Only The Lonely

Have you ever had one of those days when you feel like your the only one on planet earth and you just don't have any friends? WHAT A LIE FROM THE PIT OF H-E-double hockey sticks! The truth is we all have somewhere between 100-250 or more people that we know.

Here let me show you. Really, if you do this you'll amaze yourself. It's really easy and incredibly enlightening!

1. First, take a pen and paper and write down the names of everyone you can think of. Now don't qualify any one for any thing, just write down the names. Write down as many names as you can think of.

2. Now, after you've exhausted that, turn to your local yellow pages and go to the letter "A" and notice all the job classifications. Go through these classifications one by one and write down the names of any one and every one who works in those industries or professions (remember no qualifying). For example who do you know that's an A - Accountant, B-Banker, C-Chiropractor, D-Dentist (or Dog Walker), Etc . . . until you've made it through Z.

3. After that pick up your Whites pages phone book and begin again with the letter "A". Now who do you know with the last name Able, Atchison, how about Anderson (that last name with Johnson will keep you busy.) Keep going now B-C-D...Z. We're not done yet by a long shot!

4. Now how about first names!?! Arron, Bob, Betty, Chris . . . come on keep writing!!! You know there's probably at least 50 male and female first names, even more depending on how fancy you want to get. Bet you're not feeling so lonely now! In fact look at how your sphere of influence is growing!!!

Now here's the challenge, if you're up to it. Start at the beginning of your list and begin calling every one you've written down (Oh yeah, this is going to take few days.) But call and just say, "Hi, we haven't talked for a while (long time) and I was thinking about you. How are you doing?" THEN LISTEN (the world loves a good listener.) Or, "Hey you may not remember me but this is ________, we met _________ (Maybe in high school or at the doctors office), How's it going?" and listen. Find out about them, their family, what they've been up to. . .
At the end you might say something like, "Hey, it was great catching up. This was fun, maybe we could do it again some time." If they say something like, "Sure this was great." Put a star by their name and you can talk with them again sometime.

Cool Isn't it!!! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!!! And look at all the people you know!!!! You can go from hermit to social butterfly in minutes!!!!

The truth is, you know more people than you think and you are far from alone in the world. Don't ever believe that lie! You're a valuable item, and your friends will confirm it. When you're done you will know that you're never alone and you'll always have some one to talk to. Potentially, 100-250 or more. And if you start thinking about how they know that many too. Oh my gosh who could you end up knowing!?! EEEEEEK!

The road to an extraordinary life is paved with the people we know. Our network so to speak and you know more people than you think. In fact when you're feeling down, just one or two of these conversations can be a real "pick-me-up" (certainly better than another bottle of wine (or was that "whine") alone. Join me in connecting with new and old friends and acquaintances. It's really fun and it will keep you busy. Fills up your calendar too. See you later . . . .

PS -Hey here's an Idea! Leave me a comment and let me know how it worked for ya!

It's Been A While

It's been a while since my last post. Okay let's be honest, it's been a long while. I don't know if it's been just distractions and ultra business or laziness. Maybe some of both. But I know I shouldn't be that way. I have been reassured that we all have those moments and as things go you have to just get back on the horse and start riding again. So, here I am.

And you know that's the lesson really. Get up and get going. In the beginning of things it always seems that the work out weighs the results. But you have to keep at it. The major book that I read says that we'll see results if we don't grow weary in doing good, or what's right, and may I add be consistent. So if you're like me and you fall off, or fall down occasionally. Do like the old song says. "Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again." That's what I'm doing today. Why don't you join me?

You know as I think about it, average folk probably just quit, and that can't be us. As one blog I read recently said, "Your better than that." And you are. So am I. That's my stand, and I'm stickin to it. How about you?

Look for me tomorrow. I'll be here. And if you've stopped by lately only to see the same old post, please accept my apologies for being out for so long.

Here's to being better than average.

Renewed Fight!

Well, just got back from my mother-in-laws memorial in Chicago. Wow - I still marvel at the greatness of a simple down home woman who loved family and people in general above all else. My wife shared a story with me about when her mom was in ICU how she motioned for something to write with (she was to weak to talk, tubes in her and all) and she wrote, "bagels, cream cheese, and fruit for the nursing staff". Even in her weakened state she was thinking of others and being better than average.

