I have been hesitant to post lately, although many thoughts have come to me that I could share.
I often lack action in my life because I lack faith to travel the path without knowing the final destination. If I can't see far enough down the road, I stand still, rather than move forward and face some turn or fork in the road.
That is how it has been with this blog. The thought of doing it came to me almost a year ago but because I feared I lacked knowledge of how to make it look good, how to attract readers and what to write about exactly, I didn't take action. Finally, I said to myself, I've just got to do it and the direction or purpose can come. You know, "If you build it they will come." I just needed to begin.
So now I've revealed some of my weaknesses - I am a perfectionist and afraid to make mistakes, but maybe that will inspire you to spur me on as I conquer this challenge with in myself.
What is the purpose of a blog? For some it is personal, a place to document their thoughts, or a place where they write about what is new or going on in their lives so they can keep in touch with family and friends - a sort of journal. For others it is to network, to share information, knowledge and resources. The desired outcome in this case can be to build a business image and make money or to simply just be charitable and helpful.
I have wanted to serve both purposes for myself - a place to journal my thoughts, activities and progress and a place to network. Benjamin Franklin said, "Experience is a dear teacher, but fools will learn at no other." If we can learn from others we can save ourselves some time and trials. Perhaps we could even progress more rapidly in our own lives. There is something to be learned from everyone and I'm willing to share.
However I worried that between my desire to journal and my desire to network would be a wide chasm that wouldn't be serving to my readers. It is actually my hope that through a journal type blog of my own life and learning I can serve a large network or community and inspire positive change in our world. But I am paralyzed by uncertainty.
Because of my paralysis, I have decided that in addition to sharing my own stuff that I would add more value to this community by summarizing from books I read. That way if you aren't interested in hearing from me you can still gain from some pretty cool books, some of which may be out of print.
It will be like reading the "Great American Bathroom Book". If you're unfamiliar with that book it is basically a big book with summaries and overview of tons of books. You can read it and know enough about the book to join a discussion, pretend like you've read the entire book and appear well-educated.
You will be able to easily recognize my post on a book under the post categories because it will be in quotations. The first one will be "The Way To Success."
And as my own little secret it will help me to not give up on this blog or myself. On days that I fear my thoughts are "unimportant" to others and my morale is low, I can still keep my commitment to write. I can move forward in faith without knowing exactly where I will end up.
I will also be happy. Just now, I discovered something about myself as I am writing - I am happy when I write.
A Story In My Eye
My cute four year old little boy, Tage, will often wake in the mornings and exclaim, "Last night I had a story in my eye..." and then he will proceed to tell us about his dream.
Not to long ago I had a "story in my eye" that I thought you might enjoy...
I was standing among a large group of people in a vast, expansive land. We were looking off into the horizon and heading in that direction. We were eager to get there because we knew it was some place wonderful. You could feel the excitement and thrill of everybody as we were all chattering happily.
Only we weren't human... we were pieces of bread? Pieces of bread with faces on the front, arms poking out the sides, and legs poking out the bottom. I know it's strange but blame it on my dream. Perhaps I have been watching too much Sesame Street or something because it is not often I think of the human race as a bunch of muppet like pieces of bread? I couldn't figure it out, but then the dream continues...
Suddenly everything was silent except one powerful voice, that spoke as if coming from the sky. We stopped, looked upward and listened. The voice was precise, loud and clear as it exclaimed, "First you must be toasted!"
Toasted? Huh? Then I woke up. I lie there in sleepy confusion as my mind struggled to comprehend where I was, who I was (bread or human?) and what just happened?
Toasted or tested? Oh well, I guess to a piece of bread it means the same?
Not to long ago I had a "story in my eye" that I thought you might enjoy...
I was standing among a large group of people in a vast, expansive land. We were looking off into the horizon and heading in that direction. We were eager to get there because we knew it was some place wonderful. You could feel the excitement and thrill of everybody as we were all chattering happily.
