True Destiny, If life is a Journey, Why go it alone?

This is it, the last blog of the year. So hard to believe that 2011 is fast coming to an end and then it's 2012. Amazing how I am able to grasp the concept of time isn't it? Anyway, I am not at all unhappy to see the year come to a close. Not because it was a bad year, let's face it it had it's ups and downs. No, I look forward to the end of one year and the beginning of the next because there is always hope when we approach the new year. Hope for a better tomorrow. Hope for those around me who I love and cherish and want the best for. Hope for the New England Patriots as they try to make it to the Superbowl. OK that last one is not really something that I can control, but the hope is still there none-the-less.

We tend to come to this point in time each year and wonder who is still with us and who has departed this earth. I was looking at a tribute page just the other day and it listed all the famous people who had died during the previous year. I knew about most of them, but there were a few that somehow I did not hear about their passing. I often wonder what their families must be going through, and my heart does go out to them. At the same time I look back at all the headlines of the past twelve months. What happened in the world that may have surprised me and things that happened that came as no surprise at all. Every station on TV is doing their annual year in review. Funny thing, one station will say this about one thing and another stations will that it about something else. Always funny to see what kind of slant is put on the same stories. I'm not sure there really is such a thing as a "No Spin Zone", just sayin, lol.

I was thinking back on the previous 12 months and even though I do have some regrets, I also look at the past year and realize that I learned an awful lot about myself. I learned that I can overcome hardships. Do I wish I didn't have to go through the hardships, duh, of course I wish I could have avoided them. But, going through them has taught me some valuable lessons, and learning is what keeps us moving forward. Now I will not bore you with the details of what I went through this past year, suffice it to say, I would rather have been on a sunny beach sipping adult beverages, soaking up the sun verses going through some of my struggles. But alas, I was not on a beach, was not sipping adult beverages, and in fact went through some struggles. Here's the good news, I'm still standing and I'm still going strong. If I can get through the tough times, then you can get through the tough times. I have no more talent or intestinal fortitude than you do. If I can get up each morning to fight the battles again so can you. It is a decision that you have to make, and if you're anything like me, have to make it often.


So what's next? What will 2012 be like, and when we get to the end of 2012 will we be making the same comments we are making right now? If you're like me, and I'm sure many of you are, then life repeats itself. Too many times I have let the year slip by without doing the things I know I was supposed to do. Is it time to break this cycle of madness? Another Duh!!!! Of course it is time to break the cycle. It's time to do what is in my heart and it's time to get off the sideline and into the game. Do I have a vision for 2012? Oh you bet I do! Do I have a feeling about 2012? Without a doubt I am confident and almost giddy with excitement about the upcoming year. Do I expect 2012 to be different from 2011? That is a definite. I have grown so uncomfortable in my current situation that I am forced to make changes, changes that I do not fear, that I look forward to, and that I know it is time to make. If you have grown uncomfortable in your current surroundings then maybe a change is called for for you as well. Only you can decide when it is time to make a change. Sure there can be people around you who might recommend changes, but they will only come when you allow them. It is time to make our dreams come true, and we are going to do it our own way.

I want to wish each of you a Happy New Year. It is my desire that each of you take your dreams and ambitions to the next level. That you put action to your dreams, and you never look back. One of my favorite quotes, "I would rather attempt something great and fail, then attempt nothing all and succeed." I think this pretty much says it all. If we never step out into our destiny, then you simply can never walk in your destiny. Tiny baby steps at first, and then giant leaps. Only you can take the first step. Sure we can encourage you, but when it's all said and done, only you can step out into the things that life has for you. Don't let this next year pass you by. 2012 is just waiting for you to take charge. Blessings to each of you and prayers and wishes to each for a prosperous and joyous New Years. I will see you next year!!!!

True Destiny, If life is a Journey, Why go it alone?

What a difference a day makes, yesterday we were in the 50's and today, well let's just say not a beach day. Having lived in Maine for the past twenty plus years there is one constant, that being the changing weather from day to day. I am so ready for warmer climate, and god willing and the creek don't rise, I will be heading south by the end of April. So God if you are listening, please assist me in my efforts to move to a warmer climate.

