I Shared On MillionCares.com

Recently I've met some great entrepreneurs on the UltimateSuccessTour.com who are not only skilled, but very encouraging people. One of them, Jason Nast, and a partner have created a neat site that has NOTHING to do with making a profit. It's his way of giving back. (If you check him out on Facebook you might figure out what big infomercial he was involved with a few years ago.)

I am asking you to check out his site and send the link to your friends and have them do it with their friends and so on. Really. This is a good thing.

Jason Nast's site is MillionCares.com and if you click on the link or the title of this post you will visit MY entry/mini-story about something good that happened to my sister.

Please share your own story and then tell two friends and have them tell two friends and so on and so on and so on. I promise that they aren't selling anything on the site - not even shampoo.

Met Musical Jessica Fore On Facebook

Yesterday I commented on something Alan Hirsch had to say on Facebook and soon I liked what someone else had to say and that led to Jessica Fore and I messaging. Then I found out she's a musician who shares her faith experience.

I love all the things you can do more easily because of Facebook. I have included a hidden link to one of Jessica's songs which you can visit by clicking on the title of this post or you can click on this tinyurl I made http://tinyurl.com/BMW7CJFore1.

Click for more about Jessica Fore


Keep walking!

Jacuzzi-ing With My Honey

Marianne and I took a little break earlier to enjoy the jacuzzi. It looks like my gout is under control and the medication I'm taking for my infected ingrown toenail is starting to take hold. Hopefully I'll be taking long walks soon. I just wish that a doctor before Dr. Duck (real name) figured out that the left big toe wasn't gout, but an infection. Nobodies perfect, but Dr. Duck was the fourth one I told about it. My honey says the jacuzzi doesn't qualify as soaking my toe, so epsom salts are up next! LOL

Keep Walking!

Join my networking group at Facebook - The Special Purpose Club - by clicking on the title of this post.

New Year, Haiti & U2

Incredible Events.

How many hurt or killed in Haiti?

I expected to share how things are going for me in 2010 and now I definitely have to say that things are fantastic when compared with what people are going through in Haiti right now.

Whatever your orientation, please send out your thoughts and prayers for the people of Haiti and all the rescue workers, medical personnel and anyone who is helping this poor country. If you can't help directly, send what money you can.

As for me, I am exactly where I was weight-wise on the morning of December 31, 2009. But, I feel good as I've been doing lots of time on the elliptical trainer at the YMCA.

This weekend I'll be away and give more detail when I get back.

I've found the U2 song, "40", to be helpful right now. Click the link below or on the title of this post to hear their version of Psalm 40.

U2's 40


So far I have walked* 79.5 miles in 2010.


Keep walking!

Things I Learned (TIL) A Year Ago This Week

Last year at this time I was in the middle of a cleanse - Jordan Rubin's Perfect Weight America or Maker's Diet cleanse. I had good success and felt great and in the past year I've found out how you can put the weight back on!

In order to not get discouraged I think it's important to ask yourself what you've learned from your experiences over the past year. For me, I recognize that getting back to a healthy weight means both exercise and a more disciplined approach to what I put in my body.

Keeping things in perspective is very important, too. Last night with Reality Changers I was really moved by the true stories of their lives that the students shared. I have never had to live in a car even one night, let alone for years. I have never had someone pressuring me to join a gang over and over for years. I have never had to take over a house cleaning job while I went to school because my mom had a stroke. All these scenarios are realities that these Reality Changers students are overcoming.

I can overcome, too. Dropping some weight I can do once again. I've done it before and this time I can keep it off.

Keep walking!

Waking Up At Old California Coffee House

During the last 6 months or so I have become a regular at The Old California Coffee House in San Marcos. I do something most days that you can do, too. I walk 1/4 mile in the parking lot while my coffee is being made. This morning it was a nippy 46 degrees. Even if your beverage doesn't take as long to make as my organic Bolivian, you should find that your coffee is still hot when you get done.

