Hi Cheryl, I know this is long but I found it very uplifting. This is an excerpt from "The Butterfly Effect" by Andy andrews.

Not long ago, I finally told the story of when, at the age oftwenty-three, homeless and scared, I was given guidance in a mostunusual fashion by an old man named Jones. What the old man told me didnothing less than change my life and my future. He said..."With alittle perspective you can live a life of permanent purpose."

WhenI asked what he meant, the old man answered with a question. "Do yousometimes find yourself unconsciously judging your actions by level ofimportance?" I frowned a bit, not certain I understood. "For instance,"he continued, "the time you spend with friends is important, but thetime you spend with family, is more important. You might rank an hourfishing as very important, thirty minutes visiting a sick friend in thehospital much more important than the fishing, and a sixty secondconversation with a convenience store clerk as not very important atall."

I nodded my understanding and he returned to hisinitial point. "When you know that everything matters - that every movecounts as much as any other - you will begin living a life of permanentpurpose. A life of permanent purpose will make you a better parent, abetter spouse, and a more valuable friend. Your productivity andfinancial success will soar to new heights while the old days ofuncertainty, doubt, and depression fade into the past."

Ofcourse, that conversation with Jones changed me. But even more, itbecame the guiding force that produced the kind of speaker and author Ihave become. You see, I understand fully that my very value as anauthor and speaker must ultimately be judged by the success youachieve. And as I consult with companies or speak to organizations andteams, I am keenly aware that much of my client's (your) ability tosucceed beyond imagination depends upon my ability to prove this veryconcept!

When a sales organization sees proof thatcasual conversations in town matter just as much as an arranged meetingwith a major prospect -

When the second stringright-guard sees proof that his every action on and off the field,whether he plays or not, is as critical to the team's successful seasonas everything the starting quarterback does -

When ateenager sees and understands proof that every choice made in leisuretoday will affect the choices that will be available to him in morepressing times ahead -

When one lives a life ofpermanent purpose, sales figures soar, team chemistry thrives, andteenage decisions become wiser and more cautious. And these are just afew examples of what will happen... Simply put, when we understand thatevery action matters, every result of our actions immediately improves!

Inthese pages, I know you will find hope and direction for yourself, butI am most excited that you will now be equipped to lead others to theirown life of permanent purpose! My hope for our families, our places ofworship, our businesses, our nation, and our world is an incrediblelife of permanent purpose that can be achieved when at last weunderstand: Every move we make and every action we take, matters notjust for us, but for all of us...and for all time.

God Bless

Ken Nairne