Insight for Today 3/31/10

"Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not."

Oprah Winfrey
Talk Show Host, Producer and Philanthropist

Insight for Today 3/30/10

"More than anything else, I believe it's our decisions, not the conditions of our lives, that determine our destiny."

Anthony Robbins
Author and Speaker

Insight for Today 3/29/10

"Nurture your mind with great thoughts. To believe in the heroic makes heroes."

Benjamin Disraeli
1804-1881, British Prime Minister

Now Our Taxes Are Going To Go Up due to Healthcare Reform, Baby Boomers Now Retiring.......

Want to know more and how you can increase your knowledge so your risks goes down and also your taxes???

Thomas Wheelwright

C.P.A., Investor, Rich Dad Tax Advisor and CEO of ProVision

Visit Tom's Blog

Learn more by visiting the Official Event Website.

Conspiracy of the Rich Online Exclusive Update #35 - From Bad To Worse

MUST READ THIS ARTICLE!!

Social Security to See Payout Exceed Pay-In This Year

The bursting of the real estate bubble and the ensuing recession have hurt jobs, home prices and now Social Security.

This year, the system will pay out more in benefits than it receives in payroll taxes, an important threshold it was not expected to cross until at least 2016, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Stephen C. Goss, chief actuary of the Social Security Administration, said that while the Congressional projection would probably be borne out, the change would have no effect on benefits in 2010 and retirees would keep receiving their checks as usual.

The problem, he said, is that payments have risen more than expected during the downturn, because jobs disappeared and people applied for benefits sooner than they had planned. At the same time, the program’s revenue has fallen sharply, because there are fewer paychecks to tax.

TO READ MORE ON THIS ARTICLE.........

Black Rose

Breaking up is hard to do—Not Impossible - Lily's Love Tips

Breaking up is an unfortunate part of modern life. Dealing with the emotional devastation of a break up is difficult at best. However, there are some strategies to handle successfully the end of a relationship. The loss of a relationship does not have to be the emotional baggage you carry with you. Breaking up can give you the opportunity to survive—possibly even a chance to flourish and improve.

Here are some things to do when you are faced with the heartache of a break up:

Give yourself time.
Taking time to come to terms with a loss is important to the healing process. The old saying is true—time heals all wounds. Breaking up is about as real an emotional wound can be. Just be careful with time. Do not turn the time needed to an excuse to become withdrawn and reclusive. Do not rush into healing. Remember—you will heal.

Keep busy.
Staying occupied is an excellent way to get over a breakup. Volunteer, help friends, try to get a second job. Do things that you enjoy. It will lift your spirits and speed up the healing process.

Meet new people.
Start some new social contacts to replace the ones you have lost. Go to shows, attend concerts or volunteer your time. Putting yourself “out there” is a great way to bring new people into your life, and put some fresh new energy into your daily life.

Take care of yourself.
Use this time to reassess your health and well-being. Take the chance to start exercising and eating right. During a break up, feeling better starts with your good health. A healthy lifestyle is the best way to keep your spirits high during a breakup. Resist the temptation to compensate by excessive eating, drinking or lethargy.

Refocus your inner energies.
Now is the time to take the energy you previously put into your relationship and turn it inwards, towards yourself. Pamper your inner being, take long baths or finish that novel you started reading (or writing). Breaking up gives you the chance for some “me time.”

Adopt a pet.
Bringing someone new into your life does not just mean the two-legged variety. Rescue a companion from the shelter; it is a great way to bring a new love into your life. People who have an animal in their lives are proven happier and healthier. Nothing goes better in rough patches of life than the unconditional love of a pet. However, make sure you give them the time they need. Don’t neglect your new companion, it will do both of you good.

Surround yourself with friends and family.
This is the time where you need a strong circle of friends. For times as this, it is why we have those people we consider close. Good friends will go out of their way to help you though a break up. Family will also love you unconditionally, and will come out to support you in your time of need. If your relationships with your friends and family suffered from the time you spent with your sweetie, now is the time to patch things up.

