Let Me Sing You a Song

It has been said, “A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.” (Page 143 Aspire, by Kevin Hall)

With that in mind, would you mind if I sing you a song? Maybe you’ve forgotten some of the words. It happens to me sometimes. How embarrassing when the conductor looks at me and cues me to sing, but I haven’t even turned to the right page. I’m clearly lost.

If you’ve momentarily lost your place, if you’ve forgotten the lyrics to your song of life, here are a few of the words to refresh your memory.

God loves you.
You are special.
No one has your finger print or foot print.
You are a unique specimen and cannot be duplicated.
Failure is not final. Never has been, never will be.
You have capabilities, just like everyone else.
Go with your strengths. What are you best at?

I think the second verse goes like this:

It matters not how straight the gate,
How charged with punishment the scroll,
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.

(Invictus, William Ernest Henley. 1849-1903)

You can’t be invincible if you are feeling down, deflated, out of gas and out of air. That is when you need a friend to come along side you, one who knows the song in your heart. Let them sing your song to you. The words will come back to you.

In his book, Aspire, Kevin Hall tells of a man named Arthur Watkins, a retired university professor who devoted his life to etymology, the study of words. Listen to what Arthur has to say about the word inspire.

“Inspire” comes from the Latin “inspirare”, which means to breathe, and “in” implies “into”. To inspire is to “breathe into.”

How can you and I “breathe into” someone today?

Arthur continues, “When you “encourage,” you add to someone’s heart.

As I sit writing this blog, I just received the most encouraging email from a long-ago friend that I recently reconnected with on Face Book. Wilbur’s words breathed into my spirit. Wow! What encouraging words he said to me. He “added to my heart.”

Words have a tremendous power for good in our world.

Words can bring hope.
Words can encourage.
Words can inspire.
Words can calm.
Words can heal.
Words can uplift.
Words can sooth.
Words can teach.
Words can lighten.
Words can stop discord.
Words can change a direction.
Words can restore a relationship.

That is what I love to do. I seek to find a way to encourage someone every day that I live. Maya Angelou puts it this way:

“People will forget what you said,
People will forget what you did,
But people will never forget how you made them feel.”

What words can we speak to someone today? Do you know someone whose light has gone out of their spirit? Is their pathway dark and stormy?

Come along side of them, and sing to them their song.

I'll Never Lose My Vision

Three years ago I had the privilege of meeting Dr. David LaShana, former chancellor of three successful institutions of higher learning. During our visit I had the chance to ask him about a time when he called on J.C. Penney. I want to pass this story along to you.

While Dr. LaShana was President of Taylor University in Fort Wayne, Indiana he scheduled an appointment with J. C. Penney, the founder of the chain of stores that bear his name. When he entered Mr. Penney’s office, he found Mr. Penney sitting behind his desk holding Dr. LaShana’s business card and moving it back and forth as if to bring it into better focus.

Mr. Penney looked up at Dr. LaShana, cleared his throat and said, “You’ll have to forgive me. I’m losing my vision.”

Mr. Penney stopped abruptly, slammed his hand down on his desk and said in a raised voice, “No, that’s not right. I’m losing my eyesight. I’ll never lose my vision!”

Wow! What a profound statement. “I’ll never lose my vision!”

I have a plaque on my office wall at home that reads,

“ONLY THOSE WHO CAN SEE THE INVISIBLE

CAN ACCOMPLISH THE IMPOSSIBLE”

How is your vision?

I recently read a great new book called Three Feet from Gold, written by Sharon L. Lechter, CPA and Greg S. Reid, based on the principles of Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. In it the authors’ state “Every wealth creator is crystal clear about two things: a vision and a mission.” (Page 105)

I’ve read dozens of books on success and hundreds of articles, and all of the writers are in complete agreement on this one fact – "You must believe it before you can see it." (Three Feet from Gold, by Sharon L. Lechter, CPA and Greg S. Reid, Page 127)

Henry David Thoreau states “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.”

