This is a very well written post about debt. Just thought I would share…Craig
FollowCraig: Surefire Way to Truly Get Out of Debt
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Author Archives: followcraig
FollowCraig: Be Yourself
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I’ve spent a lifetime trying to figure out how to just be myself. As a young man I was always told what I was to be when I grew up. You should be an architect, an accountant a lawyer and so many other things. I was taught to believe a certain faith and be of one political party. When my children were growing I didn’t ever tell them what to be, what religion or faith and nothing about politics. Let’s see who turned out best? I think the kids did. You see they found there careers, perhaps have found their own faith. So when I read the following written by; Ralph Ellison, “Battle Royal” I felt like me!
“All my life I had been looking for something, and everywhere I turned someone tried to tell me what it was. I accepted their answers too, though they were often in contradiction and even self-contradictory. I was naïve. I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which I, and only I, could answer. It took me a long time and much painful boomeranging of my expectations to achieve a realization everyone else appears to have been born with: that I am nobody but myself.”
I’m still writing, you’re still reading, so please keep following…….
Craig
FollowCraig: Birthday’s
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I just love Birthday’s and today is my grand-daughter’s special day. Children really have it all, that innocence and peace that only childhood gives. They are so cute and so full of joy. Why do we forget how special those days are in our own lives? As we get older and begin to work and build families we so often forget about our own special days. In my life I’m blessed with three birthday’s; The first when my mother gave me life, the second when God gave me recovery and the third when I was reborn as a Christian. These are all days I celebrate with the greatest of joy and gratitude. But for today, I celebrate my grand-daughter’s birthday. May all the gifts that life and God give be hers today.
Happy Birthday Jewel!
I’m still writing, you’re still reading, so please keep following……
Craig
FollowCraig: “Cabbage Patch Doll”
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Cabbage Patch Dolls were a viral craze when my daughter was a little girl. The hand painted faces, cute smiles and birth certificates made them seem like real children. My daughter just had to have one for Christmas. I remember her mother driving to every toy store, department store and following every lead to find one. Even me “Dad” was looking. Searching for a funny looking little doll seemed crazy at the time but we looked and looked. Then our luck was blessed and her mother found it, I drove to get it and the doll was home in time. On Christmas morning when we saw the excitement and joy on our daughters face as she opened the gift wrap and there she was. It was love and joy at first sight! Today as I reflect back on that time with my son, daughter, wife and the Cabbage Patch girl all I really remember is “Family”. To my daughter Valerie, I Love You…..Dad
I’m still writing, you’re still reading, so please keep following……
Craig
FollowCraig: Be Yourself (re-post)
….and you’re still reading
I’ve spent a lifetime trying to figure out how to just be myself. As a young man I was always told what I was to be when I grew up. You should be an architect, an accountant a lawyer and so many other things. I was taught to believe a certain faith and be of one political party. When my children were growing I didn’t ever tell them what to be, what religion or faith and nothing about politics. Let’s see who turned out best? I think the kids did. You see they found there careers, perhaps have found their own faith. So when I read the following written by; Ralph Ellison, “Battle Royal” I felt like me!
“All my life I had been looking for something, and everywhere I turned someone tried to tell me what it was. I accepted their answers too, though they were often in contradiction and even self-contradictory. I was naïve. I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which I, and only I, could answer. It took me a long time and much painful boomeranging of my expectations to achieve a realization everyone else appears to have been born with: that I am nobody but myself.”
I’m still writing, you’re still reading, so please keep following…….
Craig
FollowCraig: Courtrooms
….and you’re still reading
Just this week while watching the “John Edwards trial” we witnessed how judges, juries and courtrooms each come together and determine an outcome. Now this may sound as a bit of a leap, but isn’t that how partnerships both business and personal should work? You see in a courtroom all parties bring the facts, truths, lies and perspectives to an open forum in order to determine what really happened. The judge and jury then decide how to resolve the issue. It finally came to me that is how partnerships should be? When a decision needs to be made, all facts, details and perspectives should be brought out in the open and then ask the “Partnership” to determine the best course take. It all seems so simple and actually it is. The only hard work involved is doing it!
I’m still writing, you’re still reading, so please keep following……
Craig
Integrity
Another must read from John Burton
Abraham Lincoln was a man who seemed to be very concerned with character and he was certainly a person who understood the importance of having a solid reputation. He once explained the difference between being of good character and having a good reputation. “Character is like a tree and reputation is like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it, the tree is the real thing.” Stated another way, your reputation is what people think of you and your character is who you really are.
We live in a very image driven world. It is easy to get caught up in maintaining the “right” image and subsequently losing sight of our character. Our reputation is a public relations function while our character is based on our morals and values. As leaders we must exhibit a strong persona but this persona must be grounded in integrity and action. Far…
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FollowCraig: Mad Men
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I sure have a character flaw when it comes to men and women in business. It makes me wonder if I’m the only one? Please don’t get me wrong as I love women and especially smart strong women. They have a lot to carry on their shoulders that’s for certain. And I admire so many because they do what I can’t. I just cannot seem to discuss business matters with most women, I get frustrated and take many of their comments as personal attacks even when they are not. My defensive side come up almost always when trying to work with most. I have had people say about me that I can’t stand dealing with women in power and I think those statements may hold some truth. I only wish to say to all the women out there who are reading this, it’s not personal. Men like me are very difficult for many of you to work with and some of us “mad men” types know it. So to all of you wonderful, smart and strong women I will until my dying day; continue to work on removing that flaw with God‘s help.
I’m still writing, you’re still reading, so please keep following…….
Craig
Related articles
- FollowCraig: Who are you? (followcraig.wordpress.com)
FollowCraig: “Sand in the Pants”
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Secure, comfortable in your own skin, knowing who you are and where your going. These are traits so many of us struggle and strive for all our lives. Then there are some who just seem to already have it, a comfort level in themselves that is nothing short of amazing. The first person I ever knew who possessed this natural gift and has always remained seared in my memory is my son. Not now the adult man of 30 years but a young man in his teens. One day an english teacher gave his mother and I a short story he wrote. Now I can’t remember the whole story however I recall with clarity a sentence he had written. “Just woke from a nap on the beach and have a little sand in my cuffs, I’ll just shake it out and keep walking forward”. My son was 16 years old and already possessed a gift that some search a lifetime for. Isn’t it incredible what we learn from our children?
I’m still writing, you’re still reading, so please keep following…..
Craig
Related articles
- FollowCraig: “Bad butter; Good butter” (followcraig.wordpress.com)
FollowCraig: “One Message”
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I’d like a venti double mocha latte half-caf, the lady in line orders. It’s funny that we can go to any Starbucks in the world in any language and the menu is the same. The message is the same. I’m Christian and today is the celebration of “Pentecost“, many languages but the message is the same. The 12 steps of recovery is one message but many languages. Great lessons and profound messages are just that, they are one meant for all. No matter the language, the ethnic history, the color of skin but for everyone. We are all God‘s children and he has the same messages for all of us. Just like Starbucks, no matter the language we each know the proclamations. We all hear; One Message!
You’re still reading, I’m still writing, so please keep following….
Craig
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