Only we weren't human... we were pieces of bread? Pieces of bread with faces on the front, arms poking out the sides, and legs poking out the bottom. I know it's strange but blame it on my dream. Perhaps I have been watching too much Sesame Street or something because it is not often I think of the human race as a bunch of muppet like pieces of bread? I couldn't figure it out, but then the dream continues...
Suddenly everything was silent except one powerful voice, that spoke as if coming from the sky. We stopped, looked upward and listened. The voice was precise, loud and clear as it exclaimed, "First you must be toasted!"
Toasted? Huh? Then I woke up. I lie there in sleepy confusion as my mind struggled to comprehend where I was, who I was (bread or human?) and what just happened?
Toasted or tested? Oh well, I guess to a piece of bread it means the same?
How BIG is your 'Why'?
Success in any area of life depends upon our mental attitude and must begin with finding our 'why'. Why do we want more money, an attractive body, more friends, a bigger house, newer car, a better world or whatever it may be?
This past year I have been made aware of a 'why' that is bigger than me and my own, now seemingly tiny, personal needs or desires.
On April 9th I sat down with my children to watch American Idol Gives Back. This is an event where American Idol and many of the rich and famous pull together to raise money for several good causes. On this night they showcase the many causes for which they are raising money for.
As I watched, my heart went out to the orphan children in Africa whose parents died from the HIV virus, the babies who had been bitten by mosquito's and were thus infected with malaria, the people at poverty level in our own country and more.
This had a profound affect on me as I wanted to give but I wanted to give more than just money. I still see the tiny little hand of an eight month old and the mother who held that hand. I can still see the large eyes that showed confusion of what was happening to her as her tiny body lie helpless in that hospital crib.
Giving money could only ease my conscience for a few short minutes but the faces of those little babies, so lifeless, with tubes everywhere, eyes filled with pain and suffering, was burned in my mind and sparking a determination I hadn't felt before.
I was grateful for the large amounts of money that was donated and I prayed it would be enough, but I was struck by a powerful desire to make a longer lasting, more permanent impact.
As I was reading from my favorite book about a character named Captain Moroni I recognized how each of us has the ability to make an impact by bettering ourselves mentally, physically and spiritually, day by day, each and every person.
Captain Moroni was brilliant, spiritually, physically and mentally. In the stories about Captain Moroni it tells of the many battles he fought and how he conquered over and over again. It constantly emphasized how he prepared against the enemy.
The story points out that if all men were like him the adversary would never have power over the hearts of men. What would that be like?
What kind of man was Moroni? The story tells us he was a man of perfect understanding, firm in the faith of Christ, extremely grateful, he defended what was right, kept the commandments of God and resisted iniquity.
I dream of a world where the powers of hell are shaken forever. Where there is no sickness, no poverty, no famine, no violence, no fighting, no crime, where we are all one big family, encircled about by love and united in a great cause with eagerness.
Success has many definitions. One says that it is the discovery and development of our abilities. Another says that it is the skill enabling us to make the most worthwhile contribution to others.
I agree that, success requires that which develops our abilities and consequently contributes to others. It requires the building of character as well as the daily practice of imagination, initiative, honesty, joy, optimism, confidence, faith, security, poise, skill, cheerfulness, tolerance, enthusiasm, humility, patience and righteousness. Just think what it is like when you are in the presence of someone who emanates these abilities and has a strong character.
Success is what we become in the process and can be a gift to the world we live in. We not only have the right to success but we have the responsibility. The chief objective of our lives should be how to become better men and women. As we become better our world becomes better.
Success is a preparation, a process, a contribution and in the end a legacy.
This past year I have been made aware of a 'why' that is bigger than me and my own, now seemingly tiny, personal needs or desires.
On April 9th I sat down with my children to watch American Idol Gives Back. This is an event where American Idol and many of the rich and famous pull together to raise money for several good causes. On this night they showcase the many causes for which they are raising money for.
As I watched, my heart went out to the orphan children in Africa whose parents died from the HIV virus, the babies who had been bitten by mosquito's and were thus infected with malaria, the people at poverty level in our own country and more.
