJOY being miserable regardless of what they say.  (Also be aware that these are the same people that will likely do as much as they can to ridicule you and discourage you along the way. They are miserable and they want everyone else to be miserable as well).

But, there are those that will be "drawn" to you and the way that you handle yourself. Living a life of joy and purpose will automatically draw others to you and, many times, they will want to know HOW you are able to live life the way that you do. Don't take this as a sign to "dump it all" on them at one time! No, just take the time to share with them a little at a time - over time - so that it can be absorbed along the way. Most importantly, continue to SHOW THEM by how you live. 

You can share these articles with them. You can also share that free resource from Jack Canfield that I discussed recently (and I highly recommend that). Just go to jackcanfield.com and look for the 10 Day Transformation Course and sign up for it - again, it's FREE!

Help them understand (and this applies to our family as well) that this is something that takes time and that it is a process. It's not a magical formula that happens overnight. Every person is different and it will take some people longer than others.

That's o.k.

Life is a marathon and not a sprint. Enjoy the journey and don't focus solely on the destination. 

Thank you for allowing me to experience joy and purpose in my life through sharing this blog and my podcast with you on a regular basis. I do mean that - THANK YOU!

If you haven't done so yet, you need to listen to the podcast on today's topic. Just click one of the links at the bottom of this article to do so. There is SO MUCH MORE information and additional thoughts that I share with you there that is not found in this article. 

If you listen by going to iTunes, please take a moment and leave a review - I thank you in advance! Also, be sure to stop by the FYU fan page on Facebook and let me know that you left that review AND to just say "hello" and let me know that you are benefiting from Future You University. 

As always, THANKS for joining me today and, please, share this with as many as possible and always be sure to keep moving forward, closer to your dream!

And, until next time, whatever you do,  be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

 

A Great Way to Bless Someone's Life

As I type this, it is the 21st of December. That means that Christmas is "right around the corner" and it also means that there are many people around you (whether you realize it or not) that will struggle to provide any kind of Christmas for their children again this year.

 

This doesn't have to be about Christmas, however. It is a GREAT way to bless the lives of other people ANY time of the year. Keep that in mind and plan to incorporate this all through the year...I think it can become highly addictive!

 

But, for now, I want to focus on the few days that are left before Christmas and challenge and encourage you to JUMP ON BOARD and make some magic happen! I know I'm right when I say that many of us wish there were more ways to help others...well, here ya' go!

 

Take a $10 bill and PAY IT FORWARD!

 

Sure, by itself, that $10 bill may not be able to do a whole lot but, at the same time, in the hands of a person that is really struggling, it may do far more than you can imagine.

 

But, what IF you can easily multiply that $10 bill into an amount that is far beyond what you may imagine? Here are some simple ideas that I will share with you but I want to challenge you to brainstorm even more and come up with MORE ideas to make this EXTRAordinary!

 

1. FAMILY: Get each member of your immediate family to add $10 each and then find a family that would be blessed by this contribution. With all of these ideas, find such a family and bless their life.

 

2. FRIENDS: What if you could call 10 other friends and have them contribute $10 each? You can do this easy math, right? That little $10 bill turns into $100 very quickly. Do the math and find out what would happen if you got 20 friends involved...30 friends? Do you think this might make a difference in the life of someone? You might even consider helping more than one person or family, depending on how many people you get involved.

 

3. GROUPS or ORGANIZATIONS: Do you belong to a group or organization? Do you attend a Bible class at your church? How about a civic organization? What about your workplace? The list is endless and I want to encourage you to STEP UP, have fun, get excited about this idea and see what can happen!

 

Here's a couple of more ideas to make this fun:

 - Deliver this money yourself and see the joy and happiness on the face of the one(s) that you bless.

 - Send someone else to deliver this gift and remain anonymous.

 

MAIN POINT: Have fun with this and know that you can QUICKLY make a huge impact on the life of an individual or a family.

 

I just wanted to get this out there and share it with you as quickly as I could and, yes, I've done this myself.

 

GET YOUR FAMILY - ESPECIALLY YOUR CHILDREN - INVOLVED IN THIS and teach some valuable lessons on what it is to share and bless others.

