"Educational laziness is the mother of poverty and sloth."-Douglas Wilson
Man that hit home! My results in life prior to making a decision to give myself a Thomas Jefferson education, were the direct result of my laziness when it came to learning. How much one grows when the decision is made to ingest valuable information both spiritually and financially. Why would one struggle through life learning lessons, ( or not grasping them at all) the hard way when the guidance of others who've already walked that path is available to all? It's an absurd and egotistical notion to assume you can do it better yourself, yet that's where I found myself prior to making a decision to change. How much better a place this world would be if everyone took the above quote to heart and lived it!
We are all basically brought into this world with the same beginnings. Naked, broke, extremely upset that our comfortable environment was changed, and not having any grasp on the language to communicate that frustration. Then someone swats us on the bum and we do the only thing we know how...scream! What separates us from each other is our ability and our drive to learn. How proud young parents are when little Johnny or Suzie is potty trained or walks at a young age? They have quickly learned the vital behaviors necessary to succeed, and this in turn makes their parents proud! It's truly a sign of more good things to come.
Then there are those who choose the distractions over the learning. They trade good for great and their results reflect it. They make excuses for wearing that warm wet diaper when they could have the freedom of being potty trained. That's where I found myself, all comfortable in a soiled environment when the liberty of having choices only required a little more effort. It simply took a decision to apply a little more effort and humbling myself into admitting there are important things you can learn from others. Others who have demonstrated the level of success I desired and were willing to share the information to get there. I simply had to honestly ask myself the old Dr. Phil question; "How's that working for you?"
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Friends!
The Eight Principles of True Friendship
From the book Resolved-Orrin Woodward
!) True friends form around a shared insight, interest, or taste, enjoying the common bond uniting them.
2) True friends accept one another, loving each other despite our human imperfections.
3) True friends approve of one another, protecting each others' weaknesses, while enhancing each others' strengths.
4) True friends listen with empathy, learning the hopes, dreams, fears, and struggles for each other.
5) True friends appreciate one another, encouraging serving, and believing in one another's gifts and talents.
6) True friends celebrate one another's success, being proud of each other's accomplishments without a hint of envy.
7) True friends are trustworthy, maintaining all confidences shared with unimpeachable honor and self respect, knowing that gossip separates the best of friends.
8) True friends are loyal, respecting and defending one another's character, reputation, and motives, as far as truth allows, while addressing any issues or concerns between them promptly and privately, ensuring misunderstandings never fester.
I cannot add a word to that! Enjoy!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
From the book Resolved-Orrin Woodward
!) True friends form around a shared insight, interest, or taste, enjoying the common bond uniting them.
2) True friends accept one another, loving each other despite our human imperfections.
3) True friends approve of one another, protecting each others' weaknesses, while enhancing each others' strengths.
4) True friends listen with empathy, learning the hopes, dreams, fears, and struggles for each other.
5) True friends appreciate one another, encouraging serving, and believing in one another's gifts and talents.
6) True friends celebrate one another's success, being proud of each other's accomplishments without a hint of envy.
7) True friends are trustworthy, maintaining all confidences shared with unimpeachable honor and self respect, knowing that gossip separates the best of friends.
8) True friends are loyal, respecting and defending one another's character, reputation, and motives, as far as truth allows, while addressing any issues or concerns between them promptly and privately, ensuring misunderstandings never fester.
I cannot add a word to that! Enjoy!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Sunday, November 27, 2011
The Lesson Revealed!
Reflecting back I find it interesting that the teachers I dreaded in school were the ones that had the most impact on my life. It's an unusual concept, but those who challenged us the most or provided the greatest amount of adversity caused us to grow. I guess it's human nature to always take the "easy way out" but then without a struggle, there is no victory! While the nice teachers provided a comfortable environment and were loved by all, life demands we step outside our comfort zone in order to achieve anything deemed exceptional. Some how those detentions don't seem as harsh now, and writing things on the blackboard over and over actually served a purpose.
Blackboard:an archaic device used in your parent's youth to convey a message through the written word...It would be considered today akin to physically writing out texting. Always accompanied by a piece of chalk and an erasure.
So the lesson here is don't judge the method, it has a purpose. While it may not reveal itself so years down the road, it has a specific intent. Don't shy away from anything that makes you step outside your comfort zone, that struggle is designed to help you grow as a person. There is no victory without first a struggle. We can learn something from everyone we meet. Some are positive lessons, some expose the negative, but each is designed to learn from. And make an effort to thank those who challenged you, they are a part of who you've become!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Blackboard:an archaic device used in your parent's youth to convey a message through the written word...It would be considered today akin to physically writing out texting. Always accompanied by a piece of chalk and an erasure.
So the lesson here is don't judge the method, it has a purpose. While it may not reveal itself so years down the road, it has a specific intent. Don't shy away from anything that makes you step outside your comfort zone, that struggle is designed to help you grow as a person. There is no victory without first a struggle. We can learn something from everyone we meet. Some are positive lessons, some expose the negative, but each is designed to learn from. And make an effort to thank those who challenged you, they are a part of who you've become!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Teach Your Children Well!
As I am graced with age, so to comes wisdom and understanding. These gifts are generally kept from the young as if a reward for time spent. To compensate it seems God gives the youth strength; and the duty of a young man is to use that strength to discipline themselves into obedience. Part of that discipline is also productivity; using God's gifts to the best of your ability to survive in the highest manner possible to glorify the Lord.
"He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent becomes rich. He who gathers in the summer is a wise son; he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame."-Proverbs 10:4-5
I find it interesting those who slack rely upon excuses and blame to rationalize their lack of productivity. Some of those excuses and some of the blaming can seem pretty darn reasonable, but the results are still the same. Goals and responsibilities were not met. A sure cure is to allow the lazy and those who place blame at the feet of others to eat their own cooking. Wallow in the fruits of their lack of labor, if you will. Subsidizing bad behavior has a great deal to do with the results our country is experiencing today.
"The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat."-Proverbs 13:4
It's imperative we teach responsibility to our children. Orrin Woodward has always told me, "you can discipline yourself or allow others to do it for you." Wouldn't it be easier to send prepared, disciplined children out into this unforgiving world? Are their rooms clean? Are they given responsibilities and do they handle them in a timely manner? Are they fluent in the teachings of the Bible and understanding that God is where the glory all goes? If not they are leaving the house and entering a hostile environment unarmed. As Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young told us in song....Teach your children well!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
"He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent becomes rich. He who gathers in the summer is a wise son; he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame."-Proverbs 10:4-5
I find it interesting those who slack rely upon excuses and blame to rationalize their lack of productivity. Some of those excuses and some of the blaming can seem pretty darn reasonable, but the results are still the same. Goals and responsibilities were not met. A sure cure is to allow the lazy and those who place blame at the feet of others to eat their own cooking. Wallow in the fruits of their lack of labor, if you will. Subsidizing bad behavior has a great deal to do with the results our country is experiencing today.
"The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat."-Proverbs 13:4
It's imperative we teach responsibility to our children. Orrin Woodward has always told me, "you can discipline yourself or allow others to do it for you." Wouldn't it be easier to send prepared, disciplined children out into this unforgiving world? Are their rooms clean? Are they given responsibilities and do they handle them in a timely manner? Are they fluent in the teachings of the Bible and understanding that God is where the glory all goes? If not they are leaving the house and entering a hostile environment unarmed. As Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young told us in song....Teach your children well!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Friday, November 25, 2011
Be Diverse!
"The year was 2081, and everybody was finally equal. They weren't only equal before God and the law. They were equal every which way. Nobody was smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than everybody else. All this equality was due to the 211th, 212th,and the 213th Amendments to the Constitution, and to the unceasing vigilance of agents of the United States Handicapper General."-Kurt Vonnegut
A liberal's dream...What does this look like? No sporting events or any type of competition would exist, they would be pointless. The diversity the liberal sect embraces so vehemently is erased. The could be no innovation, no entrepreneurial spirit or adventures. I daresay to achieve this utopia would require the human race to be dumbed down, lowering the bar on all if you will. Here is the ultimate goal of all those who wish to "level the playing field." All those dear souls who seek open borders and one world government find Mr. Vonnegut's quote a description of a heavenly society. Yet in the next sentence they will profess the need to celebrate our diversity. I think it's fair to say they are confused about what their utopia actually looks like. It's a common malady, suffering from short term vision, as opposed to long term reality.
They'll gather in our parks and quote foolishness like this to each other in an attempt of promoting the facade they are "learned". Reality dictates ignorance as they look down their noses at we they find less astute in the ramblings of their liberal dream. These fantasies are enacted to compensate for the liberals lack of ability to compete on the field of ideas. If you can't play the game effectively, you change the rules in your favor! Everyone is equal, now those who are unable, can muster a feeling of self respect without any effort. Erase competition, the playing field is level and all is fair, but extremely boring and I daresay less intelligent.No effort is required, no feelings are hurt when failure strikes. No lessons are learned and no one seeks to improve. It's less than the effort of an amoeba.
