Waiting for Billy

A year ago, my best friend, Billy Atkins was called home. Rarely does a day go by without thinking of him and it’s still hard to believe he’s gone from our world. I loved him like a brother and I miss him deeply. I know he rests in a better place and one day; we will meet again. 

Billy was a husband, father, businessman and musician. He was well liked and would give the shirt off his back to help a friend. In our younger days, he would chauffeur me around the countryside until I was sober enough to drive. We would listen to music and talk. I miss those talks.

Both our hearts were in the same place talking about right verses wrong, honesty and our beliefs. We had a lot in common.

I learned at his funeral service that Billy and his wife, Michelle, donated the funding needed to excavate  a well for his cousin’s wonderful orphanage program overseas- Sending Hope International. The program rescues children from the sex slave trade and provides hope. The water used to quench those thirsty children will always be a gift from Billy and Michelle Atkins.Their generosity touches lives daily and is truly something meaningful!

When Billy and I were single, I recall him always being the last to be ready. Whenever a group of us were going somewhere, we always waited for him. We did so because, we knew it wouldn’t be the same without him.

But the day Billy was called home, I believe he was ready.

About a week before his passing he sent me a message and told me how proud he was of me. In 40 years of friendship, he never uttered those words. It was almost like a parting message; as if he knew his time was short.

Billy’s life was a song of epic and majestic proportions. The melody was his good cheer and the chorus was his big heart. The progression of his life  was a gift and his chords to us. His finale brought us to tears.

Now- he is waiting on us.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Michelle Atkins, Dawn Kamen and their families, relatives and friends!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Running Down A Dream!

Most people wander aimlessly through their life. Many don’t realize options exist outside of the daily grind. We become so focused on the immediate schedule, chores and tasks or simply feel we don’t have the time to allocate towards our dreams. The only remedy is to create the time and start now!

Look at your schedule and decide what to give up for one hour of working on your dream.

Logout of Facebook, give-up your favorite online games, turn-off Twitter, television, email and chat for an hour in order to do something that will make a difference in your life. Perhaps, stay-up one extra-hour or get out of bed one-hour earlier to work towards your goal. You’ll be surprised at the amount of time available.

Start seeing yourself as a business- your business.

What have you always wanted to do?

·        Search the Internet for connections with people of similar interests and ideas.

·        Seek advice and ask questions.

·        Realize the journey is a process and anything worth doing takes time.

·        Find a niche. Look for a need to fill or a unique slant to something where you can fill a void.

·        Break down your idea into a realistic path.

What will it take to launch your idea?

·        Develop a step-by-step process.

·        Research each step and gain the necessary knowledge.

·        Seek advice, check forums, send emails to experts and ask questions.

·        Focus strictly on one-step at a time; otherwise you will become overwhelmed and likely give-up. This isn’t a race. Overnight sensations are rare and few survive the long haul anyway.

By breaking down the process the plan becomes manageable. You will become one of the experts once you finish each process in addition to developing your own product or business.

Don’t be afraid of making mistakes.

Mistakes are a learning experience, not a failure. They give us our chance to improve and gain valuable insight. How could we perfect something if we didn’t have errors? Mistakes are little bumps along the journey to correct our maneuvers.

Stop doing nothing and start becoming productive. Once you realize there is life ‘outside the box’, you’ll become excited at your progress and will find additional hours to spend on pursuing the dream. You will discover how creative, talented and passionate it is to chase down your dream.

At some point you will wonder why you didn’t act sooner. But it’s ok and it doesn’t matter because your moment arrived now. Start running down your dream today. I guarantee you’ll love it!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.
 

The Opportunity of a Lifetime!

We often make decisions based on fear. When faced with a choice between comfort and uneasiness, we tend to side with comfort. Making that decision isn’t necessarily correct or safe; it just appears to be less troublesome to our emotions. A child learns this at a young age and is able to manipulate a parent into seeing the desired outcome.

The problem of being part of the status quo is it locks us into a parameter of common predictions and outcomes. Creativity becomes limited and many of the comforts we enjoy today would not exist. Typing a blog on this laptop is one of the perks of someone being different. Virtually all we touch today was created by someone who dared to have the courage to test the unthinkable.

It’s time we stopped trying to be like everyone else. Maybe not fitting-in is an advantage. Some of the quietest kids in school were the smartest and I always noticed they excelled fluidly at everything. Perhaps being odd or exuberant is a gift. Some of the best keyboardists I’ve known were odd and intelligent people.

How many medical, scientific breakthroughs or technological changes have we lost due to someone trying to be a square peg in a round hole?

The status quo says those people are weird. Stay away from them. Did you ever think perhaps they’ve been staying away from you a lot longer?

We shun those we fail to understand or simply are unable to label. We view those folks as freaks, possibly unstable or dangerous.

People who see things different are interesting to talk too. They are usually gracious when someone takes an interest in their lonely world. We’re all human beings, no matter what our style, flavor or color. Everyone wants to be loved and accepted.

Isn’t taking the time to connect perhaps the opportunity of a lifetime?

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

10 Reasons Why I Hired Myself

·        I make the rules and break the rules.

