My Surrender Experiment

Do you ever wonder how certain things happen in your life at just the right time?  I'm still trying to figure out how I got my hands on the book I'm reading, "The Surrender Experiment."  All I can say is I'm feeling a very strong connection to the author.  Over and over, he talks about how letting go allowed him witness amazing events in his life.  I agree.  Holding on stifles blessings that come only when you get out of the way of your own ego.


Imagine what can happen with your life should you choose to let go of all the things holding you back, like fear.  I believe with all my heart there is a Divine Creator who has this awesome master plan for all of us.  All we need to do is surrender.  Surrender is not quiting.  Surrender is trusting.  Give it a try.  Have a great day.

A Fun Day at My Day Job

The storm clouds on the horizon signaled it was going to be an interesting day when I started my shift at 7:30 AM yesterday.  We headed to a television station in Kentucky and met the VP & General Manager for a brief tour before meeting his staff and sharing about our new location opening soon.  It was an incredible day and we were well received.  By the time we were finished, the storm passed and the sun was out for our drive back to our temporary office.


I would like to wish my wife a very special happy birthday today.  We may be in different states at the moment but she is in my heart.  We were able to celebrate her birthday early before I left for my next adventure.  Have a great day.

A Busy Day Ahead

The sun was shining when the plane landed in Evansville, Indiana yesterday.  It was just in time to get another booster shot of Vitamin D since we've had almost nothing but rain in my hometown.  I'm on the early shift today with my new friends at our temporary facility.  I hate to write and run but that's how it's going to be for the next 30 days.  Please keep me in your prayers for a successful outcome.  I know I'm supposed to be here.  All the signs show me I'm on the right path, like the sunshine on my first day back to Indiana yesterday.  Have a great day. 

31 Days to Go

Things are moving fast at my day job.  I'm flying back to Evansville, Indiana today for the final preparations to open our new store on June 28.  I'm bringing my laptop to get some quality writing time in when I'm off the clock.

Thank you for keeping me in your prayers.  This is an adventure I will never forget.  Have a great day.

Happy Memorial Day

The greatest among us are those willing to make the ultimate sacrifice and lay down their lives for our sake.  It's not only those who gave up their lives but the families who lost a dad, son or brother.  This is the day we remember those sacrifices.  This is the day we remember the fallen.  God bless those we lost and their families.  Happy Memorial Day.

Beam me up, Scotty

I have some happy places booked on my calendar for my wife and me.  When I'm not at places like what's shown above, I go there in my mind.  It doesn't take much to get there.  I close my eyes and let my senses take over.  The more vivid the mental picture, the more real the experience becomes.

Don't allow the stress of everyday life to get in your way of meditation.  It's good for the soul.  Ten minutes of quiet time can change everything.  Have a great day.

Think Dirty the Next Time You Shop

Today's post may be a bit scary.  One of my teammates at my day job suggested I give the Think Dirty app a try to learn more about the products we use in our household.  Think Dirty allows you to find out everything you need to know about toxins that may be in the ingredients.  Specifically, the app lists documented evidence of carcinogenicity, developmental and reproductive toxicity and/or allergenicity and immunotoxicity.  I challenge you to download the app on your phone and check out how your products rate.

There are people who ignore what I'm writing about today because they argue the toxins are in such small amounts that they don't pose a danger.  The problem with this thinking is the lack of understanding about what happens when the exposure to these ingredients is on a daily basis or exposure increases with the use of multiple products containing the same toxic ingredients.  It's the frequency that magnifies the danger.

We are committed in our household to minimizing our risk by changing to products using natural ingredients.  Some say this option is expensive.  I believe cancer treatments are more costly and I would rather prevent the problem before it happens.  What are your thoughts?  Have a great day.

Journey to a Best Seller

Storytelling has been in my family for generations.  My great-great-great grandfather, Captain James Starkey, from the civil war era, contributed to "Glimpses of the Nation's Struggle."  Click here to read his excerpt from his time serving in the army prior to Minnesota becoming a state.  My grandmother on my dad's side wrote countless poems while raising a family of ten children.  My dad majored in journalism and self-published before independent publishing became popular.

There is this strange feeling inside me that I can't seem to shake, like a whispering voice guiding me to something so sacred that I lose track of time and space as I draw nearer to the source.  Maybe it's the same voice my ancestors heard.  Perhaps it's encoded into my DNA.  All I know is that this feeling I have is so powerful that I cannot hide or it will consume me.  My surrender to this calling means I will be forever changed.  Is this what Moses experienced when he climbed Mt. Sinai?  I don't know.  The compulsion is to keep climbing.  The words that come out of me may not be my own.  They come from somewhere out of this world.  All I can say is that I trust the source and I will go wherever it leads me.  Have a great day.