I was trying to figure out what to write today, and as is the case from time to time I do get writer's block. Well writer's block may not be the correct description, as I do not see myself as a "Writer" in it's truest sense. I liken myself more as a motivator and sometimes story teller, but a story teller with a purpose. What that purpose is seems to change from day to day with the subject matter that I write about. There is however a common thread in my writing. That thread is my desire to see everyone doing what they were born to do and doing it with all the vigor and inspiration I can give. Hence the book "True Destiny". For those who have been around me for a while our conversations will undoubtedly always migrate their way to destiny and helping others discover what it is they were destined to accomplish. That being said, I have come to a place in my own life where I am about to head in a different direction. Now just in case you think I have decided to depart from the Destiny message, rest assured that is not the case. On the contrary, I am about to launch into what is sure to be an amazing journey.

But enough about me, let's talk about you!! What makes you tick? What puts a smile on your face each day? If you could be doing anything right now that would make you happy what would that one thing be? Lots of questions, problem is most people don't have the answers. Answers that will change the direction of your life. Now before we go any farther let me say this; don't be afraid of directional changes. There are times in each life where we need to make a course direction change. We can get trapped into the daily grind, and that daily grind is what keeps us in a place that we aren't supposed to be in. People as you know will resist change. Change is not a bad thing. Here's the problem, people will only change when the position they are currently in becomes so uncomfortable that change is the only solution. I have been in that place many times in the past and there is no doubt in my mind that I will be in that place again sometime in the future. Don't fear change and don't run from it. Embrace it, embrace it with everything in you. Sure there is uncertainty, but lets face it, life is uncertain at best anyway.

We have to get to a point where we look at our talents and gifts and realize we have them for a reason. Why waste your talent on a job that you hate? If you get up on a monday morning and are headed to your place of employment and all you can think about how quick you want Friday to get here, my guess is you aren't in the right place. If on the other hand, you can't wait to get to the office, you would work there whether or not you got payed, well maybe just maybe you are in the right place. We all want job satisfaction. We all want to feel as though we make a difference. We all need to know that what we do will ultimately make this a better world to live in. As a famous actor once said "There are no small roles, just small actors." It doesn't matter what your role in life is, it only matters that you are doing what you were destined to do. At that point in time money, position won't matter to you in the slightest. When you are in the middle of doing what you love doing, you can't even begin to think about doing anything else. If on the other hand you are thinking about doing something else, well you can bet your sweet bippy, you should probably be doing something else. Seems simple doesn't it? How good would life be if you got up each money happy to be heading to work? How good would life be if you had the opportunity to share with others the joy you feel about the job you have? How good would life be if just once you knew you were doing what it is you were born to do? Maybe it's time to ask yourself some of these simple questions, and keep quiet long enough to hear some of the answers. Many time the answers are right in front of us, but we don't want to see or hear them. Why you ask? Because once we know we are doing something we're not supposed to be doing, we then have to decide what we are going to do with this new found knowledge. Remember people hate change, and even more than that people do not like to admit when things aren't perfect. Maybe it's time to accept the fact that perfection will only come when you are in the place you were destined to be in. Take some time to look at your current situation and ask some simple questions. We all want to be happy, and if happiness is not dripping from you 24/7 maybe that is an indication that there needs to be some change in what you are doing. Think about it........

True Destiny, If life is a Journey, why go oit alone?

As the year end is fast approaching most everyone is looking back on the past year, some with regrets, some with cheers, and others with who knows what. No matter what the previous year brought to you we now take a look at the future and with hope and high expectations, and wanting the best for each of us. I like the new year because just like the fresh morning dew on a spring day, each new year brings new possibilities and opportunities. What each of us do with these new opportunities is entirely up to us. I have known many people in my time and without exception they almost always look ahead and dream of a better time than the previous year. Without exception hoping to accomplish some of the things that went undone the previous year. Without exception acknowledging lost opportunities the previous year with a vow that they won't let the same thing happen again this upcoming year. And yes it is that time of year to make the coveted New Year's Resolution that so easily falls to the wayside earlier and earlier each passing year. Oh yes we have good intentions, but good intentions and $2.79 will get you a large cup of coffee at Dunkin donuts. I think it's time we forget about the resolutions and just put our efforts into reaching for the stars and doing what is necessary to achieve some of the goals we have set for ourselves. Goals mind you that until may have seemed out of reach, but goals none-the-less that we still carry deep in our hearts.