Remember, an extra 1/4 mile a day year round means losing approximately three pounds a year. Usually it takes less than 5 minutes! Not much, but that's 30 pounds over ten years or 60 pounds in 20 years! How many people have gained about three pounds a year since high school?

If you are in the area, I highly recommend visiting The Old California Coffee House. Ask for Noelle and tell them BigManWalking (or Charlie) sent you.

I have walked* 764.25 miles in 2009.

Keep walking!

Recovery.Gov

I want everyone to know about http://www.recovery.gov so as many people as possible view what the United States government is doing with the money we put into it. In fairness, some would say that we are watching what is being done with the money that our children and grandchildren will put into it, but that remains to be seen. President Clinton produced surpluses during his administration and it's possible that President Obama and future presidents will do the same by the END (when all is said and done) of their tenure. Some people assume that when the government spends money, it all goes down a hole. If we are rational (Yes, I understand that that word is my judgement, but let us agree that being rational about politics and finances is a good goal.) about examining what happens to the money that the U.S. government spends, we can follow the trail and see if what we are doing is actually stimulative. That is, now that President Obama and his team have VOLUNTARILY created RECOVERY.GOV we can visit the site and see how our money is spent.

Some are not rational about this. They simply say that government spending is bad or more to the point, they don't want the U.S. government to take money from us in order to spend. They're like young school children who simply repeat what they are taught. (Did you know very young kids can be taught to do Calculus? They won't necessarily understand what they are doing, but they can be taught to do it.) It's fair to say that all human beings are fallible and that with human beings involved in government, mistakes will be made. But that is no different than you and me in nongovernmental activities every day. And, with a government large enough there will almost inevitably be corruption somewhere among those millions of people in government and doing business with the government. However, every day on TV or the net or other media I see and hear about people who are NOT involved in government who are committing crimes and that includes the crime of corruption.

Yet there will be successes. Let's look to praise the successes and correct the mistakes. Let's not expect the government to do nothing except tax cuts. I want better transportation systems and adequate police and fire resources and head start and better public education for kids and advanced education for those who take that path. I want better doctors than the one who squeezed my son's hand and knocked him out from the pain and sent him into an apparent seizure when he had never had one before. People who expect the government to do nothing (or to hardly exist, if at all) are building a (what's the opposite of spectacular?) fantasy world that they apparently want to live in. I think what they're doing is not helpful to their psychological well-being, too, and I guess in the United States of America that is their choice. But I sure don't want them to force me to live in their fantasy world which is really a nightmare for the poor and even lower-middle class. It's a pretty hard slog for the plain old middle class, too.

Hurray for Recovery.gov!

Now back to your regularly scheduled messages...


Keep walking!

Coming Home Tomorrow

We have definitely had some big fun here in The Bahamas at Paradise Island this week and, after discovering The Marketplace buffet on Thursday we have eaten there four times. More walking and pictures are in store for today. We heard from family that our son is doing ok, though we heard he's been sick. It would be nice to hear from the horse's mouth, but...

So far I have walked 62.5 miles in 2009. Atlantis, Paradise Island is one heck of a place to take a walk.


Keep walking!

More Fun In The Sun

Today we found a place called The Cove here at Atlantis, Paradise Island. What a beautiful pool! There were beds as well as lawn chairs there and four beds in the middle of the pool. Lots of dance music, swimming, and generally laying in the sun and then back to our room to freshen up. Only after we left did we find out that we were not technically supposed to be there because we stay at the Coral Tower. We also tried out the water slides fairly early before the crowds got there and they are a blast. I haven't gone on the scariest one yet. We have gotten a little bumped and bruised on the slides and the rapids. Nothing serious, but you really have to pay attention. I'm not 100% sure they would have these in the U.S. without some restrictions making them safer. I haven't heard of anyone getting hurt seriously, but you really do have to be awake. I wouldn't go on these if I had had any alcohol. Still, if I could afford it, I would want to take all my family and a few friends here next year.

