For all you do…you deserve to be rewarded

Because of your spirit…I am uplifted

Your passion…is as contagious as a fire

You choose so wisely…always knowing what is best

The gift of kindness…never seems to escape you

Always willing to give….yet, you ask for little

You know what to say…and just when to say it

From your ways…I have grown to be wiser

With your smile…you share such joy

Your loving ways….seem boundless

Because of your thoughtfulness…I have been blessed

You leave…much more than you take

Your unique imprint…is written upon many hearts

The world is a better place…because of you

What more can I say…this one is for you

I’m just like you and you’re much like me

Reflections of one another, it’s plain to see

We all want to feel the love that we give

Sharing and caring all the days that we live

Though we’ve never met, we have the same needs

To be the one who carries out the most beautiful deeds

It’s funny how I can feel what’s in your heart

Time and space could never tear that apart

One by one we will all come to know

Our history remains long after we go

Reaching out, we must extend a hand; to strangers, to neighbors, to anyone in need, and to all we can.  Time to let go of dwelling in ego.  Time to set aside our swelling pride.  People are hurting.  Our communities are in pain.  I say help.  Help one another, by reaching out across the divide to bridge the gap.  The gap that leaves us on too many different sides.

It begins with you and I.  One by one, we must build back our communities by embracing the strangers who may need our help.  Helping them, only helps all of us. Assist your neighbors when they are down and out, or in need.  Show them the compassion of your helping hands. 

Together, we are stronger.  Side by side, building bridges across the divide.  Hand in hand, with strength in numbers, we shall extend.  As people help people, we return the unity to each and every community. 

Take the hand of your fellow man.  We all must band, reaching out for change.  Reaching out as far as possible to create a bridge.  A bridge strong enough to carry us over the very troubled waters below.  Remember, love is love, in any language.  And actions speak louder than words.

The greatness of the human spirit, coupled with the compassion in our hearts, can move mountains.  It can heal the world.  Come together to make it happen.  Hand upon hand upon hand, taking hold in an unending chain of interlocking human force.  An emerging force, reaching out, to build the bridge of hands.

On the darkest of nights, stars shine with the brightest of their brilliance.  The endless sea of their interconnected and overlapping patterns can transform our eyes.  To gaze at them for long is to become mesmerized by their intensity and light.  So too is it with the “stars” among us here on earth. 

Since the early day of man, stars have played an important role in history.  They create a canvas like map across the skies.  Their importance is told, time and time again throughout the Bible, where they lead nomads, shepherds, and apostles,  across the desert to the newly born savior, baby Jesus.  Stars have been celebrated in tribal rituals since ancient times.   Stars, both celestial and human, are the title, theme, and subject of many many popular  songs, movies, and books.

Stars seem to provide both an escape and guidance.  Perhaps it is because they burn so brightly, giving off light that protects us from the dark.  The darkness of our own lives.  They shine so brightly upon us, yet they are so far away.  They are an illusion we cannot touch or get too close to. 

Funny how certain stars burn with such intensity so young that they burn out so quickly.  We all have witnessed the fall of a brilliant young star happen way too early.  There seems to be a fascination with  falling stars.  We love them for their tireless eternal light.  Yet we gather to watch stars fall from the midnight sky.  Maybe we feel we will be the one who can catch a falling star? 

Stars entertain us.  They are part of another world yet touch ours.  They play against a darkened sky.  Some are bigger and seem to always be present.  Others appear to be closer to us.  Close enough to reach out and touch.

Stars come and go as the seasons change.  Each star has their shining moment.  Their stage.  They will burn with the hottest of intensity, shining it upon us.  They remain so close, and yet so far.  If only we could reach, the unreachable star.

Like any road or trail we may travel , the path to a positive and fulfilling life is achieved through a continuous commitment.  A commitment to ourselves and everyone in our world.  It is through trial and error, and the failings that occur as the result, that we ultimately grow. 

Just like the phoenix rises from the ashes to fly again, so too will we, when we learn how to use our failures as lessons.  Lessons that challenge us at the very core of our fiber.  For we must learn to be resilient. It is not enough to merely go through life.  We must learn to grow through life!

If you have been born into a loving family, you have been blessed.  Give thanks for it.  Honor and respect them with your actions.   If you have your health, you have true wealth.  Use it wisely.  If you are wise, share your intellect with the world.  We need all the great minds put towards the many challenges facing our planet. 

Recognize the importance of our place in history.  Each of us are but one link in a continuous chain.  The opportunity to make a difference lies within every living person.  Rise to your potential by surrounding yourself with people who inspire you.  Aspire to greatness!  Always!!

Seek and find the answers to anything that you do not understand.

Develop a hunger for information.  It leads to knowledge.  And knowledge leads to power.

Choose behavior that reflects the way you want to be treated. 

Love and be loved.   Laugh often.  Cry real tears without fear. 

Realize how special you are..  Seize the moments of your days…

Honor life and those who live….on the path to the positive!!

On the road of life, nothing touches our lives more than people.  Not money, fortune nor fame.  We are a family, like a giant tree.  We are born into a given family yet find our chosen family along our journey of life.  Some of our most beloved and precious relationships will fall into both of our families.