Natural Forces

Something out of this world happens when you allow yourself to tap into unseen natural forces guiding you to a higher purpose.  This is happening in my life right now.  It's probably been going on for a while but I never really paid much attention until those forces became so overwhelming that it took my breath away.  It's a strange feeling.  Rather than fight it, I'm embracing it.  It's like getting a front end alignment on your vehicle.  Everything runs smoother and the ride becomes more enjoyable.

Pay attention to the small nudges you feel within your soul.  Find a way to get in alignment with God's purpose for your life.  Keep fear out of the equation.  Just go for it.  Have a great day.

Celebrating My 7 Year Anniversary at My Day Job

I almost missed it yesterday.  A text message from one of my co-workers came through just before I went to bed for the night wishing me a happy 7-year anniversary at my day job.  I was so immersed in a full day of writing that I lost track of time.  It's really hard to believe how quickly these seven years passed.  From our hire date on May 21 to our opening date on June 28, we had only five weeks to introduce ourselves to our new community.

Seven years later I'm doing the same thing.  It feels really good to be a part of something so special as building a new team and spreading our culture to a brand new location eager to embrace into their community.  I'm also thankful to have the opportunity to raise the bar and shoot for a new world record at my day job.  The stars are in alignment.  The competition between stores is fierce.  It's just the way I like it.  There's so much excitement leading up to our opening day in Evansville, Indiana, on June 28, exactly seven years later than my very first store opening as a fledgling employee.  Happy anniversary to all my team-mates.  Have a great day.

Top 10 Questions That Changed People I Encounter

Change isn't easy.  Our belief systems are what make us who we are.  They also prevent us from becoming the best version of ourselves.  Here are the top ten questions I've been asked this year.  See if any of these resonate with you...

1.  Question (from a stranger sitting next to me on a plane):  "What's wrong with drinking milk?"
Answer:  "A calf gains 400 pounds in its first year from drinking its mother's milk.  Then, it weans itself and switches to grass.  We are the only mammals in the world who drink milk designed for other mammals and we never wean ourselves.  Do you see now why we have an obesity problem?  (I'll elaborate on this in my next book)."

2.  Question:  "Why don't I have enough time to get things done?"
Answer:  "You have exactly enough time to do whatever is important to you.  In fact, what you're doing right now is your most important priority.  For most, watching television for four or more hours a day is a daily habit.  So is spending another hour or more on Facebook.  For me, writing books, coaching others to maximize their lives, and taking multiple vacations each year are my priorities and I'm willing to sacrifice TV to create all the time I need to make these goals possible."

3.  Question:  "How do I overcome fear?"
Answer:  "By doing the things you fear until fear is no longer the obstacle preventing you from living your dreams."

4.  Question:  "How do I get more money?"
Answer:  "More money isn't what you need.  You need to learn how to live in abundance.  Your credit card companies and your mortgage broker already figured this out.  Their abundance comes from your monthly payments.  Turn this around.  Pay all your debts as soon as possible, one at a time until you're debt free.  Trade in your credit card for a no annual fee rewards card that pays you money back every month for purchases while making sure you never pay one dime of interest because you always pay this balance in full.  You will live in abundace when you stop paying interest for things you acquire that you really don't need."

5.  Question:  "How do I figure out my purpose?"
Answer:  "Ask God."

6.  Question:  "How can I forgive?"
Answer:  "Pray the 'Our Father' prayer like you really mean it.  When you understand God has already forgiven you for everything you've done wrong and He asks you to do the same, you will find a way to forgive.  Pray this prayer until you get it right and learn to forgive."

7.  Question:  "What do I do when my world is falling apart?"
Answer:  "Pray.  Your world may not stop falling apart.  In fact, the falling apart stuff may be exactly what you need to have a better life.  Your prayers will be answered when your world stops falling apart or you gain the wisdom to understand that your world falling apart is exactly what you need to get closer to God.  He is simply removing your obstacles."

8.  Question:  "You don't look like someone who is 58-years-old.  Why do you look so much younger than your age?"
Answer:  I don't drink milk or eat processed foods.  I'm not stressed because I learned how to manage my time and get things done.  I'm not afraid of anything because I face my fears head-on until they're gone.  I live in abundance.  I'm within three years of eliminating my mortgage.  I asked God to show me my purpose and He did.  When I had trouble forgiving people for crossing me, God helped me learn how to forgive.  When my world was falling apart, God revealed to me that it was the only way Jesus could make all things new in my life.  Living in a construction zone is now a way of life for me and I'm okay with that because I really like the way Jesus builds things."

