Category Archives: Inspiration

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Mother’s Day was the other day

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This poem is written in collaboration with my children. We think all Mom’s are special and if you have a verse to add please join in and send this to your Mom.

Celebrate life.

Mother’s day was the other day
when you cooked for us and knew it would ruin your diet

Mother’s day was the other day
when you drove us around to our friends house,
to the mall, oh and then bought us dinner with your beauty shop money

Mother’s day was the other day
when you cut your vacation short to come save me from my troubles

Mother’s day was the other day
when you let us sleep in late and you cleaned the dirty dishes
that we were supposed to finish

Mother’s day was the other day
when you went to the 2nd & Charles and bought me a video game
even though we were there only to sell movies

Mother’s day was the other day
when you sent me money for extracurricular activities at school
knowing that you were already stretched

Mother’s day was the first day
when you allowed your body to transform
so that I could have life

Thank you Mom for the first Mother’s day and all the countless other days that you put me first.

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The London Olympics shows how to Trust your training

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London Olympics Gymnast Danell Leyva won a bronze medal at the London Games because he learned to trust his training. He and his father had a ritual that included a pull of the ears and a kiss on the head and then his father would say trust your training. This ritual struck me as wonderful on many levels. Here are three observations that you can use in your everyday life.

1. Having a relation with a Father-figure/Mentor is key to success

The man we saw jumping jubilantly at the London Olympics was Yin Alverez, Danell’s step-father. Which demonstrates that no matter what the situation there is someone there that can help us succeed. Find a mentor and submit to their teachings. The other unique thing is that Alverez was on the floor as Danell’s coach,I think this has a direct correlation to why he was the only man to have an individual medal.

2. Public affection strengthens bonds

These two men have no problem showing that they care for each other. You may not go as far as a kiss but think of the goodwill President Obama got when he and the First lady engaged in a kiss-cam moment. Let those around know that you care. Even a sincere direct thank you with a meaningful handshake goes a long way toward solidifying business relationships. One of the last things my father said before he passed away was “come over here and give me a kiss”. I still remember the quiet joy in his feeble eyes. Do not wait so long to show you care.

3. Trust you training

This is significant in all of our lives. The first thing you must do to trust your training is train. And I mean train consistently. To reach the London Olympics Danell Leyva had to train constantly. If you are going to reach Olympic status in your career or relationship you will have to train for your time on the big stage. The last reminder right before each event by Alverez cemented in his son’s mind that he was ready for this moment by saying “trust in your training”.

Please leave a comment on how you the London Olympics can inspire you to trust your training on a daily basis?

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Smart goals promote Clear Vision

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/angietorres/Clear Vision and Smart Goals are paramount to cultivating Patient Leadership. Why practice goal setting if you are not going to use them. This is an argument of the person stuck in procrastination. There are three reasons to set goals even if you never strike out and accomplish them.

1. At least you have a clear vision

When you talk with many people they have fuzzy vision but, smart goals elevate you to clear vision status. With a clear vision statement those around you will have a chance to help you grow. We must use the brain trust that God makes available to us before more will be added. I wrote about creative vision in a previous article about Martin Scorsese.

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he

Proverbs 29:18

2. Smart Goals inspire others

Some of your goals are simply to inspire others to change their unconscious mind. They inspire others to create their own clear vision statement. In many cases those around you look to you for Patient Leadership.

3. Writing smart goals removes doubt

When you are ready, you do not have to take the time to write your goals. This slows procrastination and increases success rates. Procrastination arises with doubt and fear. Planning combats fear and promotes peak performance.

How have you used Patient Leadership to promote your vision statement?

