The topic for this blog comes from my Wednesday podcast - and we call Wednesday, "WIDE OPEN Wednesday".
This phrase has a great connection to the topic for today as well. Here's the bottom line to be thinking about when you hear or read the phrase, "WIDE OPEN"...your day is WIDE OPEN before you and it's WIDE OPEN for you to do with it as you will!
It's true! Yes, I do know that there are many thngs that can happen during our day that are out of our control. But, again, we DO have control over how we react to those things and also the impact that it may have on our day, week and life. The day is, indeed, WIDE OPEN before you.
It's not always to remember that, is it? It's not always easy to act in a way that demonstrates belief in that principle. It does take effort!
When I was in High School playing basketball, I can remember many times in practice or even in a game how the coach would fuss at us if we didn't play very good defense. I especially remember how it applied to me when someone on the opposing team would drive down the lane for a lay up! Why? Because I played in the middle and, usually, was responsible for stopping them. When this would happen the coach would say something like, "My goodness guys! I could drive a Mac truck down that lane!"
Now obviously, he was exaggerating just a little, but he was pointing out that the lane was "WIDE OPEN" for the opposing team and it allowed them to have success.
As I watched Monday Night Football the other night I enjoyed seeing Felix Jones (yes, a former Arkansas Razorback! - Go Hogs!) have success running the ball. However, even though Felix is very talented and very fast, he couldn't have success without others BLOCKING for him, MOVING people for him and CREATING a WIDE OPEN lane or "hole" for him to run through.
We must do what is necessary to give us that "wide open" situation in our own lives. I believe that listening to positive podcasts (yes, like mine)and reading positive things like you are doing with this blog are the things that "BLOCK" for us and create the holes for us and present the principle of "WIDE OPEN" in our day.
Here's something else though. Sometimes an offensive line can open up a hole for a running back and the running back doesn't take advantage of it. Why? He doesn't "see" the hole! This is especially true of those times when the hole that is opened up is only there for a split second and not very big. You will hear commentators talk about a player that has the ability to "see the hole" and to "hit the hole". That's what they are talking about - those players that have the ability to SEE the OPPORTUNITY to make FORWARD PROGRESS due to that opening.
"PROGRESS IS NOT CREATED BY CONTENTED PEOPLE" - Frank Tyger
I appreciate my friend, Jim Ferguson (by the way, Happy Anniversary to Jim and his wife!) for sending this quote to me. It's powerful and it's true!
Yes, we need to appreciate what we have. Yes, we need to be thankful for our families, our homes, etc. Being happy and peaceful does not necessarily mean that we have to be content to the point that we cease to look for the "WIDE OPEN" opportunities in our lives!
We can again see this idea played out in the sporting world. Many times - and this is true in just about ANY sport - a team will have the lead as they near the end of the game and they will become very conservative in their approach to the game. They cease playing to win and begin to play to "not lose". And, many times, the very thing that they try to avoid (losing) is exactly what happens!
They became content with a lead instead of pushing forward for what was available to them. How sad that is to see for a true fan but it is even sadder to see that played out in life.
Successful running backs - for example - are those that are not content for a gain of five yards but work and struggle and fight for an additional two, three or more yards.
Now, in case you think I'm talking about living a life of "it's never enough" - that's not what I'm talking about. Let's make this real simple. Let's say you decide that you are content with what you have right now. That's great, right? Sure it is! However, the fact is that, for most people, in order to even maintain our present lifestyle we must STILL go back to work tomorrow and do our best. Why go back? Why try to do your best? Why try to gain a promotion?
You see, all of these things point to the fact that we must ALL continue to work toward this level of peace and joy in our lives.
This has really turned out to be a blog full of sports analogies - and yes, here comes another one!
I love games played on real grass! I love it when, due to rain or snow, the field gets messed up and muddy and the players uniforms actually LOOK like they are playing football! When this happens, due to the fact that most of the action takes place in the middle of the field (the "trenches") the field becomes a mess there! It becomes hard for the players to keep their footing which makes it especially hard for any running back that tries to run in that mess!
So, what does a smart coach do? He tries to organize plays that will get that running back to the outside - away from the muddy mess in the middle of the filed - where the footing is more solid and where he can get to the "WIDE OPEN" area of the field!