I was thinking about some of the things I wanted to accomplish over the past 12 months and I had to come to the conclusion that I was a failure at most of them. Now failure not as a person, but failure that I managed to avoid making some tough decisions that may have put me in a far better place than I am right now. Now I must say that I really don't have many regrets over the last year. Oh sure I wish the Patriots had won the Superbowl and that the Red Socks hadn't self destructed at the close of the season. But then again, I have grown very used to the latter so no big surprise there. My regrets are small compared to the many I hear people speaking about. I was having drinks with a friend last night and we began talking about Destiny, yea big surprise there huh? I think he was taken back a bit by my passion for destiny and my desire that everyone walk in their destiny. What amazed him most I think was the fact that I don't just speak about this, I truly believe what I say. Given the opportunity to speak to thousands about walking in their destiny is something that I have held in my heart for some time and I can finally say that the time has come to do just that. I should have done this a year ago, but no unlike so many other people facing decisions in life, I let fear control my choices and regrettably made the wrong choice. Not that all is lost, but that is nine months of my life that I will never get back. But just in case you think me a failure for not making the right choice, I did learn some valuable lessons during the past nine months and for that I will be very very grateful.

One of the things that surprises me most in life is the person who has never really taken the time to think about their goals and dreams. They have been so conditioned to accept what has been placed in front of them, and they do not have the ability to move past the present and into the future. Most of our futures look very different from our presents. Problem is most people can't get away from the present because of fear or just not knowing what it is they are really supposed to be doing. Let's face it, not knowing what you are supposed to be doing is a terrible place to be and I liken it to Hell on earth. Have you ever wondered why you seem anxious and antsy at times? Ever wonder why you always seem to be a little out of sorts or unsure of what tomorrow will bring? Ever wonder why things just seem to be a little out of whack and you can't quite get into the grove of things? These are key indicators that you just might be out of place, or the place you are in isn't the right fit for your personality and calling. We have all been in jobs that were not the right ones. We have all been in situations where we ask ourselves how did we get here. We have all been in that haze of uncertainty and doubt. Here's the good news, you don't have to stay there. Will the journey out of this malaise be easy? Well sometimes yes and sometimes no. I guess the answer to that question rest completely on your shoulders. Yes there are people who can help you out of this mess, but you have to ask for the help. Remember you don't have to do it alone, and once again why would you want to go it alone.

I had an Oprah "Ah Ha" moment the other day. It came to me and I was somewhat surprised but it answered a lot of questions about my past 12 months and I hope it will answer some questions that you may have been having over the past year. Too many times in our lives we try to fit a square peg into a round hole. We think we are doing what it is we are supposed to be doing but the fit really isnt's there. We need to have a perfect fit, and least you feel like you will never get there don't fret. That is what destiny is all about. When you are finally walk in in your destiny there are no more square pegs in round holes. The fit is perfect like a fine tailor made suit. Look at it this way: when you buy a suit off the rack there is always a bit of tailoring that has to take place. It's a good suit, but it's not the best. When you have a suit that is hand made for you it fits like a glove. The same can be said about your chosen profession. When you accept something that is not really you, sure it will work for a while but eventually you will run out of steam and you will not obtain total success. On the other hand, when you are walking in your destiny, then the job is perfect because you are perfect for the job and then life is great.

As we enter 2012 make the determination that you will begin to walk in your destiny. Sure there will be obstcles to this. Some will be harder to get around then others, but you have the ability to get around them. Don't let the next year come to an end and we are having this very same conversation. Believe you me I am talking to me as much as I am talking to you. Each new day that comes in the upcoming year will present new opportunity and possibilities. Your goal is to take advantage of all that presents itself to you. Think about it.......

True Destiny, If life is a Journey, why go it alone?

