Be A Champion

Day 237 of Photo Inspirations -- BE A CHAMPION
I stumbled across an incredible article yesterday, “10 Actions to Make This Your Best Day Ever” by family friend and business associate, Tom Hopkins.  Tom is a legend in the sales industry, particularly because he has taught and coached on being successful in sales for many years.    So when he speaks, it’s really worthwhile to listen and put his wisdom to use.

We had just about every one of his sales trainings (then in cassette tape form).  When our daughter, Staci, was a part of the “Get Motivated” Seminars that traveled the U.S. giving great one-day trainings by renown and high profile people, we met Tom.  There was an immediate connection. Staci was belting out optimistic and motivating songs and speaking, and Tom asked if they could collaborate on a CD called “Be A Champion” (the name of his training seminars) that would be full of songs that she would write and record.  She did and she and Tom were the Executive Producers of the album.  That album was truly a blessing and big motivator to many.   Lots of folks told us they loved to work-out to the upbeat music and lyrics -- that it started their day with enthusiasm and energy.

I just thought you might find that FACTOID interesting, but this post is really about that article I read yesterday.  Those “10 Actions to Make This Your Best Day Ever” will certainly create the CHAMPION within us.  It brought a new perspective to my day.  I sincerely hope it does yours:

1. I will try to live and delight in the reality of being alive. My past is forever gone, my future an uncertainty, so I will be happy and thankful for each moment.
2. I will not allow negative input into my mind. Happiness is a choice, and I choose to be happy.
3. I will be thankful for my health, my loved ones, my business and my country. I will also be thankful for any pain in crisis that helps me grow personally and professionally.
4. I will take care of my body, realizing the importance of the words, moderation and balance—and how much easier it will be to control my will and my actions once I’m conscious of this.
5. I will treat everyone I meet today the way I would like to be treated. I want people to like themselves more when they’re with me.
6. I will avoid gossip, jealousy and negative thinking. Most people don’t think about what they think about. But today I will make a conscious effort to hold positive thoughts in my mind.
7. I will write down my priorities, thinking of my loved ones and my responsibilities. I might not get everything done, but I will do the most productive thing possible at every given moment.
8. I will strive to humble myself around others, controlling my ego and making other people feel important.
9. I will learn how to better serve people. I know my growth in all areas is in direct proportion to how I help, how I give back.
10. I will not take rejection personally. I realize they can only reject my ideas and not me. I will keep on keepin’ on.

Great food for thought and I'd say THAT food is not only good for the mind....but it's good for our bodies and spirits!  Go ahead BE A CHAMPION!

Train Up a Child -- It is Worth the Effort

For over 12 years, our daughter, Staci Wallace, travelled, sang and spoke at the "Get Motivated" seminars with Peter Lowe, Zig Ziglar, Tom Hopkins, and always on the guest speaker list were former presidents, prime ministers, professional athletes, and many other dignitaries. I don't share this to impress you, but it impresses me about the mightiness of God's orchestration of our lives.

My husband and I had planned on being at a conference in Maui, but something altered our plans, and since we had already paid for the conference, we insisted that our daughter take our place to just get strengthened, motivated and encouraged at a very vulnerable time in her life -- long before meeting her wonderful husband, Larry. Staci's Dad (my sweet husband) was her coach (better known as Sargeant Dad because he was relentless in pulling every ability, talent and gifting out of her -- when it came to her basketball playing, her singing, and her public speaking). And, I was relentless in being a Stage Mom -- entering her into vocal competitions, pageants and speaking opportunities. As she was about to leave for the trip to Maui, her Dad, as always, said, "Be prepared just in case they ask you to sing -- take your accompaniment tracks with you!" Which, she always did. And, sure enough, she was asked to sing at the event. She WAS prepared, and belted out a song in her usual passionate style. This time, Peter Lowe was at the back of the room and heard her. At the end of the session, he introduced himself to her and asked if she'd like to be a part of his "Get Motivated" events. And, that began a remarkable journey for both of us -- I was her travel companion, photographer, and product sales manager. It was a thrill, and joy -- on so many levels. We knew it was a divine set-up!

I shared this story with you to urge you to cultivate, embrace, celebrate, coach and nurture the giftings of your children and grandchildren. There is no greater gift or asset that God gives us than our children. God gives them to us and what we help them become.....is our gift back to God. It is worth every effort, every investment of time and resources, when we see them excel and become all God has destined them to be. At those "Get Motivated" events, Staci always opened the day with her "American Medley" song. Later Tom Hopkins asked her to record an album of motivational songs for his speaking tour, which included this song. The backdrop of the song was compelling photos, videos and scenes of our great country, the men and women who serve our country and those who have given their lives to give us the freedoms we have today. I gift this song and my precious daughter to you today in honor of this glorious land that we live in, the freedoms that we have, and the blessings of God to call this land our HOME on this side of heaven.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sZH8qGwqMk