While I was attending the Big Seminar in Atlanta, taking photos of my internet family members, my wife Janet took care of my mom and dad by herself. It is a real challenge to take care of people who have had a stroke and congestive heart failure.
Life can be so ironic when your plans do not work out. There is so much sorrow and humor in life these days. It is either laugh or cry. We all have the choice but it is often hard to make.
When I came home, Janet was so overwhelmed, she cried when she told me how hard it was to take care of them. It seems there is a conflict with my mom who loves me as a son and Janet who loves me as my wife.
Since my mom is in her final days, angry at her state in life because she does not feel good, Janet is the only target for my mom to vent her anger at the loss of her health and freedom to make her own choices and have her own way.
After talking with Janet and holding her close, the frustration and anger tears soon stopped and the healing laughter began. Soon we were laughing so hard new joyful tears poured from our eyes.
Humor is such an amazing gift. Companionship is a tremendous help when dealing with difficult situations. It is often hard to see the humor in unhappy situations but it is always there if you look hard and long enough.
When I return home from a seminar, there is so much work to complete. All my best intentions and dreams of getting caught up with work are often displaced because of the needs of the other people in my life.
It is at these times “trusting in the Lord with all your heart” keeps the fear of financial failure at bay. With a “peace that goes beyond all understanding,” based on God’s promises to provide for our needs, my positive attitude is victorious with the help of lots of prayer.
Also, a little wine definitely can help you have a more positive attitude in times of sorrow.
The joy of helping others in your life often goes beyond anything I ever imagined. “Thank you for everything you do,” dad said just after we prayed the “Our Father” after I tucked him into bed last night. The statement was filled with an incredible love that gleamed through the tears in his eyes. My eyes started to water.
In times of pain and suffering it is so amazing how God’s love and peace shines through the lives of the people around you.
In these last days, parents are so precious because you get to experience with them their transition from this earth into eternity. Being around individuals who are very close to experiencing the joys of the after-life causes you to ponder your own future and the real value of the things you have done in your life for others.
You realize they are truly the lucky ones. They have the opportunity to prepare themselves for their meeting with their creator. Their time is short as the life-clock ticks away the final moments of their lives here on earth.
What a great opportunity to make your heart and soul right with God before you pass on to the great judgment for righteousness. Knowing your parents have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ fills you with peace, hope and joy.
They helped so many others during their lifetimes, their rewards will be great. I personally know it was their consistent prayers that brought me back to a relationship with God after I followed the hollow “Flower Power” promises of happiness, self-fulfillment and mind expansion in the sixties.
The Baby Boomer Generation’s mantra of “Rebellion against all authority, free sex and mind altering drugs like LSD, peyote, marijuana, mushrooms, speed and cocaine” had long term consequences few could imagine. During my interview with Len Thurmond at the Big Seminar, I had a sudden realization of how the decisions of my past affected my future and the person I became.
It was amazing the similarities of the events in our lives, the decisions we made and the devastation and sorrow caused by our wrong choices. At that time in our young lives, we could not divine how these activities would affect our futures.
The flood of youthful hormones made us feel invincible (I can do anything!), impervious to pain (No fear!) and all-knowing (Parents, political leaders, the military and adults are self-serving, greedy jerks who want to oppress the poor). I still don’t remember when my ability to know everything about every subject disappeared.
Most people have no idea when is their final moment on this earth. Actually, it could come at any time. How many people do you think are ready for an instantaneous end of their days?
Do you wonder what God will say to you when you stand before the judgment seat? Sometimes, I wonder if I am ready to give God an accounting of all the things I did during my lifetime with the resources that He entrusted to my care.
At the Big Seminar, I had the unique opportunity to interview both Donna Fox and Len Thurmond. Both of their heroes interviews were astounding, amazing, incredible and insightful. They will be posted soon.
It is so rewarding to have the opportunity to interview people who are so successful and open to share their secrets of success and the major setbacks in their lives. What an incredible inspiration the heroes interviews are.
Listed below are the names of the heroes who are helping develop the In Search Of Heroes™ Program model that will generate desperately needed income for beneficial local community programs. Many have attended the Big Seminars over the years where I had the opportunity to take photos of them and their families. Over time, we have truly become a family of friends and business partners.
They candidly discuss how changes in their attitudes and heroes in their lives helped them become successful: Alex Mandossian, Bill Hibbler, Bob Silber, Bret Ridgway, Carl Galletti, Craig Perrine, Dave Bernstein, David Garfinkel, David Hancock, Frank Deardurff III, Frank Garon, George Callens, Harv Eker, Heather Seitz, J.J. Childers, Jason Potash, Jay Conrad Levinson, Joe Polish, Joe Vitale, John Assaraf, Lorrie Morgan Ferrero, Michel Fortin, Mike Stewart, Orrin Hudson, Paul Colligan, Perry Marshall, Ralph Zuranski, Randy Charach, Ray Edwards, Rhea Perry, Rick Raddatz, Stephen Pierce, Ted Ciuba, Ted Nicholas, Vicky Herron, Willie Crawford and Yanik Silver.
Soon to be interviewed heroes are:
Women: Jody Colvard, Rosalind Gardner, Gina Guadio_Graves, Renee Feldman, Jill Lublin, Heather Dueease, Maria Ngo, Juanita Jenkins, Beth Ann Erickson, Jeanette Cates, Lisa Williams, Lorette Lyttle, Janeen Freeland, Heather, Sylvie Charrier, Debbie Allen, Sharon Lechter, Christina Hills, Audrey Hagen, Imal Wagner, Liora Mendeloff, Fran Harris, Dr. Letitia Wright, DC, Terri Romaine, Julie Perry, Debra Thompson, JD Clement, MD, Stephanie Frank, Kelly O’Neil, Stephanie Frank and Mary Foley.
Men: John Childers, Ryan Deiss, Phil Huff, Paulie Sabol, Mike Filsaime, Tom Beal, Jim Edwards, Stu McLaren, Zack McCullough, Drew Perry, Dave Mitchell, Ken Lawrence, Martin Wales, Ray DuGray, Sam Heyer, Randy Gilbert, Robby LeBlanc, Tom Kulzer, Sean Cohen, Kenny Handelman, MD, Judson Smith, Steve Humphrey, Cameron Johnson, Ryan Lee, Air’n Monahan, Tom Antion, Jonathan Mizel, Declan Dunn, dynamic father and son marketing duo Joshua and Greg Writer, Dr. Michael Woo-Ming, MD, Jeff Walker, Morgan Westerman, Dave Lakhani, Drew Perry, Wally Amos, Warren Whitlock, G. Mark Hardy, Robert Pfeiler, Jeff Dedrick, Larry Benet, Robin Thompson, Pat O’Bryan, Tim Paulson, Rich Schefren, Jose and many other leaders in internet marketing.