Sunday, June 19, 2011

The Three Signs That Brought Me Back To Toastmasters

Greetings Happy People,

Father's Day 2002.

I was at a Sunday church service. There were men talking about their fathers. Most of them told stories about how their fathers were not their for them. These men were upset, crying, and cursing them.

Yes, this did happen at church.

Realizing that this was draining the energy of the people in the church, my mother wanted me to talk about my father. At first, I did not want to do it. But after hearing all this negativity, I went up to the pulpit and talked about my father.

The message I gave was positive. During the middle of my speech, I mention that anyone can create a kid, but it takes a man to become a father. I got a surprising applause from those words. As soon as I finished my speech, I got standing ovations and thank yous from the people. They were happy because I spoke about the meaning of Father's Day when others went the total opposite.

Two months later, I rejoined Toastmasters.

When I graduated from UNLV in 1999, I was out of the Toastmasters realm (via Speechcraft). When I went through my last Speechcraft session, something told me that I will be back in that organization. Little did I know, there were three signs that cemented my return.

You have heard the first of the three. Here is the second sign.

I was at a work-related workshop. My fellow co-workers and I were working on a project and the instructor wanted one person from each group to give the presentation. Guess who gave the presentation. I stood up, gave my presentation, and got a surprising applause from it. Afterwards, folks were amazed at having the courage to stand up and give a speech out of nowhere - without any "AHs."

In the back of my mind, I wondered if I should return to Toastmasters.

The third sign was based on another work-related workshop I went to. It was called "How to Set and Achieve Goals." There I saw a couple of motivational videos from Les Brown. The messages were simple. What do I love to do and where am I willing to take it.

You may want to call them signs. But thanks to them, I decided to return to Toastmasters. Ever since I walk through the doors of that YMCA to a Starmasters meeting, I have not looked back. I am forever grateful for those three signs. I cannot imagine what life would have been like if I had missed those callings.

If you ever receive signs to do something, please do not ignore them. They may not only change your life, but also take you to places that can go beyond your imagination.

If it can work for me, it will work for you. Just answer the call!!

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

Saturday, June 18, 2011

WOW!! A Letter From a Real African King!!

Greetings Happy People,

I got some really good news for you today!!

I got an e-mail that will change my life forever!!

It says that I inherited $2 billon dollars from an African King in Botswana!!

The email says that all this money is mine!! In order to get it, all I have to do are the following things:

1. Send my Social Security Number

2. Send my ATM card information

3. Send my house and car titles to their embassy address in Newark, New Jersey.

4. Send a copy of my driver's license and blood type.

I think this information is good because it says, "THIS IS REAL!!" They also said that once I can send this stuff, the $2 billion dollars from Botswana will be mine in the next 1200 months!!! Oh boy!! I can't wait!!

As you can tell, this is an example of a scam.

For the people that sent this email, they should know that Botswana is run by a President and a parliament. As for Newark, New Jersey, I'll see if that place even exists.

I may make light of this issue, but there are people out there that fall for something like this. There are people out there that fall for other scams that are not as obvious. Whether it be promoting the latest video email product or selling the latest dietary supplement, there are people that make their living off of someone else's ignorance.

How these people sleep at night is beyond my understanding.

No matter how good some people can be, sooner or later the scams they sell will come back to bite them.

For every person that they try to fool, there will always be that one person that will expose the fraud. There will always be that one who will fight back. There will always be that one that will pass the word along. There will always be that one that will call and report the activity to a group that specializes in dealing with scam artists.

Did you know that there is also a handy tool that is capable of dealing with the latest incoming frauds? It is called the human mind. It takes a good mind to suspect what is a good deal and what isn't. If you are unsure about something that seems suspicious, it's okay to do some research on your own!!

If the thing is legitmate, it will show. If not, it will show as well. If possible, you can do research on the person too!! Some of it via public records. You never know what they have done in the past. They could have been sued a breach of contract or wanted in 23 states. You never know unless you find out.

The key point is to always be vigilant when someone comes at you with a deal that is too good to be true. If you have a gut feeling that something isn't right, by all means listen to it!! It may save you the postage on the stuff you would send to some African King in New Jersey!!

