Tuesday, August 27, 2013

A Modern Day Story About Success & How Make Sure Your Hitting Your End Game Goals

A Modern Day Story About Success 
& 
How Make Sure Your Hitting Your End Game Goals


In our human nature is a desire to achieve, to be successful. We all want success.
While pondering, thinking through and writing this post I had to first stop and ask myself a few questions:

  • How do we measure success?
  • Can a person have too much success?




  • Does success bring contentment & peace?




  • What is my goal within life?



A little story about a conversation between a Mexican fisherman and American businessman may help guide you towards some answers.

The businessman was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The businessman complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The Mexican replied only a little while.

The businessman then asked why he didn't stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs. The businessman then asked, but what do you do with the rest of your time? The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos; I have a full and busy life, señor."

The businessman scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and I could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats; eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you would sell directly to the processor and eventually open your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually New York City where you would run your expanding enterprise."

The Mexican fisherman asked, "But señor, how long will this all take?" To which the businessman replied, "15-20 years." "But what then, señor?" The businessman laughed and said, "That's the best part! When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions." "Millions, señor? Then what?" The businessman said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."

The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, "Isn't that what I'm doing right now?"
-Author Unknown



Defining Success.....

We live in a world in which being successful is everything. Success is measured by power, popularity, control, achievement, and winning. Having more and being more is success. The businessman measured success by the accumulation of wealth and by living a plush life. He held a Harvard MBA, millions of dollars, and status as a powerful businessman. 

"The person with the most toys wins" is a fitting motto.

The businessman encouraged the fisherman to accumulate "toys," too. "Buy a bigger boat," then "buy several boats," and eventually buy a "fleet of fishing boats." The businessman claimed all this would lead to power and status when "you would sell directly to the processor and eventually open your own cannery." As his own boss, the businessman ventured the Mexican would amass "control" and more wealth through an "expanding enterprise."

Patiently the fisherman listened and then asked an intelligent question, "how long will this all take?" To which the businessman replied, "15-20 years." There’s danger in waiting to live the life that you really want to live. Like the businessman, we can easily spend forty years climbing to the top of the financial ladder only to find it is leaning against the wrong wall. We didn’t address life issues about faith, contribution, success, suffering, or love.

Possessions and wealth are not enough. While comforting, wealth cannot fulfill. Benjamin Franklin was of the opinion, "Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one." Wealth may momentarily help us to escape emptiness; it cannot cure it.
After reading this short story lets re-look at our questions and see if our conclusion reminds the same:

  • How do we measure success?



  • Can a person have too much success?



  • Does success bring contentment & peace?




  • What is my goal within life?
Share your thoughts with me.
trevordrinen@gmail.org

Check out my blog’s:
Blog: Life's Worth Living to the Fullest
Blog: RandomThoughts @trevordrinen
Blog: Relevant Devotions
Blog: Sex, Marriage, AND Family
Blog: Small Groups "Doing Life Together"
Blog: Spiritualness AND Reality

Web Connections
www.newhopewindward.org
www.drinenfamily.org
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Monday, August 26, 2013

Perseverance, Faithfulness, Despite A State of Coma. -An Inspirational Short Story



Today, when she woke up from a six month coma, she kissed me and said, “Thank you for being here, and telling me those beautiful stories, and never giving up on me…  And yes, I will marry you.”  -Anonymous

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Thursday, August 22, 2013

1 Quote & 7 Inspirational Wallpapers - Inspiration Needed?

Need Inspiration?

1 Quote & 7 Inspirational Wallpapers
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” - Steve Jobs









Share your thoughts with me.
trevord@nhww.org

Check out my blog’s:
Blog: Life's Worth Living to the Fullest
Blog: RandomThoughts @trevordrinen
Blog: Relevant Devotions
Blog: Sex, Marriage, AND Family
Blog: Small Groups "Doing Life Together"
Blog: Spiritualness AND Reality

Web Connections
www.newhopewindward.org
www.drinenfamily.org


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Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Need Inspiration? 1 Quote & 7 Inspirational Wallpapers :-)

Need Inspiration?

