All my life I’ve heard the comment, “Money doesn’t make you happy”.  The interesting thing was that most of the people who were repeating this statement never really had much of it in their lives and they spent most of their waking hours chasing more of it.  Well, I wanted to find out for myself.

During the height of the real estate boom during the years 2002-2007 the city of Bakersfield, CA was in the top one and two spots for property value appreciation in the country.  Just-so-happen my wife and I had made our part-time business in the area of real estate and had several dozen properties before and during this time.  Almost over night we saw our small six-figure a year business increase to a six-figure a month business.  Our smart work had finally paid off and people thought we were geniuses, but the only thing we had done was position ourselves to benefit from the enormous real estate growth.

At this time money became overwhelmingly plentiful.  The more we made, the more we’d give to our church, family, schools, our tenants and even perfect strangers in need.  My wife and I then accomplished the goal of designing and building our own multi-million dollar luxury dream home.  We started to take more family trips to see my family inTexasand fun trips to exotic places and theme parks for fun and taking people along with us.  During this process the things that made me the happiest was watching others experience happiness and knowing that I had a little something to do with making it possible.

Finally, I had found out for myself first hand that it’s not the money that makes you happy, it’s what you choose to do with the money that matters most.  Money will come and go but true happiness is what I know.  We don’t have anywhere near as much money as we once did, but happiness has not eluded me.

Simply put, money is just a tool and can be used for good or not-so-good means.  Having money just gives you the option to do more of the things that make you happy, like giving and creating for those who are less fortunate.  Don’t abuse your money tool.  I invite you to choose to put it to good use today.  It really is your choice so choose wisely.  Let’s make it GREAT!

The names may change but the game stays the same.  What game, you may ask?  Well, the game of “life” that is.  And, just like every other game, the game of life also has rules, and knowing the rules increases your chances of winning by a factor of 10.

Don’t be like “most people” who have been inflicted with the “Too Busy” syndrome and as a result, they have no time to read the manual.  A page a day can get you on your way, and don’t forget to pray that you won’t be led a stray through your day.

The rules to this game of life thing are simple but it’s not always easy.  Points can only be obtained by serving and sowing into other people on this side of the court, so don’t make the common mistake of trying to take it with you.  Yes my friends, the only way to Win in the game of life is to Lose sight of self and gain vision for others.

So I invite you to consider the following question today:  Are you stacking up points are stacking up possessions?  Hmmmm…  No need to answer out loud, just make me proud as you stand out from the crowd.  Be sure to make your points count as you attempt to make it GREAT!

The Crawford’s are wishing you a GREAT EASTER WEEKEND from Sunny California !!!  HE HAS RISEN INDEED !!!

Although the words “Chance” and “Change” are closely related in spelling, they’re not related at all in terms of life.  Simply replacing the “c” with a “g” can make a world of difference in the grand scheme of life.  No one ever becomes successful by chance or a mild CONTRIBUTIVE effort to a cause, it’s only by change and an intentional COMMITMENT to a cause that true success then becomes possible.

To understand the distinct difference between “Contribution” and “Commitment”, you need look no further than your common bacon and eggs breakfast plate.  The chicken made a mild contribution for your breakfast this morning, but the pig gave his life for your morning breakfast, commitment doesn’t get any stronger than that.

So commit today to drop the “c” and add a “g” on your journey of good intention through this “life” thing today and don’t just make it good, make it GREAT!

As I look back over my life I must shamefully admit that I grew up with what I call a “Win the Lottery” or “Hit the Jackpot” mentality.  I was foolishly looking for a way that would allow wealth and significance to come quick and easy.  For years I thought that I was in the “know”, but I later figured out that I was actually in the “Don’t Know”.

Winning the lottery are hitting a quick monetary jackpot or windfall may bring instant wealth, but there will be no inspiring story or significance tied to it because there would be no lessons learned or character earned during the process.  It’s no surprise that the overwhelming majority of people who “get rich quick” end up right back where they started, or even worse, less than five short years later.

Simply put, obtaining may be by Chance but maintaining must be by Change, a significant change in you.  It’s not about the money you gain, it’s about who you became.  I invite you to consider the fact that this delicate process of change is not microwaveable.  So put away the popcorn dreams and pull out that old crock pot and be prepared to let those goals and dreams marinade as you work through your necessary process to become better today than you were yesterday in every way.

Let’s make it GREAT!