Everyone dreams of better things, that's how they come to fruition. What the liberal sect fails to understand is your supposed to dream for better, not worse. Humanity seeks to improve itself, that requires competition and innovation not a society of suckled couch potatoes who all wear the same shoe size. God made us different for a reason, celebrate your independent thought and individual accomplishments. Don't try to dumb us down to less than a one celled carbon copy of one another. If another individual didn't show us there is something more to be had by their own outstanding achievement, what would we have to look forward to?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
A liberal's dream...What does this look like? No sporting events or any type of competition would exist, they would be pointless. The diversity the liberal sect embraces so vehemently is erased. The could be no innovation, no entrepreneurial spirit or adventures. I daresay to achieve this utopia would require the human race to be dumbed down, lowering the bar on all if you will. Here is the ultimate goal of all those who wish to "level the playing field." All those dear souls who seek open borders and one world government find Mr. Vonnegut's quote a description of a heavenly society. Yet in the next sentence they will profess the need to celebrate our diversity. I think it's fair to say they are confused about what their utopia actually looks like. It's a common malady, suffering from short term vision, as opposed to long term reality.
They'll gather in our parks and quote foolishness like this to each other in an attempt of promoting the facade they are "learned". Reality dictates ignorance as they look down their noses at we they find less astute in the ramblings of their liberal dream. These fantasies are enacted to compensate for the liberals lack of ability to compete on the field of ideas. If you can't play the game effectively, you change the rules in your favor! Everyone is equal, now those who are unable, can muster a feeling of self respect without any effort. Erase competition, the playing field is level and all is fair, but extremely boring and I daresay less intelligent.No effort is required, no feelings are hurt when failure strikes. No lessons are learned and no one seeks to improve. It's less than the effort of an amoeba.
Everyone dreams of better things, that's how they come to fruition. What the liberal sect fails to understand is your supposed to dream for better, not worse. Humanity seeks to improve itself, that requires competition and innovation not a society of suckled couch potatoes who all wear the same shoe size. God made us different for a reason, celebrate your independent thought and individual accomplishments. Don't try to dumb us down to less than a one celled carbon copy of one another. If another individual didn't show us there is something more to be had by their own outstanding achievement, what would we have to look forward to?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Don't Be The Turkey!
What better time to focus on attitude than the season of Thanksgiving? After all, giving thanks is simply a grateful thought process for events you've deemed as blessings in your life. It's a day when the negative is replaced with positive thoughts. I'm willing to bet if everyday was treated in the spirit of Thanksgiving everyone's life would improve. Imagine, if you will, a nation of truly grateful people, who assert the positive over the negative. People would have no reason to sit in a park and protest! I'm reminded of a passage from Orrin Woodward's outstanding new book, "Resolved."
"The person's thinking is more important than the actual event, since the event happens only once, but how he thinks about it happens over and over again in his heart and mind and is shared over and over again with himself and others"
Then Orrin lowers the boom....
"Ironically then, failure in life isn't from outside events, but the stories a person tells himself."
Is it not important to guard what we tell ourselves and put a frame of thanksgiving and a positive outlook on every event? Wouldn't it be best to look for the lesson in an event rather than marinate in the temporary outcome? I'm grateful for each and every event, good and bad, that helped me achieve where I am today, and where I am today is just a stepping stone to where I'll be tomorrow!
We can choose to spiral up or spiral down, and attitude determines that direction. The key word in that last statement is "choose," as any free individual endowed by our Creator we have options. Today we celebrate the option of thanks. Why not everyday? Happy Thanksgiving!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
"The person's thinking is more important than the actual event, since the event happens only once, but how he thinks about it happens over and over again in his heart and mind and is shared over and over again with himself and others"
Then Orrin lowers the boom....
"Ironically then, failure in life isn't from outside events, but the stories a person tells himself."
Is it not important to guard what we tell ourselves and put a frame of thanksgiving and a positive outlook on every event? Wouldn't it be best to look for the lesson in an event rather than marinate in the temporary outcome? I'm grateful for each and every event, good and bad, that helped me achieve where I am today, and where I am today is just a stepping stone to where I'll be tomorrow!
We can choose to spiral up or spiral down, and attitude determines that direction. The key word in that last statement is "choose," as any free individual endowed by our Creator we have options. Today we celebrate the option of thanks. Why not everyday? Happy Thanksgiving!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Reflect On What You Enjoy!
Tis the day before we all assemble and count our blessings. What a great time to reflect on exactly what we are going to be thankful for! Why limit yourself to just one day? I'm certain the good Lord loves to hear daily what we appreciate about our existence.
It's terribly easy to reflect on all the negative. How simple it is to fall into the victim mode and wallow in self pity. Just yesterday I was wondering how anyone might complain about our standard of living when we could have been born elsewhere, like Afghanistan or Zimbabwe. We live in the most prosperous land in the world and enjoy an abundance of opportunity. We have clean running water and sewage disposal unlike the favela, (shanty towns in Brazil), but somehow those conveniences escape our thanks. How much of your busy day would be consumed in toting water for daily use if that faucet and the accompanying drain wasn't an option?
We are taught to read and write, comprehend math, speak proper English, and understand history. Each and everyone of us are given this as a birth rite, but in other lands that's not a given. A select few squander this opportunity, and have the audacity to complain when their results don't match their dreams. I'm wondering how many children in Uganda would value what is taken for granted in this great nation?
We are lucky enough to live in a free society, where you can foster an idea and bring it to fruition and if the public deems it worthy, prosper from it. How lucky are we to not have been born into a nation where the tyranny stifles such innovation. We enjoy freedoms like no other nation. Are we thankful enough for the blessings bestowed upon us? There are citizens through out the world that'd jump at the opportunity we sometimes take for granted, and often don't guard closely enough. Tomorrow is the day to rectify that, it just doesn't seem like quite enough.
Let's start everyday counting our blessings. There can't possibly be a downside to being grateful! Reflect on what you enjoy, and why you enjoy it! Then here's the key.....Help others see where they are also blessed. Pay Thanksgiving forward, everyday!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
It's terribly easy to reflect on all the negative. How simple it is to fall into the victim mode and wallow in self pity. Just yesterday I was wondering how anyone might complain about our standard of living when we could have been born elsewhere, like Afghanistan or Zimbabwe. We live in the most prosperous land in the world and enjoy an abundance of opportunity. We have clean running water and sewage disposal unlike the favela, (shanty towns in Brazil), but somehow those conveniences escape our thanks. How much of your busy day would be consumed in toting water for daily use if that faucet and the accompanying drain wasn't an option?
We are taught to read and write, comprehend math, speak proper English, and understand history. Each and everyone of us are given this as a birth rite, but in other lands that's not a given. A select few squander this opportunity, and have the audacity to complain when their results don't match their dreams. I'm wondering how many children in Uganda would value what is taken for granted in this great nation?
We are lucky enough to live in a free society, where you can foster an idea and bring it to fruition and if the public deems it worthy, prosper from it. How lucky are we to not have been born into a nation where the tyranny stifles such innovation. We enjoy freedoms like no other nation. Are we thankful enough for the blessings bestowed upon us? There are citizens through out the world that'd jump at the opportunity we sometimes take for granted, and often don't guard closely enough. Tomorrow is the day to rectify that, it just doesn't seem like quite enough.
Let's start everyday counting our blessings. There can't possibly be a downside to being grateful! Reflect on what you enjoy, and why you enjoy it! Then here's the key.....Help others see where they are also blessed. Pay Thanksgiving forward, everyday!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Excuse-itice
The more time I spend in the living rooms of America, the more I understand the problem. We've become so adept at making excuses for a lack of results it's almost mind boggling. There are citizens in this country that accepts the status quo as if there isn't anyway they can do anything but sit back and accept what life sends their way. It's truly a test of my emotional maturity to sit back and listen to excuses, but then that's why Orrin Woodward made just this point the other day.
"When people in our business stop asking me questions about what is answered in our top five books, I know they are ready to move forward and become a top leader."
Here's another little ditty that drives me.
"It's what angers or disappoints a person about the world that leads to his purposeful assignment to change it."-Orrin Woodward
Watch out all you thumb suckers, I'm on a mission. I vow to get the thinking right in this nation if I have to address each and everyone of it's 330 million excuse makers one at a time! I promise I will resist the urge to slap some sense into you when you tell me you can't afford to pay attention, while your real attention is focused on the $150.00 a month, cable fed boob tube, filling your mind with crap. I will resist the urge to hold your head underwater until your blue after you tell me your finances are a wreck, yet both of the adults in the family unit drive around in overpriced lease cars to impress, who? I will apply the principles found in the top five books in our system, and help you overcome your excuses for mediocrity. I will resist the urge to pull out a violin and play while you relay the sob story you've allowed your life to become. Did I mention I'll practice the principles taught in the top five books? I will no longer accept excuses and will provide the answer! I pity the next fool who tires to hand me some lame excuse for their lack of success, I mean...Bless your heart, I have what you've been searching for!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
"When people in our business stop asking me questions about what is answered in our top five books, I know they are ready to move forward and become a top leader."
Here's another little ditty that drives me.
"It's what angers or disappoints a person about the world that leads to his purposeful assignment to change it."-Orrin Woodward
Watch out all you thumb suckers, I'm on a mission. I vow to get the thinking right in this nation if I have to address each and everyone of it's 330 million excuse makers one at a time! I promise I will resist the urge to slap some sense into you when you tell me you can't afford to pay attention, while your real attention is focused on the $150.00 a month, cable fed boob tube, filling your mind with crap. I will resist the urge to hold your head underwater until your blue after you tell me your finances are a wreck, yet both of the adults in the family unit drive around in overpriced lease cars to impress, who? I will apply the principles found in the top five books in our system, and help you overcome your excuses for mediocrity. I will resist the urge to pull out a violin and play while you relay the sob story you've allowed your life to become. Did I mention I'll practice the principles taught in the top five books? I will no longer accept excuses and will provide the answer! I pity the next fool who tires to hand me some lame excuse for their lack of success, I mean...Bless your heart, I have what you've been searching for!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Monday, November 21, 2011
We've Raised The Bar!
