Took this picture last night with my bride.  What’s the special occasion you may ask?  Well, today is not our 15^th wedding anniversary, that’s not until June, and no it’s not Karen’s 45^th birthday, that’s not until July.  But today is just as special, in fact, everyday is special because I have a special bride who accepts me in spite of all my faults, fallacies, habits and hang-ups.

I’m not one that uses the word “Lucky” often, but I have to honestly say that I definitely got lucky when our paths crossed and our worlds collided on that 28^th day in the month of May.  It was the year of 1994 and days before OJ Simpson would have his infamous slow-speed chase down the notorious 405 Freeway inLos Angeles.  He was running away from the law and we were running away together.  I’m not sure if he did it or not, but I know I did it.  I sure did do it alright.  I got “LUCKY”!  I won’t bore you with the details, but talk about right place at the right time.  

A good-ole Texasboy and an old fashioned “PK” Californiagirl meeting in the entertainment capital of the world.  It had all the distinct makings of a happenstance chance meeting at a dimly-lit club called “The Metz” on the Las Vegas Strip sandwiched in between the Great MGM Grand Hotel and a FatBurger joint.  Brought to my attention by my good friend Daren Castain, I took the plunge and rolled the dice and it came up Lucky #7.  I was probably the 7^th guy that asked her to dance, but for some unknown reason she chose me and we’ve been dancing every since. 

We became the exceptions to the rule of “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”  We happened in Vegas, but we didn’t stay in Vegas.  I may have lost in the game of Check-Mate at the casino but I won big in the game of Life-Mate at the club.  We started as good friends and grew into a great family and I find myself smiling big and often because of my Lucky take-home winnings from Vegas.  Yes today and everyday is indeed a special day because of my special gal, Karen.

I invite you to reflect back on the story of your encounter with that special someone that’s in your life and revisit those feelings of excitement and romance regularly.  My good word today for you couples out there is to abandon not those things that brought you together in the beginning.  And, always remember that the perfect relationship is not without its’ imperfections.  The best of relationships require routine maintenance check-ups to make sure they continue to function at their optimum level. 

So keep your fingers on the pulse of that relationship and be sure to stay close to that mate as you both attempt to make it GREAT!

After all these years I’m glad to say that I’m still feeling Lucky.  LOL 

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!

It doesn’t matter how far or how fast you run or where you run to, you can never get away from you.

It doesn’t matter where you go or what company or business organization you change to, what matters most is if a change is made in you.

Positive results in what you say or do will never come true unless there’s a real positive transformation that happens in you.

We may consider a change of venue, but nothing will really change until there’s a significant change within you.

A better family, better friends, better finances and better fringe benefits start with a better “You”.

The most important factor in the equation of life and business is “You”.

So don’t waste time assigning blame or pointing the finger at your crew.  Point that thumb back at “You” and commit to do what you need to do to make a better you. 

Commit today to make “You” your daily project for the better, OR don’t be surprised when you get more of the same results down the road.

We only get one time through this “life” thing, let’s not spend it chasing an illusive dream without paying attention to the main thing, “You”.  Let’s make it GREAT!

A Better You  =  A Better Life