Special Memory of Flag Day

A dozen years ago we laid our father to rest at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego County.  It was flag day.  The winds were gusty and the sun was shining brilliantly as hundreds of flags flapped in uniform formation.  We placed dad's custom urn, hand-crafted by my brother-in-law, in his new permanent home overlooking the ocean and said a closing prayer.  Then it happened – the winds kicked in to high gear and propelled the main cemetery flag from it's usual half-mast position all the way to the top of the flag pole.  I call it a "God-incidence."  The timing appeared super-natural.  It was an exclamation point added at the end of an extraordinary day celebrating our dad's life.

My brother-in-law erected a flag pole in the front yard of his Ramona home where dad spent his final thirty-five days.  Dad's military flag from his funeral flies there on special occasions, like Flag Day.  I will always remember the great men and women who gave their lives so that our flag may fly today and I will never forget the sacrifices both my parents made to raise a family of six children. 

A Double Dose of Superstition Today

It's Friday the 13th today and there's a full moon tonight.  This won't happen again until August 13, 2049.  And the last time we celebrated a full moon on Friday the 13th was October 13, 2000.  I wonder how many people will crawl under the covers today to avoid bad luck.  Or how many people will buy a lottery ticket because they're feeling extra lucky today.  As for me, I don't rely on the alignment of the planets or any other superstitious beliefs.  I leave my unread fortune cookies at the dinner table and I refrain from horoscopes.  That doesn't mean I lack belief in the supernatural.  I do.  I believe Jesus has a plan.  He is with us every day, whether the moon is waxing, waning or shining in its full brilliance in the night sky.

Our days our numbered.  Each day has its own unlimited potential.  Seize it.  Savor it.  Live it.  And don't worry if you step on a crack – your mama's back will be just fine.  Have a happy Friday the 13th.

Why I Love Sunrises

The sun doesn't remember what happened yesterday.  It reminds me I don't have to remember it either.  Yesterday, no matter how many trials, disappointments or challenges, is over.  I love sunrises because they shine a bright light on a new tapestry.  It's blank, waiting for me to paint a new picture.  The period of darkness is over.  It's time to get up and go to work.  I'm going to paint an amazing picture today.  How about you?  Do you love sunrises?  What kind of picture are you going to paint today?

12 Steps to Defeat Your Debt Monster

Have you ever played the Whack a Gopher arcade game?  It's similar to the debt reduction game.  You smack one gopher with your paddle and then another one pops up somewhere else.  I remember trying to rid my California home of gophers.  I tried flooding the holes with water.  The gophers living there told there buddies, "Come live with us, we have an indoor swimming pool."  Then I tried smoke bombs.  The fix was only temporary.  The gophers kept coming back – just like my debt challenges.  I finally realized if I really wanted to be free of gophers, I needed to take a drastic step.  I moved away.  No more gophers.  Now I'm whacking away at my debts, this time using 12 steps to wipe out my debt monster for good.  Here's what I'm doing:

1. Close the borders.  I built a solid perimeter fence around me and I refuse to allow any new credit cards in.
2. Make a list of every debt you owe and arrange the list in ascending order with the smallest debt first.
3. Determine how many steps you need to climb in order to become debt free.  Each step is a specific debt.
4. Go after the gophers, one at a time.  Take out the smallest one first.  Save the biggest and the baddest for last.
5. Set up a savings account for emergencies.  Don't use it unless absolutely necessary.  Do everything in your power to reach $1,000. Go for $1,500.  Then, keep saving monthly until you have six months in reserve for big challenges like an accident or job loss.
6. Don't freak out if you slip on the stairs.  Just get back on your feet and start climbing.
7. Pay cash for everything.  Before a new month begins, decide how much cash you are going to pay for entertainment and put it in an envelope.  If there's no money in the envelope, don't go out.
8. Shop at thrift stores and garage sales.
9. Sell or donate anything you don't need.
10. Each time you pay off a debt, use that money you were paying to add to the next debt on your stairs.
11. Open up an investment account for your retirement.  Don't touch these funds until you retire.
12. Once your final debt is paid in full, share your success with your friends and family.  Teach them how to defeat their monster.

Other gophers may see your indoor swimming pool and be tempted to move in with you.  You have to be firm about border control unless you want a house full of gophers doing the backstroke in your pool you spent so many years paying off while they lived the high life on credit cards.  It's better to teach them how to build their own pool.  Just follow the 12 steps.

Maximize Your Life Through Minimalism

I shared the link you see below with my wife this morning.  It's a story about an Oregon family who built an incredible home for about $22,000 ($33,000 if you count the appliances).  "The only thing missing for us is a basement," she replied after she saw the pictures, reminding me we need shelter from possible tornadoes here in the Midwest.  I watched the video at the end of the story and noticed something special about this family.  They figured out a way to get rid of their debt and maximize their lives through minimalism. 

I admit that minimalist living is not something that just happens overnight.  It takes time to downsize.  I'm still working on this and have a long way to go.  It sure has its appeal.  Click here for the link to see pictures of an amazing home and take a video tour.  Do you think you could ever downsize your life to this level?  Please share your thoughts in the comments section.

How to Increase Your Odds of a Successful Outcome

Can you see it?  That's the first step.  Every race you enter, every endeavor you embark upon and every goal you set has a finish line.  If you can't see it, it's impossible to achieve it.  The race is lost before the starting gun fires.  I believe successful outcomes are directly related to three things – visualization, attitude and a willingness to persevere when obstacles appear.  This doesn't guarantee a successful outcome every time but it does increase your odds.

Think of your life as a ball player.  The game has a fixed number of innings.  Your batting opportunities are limited.  When you make your first plate appearance, can you see yourself getting a hit?  Do you believe you are capable of hitting a home run?  Will you adjust your swing if you strike out?  Will you quit or keep playing?

Keep in mind that life will try to defeat you every time you step up to the plate.  Each time you adjust your swing, life is throwing a new pitch at you.  Expect a strong relief pitcher to be brought in late in the game when everything is on the line.  This is the time when you have to be your best.  Do you believe you are the one who can hand the closing pitcher a blown save?  That's all you have to do – see it, believe it and do it.  Make it a habit.  And remember this – winning is a habit, so is losing.  You have everything you need to increase your odds of a successful outcome.  See it, believe it and do it.  Then repeat it.

What Happens When You Stick Your Head in the Sand?

Something bad happened.  Maybe your first reaction is to stick your head in the sand and hope your problems disappear.  Guess what?  They don't.  The world can still see you.  You look silly.  And you become a fixed target for everyone else to attack you.  Don't stick your head in the sand.  You will suffocate.  It's no fun getting sand in your eyes.

I can't even count all the times in my life when my first thought was to bury my head and hide when I found myself in trouble.  I learned something about playing defense.  It helps when your eyes are wide open and you can see your opponent.  Most bullies don't expect to be counter-attacked.  Surprise them.  Show them what your made of.  And when you're done, leave me a comment about how it worked for you.  Are you ready to pull your head out of the sand?