The Ultimate Investment

In college I had to take a calculus class. I was pretty good in the earlier sections of math, but I was pretty nervous about taking calculus. The more I got into the math field, the more I felt over my head. The abstractions didn’t make sense to me. It was like learning a different language. So, it was with some trepidation I arrived at my first day of class dreading the thought of launching into memorizing equations and struggling to have it all make sense. The teacher stood at the front of the class and   >> [Read the rest of the post]

I’ve mentioned before that I’m part of our town band. We play for crowds about three times a year. We practice about twice for every time we play before a crowd so the commitment isn’t onerous. We do it for fun. Before we ever begin playing we tune our instruments to each other. We all play a concert B flat and then listen for any vibratory dissonance telling us someone is out of tune. Then we make adjustments so that we can start out being completely in unison. It’s only after we are   >> [Read the rest of the post]

I’ve been working with a lady who had a wonderful dream to open a mission to help displaced workers. She obtained a $150,000 grant and bought a house and set up shop, but in the year and a half she’s been operating her ‘mission’ she hasn’t had one occupant. Why? Because no one knows about it. She spent all her time dreaming and no time advertising. In reality, there is no, “If you build it, they will come,” as the famous line from “Field of Dreams” goes. She envisioned what her mission would look like,   >> [Read the rest of the post]

Are you lost? Do you know where you are? Not in the sense of where you’re actually standing at this moment, but in the sense of where you are on your life’s path. Do you know? In ancient navigation, the North Star was used to help people navigate from where they were to where they wanted to be. Even explorers who weren’t sure of what they would find once they got to where they were going used the North Star to keep a fix on their relative location. That’s because the North Star is   >> [Read the rest of the post]

Man’s search for happiness is an unrelenting task. It can be very elusive. Not because it’s hard to find, but because people continually look for it in the wrong places. Let me explain: Some years ago my wife and I toured through Ghana, West Africa. We passed through cities and villages. In the cities, the people lived in slums (and that was the best part of town). There was electricity, which was on about half the day. Those who lived in luxury had a washing machine and an indoor stove. In the villages,   >> [Read the rest of the post]

Have you ever had a dream where you’re walking around naked? Or had a dream where you’re back in school and you need to take a test that you haven’t prepared for? Remember how you felt upon waking? I sure do. I’ve done some studies on those types of dreams. Apparently, you have those dreams when you’re anxious, feel unprepared, or some part of your life is out of your control so you feel naked or exposed. This feeling of fear doesn’t only come when you’re sleeping. Often we feel it all our waking hours   >> [Read the rest of the post]

We all know the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” What most don’t realize is that the golden rule truly is golden. It’s not just a saying. It’s a powerful principal. When you follow it, it can cause gold to flow your way. How, you ask? Let me explain: Think of your favorite restaurant. Why is it your favorite? Is it the ambiance, the quality of food, the value, the company you’re with? Think about it. It boils down to your overall experience. You are   >> [Read the rest of the post]

I have the opportunity to work with quite a few well-heeled people. These are men and women who have done very well. They are among the wealthiest people in our county. Many of them are also the nicest. These people aren’t necessarily the smartest, or the most ambitious, or the hardest working. Many of them seemed to have gotten into their chosen life’s work through a simple choice, or taking advantage of an opportunity which came their way and they just decided to go for it. They are all different in the way   >> [Read the rest of the post]

I’ve had several young people come to me for advice. They want to know my secret for having a happy and successful life. I sit back in my chair and stare at them for a moment. I want the mood to be just right. After a bit, they get fidgety and uncomfortable. Then I say, “If I tell you my secret for having a happy and successful life, will you follow it?” “Of course!” they always answer. “Are you sure? I want you to promise me you’ll follow it.” “I promise!” they say.   >> [Read the rest of the post]

With the coming of the New Year our minds drift to changes we’d like to make in our lives. We’ve spent all year wishing we were thinner, and New Year’s resolutions give us a chance for a fresh start. You can go with the tried and true, such as losing weight, or you can do something better this year: Make a conscious change in your attitude. A change in your attitude can help you find love and respect no matter what you weigh. But don’t do it for what you get. Do it for what you   >> [Read the rest of the post]