If you are always striving you are never arriving!

I love to dream and certainly have big goals; however I do my best not to forget to smell the roses!

Perhaps this is an overused quote, I remember the first time I heard it and it stuck like glue!  As I grow older I always take notice of things that make me go hmmmm!  It was time to pay attention once again!

One of my favorite all time life changing books for me was The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.   Its focus is primarily on living in the moment.  There is rich text in paying attention and enjoying the moment without occupying your time thinking about what you a have yet to do!

It’s my opinion life throws you opportunities to grow and learn every waking moment.  They are likes steps on a stairway.  It’s simply hard to skip a step and very painful to fall down on them.   As you climb your view gets better and you are able to see new opportunities to explore and enjoy.

Spend this day enjoying and celebrating Memorial Day and consider staying in the moment.  Keep your eyes open for a daily gift of growth.  Appreciate what is going on right now and make the most out of each minute. 

NobleOne

Art of Allowing, one good life lesson!

What do you allow in your life? 

If you practice, you can choose your subjects of attention. 

What you pay attention to allows you to create your own unique life! 

Years ago I picked up the book Ask and It Is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks (The Teachings of Abraham) and it clearly set me on a better path. 

Consider the lesson and practice applying it in your life.  Almost in every moment you are making a decision and those decisions are influenced by your surroundings.  Choices are abundant! 

Simply put, what you think about is what you attract into your life.  As you pay attention, you then have options to allow what you let in and what you don’t.  I often use the example of walking into my kitchen and noticing that my son had left a mess that he should have cleaned up.  I will catch myself walking by the scene and allowing it to piss me off every time I see it.  I am allowing it to affect me negatively.  Certainly my son at this point in time has no awareness of his impact!  Why do I choose to feel this way?  When I decide to simply clean it up, everything goes away and all is right again with the world. 

Granted this is a simple explanation however I find it is the simple things I learn are what benefit me the most.   

I believe there are true laws in this universe!  Like gravity there is cause and affect about what you believe and what you practice.   Almost anything can be created in your life as long as you continue to desire it.  The world seems to help you along when you are on your path and your path is determined by your thoughts and actions.  Also, what you allow and not allow in your life!

Powerful and simple strategies to live your life more abundantly!

NobleOne

The question that everyone has to ask!

The other night I sat on a panel for board governance and inclusion.  It didn’t take long before someone asked the age old question! 

What is the ratio of giving for your organization?  How much do you spend on expenses?

The moderator responded quickly with 15% - 23% is an acceptable range! 

This always drives me crazy!  I could not sit still and just let this question go away!

I have lost members and gained detractors simply because a great deal of people really don’t understand what we do and most likely can’t read a profit and loss statement.

Nonprofits are often judged by their financials and 990’s (tax returns).  Since your organization utilizes income tax free, some people as well as the government feels as if it is the public’s money you are dealing with!

To this day I have board members that find it difficult to defend our financials. 

Consider this?

There are nonprofits that call you in the evening and ask that you donate to this or that.  Skilled paid solicitors that tug at your heart call after call.  Others spend countless hours and staff time soliciting funds from foundations and personal contacts, always chasing after that elusive charity dollar. 

What do The Noblemen do? 

We derive our income from membership, events and partners. 

Membership – monthly/annual dues – we plug you into community philanthropy, twelve membership meetings a year, opportunities to serve on committees for events and giving.  Membership has its privileges’ and I consider it a privilege to know all of our great members.

Events – Everything from black tie events to pouring beer and parking cars.   More weekends than not, we are busy doing something Noble.

Partners – We invite successful companies and individuals to invest in the community alongside of us.  These are businesses that understand that everyone plays a role in giving back.  In return, we ask that they attend all of our events as our guests to witness our impact in the community.

How are our ratios? 

We are 100% dedicated to utilizing all of our revenue to making it a better place for kids and us in Hampton Roads! 

Our latest annual report talks about “A Big Beautiful Smile”   That smile belongs to Amber, a NobleTeen that we met in 2006.  As a result of meeting us, Amber’s smile was restored through dozens of dental procedures and surgeries over the course of 6 years.  Not a single dollar passed through our books or out of Amber’s pocketbook.  That makes all of us smile as well!

Find that in our P & L! 

NobleOne

N.A.G. an Acronym

How often do you question someone’s motives when they do something for you or someone else?

How wonderful does it make you feel when you witness a selfless act? 

These are my heroes!  Men and women that decide to step up because it is their time to make a difference. 

My definition for NAG is No Agenda Giving!  People randomly talk about the joy of giving!  I’m here to tell you there is indeed joy in giving!

There are so many ways to practice this principal.  So often an opportunity resides within us and it will nag at you until you either medicate to make it go away or you take action.

You may observe someone that could use a part of what you have to offer.  Take some time to find a way to share.  As it is often said, if your cup runneth over, pour a little out in order to allow some new stuff to fill it up.

When my friends decided to help me when I needed them, my life was changed.  Internally I struggled with a response.  There was an action item inside of me and it was nagging at me to do something about it. 

