As we begin this New Year of 2013, I wanted to share with you this unique and motivational speech with you. Listen, enjoy and remember to start your year by writing down your goals.
If you do, you will reach them.
From all of us, to YOU, Happy New Year
May God Bless you and your family throughout the year.
Thank you for being a part of this Blog
Mike Duncan
Click HERE
Monday, December 31, 2012
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Zig Ziglar
(CNN) -- Motivational speaker and author Zig Ziglar died Wednesday Nov 28th 2012 in Dallas "after a short bout with pneumonia," his spokesman said. He was 86.
The self-described "Undisputed King of Motivation" was known for his seminars, which grew into large gatherings held in packed arenas.
Ziglar wrote more than two dozen books on salesmanship and motivation over five decades.
He spread his message of positive attitude, motivation and success through stories punctuated with short quotes that became legendary among his followers, such as:
• "Failure is a detour, not a dead-end street."
• "Success is the maximum utilization of the ability that you have."
• "Of course motivation is not permanent. But then, neither is bathing; but it is something you should do on a regular basis."
After suffering injuries in a fall in 2007, Ziglar continued his tour schedule with fewer events and help from his daughter onstage.
He was born Hilary Hinton Ziglar in Coffee County, Alabama. His family moved to Yazoo City, Mississippi, and later to New York City.
In his autobiography, Ziglar described a challenging childhood that taught him to connect with people.
He began speaking in public as a salesman in the 1950s, although his professional speaking career did not start until the 1970s.
A collection of Ziglar quotes pulled from social media users is displayed at the top of this story. If you are unable to see the quotes, please click here.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
W Clement Stone
W. Clement Stone
(1902-2002)
Promoter of Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) |
William Clement Stone (May 4, 1902 – September 3, 2002) was a prominent businessman, philanthropist and self-help book author. Stone is remembered for contributing $2 million to President Richard Nixon's election campaigns in 1968 and 1972—these were cited in Congressional debates after Watergate to institute campaign spending limits.
W. Clement Stone was born in and grew up on Chicago’s South Side. From an early age, he demonstrated the entrepreneurship, tenacity and optimism that were hallmarks of his life. To help support his family, Mr. Stone began selling newspapers on the street at the age of six. When older youth drove him away from the busiest corners, he moved his sales to restaurants where he eventually won over owners and customers.
At age 19, Stone started working with his mother selling accident policies. He evidently had enormous energy and drive. At age 19, he averaged selling 48 policies per day. Later in his life, he reached a nine-day average of 72 policies per day, and sold 122 policies in one day. He did this using a cold canvass system at office buildings, meaning he had no pre-arranged appointments. Most of us can't conceive of talking to that many people in one day. He might have made some sales of multiple policies for some families, but he must have seen an awful lot of customers in a day to make those sales. One of the decisions that Stone made to increase his production was to limit the time he would spend on his sales effort. If a customer wouldn't make the commitment in the designated time, he would move on to the next call.
When Stone reached the 72 policy per day level, he started concentrating on building his own sales force. When the Great Depression hit, he devoted more of his attention to creating a sales training program to improve the effectiveness of his sales team, including spending some initial time with new salespersons in the field. He also developed custom insurance policies that would be easy to sell and renew.
Through these experiences, Mr. Stone developed his lifelong philosophy of Positive Mental Attitude (PMA), which he viewed as the cornerstone of his success. He believed in the power of optimism and that even in adversity lay seeds of success.
He was highly successful and eventually started the Combined Insurance Company of America with a modest initial investment of $100. Combined Insurance grew into a multimillion dollar enterprise that became Aon Corporation in the 1980s.W. Clement Stone married his high school sweetheart, Jessie Verna Tarson, in 1923 and they had three children. The Stones were committed, lifelong philanthropists who supported countless civic and community groups as well as political and humanitarian causes.
In its early years, the Stone Foundation promoted PMA and distributed grants focused on four key areas: mental health, education, children/youth and religion. It also created and coordinated operating programs such as self-improvement projects in prisons and consulting services in management and positive mental attitude training for nonprofit organizations.
Since the late 1990s, the Foundation has concentrated its grantmaking in three areas: early childhood development, youth development and education (with an emphasis on teacher quality and principal leadership). Today, the Foundation has an asset base of over $80 million and distributes almost $2 million in grants each year primarily in Chicago, Boston, New York and the San Francisco Bay Area.
W. Clement Stone died in September 2002 at the age of 100. Their son, Norman Stone, President of the Foundation, and many of their grandchildren and several other family members, who serve as Trustees, Corporate Officers and Committee Members, sustain the Stones’ family tradition of philanthropy and their steadfast conviction that every individual can make a significant contribution to improving the quality of life for others.
W. Clement Stone was born in and grew up on Chicago’s South Side. From an early age, he demonstrated the entrepreneurship, tenacity and optimism that were hallmarks of his life. To help support his family, Mr. Stone began selling newspapers on the street at the age of six. When older youth drove him away from the busiest corners, he moved his sales to restaurants where he eventually won over owners and customers.
At age 19, Stone started working with his mother selling accident policies. He evidently had enormous energy and drive. At age 19, he averaged selling 48 policies per day. Later in his life, he reached a nine-day average of 72 policies per day, and sold 122 policies in one day. He did this using a cold canvass system at office buildings, meaning he had no pre-arranged appointments. Most of us can't conceive of talking to that many people in one day. He might have made some sales of multiple policies for some families, but he must have seen an awful lot of customers in a day to make those sales. One of the decisions that Stone made to increase his production was to limit the time he would spend on his sales effort. If a customer wouldn't make the commitment in the designated time, he would move on to the next call.
