Showing posts with label attitude. Show all posts
Showing posts with label attitude. Show all posts

Friday, April 19, 2013

Don't Hold Back


"Don't hold back - jump in every day with a great attitude. Now is the time." -Travis Brown

Not everyone has to go through traumatic or large life changing issues to get to a point of choosing a better life. For many people though it surely seems that way. I have no figures or colorful graphs to illustrate my point. But the human mind is such that it tends to take a very large knock in the head to make change.

I would tend to believe it has to do with our 'hard-headed' mindset when it comes to staying with one particular way of doing things. I was one that went through life with a single thought on how things worked and my path through it. I felt that positive attitude was the only thing I needed along with working hard. Just keep doing what I'm doing and it will all work out.

The thing we forget is that things change. Ways of getting through life need to constantly be evaluated, adjusted and different paths adopted. When we wear blinders, so much opportunity and possibility get missed.

Having a great and positive attitude is important. It also means looking for new ways, seeing potential in new ways. Being open to change will give you new opportunity for keeping your life on track. You adjust and change when finding life going the wrong way. Allow yourself to see new ways of doing things. Change causes movement and with movement the possibility of a better life.

Stay inspired my friends.

Friday, April 05, 2013

Shaping Yourself


"Such is the state of life that none are happy but by the anticipation of change. The change itself is nothing; when we have made it the next wish is to change again." -Samuel Johnson

In his book, Attitude 101, Dr. John C. Maxwell provides us with a list of those things which shape our attitude.

1. Personality - Who Am I
2. Environment - What's Around Me
3. Word Expression - What I Hear
4. Adult Acceptance/Affirmation - What I Feel
5. Self Image - How I See Myself
6. Exposure To New Experiences - Opportunities For Growth
7. Association With Peers - Who Influences Me
8. Physical Appearance - How We Look To Others
9. Marriage, Family And Job - Our Security And Status

So what are those things shaping your attitude?

Some of the above are self explanatory and others may require you to read more in order to understand them. But the idea here is to start seeing areas that effect us. In example, word expressions and what you hear. If you are around those that are constantly speaking in non-positive ways, you can become trapped and accept that life is just as they say. Counter those negative words into positive ones or, radical thought here), change who you hang around with. Get in the circle of those that are more positive and life affirming.

Take a bold step forward, any step, any type of change. And here is your bold step, pick one of the nine. Choosing from the list above, select one and try changing just that one area of influence for the better.

- Maybe it is simple as finding some source to read more about the list - Attitude 101.

- Maybe it is sitting with someone different (a cheerful person) for lunch.

- Maybe it is a change of clothes, new haircut, shaving your beard, or new pair of shoes.

Little things will spur you to make another change. This leads to more changes and before you realize it, your life has been impacted for the better. Others will notice the change and that will impact them. Some may not like it as you begin to ascend from the negative depths of living. But there will be many that will ride the elevator with you to new heights, cheering you on.

Make a positive change in your life and stay inspired my friends.

Tuesday, April 02, 2013

Get Yourself


"One of the most powerful spiritual gifts we have is encouragement. Encouragers defend, inspire and believe in people." -Dean and Jill Sweetman

There are four keys to having a positive attitude and enabling your ability to encourage others.

  1. Learn to encourage yourself and develop relationships with encouraging people.
  2. Remove unnecessary discouraging influences from your life and let everything be done to build up your spirit.
  3. Watch, read and listen to what builds you up.
  4. When circumstances challenge you determine ways to keep a great attitude.
These four keys are a simple and easy way to remember that your attitude makes all the difference.

Get yourself in order...you can be the biggest inspiration to yourself if you simply try.

Get yourself in a good place...where bad attitudes are not an influence to deter you from the greater good.

Get yourself informed...keep learning as life is a constant education.

Get yourself inventive...for when things happen, you have the courage and faith to keep your attitude positive.