I've come to notice of late the incredible boost of my community on Facebook. Not so much the numbers but the level of what they post. It's gone from incidental stories about their cats or dogs to inspirational quotations that indicate to me a learning organization. There are spiritual inputs, government watchdogs, and motivational quips that frankly are not only appreciated, but pretty darn informing. There is one young man who is a freshman in high school and the son of a dear friend who puts out John Maxwell quality inspirational thoughts. Now that's outstanding! It's a serious sign we are changing the culture in this country and the message is spreading like the flu. Here's the great part...that young fellow hasn't even hear of the Team or the Life business. He's simply expressing himself and influencing his friends.
Don't get me wrong, there are still the miniscule minority that stand on the other side of the fence. I was sent a suggestion to watch a video from TED the other day, there's 8 min. of my life I'll never get back. It consisted of a self proclaimed "intellectual" who mocked the idea of creation, but that was all he had to offer. No facts, no reason, just poorly attempted humor aimed at the opposition with nothing but his ire at the non believers of evolution to use as evidence of his aloof position of "know it all." Sadly the individual who posted this dribble likely thought the stance made him appear educated. We do have work to do my friends. Presenting an opposing world view is paramount to changing the culture of this great nation. The secular has to become informed and deprogrammed. Atheist and philosopher Bertrand Russell put it so well...
Without God, man has no purpose.
It's like playing hockey without a net. No philosophy that rejects Him can hope to stand. You cannot arrive at life's purpose by starting the focus on yourself. You have to begin with God, your Creator. You exist by the will of God, for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense. It is only through this realization we have purpose.
"There are two important days in your life: the day you were born, and the day you found out why you were born."-Carl Townsend
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Don't get me wrong, there are still the miniscule minority that stand on the other side of the fence. I was sent a suggestion to watch a video from TED the other day, there's 8 min. of my life I'll never get back. It consisted of a self proclaimed "intellectual" who mocked the idea of creation, but that was all he had to offer. No facts, no reason, just poorly attempted humor aimed at the opposition with nothing but his ire at the non believers of evolution to use as evidence of his aloof position of "know it all." Sadly the individual who posted this dribble likely thought the stance made him appear educated. We do have work to do my friends. Presenting an opposing world view is paramount to changing the culture of this great nation. The secular has to become informed and deprogrammed. Atheist and philosopher Bertrand Russell put it so well...
Without God, man has no purpose.
It's like playing hockey without a net. No philosophy that rejects Him can hope to stand. You cannot arrive at life's purpose by starting the focus on yourself. You have to begin with God, your Creator. You exist by the will of God, for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense. It is only through this realization we have purpose.
"There are two important days in your life: the day you were born, and the day you found out why you were born."-Carl Townsend
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Saddle Up!
After having thus successively taking each member of the community in its powerful grasp and fashioned him at will, the supreme power then extends its arm over the whole community. It covers the surface of society with a network of small complicated rules, minute and uniform through which the most original minds and the most energetic characters cannot penetrate, to rise above the crowd. The will of man is not shattered, but softened, bent, and guided; men are seldom forced by it to act, but they are constantly restrained from acting. Such a power does not destroy, but it prevents existence; it does not tyrannize, but it compresses, enervates, extinguishes, and stupefied a people, till each nation is reduced to nothing better than a flock of timid and industrious animals, of which the government is the shepherd.-Democracy In America, Alexis De Tocqueville
This is the impression of a writer's fears for a democratic nation. Honestly, De Tocqueville is very insightful! Let's examine the first sentence.
" After having thus successively taking each member of the community in its powerful grasp and fashioned him at will, the supreme power then extends its arm over the whole community."
Isn't this a description of a government operated public school system?
Now the second sentence...
" It covers the surface of society with a network of small complicated rules, minute and uniform through which the most original minds and the most energetic characters cannot penetrate, to rise above the crowd."
It's not hard to see the path we are heading down. The above passage points directly toward all those pesky government regulations installed without oversight by the EPA, FCC, DER, and a host of others. Then the elitists in government enhance that stance by educating individuals to sit in our public parks and complain because some have risen above the crowd. There is income disparity and those who choose to stand above the herd are making the "thumb suckers" look bad. Those citizens must be punished! If De Tocqueville hadn't foreseen and warned us, I'd think we are in "bizarro world!"
I'm dedicated to preventing the last of this paragraph from occurring.
"The will of man is not shattered, but softened, bent, and guided; men are seldom forced by it to act, but they are constantly restrained from acting. Such a power does not destroy, but it prevents existence; it does not tyrannize, but it compresses, enervates, extinguishes, and stupefied a people, till each nation is reduced to nothing better than a flock of timid and industrious animals, of which the government is the shepherd."
Where do you stand in this battle? Are you complacent and apathetic, or are you a citizen of virtue, character, and the moral fiber required to stand against this assault on the American dream? The soul can be schooled, we can turn this attitude around. Exercising reason and will, outside of our comfort zone, can awaken the sleeping freedom loving occupiers of this great nation. As George Washington once said, "Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected." We have a responsibility to our offspring and their offspring to turn this great nation around, back toward a path of prosperity. History has shown us the result of relying upon a government to "take care of it's citizens." History has also show us the path to freedom. That path lies in empowering the people financially, spiritually, and in the name of individualism. It's time to change the culture. It's time to change our world view. It's time to save our nation!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
This is the impression of a writer's fears for a democratic nation. Honestly, De Tocqueville is very insightful! Let's examine the first sentence.
" After having thus successively taking each member of the community in its powerful grasp and fashioned him at will, the supreme power then extends its arm over the whole community."
Isn't this a description of a government operated public school system?
Now the second sentence...
" It covers the surface of society with a network of small complicated rules, minute and uniform through which the most original minds and the most energetic characters cannot penetrate, to rise above the crowd."
It's not hard to see the path we are heading down. The above passage points directly toward all those pesky government regulations installed without oversight by the EPA, FCC, DER, and a host of others. Then the elitists in government enhance that stance by educating individuals to sit in our public parks and complain because some have risen above the crowd. There is income disparity and those who choose to stand above the herd are making the "thumb suckers" look bad. Those citizens must be punished! If De Tocqueville hadn't foreseen and warned us, I'd think we are in "bizarro world!"
I'm dedicated to preventing the last of this paragraph from occurring.
"The will of man is not shattered, but softened, bent, and guided; men are seldom forced by it to act, but they are constantly restrained from acting. Such a power does not destroy, but it prevents existence; it does not tyrannize, but it compresses, enervates, extinguishes, and stupefied a people, till each nation is reduced to nothing better than a flock of timid and industrious animals, of which the government is the shepherd."
Where do you stand in this battle? Are you complacent and apathetic, or are you a citizen of virtue, character, and the moral fiber required to stand against this assault on the American dream? The soul can be schooled, we can turn this attitude around. Exercising reason and will, outside of our comfort zone, can awaken the sleeping freedom loving occupiers of this great nation. As George Washington once said, "Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected." We have a responsibility to our offspring and their offspring to turn this great nation around, back toward a path of prosperity. History has shown us the result of relying upon a government to "take care of it's citizens." History has also show us the path to freedom. That path lies in empowering the people financially, spiritually, and in the name of individualism. It's time to change the culture. It's time to change our world view. It's time to save our nation!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Be A Thinker!
I've found though observing leadership expert Orrin Woodward that the path to clear and uninhibited thought lies in the ability to apply the information not only from the individual books one learns from, but when the concepts of the teachings of several authors are combined.
Example: We recommend everyone read the top five books. Each one individually is an eye opening experience, but combined they provide you the information to change your life. The input, when assembled creates the ability to think at another level. Orrin has just recently advised me that he knows exactly when a member of the TEAM leadership community is ready to assume the highest level of leadership in our organization. That realization is when they stop asking him questions whose answers are provided in those top five books. For me that meant that I need to be capable of citing them chapter and verse.
This isn't the only example. I've found if you understand the concepts of mob mentality introduced to us by Gustave Le Bon in his writing, "The Crowd," and enhance that information with "Democracy in America," by Alexis De Tocqueville, you'll gain a unique understanding of how factions of this country are using class warfare, and the indoctrination of the masses to undermine our freedoms.
Combining information sources brings the picture into a clearer focus. Each article you read adds value to your ability to form the picture, but introducing a combination of input will bring you to a higher level. It creates a thought process the average individual avoids, and in itself brings you to a level of exceptionalism. It's like the difference between monolithic sound and theater quality surround sound, and the realization of it is an Aha moment! It's akin to owning the knowledge and the difference when you apply it.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Example: We recommend everyone read the top five books. Each one individually is an eye opening experience, but combined they provide you the information to change your life. The input, when assembled creates the ability to think at another level. Orrin has just recently advised me that he knows exactly when a member of the TEAM leadership community is ready to assume the highest level of leadership in our organization. That realization is when they stop asking him questions whose answers are provided in those top five books. For me that meant that I need to be capable of citing them chapter and verse.
