2010 is here....and it's good to be home!

I will be returning to my normal job responsibilities in the next couple of weeks after spending the past 41/2 months on assignment up North. This week will be the first time I've worked in my home city in five months! It actually feels weird.

I need to develop a schedule and calendar to assist in my reentry to both work and home. I'm really excited about being back with my family throughout the week and seeing them in the evenings after school. I never realized how much I would miss this until not having it available. Family time is simply invaluable and should be cherished.

I happened to see an infomercial in the hotel on Tony Robbins, the great motivator. It was really good and I contemplated ordering the books. One of the key things he talked about was being an "agent of change" in your personal life. Go out and imagine the life you want to live, and make it happen. Take the risk, no regrets, no reservations......

I want to do this in 2010. It's "Now or Never". If I wait any longer, i'll find myself at an age where my options may be restricted.

I'm going to sign off now and return to watching the NFC and AFC championship games today. Super Bowl in two weeks. March Madness around the corner. Spring will soon be in the air.

Summertime thereafter. More good times and memories to create......

It sure is good to be home!

How time flies!

I've spent the past 4 months on an assignment 1500 miles away from home traveling to and from each week. Therefore, I have not had time to post anything or do much else outside of work. I'm home for about 48 hours and try to spend every minute with my family. My weekly travel time has afforded me plenty of opportunities to reflect on my priorities in life and therefore make some important decisions about my future plans.

I'm home for about two weeks during the holidays and we just celebrated Christmas. My brother and family arrive tomorrow which is very exciting for all of us. I'm going to try and spend as much time with my family as possible knowing that the airports and hotels are waiting for my return after the New Year.

This week's objective is to sit down and document my resolutions for 2010. This is an annual exercise for me that I relish. It usually sets the stage and cleans the slate for a great start to some introspection and personal improvement.

All should take time to reflect on 2009 and what they accomplished in the first decade of the 21st century. The past 10 years were unbelievable and full of both personal and social memories. 2001 with the World Trade Center tragedy, War in Afghanistan and the middle east, the second Great Depression, ENRON scandal, the first Black president of the United States, three great Olympics, the fall of Auto manufacturers Pontiac, Saturn, Oldsmobile. The sale of Hummer, and the rise of Korean companies, Kia and Hundai.

Too many historic events to list. We should all go out and look back at our personal accomplishments and list those. Mine would include, we moved from Dallas to Houston, all of my kids finished elementary school, received a promotion, bought our current home, survived two Hurricanes, bought two cars, went on numerous vacations, played thru multiple sports seasons as well as my daughter's dance and cheer, embraced the mobile culture with cell phones and now iphones and blackberries, experienced the loss of both of my parents, my wife is beating her cancer, i'm fighting age and all that goes with it, purchased a boat, took a ton of pictures of our life, and continue to pursue maximizing every minute of my life with God's help and daily reminders.

Oh yeah, launched this amateur website as a legacy and document for anyone to read and get inspired.

Happy Holidays and New Year!

Fall Colors in New Jersey.... and football season!

Well I've been very busy over the past two months with a work assignment that requires me to fly to New Jersey on Sundays and return home on Thursdays. It has been a great experience of many angles. Invaluable business knowledge, new relationships, travel proficiency, patience, and tradeoffs.

We often have to make decisions in life that involve tradeoffs. In my case, this would include my family time. This is very important to me and one I've not done well with in the past. I'm very close with my family and really cherish spending time with them. In our family I'm the breadwinner, father, husband, disciplinarian, leader, and anything else required.

My absence not only impacts my wife and kids, it also impacts me. Everyday I'm reminded of my roles and decisions in life. Not to mention my blessings.

We lived in the northeast for a while and were exposed to the beautiful fall colors of New England. Once you see them, they're hard to forget. It's been about 10 years and now I find myself right in the middle of them in the month of October. I even took a picture and emailed my wife. What a wonderful time of year to be in the northeast US. They serve as a reminder that nature and time move on and wait for no one. You have to make the best of what time you have or sit by and let it move on without you.

Football season started. One son broke his arm and will miss the season, the other made Varsity and is having a blast. Welcome to the tribulations of life and sports. You can learn fortitude, sacrifice, pain, and joy. Lessons we all should embrace in many forms.

