Know WHY, and never forget it!

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." ~Thomas Edison

"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place." ~Unknown

First, believe you are worth it! We were put here on this earth to have joy, to grow and experience love and happiness! You can and should have a better life!

Second, you need to know what you want; a healthy body, a fat bank account, time freedom to spend doing the things you want to do. Then, most importantly, talk to yourself about WHY you want those things! Your intentions are key!

Having a strong reason why will help you accomplish whatever you want out of life. We all have the same 24 hours in a day, but some accomplish and have so much more. It's often their why that sets them apart from mediocrity. Take a REAL inventory of where you now are and where you want to be.

*Your why could be because you want to help yourself, your children or other family members have something they need or desperately want.
*It could be that you are in financial trouble and have creditors threatening to take away your home or possessions.

*It could be that you don't want to live paycheck to paycheck anymore.
*It could be that you are plain tired of deciding what to eat, where to live, and what to do with your free time based on what's in your wallet.
*It could be that you want to your body to be healthy again or for the first time in your life.
*It could be that you want to improve yourself enough to attract and impress someone into a romantic relationship with you.

Whatever YOUR reason is...

At some level you need to become uncomfortable with your situation, not ungrateful, just not complacent! And as you live through struggles/challenges that come to everyone, you will stay on the right track if you are constantly reminded of why you are working for something better. A challenge is just a test to see how bad you want something. You can do it! You can have everything you want that is good for you!

Your reason WHY will get you through anything and keep things in perspective when times get tough!

To get started you have to write your goals down as if you have already achieved them. Look at it; remind yourself of it every day! Fantasize about how it will look, smell, sound, feel like to be where and who you want to be already.

Then write down WHY you want what you want, and remind yourself of it everyday. Then get to work! The emotion created by knowing your why will put you into motion.

Only after you have written these things down and made the decision/commitment to become THAT person who has what you want and is who you want to be, then you will have the focus necessary to make it a reality. Once you are committed, you will see the universe combine to help you become that person you dream about.

P.S. On a personal note; a couple of years ago we hit a major financial roadblock due to a bad investment. I wanted to make up for our bad investment choice and get my family back on the right path to financial freedom.

My WHY, back then, was that I was really tired of crying in shame because I couldn't provide the things my children wanted, basic things like allowing them to play sports, take music lessons, or buy clothes and shoes that fit properly. We just couldn't afford it. We even had leave our home, renting it out to stay current on our mortgage payments. I was tired of hearing "mom, I don't want to go to grandma's house, why can't we go home?" Well, because my WHY was SO great and emotionally motivating, I found a way to get out of our financial problems. Below is a link of what the universe presented to me and what made our lives quickly change for the better. Within 60 days we were able to move back into our home and our financial situation is still steadily improving.

For those of you who may be looking to make extra money and give yourself a chance to change your life through personal development, check out this website: http://www.WayToGetAhead.com

Giving back brings Joy to All

Here's a happy experience worth sharing:

December 27, 2010

An Uplifting Story

by Ron Prentice,
Chief Exceutive Officer

ARMY/NAVY GAME
Here's a 'today' Yule story that occurred. . .the best Christmas story you never heard.

It started last Christmas, when Bennett and Vivian Levin were overwhelmed by sadness while listening to radio reports of injured American troops. "We have to let them know we care," Vivian told Bennett. So they organized a trip to bring soldiers from Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital to the annual Army-Navy football game in Philly, on Dec. 3.

The cool part is, they created their own train line to do it. Yes, there are people in this country who actually own real trains. Bennett Levin - native Philly guy, self-made millionaire and irascible former L&I [Licenses and Inspection] commish - is one of them.

He has three luxury rail cars. Think mahogany paneling, plush seating and white-linen dining areas. He also has two locomotives, which he stores at his Juniata Park train yard. One car, the elegant Pennsylvania, carried John F. Kennedy to the Army-Navy game in 1961 and '62. Later, it carried his brother Bobby's body to D.C. for burial. "That's a lot of history for one car," says Bennett.

He and Vivian wanted to revive a tradition that endured from 1936 to 1975, during which trains carried Army-Navy spectators from around the country directly to the stadium where the annual game is played. The Levins could think of no better passengers to reinstate the ceremonial ride than the wounded men and women recovering at Walter Reed in D.C. and Bethesda, in Maryland. "We wanted to give them a first-class experience," says Bennett. "Gourmet meals on board, private transportation from the train to the stadium, perfect seats - real hero treatment."

