The Secret to Living
It’s that special time of year when we need to take a little time focus on all the good in our life. We can easily get so caught up in life that we forget the real Secret To Living.
I’ve always heard that “The Secret to Living is Giving.” Most importantly, I always believed that you should give back some of what you earn to others that need your help. But let’s take it a little further. You can give more than just money especially if don’t have much during these challenging economic times. You can give a prayer to the most needy in our society, give your time and attention to an organization that needs your leadership, and you can share your knowledge and wisdom with those that need your guidance.
One of the greatest enjoyments I have found in life is the giving of my time. I have four children and they have always been involved in youth sports. I’ve always enjoyed coaching my kid’s ball teams when they were younger and volunteered my time to help with the booster clubs and organizations as they’ve grown older. I’ve found that teaching kids the importance of having a positive attitude and the benefits of hustling is very rewarding to me.
Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” I’ve found my greatest rewards in life come from helping others.
In 1985, I began my career as a sales person. From the get go, I was always eager to learn and share my time and knowledge with everyone I met. Eventually I opened an office that became very successful. Individuals from across the nation would seek me out for my advice and counsel and to knowledge share on all aspects of the business. The bottom line is I have always had a sharing caring attitude.
Giving of yourself takes you past the point of success and to the next level which is significance. When you become significant, you give something that will last many lifetimes.
Now here’s the interesting part. When you give expecting nothing in return, it seems to come back to you many times. Megastar and Philanthropist, Oprah Winfrey, says, “What I know for sure – is that what you give…..comes back to you.”
Some of the greatest rewards in my life have come because of my involvement with an organization called “Roaring Lambs.” I have met and become dear friends with individuals such as public speaker and motivator, the late great Charlie “Tremendous” Jones. Charlie influenced my life “Tremendously” with one of his quotes, “You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.”
I have also met and have become personal friends with mentor, author, salesperson, and motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar and his son Tom. Zig taught us all that “You can have everything in life you want if you help enough other people get what they want.”
I have also become friends with people like self-made millionaire and former Congressman, Ed Foreman, who taught us that “Life is TERRIFIC!!” and Bryan Dodge who taught us that “The Good Life Rules.” Bryan helped me secure publisher for my book entitled You Gotta Get in the Game. As a result of authoring my book, I have become friends with another hero of mine, Les Brown, known as “The Motivator,” who taught us how to Live our Dreams.
Also because of the books I’ve written and the wisdom I have shared over the years, I’ve been blessed to speak and share my Ideas and strategies with some of the largest companies and organizations in the world.
John Maxwell says “We should not receive anything without giving and we cannot give anything without receiving.” I BELIEVE! I’m totally convinced that the secret to living…and I mean living the life of your Dreams… is Giving.
Finally, just to make the story a little more interesting, a few weeks back I was helping setup the helmet that the boys run through at one of my son’s high school football games. I was on the sidelines when I looked over and standing directly beside me was Dallas Cowboys Quarterback, Tony Romo. I am a big Cowboy’s fan and because I was giving back that evening I was able to hang out with Tony and get a few pictures for my kids, etc.
The late United States President, John F. Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.” I’m going to take President Kennedy’s statement to a higher level and say:
“Ask not what your family can do for you, but ask what you can do for your family.”
“Ask not what your company can do for you, but ask what you can do for your company.”
“Ask not what your organization or your church can do for you, but rather ask what you can do for your organization or church.”
If you start giving of yourself…money, time, energy, and knowledge, you will truly find out that the Real Secret to Living is Giving.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Billy Cox
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