That's all I have this month. Holiday season will start soon. We'll all begin to think about the end of the year and what we accomplished in 2009. It's been one hell of a ride. I hope everyone counts their blessings, appreciates what they have, hopes for the future, and lives like there's not tomorrow.

Hot August Nights!

Summer break is coming to an end. Kids due back in school on the 24th. Today's kids have longer school years with less summer time hoping for improvement in academics. I'm not sure I agree. I would prefer to see kids create more summer memories that they can have the rest of their lives as opposed to more time in the classroom. I'm probably partial since I love spending time with my kids and would love to have summers off with them.
It's been a hot summer and we've spent more time in the pool than we ever have.
The recession has inhibited our vacation plans but our time as a family has been great. We've rented a lot of movies from Blockbuster. They're having some financial challenges this year and may not make it. Netflix and Redbox have really hurt their business model. The home entertainment business will change forever after this year.

The economy is still hurting. Unemployment is around 10% and will not improve until next year if we're lucky. I pray that I can stay gainfully employed for my family and continue to be thankful for our blessings.

My daughter celebrated her 11th birthday on August 12th. She's growing up way too fast and I wish she would slow down. I know that's not realistic, but I miss her already even though she's not graduating in another 7 years.

Life is still moving too fast and I'm challenged in slowing it down and "smelling the flowers" on a daily basis. I focus in the morning, at lunch, and in the evening with clear thoughts and focus.
I've also found strength in some songs and videos that help remind me of our priorities.

Summer Movies 2009

Just a quick note on the summer movies in 2009. 

The sequel to Transformers came out and made a ton of money to very bad reviews.  Another move named Star Trek came out and shocked everyone as one of he best ever.  

The Hangover was one for the adults and one of the funniest movies I've ever seen.  

Harry Potter is coming out tonight at midnight and one of the most anticipated movies of the year.  

We recently rented the movie Knowing which was an apocalyptic movie about the end of time.  I enjoyed the plot but valued the hidden message about living each day like it's your last.  You never know when your time is up.  Don't waste time being negative, holding grudges, or being bitter.  If your time is up, how would you want to go?  What legacy will you leave today?  

Go out and make the changes as soon as possible.  

No regrets, no limits, no worries.......

July 2009 is going to always be remembered!

July 4th was fun as always. Parade, outside events with food and dance, friends gathering at the lake, fireworks, etc.....normal Independence Day celebrations.

Unfortunately July 2009 is also going to be remembered for the death of one of the greatest entertainers to walk the earth. Michael Jackson passed away. I will always remember where I was when I heard the news. Driving home from work and listening to a remote station where the DJ pulled the report of the newswire and wanted to be the first to announce it.

Although there will always be stories and news about his weird personal life and issues, I'm trying to only focus on his entertainment and contributions in that realm. He transformed the industry and amazed the world with his abilities. His songs will live on and his videos will always provide us with visual entertainment that is still unmatched. The cliche saying "always imitated but never duplicated" definitely applies to Michael Jackson.

He is on the same level as the great Elvis Presley. The King of Rock and Roll and the King of Pop.....

May he rest in peace.

Oh yeah, July in Texas has been the hottest I can remember. We continue to set heat records and see little rain or reprieve in the forecast.

Makes you wonder how much our abuse of the environment is contributing to the climate changes we're experiencing. I hope not. I want my children and future generations to enjoy this plante as much as I have and even more.

I still have to make a concious effort each day to maximize my life and appreciate what it has to offer. I also express my gratitude to my maker at least once a day for the blessings he gives.

Summertime

Wow, it's been about 2 months since I last posted.  I guess we've been too busy chasing kids.  So much for prioritizing this blog!  

School is out and summertime is here.  What a great feeling.  I get the same good vibes when school is out as I did when I too was young and attending school.  You wonder what's going to happen, where are you going to go on vacation, are you going to work, are you going to have a summer romance, are you going to the lake for some fishing, etc.....

Everywhere you go somebody is out, pools are packed, and the evening brings that cool breeze that just yearns for innocent mischief.  

