"Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not."
Oprah Winfrey
Talk Show Host, Producer and Philanthropist
Entrepreneur Statistics: USA 2026
9 hours ago
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
What Goes Around Comes Around (Day 111)
GOOD FOR THE SOUL...
The man's name was Fleming and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog.
There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself.
Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.
The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings.
An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved. "I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life."
"No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied, waving off the offer.
At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel. "Is that your son?" the nobleman asked. "Yes," the farmer replied proudly. "I'll make you a deal. Let me take your son and give him a good education. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll grow up to be a man you can be proud of." And that he did.
In time, Farmer Fleming's son graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming; the discoverer of Penicillin.
Years afterward, the nobleman's son was stricken with pneumonia.
What saved him? Penicillin.
The nobleman's name? Randolph Churchill.
His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill.
Moral? "What goes around comes around."
The man's name was Fleming and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog.
There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself.
Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.
The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings.
An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved. "I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life."
"No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied, waving off the offer.
At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel. "Is that your son?" the nobleman asked. "Yes," the farmer replied proudly. "I'll make you a deal. Let me take your son and give him a good education. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll grow up to be a man you can be proud of." And that he did.
In time, Farmer Fleming's son graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming; the discoverer of Penicillin.
Years afterward, the nobleman's son was stricken with pneumonia.
What saved him? Penicillin.
The nobleman's name? Randolph Churchill.
His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill.
Moral? "What goes around comes around."
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Quote of the day
"More than anything else, I believe it's our decisions, not the conditions of our lives, that determine our destiny."
Anthony Robbins
Author and Speaker
Anthony Robbins
Author and Speaker
Where Are You Going (Day 110)
We are often told that if we study hard and get a good job, and work hard and save our money, someday we can rest and enjoy the fruit of our labors. Well, here's a unique twist on this message...
A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.
"Not very long," answered the Mexican.
"But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the American.
The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.
The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"
"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, play the guitar, and sing a few songs... I have a full life."
The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard, and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat."
"And after that?" asked the Mexican.
"With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and! move to Mexico City, Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge new enterprise."
"How long would that take?" asked the Mexican.
"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the American.
"And after that?"
"Afterwards? Well my Friend, That's when it gets really interesting," answered the American, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!"
"Millions? Really? And after that?" said the Mexican.
"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings doing what you like and enjoying your friends."
The moral of this story is:
Know where you're going in life... you may already be there.
A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.
"Not very long," answered the Mexican.
"But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the American.
The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.
The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"
"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, play the guitar, and sing a few songs... I have a full life."
The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard, and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat."
"And after that?" asked the Mexican.
"With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and! move to Mexico City, Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge new enterprise."
"How long would that take?" asked the Mexican.
"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the American.
"And after that?"
"Afterwards? Well my Friend, That's when it gets really interesting," answered the American, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!"
"Millions? Really? And after that?" said the Mexican.
"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings doing what you like and enjoying your friends."
The moral of this story is:
Know where you're going in life... you may already be there.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Quote of the day
What the mind can believe , you can achieve.......no truer words have ever been said.
Napoleon Hill
Napoleon Hill
What is a Friend (Day109)
In kindergarten your idea of a good friend was the person who let you have the red crayon when all that was left was the ugly black one.
In first grade your idea of a good friend was the person who went to the bathroom with you and held your hand as you walked through the scary halls.
In second grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you stand up to the class bully.
In third grade your idea of a good friend was the person who shared their lunch with you when you forgot yours on the bus.
In fourth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who was willing to switch square dancing partners in gym so you wouldn't have to be stuck do-si-do-ing with Nasty Nick or Smelly Susan.
In fifth grade your idea of a friend was the person who saved a seat on the back of the bus for you.
In sixth grade your idea of a friend was the person who went up to Nick or Susan, your new crush, and asked them to dance with you, so that if they said no you wouldn't have to be embarrassed.
In seventh grade your idea of a friend was the person who let you copy the social studies homework from the night before that you had.
In eighth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you pack up your stuffed animals and old baseball but didn't laugh at you when you finished and broke out into tears.
