Monday's Warm Cocoa, 30 December 2024, "Pajama Train"

Riding the “Pajama Train” with Santa Claus

Pajama Train

The Johnsons were rushing to catch the Holiday Pajama Train. Their hurry seemed to be a representation of the holiday season.

“One of us would not get his pajamas on so we could get here on time,” Kilee Johnson said, while sharing her getting-readying-challenge with her most energetic and youngest son. “But we’re here and everything is all right.”

With that being said the five Johnsons began to walk up the ramp to board the Arkansas Missouri Pajama Train with Santa Claus. The family, along with the other riders, were all dressed in their Christmas Pajamas.  And, the Johnsons walked onto the train in their new, matching Christmas PJs, where Jeff, the train’s conductor welcomed them warmly.

Jeff was in his festive-enhanced conductor’s uniform. He wore a red Santa hat, trimmed in white faux fur. His tie was a caricature of Santa, diving head-first into a frosted top, red brick chimney. He even had gingerbread men neatly tucked into each side of the hatband. The red, green and white embellishments stood out brightly against his black suit and white shirt. He was perfectly matched with the waiting Santa Clause, who walked up to greet the family almost as soon as they took their seats on the soon-to-depart train.

As the train began to ease out of the station Santa walked up and down the aisles of each car greeting everyone personally. He also handed crayons and coloring pages out to the pajama-clad-children, so they could add color to this holiday memory. Jeff followed Santa closely while handing out music sheets. So, the train was soon purring along with caroling; the tracks clicking to keep time.

Oh’s could be heard between the verses of song, as the children looked out of the train’s windows at the passing scenery. They pointed to community decorations and enjoyed nature’s beauty. It was as if the world had stopped, allowing the merrymakers to breathe joy into their lungs and hearts.

“What does Rudolph’s nose do?” Jeff asked, as he came into each carriage to recite Christmas trivia questions and hand-out small, sweet prizes to those answering his questions correctly, before the train pulled back into the station.

“Everyone please sit down as we pull into the station,” Jeff announced all too soon. “We don’t want anyone to fall down as we’re coming to a stop.”

And, as the train stopped, the joyful experience did not end. The now comfortable and Christmas-Spirit infused passengers began gliding off the train. In the end, the Johnsons and their fellow passengers were no longer rushing through their holiday season. They were relishing it. Hurry was no longer representing their season.

Christmas joy was now the track they were riding. After all, they had taken the pajama train to leave the feeling of bustle and stress behind.

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c2Ma9iKHAj7HZ3lb6mKIvI_0UEh2KbQY/view?usp=sharing

Monday's Warm Cocoa, 23 December 2024, "Spot-check"

“Sometimes the pain is just too much.” – Christie Davenport

Spot-check

It was a joyous occasion. There was food, drink and smiles on every face. But two. 

Those two walked into the room, separately, greeted a few people and pasted an obligatory smile on faces that showed strain in every other expression. All seemed just fine on the surface for a casual observer. So-much-so that others, attending the social, continued to swim around the room without giving a thought to little, other than celebration of friendship and cheer.

The music of joy was adding to the ambiance of merriment, yet it did nothing to ease disquiet whispering to my heart. Perhaps, it was because I recognized the look on those faces. Seeing them was like viewing a five-o’clock-shadow. A shadow causing me to the scan the room for a spot-check on the two friends.

After looking hard, I located one of them standing alone near the Christmas Tree in a quiet corner of the room. I swam through the crowd seeking to have a conversation with her.

“You can’t hide back here,” I started.

She laughed. “I had a hard day.”

She told me of a day filled with anxiety, misfortune and unforeseen events. Her tale was one I identified with. As a result, there was an undeniable connection between the day’s events and my own experience. Sharing this connection allowed a genuine smile to ease across her face for the first time during the evening. Our discovered nexus allowed me to glide toward my other friend with a lighter heart, one more attuned with the purpose of the evening. 

I caught sight of her moving toward the exit. Her face clouded.

“You’re leaving?” I asked.

“Yes. Standing here is painful for me. My lower back is shooting pain down my legs,” she responded.

“I wish I didn’t understand,” I replied with heart-felt empathy.

There was a brief glimpse of appreciation on her face.

“Sometimes the pain is just too much,” Christie, said in an almost whisper, with an understanding smile.

“Yes. It does,” I said, speaking of shared pain.

It was a joyous occasion. There was food, drink and smiles on every face. But two. 

Those two walked into the room, separately, greeted a few people and pasted an obligatory smile on faces that showed strain in every other expression. All seemed just fine on the surface for a casual observer. So-much-so that the others attending the social continued to swim around the room without giving a thought to little other than celebration of cheer.

At the same time, sharing an empathetic moment with two dear friends allowed the celebration of a deeper moment in friendship.

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c2Ma9iKHAj7HZ3lb6mKIvI_0UEh2KbQY/view?usp=sharing

Monday's Warm Cocoa, 16 December 2024, "Seeing and Sight"

“It is not what you gather but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.” – Helen R. Walton

Seeing and Sight

“Having to call someone to drive me where I need to go isn’t easy,” my friend Jay said to me over the telephone three days ago.

My heart went out to him as I responded, “I can only imagine how hard it has been to for you to be losing your eyesight. But, your vision is beyond measure!”

I was speaking of his ability to impact the future through sight, beyond eyesight. Jay has an unusual ability to see opportunities that go unseen by others. And, he quietly moves forward to change the world around him, for the better, as be moves steadily forward. Such sight is one of his gifts, as well as a gift to the rest of us. Luckily, he’s not the only one to share such a gift of sight.

Helen R. Walton said, “It is not what you gather but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.” The Helen R. Walton Children’s Enrichment Center is the personification of this vision. Yet, looking more closely allows everyone to see how much she has impacted life in her home town by following her philosophy of enrichment put into personal practice. Create a healthy, nurturing environment focused on intentional play, exploration and family well-being.

The seeds Helen planted over a lifetime are flourishing everywhere, in her hometown, as the invitation to accept her vision has been accepted and implemented by thousands of people. They’ve fused with her focus of building an environment of healthy living, art and outdoor recreation.

When the town was ravaged by a bevy of destructive tornados on Memorial Day this year the people joined together to shelter and feed those most affected before going out on the bicycle trails with shovels, wheelbarrows and chainsaws to rebuild them. A task that continues to this day as a result of catastrophic damage. Perhaps, such damage was most apparent around the one-hundred-twenty forested acres surrounding the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

Crystal Bridges houses one of the largest private collections of American Art in the world and allows free general admission for all to come and experience enrichment of the soul to by viewing artisan visions of our world in its galleries and experiencing art throughout its nature-rich grounds. The beauty of Helen’s life in on full display here and the people who love it have not allowed a natural disaster to destroy her vision. Just as natural deterioration of my friend Jay’s eyesight hasn’t disconnected him from his vision.