The summer movie releases are always the best.  The other big plus is that there are three holidays, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.  

There's always a summer anthem that everyone likes and will remember for years to come.  

I attended my 25 year high school reunion last week.  It's one of those milestones you're glad to be able to attend since our health takes on a new priority with age.   Speaking with childhood friends is always fun and brings back fond memories of a time where responsibility was reserved for parents and teachers.  Working was a part time job with little expectations. We recognized each other's different appearances and yet appreciated the life lines are bodies and faces grew over time.  

We appreciate the wisdom, maturity, and family blessings we've been afforded but still yearn for those innocent feelings and experiences that shaped our memories.  

Summertime and youth go hand in hand, I only hope I will always have the opportunity to experience both. 

Spring Is In The Air

On April 1, 2009 I was fortunate to turn 43 years old.  Wow.  My identical twin shared in this endeavor as well.  Yes, we've heard all of the April Fool's jokes to last a lifetime but feel special to have our birthday on a day of comedic efforts.  

Here in Texas, the weather is starting to warm up and everything is turning green in preparation for the upcoming summer.  Easter fell on Sunday, April 12 this year.  The weather was beautiful.  The beautiful ladies and girls wore their spring or Easter dresses while the men wore whatever they thought was appropriate.  

Reviewing the story of Jesus is always a humbling experience.  His sacrifice for us is immeasurable.  His love eternal.  We are privileged to attend service at a church that is capable of sharing modern videos and songs of this special occasion.  The youth are more attentive while the story is even more captivating.  

I've prayed even more this year in light of our economic crisis.  It's comforting to have a close relationship with my maker.  When times get tough, we need him even more.  

Unfortunately, April 2009 also brought some concerning news for me on a personal level.  My blood pressure has been very high lately so I visited a cardiologist for a check up.  The news was not good.  I'm scheduled for a stress test next week that will hopefully assist the doctor in her assessment of my condition.  In the meantime, I've adjusted my diet, exercise program, and stress management.  

It's amazing how quickly you can make changes in your life when something is in jeopardy.  Just the thought of possibly not being there when my children get their driver's license, graduate from high school, college, marriage, kids, etc..... scares me to death.  

I've reached that time where I have to focus on my own health so I can take care of the ones I love the most.  I have to eat right, sleep enough, reduce stress, and exercise my body.  

I have to keep a vision of the future and what it's going to take to experience those special moments with my family.  I know my prayers will be answered and I'll be strengthened by his support.  I have plenty of motivation.  Each day I open my eyes and ears to hear the voices of angels and see examples of pure love.  Their names are Sherry, Jacob, Joshua, and Jessica.  My immediate family.  

We all just need to realize our blessings each day and appreciate the opportunities we have.   Enjoy our time.  Maximize our lifetimes while here.......

I plan on "springing" into spring and summer and on and on and on......I hope you do too.  

Positivity

It's now March in 2009. My two sons had birthdays on March 5 and 7th turning 13 and 16. Man they grow up fast. I now get to watch my oldest experience the freedom of driving while the other goes through puberty. Two milestones that I'm looking forward to.

Positivity is a word that blends the word "positive" and "activity" therefore resulting in a new word symbolizing positive action. I've been trying hard to make daily progress in sharing positive thoughts and being the light for those in need. Interesting enough, it's been working! I have actually noticed others doing the same and being more conscientious about their own demeanor in dealing with others.
The scary thing is to think if I'm able to do the same with my wife, kids, and friends, how much of a difference it would make? What if everyone did this? Would we have more peace? Happiness?

I'm trying to think of a way to share my thoughts and vision with the world. I know this blog is a small glimpse into my mind but I really need to focus an effort on changing people and possibly their lives as well. Could it be possible that such a small change in our paradigms have significant results?

I plan on sharing more details of the paradigm on my next post so come back soon. I'm headed to a domain name registrar to see if I can develop a new web site or just expand this one in regards to my vision.

Peace, love, and harmony.....isn't that from the seventies? Is that a song?
C ya soon.