In ninth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who would go to a party thrown by a senior so you wouldn't wind up being the only freshman there.
In tenth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who changed their schedule so you would have someone to sit with at lunch.
In eleventh grade your idea of a good friend was the person who gave you rides in their new car, convinced your parents that you shouldn't be grounded, consoled you when you broke up with Nick [or Drew] or Susan, and found you a date to the prom.
In twelfth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you pick out a college/university, assured you that you would get into that college/university, helped you deal with your parents who were having a hard time adjusting to the idea of letting you go.
At graduation your idea of a good friend was the person who was crying on the inside but managed the biggest smile one could give as they congratulated you.
The summer after twelfth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you clean up the bottles from that party, helped you sneak out of the house when you just couldn't deal with your parents, assured you that now that you and Nick or you and Susan were back together, you could make it through anything, helped you pack up for university and just silently hugged you as you looked through blurry eyes at 18 years of memories you were leaving behind, and finally on those last days of childhood, went out of their way to give you reassurance that you would make it in college as well as you had these past 18 years, and most importantly sent you off to college knowing you were loved.
Now, your idea of a good friend is still the person who gives you the better of the two choices, holds your hand when you're scared, helps you fight off those who try to take advantage of you, thinks of you at times when you are not there, reminds you of what you have forgotten, helps you put the past behind you but understands when you need to hold on to it a little longer, stays with you so that you have confidence, goes out of their way to make time for you, helps you clear up your mistakes, helps you deal with pressure from others, smiles for you when they are sad, helps you become a better person, and most importantly loves you!
Pass this on to those friends of the past, and those of the future, and those you have met along the way... and remember...
No matter where we go or who we become, never forget who helped us get there.
There's never a wrong time to pick up a phone or send a message telling your friends how much you miss them or how much you love them.
You know who you are, pass it on to someone who you want to remind. And thank you for being a friend.
In first grade your idea of a good friend was the person who went to the bathroom with you and held your hand as you walked through the scary halls.
In second grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you stand up to the class bully.
In third grade your idea of a good friend was the person who shared their lunch with you when you forgot yours on the bus.
In fourth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who was willing to switch square dancing partners in gym so you wouldn't have to be stuck do-si-do-ing with Nasty Nick or Smelly Susan.
In fifth grade your idea of a friend was the person who saved a seat on the back of the bus for you.
In sixth grade your idea of a friend was the person who went up to Nick or Susan, your new crush, and asked them to dance with you, so that if they said no you wouldn't have to be embarrassed.
In seventh grade your idea of a friend was the person who let you copy the social studies homework from the night before that you had.
In eighth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you pack up your stuffed animals and old baseball but didn't laugh at you when you finished and broke out into tears.
In ninth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who would go to a party thrown by a senior so you wouldn't wind up being the only freshman there.
In tenth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who changed their schedule so you would have someone to sit with at lunch.
In eleventh grade your idea of a good friend was the person who gave you rides in their new car, convinced your parents that you shouldn't be grounded, consoled you when you broke up with Nick [or Drew] or Susan, and found you a date to the prom.
In twelfth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you pick out a college/university, assured you that you would get into that college/university, helped you deal with your parents who were having a hard time adjusting to the idea of letting you go.
At graduation your idea of a good friend was the person who was crying on the inside but managed the biggest smile one could give as they congratulated you.
The summer after twelfth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you clean up the bottles from that party, helped you sneak out of the house when you just couldn't deal with your parents, assured you that now that you and Nick or you and Susan were back together, you could make it through anything, helped you pack up for university and just silently hugged you as you looked through blurry eyes at 18 years of memories you were leaving behind, and finally on those last days of childhood, went out of their way to give you reassurance that you would make it in college as well as you had these past 18 years, and most importantly sent you off to college knowing you were loved.
Now, your idea of a good friend is still the person who gives you the better of the two choices, holds your hand when you're scared, helps you fight off those who try to take advantage of you, thinks of you at times when you are not there, reminds you of what you have forgotten, helps you put the past behind you but understands when you need to hold on to it a little longer, stays with you so that you have confidence, goes out of their way to make time for you, helps you clear up your mistakes, helps you deal with pressure from others, smiles for you when they are sad, helps you become a better person, and most importantly loves you!
