HAPPY THANKSGIVING: I AM HUNGRY!

Happy Thanksgiving!  I have so much to be thankful for, and the LIFE community is high on my list of blessings.  As I reflect on how many things I am thankful for and the amazing blessings in my life, I am also hungry!  I know you are thinking, "It is Thanksgiving Marc, and you are only thinking of turkey!?"
That is not what I mean. I am hungry for change and improvement for me, my family and my community. As many blessings as I know we all have, I also know we live in trying times. And right next to the list of what I am thankful for is my to-do list for our country. So much to do-but then I am reminded of an inscription:

When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world.

As I grew older and wiser I discovered the world would not change –
So I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country, but it too seemed immovable.

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.

And now I realize as I lie on my deathbed, if I had only changed myself first, then by example I might have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement I would then have been able to better my country,

And who knows, I might have even changed the world.

- inscription on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in Westminster Abbey

 I have a challenge for all of you.  As you are enjoying the smells and tastes of this great holiday and you are thanking God for all of your blessings, also be thinking of the things in yourself that you hunger to change and make better.  Not a list of things you wish to change, a list of personal mission. As Orrin Woodward says lets RESOLVE to change.

Create a list of gratitudes and a list of missions.  This world can and will be a better place.  Take the time to start with you, and who knows maybe we will all CHANGE THE WORLD!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND MAY GOD BLESS YOUR LIST

Marc

Earthworms For Sale!

A beautiful little Blue Jay flew high in the sky, proud of its plumage and beauty, knowing that as it flew, all eyes were turned on it.  The little Blue Jay was without a doubt the most admired bird in its community.
One day the little bird flew low, close to the tree tops. As he flew in and out among the trees, he spied a man dressed in black strolling down a little country lane. 
"Earthworms for sale. Earthworms for sale," the old man sang.
The little Blue Jay thought, "Oh, how I love earthworms! I wonder how much they are." 
Landing on the old man's shoulder, the little bird asked, "How much do you want for your earth worms?" 
"Oh, they're cheap," the old man answered. "Just one feather for one worm."
"Oh, how I love earthworms," the little bird thought. "No one would notice one little feather missing."
He plucked out one of his beautiful blue feathers and handed it to the old man in return for a delicious earthworm. Then he soared into the clouds, happy and content.
The following day the Blue Jay heard the old man again singing his song, 
"Earthworms for sale. Earthworms for sale."
"Oh, how I love earthworms," the little bird thought.  "That worm tasted so good yesterday, and no one even noticed that I had a feather missing. Maybe I'll have just one more."
So again he plucked a feather and traded it for another earthworm.
The same scene was repeated the next day, and the next, and the next--until he plucked one feather too many. After he'd purchased a final earthworm, he could no longer soar into the sky.  No matter how hard he flapped his wings, no matter how high he jumped, he couldn't catch the wind in his remaining feathers.  He was so dejected over what he had done, he crawled into the tall grass beside the road and died.
    Another Blue Jay flying overheard found his little friend, buried him under a giant oak tree, and placed the following on his headstone:  

Here lies a poor lost Blue Jay, 

Hush your note each bird that sings.  

Here lies a poor foolish Blue Jay, 

Who for earthworms sold his wings.

There are only two choices in life.  You can either soar with the birds that go after their goals and dreams or sell your feathers for second best and live in mediocrity.  The interesting part of this story is when you "sell your feathers" you don't even know you are until you can't fly anymore.  There is only one way to excellence, and that is to make a decision to never sell another feather. I mean never.

There will always be chances here or there to sell a feather,  but know, every time you do, you are farther from where your success lies. The only way I know to avoid selling feathers is to avoid having a plan B because no one has the feathers I have, and I was born to use those feathers to follow my God-given dreams.  I don't care what other featherless birds say, and I don't want to taste the earthworms of mediocrity.  My family has one plan, and we will keep our feathers to ourselves!

What about you?  Have you sold out to an earthworm-at-a-time philosophy or is it time for you to soar? My only advice if you choose to fly is to surround yourself with the right birds, and never look back to the ground-just soar to new heights! There is no plan B!!!

If you choose not to fly, I hope the earthworms were worth it...