"Don't wait. The time will never be just right." — Napoleon Hill
 
As I sat down outside, with our dog on Easter morning, I had some great quiet time to do some thinking.  This thought from Napoleon Hill has been echoed inside my head for a while along with being echoed from so many other people too.

The sun was coming up over the house behind us, there was a nice little breeze along with the birds chirping and wind chimes nearby making a very majestic sound for the morning.  Great reflection time too on this special morning with a great cup of coffee. 

I needed this and I have figured out I need to do it more.  This overwhelming feeling came over me – moving me to tears – that not only do I need to do this more, but I need to put into action what I’m thinking about doing.  This blog is part of it along with my podcasting, writing my first book, doing some interviews, creating videos and speaking too.  All of these items connected to helping others, making a difference with them and adding value to their lives too.  The time must be now – it’s all I got.  Heck… it’s all any of us have when you think about it.

Of course, this has been on my mind more since I’m getting older.  Sitting at 51 is a unique perspective I think on life – but it’s also a view that does not have to be saved for this age.  One of the things I see that there are people that have these thoughts and ideas sooner in life and they act upon them sooner too.  Sooner for me is now.   For someone else, it’s the time they are at now in their life.
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I am totally amazed at those people that for years have been sharing this idea along with others, about self-improvement.  Napoleon Hill was one of many doing this a long time ago.  He has helped to change so many lives in the past, present and even future too; as his teachings will live on forever.  I listen to podcasts and read books that continue to mention what a profound difference that he and others have made on life for so many people.   To me that’s what our lives should be all about – making a difference with others along with adding value to their lives too.  Whatever you find yourself doing throughout your life – these ideas should be part of it.  Starting now, don’t wait.  I’m working on doing that. I hope you are too.

"I think there's nothing more amazing than helping people every day."
Naomie Harris

Some times it takes something different to help you see clearly something that you already knew about. I have had plenty of moments over the last 19 days or so to see many examples of people helping people.  With my knee replacement surgery keeping me at a slower pace lately, I've been able to see this more and more.  Of course it started at the hospital I was at for my surgery.  Everyone on staff there I saw them helping so many people and they did it with a great attitude and really connecting with each person.  Even my parents noticed how well things were run there when they came to visit.

I noticed it even when I was discharged as the gentleman that took me out in a wheel chair I got to talk with for a few minutes.  This guy has a full time job but he volunteers at the hospital every Friday.  When I asked him how long he has been doing this, he told me he's been at it for 10 years. He really enjoys giving back to help others.  What a great example as this guy was just a really nice guy.  It was really a nice way to be discharged from the hospital.

Another big example I have noticed lately is at the place I go to for Physical Therapy.  The two main guys who run their practice along with their assistants do an amazing job with their patients of all ages.  It is amazing how they connect with each of them from the young patients to their elderly ones.  It's amazing as to how busy they are that they are able to make the personal connections with their patients and really connect with them in order to help them.  I have seen this over the last few years of going to them for my knee and back.  My daughter and wife have also gone there for a variety of injuries too and have noticed the same great service.  As challenging as PT is for me and my knee right now, I thank them every day I'm there.  They are difference makers for me for sure.

I think it's truly amazing that there are so many people in every day areas of life that truly help others.  It's something that I think all of us should look to do more of since no matter where we are in life, we do come into contact with others that we can help in a positive way.  What ways can you look to help others more wherever you are at in life?  Seeing these examples have helped me to continue to look to help more people where I can since I have seen countless examples recently of people helping me out.

"Never lose hope.  You never know what tomorrow may bring" - Zig Ziglar

When I saw this quote - it of course connected with me coming from Zig.  But it also connected with me from the standpoint that I have been hearing and reading a lot about hope lately.  Zig's right.  We can't ever lose hope in our lives.  It's too important.  With having no hope in life, it becomes hard to be able to look forward to anything.

It's amazing that when you need to have something cross your path - at a time that you really need to see it - it happens.  This quote is that for me.  I need to not lose hope on things in my life as lately, things have been a bit challenging and I tend to get a bit down about those things, I certainly cannot give up hope. There are too many important things I need to work on and accomplish. Too many people I need to help, along with helping myself too.   Those things won't happen if I lose hope and give up.  That would be playing small and that's not  the way life is meant to be.

More thoughts coming soon..... 

