The Third Book The 7th Chapter - The Value of Making a Difference

Value of Making a Difference

May 29/2019

Have you struggled with getting to your change and mastering the skill of transition? Do you push harder on your dreams and goals or do you abandoned them, when it seems like your goals are eluding you?

I have experienced this thought that quickly translates into a feeling of defeat. That feeling is one of uncomfortableness and questioning the overall thought, or are you on your right track? The answer is yes if you started moving on an idea and positive change then you'll have to keep moving. The how is sometimes the one item needed the most yet is the most difficult to learn and master. I would like to share how to capitalize on how to understand the how and capture value on the how — all with the goal for you to achieve what you truly need.

When I am in moments of uncertainty is when I start to focus on the how. I ask myself, how am I going to achieve this goal? How can I learn something new that will help me understand the how? Then I start to observe the things in life that come as life experiences with a focus on how I can increase value from that experience or event.

Recently I realized I made a professional mistake, which had a result of me having to start over with a new marketing strategy. Roughly a year ago, I was offered when I thought it would be the right choice for myself and my family. So, I made that choice to shift my professional strategy and realized soon after that was a mistake. As I started the process to start over, there was a moment that I didn't see the how and was becoming frustrated.

I then received a phone call from a friend, and we discussed the general job market and reconnected over the time that had passed. Some of you know I write a blog and out of the conversation, my friend brought up my recent posting on my trip to Belize. The topic was brought up on the life-changing experience that I had with my son. At first, I was surprised I didn't realize my friend read my blog as they came out and shared with me they have.

It was at that moment I realized I was given the gift of a how moment. It was through this conversation I realized the value of making a difference. There is a lot of work ahead of me; however, moments like these are the ones that showed me how and provided the understanding to achieve the goals that I need to achieve in my life.

When you have moments like these, capitalize on them and don't let these moments fade away and go to waste. Moments like these are ones that will allow you to create you're why and how to create your next steps. It will provide you with the comfort that you know you are on the right track. 

The Third Book The 6th Chapter - The Gift of Children

The Gifts of Children

Dec 7/2018

If you have adult children, you will relate to this chapter. If you plan on having children someday, you will fully connect with this story. Have you gone through life always providing strength, direction, and guidance to your kids? Have you always been the one person your kids can rely on for your support at any moment? 

For me, as a single father, this was my norm. From minor scrapes to mini medical sessions, to being an unofficial counsellor as they journey through their preteen years. The one common pattern is to always provide to them the best that I was able to at the time.

Yesterday was a life-changing event, and for the first time, I was truly dependent on my son for my life. We were at a beautiful beach in Belize on a sleepy island. We decided we could walk out into the water as the bottom did a slow drop off into the deep water. We were out from the shore about half a mile when the water came up to our necks we decided to turn around in the calm water and head back. It was at that moment I suggested we lay on our backs and leisurely start swimming back to the shore. We did that for about 10 minutes when I decided to check our progress by touching the bottom. Then the fear hit me as I realized the current had pushed us deeper out, and I couldn't touch the bottom.

I heard stories about how an ocean current can silently sneak up on you and here was the first time I had experienced it. In a brief moment, the relaxing picture perfect moment had turned to one of fear and panic on my part.  As panic started to set in, and I shouted to the shore for help, my son calmly stated: “let's swim hard Dad.” In that moment after over 20 years with my son, the balance of support changed to Nick providing support to save my life.

I looked at him, and I clearly remember listening to his words of support and feeling the strength of his energy. Then with regained focus, I went back on my back and started to swim as hard as I could back to the shore. All the while, I was watching my son, and we slowly made it back to shallow water. This was the first time I wasn't able to help him, and if he asked, I remembered how helpless this feeling I had at the moment because I couldn't help him.

Now it is almost 24 hours later since this has happened, and the feelings of that moment are still strong. The significance of this change of energy between us is life changing, and it is a moment for me, I will remember. I am also sure that he is aware of this too and is also a natural progression of life. Where the cycle of the teacher now becomes the student is replicating now. Words cannot express the magnitude of my realization of how grateful I am for my son and what he has taught me today. 

Thank you Nick for the person you have become and for the leadership you have given to me. As you continue your journey in life my hope for you is to continue to keep growing stronger and add value to each day. You are truly someone that I look up to and appreciate the time that we have together. I love you and keep being you.               

The Third Book The 5th Chapter - GPS Feelings

May 19/2018

Have you ever had that funny feeling that you just couldn't put your finger on what it was about? As time would pass, you would get some clarity and act or make changes that a feeling was pointing you in that direction? Once you make those choices, you feel a sense of satisfaction, clarity, and an overall sense of growth. Then as you have achieved something more you ask yourself what was so unsure of or why was I afraid?

Once you choose to move with your GPS purpose, there are not any detours required. As you gain momentum on your new experiences, you ask yourself why did it take so long to make this choice of purpose. The mental barriers we put impose on ourselves are so high they limit our ability to live life and most importantly to grow.

These are two brief encounters that added to my life and how following my GPS made life that much better. On one of my trips, to Whitefish Mt, I bumped into my new friends from southern Alberta. Before the meeting, I had a feeling I needed to go to this one spot in Whitefish for some reason. As I walked into a full place, I notice one seat left by a couple. The moment I sat down I knew I reconnected with energy friends that I have not met before, but strangely felt I had known all my life. We quickly hit it off, and we shared some information about each other. They were in the area to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary. Normally they didn't leave home as they have a grandbaby that's birthday is on the same day but decided to go on a trip this time.

