Spark People Healthy Reflections

VALUING TIME

Often our days are busied with worry, stress, complaining, work, and a general wasting of time. Once we finally realize the value of our time, often for many of us it is too late. While your life might seem like a long time in the midst of it, truly it is a blink of an eye. Today, make more time to be present in your life. Even small moments--enjoying a cup of tea, calling a friend, reading a favorite book--should be enjoyed. Restructure your day so that you can get all of your work done, but allow for extra time to be spent on personal matters. Stop procrastinating!

Quotes

If work was easy, businesses wouldn't have to pay people to do it.
~ Glenn Shepard

Journal: FRIENDS

http://www.dictionary.com/
FRIEND: 1. a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard; 2. a person who gives assistance


Why do friends seem to walk into your life, pull up a chair and stay awhile and leave, never to return? Or some make these drive by visits and wave leaving you dazed, staring after them with longing and wondering when to expect the next wake up call in the middle of the night? Seems very few to be the statue of friendship, true in every form. Are we all like in this quest for friends, or am I alone?


What are friends? How do we get them? How do we keep them? What defines them? Are they mutual or viewed only by one party as a friend? Are they really not a two way relationship? Do people need friends? Or are we just supposed to be friendly towards each other and not "have" friends? Maybe your life is perfect and you don't need any more friends, because you have SO MANY already? Why do some friends stick in their click of friends, this special group of people, thats plain you are not included as "their friend"...does this mean they don't like you? or maybe you are just useless? not very sweet? unfavorable to be around? Puuuhlease! I thought that was stuff done only in elementary school? but you meant to tell me its in workplaces and other environments too? Why? Don't they know it hurts peoples feelings? Makes them think something is wrong with them? Gives a complex that their friendliness is unwanted and therefore ignored? Makes them feel alone? Oh, I forgot, I am alone, remember??? I am single, have no man or kids, won't relate to what you are going through in life, and so having me around creates this 5th wheel syndrome thats too much to deal with? I know...I understand. But you think if you say "good to see you" when you walk by me, that makes up for you never calling to say hello? write an email to touch base and cheer me/them on their journey? invite over for a meal to warm my heart? chat by the fire just to be cozy? meet up mid-week for coffeee? Or is your life so filled with you and yours that you have no time for friends? Why? Do you really like it like that? Is it easier to have friends off in the distance? Is that why you can't find my phone number? Can't remember the web address to my blog to read whats going on in my life? Deleted me as your facebook friend? I forgot, your life is busier than mine...you have less time in your day than me. All these things I guess make you not obligated to keep me close to your heart because I am out of sight and out of mind, right? Maybe you think I have all the friends I need, for when you see me, I am not sitting in the corner alone, does that mean I don't need or want you in my life friend? You say, you have so much family, cousins, aunts, uncles, distant relatives, way more than me... so I do, did you know not one of them calls me, writes me, or does anything to stay in touch? that they feel nothing like family or relatives in anyway? Yah, really you should be proud, they don't even attempt what you do! You say you enjoy my emails, but do you think that I don't enjoy yours? or when I email you that I don't want a response?



Yah, I think friends are special but they take lots of work...they make you shed tears you can't shut off...they make you go leaps and bounds to do things absolutely beyond the moon to grab a star and bring it back so maybe just maybe they will know how much, how really much you care for them...they make you hold dear the good times shared and treasure them like they may be your last, because in reality, it might...but in the end, it all ends with many hours of prayer to know how to be a friend and keep one with the ultimate purpose to set aside my feelings and be open, kind, loving and generous friend regardless of or if I am really considered their friend.



So tonight I close my blog, wishing I had the answers and knew the way to solve the FRIEND problem...but for now, I continue to muse and discover how to be the FRIEND I want in my FRIENDs. I love you my friends!

Brian Tracy Quote of the Day

The important thing is to learn a lesson every time you lose.
~ John McEnroe, tennis champion

2010 Goals & Resolutions

personal goals
#1 begin each day in prayer that God direct me in my path & integrity of my heart; remember Sunday is renew your spirit day, no business work stuff

#2 create and implement Balance in all areas of the wheel of life (spiritual, physical, intellectual, family, social, career, and financial - each of these have goals within them)

#3 organize, cull, condense, minimize, sell or use up things in & around the casa - attack a section of a room each week for 30minutes

#4 lead a quiet life, one that creates peace; remove anything that doesn't contribute to this

#5 read 2 &/or listen to 2 audio books a month, at minimum

#6 make a list of things that need to be fixed, completed, or started on my house with regards to repairs/maintenance improvements - get two done a month

#7 resume monthly piano lessons - starting January 2010; establish a schedule for piano practicing to keep to commitment

#8 health: commit to a workout schedule 3-4 times weekly; log into sparkpeople.com daily; resume diet with no wheat, sugar or trans fats; take all vitamins & supplements daily; get 8hrs or more of sleep

#9 email my friends weekly; write my friend in prison once a month; entertain company once a month on Saturday night or Sunday afternoon

#10 pay off 2nd mortgage by the end of 2010


business goals
#1 complete design of website (www.medicalaccountsolutions.com) by February 1st, 2010

#2 create P&P Manual by June 2010 to include vision statement, mission statement, expectations for excellence, bonus/profit sharing structure, other benefits, expense reimbursement guidelines, dress code, time keeping, HIPAA compliance, etc

#3 review EntreLeadership materials quarterly for refreshment & encouragement (rehearse, execute, review)

#4 enroll in accounting courses to further education -fall 2010; take a course in Microsoft Office to learn more about graphs and pivots

#5 quarterly check in with EntreLeadership friends to motivate, encourage, gather ideas, share and cheer each other on success

#6 stick to weekly plan to help employer achieve financial goals for 2010 for cash flow

#7 complete all back filing for employer by summer 2010

#8 encourage positive thinking, support and morale of all coworkers & team

#9 review & define motivation, delegation, responsibility, accountability, and authority in my position so that I have a clear picture in view to stay focused on what I expect of me

#10 as a leader, I must be different

the day of New Years Eve 2009/2010

I had requested to have the day off (unpaid as I had no more PTO or Vacation time) to relax and enjoy the day preparing for the New Years Eve Game Night Party. I slept in till 10am...which felt lovely!!! I have been really tired as of late and am not sure if its my schedule catching up with me or if its the fact I have not been eating as I had been previously and therefore it has made me tired. Anyways, I got up and the first thing I did was to check my email and read one from Dr. Tom stating his phones were out at the house. I called the number and it stated it was no longer a working number. Not knowing whom the issue might be with because we have requested to be transferred to a new carrier...after 3hours of walking thru the issues, being transferred to 3 different departments, getting a ticket logged, and someone scheduled to go onsite and bring resolution to the issue now that someone had dropped the ball and made things much worse than they already were, I was now behind on the rest of my agenda for the day. I decided to make the most of my day and be optimistic, that it would all come together and work out just fine though I had more on my plate then I saw fit to accomplish. My car was in the shop and I had loaded up all the props last night in my rental car that I was to deliver to the meeting hall for my part in the decorations for the "Live Clue Game". I was starved but there was no time to eat, I had to get a move on it. I stuck some milk and water in to heat in the microwave, poured it into my togo cup and stuck a chai tea bag in it and rushed off to hit the road. Went to Terry's to ask him to assist me in unloading everything in the rain to make things more efficient, he was glad to help. I thought I would back up close to the gym door to help us not have to lug things so far through the rain and mud, a BIG MISTAKE! I kept saying, I can't get stuck Terry, I can't get stuck! What was I thinking??? I was already stuck!!! Yup, you got it, I got my rental car stuck in the mud...and to top it off, it was 2.15pm and I needed to be at the rental place by 3pm which is when they closed! With tears in my eyes and my voice quivering, I asked Terry to try to push and we could try to get out...didn't work. Jeff was not at home, he was in town running errands and unable to help me out of my fix. He told me what vehicle to use, where the straps were and how to use them to pull me ot. I had him tell Terry the same information because my brain was frozen...but all the while I was thinking, I don't have time for this!!! We continued to unload the car. Rachel Sebastian and Preston showed up to do some of their game stuff. I asked if they would kindly try to help push us out and they did. We made little progress and I was beginning to feel very helpless. Terry kept giving me directions on how to turn the wheel how much gas to use on this dumb automatic car, etc. I had NEVER been stuck in the mud before and I didn't like the feeling. Plus being in a car that wasn't mine made things all the worse...it was bigger and an automatic and I felt like I was going nowhere...I tried to take a deep breath and remember I wasn't a quiter...before long, I was out...wow! No the pressure was on to get gas and get there by 3pm...could I do it??? If not, I was going to be out more money with two more days car rental since tomorrow they would be closed due to the Holiday...I sure didn't want to spend money this way. Terry called me while I was driving on FM1187...he said he didn't know what to do when I started crying...I told him he did fine, but he hadn't seen crying yet! LOL!!! I told him not to feel bad, it was my fault, but he felt bad anyways because he told me to go in reverse further when I should have gone forward. It still was not his fault I am the one who decided to go in reverse and get myself stuck in the mud...it was my fault, no one elses!!! Plain stupid of me! I pulled up to the gas station unable to see what side the gas tank was on in this four door silver Hyundai Sonata. Of course, it was on the other side, but I thought I could deal with it, you know most of the pumps these days usually have that pulley thing so I could make it work, wrong! Not this old place. Get back in, move to the other side, people starring, license plate is Tennessee, yah, I know I am some pale face white female in a skirt who doesn't know what she is doing...okay, if you only knew my peridicament! I hurried...how much gas? where the mark had been when I picked up the vehicle or was it supposed to be returned at full??? I don't remember the guy telling me and I certaintly had received no paperwork. What the heck, fill it full, why make things worse in the end and have to pay some exporbitant fee for not returning it maxed out? No thanks! Didn't need that. So I tear out of the gas station like I was going somewhere in a big hurry, because I was! Run the next signal light as it turned to a red light knowing that it was an older one that doesn't have those red light cameras that are so popular now...telling myself "keep going, you got to hurry Misty, HURRY!" Guess what? I made it there 3minutes before they closed!!! The guy commented about the mud on the vehicle...I nicely told him that he should be glad I made it on time because I had gotten stuck in the mud at "church" and barely got out. He was nice after that. ;) I walked to the dearlership next door and picked up my car...thankful to finally have my own wheels back, something I knew and felt comfortable with.

Now I was off to tackle the next problem of the day, head to Verizon to get my cell phone looked at as it keeps dropping calls. I got it in October and have been in there 5 times in the last 3 months trying to get my phone to work appropriately...they agreed to change it out today since the 3 software upgrades have not worked. Then I asked to make a payment on Terry's phone for him as he had given me cash to do so. The said I had to use the machine, I said okay. When I tried, it wouldn't let me because it is a prepaid phone it requires a PIN (which of course I didn't have) and it won't take payments without it...so I went back to the desk for assistance. The lady didn't want to help me, said she would do it this once but normally couldn't do that for me. WHAT? Where was peoples nice attitude of customer service...I am pre-paying a bill, I am not late! IRRRhhhh!!! As I am leaving, Bethany calls to see if now is a good time that they can come get my club chairs for the props, is it okay to come now? I said sure. After I tell her where I am at, she states that she is going to go get some food and head my way. FOOD? I haven't eaten and its 4pm! What was I thinking to run on empty all day? I rush in to Chipotle and get a burrito bowl togo and hurry home in the rain. We load the chairs, she leaves, I eat half my bowl and suddenly realize that I am utterly exhausted. I have much left to do, but feel that if I try to do another thing, I am going to be downright fried. My nerves are shot...whats wrong with me? I decide I need a nap...I am going to turn my phone on silent, close the blinds, gather a soft blanket that I received from a friend for a birthday gift a few years ago, and take a 40min nap. I fall asleep, drooling, but oh this nap did wonders for me because I woke up feeling better, in a frame of mind to be around people again. Now the rush is on...wash my hair, get my costume together, hopefully the clothes that I need are clean, find a scrap of white fabric, make a hat to look like the Clue Character Mrs.White & be ready in one hour to leave for Game Night at the building as it starts at 7.30pm and its 6pm now! Did I achieve it? Yes, I did it, in one hour and ten minutes...I still don't know how, but I did.

The game night at the building was a big hit...everyone was having a blast...actually way too much fun yelling and screaming for me...but it was true that it was a good time by all.

"LIVE" CLUE GAME characters played in action

CLUE CHARACTERS:

MR PLUM (RYAN MACHALICA)

MS PEACOCK (ALISHA MACHALICA)

MRS PEACOCK (backup) (BETHANY BAKER)

COL MUSTARD (DREX BAKER)

SCARLET (SHELLEY CARROLL)

MR GREEN (BRIAN CARROLL)

MRS WHITE (MISTY GILBERT)

(there were other backups but not taken in this photo)

LIBRARY

STUDY

CONSERVATORY

BILLARD ROOM

HALL

LOUNGE

KITCHEN

DINNING ROOM

BALLROOM

WEAPONS

4th Quarter progress on 2009 Resolutions

I received my fourth quarter email from Glenn Shepard on where I am with my 2009 Goals & Resolutions. This is what I submitted to him on where I stand on my goals for the year (review blog entry on 1/1/2009 for goals set):

1. 100% met = stay on track with monthly budget and financial planning
2. 50% = did not meet this goal in the way I had wanted (100% revamping of my casa), but I am grateful for the changes I have made in habits contributing to the issue; going forward it should only progress with my goal to achieve more in 2010
3. 0% met, no progress = must make this a priority for 2010
4. 75% progress = always good to recheck up on yourself and flow with life
5. 100% = have learned, need to continue to implement it

Many THANKS Glenn for your encouragement through the year!
for encouragement and to read others go to:www.glennshepard.com/nyr/2009.htm

Daily Bible Verse

For Christ has accomplished the whole purpose of the law. All who believe in him are made right with God. Romans 10:4 (NLT)

First Winter Snow

Camp started last night and it was bad weather for many traveling in. We had our first Winter Snow for the year with lots of ice and cold weather! It was a blizzard yesterday like I have never seen here in the 13 winters I have been here so far! I took picturs before heading out to camp this morning, a litte bit has melted, but you get a good look at what its like here today. I love the snow...it is so pretty!

right side of backyard

very back of house looking at my bedroom window

left side of backyard

front of the house

Brian Tracy Quote of the Day

Before a person can achieve the kind of life he wants, he must think, act, walk, talk and conduct himself in all of his affairs as would the person he wishes to become.
-Zig Ziglar, Author

Brian Tracy Quote of the Day

Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach. It's the end you're after.
-Anthony Robbins, Motivational Speaker

Quotes

Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.
-Tom Landry, football coach

a text message

at 9pm tonight I received the following text message:
comingtotexasfortworthfridaythefourthninepmonthegreyhound


It took a minute for me to figure out the message since it came thru all as one word. The area code was 760, which is my parents, but it was not a phone number I had listed in my cell phone. I texted back: Who is this? I then got a call from that number, and it was Terry. He explained to me that Mom has had it with him and put him on the Greyhound Bus this morning at 11am out of Barstow, CA to come stay with me...and he was enroute, not really sure where he is, but on his way. Mom told him not to call me until he arrived here in Texas, but he texted instead because he felt bad and knew I would need to know. He told me not to call her, I told him he didn't need to worry about that, I was not!!! We talked a little bit as I struggled with anger towards her for trying yet again to control my life, for her not thinking that this might not be good timing for me (how did she know I was even home? 3weeks ago I was out of the country for a week.), let alone try to put the pieces of the story together and come up with a plan. He let me know that Mom expects him to stay here for 3-4 weeks as she needs a break and he did not have a return ticket bought back to CA. I have not heard from him in about 3months or so and he had not returned any of my voicemails, so I asked him what he has been up to. I told him I had heard from Grandma that he was back into drugs again (after having been clean for 2years) and had left home. He said yes, he had slipped and used once a month or two ago, but thats not what he wanted to do with his life. I informed him that I am still working my crazy work schedule with two jobs, so this is not good timing for me; there is no way I can have him here alone at the house for that length of time every day. I told him that I would have to check with some of the men and get input and call him back. He said he was sorry, knew this put me in a hard spot, if he couldn't stay with me and nobody else could have him, he would go to a shelter. My heart broke...I can't imagine such a life like that...but he is evidently used to that because he has done it many times before. I request all my friends to please pray for me and to please keep my brother in your prayers. Jeff will be coming up with a plan as to what we do from here, we have 24hrs. I haven't seen my brother in about 5years...I am looking forward to the time with anticipation and hopeful that I can be of an encouragement and strength to him to want to server our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.

Brian Tracy Quote of the Day

Your goal should be out of reach, but not out of sight.
~Anita DeFrantz, Olympic rower

weekly devotion

Weekly Wisdom

Your outer life is your reputation with people, but your inner life is your reputation with God.

Day 1 - Arrival to Cancun Mexico

Preface:
Mid October I decide to get more information on the EntreLeadership event with Dave Ramsey that was to be held November 8-14th, 2009 in Cancun Mexico. After much research, consulting, interviews and information, I started making my plans. It was a bit complicated due to the fact that my California Birth Certificate was an Abstract Birth Certificate and therefore since it was not a certified copy, it would not be accepted by the Federal Government for a Passport to be issued. I had to get a Certified Copy ordered and rushed to me, so that I could move on to the next phase. Once I obtained that, I learned that since I was within the 4-6 week window of passport issuance, I had to wait until I was 14days out and visit the local office in Dallas Texas. In order to do this, you have to make and appointment and must present proof of travel (which means a purchased itinerary) or letter from your employer stating you were going on business. I didn't want to purchase a non-refundable airline ticket on an airline I had never previously flown on, until I had a passport in hand, but neither did I want to take the time off of work to drive to Dallas and get turned down and have to drive back, purchase a ticket and make another appointment with the Agency.. My boss wrote a letter and I purchased my airline ticket the day of my appointment to get my passport in Dallas, Monday, October 26th, 2009. I got it all in smooth order, so I then confirmed with Dave Ramsey's Team that I was going! What a moment!!!

Today, was the big day...Travels to Cancun Mexico for my very first time! I left the house a little after 7.30am with Jackie who kindly offered to take me to the airport. I made it through security with no issues and was the second traveler at the gate when the attendent informed us that due to the hurricane in the seas off of Cancun, our flight was delayed until 3.30pm...5.25 hours after it was supposed to have left! I didn't know what to do. I called Jackie to inform her of the delay, as we discussed my options, I decided to just hang at the airport. To have her come back for me (though she wasn't that far down the road) and then bring me back a few hours later, would cause a hassle for all involved and interrupt the plans others had to attend meeting and the chili cookoff out at Sam & Brenda's. It seemed to make more sense just to stay at the airport and if I didn't get to travel, then have someone come get me. I spent the time trying to nap as I was pretty tired, and then started my knitting & listened to my MP3 player. I got lunch at Fuddruckers, though it wasn't quite the same. We boarded about 2.45pm and were off right on the money at 3.30pm! The flight went well and I arrived in Cancun at 6pm, went thru customs with no issues, got my bag at baggage claim (I had carried on a second bag and my laptop in case the other bag didn't make it) and then the final gate check security where my bags got the "red light". They searched them and then let me on my way. I proceeded out thru the lobby and to the curb looking to find a black sign with the label: EntreLeadership in white on a black background/board. Here I was met by two of Dave Ramsey's team, Dave (video dude) and Matt (VP of Operations). I then learned there were 3 other couples on my flight who were attending the conference event also and we got acquainted with each other as we waited for the others to arrive and complete their process thru customs and baggage claim. We were loaded into a 16passanger van and taken on a 20minute fast scary drive in the dark to the Paradisus Riviera Cancun Resort, http://www.paradisus-riviera-cancun.com/. Upon arrival, the bell boys unloaded are luggage, we got checked in and then got our luggage tagged and we were taken to our rooms on a golf cart with it. They brought it into our room for us an pointed us in the general direction of where we were to go. I quickly took a quick peak of my room and unloaded all my hangups into the closet so the wrinkles could fall out. I wanted to shower and change clothes, but the event had started at 5.30pm and it was now a bit after 7pm and I just wanted to head that way so I didn't miss Dave's introductory speech. I left my room and headed the way I thought the bell boy had pointed...20minutes later, I found the banquet room! Everyone had eaten and Dave was just getting ready to get up on stage. I quickly went thru the buffet line and sat down at a table with some of the couples on my flight and three of Dave's team, Matt and Chris & Debbie.
Dave Ramsey's speech, EntreLeadership defined:
(a few of the nuggets I got out of the time)The leader builds the team. Think of an excellent leader, what would an excellent leader look like? If you are going to be a leader, this has to be you! Servant Leadership is the only kind of leadership that works.

After Dave's speech, our table was asked to come and answer a few questions on camera that would be displayed later the next day at the beginning of each lesson. I got to know those 3 couples a bit more and what they did while we all hung out in the hallway by the pool and took turns having the spotlight on us and answering the questions Chris Mefford posed to us. After that, I went to my room and called it a night...thoroughly exhausted from my day of travels and class was to begin at 8.30am the next day.

and yes, because I know you are asking this question...the photos on the above link to the resort are exactly what it looked like when I arrived!

Brian Tracy Leadership Success Email

The Three Primary Virtues
By Brian Tracy

Adam Smith, in his important book The Theory of Moral Sentiments, wrote that excellent people have three primary virtues: prudence, justice, and benevolence, in that order. Each of them is essential to the others and to the living of a full life in society.

Prudence
The virtue of prudence refers to your developing the habit of providing well for yourself, your family, your friends, your co-workers, and your company. This requires that you think intelligently and honestly about the very best course of action to maximize your opportunities and minimize possible danger and threats. The habit of prudence means you investigate every investment carefully, think ahead about what might happen if you were to take a particular course of action, and take intelligent steps to guard against setbacks and reversals of fortune. The most successful people are those who are prudent in the conduct in all of their personal and business affairs.

Justice is Blind
The second habit for you to develop is the habit of justice. This refers to your commitment to the establishment and maintenance of laws in society that protect the person and property of every individual. The American republic has endured for more than 200 years because it was carefully established by the founding fathers on the basis of law, not men. At every level of our society, specific laws are prescribed and laid down that are applicable to all people, regardless of wealth or station in life.

John Rawls, the Harvard philosopher and author of A Theory of Justice (Belknap Press, revised edition, 1999), once presented a question to his class that has been repeated often through the years.

Imagine that you could write the laws and create the circumstances of your society. You are given the power to prescribe the economic, social and political relationships that would exist in your country throughout your lifetime. There is only one limitation on your power. You would set up this structure without knowing into what sort of family or situation you would be born. You would not know in advance what sort of physical condition you might be born with. Whatever system of laws and customs you decided upon, you would then be required to live by them for the rest of your life. What kind of structure would you design in this situation?

The answer to this question is the very essence of the concept of justice. The statue of justice, holding the balances and scales in her hand, is blind folded. True justice is therefore applicable to all people who live under a certain system, irrespective of their background. When you make the habit of justice an organizing virtue for your own character, you will insist that, whatever the relative power of the parties, everyone be treated fairly and justly in the resolution of any difficulty or dispute.

The habit of prudence is essential for personal success. The habit of justice is essential for the creation of a society within which a person can pursue his or her own best interests with the greatest of possibilities. The rule is that you should never want or demand anything from anyone else that you are not perfectly willing to accept for yourself.

Benevolence
The third quality you must develop is the habit of benevolence. This is one of the hallmark characteristics of the truly superior person. Aristotle referred to it as one of the eight essential virtues, that of "generosity." Most people are psychologically and emotionally structured in such a way that they are only truly happy and satisfied when they feel they are doing something that serves and benefits other people. When you give freely and generously of yourself to others, whether it is to members of your family or to members of the public, you feel more valuable and happier inside. When you dedicate yourself to serving your customers with the very best quality product or service of which you are capable, not only do you feel a deep sense of personal satisfaction, but you also put yourself on the side of the angels when it comes to personal and business success. You remember the principle: "The more you give of yourself to others with no expectation of return, the more good things there are that will come back to you from the most unexpected sources."

The regular practice of prudence, justice, and benevolence leads naturally to feelings and actions of kindness, compassion, and tolerance toward other people. You become more open minded and flexible. You develop greater patience and understanding. You are less judgmental or demanding of others. You become a better and finer person.

Action Exercise
Imagine yourself to be a person of complete honesty and impeccable integrity. Is there any behavior of yours that you would change?

Quotes

A man of character finds a special attractiveness in difficulty, since it is only by coming to grips with difficulty that he can realize his potentialities.
- Charles De Gaulle

Happy Birthday Glenn!

Some of you know that I am a fan of a couple of authors, one being: Glenn Shepard. I get his weekly email newsletter called Work Is Not for Sissies. I gave all my coworkers his book How to Be the Employee Your Company Can't Live Without, at our year end party in 2008, because I benefited from it in some areas that I needed tweaking along with basic reminders about why and how it is important to serve your boss and work with the team to accomplish the goal, making the company money. Well today is his birthday...this is what I sent him in special thanks for his work:

Go here to ready his full post on his birthday.

Real Simple Daily Thought

The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want.
―Ben Stein

Brian Tracy Quote of the Day

To try and fail is at least to learn. To fail to try is to suffer the loss of what might have been.
- Benjamin Franklin, statesman