For Things To Change........

For Things To Change........

2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004,.......2000. Will 2010, for you, bring more power and joy to your life then recent years. Do you remember your New Years resolution in 2004? How's that workin' for you? And as multiple 365 days "slide show" by, are the weeks and months remarkably similar those prior. What is it that keeps us cemented to the Status Quo?

Most profess the want and need to propel our lives to new heights. What is it which grounds flight shortly after our wheels leave the runway? Frankly, you won't find an "ANSWER" here.

My desire is to tweak your thinking process and instill a desire deep within you to increase your "ACTIONS" in the direction of your dreams. As you can see by the pictures to the right I have made a choice to associate with persons who have a desire to make a difference in peoples lives. I, CW have the same desire. I've been reading and listening to all the motivational and personal development Guru's since the spring of 1970. And most influential of all publications, the Bible, has provided me with guidance. Where the thoughts and feelings of my educators end and CW's begin is incredibly fogged. Consequently most of what will be in my blogs will be a combination of the thoughts and musings of the all these great minds and CW's experiences and brain farts.

Just months ago and for the years preceding when asked; "CW, why is it you want to take to the stage. What is it you want to accomplish in your writing and your presentations?" And I would offer with passion and conviction; "I want to change lives." And truly believed if I was able to form the correct phrases and scribe them in just the right sequence or deliver them with enough passion and power; I, CW, could in fact change an individuals life.

As stated earlier I devour CD's, videos and books on personal development. And whenever possible I see my mentors live. And these most recent two years I've had the privilege of live and some individual guidance. Recently driving to Toronto from Baltimore to see some friends a Jim Rohn Weekend CD was tickling my ear. An icon in the industry, Dennis Waitley was the speaker. He was recalling a conversation with a hero of his, Reverend Billy Graham. Mr. Graham asked Dennis; "How many lives have you changed Dennis? Well, Mr. Waitley replied; "as I heard you say a while ago. One, I've only changed one life, my own. I can have thousands of people come down from the stands and profess change. What they do when they go home I have no control. I give them the best information I am able. They can only change their selves".

"For things to change, first I must change". A mantra Jim Rohn has been preaching for thirty years. The operative word is "I". The individual. We've all heard Einstein's enlightening quote; "Doing the same thing over and over expecting different results; that's the meaning of insanity." Change; moving from what has been comfortable, going from being content to challenging ones self will be the focus of the paragraphs appearing here.

Are you interested in stepping into the place where change is possible. Change which could bring success and failure is possible. Life is not a spectator sport. No one will get out alive. You can die in the stands, or you can die on the field. YOU CHOOSE !!!!!!!!!

"CW"

For Things To Change......

Hey;

2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004,.......2000. Will 2010, for you, bring more power and joy to your life then recent years. Do you remember your New Years resolution in 2004? How's that workin' for you? And as multiple 365 days "slide show" by, are the weeks and months remarkably similar those prior. What is it that keeps us cemented to the Status Que? We all profess the want and need do propel our lives to new heights. What is it which grounds flight shortly after our wheels leave the runway? Frankly, you won't find an "ANSWER" here. My desire is to tweak your thinking process and instill a desire deep within you to increase your "ACTIONS" in the direction of your dreams.

As you can see by the pictures to the left I choose to associate with persons who have a desire to make a difference in peoples lives. I, CW have the same desire. I've been reading and listening to all the motivational and personal development Guru's since the spring of 1970.

And most influential of all publications, the Bible, has provided me with guidance. Where the thoughts and feelings of my educators end and CW's begin is incredibly fogged. Consequently most of what will be in my blogs will be a combination of the thoughts and musings of the all these great minds and CW's experiences and brain farts.

Just months ago and for the years preceding when asked; "CW, why is it you want to take to the stage. What is it you want to accomplish in your writing and your presentations?" And I would offer with passion and conviction; "I want to change lives." And truly believed if I was able to form the correct phrases and scribe them in just the right sequence or deliver them with enough passion and power; I, CW, could in fact change an individuals life.