You will even see this played out when the filed is NOT a mess. Perhaps the play was designed for the running back to go right up the middle. You will see the talented running backs (the ones that "see the hole") many times hit the wall of players there, realize that the hole is not there and then "bounce out" away from that mass of players and then get to the "outside" to the "WIDE OPEN" part of the field and many times get a lot of yardage or even score a touchdown.
WE MUST DO THIS IN OUR OWN LIVES many times! Hey, listen friend - we need to open our eyes and realize that sometimes we have to get out of the rut and out of the "muddy mess" that we keep stomping around in and CHANGE DIRECTION! We need to open our eyes and see that, sometimes, we must do something different and try to get to that "WIDE OPEN" part in our lives.
Wanna' know a secret? It's there every single day! But, you have to see it. You have to want it. You have to seek it and you have to desire it!
Last night as I was listening to a CD I heard a guy say, "Champions play in the end zone."
I like that! The champions are the ones that have found a way to "see" and then "hit the hole" in order to get to the "WIDE OPEN" area of their lives!
And, my friend, that champion lies within YOU!
Oh, and when you get to that end zone? DANCE, my friend, DANCE!
What a celebration!
Remember - today is WIDE OPEN for you so, with that in mind...
"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"
Mike
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Stay in Touch!
We live in a world of some AMAZING technology! I remember the days of reading the old "Dick Tracy" comic strips and seeing all of the cool gadgets that he had - in particular the "watch phone" that he wore! WOW!
We're pretty much there, aren't we?
Do a little test right now - yes, right now - look around you and just see how many people are either listenig to something on an mp3 player, talking on their cell phone, texting or doing something on their computer. My guess is that, when you combine all of those together, you are looking at around 95% or so.
Most of these things are wonderful additions to our lives! I mentioned on the podcast for Tuesday how I remember the first video camera that I used back in the mid-80's. It was HUGE! You had to place it on your shoulder just to be able to hold it up and then you literally had it plugged in to a VCR which was attached to a strap around your neck. So, here I was walking around with a VCR strapped to my side. Now, fast forward to today! The camcorder I have at home fits in my hand perfectly and most digital cameras have video capabilities.
What about your cell phone? Yes, my first cell phone was a "bag phone" which, though smaller than the VCR I used to lug around for my camcorder, was quite similiar! Fast forward once again and they are tiny in comparison yet are able to do so much more than before.
Listen, whoever it was that came up with a way to convince people it's easier and more fun to type on a tiny keyboard with your thumbs than it is to talk on your cellphone is a marketing genius!!! (Be sure to be watching for a new type of "carpal tunnel syndrom" that will be appearing in the very near future due to this practice).
I'm glad I can download mp3's off of the computer and listen to it anywhere I go. I'm glad my new camcorder is so small and easy to handle. I'm glad I no longer have to take film to be developed when I take pictures. I'm glad I can talk on a cell phone to anyone, anywhere and I don't pay crazy long distance charges. I'm glad my son can have a cell phone with him when he is on the road so that he can call if there is a problem.
But, I hate it when I see people get SO wrapped up with these things that they begin to lose contact with "real" people.
Here's another example: Social networks.
They are a WONDERFUL thing! I have been "reconnected" with friends from my past due to some of these sites and I love sharing parts of my life and being in contact with so many people in ways that weren't possible before.
However, I must be careful that I don't get SO wrapped up with the social networks that I almost become "anti-social" with my own family. See what I mean? It's so easy to spend HOURS in front of the computer updating this and that and checking on this person and that person, etc. that I rob my family (and rob myself) of precious time together.
I cringe when I see people standing with others who are attempting to have a conversation with them while they are busy texting on their cell phone. For one - that is just plain RUDE! Secondly, what does it say about you and your real interest in that person that is attempting to communicate with you. Yes, I mean the actual person standing in front of you!
Just like anything else that has great potential for good, we must learn to control these things in our life or they will control us. And, sad to say, I see these things controlling too many people's lives.
So, friend - be honest with yourself as you examine this trend in your own life.
The next time you begin to whine and complain about not getting promoted or getting a raise ask yourself this question: "How much time am I taking away from my work by talking on my cell phone, texting others or surfing the internet when I actually SHOULD BE working?" BE HONEST in your answers!
The very technology that is created to help us stay in touch with each other can sometimes do just the opposite - especially with those warm bodies that are actually around us.
