Project 141 Expanded: COMMUNITY

Project 141 Expanded Application:"Do 1 thing a day, week or month for others (community)"

 As I continue to discuss the expanded application of "Project 141" (do 1 thing per day 4-1full year in different areas of your life in order to improve and strengthen those areas), I will focus our attention, today, on the area of "Community".

I want to define or clarify my use of the word "community" as it relates to this approach. 

Yes, it can definitely attach itself to the idea of a neighborhood or town but it can also simply refer to others that may have a need. This can be a group of people (such as the community in which you live) or a person or organization that you can do something to contribute to in one way or another. 

Keep those two ideas in mind as you read through the rest of this article and push yourself to even consider applying BOTH "definitions" of the word, "community" into your application of "Project 141".

If you have read and/or listened to the previous articles/podcasts about this expanded use of Project 141, you should recognize these two questions used today as being a version of the first two questions that we have asked about our different relationships. Use these and add your own thoughts as a way to "spur you on" to ACTIVELY do SOMETHING in this area. 

    -------------APPLY THESE QUESTIONS TO TODAY'S TOPIC---------------

 WHAT DO I DO TODAY TO IMPROVE THIS COMMUNITY (or specific situation - R.A.K.)?

WHAT DO I DO TODAY TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS COMMUNITY (or specific situation)?  ---- am I just going to whine and complain about "something needs to be done" or will I be a part of doing what needs to be done?

NOTE: Of the different areas that I am using in this extended application, THIS is the only one that I would suggest that it is o.k. to do something once a week or even once a month.

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 The "Random Act of Kindness" approach to "community": The actual description of this section states: "Do 1 'Random Act of Kindness' per day/week or month (whichever fits you)". I love this idea and, if you've never done anything like this before, SO WILL YOU!

Using the two questions above, approach it as: "WHO do I know that I can do SOMETHING for that would help improve their current situation?" This doesn't have to be something huge. It can a simple phone call and just spending a few minutes chatting with them. This is especially true of elderly people that have been confined at home due to the current pandemic. This could also be a young mother that is overwhelmed trying to juggle taking care of toddlers while, at the same time, trying to work with the "virtual learning" situation going on again, due to the pandemic.  

Want to REALLY have some fun with this? Find a way to do something and remain ANONYMOUS. Maybe you've come across a little extra money (even something like $20) that you think would help out with some gas for the car or for a meal. Then find someone else and ask them to deliver it for you or drop it off with a card where you KNOW they will find it. I once had the opportunity to deliver $100 to a lady. It was not my $100 but I got the joy of seeing joyful tears roll down her cheeks when I told her that someone wanted me to come by and give that gift to her.  

When you get someone else involved you add another layer to the process. Think about this: the person that you brought the gift to gets blessed, YOU get blessed by doing something like this and the person that you chose to deliver the gift also gets blessed by being a part of the process and seeing that person's response! WOW! And, the person you chose to help you may now want to do that with someone else, themselves, which means that you have added another person to the "Project 141 Expanded/Random Act of Kindness Army"!

 The "This is the neighborhood/community in which I live" approach to "community": Have you ever found yourself saying, "Somebody really should do something about that" concerning something that you've come across...particularly in your neighborhood or community?

What are you waiting for or, more precisely, WHO are waiting for to get it done?

Hey friend, what about YOU? What about YOU getting others together to help out? Chances are, if YOU have noticed something that needs to get done, others have as well and it might simply take YOU to serve as the "spark" to bring people together to get something done.

For example, a few years back, I found myself griping and complaining about something that, obviously, bothered me. I had griped and complained about it before (even to management in a certain store) but had never thought about if there was some way that I could do something to make a change. 

With those thoughts in mind, I put the graphic you see below together to challenge myself to DO something and to stop just TALKING about it.

If you find yourself doing the same thing then, friend, perhaps it's time for you to change your thinking as well. If you feel the task is "too big" for you alone then talk to others about it, brainstorm together and see what ideas come together that can help with a solution. 

But, here's the kicker on ALL applications of this approach to "community"...you have to do more than just "talk about it". Here's another graphic that I put together several years ago about that very thing...

"When all has been said and done, that which has been said will be of far less value than that which has been done." - Mike Spillman

"ONE can do much but, MORE THAN ONE can do MUCH MORE!" - Mike Spillman

"This neighborhood/community has too much litter!" - DO something!

"This neighborhood/community has too many yards with tall grass!" - DO something!

 

KEY: Not, "Why isn't someone else doing?" but, rather, "What can I do?" 