9.  Question:  "Are you ever afraid to call yourself a Christian?"
Answer:  "My only fear is that I fail to call myself a Christian when it really matters."

10.  Question:  "Do you believe in God?"
Answer:  "With every fiber of my being.  I was once blind but now I see.  There are no coincidences, only God-incidences, like the reason you're here today.  Thank you for spending time with me.  May you live long and prosper."

Have a great day.

Be Still and Know That I Am God

God's words usually have a deeper meaning than what we hear or see the first time.  One of my favorite verses in the Bible, Psalm 46:10, is a great example.  The command to "be still" translated from Hebrew means "let go" or "cause to be released."  God is instructing us to let go and allow him to be in charge.  Amazing things happen when we get out of the way, especially when we trust God's ways.

What are you going to let go of today that will allow you to be closer to God?  Don't stop at one thing.  Why not let go of everything?  Give your plans and your dreams to God.  Watch what happens.  One word of caution.   I recommend you buckle your seat belt before you give this a try.  Have a great day.

Are You Ready to Maximize Your Life?

Imagine your dream life.  Pay attention to every detail.  Forget about all the obstacles keeping you from living that dream.  Think big.  Hold on to that picture for five minutes while your eyes are closed.  How does it feel when you visualize yourself in this picture?  Is it worth pursuing with every fiber of your being?

Maximizing your life starts with seeing that picture.  It's the first step.  The second step is believing you can do it.  The third step is promising yourself you will do everything in your power to go for it.  I'm not talking about the shallow end.  I'm not talking about dipping your toes into the water.  I'm talking about diving in with an overwhelming desire to do whatever it takes to turn your dream life into your new reality.

My greatest joy in this world is helping others maximize their lives.  It's not easy.  Most people don't believe they can have a better life.  Most people can't see past their obstacles.  The dream needs to be big enough to turn the obstacles into stepping stones.  Let's do this together.  Stay with me.  Today is a great day to start believing.  Have a great day.

Major Storm Strikes My Hometown

Winds approached 78 mph Thursday night in my hometown, knocking out power lines and ripping the roof off Elite Sports, the company who designed my book cover for "The Caveman in the Mirror."  Rebuilding efforts are ongoing.  My community is resilient.  When everything gets back to normal, I'm visiting these folks for help with artwork for my next project.  I'm thankful we have power and everyone is safe.  Have a great day.

Do Others Take You Seriously?

The people around you who are sought out for questions are the ones who show consistency in all their actions.  Consistent people make others feel safe.  Consistency is my mantra.  I like making my habits so permanent that I don't even have to think about my choices.  This makes my life guilt-free.

If your life is a mess and you feel others ignore you for advice, try fixing all the things that are broken, one step at a time.  For example, if you find yourself hitting the snooze button too many times in the morning, focus all your energy on getting out of bed the first time the alarm goes off.  Do this every day for 30 days until you master the art of waking up.  Duplicate this for your next out-of-control activity.  The more consistency you have in your life, the more you will be taken seriously.  Have a great day.

Family Traffic Meetings

It only takes ten to fifteen minutes of your time to make sure you and your family are on the same page.  You are busy.  Your spouse is busy.  The last thing you need is to be spinning out of control because you aren't communicating about what's going on in your lives.  In our household, time together is precious.  Failing to get together weekly for our traffic meetings leads to missed opportunities.  Relationships are about the details.  The last thing I want to do is have dinner ready when I'm expecting my wife to be home and she's coming home late because I forgot about her hair appointment.

Remember one thing, the busier you become, the greater the need for traffic meetings.  Get your entire family on the same page.  How would you feel if you showed up at the airport for your dream vacation outside the United States and you left your passport behind?  Traffic meetings are your passport to a rock solid marriage.  You're in this together.  Set aside weekly time to compare calendars and come up with a plan that allows you more time together.  Have a great day.

Today I'm Grateful For...

Do you ever count your blessings and wonder why you're so blessed?  I'm sometimes guilty of taking things for granted, like playing tennis and having a day job I love so much that it doesn't even feel like I'm working.  Today I get to return to my team at my day job in Iowa and then play tennis after work.  It's a match made in Heaven.

I was in Dollar General the other day and noticed this planner with a title on the front, "Be Happy."  It was calling out to me so I put it in my shopping cart.  Now I have a gratitude journal to record all the things I'm thankful for.  This is a new part of my morning routine to help get me ready for what's ahead.  It's all about being happy.  When you're grateful, happiness is a by-product.  Have a great day.