As stated earlier I devour CD's, videos and books on personal development. And whenever possible I see my mentors live. And these most recent two years I've had the privilege of live and some individual guidance. Driving to Toronto from Baltimore to see some friends a Jim Rohn Weekend CD was tickling my ear. An icon in the industry, Dennis Waitley was the speaker. He was recalling a conversation with a hero of his, Reverend Billy Graham. Mr. Graham asked Dennis; "How many lives have you changed Dennis? Well, Mr. Waitley replied; "as I heard you say a while ago. One, I've only changed one life, my own. I can have thousands of people come down from the stands and profess change. What they do when they go home I have no control. I give them the best information I am able. They can only change their selves".

"For things to change, first I must change". A mantra Jim Rohn has been preaching for thirty years. The operative word is "I". The individual. We've all heard Einstein's enlightening quote; "Doing the same thing over and over expecting different results; that's the meaning of insanity."

Change! Moving from what has been comfortable, going from being content to challenging ones self will be the focus of the paragraphs appearing here. Are you interested in stepping into the place where change is possible. Change which could bring success and failure is possible.

Life is not a spectator sport. No one will get out alive. You can die in the stands, or you can die on the field. YOU CHOOSE !!!!!!!!!

Gift Wrapped

"Gift Wrapped"

How are you at waiting to open gifts? Before Christmas (insert your holiday here) or your birthday if there was a gift wrapped for you before the big day, is there a desire to know what is in the package? The anticipation of good to come is always exciting.

When I was young we would visit my Aunt Yvonne every summer or she would visit us. It was always a great time in the family. Aunt Yvonne didn't have children of her own and treated me very special. And each year before the visit ended she would always give me my Christmas gift, beautifully wrapped and with a tag saying; "Do Not Open Before Christmas". And so for about five months I would visit the package on the shelf in the closet, wondering and imagining what great things awaited me on Christmas day.

On the day you were born you were this beautiful wondrous package delivered to the world. Whether or not you were greatly loved at the time of birth or an unwelcome visitor you were delivered as a gift to everyone here on this planet. No one born before nor anyone who would come after you would have your fingerprints, your voice or your creative abilities. You are a beautifully wrapped package presented to the world, a gift if you will, unique to all others.

Gifts are to be unwrapped. Some are unwrapped slowly and methodically so as not to destroy the ribbon and paper; and then, with gentle care open the box to reveal the treasure. The "funnest" way is to tear into the package with paper and ribbon flying and then jumping in joy at the contents unveiled. There is even uniqueness in the opening of the gifts.

You are a gift to me. You are a gift to your family, your friends and to the world. Gifts are to be opened and appreciated. A gift has no value to anyone, no matter the beauty of the wrapping, if the gift stays wrapped.

If you must you can start slowly and methodically to unwrap your gift for us. Unlock that which is hidden from the world and show us this great treasure we have been waiting so long to enjoy. Preferably, jump down from the closet shelf with paper and ribbon flying, with friends and family laughing and jumping for joy as the great surprise that you are has become visible for all the world to see and enjoy. Whatever the method used it's important to us that the gift you have hidden inside becomes the benefit to the world God designed it to be.

We great anticipation, we anxiously await!

CW

There's Work To Do!

There's Work To Do!

Watching the news on the tube, reading the paper and cruising the web; I see and hear of children who are accidentally killed by stray bullets; young and old alike who die at ages and times in their life when all seemed wonderful and their future bright. Good people leading commendable lives. Lives cut short by an accident, a single odd event that instantly ends the promise of a future filled with life and love.

Then I review the sixty years this one hundred eighty five pounds of fragile flesh and bone has walked, driven and flown on the earth. I am humbled to reflect on my surviving seven major automobile accidents, three hundred fifty nine days in Vietnam in 1968 and an engine blowing up on a commercial jet aircraft on which I happened to be strapped into a window seat. If people really knew what a piece of crap human being I was at the time I was in Vietnam and at the time I was involved in the first four of the auto accidents, anyone would have traded my worthless hide for any one of the unfortunate individuals described above. The only truth must be; I have much work to do that only I can perform, just as there is a earthly task on which your name is engraved.

Now, as a man of God, I know it’s really not my life. It is a gift given to me to use for God’s purposes. I have never believed in coincidence. Les Brown says; "Coincidence is God's way of staying anonymous." I feel I have a huge responsibility to use the remaining sixty to ninety years on this sphere to accomplish great things for the good of those who I will be privileged to come in contact. To be a vessel which massive amounts of money flows through to support and fund people and projects all over the earth. God did not allow me to survive all I’ve had the opportunity to experience, He did not overlook the lives I left in my wake only for me to live a lavish lifestyle.