Well Christmas has come and gone once again, and we now look toward the New Year. I took time yesterday to get all the Christmas decor put away and the house put back to it's pre-Christmas state. Normally I wait til after the New Year's Celebration but for some reason just felt like getting it done yesterday. I must say that I am glad I did it, and even took the opportunity to rearrange the living room. It seems like I just get the house set up the way I want and then I go and do something stupid like move. Who knows maybe deep down deep I know a move is close at hand, but not willing to put voice to it just yet.

So with the New Year fast approaching we all take a look at the previous 12 months and we have a hope that the next 12 months will be much better than the last. It's funny, but as I get a little older I don't focus so much on the past as I do the future. I ask myself what I want for the next 12 months and I take a moment to reflect on the lessons learned over the previous year. I can tell you that I learned an awful lot about myself over the past year. I figured out what I like, what I don't like. I thought about what I wanted to accomplish and had to make some decisions as to what effort I was willing to put forth to accomplish those things. We all have things in our life that we want to improve on. It may be your current relationship, your current job, or even your health and fitness. Let's face it we all make those stupid New Years Resolutions to lose the 20 holiday pounds we just put on. I know this is true because I can't get a parking spot at my local gym for the first 60 days of the New Year. I find that I have to vary my gym times to accommodate the parking. Curse those New Years Gym memberships, they tend to put a glitch in my workout routines. Alas I do need to drop a few winter pounds, not out of need, just simple vanity.

But lets get back to what we hope for during these next 12 months. I know I have said this before, but there are certain things in life that bear repeating and this is one of those things. I have been through more trials and struggles over the last three or four years than I ever imagined and I hope the next three or four years do not prove to be the same way. I have learned that money is no longer my motivation. Don't get me wrong, I like what you can do with money. The comforts it can buy, the fun things you can do with it. But money does not buy happiness. We've all heard that a thousand times before, but I can tell you from personal experience it is true. I once thought that having millions of dollars would make me happy and everything else was irrelevant. Let me say that I have seen and known people who have millions and they are miserable, and I mean miserable with a capital "M". Would I like to have millions? Of course I would. Would it make me happy? Without a doubt, but would it be lasting happiness? Money can make life simpler, but simpler does not always me happier. If you have problems now, you will still have problems with money.

I guess the question has to be asked what does this have to do with the next 12 months? As we approach the New Year we all have a chance to take a personal inventory of what we want to accomplish over the next year. What is the one thing you would like to do that will truly bring happiness to you. I was talking with a friend the other day and I came to the startling conclusion that I have not had a job that brought me true job satisfaction since I retired from the Air Force many years ago. I have also come to the conclusion that the time has come to put into action the things that I have written about over the last few years. It is finally time for me to walk in my destiny and do what I have known I was supposed to be doing for quite some time. My passion is helping others discover their destiny. My passion is empowering people to walk toward their dreams and see the happiness that overtakes them when they finally get to the finish line. If ever there was a time to walk in those things it is now. I've often said that you can only walk along the river bank so long before you fall in. I have been walking around my dreams and goals for far too long and now it is time to jump into them with both feet. I have taken jobs out of fear in the past. Fear that I didn't have enough money and I needed a job that would pay the bills. Was it the perfect job, not even close. Was it a job that brought me satisfaction, not by any stretch of the imagination. Was it anyone Else's fault, not even remotely. What I have done over the last few years was completely my decision to do and no one is to blame for the things that have taken place. The responsibility for my actions rest solely with me and no one else. Do I wish things had been different? In some cases yes and in many cases no. I have learned so much over the past few years. I have learned what I like, what I dislike, what I want, and most importantly what I don't want. I have learned to live with very little, but in doing so it has taught me that most of the things I have is just "stuff" and "stuff" does not guarantee happiness. Just like having a ton of money is no guarantee of happiness. Would I have liked to have had an unlimited amount of money over the last few years, of course I would have. Would it have changed what I have come to understood about myself? The answer to that question is no. I had to go through the struggles of the last few years to understand who and what I am. I had to go through the struggles of the last few years to understand what I really want to accomplish and the reasons I want to accomplish them.