Pass this on to those friends of the past, and those of the future, and those you have met along the way... and remember...
No matter where we go or who we become, never forget who helped us get there.
There's never a wrong time to pick up a phone or send a message telling your friends how much you miss them or how much you love them.
You know who you are, pass it on to someone who you want to remind. And thank you for being a friend.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Quote of the day
"Find your true direction in life, and in doing so trust your intuition, it will guide you to a safe place"
Shawn Murphy
Shawn Murphy
The Perfect Day (Day 108)
As the sun rises and fills our bedroom with warm glowing energy Kerri and I awake from a peaceful sleep. It’s around 9:00 am and Josh and Samantha are still asleep, we lie and discuss the events of yesterday and talk about our plans for yet another outstanding day in our lives.
We get up and put on our track pants and a t-shirt’s and head downstairs. Downstairs the sun shines in our living room window and our home feels warm and inviting. The dogs are up also and at the back door, looking to go out. We watch as they cross the patio and enter the yard, the lush green grass and the beautiful garden looks spectacular in the morning light. Our yard goes back for a few hundred feet and has a cedar fence that surrounds it. The dogs love to run and play in this open area. To the right is our kidney shaped pool and our tennis court.
As Kerri watches the dogs run and play from our patio in her big comfy chair, I prepare our morning shake that we love so much. What a great way to energize your body and give it a great start to the day. As we sit on the patio and enjoy the warm sun and each others company, Josh and Samantha head downstairs to start their day also.
Waffles and a smoothie is how their day starts. As I make their breakfast I enjoy the sound of Kerri and the children laughing and talking on the patio, as the dogs sit by them and watch the birds as they sing in the trees that surround our property.
As the morning unfolds the day gets warmer and it looks like a pool day for the children and their friends. Kerri and I decide to have a fun tennis match and a quick dip in the pool with the kids and their friends. The sound of laughter and joy fills our backyard and flows into our home.
Kerri and I go inside with the dogs to let the kids have some fun on their own. As we sit in the family room and enjoy each others company, we decide to have some friends over for lunch. Kerri and I go upstairs and have a hot shower together in our walk-in stone and glass shower, the jets hit us from all directions and makes your skin tingle with pleasure.
We pull on shorts and a t-shirt and go downstairs to great our friends as they pull up into our driveway. At this point the kids are all getting hungry and I start the BBQ for all our guests, Kerri and the girls are making salads and the atmosphere is light, happy, and stress free, we simply are just enjoys each others company and the outstanding day.
After a great lunch with good friends and all the kids, Kerri and her girlfriend run out for a bit (do some girlfriend things). This works out great for me also; I can make a few calls and check on a few things in my office. The kids have finished lunch and are cleaning up the kitchen and probably going back in the pool.
My office is just next to our bedroom and has a peaceful feeling about it. I love to sit at my desk and talk to our team and see what's new in their lives. Our team is a close group, and we support each other in all aspects of the business. We are truly a team that cares for one another.
My business is Isagenix, and it creates and income of 100k per month for our family. I also have a company called Learning Social Marketing that assists and guides Network marketers through this business; it creates my list and brings true leaders into my Isagenix business. I also create e-books and launch new learning material once or twice per year, this usually bring in 1-2 million per project, this business is outstanding to say the least:0)
The members of my team are fantastic people, and individuals that I can call my friends as well as business partners. They care about others growth and success in this industry and I love that about our team. I work when I feel like working 90% of the time; the other 10% is unexpected calls or situations that need my expertise in particular.
If I work 3 hours per day that would be max. and that is the way we like it.
As I sit at my desk I feel proud and grateful all at once, proud of what I have created and build through my belief and faith in ME and the choices I made in life.
Grateful for what the universe has brought into my life, the joy, happiness, peace, and love that fill my life each day. I am blessed to have found this path for my family, and at peace with the decisions I made in getting to this place that I sit today!