Even at the time of each incident I believed the experience was to become part of a story to be told later. I’ve never ever thought I would die. During the plane incident I had this vision that if the plane crashed I would be the one found strapped into my seat in the middle of a corn field. My only real fear in Vietnam was I would be wounded during a time when I was at a place, let’s say where a good married soldier should not be, and my mother and my wife would find out.

If ones core belief is that you will be at least one hundred twenty years old (that’s me) than how can you die in a car accident at eight, twenty two, twenty four, thirty, thirty one, thirty two or fifty eight? When you get orders for Vietnam you may get upset for the loved ones in your life but knowing you’ll return it becomes an adventure. When you hear explosions behind you on the plane and it shudders you pray and think about the wild ride that’s about to happen. I have been truly blessed in the sense that I’ve always looked at my life as an adventure.

I can honestly say I’ve never had a bad day in my life. I’ve had sad days I've had tragic days; days that the challenges seem overwhelming. Times when I wished I could either rewind or fast forward; but never a bad day, they're too valuable. You learn from the day. It’s a twenty four hour deposit into the total which becomes a life. And my total has taken me from growing up in an incredibly loving family, I was Denny Weaver. Through the mid part of life when God hit me up along the side of my head with a two by four a few times; I took on my christened name of Curtis Weaver; and recently the new birth as “CW”. God's good.

I love my life and writing this I realize I always have.

Spiritual Growth: the Spiritual Challenge of Modern Times
To grow spiritually in a world defined by power, money, and influence is a Herculean task. Modern conveniences such as electronic equipments, gadgets, and tools as well as entertainment through television, magazines, and the web have predisposed us to confine our attention mostly to physical needs and wants. As a result, our concepts of self-worth and self-meaning are muddled. How can we strike a balance between the material and spiritual aspects of our lives?
To grow spiritually is to look inward.
Introspection goes beyond recalling the things that happened in a day, week, or month. You need to look closely and reflect on your thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and motivations. Periodically examining your experiences, the decisions you make, the relationships you have, and the things you engage in provide useful insights on your life goals, on the good traits you must sustain and the bad traits you have to discard. Moreover, it gives you clues on how to act, react, and conduct yourself in the midst of any situation. Like any skill, introspection can be learned; all it takes is the courage and willingness to seek the truths that lie within you. Here are some pointers when you introspect: be objective, be forgiving of yourself, and focus on your areas for improvement.
To grow spiritually is to develop your potentials.
Religion and science have differing views on matters of the human spirit. Religion views people as spiritual beings temporarily living on Earth, while science views the spirit as just one dimension of an individual. Mastery of the self is a recurring theme in both Christian (Western) and Islamic (Eastern) teachings. The needs of the body are recognized but placed under the needs of the spirit. Beliefs, values, morality, rules, experiences, and good works provide the blueprint to ensure the growth of the spiritual being. In Psychology, realizing one’s full potential is to self-actualize. Maslow identified several human needs: physiological, security, belongingness, esteem, cognitive, aesthetic, self-actualization, and self-transcendence. James earlier categorized these needs into three: material, emotional, and spiritual. When you have satisfied the basic physiological and emotional needs, spiritual or existential needs come next. Achieving each need leads to the total development of the individual. Perhaps the difference between these two religions and psychology is the end of self-development: Christianity and Islam see that self-development is a means toward serving God, while psychology view that self-development is an end by itself.
To grow spiritually is to search for meaning.
Religions that believe in the existence of God such as Christianism, Judaism, and Islam suppose that the purpose of the human life is to serve the Creator of all things. Several theories in psychology propose that we ultimately give meaning to our lives. Whether we believe that life’s meaning is pre-determined or self-directed, to grow in spirit is to realize that we do not merely exist. We do not know the meaning of our lives at birth; but we gain knowledge and wisdom from our interactions with people and from our actions and reactions to the situations we are in. As we discover this meaning, there are certain beliefs and values that we reject and affirm. Our lives have purpose. This purpose puts all our physical, emotional, and intellectual potentials into use; sustains us during trying times; and gives us something to look forward to---a goal to achieve, a destination to reach. A person without purpose or meaning is like a drifting ship at sea.
To grow spiritually is to recognize interconnections.
Religions stress the concept of our relatedness to all creation, live and inanimate. Thus we call other people “brothers and sisters” even if there are no direct blood relations. Moreover, deity-centered religions such as Christianity and Islam speak of the relationship between humans and a higher being. On the other hand, science expounds on our link to other living things through the evolution theory. This relatedness is clearly seen in the concept of ecology, the interaction between living and non-living things. In psychology, connectedness is a characteristic of self-transcendence, the highest human need according to Maslow. Recognizing your connection to all things makes you more humble and respectful of people, animals, plants, and things in nature. It makes you appreciate everything around you. It moves you to go beyond your comfort zone and reach out to other people, and become stewards of all other things around you.
Growth is a process thus to grow in spirit is a day-to-day encounter. We win some, we lose some, but the important thing is that we learn, and from this knowledge, further spiritual growth is made possible.

