With Regard To Life

$25,000 Per Day

Yesterday I wrote about a mentoring program for inmates who are being released from Kansas prisons. They are going back into society, so it makes a lot of sense to equip them with the knowledge and tools they will need to lead productive lives outside of the prison walls. Mentoring is a wonderful thing, but our real goal should be to keep people out of prison in the first place. We (society) have a better chance at doing that is we keep the family intact. Bill Glass is a former professional football player. He spent nearly 40 years ministering to men in prisons throughout America. Glass said there is a common trait among most if not all prisoners. There was not a father present in the home in most cases. Many did not even know their father. Abuse and neglect were major problems. Mentoring men when they leave prison is a good thing. Mentoring them when they are youngsters is better. Dads being there for their kids is even better yet. Dads - beginning with me - do not lose your focus. We cannot turn our back on our kids. Today's Winning Thought: It costs about $25,000 per year to house a prisoner in a Kansas penitentiary - $68 per day. It would seem that our focus should be on shaping young lives rather than rebuilding them later.

My Mentor

I serve on a committee with my friend, Bill. He is also one of my mentors. The other day, he asked me if would serve on another committee he is going to form. He asked me if I would lead that committee. I called him this morning to discuss the new group. After our call ended, I started thinking about our friendship, and about how he was there for me many years ago when I needed support, encouragement and advice. He saw something in me that many others probably did not. I am thankful for our friendship and for the way he has mentored me the past several years. His investment in my life has gone a long way in making me the man I am today. The speaker at my Rotary Club meeting this week in my state's Secretary of Corrections. He spoke about the challenges of operating a prison in today's stressed economy. He also spoke about a mentoring program in our state, which allows inmates who are being released to have an opportunity to work with a mentor. It seems to be working. Today's Winning Thought: We all need mentors. Many of us can be mentors.

Exceed Expectations

I read a book review today. The book is titled Selling Sunshine. The article focused on building a strong business and a profitable one. And maintaining a culture that makes people want to buy from you. According to the writer, these three things will separate you from your competition. Go the extra mile. Create a relationship experience, not just a transaction. Exceed expectations. Those things will also set you apart in life. This is not just good for business, it is critical for success in life. Today's Winning Thought: When you do a little more, when you care a little more, when you offer a little more value, people will be drawn to you.

Courageous

If you have not seen the movie Courageous, go see it. If you are a father or a son, you MUST see it. I cannot encourage you enough. It is real life. You will cry, then laugh, then cry again. It will touch your emotions. It will grab your heart. I don't know where to begin to talk about this powerful film. So I won't. Just know it is the real deal. Today's Winning thought: Go see this movie. And if you are able, invite someone to go with you.

Teamwork

A few days ago, eight teams began playing in the post-season playoffs. Eventually, two of the teams will reach the World Series. One of those will win the World Series. The teams have some players who are better than others, but they cannot win by themselves. This has to be accomplished by the team. The is even more true for a football team. The football games you have been watching have really shined the light on teamwork. Why do teams win? Start with the belief that each team member knows the goal, they know their role, they do their job and they work together. That should lead to success. Look at your teams. How are you helping it or them win? What can you begin doing to win? Today's Winning Thought: "The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual." -- Vince Lombardi

Put Words Into Action

In every blog I write, I end with a quote or a thought. I don't add them to impress anyone. I include them in hopes of encouraging or inspiring the reader. I hope the reader will take an extra moment and consider how they might apply the thought to their life. Today, I read this from Mark Sanborn: "Famous quotes and clever sayings are great, but they don't really help us unless we put them into action." You will not like every quote every day, but I hope you find some of them helpful. Sanborn wrote something else. "We don't lack for knowing; we lack for doing." We know what to do. We just need to do it. He added, "For love to make any difference, it needs to be demonstrated and not simply felt; it needs to be both attitude and action." Today's Winning Thought: Put your words into action.

Questions

Here are some questions I have read recently. How would you answer these? What commitment are you willing to make happen with or without someone else? Who and what, besides yourself, have you been supporting with your personal bank account? What do blessings look like? How could you more of a blessing to others? How much do you believe in yourself? How many people do you intend to take with you on the road to success? Today's Winning Thought: That is a lot to think about. How would you answer those questions?

Watch Your Money

The cost of a cup of coffee where I go everyday went up almost 10 percent overnight. The other day at the store, I noticed that the brand of soap I use also increased. It went up more than 10 percent. Those are not the only products that cost more today. The price of many items and services are increasing for a number of reasons. There has never been a more important time than today to make sure you are managing your money and resources as efficiently as possible. It is critical that gain control over what you have. The economy is going to get better. But some day we will experience another financial downturn. You need to be prepared. You need to have a plan. Then you need to follow it. The less money you have, the more important it is to have a plan. As I write this, I look up and see a commercial for a pay day loan establishment. It was not my intent to write about them today, but since I saw the ad, I will offer this: Those places should NOT be part of your plan. They do NOT make life better for you. If you are struggling financially, I would encourage you to determine exactly where you are and where your money is going. Then, start an emergency saving account. Then, attack your debt with every ounce of strength you have. When you begin eliminating your debt, you must quit borrowing money. You can win with money. But you have to start today, and you have to have a plan. Today's Winning Thought: "Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, "Where have I gone wrong?" Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night." -- Charlie Brown, Peanuts (Charles Schultz)

How To Live

William Arthur Ward, one of America's most quoted writers, wrote, "The adventure of life is to learn. The goal of life is to grow. The nature of life is to change. The challenge of life is to overcome. The essence of life is to care. The secret of life is to dare. The beauty of life is to give. The joy of life is to love." Today did you learn? Did you grow? Did you change? Did you overcome adversity? Did you care? Did you dare or risk? Did you give? Did you love? If not, you have another chance tomorrow. Today's Winning Thought: Of course, it is from William Arthur Ward. That was the easy part. The problem was which one to use. How about this one? "We are more than what we do . . . much more than what we accomplish . . . far more than what we possess."

How To Live

William Arthur Ward, one of America's most quoted writers, wrote, "The adventure of life is to learn. The goal of life is to grow. The nature of life is to change. The challenge of life is to overcome. The essence of life is to care. The secret of life is to dare. The beauty of life is to give. The joy of life is to love." Today did you learn? Did you grow? Did you change? Did you overcome adversity? Did you care? Did you dare or risk? Did you give? Did you love? If not, you have another chance tomorrow. Today's Winning Thought: Of course, it is from William Arthur Ward. That was the easy part. The problem was which one to use. How about this one? "We are more than what we do . . . much more than what we accomplish . . . far more than what we possess."