What Really Makes You Rich?

Is there really anything in life we can accumulate that is more valuable than family and friends. Sure, family members are precious to us, but let's consider things of value that we make a choice to invest in..... (most of our family just happened.)

When you're on your death bed, what else will come to mind, what else will you reflect on, what else will you take pride in, what else will seem well worth the investment, what else will make you feel like a rich person .... than the friends you've made over the course of your lifetime.

Never think you're too busy to invest in and develop friendships. As I reflect on my life to this point, friends are a priceless commodity. The stockmarket can go as low as it wants, but the value of my friendships steadily grows as the years fly by. And you know, it really doesn't take that much time to create a lasting friendship when things click.

Yesterday I had a chance to "catch up" with a couple old college baseball teammates. And when I say "old", I mean, "old". I haven't seen Lonnie "Flame" Spencer for around 33 years! He, Scott Laing and I had a great time enjoying the memories of the good ol' years. We realized how much fun we had in those few years of college that has bonded us, and helped make a connection that will last for a lifetime, no matter where we are or when we meet again. When you think about that, it's really amazing. We picked up where we left off in college.... unbelievable.

Which makes me think about today......what am I doing to add value to my "friend portfolio"? Can I ever have enough friends? Isn't there somebody that I come in contact with now, that if I made an effort to spent more time with, I could let them "diversify" my "friend portfolio". They could be another friend that if I saw in another 30 years, I would be able to have a great day, catching up where we left off last, and enjoying the day together.

Let's commit to making more friends in the days ahead. I guess the easiest way is by being the kind of friend to others we would want them to be to us, and making the effort. Yes, it is hard work, but that's probably one effort I don't think we'll ever lose our investment on.....

BLIND SQUIRREL FINDS A NUT!

You've all heard that saying...... well those were the headlines last week, and I was the blind squirrel.

I had an incredible opportunity to play a round of golf at TPC Sawgrass' Stadium course last Wednesday. For those of you who do not know, this is considered on of the best courses on the entire PGA tour, with the most identifiable signature hole in golf, the 17th island hole... here's a side view from the sixteenth fairway.

I can't imagine the pressure the pro's play under, as we put enough pressure on ourselves, just knowing the infamous "17th" was coming up. Our wives even came out to see us hit our tee shots on the last two holes....I thought it better not to take too much time to think, and .....wait a minute, I guess I never take too much time to think.... never mind. Anyway, I thought I'd hit "an easy" 8 iron to the green, a mere, yet daunting, 124 yards away...... (I may have never prayed harder then when that ball was in the air.... okay I guess this morning when I thought Dunkin Doughnuts was out of jelly filled doughnuts I prayed pretty hard too.)

Well, as you can imagine, since I'm continuing to tell this story, it had to have a happy ending or a really embarrassing one....that's the way golfers are. So, I dropped it 5-8 feet short of the pin, almost hitting the stick as it rolled 6' 8" past the pin for the closest to the pin award for the tournament....simply as that. Of all the holes to actually hit my 8 iron well on, this was a day to remember forever.... and I will.

Now I know this is boring to you, but please humor me and play along. This was a great day in the very ordinary golf life of Terry Steen. On to the Senior Tour!

Thanks for staying with me on this one...... remember, nothing tastes better than a nice salty nut.....

Deep in Thought....

Have you ever had one of those times you were so deep in thought, that habits took over and you didn't even realize it. Like, all of the sudden you arrive by car to your office and don't remember any of the drive there...... or worse, you "come too" part way and wonder where you are or where you're going? (Oh, I guess that might be old age,huh? Never mind)

Anyhow, I'm not sure, but I think when I took a shower today, I washed my body three times and my hair twice. Everytime I was standing there under the water, I'd think, did I finish or just get get started.....so just to play it safe, I'd wash again. Better safe than sorry.

I knew deep thought wasn't going to work for me long term. My water bill keeps going higher.

What? Oh, my deep thoughts? I think I was deciding if I like Dunkin' Doughnuts Bavarian Creme filled are better than Maple Frosted.

So Far, So Good.....

So, Ive been a grandfather for over two weeks now. I wanted to report that mom and baby are doing great. Grandma just came back home yesterday, just in the nick of time. I was out of food, clean underwear, toilet paper, and ..... you get the idea.

I'm sure you're pleased that I haven't bothered you with a plethura of grandkid pictures that all look the same.....(They don't look the same to the grandparent, of course.) Believe me I have them.....look on my facebook page..... well over 100 I think. (Okay, by popular demand, I'll weed those down to a reasonable amount.)

I still can't believe my daughter had a child!?! How old am I anyway? I don't feel that old... Okay, that was kind of a lie. I actually am starting to feel older....as I put these glasses on to see the screen better.

I'm going to show you a video so you can see how incredibly beautiful my offspring's offspring is. No, there is really no option on this.

Need I say more? I didn't think so.

Go ahead, watch it again......and again...... and again, just like me........

Who knew grandparenting would be so hard?

Man, I didn't realize the pressure...... As I sitting here gazing at my incredibly precious granddaughter, Alison, the reality is setting in......

I've got decisions to make NOW, so Alison can begin pursuing her future with proper planning and intelligence....

My biggest dilemma now is if I think she should be a super model or a doctor?

I don't want her to get off on the wrong foot. One thought I had, that seems to be my best work so far, is to FIRST be a super model, and make a lot of money fast. THEN she can go to medical school and be a doctor. Of course, it would be good for her to get a law degree on the side. Then she can defend herself against the crazy, frivilous law suits.... you know about our litigious society....

Anyway, it MY problem, not yours, or anybody elses for that matter, so I guess I shouldn't be bothering you with this.... you go ahead, enjoy your day. Don't worry about me. I'll be okay.....

Yesterday was in the top .0026% of my life!

What a day I had yesterday (and today).....It was somehow able to meteorically shoot into one of the top FIVE days of my life! That's really saying a lot when this was the 19,126th day I've been alive. (Come on, that's not that old...it just seems like it when you start seeing those five digit numbers......)

Okay, let's think. What could possibly happen during a day that would make it one of the top five days of someone's life?

Yes, birth is a good start -- 10/9/1955..... that's ONE. My spiritual RE-birth is another, the day I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior and Lord -- 4/13/1963..... that's TWO. The day I married my beautiful wife -- 8/6/1977..... that's THREE (you thought I forgot, didn't you). The day my incredibly gorgeous daughter was born -- 7/22/1983..... AND yesterday, the day I was able to hold Alison Nicole Earwood..... my 4 hour old, new born granddaughter. It doesn't get any better than that. I could have stared and stroked and cuddled and whispered to her ALL day long....

Karen and I have been praying for her long before she entered this world. And we knew she'd be special to us. BUT, until we got to see her and hold her, we really couldn't explain just how special we anticipate she is going to be in our lives...... We are so excited to have her a part of the family. We will count it a priviledge and humble honor to be able to impart any knowledge, wisdom or character we can into that incredible life. We believe the Lord has unfathomable greatness for that girl.

She has already stolen my heart, and I'm sure, very soon my pocket book and everything else I own..... This is going to add a whole new dimension to our lives, and we are excited! So, thank you Ashley and Paul for making this one of the best days of my life. I'll never forget it.

Paul, for once I forgive you for not listening to what I've told you to do. You know I warned you about never "touching" my daughter. You obviously ignored me.... but I guess I can live with it.... and maybe we can renegotiate for about 3 or 4 more of these unforgettable days......

Bring on 19,127......

Keys to Success, Part II

One more thought, as I've completed the book, "Outliers", by Malcolm Gladwell. I'm sure as I share this, a lot of missing pieces over the years are going to start falling in to place for many of you.
I know there is a lot of jealousy by many over the higher IQ's that some of us share over the normal person. Well, Malcolm makes a strong case for the idea that there is actually a threshold that, when crossed, gives you as much of a chance for intellectual success, as anybody on earth.

So, if you have an IQ over 140, you've passed the threshold. You are really just as capable as somebody with an IQ of 200! Tell me you don't feel better now. I know I did when I read that.

I guess just to make sure, I'll retest to actually see where I fall..... I mean, really, that whole thing about not drinking Kool-Aid because I couldn't figure out how to put two quarts of water in those little envelopes was a joke.... I mean it.....