So, do a critique of your own life. Be honest in your evaluation. DISCIPLINE YOURSELF in the changes that must be made (yes, you can be ADDICTED to these things!) and STAY IN TOUCH with those that matter most...the people around you.
By doing so, I firmly believe that you will be able to the following even better than ever before:
"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"
Mike
We're pretty much there, aren't we?
Do a little test right now - yes, right now - look around you and just see how many people are either listenig to something on an mp3 player, talking on their cell phone, texting or doing something on their computer. My guess is that, when you combine all of those together, you are looking at around 95% or so.
Most of these things are wonderful additions to our lives! I mentioned on the podcast for Tuesday how I remember the first video camera that I used back in the mid-80's. It was HUGE! You had to place it on your shoulder just to be able to hold it up and then you literally had it plugged in to a VCR which was attached to a strap around your neck. So, here I was walking around with a VCR strapped to my side. Now, fast forward to today! The camcorder I have at home fits in my hand perfectly and most digital cameras have video capabilities.
What about your cell phone? Yes, my first cell phone was a "bag phone" which, though smaller than the VCR I used to lug around for my camcorder, was quite similiar! Fast forward once again and they are tiny in comparison yet are able to do so much more than before.
Listen, whoever it was that came up with a way to convince people it's easier and more fun to type on a tiny keyboard with your thumbs than it is to talk on your cellphone is a marketing genius!!! (Be sure to be watching for a new type of "carpal tunnel syndrom" that will be appearing in the very near future due to this practice).
I'm glad I can download mp3's off of the computer and listen to it anywhere I go. I'm glad my new camcorder is so small and easy to handle. I'm glad I no longer have to take film to be developed when I take pictures. I'm glad I can talk on a cell phone to anyone, anywhere and I don't pay crazy long distance charges. I'm glad my son can have a cell phone with him when he is on the road so that he can call if there is a problem.
But, I hate it when I see people get SO wrapped up with these things that they begin to lose contact with "real" people.
Here's another example: Social networks.
They are a WONDERFUL thing! I have been "reconnected" with friends from my past due to some of these sites and I love sharing parts of my life and being in contact with so many people in ways that weren't possible before.
However, I must be careful that I don't get SO wrapped up with the social networks that I almost become "anti-social" with my own family. See what I mean? It's so easy to spend HOURS in front of the computer updating this and that and checking on this person and that person, etc. that I rob my family (and rob myself) of precious time together.
I cringe when I see people standing with others who are attempting to have a conversation with them while they are busy texting on their cell phone. For one - that is just plain RUDE! Secondly, what does it say about you and your real interest in that person that is attempting to communicate with you. Yes, I mean the actual person standing in front of you!
Just like anything else that has great potential for good, we must learn to control these things in our life or they will control us. And, sad to say, I see these things controlling too many people's lives.
So, friend - be honest with yourself as you examine this trend in your own life.
The next time you begin to whine and complain about not getting promoted or getting a raise ask yourself this question: "How much time am I taking away from my work by talking on my cell phone, texting others or surfing the internet when I actually SHOULD BE working?" BE HONEST in your answers!
The very technology that is created to help us stay in touch with each other can sometimes do just the opposite - especially with those warm bodies that are actually around us.
So, do a critique of your own life. Be honest in your evaluation. DISCIPLINE YOURSELF in the changes that must be made (yes, you can be ADDICTED to these things!) and STAY IN TOUCH with those that matter most...the people around you.
By doing so, I firmly believe that you will be able to the following even better than ever before:
"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"
Mike
Monday, September 28, 2009
Teachers, Churches, Organizations - RAISE MONEY FOR YOUR GROUP!
First of all, this is also available and potentially POWERFUL for individuals as well - all of this information applies to an individual just as it does groups...so think of the potential even for yourself.
But my focus on this note is for TEACHERS and the potential to raise money for their school or even just their classroom needs, for CHURCHES and the ability to raise money for their missions, youth group or ANY other such need and also for ANY ORGANIZATION (Lions, Kiwanis, etc.) to raise money for their causes.
This is something that you can do - AND IT'S ALL FREE! (Yup, that's right - free!)