If you are looking toward the future and desiring that it is very different from the past, then you are in good company. We all want better for each new year. We all want to complete the things on our dream list. We all want to look ahead and hope for the best and pray that our dreams come to pass this upcoming year. When we stop dreaming and stop going after those dreams we slowly begin to fade into a place of non-existence. When we stop going after our goals we seem a little more down and depressed. Being down and depressed is no place to be and we need to do what ever we can to get out of that place. I encourage each of you to dig deep over the next few days and weeks and ask yourself what is it that would make me truly happy. What is it that would bring me tremendous satisfaction? What am I willing to do to get to that place? These are tough questions and sometimes the answers will be equally as tough to accept. We often don't ask the question because we don't want to hear the answer. But not asking the question is not going to change your situation or the outcome.

As 2012 looms over the horizon I challenge each of you to take a look at the past and look toward the future with a smile and optimism. I know that 2012 will be life changing for many of us. Life changing because we will forget about the past and look at the future. We will walk in our destiny and thereby enable others to walk in their destiny. We will have the desires of our heart and with that we will be satisfied with our life. Satisfied because we will be doing the one thing that we were designed to do. My wish for the New Year is that each of you come to an understanding of what it is you are supposed to be doing and that you go after it with all the passion and determination you can muster. Hang in there, the next 12 months will be exciting and rewarding, all you have to do is believe and hold on for the ride of your life. Think about it........

True Destiny, If Life is a Journey why go it alone?

It's the Most Wonderful time of the year!!! Oh yes as Christmas fast approaches we turn our thoughts to family and friends. The time of year when we try to display peace on earth goodwill toward all. This is my most favorite time of year. I am crazy about Christmas and crazy about all the things that lead up to this fantastic holiday. The shopping, cooking, and decorating is something I look forward to every year. I'm not sure I will ever grow up when it comes to Christmas. I am a kid at heart and still find it hard to sleep on Christmas Eve knowing that the next morning is Christmas day. Now I also know that this is a very stressful time for many people. There appears to be expectations to do this or do that. Spend here or spend there. Maybe it's time to reflect on what Christmas is all about and not focus on the money side of things. Don't get me wrong, I like getting and giving presents as much as anyone, but over the last few years I have also taken a different approach to this holiday. I have taken time to think and reflect on the things in life that are most important to me. I encourage each of you to think about what is most important to you and then go after it. I was at an event last night and had the opportunity to speak to lots of people. One conversation that took place was extremely gratifying to me. I met an individual who just left his current job and is not looking for employment. I have to tell you that my passion quickly came to the surface as I began to ask him questions about what he wanted to do next in life and what his passion was. The conversation took several turns but ultimately I was able to get him to think about what lay deep within his heart and then the words of encouragement came flowing out of me like water down a river being feed by the thaw of the winter snow high in the Sierras.

I so want people to understand that deep inside their heart is a passion. A passion to accomplish something that is bigger than one's self. A passion that was born in them long before they took their first breath on this planet. We all have giftings and talents. What we do with those gifts and talents is entirely up to us. We can use them to benefit ourselves, but the excitement and enthusiasm we feel will only be temporary. On the other side of the coin we can use our gifts and talents to help others, to invest in someone Else's dreams, these results will effect others for a very long time. Christmas is all about giving. Giving of ourselves so others can experience happiness and joy. Giving from a place where we don't expect a return other than the smile from someone who is the recipient of our thoughts and deeds. Giving from a place that no-one expects, yet when they see it can recognize it is not for their gain but for others. I give not to get back, but rather to invest in someone else so they in turn can invest in others. Once we get on this giving merry-go-round life takes on a whole new meaning and understanding. We no longer look at our needs but the needs of others. We tend to be less self-centered and more centered on what we can do for others who may be less fortunate than us.