I have also been blessed to have a wife that supports me, stands by me, and never shows any doubt in me and my decisions in business and life. She shows our family an unconditional love that is only matched by my love for her and our children. We enjoy each others company and call each other best friends! My time with her and our children is what means the most to me in this world.
My children have a pure and giving heart, they are not afraid to show love and passion for things they care about in life. Others opinions and views are respected but never waiver them from doing what they feel is right in life. They are independent and confident is all tasks they face.
Our love as a family is stronger then any bond on this planet, we love and support one another, and show love to all others that enter our lives. We try to always provide positive energy to the world.
As Kerri returns she enters our home to laughter and joy that flows from the pool area and fills each room. The smell of fresh cut flowers meets her at the door, for she loves fresh flowers and I always have them for her each and every week. It is one of few material things that she asks for in life, she is one beautiful caring individual, and I am blessed to call her my wife.
She finds the dogs and I on the master bedroom patio reading and enjoying a glass of red wine, me that is not the dogsJ We have plans to go out for supper and she has picked me up a new pair of shoes and a jacket for the evening, she always has something for all of us even when we don’t expect it. She picked Josh up a new ball cap he loved and Samantha a skirt she was looking at the other day. Not big things but something that makes the kids smile and grateful to have Kerri as a mother. Her giving heart and always thinking of others is one of the aspects we all love about her.
Josh and Samantha have plans with their friends so it’s just Kerri and I tonight, the kids often join us when we go out, they love doing things together as a family. So tonight is mom and dad time.
The drive to the restaurant is beautiful, the sun is still shining and the drive is spectacular, the majestic trees and the river that flows just down the road from our home gurgles and meanders as it twists toward the pond further inland. The smell of fresh cut grass fills the air as we pass by our neighbors cutting their lawn, the gardens are in full bloom and the smells of summer fill the air. We are blessed!
As we park the vehicle and enter the restaurant we are greeting by the cutest little girl at the desk, her dark hair, brown eyes and smile light up the room. She takes us to our table that has 2 lit candles and in nestled in a quit corner just made for two.
We each have a glass of red wine and place our orders, Kerri has the pasta and I go for the sea food, but we start with nachos as per usual. That‘s our thing:0. We talk about upcoming events and things that are happening in the children's lives and we enjoy one another's company. We discuss how blessed we have been in our lives and thankful for all that God has placed in our path. The meal is outstanding and the service impeccable, we pay the bill and leave a fine tip and head back home to see the dogs.
As we pull up the driveway we open the garage and out comes our 2 beautiful dogs, happy and eager to welcome us home. The sun is slowly fading away and the calm evening air is clean and fresh as we walk the dogs near the path by the river. As the 4 of us walk the path the sound of the river and the birds lead us to believe we are part of nature and all is well. We pass some neighbors along the walk and we all concur that life is amazing and we have been blessed to be present in nature at that time and place.
As we return home the dogs go to their favorite spot on the patio and curl up on their beds. Kerri and I cuddle up with a blanket and light the fire, just for effect, the night air is calm and still warm. We sit together on the overstuffed wicker couch we have on the patio, this seems to be our spot in the evening.
As we sit and reflect on the great day we had, Josh and the then Samantha return home and join us under the stars on the patio as the fire crackles and the dogs begin to snore. The kids tell us about their evening with friends, and the great time they had today at the pool with friends and family.
As we sit together as a family and share in each others joy and happiness we all give thanks for the outstanding life we are living and the direction that this path has taken for us.
Truly if it was one perfect day for me, it was this one. Time with my family and friends, quit time for reflection, time with team members and friends, time as a couple, time with nature, time with my dogs, showing gratitude and blessings for the abundance in our lives. This is what my perfect day looks like; it’s one that I could live with each and every day…..
Shawn Murphy
Shawn @shawnfmurphy.com
We get up and put on our track pants and a t-shirt’s and head downstairs. Downstairs the sun shines in our living room window and our home feels warm and inviting. The dogs are up also and at the back door, looking to go out. We watch as they cross the patio and enter the yard, the lush green grass and the beautiful garden looks spectacular in the morning light. Our yard goes back for a few hundred feet and has a cedar fence that surrounds it. The dogs love to run and play in this open area. To the right is our kidney shaped pool and our tennis court.
