"Do I really, really, really want _____?"

Do you remember when you were a small child and you went grocery shopping with your Mom or Dad?  In my hometown there was a grocery store (pretty sure that "supermarkets" weren't invented yet) called Fernandes.  I remember doing the grocery shopping with my Mom and without fail there were always three times during the weekly events that I fervently asked for something (actually, I am certain it sounded a lot like begging!).

1. When we turned down the 'candy' aisle.  The folks at Fernandes were obviously smart enough to host important stuff like the big block Hershey bars and bulk bags of Reese's peanut butter cups along side boring stuff that Mom needed, such as bread or crackers
2. When we strolled down the 'cereal' aisle.  There was no reason for store management to split this aisle between cereal and any other items -- we were going down this aisle no matter what!  This is where I learned about Count Chocula, Sugar Smacks and Frosted everything!
3. The last chance for Mom to appease my pleading was at check out.  If my begging and crying hadn't worked on either of my 1st two chances this was my last chance to make the trip worth it.  There were plenty of candy bars, Life Savers, Tic Tacs, Mentos, etc. to choose from. As we went through check out I would really have to pour it on.  And this was always my best chance to score since there was always at least four more eyes (cashier and bag boy) waiting to see if Mom would concede to my skillful reasoning skills

At the ripe age of 44 (it hurts to type that) I realize that what I am missing in my life is that intense passion or desire that I had when I was a child.  Granted, at the age of 5 it was in small bursts in the cereal aisle or candy aisle or even at check out.  Where is my passion now ... Even in small bursts?  I know that it's not New Year's eve ... but this is one of my goal or resolution for the remainder of 2012 ... find my passion(s)!  My other big goal is once I find my passion(s) ... pursue it/them!  I hope you have a great day.

God Bless You,
Tubby

25 X 19 = 475

Today I checked my personal email! A momentous occasion for me because I have a work email address that I must check several times each day; which is also handily delivered to my blackberry. But today was the day that I chose to check my personal email. Most anybody that knows me uses my work email if they need to send me anything, mainly because they know I check that one.

My inbox counter said that there were 493 new messages. I sorted them by ‘sender’ and quickly selected the ones that I wanted to save or respond to – that was a total of 18! Out of nearly 500 email messages fewer than 4% were ones that I felt were relevant. Put another way, my inbox was 96% clutter.

I wonder what other parts of my life are filled with this much clutter? What can I do to reduce or eliminate it? Are the meetings I go to ‘clutter’? Are the few shows I watch on TV clutter? Where else can I ‘delete’ clutter, leaving more time and energy to focus on the things I want to do?

BE THAT GUY OR (GIRL)!

I have no doubt that by now you’ve heard the expression “don’t be THAT guy.” It’s a catchy phrase that is used in a friendly way to tell someone when they are being a bad person, friend, neighbor, etc. As an expression I give it a 5. It serves a purpose and can be kind of funny at times. But it’s very negative. I’ve learned that negative words don’t usually lend themselves to positive results.

So, it got me to thinking … why not change the expression to “Be that guy (or girl).” When the mind is focused on something there is an increased chance that it will happen … so why not “be that guy!”

Be that guy … that puts your friends and family first.

Be that guy … that gives 100% to everything that you do.

Be that guy … that cares about others.

Be that guy … that everyday strives to make the world a better place.

Be that guy … that sees the best in everyone and the best in every situation.

I’m going to try to be that guy! Have a blessed week and GO PATRIOTS!