Breaking up does not have to be the end of the world. To yourself, you must respect that you are in pain, but see it as an opportunity to heal and to become better. The pain will certainly pass and can make you a stronger person in the end. Your next love—and they are out there—will benefit from your personal growth.

Robert & Kim Kiyosaki LIVE in London

Learn More........
Contact Kurt Won

Rich Dad Presents Gold vs. U.S. Dollar

Learn More......
Register Online..............

Get Smarter With Your Money

Learn More..........
Register Online.....

Why the US Credit Crash Means a Downgrade for You

The phrase that keeps the economic world running: The full faith and credit of the United States.

Unfortunately, that phrase is increasingly empty and hollow.

In his latest Conspiracy of the Rich bulletin, Robert Kiyosaki explores why Moody’s is ready to downgrade the US credit rating—and what that means for you and your money.


Click here to read more.


"Being downgraded is like taking a hit to your FICO score. If you have a poor FICO rating, you pay more for your debt. If the US doesn’t improve its own financial standing and the interest rates on our debt increase as a result, the US will suffer."

– Excerpt from Robert’s Conspiracy of the Rich bulletin


You don’t want to miss this!



Read Robert's latest post here.

Independence By Choice

The March issue of MORE magazine featured an article about the increasing number of women who are choosing to stay single for all or most of their lives. The article cites a statistic that:

“At 27 million, the number of single women in America over 45 (including never-marrieds, widows, and divorcees) has never been higher. And the percentage of these women who’ve never been married is increasing as well. A 2008 census update found that 11 percent of women between the ages of 45 and 54 have never been married, a two percent rise since 2005.”

For women who choose to stay single, financial savvy is a necessity. And for many, financial self-sufficiency is what allows them the luxury of not having to find a partner to depend on. As the MORE article states:

“Ironically, one of the primary factors that has made it easier for women to remain single – our economic independence – may also make us less skittish about taking a trip down the aisle. We know we have the security to walk away.”

It is clear that it is becoming increasingly important that women understand money and live their life with a financial plan in mind. Rich Woman is here to support financial literacy so that all women, no matter their marital status, have a fulfilling life.

To read the full article by MORE magazine Click Here

Also visit Rich Woman site at http://www.richwoman.com/

Insight for Today 3/25/10

"If you love something and stick with it, you will get phenomenal results."

Bob Proctor

Insight for Today 3/24/10

"You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind."

Mahatma Gandhi
1869-1948, Political and Spiritual Leader

Insight for Today 3/23/10

"Gratitude is a duty which ought to be paid, but which none have a right to expect."

Jean Jacques Rousseau
1712-1778, Philosopher and Writer

Insight for Today 3/22/10

"Your real purpose in life is to develop yourself. To successfully do this you must always be working toward a goal."

Bob Proctor

Will by James Allen

Will

You will be what you will be
Let failure find it's false content
in that poor word "environment"
But spirit scorns it, and is free.

It masters time it, conquers space
It cows that boastful trickster, Chance
And bids the tyrant Circumstance
Uncrown and fill a servant's place

The human Will that force unseen
The offspring of a deathless Soul
Can hew a way to any goal
Though walls of granite intervene

Be not impatient in delay
But wait as one who understands
When Spirit rises and commands,
The gods are ready to obey.

James Allen

SILVER Can Hit $1,500

goldsilver.com - Video - Mike Maloney on TheStreet.com

These Next 30 Days Could be the Most Interesting of the Recession—Find Out Why by Robert Kiyosaki

The Dow is quickly approaching the 10,725 barrier last reached on January 19, 2010. If the Dow breaks this barrier, it may be a sign that a recovery is on the way.



But that’s not the whole story.

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke has changed his tone lately. In this latest Conspiracy of the Rich bulletin, find out what Big Ben’s been up to and how it may affect the markets.

