"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

Preface to "Fabulous At 50 And Byond

Preface to, "Fabulous At 50 And Beyond"

Unlike the preface to most books you read this is written as I’m about seventy five pages into this work. The effort to write this THING is sometimes enormous and sometimes it comes so fast my fingers can’t keep up. I’m sure you’ve heard the term writers block; writing this preface is in part to move me past seven or eight days of not one syllable making it to the page.

You, the reader, are no different than I; and hence the reason for the preface. The following pages are about what is possible in your life or anyone’s life should they make a series of decisions to move from the status quo, the rat race, ordinary life or whatever adjective one uses to describe an individual’s day to day activity that is going nowhere or is not satisfying when the day ends.

The bottom line, it’s not easy. This book, whether a monetary success or not, will change my life. My mentors and friends tell me this and in my heart and mind I know it’s true. Yet it is still very hard to get my mind and fingers going most of the time. Why?

It’s different. It’s different from anything I’ve ever done in sixty years. I’m not used to it. I don’t want to because it’s hard. As humans we, like electricity, seek the path of least resistance. We want to do what’s easy for us to do, what takes little or no effort. It’s easier to continuously check emails, to look at the stock market, to all of sudden have an urgency to organize the work area.

If it was easy everyone would do it, a trite statement but so true. My book is about possibilities. Anything is possible for me. Anything is possible for you. It may not come true but it is possible. And as long as we know that we know that we know of the possibilities there is hope. With hope and possibilities comes work. Opportunity usually has work clothes on. And I also know if it was easy the satisfaction in the end would be minimal.

So as you begin with the first page I’ll be off to somewhere in the middle. This is a dream of mine for at least thirty five years and if anyone other than me is reading this it’s come true. I hope you gain insight into you. My desire is to give you confidence to “DO Something because Something Will Work”.

If not I would like it to help you understand those of your friends or family that you have observed over the years; the ones who seem to be thrusting at wind mills; the ones who have started forty projects never to finish one before starting another; the dreamers, the believers. They and I have one thing in common, we always have a smile on our face and a skip in our step because we know that one day; yes one day we will live our dream.

My life is and has been a perpetual adventure!

"CW"

It's Not What You Don't Know

Hey;

As I was driving in "Automobile University" (Coined by Zig Ziglar) today I was

listening to a fascinating lady. Her name is Artemis and she teaches the business

of network marketing. The name of the series is "Educating Your Expectations".

I've listened to the 8 disc set a number of times and recommend it to anyone in any

phase of growth in any business. Her concepts are timeless.


This is about one specific statement she made which I replayed several times.


"It's not what you don't know that holds you back; it's what you think you know
that isn't so."

Maybe it's just me but that really hit home. The more successful I become I think I really

know more than I actually do know. Consequently I don't try to correct my own

thinking to replace it with better ideas. This brings me to another thought I heard

recently, regretfully I don't remember who to credit.


"Think about this; It is your BEST thinking that has got you where you are today.
Whatever you've accomplished to this point in your life, it is a product of your
very, very, very BEST thinking."


So for those of us who want to move forward to improve ourselves, our finances, our

communities and our environments,


WE HAVE WORK TO DO

CW

Be THANKFUL Now !!!!!!!

Viet Nam 1968

As a child I was always grateful that I had a loving family. A family that supported me in every way. We didn't have any money, quite frankly I never realized that fact. I was taught I lived in a great country and we had it much better then most people in the world.

In 1968 I served in the Army in South Viet Nam, 358 days, but whose counting? In the 40 years since, it's rare a week goes by that I don't thank God for my shower. One hour after getting home from Viet Nam and going to a hotel with my wife, I spent 90 minuets in the shower and bath. Something that was hard to come by over there. I'm thankful for my family here within arms reach, and the choice of food to eat. I'm thankful to live in a country, though not perfect, is the best place to live in the world. A place where I have the opportunity to reach for any dream I desire. It's the only country I know of where people risk death and family separation to get here.

If you were born in this country or have the privilege of becoming a citizen, you have already won one of the biggest lotteries in life. Where ever you are at this moment and whatever the circumstance, be thankful, because

you have it in your power to make tomorrow better.

Mr. Rohn;


Is thankfulness a survival skill? Perhaps most of you would respond with, "No, Jim, thankfulness is not key to survival", and I would tend to agree with you. Most of us have probably already solved the necessary problems of survival, gone beyond that and are now working to achieve our desires. But let me give you this key phrase, "Learn to be thankful for what you already have, while you pursue all that you want." I believe one of the greatest and perhaps one of the simplest lessons in life we can learn is to be thankful for what we have already received and accomplished.
Both the years and the experiences have brought me here to where I stand today, but it is the thankfulness that opened the windows of opportunities, of blessings, of unique experiences to flow my way. My gratitude starts with my parents who raised me, gave me an incredible foundation that has lasted me all of these years and continues with the mentors that I've met along the way who absolutely changed and revolutionized my life, my income, my bank account, my future. I am also very thankful for the people, the associations, for the ideas, for the chance to work and labor, and to produce results, all of that has brought me to this place, to this weekend. I'm grateful for it all.
What a unique opportunity each one of you here has, so many of us; representing different countries, nations and cultures, to appreciate the uniqueness of our own experiences that has brought us all here, together, for these three days to learn new skills and sharpen old ones. For the countries we represent; we have freedom and liberty. These are extraordinary times, about eleven years ago the walls came tumbling down, in Germany, and it started a wave of democracy and freedom like the world has never seen before. We as a country and as a world have so much to be thankful for. Always start with thanksgiving; be thankful for what you already have and see the miracles that come from this one simple act.
Now thankfulness is just the beginning; next, you've got to challenge yourself to produce. Produce more ideas than you need for yourself so you can share and give your ideas away. That is called fruitfulness and abundance. Here's what I think fruitfulness and abundance mean - to go to work on producing more than you need for yourself so you can begin blessing others, blessing your nation and blessing your enterprise. Once abundance starts to come, once someone becomes incredibly productive, it's amazing what the numbers turn out to be. But to begin this incredible process of blessing, it often starts with the act of thanksgiving and gratitude, being thankful for what you already have and for what you've already done. Begin the act of thanksgiving today and watch the miracles flow your way.

To Your Success,
Jim Rohn

Keep Jim Rohn and Zig Ziglar in your prayers,

both are facing health hurdles.

CW

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

Hey;

2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004,.......2000. Will 2008, 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 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.

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"