I have long dreamt of a time when we all put the needs of others above our own. Now that's not to say that I don't care about me or my loved ones. But the simple truth of the matter is this; if we put others before us, then quite possibly things will begin to work out for us quicker, easier, and more often then we ever thought possible. The feeling of "Gimme Gimme Gimme my name is Jimmie" needs to be secondary to what we do for others. The knowledge that we are only as strong as those around us needs to be at the forefront of our minds. Sure this may seem very idealistic, but then again I'm an idealist, and I have to believe that what goes around comes around. If I am going to fail, it's not going to be because of a lack of trying to make life better for those around me. I guess I live the Golden Rule everyday that I treat others the way I would like to be treated. Trust me when I say I have not always been treated fairly or equitably, but that doesn't mean I have to treat others that same way. My desire to help others comes from a place in me that believes all people are deserving of good things. That all people, whether they believe it or not are born with a destiny. It is to that end that I have committed the next few years to get my story out of Destiny and accomplishing those things in your life that you know you should be doing but something has stopped you from doing it. Together we can break down some walls that have kept you from success. Together we are going to shed some light on what makes you tick and get you to the place where you know you are doing those things that you were destined to do, influencing the people you are supposed to influence.

Let me leave you with this final thought for the day. It has taken me twenty plus years to get to this point in my life. I would be a liar if I told you that I have all the answers. I would also be lying if I told you that I knew exactly what was going to happen to me over the next few years. But what I know is this; talking about destiny with others is my destiny. Helping others reach their highest level of success is what motivates me. It is only when you are walking in your destiny that you will be able to help others achieve their destiny. As we approach Christmas remember that this time of year is important for so many different reasons. You need to determine what makes it important to you. You need to understand that your destiny is right there in front of you, all you have to do is be brave enough to take the first step toward it. I know what lies ahead for me, and together we are going to discover what lies ahead for each of you. Let's make the next year a defining year for you. Define your goals, dreams, and your destiny. Trust me, once you that your life will be changed forever, and others will also benefit from it. There's no time like the present to take that first step. Think about it.........

True Destiny, If Life is a Journey, why go it alone?

Well the best laid plans of mice and men!!! I had written a blog for posting yesterday and when I went to review it this morning, found out that it didn't save and now I get to write it all over again. Problem is I never remember exactly what I wrote, so today's may be a little different. Many of you who know me know that I do not believe in coincidence. There is a reason for everything and things happen for a reason. Maybe my post from yesterday was not worthy and so I get a chance to redeem myself and hopefully this one today will be knocked out of the ball park. So hold on tight as we enter another fun filled, faced paced world of my blog. OK, all kidding aside, I hope you get something from this, I know I learn something new about myself every time I write, and it is my hope and desire that you walk away with something uplifting and inspiring each day.

I was talking to a long time friend the other day who is looking at a career change the first part of the year. He is a little worried, as most of us would be in his situation, but at the same time he has a chance to do something that he has always dreamt about. I have a firm belief inside of me that things don't just happen willy nilly. If you believe that we all have a destiny then you also have to believe that things happen for a reason. Understanding the reasons is what is most difficult at times. Often we are faced with uncertainties in life, why does this happen, or why does that happen? Why do we go without when others seem to have an over abundance of things? Why do we struggle when others seem to sail through life without a care in the world and what appears to be an abundance of stuff? These are questions that we seem to ask ourselves on a daily basis, and often would give everything we own just to get a simple answer. If you are going through times like these, join the club. There is hardly a day that goes by that I don't ask myself these same questions. I fall prey to fear and uncertainty just like everyone else. Let's face it life sometimes sucks. Sometimes we just want to throw up are arms and surrender. There are times when the battle is so intense we don't have an idea of what to do next. There have been days when I would love to just stay in bed, throw the covers over my head and forget that the world exist. There are times when I find it difficult to generate any type of motivation to even try to get out of my own way. But on the other side of the coin, there are times when I am completely energized and looking for any opportunity to inspire those I come in contact with and share the joy of living.