“The Most Expensive Real Estate in the World”

I once asked the question of a mentor of mine; what is the most expensive piece of real estate in the world. Is it in New York, Paris, Hong Kong, Washington, DC; where do you believe it sits I questioned. He stated with great confidence that he knew exactly which parcel of land was worth more than all others; in fact there isn’t even a close second. I thought if that was the case, than I should surely know of this property; I didn’t have a clue of the property of which he spoke. “In fact, if you have a few minutes I can drive you there now.” We were in a decent part of town , but a few minutes from the costliest dirt on earth, I was skeptical to say the least?

On the short trip all looked very familiar ; left turn, right turn, another right and a slow left into a place I have passed two or three times a week for years. Here we are he explained, property which the cost is impossible to tabulate. Wait, I questioned, this is the local cemetery, and as cemeteries’ go there many nicer ones in town than this. His answer; and they are equally as valuable. How so I questioned?

There are thousands upon thousands of individuals buried beneath the soil. And I’ve concluded the riches they took to their grave are incalculable.

When ceremoniously placed in the ground they took with them unwritten books. With them went the unsung songs, the plays that would move audiences to tears or to shouts of great joy; businesses that never saw the light of day; inventions never put on paper and into production. So many great discoveries in science and medicine that would save untold lives; pain tings and sculptures we will never be able to gaze upon. Buildings that would change the landscape of time never built. All just dreams that died with the selfish individuals placed in these graves. Untold fortunes never acquired because these cowards took their riches with them.

Cowards, a bit harsh don’t you think? Yes cowards, he shouted at me. He continued; because of their fear of what their family or friends may say if they dared share the dreams they held inside, sliding between the sheets each night envisioning what could be but never uttering a word to the world. Holding tight to their jobs believing security in employment is a worthwhile goal; exchanging their very life for a job. Mesmerizing their own minds with the trivial entertainment of the television and the dribble Hollywood provides; watching others live their dreams, and perfect their crafts while theirs died on the vine. Cowards I say; living in the greatest land ever to exist on earth; a land where everything is possible to those who will not be stopped be the nay-sayers and dream killers.

There are three types of people in this world, he went on. Risk Takers; these are the pioneers of life. Care takers; these yappers’ are the nay-sayers who say to the Risk Takers it can’t be done, and then we have the Under Takers; the walking dead who are not yet in the ground.

I’m sorry for the tirade he sheepishly murmured. It’s just as I watch my family and friends waste their talents. As I listen to the rubbish that passes for conversation; it’s sobering to me knowing what gifts they have laying dormant within their hearts and minds. And they’re allowing the enemy, fear, to steal their very destiny; the very reason they were placed on this earth at this place in time. Shame upon shame, they too will contribute to the great wealth lying just beneath the soles of our feet.

“You don’t get what you deserve in life, you get what you design. Design a life that matters.”

I once asked the question of a mentor of mine; what is the most expensive piece of real estate in the world. Is it in New York, Paris, Hong Kong, Washington, DC; where do you believe it sits I questioned. He stated with great confidence that he knew exactly which parcel of land was worth more than all others; in fact there isn’t even a close second. I thought if that was the case, than I should surely know of this property; I didn’t have a clue of the property of which he spoke. “In fact, if you have a few minutes I can drive you there now.” We were in a decent part of town , but a few minutes from the costliest dirt on earth, I was skeptical to say the least?

