Category: Lessons I Have Learned

I flagrantly stole this from a story Jim Rohn told on the motivational cassettes I listened to constantly in my early thirties.  He told a story of how he left a $5 tip (remember this was 1980) on a $2 breakfast.  The loss of $5 didn’t mean that much to him, but the waitress probably told the story about the guy who left her a $5 tip and a $2 meal the rest of her life.  Some other advice he gave was to tip the shoe shine guy (again remember this was 1980 and everyone wasn’t wearing sneakers) two quarters instead of one quarter.  Thus, “be a two-quarter person”.  It’s all about generosity and blessing other people’s lives.  There is a Biblical principle that when you give more, you receive more, and I believe that it is true.  The Bible also says “that a generous man will himself be blessed.”  Another Biblical concept is that it is better to give than to receive and I believe that is true also.  That’s not the reason I try to be generous, but it is a nice side effect!  Always leave a 20% tip.  Always give to charities.  Always look for ways to bless others financially.  It will change their lives and it will change your life too.  Debbie and I believe that we have seen these principles work strongly in our lives.

We’ve all met those individuals who are constantly “blowing their own horn”.  I don’t know how you feel about this, but it makes me think they are insecure and uncertain of their own value, so they constantly try to convince people otherwise.  I believe that each time someone tells you how valuable they are … their value decreases.  The alternative to this is to work hard, play hard and let others recognize your value.  It’ so much more satisfying for someone else to recognize that you have value instead of you having to tell them!  Doing this reflects showing humility.  We tend to think about ourselves first – being first in line, wanting to get the best steak on the grill, or getting the biggest half of that donut you are sharing or finding the best parking spot.  Try taking the opposite approach.  Wait until the line has fully formed and join it at the end.  Let the other person pick their half of the donut first.  Wait until everyone else has picked their steak from the grill.  Drive by that wonderful parking spot and smile when someone else takes it.  There’s a song by Tim McGraw called Humble and Kind.  You should all take a listen and take a lesson.  Here’s a good place to listen – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awzNHuGqoMc

EVERYONE deserves your respect.  Throughout my life, I have always tried to show respect and honor to those around me.  Whether at work, with friends or family, at church or at play, everyone has their own gifts and should be respected and honored for those gifts … even if you may not be able to see those gifts and skills through the filter of your own eyes.  Whether it’s a superior or an apparent inferior, this rule always applies.  It’s really very simple.  When you respect others, most of the time they will respect you back and that creates a relationship where wonderful things can happen.  Those below you in the hierarchy will respect you, support you and lift you up.  Those above you in the hierarchy will recognize you, depend on you and promote you.  And your relationships with everyone will be richer, sweeter, and more productive.  Treat EVERYONE with respect.