(a special excerpt from the Challenge to Succeed Seminar with Jim Rohn) "Motivation is a mystery. Why does one salesperson see his first prospect at seven in the morning and another salesperson is just getting out of bed at eleven? I don't know. it's part of the mysteries of life. Give a lecture to a thousand people. One walks out and says, "I'm going to change my life." Another walks out with a yawn and says, "I've heard all this before." Why is that? Why wouldn't both be affected in the same way? Another mystery. The millionaire says to a thousand people, "I read this book, and it started me on the road to wealth." Guess how many go out and get the book? Very few. Isn't that incredible? Why wouldn't everyone get the book? A mystery of life. My suggestion would be to walk away from the 90 percent and join the 10 percent who do."

I have been absent from here for several days. I won't be prideful enough to imagine that many of you even noticed. The reason is a time for sadness. It seems that in all of our lives, if we are caring and reasonable people, there are times that some of the sad and heartbreaking moments in our lives come flooding over us and we have to take a moment. Well, my moment lasted several days this time. Not looking for pitty here or anything like that. Just letting you know. We have a friend who lost her spouse many years ago, and who seems to be sad most of the time. I'm not saying she shouldn't be sad. I guess I'm just wondering if we should allow the sadness to go on forever. The music group, The Yardbirds recorded a song back in the 60's called: Turn, Turn, Turn. The premise was that for everything there is a time and a season. Seasons don't last forever, they have a specific period of time and then there is the next season. There definitly should be a season for sadness when we are faced with great loss in our lives. But i'm not sure it should be forever. My recent bout with sadness came on me when I was looking at photos posted on Facebook of the WC Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival in Henderson, Kentucy recently. My older brother, Larry was one of the original folks who helped put that festival together years ago. This past February marked the 13th anniversary of my brother's passing and the festival pictures, while giving me a feeling of joy for what Larry loved and helped create, also made me sad for my loss. The loss of a sibling, spouse, parent, child or a dear friend can cause a sadness that seems to go on forever. After several of these losses in my own life through the years, I am starting to learn to do what people have said so many times, to remember all the good moments. I suppose that is supposed to cover up or take away the sadness. Not fully, but sometimes, it helps a little. I guess what I'm trying to say is that sadness should not take over our lives, and we should and can move on with with all the good there is in today and every day ahead of us. There is a time and season for sadness and also for happiness and joy. From now on, I'm choosing to hold the seasons of sadness to a shorter time and let the happiness and joy seasons go on forever.

"For more than 45 years, Jim Rohn focused on the fundamentals of human behavior that most affect personal and business performance." A statement taken from the introduction of one of the books of inspirational quotes by Mr. Rohn. Under the catagory of Personal Development, this is one of my favorits. "The most important question to ask on the job is not "What am I getting?" The most important question to ask is "What am I becoming?" I feel like that is a most valuable question to ask oneself weather at a job or not. What am I becoming? For that matter, what are you becoming? We should all ask ourselves that question from time to time and dig deep to ascertain that answer. Am I becoming a better friend, a better husband, a better son/daughter, and so on. Am I becoming more tolerant? Am I becoming more understanding? In general, am I becoming the kind of person that other folks want to be around? The kind they feel they can turn to for wisdom or a shoulder to cry on. I guess I feel like, if not for our own sake, but for the sake of all those with whom we come in contact, each of us should strive each day at "BECOMING" a better version of who we are today. My hope for each of you is that you are becoming the very best you can be.

In my humble opinion, there are just too many voices out there today. There's this political party and that other political party, and the groups who think we don't need either party. You've got the news media, of which I onnce was a part. We've got the Hollywood Elite who think they know what's best for everyone. Everybody's got a Podcast or a Blog or whatever, the list of that sort of thing goes on and on. There's Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, X, Truth Social and so much more. I'm old enough to remember when you could go through a day and not hear any of that. When one could find peace and quiet almost anywhere. I miss those days. Sorry, no real wisdom or intellectual stimuli here today. I just needed a moment to rant. Today, I just needed to be that voice.

Practicing is defined as; "The active repetition of a skill to improve proficiency or the habitual engagement in a profession or religion." Let's set aside the religion part, because that and politics need not be discussed here. This is a place for peaceful dialogue. Now, back to practicing. The definition does mention engagement in a profession as well. Let's look at that, shall we? The one that really gets to me is the "Practicing Medicine" one. If I have an electrical issue at my home, I call an Electrician. One semester in electricity class in high school taught me one very imprtant lesson. "Call an Electrition!" He shows up, he determines the problem and he fixes it. No practicing, just doing. Same with my car repairs or the plumber. They fix. They don't practice. But if I am not feeling well, I go to a Doctor. Well, that is, if you can get an appointment. When you do and you get there, the Doctor will tell you what he/she "thinks" is wrong and what he/she will "try" do help you get better. If that works, that is a wonderful thing. If it does not, then..."Let's try this other medication". And maybe another medication until they either cure or kill you. Either way, they get paid for "practicing" on you. I don't mind so much paying the exorbitant amounts to the Plumber or Electrician, because they are DOING and not PRACTICING. Just my opinion. Have a great day!!!