Encouraging Updates & Setbacks

I'll go back to the spring of 2012, I was filled with energy, ready to take action. While my nose is always buried in a book I was only half way thru Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk, my willingness to take action in pursuing a little idea that I believe could change the world in a small way...look out!!!

For those who have heard the message in the last year, I've been sharing an idea backed by practical action regarding persistence and a new perspective on the problems and challenges we face in our lives. Two friends were going through their own challenges at this time, one battling cancer and the other battling multiple addictions. I observed and listened to these guys while I launched my ideas on persistence and how we view challenges. As their stories unfolded I found my beliefs being challenged, I questioned what I believe about my program. My friend with cancer battled for a couple years. At times there was a hope and good news, sometimes then followed up by devastating bad news. The roller coaster went up and down. For him and those who love him, we went up and down with him until the end.

He passed away last year, on July 17, 2012. In his last few months we talked. It taught me a few things. I learned about a side of cancer that I didn't know, horrific stuff! Those who have gone thru it themselves or with loved ones know this, but they don't always share it. But equally horrific is the untold stories of broken relationships. As he went through this, battling for his life, another battle was taking place around him. At a time when love and support should have been a sure thing, it wasn't. The broken relationships rotted away on one side while the cancer devastated his body on the other. He felt and communicated the indescribable pain of both of these.

And the friend with multiple addictions..don't judge another man until you walk in their shoes. The silent battles that we wage. I guess we all  face our demons, at different times and at different levels. For those battling addictions you've seen a different kind of darkness,  it's dark and scary.

I'm naive. Hope? Persistence? A different perspective on problems? These two stories have made me ask if I really believe in hope? Do I really believe in what I say about persistence? These two stories have made me ask a lot of questions.

But wait..

For the last two years Journey4YOUth has been committed to providing lunch for 36 of the neediest children in Kaswanga Village, Kenya.  Journey4YOUth now provides food directly to the families, giving 174 people and 11 babies enough food to eat once a day.


Journey4YOUth aims to invest specifically into each family so they can have what they need to be able to take a step out of poverty, provide for their families and improve the local economy of their village.

Journey4YOUth has met with each family along with 4 widows.  The families shared with us their needs, hopes, struggles and ideas.

But wait..I'm filled with a little hope. A little hope hearing about what other people are doing to make a difference.

I read on...my hope grows    http://bit.ly/14dD31W

Check out what Brian and Katie Ernst are doing if you can.

More Good Stuff

We were at Origins Church this weekend, very cool church, good people. They had the Watoto Children's Choir there. When you have a moment check it out...

Watoto Church is home to Watoto Child Care Ministries, a ministry that has pledged to make a difference in the lives of the orphans in Uganda, best known for its choir (the Watoto Children's Choir) that has toured the world.

Take a look...  www.watoto.com

I'm impressed with the economic piece built into their model.

Have a good week!

A lesson in courage and faith

Thank you to Ashley, Tres, Merlin, Briahna and Braxton for the lesson in courage and faith!

http://bit.ly/ZXR3p8

Spreading Some Encouragement

It was good seeing you guys (you know who you are) Saturday night...spreading some hope is always good and that was a good evening of sharing.

Some of you were interested in more information regarding Brian Ernst and Journey4Youth. Check out the website, it provides good info.

http://www.journey4youth.org/


I'll keep you posted on my upcoming events and the next seminar.

Enjoy your week and spread a little encouragement this week where needed!

Fall Is Always Good

It was terrific seeing you guys last week. There are amazing things happening right now and your stories provide serious encouragement.

Some of you were asking about Stop the Silence and updates as to what they are doing. What a phenomenal organization! They brought the stage production of To Kill a Kelpie back to the U.S. in 2012. "Kelpie's" next stop was San Diego this fall for the 17th Annual Interpersonal Violence and Trauma Conference.

Check out their website for more information and thoughts on how to help   www.stopcsa.org

I'm enjoying new clients and learning a ton about ERP systems. Thank you Stan! I'm also spending a lot of time with beer and wine distributors learning more about their business. While Boardwalk Empire was a good start for education the modern day models are pretty cool.

I'm heading west again and then returning as the program at St Susanna gets started. The first Wednesday of the month is always good as Terry Grear and his group meet at lunch. I'll keep you guys posted.

Enjoy your choices! 

Coming West

For any of my contacts out west, I'll be spending some time out in the Lake Tahoe area in July and August...looking at some events in the South Lake Tahoe..look forward to spreading some encouragement!

If you run a return to work type center, or if your church offers a program that assists those who are out of work, touch base and I can explain the program..."Hope, Encouragement and A New Plan". My website has some additional information and comments, go to www.thehand.co there is a tab titled 'Speaking', the info is there.

Enjoy the day, enjoy your choices!

New Opportunities

I've been busy with new projects, some new clients as well as new speaking engagements. While I'm enjoying the new I'm finding that it's never easy, even when pursuing a vision and work that one really cares about. At the end of the day it's still work, and when people are involved there's always room for some miscommunication etc...

As I share my message of hope, especially the one geared for those who are discouraged from being out of work, I'm getting new opportunities out west. I'll keep you updated but I'm going to different groups and churches out in Lake Tahoe to spread some encouragement.

If you run a return to work type center, or if your church offers a program that assists those who are out of work, touch base and I can explain the program..."Hope, Encouragement and A New Plan". My website has some additional information and comments, go to www.thehand.co  there is a tab titled 'Speaking', the info is there.

I'll keep you updated. Enjoy your week. Find something that keeps you inspired this week...whatever that may be.

Enjoy your choices.