By the time you read this, our family will be off on a much deserved (and needed) break to Grandmother’s House for Thanksgiving dinner and extended weekend at the Biltmore House. I’m sure we crossed a number of rivers, but the woods have been plowed down to make way for an interstate highway so we can get there faster.

If you’ve ever studied the history of Thanksgiving – you know it’s far more than what we were taught in school as children. The tradition actually came from across the Atlantic and was more of a religious ceremony with days of fasting to signify difficult or pivotal moments and days of feasting and celebration to thank God in times of plenty. The fasting part was dumped overboard when it came across the Atlantic and transformed to signify a celebration and thankfulness of the year end harvest.

This years harvest for our family has been extremely plentiful. I took over and resurrected a large territory and business back in August that’s already deposited over $60K into our business account in less than 4 months. One third of that has been paid out in weekly compensation to individuals who haven’t seen checks this large in years. While everyone is busting tail (especially now with the holiday season upon us) it’s been a ton of fun, and extremely rewarding to realize that this business has produced these kind of profits.

And for record, to those who don’t understand business or financial numbers who troll this blog looking for fodder. The “decimal point” that you weren’t sure about back in August, needs to be replaced with a “comma” one digit to the left. When business people talk “six figures” or use the shorthand “K”, it represents thousands with a comma not a decimal point.

Just sayin…

Anywho…I once heard a joke that I’d like to share today that I think is relevant to today’s Thanksgiving Harvest and it goes something like this:

A man visits an old farmers garden, and he observes, “The Lord certainly has blessed you with a beautiful garden.”

The farmer replies, “Yes, but you should have seen it before I got here and God had it all to himself.”

The moral here is we have to put forth some effort and input energy ourselves to enjoy the harvest. The garden our family enjoyed this summer never would have been if I didn’t take the time to plant the seed, water it on a regular basis, and protect it from the weeds that would choke the life out of it.

The same goes for business.

A territory and business that was neglected and frankly on the verge of being shut down was given new life and now thriving. Not only did we bring a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial mindset to the table, all the marketing tools and promotional avenues I’ve been using for years in our MLM and travel business have exceeded all expectations.

It’s the same territory, and the same business. The only difference is the caretaker who not only knows how to cultivate, plant, and harvest – but actually executes a plan of action.

Far too many people blame the economy, the company, or the business model for an under performing harvest. What most don’t realize is that the missing ingredient to produce fruit is you.

That’s a tough pill to swallow – especially when the harvest isn’t what you want it to be.

Like any house plant that you don’t water, feed or pay any attention to, when left neglected without any action by you – it will wither away and eventually die.

With the new year coming up upon us, it’s time to start thinking and honestly planning how to make next years harvest even better than this year. Never settle – even if you’re like us and could have more than you could ever hope for. A great place to start is an attitude of gratitude for what you already have. Gratitude and thankfulness for “what is” right now is probably the single most important step you can take to make this journey we call life even better.

That’s easy to do on a day like today. The trick is carrying it over and spilling it into every day – every hour – every moment of your life. Come to think of it – it’s so important that it should be the number one item on your 2012 goal list that we always start working on this time of year.

#1 – Be thankful – have a constant attitude of gratitude.

That line item has moved up the list each and every year for the last couple of years. And I can’t think of a single solitary thing we’ve done that’s made a bigger impact to our current success and bountiful harvest that we’re currently enjoying.

Be thankful – for the good times and even the bad times. While the good times are obvious and easy to do – it’s the bad times that develop strength and help you grow.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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It’s been almost two months since the kids got out of school for the summer. Riding bikes, swimming at the pool, the water park, and hanging out with friends playing Xbox has turned into a very dull routine by this point of the summer. Our last week away as a family is upon us.

Then the kids will spend a week at the Grandparents (and a week for just Ronda and I) and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

By the time we all get together again as a family unit it will be the beginning of August. The start of a new school year will be only one week away. I’ve been living here in the Atlanta area for almost 20 years and I’m still not use to these schools starting so early. Call me old fashioned, but school runs from Labor Day to Memorial Day – that’s how it was growing up, and overall, I turned out okay.

I really don’t have any plans to post anything leading up to the Convention this summer, now just 9 days away. Afterward, there will certainly be plenty to write about – and from what I’m hearing of what we can expect to see and hear in St. Louis – I’m looking forward to a bunch of articles in a very familiar format.

You can be assured that the newsletters will be in your inbox each of the next two Sundays for pre and post-convention updates and announcements. But this blog for at least the next week and a half will be fairly quiet.

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Hope you had an enjoyable extended weekend. I love this time of year. Summer is officially in full swing with school out, the pool in, and plenty of grilling.

While we aren’t really going anywhere this week, I’m going to spend some time with the family during this short week here at home. We’re also getting the outside of the house painted and while I won’t be doing the painting, (I don’t do ladders) I do need to purchase and install several projects for the outside of the house.