 

Until next time, whatever you do...

 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is goin to do it for you?)"

 

Mike

R U Running on Empty?

R U Running on Empty?

During my podcasts you will hear me talk about "Magical Monday", "Turn-around Tuesday" and "Wide-Open Wednesday" and about the fact that, what happens in your life and to your life is up to you. This makes it magical and wide-open because YOU can turn it around!

Now, see, if you have a hard time believing those things then, trying to incorporate them into your life is kind of like getting behind the wheel of a car that has an empty gas tank. You won't get anywhere.

Yes, I know (based on yesterday's podcast and blog) that I emphasize that only YOU can make this happen. In other words, even with a FULL gas tank YOU still have to put the key in the ignition, turn it on, put it in gear and steer it down the road.

But, again, if the tank is empty - you're going no where.

The truth is, as I recorded the podcast for today last night - and still even today - I feel as if my tank is empty! Yeah, it happens to me, too.

Here are a couple of reasons - and things you can check out for yourself as well:

1. My tank is empty because I've not been putting the "fuel" in the tank! Well, duh! But it happens very easily when I (or you) don't "feed ourselves" by reading, etc. those positive materials that keep our mindset where it needs to be. I realized that lately I have not been reading the materials that I usually read that keep me going. So, again, it is up to ME in this area to do what is needed and to make sure I am putting "fuel" in my tank!

2. My tank is empty because I need feedback, input, etc. from YOU! Now, although it is up to ME, I still need others - just as you do. This is the idea behind the "Mastermind Group" that Napoleon Hill talks about in his classic, "Think & Grow Rich" (get it for free - just pay S/H @ http://www.FutureYouUniversity.com ). The strength and charge we get from sharing thoughts and ideas with like-minded individuals. On this part, I also can compare this to dipping water out of a well to share with others without ever making sure that I take some of the water for myself. Sooner or later, I've got to be refreshed as well.

So, bottom line - part of this "empty" feeling is due to what I have failed to do in my own life and part of it is because I need feedback from YOU! And, that, for the most part, I have failed to receive from you, friend.

Please know that I'm not "whining", I'm simply talking and sharing from my heart and also trying to help you understand how important it is to not only RECEIVE but to also GIVE BACK.

Yes, I need it too!

If you would, if you are "out there" and reading this and/or listening to my blog - please leave a comment here on this blog. I'd appreciate it and it may also spur someone else on to do the same.

Oh, don't get me wrong. I'll survive. I'll thrive. But, right now....I need to refuel.

Thanks, friend.

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Living a Life of PURPOSE

"Service is the rent we pay to be living. It is the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time." - Marian Wright Edelman

"The purpose of life is a life of purpose." -Robert Byrne

"We are here on earth to do good for others. What the others are here for, I don't know."
- W. H. Auden

As we continue to talk about "PURPOSE" and, more specifically today, "Living a Life of PURPOSE" it is interesting to notice these quotes that have shed light on this very topic.

In a very general sense we are going to discuss the PURPOSE that each of us has in our lives - this is a common theme for each and every one of us. You likely can pick up on it already just from reading the quotes provided so far.

Regardless of who you are, where you live, what your economic situation is - we are all here for one general purpose: Doing good for others or, said in a different way - SERVICE!

Now, we will try to get a little more specific as far as determining our INDIVIDUAL purpose in life - but this is a MUST for our starting point!

Zig Ziglar said it this way: "If you can dream it, then you can achieve it. You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want."

I emphasized that last part of his quote because it speaks to the topic at hand - notice what he says! You see, living a PURPOSEFUL life of SERVICE TO/FOR OTHERS is not exclusive of being a success - even a financial success - in our world today!

So, you see, it really DOESN'T matter who you are, where you live or how much money you do or don't have! We can ALL look around us and reach out to those around us and do SOMETHING for them to help them in some small (yet, likely bigger than we realize) way!

I really believe that, until we begin to understand this and even PRACTICE this in our own lives, we will NEVER discover our "specific" purpose for our lives. Why? Because, until we start understanding this basic principle we will continue to live a life focused only on ourselves.