Jay continues to scatter his kind of life, as he fully embodies the distinction between simply seeing and sight.

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c2Ma9iKHAj7HZ3lb6mKIvI_0UEh2KbQY/view?usp=sharing

Monday's Warm Cocoa, 9 December 2024, "Zoning Your Focus"

“This year we’re focusing on our zone.” – Andrew Bart

Zoning Your Focus

“I should have been on top of this long before now,” Andrew Bart said with an undertone of regret.

There was more to that regret than what could be seen by a surface surfer. The deeper issue, one under the surface, was that of a potential loss of a precious personal relationship. And, while a friend’s lack of work performance was beyond debate, Andrew’s ever-present focus on strengthening rapports was foremost on his mind. It was important to him to keep his relationship with a close friend and collogue, of more than twenty-years, intact.

“What are you talking about?” I quickly responded. “You were on top of it! Have you forgotten the action you took, months ago, to personally step-in to focus on this area of the business?”

Andrew, like the rest of us, is often burdened with having a focus fixed on being the harshest of self-critics. That doesn’t mean he, and we, don’t make mistakes. It’s just that humans tend to be focused on personal faults while viewing most other things as blurred, background reality. And, the capacity to adjust this natural focus is rare.

“Thank you,” Andrew said just before saying, “this year I’m going to zone my focus.”

He then went on to explain his coming-year’s business plan by initially describing his relief at having already completing the hard thing. A lack of performance discussion with his close friend and colleague. 

“It went better than I feared,” he started. “He knew this was the first time he’d let me down and he apologized. Then, we agreed to reassign him to a more suitable position in the company. I’m so relieved to have been able to maintain our relationship while keeping his talent with our company moving forward.”

That new focus, subsequently outlined by Andrew, became possible as a result of clearing the distortion of conquering the hard thing first. It allowed him to seek additional clarity. First, he recognized the value of his business’ existing attributes. Which allowed him to diagnose a lack of need to create any new products at this time. Second, he created a new plan to use existing products more effectively. Third, he was able to reorganize the company to turn those assets into meaningful returns.

“I should have been on top of this long before now,” Andrew said, just before he was reminded of how ably he’d stepped up, while failing to recognize his own success and focus. Then, he had the courage to do the hard thing first. Doing so opened the way to it find additional clarity, so he could recognize opportunity.

“This year we’re focusing on our zone,” Andrew said of his described process. A practice you can I can put to work in our own lives.

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c2Ma9iKHAj7HZ3lb6mKIvI_0UEh2KbQY/view?usp=sharing

Monday's Warm Cocoa, 2 December 2024, "Ragtag"

Being a Samaritan

Ragtag

There was a line of people waiting at the door. You could say it was a ragtag group of people. And, you’d be right. The people in line were not from a cookie-cutter mold. They all looked different from each other. There was no one-size-fits-all assumption for the group to be made just from looking at them. Yet, there was one serving person about, being helpful.

The front door would open briefly and she would walk out with a hot cup of coffee in each hand. She was smiling as she offered the steaming cup of comfort to one person and then she’d empty her other hand by gifting the last cup of her jaunt. Her accepted offering was received with warm gratitude as was the morning crisp, on the cool side. And, for the ragtag group either standing, sitting in a wheel chair or leaning on a walker, waiting on the concrete sidewalk, the morning felt even more cold and inhospitable.

Such frostiness was what I was expecting as I gathered myself to weave through the dissimilar crowd of unknown people. Yet, the waitrons were anything but coldhearted.

“You’ll need to pound on the door so they can hear you,” one after another said as I wound my way through the fifty or more people waiting for the Samaritan Community Center to open for service. They were lucidly experienced in such matters and their advice proved to be flawless for an inexperienced. As it didn’t take much knocking before a bright and welcoming gatekeeper came to usher me inside and toward the volunteer desk to receive a name tag and instruction.

The tutoring was painless and swift for the small group of volunteers, all scrunched together learning and watching. I gazed around at the faces surrounding me to find additional commonality.

It was a ragtag group! We were disparate people prepping for service in a kitchen just to the left of the front door. You could say it was an inside-ragtag-group to complement the ragtag group coming in from the outside. And, you’d be right. The people inside were absent a cookie-cutter mold. They were all different, each one. There was no one-size-fits-all assumption for the group to be made, just from glancing at them. Sure, they represented one business, yet as individuals they were distinctive. Until you measured one unifying trait.

“Suddenly, miraculously, a Good Samaritan leaned over and handed the cashier a dollar bill on my behalf,” with reference to Luke 10:33 in the Bible.

We, all of us, inside and once outside, were gathered together to be charitable or helpful to each other. Those outside helped me with kindness when I was in need. And, those I was serving with inside, were now handing two bags of Thanksgiving Dinner fixings and a large turkey to each of those, once outside, now inside.

Together. Being helpful.

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c2Ma9iKHAj7HZ3lb6mKIvI_0UEh2KbQY/view?usp=sharing

Monday's Warm Cocoa, 25 November 2024, "Be Quiet & Start Now"

 

“Telling someone your goal makes it less likely to happen.” – Derek Sivers

Be Quiet & Start Now

“Think of your biggest personal goal,” Derek directed. “You've got to feel this to learn it.”

Then Derek suggested using imagination. “Tell someone what you’re going to do. How does it make you feel? Imagine their congratulations.”

“Doesn't it feel good to say it out loud?” He asked.  “Don't you feel one step closer already, 

like it's already becoming part of your identity?”

Then, Derek burst the happy feeling.

“Well, bad news: you should have kept your mouth shut, because that good feeling now will make you less likely to do it.” Derek declared.

It’s not uncommon to have days where you wonder how to keep going. It’s easy to feel like your challenges are too great. But, success is built on three things: resilience, consistency, and an unshakable belief in curated purpose.

Let’s start with the understanding that building personal resilience isn’t about avoiding the setbacks you will inevitably face. It’s about bouncing back stronger. So, how do you do that?

First, learn from your failures by treating every setback as a learning opportunity. Ask yourself, what can I do differently next time?

Second, stay adaptable in our constantly changing world. Flexibility is your greatest asset to cultivate this trait. And, while becoming adaptable you’ll need to practice lots of self-compassion. That means becoming good at forgiving yourself for mistakes and moving on.

Being able to move forward means focusing on consistency, the next key to gratifying success. What you do every day defines your long-term outcomes. So, build routines to help yourself. Here are some suggestions.

Start your day with gratitude: Spend five minutes reflecting on what you’re thankful for. Then, set and rank objectives to complete during the day. Toward day’s end, reflect on what went well and what you can improve before preparing your schedule and intentions for tomorrow. But, this isn’t the end.

Finish by unplugging and recharging: That means turning off notifications and prioritize rest so you can be ready to keep going. You’ll also want to remember that finding gratification isn’t a sprint. It requires constant attention to some attributes you may not currently have. The good news here is that you can develop needed characteristics over time.