On the short trip all looked very familiar ; left turn, right turn, another right and a slow left into a place I have passed two or three times a week for years. Here we are he explained, property which the cost is impossible to tabulate. Wait, I questioned, this is the local cemetery, and as cemeteries’ go there many nicer ones in town than this. His answer; and they are equally as valuable. How so I questioned?

There are thousands upon thousands of individuals buried beneath the soil. And I’ve concluded the riches they took to their grave are incalculable.

When ceremoniously placed in the ground they took with them unwritten books. With them went the unsung songs, the plays that would move audiences to tears or to shouts of great joy; businesses that never saw the light of day; inventions never put on paper and into production. So many great discoveries in science and medicine that would save untold lives; pain tings and sculptures we will never be able to gaze upon. Buildings that would change the landscape of time never built. All just dreams that died with the selfish individuals placed in these graves. Untold fortunes never acquired because these cowards took their riches with them.

Cowards, a bit harsh don’t you think? Yes cowards, he shouted at me. He continued; because of their fear of what their family or friends may say if they dared share the dreams they held inside, sliding between the sheets each night envisioning what could be but never uttering a word to the world. Holding tight to their jobs believing security in employment is a worthwhile goal; exchanging their very life for a job. Mesmerizing their own minds with the trivial entertainment of the television and the dribble Hollywood provides; watching others live their dreams, and perfect their crafts while theirs died on the vine. Cowards I say; living in the greatest land ever to exist on earth; a land where everything is possible to those who will not be stopped be the nay-sayers and dream killers.

There are three types of people in this world, he went on. Risk Takers; these are the pioneers of life. Care takers; these yappers’ are the nay-sayers who say to the Risk Takers it can’t be done, and then we have the Under Takers; the walking dead who are not yet in the ground.

I’m sorry for the tirade he sheepishly murmured. It’s just as I watch my family and friends waste their talents. As I listen to the rubbish that passes for conversation; it’s sobering to me knowing what gifts they have laying dormant within their hearts and minds. And they’re allowing the enemy, fear, to steal their very destiny; the very reason they were placed on this earth at this place in time. Shame upon shame, they too will contribute to the great wealth lying just beneath the soles of our feet.

“You don’t get what you deserve in life, you get what you design. Design a life that matters.”

The One Who God See’s

The One Who God See’s


Yesterday, during some prayer time, I realized I had been a bad boy. You see I pride myself as being a positive person. Well that’s not entirely true, I pride myself in being the most positive person who exists. Yet over the past few months I have become slowly but surely, internally, become very negative.

This is December 2008 for crying out loud. Looking at the news; the world’s political problems, the financial crisis, my unsold real estate investments, lack of income; circumstances could be much better to say the least. Yet, I’m not behind in my bills. Our giving to others has not decreased percentage wise at least. My wife and are in good health; our family is well, in fact we just had Gwendolyn Rose Collene added to our family three weeks ago. The dreams and desires I've had for years are taking shape right before my eyes because I'm working on me and what I was put here to do. Life is good; then why is it when I’m opening the mail box there’s almost an expectation of bad news in an envelope?

7:15 this morning the phone wakes me. Now for many of you 7:15 is not early; but I dare say receiving a phone call at that time of the day for anyone is rarely glad tidings of great joy. “Hello” I say in my best “of course I’ve been up since 5am voice”. “Hi Dad” from the phone, it’s my 32 year old son. Now you have to understand he and I don’t communicate very well or often. I didn’t express it, but I’m thinking; this is not good, what is it this time, how much do you want, are you OK, it doesn’t sound like he’s in a hospital or police station. As I listened he was telling me he was filling out employment applications and using me as a reference and wanted me to be aware someone may be calling me. Three good things at 7:15 in the morning; employment application, he’s up and he’s coherent. He’s an incredibly intelligent young man who hasn’t made many good decisions in his life, so this is a good day.

My son has, how can I say this; let’s say he’s been around the block a few times in his 32 years. He is the father of our first granddaughter, Kendle Irene Weaver, she’ll be six in a few weeks; she lives with his mother. How do I, his father see him.