Whether along the lines of "Random Acts of Kindness" or the "Neighborhood/Community" approach (and, by the way, they can DEFINITELY overlap), make plans to keep your eyes open for the opportunity to serve and then...DO SOMETHING once a day, week or, at the least, once a month to make a difference!

You can do this!

Until next time, remember, YOU'RE HERE FOR A REASON and, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

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How Can I Help You?

I'm 100% serious when I ask the question, "How can I help you?" Sometimes we are afraid to ask such a question because we may be afraid that someone will take us up on that offer. In connection with this, if you haven't read the last article by now, be sure to do so because it "ties in" to what we are discussing in today's article.

As I've stated before, I don't know what you do or don't believe, but I'm going to share a verse from the Bible with you and, honestly, this verse applies regardless of what you do or don't believe. Hebrews 10:24 reads, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works..."

Let's take a closer look at the wording in this verse and see how it applies to us today again, regardless of what you do or don't believe. "And let us consider one another..." Bottom line - GET YOUR FOCUS OFF OF YOURSELF AND CONSIDER OTHERS.  This, alone, would greatly improve every relationship that exists in our world today! But, there's more in that this verse gives a REASON to do so: "...in order to stir up love and good works..."

Usually when we hear the phrase "stir up" we may have a different thought than what is expressed here. I know for myself, when I think of someone "stirring things up" it is usually with a negative connotation. You know what I mean, right? There are some people that just like to "stir up" trouble. But this is different! In this verse, we are encouraged and challenged to think about others and how we might be able to "stir up love and good works". WOW!

Does our world not need to hear this message today?

In a marriage relationship, if BOTH were focused on trying to figure out ways to "stir up" love and good works, or good things for them, what would that relationship be like? What about the workplace?

I'm sure you have heard this quote from John F. Kennedy many times before. If not, take a moment and notice what he said: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

This is quite a different attitude than the one we see many people feel about our country today, is it not?

When we begin to ask (and mean it) the question, "How can I help you?" we will begin to see all of our relationships improve. Our marriages, our families, our work relationships, our communities, our nation and our world. 

Yes, it really IS that simple but, at the same time, it really IS that difficult. Why so difficult? We tend to be focused on ourselves and what WE want and what is good for ME!

Break the mold and step out considering others and see what begins to happen. 

And, again, I do mean it when I ask, "How can I help YOU?" Connect with me and let me know. And, as you do so, always be sure to...

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

Mike

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H.O.P.E. Enjoy)

 (Please be sure to read the previous three articles in this series if you've not done so).

 

Well, here we are. In the United States, today is being celebrated as "Thanksgiving Day" and I hope you are with family and friends having a great time.

 

To close out this special "Thanksgiving Week" series, I wanted to encourage you to ENJOY life and all that it has to offer.

 

If you will consider and put into action the things that we have discussed in the past few articles then, by investing and opening yourself up to others, you will begin to enjoy life on a whole new level.

 

We all need to stop "stressing out" over everyone doing everything right all of the time or doing it the way WE want it done all of the time. (Yes, I know there are times that it is important.)

 

People are not perfect. YOU are not perfect! My guess is that, you want people to practice patience and forgiveness with you, right? Then, learn to practice and offer that same patience and forgiveness with those around you.

 

"Do to others as you would have them do to you." (Luke 6:31; The Bible)

 

So, friend, open up your heart to life and to others and live out your purpose in life...OTHERS! And, as you do so, ENJOY every minute of it

 

And, from my family to yours...

 





 

 

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H.O.P.E. (Purpose)

(If you've not done so, please read the previous two articles in this series...they are all connected!)

 

 

PURPOSE:

If you've read the previous two articles then, hopefully, you've figured out that your PURPOSE is PEOPLE.

 

That's right. Once you begin to allow yourself to open your heart and your life to others, you will begin to experience life as life was meant to be experienced...ALIVE and CONNECTED!

 

Many people struggle with their "purpose in life" and spend countless days, weeks and even years struggling with that thought. Some even spend countless dollars trying to discover this purpose. Hey, I just saved you lots of time and money!

 

YOUR PURPOSE IS PEOPLE!

 

We're all here together and we're all here for one another. We are all part of the HUMAN race (you ARE human, right?) and, that alone, connects us all.

 

When you close yourself off to others, you rob the world of who you are! You rob the world of your personality and everything else that you offer to this world.

 

Yes, I hear some of you saying, "But what about me? What about MY goals and what I am trying to achieve?" My guess is that you have heard this quote from Zig Ziglar before, haven't you?

