RELENTLESS DREAMCHASERS

It is not the critic who counts, not the man that points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes up short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat!  -Theodore Roosevelt

I came across this while reading yesterday and it really struck me.  I realize that the people I respect most in life are the ones who stick their neck out, so I just wanted to take the time to thank all the men and women out there who go out of their comfort zones, who swim upstream, who attack the status quo and who stare mediocrity in the face and scream, "Get out of my life!"  It is not the easy way but it is the right way, and I appreciate every one of you.

I want to thank Orrin Woodward and his example of chasing excellence.  His example of doing the hard things and standing in the face of critics is the epitome of, People of integrity expect to be believed and when they are not they let time prove them right.

I choose to run with a pack of winners that choose everyday to leave the world of average and step into the arena of greatness and even when they lose a fight they know as long as they keep getting into the arena they will eventually get their victory.

This world needs more examples of solution oriented people, problem solving buttkickers, and relentless dreamchasers.  Those examples are the ones who will inspire the next generation, and I thank you for your example!  My children don't have to look far to see heroes in their lives.

PROBLEM OR SOLUTION?

Orrin Woodward has always taught me that hurting people hurt.  I am reminded often as I am out in the world that there are many hurting people.  Just in the last few days as I was walking through Walmart every conversation I heard was complaining about something or as I parked my car I witnessed road rage, and later I witnessed the anger and frustration of someone's life taken out through impatience and rudeness.  All of these in just the last few days!

It seems that everywhere I turn I am seeing these examples.  I don't know if it is happening more often or if I am just paying attention more, probably a little of both.  I then wondered how often I have shown that type of behavior.

After coming home last night and having the opportunity to see yet another example up close and personal of the hurt in this world,  I couldn't shake the feeling I had.  After a sleepless night and feelings of sadness and frustration I realized that the issue is not that it happens so often, because I can't control that, but what I do about it, what I can control.  And what I can do about it is how I react.  I have heard Gandhi's words many times, be the change you want to see in the world!

You can't change people but you can be an example for them.  The amazing information from the  LIFE business teaches how to be the change by being the example.  The question is, are we applying?

The more examples of fantastic attitudes, smiling faces, and serving hearts people see may just invite others to turn away from hurting and focus on first counting their own blessings and then on being a blessing to others. I choose to be part of this group, the group that knows the blessings they have and strives to be an example for others.  I don't want to part of the problem but part of the solution.

Smile at someone today, greet people with kind words, open a door for someone, show them your amazing attitude, go above and beyond, and show people an example that will be the change you want to see in the world. 

God Bless!

Marc