Why are we so self centered that we cannot be more like this? Truth be told I really struggled with the video of her life. I had to turn away or just cry like a baby because I miss her and her husband so much, and I know I have a ways to go to be more like them. I still struggle with the fact that they are not here anymore.

But in reflecting on things this weekend. I realized this! In the grand scheme of things it appears God has created us as eternal beings. And for a short time (in light of and eternity) we have been granted life on earth. A short time to experience "Life" and all of the beauty that it incorporates. SO DON"T WASTE IT!
LIVE YOUR LIFE TO BE BETTER THAN AVERAGE! BE HEALTHIER! BE SMARTER! BE STRONGER! DON'T LET OTHERS OR OTHER THINGS DETERMINE YOUR LIFE'S DIRECTION AND DESTINATION WHEN YOU KNOW THERE'S SOMETHING BETTER TO BE HAD! STRETCH YOURSELF!

Don't let life beat you down! Take a time out and enjoy a sunset, see something better in it's beauty. Stare at it for a while take it all in! GO AHEAD YOU CAN DO IT! Someone said that life is one thing that you only get ONE shot at. Live it well, don't be average - BE BETTER, MAKE BETTER EXPERIENCES! We all have the potential. Don't waste life, not one minute. It's not worth it. Growing, becoming a bit more every day is what makes this an exciting adventure!

So here's to your journey - Live a little more today, grow mentally, physically, spiritually. Do something out of the ordinary and become a bit more than average.
And remember the line from the movie "Hook" with Robin Williams, "No, to live, that will be an adventure indeed." On the road to better than average . . . see you there.

Passing the Baton - A Case for Better Than Average.

Today is marked with sadness and thanks. Today my mother-in law has passed away (sadness). Lord knows I loved her and my father-in-law. Jake and Tully Kendall defined family for me. Family more than I had ever known. For this I am eternally grateful (thanks). I will miss them both, maybe more than I miss my own parents who have also passed away. Tully's life held the true meaning of family and social acceptance for me. After all she accepted me as a son-in-law over 3 decades ago. To think that maybe she saw something in me that could carry on her family with my wife is simply beyond my comprehension. But here we are. The carrying on is handed down to us. Those of us who are left (relatives) to keep and hold family together.

The cry to be more. . . better than average. . . is now louder than ever. Through tears I wonder at being up to the task. But I know with my maker, that all things are possible. I believe that is called faith. For them both I trust in God's providence.

We now will be the next to pass. Our goal, to see to and secure the heritage of family. We must sacrifice what is necessary, and boldly proclaim the need to be closer to all who will listen, inside and outside our immediate families. To our children and our friends. The flag has been passed.

To those of you who would follow these ramblings. Stretch with me, grow a bit to be better. Especially in this area of family. Call someone you love today. Tell them how you feel. Don't harp on the wrong but magnify the right and call them to closeness with your voice and your actions. Together we can be better than average. In fact I think there's a key there . . . "Together" we ARE better than average.
Good luck and God bless. . . see you later.

Lions and Tigers and Bears, OH NO!

Wow. what an interesting day. I won't say it's easy this thing, fighting average. I will admit to the struggle of not falling into the negative conversations and attitudes. Keeping your head above water swimming requires effort and so does this.

So I read this today and it really helped me. Maybe it can help you too.
"Life is too short to think small. . . so march off the map. Most people can do more than they think they can. (Just try) The answer to your future lies outside the confines that you have right now. If you want to see if you can swim, don't frustrate yourself with shallow water. Launch out in to the deep"

So even in the difficulties to just be the same, do the same, say the same, think the same. I'm going to march outside the box. Do something different, be something different. What ever the results. The way I figure it you can't change if you do the same things all the time. So I'm choosing the positive and the possibilities. It can't hurt and who knows, for some reason I believe it just might get better. So here's to all the different things I can do to change the way things are. How about you?

Here's one for today. If you get what you ask for. Ask for commitment. From yourself and others.

See you tomorrow.

Lessons I learned from my dog:

1. She always wants and she receives not because she's earned it but because I love her.

2. She never worries. She just wants and receives.

3. She shows what she wants. And she seems to get. (Besides who wants a wet floor)

So the question stands. What is it that you want? Maybe a better you. Check out the links below.

Get fit! Feel Great! - Have you got 10 minutes a day?It's easier than you think!!!

The best day ever is just ahead!Lose a litle, win a $1000!