When Stone reached the 72 policy per day level, he started concentrating on building his own sales force. When the Great Depression hit, he devoted more of his attention to creating a sales training program to improve the effectiveness of his sales team, including spending some initial time with new salespersons in the field. He also developed custom insurance policies that would be easy to sell and renew.
Through these experiences, Mr. Stone developed his lifelong philosophy of Positive Mental Attitude (PMA), which he viewed as the cornerstone of his success. He believed in the power of optimism and that even in adversity lay seeds of success.
He was highly successful and eventually started the Combined Insurance Company of America with a modest initial investment of $100. Combined Insurance grew into a multimillion dollar enterprise that became Aon Corporation in the 1980s.W. Clement Stone married his high school sweetheart, Jessie Verna Tarson, in 1923 and they had three children. The Stones were committed, lifelong philanthropists who supported countless civic and community groups as well as political and humanitarian causes.
Since the late 1990s, the Foundation has concentrated its grantmaking in three areas: early childhood development, youth development and education (with an emphasis on teacher quality and principal leadership). Today, the Foundation has an asset base of over $80 million and distributes almost $2 million in grants each year primarily in Chicago, Boston, New York and the San Francisco Bay Area.
W. Clement Stone died in September 2002 at the age of 100. Their son, Norman Stone, President of the Foundation, and many of their grandchildren and several other family members, who serve as Trustees, Corporate Officers and Committee Members, sustain the Stones’ family tradition of philanthropy and their steadfast conviction that every individual can make a significant contribution to improving the quality of life for others.
Mr. Stone's inspirational self-help books, which have reached a world-wide audience, reinforce the conviction that anyone can become successful “no matter how poor his start in life.”
W. Clement Stone was survived by his wife Jessie who passed away in 2004; a son, Norman; 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
The following books by W. Clement Stone are available to purchase in eBook form for immediate download. They may then be read on your computer and printed out. The eBooks are in Adobe Acrobat Reader (.pdf) format.
Excerpts from the following books can be read online:
The Success Systsem That Never FailsBelieve and Achieve: W. Clement Stone's 17 Principles of Success
Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude (with Napoleon Hill)
The following audio programs iare available for immediate download:The Success Systsem That Never Fails
Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude (with Napoleon Hill)
Monday, July 9, 2012
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was born on November 25, 1835, in Dunfermline, Scotland. After moving to the United States, he worked a series of railroad jobs. By 1889 he owned Carnegie Steel Corporation, the largest of its kind in the world. In 1901 he sold his business and dedicated his time to expanding his philanthropic work, including the establishment of Carnegie-Mellon University in 1904.
CONTENTS
QUOTES
"People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents."
– Andrew Carnegie
Early Life
Industrialist and philanthropist. Born on November 25, 1835, in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland. Although he had little formal education, he grew up in a family that believed in the importance of books and learning. The son of a handloom weaver, Carnegie grew up to become one of the wealthiest businessmen in America.
At the age of thirteen, Carnegie came to the United States in 1848 with his family. They settled in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and Carnegie went to work in a factory, earning $1.20 a week. The next year he found a job as a telegraph messenger. Hoping to advance his career, he moved up to a telegraph operator position in 1851. He then took a job at the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1853. He worked as the assistant and telegrapher to Thomas Scott, one of the railroad's top officials. Through this experience, he learned about the railroad industry and about business in general. Three years later, Carnegie was promoted to superintendent.
At the age of thirteen, Carnegie came to the United States in 1848 with his family. They settled in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and Carnegie went to work in a factory, earning $1.20 a week. The next year he found a job as a telegraph messenger. Hoping to advance his career, he moved up to a telegraph operator position in 1851. He then took a job at the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1853. He worked as the assistant and telegrapher to Thomas Scott, one of the railroad's top officials. Through this experience, he learned about the railroad industry and about business in general. Three years later, Carnegie was promoted to superintendent.
Steel Tycoon
While working for the railroad, Carnegie began making investments. He made many wise choices and found that his investments, especially those in oil, brought in substantial returns. He left the railroad in 1865 to focus on his other business interests, including the Keystone Bridge Company.
By the next decade, most of Carnegie's time was dedicated to the steel industry. His business, which became known as the Carnegie Steel Company, revolutionized steel production in the United States. Carnegie built plants around the country, using technology and methods that made manufacturing steel easier, faster, and more productive. For every step of the process, he owned exactly what he needed: the raw materials, ships and railroads for transporting the goods, and even coal fields to fuel the steel furnaces. This start-to-finish strategy helped Carnegie become the dominant force in the industry and an exceedingly wealthy man. By 1889, Carnegie Steel Corporation was the largest of its kind in the world.
Some felt that the company's success came at the expense of its workers. The most notable case of this came in 1892. When the company tried to lower wages at a Carnegie Steel plant in Homestead, Pennsylvania, the employees objected. They refused to work, starting what has been called the Homestead Strike of 1892. The conflict between the workers and local managers turned violent after the managers called in guards to break up the union. While Carnegie was away at the time of strike, many still held him accountable for his managers' actions.
