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.

The Power of Then!

If you have not read Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now do yourself a favor and read it.  It truly allows you to discover the power of being “present” in a busy world. 

As I stroll through my mid-fifties I have now discovered the “power of then.”  Two interesting things have come across my radar screen recently.  1. A chance encounter in my college day’s lead to a wonderful award I received 35 years later.   2. Facebook has allowed me to connect with kids that I taught in Sunday school who are now having their own kids.  You never think you have made an impact and then Bam!  You find out that you did!

My point is this, what you do today are the seeds of life that will yield fruit for potentially a very long time. 

Living a life and understanding your impact on others is truly exciting.  The acts of kindness and paying attention to the needs of those around you can right wrongs and change lives forever. 

What may seem to you as a simple moment possibly has the power to transform a life.  Decades later you may then discover the Power of Then! 

Everyone leaves footprints in the sand that wash away with the next wave however some footprints will never go away.  Hopefully yours from time to time carried someone else’s burdens.  It will only make you a stronger person when you discover how to help others.

Today my wish for you is to understand the power you have in others’ lives.  Consider the return on investment you will enjoy later on in your life as you consume the fruit of your seeds that you planted today!

NobleOne

More than One!

Back in 1995 I founded the Robin Hoods of Va. Beach.  I had an idea that inspired me to convince others to do something, however, strangely enough I was not sure what it was!  From that point on…I relied on others for feedback, synergy, and friendship.

It takes “more than one” to do great things and yesterday it was proved once again.  In 2004 I received a call from the Burpenfartzen Brothers proposing a partnership to celebrate Oktoberfest together with our friends.  I had no idea where this partnership would lead however I was “in” from the start.

What started as “One” is now so much more!  Thriving on inspiration, fun and good deeds, our lives are celebrated daily just knowing the impact we have made on so many! 

We don’t ask people to join our ranks; we are asked by them, how to join us! 

Surely everyone remembers the movie Field of Dreams, when Kevin Costner is told “If you build it he will come.” 

For me it was more like “if you start it they will come” and they have!

For everyone that reads this blog I want to say "Thank you" for allowing me to live my life in a Field of Dreams!

NobleOne

I've got your back!

“What wonderful words to hear from someone”   Especially when you know that person actually does!  

Cool adventures and life changing moments typically occur when you take risks.  Making the decision to change a comfortable course in life requires guts.  After guts, a whole of determination, persistence and commitment to yield results! 

As I have learned there are many “border guards” in your life that claim to have your best interest in mind when they discourage you from leaping forward and trying new things . 

It is my belief that everyone has an internal compass that guides them through life.  The interesting thing about this compass is that it only “shows” the way, yet doesn’t require you follow its desired course. 

Also, not everyone knows how to read a compass.   You don’t learn how to use it in school; if anything school sometimes prevents its usage.   

Reading your compass requires meditation and quieting the outside noise in your life.  As your skills increase the path becomes clearer and you are able to defend your new course in life.   

I mentioned earlier that often time’s friends and family persuade you to alter your true course as they are not able to read your compass.

And then a supporter jumps on your path and lets you know that your choice is “true north” and clearly demonstrates “I’ve got your back.” 

Here is another benefit to this lesson!

 Do you know of someone close to you that appears to be following their compass and perhaps not the path that others would support? 

Consider offering your support and expressing enthusiasm about their new course. 

Trust me, it gets lonely pursuing dreams and the thought of someone expressing “I’ve got your back” is like honeydew vine water!

The point is…both of you will enjoy the magic that the new course offers!  There is truly a return on investment when you help and support others. 

Who do you know that has recently found their compass? 

Go get their back and enjoy the ride alongside!

NobleOne