2009 Brings Challenges and Opportunities

Ok, we're now living in the worst economic times since the Great Depression. January saw 100,000 people lose their jobs in the USA. Companies are closing everyday or announcing huge layoffs of thousands of employees. People can't afford homes or cars while everyone is cutting back on expenses and clipping coupons.
Our new president is Barack Obama, the first African American President of the United States. He is faced with the greatest economic challenge since Hoover.
The government is trying to pass a stimulus package of 850 billion dollars to help the economy and prevent another depression. The auto industry is on the verge of bankruptcy while the banking industry had to take advantage of a bailout.

I'll celebrate my 25 year reunion with my High School classmates this year. Everyone is on the Facebook craze and posting messages everyday. Social networking may never be the same.

My family lost a loved one today. Kelly, our cat, passed away peacefully after spending 23 years with us. Thats right. 23 years.
I never thought when I found her my sophomore year in college that she would be around until my kids were 15, 13, and 10. What an unbelievable gift from god.
She gave us so many memories that we'll never forget. We're going to miss her but know she's always with us in spirit.

Many people are anxious and scared right now. I have to admit I think about it everyday but choose to look for the blessings in my life. My family, pets, assets, resources, relationships, etc....

2009 is going to be a ride and I'm glad I get to be on it.

Happy New Year! and on to 2009.....

Another calendar year has passed and is now in the history books and our memories. So what will you remember about 2008? Good times? Bad?
Can you actually remember all the events? I think a good exercise to help us chronicle our life's events is to keep track of our good and bad experiences as they happen in the year. Why would we want to do this?
I believe we should appreciate our blessings and seize the opportunities to learn from mistakes and tragedies. Both of these actions will better prepare us for what life has to offer going forward and hopefully tilt the scales more towards good memories than bad.

Please take the time to take stock in your life as we end 2008. What do you want to accomplish in 2009? What do you want to experience? Make a list? Put them on your calendar and to do list on a weekly or monthly basis. Write down your commitment and hold yourself accountable for accomplishments.

We would all have very fulfilling lives if we simply go out and do what we want to do....
Our biggest challenge is deciding what we want to do......

Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays?

Did you say Happy Holidays?  

Ok, we're now in the worst recession since the Great Depression.  Unemployment is the highest in over 25 years, the big three automakers are on the verge of bankruptcy and need to borrow money from the government to survive, numerous financial companies have died while others borrowed money from the government, foreclosures are the highest on record, companies are laying off thousands of people daily, the dollar is now the weakest it's every been as a currency.  Did you say Happy Holidays? 

So how on earth can we begin to be happy beings living in America?  How can we possibly feel confident in our futures?  How are we supposed to feel when everything we see, read, and hear is about negativity?  How are we supposed to enjoy the holiday season amidst such turmoil?

The message I've been sharing with everyone I speak with is to count your daily blessings.  Did you open your eyes this morning?  Were you able to get out of bed and walk around your home?  Are you able to eat some food everyday?  Do you have a car to drive?  TV to watch? Roof over your head?  Friends or family members?  Clothes to wear?  Someone to love? Someone that loves you?  Someone that cares about you?  A pet that depends on you?  

I try to remind everyone how blessed we are yet we fail to realize it.  We seem to get caught up in the drama, media, and chicken little syndrome. (the sky is falling)

Everyone needs to find their center, peace, strength, and calm during storms.  This may be a relationship with our maker, music to listen to, books to read, friends or family to speak with, or just silence.    Try to recognize your blessings each and every day and be grateful at the end of each one when you close your eyes to sleep and awaken to another one.  

Let's bring 2008 to an end and launch 2009 like a rocket.  End one with appreciation and grace and launch the other with hope and courage. 

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all.  

Presidential History and our future......

This week on November 4th, the United States nominated the first African American for president. Many in the world celebrated this moment as an indication that we finally moved beyond our history and evolved into a colorless society. Nations and countries were excited thinking that our country's elitist paradigm would dissolve and they would receive benefits from the United States.

The popular vote was close. I'm both excited and nervous about our new president. Will he make history by leading out of the worst economy on record since the Great Depression? Or will he falter by implementing radical changes that have never been tested on such a large scale?
Will other nations and countries receive too much charity at the expense of our own?
Will we embrace socialist programs that negatively impact the fabric of our democratic foundations and a capitalism?