Through the Army War College Foundation, of which he is a trustee, Bennett met with Walter Reed's commanding general, who loved the idea. But Bennett had some ground rules first, all designed to keep the focus on the troops alone:

No press on the trip, lest the soldiers' day of pampering devolve into a media circus.
No politicians either, because, says Bennett, "I didn't want some idiot making this trip into a campaign photo op."
And no Pentagon suits on board, otherwise the soldiers would be too busy saluting superiors to relax.

The general agreed to the conditions, and Bennett realized he had a problem on his hands. "I had to actually make this thing happen," he laughs.

Over the next months, he recruited owners of 15 other sumptuous rail cars from around the country - these people tend to know each other - into lending their vehicles for the day. The name of their temporary train? The Liberty Limited.

Amtrak volunteered to transport the cars to D.C. – where they'd be coupled together for the round-trip ride to Philly – then back to their owners later. Conrail offered to service the Liberty while it was in Philly. And SEPTA drivers would bus the disabled soldiers 200 yards from the train to Lincoln Financial Field, for the game.

A benefactor from the War College ponied up 100 seats to the game - on the 50-yard line - and lunch in a hospitality suite. And corporate donors filled, for free and without asking for publicity, goodie bags for attendees:

From Woolrich, stadium blankets. From Wal-Mart, digital cameras. From Nikon, field glasses. From GEAR, down jackets. There was booty not just for the soldiers, but for their guests, too, since each was allowed to bring a friend or family member.

The Marines, though, declined the offer. "They voted not to take guests with them, so they could take more Marines," says Levin, choking up at the memory.

Bennett's an emotional guy, so he was worried about how he'd react to meeting the 88 troops and guests at D.C.'s Union Station, where the trip originated. Some GIs were missing limbs. Others were wheelchair-bound or accompanied by medical personnel for the day.

"They made it easy to be with them," he says. "They were all smiles on the ride to Philly. Not an ounce of self-pity from any of them. They're so full of life and determination. "

At the stadium, the troops reveled in the game, recalls Bennett. Not even Army's lopsided loss to Navy could deflate the group's rollicking mood.

Afterward, it was back to the train and yet another gourmet meal - heroes get hungry, says Levin - before returning to Walter Reed and Bethesda.

"The day was spectacular," says Levin. "It was all about these kids. It was awesome to be part of it. "

The most poignant moment for the Levins was when 11 Marines hugged them goodbye, then sang them the Marine Hymn on the platform at Union Station.

"One of the guys was blind, but he said, 'I can't see you, but man, you must be f---ing beautiful!' " says Bennett. "I got a lump so big in my throat, I couldn't even answer him. "

It's been three weeks, but the Levins and their guests are still feeling the day's love.

"My Christmas came early," says Levin, who is Jewish and who loves the Christmas season. "I can't describe the feeling in the air. "

Maybe it was hope.

As one guest wrote in a thank-you note to Bennett and Vivian, "The fond memories generated last Saturday will sustain us all - whatever the future may bring. "

God bless the Levins.

And bless the troops, every one.

Warm Fuzzies!

Listening to the General Conference of my church, I was impressed to add another post today. The President of the church spoke about his birthday wish last year that all the members of the church would find a way to help someone in need, to offer some kind of service to another.

He was touched by all the replies he received as many reported back to him what they had done to fulfill his birthday wish. One in particular was very creative and very cute, a clear jar filled with soft, little starburst balls of yarn, "warm fuzzies." Primary children had challenged themselves to fill this jar to give to the prophet as a birthday present. Each little fuzzy represented a kind act that they had performed for someone else, like visiting a lonely woman and singing to her, or giving extra hugs and kisses to their mom while their dad was away in military service.

I loved this idea of a warm fuzzy jar and decided to begin one in our home. I have four young boys and like many siblings, they don't always get along or treat each other kindly. I thought this would be a fun way to encourage my boys to serve and be more conscious of their other brother's needs and wants. I will reward us all when the "warm fuzzy" jar is full by having an ice cream outing or something the boys choose. I know that this will be a fun way to bring more happiness into our home.

I am sharing this idea with you to give you the chance to either implement something similar in your homes or continue to encourage you in your efforts to have an attitude of service in your lives.

The closing hymn of this session of conference was a great song, "Have I Done Any Good?" This hymn ends with the Chorus:

Then wake up and do something more

than dream of your mansions above.

Doing good is a pleasure

a joy beyond measure,

a blessing of duty and love.

It is true as you reach out and offer service, you lose focus on your own problems and find real happiness in lightening the burden of someone else in need. Please find a way to do something good today, you will immediately invite more happiness into your lives. When you do, feel free to report back to this blog and make a comment. It will bless me and all those who read it to hear how people are showing acts of kindness. It will renew the hope for those who are struggling to believe. Thank you.