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Patient Leadership versus Skills

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Patient leadership is one of the skills that can fix a multitude of problems. One of my trucks needed some repair so I called the local mechanic and he said that he could fix it in one day and it would cost around $500.00. Oh, if you want to know what the Lord said. He said, “If you are patient I will help you.” So, I had the spirit of patient leadership to guide me through this ordeal. While the price sounded reasonable I wondered if I could do it myself for a little cheaper and have it back on the road in a couple of hours. I called a couple of friends that had experience doing this sort of job and they advised me that it was fairly straight forward if I knew what I was doing. So I checked on the internet for the price of the part, it was listed around $375.00. This price seemed high so I called some used car parts dealers, there was one available for $100.00. Now we were in the ballpark of where I wanted to be, I had to tap into my patient leadership to even find the part. After driving to the place and arriving back at the house with the used part, I realized I needed a specialized puller to remove a piece. Here I go back to the store. Oh I remember to try this used part first. So now I must remove the original part and try the replacement part. It is not the exact part. Now I call the big box auto parts store and get a refurbished one with a guarantee for $160.00 and a core charge of $125.00. I put this one on and it leaks everywhere which I discovered around 9:30 PM. It is night and I am tired. The next morning I go to a different parts store but, I must clean and return the other part. I have a new part from a new store, and the old broken part, and the part from the used store. The bolts from the old part need replacing also, and I have to find a store that has them. I put everything back in place and it works fine. The relief comes over me and it has taken 24 hours to complete. After returning all the unused parts the cost was around $200.00 but at one point I had nearly $500 in cash floating around. Here’s what I learned from this decision.

1. If you are not a mechanic do not play one in life.
Although you may possess many talents, some talents are better left to others. Many entrepreneurs have to wear an array of hats during the course of the day but smart ones know how to buy time by using qualified others. This is a warning of patient leadership that I did not show. I had all the tools and skills to complete this job, except for one pitman arm puller. This still did not qualify me to efficiently complete this job. Hire a qualified industry leader so that you can stay focused on your main business skills.

2. The internet does not always display the best price
This is not just a knock on the internet but a knock on the whole “Do it yourself” marketplace. The marketing teams at these companies present scenarios that seem to be easier and more satisfying than allowing the experts to handle it for you. A leader knows the best price is the one that factors in all the variables. Patient leadership thinks of all the possibilities and makes decisions on the entire project not just on narrow parameters like money.

3. Know what your time is worth
The professions where time is billable and can be quantified make it easy to state how much your time and skills are worth. In other professions with soft skills and variable earning potential it can be more difficult. In any case it is wise to have a working number to tabulate your worth, especially when you perform tasks not essential to furthering your cause. In my case I could have generated far more revenue by ignoring my soft skills and being a patient leader in my main business. The other factor which cannot be calculated is the lost time with friends and family. I cancelled a school trip with my son to work on this vehicle. Although I made it up with a camping trip I cannot get the day we lost together back.

How have your skills helped or hurt your Patient Leadership ability?

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Put your life skills to the test

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If you are alive, your life skills will be tested. Get ready to display your leadership attributes and do not fret. When we think of tests that are not related directly to standardized test, we normally attach a trial and/or tribulation not that our life skills. This is not necessarily true. The kind of tests that are prescribed here are more measuring stick than tribulation. God already knows what the results are. The tests are for you to add confidence to yourself and the process. Whatever adjustments are needed will be evident.

There is no reason to be nervous, because if you are honestly trying to increase your Patient Ability, God gives you grace and mercy. One of the most lasting images and phrases in the American dialect is, “This is a test. This is only a test,” and it is played on the radio and television. We do not have any anxiety attacks when we hear this message, nor should we when the tests of our abilities arise. I believe we should look forward to them as a way to mark our progress. Some tests are longer than others, but all of them end, and we must prepare for the next round. Look forward to demonstrating your leadership ability on the upcoming life skills examination.

This is an excert from the book “Patience to Dominate” it is conatined in the chapter – Paitent Ability , Occupy til I come.

What life skills test are you preparing to dominate?

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How to plan a world class weekend vacation

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No matter what your situation you need to recharge your batteries and divert your attention from the everyday drama that is your life. This can be accomplished with a spectacular weekend vacation. We have done this twice this Spring/Summer and each time we have returned refreshed and revitalized. If you are looking to change your perspective and be a better world citizen pack your bags and get ready to have a rock-n-roll good time.