Be a person of good attitude and see your life transform into something greater. And stay inspired my friends.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

21 Ways


To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” ―Oscar Wilde

For the life of me, I can not remember where I found these. But I wrote them down and tucked them away on a sheet of paper quite some time ago. Looking through those papers, it seemed like the right time to post them. My apologies for lack of attribution, but whomever did, the credit is all yours.

Try some of these and see if it changes your life; for the better.
  1. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
  2. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
  3. Don't believe all you hear or spend all you have or sleep all you want.
  4. When you say, "I love you," mean it.
  5. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.
  6. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
  7. Believe in love at first sight.
  8. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
  9. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
  10. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
  11. Don't judge people by their relatives.
  12. Talk slowly but think quickly.
  13. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"
  14. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
  15. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
  16. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
  17. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.
  18. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
  19. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
  20. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
  21. Spend some time alone.
Stay inspired my friends.


Monday, March 11, 2013

Carrying Excellence


Ralph Marston said, “Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude.”

I have strived over these many years to have the right attitude when it comes to my job. And I have not gotten to this point in my career by being the smartest guy. My success or your own, is measured in many ways but it is truly achieved by having an attitude of excellence.

Another quote from Ralph Marston that fits many successful people reads;

"Excellence can be obtained if you:
...care more than others think is wise;
...risk more than others think is safe;
...dream more than others think is practical;
...expect more than others think is possible
.”

You will find that those words can fit into your life as well. You can excel in life and overcome challenges to be successful. Just know that challenges will always be there, but you will be better prepared to face and overcome each of them when you carry an attitude of excellence in your step.

Stay inspired my friends.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Love Attitude


"An attitude is a hypothetical construct that represents an individual's degree of like or dislike for something. Attitudes are generally positive or negative views of a person, place, thing, or event— this is often referred to as the attitude object. People can also be conflicted or ambivalent toward an object, meaning that they simultaneously possess both positive and negative attitudes toward the item in question." -Wikipedia definition

What is your attitude regarding love? Is it a positive view or a negative one? Do you really have a clear view as to what love is?

For most anything that you want to achieve in your life, will require an examination of your own attitudes. If you have a tendency to be negative about possibility in life, you need to change that. If you give weight to past problems when trying something new, you need to change that.

If you want to know how powerful love can be in your life, you have to be willing to change your attitude. You have to learn a new way of understanding what love is. Once you do, it can work great things in your life and the lives of those around you.

Start believing in yourself, change your attitude with action and realize the power of love in your life.

And stay inspired my friends.

Friday, February 08, 2013

Where Do You Sleep


In the book Attitudes 101 by John C. Maxwell, it included a quote from Thomas Jefferson regarding those with bad attitudes, "nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude."

I was reminded of this quote after having spoken to some folks recently. One person was battling this type of attitude and I couldn't think of the right words at the time. As I've always suggested, stay positive and encouraging. There are times when being up front is the better approach. But as Mr. Maxwell says, "dealing with a person whose attitude is bad can be a very tricky thing. Before you try to address the issue, you would benefit from a closer look at attitudes and how they affect an individual."

So I read and try to find the right way of handling such a situation. You as an individual need to read both for advice and inspiration. Think of those commercials in which a person just completes a successful surgery and admits he really isn't a doctor, but did sleep in a Holiday Inn last night. Do you really want that person operating on you?

Being a person of great mental attitude, which starts to bring you into the realm of leadership requires knowledge as well as willingness. So enrich your life by reading up. The inspirational stuff is good as it energizes you as well. I've never said that having a great mental attitude would be easier...but it does become more and more a natural part of your life.

Stay inspired my friends.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Forward in Life


"Positive anything is better than negative nothing." -Elbert Hubbard

When I travel, it can be difficult to find the time to write these articles. but I want each of you to know that my thoughts are on you. I haven't forgotten why I write this blog. It is because each day one person is able to find one thing in my words.

One thing that helps them rediscover the strength inside that will allow them to gain a better life. One word jumps out that will help them move forward to succeed at whatever it is in life they want to accomplish.

By keeping a positive attitude about where you are currently in life means accepting your current condition. Doing so will free up your energy and resources to make a change if that is what you want. You do not have to resign your self to the life that you live. There is an ability inside of you for so much more.