“No one limits your growth but you. If you want to earn more, learn more.” -- Tom Hopkins

In today's world where it seems many people want to blame others for their problems, Tom Hopkins brings up a great thought about one thing that we totally have control over.  Our ability to choose to learn more can make all the difference in the world for not only ourselves but everyone that is around us too.

We tend to get in the way of ourselves a lot when it comes time to accomplishing things and growing in life; at least I know I do for sure.  This whole mindset about we really do have control over so many things in our lives simply by the way we choose things and our ability to think and control our own minds - it's amazing when we really stop and think about it.

I've been listening to a lot of Napoleon Hill lately - by the way which I recommend getting some of his books and audio recordings that are out there for everyone.  It is one of his central teaching points that we should work to have control over our own minds and the way we think because that connects to everything we do in our lives.  We should look to learn everyday about things that interest us along with those new ideas and ways of thinking that can help us help others.  Being a life-long learner is the way to go as I've figured out the learning never stops.  As we get into the busy holiday season coming up - I will be trying to remember the fact that I need to continue to learn more, grow, get better and keep moving forward towards dreams and goals that I have along with helping those around me do the same.  I don't want to get all caught up in blaming others for my lot in life.

Remember, earning is not just about money.  It's about earning more relationships in life, earning more peace of mind, earning more positive energy, etc.  What are your thoughts?  Any to share with me and the world?  I'm always looking to learn more from others as I know I don't know everything other than I know I need to be open to learning more to keep getting better and better in all I do.

“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” – Dale Carnegie


This is one of those things that I think most people always are looking for in their lives - finding something to have fun with, be passionate about - and be lucky enough to be doing it for a living. Success comes in so many different forms, but the foundation comes from this statement from Mr. Carnegie, is one of the many things that the sooner we understand it, the better off we are.

For me, teaching is fun.  Working with my students, getting to know them, making a difference with them, helping them see the many possibilities for them and their futures; that's what it's all about.  But now since I've been in education for 24 years, I am looking to make some changes to find other things that will challenge me, make me a better person, help me grow and help me to do more in this limited lifetime that we all get.  No, I'm not leaving the classroom.  Yet.  I do see some different things for me on the horizon - teaching & coaching will always be part of who I am, what I'm about and what I do.  Since I'm still enjoying these things, I know that I am going to continue doing them.  I also know that there are other things out there, dreams that I have had and not yet done much about.  It's time.

What is it for you?  For the adults out there, do you have fun and enjoy what you spend most of your time doing?  Take a few moments to do some homework for yourself - and stop and think about how your life is going, what direction you are going, what are those things inside of you that fire you up?  We all have dreams and ideas of what we would love to do - why not start to try and make some of those things happen?  What could you have fun at and still make a living?  Or, do you have enough spare time to do those things in your life, that help make it worthwhile to keep doing what you are doing?  

Another main point here - life is way too short to do things you hate all the time.  It does us no good at all.   The stress and worry alone affects everything in our lives.  Our health, our relationships with others, our attitudes, etc.  For the younger people out there - great lessons here.  I tell my students all the time.  Find things that fire you up.  Find things that when you wake up in the morning, you can't wait to get started on.  While you are young and in high school (or even before high school), read, talk to people, have your minds open to the many possibilities that are out there; and start identifying things that you enjoy and see how you can get paid to do them.

I am always interested in feedback - but this one would be unique to hear some thoughts and ideas on both sides.  Do you have dreams that you are going after?  Or, do you have dreams and you have felt that there is no use even trying anymore for them.  (remember the discussion points on the grave yard being the most valuable pieces of real estate in the world) Those that hate your job, what do you hate about it? What would you change to make it better?  Let me know - I enjoy learning from others, getting help from others and helping others too! 

“You are the only person on earth who can use your ability.  It’s an awesome responsibility”  ~ Zig Ziglar

Zig strikes again!  This idea I've heard from both Zig and Les Brown lately - and I'm sure many others have mentioned it too.  I guess it's finally connected with me that I wanted to get this out and have hopefully some people take it in and think deeply about how true this statement really is.  I guess getting older too helps open up my mind a little bit more to accept and think about new thoughts and ideas.  Once again, sure would be nice to have that concept earlier, but I'm very happy I have it now.

How long will it take you to read over and think about this statement as to how much truth it really holds?  As I think about it, my first thoughts about it for me tend to go towards the negative - I know, it's something I need to continue to work on.  I will tell you that I am catching onto that fact that I realize my negative thinking comes on - this is happening faster and faster recently so that I can make a change or focus as to how my thoughts are affecting me.  Now on that one. I'm proud of myself and looking to continue to get better. :-)    Getting back to that point - I sometimes look first as to how I've dropped the ball on this "awesome responsibility" as Zig puts it.  I do believe that I'm the only person that can take my abilities and use them for the good of helping others.  For so long, I've really not taken this to the full extent that I know I can.  I've done enough to be ok in many areas of teaching, coaching, being a dad, being a husband, a son, a friend, etc.  But to say that I've always tried my hardest and done my best, well... that's where I know I have dropped the ball so to speak. 

Again, I think the key is for me personally - is that I now realize that.  Many times I would feel down on myself for realizing that fact and I am having a little more success in realizing that I can still change and get better.  I am turning quicker from those feelings of sorrow on myself to knowing that I need to do something about it.  We all must realize that if we don't act and do the things with our abilities that we know we have, we are really doing an injustice to so many people that we can help.  I think the cost of us not learning about our abilities and talents that we can use to help others, is really something that will hurt us so much at the end of our lives.  It is connected again with what Les Brown has said - that the most valuable piece of land or real estate is the graveyard.  All the ideas, thoughts, plans, goals, dreams, etc,, that never were acted upon - all die with that person that had them inside of them.  The other cost, probably a greater one is that the people we were supposed to help will never ever happen.  There could be someone we help that in turn will help thousands or tens of thousands (or more) and without us doing what we should do - that person and all the ones after that will never know what they could do.

I don't know about you, but as I get started on my 25th year in education - I know that this quote among many others will help me probably more so this school year than any others in the past.  With all the negativity and uneasiness in education and in life in general, I know the more people that listen to Zig and then listen to their hearts will help make a difference in so many ways.  As I've told my students throughout the years - it's time for me to "shut up", because when I'm doing all the talking I'm not learning anything.  What are your thoughts and ideas about this quote and any other quotes that I've posted.  Me and so many others would appreciate your thoughts and ideas. I'm always interested... just let me know. 

"I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good thing, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow human being let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." ~ Stephen Grellet - a missionary who lived from 1773-1855.

Just got back from a get-away - stayed off the computer for a few days and survived.  Had a GREAT time with family - wonderful especially to reconnect with my wife on a fabulous date night. 

Reading the paper this morning I found a great poem that Catherine Galasso-Vigorito put in her article - this is the Quote of the Week that I will have some thoughts on later - actually, I would like to hear some thoughts from you that I could use in my writings. Let me know what you think.

I guess as the years go on in our lives, it becomes easier to see that Stephen was right on with his statement above.  We do only come through here one time and we need not to waste our time when it comes to us having the ability to help others.  We can (and should) look to be a difference maker in many areas throughout our lifetime. Just think if everyone would look a little more to helping others instead of always being focused on themselves, this world would be so much better off.

There are plenty of times when something comes up and if we don't act on it or do something with it, that event will not ever come back to us again.  Certain doors only remain open for so long. I think we all fall for the fallacy that we will always have a chance to do certain things when we get around to it.  I love the line above "... Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."  It's that action part of success that he is talking about.  I'm sure glad too, since I need to be reminded about that again and again.  When things present themselves to us in our lives, and we have to make a choice - we need to step in and do just that.  When it comes to helping others, it becomes even more apparent for us to step in and do just that when the chance comes.

What do you think? Any stories to share on this idea that can HELP others??  ;-)  Let me and others know here.  Happy August too!

"To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson 

There are always so many times throughout our lives where we have the opportunity to help someone else.  There can be many ways of doing that.  It might come from a simple smile, holding a door open for someone or many other simple ways.  There could also be other ways that might take more time or more of a direct action from us to help someone. 

Throughout our lifetime there are so many people that come in and out of our lives.  Any time we can help someone in life, that creates a small piece of success for the other person and ourselves too.  It actually can do more.  Most of the time, other people are witnesses to that helping action.  We can show others a great example to create little bits of success in their lives too.

So many times most people think that having a ton of money or a great number of possessions are signs of success.  Ralph Waldo Emerson has so many writings and ideas that go against that notion.  He seems that he was all about helping us to work on improving ourselves and focusing on helping others.  That to me is a sure sign of a great formula for us to have success in our lifetime.  Just think, if more people went about living their lives with this thought of helping others - think about all the great things that could happen.  What are your ideas and thoughts about what Mr. Emerson has said?