Cultivate positivity. Positivity isn’t about ignoring challenges, it’s about approaching them with a solution-oriented mindset. A positive outlook attracts friends, builds stronger relationships, helps you weather tough times, and encourages a learning mind. 

Develop a growth mindset. Having a growth mindset can really blunt the impact of hard times. A person with a growth mindset believes that skills and success are developed through effort and learning. This means constantly seeking opportunities to improve.

“Think of your biggest personal goal,” Derek said. “You've got to feel this to learn it.”

The impact of quietly creating gratifying success is built on simple things. Be quiet and start now.

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c2Ma9iKHAj7HZ3lb6mKIvI_0UEh2KbQY/view?usp=sharing

Monday's Warm Cocoa, 18 November 2024, "Plenty of Good"

See beauty in the midst of the trees

Plenty of Good

It was toward the end of a long day. No. That is not right. It was nearing the end of a very long four-and-a-half-month process. A process originally envisioned to be completed within a couple of weeks kept continuing. And one thing was sure. Its end was about to evaporate like a drop of water on a searing cooktop.

“This isn’t lining up right,” Manuel said. “Please come and look at it.”

He was right. The pattern in the carpet was not lining up right. Suddenly, the last leg of this remodeling project was not as simple as everyone involved thought it would be.

The hard-working-crew sat and kneeled on the carpet they were not longer installing. Their faces showed disappointment and fatigue. After all, they had been working quickly and efficiently with the hope of finishing the job so they could begin their weekend. Instead of feeling good about a job well done, they were all speaking on their phones quietly, explaining why they weren’t on their way home.

“I try to do good work,” Manuel said. “I don’t want to do work for someone else that I wouldn’t do for myself.”

It was another delay on a project that had experienced delay after delay, extra costs and now potentially another cost increase. Everyone in the room looked and felt doleful.

At times such as these it can be easy to look at all of the encountered problems as if lost in a vast forest. Where trees tower over and dominate the whole picture. Yet, they are not the whole forest and are certainly not the whole for those with the ability to direct their focus. 

Here’s a simple secret: The more you recognize and celebrate infinite good, the less overawed you’ll be. Take moments to note the often unnoticed, hidden, beautiful and positive in all. Are you seeing the beautiful pond, the vibrant pink flowers and the lush green moss in the midst all those trees? When you cultivate your ability to do so, you’ll begin to see that good is everywhere, for those who have the developed the proficiency to see it.

Ask yourself a simple question when feeling lost in the trees of disappointment or discouragement. What good has come from this?

Manuel could have pressed his crew to complete their work regardless of the less than desirable outcome. It would have allowed them to be paid in full and begin their weekend on time. They could have all walked away without giving their integrity a thought.

Think of the compliments or words of gratitude you could share with such people around you, those offering good to you freely. We often downplay, overlook or downright ignore this kind of generously given good. We’re so focused on the negative (due to the brain’s negativity bias). But acknowledging the good things can remind you to have a more realisticoutlook. You, like everyone else, receive unique gifts of graciousness constantly.

We all receive plenty of good.

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c2Ma9iKHAj7HZ3lb6mKIvI_0UEh2KbQY/view?usp=sharing

Monday's Warm Cocoa, "Restoration" 11 November 2024

“Life is not a spectator sport. If you’re going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion, you’re wasting your life.” – Jackie Robinson

Restoration

There was a lot of damage as a result of yesterday’s storm.  Some homes were gone. Some were split in half. Tree branches were strewn about as if they were from a game of Pick-Up Sticks. Roads were washed away. Water systems were breached. Bridges, once standing strong had been swept from their moorings. Driving along, through never ending damaged scenery was bleak. Until one memorable scene changed the perspective.

Coming around a tight mountain turn, the car’s windshield framed a gravel drive punctuated with two figures. One of these figures was a young man with his hands gripping a rake. The other was his black, dancing dog.

The black dancing dog was darting side to side, front to back, reaching and snapping; smiling all the while. He knew his companion was there to work. He could see the rake being flung forward and dragging gravel & dirt over to fill the deep cuts the storm had created in the drive. Yet, the dog wisely turned the work into play while encouraging his companion to do the same.

Yet, his buddy continued to resist the friendly invitation. The man was resolved to focus solely on restoring the driveway underfoot.

Jackie Robinson, one of the great players of America’s Game never forgot the joy of playing ball while working. He once said, “Life is not a spectator sport. If you’re going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion, you’re wasting your life.”

Jackie Robinson and the black dancing dog both knew they were there, on the field, seeking success in their work. Yet, they also recognized the value of play, seeking joy outside of the grandstand, at the same time. On the other hand, others, like this jovial-dog’s companion, continue to slog along with their focus on completing the task at hand without joy.

Work without entwined play will get the job done, but it never provides restoration to one’s soul.

There was a lot of damage as a result of a major storm the day before.  Some homes were gone. Some were split in half. Tree branches were strewn about as if they were from a game of Pick-Up Sticks. Roads were washed away. Water systems were breached. Bridges, once standing strong had been swept from their moorings. Driving along, through never ending damaged scenery was bleak. Until one memorable scene changed the perspective.

One jovial, black dancing dog changed the work of restoring a damaged driveway into play. At the same time, he offered restoration to his companion’s soul.

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QOrnyleXDNG8ASRHxr4_CwbcY9FVUUse/view?usp=sharing

"The Secret of Getting Ahead," Monday's Warm Cocoa, 4 November 2024

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” – Mark Twain

The Secret of Getting Ahead

“I lost my wife not long ago,” Neil explained.

The emotion was still raw. It was interwoven with his voice, as if its threads had become imbedded through the use of a loom.

“We’ve been coming here for years. It is our vacation place.”

He didn’t need to explain, but he felt the need to. 

“I understand how life can change in a flash, since the unexpected passing of my wife. So, I’m not going to wait to live my dreams any longer. I need to be better at that.”

It was clear that these were not just empty words. Words shouted into a deep canyon only to echo back to the caller. Because, he took the moment to do a little, valuable teaching about secrets you and I can use as well.

“To live an exceptional life,” Neil said, “Don’t tell anyone about how great you are. Just be sure to decide what you really want out of life, things such as experiences, work, relationships, and health. Then, systematically create goals you can weave with your purpose.”

He went on to say, “Maintain your humility. And, don’t be the most interesting person in the room. Rather, be the most interested person in the room.”

Neil then veered off thread to talk about his secrets to sharing success. “See others as collaborators. Be fair. Be straight forward. Be authentic.”

Neil believes goals and their succeeding success give a person courage. “If a person follows true desire, they’ll provide powerful reasons to reach them,” He says. “When you don’t live with the guiding power of specified goals, life will feel as if you’re running up and down a football field without ever scoring any points or wins!”

