Suffering From Writers Block

With all of the development "stuff" going on I have to admit that today I have a slight case of writers block. So instead of forcing something pious and pleasant out I will simply express that its time to just tell it like it is.

It's busy. There is a lot to get done to develop this business community. We love people and are working hard to get things ready. Our time is here and our opportunity to share this Everyday vision is here!

We have burned the sails and dammed the torpedoes! There is no where to go but forward! Like a runner hitting the wall, we continue to press on toward the goals for which we have received the call!

Yes there is "joint pain". There is inconvenience but our friends are worth the time and effort! We push forward in spite of obstacles, pressures, and false beliefs. The passion is what fuels our progress!

I have written only what was in my heart today instead of a flowery liturgy or a trite quote. We are all in this journey together!

Success is Together!

James

Success is Together!

Good morning everyone!
I awoke this morning with a peaceful state of mind. A kind of personal satisfaction of a job well done. Once again we facilitated a chapter for one of our communities last night. It was amazing.

I write this morning out of a sense of appreciation and regard for the members of our organization. They are the inspiration for me to keep up the intensity and energy to build everyday.

The stories and concepts that come form our times together are valuable because of the willingness to share experience and develop ideas together while keeping in mind that we all have to find profit in what we do.

There is a strong level of mutual respect and personal care for the journey our fellow Everyday Entrepreneurs have embarked upon.

I guess I have nothing deeply profound to say this morning but to take time and simply recognize the greatness of the people that are apart of this Everyday vision.

My hat goes off to you!


Success is Together!

James

We Are Meant to be Together!

Good morning everyone!
It seems a little weird blogging about the weakness of social media. How do you comment about the gaps in something so vast and far reaching as the Internet communication all the while using that very same mechanism to get your story out there?

You could probably comment on many levels with this I am sure so let me just get to the point.

It seems the world is increasing its pressure to advance and streamline. It seems that there is far more benefits than consequence to a social media generation. But is there really?

In my own travels, I meet many who express a deeper need to go beyond the "Matrix" connections and desire to move into a warmer climate of something called "community". Usually these are people who have reached the ripe old age of 30+ and are now yearning for meaning to their existence. The younger folks are still enthralled with their sense of newness, innovation and perceived "coolness" to be that concerned. (or so it would seem, not all are..but you understand what I am saying) We are meant to be in close proximity!

Now, I am not saying to do away with anything because I think that relationships are formed almost anywhere. So I take a "both-and" position on the integration of both social philosophies. I am simply encouraging us to not deify the one over the one that has always been.

Social media has been around for less than 25 years (give or take). Community has been around since the beginning.

Success is together!

James

If You Would Like to Make a Difference

A short man suffering from a lost soul climbs a sycamore tree to get a glimpse of someone who has the message for his weary heart. What else could he do to be able to hear this message?

Because he decided to do something different (Outside of the box) he received a special invitation to dine with this special guest. In humility the short man makes a decision to right the wrongs of his life right there in the spot.

It tells me one thing. Replace honor where there was dishonor and it results in a fantastic restoration of spirit with a generous ripple effect!
Gospel of Luke Chapter 29

Success is Together!

James

I Have Every Reason to Do Nothing

Today I awoke thinking about the myriad of things that need to get done. My company is requiring a lot of internal development and personal life is still nagging for closure in certain logistical areas.

(Sigh) Yes. There are days when the body says: "HEY! GIVE ME A BREAK!" Most of us understand this as getting sick. We will run until we drop because we are consumed with trying to gain the leverage we need to make a successful life.

All around us we are bombarded with messages and artificial need that screams out that we need to push harder and look better and then MAYBE we will achieve a satisfactory "coolness" in the eyes of others.

Well, personally I must confess that I have stopped trying to gain popularity and began building an authentic lifestyle that honors others where they are at. I have decided to stop chasing and start cultivating.

Yes, I have broken from the Matrix this past year and loving every minute of it! Care to join me?

Success is together!

James

An Unsure Everyday Entrepreneur

There are days when the challenges get to be a little too much. We are in business to make money. We are in business to hopefully have fun. What we are not in business for is to be a slave to it.

The price can be a little too high once we become slaves to the business when all along, the business was built to serve our greater vision.