This isn't the only example. I've found if you understand the concepts of mob mentality introduced to us by Gustave Le Bon in his writing, "The Crowd," and enhance that information with "Democracy in America," by Alexis De Tocqueville, you'll gain a unique understanding of how factions of this country are using class warfare, and the indoctrination of the masses to undermine our freedoms.
Combining information sources brings the picture into a clearer focus. Each article you read adds value to your ability to form the picture, but introducing a combination of input will bring you to a higher level. It creates a thought process the average individual avoids, and in itself brings you to a level of exceptionalism. It's like the difference between monolithic sound and theater quality surround sound, and the realization of it is an Aha moment! It's akin to owning the knowledge and the difference when you apply it.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Friday, November 18, 2011
Bah Humbug!
It was a little depressing that retailers have decided that Christmas season begins during Halloween. It's like the totally ignored Thanksgiving and went right into retail mode. Honestly it was giving me a bad attitude! Good news, there is a cure!
Last night at our monthly Knights of Columbus meeting, a Catholic men's organization dedicated to aiding orphans and widows, we were asked to pick out an orphan child ranging in age from infant to eighteen and respond to their Christmas gift requests. Some of the knights rummaged through the tags to find age and gender specific recipient, but being a random kind of guy I just snatched one without looking. The lucky young man I opted for is David M., a six year old. The children were asked to list their three top choices for Christmas presents guided by a counselor who was familiar with the child, and we were asked in turn to make just one of their wishes come true. Now you talk about living the 8 F's, if this doesn't fall under the fun bracket, you need your fun meter checked! Here is David M.'s wish list....
First choice; Leap Frog Educational Toys.
Second Choice: Elmo.
Third choice: puzzles/books.
I'm kind of feeling like the Genie just released from the bottle. I'm so moved by this young man's requests, and the thought of the struggles he faces daily as an orphan, he's going to get all three of his wishes granted. I'm so excited about Christmas now I couldn't sleep last night, I kept waking up wondering how I could do more. This is what the spirit of Christmas is all about, and this is how we can make a difference. I've already written out the card for his gifts....
Dear David M.
Wishes do come true! Never stop dreaming! Merry Christmas and God Bless.
Love
Santa
Won't you join me in making a difference? Find that cause that brings a tear to your eye this Christmas season. I promise you it'll be worth it!
God Bless!
Capt.Bill
Last night at our monthly Knights of Columbus meeting, a Catholic men's organization dedicated to aiding orphans and widows, we were asked to pick out an orphan child ranging in age from infant to eighteen and respond to their Christmas gift requests. Some of the knights rummaged through the tags to find age and gender specific recipient, but being a random kind of guy I just snatched one without looking. The lucky young man I opted for is David M., a six year old. The children were asked to list their three top choices for Christmas presents guided by a counselor who was familiar with the child, and we were asked in turn to make just one of their wishes come true. Now you talk about living the 8 F's, if this doesn't fall under the fun bracket, you need your fun meter checked! Here is David M.'s wish list....
First choice; Leap Frog Educational Toys.
Second Choice: Elmo.
Third choice: puzzles/books.
I'm kind of feeling like the Genie just released from the bottle. I'm so moved by this young man's requests, and the thought of the struggles he faces daily as an orphan, he's going to get all three of his wishes granted. I'm so excited about Christmas now I couldn't sleep last night, I kept waking up wondering how I could do more. This is what the spirit of Christmas is all about, and this is how we can make a difference. I've already written out the card for his gifts....
Dear David M.
Wishes do come true! Never stop dreaming! Merry Christmas and God Bless.
Love
Santa
Won't you join me in making a difference? Find that cause that brings a tear to your eye this Christmas season. I promise you it'll be worth it!
God Bless!
Capt.Bill
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Read The Instructions!
A few months back while attending a meeting of The Knights of Columbus we were invited by a right to life group to financially sponsor and attend a talk by Sister Kelly Prejean author of Dead Man Walking. It was designed to financially support her ministry to oppose the death penalty. Now let me first preface this by saying I'm all about stopping abortion and on the side of everyone's right to life, but I was having a problem with convicted murderers spending life in prison. So despite the inference that this was the Christian attitude to have, I opted not to participate. By Divine Providence the talk was canceled because Sister Prejean had a death in her family. That still didn't solve my dilemma, was I an eye for an eye kind of fellow, or a Christian who saved judgement day for the Creator?
I was enthralled by a sermon months back by a pastor who passed on the message to beware of those who don't preach the Bible from the pulpit but their perversion of it. I imagine that all through time there has been some well meaning false profits, and those with hidden agendas. In today's world there are many, many who spew a self serving agenda under the guise of being people of faith, and people fall for that. I choose not to be one of them. The answers to our questions are always somewhere in the Bible, so it just takes some research to understand what you believe, and why you believe it. This morning I found my answer to that nagging question above.
"If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses; but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness. Moreover you shall accept no ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death; but he shall be put to death." Numbers 35:30-31
This is what the Lord said to Moses, not what someone passionately said to a crowd. The answers to all of life's questions lie between the covers of the Good Book. It's our owners manual, when all else fails, read the instructions!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
I was enthralled by a sermon months back by a pastor who passed on the message to beware of those who don't preach the Bible from the pulpit but their perversion of it. I imagine that all through time there has been some well meaning false profits, and those with hidden agendas. In today's world there are many, many who spew a self serving agenda under the guise of being people of faith, and people fall for that. I choose not to be one of them. The answers to our questions are always somewhere in the Bible, so it just takes some research to understand what you believe, and why you believe it. This morning I found my answer to that nagging question above.
"If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses; but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness. Moreover you shall accept no ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death; but he shall be put to death." Numbers 35:30-31
This is what the Lord said to Moses, not what someone passionately said to a crowd. The answers to all of life's questions lie between the covers of the Good Book. It's our owners manual, when all else fails, read the instructions!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Special Privilege?
Today will be a first. You going to see in print something I never thought I'd ever say. I will stand in public and say, "it's time to level the playing field." While the word of a liberal just flowed from my finger tips, be confident they didn't carry the same meaning. I'm referring to the ability of those representative in Congress who use inside information to make stock trades to line their pockets with cash. The same insider information that if used by John Q Public would land them in jail. That "special privilege" has got to stop.
Here's another first! Congratulations 60 Minutes for an outstanding job of non-bias investigative reporting. I really thought that skill was lost on partisan politics. Call me stunned!
I've always wondered what drove individuals to remain in the legislature well past the age of retirement. I mean, what drives someone to forfeit quality time with family after working so hard all those years? Silly me imagined it was devotion to service and love of country; but still in this economy that is so in need of jobs, why hold a spot that could be occupied by one who needs employment? It wasn't patriotism, it was financial greed and the need for power. We've allowed those in power to create an aristocracy! We are ruled by the elite, not governed by citizens!
Some will claim that those boons of wealth are simply coincidence. Really? Defend Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Sen. Barbara Boxer (D., Calif.) and her husband's only stock transaction in a year's time when they magically decided to invest one million dollars in a "green" company that shortly thereafter received billions of dollars of federal loan money from the Department of Energy. Please note she heads the "Environment" and Public works committee. This type of insider trade isn't limited to just liberal democrats, although that is a grievous example of abuse, our whole Congress is infected with this disease and they passed the legislation to keep it legal for them and not for the public. If one of us, the citizens, had acted on information like this we'd be in jail. Ask Martha Stewart!
It's time for legislators and their aides to be subject to the same rules and benefits every American citizen abides by. Who are they to enjoy special privilege? This won't change till we demand action. We have to change the culture in America and in Washington. God knows we have our work cut out for us!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Here's another first! Congratulations 60 Minutes for an outstanding job of non-bias investigative reporting. I really thought that skill was lost on partisan politics. Call me stunned!
I've always wondered what drove individuals to remain in the legislature well past the age of retirement. I mean, what drives someone to forfeit quality time with family after working so hard all those years? Silly me imagined it was devotion to service and love of country; but still in this economy that is so in need of jobs, why hold a spot that could be occupied by one who needs employment? It wasn't patriotism, it was financial greed and the need for power. We've allowed those in power to create an aristocracy! We are ruled by the elite, not governed by citizens!
Some will claim that those boons of wealth are simply coincidence. Really? Defend Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Sen. Barbara Boxer (D., Calif.) and her husband's only stock transaction in a year's time when they magically decided to invest one million dollars in a "green" company that shortly thereafter received billions of dollars of federal loan money from the Department of Energy. Please note she heads the "Environment" and Public works committee. This type of insider trade isn't limited to just liberal democrats, although that is a grievous example of abuse, our whole Congress is infected with this disease and they passed the legislation to keep it legal for them and not for the public. If one of us, the citizens, had acted on information like this we'd be in jail. Ask Martha Stewart!
It's time for legislators and their aides to be subject to the same rules and benefits every American citizen abides by. Who are they to enjoy special privilege? This won't change till we demand action. We have to change the culture in America and in Washington. God knows we have our work cut out for us!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Make Them Wonder What Your Up To!
"If you're not using your smile, you're like a man with a million dollars in his bank account and no check book. A smile is a million dollar asset in your human relations inventory.- Les Giblin
So how many of us are going to cash that check today? Will you disarm a bad day and apply your signature finishing move to a negative result? Smile there cupcake, it's free and it works! Nothing says you can't hurt me today like a beaming smile. God gave you that defense for a reason...use it! take the place and attitude that rightfully belongs to you and the world will acquiesce. People judge you by the value you put on your self and the attitude you present to them. Why would anyone devalue themselves and not smile? Everyone you meet is literally waiting for you to tell them how to treat you by the aura you present. Throw a little of that magic sunshine their way and flash those pearly whites! The only thing more disarming is a hug and a kiss, but all of society isn't quite ready for that display of affection yet.