 



"You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want,"

 

Just relax and care about others...serve others...be interested in others. Just relax and do that and see what happens in and for your life.

 

Some people call it "karma" and some use the phrase (good or bad), "What goes around, comes around."

 

Regardless of what you decide to call it, it's a true way of life and, friend, I want to encourage you to fulfill your PURPOSE for your life.

 

Even though I may not know you, I - for one - am glad that you are a part of this thing called the "human race".

 

Until next time...

 

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

 

Mike

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H.O.P.E. (Others)

 

If you've not done so, take a few minutes and read the last blog article which introduces the ideas that I had for this series. Read the article it self, as well, so that you can see how these all connect together.

 

OTHERS: 

Friend, we live in a world of PEOPLE. You just can't get around that fact, can you? Oh, I know, there are times that you may wish that it wasn't that way and you may even fantasize about being on some deserted island somewhere, completely isolated from people and all of the problems that go along with them.

 

But, you know what? It wouldn't be long before you began to MISS being around people! Why? Because we were MADE to be around and with other people! That's right, friend.

 

But, many times, we allow the frustrations with people to cause us to "close up" our hearts (see the last article) in order to protect ourselves. But, what actually happens when we attempt to do that, is that we actually hurt ourselves.

 

We become "less human" to some extent and life begins to take a downward spiral.

 

I want to encourage you to OPEN UP and APPRECIATE others! Remember, you are here for a reason and, along with YOU, your world (as well as the world as a whole) is made up of all kinds of different people with different talents, traits and personalities.

 

We're not all alike. AREN'T YOU GLAD?

 

Sure, you're not going to "click" with everyone but, at the same time, if you will allow yourself to "open up" to others, you will likely develop a new level of patience and understanding with those around you.

 

Finally, when you open yourself up to others you also SHARE YOURSELF with others and, friend, that's a good thing, too.

 

This is not just called a "race"...it's called the "HUMAN race".

 

Open up to others and share a part of who  YOU are. Not only will you be glad that you did, but the world will be glad that you did as well.

 

Until next time...

 

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

 

Mike

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H.O.P.E. (Heart)

 

 

In the United States, this is "Thanksgiving Week". Thanksgiving Day will be celebrated on Thursday of this week and, many families will be gathering together at various points during this week to spend time together.

 

I wanted to do a special series for this week as a way to encourage and uplift you even if you are not able to spend time with friends and family this week. I also wanted to do this even if it's not celebrated as Thanksgiving Day where you live.  They will be short and to the point but I hope that they will be beneficial to you as you read. Be sure to listen to the podcasts as well by clicking on one of the links at the bottom of this article.

 

HEART:

I simply want to encourage you to "open" up your heart to those around you. I understand that, at times, it's difficult to deal with people - even family - when they disappoint you and let you down. I also understand that people can be very frustrating and that, at times, you can even feel anger toward them.

 

When that happens it becomes easy to "close up" in order to avoid the hurt and confrontation. It becomes easy to feel that the best way to "protect" yourself is by isolating yourself (both physically and emotionally) from others.

 

Hey, you can't get hurt, frustrated and/or disappointed if you aren't connected or involved in relationships, right?

 

WRONG!

 

Whether you are involved in relationships or not, you will STILL experience hurt, frustration and/or disappointment in someone, somewhere in some way! It is literally impossible for that NOT to be true, unless, of course, you completely isolate yourself from all human contact.

 

But, you don't want that, right?

 

Friend, do not close yourself off. Open up your heart to live and, yes, even to love. It doesn't have to be a "romantic" love to qualify as love. Will you get hurt? Maybe. Will you be disappointed? Probably. Frustrated? Most likely.

 

But, at the same time, you will become connected and you will begin to experience LIFE in the way that you were designed to experience it...CONNECTED TO OTHERS!

 

You will learn and develop the ability to handle the disappointments as well as any possible hurt or frustration that you may encounter. You will become a stronger person and, I believe, a happier person when you allow yourself to be OPEN to life.

 

Open up your heart and become a part of the world in which you live.

 

You'll be glad you did!

 

And, as you do so, be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike

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Veterans Day 2013

To All of Those Who Have Served

I Humbly and Gratefully Say,

"THANK YOU!"

Make Happiness Who You Are

Make Happiness Who You Are

Going through the process of not allowing our happiness to be dictated by people and/or things is, perhaps, one of the hardest things for us to do in the realm of developing a positive mindset.

It seems to be so easy to allow our emotions to be triggered by the smallest and most insignificant things and it also seems to be so hard to fight against that tendency.