I personally see a business as a vehicle and a tool to assist the entrepreneur in accomplishing great things that they see for their future. I believe you have to engage this for the "love-of-the-game" If it isn't then you just bought yourself a job.

Success is together!

James

Ahh Mondays

Good morning. In the quiet beginning of my day today I reflect on my last week and weekend. It was a busy week but the kind of week that is a good-busy. Several key people had intersected my timeline last week that created a definate positive impression upon me.

On this Monday morning I reflect on the good that arose from the challenges. I reflect upon how many stories that I had collected from great people last week. It always amazes me that when asked about any good stories, testimonies, or experiences, many people will simply shrug their shoulders and say something like: "I uhno."

Life is to short to live it in the "I uhno" zone. All around us are everyday people living out their stories and desires. To me, these are far greater quality than an HBO series.

Success is together!

James

Living a Generous Life

We live in the best of times, and the worst of times. That seems to be the way people view a life of faith. I agree that like the mountains and the valley that growth happens the most in the lower places of our journey.

When I was a teenager of 15 I moved away from home not knowing where I was going. I only knew that I was angry and left to my own resources to find my way. In the course of my experience I came to a profound realization that God does indeed exist and that He actually cares for me as an individual.

Life has a funny way of shaping us. I found that through all the harsh experiences I was given a choice. My choice is one of the few things that no one can take away. It is the one thing God empowers us with when dealing with life and circumstances.

Over the years I had learned and understood His heart for me and as I came to appreciate His character and nature, it became evident to me what His over all motive was. To share.

Sharon and I have carried a calling to build a community of faith for many years. I must admit, it almost was snuffed out. Thankfully, that passion of our commitment and calling stayed alight within our heart and we decided that if we did not act on it that it would be a major regret for us later on.

Everyday Faith is a developing community formed to serve God though empowering people. Our whole mandate is to teach a life of generosity through the Spirit of God as described within the Bible.

It is our joy to present to you:

Everyday Faith, Living Life Generously!

Success is together!

James

A Compass for Living

Some time ago my wife Sharon and I had signed up for a mentoring program designed to equip new leaders with tools and insights for a great leadership experience. Over the course of the 9 months I was personally confronted with the reality that I did not have a foundational set of values from which to guide my choices and produce a rewarding life overall.

I knew what I believed about the world, my theology and future, but I was lacking the compass for my everyday journey.

My mentor, spoke many great things into my life and needless to say, both Sharon and I were greatly impacted. In fact, it was this experience that formed the foundation of our work today. We are indeed thankful!

One challenge we received; was to establish and hold to a set of values in accordance with our beliefs and convictions from which to cause a positive influence for others. Here is what we came up with:

The healthy pursuit of

Life, Love, Liberty, and Progress

It was such a powerful combination that these values have now formed the pillars of purpose for our newest community development coming soon!

Thank you Ken & Cheryl G.

I am an Everyday Entrepreneur!

Sometimes the most unlikely inspirations happen when you least expect them. This time last year I was in a employer/mentor situation with a young university grad who desired to learn the art of sales and believed in the value that this learning would give him in the future. I was honored to give what experience I had but it became more than just teaching, it had to be displayed.

After several years of trial and error, the idea of providing a safe community for business entrepreneurs once again knocked on my door by way of this young man. It was time to help him understand the value of a strong network of colleagues.

We began this small community by first sharing a clear and focused vision. With almost a full enrolment that night, we knew we were given a mandate to build and provide service. It is amazing what a little mandate and trust can produce.

We will often loose heart when we loose touch of the vision. Thanks Graham, you were the right person at the right time to activate again what was always there waiting for me.

James

www.theeverydaycommunity.com

We Live an Everyday Life!

I heard it said once that you can live life well or you can have a life well lived. For me this speaks to a question I often ask myself before I speak to an audience. The question is whether I want to make an impression in these few moments, or make an impact.

Life in community is really a series of ripple effects whereby we are all affected for the good or bad. If there is one thing that I personally hold dear to is the fact that time is given, and I will always have a choice.

The Everyday Communities, is a concept born out of a deep desire to stimulate people out of their day-to-day sleep, cultivate a vibrant life, and activate action from apathy to produce a positive impact.

This blog is your blog. This time is your time. These words will always carry the intent to encourage.
We have success together!

James