I've found the easiest way to add a smile to my face is to count my blessings. If you focus on the positive all the rest falls right into place. A positive outlook demands positive results. It simply brings out the best in all of us. And isn't that the way to put your best foot forward? Your smile is infectious, and raises the value of others. Don't they feel more in tune with you if you approach them with a smile? It exudes friendly when you turn up the corners of your mouth and offer others a smile, and is the ultimate defense against having a bad day!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
So how many of us are going to cash that check today? Will you disarm a bad day and apply your signature finishing move to a negative result? Smile there cupcake, it's free and it works! Nothing says you can't hurt me today like a beaming smile. God gave you that defense for a reason...use it! take the place and attitude that rightfully belongs to you and the world will acquiesce. People judge you by the value you put on your self and the attitude you present to them. Why would anyone devalue themselves and not smile? Everyone you meet is literally waiting for you to tell them how to treat you by the aura you present. Throw a little of that magic sunshine their way and flash those pearly whites! The only thing more disarming is a hug and a kiss, but all of society isn't quite ready for that display of affection yet.
I've found the easiest way to add a smile to my face is to count my blessings. If you focus on the positive all the rest falls right into place. A positive outlook demands positive results. It simply brings out the best in all of us. And isn't that the way to put your best foot forward? Your smile is infectious, and raises the value of others. Don't they feel more in tune with you if you approach them with a smile? It exudes friendly when you turn up the corners of your mouth and offer others a smile, and is the ultimate defense against having a bad day!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Monday, November 14, 2011
Is A Cardboard Sign The Cure?
Because we have allowed our society to be duped into believing the "right" thing to do is to become a secular nation, we have suffered. Tolerance of different religions doesn't mean no religion. It simply implies a free man has the right to praise his Creator without interference of the state. It's the driving factor America was founded upon and of late has been perverted into a tolerance of no religion. It's true God has allowed us the free will to sin and not honor Him, but it's also true that consequences are forthcoming if we choose that path. For instance...
Our youth are camping in the street as we speak to complain about those who've acquired wealth in this nation. Since we as parents have adopted the secular notion and not taught the wisdom inscribed in the Bible, I'll bet you they aren't aware of this little ditty.
"The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat."-Proverbs 13:4
Then there is the parable of the talents, where we are told of the owner who gave each of three servants talents according to there ability. Two of the three used their new found wealth and doubled their master's investment. The third and final servant choose to hide his talents and return his master the original investment, angering him for his idleness.
Are we and our families honoring God by investing the "talents" he gave us, or are we like those camped out complaining about how unfair life is? I've found God honors commitment, the harder I work, the luckier I get!
through this success, and only through this success have I found a vehicle to help others. Making a difference doesn't involve complaining, it requires action! You can whine about situations all you like, but that's never ever solved anyone's problems. Someone actually has to get up out of their tent and do something productive. There is nothing so clever you can put on a sign and point at traffic that'll solve today's ills. Remember..."a sluggard desireth, and hath nothing.".....
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Our youth are camping in the street as we speak to complain about those who've acquired wealth in this nation. Since we as parents have adopted the secular notion and not taught the wisdom inscribed in the Bible, I'll bet you they aren't aware of this little ditty.
"The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat."-Proverbs 13:4
Then there is the parable of the talents, where we are told of the owner who gave each of three servants talents according to there ability. Two of the three used their new found wealth and doubled their master's investment. The third and final servant choose to hide his talents and return his master the original investment, angering him for his idleness.
Are we and our families honoring God by investing the "talents" he gave us, or are we like those camped out complaining about how unfair life is? I've found God honors commitment, the harder I work, the luckier I get!
through this success, and only through this success have I found a vehicle to help others. Making a difference doesn't involve complaining, it requires action! You can whine about situations all you like, but that's never ever solved anyone's problems. Someone actually has to get up out of their tent and do something productive. There is nothing so clever you can put on a sign and point at traffic that'll solve today's ills. Remember..."a sluggard desireth, and hath nothing.".....
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Smile!!!!
The shortest distance between two people is a smile!
Smiling is infectious,
You catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today,
I started smiling too.
I passed around the corner,
And someone saw my grin,
When he smiled I realized,
I'd passed it on to him.
I thought about that smile,
Then realized its worth,
A single smile, just like mine,
Could travel round the earth.
So, if you feel a smile begin,
Don't leave it undetected.
Let's start an epidemic quick,
And get the world infected.- Author unknown
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Smiling is infectious,
You catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today,
I started smiling too.
I passed around the corner,
And someone saw my grin,
When he smiled I realized,
I'd passed it on to him.
I thought about that smile,
Then realized its worth,
A single smile, just like mine,
Could travel round the earth.
So, if you feel a smile begin,
Don't leave it undetected.
Let's start an epidemic quick,
And get the world infected.- Author unknown
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Friday, November 11, 2011
It's Our Responsibility!
I sit here disgusted and at the same time inspired to turn up the heat on what needs to be done to save our nation. How does an adult, strike that. How does a fellow human being not step in and take action to defend a poor defenseless child from an adult rapist? What excuse can one use to justify that? How do you stand idly by and allow that sickness to continue then clear your conscience by reporting it to your superiors? Where does this depravity happen? No it wasn't some crack house, or favela in a foreign country. It happened at an institution of higher learning where our impressionable minds go to be inspired to think. And how does the youth who attend this college respond when responsible parties are dismissed? The selfish, misguided, son of a bucks, riot in a tantrum, because the coach of their football team was relieved for allowing this to happen. This is where our culture currently resides, and without some moral leadership, it's all downhill from here.
Someone explain to me what level of "tolerance" is being taught at the college level. Is this how our culture is "embracing diversity?" How does the dismissal of a morally negligent individual justify a tantrum by the student body in his favor? Where is the outrage for the innocent child victim? Why is it overlooked for the sake of a football legacy? Where are our priorities?
Those of us who have our hands on the cure to this plague owe our fellow citizens a debt. As a member of the LIFE/TEAM movement we have to get the correct information into this culture as rapidly as we can. If LIFE hasn't yet found you, contact a member and get involved. I'm sitting here listening to the media in the background trying to elevate the dismissed coach who did as little as possible to stop this abhorable behavior as a role model. Not in my country! Not on my watch!
It's time Americans grew a spine, and LIFE is the supplement that'll promote that healing. I can't think of a more grievous example designed to motivate a leadership cause. America has been defiled, and this assault happened where Americans go to become exceptional. This incident screams, "Houston, we have a problem," and it's time to go into action mode. No longer can we remain complacent while our nation circles the bowl. It's time to introduce our population to true exceptionalism through the understanding and the improvement of the 8 F's.
Faith
Family
Finance
Fitness
Freedom
Following
Fun
Friends
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Someone explain to me what level of "tolerance" is being taught at the college level. Is this how our culture is "embracing diversity?" How does the dismissal of a morally negligent individual justify a tantrum by the student body in his favor? Where is the outrage for the innocent child victim? Why is it overlooked for the sake of a football legacy? Where are our priorities?
Those of us who have our hands on the cure to this plague owe our fellow citizens a debt. As a member of the LIFE/TEAM movement we have to get the correct information into this culture as rapidly as we can. If LIFE hasn't yet found you, contact a member and get involved. I'm sitting here listening to the media in the background trying to elevate the dismissed coach who did as little as possible to stop this abhorable behavior as a role model. Not in my country! Not on my watch!
It's time Americans grew a spine, and LIFE is the supplement that'll promote that healing. I can't think of a more grievous example designed to motivate a leadership cause. America has been defiled, and this assault happened where Americans go to become exceptional. This incident screams, "Houston, we have a problem," and it's time to go into action mode. No longer can we remain complacent while our nation circles the bowl. It's time to introduce our population to true exceptionalism through the understanding and the improvement of the 8 F's.
Faith
Family
Finance
Fitness
Freedom
Following
Fun
Friends
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Driven By World View!
Orrin Woodward has often told me that to change our country and solve the problems, we have to change the culture. The "give me" attitude has to be replaced with one of independence and self reliance. To address that, the individual thought process must be changed. It's like the old saying, to change the world I have to change the country; to change the country, I have to change the state; to change the state, I have to change the community; and to change the community I have to change myself.
The process of change has to begin with an understanding of your priorities. One has to have a grasp on what exactly matters the most in their life, and why. If you value money perhaps over all else, this is your starting point. That perception is driven by your world view, and that my friends is how change is addressed. Your world view is the lens that filters the information you process. If you view money as security and money is the top of your priority list, all decisions will be processed in your mind with money as the driving factor. This is why it's so important to understand your priorities and your world view.
Let's suppose your world view was filtered with the understanding that God is your Creator and all things are done for His glory. Would that filter help your mind process things differently? Could it be imagined that serving others and guiding your actions to heed the Ten Commandments would take precedent? Wouldn't the world be a more understanding environment if the teachings of God's word in the Bible were everyone's first consideration? Love you neighbor as yourself; now there is a concept that could drive utopia!
