Your Visions Become Reality

“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” - Tony Robbins







Over the weekend I heard one of my favorite speakers, Phil Pringle. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_and_Chris_Pringle) He has a very easy way about him that translates into a lot of energy. He brings out the possibilities that can exist for anyone and more importantly, for you. So how can this be when so many people never seem to reach their potential.

It isn't about a 'pre-determined' potential that many people think they have. The reason is that we don't put enough belief in visions and goals. Every one of us has potential to reach great and wonderful goals. Each of us even have the unlimited ability to dream great visions. Yet again why is it that we can never seem to achieve them.

According to Phil Pringle and many other experts, the first mistake we make is that we fail to write down our dreams, visions and goals. Failing to do this one important thing will hinder any movement. Hinder you from making a 'first step'. Remember that in order to make change in your life, you have to take a first step.

By writing down what it is you wish to achieve, you can now physically visualize the goal. It serves as a first step in making it real. Then continue to remind yourself of the goal, promote it to yourself, tell others about it. Motivation will self generate from this vision to bring you closer in achieving it.

And the wonderful thing about it, by doing so you've made a move. You are not sitting there wondering and wishing but actually doing something. It will lead you to your goal and may very well lead you to greater achievements. But not until you write it down will it ever become real.

Dream your dreams, allow your visions to flow and let them become goals in life. You have the potential to make those visions a reality. You have that potential regardless of circumstance. Believe in yourself because I certainly do.

Tis Better To Have Loved

"Happiness comes more from loving than being loved; and often when our affection seems wounded it is is only our vanity bleeding. To love, and to be hurt often, and to love again--this is the brave and happy life." - J.E. Buchrose

The thing about this life we live is that we are always experiencing it as it unfolds before us. Whether it is in love as quoted above or in everyday movement in what we do. You keep moving forward. To persevere and change for the better as we learn that which works and that which doesn't. Always learning from our past and not regretting it.

The old adage from Tennyson in which he says, 'tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all" should ring true for everyone. Life will have "bad experiences", but look at the larger of those two words. "Experiences" are that, lessons learned that if viewed in a positive light, you will understand that you have learned valuable lessons from them. This in turn makes those experiences wonderful ones. Ones not to regret but to cherish as stones laid out to form your life's path.

I myself have had times of hurt and pain, which have taken time to heal. In the light of day I can see that they shaped who I am. It has also placed me in a better position within life, one that only keeps getting better. I view the past with respect and admiration for something accomplished. For the lives of those that I passed through, I truly hope that I've made a positive impact on them.

As all of us move towards our future, take the past experiences as a foundation for moving forward. Be strong in the idea that with that knowledge, you can shape your future. To steal the phrase, "tis better to have lived, then to have not lived at all."

Take Time For Yourself

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles

As you embark on your new journey, one of more positive thinking and serving others, keeping your attitude going in the right direction is important. There will be times that you need to 'recharge' yourself. To take time out and do something for yourself. In the bigger scheme of life, if you are feeling good and positive about yourself, others will benefit.

For myself, when I work the large amount of hours at my normal job, it can become difficult to write this blog. One becomes so focused on the mechanical aspects of doing things and getting the next chore completed. It has been like that this week and my time was filled.

So I took a short trip on Sunday to the famed 'Abbey Road Studios' here in London. I had taken my wife to the airport on Saturday for her return home. Working most of the remaining day, I decided it was time to indulge myself. This required a quick mapping of where it was relative to my hotel and how to get there. What better way then the London Tube. My adventure was set to roll out in front of me.

For those unaware, Abbey Road Studios is where the Beatles did the bulk of their recording. It is here that the famed record producer George Martin met them and upon detailing the terms of their contract asked if they had any problems with it. After a short pause, guitarist George Harrison remarked "I don't particularly like your tie." The friendship was born and their musical history was born.

What was the draw of the studio location for me? Only to relive some memories and to see where the famed crossing took place. This was the Abbey Road album that was supposed to be called Everest (the brand of cigarette that a studio engineer smoked). The picture was going to be of the four on the Himilayas. But by the time the album was completed, it was decided to call it Abbey Road and take the picture outside of the studio.

I've seen the cover so many times and the picture has been duplicated by quite a few other bands. I choose to believe they all did it out of respect for this group. Tourists from around the world recreate in personal pictures the crossing. They then leave a saying or autograph on the wall in front of the studios. I left my mark by writing, “To one, to all, a place to relive a memory.” Not terribly poetic but simply my thought at the time.

These four guys shared with us their talent for music. It made many of us feel good about ourselves and others. Their music also made us think about things that we may not have. Also, these four guys were like you and me, living life the best way they knew how. Their success gave them opportunity to succeed and fail at many different things.

Today only two survive, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr - George Harrison and John Lennon have passed on. Each made an impact in the lives of many including my own. I chose to relive the memories a bit on a cold Sunday morning in London. It was worth every step and encounter along the way. For it is with memories that we guide ourselves to the future.