Here are some other things Neil shared spontaneously, “first, be sure to document your goals by making them tangible.” 

That’s why he and I were talking together. One of his goals is to create cherished memories with his two daughters. The vacation home he’s in the process of purchasing, in the place he loves to vacation, will be their place, a natural way to facilitate fulfillment of this goal, to make it a tangible part of their lives. It will become the actualized principle of this deeply desired goal of making cherished memories with the important people in his life.

“Be sure to seek the principle behind your goals,” Neil said as he was about to launch into the climax of his secret of getting get ahead.

“Stop saying you’ll be happy, when! Find new ways to get something you really want. Think about it often. And, find ways to learn some skills you’ve never mastered before. Try new things. Look forward to the future. Be part of where the world is going,” He said without taking another breathe. 

“I lost my wife not long ago,” Neil said before sharing the secret of getting ahead.

The emotion was still raw. It was woven with his voice, as if its threads had become imbedded through the use of a loom. He’s not waiting to live his dreams any longer!

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QOrnyleXDNG8ASRHxr4_CwbcY9FVUUse/view?usp=sharing

"Just Another Thing" Monday's Warm Cocoa, 28 October 2024

“Seeing my dad helping others during a chemo treatment is something I’ll never forget!” – Don Dancer

Just Another Thing

“I was with my dad in the hospital,” Don said. “He was enduring another chemo treatment in an effort to arrest the cancer that had invaded his body.”

Don sat across a table in my office as he spoke. He seemed to be grateful for a chance to relax, and he shared a teaching moment, a story about a time when his father taught him an unexpected, yet unforgettable lesson.

“My father was lying down with three or four intravenous (IV) tubes connected to him, dripping medicine into his body to kill cancer,” he continued.

Don voice was sincere and he was speaking in the melodious manner common to those residing in the High South. He took a moment to set the scene by describing how he was sitting next to his father for quite some time, before getting up to stretch his legs and use the restroom.

“When I returned a short time later, my father was no longer in his bed! He had gotten up, rolled his IV stands across the room and he was sitting, talking with three or four ladies,” he continued.

Don looked with surprise at his father, he had sores surrounding his mouth, he had drip lines hanging from posts connected to both arms. And, the fact that his father had hobbled across the room shocked him and he was a little exasperated. So, he asked his dad what he was thinking? What was he doing?

His father replied, “I was ministering to those ladies.”

Being the preceptive person Don’s father was, he continued, since he could see an opportunity to impart some of his hard-earned-wisdom to his son.

“Son,” he said, “Cancer is just another thing. There is always something wanting to steal your happiness, every day, if you allow it to. I decided a long time ago that I would be happy every day. So, I wake up every day, thank God, ask him for forgiveness and ask for a good day.”

Then, seeing additional questioning in Don’s eyes, he continued, “There is always, just another thing. Don’t let it take your happiness! I’ve gotten through many things and this is just one more thing. Regardless of what happens because of your decisions, and things that simply happen to you, you have to say to yourself, today’s the day! I’m just going to have a good day. This is not going to steal my happiness!”

Don’s voice was low as he said, “seeing my dad helping others during a chemo treatment is something I’ll never forget!” 

And, though I never Don’s father, I could seemingly see the memory of this experience with his dad dance across his eyes from where is resides in memory, the place where his father continues to live and teach his son.

“I was with my dad in the hospital,” Don said. “He was enduring another chemo treatment in an effort to arrest the cancer that had invaded his body.”

That’s when his father taught him an unforgettable life lesson. There is always something wanting to steal your happiness, every day, if you allow it to. So, decided to be happy every day. Wake up every day, thank God, ask him for forgiveness and ask for a good day.”

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QOrnyleXDNG8ASRHxr4_CwbcY9FVUUse/view?usp=sharing

“Winning does not equal development.” – Adè Harding

Eavesdropped Coaching

I was sitting in the background, trying to meld with a small chair and table just outside of, kitty-corner, to an indoor soccer field. I’ve never really been interested in soccer, a game the rest of the world, outside of the United States, calls football. But, you don’t really care about that. All I need you to be sure of is, I wasn’t sitting there to watch soccer. I was simply a vehicle. A chauffer, for my grandson. Now, he was in there, on the other side of a wall, garnished by netting, created to keep soccer balls slightly under control. I was grateful to be benefiting from that structural control and it didn’t escape my notice that Ade Harding was talking with the kids he was coaching about that very subject, control.

“Develop control,” he said in his kindly, English accent. “What happens if you simply kick the ball hard and let it bounce high? It can be stolen.”

Yes. As you can tell by now, I wasn’t just sitting there. I was eavesdropping. Coach Adè had captivated a new student, someone who could related to him in ways his younger, more energetic students could not.

“Because I’ve mastered these principles I can still play better than many young players, even though I’m 61 years old, have a damaged knee and walk with a cane.”

His personal description was a secure-hook, enabling him to reel me in. I began to listen more intently, wanting to learn from this proven master teacher and coach.

“Slow down. I want you to develop a soft touch with the ball,” he continued.

As a result, children, some as young as five or six years of age, began to hop on one leg while gently guiding a soccer ball around closely-spaced, short plastic markers.

“You’re not just learning to control the ball in these exercises, you’re building the muscles that will allow you to have the ability to move laterally, quickly and efficiently. Most people you’ll be competing with are singularly-focused on fast, forward movement. You’ll be able to maintain control of the ball in every direction. They’ll fly right by you as a result,” he taught.

His students were heeding his words and worked to achieve the outcome he anticipated. It wasn’t easy. He knew it wouldn’t be easy and that they may become disheartened. So, he offered additional instruction to them.

“We all make mistakes. You know when you do. You don’t need a coach to tell you you’ve made a mistake. When you recognize you’ve made a mistake, simply correct it and keep going.”

I was no longer sitting in the background, trying to meld with a small chair and table just outside of an indoor soccer field. I wasn’t simply a vehicle. A chauffer, for my grandson. Now, I was standing at the wall, listening and learning.

“Slow down,” Coach Adè said again. “Develop a soft touch.”

“Ok coach. I’ll keep working on it,” I said, as practice ended, just before I left to drive my grandson home.

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QOrnyleXDNG8ASRHxr4_CwbcY9FVUUse/view?usp=sharing

Monday's Warm Cocoa, 14 October 2024, "Free Lunch"

“Someone anonymously paid our son’s tuition for the full year!” – Jeremiah Johnson

Free Lunch

“Anonymous.” 

The word stuck as Jeremiah spoke it. He was telling me a story. It was a story of giving.

Nature was giving us the perfect evening. The temperature was in the mid-seventies, there was a slight breeze, and the live music was comforting, without being too loud. All of this combined to allow me to sit back comfortably and listen to Jeremiah’s answer to a question.

