Work...An Amazing Concept!

As we stop or hopefully do, to celebrate our wonderful and amazing country, my thoughts go back to what made America great. At least I would like to cover a few of the many things we had going for us.

To begin with, we had or became a country of a very diverse ethnicity that exists still today. It is the coming together of those very different groups of people who had one major goal in life that made us America. They came to America with the understanding that they had an opportunity that could not be had elsewhere.

Masses of people came off of some crowded ship, processed through Ellis Island and fanned out across our great and vast land to find the dream in their own minds. Many succeeded and many failed to see complete fruition of the dream.

No matter what the outcome, for the most part, success or failure was not because of a lack of drive or work ethic. My title for this blog, "Work...An Amazing Concept!" was not a question then.

We need to have history repeat itself for the sake of of our country. Our government awards those that do not work, and no, I am not talking about the infirmed, inflicted, handicapped or others in similar positions who are impaired.

It disturbs me that over the past three or four decades our young and older citizens alike, for the most part, don't have that drive to make it and I don't know why. I am sure that there are many of you out there that have many reasons, but I am not built that way nor do I think that way. I must continue to strive even if I have to change some objectives and goals.

I have changed professions a couple of times in order to find the right niche for me so that I am happy and productive. Many think I am well off financially and I have been before but the major thing I have going for me is that I only do what I enjoy and I work hard at it. My older son said to me when living in our home for a short period, "Gee dad, you really work hard!"

You have to work hard to succeed anytime but in todays market, you really need to stay the course.

I want to share with you what two different friends and mentors said or repeated to me.

One friend put on his website something similar to this on January 4th of this year: "I refuse to take part in the recession of 2009. Have a great and prosperous year in 2009!"

I have opportunities now for people who desire to work hard for the ultimate goal of financial independance. It is difficult to find those people. Even if they just worked average days with just a little effort, they would do well.

Another quote form a friend just today reads:

Go Beyond!

Go beyond what you know you can do. And just like that, you'll know you can do more.

Go beyond again, and again. Grow past the limitations you've imagined, a little bit at a time.

Challenge yourself, and then do what it takes to meet the challenge. As you feel your strength increasing, resolve to add to it through your own efforts.

The way to have real confidence is to build it. Every day is your opportunity to make yourself more confident, competent and effective.

The skills and abilities that seem out of reach are really just a number of steps away. Challenge yourself toward them, and with each effort you move closer.

Push yourself beyond the familiar, beyond the comfortable, and into a higher level of ability. Feel the unique joy of breaking through your limitations again and again.

To YOUR Success!!

Your Friend and Partner ......Author unknown.

You become your surrondings so associate with people that share the same
values, as I do, with the above two freinds. Hard work and a positive attitude are key to where you want to be, always.

More to come.....

Introduction

Hello everyone! This is my first attempt at doing a blog so I presume I should introduce myself. I am a sixty-seven year old Native Texan who also happens to be a devout Christian. I have a lovely wife and loving family who supports all that I do. I have numerous friends, too many to count, both known and unknown due to the power of lifelong networking, unwavering integrity, and the love of giving more than I get.

I have a considerable amount of enemies also, but I consider that their loss as I would rather be friends. Some people just either don't have God in their hearts or have a problem with their own self esteem. Enough of that as it gets in the way of God's plan for me and those I am to mentor and serve. Beyond that comes the harvest of a life long learning process of giving, mentoring, working very hard with the goal of God, family and success. All of the above comes with a price. A price that I have been proud and willing to pay for my God, family and fellow man.

One of the most moving and memorable thoughts that moves through my mind on an almost daily basis is a part of a speech by Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr. If you read and re-read this excerpt and allow your heart and soul to be open to it, you will see the struggle of a man of God. This man feels both the glory and pain of life with the support of God and the knowledge that the road ahead may be hard, but the trip is worth it. It reads as follows:

"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

April 3, 1963......The next day, Dr. King was assassinated.

Those who cannot open their hearts and souls to God and their fellow man are doomed to a life of mediocracy. If you are not free to be open to others rather than live with a closed or very protected heart, then you are not free to fully live. I have members of my own family like that and it pains me.

I have no idea as to what direction this blog will take as I to, may not get there with you. If you have not been open and close with me,then we have both lost.

This blog and that of those to come are dedicated to those who care about their fellow man and also care for me.

More to come.....