Friday, December 5, 2008

Smile!

Smile! :)

Friday, November 21, 2008

Good - Bad - Where are you looking?

This morning on NPR's Morning Addition, they were playing StoryCorps and I cried again! But that is not the point of this post.

The point is a little saying that the guy in the story, Mike Kilgore, attributed to his Grandmother. The saying was, "If you look at the bad, the good's going to always pass you by". I LOVE IT!

Think about the power of that saying. As you can see by my reading list and my current reading selection, I've been focusing a lot of time and energy on mastering the "Secret" or the "Law of Attraction" as many call it. This saying is so fitting for the law of attraction. If I'm looking at the bad, what am I attracting? The bad. And while I'm looking at the bad, the good is going on down the road. How many opportunities have I missed because all I could see was the bad.

One of my favorite old songs comes to mind as I'm writing this. It's called "Look to the Rainbow". And I think the words fit well with this post.

Look, look
Look to the rainbow.
Follow it over the hill
And the stream.
Look, look
Look to the rainbow.
Follow the fellow
Who follows a dream.
Follow the fellow,
Follow the fellow,
Follow the fellow
Who follows a dream.


Where are you looking? What are you looking at? Is it the good or the bad? Because whichever it is, more of the same is coming your way!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Obama Wins on my son's birthday!

Yesterday was my son's 9th birthday and the day that an African-American became the president elect of the United States of America. What an amazing gift for a generation yet to come.

We've always told Adam that he can be anything he sets his mind to being. Now we have one more proof that it is true.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

The Master Key: Love in your heart!

Here is the key: Never approach or leave any situation without doing so with love in your heart.
-- Jim Britt

I just finished a very unique book. You can get it at Rings of Truth. It is an autobiographical novel/personal development book. Like nothing I've ever read before. It covers many of the concepts that were in the last Jim Britt book that I read, Unleashing Your Authentic Power: Resistance-Free Living.

What did I get out of the book, one of the biggest concepts to me was the quote above. Love. If you look for the love involved in any situation, you can come out in a resourceful state.

So spread the love today!

Friday, October 17, 2008

To Think, To Believe, or To Know - Which is the most powerful phrase?

I've been reading the book "Rings of Truth" by Jim Britt for a few weeks now and I haven't posted anything during that time. Today, I was reading a section when he defined the beamings of "To Think", "To Believe", and "To Know". I hadn't really thought much about them, but it was interesting.

To Think is to contemplate. "I think I want to change jobs." Not very powerful is it. I'm contemplating it. Maybe I will, maybe I won't. Changeable.

To Believe is to hold an opinion. "I believe I want to change jobs." Doesn't sound to sure, does it? Also, changeable.

To Know is to be certain. "I know I want to change jobs." That is commitment. That is a definite, unchanging statement.

What else can I apply this to? Everything.

I think I can make a million dollars. Nope. Powerless
I believe I can make a million dollars. Doesn't sound to convincing.
I know I can make a million dollars. Definite! Actionable!

Hmmmm.... I'm liking this Knowing all the more all the time.

I know you will read this post and take action, just as I know I am doing.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Thought plus feelings attract! - The law of attraction in action

Thoughts plus feelings attract! Thoughts choose the direction, and our feelings attract our circumstances. - Jim Britt


I'm reading a new book called "Unleashing your authentic power resistance-free living" by Jim Britt. This is my second book by him and I highly recommend it! I haven't even finished the first chapter and I've already got 7 post it flags on quotes.

Have you wondered why the Law of Attraction didn't seem to be working for you. Where is your attention? Is your attention on your intentions? Or are you distracted? If your feelings are pushing you away from your intention, then how can you expect it to happen? You must align your feelings and your actions to activate your attraction.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Mind Movies - The Law of Attraction in Action!

I can't begin to rave enough about how much my wife & I are enjoying Mind Movies. If you haven't heard of them yet, let me tell you that they are the coolest thing I've seen in quite a while. You can check them out at Mind Movies.

We downloaded the 6 generic movies about 1 to 1 1/2 weeks ago and have already begun to see results. The concept is quite simple. Watch a 1.5 to 3 minute movie that you make with pictures of all the things you want to attract into your life twice a day. Watch one in the morning and one before bedtime. I'm not going to tell you exactly what I've been attracting, but I'm quite pleased with the results!