I will attempt to tell you about this in my own words, but the best thing to do is to also take a look at my own BLASTOFF page and see for yourself what it is and how it looks, etc.
http://ppl.blastoffnetwork.com/mikespillman
Here's the basic idea:
When the time comes (mid-October) you can get a FREE Blastoff page under me and customize it to suit you and your personality. If you notice on the "mall" section, there are numerous merchants available for your shopping pleasure and also indicators of the % of "cash back" that they will send you. So, each time you buy from these merchants you will receive cash back. Pretty cool, huh?
"But I don't do any shopping on-line!"
Not a problem! Other people do, don't they? So, even if you don't do any shopping on-line, you get others to get their page from YOUR page - that way they are connected to you. And, for each one of those people that do so you will receive a % of every dollar that is spent. Even "cooler", huh?
Here's the kicker - for each person that gets their page from you, you get $$ on that person plus the next 9 that come from them. In other words, you get paid on people "10 deep". WOW!
And, this is true for EACH person that gets a page from you! For each one, you get paid on people "10 deep". Are the wheels in your head starting to turn yet?
TEACHERS, CHURCHES, ORGANIZATIONS, etc.....
You can do this for ANY group or cause. Let everyone know what you are doing and send them to your page and ask them to get their own BLASTOFF page from you and watch what happens!
This is what is called "viral"!!!!
"Oh, but I'd rather spend my money locally." Think about this - when all of these people with you shop on-line and you (as well as they) either get paid for themselves OR use this as a way to raise $$ for their particular group - WHERE IS THIS MONEY GOING TO BE SPENT?
LOCALLY! This is a true example of the global market impacting your local market!
Now, let's do some numbers just to help you see how this spreads. If you were to have ONLY 3 people get a BLASTOFF page under you (from your page) and each one of those 3 people had ONLY 3 people get their BLASTOFF page under them and this "3 people" model is consistent all the way down through 10 degrees under you, take a look at the number of people you end up with ......59,049!!!!!
I have no way to know how much money would come from that and I wouldn't even dare to suggest such. But here's the thing - IT'S FREE TO YOU so wouldn't ANY money that comes from this to you or your group be a BIG PLUS?
This is NOT a "get rich quick" scheme. I wouldn't even suggest it's a "get rich" idea at all. But, couldn't we ALL use some extra money in our pockets? Couldn't every teacher use some extra $$ for their classroom? Couldn't every church use a little extra $$ for their missions or youth or any other group that they have? Couldn't every civic organization use another way to bring in funds for the things that they support?
YES!
So, here's what you need to do:
1. Take a look at my BLASTOFF page from the link above if you haven't done so already
2. Think about the possibility for you and/or some group that you would love to support
3. Send me a note and tell me that you want to do this when it "opens up" for you (mid-October)
4. Start thinking about who all YOU want to get "on board" with you to help in whatever way you want to do this.
Why the delay? Why can't you sign up until mid-October?
---------------------------------------------
Because there is an exclusiveness to this right now and this is how I am already able to have my page up. Also, because I took advantage of this opportunity, my BLASTOFF group does not just go out 10 degrees...it goes out to 20 degrees on each person. Yup, you read that right!
Now, this is NOT required for anyone to participate! Please make sure you understand that! This next part is not for everyone - but it MAY be something you want to look at. On my BLASTOFF page, notice the right side notation about saving $177.
Between NOW and Wednesday, Sept. 30th - THIS TIME FRAME IS ABOUT UP - those interested in this opportunity talked about on this "notation" I pointed out to you can take advantage of this savings, get their BLASTOFF page NOW as well as get their extra 10 degrees on each person.
After that date, the opportunity will still be available, and that person can still get their BLASTOFF page before mid-October AND still get their extra 10 degrees on each person --- but it will cost them a lot more to do so!
So, especially on that part - if it is something that interests you - GET IN TOUCH WITH ME IMMEDIATELY!
--------------------------------------------
Then, those that have their exclusive BLASTOFF page will have until mid-October to tell as many people as possible about this and get people thinking about it. Once it's opened up in mid-October (12th) then there will be about a 2 week period where even YOU have a certain level of "exlusiveness" in getting people to get their page through you. How? At the end of October, BLASTOFF becomes available world-wide and many companies are lined up to use this explosive idea in their marketing plans. This means that ANYONE can get their own page by simply going on-line and signing up.
WHY NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR CHANCE NOW?
I know I covered a lot - PLEASE contact me with ANY question(s) that you may have!
My wish is that this will be something very positive for you, your family and/or your group or organization!
