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

Our experiences coupled with the passing of time,
Not only shapes our bodies, it also shapes our mind.

Our thoughts are results of experiences gone through,
And our appearance is a result of what we eat and exercises we do.

Simple math says an action or inaction produces an effect.
So what you do or don’t do produces the results you get.

So keep this rhyme in mind as you go about your day,
And be sure your actions follow the things that you say.

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

I saw an interesting statistic not long ago that said the winter season holds the undisputed title of being the season with the highest rate of depression and suicide.  One of the reasons listed for this was an increased feeling of loneliness during a time when family and friends for the holidays should be in full force and affect.

What I found to be most surprising about this information was that all the reasons listed were in some way rooted and related to self-pity or a feeling of inadequacy and little worth irregardless of money, material possessions or social status.

Now I’m no doctor, and I surely can’t pretend to understand the depth of the darkness and state-of-mind of someone experiencing such a challenge, but I do understand that the more we take our eyes and focus off of “self” and start to focus on others in need of support, the more we increase the chances of avoiding the pitfall of self-pity and unworthiness.

That’s right folks, “What’s focused on most develops in the host,” and if you leverage this philosophy for your “good” by creating value and doing for others, don’t be surprised when you see it becoming cathartic and therapeutic for you.

Simply put, watch your “Focus” as your future un-folds especially during the season of the cloud cover and the cold and be sure to Make it GREAT!   The choice will always be yours and yours alone so choose wisely.  🙂

www.MrBreadCrumb.com

www.52BreadCrumbs.com

www.MakeItGreatNOW.com