Move a Nation

"Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic." ~ Unknown

I try to write my blogs from various devices from time to time. It becomes sort of an experiment doing so with devices such as an iPad or iPhone. My admission here is that I am a Windows PC kind of guy and it is my comfort zone.

Yet I'm not here to review the iPad or my lack of skill in figuring out how to do a lot of cool things with it. I am sure there are hidden features and applications to soon be discovered. What I am interested in talking about is the unknown.

An exciting part of life is stretching out into the new and unknown.

When you look down a new path and trust your own ability, doing so is what makes life great. You do n0t have to be the best trained or the smartest one out there. Heck, look at me! I'm not a professional writer nor a professional motivator, or even a professional speaker.

I step out and stretch myself because they have an impact on people's lives and my own. I am careful not to over step into areas where "real" professional help is needed. But I do reach into the unknown and try to create a new path.

You have the ability try the unknown, the new, in your life.

There is nothing and no one stopping you except yourself. You can take on a new way of looking at your attitude about life. You can find a different kind of book to read or maybe a new set of friends. And maybe it doesn't have to start that extreme.

Just believing in yourself is the start of something greater.

Knowing that regardless of which path you go down, you will overcome anything that comes your way. And it is not the professionals I am talking to here. They perform great work throughout their lives with hard work, dedication and belief.

The people I am speaking to are the ones who can build an ark, move a nation or inspire a generation. And that just happens to be each one of you.

Stay inspired my friends!

The Last Is A First

Night Into Day by Greg Mort

"In rivers the water that you touch is the last of what has passed and the first of that which comes: so with time present." - Leonardo da Vinci

A few days ago (June 21 to be exact), marked a day of change. It was a change of seasons being the last day of Spring. All of the colloquialism phrases about having spring fever or the joys of spring have to be put away for another year.

We like to hang onto the word "last" with nostalgic comfort.

The "last" time we get to say spring showers, or the "last" time for spring flowers. We create lists of "last" events. There are many things we could describe as being the "last".

The "last" piece of chocolate.
The "last" day of school.
The "last" time being single.
The "last" moment of our life.

So many things you could apply this word to, but this word is just a point along the continuum of time. The world keeps spinning, the Sun continues to shine and life remains in motion regardless of our attempts to define ending moments.

The last also marks a beginning.

Instead of thinking something is ending, think of something new beginning. An ending is the beginning of new opportunity. The ending of one job is the beginning of something new in life connected to new people and places. The final day of school is the beginning of a world of possibility.

The last of anything can be the start of even greater things for us.

How you choose to accept the "last" of anything determines the quality of what comes next. Time and life will continue with or without you. Choose to mark the last of anything as the beginning of something new and wonderful.

Let the last become the first in your life.

Stay inspired my friends.

Forward to the New Year

“If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old.” ― Peter F. Drucker

The last day of a calendar year is upon us. You have accomplished a lot in 2014, failed at a few things and wanted to do more. But the year is over and all we can do is move forward into 2015.

So what are you going to do?

Keep moving forward.



Stay inspired my friends!

2014 Ends

“For last year's words belong to last year's language. And next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning." ― T.S. Eliot

What will the new year bring to you? More importantly, what will you do in the new year? What voice will you use to bring greatness into the life of others and to your own. Will you allow 2015 to be the start of something big?

With three days left in the year of 2014, if you look back at all of the great things accomplished, you know there is more to accomplish in 2015. And you will accomplish even more in the coming year as you turn from self to others. When you approach your goals thinking of others first, your level of success will surpass your needs.

The typical resolutions people make are to lose weight, quit smoking, get a better education, get a better job, save money, get fit, eat healthy, manage debt, manage stress, take a trip, recycle, drink less and volunteer to help others. Only one of the thirteen resolutions has to do with others and not self. The others are about self.

Why not help someone lose weight, quit smoking or help them get a better education. You could also help someone find a better job or get fit or one of a number of things. Why not volunteer to help others and in turn help yourself?