"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"
Mike
But my focus on this note is for TEACHERS and the potential to raise money for their school or even just their classroom needs, for CHURCHES and the ability to raise money for their missions, youth group or ANY other such need and also for ANY ORGANIZATION (Lions, Kiwanis, etc.) to raise money for their causes.
This is something that you can do - AND IT'S ALL FREE! (Yup, that's right - free!)
I will attempt to tell you about this in my own words, but the best thing to do is to also take a look at my own BLASTOFF page and see for yourself what it is and how it looks, etc.
http://ppl.blastoffnetwork.com/mikespillman
Here's the basic idea:
When the time comes (mid-October) you can get a FREE Blastoff page under me and customize it to suit you and your personality. If you notice on the "mall" section, there are numerous merchants available for your shopping pleasure and also indicators of the % of "cash back" that they will send you. So, each time you buy from these merchants you will receive cash back. Pretty cool, huh?
"But I don't do any shopping on-line!"
Not a problem! Other people do, don't they? So, even if you don't do any shopping on-line, you get others to get their page from YOUR page - that way they are connected to you. And, for each one of those people that do so you will receive a % of every dollar that is spent. Even "cooler", huh?
Here's the kicker - for each person that gets their page from you, you get $$ on that person plus the next 9 that come from them. In other words, you get paid on people "10 deep". WOW!
And, this is true for EACH person that gets a page from you! For each one, you get paid on people "10 deep". Are the wheels in your head starting to turn yet?
TEACHERS, CHURCHES, ORGANIZATIONS, etc.....
You can do this for ANY group or cause. Let everyone know what you are doing and send them to your page and ask them to get their own BLASTOFF page from you and watch what happens!
This is what is called "viral"!!!!
"Oh, but I'd rather spend my money locally." Think about this - when all of these people with you shop on-line and you (as well as they) either get paid for themselves OR use this as a way to raise $$ for their particular group - WHERE IS THIS MONEY GOING TO BE SPENT?
LOCALLY! This is a true example of the global market impacting your local market!
Now, let's do some numbers just to help you see how this spreads. If you were to have ONLY 3 people get a BLASTOFF page under you (from your page) and each one of those 3 people had ONLY 3 people get their BLASTOFF page under them and this "3 people" model is consistent all the way down through 10 degrees under you, take a look at the number of people you end up with ......59,049!!!!!
I have no way to know how much money would come from that and I wouldn't even dare to suggest such. But here's the thing - IT'S FREE TO YOU so wouldn't ANY money that comes from this to you or your group be a BIG PLUS?
This is NOT a "get rich quick" scheme. I wouldn't even suggest it's a "get rich" idea at all. But, couldn't we ALL use some extra money in our pockets? Couldn't every teacher use some extra $$ for their classroom? Couldn't every church use a little extra $$ for their missions or youth or any other group that they have? Couldn't every civic organization use another way to bring in funds for the things that they support?
YES!
So, here's what you need to do:
1. Take a look at my BLASTOFF page from the link above if you haven't done so already
2. Think about the possibility for you and/or some group that you would love to support
3. Send me a note and tell me that you want to do this when it "opens up" for you (mid-October)
4. Start thinking about who all YOU want to get "on board" with you to help in whatever way you want to do this.
Why the delay? Why can't you sign up until mid-October?
---------------------------------------------
Because there is an exclusiveness to this right now and this is how I am already able to have my page up. Also, because I took advantage of this opportunity, my BLASTOFF group does not just go out 10 degrees...it goes out to 20 degrees on each person. Yup, you read that right!
Now, this is NOT required for anyone to participate! Please make sure you understand that! This next part is not for everyone - but it MAY be something you want to look at. On my BLASTOFF page, notice the right side notation about saving $177.
Between NOW and Wednesday, Sept. 30th - THIS TIME FRAME IS ABOUT UP - those interested in this opportunity talked about on this "notation" I pointed out to you can take advantage of this savings, get their BLASTOFF page NOW as well as get their extra 10 degrees on each person.
After that date, the opportunity will still be available, and that person can still get their BLASTOFF page before mid-October AND still get their extra 10 degrees on each person --- but it will cost them a lot more to do so!
So, especially on that part - if it is something that interests you - GET IN TOUCH WITH ME IMMEDIATELY!