Take the time to list your priorities and then reflect on what drives those values. Help others to understand where their world view originates from and how it affects their decision making process. If we use the concept of each one reach one after first understanding ourselves, we can have an affect. First we change ourselves, then we change our community, then we change our state, after that the country, and soon the world!
Time to live LIFE!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
The process of change has to begin with an understanding of your priorities. One has to have a grasp on what exactly matters the most in their life, and why. If you value money perhaps over all else, this is your starting point. That perception is driven by your world view, and that my friends is how change is addressed. Your world view is the lens that filters the information you process. If you view money as security and money is the top of your priority list, all decisions will be processed in your mind with money as the driving factor. This is why it's so important to understand your priorities and your world view.
Let's suppose your world view was filtered with the understanding that God is your Creator and all things are done for His glory. Would that filter help your mind process things differently? Could it be imagined that serving others and guiding your actions to heed the Ten Commandments would take precedent? Wouldn't the world be a more understanding environment if the teachings of God's word in the Bible were everyone's first consideration? Love you neighbor as yourself; now there is a concept that could drive utopia!
Take the time to list your priorities and then reflect on what drives those values. Help others to understand where their world view originates from and how it affects their decision making process. If we use the concept of each one reach one after first understanding ourselves, we can have an affect. First we change ourselves, then we change our community, then we change our state, after that the country, and soon the world!
Time to live LIFE!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
A Teaching Moment!
Whether you believe the accuser(s) of Herman Cain or not, there is a lesson to be learned by people who want to assume a position of leadership. So let's take this teaching moment and use it to personally grow. It's important to remove your feelings about where the guilt lies in this instance and take the situation back to it's root. Like Orrin Woodward is fond of saying, to kill a weed you have to get the roots!
This lesson was preached to me long ago when I first became a district manager with the Fort Myers News Press. I'll never forget the teaching of my immediate supervisor, Jim Stephens. He sat me down in his office and gave me these words of wisdom. "A man in a position of responsibility is to always be in a position above reproach." Then he broke it down for me to insure I understood what he was trying to tell me. "Never ever allow yourself to be put into a position where someone can question your word or your actions." What an incredible leadership tidbit! Here's the funny part, decades later I find myself under the tutelage of the #7 leadership expert in the world and he lives this principle night and day. Orrin Woodward takes unheard of caution to never be caught alone in the company of someone of the other sex. If he finds himself in that situation he will immediately leaves the room. Never is a woman allowed to accompany him anywhere without other parties present to insure that anything inappropriate is ever suggested. Orrin protects his reputation and his character to the nth degree. I'm absolutely certain that if Mother Theresa was alive today and Orrin gained and audience with her it would never be in private.
Is this overdone? I'm fairly certain if you asked Herman Cain right now he wouldn't think so. Regardless of his guilt or innocence the seed of doubt has been planted about his leadership capabilities. Has he been set up? Well, I have my feelings about it and I'm sure you do too, but the issue is he was caught with the protection of his reputation down and that's unacceptable. I did find it interesting that his only public accuser resides in the same building as the head campaign strategist for the opposite party. I know they'd love to have an opponent that they could play the race card against, that would be difficult running against someone of the same race. Since the Afro-American vote weighed heavily in the President's favor last election, and this race will be closely contested, it wouldn't bode well for him to risk splitting that demographic. I'm a strong believer that coincidence happen for a reason, ergo they aren't coincidental.
Regardless, take this for the teaching moment it is and use it in your leadership journey. There will be those as you rise to a position of influence that will do their damndest to discredit you. It's better to learn from other's experience than the hard way.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
This lesson was preached to me long ago when I first became a district manager with the Fort Myers News Press. I'll never forget the teaching of my immediate supervisor, Jim Stephens. He sat me down in his office and gave me these words of wisdom. "A man in a position of responsibility is to always be in a position above reproach." Then he broke it down for me to insure I understood what he was trying to tell me. "Never ever allow yourself to be put into a position where someone can question your word or your actions." What an incredible leadership tidbit! Here's the funny part, decades later I find myself under the tutelage of the #7 leadership expert in the world and he lives this principle night and day. Orrin Woodward takes unheard of caution to never be caught alone in the company of someone of the other sex. If he finds himself in that situation he will immediately leaves the room. Never is a woman allowed to accompany him anywhere without other parties present to insure that anything inappropriate is ever suggested. Orrin protects his reputation and his character to the nth degree. I'm absolutely certain that if Mother Theresa was alive today and Orrin gained and audience with her it would never be in private.
Is this overdone? I'm fairly certain if you asked Herman Cain right now he wouldn't think so. Regardless of his guilt or innocence the seed of doubt has been planted about his leadership capabilities. Has he been set up? Well, I have my feelings about it and I'm sure you do too, but the issue is he was caught with the protection of his reputation down and that's unacceptable. I did find it interesting that his only public accuser resides in the same building as the head campaign strategist for the opposite party. I know they'd love to have an opponent that they could play the race card against, that would be difficult running against someone of the same race. Since the Afro-American vote weighed heavily in the President's favor last election, and this race will be closely contested, it wouldn't bode well for him to risk splitting that demographic. I'm a strong believer that coincidence happen for a reason, ergo they aren't coincidental.
Regardless, take this for the teaching moment it is and use it in your leadership journey. There will be those as you rise to a position of influence that will do their damndest to discredit you. It's better to learn from other's experience than the hard way.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Laughter Is the Key!
Nothing is as good as laughter for what ails you as highlighted in this poem by Bertha Adams Backus. Troubling times seem to drift away when we have the ability to laugh. Enjoy this fine piece of Americana literature and please, take the advice and find some humor!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Then Laugh
By Bertha Adams Backus
Build for yourself a strong box,
fashion each part with care;
When it’s strong as your hand can make it,
put all your troubles there;
Hide there all thought of your failures;
and each bitter cup that you quaff;
Lock all your heartaches within it,
Then sit on the lid and laugh.
Tell no one else its contents,
Never its secrets share;
When you’ve dropped in your care and worry
keep them forever there;
Hide them from sight so completely
That the world will never dream half;
Fasten the strongbox securely—
Then sit on the lid and laugh.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Then Laugh
By Bertha Adams Backus
Build for yourself a strong box,
fashion each part with care;
When it’s strong as your hand can make it,
put all your troubles there;
Hide there all thought of your failures;
and each bitter cup that you quaff;
Lock all your heartaches within it,
Then sit on the lid and laugh.
Tell no one else its contents,
Never its secrets share;
When you’ve dropped in your care and worry
keep them forever there;
Hide them from sight so completely
That the world will never dream half;
Fasten the strongbox securely—
Then sit on the lid and laugh.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Where Is My Trophy?
Hindsight is always 20/20, but it's important we understand our mistakes and learn from them. It's also important that we realize they were in fact mistakes. A blooming example of an error of our culture that sticks out like a zit on a prom date's face, is the expectancy of our current generation. At a risk of sounding like my dad, and his dad before him, our culture has made a grievous error. In hindsight perhaps dad and grandpa had a point, they were highlighting what I'm about to talk about.
Currently we have a generation or two of people who took the advice of their industrial aged thinking mentors and are exploding in a temper tantrum of dissatisfaction. They worked their way through grade school, high school and finally participated in a program of higher learning in a college setting. They took all the advice society had to offer and found upon graduation that their award for participation, (a job) isn't available. Their immediate reaction is to take to the streets and complain. Complain about the government, and the debt they've amassed without receiving a source of income to pay it off. Unfair? Not so much! You see, now reality has set in, there is no recognition for participation. Life pays off the moment you become an effective participant. You can't sit on the bench and expect a reward!
The old baseball league my youngest son excelled in now has four tiers of all-star teams. Everyone gets to be on the post season team because they don't want anyone's feelings hurt. So the league has decided to reward mediocrity. What lesson does this teach the children? When I was growing up,( back when we had to walk barefoot to school, through the 4 foot snow drifts, uphill both ways), you had to try out for the team. Some made it, the others found another activity they were more suited for. If you didn't make the team this year, you worked hard and tried again next year. This taught perseverance and work ethic, not a reward system for those who couldn't achieve. There is no recognition for trying other than an atta-boy, you try harder next time, results matter!
The ensuing results of teaching our youth that everyone gets an award for participation stands in our city streets and complains. They went to Harvard, Yale, and Columbia, and now they are upset because society lied to them and there is no reward for just showing up. You have to produce exceptional results to get recognition as being exceptional. So what do they do? Throw a tantrum of course! Exactly the behavior the leagues who created the multi levels of "all-star" teams tried to avoid in the first place. Is it prettier as a spoiled child, or as a spoiled adult? Go visit "Occupy Wall Street" and decide for yourself!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Currently we have a generation or two of people who took the advice of their industrial aged thinking mentors and are exploding in a temper tantrum of dissatisfaction. They worked their way through grade school, high school and finally participated in a program of higher learning in a college setting. They took all the advice society had to offer and found upon graduation that their award for participation, (a job) isn't available. Their immediate reaction is to take to the streets and complain. Complain about the government, and the debt they've amassed without receiving a source of income to pay it off. Unfair? Not so much! You see, now reality has set in, there is no recognition for participation. Life pays off the moment you become an effective participant. You can't sit on the bench and expect a reward!