Also, find out how you can still access the unprecedented FREE podcast between Robert Kiyosaki, Gold and Silver expert Mike Maloney, and former World Bank and IMF advisor Richard Duncan..Click here to read more.


"If you missed out on the FREE hour-long podcast on March 16th between Richard Duncan, Mike Maloney, and me, there’s good news. You can access the podcast over the web through March 23rd!"

– Excerpt from Robert’s Conspiracy of the Rich bulletin


You don’t want to miss this!

Read Robert's latest post here and access this FREE podcast before time runs out.

The Three Tenets of Accountability by Dick Read

Dick Read
Regional Developer

Indiana NE

260.760.8784

dickr@sp-ww.com

In business the best way to ensure that your staff is motivated and giving their best effort is to hold them accountable.

That means that you should have a clear set of rules (or code of honor) and you should have consequences for breaking the rules.

It is also very important for your staff's morale that you, as a leader, hold yourself accountable to the same set of rules so as not to seem unfair.

If you don't hold your staff accountable to a clear set of rules then you risk hours of wasted time in employee reparations and even a mutinous attitude amongst staff members.

Being accountable really boils down to three things:

1. Willingness to admit your mistakes - be willing to look in the mirror and admit both mistakes and wins. Be willing to own it. You've got to be able to admit when you screw up. This is not about beating yourself up; it's about owning your actions, good or bad.

2. Being thankful for what you have. Be thankful that you are living and breathing and for your ability to actually admit your mistakes, and your ability to do something about them.

3. Committing to good deeds or acts that you will perform, today, tomorrow and for the rest of your life.

So admit your mistakes and own them. Be thankful for what you've got - all the good things that surround you, and the resources and opportunities to correct mistakes. And finally commit to doing something good with your gifts.

Remember consequences for broken rules should not necessarily be punishments. Just hold a meeting to retrain and correct behavior. You are not looking to attack or hurt anybody, but rather solve the problem for future instances.

What good things will you do for yourself? For your family? For your business? For your community? For your planet?

For more information on establishing a self-governed set of rules please refer to our Code of Honor Training Kit. For more inspirational words from Blair Singer on accountability please refer to his book "Little Voice" Mastery.

Insight for Today 3/18/10

"Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire, and begin at once, whether you're ready or not, to put it into action."

Napoleon Hill
1883-1970, Author

Insight for Today 3/17/10

"Your goal should be out of reach, but not out of sight."

Anita DeFrantz
Olympic Rower

Insight for Today 3/16/10

"If people knew how hard I worked to gain my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful."

Michelangelo
1475-1564, Painter, Sculptor and Architect

EVENT: Robert and Kim Kiyosaki LIVE in Dallas!

You can’t save your way to wealth and you won’t get very far expecting the government to bail you out. That’s reserved for the big guys! But what you can count on is yourself, because getting smarter about money is the best investment you can make in your future.

Join Robert Kiyosaki, Kim Kiyosaki and their team of advisors as they show you how to take charge of your money and take charge of your life on April 24th, 2010.

Learn how to make money and grow your money at this jam-packed one day event. You’ll discover the rules of the rich and how you can put them to work for you. You’ll walk away with a plan for your future and a path to getting there.

Insight for Today 3/15/10

"Only one who devotes himself to a cause with his whole strength and soul can be a true master. For this reason mastery demands all of a person."

Albert Einstein
1879-1955, Theoretical Physicist, Philosopher and Author

Play CASHFLOW Online for FREE!!!!!

I am excited to announce the beta launch of CASHFLOW The Web Game!

Whether you’ve played the CASHFLOW game before or are completely new to it, you’ll want to take advantage of this great new resource. You can play by yourself or join others online for a group game. No installation of software is required – just use your regular internet browser.

To play CASHFLOW, The Web Game, go to RichDad.com.