The current year is quickly coming to an end and a new one is bearing down upon us. It does not take a lot of thinking, planning or discussion. You simply make the decision to do one, two or three things for another person. The rest will fall into place for you.

Stay inspired my friends.

Be a Star

Humming all the way to Reno
You've dusted the non believers
And challenged the law of chance
Now sweet, you were so sugar sweet
You may as well have had 'Kick Me' fastened on your sleeve

You know what you are, you're gonna be a star
You know what you are, you're gonna be a star

Wing is written on your feet
Your Achilles heel is a tendency to dream
But you've known that from the beginning
You didn't have to go so far, you didn't have to go
- R.E.M "All The Way To Reno"

There is a certain amount of sensibility which starts to consume our thought process as we age. With experience over time, each of us develop a sense of what can and can not happen in life. We set boundaries of possibility for ourselves. As we do so, we express those limitations to those we might deem naive dreamers.

The lyrics from the song above speaks to the innocence of youth in which "your Achilles heel" is the tendency to dream. As we grow older we understand not all dreams are realized exactly as we had planned. We lose our will to dream.

In youth, we do not have the supporting experience to turn a failed dream into change. In growing older, we lose the ability to dream of change. An odd twist if we let it happen. The idea is to take your life experience and combine it with the youthful ability to dream of possibility.

Without it, you never choose to step through an open door of possibility.

With it, you walk through the door and believe in new possibility.

A 52-year old woman walked through a door of change by earning a college degree after deciding upon change. She is an example, out of millions of people, who take that step towards new possibility.

It is the innocence of youth that pushes them. It is the wisdom of age which allows them to know it is the right thing to do.

So keep pushing forward, try new things, walk through new doors. Change can happen and in the end, "you're gonna be a star" of course.

Stay inspired my friends.

Keep Learning

"Take the attitude of a student, never be too big to ask questions, never know too much to learn something new." - Og Mandino

Our lives are filled with new experiences and new challenges nearly every day. As we grow older, we sometimes forget that each of those experiences is a chance to learn something. We become ingrained with the idea that with age we are automatically instilled with wisdom.

Yet wisdom is a collection of learned experiences and as we grow older, those experiences can teach us new things. Those experiences can also correct or enlighten what we thought we already knew.

So never stop learning, never stop growing; find something new each day.

And stay inspired my friends!

Roar with Delight

by Sandra Metzbauer

“An injured lion still wants to roar.” ― Randy Pausch

As the sun rises over the horizon of a new day, the lion rises and stretches in the warming glow. It is another day, another chance, another opportunity to roar.

Rise my friend and roar with delight of the day!

Look Whats Out

“It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.” ― Vincent van Gogh

Have you ever needed to hear just the right thing from a friend?

Or possibly read a story to push you through life?

Well the good news is that my sixth book is here and it is called We Love, We Laugh, We Eat Fruity Pebbles. The title is inspired by words from a conversation I had with a friend that simply stuck with me. It contains stories to inspire and motivate you through your tough times or help push you to excel in life.

The stories may even cause you to enjoy a bowl of Fruity Pebbles.

While it took longer than originally intended to publish, I do hope you enjoy it. And as Navin Johnson said, "Things are going to start happening for you now."



Stay inspired my friends!

Welcome Dear Child

“A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on.” ― Carl Sandburg

The world is waking this morning to another child, another chance of beauty and the wonders that life has to offer.

The world can be a cruel and ugly place if one wishes to view it that way. One can argue and believe their country or values are worse today then yesterday.

We can choose to believe that.

Or we can choose to believe otherwise.

We can choose to believe life is full of goodness and greater possibility each and every day. A budding flower in spring, fruit growing upon the vine, a child being born all offer proof that life continually offers hope and goodness.

I see hope and greatness in all of my children.

I see hope and greatness in all of my grandchildren.

I see as well that the world should go on.

And for our newest granddaughter Madilyn Rose, a rose from the south. May you dance and laugh and sing and love as your great grandmother Rose Marie did. As we all should.


Stay inspired my friends.

