Are you grateful?

I was coming out of McDonald's today with my 7 year old son who got upset because I wouldn't buy him his 2nd ice cream cone. He was really really upset. Than I blurted out, "do you know that a 150,000 people are dead because of an earthquake in Haiti?" He looked up at me like, "what does that have to do with my ice cream?" I explained to him that you are such a blessed little boy. You got to go see the movie The Tooth Fairy, then you got to go to McDonald's (your favorite place), eat a happy meal, and play with friends. I explained to him that many of the children in Haiti have been orphaned and don't even have parents now. It might have been poor judgement to share that tragedy with a 7 year old boy. But I also don't want my son to end up a spoiled brat like so many kids in the US, thinking that they are entitled to anything they so desire. Unfortunately, I've already started him on that path due to all the luxuries we are surrounded by. So why not start explaining to him now at 7 that not everyone in the world gets everything they want. It took me up until I was 15 years of age (younger than most) when I was fortunate enough to go on a mission trip with my church to Mexico and realize that there were people in the world who had no electricity in their house, no TV, and no running water.

A lot of people in the world today are struggling, economies are collapsing, and many children are being orphaned, not just in Haiti. Did you know if you have a roof over your head and don't go to bed hungry every night, you are actually better off than 2/3rd's of the world population? If you have money in the bank, you are probably in the top 2% considering wealth. If you have a car, your really doing well. Many live on less than $2 a day in some of the world's poorest populations.

The point of this letter is not really about my 7 year old son and our discussion at McDonald's, or about how bad people have it - but it's about gratitude. It's been said that if you are not in a grateful state you will not receive any more than you already have. I don't know if I necessarily believe that to be 100% true, as I know of many ungrateful people who seem to always have more than they need. But the point of it all, is to take time out of your day from time to time and just be grateful. Grateful for your family, grateful for your spouse, grateful for your parents (dead or alive), grateful for your teachers, grateful for your home, grateful for your children, grateful for your job, grateful for your boss, grateful for your friends, and grateful for your health. Life is short, so its been said, at least, I've never met anyone who lived to more than 95 in my lifetime. Isn't it time you spent the next few days, weeks, or months on the things you have vs. the things you don't have. I'm sure we all have New Years Resolutions to make more money, or get a better job, or lose 20 Lbs. But until you develop a space of gratitude in your heart and mind, those things may not show up. I can almost positively say that if you come from a grateful heart everyday vs. a wanting more heart - that you will attract more abundance into your life.

Be grateful today and don't forget those around us, who are part of our global community who are much less fortunate.

Do you have a plan?

Hope you had a great holiday season! If you're like me you enjoyed the past 2 weeks with family and friends, and probably ate more than you had intended.

Now it's time to figure out what you are going to differently in 2010. It's been said, that insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Do you find yourself in that trap? I know I have more times than I can count and it can ruin any chance for success.

Here are a few tips to accomplish your goals in 2010:

Work backwards - figure out what you want and the rest will take it's place. If it's a new house, or a car, relationship, or to lose weight. You can have it, but you must put a picture in your mind first of what you want. Keep that picture close by and look at it daily. Imagine yourself driving that sports car, or what your going to look like in that bikini when spring rolls around. Start to feel it. I actually went into a jewelry store the other day and tried on one of the most expensive Rolex Watches. I didn't buy it, I just wanted to get a sense of what the watch would mean to me. You can do that with cars, clothes, etc... Go for a test drive.

If you find yourself in a non-prosperity mindset - stop it! It will wreak havoc on your new beginning and you will find yourself in dire straits. You can actually have financial wealth with only a few bucks in your pocket. Remember it's not how much you have that matters, but how much you can give. And more importantly how you feel about yourself. Never let your bank account determine who you are. That's not who you are, your a lot more than that.

Finally, if you really want BIG results consider getting yourself a mentor or coach. A good mentor could be someone like Tony Robbins or Zig Ziglar. Start reading as many personal development books as possible. This will help re-program your mind for prosperity and achieving greatness! If you got more than enough money, consider a weekend seminar or a week long retreat, these can do wonders for your mindset. If you like more of the personal touch than consider a coach. I personally train and mentor others and love it! But you can pick whoever you so choose to coach you. I think more important than anything with a coach is to find someone you connect with. Most coaches offer a free 15 or 30 minute consultation. And the good ones know how to help you get the results you are looking for.

Get your vision board and start putting your blue print together for 2010 and I can promise you that in 12 months you will be a much bigger person because of it.