Entrepreneur Days

I'm gearing up to go to my third conference for entrepreneurs. I can't wait!

I learned a ton about business, Internet marketing and gaining financial independence at the last two conferences. I am eager to go back for more financial education.

I knew I wanted to have some kind of Internet business, but wasn't entirely clear about how to go about it. Sure, there are a zillion people online promising to make you a millionaire overnight, but frankly...I don't trust 'em!

I knew I needed someone to teach me, someone I could trust, but where to find such a teacher?

My husband came across an interview published on World Net Daily. That interview was with Rhea Perry. Her background as a homeschooling mom was reassuring to me. The fact that she is educating her own children in matters of business, Internet marketing and being financially independent - largely through non-traditional means - rang true.

The fact the children are welcome at her business conference underscores that she practices what she preaches. You won't find many business meetings that welcome teenagers. But, think about it: where else are they going to learn how to become financially independent? Not in school! School prepares you for a job.

So, off to Rhea's Entrepreneur Days I went. I got no promises of becoming a millionaire overnight. I did get insight into the entrepreneurial mindset. I did get education about making money with eBay, the stock market and real estate, just to name a few.

I also got the opportunity to talk face-to-face with the people who've been there, done that. That's real life education!

You can check out the details on this year's Entrepreneur Days by clicking on the link in the Marilyn's Friends box on the right. Be sure to scroll way down the ED site to the pictures of the teachers. There are audio interviews to listen to for free. Good stuff.

Hope to see you there.

Blessings on you!
Marilyn

Tony Snow's Legacy

I loved his voice and his sense of humor. I loved the way he explained complex issues. He was all relaxed, always seemed a little amused at life: he made everything seem elementary. That is the mark of a truly articulate person.

There will be many eulogies, many tributes to Tony Snow.

I don’t think there can be a more revealing one than what Dan Perino said about Tony’s tenure as White House Press Secretary. Perino was Snow’s assistant at that time. He said,

"The White House has lost a great friend and a great colleague.
We all loved watching him at the podium, but most of all we
learned how to love our families and treat each other."

We tend to think that it is our work, or the use of our talents, that will be our legacy. We think it is the accomplishment of some great task that will prove our worth.

I think we have it exactly backwards. Most of us will be forgotten within a generation. Our greatest accomplishments will be surpassed, absorbed into the ongoing flow of life and history. It is the small things: the offhand comment, the unconscious acts – whether kind, uplifting, encouraging and enlightening - or selfish, mean and low – that will be our true legacy.

Many times I’ve heard people say, “I’ll never forget what Joe said about____. It was a turning point for me.” And Joe doesn’t remember saying it.

My own life was profoundly affected by my best friend’s mother. She never gave me advice, her name won’t make it into any history book. She loved her irascible husband and five children and welcomed me into her home. That’s it. Yet, her example encouraged me in the true sense of that word. Her example gave me the courage to get married, to stay married, to have children and believe I could raise them.

Those things we do because of our character, that other people observe for good or ill, are the things that change lives. And those lives change other lives. And so the sins – and the redemptive acts – of the fathers are passed to the children, to the third and fourth generation.*

In the end, it is not what Tony snow did - it is who he was - that made him a wonderful human being.

Blessings on you!

Marilyn

*Deuteronomy 5:9

Bob Harper's Three Little Words

Fitness coach Bob Harper, best known for being the “nice” trainer on NBC’s “The Bigtgest Loser”, uses three little words.

This morning I was reading a book about growing in my spiritual/emotional life. There were those same three words.

You’ve probably used them yourself a thousand times without realizing how important they are.

The three little words are: Are you ready?

Mom glances in the rearview mirror of the minivan and says, “Are you ready?” She wants to know if the kids are safely buckled in, have their drink cups safely nestled in the cup holders and their books, mp3 players and whatever within reach. She wants to know they are prepared to make the trip.

A squad leader gives orders to his men and asks, “Are you ready?” He wants to know his soldiers have their gear in place and have set their minds to the task ahead, whether it’s a training run or a fight to the death.

Bob Harper asks a 400 lb man, "Are you ready?" He wants to know the guy is committed for the long haul, not going to bail out when it hurts. Or is the guy wasting Bob's time?

When Bob Harper asks, “Are you ready?” he’s asking, have you:

• Cast off your “right” to remain comfortable?
• Given up the idea that easy is good?
• Accepted the challenge?
• Realized that the hard road leads to a good place?
• Decided to trust your leader enough to follow, even when it seems crazy?

If you want change, whether it be in your body, your finances, or your relationships, one thing is sure. It won’t be easy. It will test you, stretch you and – at some point – you will want to give up.

So, whatever dreams, plans, needs or wants you have, go to a mirror. Look yourself in the eye. Say three little words:

“Are you ready?”

Blessings on you!

Marilyn