A message from Rich Woman Coach Lindsey

Dear Rich Women!

Wow, what an amazing honor and pleasure it was to experience the Rich Woman event together with you. As a Rich Woman coach, it was wonderful to see such a diverse group of women (I think from over 19 countries) all focused together on a common purpose—improving our financial IQ’s! I’m sure you’ll join me in saying what a powerful job Kim and her team did in teaching, inspiring and motivating us to take control of our financial futures.

As a coach, one of my main jobs is to hold people accountable to the goals they want to achieve. Too many people leave an event like we had together, and despite the best of intentions, they never take the next step! We’ve had a few weeks now to let what we learned at the Rich Woman event sink in (I know that I’m still processing all the information I gathered—my thoughts are still spinning).

My question to you is “What are you doing differently now as a result of attending the event?” If you find that you are not progressing as fast as you like, I encourage you to find an accountability partner to help keep you on track (preferably someone from the event who went through the same experience).

I wish you the very best and look forward to seeing you and learning about your success when we meet at the event again next year.

To your success,

Lindsey

P.S. I had a number of women at the event ask how they can learn more about the opportunity to work one-on-one with a coach in the Rich Woman Coaching Program. If you would like to receive a free introduction, simply click here and sign up to have someone contact you.

Who is holding you accountable by Kim Kiyosaki

Who’s keeping you accountable?

To stay on track, you need to take action and keep moving forward. For most people this is the most challenging part of reaching their goals because, let’s face it – life gets in the way. You’ve got work, family, existing commitments – it’s easy to look at your plan and say, “I’ll work on that later, when I have time.” But the truth is you’ll never have the time unless you make it a priority in your life.

I recommend that you utilize a strategy that many successful people use: have someone who keeps you accountable, someone who checks in with you to find out about your progress and tells you straight-out when they see you falling behind. If your plan is truly worth achieving, then it’s worth having someone on your team who will tell you the truth and keep you motivated.

There are several ways you can find someone to keep you accountable:

Sign up for a coaching program. When you use a coaching program, like Rich Woman Coaching, you’re working with an experienced coach who can help you maximize your efforts while helping you stay on track. Learn more here.

Find a mentor or friend who will agree to keep you accountable. Make sure you choose someone who really will get on your case if you don’t stay on track. Someone who accepts every excuse in the book for why you’re not moving forward is not keeping you accountable.

Partner up with a Rich Woman community member. We’ve set up a special thread in the Rich Woman discussion forums where you can connect with someone from the Rich Woman community and agree to keep each other accountable. Connect here.

Join a CASHFLOW or investment club. You may find a good accountability partner in a local club, or find that the group itself has a policy of members keeping each other accountable.

Regardless of how you choose to be accountable, I hope you will continue to take action towards making your dreams a reality.

Kim Kiyosaki
(see above post on Rich Woman Coaching)

Friday Story by Bob Proctor

Live Backwards

Ben's first duty as a new pastor was to conduct a funeral service for Albert, a man who had died in his eighties. Since he didn't know the deceased, he invited members of the congregation to say a few kind words about Albert.

No one budged. "Many of you knew Albert for years," Ben prompted them. "Surely someone can say something nice."

After an uncomfortable pause, a voice from the back of the room said, "Well, his brother was worse."

If you died tomorrow, what would people say about you? Would their comments make you proud of the way you lived and the choices you made?

There's an old saying: "If you want to know how to live your life, think about what you'd like people to say about you after you die.and live backwards."

Thinking about the legacy we want to leave can help us keep our priorities straight. When the end is near, it's not likely any of us will say, "I wish I'd spent more time at the office." Unfortunately, many of us only begin to realize the value of the time we have after we've frittered much of it away in shallow ruts going nowhere important.

It's hard to think now what will matter later. But doing so can dramatically improve our chances of living a full and meaningful life with few regrets.

Knowing how we want to be remembered also allows us to make a strategic plan for our lives. How much wiser would our choices be if we had the wisdom and discipline to regularly ask ourselves whether all the things we do and say are taking us where we want to be at the end?

In a sense, we write our eulogies by the choices we make every day.

Michael Josephson
www.charactercounts.org

Insight for Today 3/11/10

"Trust your hunches. They're usually based on facts filed away just below the conscious level."

Dr. Joyce Brothers
Psychologist and Television Personality

Suze Orman vs. 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad' Guru: He Tweeted, She Tweeted

It began when Kiyosaki, the co-author of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad," tweeted under the handle "theRealKiyosaki" Monday afternoon that he "can't believe" Orman and said, "No way in hell she believes what she teaches."

Orman, also an author and the host of a personal finance show on CNBC, shot back in all capital letters -- the online version of yelling -- and took a swipe at Kiyosaki's emphasis on real estate investments.

At least, "I DID NOT LEAD MILLIONS OF PEOPLE DOWN THE PATH TO LOSE ALL THEIR MONEY IN REAL ESTATE AS YOU DID. SHAME ON YOU," she wrote.


Kiyosaki responded with a dig at Orman's retirement planning advice, saying, "If we are talking losses ... how about the TRILLIONS lost through 401Ks."

AW COME ON SUZE GET REAL!!!!! LOL I vouch for Robert Kiyosaki!

In 5 Days there will be a conference to help people. It’s a FREE Podcast, entitled “Gold vs. The US Dollar”.

On March 16th, 5pm (PDT) Robert is hosting a special free exclusive podcast with experts, Mike Maloney and Richard Duncan, in order to help you better understand the money system and how you can prepare yourself to benefit from this opportunity instead of becoming a victim.

Register now to join us on March 16th, 5pm PDT.
This podcast is completely free because Robert and I want you to understand what is going on in the world today and how you can plan for your future and protect your money. Robert’s two guests are extremely knowledgeable, and Robert makes sure the concepts are explained so they are simple enough for all of us to understand. I hope you can join us.

This all-important discussion about money will open your eyes to the Greatest Wealth Transfer in the History of the World. Even if you know very little about this complex subject, listening to this podcast will help you make better decisions about your financial future.

I commend you for your commitment to furthering your financial IQ. Here’s to your financial success!

I am looking for a mentor who would teach me..................

I am fifty-six years of age and I am teachable. I want to learn web designing (I have a website I designed) but I want to make it user friendly and a great looking website. I might as well state that I have no money but I am a fast learning apprentice. I am already fairly well equipped with some basics of web designing. I just want to be more advanced. I also would love to learn troubleshooting PC environments and helpdesk skills, etc. I have my own home office and work at home Monday, Wednesday, & Fridays. I have a webcam and can do learning through that if easier...........

My website address is :

http://powerwomen.tripod.com/index1.html
Thank you and have a great day!

Insight to Today 3/10/10

"It is important to acknowledge a mistake instantly, correct it, and learn from it. That literally turns a failure into a success. Success is on the far side of failure."

T.J. Watson
1874-1956, Founder if IBM

Insight for Today 3/9/10

"You are never going to get it all done - you just won't. Rather, you will find order and peace in your workday if you accept it, and then do one more thing. Implement a system that consistently shows you what's most critical at any moment, what to do after the critical, and where to find everything else when you need to. That system is not hard - it's quite simple to set up."

Michael Linenberger
From Master Your Workday Now
Check out his book and bonuses.

Insight for Today 3/8/10

"Time is limited, so I better wake up every morning fresh and know that I have just one chance to live this particular day right, and to string my days together into a life of action, and purpose."

Lance Armstrong
7-Time Winner of the Tour de France

Lilly's Love Tips by Lilly St. Thomas

Being “one” with yourself
when you’re “two.”

Even in the most romantic, head-over-heels kind of relationships, it’s absolutely essential to maintain a strong sense of yourself. Balance is central to a healthy relationship, yet sometimes we become so close and so anxious to please the one we love that we forget our personal needs and wants.

