As a young boy, I remember my grandmother always had a “Christmas in July” Bazaar. She would take a few small tables and place them outside the Hazelwood Pharmacy near her Waynesville, NC home or set up at a church rummage sale or potluck dinner where she would proudly display her “treasures”. They were simple things made from discarded items she had collected, things donated, or items she had “rescued” from the side of the road. She always seemed to be one step ahead of the garbage truck. As one of eleven children and a depression survivor, thriftiness and resourcefulness defined my grandmother. With her creativity, an empty spool became a Christmas decoration, milk caps were transformed into pieces on a checkerboard, and an empty dish soap container became a doll.

My grandmother weighed about 100 pounds and stood about 4′10″ tall, but she was as feisty as she was frugal. She would take an empty Tupperware to covered dish dinners to bring home “leftovers”. My grandpa would always tell her, “You are the only person that takes home more food from a church dinner than you bring”. Then he would add, “but I still love you” and he’d kiss her on the cheek. I can’t remember a time when after the blessing at a meal that he would not lean over and kiss her before they ate. He loved her, idiosyncrasies and all.

While Grandma was a little different and marched to the beat of a different drummer, she made her mark in the world. She’d write the President if she didn’t like something he was doing. She was proud of the many presidents who wrote her over the years. She gave away a lot of money and sponsored many families to the United States by paying for college, graduate school and even medical school and a PhD for some. She made thousands of school bags for an organization called Church World Service for children in developing countries. Grandma and her sewing group would work each week to fill semi-truck trailers which would ship their contributions all over the world. As recently as a few weeks before her death in 2003, my grandmother, though not speaking, was doing things for others. As I reflect back on it, she as much as any other single person, she may be responsible for my speaking focus “Living Rich: How to Get Rich by Giving”.

This month commemorates the 5^th anniversary of my grandmother’s death. Every day was like Christmas to grandma as she was always thinking of others and worked year round on gifts for those in need. A few years ago, I decided that Christmas time should be about spending time with family and focusing on doing things for others NOT burning the midnight oil just to mail out cards. Don’t get me wrong, I still like getting cards at Christmas, I have just decided for the short term, I am not going to send them (at least not in December) as I have done in the past.

So in memory of my grandmother and her annual summer Christmas celebration, I am offering my Christmas greeting (or Holiday if you’d like) early. Merry Christmas!

I knew I would post about today being 08-08-08. A few years ago, my birthday fell on 06-06-06. While I don’t buy into numerology (it was a normal birthday without incident), I think it’s kind of cool, perhaps more than coincidental that today is considered a lucky day for the Chinese. According to a post I read this morning from my professional speaker friend Terry Brock, the Chinese consider the number 8 to be a number associated with prosperity and abundance. Of course today also marks the beginning of the Olympic Games. As you’ll read in Terry’s post, it’s also his fathers 80th birthday. Terry wrote a thoughtful post on his father who has Alzheimer’s. 

Earlier this week at my National Speakers Association convention, I heard author and Fast Company columnist Marshall Goldsmith speak. Interestingly much of his presentation was geared toward quality relationships. He told a touching story of how one of his children called him a promise he had made but didn’t keep. He challenged us all to reach out to those who make the biggest difference in our lives and ask the questions, “What can I do to be a better father, son, brother, friend, etc?”  In honor of my friend Terry, I am going to reach out today and do just that. I’d like to invite you to do the same. If we listen and act on the answer we are given, it could lead to gold medals that matter and more prosperity and abundance than you or I deserve.

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Book recommendation of the week: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful by Marshal Goldsmith.

Today is my Independence day. I wrote about it last year on this day. It’s the day I left the IBM Corporation in search of life as an entreprenuer. I LOVE being self employed. It’s made me have a RICH life (and if you have been reading this blog, you know what I mean by RICH). I love to hear from readers who have an independence day. What was your freeing moment? How did you break free? How do you celebrate? Right (and write) on…

The lake was beautiful tonight. We cooked out on the grill, boated on a glassy body of water, caught up with old friends and watched the evening sky come alive with color. On the way home, I gave my son a lecture…a short lecture. But certainly not his last. My “lecture” was on the power of saying “I’m sorry”. It didn’t take long to give and I’m confident I’ll give it again. But I think it took. Time will tell. After walking in the door, i just happened to gaze at a book on the counter - a book by Dr. Randy Pausch entitled The Last Lecture. Ironically, a few minutes later, I learned that the author of that book and former Carnegie Mellon died today. His Last Lecture, for which I wrote about last fall, had a great impact on me.  In fact, I think he wrote about saying, “I’m sorry” in his book. There’s nothing like a death to remind me how important it is to quickly and sincerely say, “I’m sorry”.