As Kerri watches the dogs run and play from our patio in her big comfy chair, I prepare our morning shake that we love so much. What a great way to energize your body and give it a great start to the day. As we sit on the patio and enjoy the warm sun and each others company, Josh and Samantha head downstairs to start their day also.
Waffles and a smoothie is how their day starts. As I make their breakfast I enjoy the sound of Kerri and the children laughing and talking on the patio, as the dogs sit by them and watch the birds as they sing in the trees that surround our property.
As the morning unfolds the day gets warmer and it looks like a pool day for the children and their friends. Kerri and I decide to have a fun tennis match and a quick dip in the pool with the kids and their friends. The sound of laughter and joy fills our backyard and flows into our home.
Kerri and I go inside with the dogs to let the kids have some fun on their own. As we sit in the family room and enjoy each others company, we decide to have some friends over for lunch. Kerri and I go upstairs and have a hot shower together in our walk-in stone and glass shower, the jets hit us from all directions and makes your skin tingle with pleasure.
We pull on shorts and a t-shirt and go downstairs to great our friends as they pull up into our driveway. At this point the kids are all getting hungry and I start the BBQ for all our guests, Kerri and the girls are making salads and the atmosphere is light, happy, and stress free, we simply are just enjoys each others company and the outstanding day.
After a great lunch with good friends and all the kids, Kerri and her girlfriend run out for a bit (do some girlfriend things). This works out great for me also; I can make a few calls and check on a few things in my office. The kids have finished lunch and are cleaning up the kitchen and probably going back in the pool.
My office is just next to our bedroom and has a peaceful feeling about it. I love to sit at my desk and talk to our team and see what's new in their lives. Our team is a close group, and we support each other in all aspects of the business. We are truly a team that cares for one another.
My business is Isagenix, and it creates and income of 100k per month for our family. I also have a company called Learning Social Marketing that assists and guides Network marketers through this business; it creates my list and brings true leaders into my Isagenix business. I also create e-books and launch new learning material once or twice per year, this usually bring in 1-2 million per project, this business is outstanding to say the least:0)
The members of my team are fantastic people, and individuals that I can call my friends as well as business partners. They care about others growth and success in this industry and I love that about our team. I work when I feel like working 90% of the time; the other 10% is unexpected calls or situations that need my expertise in particular.
If I work 3 hours per day that would be max. and that is the way we like it.
As I sit at my desk I feel proud and grateful all at once, proud of what I have created and build through my belief and faith in ME and the choices I made in life.
Grateful for what the universe has brought into my life, the joy, happiness, peace, and love that fill my life each day. I am blessed to have found this path for my family, and at peace with the decisions I made in getting to this place that I sit today!
I have also been blessed to have a wife that supports me, stands by me, and never shows any doubt in me and my decisions in business and life. She shows our family an unconditional love that is only matched by my love for her and our children. We enjoy each others company and call each other best friends! My time with her and our children is what means the most to me in this world.
My children have a pure and giving heart, they are not afraid to show love and passion for things they care about in life. Others opinions and views are respected but never waiver them from doing what they feel is right in life. They are independent and confident is all tasks they face.
Our love as a family is stronger then any bond on this planet, we love and support one another, and show love to all others that enter our lives. We try to always provide positive energy to the world.
As Kerri returns she enters our home to laughter and joy that flows from the pool area and fills each room. The smell of fresh cut flowers meets her at the door, for she loves fresh flowers and I always have them for her each and every week. It is one of few material things that she asks for in life, she is one beautiful caring individual, and I am blessed to call her my wife.
She finds the dogs and I on the master bedroom patio reading and enjoying a glass of red wine, me that is not the dogsJ We have plans to go out for supper and she has picked me up a new pair of shoes and a jacket for the evening, she always has something for all of us even when we don’t expect it. She picked Josh up a new ball cap he loved and Samantha a skirt she was looking at the other day. Not big things but something that makes the kids smile and grateful to have Kerri as a mother. Her giving heart and always thinking of others is one of the aspects we all love about her.
