The Best Things in Life Are NOT Quite Free!

I recently saw a post on FaceBook that read, “The best things in life are free.” I understand the intent, that we shouldn’t take things for granted and that we should stop to smell the roses more often. We just don’t appreciate the blessings we have. I agree. But the truth is that we have to do the work to get whatever it is we want to enjoy in our lives. It may not take manual labor or we may not to have to expend a lot of energy, but when we do the work to achieve or enjoy something, there’s a deeper gratitude than if it’s just given to us.

I used to buy lottery tickets, and I prayed to win. I got to thinking about what I’d do with the winnings. I decided that I would set up a foundation to help people empower themselves to earn their own living. I’d create a teach-a-person-to-fish organization instead of giving-them-a-fish type organization. Now, what would really make me happy is if I, somehow, managed to build a company based on my writing and teaching and speaking where I could do that without winning the lottery. I know I’d have a better sense of accomplishment having earned the money and opportunity. I’d still accept all of the money that the lottery gives away, but I’d use it to be able to do more effective work. 

One of the blessings I hope you enjoy, but may not enough, is your family. Often, getting to the point of truly enjoying and appreciating our family takes work. We have to do what it takes to keep them together, heck, even getting them together sometimes. I’m convinced that the only way to be loved is by being loving. How do you show your family you love them? That can take some work, depending on your family’s needs. That may take leaving work and going home!

Another is appreciating those you work with and lead. I’m glad I’m not THAT GUY, but he’s often a pain in the rear. Not always happy, okay, often UNhappy for no obvious reason. But, you know, he may have a lot of wisdom to share that would make the team a lot more productive, proud, and effective. But it takes work to value him and to show him you care. Once you do, though, you’ll have a follower for life!

The most powerful blessing you’ll ever have is good health. There will be a point in your life when waking up will be a blessing. And then GETTING up?! WOW! I did it! You’ll understand. Give it about fifty years. Trust me. But you have to work for it.  

Take some time today to appreciate the blessings the Creator has bestowed upon you, but also make a commitment to show others you care. The work you expend will be worth the blessings you receive. Then be free to enjoy the best life you’ve created!

Until next time, Be GREAT! You ARE!

¡HEIRPOWER!

bob vásquez!

MY Vision of Success!

 

We all have, or should have, a vision of what success looks like for us, especially as a leader. As I often say, If you can see it, you can be it. Or the reverse, if you CAN’T see yourself succeeding you probably won’t.

MY vision of success is depicted within a music video by a singer/musician by the name of Jonah Nilsson, who is the lead singer for the group, Dirty Loops. Dirty Loops is a band from Sweden, comprised of three musicians, Hendrick Linder, Aron Mellergard, and Jonah.
 

Jonah recorded a video a few years ago based on his song, Diamond Ring. It’s great. Google it, but ya gotta play if loud! It happens to be a solo project, so it doesn’t include Hendrick nor Aron. At the end of the video, during the credits, the musicians who perform on the video are identified by name and instrument that they play in the video. Except for one.

 

I’m not digressing, just explaining. The genius musician, Quincy Jones, passed a few days ago. He was a master of his trade, known by everyone in the music business and respected and admired by millions of people worldwide. At the end of the video, Q, as he was known, appears just as the other musicians do, except that all it states is his name. You see, Q was such a great artist that he didn’t need introduction. He was just himself, Quincy Jones.

 

Now, it’s doubtful that I’ll ever reach that stature. I hope that YOU do. But that’s my vision of success, when no introduction is required, when all that’s needed for others to know who I am is my name. I hope that I can one day have the effect on others, followers in particular, that all that’s needed to identify me as an Effective Leader is my name. I’ll keep trying. In the meantime, THANK YOU for blessings us with your music, Q, and Rest In Eternal Peace….

 

Until next time, 

 

Be GREAT! You ARE!

 

HEIRPOWER!

 

Chief bob vásquez!