Not always but about ninety percent of the time I see him, Eric Ryan Weaver, as a very accomplished entrepreneur. I see him happy and visiting us on the holidays with Kendle. I hear him telling me of his great plans and of about all the people he has helped this year. I see Eric as the man I know he is inside, the man God made him to be. That’s how I see my son, not how he is; how I know he will be.

If I, a very fallible human being, see’s the best there is to see in a person that is showing very little of what it is I see. Then how does in infinite loving God see a child of His whom he created in His own image. I’ll tell you what God sees, He sees the perfect Curtis Wayne Weaver, Jr. (yes CW). He sees Himself in CW. And if God sees me this way I need to get in alignment with His vision of me.

How dare I be negative because a little adversity shows up in my life? My circumstances do not change who I am. When I do well and all things in my small universe are running on all cylinders; am I a different person; of course not? Do I think I surprise God when I sin (no big theological discussions hear, let’s just agree sin is an action God wouldn’t do). Are we surprised when our own children lie to us? Pee running down their leg, “Did you pee yourself? No daddy; then what is that running down your leg? I don’t know, I didn’t do it.” We need to get a grip and know we’re not perfect. We strive for perfection and accept our best efforts and go on from there.
Pain, adversity, problem children, family members and co-workers; all blessings in disguise; all there to help us understand our own short comings and also understand how blessed we are. Answer me this, do we learn more from the successes in our lives or from our failures. If a football player runs 100 yards from one goal line to the other with no opposition, is there reason for celebration, of course not, we would laugh at such a person who would celebrate such actions. Now if that same person runs through and past eleven of the enemy; an enemy who weighs three hundred plus pounds and whose only desire is to smash his body into small pieces into the ground. When he can run, dodge, push and shove his way the entire hundred yards crashing through the opposition and then crosses the opposition’s goal line; now there is much reason to celebrate; jubilation deserved and we join in cheering his accomplishment.

Yes I have been a bad boy. Yesterday a spiritual switch was turned on inside of me that illuminated my mind’s eye to see the one I really am, not the one I FEEL LIKE I AM TODAY. To see yourself; don’t look at your checkbook, don’t look at the TV, don’t listen to those around you, don’t look in the mirror. You are a child of the living God, the creator of the universe, the mighty one who placed the planets in the heavens and the stars bright at night to see. He made you and me to be about taking care of those who are unable to see what we have the ability to see.

I’m fabulous, but I’ll get better.

CW

"FABULOUS"

"What Exactly Is Fabulous?"

I'm in the midst of creating a business and website; "Fabulous At 50 And Beyond". Jan Black, an extremely talented lady who is spearheading the effort and getting me focused on my outcome asked me a definitive question; "What exactly is fabulous?".

What a "Fabulous" exercise. My list of "Fabulous" follows; do yourself a favor and create your own list of what YOU believe is "Fabulous".

Fabulous Is;

Watching TV with my best friend and wife of twenty four years.

Knowing that The God who created the universe calls me friend.

Hearing, "I love you Pop Pop."

Giving a panhandler a $20 bill and looking in their eyes.

In the midst of tough times knowing it always makes me stronger.

The Journey.

Discovering what's on the other side of the hill.

An hour and a half hot bath my first hours home from Viet Namand never forgetting the feeling.

Monday mornings.

The smell of fresh cut grass.

Being in a stand still traffic jam and enjoying the moment.

Watching my wife with our grand daughters.

Growing up in the 50's.

Conquering a fear.

A huge wave crashing on the rocks and the resulting spray.

Kayaking off the coast of ST Croix.

A helicopter ride over active Killowaha Volcano.

Looking down the tube of a turquoise wave about to break.

The view from the top of Pikes Peak on a crystal clear day.

A crisply hit five iron with the ball landing on the green and rolling two feet from the pin.

Holding my Grand Daughter.

The miracle of flying.

Praising and worshiping my God.

Paying a strangers check in a restaurant anonymously.

Coming home.

Crying with my Mom when the National Anthem plays before a ball game.

Laying next to Dad as he left us to be with Mom.

Being a soldier in the US Army.

Looking at thousands of family and vacation photo's and knowing I was there when each one was taken.

Waking up on the right side of the grass.

CW