Winning Strategies

Another Day in Paradise

I awake to another day in California. The beach outside my room beckons me to explore. The sun hides behind the clouds, but the lack of sun doesn't lesson the beauty of the sand, the waves crashing to the beach and the sounds of the birds and nature surrounding me.

It is relaxing. Beaches, to me, are rejuvenating. They are refreshing. The cool air rushes past my cheek and a chill spreads through my body. There is still a bit of a chill here this morning. Passer byers walk with kids and dogs, enjoying the weather and the beach.

It is another day in paradise. I am enjoying my stay at The Beach House in Hermosa Beach (http://www.beach-house.com/hermosa-beach-hotels.html) , California.   The ocean front room has been delightful. The room amenities are perfect. Every need has been catered to. I am relaxed and ready to start a new week. It was just another day in paradise.


 


 

Beachin' It

My morning exercise is different today. I am not hiking to Lake Ray Hubbard in Rowlett, Texas. Today, I am walking the Strand in Hermosa Beach, California.

I am surrounded by serenity, beauty, and the earliest of light beginning to peak over the horizon. Avid Californians are jogging, walking, biking, and running by. The beach is long and expansive and one would have to run the length of a couple blocks to arrive at the ocean. Ahhhh, the ocean. The gentle sounds of the waves crashing to the shore provide healing for my tired soul.

I am celebrating. I am taking a moment to build a memorable event to remember for years to come to celebrate the release of Book 2, From Mother to Mentor and Father to Coach (I suggest you create these 'anchor' events for yourself in this book).

So much effort, time, and energy goes into the creation and completion of a book. I can only hope that it will bless and inspire thousands around the globe.

I have been amazed at the reach of book 1. I never dreamed it would reach as far as India. Life is strange sometimes.

So- today I lift my coffee in toast to an accomplishment of which I am very satisfied.

My you find the fortitude, strength, and endurance to follow your dreams- whatever they may be. I'm pulling for you!

Saturday- raining in LA

Saturday it rained in the morning in Beverly Hills. The dropletts sat on the skylight overhead of Dina's kitchen- each little droplet slowly making its way to the bottom of the skylight and disapearing from sight. Slowly, in the next two hours, the clouds parted and the sun shone through. The warm rays were such a welcome sight after 3 days in Dallas of weather that teetered on 29 degrees. I grabbed a plain sheet of white paper. Time to start thinking about 2009. 2008 was such a great year. It was the year that my book launched, as well as many speaking engagements. It was the year that Caleb played tackle football for the first time, that Brandon made his first school team (in basketball) and so much more. This year we traveled to Brazil and the Dominican Republic. But, what would 2009 hold. I create sections on the paper for WORK, KIDS, BOOK, CHARITY WORK, BILLS- and I begin the process of putting down 2009 goals in each area. It is an excercise that I spend an hour or so on. I can re-visit it again over Christmas break. It is nice to sit and plan. Without planning- calculating- formulating- we don't accomplish. More later.

IL Pastio in Beverly Hills

So- here I sit on the corner of Canon Drive and Brighton in Beverly Hills at a marvelous italian restaurant called IL Pastio. I have just devoured a tuna salad and am finishing up a delightful italian cappuchino. I sit and and I watch the cars and the people going by. It is certainly the land of surplus and extremes. I watched luxurious Mercedes, Porches, and Masarati's drive by. People walk by adorned in the latest designer duds and women teetering on spike high heels. It is a sight to see. More later.