Remember that the life you have is just that, your life. But if you want more from it, do not waste your time worrying and complaining about where and what you have. Take it for what it is, a current place and time in your life. It will free your mind to work out those dreams and visions circling within you.

Use forward thinking and send yourself forward in life with a positive attitude. It certainly beats wallowing in self-doubt and self-despair. Create change in your life by knowing you have the power to change your circumstance.

And above all, stay inspired my friends.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Charting Our Attitude


Here we are at the end of the week. I have had good success in working on my manuscript and sharing one last older post with you. Here from May 12, 2006 is "Charting Your Attitude".


Billy Graham once said, "we do not understand the intricate pattern of the stars in their courses, but we know that He who created them does and that just as surely as He guides them, He is charting a safe course for us." The quote is one mans vision of how we can face an uncertain future. It is a tough thing to go through when it is yourself facing bad times.

Those low spots in your life can always be countered by thinking of those high spots in life. The next thing you can do is one small positive thing. Smile at someone you pass on the street, open a door for another or maybe help out another individual in some small way. The things you do in a positive way will build upon itself. And keeping your attitude strong in spite of down times is of utmost importance.

As you work your way through this, listen to others and know that many are their to help you through these times. Surround yourself with these people not to pour your problems on but to help build yourself up. Many of us have been through the valley and know of your pain. A safe course is being charted for you, read the signs and follow it to a better life.

Monday, June 13, 2011

100 Percent


"Could we change our attitude, we should not only see life differently, but life itself would come to be different. ~Katherine Mansfield

A friend sent me the following a while back and thought I would share with you. It goes on to complain (in theory) of how some people achieve more then 100 percent out of life. But I like the math as a reflection of our own attitudes. So for your enjoyment and consideration, what makes 100%, the math theory.
~~~~~~~~
The following comes from 2 math teachers with a combined experience of seventy years. It has an indisputable mathematical logic to it. This is a strictly mathematical viewpoint, which goes like this:


What Makes 100%?


What does it mean to give more than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been to those meetings where someone wants you to give over 100%.


- How about achieving 103%?
- What makes up 100% in life?


Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:


If the ABCs are represented as percentage numbers:
A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I--J--K--L--M--N--O--P--Q--R--S--T--U--V--W--X--Y--Z
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20-21-22-23-24-25-26

then
H-A--R-D--W--O--R--K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

and
-K--N--O--W--L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

but
A--T--T-I--T--U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

So, one can conclude with mathematical certainty, that while Hard work and Knowledge will get you close,  it is Attitude that will get you all of the way there.
~~~~~~~~

There are other word combinations that will take you beyond 100% but its attitude that gets you there. Think about it and see if maybe your attitudedoesn't add up to getting 100% of what you want in life.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Your Attitude Today


"If you don't get everything you want, think of the things you don't get that you don't want." -Oscar Wilde

Definition of Attitude by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary

1: arrangement of the parts of a body or figure; posture
2: position assumed for specific purpose (threatening attitude)
3: ballet position similar to the arabesque in which the raised leg is bent at the knee
4: a:mental position with regard to a fact or state (a helpful attitude) b:feeling or emotion toward a fact or state
5: the position of an aircraft or spacecraft determined by the relationship between its axes and a reference datum (as the horizon or a particular star)
6: an organismic state of readiness to respond in a characteristic way to a stimulus (as an object, concept, or situation)
7: a:negative or hostile state of mind b:cool, cocky, defiant, or arrogant manner

I guess I find the definition non-surprising. Neither of the "state of mind" definitions (4 and 7) are positive. While definition four could be considered a neutral stand, item seven supposes attitude to be a negative one.

We as humans tend to always go to the negative as a first response. You hear people say, "oh, thats too hard", "that will never work", or "I'm not smart enough." And why do we go to the negative first? Because it is an easy place to go, it is the quick and easy learned choice. But being negative actually consumes quite a bit of our physical energy.