Make Time for Yourself
No matter how in love you are, you can still have you own life. Remember to fill your time doing things you enjoy. Get in your regular workouts. Take an art, dance or cooking class. Join a club. Make a standing date with your girlfriends. If your relationship is strong and secure, you and your partner can handle a few hours apart. You might even benefit from it.

It's OK to Be Different
To some extent, different interests are healthy in a relationship. Do you have a love for film while he has a love for football? You’re certainly not expected to love all your partner’s interests when you go into a relationship, but you can learn about them if you want to. You probably fell in love with each other partly because of the differences you each brought to the table.

Feel Free to Set Expectations
It’s ALWAYS a good idea to make some expectations clear in the relationship. Don’t worry that you might lose someone simply for speaking your mind. If they’re really the right one, they’ll do what it takes to keep you happy. For instance, if you expect that your partner takes care of garbage if you take care of the laundry, then make it clear. A relationship is two-way street.

The more you respect yourself, the more your partner will, too. That’s why it’s so important to keep your independence in a relationship, as well as a strong sense of yourself.

Linda's First Time Home Buyer House!!

I have more pictures posted on my facebook page! I don't have the outside pictures taken yet as I am doing landscaping to it first. Once that is done I will post pictures. The house was a drop house and then a single father with two kids took over it. Unfortunately they went into foreclosure. So I am now the fourth owner of the house. Hopefully the only and final owner of it!

Click here:

My New Dog Cody!

Insight for Today 3/4/10

"You gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face. You must do that which we think we cannot."

Eleanor Roosevelt
1884-1962, Social Activist and First Lady of the United States

Insight for Today 3/3/10

"The world is full of abundance and opportunity, but far too many people come to the fountain of life with a sieve instead of a tank car, a teaspoon instead of a steam shovel. They expect little and as a result they get little."

Ben Sweetland
Author of I Will

Insight for Today 3/2/10

"One half of life is luck; the other half is discipline - and that's the important half, for without discipline you wouldn't know what to do with luck."

Carl Zuckmeyer
1896-1977, Writer and Playwright

Insight for Today 3/1/10

"There is no defense against adverse fortune which is so effectual as an habitual sense of humor."

Thomas W. Higginson
1823-1911, Minister, Abolitionist and Author

Friday Story from Bob Proctor 2/26/10

Keep On Dancing

If you are feeling like you have gotten a little "off track" with your intentions this year, not to worry. Be gentle with yourself. Take a few minutes to read today's post, and just remember to "Keep On Dancing".

What I have noticed lately, is that things don't always seem to happen for the reasons we think, and that can be perfect for us. I started several projects in the last few weeks, that did not work out the way I thought they would, or the way I wanted them to, thank God.

Because they did not work out, space was created for something much better to come into my life. And so, I was able to better understand, that it is not always about the end result of a choice or a project, but how taking that step to go for it in the first place, makes you feel.

What is important, is that you take some inspired action, because your vibration while you are doing something that excites you, and you are passionate about, is what will bring you the essence of what you wanted in the first place. It just may not come from where you thought it would. What is so freeing about all of this, is that it removes a lot of the fear around moving forward, fear that you may fail, be disappointed again, or even embarrassed. It gives you the courage to just step up to the plate and go for it, no matter what the outcome.

If you are feeling stuck, and afraid to take the next step, or any step for that matter, you will never achieve the life of your dreams. Life is not always about being comfortable. It is about moving forward, out of your comfort zone.

And the interesting thing about it is, that the more steps you take, the stronger and more confident you feel inside, where it really matters, and pretty soon you begin to realize that there truly is nothing that you cannot do, that anything is possible, just as long as you keep on dancing.