I’ll need to get back to it next week being there’s a Sandals sale coming up next week with YTB Travel Network. (More on that next week.)

In the meantime, the kids and I have plans to do a little swimming, and try to sneak in some time for crafts for Ronda’s birthday next week in the midst of everything else that’s going on.

Have a great week!

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I know all about the stereotype that guys typically don’t remember their anniversary.

Well…most guys don’t have a wife like mine.

Today, Ronda and I celebrate our 14 year wedding anniversary, and I wouldn’t trade her, or a second of our life together for anything in the world.

Growing up, I always had this image in my head of what marriage was like. Probably the most important quality I was looking for came from my own parents who will celebrate their 50th anniversary in just a couple of years.

See, the meaning of marriage actually has something of value to us. We made vows to each other to love, honor, and cherish each other – till death do us part. Granted, we’re both human, and there have been times in the last 14 years when we don’t show as much love as we should. But the fundamental commitment we made to each other is important to us because of our core values as individuals. Our vows are more than just words, and something we honor because of who we are.

Over the last year, and more so over the last few months, we’ve gotten much closer as a couple. My soul mate has always been supportive of my dreams and desires. Lately, I’ve been able to support her in her passion for singing and goals that she has as an individual. Watching her go after this has been a wonderful experience because I know it’s what truly in her heart. She’s blossomed all over again, and I’ve fallen even more in love with her because of it.

While her singing hasn’t worked out exactly the way she’s planned, her new assertiveness and gut instinct has her on the cusp of a truly tremendous opportunity that has literally fallen right into her lap. (It’s not a done deal just yet, but everything is lining up smoother than silk.)

Just as she’s been supportive of me throughout our marriage in my dreams and desires – I’ve actually learned from her what type of support she needs to be truly happy and fulfilled. People love the way they want to be loved themselves. It’s our most natural state – and if you think about it, it makes perfect sense.

I couldn’t be happier to support her in this way because I couldn’t be more honored to have this beautiful, caring, intelligent, and supportive babe as my wife. She’s always been everything I’ve ever dreamed of – even now. If I had to do it all over again, I can’t think of a better, more loving and supportive person to do it with.

She’s my fantasy, my soul mate, my dream come true. I couldn’t be more honored to call this woman my wife.

Princess. Thank you for the most wonderful time of my life. It includes more than just our marriage, because I loved you even before our first date. (And it was the best first date of my entire life.) You’re my best friend, my soul mate, the woman of my dreams – and I can’t thank you enough for being who you are as a wife, a mother, and a friend.

I’ve never been more optimistic about our future together because of what we’ve experienced in our past. You’ve shown me time and time again how special you really are – and I love you more this moment than the day we both said “I do” and meant it. You my love truly are my “permanent wife”.

I can’t thank you enough. I love you! Happy Anniversary!

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I love this time of year. Of course here in Atlanta everything outside turns this lime green color from all the pollen in the air. I’ve been living here since 1992 and still not use to seeing such thick pollen you actually see it on everything.

It’s a big week this week and I’ll be taking some time off, but still wanted to write something this week.

Today happens to be my birthday, and I’m hoping that nobody catches on that I’ve been celebrating 29 for who knows how long. We’ll do our traditional Publix birthday cake (a birthday isn’t a birthday without a Publix birthday cake!) and head on over to Provino’s Italian Restaurant for dinner tonight with the family where your birthday dinner is free! (Whoo Hooo!)

The kids also have the week off for Spring Break and we have some special events planned with them. Other than storms coming in Tuesday night the weather should be absolutely perfect this week!

The kids also want to ride around this week in “the coolest car ever”. We have a new (used) convertible as part of the family. A Chrysler Sebring JXi, which is just the ticket after a rough couple of weeks with only one car. Yours truly totaled our 300M a couple weeks ago after plowing into a deer in the middle of I-85.

Ideally, we were going after a hybrid and that’s still in the cards, just at a later date. We’ll tackle a new hybrid later this year when the budget allows for it and the down payment is where we want it. The leading candidate right now is the Ford Escape Hybrid, which we owned once before. (Although a hybrid wasn’t even an option back then.)

And we can’t forget that it’s Masters Week. Won’t be going to a practice round or Tournament Round this year and I’m due. Still have the connections – but like the last couple of years, it sneaks up on me. Practice rounds to me are the way to see this course. Just more laid back and you don’t have to worry about missing “the shot” while watching in Hi-Def at home. I’ll never forget the first year I went probably 10 years ago now. Augusta National is absolutely pristine and hallowed ground. Once you’ve been there, it changes the entire view of the course on television.

All Masters shirts are pressed and ready to be worn this week. (The only time of year I really ever wear them.)

