Reflecting before the Results

Last year I attended my local caucus here in Colorado. This meeting of neighbors is where I first participated in the political process for choosing candidates for public office to represent me.  I volunteered to run our caucus meeting that night and I was elected to participate in the next level as a delegate to the county assembly.  I participated in my county assembly and even wrote and ran a resolution, which went down in glorious defeat, yet I actively engaged my neighbors and acquaintances.  From the county assembly I was elected as a delegate to the state convention.  Here I listened to candidates, supported those whom I agreed with on our shared values and principles.  The delegates voted and elected our primary candidates, then I volunteered for these candidates, walked in community parades, knocked on doors, made phone calls and even donated money.   

I volunteered on one of the early national debates and was fortunate to meet some of the candidates and ask them about their philosophy of politics and question them on their principles.  This grassroots process is unique in the world.  It starts out on an even playing field and gives all that participate an equal chance to be heard regardless of connections, background, skin color, religion or creed.  It gives all who make the commitment to show up, a chance to be part of our American tradition.

Yet, electing people as our representatives at any level is only half of the duty of an American citizen.  The other portion of a citizen’s responsibility is to be an active and engaged participant.  Once we elect our candidates or even if our choice is not elected it is our civic responsibility to hold our representatives accountable and make sure they do only those things that they are allowed to do by law and nothing else.  At all levels of government, the powers delegated to those elected officials is enumerated.

The day after any election the sun will rise.  We may be happy, or we may be sad at the election’s outcome, yet I would make a call to action and challenge people, to get involved and stay active in the process and make a difference regardless of who wins.  Volunteer for a local advisory board, committee or town council and challenge people’s premises.  Attend a town meeting or open forum.  Make others think and persuade with logic, reason and a commitment to protect the individual rights of your fellow citizens.  Keep government in its proper role to protect justice and serve in safety.  And most of all, to stay vigilant to the cause of liberty. The day after an election it’s always 730 days until the next victory or defeat. However, citizenship is something we all need to be active in 24/7/365.

Best Phone Case / Customer Service ever.

A while back I bought a phone case made of incredibly fine leather and well stiched from a company called #Embrazio.  The Piatto Satchelita as they named it has a wider loop on the back to accommodate wide belts as well as it fits the larger smart phones.  When you travel for business as I do and airports seem like second homes, you never miss an opportunity to "go" when "nature calls."  Only one problem.  My phone case would often slip onto the less than clean bathroom floors in said "necessary room." Yuk.  Scott Schafer at Embrazio to the rescue.  Scott listened to my problem and then created the leather catch that eliments the case from falling off my belt loop.  Problem solved and the best part he even delivered it to me.  Great product and above and beyond customer service.

Embrazio you have a customer for life.  Get yours at www.embrazio.com

Practice being positive.

I am a Toastmaster.  I have been a member of Toastmasters since 2005 and plan to be as long as I can speak.  I earned my Distinguished Toastmasters credentials, (DTM) in 2010.  This is the highest educational award a Toastmaster can earn. Even with this accomplishment I am active in two clubs and attend meetings regularly.  I have helped Charter four clubs and I am working with others to do the same. I have held every club officer position one can have.  I have mentored dozens of fellow Toastmasters.  When I travel on business and have the time I will visit a club meeting in a city I am in.  Why do I do this?  To keep my speaking skills crisp and to challenge my ability to listen, learn and think.

Like public speaking, staying positive takes practice.  Like most activities in life, you only get better at something if you practice doing it.   My investment today in being positive, no matter what happens to me or what I make happen, leads me to a being positive tomorrow, and the next day and the next.
Why is it important to be positive?   People like being around other positive people.  Successful people like being around those who are positive, reinforcing, and say YES!  Saying YES!  To all that is good, is an opportunity to attract and connect with others who will feed off your positive attitude and will reward it by being positive themselves.  It’s self-fulfilling.

Starting your day with a positive saying, or studying something positive or reading an uplifting, positive message, will start you mind off in a positive way.  I recite the Optimist Creed, daily.  It makes me feel good and reminds me to be positive. 

On my way to the office when I am in town, I listen to positive podcasts or cd’s that reinforce this attitude.  When a customer or inquiry calls my office and if I am unavailable they get this positive message:

Thank you for calling the mobile phone of Bradley Beck,

Director of Yes! at Design Master color tool, Inc.
Yes! I am away from my phone.
Yes! I will get back with you if you leave a message
Yes! I appreciate your business
Have a colorful day!

Corny, no actually a little squashy and green-beany, (My kids can’t stand when I say that) I actually get people commenting on my positive voice mail.  Has that ever happened to you?  The point is, being happy and positive is a choice.  Yes! the world has negativity in it, yet I choose not to dwell in the domain of divisiveness and despair. I only have so much time and I choose to make my time, positive.

Being positive is the best defense in a world which thrives on the negative.   Being positive is best spelled out with the following words and their meaning;

·         Possible - capable of

·         Optimistic - a favorable view of events or conditions

·         Sure - convinced

·         Illuminative – to light up

·         Thankful - expressing gratitude

·         Imaginative - create in the mind

·         Vision - sense of sight

·         Enthusiasm - intense favor

The first letters of each word spell out the word, “positive.” I look for opportunities to be positive and to act positive.  When one is persistent and determined to practice their positive attitude, it becomes a habit which will open doors and guide you on the path to success and happiness.

I have studied being positive for years and have been greatly influenced by my parents positive outlook on life.  Then, as I attended school I had positive teaches and friends. And then as I started my professional career in selling, I studied the likes of Jeffrey Gitomer and his “Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude.”  Then, I read classic titles on having a positive attitude like, “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill, “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie and “Life is Tremendous” by Charlie Tremendous Jones.  I listen to “The Strangest Secret” by Earl Nightingale a least once a quarter.  I seek out positive lectures, seminars, you tube videos and people.

As in Toastmasters, when one presents a speech their words are evaluated.  As we live our lives, we are being evaluated for how we conduct ourselves.   Having a positive attitude has afforded me more in opportunities than the opposite ever would have.

In a phrase, “practice being positive.”