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.

I love Mondays. It’s often my favorite day of the week. I love it for the following reasons:

1) I love my job (I am a motivational speaker)

2) I love starting the week off with projects, phone calls, and excitement

3) I love beginning to work on things I have been thinking about during the weekend

4) I love being optimistic that my week is FINALLY going to go like I plan!

5) It’s just a fun word to say (waste a few minutes and practice saying it like you are from England, Jamacia, Kazakhstan (now THAT is a fun word to say!)

Monday this week means the start of National Turnoff Your TV week. I promised some alternatives to watching the tube. Here are a few:

1) Star gaze. If it’s clear where you are (and it’s beautiful here and close to a full moon) get outside or if you live where it’s too bright due to lights, head to a planetarium

2) Watch the sun set. There’s no show on TV that can surpass that

3) Go out to dinner. Ditto comment above.

4) Clean your sock drawer or that “McGyver” kitchen drawer. You know the one that has has pliers, thumb tacks, tape, paper clips - stuff McGyver would use to save a third world country from a terrorist. By the way, there is a hysterical spoof on McGyver that Saturday Night Live parodied. Google it and watch online - next week of course).

5. Do something for someone else. This list could be endless. If you are local, participate in this week’s MS Walk and start walking today.

I am THINKING about a contest. For the person who does the most creative service to others project during National Turn Off TV week. I am thinking of giving away a TV - mine.

Question of the (Mon)day: What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator for 41 hours as the Business Week production manager Nicholas White was?

It’s Patriot’s Day. Not the NFL football team but REAL Patriot’s - people like Sam Adams, John Paul Jones, Ben Franklin and John Hancock. These men totally rocked. Two hundred thirty three days ago today, Paul Revere road through the streets of Concord yelling, “Annie Get Your Gun” or something similar. As a result, lots of misfit farmers grabbed their weapons - Super Soaker, silly putty, and G.I. Joes with Kung Fu grap and went after the Red Coats and kicked some #&@*!  Thanks to them we are the United State of America. I think Paul Revere should be sainted. SO because he is my historical hero, I dressed up in period costume and gave a talk today at our library (check back for pictures). I had a ball and learned something too. Happy St. Patriot’s Day….

It’s spring. Time to get rich by tuning into something other than TV. Next Monday is the 14th annual Turn Off TV week. There is lots of information on the Turn Off TV Week web site, downloadable information at the Center for Screen Time Awareness and a Turn Off TV blog entry with some info on this years event.

I serve on a task force to fight obesity in our schools and was amazed to learn that kids are having major health concerns at an alarming rate because of our sedentary lifestyle. We REALLY need to have at least two additional campaigns:

1) Turn in your TV - get rid of your TV all together and get a scooby snack. (Of course, I wouldn’t know about scooby snacks had I not spent a trillion hours watching TV as a kid!).

2) Turn off ALL electronic gadgets (and gas powered ones) for one week each month. Heck, I’d settle for a day.

Hear ye, hear ye… all couch potatoes…turn if off, get off your duff and get outside. 

Starting on April 21, the first day of Turn Off TV week, I’ll give a few ideas with each blog post of things you can do with your kids to avoid the tube or the screen of death (I know, my computer contributed to a rotater cuff problem).

Does Money Buy Happiness? I have never thought that but in today’s New York Times there’s an article entitled Money Doesn’t Buy Happiness. Well, on Second Thought… I’ll comment later…chime if you think it does or know it doesn’t.

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  became a mega weathly man today. No I didn’t inherit a large sum of money from a rich old uncle, the stock market didn’t turn around, and I didn’t win the Tennessee lotto. After being in Florida for the last few days, I had a deficit in my family time bank account. Today that changed. We all had an early breakfast together before church. Then we enjoy some beautiful John Rutter music in the confirmation service for my son. My parents came over from their home in Western, NC for the day and we enjoyed a lunch made for Sunday afternoon - in the dinning room, on the fine china, with great conversation.