Remember, you were put here for a PURPOSE! You were placed on this earth for a REASON! And, for each and every one of us, that general purpose and reason is to help EACH OTHER! Think about how POWERFUL that is when you really look at it closely.

Living a life focused on ourselves is not really living at all. Here's one final quote that emphasizes this truth:

A useless life is an early death. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

None of us wants to feel as if we are living a "useless life". We ALL want to know and feel that we have a PURPOSE and a REASON for being here. Open your eyes, look around you. See and live PURPOSE for your life!

And, as you do so...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

"Get High on Doing Good!"

Twelve "Do's and Don'ts" For Living a Positive Life

1. Make Enthusiasm A Daily Habit!
2. Don't Allow Negative People to Determine Your Self-Worth!
3. Get Into The Habit of Talking to Yourself Affirmatively!
4. Get Into the Habit of Talking to Others With an Affirmative, Positive Vocabulary!
5. Don't Be a Grudge Collector!
6. Think Positive & Pleasing Thoughts!
7. Don't Brag - Let Your Actions Speak For You!

8. Get High on Doing Good!

We've always heard, "It's more blessed to give than to receive" and, for most of us, if we heard this when we were kids, it didn't make any sense at all!

However, as we have grown and - hopefully - matured, we have come to know that this, indeed, is true. The joy of giving a gift to somone and seeing the smile on their face. The joy, as a parent, of giving your child a gift and seeing them get happy "all over". You just can't beat that!

Here's the thing - we don't have to wait for Christmas, birthdays or special occassions to do something nice for someone. The "gift" we give doesn't have to be wrapped up in a box with a bow, does it? Of course not!

As we get into the habit of being enthusiastic and excited about the new day before us, and as we talk to ourselves others in a positive and affirmative way we begin to open our eyes to the BEAUTIFUL part of the world around us.

You see, sometimes it's hard to get past all of the negativity that surrounds us. Sometimes we get bogged down in the nasty swampland of negativity and, because of that, it seems that this is all we can see.

But NOW... now that we are seeing the "positive" and "hopeful" side of life we can now lift our eyes and our heads above all of this negative nastiness and see the beauty of those around us!

Isn't that great?

And, once we are able to do so, we see opportunities that come before us each and every day for doing good for someone else.

Perhaps opening the door for someone or picking something up for someone that has dropped something.

Whatever it is - it is a way to help those around us also see the good this world has to offer!

On today's podcast I recommend doing this anonymously if at all possible and whenever possible. This takes away the temptation that we might have of wanting to receive attention for doing a good deed.

So, on this "Thankful Thursday" - be sure to thank those that are doing good things for you and in your life and then, as the movie title suggests, "Pay it Foward" by doing good in the lives of others.

Here's the promise: You'll be glad you did!

(By the way, will everyone appreciate it the way you hope they do? No. But do good ANYWAY!)

And, as you do so...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

I AM ABLE to Touch and Change Many Lives for the Better!

#3: "I AM ABLE to Touch and Change Many Lives for the Better!"

(Right off let me apologize for the way the format on this blog comes out so much of the time. I do it exactly the same way each day and, at times, there ARE separations between paragraphs as I have planned to have and, on other days, no separations at all. So, I apologize - I can't seem to figure out any way around this no matter how many times I try to edit it, etc.)

I hope you are enjoying the podcasts and blog entries on my daily affirmations. I also hope that you are using them, initially, to get yourself in the habit of affirming these truths in your own life. There is just something powerful about verbalizing these things and, again, according to what we read in Napoleon Hill's classic, "Think & Grow Rich" (available on my website for only the S/H charge) this is how our subconscious mind begins to accept these affirmations as TRUTH. Then, our subconscious mind feeds it back to us as truth even at those times when we may not necessarily feel that way. ISN'T THAT POWERFUL?

Why not try these for at least a week and then, if you find that some don't "fit" you, start adapting and "tweaking" them a little bit so that they DO fit you and your plans, goals and dreams.

If you notice, the second affirmation as well as today's affirmation both start out with the three words, "I AM ABLE..."

