Ron White's Ezine
December 24, 2008
Issue 84
Welcome!
This weekend was one of the last weekends of the year, so, although much of the weekend was up in the air, two things were guaranteed: first, I would be planning my 2009 goals, and second, I would be watching the Dallas Cowboys!
I arrived at the agreed-upon location 30 minutes prior to kick-off to insure we had a place to sit, and as anticipated by kick-off the place was packed! Then my multi-tasking began and I started setting my goals mentally as I rooted for the good guys (yeah... the COWBOYS!).
I was surrounded by fans so passionate that they showed up to watch the game early just to get a seat, wore the jersey of their favorite player, cheered with passion at every 30-yard reception and barked insults in disgust when the receiver dropped the ball. Then I thought, “What if everyone was as passionate about their own goals as they are about their favorite team? What if they followed their life as closely as they followed the life of the quarterback or receiver? What would happen if you got as upset with yourself for not making cold calls as you do when you hear a player was late for practice?’
So as I set my goals for 2009, I am going to apply the same passion, measuring stick and enthusiasm I have for the lives of my favorite players to my OWN life. After all, I actually have control over this game. It is okay to arrange your weekend around a game, but don't fail to arrange your life for YOUR goals. It is okay to be passionate and cheer for a 30-yard touchdown, but don't fail to cheer with passion for YOUR success. It is okay to expect the most out of the running back, but don't fail to expect the most out of YOURSELF.
Set your goals for 2009 and root for them with the same passion you will for your team. Happy New Year and may your team win this weekend...unless your team is the Steelers and, in that case, may they be humiliated horribly in a squashing loss. :)
Go for More this Week!
Ron White
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In This Issue.....
1. The Christmas Truce by Ron White
2. Quotes of the Week
3. Kill Them with Kindness by Zig Ziglar
4. Late Gift Ideas and FREE Shipping EXTENDED!
5. More Information
1. The Christmas Truce by Ron White
It was referred to as the war to end all wars. Yet, two decades after World War I the world found itself once again entrenched in a global battle. Why was the First World War referred to as the war to end all wars? It earned this name because it was believed that with all the modern weapons of war, no nation would dare attack another for the sure bloodshed that would follow. The destruction of the First World War was horrific with over 10 million giving their lives in the name of their country.
In the midst of this brutality, death and destruction, one of the most peculiar sights in human history evolved on a Christmas night in 1914. It was a sight rarer than watching a Texas baseball team in the World Series. On this incredible night almost a century ago soldiers on the western front did the unthinkable. Only days and perhaps hours before, these men had found themselves frozen to the bone in the cold rain and mud. The sound of mortars still rang in their ears. The sight of their brothers in arms falling to the ground from a volley of bullets was still fresh in their minds. Yet, something remarkable was about to take place on this Christmas Eve.
It was a truce in the fighting initiated by the low ranking men selected to do the fighting and dying. By all accounts this Christmas truce was not started by the British. It was, in fact, a result of the actions of the Germans. Yes, the country that it had become easy to vilify during this time period because of their horrific leaders and government policies was in fact a nation of people with hearts like you and I. These German soldiers lobbed a chocolate cake into the trenches of the British. Imagine that; you are used to seeing grenades land in your trench and instead the enemy has lobbed a chocolate cake with a request for an hour truce. The truce was for a birthday party for their captain. The truce was granted.
As a soldier in this war, it was comforting to know that your enemy was in the same miserable conditions that you were- the cold, the mud and the stench of death. Remarkably, it was in these conditions that a truce was born and soon Christmas carols burst out from the trenches of the Germans, once again, an olive branch. The British were at first reluctant and rightfully so, this was war and any trick is fair game in war. Although, it was recognized for what it was. Men with hearts, moms, dads, children, hobbies, girlfriends, wives and compassion overcome with that compassion on the anniversary of the greatest sacrifice in the history of mankind. It was Christmas and the anniversary of the birth of a man who laid down his life for others, and the Germans were overcome with this spirit.
That Christmas Eve soldiers who had been engaged in the war referred to as “the war to end all wars’ because of this brutality tossed their weapons of destruction aside and embraced, sang Christmas songs and even wandered the battle field playing soccer with each other and sharing cigarettes. It has been said that hundreds and as many as thousands participated in this most magical holiday truce.
There is something about this time of year that you can't pinpoint. It is something that you can't put your finger on. It is a spirit that is in the air. It is a spirit that begs you to forget differences, embrace those you love and even those you don't. It challenges you to give until you can't give anymore. Sometimes the cloud of challenges in life can spur a person to brush aside the undeniable feelings that are in the air at Christmas. Too often the pressures of life can convince you the spirit of joy and giving that you are sensing is nothing more than a coincidence of the time of year. In 1914, a handful of low ranking German soldiers knew that what they felt in their hearts about Christmas was true.
These men did not brush aside the impromptu feelings of peace and love for their fellow man. Instead, they lobbed a chocolate cake and a note of truce. I encourage you to allow yourself to be overcome this Christmas with the same spirit that took these soldiers captive almost a century ago. You may feel you are entrenched in some kind of your own personal battle. If so, allow yourself to be overwhelmed with the spirit of giving and joy and toss a chocolate cake out there. You just might be surprised at the outcome…
-- Ron White
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2. Quotes of The Week
GIVING ABUNDANCE
"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself." -- Og Mandino
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." --
Winston Churchill
"Wherever you go, whomever you meet, look for an opportunity to help, to inspire, to lend support." -- Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson
"The charity that is a trifle to us can be precious to others." -- Homer
"Love only grows by sharing. You can only have more for yourself by giving it away to others." -- Brian Tracy
"The duty of helping one's self in the highest sense involves the helping of one's neighbors." -- Samuel Smiles
"One of the greatest gifts you can give to anyone is the gift of attention." -- Jim Rohn
"You can't be too kind or too generous." -- Patricia Fripp
3. Kill Them with Kindness by Zig Ziglar
I love the story of what happened during the days of the Berlin Wall. One day some of the East Berliners decided they were going to send their West Berlin adversaries a little "gift." They loaded a dump truck with garbage, broken bricks, stones, building material, and anything else with zero value. They drove the truck across the border, gained clearance, and dumped it on the West Berlin side.
Needless to say, the West Berliners were incensed and were going to "get even" with them. Fortunately, a very wise man intervened and gave entirely different counsel. As a result, they responded and loaded a dump truck with food (which was scarce in East Berlin), clothing (also scarce), medical supplies (even scarcer), a host of other essential items. They took the truck across the border, carefully unloaded it all, and left a neat sign that read, "Each gives according to his ability to give."
Message: Kill 'em with kindness. Don't return evil in like kind. Be more magnanimous than that.
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5. More Information
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