1. Pick a vacation destination that is dense with the type of fun you and your family enjoy
Go somewhere that you are compelled to partake in the activities you enjoy so that your mind is focused on having fun. Remember you only have a short time activities at your fingertips are essential. We went to the beach and stayed at a location that touted itself as the most fun you can have at the beaches like building a sand castle and other fun things. It lived up to its billing. There were non-stop partying on the beaches and family fun activities to give the parents a break.

2. Plan your down time
It is good to have a lot of family fun but one core benefit of vacation is that your rest is not encumbered with thoughts of the drudgery of everyday life. I wrote a post about how to plan that can add some help. Whether you plan a great afternoon nap or you sleep in and order room service is up to you. At the beach we opted for a relaxing afternoon nap with the sounds of the ocean soothing our souls. When we went to the city for some urban action we chose to sleep in and got a huge omelet with all the trimmings.

3. Treat yourself like royalty
Here you must think about how would your vacation feel if you were royalty? For the majority of us we spend our life figuring out how to make all the pieces work and how to pay for them responsibly. Vacation is the one time you can plan to let your guard down. Save a little for these excursions and then blow it out. When we were in the city we stayed in a world class hotel and caught a concert in the park then went to two different hangouts all in one night. “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Ps 24:1) Splurge a little on God’s creation, YOU, and happiness will be found.

Maximum enjoyment does not need a lot of time but it does require you to tap into your royalty. Pack your bags and prepare to have a magnificent time whether you choose the Magic Kingdom or the Gulf Coast.

How do you enjoy a weekend vacation?

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Are you dissatisfied with mediocrity?

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/oskarn/I was jogging the other morning, and when I say jogging I should amend this to trudging along. As I finished what had been my normal routine for a while I told myself I could do more. When I thought about it I could do a lot more. I chided myself and said “I am dissatisfied with mediocrity.” This may seem strange for someone who has exercise in their normal routine, so judge yourself on your own curve. My routine was mediocre for me. I was not challenged at all. So I continued to run and added more distance and speed to my workout. Then it hit me that I lived most of by trudging along. All the times that I could improve I chose to accept the status quo. Seth Godin in a blog post titled “The False choice of mediocrity” says

“Remarkable work is always not on the list, because if it was, it would be commonplace, not remarkable.”

Following is the definition of mediocrity and mediocre to add clarity to the sentiment.

me•di•oc•ri•ty
1. The state or quality of being mediocre.
2. Mediocre ability, achievement, or performance.
3. One that displays mediocre qualities

me•di•o•cre
Moderate to inferior in quality; ordinary

The last word of the definition is ordinary and that sums up many facets of our lives and we should strive for extraordinary. Now you have to decide what areas of your life does mediocrity has a strangle hold on and then shake it off. The difference between dominating and participating is small but significant. Decide to be great. The Bible has a take on this subject as well.

Revelation 3:15-18 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire,

Because most of us live an okay lifestyle we rarely challenge ourselves and with even more scarcity do we put our ideas and efforts in the fire to be tired like gold.

What are you areas of your life are you going to denounce mediocrity and set in the fire?

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What to do when the enemy has eaten you up.

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My wife, Queen Janetta came up with this title when she saw what happened to the Georgia Hybrid Collard Greens that we planted in the garden. This was our first year planting this vegetable, so our only experiences with Greens were faint memories from childhood. As the plants grew we were very proud and we daily watered them and removed weeds. One evening we noticed that bugs had attacked one plant and I said that I would get some spray the next day. Well, by the next morning all of my plants had holes in them. It was too late but I went out before work and purchased the spray. We thought this mishap was an indicator of many scenarios in life. Below are three quick observations that we took away from this experience.

1. Do not fret over the problem.
You cannot cry over losses that have already occurred. To complain was our first response. We even asked a crazy question, “where did theses bugs come from?” Do not lose time in remorse. For a while when something challenging happens the normal human response is to be upset and brood over the issue. The pouting or whining over the problem only takes you down a long path of destruction.

2. Immediately spend the resources to alleviate the problem.

First do all the things that do not cost much money. In our case we first removed some of the damaged leaves. When money is necessary do not fear to promptly produce your investment. We were not excited about going to the Lowe’s in Bessemer and paying for more gardening supplies but either we were committed to growth or we were pretending.