Veronica Hay

Veronica Hay is the author of In a Dream, You Can Do Anything.An extraordinary collection of writings that will uplift you, motivate you, inspire you, and gently guide you along the inner path of your life.Go to: http://www.insightsandinspirations.com or feel free to email your comments about today's message to: veronicahay@telus.net

Insight for Today 2/25/10

"I never could have done what I have done without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence, without the determination to concentrate myself on one subject at a time."

Charles Dickens
1812-1870, Novelist

Insight for Today 2/24/10

"The starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desires bring weak results, just as a small fire makes a small amount of heat."

Napoleon Hill
1883-1970, Author of Think and Grow Rich

Insight for Today 2/26/10

"We will receive not what we idly wish for but what we justly earn. Our rewards will always be in exact proportion to our service."

Earl Nightingale
1921-1989, Author of The Strangest Secret

Friday Story from Bob Proctor 2/19/10 - Great one!

The Lunch Group


It was by invitation only.

Every single Friday, a group of four women met for lunch. Usually, they either had Chinese food, hamburgers, or salads. However, it really did not matter what the cuisine was; rather, it was the friendship and support they derived from each other that was important.

Throughout the years there had been plenty of happy occasions that would be the center of discussion around their Friday meal; however, there also had been so much sorrow and sadness discussed around the table, throughout the many restaurant meals.

When Helen discussed the upcoming marriage of her son, all four were so generally happy and proud. However, when Carol was sharing her pain in regard to her sister-in-law's recurring cancer all in the "lunch group" got the same lumps in their throats.

When Allene's daughter made wedding plans at a Caribbean hotel all were happy; however when the wedding day happened to coincide with the arrival of a hurricane on the island, not too many of the family and guests were pleased. (However, fortunately, the wedding was moved to another location on the mainland and the bride and groom eventually had smiles on their faces--and everyone as well.)

One of the group's members, Toby, experienced a trauma when her son was involved in a near-fatal injury; however, she, too, eventually returned to the group. And Toby, her family, and her son are doing well -- partly due to the support of the "lunch group."

I think that the "lunch group" learned many years ago that "Life is not fair;" however, it is important to "play the hand you are dealt the best you can."

That attitude was vital when Helen's husband became ill with dementia. For a few years, she lived with him in their home, taking care of him. Then, when the illness became even more severe, he had to be hospitalized, eventually going to a nursing home. For more than a year, Helen went daily to that facility. She wanted to make sure her husband was as happy as he could be, doing the best she could "with the cards she had been dealt." But she was not alone. Every day, she had family and friends with her and her husband at the nursing home; however, not on Friday afternoons during lunch time. On Fridays, after she made sure that her husband had his meal, guess where she would go? You guessed it - she would be with her "lunch group."

All four were always ready to do anything necessary for the other three. (That is the true meaning of "friendship.") However, one day the group could do nothing but cry as one of the four, Allene, passed away. She had been so ill for so long, but three things were a certainty: she was always smiling; she never complained; and -- she always made her Friday "lunch group" with the other three.

There was an empty seat that Friday when the others decided to return to their ritual. However, the others seemed to be able to feel a "spirit" at Allene's empty chair. At first, there were many tears around the table; however, soon there was a feeling of comfort. I think Allene would have wanted the group to continue. In fact, everyone who knew her believed that; she was that kind of special person.

The four were, and are, all wonderful in their own special ways; however, they all possess such loving hearts, caring souls, and were, and are, friends to the end. True friends are so important.

The members of the "lunch group" were, and are, so very lucky as they will always have each other -- forever.



Michael Jordan Segal ©2008

Michael Jordan Segal, who defied all odds after being shot in the head, is a husband, father, social worker, freelance author (including a CD/Download of 12 stories, read with light backgroud music, entitled POSSIBLE), and inspirational speaker, sharing his recipe for happiness, recovery and success before conferences and businesses. To contact Mike or to order his CD, please visit www.InspirationByMike.com as well as checking out his youtube at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNeRqpaoNpQ