Good Intentions

Have you heard the saying "the path of life is littered with good intentions" ? Last year as I entered the second 50 years of my life, I began reflecting on that statement and I caught myself paralzyed with analyzing the past.  Fortunately, I have had mentors in my life that have pushed me to add action to my intentions. 

Until next time... keep your expectations high!  Expect to Win!

Why are salespeople annoying?

I have been in the sales industry for 27 years and I am still puzzled with why most people feel that salespeople are annoying.  I am puzzled ....

• Is it annoying for a salesperson to present their product or should they just give you a brochure and answer your questions?
• Is it annoying for a salesperson to ask you if you like their product after you have looked at it?
• Is it annoying for a salesperson to ask you to buy their product after you say that you like it?
• Is it annoying for the salesperson to ask you why if you say no to buying their product?

Just askin'....

Until next time... keep your expectations high!  Expect to Win!

Let's try this again ....

I have intended to blog regularly but never accomplished that.  I am changing that today ... I want to begin some new discplines in my life and on of those is to blog 3 times per week. 
Several things on my mind...

• Grandchildren are a blessing ... anxiously awaiting our 2nd!
• I don't understand getting fined for spitting on a golf course (Tiger in Dubai). You are outside ... come'on man!
• What is up with the NFL labor dispute?  I understand disagreements and with money people can really get stupid, but are you kidding me!!! We have our President daily talking about the pain the economy has caused so many & then we have the sports headlines talking about billionaires and millionaires arguing!  Something is really wrong with that!!!
• I need someone to explain to me how OU Basketball has gone downhill so fast!!! What has happened?  I thought Jeff Capel was great ....
• I wonder if the people that feel that griping and complaining about everything is normal ever tried it the other way?!?!?

Until next time... keep your expectations high!  Expect to Win!

Crossroads

What do we do at the "crossroads" moments of our life?  Those moments that make us choose ... they make us take a side or make a change.  You can't stay put or choose the status quo, because "the same" is not an option.  These are the times that self confidence, self image and self discipline are measured.  These are the times that we prepare for with personal growth activities like reading and going to seminars and finding mentors.  It also is a time to pray. 
Today ... lot's of people are at a crossroads.  The future will bring inspirational stories of overcoming and triumph.  Will you be telling yours?

The enemy is me ... huh?

"I have met the enemy...and it is ME"  As I was doing my reading this morning, this was the title of an email I received.  I realized in a hurry that it was a true statement.  As ridiculuous as it sounds and as bad as I wished it weren't true... I am my own worst enemy.  If I could only get out of my own way.  Thank you God for your grace!  Redemption ... Oh how I need a savior! 

Prejudice - common but dangerous.

The last few days the talk on the news of the Mexican president's words, the new Arizona law, illegal immigration, etc, have brought up thoughts of stereotyping, racial profiling and prejudice.  A prejudice is a prejudgment: i.e. a preconceived belief, opinion, or judgment made without ascertaining the facts of a case.  Whether right or wrong, don't we all prejudge, to one degree or another?  When I was young, I remember wanting to grow my hair long and my Dad refused for a long time.  I know why now.  Long hair was a symbol of rebellion and lack of discipline.  That isn't fair because the hair didn't define me.  But, I do the same thing today many times.  I look at clothes and jewelry, hair and other things to make a prejudgement of someone.  "Don't judge a book by it's cover" is a great rule.  This is what first impressions are all about.  When we meet someone important or someone that we want to like us, we make extra effort to make a good impression.  But all of this is based on conscious choices of appearance or style.  We can cut our hair or change our clothes, so even though it may not be fair to judge due to how you look, it is something you can change.  However, in our world today many are being condemned due to their looks that they have no control over.  Is it right for us to prejudge someone because of the color of their skin, the color of their hair or eyes, the accent they have or religious beliefs?  That seems to me to be so hateful and unfair, Jesus said thousands of years ago to "love your neighbor as yourself".  He put no conditions on that, and the attitude of looking at someone and deciding whether or not I respect or like them because of their color or ethnicity is flat wrong.  Let's now talk about reality.  If I went to another country, and the citizens of that country had been plagued by terrorist activity and 90% of that activity was conducted by light skinned, light haired, blue eyed, males with protestant religious beliefs and they were from the part of the world that I am from, would I expect to be looked at differently.  Would the law enforcement of that country, even the fathers of families have the obligation to want to know what my plans are, why I am there?  I didn't do anything, why would I be lumped into this.  I have no hate!  But, someone did and they fit my profile, my stereotype.  Would I feel infringed upon, my rights violated.  In truth, absolutely not.  We have to be real here, the reason we are looking for people of a certain ethnicity, color and religious belief is because people that fit that profile have murdered and terrorized people the world over in the name of hate.  We wouldn't be very responsible if we didn't protect ourselves, the citizens, our families.  The same is with the people who are in our country illegally.  Many of these people are hard working and good people, but some are dangerous criminals.  The reality is that what we see is important in policing these problems.
What really bothers me about this and where the wrong in all of this really resonates... is that our children don't know this.  They see someone that is different in any way and they are intrigued, but certainly don't have feelings of hate or ridicule.  Where does all this hate and deep prejudice come from?  Someone teaches children this, some of it comes from experiences, but much of it comes from adults teaching children their prejudices and hatred.  My prayer is that we will teach them acceptance and love.  How dare we as parents and adults and children of a loving God, teach them any different.  I hope to live my life with a caring caution, a prudent diligence, but covering everything I do and every personal interaction with love.  God Bless us and help us!

The Best

"True success is not necessarily about being the best at all cost. It's about DOING your best at all times. If you do that long enough, who knows, you might just end up being the best."

Tope Popoola