In the Bible, Hebrews Chapter 11:1 states “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (New American Standard Bible © 1995)

What are your dreams? What is your vision? Are you moving toward it? Is it vivid in your mind’s eye? Can you sense it, taste it, imagine it and see it? I can. I know what my dream is and I have a plan for accomplishing it. My dream is to offer hope, encouragement and inspiration one word at a time to individuals and organizations.

Let’s move toward our dreams, hold them close and visit them often so that we never lose sight of our chief aim in life.

"Sight is a function of the eyes; vision is a function of the heart. Vision sets you free from the limitations of what the eyes can see and allows you to enter into the liberty of what the heart can feel. Never let your eyes determine what your heart believes.” Pg 91 (Aspire by Kevin Hall

“I’ll Never Lose My Vision”

__________________

Michael Biggs is a speaker, writer, speech coach and vocal soloist. He lives in Edmonds, WA. with his wife Carolyn. His company is called Up-Words, “Offering Hope, Encouragement, and Inspiration One Word at a Time”. He is available to speak to your business or organization. Please contact him at 206-349-1888 or email him at michael@up-words.net.

Holding On To Essentials

When I was in the seventh grade, our small high school band allowed our seventh grade band members to join with them and march at the football half-time performances. I played drums and the drum assigned to me the first two years was the tenor drum.

When I went into my freshman year I graduated to the snare drum and was given an old Slingerland snare drum. It sounded horrible, but I played it and loved it.

During my first half-time show as a brand new snare drummer we lined up on the end zone line and the majorette blew the whistle for us to begin.

Between the end-zone line and the goal-line I dropped one drum stick. I had to throw off the snares and help keep the beat with one stick, like I used to do with the tenor drum.

Between the goal-line and the ten-yard line I dropped the other stick. I had to march 90 more yards and not play one single beat on my snare drum during this, my first half-time show in my career as a snare drummer. You see, I dropped my essentials and that put me out of commission.

When I reflect back on this incident, here is what I take away from it.

Hold onto your essentials!

What am I talking about?

In life, there are some essentials that we all must hold on to in order to be effective. These would be the principles that we always fall back on and always hold close at all times in every situation when dealing with people.

Skills like:
Remember people’s names. Develop some handles and tips for remembering names. It matters.

Use appropriate eye contact. Look them in the eye. After all, you have nothing to hide. You are honest, trustworthy, and an upright individual. Give appropriate eye contact to every person you meet.

Know your product line. Know the significant facts about what you represent. Know how it helps, how it benefits their life, how it is new and improved, and what it does better than brand X or Y.

First Impressions Matter. Remember, in face-to-face meetings you have thirty seconds to two minutes to make a good first impression. You are being judged on everything from speech patterns, volume, words used, to your body posture, eyes, hands, clothes, and facial expressions, slump of your shoulders and a myriad of other signals you may or may not be aware that you are emitting.

These are the essentials. In your line of work I’m certain you could add a dozen more, and it is a good idea to do that. This is important.

Let me leave you with one final word that I learned a long time ago from Mary Kay Ash’s book People Management. . This is perhaps THE most important essential in human relationship building that you can learn.

“Imagine that every person you meet

is wearing an invisible sign around

their neck that says

‘MAKE ME FEEL IMPORTANT’”.

Remember this and then adjust your relationships in terms of this thought. Watch the difference in how you begin to relate to people and how they relate to you.

And always remember ...

Hold On To Your Essentials!
__________________

Michael Biggs is a speaker, writer, and vocal soloist. He lives in Edmonds, WA. with his wife Carolyn. His company is called Up-Words, “Offering Hope, Encouragement, and Inspiration One Word at a Time”. He is available to speak to your business or organization. Please contact him at 206-349-1888 or email him at michael@up-words.net.

I Only Know Two Notes

When I lived in Waco, Texas I was asked to direct music for a Baptist Church in the community of China Spring. That church was full of wonderful, loving people and I made some good friends during my time there.

