Our weekly boys-night-out with my sons plus a spare was extra special last night.  Dinner and a movie with casual, sometimes comical conversation is usually on the agenda.

Last night our spare’s name was Joel and our restaurant of choice was the world famous Taco Bell.  Taco’s and burritos a-la-cart with smiles all-around as things were going just as expected until Julia approached us unexpectedly and shook-up our normal.

Tattered clothes, matted hair with a toothless smile, she definitely fit the description of what the “good book” (bible) describes as “The least of these”.  She approached us unassumingly holding a small cardboard sign with the words “Merry Christmas! Can you spare some change to make my families Christmas Merry?”

After I read this note out loud, our spare Joel quickly whipped out two dollars and handed it to her with a smile.  I then attempted to chat with her but she stated that she was deaf and could only read lips or sign-language.  Challenge! I thought, but I was definitely up for it.  I used a few signs that I knew to get past the simple stuff then I had to rely on mouthing my words slowly.  This really made for an interesting conversation and we could all see her face light up as she shared about her life’s travels and what’s her current struggle.

It’s amazing how much we managed to learn in just under 25 minutes of conversation with our new friend Julia.  We wished her the best and parted ways with a smile and I was then able to seize the opportunity to express to my boys the importance of giving something that can at times be better than money.  That thing was casual, sincere “conversation”.

Yes that’s right folks, plain-ole’ conversation can give to someone much more than money could ever give.  It was extremely clear that Julia was positively affected by our short conversation with her and it was quite obvious that she was not used to someone being as interested in her journey and I’m sure she’s not soon to forget our positive encounter.  Me and my boys won’t forget it either.  🙂

I encourage you NOT to miss your opportunities to send a message to those around you about how important our positive words and conversation can be to “the least of these” and other people period.  These actions aren’t just reserved for the holidays, they’re appropriate for all-our-days.

So be advised and encouraged today and let’s continue to Make it GREAT!

www.MrBreadCrumb.com

www.52BreadCrumbs.com

www.MakeItGreatNOW.com

“What an awesome day to be above ground and breathing,” was the comment I made to a gentleman at church just a few days ago and he said, “Well for us Christians, if we’re no longer here on this earth that means we’re in heaven with Jesus which is a much better place than being here.”

I cracked a casual smile and then told him that if we’re not here in this life on earth that means we have absolutely no chance of helping other people and instilling inspiration and hope in our hurting humanity and “I don’t think I’m quite ready to throw in the towel on my contribution just yet.”

He paused for a few seconds as if to process my comment and then he said, “Wow!  I guess I’ve never really thought about it that way.”  We both chuckled a bit and then exchanged a few more niceties and wished each other a great day then went on our merry way.

I must admit that I never get tired of having these types of casual encounters and conversations with people that get them to think about things in a slightly different manner.  I’m not sure what he will do with this new notion but it sure felt pretty good watching him experience an “Aha Moment”.  🙂

I hope that in some way this article has been an “Aha Moment” for you and in the days ahead I invite you to consider what you’re doing or what COULD you be doing to help or give hope to our hurting humanity.  So when your final hour comes, you’ll truly feel like you’re “finished” with the task and mission for which you were here for in the first place and feel like you’ve actually made this life GREAT!

Have a fabulous weekend and Make it GREAT!

www.MrBreadCrumb.com

www.52BreadCrumbs.com

www.MakeItGreatNOW.com

I saw an interesting statistic not long ago that said the winter season holds the undisputed title of being the season with the highest rate of depression and suicide.  One of the reasons listed for this was an increased feeling of loneliness during a time when family and friends for the holidays should be in full force and affect.

What I found to be most surprising about this information was that all the reasons listed were in some way rooted and related to self-pity or a feeling of inadequacy and little worth irregardless of money, material possessions or social status.

Now I’m no doctor, and I surely can’t pretend to understand the depth of the darkness and state-of-mind of someone experiencing such a challenge, but I do understand that the more we take our eyes and focus off of “self” and start to focus on others in need of support, the more we increase the chances of avoiding the pitfall of self-pity and unworthiness.

That’s right folks, “What’s focused on most develops in the host,” and if you leverage this philosophy for your “good” by creating value and doing for others, don’t be surprised when you see it becoming cathartic and therapeutic for you.

Simply put, watch your “Focus” as your future un-folds especially during the season of the cloud cover and the cold and be sure to Make it GREAT!   The choice will always be yours and yours alone so choose wisely.  🙂

www.MrBreadCrumb.com

www.52BreadCrumbs.com

www.MakeItGreatNOW.com

The Fab-Five is what I call them and my wife Karen is the ring-leader.  If it’s true that the mark of a Great man is the fruit of his family, then I must really be great because this fruit has turned out to be pretty tasty.  LOL…  😉

All jokes aside…  I do truly feel like I’m the most blessed husband and father of four on the planet on a daily basis to have a wife that loves me in spite of my faults, fallacies and habits and hang-ups, and four kids who bring me genuine joy with almost NO major challenges what-so-ever.

Many have asked me what’s the source of my BIG “cool-aid” smile and without a doubt I have to say that at the top of the list sits my Fab-Five.  Dull moments are non-existent when this ragtag bunch is together and everybody’s a comedian.  Nine to 19 are their ages and every passing year has brought me nothing but joy and cheer.

No the stories not over for them, it’s just beginning and I can’t wait to read the coming chapters of their lives.  Goals and Dreams are a common theme and planning, persistence and perseverance are words that echo off the walls and through the halls of the Crawford residence regularly.

To be continued… is the status of their lives at this time and as strange as it may seem, I’m glad to say today that I’m actually proud in advance of who they will become tomorrow.

My wish for you this Christmas Season is that you will take time to really slow down and connect with those whom you share the same last name with and show them with your actions that you really appreciate who they are and who they’re becoming.

Let’s all make this Christmas season so awesome that last Christmas gets insanely jealous. 🙂  Let’s Make it GREAT!

www.MrBreadCrumb.com

www.52BreadCrumbs.com

www.MakeItGreatNOW.com

Only in the sports world does having the most “Time of Possession” (amount of time a team controls the ball) usually results in a win.  But in the world of communication with others the one who has the most “Time of Possession” (amount of talk time) is usually loosing.

Yes that’s right friends, when attempting to effectively communicate with others we must seek first to understand others by listening before we seek to be understood.  We must concede to give the “Time of Possession” over to others and listen intently to uncover and discover their objectives and agenda and then determine if our own mission and objectives suggest that a union or strategic alliance is in-order.

So don’t be afraid to give up the “Time of Possession” during the many seasons of your life because it’s sure to get you a few steps closer to a win-win relationship and outcome with others.

This breadcrumb of wisdom can surely make the difference between you making this life “good” or making this life GREAT!  Enjoy…

www.MrBreadCrumb.com

www.52BreadCrumbs.com

www.MakeItGreatNOW.com