--------------------------------------------
Then, those that have their exclusive BLASTOFF page will have until mid-October to tell as many people as possible about this and get people thinking about it. Once it's opened up in mid-October (12th) then there will be about a 2 week period where even YOU have a certain level of "exlusiveness" in getting people to get their page through you. How? At the end of October, BLASTOFF becomes available world-wide and many companies are lined up to use this explosive idea in their marketing plans. This means that ANYONE can get their own page by simply going on-line and signing up.
WHY NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR CHANCE NOW?
I know I covered a lot - PLEASE contact me with ANY question(s) that you may have!
My wish is that this will be something very positive for you, your family and/or your group or organization!
"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"
Mike
You Have to Keep on Living!
Hey, one thing is for sure - life isn't always fair!
But, even though that is true, there is one defining factor that each and every one of us can claim as our own "secret plan". Want to know what it is?
"As long as there is breath there is hope!"
Surprised? Disappointed that it isn't something more than that? Again, sometimes the profound can be FOUND in the simple!
Yes, life can definitely knock you to your knees - but, what then? Will you stay there? Will you give up? Will you surrender?
Or, will you heed the rallying cry, "NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER GIVE IN, NEVER SURRENDER!" and rise to your feet to fight?
It is important for all involved to remember to fight - TO KEEP ON LIVING!
All of us have likely suffered setbacks in our lives that could cause us to sit in the shadows and slip into a deep, dark depression. And, some of us have done just that in the past. I've shared how that happened to me several years ago and I can say this with certainty - THAT'S NO WAY TO 'LIVE'!
Today I want to encourage you to LIVE in spite of adversity! I want to encourage you to rise above the pain, disappointment and the fear - and LIVE!
On today's podcast I shared a couple of examples in my own life that brought this discussion to my mind in the first place and I'll share them with you here in the blog as well.
As you know, my wife had a heart attack a little over a month ago and almost died. We know for a fact that she "flat lined" at least once. I'll get to the impact of THAT scenario in a moment, but first I'd like to discuss a different area connected to this that could stop us in our tracks.
BILLS.
That's right - medical bills. And, man, have they come pouring in! I still haven't quite figured out how we're going to handle them all - but we WILL find a way and we WILL be alright through it all! However, if we were to allow it, this - in and of itself - could knock us to our knees and throw us into deep despair!
Yet, before the first bill even arrived I told my wife that we would not let the bills stop us from living and enjoying life! Oh yes, there will be some things we will have to change and cut back on but I will not give in to the tendency to do that to the point that one ceases to enjoy life!
For example, now would not be the time for me to decide to buy a new car! That, in my opinion, would be quite foolish at this point in time. However, my wife and I did just return from a multiple day motorcycle ride up to Fayetteville, Arkansas for the Bikes, Blues and BBQ Festival there - the 3rd largest motorcycle rally in the United States.
Did it cost money? I think you can figure that one out. And, yes, there was a part of me at times (before we ever left) that thought, "We don't need to spend the money on the hotel, meals and gas right now." But I didn't let that thought prevail and we went anyway - and I am so glad we did.
For one, we now have another wonderful and memorable trip to add to our bank of memories - and pictures to look at as well. It was so good to get out in nature (the weather was GORGEOUS) and enjoy the feel of the air on our faces! It was good to see a lot of our friends and ride with a large group on Friday. All of this was good, but it was also IMPORTANT!
It was IMPORTANT for us to make this trip for another reason. I just talked about how we could not allow the bills to keep us from living - that was part of it for sure. But on the other side, it was even more IMPORTANT for us to make this trip and "keep on living".
Here's what I mean. My wife has had several people ask her in the weeks since her heart attack, "Aren't you afraid it's going to happen again?" Her answer, "No." Now, that's the shortened version of her answer because she explains something that is very important for all of us to realize!
She goes on to explain that she cannot live her life in fear! Sure, it may happen again - but it also may not! She cannot live each day in fear and allow that fear to paralyze her from living life!
I love that answer, don't you?
So, this trip was IMPORTANT for us to show others - and ourselves - that we WILL rise above this event and we WILL conquer any fear that wants to take us down and we WILL continue to live!
I'm proud of my wife! I'm proud of the way that she has filled her positive bank and knows how to put it to use in her life. I'm proud of her attitude on all of this and her determination to live life to the full - regardless!
