 |
 |
Click Here To Get 5 Free E-Books From Grant! |
Eight years ago today I married the love of my life. We dated for five years before that, so for those keeping score, that’s 13 years we’ve been together. And 13 years later, I’m still just as crazy about her.
She’s an amazing wife and incredible mother to our two daughters. There’s no one else in the world I’d rather spend my life with. And she’s really hot as you can tell.
I love you Sheila!
As we wrap up 2009 and begin to turn the page towards 2010, I know a lot of people are happy to leave this year behind them. And while it has been an unusual year (the economy, housing market, bailouts, Speidi, Susan Boyle etc), it’s always a good thing to pause and reflect back on the past year. Sure there were some low points, but I’m confident everyone had some great moments as well.
Here were a few of the highlights for me from 2009…
Here are some additional stats from my travels and speaking schedule from this year…
As I was going back through my calendar, I could recall so many of the places I was able to go, the students and teachers I was able to meet, and am once reminded how fortunate I am to do something I love.
What about you? What have been some of your highlights from 2009?
I’ve written before about why memories matter more than possessions…last week was one of those experiences for me.
After speaking at the New York Student Council state conference (video here), I met up with my dad who flew in so we could visit the Baseball Hall of Fame. We’re both big baseball fans (specifically for the St. Louis Cardinals…the greatest team in all the land), so this was certainly a field trip we’ve always wanted to take.
It was truly an amazing experience I’ll never forget. To me it was more than just the experience of visiting the Baseball Hall of Fame, but it was being able to share that with my dad.
It was a simple reminder of the importance of living in the moment. Someday when my life wraps up, I won’t remember how fancy of a car I drove, the square footage of my house, or my high score on some random iPhone game. But I will remember trips, experiences, and moments.
Take advantage of every opportunity you have to live in the present, to live in the moment. It’s what life is all about.
Today is an exciting day in the Baldwin family…it’s my beautiful wife’s birthday!
Now we all know that you’re not supposed to ask a woman her age, so I figure for my own safety and well-being, I shouldn’t reveal how old she is! Let’s just say she still looks just as young and as good as the first time I saw her (cue your ooohs and ahhhs).
I really am blessed to married to her. She’s an amazing mother to our two girls and an incredible wife. She’s a huge support for what I do and is truly my best friend.
I love you Sheila…happy birthday!
When things get tough financially, the path of least resistance is to seek help from people you know love you: family. But I’m here to warn you…this is a horrible idea.
Although a family member may have the ability to help you out when you’re in a bind and may even want to help you out, you shouldn’t go that route. When you borrow from a family member, you change the dynamic of that relationship. No longer is it a parent-child or sibling-sibling relationship but now it becomes a borrower-lender relationship. And I don’t know about you, but I don’t get together with my mortgage company to exchange Christmas presents!
When you borrow from a family member, you’re also less likely to stick to the terms of the loan. If you couldn’t make a payment one month, you wouldn’t think anything of it because they’re family. They’ll understand right?! But you couldn’t pull that stunt with a bank. You would have late fees and penalties to remind you not to do that again.
If you’re really in a tough position financially and a family member wants to help out, the only way I would agree to it would be if it’s a gift. No repayment necessary. Now if you’re on the giving end and you want to help out a family member in need, make sure you’re actually helping them and not simply enabling their poor money decisions.
But the bottom line is if you have to borrow money, don’t borrow it from a friend or family member. You’ll ruin that relationship.
I got a question on my blog yesterday about my travel schedule and how I stay connected with my family while I’m gone. She asked specifically how my wife handles being home with two little girls while I’m bouncing around the country doing cool stuff. Good question!
Whether you’re a youth speaker or you just travel for your job, here are some tips to stay connected with those back home:
Here’s my update of progress for the various CHANGES in my life I’m trying to create. You can read more about the original concept in the post, “Introducing Small Changes To Your Life,” and also updates from February, March, April, May, June, and July.
CHANGES For July:
• Read 3 Books – I read one full book and half of three others. I’m good at starting books! The book I finished was “Predictably Irrational” by Dan Ariely. The ones I’ve started and am in progress with are “Please Send Money” by Dara Duguay, “The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing” by Al Ries and Jack Trout, and “The Jamie Oliver Effect” by Gilly Smith. (Grade: B-)
• Go Camping With Sydnee – We did this, and it was a blast! We set up a tent, had our sleeping bags, but I will confess it was indoors! Nonetheless, it was a great time with my daughter. We’ll do it again sometime soon. (Grade: A-)
• Go To The Pool More With My Family – We actually did pretty good at this the first few weeks of the month, but it’s turned out to be an odd July. We’ve had a lot of cooler weather, which is nice in July, but not nice for going to the pool. (Grade: A-)
CHANGES For August:
I’ve noticed as I’ve gone along with this experiment that several of these items aren’t necessarily life changes, but rather experiences that create memories. I’ve completed most of the items on the list I made at the beginning of the year, so I’m looking for some new ideas. What are some experiences I need to have with my family that will create memories? Ideas?
On Monday night, I had the privilege of going to the Home Run Derby in St. Louis with my Dad. We have both always been die-hard St. Louis Cardinal fans, so this was a unique experience we didn’t want to miss.
On the drive up there, naturally we were talking about our excitement and anticipation for the game. In addition to our hype over this experience, we were reliving various vacations we had taken growing up and other moments we had shared.
And we got to discussing how important it is to accumulate experiences in life and to create valuable memories with those you love most.
That’s why my wife and I have placed a priority on taking trips not only with each other but with our girls. It gives us the opportunity to gather experiences that we’ll never forget compared to buying another toy that will break.
Life is short. Take the time to create valuable moments, memories, and experiences that will last.
What is one experience you’ve had in life that you’ll never forget? Who did you share that moment with?
(This pic was taken by a friend from the other side of the stadium…apparently he had a serious zoom lens! And yes, I brought my glove…don’t judge me. We were in the right field bleachers…it was a safety issue.)
Today, my beautiful little daughter Emilee turns one! Being a parent is one of the greatest privileges in the world, and I wouldn’t trade my daughters for anything.
We have so much fun together, and I think the world of them both.
Oh, and their mom is smokin’ hot!
Here’s my update of progress for the various CHANGES in my life I’m trying to create. You can read more about the original concept in the post, “Introducing Small Changes To Your Life,” and also updates from February, March, April, May, and June.
CHANGES For June:
CHANGES For July:
