“Willing to Thrive in 2025!”

“America was founded on the principle of “We the people, in order to form a more perfect Union…” Not under the premise “We the government, in order to form more perfect people…”

Life can only be understood by looking backward, but it must be lived by looking forward. Who do you want to become? What would you like to be known for? When people die, they seldom wish for more things in their lives, they give thanks for the relationships. So many of us set goals “to have,” yet forget to set goals “to become.”

The best way to predict the future is to create it. You have two eyes to see it, and a third eye in your mind that can help create it. We are the masters of our fate, the captains of our souls, because we have the power to control our thoughts.

I believe that “perspective” is key. Your ability to see history, and know it first hand lends perspective to your whole life. Who were your grandparents? How far back can you trace your roots? What were the family names, religion and ethnic background? Where did you come from and how is it that you’re here now? Where is the “family pride” rooted? So many factors in the universe determine our outcome, yet we may fail to have reverence and humility for the fact that we’re here and now.

In the famous book Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill shared with us the principals that made the “great men” great. As a friend of Andrew Carnegie, he was able to interview many of the most successful people of the times. The book presents his findings and it contains the principles that hold the secret of mastery over our economic fate, as well as our pursuit of life. I’m endeared to it partly because Napoleon Hill, born in 1883, was the same age as my grandfather. For me this book was like sitting on Grandpa’s knee asking him how to do things right in the world. “If you could give me good advice, what would you tell me?” It was a book that changed my life when I needed insight and direction.

As the youngest of 5 children in a big family, I had the benefit of learning from the mistakes of my siblings, and learning the art of making good choices. Grandpa had a sign on the wall that said “Learn from the mistakes of others, you can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.” It was a saying that helped our family make better choices in life. It was a valuable lesson Grandpa shared with us.

The traditions of your family are held near to your heart. Those memories are valuable. We may grow up, but when we have children we get to relive our own childhood again. No man really knows what he believes in until he begins to instruct his children. These are your values and core beliefs. Values aren’t taught, as much as they are caught. Click here to read more on goal setting, and to download free worksheets.