A beautiful story...

A friend sent me this in an email...I think it is well worth posting.

The man slowly looked up.  This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life.  Her coat was new.  She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life.  His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before.  "Leave me alone," he growled...  To his amazement, the woman continued standing.  She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows.  "Are you hungry?" she asked.  "No," he answered sarcastically.  "I've just come from dining with the president.  Now go away."  The woman's smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm.  "What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily.  "I said to leave me alone."  Just then a policeman came up.  "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked.  "No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet.  Will you help me?"  The officer scratched his head.  "That's old Jack.  He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years.  What do you want with him?"  "See that cafeteria over there?" she asked.  "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."  "Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted.  "I don't want to go in there!"  Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up.  "Let me go, officer.  I didn't do anything."  "This is a good deal for you, Jack," the officer answered. "Don't blow it."  Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived.  The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table.  "What's going on here, officer?" he asked.  "What is all this, is this man in trouble?"  "This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered.  "Not in here!" the manager replied angrily.  "Having a person like that here is bad for business."  Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady.  I told you so. Now if you'll let me go.  I didn't want to come here in the first place."  The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"  "Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently.  "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."  "And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"  "What business is that of yours?"  I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."  "Oh."  The woman smiled again.  "I thought that might make a difference." She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"  "No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty."  "Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"  "Yes, ma'am. That would be very nice."  The cafeteria manager turned on his heel,  "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer."  The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said.  "That was not my intent.  Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."  She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently. "Jack, do you remember me?"  Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar."  "I'm a little older perhaps," she said.  "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."  "Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly.  He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.  "I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything.  Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days.  It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."  Jack lit up with a smile.  "Now I remember," he said.  "I was behind the serving counter.  You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat.  I said that it was against company policy."  "I know," the woman continued.  "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy  it.  I was afraid that you would get into trouble.  Then, when I looked over, I saw you put the price of my food in the cash register I knew then that everything would be all right."  "So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.  "I got a job that very afternoon.  I worked my way up.  Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card.  "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons.  He's the personnel director of my company."  I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled.  "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet."  If you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you."  There were tears in the old man's eyes.  "How can I ever thank you?" he asked.  "Don't thank me," the woman answered.  "To God goes the glory. Thank Jesus... He led me to you."  Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways.  "Thank you for all your help, officer," she said.  "On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered.  "Thank you.  I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget.  And...And thank you for the coffee."

If you have missed knowing me, you have missed nothing. If you have missed some of my emails, you might have missed a laugh.  But, if you have missed knowing my LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, you have missed everything in the world.  Have a Wonderful Day.  May God Bless You Always.  And don't forget that when you "cast your bread upon the waters," you never know how it will be returned to you.  God is so big He can cover the whole world with his Love and so small He can curl up inside your heart.   When God leads you to the  edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go.  Only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly!  The  power of one sentence!  God is going to shift things around for you today and let things work in your favor. If you believe, send this on.  If you don't believe, delete it.  God closes doors no man can open and God opens doors no man can close.  If you need God to open, some doors for you... remember to be a blessing to somebody ... 

Happiness is Independence!

I am so happy to be an American, "where at least I know I'm free.  And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me.  And I'll gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today.  For there ain't no doubt, I love this land.  God Bless the U.S.A."

Happy are those who enjoy the freedom that this beautiful land offers.  We have the freedom of religion, of speech, and the freedom to pursue happiness!

I am very grateful for our freedoms in this country!  Almost 10 years ago, I experienced the overwhelming feeling of joy and relief when my plane touched down on American soil.  I had been away for over a year.  I had truly enjoyed where I had been, and was even a little saddened to leave, but I hadn't expected the surge of emotion that came over me.  As the tears welled up in my eyes, I pondered the significance of being able to freely come, as a citizen, into the greatest nation of all.  

I had a song saved on a tape for the occasion and I'm sure listening to it helped bring on the "choked-upness."  As we descended into the airspace above the airport I pushed play on my tape player and listened to "God Bless America." 

God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her,
Through the night with the
light from above.
From the mountains, to the praries,
to the oceans, wide with hope,
God Bless America,
My home sweet home.
God Bless America,
My home sweet home
God Bless America
From the mountains,
to the prairies,
to the oceans, wide with hope,
God Bless America,
My home sweet home.
God Bless America,
My home sweet home.