Pleased enough that I'm going to buy the whole package today after 1:00PM. You can too. Check it out by clicking the link below! You won't regret it!

Click Here!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Goodnuff - Why would you choose good enough when you can choose the best?

I was reading an article in my Microsoft Visual Studio Magazine this morning called "When to gamble on new technology". It was interesting "enough" until I reached the 4th paragraph and read that the author uses a concept he calls "good enough". If something will work, maybe it isn't the newest, fastest, most efficient, etc, but it is "good enough". He uses it.

I understand the concept that he is going for. Because in technology, sometimes the learning curve to cost ratio is too high. It makes using the newest, bestest, etc, not the most cost effective. So why not use the concept of "best choice"?

As leaders, we should be applying this concept all the time. When working on something, simply ask "Is this the best choice I can make, right now?". If it is, then keep going, but if there is something better, go for it! Don't settle for "good enough" or as I often hear and say "Good Nuff"!

Friday, August 29, 2008

Joel Comm - Click Here To Order

Joel Comm's new book Click Here To Order is coming out shortly. Go check out the video at

Click Here To Order

Monday, August 25, 2008

Every Action Moves You Toward Or Away From What You Want

I'm almost finished with my Do This. Get Rich! book and I've really enjoyed it. Today I was reading while I was finishing my lunch and I came across a quote that I'd like to share.

"Every action you take is either moving you toward what you want or further away from it. Success in anything is that simple. A fear is either taking you closer to or further away from what you really want in your life. If it's taking you in the wrong direction, recognizing it is the first step, and then second step is dealing with it."

I thought this was so powerful. I started a new aggressive weight loss plan, which I will blog about at 300 to 225lbs or less, last week and I can see applying this to my weight loss plan. If I'm choosing where to eat for lunch, is the location I choose going to move me toward or away from my goal of 225lbs or less? Is that desert going to move me toward or away from my goal of 225lbs or less? Will working out move me toward or away from my goal of 225lbs or less?

Or take T.V. watching. Will watching 4 hours of T.V. per night move me toward or away from my goal of making $8,333 in passive income per month? Will sitting on my butt in front of the T.V. for 4 hours move me toward my goal of a 225lbs or less body?

I could play this game all day and I think I will. How about you? Ready for a challenge, play the "Toward or Away" game and see how well you score!

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Monday, August 18, 2008

I just read The Justin Times: You Deserve Financial Distress (?)

Wow! You must read this post. It brought me the peace I could not bring myself today. The link is in the header, but you can also click http://tinyurl.com/5ryqk7

Friday, August 15, 2008

6 Reasons Today’s Olympic Swimmers are Breaking Records

For some reason every swim event in this Olympics is a record smasher. And it isn’t just Michael Phelps who’s seconds ahead of that daunting green world record line. Curious what’s making this year’s athletes so much faster? Here are 6 possible answers.

read more | digg story

Monday, August 4, 2008

Do what you do with LOVE!

As you can see, I'm reading a new book. It is called Do This. Get Rich! by Jim Britt. So far I'm really enjoying it. I read an interesting section and I thought I'd share some of it.

"When you do what you do with love, you will eventually have only what you love in your life."

Simple, but profound. Now that doesn't mean you have to love whatever you are doing, but that you do it "as if" you love it. You will do it in a totally different way.

By the way, we went to the triathlon this past weekend. It was great! Maria had a good time doing the event and I had a good time swimming with Adam and being the support crew for Maria. I'm so proud of her!

Also, I started my weight loss journey today. I got up and did some weights int he gym for about 30 minutes before work.

Monday, July 21, 2008

To Tri or Not to Tri

This is a tough one! I've been doing triathlons for 2 years now and loving it. Over the course of training, I've lost about 30 pounds. Great right?! So what's so tough about that. Well, since last fall, I basically stopped training and kept eating as if I was. Net result. I've gained back all 30 pounds.

Here's the tough part. I've done the same triathlon now twice. It is the River Cities Triathlon in Shreveport, LA. I'm scheduled to do it again this year, but I'm not in any shape to do it. I have been swimming faithfully for about 4 weeks and I could probably do the swim. I've been biking on and off for 4 weeks and I could probably survive the bike. I haven't been running much at all. It's been tough to run on pavement with these extra 30 pounds hanging around my middle. So I don't think I can do the run and survive.