Now, friend, listen... I do understand that many of you have been through a lot worse. Believe me, when I was sitting in the emergency room while the doctors worked on my wife, the idea of not ever getting to talk to her again crossed my mind several times - and I didn't like that thought at all.
If I had lost her - I know the impact would have been devastating. But, I do hope that, through time and with the aid of my positive deposits in my "bank" along with the help of many good friends I, too, would have chosen to live.
Friend, if you are struggling in this area - don't give up, don't give in and don't surrender. You CAN live again! You MUST live again!
Please feel free to contact me at anytime with thoughts, questions and/or input on this or any other topic - mike@futureyouuniversity.com
I'd love to hear from you and, as always...
"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"
Mike
But, even though that is true, there is one defining factor that each and every one of us can claim as our own "secret plan". Want to know what it is?
"As long as there is breath there is hope!"
Surprised? Disappointed that it isn't something more than that? Again, sometimes the profound can be FOUND in the simple!
Yes, life can definitely knock you to your knees - but, what then? Will you stay there? Will you give up? Will you surrender?
Or, will you heed the rallying cry, "NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER GIVE IN, NEVER SURRENDER!" and rise to your feet to fight?
It is important for all involved to remember to fight - TO KEEP ON LIVING!
All of us have likely suffered setbacks in our lives that could cause us to sit in the shadows and slip into a deep, dark depression. And, some of us have done just that in the past. I've shared how that happened to me several years ago and I can say this with certainty - THAT'S NO WAY TO 'LIVE'!
Today I want to encourage you to LIVE in spite of adversity! I want to encourage you to rise above the pain, disappointment and the fear - and LIVE!
On today's podcast I shared a couple of examples in my own life that brought this discussion to my mind in the first place and I'll share them with you here in the blog as well.
As you know, my wife had a heart attack a little over a month ago and almost died. We know for a fact that she "flat lined" at least once. I'll get to the impact of THAT scenario in a moment, but first I'd like to discuss a different area connected to this that could stop us in our tracks.
BILLS.
That's right - medical bills. And, man, have they come pouring in! I still haven't quite figured out how we're going to handle them all - but we WILL find a way and we WILL be alright through it all! However, if we were to allow it, this - in and of itself - could knock us to our knees and throw us into deep despair!
Yet, before the first bill even arrived I told my wife that we would not let the bills stop us from living and enjoying life! Oh yes, there will be some things we will have to change and cut back on but I will not give in to the tendency to do that to the point that one ceases to enjoy life!
For example, now would not be the time for me to decide to buy a new car! That, in my opinion, would be quite foolish at this point in time. However, my wife and I did just return from a multiple day motorcycle ride up to Fayetteville, Arkansas for the Bikes, Blues and BBQ Festival there - the 3rd largest motorcycle rally in the United States.
Did it cost money? I think you can figure that one out. And, yes, there was a part of me at times (before we ever left) that thought, "We don't need to spend the money on the hotel, meals and gas right now." But I didn't let that thought prevail and we went anyway - and I am so glad we did.
For one, we now have another wonderful and memorable trip to add to our bank of memories - and pictures to look at as well. It was so good to get out in nature (the weather was GORGEOUS) and enjoy the feel of the air on our faces! It was good to see a lot of our friends and ride with a large group on Friday. All of this was good, but it was also IMPORTANT!
It was IMPORTANT for us to make this trip for another reason. I just talked about how we could not allow the bills to keep us from living - that was part of it for sure. But on the other side, it was even more IMPORTANT for us to make this trip and "keep on living".
Here's what I mean. My wife has had several people ask her in the weeks since her heart attack, "Aren't you afraid it's going to happen again?" Her answer, "No." Now, that's the shortened version of her answer because she explains something that is very important for all of us to realize!
She goes on to explain that she cannot live her life in fear! Sure, it may happen again - but it also may not! She cannot live each day in fear and allow that fear to paralyze her from living life!
I love that answer, don't you?
So, this trip was IMPORTANT for us to show others - and ourselves - that we WILL rise above this event and we WILL conquer any fear that wants to take us down and we WILL continue to live!
I'm proud of my wife! I'm proud of the way that she has filled her positive bank and knows how to put it to use in her life. I'm proud of her attitude on all of this and her determination to live life to the full - regardless!