 LeAnn Rimes  

Because of the other freedoms allowed to us in this nation, I am now able to focus some of my time and energy in the pursuit of financial freedom.  I am blessed to be able to find it simply by spreading the awareness and attainability of our national ideal, "liberty and justice for all."  I have started making legal services available to everyone, not just the wealthy.  For a small monthly membership fee, anyone can have access to the legal system and the protection it provides.  It is a pleasure to share this life changing information.  I hope we all remember the sacrifices made on our behalf and enjoy the freedoms we have so readily available to us.  

Happy Independence Day!

For more information about legal services or financial freedom through offering these services, check out my website at:  http://www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/capeel

It's all about your choice!

A friend emailed this to me and I felt it was appropriate to post on my website, where I feel driven to lead others to happiness.  Enjoy and ponder this.

"A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today.

His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.

As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.

'I love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.

'That doesn't have anything to do with it,' he replied.

'Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time.

Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged…it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it.

It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice;

I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.

Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life.

Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.'

So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories.

I am still depositing."

Remember these six simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.

2. Free your mind from worries.

3. Live simply.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less.

6. Be Grateful. (I added this one.)

A reminder to slow down...his name was Mike

Yesterday when I was completing some errands with all of my boys, I was waiting in the hospital pharmacy for our turn to pick up my son's medicine. The boys were behaving pretty well, but I was starting to feel overwhelmed with all the "please don't touch," "get back over here," "don't hit your brother,""don't point and stare," and "stay with me!" Judging by the crowd, it was going to be a long wait. So I decided to take the boys outside on the "thrive walk" through a nicely landscaped area. Enjoying the greenery, my stress level lowered and I felt like extending our walk across the street to the main building of the hospital. I had a question to ask and thought I could find the right department and the answer and get back in time to retrieve our prescription and make our remaining appointments. Remember, I still had all the boys with me so safely crossing the street and finding a new department in the maze of the hospital would be no small task. 

However, as we approached the hospital entrance I caught a glimpse of a man leaning into the parking lot elevators. People were passing all around him not noticing him at all, but something made me stop my little train of boys and watch him for a minute. I soon realized he was suffering. His back was to me, but I could see it rise and fall heavily like he was gasping for air but none was coming. I told the boys to stay put and walked over to him and asked if he was okay. He didn't answer right away, and I was nervous that he might be offended. I waited and asked again if I could help him. He wearily looked at me and said he might like to sit down. I turned and yelled at the boys to bring us a wheel chair that was parked outside the hospital entrance. They sprinted to get it and I could tell they were a bit excited to help. 

Once we got the man seated I asked if he was going into the hospital or leaving. Still laboring for every breath and each word, he said he had an appointment in the pulmonary department. Holding my baby in one arm and helping my eight year old push the chair with the other we headed for the entrance. He added that his appointment was on the second floor, but just to leave him and he could make it. I rubbed his shoulder a little and assured him we were in no hurry and would see to it that he got where he needed to go. 

I asked his name, and he quietly managed just Mike. He was a large man, not easily maneuvered in a chair, so with some trouble we got him into the elevator. We discovered that the second floor was pretty empty and NOT where the pulmonary department was. I saw someone with a name tag and scrubs and asked for help finding the pulmonary offices. She was very helpful, but told Mike that he needed to go to the emergency. He insisted he had an appointment in 10 minutes, but she said they would send him there too. She offered to push him from there so I could get back to attending my boys. She was shocked to find out that I didn't know this man and that I stopped to help him even though I had the four little boys in tow. He was grateful and they were soon on their way to the ER.

My four year old had been complaining about being hungry and having to go to the bathroom, so we stopped off at the cafeteria before going on to the ER to make sure Mike was being looked after. We never were able to find him again, but I used this as a teaching moment for my sons. 

I told them to never be too busy to notice some one else's suffering or too shy to offer help. They could always say no, but I told them how Mike may not have ever made it to the front door. People had been passing right by him in the parking structure and not stopping. Who knows, he may have made it all the way to the second floor and then been too confused and out of breath to determine where to go from there. He could have died right there, feeling all alone in a sea of people rushing around him and not able to speak loud enough to call for help.

We all felt really good having helped him and I reminded the boys of the time last month when we followed a smoking car off the freeway ramp and daddy got out and helped push the old lady's car safely to the side of the road. We were in a hurry then too to go to a cub scout derby, but seeing how distressed the woman was, we called a tow truck and waited with her along side the busy road until a it arrived to help her. She was in tears and gave us all a hug when the truck arrived and she knew she would be safely home soon.

The good feelings you get from helping others, truly is The Happiness so many are seeking.  I hope the boys never forget these life lessons. Never, never be too busy or apathetic to slow down and help a brother or a sister in need. I think they will at least remember the good feelings they got from doing just that yesterday. And in sharing our experience, I hope you will remember the lesson too.