I hope our new president takes us where he says he can. A better economy, country, world leader, and society. At the end of the day, people care about themselves first. We have to. We want to experience good days every day. We want to hear and read about good things in our media. We thrive on positive energy. We want to end our days each day with a sense of accomplishment and pride.
If our new president can provide this, there's not telling what our country can accomplish and evolve into.

So for all of us, I congratulate President Obama and wish him the best with his new role and responsibilities.

Youtube link to Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk


Youtube link to President Obama's victory speech.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrXkBuWNx88&feature=related

Fall, Football, Halloween, Holidays.....

Well, it's beautiful October and the seasons are changing for the better.  Crisp cool air combined with the arrival of football season, Halloween, and Holiday season can only bring good times.  

I was thinking why it's been so challenging for me to blog as frequent as I used to.  Yes, my schedule is very busy but I think it's simply due to poor time management.   

As conscious as I am about enjoying every moment, even I fall prey to complacency regarding prioritizing my time.  

I need to develop a system that will help both me as well as the millions of others who simply let time go by.....

I'm not sure if we need a visual reminder like a bracelet to wear?  How about a watch with special features?  What about a system that calls or emails us every day with reminders?  How about all three?  

My boys are playing football and having great seasons this year.  I video their games and post highlight clips on Youtube for my brother and his family to watch from a far.  They live in San Francisco.  My daughter is cheerleading and just growing up too fast.  In this regard, I want time to slow down or just stand still and keep her 10 years old forever.  She loves to spend time with her daddy and is a daddy's girl.  How much longer will that last?  

My wife has convinced me to have a haunted house for Halloween this year.  We've done this for about 8 years now and it's a lot of work, especially for about three hours of fun.  

I do it for my kids and must admit I like the fact that the neighborhood and community look forward to our efforts to provide something fun for the kids to do that night.  

The economy is the worst since the Great Depression and everyday brings bad news.  We're trying to elect a new president.  Both candidates have drawbacks and are really not worthy of the oval office but we have to pick one of the two.   I'm worried about the Democratic candidate winning on charisma and charm.  He doesn't really seem to have much substance and some of his ideas are very socialist and scary.  The Republican candidate is too much like our current President and supports the policies and paradigm that put us in today's economic mess.....so he's scary from the standpoint that we won't change and improve either.  

All of this bad news is tainting the upcoming holiday season and the forecasts for toys and good cheer.  Unemployment is high and growing by the day.  People are worried about their incomes, retirements funds, job security, etc.....

They think things will improve in another year.  The question is whether or not we can wait that long.  

I can only hope our kids aren't permanently scarred due to some economic crisis that negatively impacts their qualities of life.  I know that sounds protective but why shouldn't we be concerned about that?  I don't mind educating my kids on sound economics and reality but not to the point that they worry about their existence.  

OK, that's enough for this blog.  I plan on improving my time management and getting back to a more frequent posting schedule.  

Don't forget to go to my Youtube links.  If anything, they're entertaining and help pass the time. One day my kids will find this and I hope gain an insight to my love of life, my love of them since they are my life, and my wife's importance to my existence.  

Thanks for reading. 

Natural Disasters in Texas

Sorry for the absence....
At the end of August, Hurricane Gustav decided to scare the Gulf coast of Texas and then hit Louisiana. Texas was spared a direct hit and fortunately, I seized the opportunity to purchase some Hurricane items like bottled water, 5 gallon gas cans, crank radio and light, some batteries, and a generator.
Once we were cleared from danger, I contemplated returning the items hoping they we wouldn't be needed.
Unfortunately, on September 12, Hurricane Ike hit the Texas Gulf coast as a category three storm and heavily damaged the City of Houston and Galveston like never before. The items I purchased would eventually be invaluable to my family.
We were without power for 13 days. My family was able to have AC, TV and DVD player, refrigerator, some lamps, and ability to wash clothes.
I look like a hero to my family and our new Hurricane kit will always be ready if we ever need it.
We managed to learn a lot from this disaster.
Our reliance on power and energy is critical to our creature comforts in modern society. Stores couldn't open. Gas was unavailable. Traffic lights were dead. It was as if the world had entered a chaotic era with no end in sight.
Trying to imagine the conditions of developing countries is almost impossible in a civilized and superpower country. We take so much for granted.
On a good note, our family was able to spend a lot of time together without distractions and get back to some basics: reading, drawing, playing outside, etc.....
Many people did not have the amenities we had and really suffered through the storm. I put together some relief packages and distributed them to some of my employees on the southeast side of town which was the hardest hit in hopes of providing some relief to their pain.