“How is your son doing in his new school,” I asked.

“He’s doing well,” Jeremiah responded. “Have I told you what happened?”

“No,” I said. “Please tell me.”

“Our friend suggested we apply to a small private school near our new home,” He started.

Jeremiah, his wife and their son moved to a different state two or three months ago. He was back in town for a Friday and Saturday business visit. It was the perfect opportunity to spend Friday evening together; to hear how anonymous generosity turned into free lunch for kids needing help.

“After our son was accepted into his new school he and I went in to complete his registration,” he continued. “As soon as we finished all of the paperwork. I pulled out my checkbook and asked what amount I should fill in for tuition. You can imagine my surprise to hear, ‘there is no need for you to pay anything. An anonymous donor has paid his tuition for the entire year.’”

“You have no idea who it is?” I asked, because of curiosity.

“No,” he answered, with a peaceful look of gratitude glowing from his face, through the dimming dusk.

That could have been Jeremiah’s final answer to my question. But, he didn’t end the story there!

“When my son and I got home we shared our tale of anonymous generosity with my wife,” he continued.

His wife was stunned and they all shed tears together before they received and inspiring idea.

“We had the money to pay our son’s tuition,” Jeremiah continued. “So, when inspiration hit us, we set our ‘Free Lunch’ plan into motion.”

As a result, another anonymous donor now provides a generous monthly deposit into their son’s school’s nourishment department, to provide free lunch for students needing a little extra help.

“Anonymous!” 

The word stuck as Jeremiah spoke it. He had just told me a story. A story of inspired giving.

Nature gifted us the perfect evening for such a story to be told. The temperature was in the mid-seventies, there was a light breeze, and the live music was comforting, without being too loud. All of this combined to allow me to sit back comfortably and listen to Jeremiah’s explanation of how a “Free Lunch,” has become a reality, no matter what his son learns in his coming economics class.

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QOrnyleXDNG8ASRHxr4_CwbcY9FVUUse/view?usp=sharing

"Sharing Breakfast," Monday's Warm Cocoa - 7 October 2024

“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” – Dalai Lama

Sharing Breakfast

“Hey, I want to get together for breakfast,” Anu said, as we greeted each other during a 1 Million Cups gathering.

Because we’re friends and I always feel broadened after our conversations together, I quickly responded with, “Sure.” 

I feel broadened partly because of Anu’s wide, welcoming smile, but there’s more to him than his big, infectious grin. This was confirmed again on Friday morning, as the aroma of freshly made breakfast filled our nostrils. Good food seems to be a familiar scent that has become a constant companion whenever Anu and I get together to talk. It isn't the food itself that I most look forward to, but the stories he tells between each bite, stories that fluidly reveal his own, personal, evolving path.

Five years ago, Anu, a geneticist with a promising career, found himself at a conference, a world away from his lab. It was there he met Scott Ford, a man whose passion for transforming the lives of Rwandan coffee farmers ignited a spark within him. Scott's vision, to double the income of these farmers, resonated deeply with Anu, stirring a quiescent desire to make a real difference in the world.

Scott's story, which is itself a testament to the power of purpose, resonated with Anu's own yearning for a life beyond the confines of his scientific pursuits. He saw an opportunity to use his skills and knowledge to empower others, to create a ripple effect of positive change.

So, Anu made the decision to leave his secure job, as a geneticist, to be part of Westrock Coffee's mission. His was a leap of faith, a testament to the transformative power of singular belief. It was a journey that led him to dive deep inside, to discover who he is and what he wants to do with his life.

His time at Westrock opened his eyes to more than the vast potential within the coffee supply chain. He saw an opportunity to reimagine himself, to unlock latent potential, to use his natural and developing talents to assist African farmers.

Dalai Lama said, “Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.”

Anu's life, is evidence to the power of inspiration, purpose, and friendship, as well as a reminder that even the smallest act of kindness, a conversation over a cup of coffee or breakfast, can have a profound impact on each one of us, as well as on the world. He’s still a geneticist, splicing his unique skills with others to create a future where African farmers are not just producers, but partners in a shared vision of prosperity.

Who will you share breakfast with?

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QOrnyleXDNG8ASRHxr4_CwbcY9FVUUse/view?usp=sharing

"Every Day" Monday's Warm Cocoa, 30 September 2024

"Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value" – Albert Einstein

Every Day

Mark was sitting comfortably across the table from me. We were there together, well, just to get together. He was talking about the big shift that happened in his life.

“I don’t live to accumulate things as a sign of success anymore,” he said. “I came to realize that the only real impact a person can have in life comes through building one-on-one relationships.”

If there was any doubt about Mark’s sincerity it all vanished, as his eyes became misty as he tried to continue. There was a noticeable hitch in his voice as he tried to speak again.

“I’m sorry to get emotional,” he said. “it’s just that that this is so important to me. It’s become the way I live my life.”

That’s when Albert Einstein’s words, “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value,” came to my mind.

Mark wasn’t even aware of this epigram running through my mind as he continued.

“I’ve made my life simple by focusing on one specific goal every day,” Mark continued.

He went on to say that he follows the same key value-creation ritual every day.

“I look for one person to make a new, genuine connection with each day, someone who is often over looked,” He clarified.

Mark actively seeks at least one person he feels could have their day made brighter by an honest, personal engagement. He often seeks people who are actively engaging with the public, yet are mostly ignored. A good example of this is a person working at a gas filling station. The person working there to make sure all of the pumps are working well.

“There are so many people who are surrounded by people for the majority of their work day, yet they’re seemingly invisible to those round-about them. I take time to actively engage with them. I’m not always successful. There are some who just don’t want to have any interaction. But, I try. If I can’t make a connection, I know I tried, at least.”

If he can’t make a true connection with the first person he tries to engage with, he knows he hasn’t met his goal for the day. When that happens, he simply keeps looking for another opportunity. And, he doesn’t limit himself to one per day. He’s always looking for others to connect with.

“The only thing we can leave behind, when our life is finished, are the people we’ve impacted through relationship,” Mark said just before his eyes filled with more emotion-disclosing mist.

“I came here today to be with you. Let’s talk about what you need now.”

Mark was still sitting comfortably across the table from me. We were there together, well, just to get together. He was teaching me about the big shift that happened, and keeps happening, in his life.

What kind of change will come to your life as a result of embracing Mark’s goal of creating value by making a personal connection with someone you don’t know yet, every day?______________________________________________

I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QOrnyleXDNG8ASRHxr4_CwbcY9FVUUse/view?usp=sharing

Monday's Warm Cocoa, 23 September 2024 - "A Red Plate"

Lachlan McKnight continuing the Red Plate Tradition

A Red Plate!

Lachlan lives in New York City. That’s a long way from Ogden, Utah, where his great grandmother, Carol Butterfield lived most of her life. And, Lachlan never met her. She passed away long before he was born. Yet, his mother personally knows her as Grandma B.