It soon became apparent to me that we had a lot of budding young musicians and some adults who were instrumentalists and they needed an outlet for their talents, so we formed a church orchestra in the fall of 1994. We planned, promoted, bought the music, and invited all of the musicians we could find from that congregation and we launched our church orchestra on a beautiful sunny Sunday in late September.

Twenty-two people showed up that first Sunday. And they sounded pretty good to me, all things considered, when one considers the vast range of skills represented among our group. But I’ll never forget what happened after that first Sunday morning rehearsal.

Carrie, an 8th grade trombone player came up to me after rehearsal. She looked sad, almost as if she was about to burst into tears.

She said, “Mr. Biggs. I only know two notes.”

I looked at her, smiled and said, “That’s OK, Carrie. Every time those two notes show up on the page you play them to the best of your ability, and next week you’ll know three notes, then five, and pretty soon you’ll be able to play the whole song.”

Guess what? She did learn. She did play. So did we all. We were at varying levels in our skill development, but we pulled together, we had fun, we learned, and we made music together.

So, how many notes do you know? College graduation was not the end. It was a commencement! It was the beginning! How exciting is that? This is the key: we keep learning and growing.

My career path has taken me lots of places, with some completely different career tracks, including music, insurance, retail sales, real estate, education, professional writing and speaking. Along the way I’ve continued to add notes to my repertoire. I’m no longer a one-note samba.

I love what public speaker and humorist Charlie “Tremendous” Jones was fond of saying. “You’ll be the same person five years from now that you are today, except for the people you meet and the books you read.”

Ah, that’s the secret isn’t it? Books and people. Reading and life experiences. Are we exposing ourselves to other minds? What have you learned lately? That’s the significant question.

I’ve been fortunate to have some major “minds” in my life along the way. In the mid 70’s I had a friend named Dan, a professor at Seattle Pacific University. Every time we got together he always found a way to challenge my thinking and open my eyes to new ways of viewing things.

My friend Steve was in public relations, and times spent with him were revelations in how to look at things from a different perspective and view life from all angles.

Jim taught me much about my relationship with God and helped me form my God-concept.

When I worked retail we were required to complete learning tutorials about every three to four months on some new product that was being introduced. That kept us sharp and up to speed so that we could best represent our wares.

What’s new in your field? What resources are available to you for your skill development?

What have you read recently?

How are your people skills? Have you read any great books lately on getting along with people?

How is your home life? Are you stuck in the rut or are you trying fun, fresh activities to keep the spark alive and the family close?

How many notes do you know?

__________________
Michael Biggs is a speaker, writer, speech coach and vocal soloist. He lives in Edmonds, WA. with his wife Carolyn. His company is called Up-Words, “Offering Hope, Encouragement, and Inspiration One Word at a Time”. He is available to speak to your business or organization. Please contact him at 206-349-1888 or email him at michael@up-words.net.

Help Us to Pay Attention

During my growing up years in Tennessee my Dad was a minister. Most of those years were spent in Lewisburg, Tennessee in a church that my father helped establish and he, along with others in town actually built the building.

I have some fond memories of those times and especially the people. Some of those individuals left important marks on my character and early development.

One in particular was a gentleman named Uncle Ed. Uncle Ed was an elderly bachelor gentleman who attended our church. I don’t remember a lot about his background, as he was an older man by the time I began remembering him, but I do remember he was very faithful to the church in attendance and support. He was there every time the doors were opened, meaning Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Wednesday night prayer service.

Uncle Ed always sat on the third pew from the front on the left side, and he would sit sideways, facing to his left, with his arm on the back of the seat and his head down. At times we thought he was nodding off to sleep, but he would find ways of letting us know that he was paying keen attention all of the time.

On one particularly hot July Sunday night, my Dad was preaching about women’s dress of the day. In an effort to make a particular point Dad said,

“I tell you the women’s hem lines are getting higher and the neck lines are getting lower!”

Uncle Ed popped up and said, “Amen, Lord. Help us to pay attention.”

