No Regrets

“Today, just take time to smell the roses, enjoy those little things about your life, your family, spouse, friends, job. Forget about the thorns -the pains and problems they cause you - and enjoy life” ―Bernard Kelvin Clive

In a Paul McGee's book, SUMO (Shut Up, Move On): The Straight-Talking Guide to Creating and Enjoying a Brilliant Life, there is a section asking what type of future do you want. He speaks of a sociologist and church leader, Anthony Campolo, who had asked a group of older folks what they would do differently if they had their lives to do all over again.

The top three responses were;

- Have Less Regrets -

- Take Time Out To Reflect More -

- Leave A Legacy -

What a great set of answers and very insightful to what many people end up feeling. But why should we wait until we're old to change those things. Why not do them now?

Having fewer regrets would mean not procrastinating and getting up and doing something. Maybe its volunteering your time, becoming more involved in church, actually learning to speak Spanish (reminder to self, get up and do it) or maybe being less intent on having to be ahead of everyone else on the highway.

Stop and smell the roses is an old cliché but I hear so many people state this. I started that process several years ago myself. It wasn't easy and isn't easy to maintain given our need to succeed and get ahead. Driving for success is a good thing, but you do need to take time to prioritize your life and not let it slip by. I have written in other articles about "riding the Merry Go Round." You can become so intent on trying to grab the brass ring that you don't even enjoy the ride.

Pretty soon the ride ends and you missed all of it.

And when your time is over and done, will others be able to say, "gee, that person really made my life a nicer." Or that you were a good person. Of course, some people say, "he who dies with the most toys wins." My take has always been, "sure, but he who dies with the most toys still dies." The material things will mean very little in comparison to the memories people have of you, so make them good memories.

Make something of your life while making something good for others and stay inspired my friends.

What is Your Life Worth

"Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact." -William James

So the question is, "what is your life worth?"

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"A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.

He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air. Well, he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Now, who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.

My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you.

The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE. You are special - don't EVER forget it."

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Remember this story when you are having a difficult time. Use it to encourage others and you will see the "lives it touches, the hurting hearts it speaks to or the hope that it can bring." Look at the countless good things in your life that we tend to forget. Do not wallow in the negative things that we give way too much attention to. Change and concentrate on the positive.

So the answer to "what is your life worth?"

The answer is "everything."

Keep moving forward and stay inspired my friends.

Anniversary Special

"Every day I say to myself - I'm the luckiest man on earth." -Me

Happy Anniversary to my lovely Laura.

Life on the Beach

"When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." -Khalil Gibran

After a week of grand children, the C3 Atlanta Encounter Conference and celebration of a life, I present to you in honor of Belinda Ruth Singletary Creath a few moments of peace on the sandy beaches.

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DACULA, GA (reprinted from the Gwinnett Daily Post)

Belinda Ruth Singletary Creath

On June 2nd 2013 the world lost a whole lot of love in a little package. Belinda Creath passed away in the early evening surrounded by the love of her daughters, the determined loyalty of her husband, the sweet support of her Momma and cradling her youngest grandson, in awe of it all, stood her humbled friends.

Belinda didn't invent anything. She never started a business, never preached to thousands or built a grand ministry. No Belinda did something far more important, she loved. There was no pretense in Belinda, Who you saw was who she was, and who you saw was a lot of love in a little package.

Belinda's life was not without challenges, but like love she always hoped and always persevered. No matter what she faced, Belinda never quit believing that Jesus was the answer. Even in the midst of personal heartache she shared the heart of God to anyone in need. Watching Belinda leave her earthly body to be with Christ we saw less of a passing away and more of a handing off. Her legacy and her inheritance is not only being given to her childrens children but to everyone she directly and indirectly touched.

Belinda Creath, all 5 foot nothing of her was the biggest person in that room.

She is survived by her husband Mark D. Creath of Dacula, 3 daughters, Laurel Mullikin of Suwannee, Anna Glenn of Lawrenceville, and Caroline Marcarelli of Buford, Mother Charlene Wills of Dacula, sister Rebecca Barrick of Bradenton FL, brother Leonard Singletary of Augusta GA, two son-in laws, David Mullikin and Nick Marcarelli and 6 grandchildren.

A celebration memorial service will be held on Saturday June 8th @ 11 am at C3 church at 1065 Walther Blvd. Lawrenceville GA 30043.

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Enjoy the peace of your warm ocean beach Belinda and we look forward to seeing you again one day.