Grandma B had a close relationship with her grandchildren and she holds a special place in the hearts of my children. That’s because of her munificence. She allowed us to share her home for a couple of years while we planned and constructed our home in Erda, Utah. My kids were very young then and as a result she created a bond with them that lives deep in their hearts. I can see her impact, even now as all three of my girls have spouses and live far from their high desert homestead.

I saw her impact again this week as I received a photo of nearly-two-year-old Lachlan standing on his cooking stool, smoothing frosting on the birthday cake he and his mother were creating for his father. Birthday cakes are a common tradition. So, that’s not what caught my eye here. It was the red plate sitting under that being-prepared cake that merited a stuck-stare.

Grandma B had a red plate birthday celebration tradition. And, she taught my children this simple tradition. When we would sit together to celebrate a loved-one’s birthday she would pull out her special red birthday plate. It was a plate only used for this specific practice and it was placed in front of the person whose birthday we were celebrating. It set this person apart, allowing them to feel special. And, it worked!

Our children looked forward to having the red plate identify them as being special. They knew we were all celebrating their presence in our lives. They knew they were loved.

That love-bond expanded as our girls married and their Grandma B gifted a cherished red plate to them. They received the gift with anticipation and gratitude, knowing it was different from all other wedding gifts they would receive. It was a gift from the heart, requesting a continuation of the red plate tradition. An ask that they would use it to let their current and to-come-loved-ones taste everlasting love.

Lachlan was born in love and lives in New York City. That’s a long way from Ogden, Utah where his great grandmother, Carol Butterfield lived most of her life. And, Lachlan has never met her. She passed away long before he was born. Yet, his mother has passed Grandma B’s generation-spanning love to him. Lachlan knows of and participates in Grandma B’s red plate tradition. 

Who would have thought that a simple red plate could play such a role in celebrating love and tie generations together?

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QOrnyleXDNG8ASRHxr4_CwbcY9FVUUse/view?usp=sharing

It's a Great Day - Monday's Warm Cocoa - 16 September 2024

“It is a great day!” – Landon Johnson

A Great Day!

“These are my favorite,” Landon said as he opened his brown paper bagged lunch. “I don’t get to eat them very often,” he said as he opened a bag of nacho flavor Doritos corn chips. “So, when I do have them in my lunch I eat them first!”

Sitting down to eat a picnic lunch on a Friday is also something Landon and I don’t do very often. And, this day just happened to be a perfect weather day. It was a bright day set with billowy floating clouds, punctuated by a bright blue sky and a comfortable temperature, all combining to create a perfect setting.

“Have you had a good day?” I asked.

“It’s a great day!” Landon answered.

“What’s made it a great day?”

“I get to spend time with you,” He responded.

His words hit with the force only capable of being generated by the unexpected. You know what its like. It was as if someone had suddenly jumped out from and around a blind corner, shouting boo! Such a thing causes an adrenaline rush which jolts your entire body. Then, when you see the initiating party, and it’s a friend, comforting relief rushes in to push the high pressure out, to usher in a comforting, soothing low pressure. It’s effect is an all-encompassing feeling of peace and joy.

Such peace and joy were now securely implanted, as a result Landon’s surprising words. And, all other external factors, the puffy clouds, deep blue sky and pleasant temperature, were instantly and simply relegated to, nice picnic embellishments, facilitating and opening the way for the full appreciation of a cherished moment.

“These are my favorite,” Landon said as he opened his brown-paper-bagged lunch. “I don’t get to eat them very often,” he said as he opened a bag of nacho flavor Doritos corn chips. “So, when I do have them in my lunch, I eat them first!”

Sitting down for a Friday picnic with Landon is also something I don’t get to do very often. And, this day of picnicking was a perfect-condition day. A day with billowy, floating clouds, punctuated by bright blue sky. It was an impeccable setting. But, they weren’t the characteristics making it a great day.

What made it a truly great day, the most important element, was spending attentive-time with a loved-one.

Well. Okay, the fingers and mouth covered in a dusting of tasty nacho chip seasoning added a lot to the ambiance too!

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vQ1IEEKnTvQfoeb_CB_ftokpGvpCnJc8/view?usp=drive_link

Again, in the Future? Monday's Warm Cocoa - 9 September 2024

“Lynn? Is that right?” – Brianna Carey

Again, in the Future?

I had a question roaming my mind, after seeing people I had met in completely different locations over the past few days.

“Hi, I met you two yesterday at a lunch event a couple of days ago,” I said in greeting.

“Yes,” they responded, before reintroducing themselves.”

“Interesting, meeting them here again unexpectedly,” I thought.

I kept walking and in a moment someone else approached me radiantly.

“Lynn?” She asked. “I’m Brianna.”

I must have looked a little baffled, because she immediately reached one of her hands to remove her sun glasses. I recognized her immediately.

“Oh yes!” I rejoined, as her husband Mark came up to greet me as well.

Unexpected meetings didn’t end then! The bustling First Friday festival continued all around. And, a moment later, someone else approached saying, “Hey, I met you at $1 Million Cups, didn’t I?”

Was all of this meant to be? After all, there are many stories where people have walked their own paths, leaving memories and people behind. Then, later in life, they stumbling across each other again, restoring memories and bonds together.

Fate, if you believe in that sort of thing, has an interesting way of connecting people and potentially surprising with the unexpected. One never knows!

So, I continued marveling as the evening progressed. And, I decided to focus on and enjoy the surprises. 

Brianna, Mark and their two young kids walked past my office again a few minutes later. I invited them in to enjoy an ice-cream bar. We talked more. Then, right after they left, Mark sent me a text message asking to schedule a get-together one day in the coming week.

Focusing on the present certainly opens possibilities of keeping, building and creating more possibilities in the future than you and I can ever imagine. After all, there isn’t any reason to dwell on what could happen later in life, if you’re not building relationships in the present.

Some may say, “What happens, simply happens.” But “again, in the future” can only happen if you’ve invested in relationships today.

This morning, I saw a couple of men, strangers, standing on the sidewalk just outside my office door, with a shifting, uncertain gaze, so I stepped out to see if I could help them.

“Can I help you find something?” I asked.

“We’re looking for a place to watch the game?” They answered.

“Then you’ve found it,” I said, “Come on in. What game are you wanting to watch?”

They told me. I changed the channel and they made themselves comfortable for a couple of hours. 

Again, in the future? Who knows!

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vQ1IEEKnTvQfoeb_CB_ftokpGvpCnJc8/view?usp=drive_link

Monday's Warm Cocoa, 2 September 2024, "Sparks of Joy"

“We have a pond.” – My Grandsons.

Sparks of Joy

Yesterday was quite blustery. The expected morning rain never materialized. But, not to be completely stingy, while still being unpredictable, Mother Nature sent promised rain in the afternoon. It rained for a couple of hours and the darkness of the rainclouds caused many to feel as if evening had arrived early.