Buckle Up, It's a Road Trip Inside My Writer's Brain

Things are moving at light speed now.  Please buckle your seat belts.  I'm taking you inside my writer's brain to see what's cooking.  Now that I have all the ingredients for a best-seller, time is of the essence. Ready?  Here we go...

When Leonard Nimoy was a young boy, he entered his house of worship with his father and grandfather for something so special it impacted the rest of his life and spilled over into the fictional character, Spock, he played on Star Trek.  "Cover your eyes," his father said, hoping to protect him from something so powerful it could cause injury or even be fatal according to the legend.  The chanting was chilling.  The five leaders on stage were wailing, not in unison.  Leonard peeked.  He saw what was to become the world-famous Spock greeting, accompanied by his words, "Live Long and Prosper."  Leonard laughed during an interview conducted before his death and said, "people on the street would greet me with my Vulcan handshake not knowing they were offering a blessing."

My next book title is a tribute to Leonard Nimoy.  "Live Long and Prosper" is a blessing I want to give the world. I'm really glad Nimoy peeked during the benediction.  It's only fitting that I'm sharing what's on my heart about health, wellness, and financial fitness.  This book is my victory lap.  You see, there was a time in my life when these three areas of my life were so messed up that my only hope was prayer.  Prayer works.  Blessings help others.  All I need to do now is figure out how to put these ingredients together and serve up a meal that can change our world for the better.  I need to sort out all the wailing going on in my brain.  Perhaps it comes from something Maya Angelou said..."There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you."  Have a great day.

It's Time to Get Vulnerable Today

For those of you who are on FaceBook, tonight I'm doing a live interview with my executive vice president from my social media networking group.  The feeling I have is nervous excitement.  The nervous part has to do with using new technology.  The interview will be live so I really don't know what to expect.  The last time I felt uncomfortable like this was at the end of a presentation when everyone in the room walked out.  The only person left was Emily, a new hire I was training.  It looked like I bombed because no one remained to sign up for a membership.  We were in a brand new market and this was one of our first opportunities to share who we are and why we're here.  The emptiness made me super uncomfortable.  Then, it happened.  They all came back to join our family.  The line was so overwhelming that I called for help.  Oh, what a relief it was to know we were accepted by complete strangers.

This interview wasn't my idea.  Joining this group of independent consultants wasn't my idea either.  It's another one of those God things that appears to be happening with greater frequency and greater intensity.  I really hope friends and family members show up because I do have something important to share.  The one thing I know for sure is the experience will be something I'll never forget.  This is the reason I'm here...to change the world.  This is impossible unless you're willing to be vulnerable.  Your prayers are much appreciated.  Have a great day.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom

Please pardon me if I get a little bit personal today.  I know I'm walking a tight rope here and the last thing I want to do is get sent to the timeout corner for sharing too much.  It's Mother's Day.  If you're a mom, I salute you.  If you're my mom, I hope you know in your heart how much you are loved and adored by us six kids.  You are my hero, mom.  You are the reason we are who we are today.  Happy Mother's Day.  We love you!  Enjoy your special day!

Alive

Every time I hear the song, Alive, by Big Daddy Weave, I'm reminded of the lessons I learned during my anxiety training, especially when he sings, "Now I'm breathing in, breathing out...I was in the grave but God you called me out."

If you're like me, there are times when life can be overwhelming.  There are times when things don't make sense.  There are times when you may feel like you're drowning.  It feels so good when you finally bust through the surface and inhale enough air to fill your lungs to capacity.  This song is the perfect way to catch your breath.  Click on the YouTube video below and crank it up.  Have a great day.

Family Reunion Round Two

The wedding was a dress rehearsal for my family.  Soon and very soon I will be able to hug our youngest son who is already home in Iowa for the summer.  He called me to tell me he was on his way and reported a 100% on his final class of his freshman year.  He is now officially a sophomore.  God is good.  He is revealing himself to me and my family in a big way right now.  I'm witnessing miracles on a daily basis.  It's wheels up for a two week break at home and then back to Evansville to make a run at a new world title.  Have a great day.  Thanks for keeping me in your prayers.

Thankful for New Friends

Today is the day I want to acknowledge the amazing people around me who are coming together from all over the Midwest to help with our expansion efforts at my day job.  The teamwork is impressive.  The goals are lofty.  The new players joining us are believing we can do big things by working together.  These people are like family.  I'm going to leave them for a couple of weeks to cover for some vacations and then return to finish what we started together.  Wilson will stick around to observe the progress while I'm gone.  If you happen to be passing through the southern tip of Indiana, make sure to visit on June 28 for our opening.  If you don't know where I work, just pull into any business and ask what the buzz is about and you will find me and my teammates.  Wilson will be available for pictures.  Have a great day.

