The Scroll Marked II

Before this month is out, I want to share an inspiring bit of wisdom from a great book. In "The Greatest Salesman in the World" by Og Mandino a young man in pursuit of success comes across ten valuable scrolls. Each of these scrolls contains an important life lesson. Today's post comes from the second scroll, or "The Scroll Marked II"

I will greet this day with love in my heart. And how will I do this? I will look on all things with love....I will love the sun for it warms my bones; yet I will love the rain for it cleanses my spirit. I will love the light for it shows me the way: yet I will love the darkness for it shows me the stars. I will welcome happiness for it enlarges my heart: yet I will endure sadness for it opens my soul. I will acknowledge rewards for they are my due; yet I will welcome obstacles for they are my challenge. I will greet this day with love in my heart and I will succeed.

A St. George "Christmas Tree"

I love St. George in the winter...and in the summer...and in the spring...and the fall. I had to stop again on the way to work this morning and take a picture. The contrast between the red rocks and the white snowy backdrop of Pine Valley Mountain is always impressive.

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May you feel joy, gratitude, and reassurance as you gather around what is important to you at this time of the year!

Try the newest gadget on the blog. Weigh in on the poll.

"Just relax and have fun with it." How the Dixie Rotary Bowl confirmed some sage advice.

A classic scene from my all time favorite movie, "The Three Amigos". Chevy Chase (Dusty), Martin Short (Ned), and Steve Martin (Lucky) are heading into what they think is a scene for a movie, but it is actually a fight with a local village gang. As they casually make their way to face these villans, they are doing up their buttons, cuff links etc and a "wise" Steve Martin counsels a nervous Martin Short to "Just relax and have fun with it." These movie stars, now expected to defend the little village from terror, actually put on quite a show and appear to have what it takes to defend the village. Then one of them gets shot in the arm, falls off his horse and discovers that this is the real thing. "Great! Real bullets!" exclaims a now shaken Steve Martin. At that moment, they lose courage, wave the white flag of surrender, and leave the village to be plundered by El Guopo and his gang.

Why the long story? Even thought these three were in over their heads, there is wisdom to be found in Lucky's advice to Ned to "Just relax and have fun with it." An experience that I will never forget from this last weekend's Rotary Bowl illustrates this truth.

My wife and I attended the Dixie Rotary Bowl and watched two teams play a great game of football. My favorite part of the game, and the tie in to this little lesson, was at the beginning of the fourth quarter. During a thirty second time out, over the loud stadium speakers came music with a strong beat and words that instruct you to do a certain dance, "Now step to the left....now step to the right....once bounce this time..." I have never seen a sight quite like what happened next. A couple of the players on the side line started following the instructions to the music; "One bounce this time....now bring it back". Next thing you know, the whole team starts doing it, not only on the side lines, but the players on the field even joined in! It was hilarious, the fans in the stands started cheering on this dancing football team. You would have thought they just made a touchdown by the energy that was generated. The time out ended, the music stopped, the whistle blew and the game started back up. This team that was just dancing during the time out was playing defense; they grabbed an interception on the very next play. The next play; a great pass. Next play, a run into the end zone for a touchdown. They were having a great time! I believe the interception and the touchdown that followed that time out was a direct result of the fun, loose energy that was generated by their playful dancing. Power and energy that leads to success is often found when we finally "just relax and have fun with it."

Application:

1 - In what area of your life are you not having fun?

2- In what area of your life are you not having success?

3- What could you change to have more fun?

As you start to "relax and have fun with it" I am willing to bet you start seeing more success.

Ideas to help you weather the storm

http://www.teach-nology.com/finance/stretch_dollar/

As we look for budget tightening ideas, this short article give 5 tips to make your dollars stretch.

What would you do first?

I received an email last night from a friend in prison. (Yeah, I have a friend in prison) I was reminded of how much I have to be grateful for. His release date is coming up in April and he sent me an interesting question.

If you were gonna be FREE to do whatever (after being locked up for 20 months, or whatever) what would be your first meals? What would be ALL of your 'firsts"?


My friend's list came in a second email; it was surprisingly simple. He talked of going to Olive Garden, getting a frozen yogurt from Maverick, Eating a big Mac from McDonald's and a Whopper from Burger King, having a crispy chicken burrito from Taco Time, visiting Bryce Canyon and going camping and rappelling. He talked of going to plays, and attending any "event" that his nieces and nephews are in. He is even looking forward to attending his family reunions!

This Thanksgiving, as you ponder on your blessings, remember the little things that we so often taken for granted. Right now, you could go and order anything you want from any restaurant in town. You may choose not to, but you could. You have the freedom to do it. You could take your lunch break and go meet your child, a friend or your spouse for a nice lunch together. You could go camping tonight, a little cold probably, but you could do it. You have the option. You could put up Christmas lights, bake a pie, watch a movie, work out at the gym, go for a run, visit a neighbor, buy a pet, call a friend, go out to eat. All of these are available to you right now. If you want to do any of this and more, no one is stopping you. You have the freedom and the option to do them.

"If you were gonna be free to do whatever [and the great thing is...YOU ARE!]...what would you do first?"

There is so much to do, so much to enjoy, and so much to be thankful for right now in your life. When we complain about what we don't have, we miss finding joy in what we do have. We are free to do so many things! This Thanksgiving I am grateful to be free; grateful to be free to do whatever. Hm-mm...now what to do first!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Browse the Bookshelf

On the left of this blog is a bookshelf that shows a majority of the books we have in our company library. Click on the scroll arrow at the bottom of the shelf to see more books. This list is also available on the benefits web site under "Boulevard Stuff." We encourage you to check them out for your own personal/professional development. Many of these books are on CD also. If you would like one, just let HR know and we will get you signed out for one. The store's library is in "the fishbowl" by Brett's office. The DC's library is in Ben's office. If you have suggestions on books we should add to the library, please let HR know. If you have a book you have read, enjoyed and would be willing to donate to our library, we would be happy to take them. They should be related to personal and or business development.

"The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them." - Mark Twain

Click here to request, or recommend a book now.