God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?” - William A. Ward
Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die, so let us all be thankful. - Buddha
As you know, I went away for about a week for business/pleasure that included a speaking engagement and a visit to my family.
I have much to be grateful for……..
Penn State University Speaking Engagement
It’s amazing how this gig came about because it took over a year for this to come to full fruition.
It all began when someone from a small networking group told me about a certain digital photographer who was reputed to be good. I was in need of new photos for business cards and my blog/speaking websites (the photo you see on the right was the result of this guy’s work).
On the day the photos were taken, the photographer and I was in a room where he had a laptop hooked into a projector so that we could look at the screen and confer which photos would be best.
Twenty minutes into the consulting session, a very friendly, carefree lady walked in. I had no idea who she was but it was obvious that she was part of the photographer’s family because of the way she greeted him. I believe she was his cousin. She came right into the room where we were sitting and proceeded to tell me how wonderful I looked in those photos, even pointing out the ones she thought looked good!
We got into a friendly conversation and at one point, she asked what I did for a living. I told her I was an inspirational speaker, which was why I was there in the first place. It was time for new photos. A light bulb went off in her head and she said, “I know someone from Pennsylvania who I am positive would love to engage your services. Do you have a business card?”
I gave it to her and promptly forgot about it.
Several months later, I received an email from someone who said she was a friend of that lady, wanting to know more about my speaking services. She explained that she was part of the university’s diversity program and they were looking for a speaker for their Fall 2008 events. After asking about my fees, she said she’d get back to me.
One day she sent me an email announcing that university officials had approved her recommendation to hire me! It was at least a FULL YEAR between the time I met that lady in the studio to the day I appeared on the campus of Penn State University.
The presentations went very well. Judith and I hit it off instantly and developed a great rapport. In fact, she liked my programs so much that she already referred me to others who might use me in 2009 and beyond!
The lessons?
- God works in mysterious ways.
- You never know who might have a connection you need for your business.
- When the connection is first made and you talk with a potential client, let it go. Don’t be overly aggressive in pursuing the business - if it’s meant to be, it will develop.
Quality Time with Family
After the Penn State gig was over, I continued to drive East instead of returning back to Ohio because Mom and Dad was spending the week at my brother’s in VA.
I wanted to grab the opportunity to spend some quality time with them so I canceled a business appointment that was scheduled the Friday after my university gig was over.
You see, spending quality time with family will always win over business engagements, anytime, anywhere. They’re that important to me.
Although my parents are in their 70’s (Mom is about to turn 70 in a few weeks while Dad is approaching his mid-70’s), both are in very good health, other than the normal maladies associated with growing older.
The funny thing about visiting my brother is that he loves to put Dad and I to work! As you can see with the top left photo, he has a rather large estate with a lot of maintenance responsibilities so every little bit helps.
I actually love mowing lawns so I ended doing that for him. I also helped chop firewood while Dad worked on installing a generator which involved splicing wires. He used to be a licensed electrician so I’m sure he saved 
my brother thousands of dollars worth of labor.
We went swimming in the pool, hung out in the hot tub, visited George and Martha Washington’s home, ate sumptuous meals (I still managed to eat a healthy portion of raw foods) and enjoyed many different kinds of wine every night (my brother and his wife enjoy collecting them).
(Photo left: Mom relaxing after dinner one evening).
Almost every night, the three of us (Dad, my brother and I) sat in the backyard, smoked cigars, drank wine/beer and talked about nothing while the ladies did their thing inside the house with the two twins (see photo below).
How cool is that?
Having a family where all of us are comfortable enough to be in close proximity to one another and just be ourselves?
The best thing about the trip was watching my brother’s identical twins swim the entire length of the pool unassisted (without flotation devices) and gallop around the house.
They would often ask me to “chase them,” which I’d do but after several times running through the kitchen, foyer, living room, dining room and then back through the kitchen, I’d throw my arms up in the air and playfully say, “OKAY, that’s enough girls, now go chase Daddy/Mommie around!”
It was a hoot!
I’m grateful I come from a close family where we love and respect one another. What more could I ask for?
Food for thought: If you are currently estranged from your family (believe it or not, I once was), can you look past your relationship difficulties and reach out? It all begins with forgiveness and a willingness to move on.
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9:38 pm on September 28th, 2008 1
Reaching out is the hardest–and ultimately most rewarding–part of repairing relationships. Thanks for the reminder, Stephen!
8:20 am on September 29th, 2008 2
@ CaliforniaTeacherGuy:
Glad to reach out and help where I can by sharing my own experiences.
8:57 am on September 29th, 2008 3
I love spending time with my family, which is why I head to Michigan often. Those twins are adorable! I can see where you picked up your cigar habit– from your dad.
11:37 am on September 29th, 2008 4
Before I started working on my incest issues, I cut myself off from my dad’s family—my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins—for ten years while I was in denial of how the incest was affecting my adult life. Year eleven I went to a Caldwell family reunion and realized what I had missed during that ten years. Denial made me even more unhappy so I finally started dealing with my incest. I have one aunt in particular that I am really close to and love as a sister.
1:43 pm on September 29th, 2008 5
Is that your brother’s house or Monticello?
Your family is beautiful. No wonder you are such a good looking dude!
Yes, I agree, that God works in mysterious ways! And, that we should just let a lot of stuff go and not think about it. Some of it just shows up later.
Your career is going so well - and expanding! I think your video has a lot to do with it. It is so professional. It will pay for itself over and over.
So, how is it like to be back in Ohio? Why am I getting a vibe you are moving somewhere else?