It took two years to take that first step without a plan or a vision.  Both evolved after I had the courage to “leap.”   “Leap, build your wings on your way”  (thanks Terre Ittner)

I now pay attention to those folks that make a decision to give without an agenda.  It takes maturity and a higher vibration to achieve.  Age is not the factor; I recognize it in teens as well as adults. 

The underlying benefit is there is a return on NAG.  You maintain a smile and a full heart.  There simply is not enough money in this world to purchase it…although it is free to all that exercise it.

NobleOne

Funerals!

Have you ever attended a funeral and you just wished it could have been more of a celebration?

I have attended a few funerals in my day and rarely do I feel that a lifetime is summed up properly. 

I love the moments of reflections from families and friends. 

I love to hear the songs that defined the person’s life. 

I enjoy the pictures and videos made to celebrate a life.

Perhaps there is a way to change the old traditions. ..Garth Brooks sings about the “dash” which represents the space on your tombstone.   1957 - ????  How is your dash coming along?

Consider planning a celebration of your “dash”; involve your friends and family before someone else makes those decisions for you!  

It is my opinion a funeral (not sure I would still call it that) should take place wherever the person wants to have it.  A field, farm, beach, restaurant or concert hall.

Put a person in charge that you know can get it done the way you want it.

If you are a religious person by all means involve your church and clergy.  If not, then celebrate the way you lived your life.  Be authenic! 

Create a folder and start planning now, the reflection will be healthy and inspiring!

Many years ago I attended the funerals of Bob Wareing and his Dad John Wareing (Wareings Gym).  I laughed; I cried and enjoyed celebrating two men that lead impactful lives.  We gathered at the VB Convention Center.  I’m not sure there was a minister present however there were many prayers given and it was truly a most memorable event.  Simply deserved a “well done” from me!

Chris Shaughnessy just pasted away, a good friend and accomplished Realtor.  His buddy got up in church and asked if everyone would turn their cell phones ON, Chris would not want anyone to miss a deal at his funeral.  That was cool, made me smile and think of my good friend Chris.

Several of my friends have committed to allowing me to plan their celebration of their passing, providing I don’t go first!  What an extreme honor for me!

I don’t know about you guys; I plan to go out big!  Go Big of Go Home!

And no guilt!

NobleOne

The Noblemen are not a Church

However, I think there is a lot of “Church” in The Noblemen.  

As a kid I grew up in Virginia Beach and attended First Presbyterian Church with my family @ 36^th and Pacific Ave.  Sunday School and Church every Sunday and then to Nicks Restaurant for lunch.

I taught senior high Sunday school, ushered, served on the Session and hosted the Men’s Breakfast every Tuesday for 14 years. 

I guess the reason I tell you this is simply because it validates me to talk about why I no longer attend church regularly.  Funny thing, every time I take my Mom to church and attend on special occasions, I am always asked, "where do you attend church now?" as if there were no options!

In a nut shell, for me, the greatest thing about church was the people that I got to know.  Over the many years I met and was mentored by great men and women who shared a part of their lives with me and me with them.

On the subject of “God” I would have to say that “God” resides inside of me and not just in the church.  If I go to church then I bring God there with me.  I rarely get inspired by sermons or lessons and sometimes get turned off by the “us and them” attitudes.   

Quiet times, meditations, long runs, and spending time on the water allow me to “tap in” to the “God” in me.  I am so blessed to know this relationship and for its “rudder” in my life.

I founded The Noblemen to enjoy the best parts of church, a gathering of men or women that have fun and collectively use their resources to “give back”.  Quite frankly I admire the churches that are active in the community and use the synergy of their members to do great deeds in their communities.

The return on investment is like no other.  The satisfaction you receive by saving kids. And changing lives is hard to beat.

I had breakfast with a member the other day and he shared with me that that one of the reasons he attends Noblemen meetings are to get the things accomplished that he wished his church would do. 

Please understand I love what the church offers and I consider it to be a part of what makes the world go around, however, it simply is not for everyone!

Perhaps our motto should be The Noblemen, We meet on Monday’s not Sunday’s or The Noblemen, a great Church with less guilt and no worship! 

Upcoming blog… My views on Funerals!

NobleOne

10 Secrets I stole from Wayne Dyer

I have bought this book and given it away many times!  Take a moment to reflect what these secrets mean to you…

Have a mind that is open to everything and attached to nothing…

Don’t die with the music still inside you…

You can’t give away what you don’t have…

Embrace silence…

Give up your personal history…

You can’t solve a problem with the same mind that created it…

There are no justified resentments…

Treat yourself as if you already are what you would like to be…

Treasure your divinity…

Wisdom is avoiding all things that weaken you…

These are from 10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace by Dr. Wayne Dyer

I first read this book over 10 years ago and shared its wisdom with so many of my friends that, like me were searching for a more powerful way to lead their lives.

I feel the secrets are more helpful if you just consider then one by one and ponder what they mean to you. 

I would love to see your comments as to which ones are your favorites and take you to a place of  “Oh yea, I get that”

NobleOne