In the end, the city will rebuild. Material items will be replaced. Lives will be redefined. Some families lost lives and will never be the same. We pray for God's compassion and strength in their lives.

Once again, we're reminded of our mortality, what's really important, and the value of each and every day.

The Bucket List

I mentioned this movie in an earlier post and finally got to see it. I now own the DVD and downloaded it to my iphone to watch at my convenience. Needless to say, I love the movie. It's everything you'd expect from two great actors, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, and then some.
I know many will think it's cliche and predictable, but I appreciate the expression and characterization of how we forget to live until we know we're out of time.
I would say that everyone should watch this movie once a month to remind them to go out everyday and live the life they want.
I'm going to add a link to the video of John Mayer's song "Say" from the movie to my favorite links section.

This could be the best movie that expresses what a "Lifetimer" stands for.

Have a great day!

Kids Sports Memories

Well it's been a while since I've had time to post. My son's baseball team that I coach ended up winning every tournament for the past 5 weeks and played in the Eastern US Pony Championship Game down in Tampa, Florida.
Although my kids' activities require a lot of our time, we couldn't imagine it any other way. The lessons and memories they experience will last a lifetime.
As I've said before, I only have so much time to actively participate in their lives and I don't want to miss a thing.

The Olympics started last week and we've been mesmerized with the majestic ism of China and the games.
Unfortunately, during the same time, Russia and Georgia went to war putting a strain on Russian/US relations. Both sides are now jockeying for political positions and declaring a return to the Cold War days.....

Amazing sequence of events. The opening ceremonies of the Olympics always seems to bring the world together with a common endeavor of athletics. It reminds us of our shared interests and smiles.
In the blink of an eye, two countries can decide to engage in the primitive act of war and argue over territorial rights while killing innocent people and children.

I'm reminded of the quest for world peace and how even though we seem to get closer every year, we then take two steps back.
I wonder if this endless chaos and strife are essential particles of our universe. Good/Bad, Black/White, Life/Death, God/Devil, etc........

Are we doomed and burdened with eternal conflict? Will we ever experience an extended period of time of peace and joy? If so, what would it look like? What would happen? What could the planet accomplish? Would we then know what Utopia is?

My other thought is that we are not burdened with the negative yings and yangs but rather with the perpetual pursuit of this Utopia.
Maybe our creator knew better and felt we would accomplish even more in the endless pursuit of perfection without the possibility of achievement than with the spoils of our efforts.

Summer is such a great time. The kids are out of school, we're enjoying the outdoor activities, and loathing the beginning of school. It reminds me of our inherent appreciation for quality time, enjoyment, and leisure activities. Those times without responsibilities, deadlines, schedules, etc.....

Again, we need to do everything possible to enjoy every minute of every day.

Vacations and Family

I recently took a vacation with my wife and kids. We decided to visit a resort in Texas where we would spend quality time with each other in lieu of one that was based on amusement and entertainment like Disneyworld. Don't get me wrong, we love Disneyworld and going there.
I just thought we needed some time together. My three kids are so active that like most families, we spend our days going from one activity to another for each of them without much time for the family unit as a whole.
This vacation was meant to isolate us and not have to worry about commitments or distractions. My cell phone and laptop could not maintain a signal so work was put on "hold".

I love Austin, Texas. I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and lived there for about 5 years. The first day included a visit to one of it's more popular summer attractions. Barton Springs.
My wife and kids spent some time in the cold natural waters while I took pictures from the surrounding mounds. We drove around campus and shared some memories with the kids so they would always have an understanding of our pre-family times and our youth.
The rest of our visit included a lazy river, movies by the pool side, horseback riding, and river rafting. We had a great time.