By the next decade, most of Carnegie's time was dedicated to the steel industry. His business, which became known as the Carnegie Steel Company, revolutionized steel production in the United States. Carnegie built plants around the country, using technology and methods that made manufacturing steel easier, faster, and more productive. For every step of the process, he owned exactly what he needed: the raw materials, ships and railroads for transporting the goods, and even coal fields to fuel the steel furnaces. This start-to-finish strategy helped Carnegie become the dominant force in the industry and an exceedingly wealthy man. By 1889, Carnegie Steel Corporation was the largest of its kind in the world.
Some felt that the company's success came at the expense of its workers. The most notable case of this came in 1892. When the company tried to lower wages at a Carnegie Steel plant in Homestead, Pennsylvania, the employees objected. They refused to work, starting what has been called the Homestead Strike of 1892. The conflict between the workers and local managers turned violent after the managers called in guards to break up the union. While Carnegie was away at the time of strike, many still held him accountable for his managers' actions.
Philanthropy
In 1901, Carnegie made a dramatic change in his life. He sold his business to the United States Steel Corporation, started by legendary financier J. P. Morgan. The sale earned him more than $200 million. At the age of 65, Carnegie decided to spend the rest of his days helping others. While he had begun his philanthropic work years earlier by building libraries and making donations, Carnegie expanded his efforts in the early twentieth century.
Carnegie, an avid reader for much of his life, donated approximately $5 million to the New York Public Library so that the library could open several branches in 1901. Devoted to learning, he established the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, which is now known as Carnegie-Mellon University in 1904. The next year he created the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 1905. With his strong interest to peace, he formed the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in 1910. He made numerous other donations, and it is said that more than 2,800 libraries were opened with his support.
Besides his business and charitable interests, Carnegie enjoyed traveling and meeting and entertaining leading figures in many fields. He was friends with Matthew Arnold, Mark Twain, William Gladstone, and Theodore Roosevelt. Carnegie also wrote several books and numerous articles. His 1889 article "Wealth" outlined his view that those with great wealth mustbe socially responsible and use their assets to help others. This was later published as the 1900 book The Gospel of Wealth.
Carnegie, an avid reader for much of his life, donated approximately $5 million to the New York Public Library so that the library could open several branches in 1901. Devoted to learning, he established the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, which is now known as Carnegie-Mellon University in 1904. The next year he created the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 1905. With his strong interest to peace, he formed the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in 1910. He made numerous other donations, and it is said that more than 2,800 libraries were opened with his support.
Besides his business and charitable interests, Carnegie enjoyed traveling and meeting and entertaining leading figures in many fields. He was friends with Matthew Arnold, Mark Twain, William Gladstone, and Theodore Roosevelt. Carnegie also wrote several books and numerous articles. His 1889 article "Wealth" outlined his view that those with great wealth mustbe socially responsible and use their assets to help others. This was later published as the 1900 book The Gospel of Wealth.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
This week at Duncan Development
What's up this week at Duncan Development,
We will bring you the life and times of some of the great men in America
a couple of them are Andrew Carneige and W Clement Stone plus others.
Don't forget to follow our blog so you don't miss it!
We will bring you the life and times of some of the great men in America
a couple of them are Andrew Carneige and W Clement Stone plus others.
Don't forget to follow our blog so you don't miss it!
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Ziglar Recommends Rules of the Hunt
For your information, just wanted to pass along!
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Thursday, July 5, 2012
Blake Mallen Multi Millionaire in his mid twenties
Blake Mallen, recognized in his industry as a next generation thought leader, is an angel investor, start-up entrepreneur, and Co-Founder of wellness innovator – ViSalus Sciences.
Raised in a middle-class suburban home, the son of a Cop and a Principal, the list of Blake’s early achievements certainly reads like a script:
Outstanding 6th Grader; Student Body President, 4.2 High School GPA , Board of his College Fraternity, Graduating Cum Laude from a Top University in a total of 3 years with a BS Political Science, Emphasis in Public Law, & Minor in Psychology, and so on…
When asked what focused him on resume building at such an early age, the first thing that came to Blake’s mind was “Well, I thought that’s what I was supposed to do…”
It wasn’t until he was studying a book of top U.S. Law Schools, with the next chapter of his life staring him in the face, that the a stomach-turning thought began to grow. It occurred to Blake that the path he was on seemed to be completely scripted by others – his conservative family, the opinions of friends, a stagnant education system, and antiquated thoughts about the one and only “road to success.” Something that he had accepted for so long became suddenly distasteful, and he began to see his world in a new light. He realized he hadn’t been alone on this path; that most people seem to be following variations of the same basic script. Like Blake, their scripts were written for them when they were young, long before they could have a say in what the story of their life would be.
It was then, after 2 decades of living “by the book,” that Blake decided to break from the script and create a story that was truly his own.
It wasn’t law; it wasn’t medicine; it wasn’t climbing the corporate ladder. Shelving the resume, the degrees, the years of programming, Blake decided to become an entrepreneur and start a home-based business. People thought he had lost it. However, in just a few short years, Blake had become the youngest top producer of a multi-million dollar telecommunications Direct Sales company. When that same company found itself in financial turmoil, Blake helped assemble a leveraged asset acquisition which lead to his current passion and focus as one of the Founders of ViSalus Sciences. ViSalus recently merged with Billion Dollar, NYSE traded strategic partner, Blyth, Inc., and is focused on forging a new generation in Health & Entrepreneurship.
Even while reaching Multi-Millionaire status in his mid twenties, Blake has never lost his humble, transparent, & servant oriented personality. Blake is a natural marketer, strategist, & student of human behavior. He has an energetic passion for life, adventure, and people’s potential. Through his companies and affinity for “old school philosophies” and “new school technologies”, Blake has mentored hundreds of people to financial independence, thousands to health transformation, and inspired tens of thousands to believe they can experience their own life off the script.