This is very important and is not by mistake!

So many times we have been told, "You can't" about things we may have as our goals and dreams by many people over the years. After a while, we begin to believe those voices and decide - before we even try - that we CAN'T do something.

Again, all of this ties in with the first affirmation, "I am somebody special!" THIS is what makes all of this special - YOU and the special person that YOU ARE! Because of the wonder of your being - you CAN accomplish great things and you CAN (and will) touch and change many lives during your life!

What does this mean?

Well, for some, it means touching lives on a grand scale! There are some of you that have such dreams and goals for your life and you need to understand - regardless of how large the dream - you ARE able to accomplish them and you ARE able to touch and change many lives for the better!

However, for the majority of us, our dreams and goals may not be as "grand" BUT this does not diminish the fact that we CAN touch and change many lives anyway. It will simply be done in a DIFFERENT way.

In today's podcast I talk about the ripples on a pond. We all know the concept, right? Do not lose the significance of this concept in your own life. You have the ability to touch many lives right from where you are!

Let's start with the basics. Your family. For example, how many lives will you touch through the lives of your children? You have no idea and, my guess is, if you had a way of truly knowing the number of people impacted in this way, you would be totally amazed! You love your child and treat them in a positive and loving way. You teach them how to be considerate of others and how to be kind in their dealings with others. Your child does this with their classmates at school and makes an impact on - let's say just for numbers sake - ten others. Those ten are impacted in such a way that they naturally treat others the same way. Let's say those ten impact ten others in the same way - we are already up to one hundred people. Get the picture?

On today's podcast I used a quote that my friend, Jim Ferguson sent to me in an e-mail. Here's what it said:

"Resolve to make at least one person happy every day,
then in ten years you will have made approximately
three thousand, six hundred and fifty persons happy,
or brightened up the equivalent of a small town
by your contribution to the fund of general enjoyment."
-- Sydney Smith

I mentioned that I don't truly believe we have it within our power to MAKE someone else happy, BUT we do have the ability to bring some happiness into the lives of others! Even just doing something that will bring a smile to the face of another will have a HUGE impact on many.

I would also suggest that the number given above - 3,650 - is not a true number of those that will be impacted. That number represents the impact ONLY IF the one impacted does not then, in turn, impact another. See what I mean? If each one of the people represented by this number were to impact only ONE other person each, then this number is DOUBLED to 7,300 only IF that "second layer" of impacted people do not continue the "ripple".

Think about that. One person per day, every day. Yes, this is ANOTHER way that you ARE ABLE to touch and change many lives for the better.

Look around you. It can - and SHOULD - begin today if it hasn't already.

Oh, and too, if you haven't ever watched the movie, "Pay It Forward" you need to be sure to see it. If you have, then you know what I'm talking about when I say to you...."Pay it Forward"!

Regardless of what our plans and goals are - we ALL have this great ability within us! It simply requires each of us to look outside of ourselves and see the opportunities that surround us each and every day.

Thank you for allowing me to touch your life today. Now, pass it on!

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Just For TODAY!

"Four Ways to Make Sure Your New Year Is, Indeed, Happy!"

1. CHOOSE To Be Happy
2. Get Your PRIORITIES Straight!
3. Get Focused!

As we close out the discussion on "Four Ways to Make Sure Your New Year Is, Indeed, Happy!" we come to the "magical" part of the equation - are you ready? (Well, you've looked at the title already, right? So you already know what's coming!)

4. JUST FOR TODAY!

Now, again, please don't let the simplicity of this throw you off. Please don't dismiss this because of the simplicity.....Sometimes the PROFOUND can be FOUND in the simple!

You see, here's the thing - don't plan too far ahead in this choice of "happiness" - just do it for today! Too many times we get discouraged when we consider whether or not we can do something for a long period of time. "I'm not sure I can do this for a whole year!" or "I'm not sure I can do this for the next six months!"

But let me ask you this...do you think you can do the following JUST FOR TODAY?

- CHOOSE to be happy!

- Get your PRIORITIES straight!

- Get FOCUSED!