This had a profound affect on me as I wanted to give but I wanted to give more than just money. I still see the tiny little hand of an eight month old and the mother who held that hand. I can still see the large eyes that showed confusion of what was happening to her as her tiny body lie helpless in that hospital crib.
Giving money could only ease my conscience for a few short minutes but the faces of those little babies, so lifeless, with tubes everywhere, eyes filled with pain and suffering, was burned in my mind and sparking a determination I hadn't felt before.
I was grateful for the large amounts of money that was donated and I prayed it would be enough, but I was struck by a powerful desire to make a longer lasting, more permanent impact.
As I was reading from my favorite book about a character named Captain Moroni I recognized how each of us has the ability to make an impact by bettering ourselves mentally, physically and spiritually, day by day, each and every person.
Captain Moroni was brilliant, spiritually, physically and mentally. In the stories about Captain Moroni it tells of the many battles he fought and how he conquered over and over again. It constantly emphasized how he prepared against the enemy.
The story points out that if all men were like him the adversary would never have power over the hearts of men. What would that be like?
What kind of man was Moroni? The story tells us he was a man of perfect understanding, firm in the faith of Christ, extremely grateful, he defended what was right, kept the commandments of God and resisted iniquity.
I dream of a world where the powers of hell are shaken forever. Where there is no sickness, no poverty, no famine, no violence, no fighting, no crime, where we are all one big family, encircled about by love and united in a great cause with eagerness.
Success has many definitions. One says that it is the discovery and development of our abilities. Another says that it is the skill enabling us to make the most worthwhile contribution to others.
I agree that, success requires that which develops our abilities and consequently contributes to others. It requires the building of character as well as the daily practice of imagination, initiative, honesty, joy, optimism, confidence, faith, security, poise, skill, cheerfulness, tolerance, enthusiasm, humility, patience and righteousness. Just think what it is like when you are in the presence of someone who emanates these abilities and has a strong character.
Success is what we become in the process and can be a gift to the world we live in. We not only have the right to success but we have the responsibility. The chief objective of our lives should be how to become better men and women. As we become better our world becomes better.
Success is a preparation, a process, a contribution and in the end a legacy.
Don't Eat Sugar
During 1930’s, a young boy had become obsessed with eating sugar. His mother was very upset with this. But no matter how much she scolded him and tried to break his habit, he continued to satisfy his sweet tooth. Totally frustrated, she decided to take her son to see his idol - Mahatma Gandhi; perhaps her son would listen to him.
She walked miles and miles, for hours under a scorching sun to finally reach Gandhi. Once there, she shared her predicament with Gandhi.Ghandi listened to the woman carefully, thought for awhile and then asked her to return in two weeks.
The woman looked perplexed and wondered why had he not asked the boy to stop eating sugar right away. She took the boy by the hand and went home.
Two weeks later they revisited Gandhi. Gandhi looked directly at the boy and said, "Don't eat Sugar."
The boy promised he would not. The mother was puzzled and asked, "We have traveled a long way, why didn't you tell him two weeks ago, when I first brought him here to see you?"
Gandhi smiled, "two weeks ago, I was eating sugar."
I love that story. One of my favorite quotes is also from Ghandi - "Be the change you wish to see." I think this quote is the main point of the story and why I have titled this blog "Don't Eat Sugar" - I bet you thought it had to do with eating healthy huh? Well, it will include some of that too as I hope to involve all self improvement - physical, mental, spiritual, social, and financial.
My blog is a commitment to myself and to God to "be the change". I hope that it will be a tool to strengthen my dedication to be the best I can and to do God's will. I feel it will serve as a reminder to stay on the path of constant improvement.
I also hope it will serve as an inspiration and motivation to others. As we unite in the cause for a better world we will achieve it together.
While it will be a work in progress, I plan to share many things; thoughts, ah-ha's, quotes, resources, humor, pictures, video and more. I hope you will visit often and leave positive and helpful comments, so that we can be a community of discovering, transforming and relating with one another.
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