Is that scientific? Maybe, but mostly its my experience in observing people these many years. Additionally, several articles including one in Psychology Today says, "For the same reasons negative people zap your energy, negative emotions, such as anger, resentment, regret, and jealousy, zap it as well. Negative emotions make our minds and bodies tense. In addition, when we experience these kinds of emotions, we have to exert a lot of energy to contain them, which can be exhausting."

So having a positive attitude is really easier then being negative. It simply comes down to retraining ourselves to be more positive. Once you get into the 'groove' of being more positive, it gets easier and easier.

And like I do once or twice a year, read the following titled ATTITUDE by Charles Swindoll. Its a good reminder of how you can view your own attitude.

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think, say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes"

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

The Iceberg


"Success or failure depends more upon attitude than upon capacity. Successful men act as though they have accomplished or are enjoying something. Soon it becomes a reality. Act, look, feel successful, conduct yourself accordingly, and you will be amazed at the positive results." -William James

In the movie, A Bronx Tale, the kid, Calogero 'C' Anello, makes a statement near the end in which he says, "The saddest thing in life is wasted talent, and the choices that you make will shape your life forever." The ability to do or be any thing you want in life is a lesson sometimes learned much later then early.

Do not fool yourself into believing you have no abilities to achieve great things. There is quite a bit inside each of us, inside of you, that given the right frame of mind can propel you to greater heights. It all happens with a huge positive attitude inside.

Think of the iceberg floating out in the large open sea. The area above the water may appear small with only enough capacity to carry a few seals. Aimlessly it drifts with the ocean currents, ships avoiding contact where possible. But underneath the iceberg is an immense structure of ice that goes mostly undetected.

That huge area underneath is your attitude. It can be a negative one or a positive one. Its your choice on what its going to be. A negative attitude will keep you floating aimlessly, never achieving much of anything in life. A positive attitude will propel your abilities to greatness.

We always tend to under estimate the power of our attitude. It can be the difference between languishing in an unsatisfying job position and having a very fullfilling work life. It can be the difference between being lonely forever after a divorce to finding a new life filled with love and happiness.

It can be the difference in everything.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

My Attitude


"We awaken in others the same attitude of mind we hold toward them." ~Elbert Hubbard

What is attitude and how does it relate to you and others?

To me it is a core component of not only one's work but is an essential part of one's life. There are people that go through life constantly battling the belief that, "..if only others would treat me more nicely, then I could have a more positive attitude." These people always believe that others are the reason for their misery. And since others are to blame for their feeling this way, then they justify treating others just as poorly. It is an easy way not to take responsibility for your own actions.

I myself would never say it is easy to maintain a great attitude. My drive into work each day leads me to a freeway and lots of merging cars and people including myself that should have left 5 minutes earlier. Road tension can be high especially when you couple that with a general belief that your own driving skill is better then that of anyone else. There is plenty of opportunity for someone to purposely or inadvertently cut you off or send you a signal.

But how do you let it effect you?

Early in the morning, on the way to work, are you willing to let that other person set the tone of the day for you? Many people do and it isn't just the checkout person in the big discount store that allows it to effect themselves. It is also the person taking service calls over the phone, the bank teller handling your money and yes, the CEO on his or her way to an important meeting.

Attitude is a choice and your life can be changed by changing your attitude. Norman Vincent Peale said, "human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes." It can and does change lives. It can start on that morning drive to work. Try it some time when somebody 'wrongs' you on the road. Just smile and keep your hands firmly on the steering wheel. You may be surprised how it changes your day.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Living Attitude


"Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe." - Voltaire

I will admit that I am not very good when it comes to being sick. The kind of sick that is the minor kind like a flu or head cold. My way of battling is to hunker down, drink lots of water and try not to talk very much. Hopefully I am not a whining type of sick person, but only my wife would be able to tell.

When I think about being sick though, I always wonder how I would react to the big ones. When surgery is required or some greater form of cancer or disease. Those would be the things that a person really has a right to be whiny about. And when I look back at others I have watched go through a major ordeal, it is not being whiny that I saw in them.