3. Make the adjustment and continue to apply the things necessary for growth.
You are aware of the loss so now you must adjust your expectation for yield. We planted a lot of greens and we even talked about having them throughout the entire winter but now our expectation had to be altered. This is what you must do in life sometimes. Make the adjustment and enjoy the fruit that makes it through the antics of life. Now, we had to apply faith by continuing to water damaged plants. If watering and fertilizing is necessary don’t be afraid to be patient and work through a mess.
I am proud to report that we harvested a batch of those Georgia Hybrid Collard Greens and it appears that the garden will yield another batch really soon.

What are you going to do when the enemy has eaten you up??

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Labor of Love

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1 Thessalonians 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

What does labor of love have to do with patience?

Revelation 2v2 I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Everyone is working on something but not all are working for something. There is an even smaller portion working for someone and the remnant is working for God. The blessing is that all of you who are working for God must realize that He hears you and He recognizes your efforts. In 1 Thessalonians Paul says that he is “remembering without ceasing” the work and faith of the believers. How much more do you think your Father in Heaven is remembering you and your work? The moment a thought of despair enters your thinking then, replace it with a greater thought of the Father cheering for your success.

There may be things you feel you cannot bear but God strengthens you through Patience. A part of my definition of Patience is, “Knowing that the Supreme Being is in control”. So, stop worrying, you are given credit for not fainting. Keep your elbows up and your head down and your guaranteed reward is on the way.

There are many of you that have stopped doing the work of the Father because you witnessed the evil traits of mankind on earth. These evil or twisted actions are just that, actions of man. Do not allow these atrocities to cause you to fall back away from God. Have patience for the sake of the name of the Lord. The incorrect actions of man should propel you to increase your intensity towards proper labor for God. Now that you know that God’s people need visible examples of faithful people.

In Hebrews 6v10 the Bible says, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and Labor of Love…” For all of you with a direct relationship with God know that He is not unrighteous so how can you think that He has forgotten you? To paraphrase verse 11. Be diligent and hold out hope for a better day. Next in verse 12 comes a warning. Why a warning for the faith laborers when presumably they have done nothing wrong? I know why because I have been to this place and stayed too long. The place is called “believers apathy”, because we convince ourselves that we do not care about others so we cannot get hurt or be disappointed anymore. Well here is the warning plus the marching orders:

Hebrews 6 v 12
“That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

Theodore Roosevelt said, “If we seek merely swollen and slothful ease… the bolder and stronger peoples will pass us by.”

You cannot take the easy way out. If you read further down in Revelation chapter 2 verse 4 states, “Never the less I have somewhat against thee because thou hast left thy first love” The Father knows when you have slacked off and wants you back on the right track. This is why he says find others who are faithful if you need an example to follow and you will inherit the promises. Let’s finish with a promise that you all can hold on to:

“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.” It takes a Labor of Love and patience to eat of the tree of life.

What are you going to continue to do for the Love of God?

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The truth about Failure

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Blueberries from the Queen's Garden

The truth about Failure

1. Failure is not a person it is an event
a. Do not personify failure
b. Your character is not connected to the occurrence of failure

2. Failure is helpful
a. It helps us recognize our weaknesses
b. It helps us enhance our true talent

Do not Avoid failure, change your prospective, Examine your failure.
– Did you prepare?
– Did you have some coaching?
The path of success is through failure
Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently
Failure is a choice, that you do not have to make.
Failure does not define you.

Learn the art of patience. Apply discipline to your thoughts when they become anxious over the outcome of a goal. Impatience breeds anxiety, fear, discouragement and failure. Patience creates confidence, decisiveness, and a rational outlook, which eventually leads to success. Brian Adams

Burn the ships, so that you cannot return to failure. We are a dominant tribe.
1. The path to success runs through failure
2. Don’t camp at the green-field of failure.

Are you more afraid of failure or success?
We succeed.

Copyright William J. Spencer, IV 2012