Choose the good ones, create new ones and live fully. Cross over to a new place, a new attitude and see your life expand.

Experience Life

I read the following from a site that offers somewhat 'tongue-in-cheek' moments of Zen. That particular moment in time when you say to yourself, now I get it. It reads, "experience is something you don't get until just after you need it."

Let it soak in a bit, chuckle to yourself if you must and then realize just how true it is. Sort of like finding your way in a new town. This morning my wife and I arrived in London on which is a business trip with some amount of relaxation as well. If you have never been here or had the experience of finding your way from Gatwick Airport into central London, it is a trip.

I have been to London previously and flown in through Heathrow Airport...hop on the London Tube and get off at my stop. Gatwick is a bit more challenging in that one manuevers the many corridors of that airport to find the Express train to the Victoria Station in London. Then working your way to the Underground while keeping yourself oriented to the proper direction of the subway trains. Then to once again emerge at your stop to try and orient which direction it is to your hotel, while pulling a large suitcase.

We found the hotel by walking only one extra block. Now that I'm oriented and have had the experience...it is an easy process. Now, could I have taken a taxi? Absolutely, but then where would be the adventure? Where would be the 'experience' of trying something different. Putting one foot in front of the other and making a move. Not to stand outside the station and wait for something to happen but to head off in a direction.

It all works out if you just keep experiencing life. Be bold in what you do in life. Help others along the way. Experience what it is have courage to change. You will reap memories for a life time.

(The picture is courtesy of the www.richardbyrom.com/ website)

Twelve Positive Experiences

"You are not only good yourself, but the cause of goodness in others." - Socrates

Did you know that any contact you have with a customer, it takes twelve (12) positive experiences by the customer to overcome just one (1) negative experience they have had? If you think about it, that is an amazing figure. The odds are 12:1, which can be a difficult position for you to start in if you are the next person in line dealing with that customer.

So what happens if you are one of those next twelve experiences the customer has with your company? First thing to remember is that in the eyes of the customer, you are the company.

YOU = YOUR COMPANY

So take responsibility and represent the company in the appropriate manner. You can't hide behind any excuse such as, "I only work here". Sorry, when you were hired at that company a trust was placed in your hands to represent your employer. Now it may be that you have only a certain level of authority. But it doesn't diminish the fact that you are your company at that point in time.

If you can not accomodate the customer, then certainly go out of your way to assist that customer in getting to the right person. Taking just this amount of concern and effort for the customer will go a long way in the customer relationship. Don't be the road block to success, be one of the twelve positive experiences. Every time you pick up that phone and each time you encounter a customer, consider this the first of twelve needed positive experiences.

Now consider your life outside of work at home, at church or at the store. Those you encounter could be considered as just having had a bad experience. Here is your chance to be one or more of the twelve positive experiences this person needs. Understand that lifting others will ultimately cause your life to be lifted up.

Don't Be The One - Be One Of The Twelve

Grab A New Attitude - Grab The Brass Ring

Courtesy of the "Tom Burhyte Page" at
www.gco.com/eldridge/ eldridge_merry_go_round.html

Ever sit around thinking about how your life could be different. Going round and round in your mind, like sitting on a merry-go-round.

Maybe daydreaming at work regarding how much you may not like what it is you do.

Maybe sitting in traffic between your place of work and home wondering if your well used vehicle couldn't be replaced by a new one.

Maybe at home watching television on that 25" envisioning what it would be like to have a large screen version with surround sound.

Maybe just wishing you had more meaning or purpose in your life.

Daydreaming, wondering and envisioning is good. Everyone should have dreams and goals for a better life. But you wonder how can I ever achieve them? How am I going to grasp that 'brass ring'?

Stop and think about the merry-go-round. Around and around and around and around in circles with the same music. As an amusement ride, I love them for the memories it brings back growing up. For the simplicity of the ride, for the safety of the ride. What can go wrong in a round the circle ride. I had always wondered why the 'brass ring' was there. It hit me years ago that it is there to add a bit of excitement to the ride.

For those that dared to, they could reach out in an attempt to grab it. Maybe earn a free ride or a prize. Many wouldn't try, simply content to hold on tight to go around and around and around. The ones that did keep trying to grab the brass ring eventually succeeded. They had the courage to overcome fear and reach out. What then was left? To move on to another more exciting ride. To take a chance at something different. To move on from the same thing over and over, around and around, again and again.

Get out there and make a move. Sitting still, not changing the way you do things results in just that - nothing changes. Another year goes by, around in a circle on the merry-go-round watching the brass ring pass you by.

Don't wait - reach out and make a change in your life. Reach for the brass ring, do something to help someone else, move your attitude to a higher plateau. Start moving and change will occur.