So as you can see, I want to do it! I planned to do it! I don't see how I can do it without risking injury or worse.

Net result. I'm going to be a spectator and coach for my beautiful wife and our friend Erin. I'm still going to pick up my packet. I payed my $100, now I want my stuff!

So, what do I do now? Begin the process of losing the weight and make sure I am ready for next year. What's my Triathlon goals for next year?

Successfully complete the River Cities Triathlon!
Successfully complete a 1/2 Iron Triathlon somewhere!
Successfully complete the Disney Triathlon!

Monday, July 14, 2008

Has it been that long?

I don't have time for a big post right now, but I will post again tonight. I've been pouring over ebook after ebook to find the right formula for achieving my goals. I think I'm close, real close!

Friday, June 27, 2008

Life Leadership Philosophy #1 - Lead by Making Somes Life Easier

I attended an interesting meeting at work on Tuesday. We were "interviewing" a possible new employee, who was actually interviewing us as a potential place of employment. During the interview, he asked a question of the group of 20 or so people and when nobody answered, he directed the question to me. I had only had about 12 hours of sleep in the last 72 hours and I wasn't sure I could think well enough to answer, but I went for it and found a new revelation in my leadership skills and philosophy.

The leadership philosophy is simple: Lead by Making Someones Life Easier.

It's been around for a long time. And it usually goes by something like "To lead others be a servant". But I think I had forgotten how big a part of my leadership philosophy it has been and still is. The question asked in interview was "How can the departments within this company work/communicate together better?" or at least something like that. Like I said, I was half asleep at the time.

I stated that for me, it is important that I make someones life easier each day. A great day for me is one where I can go home to my family and tell them what I did to improve someones day.

So here is my challenge to my readers today. Find someone and improve their life today! If you do, let me know by adding a comment to this blog. And I hope that you will let me know if this post improves your life today. That would make my day, too!!!

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Inspiring Dream - Hilary Lister's Round Britain Sail

I was on my way to Costco for some "cheap" gas, $3.85 per gallon, when I found myself crying at a red light. NPR sometimes has the ability to do that to me, and today was no exception.

You can find the story at Quadriplegic Attempts Solo Sail Around British Isles. At this link you can both listen to and read the inspiring story. I would highly recommend listening because there is such a level of joy and passion in Hilary's voice that you must experience it for yourself. The section that got to me was when they talked about her depression. I'm going to quote a section here.

In 2003, Lister says, she had not left her house for three months, and she "couldn't cope with just sitting at home doing nothing, waiting to die." She admits she considered euthanasia by overdosing on morphine.

Then a friend of hers suggested she go sailing. Within days, Lister was out on a boat on a lake.

"And within about 30 seconds, I knew that I found what I was going to do with the rest of my life," she says.


Can you imagine? Here I am, sitting in my car with a fully functioning body and sometimes feeling sorry for what I "need" to do. Humans, myself included, can do sooooooooo much more than we(I) think we(I) can!!!!!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Future Expectations - Thoughts from reading Been There Done That by Dr. Joe Rubino

I'm reading Been There Done That by Dr. Joe Rubino right now. It's full title is "Secrets of Building a Million-Dollar Network Marketing Organization from a Guy Who's Been There Done That And Shows You How You Can Do It, Too". WOW! That may be one of the longest titles ever, especially for such a small book. It is only 144 pages long, but I've already gotten some powerful stuff! Like this quote from page 34.

"IF YOUR FUTURE EXPECTATION is higher than your current reality, it creates motivation.

IF YOUR FUTURE EXPECTATION is the same as your current reality, it creates apathy.

IF YOUR FUTURE EXPECTATION is lower than your current reality, it creates failure.

WHAT YOU EXPECT IS WHAT YOU GET!"

I don't think I need to say too much more. I'm just letting those words sink in.

If these words impact you like they did me, check out his site at The Center for Personal Reinvention. I especially like the Cat looking at the Lion in the Mirror, it reminds me of a class that I took once.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Motivation - External or Internal?

As you can see I'm currently ready "Harmonic Wealth" by James Arthur Ray and I read soemthing I'd never thought about before. It is on page 178 at the bottom of the page. It says, "If you find yourself having to get motivated to do something, it's not something you truly love. Motivation is something that comes from externals or at best must be generated. Inspiration, on the other hand, is something that comes from inside and requires no effort whatsoever."