That’s a funny story, and it begs to be dealt with, doesn’t it? “Help us to pay attention!”

As a parent, we pay attention to the nurture and development of our children. Who and what are the influences on their lives? What are their eating habits? Sleep patterns? Are they playing safely? Do they look both ways before crossing the street?

In a dating relationship the questions get more interesting. To whom am I attracted? What about personality and looks? Where will we live? What boundaries and guidelines will we abide by in our relationship?

During my single years, after my divorce, I was dating a woman and I had hopes that some day we might get married. I knew we weren’t exactly clicking in every way and I knew we were treading in troubled waters much of the time, yet I still held on to the dream of us one day resolving our difficulties and making our lives together.

I shared some of our relationship struggles with a very good friend whose opinions and judgments I highly valued. At one point in our conversation he asked me “Michael, what are you pretending not to know?” That is a sobering question. It’s another way of saying “Are you pay attention?”

On the job there are dozens of norms to which we must pay attention. What is the start time? What about breaks? What is considered reimbursable expenses? How much vacation time do I get? What is the culture of the work place and of the company for which I work?

To be a loving husband, I pay attention to my wife’s tone of voice. I notice if she is a bit down emotionally and find ways to lift her spirits, or at least listen and let her express herself.

We can only hope economists, bankers and others in financial power positions are paying attention to this current recession and recognizing the causes and cures for it.

Proof readers have to be extra diligent in paying attention to do a proper job of editing and correcting the written word for mass distribution.

When dealing with people are we noticing their body stance? Do they look interested or are they turned away from us as if they wish to escape? Do they look at you, a little or a lot? How close or far apart do they stand from you?

By now, I’m sure you get the point.

I have had some moments in my life when I wasn’t paying enough attention and I’ve had to pay a price for those lapses. Can I see a show of hands on that point?

Two nights ago, on my way home from work, I narrowly missed ramming into the automobile in front of me because I was not paying attention. Thankfully I looked up in time. (I know, don’t text on your cell phone and drive.)

“Help us to pay attention!”

A prayer
A thought
A motto
A way to live
__________________

Michael Biggs is a speaker, writer, speech coach and vocal soloist. He lives in Edmonds, WA. with his wife Carolyn. His company is called Up-Words, “Offering Hope, Encouragement, and Inspiration One Word at a Time”. He is available to speak to your business or organization. Please contact him at 206-349-1888 or email him at michael@up-words.net.

ASPIRE -- A Book Worthy of Your Time

When I find a book that rocks my world I like to tell my best friends about it. Welcome to my inner circle of best friends. The book is called Aspire, Discovering Your Purpose through the Power of Words by Kevin Hall. I finished reading it a few days ago; yet I’ll never be finished reading this powerful gem. You are going to have to read it for yourself. Here is a taste of what you’ll find in these 238 pages.

We are introduced to eleven powerful words, four of which were new words to me. The remaining seven are common enough words, but in Kevin’s hands they become change agents for challenging thoughts and behavior relative to these words and how we view those close to us.

Kevin also suggests that we send each of these words to people within our sphere of influence, share the meaning and how that individual demonstrates the particular character trait of that word. I have been doing this and am amazed at the responses I’ve received from my recipients. I encourage you to try this for yourself. You’ll almost certainly lift someone’s spirit.

Some of the words you’ll encounter are:

GENSHAI (pronounced “GEN-shy”) means that you should never treat another person in a manner that would make them feel small, and that means yourself. (Page 9)

NAMASTE (pronounced “nah-mah-STAY”) says “I salute the Divine within you; I salute your God-given gifts. (Page 41)

SAPERE VEDERE (pronounced “sah-PARE-ay veh-DARE-ay”) declares that a person knows how to see. Another way of saying this is “believing is seeing”. (Page 90)

OLLIN (Pronounced “All-in”) if you are an “Ollin” person this means you “move and act now with all your heart.” (Page 185)

Kevin also takes a simple, familiar word like “Inspire” and turns it into a whole new way of thinking about our day-to-day interactions we have with other people. Allow me to quote a few passages:

“Inspire is to breathe into. I can breathe life into the spirit of others.”