The old baseball league my youngest son excelled in now has four tiers of all-star teams. Everyone gets to be on the post season team because they don't want anyone's feelings hurt. So the league has decided to reward mediocrity. What lesson does this teach the children? When I was growing up,( back when we had to walk barefoot to school, through the 4 foot snow drifts, uphill both ways), you had to try out for the team. Some made it, the others found another activity they were more suited for. If you didn't make the team this year, you worked hard and tried again next year. This taught perseverance and work ethic, not a reward system for those who couldn't achieve. There is no recognition for trying other than an atta-boy, you try harder next time, results matter!
The ensuing results of teaching our youth that everyone gets an award for participation stands in our city streets and complains. They went to Harvard, Yale, and Columbia, and now they are upset because society lied to them and there is no reward for just showing up. You have to produce exceptional results to get recognition as being exceptional. So what do they do? Throw a tantrum of course! Exactly the behavior the leagues who created the multi levels of "all-star" teams tried to avoid in the first place. Is it prettier as a spoiled child, or as a spoiled adult? Go visit "Occupy Wall Street" and decide for yourself!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Sunday, November 6, 2011
A Charitable Solution To World Peace!
While I was sitting in church today enjoying the weekly service hosted by a guest missionary priest, I had a thought. Once again while I was reviewing the value of God's ministry overseas I pondered what purpose our financial gift might serve. Wouldn't the money do better to serve needy parishioners at home?
Followers of Ron Paul believe in his philosophy that we need to take care of our own, and he makes an excellent point. Government shouldn't be the international charity, actually it shouldn't be a charity at all. If the founders wanted us to be a charity they'd would have created a fourth branch of the government. So as I pondered all this information and added that we are placed upon this earth to serve others, the answer seemed clear. Allow the churches to send missionaries to these foreign shores to spread goodwill and create a culture that teaches love, not hate! The church is equipped to teach the principles needed to direct a culture in a positive direction. Government aid is just like any other government program, it creates dependents and fails to address the problem.
Wouldn't a religious solution be the answer to hate? When malice is pointed towards Americans by foreign cultures it's grounded in a lack of Biblical principles. America's only hope to overcome that discourse is to have those cultures directed toward pious behavior. The government cannot solve this issue. As well meaning as it is, we chase the bad guys away causing collateral damage, (the loss of lives or wounding of civilians), and hatred is born in spite of our good intentions. How about we allow a missionary to empower those citizens with the truth so they can rid themselves of the evil? All that takes is our support!
So next time the plate is passed in church I suggest we all do as I surmised to do today; make a manly donation. A couple of bucks, while every little bit helps, isn't going to solve the problem. If you don't want our government sending financial aid overseas dig deep. Government promotes abuse, waste, and fraud. The ministry of god's word preaches peace and tolerance, the solution is simple....
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Followers of Ron Paul believe in his philosophy that we need to take care of our own, and he makes an excellent point. Government shouldn't be the international charity, actually it shouldn't be a charity at all. If the founders wanted us to be a charity they'd would have created a fourth branch of the government. So as I pondered all this information and added that we are placed upon this earth to serve others, the answer seemed clear. Allow the churches to send missionaries to these foreign shores to spread goodwill and create a culture that teaches love, not hate! The church is equipped to teach the principles needed to direct a culture in a positive direction. Government aid is just like any other government program, it creates dependents and fails to address the problem.
Wouldn't a religious solution be the answer to hate? When malice is pointed towards Americans by foreign cultures it's grounded in a lack of Biblical principles. America's only hope to overcome that discourse is to have those cultures directed toward pious behavior. The government cannot solve this issue. As well meaning as it is, we chase the bad guys away causing collateral damage, (the loss of lives or wounding of civilians), and hatred is born in spite of our good intentions. How about we allow a missionary to empower those citizens with the truth so they can rid themselves of the evil? All that takes is our support!
So next time the plate is passed in church I suggest we all do as I surmised to do today; make a manly donation. A couple of bucks, while every little bit helps, isn't going to solve the problem. If you don't want our government sending financial aid overseas dig deep. Government promotes abuse, waste, and fraud. The ministry of god's word preaches peace and tolerance, the solution is simple....
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Leadership Gold!
One of the outstanding features of my position is the quality time I get to spend with the #7 leadership expert in the world Orrin Woodward. Today's mentoring session started at 0-dark thirty, (4 AM) on a ride to the Orlando airport. Almost two hours of being a sponge and despite the bewitching hour Orrin didn't disappoint. Here's the gist of what I was taught....
The key to becoming a giant in this business, and affecting as many people as possible lives in a positive manner, lies in our top five books. Reading and rereading them until you can quote them page, and verse unlocks success. Orrin told me he can tell how soon a round table achiever is ready for a policy counsel run by this simple test. If they continually come to him with questions that are answered in those five books, they are not ready.
Note to self: replace what your reading on your nightstand now with the top five books, now!
He also advised me not to miss out the books of the month passed down in our system as they are important as well, but be sure to compliment my reading by pouring myself into the top five.
So just in case your not familiar with the recommended reading here they are, in no particular order...
The Magic of Thinking Big- By David J. Schwartz
How To Have Confidence And Power In Dealing With People- By Les Giblin
The Five Love Languages-By Gary Chapman
How I Raised Myself From Failure To Success In Selling-Frank Bettinger
Personality Plus- By Florence Littauer
Now to catch a nap before the monthly leadership seminar....
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
The key to becoming a giant in this business, and affecting as many people as possible lives in a positive manner, lies in our top five books. Reading and rereading them until you can quote them page, and verse unlocks success. Orrin told me he can tell how soon a round table achiever is ready for a policy counsel run by this simple test. If they continually come to him with questions that are answered in those five books, they are not ready.
Note to self: replace what your reading on your nightstand now with the top five books, now!
He also advised me not to miss out the books of the month passed down in our system as they are important as well, but be sure to compliment my reading by pouring myself into the top five.
So just in case your not familiar with the recommended reading here they are, in no particular order...
The Magic of Thinking Big- By David J. Schwartz
How To Have Confidence And Power In Dealing With People- By Les Giblin
The Five Love Languages-By Gary Chapman
How I Raised Myself From Failure To Success In Selling-Frank Bettinger
Personality Plus- By Florence Littauer
Now to catch a nap before the monthly leadership seminar....
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Friday, November 4, 2011
World View And Priorities!
In today's blog I'm trying something new. Instead of my normal typing the blog, I tried out some new software allows me to speak what I think and see if it comes out as well as when I type it. Anyways today's thought involves principles and worldview. Every morning I take Bear for his walk and we peruse the neighborhood in search of just the right place for him to relieve himself. During our little outing at five days a week I encounter Grandpa loading up his grandchild into the car to take him to daycare. Today I couldn't help but wonder if that was what Grandpa experienced in his mornings, dressed and sent off to be under someone else's care. I'm thinking Grandpa stayed home with his Mom and like any youthful sponge and enjoyed the company and the guidance of his mother.
How did society get to this point? If I asked that family what the most important things were in their life I believe it would go something like this. Hopefully God holds the top spot, with family directly underneath it, then possibly friends, then their job. This is what I refer to as a list of priorities. And while they say this is the most important order of things, it's not what they're living. Employment seems to take up most of their day and turn the youngest family member is sent off to be raised by strangers. The worldview has shifted.
During the agrarian age family was held above work. The children are home to raised by Mom until they're old enough to be out of fields with Dad. It was a family effort to survive. Enter the industrial age, initially Dad went to work and Mom stayed home and continued to raise the children. Then the tempation of a two family income kicked in, and family took a backseat. Our worldview had changed and consequently so have our priorities. Very few families have the luxury of Moms staying at home to raise the children, and the results are becoming apparent in society.
It's important for us to reflect on our priorities every now and then. It's also important to be sure we understand what our worldview is. Our worldview is the lens from which we filter everything that goes on around us. This helps us determine our priorities. Since one defines the other it's important we understand both of them. Do we really want our children raised by strangers, or do we feel more comfortable with Mom handling that job? Let's not allow economics to determine who nurtures and molds our children.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
How did society get to this point? If I asked that family what the most important things were in their life I believe it would go something like this. Hopefully God holds the top spot, with family directly underneath it, then possibly friends, then their job. This is what I refer to as a list of priorities. And while they say this is the most important order of things, it's not what they're living. Employment seems to take up most of their day and turn the youngest family member is sent off to be raised by strangers. The worldview has shifted.
During the agrarian age family was held above work. The children are home to raised by Mom until they're old enough to be out of fields with Dad. It was a family effort to survive. Enter the industrial age, initially Dad went to work and Mom stayed home and continued to raise the children. Then the tempation of a two family income kicked in, and family took a backseat. Our worldview had changed and consequently so have our priorities. Very few families have the luxury of Moms staying at home to raise the children, and the results are becoming apparent in society.
It's important for us to reflect on our priorities every now and then. It's also important to be sure we understand what our worldview is. Our worldview is the lens from which we filter everything that goes on around us. This helps us determine our priorities. Since one defines the other it's important we understand both of them. Do we really want our children raised by strangers, or do we feel more comfortable with Mom handling that job? Let's not allow economics to determine who nurtures and molds our children.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, November 3, 2011
It's Your Story!
One of the greatest ways to improve your attitude is to change the story that plays out in your head. Instead of reacting to your first thoughts, move yourself into the other person's shoes. Let's say your driving home after work and someone cuts you off like you weren't even there. My first reaction used to be,"jerk," and then have an attitude similar to that of a self righteous victim. Inside my head I asked over and over, "who does that guy think he is, he doesn't own the road. " Then the killer, a true statement of a victim, "what about me?"