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Business Card Message

Greetings Happy People,

As I take out my wallet, I am pulling out something very important from there.

What is it?

Is it my ATM card? No.

Is it a reward values card for my supermarket? Not really.

Is it my driver's license? Nope. Have not been pulled over (knock on wood).

It is a simple business card.

On the front, it is for a local hotel and casino. However, the real message is on the back.

This message is based on a personal development seminar I went to a couple years ago - hosted by Carol Reynolds. It is called the VISION Seminar (http://www.carolreynolds.com). Compared to the PSI Seminar I went to, all I can say is that VISION is for the heart as PSI is for the mind.

On the top of this card, I wrote a very important message from Carol. It said POSITIVE THOUGHTS + FEELING GOOD = CREATE FUTURE.

At first, I did not understand the process of this, but after writing and living some of my goals, I can understand.

A combination of positive thoughts and good feelings can create a future one can imagine. Some people may think this is bull. But I can tell you that I am living this message and it is paying off for me BIG TIME!! I am attracting things in my life that I want and more!!

At the bottom of the card, I wrote down seven goals I wanted to accomplished. A couple of them were done (writing my own book and blogging). A few more are on the way (District Governor, Dana Oakley, professional speaking). Others goals may look like a long shot, but who knows (own a Lotus Elise and ?????????).

As I look at this card, I am amazed with what I am able to accomplish for the past 2 years. Who knows what can happen in the next couple of the years?

As I placed this business card back in my wallet, I am reminded what I am capable of doing. I would not be surprised if I not only complete all of the mentioned goals in 5 years, but also achieve more goals and visions on the side!! Anything is possible Happy People!!

Do you have your own business card you look at? Does it have the goals you hope, wish, and desire for? Are you constantly thinking positively about them? Are you feeling good about them? If so, then you are going to live your dreams in no time!!
All you have to do is write the goals you want, dream big, think big, and do big.

As soon as you know, you will be attracting the things YOU want in YOUR life!! If it works for me, it will work for you. Just give it a try!!

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

Friday, June 3, 2011

Who is My Favorite U.S. President?

Greetings Happy People,

That is a tough question to answer. From 1789 to the present, 43 men have stepped up to this role. Some have been good, others were not. Some were remembered for their courageous acts, other stepped up in difficult times. From George Washington to Barack Obama, these men have earned my personal kudos for leading this country from it's post colonial days to were we are right now.

For someone to ask me who my favorite President of all time is, I cannot give a straight answer. Why? There were so many Chief Executives that serve this position in different times. It is hard to pick only one. As I go through the different centuries and decades, I will give you my choices on who I consider to be my favorite President's of the United States and the reasons why I consider them to be on the top of my list.

George Washington (1789-1797) - Who better to start off the list than the first President of the United States? He is on my list because he was not only a great military leader, he was literaly a great architect for leading this nation to where it is today. Someone had to step into this new role as President, and I am glad that it was him.

Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809) - His vision created the Declaration of Independence, and help explored this land from sea to shining sea via the Louisiana Purchase.

James K. Polk (1845-1849) - He kept his promise to the American people. He promised that all of America will reach from sea to shining sea. With a victory in a war against Mexico, the United States acquired most of the southwestern U.S. His negotiations with the British allowed him to acquire more land in the Pacific Northwest (notably Oregon and Washington). Most notably, he did all of this in 4 years!!

Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865) - He led a country through a very difficult time. As brother fought against brother, Mr. Lincoln stood strong during the Civil War. Before his untimely departure from earth, he also had the heart to forgive his Dixie bretheren as he made an attempt to solidify the country after the four year clash. He also assured that all men were created equal as he took steps to ensure freedom for all people.

Chester Arthur (1881-1885) - His administration created a civil service act where people who were vying for government positions were given the task for their qualifications and experience.

Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909) - At the age of 42, he was the youngest person to become President of the United States. He was know for his vibrant spirit and sense of adventure that capture a nation before, during, and after his days in the White House. He travelled all over the world, searching for that next adventure. During the war against Spain, he led a group of men up a certain hill in Cuba. And he has a penchant to speak softly and carry a big stick.