We've all heard of people being in the right place at the right time. It may be getting a lead on a job that you have been dreaming about. It could be as simple as getting the parking spot in front of the grocery store on a wet rainy day. I happen to believe that things happen for a reason, I know I have said that before, but it is something that I truly believe. Too often people are out of place. They think they are doing what they are supposed to be doing, but what they are supposed to be doing is often quite different from their destiny. Wouldn't it be great if we could just snap our finger and instantly we were walking in our destiny. I have had times in my life when I wanted to wake up in the morning and magically things were all in order. I was living the life of my dreams, no bills, no worries, not a care in the world. If want and desire were enough we would all be in that place. Unfortunately want and desire is not enough. Oh sure want and desire do play a part in getting to the place you are supposed to be, but it is not just want and desire that is going to get you there. I would love to be concert pianist, but I just don't have the talent. If I could snap my finger and tomorrow morning wake up and have all that talent, I would do it in an instant. Alas, that is not going to happen. Now I can practice and study the piano and sure I could get to the point where I could perform on stage, but it will take lots and lots of practice. The question we have to ask ourselves is are we willing to invest the time necessary to get to this point. Too often we want something but are unwilling or unable to invest the time, energy to get what we want. Now I am not finding fault with someone who is going through this, we have all been there. But I have known people who will sit there and just wait for the silver platter to be handed to them, and not lift a finger to assist. Heck the world owes them, because of who they are. Heck the world should bow down and offer they whatever they want simple because they are entitled to it. Oh here we go, entitlement mentality. It is out there folks and it is something that will be the downfall of civilization as we know it. I have said it time and time again, if it's worth having it's worth working for. I know this might sound harsh, but truth is truth.

I have no idea why I have gone down this rabbit trail, but it just seemed to flow out of me this morning. I promise you I will try to be more upbeat tomorrow. I think it is almost time to start putting together my Christmas blog and end of year message. I know, I know, you have been waiting all year for that message. Remember that good things come to those who wait. In closing let me say this; destiny is inside all of us. You may never discover what your destiny is, and if that is the case that is very very very bad. Each of us were born with a purpose. Each of us have a destiny inside. Each of us deserve to walk in our destiny. Destiny is not just for the one walking in it. Walking in your destiny will open up possibilities for others to walk in theirs. It's time to think real hard on what you want. It's time to asked yourself if you are prepared to do those things that are required to walk out your destiny. It's time quite frankly, to crap or get off the pot. You can sit around forever waiting for something to be handed to you, but does that happen all that often. Maybe it's time to put some action to your dreams and let the things that need to happen happen. Taking the first step is often very difficult, but taking that first step is often the most thrilling. It will change your life and in turn it will change the life of someone else as well.

One final thought....it's never over til it's over. Never give up on your dreams, never feel as though the world has passed you by. Doing either of these things will put you in an early grave. Believe in the possibilities that are out there and grab for everything you can. When it's all said and done and I echo the words of John Wooden, "The man who is afraid to risk failure seldom will have to face success." Face your fears and stare them down, only then will you be able to take that first step toward your destiny.

True Destiny, If life is a Journey why go it alone?

True Destiny, If life is a journey why go it alone?

As is custom for me I was having a discussion with a close friend the other day and I had a very big Ah Ha moment. I must admit that it took me by surprise, but what equally surprised me is it didn't shock me. There are so many people walking around in hopelessness these days. Not sure what tomorrow will bring and worrying that their tomorrows will be filled with the same feelings of emptiness and dread. I have known success in my life and I have known my share of failures. Let's face it, success is preferred over failure any day of the week and yet we seem to focus on the failures and not give the same time to reflecting on our successes. Oh sure it is human nature to look at life and wonder what our tomorrow's will bring and we look at the past and wonder how could we have missed all the opportunities that presented themselves to us. I have often wondered why I have big visions and dreams and yet I have not even begun to walk in many of those visions. I am not unlike so many other people when I say I get wrapped around the wagon wheel and have a tough time getting started. I have also wondered why success has escaped me and why I always seem to be at the bottom of the totem pole when it come to measured success. Let me try to paint you a word picture and see if it doesn't shed some light on the many struggles each of us face each day.

Have you ever wondered why some people always seem to rise to the top of the success ladder? I have been in a sales environment for the better part of the last thirty years. You will always have someone who will come out on top and someone who will always be at the bottom. We have a tendency of looking at these people and our impression of them is based on how they are ranked. We make the assumption that the person on top has it all together and the person at the bottom is just a lazy, good for nothing, ignorant or lazy individual. I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I am not one who buys into this notion. I have known many people who have been at the top and yet they lack that certain something. I have know those at the bottom and they have everything it takes to be at the top. The question arises as to why this happens and what is it that separates true success from perceived failure? I think the answer is pretty simple and when I give you the answer I hope you will have the same Ah Ha moment that I had and maybe it will answer some of the "Why" questions you have had in the past. Success is not measured by shear numbers nor how high we appear on the weekly sales tracking log. Success is not measured by the size of our bonus check or the number of times we have gone on trips for our company for winning this sales contest or that sales contest. Success is measured when we finally realize that we are in the right place at the right time. Success is when we are walking in our "Destiny". Destiny is when we are doing what it is that we were born to do. Doing what we were born to do is what brings us passion. Passion is what ultimately is the measure of success. Ask yourself this question, and for the first time in your life please, please, please be honest with yourself. Are you passionate about the things you are doing right now? Would you be doing your current job if you never got paid one red cent? Do you wake up on a Monday morning so excited that you get to do it all over again? Now I know there are going to be those who will say that there is not a single job on the planet that anyone has that they can say the feel this way. This may be true at the moment, but there is nothing inside of me that would make me believe that this could not happen. That someday all of us would be walking in our destiny and experiencing self-actualization.

This is the point where I have to be totally honest with you and let you in on a little secret. This was my Ah Ha moment. Well this was one of my Ah Ha moments, I have had many over the last few years, but this one in particular stood out. I have always known that I was destined for great things. That I would have a voice and with that voice I would be able to help others achieve things in their life that they only dreamed about. Now let me stop here and say that I am not someone who feels like I am all that. I have struggles and fears just like everyone else. What I have is a desire to help others be who they are meant to be, that is my passion and that is what motivates me to get up everyday doing the things that I do. I am just like so many other people out there who seems to be a day late and dollar short on most everything that I set my hands to. What I had to come to terms with was what was I doing with my life and was it leading me to my destiny? Why is it that I never seemed to measure up to the others in my office? Why could I never be number one? Now being number one is not the most important thing in life but lets face it we are measured by our performance in numbers. When we appear at the bottom of any stat sheet we tend to think less of ourselves and we have the opinion that everyone else is looking at us like we are a loser. This could not be further from the truth. There can only be one number one. Does that mean that everyone else is a loser? I think not, and I think we need to take a look at this and realize that we are not just a statistic on a sheet of paper. I am not a statistic! I am not a failure simply because I do not rank number one on the sales leader board! I am not a failure because I am not a function of my job. My job does not define me, and my job is not who I am. My job is what I do, I am what God created me to be. The sooner we learn that we are not our jobs the better off most of us will be.

So what's the bottom line? Here it is in a nutshell: I will never be number one until I am doing what it is that I am destined to be. I could work 16 or 18 hour days and still success would be one step away because I am not doing what I am truly supposed to be doing. I finally had to look deep within and realize that everything I had done in the past was nothing compared to what I will be doing in the future. Why? Because I finally know what it is that I am supposed to be doing, and until I walk fully in that I can not achieve the level of success that we have all dreamt about. It's not about money, or position, or prominence. It's about walking in that one thing that you were created to walk in. It is that one thing that gets you up in the morning and says you would do it 24 hours a day, 52 weeks a year, whether you made any money at all. It is your passion and that passion is what drives us, motivates us and to a very large extend defines who we are. After nearly thirty years of sales I have finally discovered why I have never been number one. I have finally discovered why I always appeared to be a day late and a dollar short. I have finally come to terms with what I am supposed to be doing. There is freedom in this knowledge. There is freedom in knowing that I am not a loser, but rather just haven't allowed myself to work in the one area that drives me, motivates me, and drives me to be better at what I do so that I can be of service to others. You talk about a freeing revelation, well I have finally had that revelation knowledge that for years escaped me. I encourage each of you to discover your passion and begin to take the steps to walk in it. It is only then that true success will come about, and you can give to the rest of the world those things that you were destined to give. We need to begin giving and not accept cheap knock offs. We have all accepted cheap knock offs because we felt it was the only way to providing for our families. It was the only job we could take that would pay the bills. It's time to work passionately in a job that can let your passions shine. It is time to begin discovering your destiny and be thankful that you now have the opportunity to walk in that destiny. Remember you have a True Destiny, and there is no reason so go it alone. We are out here to help you achieve that which you were destined to accomplish before you were born. Think about it.......