Another Domino Falls

It was a big day yesterday in Evansville, Indiana.  It reminds me about what people were saying when Jesus showed up for the first time working his miracles in public.






"Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Thats what all the locals were asking with puzzled looks on their faces.  For those of you who don't know the story, Nazareth is this tiny hole in the wall place where this unknown son of a carpenter started his ministry.  He healed the sick, cast out demons and raised people from the dead.  The problem with those who knew his upbringing was they couldn't believe his story.  They couldn't believe the Son of the Most High God could be from this lowly place.





Evansville, Indiana is such an unlikely place to see an earth shattering world record at my day job.  That's okay.  I believe in miracles.  This is all Jesus.  I'm just the one recording all the good Jesus is doing in my life, one day at a time, one chapter at a time and one new friend at a time.  Another domino has fallen.  We just reached 1,000 new family members.  We have big goals and everyone on the team is a believer.  Can anything good come from Evansville?  If you happen to be in the area on June 28, come see for yourself.  Wilson will be there sporting his pink bandana.  You may even see him posing for a photo with our top leader.  Have a great day.

Do Something New to Energize Your Spirit

Are you feeling like you're missing out on something in your life?  Maybe it's because you're finding yourself in a rut and you can't escape the mundane.  For me, the easiest way to break out is to try something new.  Read a self-help book.  Listen to a podcast.  Get outside and spend time with nature.  Your brain will relish a new experience.


As for new experiences, I'm loving the opportunity to make friends sitting next to me on airplanes.  If they're friendly, I visit.  If they don't want me to get in their space, I sleep.  Either way, I find myself energized by the time the plane lands.  What are you going to do today that is different from your normal routine to energize your spirit?  Have a great day.

Okay, I Think I Finally Figured it Out

Pardon me if I'm going in multiple random directions that seem hard to follow.  Maybe my replenished Vitamin D levels from my recent Maui trip and my boost of energy from visiting family in Arizona are helping me to finally unfreeze my writer's block.  It's as if Moses were here right now raising his hands and parting the Red Sea.  I'm loving this.  Let me break it down to help you unravel all the mysteries swirling around inside my head.

I feel like I've tossed enough chapters away in the trash to make a paper trail all the way to the moon.  Maybe the problem is most of those chapters are fluff.  Yep, fluff.  The other problem has to do with this void I have in my heart from not getting enough volunteers willing to share their success stories.  Who really wants to post a "before" picture that reveals unflattering images of an oversized belly or a double chin?  Instead of bribing friends and family to share their stories, I'm going to go with a few diehards who really want to share and then change everything else up to publish "Live Long and Prosper."  This is the title that keeps coming back to me no matter how creative I try to get. The best way to judge a book in this genre is by the results and that's what this book is all about.  The more change I can inspire, the more my readers will see progress.  I finally see how to weave this story together into something that can have a significant impact on a world hungry for a healthier lifestyle.  I'm going caveman but I'm making sure there are enough modern day tips to make these ideas worthy of a taste test.  Stay tuned.  Have a great day.

Wheels Up One More Time

It's a 3:30 AM wakeup call.  The family is heading home.  I'm hoping to sleep on the plane.  More later.  Looks like 3.75 hours of sleep before the journey home.  Have a great day.

New Family Member Today

It's the day we've been waiting for ever since our niece announced her engagement.  Today we welcome Federico into our extended family.  I'm thankful our family will be able to witness their special day and look forward to celebrating with them.  It's wheels up first thing in the morning.  Congratulations to the new couple.  Have a great day. 

Blog Vacation Day

I'm disconnected from all social media today in order to maximize time with my family.  Today is the rehearsal for the wedding in our extended family and tomorrow is the big day.  I promise to check back in when everything calms down.  Have a great day.

Nothing Beats Family Time

Wheels up is becoming the new normal and today it means more to me than anything in the world.  Yes, it's family time.  I'll be seeing relatives I haven't seen in ages.  We're gathered together in the place I grew up for a wedding.  Have a great day. 

Travel Day Today

I'm returning my rental car today.  It turned an exciting adventure into an extraordinary one in Evansville, Indiana.  Now it's time to bring Wilson back home to my family.  I'll be rejoining my teammates soon to spread the word about our new store opening at the end of June.  This 2019 Dodge Challenger was a bit intimidating at first but I really enjoyed driving it while making new friends.  Thank you to the folks at National for taking such great care of me.  I'll be back.  It's family time now.  Have a great day.