Short and sweet, here is the key: CHANGE YOUR FOCUS!

Short and sweet, yes but easy, not necessarily!

If you will really look at our "happiness fixation" it really is usually based on what others can do or how "things" can or will make US happy, right?

C'mon, be honest.

That being said, we must admit then, that we are quite selfish in this area of happiness! And that is exactly why we must change our focus.

I believe that, in the area of personal development, the ONLY way that we can develop a happiness that comes from within (an inner peace) is by changing our focus from US to OTHERS.

Instead of, "what can you do to make ME happy?" we must work on changing that to, "what can I do to bring happiness to someone else's life?".

This is how - in tune with the title of this article - we can "make happiness who (we) are". We must work on making this a part of our DNA, so to speak and allow it to become a part of who we are!

It CAN be done. But it WILL take time.

Time alone won't get it done, however. Hey, time is going to pass one way or the other but it's what we DO with and during that passing time that matters.

Remember, this is a PROCESS and this process must include our involvement in it and it WILL take time! A little at a time and a little each day changing our focus from US to OTHERS will bring about the desired result of making "happy" just a part of who we are.

Regardless of what goes on around us and regardless of how people may treat us.

Now, get ready for this - even some that we try to help and serve will turn on us. That's right! But, again, why waste our energy and emotions on this by allowing their actions to control OUR emotions?

Just know that you attempted to serve and give of yourself and, for whatever reason (bad day, etc.) this particular person rejected it. So what? There are others that are waiting and willing to receive your act of kindness.

THIS IS A FACT!

So...are you ready to begin the process?

Yes, others and things can BRING joy and happiness into our lives (aren't you thankful for that?) but we should never turn the power over to any person or any thing as to whether we can be happy or not.

That power and control is yours. Own it and use it for the benefit and betterment of those around you.

By doing so you will find that, indeed, "happiness is who you are"!

As you go along your way, be sure to...

"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

I Am a GIVER - Not a TAKER!

#5: "I Am a GIVER - Not a TAKER!"

In some areas, it seems that we are taking a turn in the right direction. There seems to have been a surge in the idea of service over the past several years. The youth of our world seem to have more of a desire to be of service in whatever they do.

And, although this is true in some instances, there are still FAR TOO MANY "TAKERS" in this world and not enough "GIVERS".

So, I wanted to remind myself everyday of the need to be a GIVER and not just another TAKER!

As I go through my life one day at a time - that's all we have, right? - I need to focus on ways that I can serve/help those people with which I come into contact. Perhaps it is something small like opening a door for someone who has their hands full. Perhaps it's handing a dollar to the person in front of you in the check out line who, embarrassed, seems to be a few cents short of the total.

Whatever it is - I am convinced that if we will open our eyes to these opportunities around us that we may even be surprised how many opportunities present themselves to us!

Whatever your position in life, decide to be GIVER and not a TAKER!

If you OWN a business - don't seek to get as much money as you can out of your customers - seek ways that you can give them MORE than they thought they'd receive for the price. Also, treat those who work for you with this attitude and I do believe that, more often than not, you will find a work force that is more productive and working with a better attitude.

Whatever you do for your job - approach it with this attitude and see what happens! You may be surprised to find that your day is more enjoyable AND that, possibly, your attitude is noticed and you get some sort of promotion. Who knows?

Here's the thing - wouldn't you agree that, regardless of the "outcome", it's a better way to live?

Sure it is!

Tomorrow I'm going to do a "Part 2" of this affirmation and talk about it concerning our relationships. Come back and join me for that one if you can.

And, all along the way...

"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

While Eating Out the Other Day...

Hello friends! How is your MONDAY? Remember, it's "MAGICAL" and YOU have the opportunity to make it whatever you want it to be!

It's also "MAKE-A-WISH" Monday as I continue to urge (yes, even BEG) you to take action and DONATE to the "Make-a-Wish Foundation" fund drive that I have set up at www.FutureYouUniversity.com - YOUR HELP IS DESPERATELY NEEDED NOW!

So, let me share with you a story that I mentioned on today's podcast about a visit to a fast food restaurant. And, I'll also include something that I forgot to mention on the podcast. (See? Wow! What a great value you get by listening to the podcast AND reading my blog! :) )

This past Thursday my wife and I were on our way to Little Rock when we stopped by a Wendy's restaurant in Cabot, AR. (right off of hwy. 67/167). While standing in line I had already noticed the young lady behind the counter and that she seemed to have a "twinkle" in her eye as she waited on customers. Now listen, you have experienced the same thing as I have, haven't you? Lots of times (if not MOST of the time) the workers are NOT excited and are just there because they have to be and, even if they are not rude, they are not usually very outgoing. So, indeed, when I notice one that seems to have that "spark", it gets my attention!