Lessons In Life Through Tragedy

Pablito - Gabrielle - Nicia - Pablo

At times I like to use this forum to help others in times of need. Doing so usually means that something sad has occurred. It is hopefully offset by my other words of inspiration. So please understand that not only can we learn from tragedy, but can help others during these times of heart break.

Members of our church were involved in a traffic accident on Christmas Eve. A suspected drunk driver ran a stop light, killing the family's 9-year old son. Pablito Medrano had a smile like many other young boys. A smile that he will now share with others gone before him.

Why do I write of this? To serve a reminder of the effects of drunk driving on others. Not to preach against the 'sins of drink' but to say that the choices YOU make can effect OTHERS. These choices can have a positive effect while others can have tragic effects.

What can you do? First, you can read the news article as reference to what I've stated here. It appeared in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/gwinnett/1205/29metfatal.html

Second, there is more to the story. The folks impacted are Nicia and Pablo Medrano, members of my church - Christian City Church (www.christiancitychurch.com). Additionally, Pablito's mother, Karla Navarro is most certainly grief stricken by this news.

Pablo's son, Pablito was in a coma for a few days but unfortunately died. The father Pablo, has internal bruising & Nicia has a broken leg. Their baby daughter Gabrielle is OK. Nicia has said each day gets a little easier. Pablo’s place of employment has kindly given him extra time off, but we assume that is without pay. Nicia is pretty much bedridden but is happy to be back in her own home again. To add to this story, an aunt who had come into town for the funeral and to help take care of baby Gabrielle, was on her way home. She got ten minutes down the road before someone ran a red light and slammed into HER car! She was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery and will be there for a week.

Third and lastly, what things can you do if you wish.

1. Pray for the family; for a quick recovery, for comfort, for strength.
2. We are coordinating through my church the following effort.

• help at their home with the baby
• meals brought to their home
• financial help

As this is a weblog, locally the church is working to get help at their home, with the meals and with financial help. But some of the things you can do online...do you know any businesses in the Atlanta area that could help with meals or food items. You could make some contacts if you do. Also, financial support always helps and is greatly appreciated.

If you would like to help in some fashion, please contact Penni by means of email at our church: PenniH@christiancitychurch.com.

As does life, death teaches us lessons about what we can do for others.

"God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way." - Unknown Author

Persistence In Humor

From the folks at http://www.despair.com/, check out their webpage some time.

There is so much that can be concluded from this particular picture. But what ever you do, do try to be persistent and when something doesn't work out, stop and rethink. Then set another goal and go after it. Persistence does pay off if you want it to... and in those cases in which it doesn't..."it's over, Man. Let her go." Get over it and move on to the next one.

Persistence to Make Changes

We are in our second day of the year and the fog of day one is starting to fade. You can take a bit more time to start planning those changes for this coming year. But don't procrastinate, think of one thing you can do. May be its getting up and leaving for work ten minutes earlier. It will result in a more relaxed drive to work and you will have a better start to your day.

This is a year for change and you are just beginning. Think long term, think of doing thing in small increments and see your success in each of them. In the book I referred to a couple of days ago - "Healthy, Wealthy and Wise - 52 Life Changing Lessons for the 21st Century - is a chapter on persistence. If you want to make change, you will have to be persistent.

Ms. Waggener says, "whatever you are trying to accomplish in your life, you must keep going. Your goals are worthwhile. They deserve committed, unwavering action. They require put-one-foot-in-front-of-the-other sort of dogged movement. They require persistence.

With your new attitude and courage to change, persistence will become easier as you see the rewards of achieving your goals. Stand strong, make a change and do it now. John Quincy Adams said, "patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." Make 2006 your year and start now.

Change Of Attitude For 2006

Today marks a new day in a new year, a rebirth of possibility. The past events of last year, whether good, bad or indifferent are just that, in the past. You can not live on the glory or the pain of those events. What you can do is learn and more importantly, grow from the experience of 2005.

Dean Sweetman has said, "if you really want 2006 to be different, then you have to change the way you do things." This means you can not keep doing things the same way. Change only happens when you make changes for the betterment of your future. Dean goes on to say that, "to possess the future you want, then you have to let go of the past."

Remember my 'rocks in your wagon' article? The past year could have you pulling a wagon full of rocks. Weighing down your ability to pull yourself along to a better life. Or can you look back to a wonderful path of stones paving a way for those that come after you. Leaving a legacy that you can be proud of, doing for others before doing for yourself.

My particular faith comes through at times in my writings. And life is best served by serving your God first, others second and yourself third. I won't get into the physcological thoughts of placing yourself third because we all know we have to take care of ourselves. But serving one and two first will reward the third if done in the correct spirit of servitude.

In doing so, you will reap benefits of different kinds. Dean has stated that you will "prosper in the natural, but you must also have blessing upon your life as well." It will happen this year for you if you are willing to make changes different to 2005. Move forward, move on and live a much more prosperous 2006.