A good friend of ours had a form of brain cancer many years ago. She was healed and has had many years of healthy living. Then recently, there was a concern, a spot that appeared again. The worst could be thought and the worry came back over, yet she braved it with great faith and resolve.

The spot was revealed to have been just old scar tissue and is not cancerous. She never lost her faith during this ordeal. She smiled, she lived and she fought off all of the bad things that could have overcome her. Never a 'woe is me' came from her on what could have been completely different.

I also remember watching my Mother go through her fight with Pancreatic Cancer this past year. While she had symptoms (knowing what we know now) back in late 2007, she was diagnosed in January of 2008. It is said normally that by the time it is diagnosed, it is already too late.

But my mother fought the good fight, trying the various rounds of chemo treatments bravely and always with a smile. And as she lay in her final days with family gathered around, she continued to teach us with stories and laughter. Her faith is what kept her in good stead through out. She told us at one point that "prayer was for us before we knew what prayer was."

I do not know each of your beliefs on prayer nor do I write to convince you to pray. For me I find prayer comforting in many ways, believing in my faith to help pull me through despite what is happening in the natural. I learned from my mother and many others, that you approach sickness just as anything else two ways. One is to give up and foster a bad attitude. The second is to fight it and keep a good attitude about it.

I choose the second option to live life, fight pain, or approach anything that happens with a good attitude. It will keep my mind clear and energy available to focus on the great things that can happen. Never do I want to waste that on complaint and woe, neither is useful. In the summation of my life, people will have enjoyed being around me through all the ups and downs of that life. And I will have lived a greater life because of it.
_

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Create Your Attitude



Jack Canfield is an American motivational speaker and author. He is best known as the co-creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book series, which currently has over 124 titles and 100 million copies in print in over 47 languages.
_

Friday, January 16, 2009

Sweeping Streets


I'm ending the week with two great quotes that I like to repeat once or twice a year. They speak to much of what I believe and try to conduct my life. Read from them, be inspired by them and live your life by them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"If a man is called to be a streetsweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great streetsweeper who did his job well."

Martin Luther King Jr.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The longer I live
The more I realize the impact of
Attitude on life.
Attitude, to me, is more important
Than the past,
Than education,
Than money,
Than circumstances,
Than failures,
Than success,
Than what other people
Think or say or do.

It is more important than
Appearance,
Giftedness or skill.
It will make or break
An organization,
A school, a home.

The remarkable thing is
We have a choice every day
Regarding the attitude
We will embrace for that day.
We cannot change our past.
We cannot change the fact that
People will act in a certain way.
We cannot change the inevitable.

The only thing we can do
Is play the string we have.
And that is our attitude.

I am convinced that life is
10 percent what happens to me and
90 percent how I react to it.
And so it is with you.

Charles Swindell
_

Saturday, July 05, 2008

Peachy Attitude

Today there are many folks - 55,000 to be more accurate - that are recovering from a great morning 10K race. The 39th annual Peachtree 10K Road Race took place on July 4th. Each year, it is a chance to push your physical and mental limits beyond a point where you previously thought you could.

(Laura and I pumped and ready wearing our Pancreatic Cancer Action Network shirts and purple wrist bands. Lots of folks asked about the organization along the way.)

During an event like this, the fellowship of friends known and friends to be found along the way serves as inspiration. There is of course the famed "Peachtree Road Race" t-shirt everyone looks forward to.


Everyone making final plans for the run, wondering down deep just how they would respond to the conditions. Each going through their own thoughts that can allow negative attitudes to seep in; doubt could take hold at this point.


As each of us prepare, having others around us will provide support and encouragement. So much can be gained by having the support of friends. The same can also come from the collective support of 55,000 runners or spectators along the way.

Placing ourselves around like-minded people, the negative attitudes can be squashed under the weight of a "peachy attitude".


Surround yourself with great people and see what you can do. Push yourself past the self-imposed physical, mental and spiritual limits of your life. While doing so, surround yourself with great people; there is no end to what you can accomplish.