Just for today - think that's something you can do? Sure it is! JUST FOR TODAY!

Now, please understand - this doesn't mean that negative things won't happen to you and that "bad things" won't cross your path. It doesn't mean that all of the negative people and/or forces that normally come into your life will all disappear.

BUT...I do believe that I can promise you this: If you will do these things on a DAILY basis and focus ONLY on accomplishing them on a daily basis - you WILL be happy! You will be able to keep your focus and correct any distractions that have taken your focus away during THIS day before too much begins to take your attention away too far. See what I mean?

So, you see - this IS "do-able"!

Believe you can - KNOW you can!

And, as you go along this journey, never forget to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Leaving Your Positive Footprint

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some move our souls to dance.
They awaken us to new understanding
with the passing whisper of their wisdom.
Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.
They stay in our lives for awhile,
leave footprints on our hearts
and we are never, ever the same.”
-Anonymous

In today's podcast - let me first of all clarify something - I DO realize that the correct term is "carbon footprint" and not "carbon imprint" (and yes, I'm grinning as I type this!). I realized that I had made the mistake when I listened to my recording to make sure things fit together as planned BUT I wasn't going to try to correct that. I still think you got the point in the podcast (even though you may have had a laugh!) and, I prefer for my podcast to have as much of a "live" feel as possible even though they are recorded.

O.k now - on to the topic at hand! Number one premise for us to set down for the day is this:

You DO leave an IMPACT each and every day!

(And this is regardless of HOW you approach your day - positive OR negative!)

So, once again, we come back to the point of "choice" - it's YOUR CHOICE as far as the type of impact you wish to leave on the world around you. Yup, it's all still up to you!

IMPACT YOUR WORLD! This can be a daunting task to consider, right? But, notice closely that I did not say, "Impact THE world" but "YOUR world" instead. There is a big difference!

For one, it IS a daunting task for any of us to consider making an impact on the whole world - there are very few people in history that have lived in such a way as to have such a huge impact!

However, when we break this down to OUR world it becomes more manageable. So, it is important for us to "define" what, exactly, encompasses "OUR WORLD".

Here's a short list to consider - make it personal and add to it so that you can get very specific in your approach:

1. Your children, your spouse - YOUR FAMILY

2. Your neighbors (whether in an apartment building or a neighborhood)

3. Your co-workers

4. Your circle of friends

5. Those you have contact with on a daily basis (your child's teacher(s), school bus driver, etc., the parking attendant, store clerk, waiter/waitress, YOUR bus driver, paper delivery person - on and on we could go here -- YOU add to the list from YOUR life)

6. Those at your church or social group

Even though this list can grow quickly, it is still a much more manageable size group than considering the whole world.

BUT HERE IS THE KICKER!

Your impact spreads far beyond those on your list! Think about that and consider how your actions impact the lives of those around you which, in turn, very likely will influence their impact on those that THEY contact on a daily basis.

Just like the ripples on a pond from a rock tossed into the water, so is your impact and influence on those around you. It doesn't stop with the initial "splash" that is made - it goes out further and further beyond the point of contact.

WOW! Pretty amazing to think about, isn't it?

Here's a challenge for today (and then tomorrow and the day after that and then the day after that and then....well, you get the point, right?) -- see how many people you can help smile today.

Whether that is a child or an elderly person (and all points in between) - think about the impact you can have just by sharing yourself with others and bringing a smile to the face of others.

And then watch the ripple effect take off - beyond your knowledge and beyond your initial contact.

Each and every day we leave an imprint or a footprint -- why not do all that you can to leave your POSITIVE footprint on the world - YOUR world -- along the way?

And...here's a twist from today's podcast -

"Make someone else's day awesome? That is something you may can do for them!"

(And yours will be awesome in return - guaranteed!)

Mike

Find the Treasure in People!

As we continue our "Positive Alphabet" today, we want to go on to the letter, "F" and talk about how we all need to "FIND the TREASURE in PEOPLE."