Happy New Year - 2014

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

On this the new day of a new year, I must ask if you took part in the five most bizzare New Year's Eve traditions.

1. Welcoming the new year in a graveyard - Talca, Chile.
    Being in the company of deceased friends and relatives in a candle-lit graveyard.
2. Attempting to understand animal speech. - Romania.
    If you can hear the animals talk, it's a bad omen.
    If you can't, the new year will be a good one.
3. Banging old bread on the walls - Ireland.
    Meant to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck.
4. Throwing items from the window - Johannesburg, South Africa.
    Mostly old microwaves and other unwanted furniture.
5. Cutting a hole in the surface of a frozen lake - Siberia, Russia.
    And then diving to the bottom while carrying a dead tree.

We surely have different customs and traditions to mark the beginning of the new year. But in all, I would like to give you this short Irish blessing. "Go mbeire muid beo ar an am seo arís,” or in English, "May we be alive this time next year!"

Happy 2014 everyone and stay inspired!

The Road Ahead

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." - Helen Keller

In a song called "Home" by Phillip Phillips, the opening lyric is "Hold on, to me as we go, as we roll down this unfamiliar road." And as we begin a new year, 2014 will have its share of hills, pot holes and stormy weather. Through each and every twist or triumph, we will be successful together.

I will do my best to motivate you.

I will do my best to inspire you.

I will do my best.

No matter the road we take, if we take it with others the journey will never be lonely. The journey will be exciting and fruitful because of our joined experience. The destination will wait for you so enjoy the road side distractions, the rambling conversations and the unexpected encounters.

Stay inspired throughout the year my friends.

Taking Flight

“If you were born without wings, do nothing to prevent them from growing.” ― Coco Chanel

This is the day that our daughter Pareesa takes steps on a stage to take hold of her college degree. The many late nights of studying, writing papers and dreaming of accomplishment are over. The reward of dedication to learning is acknowledgement before a multitude of family, friends and peers.

We are so proud of her in this and all the moments of her life.

With her degree in hand she will take flight to even greater heights. The world awaits all of us to accomplish great things. Pareesa, like all of our children, have and will do so much in their lifetime. The sky is huge and full of possibility to spread her wings wide. She will soar to success unimaginable even by a parents greatest expectations.

There will be great love and pride lifting those wings.

Where the winds of time carry her, we always know those same winds will carry her home to us from time to time. Pareesa will have a life of greatness, of achievement, and of happiness. Life is a wondrous thing to have and she will embark upon it with courage, wisdom and strength. As parents, we will get to watch from our perch, happy and confident in her ability to soar ever higher.

We love you Pareesa and are so proud of you on this grand graduation day!

Ask, Seek, Knock

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." -Matthew 7:7

It is a simple verse that needs no explanation. Our friends Annie and Dave Spell are wrapping up their final week here in the Atlanta area. A new door has opened and through it they will find themselves in Curitiba, Brazil. An adventure exists for them through that door.

We on this side of the door only see Dave and Annie waving goodbye. Our sadness in seeing them go is hard to wash away as the door closes behind them. Yet I find solace in the fact that people on the other side of that door are excited in welcoming them. Those people have been awaiting their entrance and have open arms to greet their arrival.

I also know that there are other people on the other side of that door who are going to have the opportunity to meet Annie and Dave Spell. The lives of those people, unbeknownst to them right now, are going to be changed. There is going to be a shift towards a better life for them, all because Annie and Dave Spell walked through that door.

So to our friends, adeus, contanto, and viagem segura. But always know that the "porta permanece desbloqueada para você" - "the door remains unlocked for you" - where ever your adventure leads you.

Stay inspired everyone!

If you would like to step out of the ordinary in your life to be a part of Dave and Annie's mission adventure in Brazil, click on the link below...your donation is tax deductible.

Annie & Dave Spell - Brazil Missions

Thirty Days

"I have never heard anything about the resolutions of the apostles, but a good deal about their acts." -Og Mandino

Here are the top ten resolutions made by people each and every year around the world. Not a very surprising list because it covers areas we could all work a little bit on.