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and national conventions. He is the founder of the The Worlds Biggest Blog Party an event which will connect bloggers from all over the world to raise money for charity. He is also founder and president of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund and co-founder of the Jeffrey Roth Cycling Foundation. Click here for more information on professional speaker Tim Richardson.

I was born in Revolution, July 4, 1776, but my revolution was about freedom for all, not just the privileged few. The blood lines of the world run through my veins because I stand for freedom for all – regardless of race, creed or national origin. I am three hundred million souls and each one represents the past, present and future of my freedom.

I am Washington at Valley Forge, Paul Revere’s ride, Lincoln at Gettysburg and Ike praying on the beach before D-Day. I cherish the memory of those who died protecting my freedom at the Alamo, Pearl Harbor, the cold slopes of Korea, the steaming jungles of Vietnam, the dusty sands of the Middle East, and the concrete streets of New York City.

I am computer chips in the Silicon Valley, steel mills in Pittsburg, furniture factories in High Point, skyscrapers in New York City (a couple are missing), and Mom and Pop businesses all across my map providing the very backbone of my free enterprise system.

I am sandlot baseball games in Ohio, playground basketball in Harlem and kids shooting marbles in Elba, Alabama.

I am children enjoying Disney World in Orlando, Universal Studios in Hollywood, and ThunderRoad at Carrowinds in Charlotte.

I am Babe Ruth, Yankee Stadium, the World Series, volleyball on Carolina beaches, High School football in Texas, tennis at Forest Hills, and golf at the Augusta National. But, I’m also T-ballers in ballparks all across the land, dreaming of “hitting it out” for the first time.

I am Bill Cosby, Jay Leno, David Letterman and funny stories being woven around crossroad country stores to remind us not to take ourselves too seriously.

I am Mark Twain and the mighty Mississippi, kayakers on the rapids of the Colorado River, a fly-fisherman on a trout stream in Montana and Sunday rafters on the Nantahala.

I am the Ballot Box, the Bill of Rights, the bald eagle, the voting machine, the City Council, the Mayor, the Governor, the Congress, the President of my 50 states seeking to implement government of the people, and printed on my currency is my motto, “In God We Trust.”

I am America. I stand for freedom. It’s really your freedom handed down from those who have gone before you. Celebrate it, cherish it and pass it on to a world looking for freedom.

(This was in a church bulletin from Longs Chapel United Methodist Church in Waynesville, NC).Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and national conventions. He is the founder of the The Worlds Biggest Blog Party an event which will connect bloggers from all over the world to raise money for charity. He is also founder and president of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund and co-founder of the Jeffrey Roth Cycling Foundation. Click here for more information on professional speaker Tim Richardson.

It seems like there is a day to celebrate darn near everything. I must confess, until today, I had never celebrated Recess at Work Day (we are breaking out the toys, baby!). For the rest of my life, I now have the third Thursday in June to highlight on my calendar, thanks to my professional speaker colleague, Rich DiGirolamo. I don’t know Rich well but I usually see him at my National Speakers Association annual meeting wearing a funny hat. I’m gonna guess he celebrates National Recess at Work Day more than most. Like Rich, I like to play. Sometimes too much. I like to think that I play so hard at my career, others can’t tell whether I am working or playing. How about you?

BTW, it also happens to be National Sauntering Day today. I am not sure who comes up with these days but here is a sample of celebrations I found on Zany Holidays, website dedicated to celebrating totally outrageous holidays:

National Splurge Day , Eat Your Vegetables Day , Bloomsday, National Turkey Lovers Month , Superman Week , Mourn for Your Money Day, National Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day, National Yo-Yo Day , National Candy Month, National Iced Tea Month, Google Balloon Day - Anniversary of Public Hot-Air Balloons, “Do It Yourself” Marketing Month, Yell “FUDGE” at the Cobras in North America Day (my personal favorite)

I kind of like Recess at Work Day. While I’d don’t suggest daily foursquare with the foreman, kickball with the customers, or red rover, red rover, with the sales reps, I do think your job should bring you about as much fun as recess. Part of living rich is finding work that fuels you. People should question whether you are working or playing if you have RICH job. If you don’t, go to the principals office and get a hall pass.

That’s all for now, as soon I’ll need to be sauntering out to supper to Splurge on Vegetables, Turkey, Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, and Candy. all washed down with some cold Iced Tea.

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and national conventions. He is the founder of the The Worlds Biggest Blog Party an event which will connect bloggers from all over the world to raise money for charity. He is also founder and president of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund and co-founder of the Jeffrey Roth Cycling Foundation. Click here for more information on professional speaker Tim Richardson.

