Family Impression

It is an amazing thing to be in a family that gives so much to each other. I can think of so many times my parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents have given above and beyond what I expected to help me go through life, attempting to be successful. I can give credit to my elders for passing down what they have learned in both life and business. Then at some amazing point along the journey I caught all they had to offer and ran off in my own direction(s). Now I am in a position to give back.

My mother and aunt inspired me to draw and paint; and later to do these and earn a living by learning commercial art and design. Now, after years of marketing and design experience, the world we do business in has evolved while technology has paved a new road for the communications arts industry. The student (me) has become the teacher. I dedicate this post to my aunt who encouraged me to apply myself with the talent I have and learn a trade doing something that I enjoy.

I have tested, tried, used, abused what seems like every way to post a page on the internet. So, my aunt asks me, “What is the easiest way for me put up a web site for my properties?”. As a career graphic designer this question was not about how to make it look good, it was addressing how to I catch up with technology and learn to publish on the web without absolutely frustrating herself. So I suggested iWeb by Apple. And away she went to create a very nice web site featuring her rental apartments in Killeen Texas. Next, I offered my skills in search engine optimization to apply a simple best practices approach to improving the ranking of her new web site in the search results pages. I am thankful for an opportunity to apply what I’ve learned a give back to my family.

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How do you feel about your family relationships? Does the thought bring a warm sensation and awe? Or, do you need to make a trip to the family improvement store (not Lowes or Home Depot). A simple way to make your family members feel special is to use words of praise and spend quality time at home.

I took note when a speaker said, “I told all my children that they are my favorite son/daughter, and I asked them not to tell his/her brothers and sisters.”I’m not sure if I could pull this one off since my kids were in the same audience. The principal is key to making your relationships special. All my kids and especially my spouse should feel that they are my favorite.

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Proverb

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In many circles and even a few corporate environments with a casual work environment there is a trend of people making a shift toward life at home. SAHM (stay at home moms) are often being introduced to stay at home dads (SAHD). In most cases, the man is coming home to work in a home office or maybe in the garage.

My friend recently quit his day job to work from home. Yesterday he asked me, “We’re having a hard time getting settled… was it difficult for you or your wife to get used to having you home?” Good question! He went on to say, “Basically, I’m upsetting the normal schedule my wife used to have.”

When I began to work from home it was a big deal for my wife and kids. But in some way the shift toward home really threw a curve ball at my wife. My response is, “Taking care of your wife will need to be your top priority.”

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Some time ago at a seminar the speaker said to keep the main thing, the main thing. I thought this was a brilliant concept. It was a simple idea with a high standard. I noted this in my mind to never forget. Keep the main thing, the main thing.

So just what is the main thing? The more I pondered the question it became difficult to quantify, unless I rule out everything that is not the main thing. Right? I thought so. Is this main thing the meaning of my existence or my purpose in my life; this concept alludes many people. There really are many distractions, or should I say excuses. How honest am I willing to be? Sometimes I am my toughest critic.
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