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!

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