I think we all should take a time out and eliminate distractions from our core. There is nothing more important than our relationships. Too often we ignore this in the pursuit of what we perceive to be important.
Reach out to your loved ones and reconnect. Spend quality time with them. If you have kids or a significant other with reservations, MAKE them do it. You will not regret it.

Take Time to Make a Relaxation List

I'm sure we've all heard this one in passing but have you ever sat down and tried to compile a list of things that help you relax?  You should.  Summer is here and you may find between the economic woes and price of gas, you may need some relaxation.  The best news is that you may not even have to leave your house.....

I'll list some activities that sound great to me and hopefully inspire you as well.  Try some of these ideas to rejuvenate your body, renew your mind and refresh your spirit. 

Reread a favorite book

Visit a nearby park

Spend an afternoon at the public library

Help out a stranger

Try a new food

Take a nap

Enroll in a class

Do something you've always wanted to do

Contact someone you've been thinking of or miss

Sing in the shower

Walk in the rain

Give something away

Spend 15 minutes playing with your pet

Call a friend

Treat someone to lunch and linger over good conversation

Take a walk or ride a bicycle

Look at the stars

Browse through an antique store

Organize a small corner of your life

Pop some popcorn and rent a movie

Turn off the TV and talk to someone

Draw a picture

Bake something

Send a card to someone for no reason

Clean out your wallet or purse

Look at old photographs

Walk barefoot in the grass or yard

Visit a lonely person

Encourage a young person

Go for a swim

Start a new project

Volunteer some time to a good cause

Fly a kite

Have a picnic with a special person

Spend time with people who like to laugh

Have breakfast in bed

Take a different route home from work

Watch the sun set

Teach yourself something new

Throw a party for no reason

Get a spa treatment, massage or facial

Go on a spontaneous day trip with no preplanned  destination

Fix something that's been broken

Meet someone new

Ride a horse

Play a game

Listen to your favorite music

Dance like nobody is watching

Count your blessings

Last but not least, take a mini vacation without going anywhere.  Sit in your chair, relax, close your eyes. Take a deep breath in and exhale slowly. Repeat as you think about your favorite place, the beach, woods, mountaintop, under a shade tree, wherever you like to go to escape from it all with friends and family.  Consider the sights, sounds, smells and things you feel in that place.  Let your mind dwell there a re minutes.  Smile.  Then take another deep breath and open your eyes to return to your routine. 

I'm sure you can think of other things to do that really touch your soul.  The key is to identify them and DO THEM! 

Whether you choose to travel across the world or stay in your backyard, make the most of your time, resources, and opportunities God has provided. 

Vegas Baby!

I was fortunate enough to go to Las Vegas this week for a business trip.  It was my first visit and I didn't know what to expect.  

I only knew that I wanted to really take advantage of the opportunity and see as much as I could in the short time I had.  

All I can say is WOW!  I really think ever adult should take the time to visit Las Vegas.  I'm not a gambler so my enjoyment wasn't about money.  It centered around the amenities and atmosphere. 

I stayed at the Bellagio hotel which was absolutely gorgeous.  The architecture is unbelievable. You really believe you're staying in a European setting.  I know the hotels in Vegas have a diverse range of amenities and pricing, but you have to really appreciate the fact that the 13 largest hotels in the world are located on the strip.  So regardless of your price range, there's something for everyone. 

As I toured the strip, I enjoyed the people and structures.  Everyone seemed to be in a festive yet adventurous mood.  There's not many places in the world where adults can go and literally dress however they want, tour incredible buildings that replicate various themes from history and the world, and be entertained by musicians, acrobats, magicians, entertainers, or dancers.  

Did I mention that almost all the venues are open 24 hours?  

So my recommendation for everyone is to visit Las Vegas at least once.  You only need three days to really have a great time.  Visit online resources and develop an agenda or itinerary.  

Outside options also include a visit to the Hoover Damn or Grand Canyon.  

I will definitely go back and take my wife.  I plan on seeing multiple shows, touring the hotels, and relaxing by the pool during the day.  

One last thing, the theme "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" is appropriate for adults. 

You can dress, act, and experience in ways you only imagined.... and make memories for a lifetime.