“A joyful heart is good medicine . . .” Proverbs 17:22 We are standing in the back of a large room being used as the gathering place following Aunt Frieda’s funeral service. Dad and I had arrived just a few minutes late, and are now attending the reception. Being extremely busy, I was delayed in picking up my dad who lived 50 miles away. Compounding the late departure was the necessity of purchasing a new coat, and then driving another 200 miles to join our family. Adding discomfort to … [Read more...]
Multiply Your Time
“How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness, how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?” Dr. Theodor Seuss Do you ever wish you had a few more hours in a day to get done everything you need and want to do? I can think of a recent experience in the final push to get ready for our company’s 40th Anniversary, where some extra hours in a day were needed. I even reached a point during the project thinking that we … [Read more...]
Frequency
“Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.” Ralph Waldo Emerson What do you do every single day? What tasks, throughout your life, seem to command more frequency? If you are like most of the ‘electronic people’ of this modern world, you probably check your email multiple … [Read more...]
Now or Never
“Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die today.” James Dean Before I die, I want to . . . How did you, at this moment, finish that sentence? Did you actually finish the sentence? For me, several thoughts come to mind: I want to publish my second book. And I want to publish a third one, too. Through writing and speaking, I want to continue helping others find and live their purpose in life. I want to grow old with my wife. I want to continue sharing my faith with my … [Read more...]
Mondays Rock!
“Monday’s are great!” Rob Hackbarth Diane Lang, life coach and speaker, says that ‘Mondays rock’! Wow! For someone who has always believed that Mondays are great, this may be a step higher in positive thinking for me. She has written a blog, titled 6 Reasons Mondays Rock. Her article identifies these six reasons: Mondays always feel like a fresh start Monday is a day of productivity Monday is a chance to make a difference Monday is a challenge day Mondays come with a routine and … [Read more...]
The One-Minute Test
“At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent.” Barbara Bush Ask someone who knows you to take a simple one-minute test where the objective is to chronicle in writing five or more words that best define the subject you will provide. Providing the tools of a 3 X 5 notecard and pen (that writes), ask them to be seated for … [Read more...]
Postponement
“You may delay, but time will not.” Benjamin Franklin He looked at the chart notes the nurse had written, documenting my vital statistics – weight and blood pressure. With his usual smile to which I had become accustomed nowhere to be found, he stated haunting words I will remember the rest of my life: “Rob, you are headed for diabetes, stroke and early death.” The words landed on me like a giant wave crashing on the beach! Stunned, I could hardly catch my breath while trying to comprehend … [Read more...]
I Cannot Hear You
“Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot cure.” Henri J. M. Nouween “Ear fungus,” he says. Just the sound of these two words, when put together, is unpleasant. This is the physician’s diagnosis after examining my ears for less than 30 seconds. My ‘every-seven-year cerumen impaction issue (earwax)’ is more serious this time. Now two weeks later, the condition has resolved, and I … [Read more...]
The List
“Trust should be the basis for all our moral training.” Lord Robert Baden-Powell, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Most of us are familiar with the Scouts. Lord Robert Baden-Powell of Great Britain founded The Boy Scouts Association in 1908 and was the first Chief Scout. Just about everyone in the United States can quote the Motto and Oath of the Boy Scouts of America: “Be Prepared.” If you or someone in your family has been a member of the Scouts, you may be intimately aware of the Scout Law: A Scout … [Read more...]
Acres of Diamonds
“Bloom where you are planted.” Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva Even though he was an author of 30 books and the founder of Temple University, Russell Conwell, D.D., J.D, is best remembered for a famous speech he delivered over 6,000 times: “Acres of Diamonds.” The story he orated, while traveling across the country, begins with an ancient Persian who owns a large farm, filled with orchards, grain fields and beautiful gardens. He has substantial wealth allowing him to earn interest … [Read more...]
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