In terms of doing good deeds in this world, it’s unrealistic to think that we can do everything for everybody, but I do humbly submit that we can at least do something for somebody from time-to-time.  My Good Pastor Kent Pedersen likes to say it this way, “Do for one what you wish you could do for all,” and I couldn’t agree more.

I’ve come to understand that when giving to others we can’t always be sure how people will treat our gestures of kindness.  We can’t always be sure that the neediness of others is truly genuine and as severe as they may indicate, and we can’t always be sure of others intentions with our time, talents and treasures.  But one thing we can be sure of is the reward and return we will receive based on the spirit in which we choose to give.

You see, the God-given, universal law of reciprocity isn’t specific to and for the “receiver”, it’s specific to and for the “giver”.  If we make an honest effort to cheerfully give with a grateful heart out of love and truly good intentions without want or expecting return, then shaken together, pressed-down, overflowing “good measure” is sure to visit us in the coming days ahead.  Good measure in family, friendship, physical feeling and financials.

So, not feeling like you’re experiencing any “good measure” these days?  I invite you to look for opportunities to give, Give, GIVE and not just out of your scarce and limited treasures, but also of your time and talents.  Yes friends, this too is “good” and worthy of your best efforts.  So let’s all commit to do “good” for our “good measure” as we continue to make it GREAT!

My Book:    “Make it GREAT”
www.MakeItGreatNOW.com

Like a 4^th brother to me he was not just the tall dark and handsome type, but he also had the natural athletic ability like none-other that I’ve seen to-date. 

Blessed with the super-powers possessed by many animals in nature, he was fast as a gazelle, strong as an ox and tough as a razor-claw badger.  But being stubborn as a mule and angry and uncontrollable as a bull would ultimately lead to his demise and undoing. 

Stanley was his name and his story is a textbook example of how when we let our “inner green hulk of rage” rule and run our lives, it will ultimately lead to our ruin.

As a kid I vividly remember Stanley started coming around our house in the rough neighborhood of West Dallas, Texas.  He was a delightful guy one year older than me and always looking to do something fun and adventurous with me and my brothers.  He instantly bonded with the four of us and ultimately became like my Dad’s 5^th son.  It didn’t take long after that for his true colors and anger and unwavering need for control to rear its ugly head slowly over time.

I would love to share the juicy details of Stanley’s amazing story and what was his transformational trigger-for-change but you’ll just have to get my book “Make it GREAT” when it’s released this November 2012, just in time for Christmas.  His story is guaranteed to speak to you and/or someone in your family, friends or inner-circle.
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So, Pre-Order TODAY @ www.MakeItGreatNOW.com and secure your autographed copy with an incredible audio bonus CD that’s designed to double or triple your positive outlook, attitude and outcome.

Pssss…  I know some thing’s are better left unsaid but this is not one of them.  I hate to spoil the ending of a good book or great movie so cover your ears and close your eyes if you don’t want to know because here goes…  At the end of it all, WE WIN!!! And they lose.  Who are they you may ask?  Well, those who choose to live a life exacting evil and chronic negativity upon their fellow-man and woman.

I often times find myself scratching my head and wrestling with the question of why does “evil” continue to fight so hard when it knows that in the end it will always lose-out to “good”.   Hmmm…   All I can come up with is that maybe it really doesn’t know that it’s fighting a losing battle.

Over the years the many stories may change but the end will always remain the same.  So for those who choose to instigate and perpetrate evil and chronic negativity in this world rest assure their plight is predictable.  Their future fate is a foregone fact, and their outcome and ending is inevitable.  THEY LOSE!

So if you’re feeling like the shoe fits, by all means please wear it and wise up and join the winning team today because tomorrow just might be too late to make it GREAT! 

GREAT DAY!!!