For more info on Blake Mallen
Raised in a middle-class suburban home, the son of a Cop and a Principal, the list of Blake’s early achievements certainly reads like a script:
Outstanding 6th Grader; Student Body President, 4.2 High School GPA , Board of his College Fraternity, Graduating Cum Laude from a Top University in a total of 3 years with a BS Political Science, Emphasis in Public Law, & Minor in Psychology, and so on…
When asked what focused him on resume building at such an early age, the first thing that came to Blake’s mind was “Well, I thought that’s what I was supposed to do…”
It wasn’t until he was studying a book of top U.S. Law Schools, with the next chapter of his life staring him in the face, that the a stomach-turning thought began to grow. It occurred to Blake that the path he was on seemed to be completely scripted by others – his conservative family, the opinions of friends, a stagnant education system, and antiquated thoughts about the one and only “road to success.” Something that he had accepted for so long became suddenly distasteful, and he began to see his world in a new light. He realized he hadn’t been alone on this path; that most people seem to be following variations of the same basic script. Like Blake, their scripts were written for them when they were young, long before they could have a say in what the story of their life would be.
It was then, after 2 decades of living “by the book,” that Blake decided to break from the script and create a story that was truly his own.
It wasn’t law; it wasn’t medicine; it wasn’t climbing the corporate ladder. Shelving the resume, the degrees, the years of programming, Blake decided to become an entrepreneur and start a home-based business. People thought he had lost it. However, in just a few short years, Blake had become the youngest top producer of a multi-million dollar telecommunications Direct Sales company. When that same company found itself in financial turmoil, Blake helped assemble a leveraged asset acquisition which lead to his current passion and focus as one of the Founders of ViSalus Sciences. ViSalus recently merged with Billion Dollar, NYSE traded strategic partner, Blyth, Inc., and is focused on forging a new generation in Health & Entrepreneurship.
Even while reaching Multi-Millionaire status in his mid twenties, Blake has never lost his humble, transparent, & servant oriented personality. Blake is a natural marketer, strategist, & student of human behavior. He has an energetic passion for life, adventure, and people’s potential. Through his companies and affinity for “old school philosophies” and “new school technologies”, Blake has mentored hundreds of people to financial independence, thousands to health transformation, and inspired tens of thousands to believe they can experience their own life off the script.
For more info on Blake Mallen
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Will you take time today to read the Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence
In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of AMERICA.
WHEN, in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another; and to assume, among the Powers Of The Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the Causes which impel them to the Separation.
We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their CREATOR with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established, should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security. Such has been the patient Sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The History of the present King of Great-Britain is a History of repeated Injuries and Usurpations, all having in direct Object the Establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
HE has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public Good.
HE has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing Importance, unless suspended in their Operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
HE has refused to pass other Laws for the Accommodation of large Districts of People, unless those People would relinquish the Right of Representation in the Legislature, a Right inestimable to them and formidable to Tyranny only.
HE has called together Legislative Bodies at Places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the Depository of their public Records, for the sole Purpose of fatiguing them into Compliance with his Measures.
HE has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly Firmness his Invasions on the Rights of the people.
HE has refused for a long Time, after such Dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, Incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining, in the mean Time, exposed to all the Dangers of Invasion from without, and Convulsions within.
HE has endeavoured to prevent the Population of these States; for that Purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their Migrations hither, and raising the Conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
HE has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
HE has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the Tenure of their Offices, and the Amount and Payment of their Salaries.
HE has erected a Multitude of new Offices, and sent hither Swarms of Officers to harass our People, and eat out their Substance.
HE has kept among us, in times of Peace, Standing Armies, without the Consent of our Legislatures.
HE has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.
HE has combined with others to subject us to a Jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
FOR quartering large Bodies of Armed Troops among us:
FOR protecting them, by a mock Trial, from Punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
FOR cutting off our Trade with all Parts of the World:
FOR imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
FOR depriving us in many Cases, of the Benefits of Trial by Jury:
FOR transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended Offences:
FOR abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an arbitrary Government, and enlarging its Boundaries, so as to render it at once an Example and fit Instrument for introducing the same absolute Rule into these Colonies:
FOR taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
FOR suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with Power to legislate for us in all Cases whatsoever.
HE has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection, and waging War against us.
HE has plundered our Seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our Towns, and destroyed the Lives of our People.
HE is, at this Time, transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to complete the Works of Death, Desolation, and Tyranny, already begun with Circumstances of Cruelty and Perfidy, scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous Ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized Nation.
HE has constrained our fellow Citizens, taken Captive on the high Seas, to bear Arms against their Country, to become the Executioners of their Friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
HE has excited domestic Insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the Inhabitants of our Frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known Rule of Warfare, is an undistinguished Destruction of all Ages, Sexes and Conditions.
IN every Stage of these Oppressions we have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble Terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated Injury. A Prince, whose Character is thus marked by every Act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the Ruler of a free People.
NOR have we been wanting in Attentions to our British Brethren. We have warned them, from Time to Time, of Attempts by their Legislature to extend an unwarrantable Jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the Circumstances of our Emigration and Settlement here. We have appealed to their native Justice and Magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the Ties of our common Kindred to disavow these Usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our Connexions and Correspondence. They too have been deaf to the Voice of Justice and of Consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the Necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the Rest of Mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
WE, therefore, the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, in GENERAL CONGRESS, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the Rectitude of our Intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly Publish and Declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be,FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES; that they are absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political Connexion between them and the State of Great-Britain, is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that as FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which INDEPENDENT STATES may of Right do. And for the Support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of DIVINE PROVIDENCE, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honour.
From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120704/OPINION01/207040310#ixzz1zfE3FBup
Independence Day 2012
In an attempt to bring you several Presidents in this post I found that there is not much available from our past Presidents directly related to Independence Day. If there is more out there and I missed your favorite President, I apologize! Enjoy
President Reagan's Address to the Nation on Independence Day - 7/4/86
Abraham Lincoln's Independence Day Address of July 7, 1863
Fellow-citizens: I am very glad to see you to-night. But yet I will not say I thank you for this call. But I do most sincerely thank Almighty God for the occasion on which you have called. [Cheers.] How long ago is it? Eighty odd years since, upon the Fourth day of July, for the first time in the world, a union body of representatives was assembled to declare as a self-evident truth that all men were created equal. [Cheers.]
That was the birthday of the United States of America. Since then the fourth day of July has had several very peculiar recognitions. The two most distinguished men who framed and supported that paper, including the particular declaration I have mentioned, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, the one having framed it, and the other sustained it most ably in debate, the only two of the fifty-five or fifty-six who signed it, I believe, who were ever President of the United States, precisely fifty years after they put their hands to that paper it pleased the Almighty God to take away from this stage of action on the Fourth of July. This extraordinary coincidence we can understand to be a dispensation of the Almighty Ruler of Events.
Another of our Presidents, five years afterwards, was called from this stage of existence on the same day of the month, and now on this Fourth of July just past, when a gigantic rebellion has risen in the land, precisely at the bottom of which is an effort to overthrow that principle "that all men are created equal," we have a surrender of one of their most powerful positions and powerful armies forced upon them on that very day. [Cheers.] And I see in the succession of battles in Pennsylvania, which continued three days, so rapidly following each other as to be justly called one great battle, fought on the first, second and third of July; on the fourth the enemies of the declaration that all men are created equal had to turn tail and run. [Laughter and applause.]
Gentlemen, this is a glorious theme and a glorious occasion for a speech, but I am not prepared to make one worthy of the theme and worthy of the occasion. [Cries of "go on," and applause.] I would like to speak in all praise that is due to the the [sic] many brave officers and soldiers who have fought in the cause of the Union and liberties of this country from the beginning of this war, not on occasions of success, but upon the more trying occasions of the want of success. I say I would like to speak in praise of these men, particularizing their deeds, but I am unprepared. I should dislike to mention the name of a single officer, lest in doing so I wrong some other one whose name may not occur to me. [Cheers.]
Recent events bring up certain names, gallantly prominent, but I do not want to particularly name them at the expense of others, who are as justly entitled to our gratitude as they. I therefore do not upon this occasion name a single man. And now I have said about as much as I ought to say in this impromptu manner, and if you please, I'll take the music. [Tremendous cheering, and calls for the President to reappear.]
George W Bush, 4th of July. Independence Day
Quote of the DAY!
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.”
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
A CALL TO ACTION
A CALL TO ACTION;
As we celebrate Independence Day, a day for reflecting upon our GREAT Nation, I find myself sad as I look at where we came from on July 4th many years ago and the direction to where we are headed. I'm reminded of the saying,"History repeats itself," religious restriction, high taxes and an overbearing government.
I see that in my life time, we have taken prayer out of school, stopped our children from writing or speaking of anything related to Christianity in school, (and we accept this daily), we have removed the Ten Commandments from public view and placed them as far out of sight as possible. ( The Cross will soon follow), we now watch what we say about God or Godly principles because we may offend someone. We no longer even say, "God bless you" we shorten it simply to,"Bless you," again removing God from our conversations.
We debate at what point we can end the life of an unborn child, which trimester, after birth (partial birth), or we can settle for, only before we hear a heart beat. And soon we will be debating at what point we should end health support for the sick elderly.
With this said, what are we teaching our children? Every theory imaginable except the Biblical principles set forth by God. As parents we are not even taking them to a church service. Only 25% of us go on a regular basis.
It's apparent we are headed in the opposite direction from where God wants us to be. We as a nation are separating ourselves from God. We are putting a distance from God's principles in order to justify our own lives. I would ask you, beginning this week will you join with us to do our part as individuals to change the direction of our nation? Will you be a part of a movement to bring our nation back in line with God. Teach our neighbors, family, friends and most especially our children?
If you will, join us, we can look forward knowing that with God's help we will once again see a GREAT Nation that fears God, that lives each day under God's blessings.
Please join our facebook page and simply post, I'm standing with you then join and support our page.
Below are some suggested ways you may want to start with;
1 Begin and end each day with a prayer (include the family)
remember to pray for and honor our President.
2 Begin to read your Bible daily. ( youversion has reading plans )
3 Find a local Bible based church and attend services at least once per week. (if you need help finding a church contact me)
4 Elect public officials who believe in the principles of God and our founding fathers. (Warning, this may require you to support someone of a different political party) Hold your party accountable.
5 Share this message with others and take someone with you to church next week.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope you make the decision to join with us and make your comments known.
Remember to stop by changing my nation
on facebook and follow us on twitter.
May you live in His Blessings (Deuteronomy 28)
If your a Pastor or attend a Bible based church please message me your information so we can publish a list of Churches in each area.