From that choice and the choices, we made all lead to that moment that all three of us will remember and cherish. Almost every possible topic was discussed at that time with an avalanche of laughter during the entire moment. Moreover, I met another like-minded soul, and he and I shared that recognition. We shared contact information, parted ways, and remain in contact with a plan to connect soon.

Isn't that what makes life worth living? Moments like these if they were fear based and they are ignored and weren’t moved forward with purpose, and the return is not timeless.

The second short story is about one of my leadership sessions I recently led. In that session, there were 22 that all are wanting to learn a new skill set on developing themselves and others. One of the things I have always done when I have a class is to start the session with the role of 50/50 tickets.

With the introductions complete, I ask people if they would like to win a life-changing the prize at the end of the training session. Of course, they all want to win a prize, so I say that anyone that asks a great question or share some insight, are even says something funny will get a ticket to a life-changing prize. At the end of the training session, three tickets are drawn, and a life-changing prize awarded. During this session one individual stated loudly; after these instructions, I want to win a prize like that. In a moment I was struck with the thought of the book the secret.  In that split second, I decided to share about the book the secret and the power of intention. I then proceeded to write down on a piece of paper that is on the wall that this person will win one of the prizes at the end of the session. I left that piece of paper up on the wall over the two-day training session and didn't refer back to it until the end of the session and at draw time.

The three life-changing prizes were three different leadership books, and one of them was my first book. The room started to fill with excitement before I drew, I pointed to the statement written on the wall two days prior. The first ticket drawn, and he didn't win, the second ticket drawn, and before I read out the number I said out loud and pointed to the piece of paper on the wall - this is your winning ticket. The room laughed, and you could feel the excitement grow as I read out the ticket number. Guess what? And no, I am not taking dramatic artistic license while I write, but yes this ticket was his. The room erupted in a combination of surprise and laughter and even harder when he expressed he wanted my book instead of the two remaining ones.

That moment in time captured because of the start of day one of following the idea that was download to me. The key takeaway is ignoring unfounded fear and moves forward to action.  Your best idea will always fail if no action taken.  Your action is key and to act is to movement and movement is to live. It is a simple as a three-step process that you need to keep simple and repeat countless times in your life. One is to allow you the opportunity to come to you. Step 2 is to ignore your self imposed barrier or fear. Step 3 is to create a plan and act. Your GPS, gift given to you is waiting for you to move in the direction with your purpose and your vision.

Yours to grow and feel the energy of life to fuel you to achieve more than you thought was possible. As you read this what is your GPS telling you right now at this moment?  Have you passed a number 3 are you still on number one?

The Third Book The 4th Chapter - Walk Along The Pier

May 14/2018

When is the last time you have moved to an area in your life that required less energy? Or when have you acted on something when your intuition is telling you to do something? I have been so lucky to have been given the gift of travel. Over the last few years, I have been to several destination cities and have met so many amazing people. A few months ago, my dad had mentioned that he would like to go to Victoria BC. I was recently there in July of 17 and was amazed by the beauty of the area. I as time went on over the last few months Victoria visit with my dad came up a few times.

I could feel my intuition telling me that the time was now to make this trip. Fast forward to the early morning of May 12th, and away we left Calgary to fly into Victoria. During our three-day adventure, we filled the time with meaningful visits, travel, and food. It all officially started with a pickup all the rental car. It was the first time I had driven a hybrid and was immediately confused as to when I pushed the start button; there was not any engine noise. I looked over to my father and stated this new car doesn't start after a few brief moments I realized it was running on the battery and soon after that some chuckles filled the car.

From that starting point off we went to Tofino BC and a ferry ride. Each experience seemed as rich and full as the next and time seemed to fade away effortlessly. From clam chowder on a patio in Tofino to ceviche in the Victoria harbour, each moment was meant to be. Several sites we saw that neither of us had seen before. As each moment went on, I knew that following my intuition had increased the value to a special moment in time with my father. Several times my dad commented of how grateful that we were able to take this trip together.

After our last dinner on the harbour I took a walk by myself. As I was walking, I bumped into an incredible street performer named Jacqueline Dawn and the talent that she has is amazing. Not long after she started to plug in and sing another performer came up and informed her that she had to move, as this was his spot. She quickly apologized and started to pack up, and a few of us in this audience also started to help her. We all moved down about 100 meters and helped her set up again. Not only does Jacqueline have musical talent but she also has a talent for life. Her grace and gentle spirit that she showed during and after her move was a true gift to observe. Free energy she was like a feather floating in the breeze and following with the current. Completely at peace with what is and what a minor adjustment she kept on with her goal of providing a special moment for all of us in the crowd.

We all have challenges in life and have gifts all around us to enjoy. The hard part is to keep our focus even when faced with challenges. The difference between significance and ordinary is determined by how we view the experience. Whether your intuition is talking to you or you have a challenge, the gift of life's positive experiences is waiting for you. Hope and dreams are your starts, but then you need to put in the hard work to make your dreams start to come alive. It is up to you to make your magic and start to act on your intuition. As your intuition is your invisible treasure map for you to live your dreams and it is critical for you to open your gifts.

If you are feeling comfortable with life and you want to achieve more than you need to do more. The uncomfortable feeling is required, and that is your support to move along to your treasure map of dreams.