you... You... YoU... YOU!

Hi Max!

This is an actual letter I wrote to a friend today. This friend has let the media get in her head. This friend is worried about the world's economy so much that it has affected her personal economy. She's knocked down and not knowing where to turn to next. She's not suicidal, but just down and out. With her permission, I am compelled to share this with you today.

"Dear friend,

Today, I want you to think about something. I can not change your life, only you can change your life... but perhaps I can change the way you look at your life. Right now, you are just feeling like you - lower case you. you are seeing the negative, you are mired in misery, and you are thinking only about yourself. your thoughts are on survival, your motivation is desperation, and your results are minimal at best. Shake it off. I've got the cure to your ills and it's easy - and it won't cost you a dime. Help someone else. Get your thoughts off yourself and help another. Then do it again. Then do it again. Help one person today. Help them across the street. Help them smile. Help them by connecting them to an influencer. Help them by introducing them to a friend. Don't reach out for a hand out. Reach your hand out to help. I promise it will help you. That's the beauty of the Generosity Generation and helping. You can't help another without helping yourself! Trust me on this. Take a moment to think of someone you could help (and that is anyone). Think of how you could help them. Then do it. Do it now. Because, you see, this is what you were meant to be. This is your Y.

Your why is what motivates You. In fact, once you discover your Y, you go from you to You. You are strong, secure, steady, and steadfast. You are loyal to yourself. You can make decisions easily and quickly because You know what makes You tick and what makes You... You. What is YOUR why? Write down these questions: Why did I choose my profession? Then write down, "What is important about _____ ?" and then ask yourself, "What is important about ______?" Give yourself some really strong alone time to find out what makes You tick. How do you want to be remembered when you die? What is your "life's slogan"? What will your epitaph be? What 12 words will go on your tombstone? A great coach can help you with this. Once You have established your Y, You begin to see the world differently. You begin to ask why not You. YoU. (o = zero = not).

So YoU? Since YoU know your Y, you see that anything that aligns with your Y should be yours. Why not YoU to get that promotion? Why not YoU to get that new subdivision? Why not YoU to get that award? Why not YoU to be successful? Why not YoU to get that girl? YoU start to see life as a world full of opportunities rather than a world full of obstacles. YoU start saying Why not me and it starts to come out like this, WHY NOT ME?!! YoU DESERVE SUCCESS. YoU DESERVE RESULTS, REWARDS, AWARDS, HAPPINESS, HOPE, BEAUTY, TALENT, INTELLIGENCE, LOVE... Why not YoU? Seriously. After continuously seeing that the fruits of your labor should come to YoU and DO come to YoU, YoU become YOU.

YOU is where the light shines so brightly that everyone is attracted to it. YOU is this beacon of beauty, this lighthouse of love that gives and gives and gives so much value that it could never be re-paid. And yet when you might have cared, might have wanted to take, might have wanted to keep score, or might have wanted to see the reciprocation, YOU doesn't care. YOU just continues to give. The light shines brighter, the love comes easier, more are attracted to YOU, YOU are attracted to YOU, YOU don't have time for pettiness, drama, or gossip. YOU have time for brilliance, excellence, ideas, and implementation. YOU have time for learning, failing, and evaluating. YOU think. YOU work. YOU help. YOU give. YOU love. YOU live.

YOU realize that YOU were born for a reason (you were born a winner, you beat millions of others to become YOU). YOU were born to serve the world and drowning in self-sabotage, participating in self-pity, gabbing the gossip, or dragging others into drama does not serve the world. Giving, loving, and LIVING your life to its fullest and most beautiful serves the world. Helping others, bringing value to others, and being a friend serves the world. Shining your light as bright as possible by filling your mind with brilliance, your heart with love, and your life with positive people serves the world. YOU is who I know. YOU is who I see. YOU is inside ready to burst out. When is now the time for YOU? NOW is the time for YOU.

you, You, YoU, YOU. How can I help YOU?

To Your Success,

Michael"

Hope you enjoyed this note.

To YOUR Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

Just wanted to stop by to say, "I love you!"

Hi Max!

You're getting so big! I hadn't written in a while - so much more fun to chat with you in person! I just wanted to stop by to say, "I love you." You have no idea how much I love you. You are so special to me. You were in this nice, peaceful daze tonight before you went to bed. You were t a l k i n g s o o o o o s l o w l y and you were so c o m f o r t a b l e. =0) It was such a joy to see you so peaceful and content.

I just had to write. You're beautiful, you're my son, and I love you. =0)

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

With Max, every day is a Holiday...

Hi Max!

We watch Joel Osteen every Sunday morning at 9 a.m. He is such a magnificent speaker with powerful words. I know you aren't understanding it at this point, but I do know that you know down deep inside you that your daddy likes it and feels better for watching it. You watch the screen and smile. Today, you clapped when the others clapped. You're starting to get it... and no wonder...

Today, Joel talked about speaking your blessings. There are people who need your blessing - they need to know how much you love them, like them, respect them, etc. It's more than words. I know you know I love you. You know I expect great things for you in this life and you will do great things. I see you influencing millions with your character, competence, and communication. I see you being an inspiration for others motivating them to live life better. I don't know what realm of life that will be within, that is your choice of course, but I know your life will be bigger than your own. You are going to impact the whole world. You are wonderful. Your demeanor is so positive and happy. You are so smart. I am so proud that you are my son.

On Christmas Day, you will be 14 months old. Christmas has not had the same affect on me the last two years that it did the first 38. The gifts aren't as special. It's not the gift. It's the gifting. It is WHO gave the gift and the THOUGHTFULNESS of the giver. It's not the gift. It's the giver. You are the best son a father could ever ask for and I've found that all the material things in the world don't matter. You, your love, your progress and growth, and your health are everything. This has translated to my feeling about other people. I see beyond the material to the character, the love, the importance, the soul. You have taught me much about Christmas. Max, every day is a Holiday with you. Every day is Christmas, New Years, Easter, Independence Day, etc. with you.

Max, I love you. You are special. You will achieve greatness. You are greatness. You embody excellence. You aren't interested in judgment or discrimination. You love unconditionally and are loved unconditionally. You are forever curious. You seek to understand before being understood. You are a great listener. You are Buzz Lightyear, Speedy McQueen, and Superman. You are my superhero now and forever. I know I hug you and kiss you and at times that is interrupting your play time, but just know it is because I love you.

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)