Friday Feature

My good friend Liberty Harper-Simonsen brought to my attention two young ladies that are creating a Ripple that I thought was worth sharing and supporting here in Austin.

Valentine and Jody originally wanted to participate in the Women's Race to do their part to help raise money and awareness for breast cancer in young women. They have been training hard getting ready for this team-based race and getting really excited as they near their goal. Then a further bit of inspiration struck.

Delnora, Valentine's friend was tragically hit by a car training for a triathlon. Delnora was beat up pretty bad but is expected to make a slow but painful recovery. Therefore they decided run in honor of their injured friend who was in part motivation for them to attempt to run the race in the first place. Talk about a great Ripple!

I hope you will consider joining me in supporting these fine young women in their quest to make their fund raising goal in time for the race happening on Sunday September 9th. Donations can be made directly by clicking here. Every little bit will help!

Cancer is a very personal subject as my oldest sister was diagnosed in 1996 with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. It was through events just like this that I believe my sister is still here today and amazingly after transplant has not had any recurrence of this very indiscriminate and horrible disease. What these two young women and people all over the country are doing to raise money and awareness to defeat all forms of cancer simply inspires me. I hope it does you too.

Good luck on race day ladies!

Ripple On My Friends!!!

Steve

Don't Be Late For The First Day Of The Rest of Your Life

What things are you waiting on to happen in your life?

To finally find more time at the end of the day?

For the kids to go to college?

For the boss to settle down and get off your butt?

Maybe you're waiting for that imaginary winning lottery ticket to finally come through?

Whatever it is, whatever that THING is, it is right now holding you back. It is preventing you from being who you should be and enjoying the life that you should be enjoying. I challenge you to argue that point.

Just as soon as I drop ten pounds then I will have confidence to ask that guy/girl out.

As soon as I get a really nice house I won't be embarrassed to have people over.

When I get more experience I would have confidence to try for that job I really want.

THINGS.......

THINGS......that likely won't be the cause of anything other than creating more opportunity for excuses.

It might be an over used analogy but what the hell...it's my BLOG! So what if you knew that this exact day in 2008 your time on Earth was over; you're outta here, your ready for that really long nap, shuffling off to Buffalo or off to where ever you think you go when you die. Would you on that last day be focused on the THINGS you should have done, the steps you should have taken and will that be enough to warm you when the coldness of death approaches? I know it won't for me. It won't be for you either.

These THINGS that have to happen in order for these other THINGS to happen is life's little game; a game that stacks the odds against those players who don't play to win.

Your life starts today.

Don't be late for the first day of the rest of your life.

Ripple On!!!

Steve

Wish Upon a Shooting Star

The last time I remember seeing, really seeing, a shooting star was when I was six years old. We had just left my parent's friend's house from a pool party and as we drove down the street straight out the windshield there it was. It was amazing and is for some reason one of those memories that somehow always gets triggered when I look up into the night sky.

I remember my Mom telling me at the time to make a wish "because that's what you do when you see a shooting star" so I did. What I wished for at the time I couldn't tell you, probably for some more Star Wars action figures or a replacement for my Bionic Man (which we discovered during the pool party wasn't made for water) but I remember that's what you do when you see a shooting star.

This morning I was out running at about 5:30AM jamming to my IPOD and trying to get my head around some issues I am trying to resolve when it happened. Right in front of me streaking from my right to left was the most brilliant and amazing shooting star that I have ever seen. Keep in mind I have now only seen two but work with me people!

I felt this instant warmth draw over me (not just because I was sweating like a sinner in church for those of you half glassers out there). It was the most surreal feeling and I felt instantly like that six year old by again. My whole life was ahead of me and still is and this beautiful shooting star had been put squarely in my path now thirty (yikes) exact years later. It was all for me on this early morning.

My mind started racing and the excitement overcame me as I began to realize what was next. Mom's words from so long ago suddenly appeared in my ears like a whisper brought to me on the subtle summer morning breeze. "Make a wish." A smile came from way deep down and I silently said thank you Mom.

I decided to share my wish with you my good readers because I have thoroughly researched this and found that wishes shared after you blow out the candles don't come true. However, according to section 8.3 Section A of the Big Dreams Handbook (a made up title I just came up with for effect) sharing a wish after a shooting star is completely exempt and therefore truly permissible under Big Dream law.

So here's my wish....

I want to be well known enough that when I talk about the power of the Ripple that people not only want to hear what I have to say but are motivated to want to actually integrate the Ripple into their personal and professional lives.

Maybe by sharing it someone or something out there can help me make it come true.

One thing is for certain, I know that glorious shooting star was there for a reason. Whatever it was, I am grateful that I got to see it. I hope I don't have to wait another thirty years because something that incredible is just too cool to not see more frequently.

Have a fantastic day my friends!

Ripple On!!!

Steve Harper

It's All In The Marketing

Being an entrepreneur myself from the ripe old age of seven or eight when I washed cars, pulled weeds or did just about anything to make a buck, it does my heart good to see my boys following in my footsteps.

Yesterday morning Zachary, my eight year old, came bounding downstairs to breakfast and said, "There's a garage sale a few doors down. What a perfect opportunity to do a lemonade stand because there will be so many cars! Can I please...please?"

I have to admit, I was impressed that the young lad could make the connection between an increase in traffic and his opportunity to make a few bucks. So before you knew it he was piling out the door and situating himself perfectly on the corner. With handmade sign, a big smile and a lot of enthusiasm he went to work.

Before long....Joshua his four year old brother wanted in on some of the action and Zach quickly deduced that little kids like Josh stop traffic. Ahhhh a perfect partnership was born and a proud papa couldn't resist sharing.

I think the boys made more money with Joshua holding the sign for some odd reason.....

Good idea..That Mom had to make.

Two hours work....$ 17.50 earned.

Cute little brother to help bring 'em in.... 65 Cents in wages earned (Come on Zach pay the kid something!)

Helpful supervisor in Dad....No wages earned. Where's the love?

Two kids being kids....Priceless!!!