Perhaps the late afternoon felt even a little darker, and more like evening, after working for the entire day. Nonetheless, it was dinner time, albeit an early dinner, and rather than giving an extra jolt of energy, the food seemed to confirm that an evening shutdown was the proper order of things. Yet, one dinging notification arrived in-between bites.

“We’re heading to our property. If you want to come by, you can.”

The weather outside was not as dismal as it had been. But, its gloomy, roiling internal remnant remained, causing a hesitation to accept the kindly invitation. You know about such inner debates. We all face them.

One side said, “I’m tired and don’t want to go out.” The other side responded with, “Remember that article you just read about “micro-acts of joy?”

“This is the emotional illusion that we’re susceptible to over-prioritizing moments of unpleasantness,” Dr. Emiliana R. Simon-Thomas, the science director at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science says. “Shifting your perspective is an exercise in looking at those difficult moments from a high vantage point, and reimagining how this unpleasantness might be a catalyst for some growth, or some new learning, or perhaps a positive outcome.”

Who can’t benefit from a positive outcome in today’s world? I sure can. So, I decided to give it a try by accepting the invitation and shifting my location.

After a short ten-minute drive, I saw one little grandson lying belly down, with his head peering over the edge of their pond’s dock. He was talking with his older brother, who was in the water swimming. They were getting ready to climb on their family’s paddleboard, so they could giggle more and paddle around together, under the now bright azure sky. I sat on the edge of their pond watching them play in the water-laced-sunshine.

Sunshine filled my heart instantly! Because of being part of two boys’ simple, joyful micro-act. 

“This is how ‘moments of unpleasantness’ can change in an instant,” the poignant words of the article embedded, as the two boys came rushing toward me, squealing joyfully in unison.

“We have a pond!”

We, all of us, have access to such humble sparks of joy. Let’s let them flame-out illusionary unpleasantness through acceptance and seeking-out of simple, micro-moments of happiness.

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vQ1IEEKnTvQfoeb_CB_ftokpGvpCnJc8/view?usp=drive_link

Monday's Warm Cocoa, Moving Feet - 26 August 2024

“Have moving feet!” – Scott Spangler

Moving Feet

“Out of everything I’ve said today, I want you to remember one thing,” Scott Spangler said with a softening kindness around his eyes. “If you will do this, it will change your life.”

He had said some, already life changing things, so to think more important words were coming was hard to take in. You can imagine how quickly the shift from careful listening to, “listening with greater intensity came. Yet, Scott didn’t change his tone or delivery in any way, another evidence of his natural, caring nature.

“Get your feet moving,” he continued. “Don’t let fear stop you. And, be sure to listen to your intuition while walking. Trust your intuition.”  He then went on to tell how one happenstance opened the way for his life to change, in a way he could have never anticipated or plan.

“I didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth,” he said. “I was always the person who felt I needed to work harder than anyone else to be successful. While working my way through college at a ski resort in Colorado, I became friends with a family from Connecticut. They came to Colorado every year and in some ways, I had become part of their family.”

The winter of Scott’s last year in college the Connecticut father asked him to come over to their vacation home so they could talk. He recounted how nervous he was at the prospect, because even though he had been in that same home with these friends for many years, this time felt different, more formal. And, it was, kind of. Because, during that visit, Scott was invited to move to the East Coast and work in the father’s firm.

“I remember feeling elated and fearful at the same time,” Scott confided.

He said that the fear was so strong it almost caused him to retreat to his comfortable, current life.

“I had never lived anywhere outside of Colorado,” he continued. “I wrestled with the fear, for what seemed like, forever! Then I decided to move my feet, to let them guide me.”

Once he started his work on the East Coast he found comfort. Perhaps most importantly, he had learned a life changing lesson.

“I learned that fear can stop me from allowing my inner-self, my core, true self to lead the way. It is the most authentic part of us and I learned to trust it. From that moment on, I’ve been able to keep my feet moving, despite my fear. Now it is a personal characteristic, an individual guiding principle.”

Today, Scott is back in Colorado. His feet have brought him home to run his own firm. He still works much harder than most. It is still one of his distinguishing traits. Yet, it is not his most trusted virtue. Now we know why.

“Out of everything I’ve said today, I want you to remember one thing,” Scott Spangler said with a softening kindness around his eyes. “If you will do this, it will change your life.”

“Have moving feet!”

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vQ1IEEKnTvQfoeb_CB_ftokpGvpCnJc8/view?usp=drive_link

Monday's Warm Cocoa, 19 August 2024, Look at Me!

 

“I’m here!” – My Grandson

Look at Me!

“I’m here!” He said with exuberance, while standing directly to my left.

I was sitting in our family room upon his arrival. As is often the case, I was still working at home into the evening. Though I knew he was there, I didn’t look over at him; keeping my eyes fixed on a lifeless screen.

A few moments passed. I was still looking at that screen, concentrating, without acknowledging him. I was just finishing up a response and was so engrossed that I didn’t stop to think about the feelings of my treasured grandson. And, what a miracle it was to have him there.

It was a miracle, because his arrival in our home marked the first full day he had been released from the children’s hospital. He had spent four days there, clinging to life for two of those days. During that time, his normal effervesce had evaporated. I knew it was vanished, because I had spent hours sitting next to his bed, examining his ashen face for signs of improvement. And, hoped-for progress was slow coming, like waiting for Christmas Day to arrive, as sleep was banished by excitement, for the entire eve.

We were all worried for his welfare day, evening and night. We dropped all things that were proven to be lacking in importance, as compared to our cherished boy. Yet, a couple of days hence where showing me to be fickle, at the very least. Oh, how short the memory of an old man can be, even without medically diagnosed memory loss. Luckily, that was about to change as a result of the persistence of youth.

“Look at me!” He said in exasperation.

Like a mule kick to the head, without the accompanying, imprinted hoof mark, I finally received his message.

He was saying, “I’m not invisible, even though you are pretending me to be!”

So, I put my screen down, in its place, out of my hands.

“I know you are!” I responded. “I’m so happy to see you! Thanks for coming to visit.”

Then, I dragged my old bones out of their comfortable seated position and took a couple of steps over to him, to scoop him up in gratitude, as a gesture of love. It was a simple gesture, aimed at thanking him for his patience with me.

This episode also reminded me of a conversation with a friend who had become crippled with age; who before was a celebrated athlete. I asked him once how he made it through his days in such pain with shadow. He responded with a simple comment.

“I do what’s important and let everything else go!”

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vQ1IEEKnTvQfoeb_CB_ftokpGvpCnJc8/view?usp=drive_link

Monday's Warm Cocoa, 12 August 2024 - Open Avenues

“If I’m ever feeling a little down all I have to do is walk in here!” – Kelly Sampson

Open Avenues

Kelly Sampson returned my call after three or four days and to my embarrassment I paused, saying, “I’m sorry, can you remind me what I called you about?”

