Category — Attitude of Gratitude
Leftover Ice…
As we left the parking lot, Brandon drove me to Payless. I was in search of an under $20 pair of pink shoes for a costume I will only wear once. No luck.
I left the store, and there beside the trash was the man. He was watching as people walked by quickly, in and out of the stores to purchase things the really didn’t need.
I too walked on. As I got in the car I watched the man, who thinking no one was looking pulled a cup out of the trash. He shook it. He heard ice. He slowly turned his back to the parking lot, bent down, and poured the ice into his own cup. Then, looking around to make sure he wasn’t being watched, he returned the cup to the trash.
My heart broke. Here I was ready to spend money on a pair of shoes to wear once, while another person was grateful to find leftover ice in the trash.
Suddenly the world changed in my eyes. No one else noticed this man. For the last 2 years I hadn’t really noticed him either.
We get so caught up in our own wants that we forget the basic needs of others aren’t being met, even in our own community.
Suddenly my small apartment feels large. That funny taste in the tap water, refreshing. The leftovers from my fridge, fit for a queen.
The $20 for the pink shoes – the man with the glass now has. I still don’t know his story, but he has sure changed mine. One day, I hope to know his story – and maybe I can repay the favor.
April 11, 2011 No Comments
Embracing Your Financial Wealth
Have you ever felt sorry for yourself when you look around and other people seem to have more than you do? When life just doesn’t seem fair? That’s how I felt recently looking at a 2011 Camaro. And then a friend reminded me of something very important.
My Day of Lust
I am somewhat of a Camaro aficionado. I rebuilt my own 67 Camaro. (You can see a picture of it on my Facebook). I really like the 2011 Camaros. As I was looking at a beautiful victory red 2011 Camaro yesterday, I really wished I could own one. In fact, I went further than wishing, I think I was lusting.
I had the opportunity to drive one in Florida for a week as a rental car, and that only flamed my desire to own one like a fire. The Ten Commandments say, “Thou shalt not covet.” But I really want that car. So I was feeling pretty sorry for myself yesterday as I stared at my fantasy.
Some Good Advice
The great thing is I have truly amazing friends. Amazing friends don’t allow you to have pity parties. They call you out and make you feel better. I have heard people say, “A friend is someone who accepts you for who you are.” That’s not true. The drive through person at Burger King accepts you for who you are. A true friend helps you strive to become all you can. They let you know when you are being ridiculous, as I was yesterday.
My friend Keith pointed out what a spoiled brat I was being. Then he reminded me of some really important things.
We are All Wealthy
● Half of the people on earth go to bed hungry every night. Are you part of that half? If not, you’re wealthy.
● Sixty percent of the people on earth live in shanty towns with no running water and no sewage. Do you have running water? You’re wealthy.
● Half of the people in this world live on $2 a day. Think about that for a moment: $2 a day. I have been to 46 countries on 6 continents. I have witnessed it with my own eyes. These are hard working people.
● If you make $30,000 a year, you are in the top 1/10 of one percent of the worlds income.
We are members of the lucky sperm club. We did nothing to earn being born in the richest country in the history of the world at the richest time in the history of the world. That was given to us by grace. What we choose to do with it is up to us. I am grateful for friends who help point the way. Grace comes to those who are grateful. I am a blessed person, and so are you.
[Ed. Note: Dr. Tim Reynolds is the founder of Living Every Minute. He believes in teaching people how to live with an attitude of gratitude. Want to hear more from Dr. Tim on living with an attitude of gratitude? Check out his audio cd program that will change your life.]
January 31, 2011 1 Comment
Magic Moments from 2010…
2010 was an amazing year. It was full of adventure, personal growth, and amazing moments. Some of the amazing moments included:
- Having dinner in William Wallace’s castle in Scotland while wearing kilts
- Watching Tony Robbins work relationship miracles as with about seven couples simultaneously.
- Snorkeling for a week with humpback whales
- Walking on the beach in the Dominican Republic
- Playing with stingrays in Turks and Caicos
- Camping and hiking in the Grand Tetons, and seeing moose, elk and a wolves
- Coming up with the $100 million solution while cruising on the Nile
- Having dinner in Ramses II palace in Luxor Egypt
- Touching where Christ was born and where he died on the same day
- Having our bullet proof bus break down in the middle of the West Bank in Heron
- Cruising on Loch Ness and crashing into another boat
- Also crashing into another boat in our fulluca on the Nile river.
- Rushing down a river at night under the stars in Fiji
- Scuba diving the wall with the sea snake in Fiji
- Spending a Christmas week with our kids at the ranch
- Opening a HealthCARE Express in Longview, Texas
- Flying the Cirrus SR22 for the first time
- Flying the Cirrus SR22 into LAX
- Landing the Cirrus SR22 in Vegas next to 2 F16s taking off
- Watching a mid air refueling
- Flying the Cirrus SR22 to Jackson
- Shopping in downtown Cairo and walking down the street at night
- Finding the hidden store in the Jerusalem market
- Landing the Cirrus SR22 IFR in Atlanta, Texas
- Delivering a baby horse
- Getting our cash reserves in place for emergencies
- Flying around Scotland in a helicopter
- Staying in two castles in Scotland
- Having the best wife in the entire world!
Look out 2011, we are going to make you even better!
January 1, 2011 No Comments