Knowing that I am was on a mission to exercise EVERY day for one year, my friend Tia emailed me a link to a site titled Get Fit by 40. Yet another example of how someone is living rich by extending their life. Here’s a quote from the author of the site:

 Anyone who is alive, should celebrate today. The past several days have reminded me about the precioiusness of life. In my  ”My Stroke of Insight” post, I wrote about the tragic death of the brother of one of my best friends. Since then, the wife of another friend was killed in a head-on collison on the way to the grocery store and a friend of my twelve year old son, died while running too hard in the heat of summer. All this in a span of about 10 days.  These tragedies are difficult to understand.  While now is the time to grieve for those close to these families, there comes a time to heal.  While healing takes many forms and I certainly am not an expert on the subject, I like to weigh in. Below are some things I have done when I have experienced loss:

Cry - it’s important to let it all out, freely.

Remember - Spend some alone time thinking about memories that were created with the person who you lost. Watching video tapes, while difficult, can keep the memories alive and remind you of cherished times from the past. 

Write - start a journal both for the sake of posterity AND to help with healing.

Act - Ten years ago, I lost my best friend to Melanoma. Both to deal with my own grief and to help give him hope, I started a foundation in his memory. To date, our foundation has raised almost $500,000 to give away to people who can’t afford treatment and to try to find a cure for Melanoma.  There have been over 20 athletic events in Florida and Colorado to raise money for the foundation. Tomorrow, there will be an event in East Tennessee to Rayz Awareness, our mantra, about the dangers of too much sun exposure.  There will be something for everyone: a 1mile fun run, a 5K run, a 10K run, free skin cancer screenings, massage therapist, and music by a local group called Pistol Creek (they are a totally fun blue grass band). There was a story in yestedays Daily Times which you can read by clicking here: 5K and 10K run in East Tennessee.

Below are the other details:

When: Saturday June 14th

Where: The Rush Fitness Center in Alcoa (new Midland Plaza) Call 273-1360 or visit www.TheRush247.com for directions 

When: 7:30 pm (we are having it at night for OBVIOUS reasons!) Note: Registration begins at 6:30 

Why: Because skin cancer is the fastest growing, most preventable form of cancer.

Cost: $25 IF you print this and bring with you.

There will be t-shirts, free sunscreen, prizes, and more.

It’s Friday the 13th, go ahead make YOUR day. 

NOTE: The picture below is from our Colorado event. Kathy, Bill’s widow is on the left with a melanoma AND breast cancer survivor and her friend. That’s a whole another story!  

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and national conventions. He is the founder of the The Worlds Biggest Blog Party an event which will connect bloggers from all over the world to raise money for charity. He is also founder and president of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund and co-founder of the Jeffrey Roth Cycling Foundation. Click here for more information on professional speaker Tim Richardson.

Today is National Bike to Work Day sponsored by the American League of Bicyclist. It’s also Elected Officials Appreciation Day. I have an idea: next year, combine the two - ride your bike to work WITH your elected official. They just might learn something from you and you just MIGHT be able to help them get a snapshot of your world. IF there happens to be anyone who rode their bike with an elected official to work today OR if you are an elected official and you rode your bike to work today, be the first to contact me by Friday May 23rd and I will send a fify dollar US Savings Bond to the charity of your choosing OR to a worthy college kid OR to the Jeff Roth Cycling Foundation. Bike on…I will tomorrow in Tour de Blount and off now to an appointment…on my bike.

BTW, I am speaking to a group of high school students tonight for their high school graduation. My topic is 18 Things to do BEFORE you turn 18. I have written the speech but have left 4 of the 18 open for whatever moves me at the moment. What would you tell an 18 year old to do in the next 18 years if you were giving the speech?  I am also giving them a list of some of 18 - 36 “must read” books. Many of the suggestions are from my own experience and some are coming from my professional speaker colleagues. What books would you suggest to an 18 that will shape their thinking, inspire them and challenge them to greatness?

Happy Earth Day. Seems appropriate that Earth Day and National Turn Off Your TV week are the same week. How about combing the two and:

1) Walking or biking somewhere you would normally drive and

2) Pick up trash on your street or in your neighborhood along the way to …

3) Buy local produce and prepare a gourmet meal then

4) Have dinner by candle light and reward yourself by

5) Showering with a friend (Like I said, Earth Day, Everyday)

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and national conventions. He is the founder of the The Worlds Biggest Blog Party an event which will connect bloggers from all over the world to raise money for charity. He is also founder and president of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund and co-founder of the Jeffrey Roth Cycling Foundation. Click here for more information on professional speaker Tim Richardson.