Herbert Hoover (1929-1933) - He was the scapegoat for America's worse financial crisis - The Great Depression. No matter what was thrown at him, no matter how many people blamed him, he did his best to lead a nation through this difficult time.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1933-1945) - He helped get this nation out of a depression and into a crucial World War where the U.S. and their allies came out victorious. He did a outstanding job that he was elected four times as President of the United States.

Dwight David Eisenhower (1953-1961) - He was one of the brilliant five star generals that helped shaped a nation with amazing military strategy (along with MacArthur and Bradley). His vision also help create a U.S. Interstate system where people can drive from sea to shining sea in days instead of months.

John F. Kennedy (1961-1963) - His presidency may have been short, but I give him credit for standing up against a rival during the 46-year staring contest known as the Cold War. His courage and determination caused the Soviet Union to get their missles out of Cuba which would have caused a full blown war. Standing up to this tense moment had some impact within the Soviet Union as this caused Nikita Khuruschev to be knocked out of power as a Soviet leader.

Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) - From the acting stage, to California leadership, to the White House, he carried a leadership that came at a time when it was needed. Before he served as President, America was at a crisis inside and outside of the country. When he stepped into the White House, he stood strong against the foes, and showed people all around the globe that the United States is an awesome superpower. The impact and wisdom of his strategic leadership caused the end of the Cold War and the beginning of life for nations that backed the hammer and sickle.

With the last four Presidents, history is too soon to say how their presidency impacted the world. I will leave that open for another time.

As you can see, these are the men I picked as my favorite Presidents of all time. They were brave, courageous, and took on the role where few would wince at the opportunity. These men were also strong visionaries as they not only saw what was possible, but also took the starting steps to make it happen.

Again, 43 men have stepped up to this role within the past 222 years. Some were successful, others were not as much. No matter who stepped into the White House (or New York - in George Washington's case). These men earn kudos for performing the job to the best of their abilities. The men, will be forever honored in serving the American people as the President of the United States.

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Decisions Decisions.....

Greetings Happy People,

We all have choices to make in life.

Some are good, others are bad.

No matter what choices we make in life, we always get an outcome. If we make good choices, we get good results. If we make bad choices, we get bad results.

The environment we live in is the one we create for ourselves. I remember one motivational speaker telling me that what we are doing does not define who we are. It is based off of the choices we made in the past. After looking around my world, I can say that his words are very true.

To point out this example, I would like to share with you a story of two fraternal twins Chris and Christine. Both were born at the same time. Both came from the same family. When you look at their lives from birth to adulthood, they lived different lives.

Chris started reading at the age of 3. From Kindergarten to High School, he excelled in most of his classes. When he went to college, he studied to become a Mechanical Engineer. Six years after he was admitted to college, he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He has a nice six-figure paying job at an engineering firm with good benefits. He also met a nice girl through a social organization, got married, and now has 2 kids and a dog named Spike. This family lives in a nice 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom house. You can say that he is benefitting through the good choices he has made.

Now let’s take a look at Christine. Christine started reading at the age of 6. From Kindergarten to High School, she did not care for most of her classes. She started ditching High School in her junior year. She barely graduated High School and could not get into college with her 1.5 GPA. She is hanging with the wrong crowd, roaming the streets at night, and started taking drugs. In her career, she went from job to job to job. First she was a daycare worker, then she became a waitress, and last time I heard from her, she got fired from her job as a dancer at some low-rate gentleman’s club. Her relationship with men is below par. She has been in relationship with men that abused, cheated, and mistreated her. She is a single woman with four kids by three different men living in a neighborhood where few people want to be. You can say that she is not doing too well with the choices she made.

From birth to adulthood, these two fraternal twins had the same start from birth. How in the world could they live different lives? It stems from the choices they have made for themselves. Chris wanted to strive to be the best he can be because he made that choice. Christine made the wrong choices and she is paying for them.

This example shows how making choices can affect the life we choose to live. Some of them may not follow the examples of Chris and Christine. However, it gives a basic understanding. When we look at our lives, what choices are we making for ourselves? Are they good ones? Are they bad ones? No matter what they are, we have the responsibility to make these decisions on our own. Where you want life to take you is up to you.

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

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