Who Is Watching You?

The following story challenged me to live as an example before others. While it speaks of the perception of little children, we are wise to observe that our every action, attitude and activity is lived on a stage. Everything we do sets a pattern that others will follow.

Character and ethics are far more caught than taught. When words conflict with actions, the actions will be mimicked, and the words ignored. This provides a breeding ground for hypocrisy and deception. These are obviously not qualities we want to pass on.

Read the story, and be instructed. What kind of difference will you make in the lives of those watching you? When corrected, how will you react . . . what changes will you make?

The Wooden Bowl

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table, but the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about Grandfather," said the son. I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor." So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then, tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days, he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day the building blocks are being laid for the child's future. Let's be wise builders and role models.

~Author Unknown~

Always make a difference!

Hurricane Frances

Heading to Jacksonville, FL to assist with hurricane relief. Hope you have a difference making week. Will probably not have the opportunity to blog while gone.

"Live and work to make a difference, to make things better." Make today a special day in someone's life.

Remember,

Always make a difference!

What Do You Choose?

I'm not sure where I found this article, but it struck a chord with me as I re-read it today. My daughter has a cassette tape of character building songs. One of the songs is "Nobody Likes a Grumbler." How easy it is to fall prey to a pessimistic outlook. It's easy to grumble about why things are the way they are. But, my friend, while the outlook may be bleak, YOU choose what kind of day you have. Dale Carnegie is quoted as saying, "Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all." While you can't choose the circumstances of your life, you can choose how you respond!

Hope this article makes a difference in your life!

Remember,

Always make a difference!

Today I can . . .

I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight.

I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy, OR... I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money, OR... I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health, OR...I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up, OR...I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns, OR...I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

Today I can mourn my lack of friends, OR...I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work, OR...I can shout for joy because I have a job to go to.

Today I can complain because I have to go to school, OR...Eagerly open my mind and fill it with new tidbits of knowledge.

Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework, OR... I can feel honored because the Lord has provided shelter for my mind, body, and soul.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.

What today will be like is up to me! I get to choose what kind of day I will have!

The Tortoise and the Hare

It would be my belief that every human above the age of zero has heard the story of the tortoise and the hare. Realizing that I don't have the benefit of being omniscient, I have included a version of the fable for those who have not.

The Tortoise and the Hare

There once was a speedy hare who bragged about how fast he could run. Tired of hearing him boast, "Slow and Steady", the tortoise, challenged him to a race. All the animals in the forest gathered to watch.

Hare ran down the road for a while and then and paused to rest. He looked back at old "Slow and Steady" and cried out, "How do you expect to win this race when you are walking along at your slow, slow pace?" Hare stretched himself out alongside the road and fell asleep, thinking, "There is plenty of time to relax."

Slow and Steady, as the hare referred to his competitor, walked and walked. He never, ever stopped until he came to the finish line. The animals who were watching cheered so loudly for Tortoise, they woke up Hare.

Hare stretched and yawned and began to run again, but it was too late. Tortoise was over the line.

After that, Hare always reminded himself, "Don't brag about your lightning pace, for 'Slow and Steady' won the race!"

Why use a child's fable to address an adult audience? To urge readers of Difference Makers to read a post on a blog called Natural Selling. This blog was introduced to me by MLMBlog. I personally urge all those who have an entreprenurial interest in network marketing to read both these blogs routinely.

Natural Selling wrote a post called "Going Slow to Go Fast." The main point of the author, in my opinion, is summarized in the last sentence, "Going slower is the FASTEST way I know of to build lifelong relationships."

This one statement is foundational to anyone seeking to build a profitable network marketing business. Regardless of product or program, if your motive leaves out the building of solid relationships, you are destined for disappointment, at best, and failure, at worst. To genuinely build a relationship takes TIME! Might even say it requires "slow and steady" effort.

Are you willing to invest significant time into building relationships? Will you commit to making your relationships more important than your entreprenuerial accomplishments? Your ultimate success will depend on your enthusiasm to create sincere relationships, rather than merely playing the "numbers game." Such an attitude will surely make a difference!

Join me in welcoming Natural Selling to the blogging community!

Remember,

Always make a difference!

Cherish the Moments

I just finished reading a post on MLM Today entitled Make The Most Of The Moments. I was not only touched by the personal incident cited, but moved to make some changes personally that will positively impact the relationships in my life.

My wife and I were privileged to raise three sons, and then, seven years ago, we were graced by the birth of a little girl. Our boys' youth blazed past me as I immersed myself in career and community affairs. When our daughter was born, however, I was challenged by the words of song by Christian composer Ron Hamilton. Bear with me as I shout a hearty "Amen" to the post previously mentioned, and to the sentiments of the song, Cherish the Moment.

Read my book, rub my back;
Mommy listen to my prayer.
Let me sit in your lap.
Daddy, fly me through the air.
Throw a ball, make a snack;
Can we go to the park?
Tuck me in, hold me close;
I'm afraid of the dark.

Sing a song, play a game;
Swing me high in the air.
Ride a bike, fly a kite;
How I love the times we share.
Hold my hand, hug my neck;
Daddy bounce me on your knee.
Come and sit by my bed;
Mommy, rock me to sleep.

Think ahead to a time
When your little ones are grown;
Hold them tight, don't lose sight
Of the blessings you have known.
Think ahead to a time
When your little boy's a man.
And you'd give anything
Just to hold him again.

Cherish the Moment;
Soon you'll be apart.
Cling to the mem'ry;
Clasp it to your heart.
Soon comes the day
When you'll have no child to hold.
So cherish, cherish the moment.

While the song refers to a child, the need to cherish our moments is hardly limited to that relationship.

Thanks, MLM Today, for keeping our activities and pursuits in the proper perspective. Way to make a difference!

Remember,

Always make a difference!