During lunch, my parents told stories I don’t ever remember hearing about as I grew up. They discussed my birth and the birth of my four siblings and what it was like LONG time ago. We had a wonderful homemade dessert made by my wife accompanied by a cup of hot tea. More conversation and then I  took my parents and older kids to a soccer practice. While my son was practicing, we had our own soccer game and belly laughed as we made up rules to our game as we played. I had all five kids solo while my wife took a much deserved evening off. All were bathed, the dishes done while we played the game Three Questions. Then I read to them about my historical hero, Paul Revere and they actually paid attention. I just loved today as simple as it was but it even gets better IF that is possible. Just for kicks, I put my youngest child (a few days shy of 18 months) on the potty. She produced. Not just, what you would expect on the first try either. I am QUITE sure that Warren Buffett isn’t as rich as I, that Bill Gates just suffered through another Sunday, and that Larry Ellison didn’t share a pooh pooh moment with a toddler. You couldn’t make me change places with any of them - I’d lose too much.

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 marks the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s death. When I think about it, I am still amazed that I actually went to segregated schools for my first couple of years of school. I am horrified at how Africian Americans (and others) have been discriminated against and that people are alive today that did horrific things to people just because of the color of their skin. I am embarrassed that even though he meant no disrespect, my grandfather used the term “niggers” when referring to Africian Americans. The past can’t be erased but we can change the future.

In honor of MLK and to keep with the theme of blogging about people who are passionate about their work, I am going to interview Knoxville’s #1 morning talk show host, Hallerin Hilton Hill. He and I talked today and I’ll be interviewing  him soon. Do you have a question you want me to ask Hallerin? He is an awesome interviewer , a business man, talented song writer (he wrote one of the songs from the Whitney Houston/Denzel Washington movie The Preacher’s Wife), part time motiviational speaker, entreprenuer, father, husband, and community leader. Send an email and I will ask Hallerin.

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.

This week, I gave my Living Rich speech for Fogelman Properties, one of the top 100 privately held companies in Memphis. I really loved the energy of this company run by two bright young brothers, Mark and Rick Fogelman. They run the company their father ran before them and they continue the legacy of giving he taught them. Though I have never met him, Avron Fogelman is a difference maker and the ripple he has created in his giving is being continued both by the generosity of his sons and the employees of Fogelman Properties. Though they give in many ways in the communities where the have a presence, I experienced a special treat on Thursday after my keynote speech. The standing ovation I received was a nice treat but not nearly as nice as what happened after it. Fogelman has a campaign the started last year called Fogelman Cares. In the inagural year, their associates supported the Ronald McDonald House. This year, they decided to support the Make a Wish Foundation and granted a wish to two young teenagers sisters who have Cystic Fibrosis. Associates at each of their properities raised money in a different way totaling twice the minimum amount Make a Wish requires. If that were the end of the story, it would be a cool story. But Fogelman associations are way cool. They planned an elaborate celebration for the girls by having them come to the Peabody Hotel where they THOUGHT they were going out to dinner. Instead, they were excorted to the top floor of the Peabody, persumeable to see the famous Peabody Ducks retire to their quarters. What they didn’t know was that there was a room full of Fogelman Associations (some dressed as “models” ) waiting for them. As the young sisters were excorted in, high energy music played and a video monitor revealed actual New York models. Then the girls were given gift after gift to fulfill their dream os shopping press in New York City. It was an emotional celebration enjoyed but by the Fogelman associates and two surprised girls and their mother. I wish EVERY speaking engagement could end this way. I’d be the most motivated motivational speaker on the planet. So…start spreading the news!

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.

If you are wondering where I have been, I have been writing – LOTS. Some in Ormond By-The-Sea, FL some in a little town called Pomona Park, FL – where time stands still. It’s been wonderful but it’s also good to be back. Back home, back blogging. SO …

Happy Valentine’s Day. Hold your valentine tight. Tell her you love her. Buy him a massage. Better yet give him one. Take a couples massage class. Write her a poem. Cherish this day and EVERY one after. There are NO guarantees. By my mid thirties, I lost a childhood and life long best friend to tragic deaths. My first best friend to die was a guy named Hal Bates. Hal lived across the street from us when I lived in Northwest Florida in the early to mid 1970’s. We played almost every day after school. When my family and I moved to Daytona Beach, Hal and I lost touch but I was still very saddened to hear several years later that he was tragically killed while drinking and driving. In a twist of fate, his younger brother was killed on the same stretch of highway almost a year later – also while drinking and driving. My best friend throughout high school and until my middle 30’s life was also cut short. Bill Walter developed stage five of melanoma which took his life at the age of thirty-six in 1998. College friend Vicki was killed in an automobile accident at age 29, a church friend Michael, died of cancer before he turned forty. My new AWESOME coworker, Kathy, lost her husband when he was hit by a motorist while cycling at age 46.