Josh and Samantha have plans with their friends so it’s just Kerri and I tonight, the kids often join us when we go out, they love doing things together as a family. So tonight is mom and dad time.
The drive to the restaurant is beautiful, the sun is still shining and the drive is spectacular, the majestic trees and the river that flows just down the road from our home gurgles and meanders as it twists toward the pond further inland. The smell of fresh cut grass fills the air as we pass by our neighbors cutting their lawn, the gardens are in full bloom and the smells of summer fill the air. We are blessed!
As we park the vehicle and enter the restaurant we are greeting by the cutest little girl at the desk, her dark hair, brown eyes and smile light up the room. She takes us to our table that has 2 lit candles and in nestled in a quit corner just made for two.
We each have a glass of red wine and place our orders, Kerri has the pasta and I go for the sea food, but we start with nachos as per usual. That‘s our thing:0. We talk about upcoming events and things that are happening in the children's lives and we enjoy one another's company. We discuss how blessed we have been in our lives and thankful for all that God has placed in our path. The meal is outstanding and the service impeccable, we pay the bill and leave a fine tip and head back home to see the dogs.
As we pull up the driveway we open the garage and out comes our 2 beautiful dogs, happy and eager to welcome us home. The sun is slowly fading away and the calm evening air is clean and fresh as we walk the dogs near the path by the river. As the 4 of us walk the path the sound of the river and the birds lead us to believe we are part of nature and all is well. We pass some neighbors along the walk and we all concur that life is amazing and we have been blessed to be present in nature at that time and place.
As we return home the dogs go to their favorite spot on the patio and curl up on their beds. Kerri and I cuddle up with a blanket and light the fire, just for effect, the night air is calm and still warm. We sit together on the overstuffed wicker couch we have on the patio, this seems to be our spot in the evening.
As we sit and reflect on the great day we had, Josh and the then Samantha return home and join us under the stars on the patio as the fire crackles and the dogs begin to snore. The kids tell us about their evening with friends, and the great time they had today at the pool with friends and family.
As we sit together as a family and share in each others joy and happiness we all give thanks for the outstanding life we are living and the direction that this path has taken for us.
Truly if it was one perfect day for me, it was this one. Time with my family and friends, quit time for reflection, time with team members and friends, time as a couple, time with nature, time with my dogs, showing gratitude and blessings for the abundance in our lives. This is what my perfect day looks like; it’s one that I could live with each and every day…..
Shawn Murphy
Shawn @shawnfmurphy.com
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Quote of the day
"The world is full of abundance and opportunity, but far too many people come to the fountain of life with a sieve instead of a tank car, a teaspoon instead of a steam shovel. They expect little and as a result they get little."
Keepers (Day 106)
I grew up in the 40s/50s with practical parents. A mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. She was the original recycle queen, before they had a Name for it... A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones.
Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now... Dad, in trousers, tee shirt and a hat, mowing the lawn or checking the oil in the car -- Mom, in a house dress, with a child's spelling list in one hand and a cooking spoon in the other. It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we kept.
It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating leftovers, reusing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.
But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more.
Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away... never to return. So, while we have it... it's best we love it... and care for it... and fix it when it's broken... and heal it when it's sick.
This is true for marriage... and old cars... and children with bad report cards... and dogs with bad hips... and aging parents... and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with.
There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special... and so, we keep them close!
Send this to those people who are "KEEPERS" in your life. Good friends are like stars... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there. Keep them close!
Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now... Dad, in trousers, tee shirt and a hat, mowing the lawn or checking the oil in the car -- Mom, in a house dress, with a child's spelling list in one hand and a cooking spoon in the other. It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we kept.
It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating leftovers, reusing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.
But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more.
Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away... never to return. So, while we have it... it's best we love it... and care for it... and fix it when it's broken... and heal it when it's sick.
This is true for marriage... and old cars... and children with bad report cards... and dogs with bad hips... and aging parents... and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with.
There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special... and so, we keep them close!
Send this to those people who are "KEEPERS" in your life. Good friends are like stars... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there. Keep them close!
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