(I really don't feel as bad as I might look between mile five and six!)

(Really, I'm doing just fine at this point!)



(After the finish line, a nice walk for cold drinks and that famous

"Peachtree Road Race" t-shirt.)

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Techniques To Improve Attitude

"Nature presents us with an infinite variety of attitudes--from gloomy mist to glorious sunshine. Our own moods, whether gloomy or bright, radiate to those around us."

The following information comes from a publication released by the West Virginia University Extension Service. It is called THE WINNING ATTITUDE

The article offers eight techniques to help you adjust your attitude. Each of these are ideas that seem very simple, but they are effective.

1. Employ the flip side technique.

When a "negative" enters your life, flip the problem over and look for whatever humor may exist on the other side. When this is successful, you will be able to minimize the negative impact of a problem on your attitude. Humor is an important ingredient in this technique.

2. Play your winners.

Like a business, you have winners in your life. The more you focus on them the better. All of us have to deal with positive factors (winners) and negative factors
(losers) in our lives. If not careful, we let losers push the winners in the background. Some ways to make your winners more important include:

* THINK about your winners. Concentrate on the positives.
* TALK about your winners. Talk about the happy, exciting things of life.
* REWARD yourself by enjoying your winners. Do what you enjoy.

3. Simplify! Simplify!

Free yourself from complications. An uncluttered focus helps you accept and enjoy life's simple pleasures. Each of us probably has some cluttered areas that we could clear out:

* Unused and unappreciated possessions,
* Too many involvements,
* Career-home imbalance,
* Putting off the little things, and
* Holding on to worn-out relationships.

4. Insulate! Insulate!

Learn to live with certain "no-win" situations that cannot be resolved, thrown out, or ignored. Each of us probably has a way of working out or coping with some of these situations: talk about it, work harder, laugh, share problem with supreme being, or change environments.

5. Give your positive attitude to others.

You can keep your positive attitude by giving it to others. Everyone winds up a winner when positive attitudes are shared.

6. Look better to yourself.

Often you look better to others than you do to yourself. When you have a poor self-image, you are looking through a glass darkly. When you feel you don't look good, nothing else looks good. But, when you look good to yourself, everything else looks better. You may want to adjust your positive attitude through image improvements such as improving your wardrobe, changing your hairstyle or cosmetics, looking healthier, being yourself, or keeping a good self-image.

7. Accept the physical connection.

Most people feel there is a relationship between physical well-being and attitude. Exercise helps keep us out of attitudinal ruts.

8. Clarify your mission.

An individual with a purpose is more apt to have a positive attitude than someone without direction. A purpose in life helps individuals keep focused, provides perspective, and destroys uncertainty.

The previous techniques are a great way to start. They are a great path to a different you that will take you from the negative to the positive mind set. Begin a new journey to a new you.

Friday, February 08, 2008

Attitude In Words

"Attitude In Words" the book is coming soon. I've written my first book and I am getting ready to publish. I'm excited about it being out there and more excited knowing that it may help millions of people out there improve their life.

Getting this book written was one of those 'first steps' that I have spoken about many times before. There are dreams that each of us envision, but it take us acting upon those visions at some point. What happens is that the vision becomes a reality - the finality of believing, acting and then realizing it.

First on the list of people that encouraged me is my wife Laura. She kept pushing me to make it a reality. She made sure that I understood this book would have a huge impact upon lots of people. Secondly are all of my kids, each one that has this touch of greatness and goodness in their lives. By watching them, I've learned so much from them; even at my age it is still possible to learn.

There are others that make a difference such as Dean Baker, a friend that gave me the final "poke in the back" to get it done. By the way, he makes some very good Beef Jerky that maybe one day you will be able to purchase. Dean and Jill Sweetman along with many others associated with them are a constant inspiration to me.

You need to find those people that can do the same thing in your life. Surround your self with inspriing and positive people. They will lift you during bad times, they will sustain you during the good times and your life will be enrichened.

So look forward to my first book, I'm excited and hope you will find it an inspiration as well.