Hair Today...Gone Tomorrow!

Today is November 26, 2014...17 days from my 50th birthday on December 12th.    I ran into a high school classmate a few months ago, that I hadn't seen in at least 15 years.  We gave each other "the glance" and then realized where our pasts and paths had crossed.  She said,   "I didn't recognize you immediately, because you look different.  Your hair is much shorter than I remember."   Hey, I could have said that I didn't recognize her because of a few (ok, more than a few) new pounds...thankfully, I always feel before I speak.   Ok, I must admit, just 10 years ago, that hair comment would have bothered me.  Let me take you back.  I have always been known for my hair.  Ok, the picture on the left doesn't do my hair justice...I am not bald.  I keep it closed cropped for that professional speaker look!   I have grown past being self-conscious and now confident in how I am and who I am.  That was a process of change and evolution.  The catalyst for change may have been the changes in my outward appearance but it manifested as an inward development.    I am proud to say, I am comfortable in my own skin.   Back to my chance meeting with my high school friend.  After about 15 minutes of catching up, she hugged me warmly and said,   "You know, you haven't changed a bit."   That is what is true about life.  What she may have noticed was the hair (or lack of it) but what she really remembered was what was just under it (my brain) and the things that came out just 5 inches below (my mouth) which was governed by what was happening 18 inches below...in my heart.   Those are the things that don't change much and are our engrafted personality.  That is how a long lost friend will know it is you, because 20 years from now, you will not look the same...   Hair today...gone tomorrow.   Here I am down through the years...

Timeless Age!

 

Today is November 25, 2014...18 days from my 50th birthday on December 12th.    With all this countdown business, you might be surprised that I don't normally celebrate my birthday. No, really, I don't!   While I feel great and have no sense of my mortality, I am also no longer feeling immortal...I will leave that for the impetuousness of youth.     "Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age." Victor Hugo     I am truly gathering perspectives on my life (and hopefully helping you gain some on yours!) that will help me the next 50 years - I just told you I have no sense of my mortality!   I was conducting an enrollment seminar the other day for about 15 people.  Most of them were on Medicare and generally at least 65 years of age (notice, I didn't say "old").  The average age was about 73 and there was one very sweet, smart women who was 87.  Still sharp, still vibrant...still alive.   As part of my presentation, I have to remind them that the last day to make a decision is December 7, which I playfully interject is just a few days away from my 50th birthday.  Invariably, the turning 50 statement gets comments such as;    "You are still just a baby."   "Ahhhh...to be 50 again."   "The best part of your life is not behind you, it is in front of you".   The 87 year old woman pulled me aside and told me the secret to a good, long life...is living.   These types of interactions, along with my own deep review of my life are showing me the relativity of time and age.  The two are not automatically connected.  There are some people that seem to disconnect their age...from time.   There are some young people that have a maturity that belies their youth.  There are some older people that seem to have tapped into the proverbial fountain of youth.      "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." Mark Twain     The common theme between the young and the young at heart?    They are focused, mission driven and living on purpose. Each day brings with it a drive to do something, see something and touch someone.    Want to add 10 years to your life and take 10 years off of your age?  Get focused, mission driven and live on purpose.  That is the key to...   Timeless Age.    Until tomorrow, I wish you Money, Power, Success!

Pride and Prejudice! part 2

Today is November 24, 2014...19 days from my 50th birthday on December 12th.  Happy Monday!    "You found it?" asked John Kanary snapping me back out of my memory.   "Yes, I did."   He didn't ask for a detailed explanation as he knew I had been enlightened.   In that flash of revelation, I realized there two things that impacted my character;   One was a deposit that built a surplus... the other was a withdrawal that created a deficit.    The Deposit -   When prejudice occurs, always pull the "race" card;   No, not that one...the "human race" card.  Thinking back on a repressed memory made me see how so many teachers took an interest in me and looked after me after that day (I am sure it was a topic in the teachers lounge).    One giving me a ride to and from Science Fairs as I reached the state level.  Another teacher encouraging me to write (so that is where this came from?), putting my writings in the State Capital for 1,000's of people to see.  After school projects, taking me on small group field trips and sleepovers at their homes with their kids.  Almost 25 years later, my three kids went to the same school for a while and they were known as "Brandon's kids" since many of the teachers were still there.   Random acts of support, kindness, and compassion?    Maybe.   I think it was more their way of fighting injustice.  Every injustice does not need a march or picket signs of disapproval. Most injustice is fought by individual acts of support, kindness and compassion.  The collective acts create their own "movement" and is the way most scales of justice are balanced, as is required by natural law -    "for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction".      The things that those sweet people put in me that have endured and helped me become successful, far outweigh the "damage" of the prejudice.  That day planted the seed of my faith in people.  It has grown and developed over the years.     There is something about the "quiet majority" that has ALWAYS undergirded my belief in people.    Sometimes, the ignorant ones just happen to be loudest.   As a result, I became a freedom fighter.  Making sure everyone gets a fair shake, that the playing field is level and that once the door of opportunity was opened that everyone will stand on their own merit.  No isms;   Favoritism, sexism, racism, classism, nepotism, or schism (look that one up!)...everyone will stand on their own.  That is justice and fairness and I have that in surplus. The withdrawal -   In my retrospection and introspection of that day I realized that I also lost something.  It was what John was trying to tell me when he said, "you probably fight harder for others than you do yourself".  He was right.   I lost the ability self-promote.   Make no mistake, I have a strong self-image and know my strengths and talents.  I know I have been given the God-given ability to help people and change their lives for the better.  However, I don't always push like I need to.  How many more people could I help and what kind of legacy can I leave if I impacted more people?   That required shameless self-promotion.  My mission statement is, "Helping millions achieve success...one at a time".   That day with John showed me that I had the "one at a time" part down pat and that it was time to self-promote and help the millions...don't worry, I am working on it!  I have almost cleared that deficit and can see turning the corner of surplus!   Most people have had similar experiences.  The good parts of you were forged in fire.  The fires that put virtue in us may have also taken something out of us.  Self-development is about recognizing the deficit and working toward putting it back in...getting our mojo back.    Restore what was taken in the fire...that is your right...when you fight to get it back, that is justice...   Until tomorrow, I wish you Money, Power, Success!