“From this day on I resolve to leave every person I meet better for having met me.” That is a worthy declaration, and one by which I want to live.

Kevin quotes Maya Angelou with this: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

I love that! I’ve been reflecting on that one comment for a week now. I have recounted countless esteeming thoughts I’ve received in my lifetime.

Unfortunately, I’ve also recounted a few less than esteeming words that have been tossed my way. I think Maya was right. Even in those non-esteeming moments I’ve never forgotten how some of those words made me feel.

To whom can you and I offer words of esteem, encouragement and hope this very day?

“When you ‘encourage’ you add to someone’s heart.” (Page 134)

Enjoy this book. Let it strengthen your personal and business relationships. May it give you some new insights into these important and powerful words.

And always, always remember this …

“People will never forget how you made them feel.”

(To purchase your copy of Aspire, go to my bookstore link and add Aspire to your shopping cart. The link can be found in the right hand panel at the beginning of this blog.)

__________________
Michael Biggs is a speaker, writer, speech coach and vocal soloist. He lives in Edmonds, WA. with his wife Carolyn. His company is called Up-Words, “Offering Hope, Encouragement, and Inspiration One Word at a Time”. He is available to speak to your business or organization. Please contact him at 206-349-1888 or email him at michael@up-words.net.

Pertinacity

I took two years of typing class during my sophomore and junior years of high school. Our teacher was an eccentric older gentleman named D. W. Seay. He taught my brothers and sisters before me and I was lucky enough to have him as my teacher. What a valuable skill he taught me.

I mentioned that he was eccentric. He would often come out to our class and begin talking about a particular point having to do with good business practices and then get side-tracked and talk endlessly on other subjects completely foreign to the original topic. We loved it because it made the class hour zoom by and it was sometimes humorous.

He also had some persnickety rules for us to abide by. One was that when we approached his office, we were required to knock on his door handle, not on the wood side of the door itself, as this would get oils on the door and more quickly deteriorate the wood finish.

One day, I was typing on an assignment and needed a better word for the passage on which I was composing. I properly knocked on the door handle, he beckoned me in and I stated my plight. I told him I was searching for a word that was better than the word “stick-to-itiveness”. Without batting an eye he suggested the word “pertinacity’. I had never heard that word before, and I took his advice and used that word.

Pertinacity! Resolute, determined, purposeful.

It also suggests “sticking power.” There is a song in the Disney children’s movie Beauty and the Beast sung by the character Gaston. They use the phrase “Screw your courage to the sticking place.” I love that.

That means we have staying power, sticking power, fortitude to see to the end whatever we set out to accomplish.

How is your pertinacity? Do you have staying power?

People who write books have pertinacity.
People who aspire to become the President of the United States exhibit pertinacity.
Lance Armstrong had pertinacity to overcome his cancer and win the Tour de France bicycle races.
Abraham Lincoln had pertinacity.
Victor Frankl had pertinacity to endure the Nazi concentration camp for three grueling years.
Mother Theresa was the epitome of pertinacity in order to accomplish her important mission of demonstrating compassion to the world.
Runners who complete marathons have pertinacity.

Any great and worthy achievement is a monument to the spirit and attitude of pertinacity.

You go get ‘em! Show your pertinacity.

And “screw your courage to the sticking place”!


__________________
Michael Biggs is a speaker, writer, speech coach and vocal soloist. He lives in Edmonds, WA. with his wife Carolyn. His company is called Up-Words, “Offering Hope, Encouragement, and Inspiration One Word at a Time”. Michael’s business experiences include Director of Sales and Director of Marketing in music publishing, Regional Director for Sylvan Learning Centers, and retail sales/management, and sales success in insurance and real estate. He is available to speak to your business or organization. Please contact him at 206-349-1888 or email him at michael@up-words.net.