Monthly Archives: April 2012

FollowCraig: Millionaire

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Are you a millionaire?
When I was a kid a TV Show titled “The Millionaire” caught my attention. This anonymous man would give a million dollars to someone each week and the story would begin. I just loved to see how lives would change? For some it was a gift and for others a curse, much like those who win the lotteries today. So are you a millionaire? Really we all are. We have been given the gifts of life, of choice, the gift of being able to give. You see it’s not about money (not stupid here, money is not a bad thing.) It’s just that “God”  (not a bad word?) has given us so much. Our choice is only what to do with the gift!
I recommend a really great little book “The Richest Man in Babylon” If you don’t have it, go to your local library and check it out or link below to buy it.

The Richest man in Babylon<img src=”https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=followcraig-20&l=ur2&o=1&#8243; width=”1″ height=”1″ border=”0″ alt=”” style=”border:none !important; margin:0px !important;” />

I’m still writing and you’re still reading, please keep following….

Craig

FollowCraig: You’re Fired!

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…As you follow along……..

You will find that my stories go from topic to topic. Sure “I never changed a diaper” and that was true. Many things I didn’t do? I did not pay enough attention to my life in general. I just let it happen, the only real influence was what was in it for me? Without having a direction, a plan, a foundation I was just here. We often develop “Comfort Zones” and I sure did. When that “Comfort Zone” vanishes, oh my! In short it was 1999, a day in April. A tragic day in America: Columbine Massacre – The School Shooting of April 20, 1999 Yes, this day! I remember it all too well. I drove to work that day, showed up as usual and had a normal day. About 2:00 pm I was called in to the owners office and told that I was no longer needed. After nine years, they did not need me? Not need Craig? After all, I had been there for a long time, made myself and the company a lot of money. I was valuable! But was I? I needed the job, after all I had a family, cars, bills, a mistress (yes a mistress). I was really stuck, now what? Well, the only thing I could do really? Go to the bar and have a drink! So there I was at the “Yacht Club” in: Tustin, California just tossing some back. Then on TV “Breaking News” The Columbine trouble. Even as huge as that was, the tragedy, the horror, the sadness of it all; I was only thinking of Craig. These two unrelated incidents were to become my defining moment. A moment that effected so many choices to come. I have so much more to share in the posts ahead, so please keep following:

Craig

One note about “Comfort Zone”; A friend of mine has written an article that is of great value. I have posted a link below to read.

The Anatomy Of Being Stuck…John Page Burton.

Related articles

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FollowCraig: Changing Diapers

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FollowCraig: The Lives we Touch?

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Perhaps that should read the lives we shouldn’t touch? Early on when I began writing this blog I mentioned that my life at 50 was a very different picture than it was when I was turning 40. My decade from 40-50 was a blur.

I think for most of my gender (men) who happen to be in our age group believe we are invincible. That whatever we strive to do we can or whatever we think we were supposed to do we will! This myth is confirmed by our peers, our career, our success (money) and so much more. For me this held true. You see, I was brought up and taught that no matter what; the MAN is in charge, the MAN feeds the family, the MAN does! So, that’s cool right? Here is the problem with that. If the MAN does not have the basic foundation of knowing what he believes in, what his standards are, what he expects of himself, his passion? Then how can he ever really sustain the life that is expected of him? This takes me to the blur. Not any different from so many other men, I worked and worked and worked. Also I played and played and played. Since my life foundation was not built on solid belief’s, strong personal standards and personal expectations embraced with passion? I was doomed to crash!

Did I really have a family or was it just a photo album of what supposed to be? So begins the lives we shouldn’t touch, the ones we bring into our world without the sound foundations within us to be partners in theirs. Perhaps as you read this blog and as time goes on you may see somethings in your life that should matter? I promise to share more about my personal discovery and the journey on the road I’m traveling. A journey I hope will guide those of you who, like me finding their path and passions. Many more experiences on this journey ahead to share with you.

Just keep following,

Craig

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FollowCraig: So why Follow Me?

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So why Follow Craig?.

I’m Craig Petersen…

I’m about to start my very first blog..wow! I’m not even certain what a blog does, do you know? I have been told it’s a great tool to share ideas, thoughts, practices and more with the world. That’s an incredible thing! So, back to who is Craig?

I’m a guy who is now 60 years old, can’t believe I’ve lived this long? I’m married for the 3rd time and very happy. My age and having children qualify me as a grandfather. So you may wonder why would a 60-year-old grandfather would ever be doing writing a blog?

I’m writing for you, at least that’s my intent. Life is good to me now but it has not always been so. I believe that many people like me have gone through a lot of changes in their life by the time you hit 50 or 60 plus. Perhaps the changes haven’t happened to you yet, but they will. I’m writing because I have lived through some really big changes and hope my experiences can be of help to others like me. Perhaps some of you can even help me as well.

So, a little more..

Everything seemed just fine to me while in my early thirties. I had now been married for some time, had two children and a very successful career. To put that into perspective, it was the mid 1980’s money was easy to make. My wife and I each had a career and were doing very well. An all American life! Work, bills, credit cards, kid’s and so much more..you probably know the story. So what happened? Nothing really happened..or did it? Fast forward a few years to my forties, my own lost decade. From 40-50 years old everything went so fast, so very fast. When it was over, when I hit 50…life was so different! I was divorced, career over, way over-weight, unhappy, broke, living day-to-day not knowing where I would be sleeping? All the while drinking the best Scotch money could buy and acting as if nothing was wrong. Yep, I was ready to get married again! I DID! I was of course a great catch!

The Story will continue in my next (post)..

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FollowCraig: The story continues!

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……Yes I was really a GREAT catch!

Do any of you ever remember or even imagine what it must be like for others to watch you and just go..“Oh s…, he sure is messed up!” Well, that was me! I was the messed up one. It’s funny now as I look back in time. You know, I really did not know what “Self-Centered” meant? Sometime later I will give my definition of this.

Rather than go on about me right now, let me ask you a question? What does it feel like for you when others have opinions and thoughts of you, you know it and yet no one really tells you? Perhaps your life is out of control, but you don’t want to admit it and you are certain you can control it. I only ask, because that was what was happening to me? It has taken several years a lot of learning and pain to be at peace today. In time, perhaps some of what I’ve learned can be used by others you may know or I may meet?

For me at this critical time in my life was hitting bottom. “Bottom?” That’s when your life is falling all around you faster than you can lower your standards”

So, what did I do? Nothing for a while…just kept going on like I always had..Craig First! However, some events were about to happen that would forever affect my life and the lives of many people around me…

…more to come, just keep following

Craig

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