She was very kind, reminding me that I had called about SOAR, her hot air balloon festival. That little piece of information brought me right back on track and I asked if we come meet, so she could share the story of SOAR’s genesis. An appointment was confirmed, she gave me the address, and we met within a day.

The reception desk where Kelly works, Open Avenues, isn’t quite like any other reception desk I’ve experienced! Alex, a lovable golden retriever, stuffed animal in mouth, greeted me with welcoming-sparkling-eyes and growling playful speech. When I looked to my right, a tuxedo-style pup with a ribbon in her hair, was perched between the receptionists monitor and key board. She, a snobby little dog, had a very clear, “I don’t care who you think you are” look on her face, as Kelly was asked to come out. 

I already felt right at home and had an imaginary warm, just-baked-bread smell waft through my nose and lungs as Kelly walked over to shake my hand.

“Would you like to take a tour of our facility?” She asked.

Yes. I responded eagerly, while dutifully following her through two double doors into a large warehouse-like space, as she explained, “When I came to work here as the Marketing Director, our largest fundraising event was a fairly generic, mimeographed-like annual gala. And, I wanted to do something more fun, while matching the feeling of the uniquely wonderful we people serve!” She spoke with a smile radiating through her bright blue eyes, as we passed through those doors and into a voluminous room filled with happy people.

“If I’m ever feeling a little down all I have to do is walk in here!” Kelly grinned.

Meeting the people there, doing meaningful work and most importantly, are part of a supporting community, of not just other workers, but men and women who loved being together because of their conjointly held joy, made our own hearts soar!

Open Avenues’ mission is to provide people, with all types of handicaps, with meaningful work, education, training and society. And, SOAR they do!

So much so, that I went back there just yesterday, because, like Kelly Sampson, if I’m ever feeling a little down all I have to do is walk into Open Avenues, so I can laugh together with the people there, like I’ve never giggled before.

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vQ1IEEKnTvQfoeb_CB_ftokpGvpCnJc8/view?usp=drive_link

Chance - Monday's Warm Cocoa 5 August 2024

 

“I love to have a little more chance in my life.” – Jewel Mlnarik

Chance

Sometimes when walking the same floor, a well-known floor, it can feel suddenly worn, sort of as if it doesn’t fit anymore. It can lead to feeling unsettled, almost as if that familiar floor has somehow moved. You can’t figure out how it moved, without you noticing, because of the frequency with which you walk it. Yet, you sense it’s time for a change; to get a new floor to walk on. And, change can be a tortuous decision. Such anguish often leads to loneliness and a feeling of isolation, as well as to the discovery of chances.

“I love to have a little more chance in my life,” Jewel Mlnarik said while sitting in a spontaneous circle of virtual strangers. It was a statement of such situational relevance that it seemed to bore deep into my ear and it began to shrill inside my head, as if simulating the song of cicada descending from trees. And, it was a harmony spoken by Ben Clayton, founder of Double Jump Media.

“You know,” he said, “You’re only one text away from another introduction.” While looking around the enclosing circle of Joshua Dover, Jewel Mlnarik, Ben Clayton and me. It was a welcome invitation because of the shared experience of the seated, recent floor-replacing quartette.

Jewel had newly left her life of familiarity, creating a new place for change in a new state. Ben had moved his business and life from Missouri to walk the new floors he felt calling. And Joshua had just initiated his dreamt-of-chance to start a new business, using his well-honed technology skills. These changes had colluded to form an imperceptible runway toward a spur-of-the-moment circle, after participating in a much larger gathering.

Jewel’s predictive, “I love to have a little more chance in my life,” was the moment’s narrative.

A narrative showing that when walking a new floor with strangers, it can feel suddenly inspiring, sort of as if chance is welcoming disparate pieces to fit together, forming a new picture puzzle. It can feel as if a magically-shifting floor is moving people together by chance. You can’t figure out how it moved without you noticing, while perceiving the painting of a new portrait. That’s because of natural apprehension while walking on an unfamiliar surface. Yet, you somehow know the path is welcoming transformation; while introducing new friends to walk with. It can all feel quite miraculous. 

Such wonder often leads to additional impetus, excitement and feelings of camaraderie, all realized by accepting an invitation to have a little more chance in your life.

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vQ1IEEKnTvQfoeb_CB_ftokpGvpCnJc8/view?usp=drive_link

Red Wagon, Monday's Warm Cocoa, 29 July 2024

“Experience is not what happens to you, it’s what you do with what happens to you.” – Aldous Huxley

Red Wagon

My wife’s parents purchased our children a little red Radio Flyer wagon and gave it to us when our children were young. Grandma and Grandpa still had a Radio Flyer in use at the home where my wife grew up. The gift was a rite of passage in their family and we were so pleased to be able to keep that little red wagon flame burning bright. Our kids used it and when they flew the coop we still used it for lots of tasks around our yard, keeping it active, waiting for the day when our grandchildren would be toted around our neighborhood in it. And, about three days ago a similar red wagon story was unexpectedly, twice recited.

An email from Kimberly Norris introduced me to a new friend, Carla Burg. Kimberly is always planting such fostering relationship seeds. It’s her normal practice and they’re always amazing connections, improving both my personal and business life in unexpected ways. This introduction was not an exception.

Carla, it turns out, told me of her experience with Helen Walton, a magnificent person, who was well known in her small town for community involvement and philanthropy, which included a love for beautifying public spaces. Carla’s notable story painted a vibrant picture of Helen and her habit of transporting flowers in her little red Radio Flyer wagon and planting them in the entrance garden of the Benton County Courthouse, on Bentonville Square, just a few short blocks from her home.

In the 1970s, Helen Walton took it upon herself to enhance the appearance of the community’s centerpiece. She added beauty and charm to the town’s center by personally selecting and planting flowers. Perhaps equally as important, Helen offered a Radio-Flyer-led-rite-of-passage for coming generations to model. She shaped a path for continuation of civility and goodness by leading the way for others in a simple, yet impactful way, which is revered this very day. 

Later, just hours after Carla shared Helen’s storied example, in another gathering of community minded people, the leader of a new, not for profit endeavor used Helen’s Radio Flyer, flower planting example as the impetus for entering into community service herself. She is “still not ready to give it up” after more than twenty years of self-giving.

Aldous Huxley said, “Experience is not what happens to you, it’s what you do with what happens to you.”

So, I’m passing this “Red Wagon Rite of Passage” to you. And, like my wife’s parents and Helen Walton, it’s what you do with it that matters now and in the future.

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I’ve helped thousands of people, as a real estate & lifestyle expert, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve Realesation. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vQ1IEEKnTvQfoeb_CB_ftokpGvpCnJc8/view?usp=drive_link