Live life like a river not a reservoir!

Which do you prefer?  I have used this quote more than once and I just heard it again on a John Maxwell update.  It simply resonates with me.

Running a nonprofit you discuss cash flow projections on a daily basis.  When account balances get low its “chicken little time.” Let's apply the brakes!

Why would people invest in your vision unless they can see your impact on an ongoing basis?

Its a dance that I enjoy.

I often ask my board members the question…if someone gave us one million dollars what would we do with the money?  What a provocative question! 

There are always the ones that want to put it in the bank and earn interest and it’s hard to argue with that.  For me, I would invest it in our community.  Let it go!  There is a whole lot more where that came from.

If you live your life or run your business as a river your life flows and always finds new places to explore.  There is abundance in front of you and all around you.  Obstacles can cause your flow to be altered, however rarely stopped!

A reservoir stays in one place and stagnates.  Yes it is safe and secure, however not a place I was destined to function in.

I often refer to the analogy “if your cup is too full, how can you get more, unless you pour some out!   

If abundance comes your way in any form share it and enjoy returns on that investment every day.

NobleOne

5 steps forward and 5 steps back

Nothings feel better than making progress.   You catch yourself saying, this simply can’t last and you are right!  

If it did, nobody could live with you!

I think humility is a part of life and everything has balance.   You can’t always succeed without learning a few lessons.  The next time, you go a little farther! 

Quite a few years ago I was on a run listening to music laced in with some inspirational passages I have recorded over the years and I heard this. 

In life, you take 5 steps forward and then 5 steps back and then 5 steps forward and then 5 steps back and then 5 steps forward and then 4½ steps back,  oh yeah!

I thought about it for the rest of my run and realized how much truth was there.  Life has so many small steps and most of them are either forward or back and that is how life works.

If you never fail at anything you never learn.  Winning makes you soft losing makes you tough!

Persistence is what gets you further simply because you fail more and learn more!

You tend to celebrate the forward motion however what do you do when life backs you up?

I have decided to pay attention and learn the best I can about what is being taught!  Better yet, if I am aware of the way the world works, I am better suited to deal with its reality!

I will continue to enjoy my life of continuous motion and celebrate all of the movements, how ‘bout you?

NobleOne

Giving Season

One of the assets of living in Virginia Beach is the four distinct seasons.  As we get well into the fall, the “giving season” starts, my personal favorite!

The Noblemen are preparing to distribute over 300 toy boxes to local businesses in Hampton Roads.  The coolest part, it gets people thinking about giving!   

One of the reasons I do what I do is the witnessing of seeing lives changed by giving.  Not the receivers but the givers get the true gift.  Part of the magic of the universe!

Every day until Christmas I will be having conversations with so many folks on both sides of the fence.  Those that need us and those that are gonna make it happen.  Who do you think at the end of it all enjoys it the most?

In 1995 I started a Trolley ride with the Robin Hoods of Virginia Beach.  (now known as The Noblemen) We made a decision to spend a part of our Christmas visiting families facing their last Christmas with their son or daughter.  These were families in hospice care through Edmarc, a local hospice for kids.

We all knew what we had to do that night and it was amazing what happened.  We all received our Christmas present.  I feel, because of that night, The Noblemen are who we are today!

On Tuesday Pete Hansen and I will load up our toy trailers and start the process of delivering toy boxes to people and businesses that embrace the opportunity to give back to local kids.  We will have hundreds and hundreds of conversations and share stories about our “giving season.”

As we get closer to Christmas we gather thousands of gifts and along with our families and membership we create Christmas for local families in need.  It is a privilege to undertake simply because we are capable to handle the task. 

There will always be people in need and people that need to understand the blessings offered to those that give!

My invitation to all of you is this…join us this "giving season" or find your path and enjoy the return on investment for giving. 

 

 

 

NobleOne

Dont grow a wishbone where a backbone should be!

How many times do you hear the words I wish?  I would rather hear the words, I will.

So many people go through their lives wishing and not doing!   I will has so much more power attached to it whereas I wish does not. 

I will places you on the adventure, you simply have to decide when!  It informs you and everyone else that you are ready to take action and you are not interested in maybe.

Consider hearing the words...I wish I could quit smoking vs. I will quit smoking.  I wish I could ride a motorcycle across the country or I will ride a ...you get the drift!

 

Where does the power lie? 

I have learned that there is much wisdom available to all of us however it is not always easy to receive it.  Making a decision allows the view to change and a good decision allows the wisdom to flow your way.

Our lives grow shorter every day and I choose to enjoy mine doing instead of wishing.  How about you?

I pay attention to people in my life and I always admire those that take the risks and go on adventures.   If you are a fan of Facebook, I ask you?  Who gets all of the likes?  The answer, those that do the cool stuff!   Everyone wishes they were doing cool things too! 

I have learned the world rewards those that are on the right path; however if it were an easy path everyone would be on theirs!   How many people do you know that are on the right path? 

Finding your path is one step, pursuing your path requires a backbone.  A strong backbone is simply a gift in this world, one that you can give yourself.  The added benefit…everyone else around you benefits as well.  How awesome is that?

What are you wishing for that you should be doing?  

Today is a good day to start!

NobleOne

Note:  The quote “Don’t grow a wishbone where a backbone should be” came from Clementine Paddleford, an American food writer active from the 1920s through the 1960s.