As we celebrate Independence Day, a day for reflecting upon our GREAT Nation, I find myself sad as I look at where we came from on July 4th many years ago and the direction to where we are headed. I'm reminded of the saying,"History repeats itself," religious restriction, high taxes and an overbearing government.
I see that in my life time, we have taken prayer out of school, stopped our children from writing or speaking of anything related to Christianity in school, (and we accept this daily), we have removed the Ten Commandments from public view and placed them as far out of sight as possible. ( The Cross will soon follow), we now watch what we say about God or Godly principles because we may offend someone. We no longer even say, "God bless you" we shorten it simply to,"Bless you," again removing God from our conversations.
We debate at what point we can end the life of an unborn child, which trimester, after birth (partial birth), or we can settle for, only before we hear a heart beat. And soon we will be debating at what point we should end health support for the sick elderly.
With this said, what are we teaching our children? Every theory imaginable except the Biblical principles set forth by God. As parents we are not even taking them to a church service. Only 25% of us go on a regular basis.
It's apparent we are headed in the opposite direction from where God wants us to be. We as a nation are separating ourselves from God. We are putting a distance from God's principles in order to justify our own lives. I would ask you, beginning this week will you join with us to do our part as individuals to change the direction of our nation? Will you be a part of a movement to bring our nation back in line with God. Teach our neighbors, family, friends and most especially our children?
If you will, join us, we can look forward knowing that with God's help we will once again see a GREAT Nation that fears God, that lives each day under God's blessings.
Please join our facebook page and simply post, I'm standing with you then join and support our page.
Below are some suggested ways you may want to start with;
1 Begin and end each day with a prayer (include the family)
remember to pray for and honor our President.
2 Begin to read your Bible daily. ( youversion has reading plans )
3 Find a local Bible based church and attend services at least once per week. (if you need help finding a church contact me)
4 Elect public officials who believe in the principles of God and our founding fathers. (Warning, this may require you to support someone of a different political party) Hold your party accountable.
5 Share this message with others and take someone with you to church next week.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope you make the decision to join with us and make your comments known.
Remember to stop by changing my nation
on facebook and follow us on twitter.
May you live in His Blessings (Deuteronomy 28)
If your a Pastor or attend a Bible based church please message me your information so we can publish a list of Churches in each area.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Quote of the Day!
“There are no constraints on the human mind, no walls
around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress except those we
ourselves erect.”
Ronald Reagan
Monday, July 2, 2012
Les Brown,
Watch the video below and I have added some of his quotes from his website.
Enjoy and lets know what you think.
A lot of people do not muster the courage to live their dreams because they are afraid to die.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Quote of the Day! Jim Rohn
"We must learn to help those who deserve it, not just those who need it. Life responds to deserve not need." -- Jim Rohn
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Quote of the Day! Jim Rohn
"I now have one of the better libraries. I admit that I haven't read everything in my library, but I feel smarter just walking in it." -- Jim Rohn
Friday, June 29, 2012
Update Ryan Blair
Here is an update from Ryan Blair on running a business while facing tragedy!
lRyan Blair, opens up about facing tragedy while running a business.
Financial Expert Author Speaker & Pastor
Here is a story I came across by accident. It got my attention because Pastor Gary is my Pastor. I know his story very well and decided to share this website and Gary and Drenda's story with you. I have made some updates to the story due to some statements that are outdated as their story continues to change at a quick pace. Enjoy!
for more info on their ministry click here
Gary Keesee Story: Fixing The Money Thing
Here’s a cool story from a dad I met recently…
Gary and Drenda Keesee now have five children whom they homeschool, three businesses, pastor a growing church in Ohio called Faith Life Church, travel internationally speaking at conferences, air television programs called “Fixing the money thing & Drenda”, books, Fixing The Money Thing by Gary Keesee,Faith Hunt and now Money Mystries from the Master and by Drenda, She gets it.
The year was 1990. Gary Keesee was a husband, a dad to 3 children, a business owner, active in a local church, and in a lot of trouble. Gary and Drenda Keesee had TEN maxed out credit cards, three finance company loans, two car payments, unpaid medical bills, $14,000 in back taxes, and they even owed their parents $26,000.
Needless to say, their circumstances felt very overwhelming.
But Gary remembers the night when God revealed to him the solution to his financial problems.
When this happened, Gary and Drenda held hands and agreed in prayer that they would not use debt any longer but would trust God for their finances.
This was quite a commitment for them because they had been leaning to debt on a regular basis to make up shortages in their cash flow.
Gary began to study his Bible, searching for answers, and applying anything he learned. When he began walking in the principles God showed him, he and Drenda paid all of that debt off in two and a half years! He began paying cash for his cars, and was even able to pay cash for 55 acres of land that his family lives on today.
Gary and Drenda Keesee now have five children whom they homeschool, three businesses, pastor a growing church in Ohio called Faith Life Church, travel internationally speaking at conferences, air television programs called “Fixing the money thing & Drenda”, books, Fixing The Money Thing by Gary Keesee,Faith Hunt and now Money Mystries from the Master and by Drenda, She gets it.
Last month, my family and I attended Gary’s conference in Florida and were able to meet and spend some time with Gary Keesee and his wife Drenda. We are now personally applying what we learned in the area of finances and business so we can carry out God’s assignment for us and our family and be a blessing to many others.
Learn more about Gary’s new books, audios, videos, and the conference he teaches.