So far in 2009 I have walked 58.5 miles and what an incredible place to take a walk!

Keep walking!

Happy New Year!

We had a great time with family last night and I took my nephews to the bookstore today. I told them getting a book was a great way to start off the new year. I'm amazed that it's 2009 and told them for someone who remembers 1976, our bicentennial, it's even more amazing.

My wife, son and I got home this afternoon and found that our neighbors think a water leak is coming from our place and I've been running around getting ready for the trip to the Bahamas tomorrow. We didn't really anticipate challenges with tasks like doing laundry right before departure. Thankfully a friend of mine and I came to an accomodation with him taking our dog to the boarding place tomorrow. If I win this tournament, he'll be amply rewarded. My goal is to blog every day while I'm away and fill in the readers of Big Man Walking. We shall see. Time to get back to the last minute preparations/complications. Honey's home and we're going to talk with the neighbors who got home, too.

Keep walking!

For A Community To Be Whole

Happy 74th Birthday, Millard Fuller. Who is Millard Fuller? In my opinion he is one of the biggest "should be more famous" people in the United States. This is from the website of an organization you probably know:

Millard Fuller founded Habitat for Humanity International in 1976 and served in executive roles until 2005. His leadership helped forge Habitat into a worldwide Christian housing ministry.

Now Millard Fuller heads The Fuller Center for Housing and the following is from their website:

The Fuller Center for Housing is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing worldwide. By forming partnerships with local organizations, The Fuller Center provides the structure, guidance and material support that communities need to build and repair homes for the impoverished among them.

Here are two quotes:


For a community to be whole and healthy, it must be based on people's love and concern for each other.

Faith without works is as dead as a doornail.

Millard Fuller




The Fuller Center for Housing

Fuller Center - Who We Are

Fuller Center - How We Work

Get Involved

Millard Fuller fan club

Twitter quote 120 http://tinyurl.com/BMW777193 at ThinkExist.com

Resolution Poll

Because I had some success this year with my New Year's resolution (for which I asked God's help), I am trumpeting the idea that you can do it, too. Here is a very quick poll to get you thinking in that direction. If you are someone who does goals and not resolutions, so be it. Like somebody said, "Just do it."

Click this link to make your voice heard and maybe be an inspiration to someone else. http://tinyurl.com/BMW777192


Keep walking!

There Are Always Flowers

My parents grew carnations and roses and were co-founders of The Valley Center Florist when I was growing up. The coming new year has me thinking about them. Who do you think about when you think about flowers? Do you want to see the flowers?


There are always flowers for those who want to see them.

Henri Matisse


Matisse's Dishes and Fruit

Henri Matisse at Artcyclopedia.com

Twitter quote 119 http://tinyurl.com/BMW777190 at ThinkExist.com

Moral Obligation Of U.S.A.

I found an short(really!), interesting poll about the obligation of the United States toward the world. I'll bet it's self-evident to many. Whether or not you are a christian, I urge you to click below and cast your vote in this Christianity Today poll. Add your voice right now!

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/features/poll.html


Keep walking!

Enthusiasm Of An Inspired Moment

Herb Elliot mentioned "resolutions made in the enthusiasm of an inspired moment". Now is the time to make New Year's resolutions. How do you make yours? I didn't make one for a long time and last December 31st, I finally made one. I asked for God's help and it has turned out well. (I don't think I'll gain 20 pounds between now and January 1, 2009 to mess it up!) I urge you to make more than one resolution and differentiate it from goals. If you haven't made a resolution in a while, you can do it now. Ask for our creator's help.



Training was a time where resolutions made in the enthusiasm of an inspired moment were put to personal test.