I actually mentioned it to my wife as we stood in line and then we stepped up to be served. She greeted us with a genuine smile and asked us how we were doing. I don't remember my exact response, but it was something along the lines of, "I'M GREAT!" The young lady (I'm thinking she is still a teenager) responded with something along the lines of, "Alright! An ENTHUSIASTIC customer! That's AWESOME!"

As we got our food and left the counter I mentioned to my wife that I was going to mention that in today's podcast because little did the young lady know that AWESOME is a key word each and every day when I close my podcast and my blog ("Make it an AWESOME Day!").

As we ate I sat and observed what was taking place at the counter with this young lady as well as several other members of the crew working that night. A little old lady came in and ordered for several people. I could hear bits and pieces of the conversation as the workers helped her figure out what was the least expensive way to go. (Hey, a lot of people would not have even tried or would have gone for the way to make the MOST money!). They also named off, one by one, what types of colas were available and then helped her fill up the cups, put them in a carrier and one of the workers walked out to the car with her and helped carry the food items.

I kept mentioning to my wife what was taking place (she had her back to the counter) and how impressed I was! Another customer came in and the young lady behind the counter greeted him and asked how he was doing. He answered, "Good, and how are you?" to which she replied, "I'm ALWAYS good!" Again, I thought - "Wow! What an awesome approach!"

It was then that I decided that I was going to give this girl one of my cards and let her know that I was going to mention her on my podcast because of her positive approach to her job and to her customers. I also wanted to be sure to mention this to the manager as well.

As we waited behind another family in line so that we could share our impressions, I noticed that the teen-aged boy in this family had some sort of mental disability and that this young lady behind the counter did not let it interrupt her "positive approach" in any way. As a matter of fact, she had a smile on her face and, after taking their order, began to carry on a conversation with the boy by asking him where they were from and what they had been doing. You could tell that this just made this young man's day - a chance for him to tell someone that they had been to St. Louis and that they had seen the arch!

Friends, I have to tell you - on an "impression scale" of 1 - 10 (10 being super impressed) I was looking at about a 15!

Finally, we stepped up to the counter and I did see the manager in the cooking area. She looked my way and I asked, "Excuse me, are you the manager?" (Now, you know that usually when someone asks that question, there is a problem!). The manager came to where we were and I told her how impressed we had been with the whole crew and the way that they treated their customers and that it was a pleasure to watch. I also handed one of my cards to the young lady that had waited on us and told her I would be talking about her - and the rest of the crew - on today's podcast. Honestly, you would have thought this young lady had just won a bunch of money as she began to jump up and down excitedly. The manager asked if I knew her name and - in between the jumping up and down - I said, "Yes, I can see her name tag and her name is Laura." To which Laura exclaimed, "Laura Bryant! My last name is Bryant! It's Laura Bryant!!"

I was smiling and laughing and so glad that I had the chance to bring such joy to this young lady. I told the manager that I would contact Wendy's and let them know of our impressions (which, by the way, I have done) and that I'd be sharing this information with you, my readers and listeners!

As we left, my wife and I were grinning from ear to ear and we talked about this for several miles down the road as we both talked about that image in our minds of Laura jumping up and down and squealing with delight!

HERE'S THE KICKER THAT I FORGOT TO MENTION ON THE PODCAST -

Last Thursday was "Thankful Thursday" and in that podcast I specifically encouraged everyone to say "thank you" to as many people as possible and to be aware of those "good deeds" that happen that we usually overlook. To be honest with you, I had forgotten completely about that until we were several miles down the road past the restaurant.

I told my wife how amazing it was that:
1. There was the coincidence with Laura using the word, "Awesome!" not knowing that it is used by me each and every day in my podcast, blog and ANY article that I write anywhere.
2. All of this happened on "Thankful Thursday" and what joy it brought my wife and I to see the reaction to taking the time to say, "Thank you!" to Laura, the manager and the rest of the crew that night.

So, to the NIGHT CREW at the WENDY'S in CABOT, ARKANSAS - I thank you and salute you for the outstanding way in which you serve your customers! Keep up the great work!

Oh...and to the manager --- Give LAURA a RAISE! I can promise you that she is bringing money into that restaurant by her personality and service to your customers!

Try saying "Thanks" to someone today and see what happens! You don't have to wait until "Thankful Thursday" to do so, do you?

And, as always....

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

Mike