Before I close, I wanted to add a special congratulations to Melissa Boston, YTB/ZamZuu’s newest Circle of Champions Director. For those of you in YTB – you know what that means in regards to earnings. We’ve known Melissa for some time and she’s one of the most dynamic speakers and presenters we’ve seen in any company, let alone YTB. Smart business woman too. She surrounded herself with other smart business minds and worked steadily to achieve her goal. We couldn’t be happier for her.

We couldn’t be happier for the company either. By Melissa reaching the Circle of Champions at this point in time, it’s a clear sign that the the company is growing and could signal other top level Directors who will move into this level of achievement. (That should rattle some cages, huh?)

Here’s one last point before heading out to enjoy my week.

Name me one other business model where a Representative of the company can earn more than the CEO, Founders or other Top Executives? Name me one other company where someone can earn more than the people above them period. Doesn’t happen in any other business than Network Marketing folks. You can talk all you want about the theories you’ve heard, average everything out like some Socialist society all you want. The reality of it is, folks like Melissa Boston do happen. That’s real world – not some trumped up fear mongering line of BS.

But alas – much like the fact that there has never been a single example of any MLM or Networking company running out of “suckers” – this myth about all the poeple at the top making all the money will undoubtedly live on. You have a choice you know. You could follow dumb schmucks who’ve never had an ounce of experience in the industry – or take a tip or two from people who not only know the truth, but aren’t intimidated one bit by it.

Enjoy your week! (We will!)

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Our family is enjoying the winter break together. Everyone in the family loves this time of year. We all get into the spirit of Christmas. It starts the weekend before Thanksgiving when we decorate the house with lights and a tree. We’re always the first in the neighborhood to have Christmas lights up – it gives us more time to enjoy other lights. We’ve spent part of the week cruising neighborhoods to look at lights. We do it every year – and while there are favorite neighborhoods, we always find new displays to gaze at.

Our youngest asked the question if Christmas was celebrated around the world. We had a very simple “yes” for him while enjoying the lights. When we got home however, we found the perfect e-mail that was forwarded to us that helped illustrate an answer to his question.

Our youngest suggested that we put up a copy on “Daddy’s Blog” so everyone can see. We were only to happy to oblige, and it gave the two of us some quality time together as we learned where each location was on “Google Maps”. We’re not sure when or where this piece originated, and you can find several copies on the internet.

Enjoy!

The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington, D.C., is decorated with 3,000 ornaments that are the handiwork of U.S. schoolchildren. Encircling evergreens in the ‘Pathway of Peace’ represent the 50 U.S. states.

Merry Christmas!

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We have a tradition in our house that Christmas comes out the weekend before Thanksgiving. Often, we travel this week spending time with one set of Grandparents for Thanksgiving, and the other set during Christmas.

This year, we have the luxury of hosting both sets of Grandparents at our house for the holiday. Making this the first year in quite a while that we’ll be able to enjoy our own home decorated with Holiday spirit this Thanksgiving.

And not to be forgotten or outdone – since we’re the only house in the family with a wide screen and Hi-Def to watch Football – It’s about time! ;-P

Personally, we have a lot to be thankful for this year. It’s really been a banner year for our family. We owe much of it to the tools provided to us through YTB and ZamZuu and the people who have befriended and mentored us over the years.

For us, this business is so much more than just recruiting, or even travel or retail sales. It’s about helping others to be more independent – be self-thinking – a self-starter. It’s the first company and model that truly gave us the tools and the power to succeed and the only model that empowers us to help others.

This experience has also given us self-confidence and elevated our self-worth sky high. What was once looked upon with doubt and negative self-talk – now brings opportunities that we welcome with open arms and anticipation because we know that anything is possible.

Our eyes have been opened, and our mind is receptive to a whole new world of thinking and doing. It’s always been there, we’ve always held it within us. YTB was the key we were looking for that opened the door and let in the light.

It hasn’t always been easy, and it hasn’t always been pleasant. The challenges that come along have made us stronger and more determined. We stand proud for what we believe in and we don’t let anyone or anything stand in our way.

While Thanksgiving gives us a day to be thankful, we live in a feeling of gratitude moment by moment. No matter how big – or how small – our daily gratitude for all things provides a constant and steady flow of new possibilities and opportunities. Both good and bad experiences teach us and help us grow. We’re well seasoned and groomed – and the only thing that can stop us is ourselves.

Spend some time this Thanksgiving thinking about what you’re grateful for. We’d even suggest that you write it down. (We do every day.) There’s something powerful about putting it down on paper.

It makes no difference how big or small. It’s the attitude of gratitude that will attract more and more of what you can be grateful for.

Then carry that feeling with you throughout the holiday season over the next four or five weeks. Do that – and it becomes habit.

You’ll marvel at how you have a reason for Thanksgiving each and every day.

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