What I never considered is maybe the fellow is rushing to the hospital for the birth of his first born baby and is distracted. Perhaps his wife just called and told him one of his children are injured. Maybe he's rushing to the bedside of a dying relative. All great reasons to forgive his momentary distraction and take the attention off of me. It's all about the story you allow yourself to be told.
Let's apply this as a parent. Say you arrive home from work and Junior is in timeout because a broken lamp was found in his bedroom. The evidence points toward junior was playing ball in the house, outside the family rules. Your liable to tell yourself the story this was a direct violation of my rules, Junior needs to be seriously disciplined, and the cost of replacing the lamp he broke outweighs the teaching moment you've just encountered. Anger sets in and you react badly, as most victims do. after all he disrespected the home and the furnishing you provide for him.
Let's reframe it. What Junior did was wrong and does need to be disciplined, but he was also good in the sense he was exercising and improving his athletic ability. Time to sit Junior down and tell him where he violated the rules and apply an appropriate punishment, but to also point out what he was doing right, a teaching moment! "Son I love the fact that you were exercising and working on your ball handling skills, but we need to take those outside so the furniture doesn't suffer and neither do you." If Junior doesn't learn in his youth guided by his father's wisdom as a man he won't have a clue. The whole lesson is ended with, "and this is how we do it better next time."
Once again check the story you tell yourself before you react. Deal with situations first in love and understanding. It'll lower your blood pressure!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
What I never considered is maybe the fellow is rushing to the hospital for the birth of his first born baby and is distracted. Perhaps his wife just called and told him one of his children are injured. Maybe he's rushing to the bedside of a dying relative. All great reasons to forgive his momentary distraction and take the attention off of me. It's all about the story you allow yourself to be told.
Let's apply this as a parent. Say you arrive home from work and Junior is in timeout because a broken lamp was found in his bedroom. The evidence points toward junior was playing ball in the house, outside the family rules. Your liable to tell yourself the story this was a direct violation of my rules, Junior needs to be seriously disciplined, and the cost of replacing the lamp he broke outweighs the teaching moment you've just encountered. Anger sets in and you react badly, as most victims do. after all he disrespected the home and the furnishing you provide for him.
Let's reframe it. What Junior did was wrong and does need to be disciplined, but he was also good in the sense he was exercising and improving his athletic ability. Time to sit Junior down and tell him where he violated the rules and apply an appropriate punishment, but to also point out what he was doing right, a teaching moment! "Son I love the fact that you were exercising and working on your ball handling skills, but we need to take those outside so the furniture doesn't suffer and neither do you." If Junior doesn't learn in his youth guided by his father's wisdom as a man he won't have a clue. The whole lesson is ended with, "and this is how we do it better next time."
Once again check the story you tell yourself before you react. Deal with situations first in love and understanding. It'll lower your blood pressure!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Time For Some Culture!
I've come across this wonderful poem with an outstanding message and I thought I'd share! Enjoy!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
A Fence or an Ambulance by Joseph Malins
‘Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed,
Though to walk near its edge was so pleasant;
But over its terrible edge there had slipped
A duke and full many a peasant.
So the people said something would have to be done,
But their projects did not at all tally;
Some said, “Put a fence around the edge of the cliff,”
Some, “An ambulance down in the valley.”
But the cry for the ambulance carried the day,
For it spread through the neighboring city;
A fence may be useful or not, it is true,
But each heart became brimful of pity
For those who slipped over the dangerous cliff;
And the dwellers in highway and alley
Gave pounds or gave pence, not to put up a fence,
But an ambulance down in the valley.
“For the cliff is all right, if you’re careful,” they said,
“And if folks even slip and are dropping,
It isn’t the slipping that hurts them so much,
As the shock down below when they’re stopping.”
So day after day, as these mishaps occurred,
Quick forth would these rescuers sally
To pick up the victims who fell off of the cliff,
With the ambulance down in the valley.
Then an old sage remarked: “It’s a marvel to me
That people give far more attention
To repairing results than to stopping the cause,
When they’d much better aim at prevention.
Let us stop at its source all this mischief,” cried he,
“Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally;
If the cliff we will fence we might almost dispense
With the ambulance down in the valley.”
Oh, he’s a fanatic,” the others rejoined,
“Dispense with the ambulance? Never!
He’d dispense with all charities, too, if he could;
No! No! We’ll support them forever.
Aren’t we picking up folks just as fast as they fall?
And shall this man dictate to us? Shall he?
Why should people of sense stop to put up a fence,
While the ambulance works in the valley?”
But a sensible few, who are practical too,
Will not bear with such nonsense much longer;
They believe that prevention is better than cure,
And their party will soon be the stronger.
Encourage them then, with your purse, voice, and pen,
And while other philanthropists dally,
They will scorn all pretense and put up a stout fence
On the cliff that hangs over the valley.
Better guide well the young than reclaim them when old,
For the voice of true wisdom is calling,
“To rescue the fallen is good, but ‘tis best
To prevent other people from falling.”
Better close up the source of temptation and crime
Than deliver from dungeon or galley;
Better put a strong fence round the top of the cliff
Than an ambulance down in the valley.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
A Fence or an Ambulance by Joseph Malins
‘Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed,
Though to walk near its edge was so pleasant;
But over its terrible edge there had slipped
A duke and full many a peasant.
So the people said something would have to be done,
But their projects did not at all tally;
Some said, “Put a fence around the edge of the cliff,”
Some, “An ambulance down in the valley.”
But the cry for the ambulance carried the day,
For it spread through the neighboring city;
A fence may be useful or not, it is true,
But each heart became brimful of pity
For those who slipped over the dangerous cliff;
And the dwellers in highway and alley
Gave pounds or gave pence, not to put up a fence,
But an ambulance down in the valley.
“For the cliff is all right, if you’re careful,” they said,
“And if folks even slip and are dropping,
It isn’t the slipping that hurts them so much,
As the shock down below when they’re stopping.”
So day after day, as these mishaps occurred,
Quick forth would these rescuers sally
To pick up the victims who fell off of the cliff,
With the ambulance down in the valley.
Then an old sage remarked: “It’s a marvel to me
That people give far more attention
To repairing results than to stopping the cause,
When they’d much better aim at prevention.
Let us stop at its source all this mischief,” cried he,
“Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally;
If the cliff we will fence we might almost dispense
With the ambulance down in the valley.”
Oh, he’s a fanatic,” the others rejoined,
“Dispense with the ambulance? Never!
He’d dispense with all charities, too, if he could;
No! No! We’ll support them forever.
Aren’t we picking up folks just as fast as they fall?
And shall this man dictate to us? Shall he?
Why should people of sense stop to put up a fence,
While the ambulance works in the valley?”
But a sensible few, who are practical too,
Will not bear with such nonsense much longer;
They believe that prevention is better than cure,
And their party will soon be the stronger.
Encourage them then, with your purse, voice, and pen,
And while other philanthropists dally,
They will scorn all pretense and put up a stout fence
On the cliff that hangs over the valley.
Better guide well the young than reclaim them when old,
For the voice of true wisdom is calling,
“To rescue the fallen is good, but ‘tis best
To prevent other people from falling.”
Better close up the source of temptation and crime
Than deliver from dungeon or galley;
Better put a strong fence round the top of the cliff
Than an ambulance down in the valley.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
And LIFE Begins!
Today we give birth to a new idea. LIFE officially begins at 11 AM this morning.
"It is said that when God wants to change the world, he sends a baby-perfectly timed to grow , learn, prepare and then take action at the right moment. But there are times when one baby won't suffice, when challenges facing the world are just too great; and so instead of a great reformer or a few key thinkers, what is needed is a whole generation of leaders. This happened in the sixth century B.C. and again in the first decade of the common era, and again in the American Founding generation.
We believe it is happening again today...."-Oliver Demille, Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens
So to do I believe this movement is heaven sent to save our nation, youth, values, and morals. LIFE is here to sway the tide in the other direction, one individual at a time. First we influence ourselves, then our community, then our state, and finally our nation. The degeneration of morality has an enemy as of 11 A.M. today, the common denominator sent to divide and conquer what is wrong with today's society. Answers that have not been taught for generations, lost in a sea of self aggrandizement. We are here with a purpose, and that purpose is to serve others and find the good that exists in each and everyone of God's creatures. A monstrous task with a very simple solution. We begin with you. Come ride the wave to salvation and prosperity!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
"It is said that when God wants to change the world, he sends a baby-perfectly timed to grow , learn, prepare and then take action at the right moment. But there are times when one baby won't suffice, when challenges facing the world are just too great; and so instead of a great reformer or a few key thinkers, what is needed is a whole generation of leaders. This happened in the sixth century B.C. and again in the first decade of the common era, and again in the American Founding generation.
We believe it is happening again today...."-Oliver Demille, Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens
So to do I believe this movement is heaven sent to save our nation, youth, values, and morals. LIFE is here to sway the tide in the other direction, one individual at a time. First we influence ourselves, then our community, then our state, and finally our nation. The degeneration of morality has an enemy as of 11 A.M. today, the common denominator sent to divide and conquer what is wrong with today's society. Answers that have not been taught for generations, lost in a sea of self aggrandizement. We are here with a purpose, and that purpose is to serve others and find the good that exists in each and everyone of God's creatures. A monstrous task with a very simple solution. We begin with you. Come ride the wave to salvation and prosperity!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
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