Inspiration 365 Days a Year | Inspriation 365 Day a Year Movie

Inspiration 365 Days a Year | Inspriation 365 Day a Year Movie

Zig Ziglar said it best, "motivation is like bathing, it's needed daily"

Enjoy!

WTH Does Mario Know?

I have never claimed to be like Bo Jackson and start my own "Mario Knows..." campaign. As a matter of fact I think the only thing I do know for sure is that what I do know is that I have made tons of mistakes and have learned from them. It is this mindset that keeps me learning and sharing what I learn.

The other day I had a conversation with someone and they were telling me that at first they could not comprehend why I shared so much on the social networks. They admitted to me that what they thought was that I gave so much advice for a person who hasn't shown much success at anything. I loved the honesty and I engaged the conversation even more. As my blog states I share my opinion on almost anything. They were also right that I have failed at almost everything, marriage, finances, career, weight loss, and even at my goal of retiring at 35. I set that goal when I was 18 but never wrote it down. Wow, I should just give up. Maybe I would have had I not learned from others that failure is just an event and it's not a person. I'm sure I heard that from someone in my mastermind alliance.

What I did learn from all of my mistakes is that I was just learning what to avoid in my journey to becoming a success. I had to remind myself of this daily. It is so easy to allow negativity to take over. Thoughts constantly ran through my mind about quitting, things would just be easier if I was dead, what can I contribute to anyone now, etc... I have been in those dark places and had I not had more faith I probably would have done something selfish.

So I am not someone who has made millions and is deeply in love with his soul mate. What I am is someone that is not a quitter. I am an everyday person that is sharing his experiences so that others may know they are not alone. The tips and experiences I share are not for everyone and it is not me trying to be arrogant. It is for that one person that needs it that day. If 1 person out of 300 has benefited than I have done my job for the day. So please don't ever take it as Mario thinks he knows everything when it's more like Mario knows some mistakes I should avoid or just skip over my post. My feelings will not be hurt.

Mastermind Alliance

The concept of a mastermind alliance was made popular by Napoleon Hill in Think and Grow Rich. In a nutshell you start an alliance with others to create a synergistic relationship. The collective knowledge will produce better results. Over the years I have definitely bounced around different groups. I have benefited from every alliance I have been a part of and I hope the members have benefited from me as well.

I want to share with you the members of my alliance that have been a constant the last few years. This alliance is made up of some of the best in their field. Unfortunately I don't contribute much to them but what I take from them I try to share with others. These people are successful because they share and serve others and so I'm sure they don't mind that I use what I learn from them to share also. I will break them up into different categories below.

Religion:
Besides going to church every Sunday I try to listen to and read books by Joel Osteen. The book that turned me on to this pastor was Become a Better You. After reading this I started to watch him on TV when I could find him or downloaded his free podcast. His messages are always so positive and he's very articulate. An amazing story teller that knows how to apply scripture so that you understand what God wants from us. You can also find more information on him and his ministry at Joel Osteen.

Motivation:
This next man has been called a natural treasure. After reading many of his books I can see why. If you are going to add any of these people to your own Mastermind Alliance he definitely has to be one of them. This man has been through it all and if anyone can get your mind out of the gutter it would be Zig Ziglar. He has so many books out from Success for Dummies to his latest Embrace the Struggle: Living Life on Life's Terms. Go out and pick up any of his books and I guarantee it will alter the way you think and make you a better person. Check out his website at Ziglar and at least sign up for the newsletter and maybe download his podcast.

Money:
At Cal State Northridge my major was in Business Administration w/ an option in Finance. As a kid I read so many books on cash flow, time value of money, and leveraging money. This made me a little arrogant and I stopped listening to advice from my parents regarding money. I should have read a book about debt and how debt has the ability of making you a slave and really killing your spirit. I first saw Dave Ramsey on the Fox Business channel and thought why does this man have a show and there's really nothing sophisticated about the advice he's giving. No get rich quick scheme or how to settle your credit cards for 50 cents on the dollar. Just biblical teachings about money and common sense. He even goes out and says that he just gives you advice that your grandparents would have given you. This man has been through bankruptcy and now is a success story. Need to get back on track about money then check out The Total Money Makeover. You can also check out his site, Dave Ramsey , and check him out on the radio or Fox Biz.

Family:
I am going to go ahead and admit my mad crush on this woman. I am sure she has been responsible for saving many relationships and I'm not just talking about husband and wife. She offers great advice for women, men, and children. I just recently added her to my alliance but I always wonder how much of a better dad I could have been had I found her years ago.   I am currently reading Bad Childhood---Good Life: How to Blossom and Thrive in Spite of an Unhappy Childhood but she also has so many books. For men I suggest Ten Stupid Things Men Do to Mess Up Their Lives. For women I suggest Ten Stupid Things Women Do to Mess Up Their Lives. I'll get to those books but I had to suggest them just from the testimonials I've heard on her radio show. Check her out at Dr. Laura and listen to her from a live feed or on her radio show.

I hope this helps some of you in your lives cause I know the above have helped me tremendously. At least bookmark the links I have given you for them cause their sites offer helpful tools. I know I didn't include anyone for Politics but the truth is I admire the founding fathers so much that I try to read history books for that but in this world of ours it's a constantly changing and learning process.

Lakers vs. Celtics 2010 Championship! Who wants it more?

The Lakers will win in 6, I mean 7 hopefully. Obviously many Angelenos are upset with the position the Lakers have found themselves in and I'm sure the players are just even more upset. Emotions run high during championship games and the anxiety is overwhelming. What Lakers team is going to show up and I'm sure Bostonians are wondering what Celtics team will show up. These two teams are made up of championship caliber players and they know what is needed to stay alive or to close it out. The true champion will emerge as the team that was able to function as 1 unit and not a bunch of individual players. So what do they need to do?