1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends
2. Fit in Fitness
3. Tame the Bulge
4. Quit Smoking
5. Enjoy Life More
6. Quit Drinking
7. Get Out of Debt
8. Learn Something New
9. Help Others
10. Get Organized

You have probably selected one, two or more of these resolutions to work on this year. But what I want you to do is stop for just a moment and think about those New Year's resolutions made on December 31st.

Get off the treadmill at the gym. Walk into another room away from your family and friends. Have that one last cigarette and you might as well spend what is left in your wallet. Go ahead and get it out of your system today.

You may wonder why I am telling you to stop working on your resolutions? I am sure it sounds negative for me to be discouraging you at this very moment.

Thirty Days

According to many different surveys, there will be roughly 60 percent of us still going strong with our New Year's resolutions by the end of January. That number will drop to under 50 percent by the month of July. The smoking huts will be lonely this first month or two. Fitness gyms will be teaming over with people and the drinking establishments a little less crowded.

What researchers do know is that your odds of making it to July or the entire year improve simply by getting past the first thirty days. Yes, only thirty days to lose your will and desire to accomplish something great. But make it past that first month and you will have made a huge step forward.

So your target should not be December 31st.

Your target should be January 31st.

Those thirty days should be your goal. Get past those first thirty days and then set another mark for the end of February...only twenty-eight days, very achievable. Pretty soon you will find yourself in July and seeing the year half over.

Do not allow your New Year's resolutions to live for only thirty days. Give those resolutions thirty days to grow and change your life. The rest of the year will come along and if you push yourself to thirty days, life will change. Your acts will overcome your intentions and change your life forever.

Stay inspired my friends.

Your New Year

“The chief beauty about time is that you cannot waste it in advance. The next year, the next day, the next hour are lying ready for you, as perfect, as unspoiled, as if you had never wasted or misapplied a single moment in all your life. You can turn over a new leaf every hour if you choose.” ― Arnold Bennett

The building blocks for the year 2013 are there in front of you. They are freely there for the taking and building of a great life. Let this be the year that you build a great life, your best life.

Stay inspired my friends!

Shout It Out

"As selfishness and complaint pervert the mind, so love with its joy clears and sharpens the vision." -Helen Keller

It is December 31st, the final day of the year, the final chance to do one great thing for your life this year. And that one last great thing is to let it go. Let go of the hurt and complaints that crept into your life during the year. Today is the day to pour out any pain or disappointment that remains.

Your life is like a bucket, some shiny new while others are getting old and tarnished, but both capable of holding great things. But we carry complaint like a full bucket of water, heavy and cumbersome. We carefully carry it so as not to spill any of it from our lives. The only problem is that while we are concentrating so hard on the complaints, we lose sight of the great things in our lives.

Now that the year has come to an end, pour that complaint out of your life. With an empty bucket to start the year, it DOES NOT mean we fill it with complaint for the coming year. In fact, pour it out, turn the bucket over, stand on top of it and shout out all of your worries, your complaints and your doubts.

Shout out the complaints from the past year.

Shout out the complaints you are sure to have in the new year.

Let it all go now, today and let it seep deep into the ground and out of your life. The bucket will be ready for all those great things to happen in the year to come. This empty bucket will now be ready for you to fill it with goodness, no complaining, no regrets, no looking back.

The end of a year is like a paved road ending. All that stretches out in front of you is a dirt path. It is an uncharted course, with the unknown but something of great promise around the bend.

Take this final day and unload all of your complaints from this year. Unload all complaints for the coming year. Be done with complaint and free up your year for all of the good that can happen.

A new year awaits you filled with many great things. Take your empty bucket into the new year and fill it with all of those great things.

Stay inspired my friends! Have a safe and happy New Year!

Six is not Evil

"Seeing within changes one's outer vision." -Joseph Chilton Pearce

Wow, wasn't that another amazing Christmas Day celebration? It was full of family, friends, presents and eating; lots of eating. Hopefully you received that one special gift and more importantly, you gave someone that one special gift. Yet the day is over and the wrapping paper is bundled in trash bags awaiting the garbage man.

