1)The kind of person who cares about nothing and cares about no-one other than themselves 2)A person who is low in self-esteem and cries out for support and recognition through a “devil may care” attitude.

You need to be aware in order that you may look for ways in which to help such people, but also that you may prepare yourself so that you may communicate with them in a positive manner. They may perhaps consist of people that live with you, but they do not live for you. Both you and they are responsible for your own decisions. Indeed, you both have a right to make your own decisions.

The whole topic covered here, can be summed up in very few words. In order to be able to live in now, we need to plan for both whatever future events may hold, and prepare yourselves to be a reliable and dependable resource.

So how do you go about that? How do you go about planning for things that you do not know are going to happen? What do you do? Thrust your hand into a bran tub and come up with an item to work on? Nothing so vague.

Certain things in a typical life span are pretty certain events. You are born, go to school, start dating, get a job, get married, have children, retire and so forth. This is a basic common plan and one which you plan for almost on autopilot. I`m not saying that these things do not involve planning or detailed attention. They certainly do, but as they are not unexpected, they flow along life's course.

No, it is unexpected that you need to particularly plan for. In one of “Pink Panther” films, Inspector Closeau (Peter Sellers) continues in attempt to hone his hand-to-hand combat techniques with his assistant/servant (chinese), inspector warns (chinese) to “expect unexpected”. Now, you could stop reading right here and lesson will have been taught, but my guess is that you might want to know what kind of things you need to prepare for. Obviously, I could not possibly list everything here, but here are a few ideas to ponder on in no particular order:

•Food shortages • Water shortages • Particular illnesses - (check what runs in family) • How will you handle news? • How will you manage affairs on behalf of sick person? • How will you tell others? • Death in family • Accidents • General health problems – dental. optical, etc • Redundancy • Floods • Freak weather conditions • Children being born • Transport problems • Car breakdown • Public transport failure • Fuel shortages • Marriage • Children leaving home • Family pet problems • Major financial outlay • Burglary • Vandalism • Theft • New job/promotion • Windfall

So in summary then, how we go about living in present is determined by how well we project our thoughts into future. During process of projecting such thoughts, we need to pay careful attention to unexpected events that could potentially happen and prepare for them as thoroughly as possible. As we have determined that “present” is so small a moment in time, then you had better start thinking about what you can do tomorrow to prepare for your future and always be one step ahead.

And...

In how many different places around United States -- or even world -- do you think these unique gifts can be found? (I can name at least two states that I know of for sure!)

Fourteen years. And no doubt multiplied hundreds of customers.

That's a lot of smiles for a lot of people :)

It also reveals value of...

COMPOUND INFLUENCE

We know value of compound interest. Consistent investments -- even of relatively small amounts of money -- made over a long period of time can add up.

Consider "compound influence" we can have in lives of people.

Our influence can "travel" -- just like personalized gifts purchased from a small waterfront town in North Carolina have traveled to homes, places of employment, and vacation hideaways of many people in a variety of different locations.

WHAT'S THE SECRET?

Consistency --> That's secret of compound influence.

Some time + A personal thought or two + A dash of creativity

*Repeated again and again over time* = "Compound Influence"

I know this is not a new concept. It is not unique and certainly doesn't qualify as brilliant.

But determination to take small, consistent steps of action in order to delight hearts of others according to unique motivations and gifts we have been given is both *needed* and *valuable* in our world.

And with that in mind, maybe each of us should ask...

"HOW'S THE STORE?"

Do I have too much unused inventory?

Am I allowing my gifts, talents and abilities to lie somewhat dormant in back room of my heart?

Or...

Is my inventory being consistently used to brighten lives of people?

Am I utilizing tremendous value of compound influence by consistently adding my personal "signature of joy" to people in my world?

Yours for a day filled with beautiful moments in time,

Lee

P.S. Why not spend a moment or two and take an inventory-- an inventory of your strengths, gifts or abilities?

You don't have to list all of them -- just a few.

Once list has been made, ask yourself this question: "How can I use one or more of these gifts I have been given to create a moment of joy for someone I care about?"

Just a thought :)

------------------------------- Lee is a seminary administrator, has a part-time business at home, and writes two motivational ezines: "A Beautiful Moment In Time" and "Hope For Daily Living." Permission is given to distribute article. This paragraph must be included. Email: Lee@seariches.net Link: http://www.seariches.net