Herb Elliott


Herb Elliott News Timeline http://tinyurl.com/BMW777187 (Google)


Twitter quote 118 http://tinyurl.com/BMW777186 at ThinkExist.com


Don't miss Twitter (video) 117 -Thank you to Guy Kawasaki - Here's what I Tweeted - If U visit only 1 tweet 4 the rest of 2008 - THIS IS THE ONE http://tinyurl.com/BMW777185

Laughter Is The Sun

From the man who gave us Les Miserables...


Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.

Victor Hugo


Hugo-Online.org

VictorHugo.gg


Twitter quote 116 http://tinyurl.com/BMW777183 at ThinkExist.com

We All Need Reminders

Here's a reminder to keep on loving.


Don't brood. Get on with living and loving. You don't have forever.

Leo Buscaglia


LeoBuscaglia.com


Twitter quote 115 http://tinyurl.com/BMW777181 at BrainyQuote.com

Disneyland Christmas Present

Today we are going to Disneyland which is a major part of our son's Christmas present. We will pick up our son's girlfriend in about an hour and then we're off! Yes...I will be walking and I'll let you know what the pedometer says. Did the temperature in the car really read 39?

Keep walking!

The How Of The Bahamas!

A few weeks ago I noticed that there was a free poker tournament online so I said to myself, "If it's free, why not?" The first round of the poker tournament was 10,000 people strong. The game was No-Limit Texas Holdem. Texas Holdem is a poker game sort of like seven card stud and no-limit means you can bet from the minimum bet all the way to your entire stack of chips at any time. If you lose all your chips, you're out of the tournament. In order to advance to the next round I had to finish in 18th place or higher. The tournament would be stopped when there were 18 people left. I made it(!) and moved on to round two.

There were 1349 people in round two and in order to win ANYTHING you had to come in first place. In a poker tournament that means that you are the last person to have chips. Eventually you have to win all the chips that originally belonged to 1349 players. Second place got zero - not even a gift certificate or a cup of coffee. I outlasted the entire field of players and was very thankful to win. What did I win?

First, I won a trip to the Bahamas for two adults. Second, I won $1000 to help with air fare. Third, I won another $1000 to help pay for food (which is not cheap). (And, the hotel kicked in another $150 for food since they are raising their prices the day before the tournament starts.) Last, but really and truly not least, I won a $10,000 seat in a poker tournament that last year paid $2 Million to the winner! All this came about because I happened to notice a free tournament and decided to give it a try.

My beliefs also come into play here. While I don't know what the ultimate outcome will be and I certainly hope to be the big winner in the Bahamas, I feel the need to mention something else. I prayed during the second round many times and I visualized being victorious in a race. I saw the finish line of a foot race with the tape across the winner's chest. I also thought of the boxer's hand being held up at the end of a bout. I definitely had some mathematically unusual occurrences during the poker tournament. I had some excellent cards and I never had (what I consider the toughest spot to get out of) two kings with my opponent having two aces and more chips than me. I'm pretty sure that I had all my chips in the pot when my opponent had more chips than me about a dozen times before I made it to the final table of nine players. When you are "all-in" that many times and still prevail, that is definitely a cause for celebration, as well as being statistically unlikely.

Do I believe that God was with me in this tournament? Yes. Do I believe that means he wants me to win in the Bahamas? I don't know. I hope so. We will see. I'm sure that whatever happens, it will be a chance for me to share a little about my beliefs to those who are open. I'm not interested in creating a debate here or forcing my beliefs on someone. If you don't buy it, you don't buy it. I still live in the United States of America. Here you can have your beliefs and I can have mine. We can agree to disagree when it comes to that. However, this is an appropriate time of year to consider what this whole season is about. Like Tiny Tim said in Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol, "God bless us, every one!"

Keep walking!

We're Going To The Bahamas!

Just got home from Los Angeles. Marianne and I were able to get passports in less than a day! I'll share more of the story tomorrow. I am so tired (a good kind of tired) that I can barely think to type this. Check out Atlantis.com.

Keep walking!