Having been close to these experiences, I have a great appreciation for life and the precious nature of it. I am richer because of these experiences that for the most part, were painful and difficult.

Though I may say I have had lots of tragedy, I have also had lots of good fortunate. I had the great pleasure of knowing and learning from both set of my grandparents well into my adult life. All of my immediate family or cousins or relatives by marriage are all in good health. Between my wife and me and our large extended families, there have been no unexpected family deaths or divorces (one day I added up that just among our parents and four sibling each were almost 300 years of marriage). I have known both the good about life and the bad. And I am better for experiencing both.

The reality is, that some of you reading this no doubt know, life can be tough but it can also be rich. We all get thrown unexpected curve balls for which we can never be prepared. We also get blessings we sometimes don’t recognize. We only have a guarantee for today:  Tomorrow is uncertain.

We have to live today and every day like there is no tomorrow. Valentine’s Day just might the day to do that!

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 am writing this from frigid Florida - I mean it’s C-O-L-D! That hasn’t prevented daily walks on the beach and a New Years Day dip in the ocean with some friends.

Last night my wife and I spent the night at the beautiful Ponte Vedra Inn and Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.  I was the Director of Training here in 2001-2002 and was part of a team that helped the resort earn AAA’s pretigious Five Diamond Award. It’s obvious to see why they have earned their 6th Five Diamond Award in a row - they are good, really good at the basics. I developed a training program while at the resort called Back to the B.A.S.I.C.S. which I rarely train on any more, but the principles apply, I think, to most every aspect of life. Here they are:

- Better Teamwork

- Attitude

- Superior Service

- Innovation

- Consistency

- Stay in School

While I didn’t do any training while here, my wife and I spent the morning talking about our year and what we needed to do as a couple to make 2008 - GREAT! As I reflect back on our morning, much of what we discussed could fit into the categories above. We are working on our plan through January and are determined that we are going to enjoy the fruits for many months (and years) to come. We have discussed our finances, health, family relationships, vacations, our giving, future plans, how we communicate etc. All these topics are ones in which we’ll enjoy some rich rewards. I’ll be doing the same solo over the next few days and can share that too on this same Bat channel (for all you Batman and Robin fans)

As always, I’d love to hear about how you are starting your year and how you are going to keep on track. Here’s hoping you are off to a GREAT ‘08!

Yesterday my eldest daughter turned nine. It is a rite of passage age, at least for a parent. If my daughter leaves home at eighteen, it means I am halfway through raising her. Even if she doesn’t leave home, she’ll likely be thinking and making decisions without  asking for much advice from me. So on a thirty minute trip on Saturday, I asked her questions on the way there and on the way back. She seemed to love it and I loved hearing her talk without other children to interrupt or interject their answers. Here are some of the questions I asked her (many of which were adapted from a early morning study I am in).

Questions:

• What has brought you the most joy over the last several months?
• Which birthday was your favorite? Why?
• What place would you most like to visit and why?
• Name five people you would take with you.
• What is your favorite movie of all time?
• What would you like to be when you grow up?
• What do you most want for Christmas?
• Describe your perfect vacation?
• Do you like the beach or mountains better
• What is your favorite dessert?
• Who are some of your personal heroes?
• If you could go back in time, what period would you go to and why?
   

What is the best question you asked one of your children?

I am making another trip this Saturday!

Coming attractions (future blogs I am pondering/writing in my mind):

All I want for Christmas is a few good books

Meet me in Memphis - Everything I needed to know in life I learned from the Memphis VA hospital

Rendevouz How “chance” meetings changed me.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas (and that’s not necessarily a good thing).