I was having a conversation with my wife a couple weeks ago about what motivates each of us. At the time, I hadn't started this book. We were talking about how she is motivated by observing others. When she sees someone who is working hard, it makes her want to work hard. She can also be motivated by anger. Kind of an "I'll show you!". But in the context of the quote above, I guess she doesn't really love doing any of these things, because they come from external forces.

It's the same way with leaders. They can motivate their followers, but is it ever going to be something they truly love? I don't think so. But inspiring other, that will create a team that will follow you to the end of the earth and back.

By the way, my external motivation comes from love and appreciation. Show me you love me and appreciate what I do and I'll be right there!

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Six Flags - Tony Hawk - Leading through the Crowd!

I'm posting this in response to my good friend Mindy's question. Yes, Mindy, we got on the ride! Not only did we get on the ride, but we waited less than 5 minutes to do so!

What am I talking about? I'm talking about the brand new Tony Hawk's Big Spin ride at Six Flags Over Texas that opened yesterday, May 24, 2008!

My son, Adam, and I decided that we were going to ride this today, the second day of operation, NO MATTER WHAT!!! And that is precisely what we did! We arrived at the park about 20 minutes before opening. The main gate was open, so we went in. Now here is where my triathlon and leadership skills came into play. Everyone was being held at a rope in Loney Tune land. So I saw an opening near the far left side. I took Adam by the hand and we headed far left. Most everyone was concentrated on the center. Seems like they always are. In triathlon, the best starting point is far left of the crowd. Less kicks and more free space. So we took our place to the left and the rope was removed. I took Adam's hand and headed left. Hugging the small open area next to the gift shop and moving quickly. As we moved, I noticed an open area and suddenly we were in front of 99% of the crowd.

We entered the queue well ahead of the crowd and according to the info at the photo/video booth, we were the 6th ride of the day. I'm not sure that we were sixth, but we were on the ride in less than 5 minutes of line time.

How does this pertain to leadership? A few simple concepts:

  1. If the crowd is in the center, head left or head right.

  2. Keep your eyes open for the small gaps and open spaces that other will leave

  3. When you see your big opening, don't hesitate, grab someones hand and GO FOR IT!



So, anyone want to so to Six Flags with me?! I'm good at working the parks! I'm good with Disney World too! So let me know and I'm there!!!

Joel Comm - It never hurts to ask!

I love this concept. It seems so simple, but how many times have I passed up the opportunity to upgrade or improve my circumstance by simply asking. You can see what Joel Comm got by asking, just by clicking this link.

My new leadership mantra is Ask, Ask, Ask!

Friday, May 23, 2008

Friday Leadership Links

I literally Stumbled on this site today. It is by Jonathan Mead and it is titled 33 of Life's Most Powerful Lessons. I particularly like #3 and #27. They both speak to me!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Cinderella - Steven Curtis Chapman

Steven Curtis Chapman Compact Disc cover of This Moment
By now you have probably heard about the accidental death of little Maria Chapman, 5 year old daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman. If not, you can read the AP release about it at Daughter of Christian music star killed. I have been a big fan of Stevens for years. I think we have almost every album he has ever made.

There is a song on his most recent album, This Moment, that has always been difficult for me to listen to, but now it will be even tougher. The song is Cinderella. My emotions are always touched by this song and I think this will be a tough song for Steven to sing in the future. I can only imagine what it must be like to both lose a child and have another child involved in the accident that killed her.

Cinderella has always touched my heart because of the daughter that my wife Maria and I lost at birth, Jamie Lynne. The lines that have touched me and I think will touch Steven in the future are:

"Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all to soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone"


Take care and hug your Cinderella or Prince Charming today! I know I will!!!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

First Entry!

Hi! This is my first entry to my blog! Welcome to Stand Tall and Lead. More wonderful posts to come!

What can you expect to read here, just that It's My Life! And as I learn, so will you! And I want to learn from you too, so please check in and post.

As you can see, I'm currently reading "Harmonic Wealth" by James Arthur Ray. Have you read it? If so, what do you think. Also, I've begun working my plan to build a Massive Passive Income by December 25, 2008! I'm going to need your help, so what are some ideas you have used to earn some Passive Income? I just finished attending a great seminar by T. Harv Eker! So few ideas and so much time, wait, strike that and reverse it!!!

Next time,
Don