Now, friend, listen... I do understand that many of you have been through a lot worse. Believe me, when I was sitting in the emergency room while the doctors worked on my wife, the idea of not ever getting to talk to her again crossed my mind several times - and I didn't like that thought at all.
If I had lost her - I know the impact would have been devastating. But, I do hope that, through time and with the aid of my positive deposits in my "bank" along with the help of many good friends I, too, would have chosen to live.
Friend, if you are struggling in this area - don't give up, don't give in and don't surrender. You CAN live again! You MUST live again!
Please feel free to contact me at anytime with thoughts, questions and/or input on this or any other topic - mike@futureyouuniversity.com
I'd love to hear from you and, as always...
"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"
Mike
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
WORK the Opportunity!
O.k.... recap -
We've talked about the fact that "Opportunity IS Knocking".
Then, we discussed the need to "SEE the Opportunity".
And, in our last podcast and blog we emphasized the need to "SEIZE the Opportunity".
Now, finally, we also want to discuss another step that is absolutely necessary in this process:
"WORK the Opportunity!"
Remember what Thomas Edison said about opportunity being overlooked because it comes dressed in overalls and appears as work?
We live in a society that seems to live by the idea of not having to do ANY work for ANY reason! This goes back to that idea I expressed in some of the past few blog entries about people waiting for opportunity to just climb up in their lap and drop all of the benefits of that opportunity right there in their lap!
It just doesn't happen that way! It WILL take work!
My goodness - just think about this -- even just getting up out of that easy chair to go answer the door when opportunity knocks! GET UP OUT OF THAT CHAIR!
People whine and complain about wanting jobs but then turn down jobs that come their way. Again, OPEN YOUR MIND and SEE the opportunity and then SEIZE that opportunity.
Once seized - WORK it and make it work for you!
We all must get past the "lottery mindset". You know what I mean, right? The idea that we can go in and lay down a few bucks, scratch off a few numbers and walk away rich. That rarely happens! And, again - that's just not reality!
This goes back to some of my earliest podcasts when I asked, "What Are YOUR Dreams Worth?" with the idea of putting effort into and behind our dreams and goals.
I remember when I was in college that our school's business team had a phrase that they would use - T.A.N.S.T.A.A.F.L. - and it was pronounced something like, "tan staffel". What did this acrostic stand for? "There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch" - and that is true, is it not?
Only YOU can take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. No one else can do it for you. It's YOUR choice!
What will you do with it? Will you see it? Will you seize it? And once seized, will you work it?
The choice is yours.
And, as always...
"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"
Mike
We've talked about the fact that "Opportunity IS Knocking".
Then, we discussed the need to "SEE the Opportunity".
And, in our last podcast and blog we emphasized the need to "SEIZE the Opportunity".
Now, finally, we also want to discuss another step that is absolutely necessary in this process:
"WORK the Opportunity!"
Remember what Thomas Edison said about opportunity being overlooked because it comes dressed in overalls and appears as work?
We live in a society that seems to live by the idea of not having to do ANY work for ANY reason! This goes back to that idea I expressed in some of the past few blog entries about people waiting for opportunity to just climb up in their lap and drop all of the benefits of that opportunity right there in their lap!
It just doesn't happen that way! It WILL take work!
My goodness - just think about this -- even just getting up out of that easy chair to go answer the door when opportunity knocks! GET UP OUT OF THAT CHAIR!
People whine and complain about wanting jobs but then turn down jobs that come their way. Again, OPEN YOUR MIND and SEE the opportunity and then SEIZE that opportunity.
Once seized - WORK it and make it work for you!
We all must get past the "lottery mindset". You know what I mean, right? The idea that we can go in and lay down a few bucks, scratch off a few numbers and walk away rich. That rarely happens! And, again - that's just not reality!
This goes back to some of my earliest podcasts when I asked, "What Are YOUR Dreams Worth?" with the idea of putting effort into and behind our dreams and goals.
I remember when I was in college that our school's business team had a phrase that they would use - T.A.N.S.T.A.A.F.L. - and it was pronounced something like, "tan staffel". What did this acrostic stand for? "There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch" - and that is true, is it not?
Only YOU can take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. No one else can do it for you. It's YOUR choice!
What will you do with it? Will you see it? Will you seize it? And once seized, will you work it?
The choice is yours.
And, as always...
"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"
Mike
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