If you know another dad who is under financial stress (or anyone for that matter!), send them to this blog post to read Gary’s encouraging story.
Blessings to you and your family,
Joey Watkins
Founder, FamilyDads
Joey Watkins
Founder, FamilyDads
P.S. – Gary Keesee’s resources are excellent, and are highly recommended if you know someone who is going through difficult times financially, or if your need greater provision to achieve a vision God has given you.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Secrets to persevering & what it takes to overcome the inevitable plateau
How many people are getting involved with the Body by VI 90 day Challenge?
Here it is from the source
160,000 New Sign Up's per Month
for full article check out Blake Mallen
Here it is from the source
160,000 New Sign Up's per Month
for full article check out Blake Mallen
Glen Beck Program today @ 5pm is free
As you have recently read the story of Ryan Blair, here is an interview of Ryan from Fox New Business yesterday (6-27-12)
Just click the link below
Great Interview with our favorite Ryan Blair!
Andy Andrews Comedian Author & Communicator
Andy Andrews
• Three Time New York Times Bestselling Author
• "Modern day Will Rogers"
• Author of The Traveler's Gift and The Noticer
article from premierespeakers
Bio
Andy Andrews, author of the New York Time's bestselling The Traveler's Gift and The Noticer, and now How Do You Kill 11 Million People? has impacted millions with his creative writing and speaking. An international sensation, Andy's challenging personal message contains truths for those in all walks of life.
What call to action can possibly challenge four US Presidents, the Commander of the Allied Air Forces, General Schwarzkopf and Hall of Fame golfer Nancy Lopez? Could this same message cause every senior leader of the United States Air Force in Europe and the Middle East to assemble in one room - at one time - to listen? What life-changing thoughts could cause ninety-one year old Bob Hope to summon a writer to chat by the backyard swimming pool?
For 17 weeks, The Traveler's Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success, remained on the New York Times bestseller list. It has been translated into 20 languages, featured as ABC's Good Morning America's book of the month and sold millions of copies. The author, Andy Andrews, was hailed as a “modern day Will Rogers who has quietly become one of the most influential people in America" by theNew York Times.
In his tale of one man's search for meaning and success, Andrews captures three qualities most important to an individual's growth - hope, faith, and perseverance. As the main character travels in time encountering seven historical figures, knowledge is imparted to the character and the reader. The Traveler's Gift's wisdom has spurred a teen version (The Young Traveler's Gift,) journal, home study audio program and life-study curriculum now used in schools, mental health organizations and prisons.
Andy Andrews' life was a typical American story until the age of 19. The loss of both parents - his mother to cancer and his father to an automobile accident - forever altered Andrews' path. He recalls, “I took a bad situation and made it much worse." Within a short span, he found himself homeless, a pier or garage often provided bed, and without direction. The dramatic change in circumstances forced Andrews to ask himself a simple question: "Is life just a lottery ticket or are there choices one can make to direct his future?" This very question fueled a search that led him to the local library.
After reading biographies of over two hundred great men and women, Andrews was challenged to consider, “Were they simply born this way? Or were there decisions made at critical junctures in their lives that led to success?” He resolved to determine the common denominators between each historical figure. The Seven Decisions were born, and the rest is history.
Many authors and communicators speak from their personal experience. Andy Andrews is shaped by his life path, but his message also carries the weight of hundreds of lives. Each of these past successes adds credence to the simple yet profound wisdom entertainingly presented by Andrews. With the wit of an entertainer and the gravitas of a powerful communicator, Andy Andrews is unique in today's media driven world. He communicates to audiences from the heart.
Andy Andrews lives in Orange Beach, Alabama with his wife Polly and their two sons.
For your free download from Andy Andrews click here
For your free download from Andy Andrews click here
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
If you never read anything else on my blogs PLEASE read this!
I would urge all my friends on twitter, facebook, linkedin etc. to take a few moments to read this blog article from Andy Andrews. I copied with permission directly from Andy Andrews.
If you never read anything else on my blogs PLEASE read this!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Here We Go . . . Again!
Hey everyone! We've had a lot of new readers find their way to the
blog over the past month or so, so I wanted to give everyone a little
refresher on just what this blog is all about. This is a post I wrote
almost three years ago that I think will give you a good idea of what my
hopes are for this little line of communication we've opened with one
another. Let's keep the conversation going!
I
don’t know when you are reading this, but I am writing it in the middle
of the night. That seems to be the proper time for a decision such as
this. Most public figures would be counseled earnestly to avoid what I
am about to do . . .Let me begin by acknowledging that I am a public figure, certainly a minor one, but my career is largely determined by whether people buy and share my books and materials . . . or not. Therefore, somewhat like a politician, I am keenly aware that everything I say or do bears heavily on whether or not I am able to pay my bills. And as we all know, words tumbled into cyberspace, once entered, can never be lost, retracted, forgotten, or successfully re-explained.
I have wondered for a couple of years now just what the heck I am supposed to be doing. Isn’t that an odd thing to admit? Really! You and I are adults . . . aren’t we supposed to have a handle on everything? Confident, chest out, chin up, follow me, and all that . . .
From my point of view, day to day, doing the best I know how . . . I know I am supposed to write and speak. Okay . . . but what do I do? I mean, the world is changing quickly, my country has changed already and is in the process of changing everything for my boys, and their children, for a long time.
PAUSE . . .
Back to the Text . . .
To what degree has the culture in which I live . . . changed? Overall, am I content with the changes that I now face. Am I happy with schools, movies, my choices at the grocery store, my government locally and nationally?