1 Quote & 7 Inspirational Wallpapers
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” - Steve Jobs









Share your thoughts with me.
trevord@nhww.org

Check out my blog’s:
Blog: Life's Worth Living to the Fullest
Blog: RandomThoughts @trevordrinen
Blog: Relevant Devotions
Blog: Sex, Marriage, AND Family
Blog: Small Groups "Doing Life Together"
Blog: Spiritualness AND Reality

Web Connections
www.newhopewindward.org
www.drinenfamily.org



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Thursday, August 15, 2013

Living to Work OR Working to Live? A Inspirational Thought Provoking True Short Story

Live to Work -or- Work to Live? A Inspirational Thought Provoking True Short Story

Father was a hardworking man who delivered bread as a living to support his wife and three children. He spent all his evenings after work attending classes, hoping to improve himself so that he could one day find a better paying job. Except for Sundays, Father hardly ate a meal together with his family. He worked and studied very hard because he wanted to provide his family with the best money could buy.
Whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.
The day came when the examination results were announced. To his joy, Father passed, and with distinctions too! Soon after, he was offered a good job as a senior supervisor which paid handsomely.
Like a dream come true, Father could now afford to provide his family with life’s little luxuries like nice clothing, fine food and vacation abroad.
However, the family still did not get to see father for most of the week. He continued to work very hard, hoping to be promoted to the position of manager. In fact, to make himself a worthily candidate for the promotion, he enrolled for another course in the open university.
Again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.
Father’s hard work paid off and he was promoted. Jubilantly, he decided to hire a maid to relieve his wife from her domestic tasks. He also felt that their three-room flat was no longer big enough, it would be nice for his family to be able to enjoy the facilities and comfort of a condominium. Having experienced the rewards of his hard work many times before, Father resolved to further his studies and work at being promoted again. The family still did not get to see much of him. In fact, sometimes Father had to work on Sundays entertaining clients. Again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.
As expected, Father’s hard work paid off again and he bought a beautiful condominium overlooking the coast of Singapore. On the first Sunday evening at their new home, Father declared to his family that he decided not to take anymore courses or pursue any more promotions. From then on he was going to devote more time to his family and went to sleep soundly for the first time in years.
As the sun rose the next day, father did not wake.... .....

Share your thoughts with me.
trevord@nhww.org

Check out my blog’s:
Blog: Life's Worth Living to the Fullest
Blog: RandomThoughts @trevordrinen
Blog: Relevant Devotions
Blog: Sex, Marriage, AND Family
Blog: Small Groups "Doing Life Together"
Blog: Spiritualness AND Reality

Web Connections
www.newhopewindward.org
www.drinenfamily.org
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Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Live to Work -or- Work to Live? A Inspirational Thought Provoking True Short Story

Live to Work -or- Work to Live? A Inspirational Thought Provoking True Short Story

Father was a hardworking man who delivered bread as a living to support his wife and three children. He spent all his evenings after work attending classes, hoping to improve himself so that he could one day find a better paying job. Except for Sundays, Father hardly ate a meal together with his family. He worked and studied very hard because he wanted to provide his family with the best money could buy.
Whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.
The day came when the examination results were announced. To his joy, Father passed, and with distinctions too! Soon after, he was offered a good job as a senior supervisor which paid handsomely.
Like a dream come true, Father could now afford to provide his family with life’s little luxuries like nice clothing, fine food and vacation abroad.
However, the family still did not get to see father for most of the week. He continued to work very hard, hoping to be promoted to the position of manager. In fact, to make himself a worthily candidate for the promotion, he enrolled for another course in the open university.
Again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.
Father’s hard work paid off and he was promoted. Jubilantly, he decided to hire a maid to relieve his wife from her domestic tasks. He also felt that their three-room flat was no longer big enough, it would be nice for his family to be able to enjoy the facilities and comfort of a condominium. Having experienced the rewards of his hard work many times before, Father resolved to further his studies and work at being promoted again. The family still did not get to see much of him. In fact, sometimes Father had to work on Sundays entertaining clients. Again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.
As expected, Father’s hard work paid off again and he bought a beautiful condominium overlooking the coast of Singapore. On the first Sunday evening at their new home, Father declared to his family that he decided not to take anymore courses or pursue any more promotions. From then on he was going to devote more time to his family and went to sleep soundly for the first time in years.
As the sun rose the next day, father did not wake.... .....

