I was talking to a good friend of mine about “Potential” and the act of “Service” and as a result I came away from our conversation with a theory or notion that may make something that may have been obscure at one time now a little bit more clear.

I simply asked the question of if we had only one swing at bat would we give it an average effort and swing for the dugout, or would we give it our absolute best shot and swing for the fences?

After pondering this question for a few seconds we both agreed that the obvious answer would be the latter, I mean who wouldn’t want to swing for the fences, right?  Well, I invite you to take out the baseball in this analogy scenario and insert “Life”.

What if I told you that we only get one shot at this “Life” thing, would the answer to the question of what would you do with it be as obvious as the previous scenario?  Well then, surprise, surprise, surprise… We only get one shot at this life and one body to do it with, no repeats or do-overs allowed.

Reaching our highest “potential” and making the absolute best use of our talents and gifts in “service” to others should be the ultimate goal for all of us because of course no one would ever intentionally just aim for the dugout of average and mediocrity right?  Are would they? Hmmm…

So a good question today to jump-start your week with is, “What are you doing with those God-given talents and gifts these days?”  Are you actively involved in your “Highest and best use” or just your “Highest and best excuse”?

I would trust that your answer to this question is one that leads you to Making it GREAT!

AWESOME WEEK FRIENDS!!!

www.MrBreadCrumb.com

www.52BreadCrumbs.com

www.MakeItGreatNOW.com

I just got off the phone with a good friend of mine whom I had the special privilege of calling “Team-mate” back in the mid 90’s when we were fellow student-athletes at the world-famous University of Utah.  🙂  He’s currently resting at home on hospice care suffering from a rare aggressive form of cancer with apparently only days or even hours to live.

“How are you?” was his first statement to me and I quickly responded with the words, “Never mind me, how the heck are you doing?” and what he said next completely caught me off guard and left me with a renewed appreciation of the word “Attitude”.

“I’m currently taking some steps in the direction of completing my Masters Degree with some one-on-one’s with my teachers at the University and I’m on the brink of preparing paperwork to move toward pursuing my Doctorates.  Many of the school teachers and administrators are continuing to work with me.”  He said.  “WHAT!!!  Are you kidding me?” I said.  We both shared a brief laugh and he assured me that that was his main agenda and focus at this time in his life.

Wow, I must admit that many thoughts went through my mind about what I was going to say to my dying friend before I picked up the phone to call him, but he completely surprised me with his jubilant, lighthearted attitude.  Sure I could tell in his voice that he was super-weak, but the things that he said in our short 20 minute conversation made me feel strong and re-affirmed in me the importance of our attitude until our last days.

Over the years I’ve learned that our “Attitude” is a tool and it can be leveraged for good or not-so-good and it all depends on what we decide.  Simply put, our “Attitude” is super-important because it sets the foundation of our thoughts and emotions in our day-to-day life.

I don’t know how many days or hours my old friend has left on this earth, maybe a day or week or a month.  Or, maybe he’ll have a complete turnaround and defy the odds and have a new story to tell.  But whatever the case of his passing date, I can surely believe that no doubt he will maintain an awesome “Attitude” because that’s the Bronzell and know and love.

So what’s your “Attitude” like these days?  It’s your tool, so choose wisely and Make it GREAT!

www.MrBreadCrumb.com

www.MakeItGreatNOW.com

The most reliable bus ticket out of our undesirable situations is our Dreams and our proven plan and consistent efforts can pay the fare.

My book:  “Bread Crumbs to Making it GREAT” can surely help you to stay fired-up and focused during your journey and it makes an awesome gift for that special someone who’s needs some daily encouragement, motivation and inspiration.  So place your order today at:  www.MakeItGreatNOW.com   You’ll be glad you did.  🙂

Order in the next 24 hours and get $25 worth of FREEBIES!!!   Go Make it GREAT!

www.MrBreadCrumb.com

Our weekly boys-night-out with my sons plus a spare was extra special last night.  Dinner and a movie with casual, sometimes comical conversation is usually on the agenda.

Last night our spare’s name was Joel and our restaurant of choice was the world famous Taco Bell.  Taco’s and burritos a-la-cart with smiles all-around as things were going just as expected until Julia approached us unexpectedly and shook-up our normal.

Tattered clothes, matted hair with a toothless smile, she definitely fit the description of what the “good book” (bible) describes as “The least of these”.  She approached us unassumingly holding a small cardboard sign with the words “Merry Christmas! Can you spare some change to make my families Christmas Merry?”

After I read this note out loud, our spare Joel quickly whipped out two dollars and handed it to her with a smile.  I then attempted to chat with her but she stated that she was deaf and could only read lips or sign-language.  Challenge! I thought, but I was definitely up for it.  I used a few signs that I knew to get past the simple stuff then I had to rely on mouthing my words slowly.  This really made for an interesting conversation and we could all see her face light up as she shared about her life’s travels and what’s her current struggle.

It’s amazing how much we managed to learn in just under 25 minutes of conversation with our new friend Julia.  We wished her the best and parted ways with a smile and I was then able to seize the opportunity to express to my boys the importance of giving something that can at times be better than money.  That thing was casual, sincere “conversation”.

Yes that’s right folks, plain-ole’ conversation can give to someone much more than money could ever give.  It was extremely clear that Julia was positively affected by our short conversation with her and it was quite obvious that she was not used to someone being as interested in her journey and I’m sure she’s not soon to forget our positive encounter.  Me and my boys won’t forget it either.  🙂

I encourage you NOT to miss your opportunities to send a message to those around you about how important our positive words and conversation can be to “the least of these” and other people period.  These actions aren’t just reserved for the holidays, they’re appropriate for all-our-days.

So be advised and encouraged today and let’s continue to Make it GREAT!

www.MrBreadCrumb.com

www.52BreadCrumbs.com

www.MakeItGreatNOW.com

“What an awesome day to be above ground and breathing,” was the comment I made to a gentleman at church just a few days ago and he said, “Well for us Christians, if we’re no longer here on this earth that means we’re in heaven with Jesus which is a much better place than being here.”

I cracked a casual smile and then told him that if we’re not here in this life on earth that means we have absolutely no chance of helping other people and instilling inspiration and hope in our hurting humanity and “I don’t think I’m quite ready to throw in the towel on my contribution just yet.”

He paused for a few seconds as if to process my comment and then he said, “Wow!  I guess I’ve never really thought about it that way.”  We both chuckled a bit and then exchanged a few more niceties and wished each other a great day then went on our merry way.

I must admit that I never get tired of having these types of casual encounters and conversations with people that get them to think about things in a slightly different manner.  I’m not sure what he will do with this new notion but it sure felt pretty good watching him experience an “Aha Moment”.  🙂

I hope that in some way this article has been an “Aha Moment” for you and in the days ahead I invite you to consider what you’re doing or what COULD you be doing to help or give hope to our hurting humanity.  So when your final hour comes, you’ll truly feel like you’re “finished” with the task and mission for which you were here for in the first place and feel like you’ve actually made this life GREAT!

Have a fabulous weekend and Make it GREAT!

www.MrBreadCrumb.com

www.52BreadCrumbs.com

www.MakeItGreatNOW.com