I was asked that question today at a luncheon I attended. Before I could answer a lady who knows me well spoke up with the disclaimer, "and you can't say being Tom and Jim's mom." I laughed because that would have been my first answer. It only took me a second though to know what it is that brings me true joy in my life.

I love that I have had the opportunity to meet a Baskin Robbins of assorted people during my life and that each day is filled with unpredictable possibilities. I am curious and enthusiastic by nature. I guess Forrest Gump said it best,"Life is like a box of chocolates.You never know what you're gonna get."

Certainly my answer was far from the most interesting shared during the luncheon but happily it reflects what I like best about my life.

What do you like best about your life?

Come to think of it a life of ice cream and assorted chocolates is delicious and succulent so no wonder I feel blessed.

I never used Mary Kay cosmetics but came across the following quotes attributed to Mary Kay Ash the lady behind the products and empire. I hope you find them motivating, I did.

Mary Kay on Attitude

"Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve."


"Every failure, obstacle or hardship is an opportunity in disguise. Success in many cases is failure turned inside out. The greatest pollution problem we face today is negativity. Eliminate the negative attitude and believe you can do anything. Replace 'if I can, I hope, maybe' with 'I can, I will, I must.'"


"I always greet our employees with a warm 'Hi! How are you?' When a new employee answers, 'Uh, pretty good. How are you, Mary Kay? 'I’ll say, 'You’re not just good, you’re great!' Each time I see him or her afterward, he or she will say, 'I’m great!' and the smile will get bigger and bigger. If you act enthusiastic, you become enthusiastic – and it spreads like wildfire!"


"Do you know that within your power lies every step you ever dreamed of stepping, and within your power lies every joy you ever dreamed of seeing? Within yourself lies everything you ever dreamed of being. Become everything that God wants you to be. It is within your reach. Dare to grow into your dreams and claim this as your motto: Let it be me."

I certainly appreciate the need for rules to make sure that no one gets hurt but calling "taunting" that one seems like a strange penalty for grown men.

Maybe they never heard that "sticks and stones may break your bones but words will never hurt you."

Of course, I do realize that words are powerful and can do enormous damage but somehow taunting on the football field doesn't seem to be that type of situation.

To all the sports fans out there, I hope your teams are doing great. The Bucs did better this week than they did the last two weeks. Our concern and prayers are now for our quarterback Chris Simms and our wishes for his speedy recovery.

"Let us so live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry."
Mark Twain

My sister Bonnie and her daughters Dawn and Valerie are extremely creative. When it comes to visualizing and creating costumes and beautiful clothes they have the gift. Bonnie even created Valerie's awesome wedding dress. Valerie has designed for theatre productions and Bonnie even launched her own costume store with Dawn's wonderful help.

Unfortunately, as so often happens; life gets in the way when we have other plans. Health issues intervened and have detoured Bonnie but although the business closed, she continues to share her talents and skills. Dawn has transferred her people skills and talents to the Hospitality Industry and is doing awesome.

Each of us has had unique life experiences. It is exciting to see what adventures, challenges and experiences we share and which have been vastly different. The one common thread has been our entrepreneur spirit. It was my fatigue that caused me to fail to mention the great pride I have in ALL the members of my terrific family. It was a mistake to have not included Bonnie's entrepreneur experience. I should have proofread my copy before I published it. My mistake. I wish all who are blessed or is it cursed (smile) with an entrepreneurial spirit great success.

The more I learn, the more classes I attend, the more I appreciate how amazing my parents were, and my brother and sister are.

My dad dared to leave a secure position working for the government to start his own business. My mom supported him despite having four children to feed and clothe. It took several attempts before they arrived at a sellable idea, laminating government I-D cards. Once they had the right concept the business took off.

My brother inherited the business - both the good and bad and has shown that persistence, patience and innovation combined with tenacity and caring about your employees, vendors and customers can make a positive difference and lead to success.

Recently, my sister Wendy and her husband opened their first Yoga studio and right from the git go they are doing terrific.

I find myself excited about launching my own company, Ideas Unlimited but overwhelmed by the details. Today I went to a class on Quick Books. The instructor was great and the various functions of the application are exciting. unfortunately when it came to understanding the specific ways to operate the system the instructions went into my ears and evaporated into "blah, blah, blah." I guess I still have much to learn (smile). Happily I have talents for marketing and sales so maybe eventually it will all come together.

"Entrepreneur"

noun 1. A person who organizes and manages any enterprise, esp. a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.

I have the initiative and have already accepted the risk so here goes...

To all of you who are entrepreneurs, I wish you much success.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

See?

There is no "someday."

So there is no point waiting for "someday" before you begin.

Hmm, you go first (smile).

Whatever the right word, my focus this summer has certainly been drawn away from the launching of my business, Ideas Unlimited. Before September slips away I have recommitted my energy and attention.

I am blessed to have my sons Tom and Jim in my corner. Seeing them and their families over the summer was a reminder that I am truly blessed.

I saw 3 movies recently that reminded me that it is always possible to redirect your life. One was "Under the Tuscan Sun", one was "Invincible" and the third was the newly released, "Grid Iron." Two football movies and one chick flick but each illustrated that if you don't give up the possible is possible.

Today I sat down to work on a book I am creating. Yes, I am writing a book. It is a sales and marketing book meant to ignite the imagination and inspire action in entrepreneurs to promote their businesses, increase their sales and ultimately their profitability.

As I prepared to begin I checked my e-mails, checked my son and daughter-in-laws blogs and then checked Jim Connelly's blog. I thought he might have a poem that would get my own words flowing. Instead of poetry I found the following story. Hmm, a coincidence or a message(smile)you be the judge.

Observation on Success
This weekend I saw an eagle fly over my home. I saw fish jump out of the water to catch dragon flies and I saw a squirrel rummaging for nuts. I also saw a local business very successful where the couple now in their 70's still tend the store so to speak and another business where an absentee owner is losing money because he or she does not tend the store but hires and trusts others to do their work for them.

The eagle was searching for something, probably a rabbit. The lesson is that he was out looking himself. He was looking for an opportunity and he did not trust his search to someone else. How many people want a business opportunity but do not want the lonely task of looking for it?

The fish found an immediate opportunity and quickly seized it and was rewarded with success for its effort. How many people see an opportunity but leave it to others to claim because of fear, lack of faith or procrastination? The fish had to jump high enough to catch the fly and in doing so leave its natural element. How many people are bound by what they or others see as their natural element?

The squirrel like both the eagle and the fish was diligent in its search and efficient in its actions. Sure the fish may have been seen and caught be an Osprey or the squirrel seen and caught by the eagle but they were about their business and success only comes if we first try to succeed. The eagle must succeed every day just as the fish and the squirrel must also and so they each try day after day for success.

The elderly couple I mentioned own a local restaurant famous for the consistent quality of their food. It has made them and their children rich. Many local people know that they are comfortable but few know that they are in fact millionaires.

I am sure that the owner of the gas station with pumps that do not work is making money and I am sure that the owner wishes to become a millionaire but how much easier would that task be and the fulfillment of their desire if they did not have a reputation for unreliability because of a failure to maintain equipment?

The elderly couple pride themselves on the reputation of their family business and their diligence has made them rich. Funny thing is this is exactly what it says in proverbs about diligence. Now who says that God is not everywhere and His word is not true?

It is as true for the eagle, the fish and the squirrel as it is for you. Are you seeking? Are you persistent? Are you diligent? Apply these three principles and I am sure that you will be rewarded with success. You only get out what you put into life but remember if you do it with a touch of kindness the rewards are far greater.