Share your thoughts with me.
trevord@nhww.org

Check out my blog’s:
Blog: Life's Worth Living to the Fullest
Blog: RandomThoughts @trevordrinen
Blog: Relevant Devotions
Blog: Sex, Marriage, AND Family
Blog: Small Groups "Doing Life Together"
Blog: Spiritualness AND Reality

Web Connections
www.newhopewindward.org
www.drinenfamily.org
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Thursday, August 8, 2013

The Important Things In Life - Author Unknow #Simple&True

The Important Things In Life - Author Unknow #Simple&True
A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2 inches in diameter.
He then asked the

 students if the jar was 

 full. 
They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. 
They agreed it was.
The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up the remaining open areas of the jar.
He then asked once more if the jar was full. 
The students responded with a unanimous “Yes.”
“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things – your family, your partner, your health, your children – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. 
The pebbles are the other things that matter – like your job, your house, your car. 
The sand is everything else, the small stuff.”
“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. 
The same goes for your life. 
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. 
Pay attention to the things that are 
critical to your happiness. 
Play with your children. 
Take your partner out dancing. 
There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party, or fix the disposal.”
“Take care of the rocks first 
the things that really matter. 
Set your priorities. 
The rest is just sand.”
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Wednesday, August 7, 2013

HOPE. -An Inspirational Short Story

HOPE. -An Inspirational Short Story

 Today, I found an old hand written note my mom wrote when she was a senior in high school.  On it is a list of qualities she hoped she would someday find in a boyfriend.  The list is basically an exact description of my dad, who she didn’t meet until she was 27.  -Anonymous

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Thursday, August 1, 2013

Out of INSPIRATION & not sure where to find it?


Out of INSPIRATION & not sure where to find it?

Of course you have — if we are to be honest, we all have! 

If I was to be completely honest, I face this situation at least once a week.

I often find inspiration through pictures like the one to the right.  I also find inspiration from true stories.

In the past, I’ve jotted down and shared some of my favorite sources of INSPIRATION before - In this article I wanted to SHARE the sources of YOUR INSPIRATION. 

Last month, I asked the question on Twitter: Where do you turn to when you need inspiration?

The responses were overwhelming. I couldn’t reprint all of them, but I picked a handful of my favorites (I liked many more than the ones below).

Here they are — 13 great sources of inspiration, thanks to my friends on Twitter:
  1. The ocean. (@Xyc0)
  2. Blogs like A Natural Fancy, Zen Habits, Think Simple Now. ( ,  ,  and others)
  3. ...the best inspiration finds you. (@ecyaj)
  4. The Bible. (@yclept_john, @flaimster, @sdatexas, @PreacherNorm,@kylemaxwell)
  5. Smile! Laugh! Enjoy, my friends and family! ( )
  6. Pottery. (http://mypotteryinparadise.blogspot.com/2012/07/raine-or-shine.html)
  7. Music (@larudden, @Nexxion, and others)
  8. @africankelli: “Nature.... Sunrise hikes. Get Outside -  go for a walk no matter the weather.”
  9.  (@hiwendee) “breathe deep, notice all colors, sounds, smells and think of what I’m grateful for.”
  10. Tri-anything, triathlon training: run, bike, swim - not much clear my mind and lowers stress levels - alone or with a few peeps. ()
  11. I find people who do things that seem impossible and try to figure out how they did them. Their quotes are backed by their story. (@saxmanmike)
  12. TED.com inspirational talks. (@rbadr)
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