Do I contribute enough to society?
Do I accept things and ideas and actions into my life and family that I would not have considered ten years ago? How have I changed with society? Is this a good thing or a bad thing? What will the world be like when my boys are in high school?
Is there a reason to insist my children respond “yes sir” or “no ma’am” to an adult? Have I been raised in an area of the country that made me feel one way or the other about that kind of thing? Is there a reason for “yes, sir” or is it an opinion—a preference—that one can let get in the way of more important things?
Am I producing this book or product just to make money or does it have another purpose? Would I read this? Do I wish I had known this information thirty years ago . . . or twenty . . . or ten? Will this product I have produced help someone who is hurting, who needs direction, who needs confirmation?
Is the limited time I have available in my life being used wisely? Was the 2 hours I spent with that one person at the request of a friend really what I was supposed to do with my time? Or should I have been with Polly and the boys? Writing? Praying? Reading? Fiction or Non-Fiction? How much should I sleep? Should I ever just . . . play?
Why am I so drawn to history? Is there something else I am supposed to find, to figure out in order to reveal to people? What do I think I can do anyway? Can I, one person, really do anything about our country’s direction or it’s ability or it’s culture? Is my work with Special Ops or Military or Government people a justifiable use of the time I give? Am I flying on this gunship to be cool and say I did it . . . or is there a reason for me to be here with these people? Should I be somewhere else?
Do I drive or fly? Business or coach? Is one client more important than another? Is Augusta National Golf Club (who paid for me to spend an entire day speaking to every employee) more important than the Rotary Club in Zachary, LA (who gave me a coffee cup)? I spoke to them because my friend Chris asked me to do so . . . and I had the hour open.
Should I attend the church supper on Wednesday nights? Is a football game worth 3 hours of my time? Do my clients think so? Do my boys think so? Does God think so?
These are among the many questions I ask myself . . .
So . . . what are we seeking? More importantly, if we want to ask a really good question:
What do our actions indicate we are seeking?
What difference are we making? What difference did we intend to make this morning? Do we even think about intending to make a difference?
The last few months have pointed me toward a specific search I am about to make in my life. It will be a search for
The Real Truth
if I invest the time to do THIS . . . then THAT will occur.
In The Noticer, Jones’ proof of hope to Willow Callaway are the same words the old man spoke to me so many years ago. Their urgent accuracy resonates now like a bell rung on a clear winter morning!
There is more! Now!
So here is what I intend to do:
I hereby offer you a Backstage Pass into my life.
By way of Twitter, Facebook, and this blog on AndyAndrews.com, I invite you to join me and involve yourself in actively building groups of people with whom you will influence in the future.
For a long time in my life, I believed that to change the world, I should stretch as high into society as I could possibly reach, touching Presidents and Kings and CEO’s. There, I thought, was where the power existed to change everything. I now know for a fact that the power to change everything, my friend . . . lies with you and me.
Remember this: Whether President, King, or Governor, a politician is only an actor reciting lines and making moves according to a script that the audience is writing!
Most politicians make promises, react, vote, and shake specific hands according to the latest poll (script) they are given. You and I write that script with our voices and our votes.
Now before you think you know where we are all headed in such an all fired hurry, listen carefully to what I have to say:
If you had asked me a year ago whether I was a Republican or a Democrat, I probably could and would have answered you. But as my life has unfolded, I am increasingly aware that I am not an “us or them” kind of person. I am a “WE” kind of person. I believe there are “plumb lines” we can use and watch to establish right and wrong, forward or backward, yes or no.
You and I will search for guiding principles. I will put them into stories that will become books and recordings that you will be free to choose whether or not to use them in your search to create a team of people empowered to write what you believe should be the script for our next generation.
I invite you, whatever your age or technological ability, to learn to use Twitter, Facebook, and the Internet itself right now in order to join me and lead friends of your own to new levels of understanding and empowerment. We will strive to create better families, more successful financial incomes for you, and a voice of civility and reason that will be heard around the world.
I believe there was a time in our past when leaders understood how to disagree. They would disagree and argue points publicly, with humor and without the personal anger that serves only to divide their followers. These men and women disagreed, but they remained friends (and friendly) to each other.
Only a few decades ago, we lived in a world where we knew our neighbors watched out for one another’s children, and encouraged each other personally and professionally without fear of violence or lawsuits.
It is a fact known to historians that less than 10 percent of the population of the former Soviet Republic actively worked to move their society into a nightmare of paranoia, isolation, and genocide that devoured several generations. Accurate figures show that between 1917 and 1987, there were 61,911,000 lives lost to mass murder of their own people! This was done, remember, in an attempt to create a utopian society. Less than 10 per cent of the population was actively involved in creating the movement to power that caused this historical disaster. And 90 percent did what? Waited? Watched? Believed obvious lies?
I am not attempting to use fear as a tactic. History simply “is what it is”. Neither am I pointing fingers at any particular leader, media group, celebrity, or politician who might be in office or out of office at this time. Read nothing into what I am writing. At this moment, I ask you to think no further than these words:
Let us not be scared about the future, let’s just do something!
Our children, our very world is waiting for us to move . . . to write the script that is right and good and necessary. It’s time to move.
Here we go!
Yours,
Andy
P.S. Click below to watch some of my very best friends. . . listen carefully to their words!
© 2009-2012, Andy Andrews. Used by Permission. Originally posted on AndyAndrews.com.
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