My Book:   “Make it GREAT”
www.MakeItGreatNOW.com

“The Least of These” as referred to in the “Good Book” (bible) strolled into my life yesterday as I sat in the lobby of a local Christian school chatting with my friend, Donna.  He was brilliantly disguised as a homeless man and outcast of society with a black duffle-bag draped over his shoulder and a cane in his hand as he walked with a limp over to us with a look of desperation on his face.   I’d seen his type many times before tattered and dirty clothes, ratty and matted hair and a toothless grin so we greeted him with a smile and kind words.

Most people would probably have been turned-off by his appearance and demeanor, but I was actually turned-on and eager to hear his story, but there was just one small problem.  He couldn’t speak or write.  Ughhhh!!!  Definitely a challenge on our hands I thought.  I’ve been here many times before but never with an individual that couldn’t speak or write. 

He put his bag down, handed me his California Identification Card and began in his attempt to communicate his desires to us.  Forrest was his name and it was clear that he was going through some significant struggles in his life.  “How can we help you?” was the question we asked and after several minutes of grunts and different hand gestures in a futile attempt to communicate, we all started to become a bit frustrated. 

We offered him some cold, bottled water, some cookies and a short prayer for his safety but I wasn’t content to just send him on his way.  So I grabbed his bag and walked with him to a local park.  100 degree, summer Bakersfield, California weather with no clouds in the sky, yes it would’ve been easier for me to drive him in my vehicle but I wanted to walk a mile in his shoes with him (so to speak).  As we walked on the hot pavement in the sweltering heat no words were exchanged, but I felt some type of strange connection and bond being established between us.  I can’t really explain it or put it in words but I felt like a quiet whisper was saying, “This is good,” and we were being smiled upon in the moment.  Hmmm…

Once we reached the park we shared a park table-bench with four strangers, Destiny, Daniel and Elder Wilson and Elder Furlough from a local Mormon Church.  I introduced my new friend Forrest to them and we all engaged in a casual conversation while Forrest listened in.  Several minutes later the others left and it was just me and Forrest again.  I lightly banged my fist on the table and voiced my frustration of not being able to communicate with him adequately.  Then it hit me.  “Charades!!!” I said to myself.  “I can find out more about him with charades.”  So the game began. 

I spent the next several delightful minutes with Forrest uncovering some interesting facts of his life.  A seventy-year-old, homeless, 10 year military veteran just passing through Bakersfield looking for a cool place to lay his head for a couple of hours before he moves on.  I gave him a few words of encouragement followed by some sincere words of appreciation for his service to our country.  I then took the opportunity to bless him with a few dollars and some bus fare and sent him on his way with a smile.

I shared this story with you today in hopes that it will spark something in you that reminds you to seize the opportunity to be kind to the “least of these” in the world around you when the opportunity presents itself.  I hope that you can see yourself modeling similar behavior that brightens someone else’s day in an awesome way.  You never know, we may be the only face of the faith they see. 

I can’t pretend to know what the future holds for Forrest, but I do know who holds the future for all of us and He wants to partner with us on our journey through this thing called “life” to make it great. 

So, I encourage you today to keep the faith or join the faith and let’s continue in our best efforts to make it GREAT while helping others to do the same.

www.CedricCrawford.com
www.MakeItGreatNOW.com

Life experience has taught me that over time most people won’t necessarily remember exactly what you did for them and what you said to them, but they will always remember how you made them feel whether good or bad.  So if this is true, then what kind of feeling and impression are you making and leaving with people you meet?  Hmmmm…

Kindness is definitely the gift that keeps on giving.  I invite you to consider making a point to leave people in a better physical and emotional state than you found them.  Bless people with a smile and some casual conversation from time-to-time, doing this may even brighten your day too.  I know this first hand because I’m a licensed, self-proclaimed kindness and smile expert myself and I’ve had years of private practice.  🙂   

Let’s make this weekend so AWESOME that last weekend gets insanely jealous.

www.CedricCrawford.com
www.MakeItGreatNOW.com