First of all, many will likely think of their family and friends with this title in mind. GREAT! They certainly apply and we need to FIND and APPRECIATE the treasure that they are! Yes, I understand that you and your family may not have the best relationship in the world -- not everyone does. BUT, if you do or even if it is just SOME of your family, then be thankful for them and really appreciate the TREASURE that it is to have them in your life!

The TREASURE to have family that loves you. Regardless. Regardless of what you do right or wrong. Regardless of the mistakes you make. Regardless of your success or your failure. Regardless.

The same is to be said of those "true friends" that stand by you - again, REGARDLESS! Those friends that are not "fair weather friends" but are there when things are good OR bad! Those friends that love you and stand by you simply because you are their friend! WHAT A TREASURE!

Let's expand our thoughts a little and consider those people that you are around every day but that don't fit the category of "family or friends" as defined above. Perhaps these are your co-workers. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Yeah, yeah - I understand. But here is the challenge --

"Each person carries a treasure to be revealed."

Wow! When you think about that - it can be truly amazing to think about what you may discover! If we would approach each person contacted during our day with this thought in mind - what might happen?

Yes, I understand that some may require quite a bit more "digging" before we find the treasure. And, yes, some may not even look like treasure at all -- but they may be a "diamond in the rough"!

Make this a challenge and "dig". Make this a challenge and realize that each person carries this treasure within. Perhaps it lies just below the surface, waiting to be unearthed by YOU!

What about those even outside THIS circle? Waiters, waitresses, check out personnel, etc. Those folks that often get overlooked as if they don't even exist. What about those standing behind you or in front of you in a crowded line? What about those that pass you along the street?

HUMAN KINDNESS AND CONTACT can go a long way in unearthing the treasure that lies within!

THINK ABOUT IT and GET EXCITED about it as well!

Let this be a challenge and a determination in your life each and every day! Be determined to "find the treasure in people" each and every day!

Just think about how that will impact YOUR life and then think about how it will IMPACT the lives of those around you!

Wow, I get excited just thinking about it!

Do it. Dig!

And, at the same time (and this WILL happen because of it!)...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

I'll Shave it Off for a GOOD CAUSE!

Walk the Walk - A Special Video Message from Mike

Yeah, Mike is about to take a seat in this video - sorry, couldn't change the "thumbnail" on this one! Click "play" and listen to his special message just for you!

This will serve as his message for Monday - it goes right along with his podcast message for Monday. Be sure to listen to it as well!

The VALUE of LOVE

As I type this, it is another WONDERFUL MONDAY - the start of another FANTASTIC week! Many times I refer to Monday as "magical" on my podcast because it is, indeed, just that. Why? (This is for those that have never really listened to or heard my podcast). It is "magical" because you have the ability, the POWER to determine what your day will be. And, this being Monday, for most it is also the first day of the work week which means that, by determining the direction of your Monday, you also determine the direction of this work week! That is MAGICAL, my friend!

So, what will YOU do with your Monday? (This actually applies to every day!).

Lately I have also been referring to Monday as "Make-a-Wish Monday" because of the fund raising effort that I am involved in through F.Y.U. This goes through the end of this month with the goal of $5300 - the amount needed to fulfill the wish of one child.

Where are we in this goal? A dismal $300. No, that's not a typo...that's the correct figure. The whole month of July we raised $300.

SO...that means that we are headed for an UNBELIEVABLE finish to this effort and that it will be EXCITING when you finally decide to take action! Again, to raise the other $5,000 all we need is 166 people to donate $30 - that's all there is to it!

$30????? Some may be thinking that they cannot do that - and that's o.k. If you can't donate the $30 then what CAN you do and what WILL you do? For many - and I do mean many - $30 is but a drop in the bucket which means that those in that position can donate more than the $30. Will you?

Remember, organizations such as this CONTINUE with their task regardless of the economy! They STILL have wishes that need to be filled even in a "depressed" economy - so it is up to people like you and me to CONTINUE to support their efforts.

So, let's look at that $30 and consider it's VALUE. On today's podcast I discuss this and ask how many of you spent $30 over the weekend. Think about it. My guess is that the majority of you reading this did, indeed, spent $30 (and then some) at some point over the past weekend. Wow, some of you as you read this - depending on what time of the day you read this - may have spent that today already.