·        I get the credit and if it doesn’t work- I still learn.

·        I work my own hours, day or night.

·        I don’t work for a middle-man or the status quo.

·        I connect with people, not work with sheep.

·        I have no use for a gatekeeper, slave driver or corporate greed.

·        I work on my own terms, nothing else matters.

·        I dislike meetings, chants and posturing.

·        I have the freedom to do what I want to do.

·        I want to make a difference and do something meaningful.

 

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

 

Be Good to Yourself!

The other day I watched one of the most picturesque snowfalls. It reminded me of the type of snow shower we wish for on Christmas Eve. Those soft, heavy snowflakes gently floating down covering pine trees in such an awesome display of majestic quietness.

For at least 10 years, I’ve worked in a basement office with no windows. The drive home is spent focusing on dealing with road conditions, traffic and a driveway in need of shoveling. Upon returning home from work, darkness begins to settle leaving little chance to see the beauty of a heavy snowfall.

We tend to become so caught up in the moment; we often fail to see the beauty around us. It reminds me how much I’ve missed over the years by not taking the time to recognize how marvelous something simple can be. We scurry through our days and years until we become a stranger to outside stimuli. We place ourselves in a loop, unable to stop long enough to notice what we’re missing or even care.

Maybe it’s time we change our minds? Instead of viewing everything as a “push” to get through the moment, maybe we need to spend more time with an open mind. The daily clutter manages to clog our brain with lots of negative and uncreative thoughts. We need an escape plan.

Let’s take the time to enjoy our families, surroundings and life. Put the rat race on hold and give yourself quality time to take a deep breath and observe the very things we take for granted. Separate yourself from conflict, drama and noise.

Be good to yourself.

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

How You Can Make a Difference!

There comes a time in your life when you must take a stand. Whether it’s the bully on the block, the narcissistic boss or the broken system; sooner or later- enough is enough. If you’re waiting for the right time to do something, it’ll never happen. It starts with one voice and that voice is yours.

Maybe you’d like someone else to lead the charge?  Don’t hold your breath. We’re all waiting for someone else, so it’s going to be a long wait. That’s why it has to be you. Someone has to be the leader and it must be you.

I’ve spoken out many times for what I believe in and what I am against. I’ve taken risks and will continue to do so. It isn’t about winning or losing, it’s about doing right verses wrong. At the end of the day, I can look in the mirror and know I stood for a cause, belief or circumstance and made a difference.

We teach our kids to “just say no to drugs” but as adults we compromise our integrity, morals and beliefs just to fit in the crowd, job or neighborhood. Is it any wonder they would have a tough time when Mom and Dad submit to peer pressure? Behavior becomes an accepted norm once nobody cares. Governments and organizations understand this fact and use it to support their cause.

Once nobody cares the next assumption becomes relevant. It's the accepted sordid truth, though it’s not. When nobody takes a stand the lines become blurred and it’s difficult to change. They’ll call you ‘crazy’ and use you as an example of convenience.

Deep down you will know you’re different and it’s ok. Because you are the one who takes a stand and will bring us back to the truth. Together, we will succeed. We can’t do it without you.

Stand-up, because- this is your time!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Are You Connecting with People?



Two weeks ago, I found myself unemployed. Laid-off, as in job eliminated. Nearly 32 years at the same organization and I was tossed to the curb. The same organization laid-off my wife 6 months ago, after nearly 33 years of service.

It was an interesting month. Our health insurance expired in February and I just learned my knee buckling is actually due to a rare bone disease. What else could go wrong? Oh yea, let’s not forget our debt.

Most people drowning in debt would be stressed out. Panic would be the normal agenda. Granted, the day I was informed of the bad news my head was spinning at times. But the relief to finally have the freedom to develop my own business overshadows debt at the moment.

In a way it seems like a gift. The push to do what I’ve always wanted and the courage do so with no excuse. I knew the moment I was axed- that day would change my life. I’ve been dreaming about being able to work on my own terms for some time.

We have options and we have a plan. Some might work, some won’t. It gives me the chance to do what many would like too, but few do. Many people loose interest after a setback or a few months of attempting a business start-up. I’m the guy who doesn’t quit, once I decide to start.

That’s why I know I will be successful.

 I’ve got the kind advice and friendship from folks at Dan Miller’s 48Days.net and one of the finest financial counselors from Dave Ramsey’s own personal team in Nashville to assist us. With the help of The Good Lord above and the driven passion to succeed- we will be successful.

Fortune has also smiled on my development of new friends. I am amazed at how many of my friends have written books and have their own businesses. These entrepreneurs are quality individuals who are in it for the long-tail, not fly-by-night results. Most importantly, they really do care about their clients, customers and associates.

Through networking, slowly creating a tribe, a guest post and sharing the truth with my readers; I am now seeing a surge in growth. My website traffic nearly doubled in January! I must be doing something meaningful.

 Connecting with people gives us options we never knew existed. By connectiong and building relationships, doors open that previousely were closed. We no longer have to seek permission or wait our turn. The old barriers are crumbling.

Thank you- to my mentors, friends and readers!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.