Consistency from all players is needed. It's almost unanimous that Kobe is the best individual player in the game. He can come out and do all the scoring or he can create opportunities for his team. What ever he decides to do as the leader or however the game unfolds for him, his team is going to have to step up and execute their roles. We need you guys to get back on defense and do everything it takes to disrupt the Celtics, who are functioning much more as a team than the Lakers. This is the championship series and we need an aggressive team that is willing to dive, jump, run, etc... for the ball. I still think the Lakers are the better team if they can function as a team consistently for the next 8 quarters of basketball.

I applaud the Celtics team for getting this far. They really put it together to beat 2 teams that they were supposed to lose to but apparently they didn't get that memo. I don't wish them any bad luck but the exact opposite. I want to see the best Celtics team so that they can bring out the best Lakers team. In my opinion if the best Lakers team does show up then we will be champs. If they don't then congrats to the Celtics cause they earned the championship and were the best team when it counted.

Oh Thank Goodness, It's Not Just Me! | Oh Thank Goodness, It's Not Just Me! Movie

Oh Thank Goodness, It's Not Just Me! Oh Thank Goodness, It's Not Just Me! Movie

This is a powerful message for our women. I have said this often but I believe behind most successful people is a strong woman, either as a wife or as a mother. I have to learn from you women to try to raise successful children since they have an absent mom. Enjoy!

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Lenders Warn Foreclosure May End in Lawsuit

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Lenders Warn Foreclosure May End in Lawsuit

In our profession and I am sure some of the public has heard the horror stories of homes that have been vandalized by the previous owner. Cement poured down the pipes, copper plumbing torn out, and I don't even want to mention the stuff left on the carpets. I'm not too sure what they expect to get out of a lawsuit unless it is a criminal lawsuit and looking to put them in jail. The old saying says you can't get blood out of a turnip so basically how do you try to get money from someone who is broke. This is vandalism and the police need to step in and arrest these vandals. I feel for those who lose their homes but I feel worse for those children who have parents that are teaching them that it is okay to vandalize because you are angry. Let's see if this threat from the banks will help but I have always said that the banks need to be more proactive in working things out.

Short sales and loan modifications are very similar to a dog chasing its tail. Even if the dog catches his tail it is still a lose-lose situation. Banks do not realize that had they actually helped more people out at least temporarily or been more efficient at approving short sales then values would not have dropped so fast. Maybe the borrowers would not have left so angry had they seen the transparency from the lender as to why they were not approving the short sale. I wonder if the banks will ever apply the principles of cash flow that I learned in college. One dollar today is worth more than one dollar tomorrow.

Kinder Graduation at St. Robert Bellarmine

Today is another kindergarten graduation at St. Robert Bellarmine. It's been a great pleasure seeing these kids almost every morning as they lined up for flag salute and morning prayers. Every year this school graduates a great group of kids and as the years pass I can definitely tell which kids are students from St. Robert as opposed to some of the other schools. They are given a great education and a lot of values that create the foundation for their lifetime of learning and becoming great citizens. They are taught some of the most basic things at this age but some of us forget as we get to adulthood. I want to encourage the parents and the kids to not forget what they learned this year, as this book says, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.

Congratulation Kindergarten Class of 2010!!!

The Wisdom of Wolves | The Wisdom of Wolves Movie

The Wisdom of Wolves The Wisdom of Wolves Movie

This was an inspirational movie. I love their credo.

Little Champions

Tonight we had our sports banquet at St. Robert. Unfortunately it was during the Laker game so many of the coaches, athletes, and parents wanted to get out of there as soon as possible to cheer on our team. I love to torture kids with speeches but since I had to summarize it I thought I'd at least put it on my blog.

Besides my good looks I have another gift.

Does anyone know what that is?

I can spot champions and as I look around this room that's all I can see.(Stole this from Zig Ziglar)

You guys are student athletes w/ an emphasis on student.

Remember that God has given us sports as a tool to realize our potential.

You're purpose in life is to use your full potential to glorify God.

Scared of not being able to deliver the first part properly I skipped it or maybe I was scared of people laughing and then I'd be thinking if they really don't think I'm good looking. Well I still think they got the message and I'm thankful that it was a private school function so it was okay to mention God :). 

I am very proud of  to announce that my daughter also received "Athlete of the Year". This award was given to her because of her participation in sports since 5th grade and her dedication to her school and keeping up her grades all those years. Most of the time the award only goes to the boys and so she was very excited. Way to end your stay at St. Robert. Now off to some of the best years of your life in high school.

 

Carnegie Was Tough As Steel - Investors.com

Carnegie Was Tough As Steel - Investors.com
Had to share this rags to riches story. Pay attention to the amount of time it took him to build his wealth. In order to set himself apart from others he worked hard so that he can get noticed. His jobs helped educate him in business practices. All of this led to one of the richest men in American history. He was also a philanthropist that helped many but the biggest contribution that has affected me is the commissioning of Napoleon Hill to study the the wealthy and their habits. Napoleon Hill eventually wrote "Think and Grow Rich". This book still influences thousands around the world today. By the way Napoleon Hill was commissioned at no pay. He obviously saw the bigger picture.

L.A. County makes more big cuts in property tax assessments

L.A. County makes more big cuts in property tax assessments
What is the county going to do w/ less tax revenue? Public schools may be looking at even more cuts. Our county, city, and state officials really need to figure out how to get jobs back into this state so that we can get more of these homes sold and see some increased tax revenue. Our government needs to go into survival mode and really cut back on many of the social services that in my opinion handicap people from really putting in the effort to look for work. Our progressive tax system is obsolete and it's time that our federal government consider the fairtax.