We have also fallen into that time period at the end of a year I call the quiet period. A time when the year is not quite over and not much more can be accomplished. Many people have taken time off and others are left working; seemingly there to only keep the office from burning down. A lull in what was a busy and full year.

It also becomes a time when we truly find moments to reflect on the year gone by. The New Year's resolutions made nearly 365 days ago are either distant memories or marked accomplishments on our goal list. Some may still be working on them, which is a good thing and please continue with them into the newest year arriving.

This time of year is also a good time to reflect on how we have lived our lives over the past year. Have we tried to be a good and decent person? Have we been loving and true to our family and friends? Have we treated everyone including strangers as we would want to be treated?

What I suggest during this quiet period is to take these next six days and make a list of six things you would like to improve upon next year. And do not think the number six to be evil, it is just a number. It is simply the number of days left to prepare yourself for the new coming year.

Take those six days and look for the good in a number such as six. Six days and you will also find there is goodness in other people. Six days to prepare yourself for the coming year. Six days to become a better person to others.

Stay inspired my friends.

Dreams for 2012

The end of 2011 is coming quickly to an end. In under four days, 2011 will ring out with a rush of parties, a dropping of the ball in New York's famed Times Square (yes, there are many others around the world), kissing, hugging and resolutions declared. People will declare the start of a new year, new beginning and renewed hope for better times.

While I talked of that new beginning in a previous article, I understand the general consensus will go based upon the calendar. But it doesn't mean that you can't start thinking about it now; starting today with a new beginning and renewed hope for better times.

As we dream of great things and see visions of prosperity, success and great love in 2012, dreaming is only part of the equation. There are those dreams that come to us at night while we sleep. There are dreams that occur during the day as we lazily ponder thoughts in our mind. But as you notice, both are sedentary activities, no movement, only thought. But what I have found is that DREAMS + ACTION = ACHIEVEMENT as you start a new beginning and renewed hope for better times.

As I have said before, you have to "Raise the BAR" (Believe, Act, Realize) in order to achieve your dreams. Do not wait until the blur of 12:01 AM on January 1 or even the hangover of the next morning. Start making movement on the 2012 year. Forget that the Mayans wrote of destruction and disaster. Believe in greatness and a new beginning and renewed hope for better times.

In an article called "10 Tips for Turning Your Dreams into Reality!" by Inez Bracy, Inez Bracy International; those things you need to start considering are;

1. Take an in depth look at your life, who you are and how you show up.
2. Decide if this is the way you want your life to be 365 days from now.
3. Give yourself permission to move in the direction of the life you say you want.
4. Chart your course; set goals toward achieving your dream life.
5. Do something daily that takes you closer to your dream
6. Keep a journal of your progress.
7. Celebrate something daily.
8. This is about you and for you.
9. Ask for help when you need to.
10. Express gratitude daily.

But you have to start now, start today; get a head start on 2012 before the crowd gets in the way. You will be on your way to something greater in your life, your best life.

Stay inspired my friends.

Trying the New

"A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new." -Albert Einstein

I'm excited to unveil my new vBlog (video blog), posted on YouTube and posted over on the right hand side of this web page. It is going to be a new thing for me and another step in my journey of motivating folks to go after and achieve a great life.

I debated on how to set up the videos, the production, the sound and all of those things that could have kept me from ever actually doing the video. So I just jumped in and you'll get to see the results as I learn. It really is something new and what the heck, life is full of mistakes that get turned into opportunity.

If you want to do something in life, get up and do it. Don't sweat the small details, get moving on it and figure it out along the way. You can spend all of your days wondering, planning and perfecting. In the end you never end up accomplishing what you wanted to do in the first place.

So enjoy my video attempts to inspire you, but more importantly become inspired. If not by me but by your own passion. Remember to believe in your dream, act upon that dream and one day you will realize that dream.