Did you spend it on a meal? Was it good? Even if it was the BEST MEAL EVER, it's now gone and but a memory. It was food. Now, don't place the value on the "experience" of the time spent with family and/or friends. Just the food itself. Think about it, you didn't pay your friends to spend time with you, did you? (If you did, we need to talk!). So, what was the VALUE of the money that you spent on that meal.

For most of us - if not all of us - it costs more than $30 to fill up our gas tanks. Sure, it gets us to where we are going, but have you considered the VALUE of that $30+?

We could go on and on with examples, but I hope you can follow through now with this thought process and apply it to yourself and your situation.

Now, what about the $30 that you COULD donate to this special effort? Oh, by itself, it really isn't able to accomplish much in fulfilling the dream of an ill child. BUT, when you combine with others all across the United States (and perhaps the world), you have LEVERAGE! And that LEVERAGE allows your efforts combined with others the ability to have a much greater IMPACT on the lives of these children! Think about that!

Now...what is the VALUE of that $30? For me, it is far greater than the value for any meal, for gas in my tank or whatever else I mindlessly spend $30 on over the course of a day or weekend. What about you?

When you consider this, we indeed are asking the question, "What is the VALUE of LOVE?" How do you put a "price tag" on that? YOU CAN'T!

Please, your help is NEEDED TODAY!! Not tomorrow (although we'll take it then too!). Here's the fact - and you know it's true - if you put off until tomorrow something that you can do TODAY, the odds of you doing it then are greatly diminished.

So, please, I beg you - DONATE TODAY!

Go to http://www.FutureYouUniversity.com and click on the "Make-a-Wish" banner on the home page.

NOTE: When you go to the donation page - indicate the amount you wish to donate but DO NOT PUT IN YOUR ZIP CODE or change the "chapter"!!! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! Simply indicate the amount you wish to donate and then fill out your personal information.

IF YOU WOULD- after this is done you have the opportunity to leave a message for everyone else. If you donated the $30 - please leave a note that simply says, "I'm one of the $30" or something along that line. OR if you donated a different amount, please indicate that you are, indeed one that cares!
Too, if you would, leave some sort of indication of how you have come across this information. Perhaps it is from morningcoach. com - if so, perhaps put an MC beside that information. Are you accessing this from theworldneedsmorehappy.com ? Then maybe something to indicate that as well. And, for all of you accessing this through Future You University, how 'bout "F.Y.U."?

Thanks again. We have our work cut out for us for sure. BUT if we will understand the POWER OF LEVERAGE as well as the POWER (and VALUE) of LOVE then we WILL reach this goal!

As always, "Make it an AWESOME Day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

UPDATE on FIRST SEMINAR!! (yeah, READ THIS!)

Alright! (Yeah, I know, I start all of my podcasts that way, too) ;)

Due to some scheduling conflicts that have come up on my end I have had to CHANGE the DATE for my very first SEMINAR! It was scheduled for Saturday, June 13th and now it has been bumped one week to SATURDAY, JUNE 20th!!!

Mark this date down and PLAN TO BE A PART! Why? Well, go to http://www.futureyouuniversity.com/ and click on "F.Y.U. Class of 2009" to read the "why" (uh, can you say "lifetime price freeze"?). You don't want to miss this first, great opportunity!

There will be more things announced very soon that will be "part of the package" of this event - BUT BE THINKING AND PLANNING NOW (and also cast your vote as far as location).

At this point I plan to do one seminar in June, one in July and two in August - all of which will be a part of what I am calling "Future You University - Summer Session 2009".

You want to be a part of this "Summer Session" (again, the FIRST one carries the "lifetime price freeze") because beginning in September, the price for the seminar WILL GO UP!

I'm ready! Are you? Will you? (Hey, by the way, do you have any idea how much FUN we will have on top of all of the pumped up, positive vibes??)

Anyway, there you go - can you tell I'm a little - JUST A LITTLE - excited?

(One last note - I will be scheduling conference calls very, very soon to start sharing with you some more thoughts and insights to this exciting weekend - be listening and watching!)

Mike