People will touch our lives in  ways we have never expected, sharing both the beauty of their wonderment and the depths of their darkest hours.  The smallest of exchanges can lead to a life time of memories.  The kindest deed can alter the course of our path.  The tiniest act can leave an amazing affect.  For we may all want different things, but our basic needs, as humans, are so very similar.  To be loved.  To be touched in special ways.  To be recognized.  To belong.   To make a difference.  To share moments.

Our paths will be colored by the many many characters and players who come in and out of our lives.  Some people will be there from the very start.  Others will occupy nothing more than a brief stay.  Some will leave far too soon.  Our philosophies, ideas, beliefs, desires, fears, and dreams will be built around the fortress of this collection of relationships.  The people who impact us the most will remain in our collective consciousness.  Although we will forget about many people, we may continue to carry a piece of them forward throughout our journey.

No life experience will touch us more than people.  Not any place or thing can begin to rival the influence people have on us.  The specialness each person offers can never be duplicated.  We are each our own unique symphony, playing our own song. 

We are all the sum of our life’s experiences.  A giant patchwork quilt made up of all the people who have touched us in a multitude of ways.  I call it the inspiration quilt.  It is the fabric our our lives!

My life has called me to honor people, working on their behalf. 

Sharing peoples stories…telling their tales.

Above all things I…..in all my work…

I choose to recognize people first!

In a world driven by data, where technology seemingly trumps all topics, I’ve been feeling the call of the simple things that touch our lives. The immeasurable things that touch our body, mind and soul. The feeling we get when someone just says,” Hi, how are you today?” with that sparkle in their eyes and a genuine smile upon their face. When that person stops and pauses to actually listen to our answer(without looking at their cell phone), it’s a delight. The rush of emotions in motion when I hug my mom tightly. It fills me with an unexplainable joy and sadness at the same time. Joy that I can feel such warmth and connectedness to her through such a simple gesture. Sadness for the loss of my dad, and left wondering when the last time my mom has felt the loving touch of a kiss, a hug, or the warmth of a hand. I love the way great music can make our spirits take flight, transporting us right out of our bodies. It lifts the emotions. The intoxicating rhythm of the instruments. The soaring sounds of a soulful singer. It can set our heart and imagination on fire. Spirits fly on….. We touch each others lives in so many immeasurable ways. It is such a blessing to recognize the “little” things that happen. The holding hands. The inspiration we feel after a great speech. The voice that says “I care” just by it’s tone. The kind deed. The philanthropists gifts that touch our communities. The passion found in people’s eyes. The warmth of the breeze blowing by. Moments that make you stop, and sigh. The times we have to say goodbye. The beauty of tears when we cry The immeasurable dynamics between…. you and I.

We are all connected to people, places and things.  Relationships are about the connectedness between people.  The mutual dealings between us that are relative to time and place.

Different people come in and out of our lives at different times.  We are born into a given family, complete with all kinds of  relatives.  We will come to know much about all of them through the years.  Throughout life’s journey we will interact with a set of chosen “family” and friends. We will also engage with an even larger number of people with whom situations of time, place us together.  This group consists of  colleagues, acquaintances, employees, bosses, representatives, doctors, service techs, and so so many more.

Relationships can be simple, easy, and straight forward.  They can be challenging, complex, and difficult as well.  Respecting people and what they bring to our lives is a huge part of success and happiness.  Everyone can offer something great.  That one nugget of wisdom.  That one skill that they own and can perform better than anyone else.  A beautiful heart.  Great wisdom.  Passion.  Joy.

Great people bearing great gifts are a treasure. No one can ever offer more than themselves.  Treasure the people in your life!  Remove the relationships that seem poisonous, toxic, and dysfunctional. 

Give more than you get!  Leave more than you take!

We cannot make other people happy!

Happiness is to be shared!

As I sit at LaGuardia Airport waiting for my flight to Ft. Lauderdale Florida, how appropriate is it that today’s blog is the letter J; and my choice for J is the word  journey!!  I know many things about my destination.  The weather. The beaches. even some of the people there, as I visit somewhat frequently. What I do not know is about the details of my journey. How will it unfold?  Where will I eat?  Will the weather be so so or spectacular?  Who will I meet?  

This concept of the journey is  the same when it comes to our lives and our businesses.  There is so many spiritual and religious practices that are focused on all of our eventual destinations.  But what about our journey here and now?

I choose to carve my own trail with my life, my work, and my career.  It is the road less taken. In my case the fulfillment of dealing with constant challenges, potential problems, and the fear of failure is what I want my journey to be.  Doing new things. Learning to accomplish the unthinkable.  Why four years ago I was a web zero.  I have gone from zero to hero oh so quickly! 

New platforms, channels, and ways to connect make our journey so different then before.  As business people we can launch into media, connecting with our customers, and everyone online.  There are NO gate keepers controlling our message.  We must not limit ourselves either. 

We have endless possibilities.  We are filled with untapped potential.  The destination will always be there.  Let your own journey transport you to a life you never thought was possible.

“Life is what happens while we are busy making plans.”