1:47 pm on September 29th, 2008 6
@ Karen Putz / DeafMom:
I know and I got to see the inner dynamics of your family while staying at your house a few days after SOBCon08. You most certainly have a lively family, that’s for sure.
Yes, aren’t the twins adorable? They’re the cutest nieces I’ve ever had and they LOVE me. They squealed with delight when I first walked in after driving from PA.
Haha, cigar habit from my Dad? Nah, I think I got him started–no wait. He actually smoked cigars when I was younger but it wasn’t until many years later when I was invited to a BMW dealership showroom that I picked up my first cigar (NYC). But yes, I guess you could say he planted a seed in my head. Mooohahahaha.
1:49 pm on September 29th, 2008 7
@ Patricia - Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker:
That must have been quite a challenge to work through and I congratulate you for having done that before it was too late for anyone. Certainly, you have become the symbol of forgiveness for the rest of us to emulate.
Forgiveness, in any form, is one of the hardest things any of us can do but it has the potential of being incredibly healing for all parties. Amazing what it can do. I believe forgiveness can practically erase cancer, so to speak!
2:02 pm on September 29th, 2008 8
@ Corinne Edwards:
Wow, you have GREAT memory. I’m impressed! That’s my brother’s house in VA. (For the benefit of those who have no clue what Monticello means, that’s where one of my sisters live and Corinne remembered!).
Well, the credit goes to Mom and Dad who are good looking to begin with.
Thanks Corinne for the compliment about my speaking career and how the video has helped. I’m glad you think that way because it was quite an investment. But I’m thrilled to say it’s already paid for itself a few times over at this point. Creating the video was something I was reluctant to do for the longest time because I was doing just “fine” without it. But it got to the point where I simply had to “get it done.”
It’s like a model needing his/her portfolio for modeling jobs, you know? Credit goes to Terry Bartlett of Bartlett Videos in Akron, OH.
WOW, Corinne, reading that last line blew me away. You got this vibe that I am moving somewhere else? HOLY CHRIST.
When you say you have psychic abilities, you REALLY DO. The vibe you’re picking up has to do with me just recently signing a 6 month apartment lease versus 12 in the event I am compelled or offered an opportunity to move elsewhere!
Not only that but I’ve recently been thinking about different places I might move to. Just this past weekend, I was talking to a close friend about different cities I might look into - you probably picked up on that too!
To the best of my recollection, I never told you or anyone about this. You are right on the nose with this one. I am simply flabbergasted.
Yes, I am enjoying my return back to Ohio. It’s been a full week since I’ve been back and I’m settling in nicely before going back out at the end of the month for my keynote in Texas (Frito-Lay).
Once again, WOW. Vibes? Remembering about Monticello? Video paying itself over and over again? You amaze me.
2:16 pm on September 29th, 2008 9
Stephen, thank you. It has long been my belief that most cancers come from the hurt and anger that we hold in. I agree that forgiveness is difficult and well worth the effort in the freedom that we gain from feeling better without the weight of unforgiveness holding us down.
2:25 pm on September 29th, 2008 10
@ Patricia - Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker:
Most people would be surprised if they were told that cancers and other maladies can be caused by the stuff we hold inside ourselves, including anger, jealousy, hatred and other negative emotions.
You are one incredibly courageous woman to share your life’s story the way you have without any holding back. I trust that by blogging about your journey, it’s been cathartic and healing. Writing can do that for us.
5:39 pm on September 29th, 2008 11
The friendships that have come about because I decided to write a blog have been incredible. You, Corinne, Slade, Deb Estep and many others have been wonderful gifts that wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t followed Slade’s encouragement to write. My thanks to all of you for those friendships. They brighten my world.
6:39 pm on September 29th, 2008 12
I love seeing pictures of the family! What a house! My favorite uncle looks great! And so does your mom! Hope we look that good in our 70’s!! I love your blog and website also. I check in here frequently and use it often as a source of inspiration. Keep up the good work!!
8:09 pm on September 29th, 2008 13
@ Mary Jane Hopson Pino:
Thanks MJ - you could put your email in the box provided which will deliver any new articles I write automatically to your inbox - that way you won’t have to continually check in for new material.
Glad you refer back her for inspiration!
10:40 pm on September 29th, 2008 14
I loved seeing your photos, Stephen and reading about your engagement at my old stomping grounds…the way it all came to fruition. Six years ago I went up to Latham to my 30th High School Reunion where I met up with an old friend, Mary Jane Hopson. It had been sooo very long since we’d seen each other. We became friendly and I also reconnected with your other cousin J.B. Thank goodness for emailing as JB lives in Reno, MJ in Boston and me on Long Island. Now here I am responding to you from the connection I made with your cousins all that time ago. And what you have to say is helping me so much in my pursuit of my authentic self and a new career in holistic healing. It’s all meant to be..that’s for sure.
I’ll be visiting my folks in two weeks, down in Florida. It will be fun to laugh over old times and catch up, even though both of them are ailing. Life is good, even when it feels bad. Thanks for becoming an essential part of my journey.
7:19 am on September 30th, 2008 15
@ Patti:
Well Patti, as the saying goes, there are no coincidences. All of the connections you’ve been making with my cousins and ultimately me was meant to be. I’m glad to know that without knowing it, I’ve been helping in your pursuit of your authentic self and a new career in holistic healing.
I am very interested in holistic healing and would love to learn more about what you’re doing and how you’re going about having that kind of career.
Meanwhile, have fun with your folks in Florida.