Mr. Zig Ziglar, One of a Kind

I loved listening to Zig Ziglar.  I first learned about him from my dad.  My father loved him.  Being in the sales profession until the day he died, my dad loved Zig Ziglar all of his personal and professional life and quoted him often!  He didn't just believe that the words of Zig Ziglar were beneficial for a sales career, but also for life in general.  My Dad was from the "old school" days of sales, the door-to-door knocking kind and he loved the concept of straight commission.  It drove him crazy when people complained about it.  His motto was, "I get paid exactly what I've earned" and he liked it that way.  People these days could learn a thing or two about the work ethic of those before us.  Today we live in a society that wants something for nothing.  It's pathetic.  But, hey, that's another blog.

Traveling with my dad on Saturday mornings knocking on hundreds of doors demonstrating and selling Electrolux vacuum cleaners, I was sure of three things.  #1) We'd sell vaccuums, #2) We'd be listening to Zig Ziglar cassettes!  And always, without fail, #3) I could count on Dad to quote Zig Ziglar throughout the day.

Here are some of my favorite Zig Ziglar quotes used by my own father.  And he always started them with this, "Baby Girl..............

"If you think you can or you think you can't, you're right."
“Remember that failure is an event, not a person.”
"You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want.”
“People often say motivation doesn’t last. Neither does bathing—that’s why we recommend it daily.”
“There has never been a statue erected to honor a critic.”
“People don’t buy for logical reasons. They buy for emotional reasons.”
“Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes.”
“If you go looking for a friend, you’re going to find they’re scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you’ll find them everywhere.”
“A goal properly set is halfway reached.”
“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.”
“If you can dream it, you can achieve it."

As far as I know, my Dad never got to meet Zig Ziglar in person, but just last month, I had the honor of meeting his daughter, Julie, at an event we were both speaking at.  I was beyond excited and thrilled to meet her.  I told her how much my father admired her father.  We had our picture made together, along with another friend, and I'll cherish it and my time with Julie for the rest of my life.  I know my father would have been beyond ectastic that I'd met one of his heroes daughter.  I'm looking forward to seeing her again in the near future as we continue working together fighting for the causes we both believe in.  We were blessed.  Our father's weren't perfect, but I can safely say that both of us would credit our father's for instilling our drive for success and being the best we can be.

Like I had to do seven years ago, I'm thinking about Julie today as she bids farewell to her own father, the greatest motivational speaker of all time, Mr. Zig Ziglar. 

I have a strong feeling my Dad and Zig have already met by now and they're having a blast:).

                                            Victoria, Linda Cochrane and Julie Ziglar

Happy Birthday Dad

Happy Birthday, Dad. I still can't believe you're gone. There's so much I wish I could tell you. For now, I'll say I love you. Enjoy Heaven and the peace that you so desperately longed for and finally have:)

A Curveball

If you haven't already guessed by now, my relationship status has changed.  There are certain things this girl is not willing to compromise, hence my new relationship status of single.

It's been quite a journey this past year.  Some very good changes have taken place, while others have been quite painful, yet necessary. 

Slowly but surely, I've begun to enjoy my newfound status, although at times, I won't lie, it's a bit much to take in.  Word has begun to get out and already well meaning friends or colleagues are calling to tell me about "someone you've GOT to meet!" 

For now, I've decided to "date" myself and regroup.  This coming year, 2013, is going to be life changing for me and my family.  Much is coming and I'll be giving more details as I'm able:). 

My wounds have been licked, my pride and humiliation are on the mend, and I'm working on my convictions.   That inner voice inside tried desperately to warn me, but I didn't listen and brushed it away.  It's time for me to figure out how I let that happen.

Then do my best to make sure it doesn't ever happen again. 

 

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Bittersweet

Some songs just get to me.  This is one of them.  Beautiful, yet painful.  I miss my best friend Trudy and still can't believe she's been gone over a year now.  I miss my Dad, who left this earth seven years ago.  I miss others who've touched my life in some way, even though they aren't part of it today.

And maybe one day when and if couples stop taking eachother for granted and start cherishing and protecting what God has given them, then and only then will songs like this one fail to exist.  Like that'll ever happen.

This song says so much.  Have you ever awakened from a deep sleep and let out a huge sigh of relief when you realized what you were just dreaming was just a dream?  Well, I have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMN8tyLK8ZU

Again?

"Sometimes "I'm sorry" just isn't good enough anymore."

When someone continues to repeat the same inappropriate behaviors over and over again, it's time to realize there's a pretty good chance they most likely aren't going to stop.  That's when, for some, it becomes decision time.  Keep putting up with it, accept it or move on. 

People, we can try and twist facts to make it the truth to fit what we need it to be all day long, but it still doesn't make it the truth.  Think about this.  In this day and time, anything and everything we do or say is documented and recorded.  This is why I beg teenagers, especially my own daughters, to be careful what they put on Facebook, Twitter or any other social media outlet. 

I'm sure the head of the CIA and his mistress thought their initial "innocent" emails and flirting couldn't get them into trouble.  It did!  Then, they thought their correspondence wouldn't be discovered.  It was.   When you play with fire, you will get burned.  

People like to flirt with eachother around the workplace, convincing themselves it's innocent or maybe they'll dabble in pornography, etc, believing noone is going to get hurt.  Those behaviors may feed a need for attention or an inflated ego, but I wonder how those same people would act if they were aware their significant others were watching or had access to those email conversations.  Hmmmm?

Think about it.  If even the head of the CIA gets caught having an affair, do we actually believe we're capable of getting away with anything these days?  Nope, I think not.

So, why not come clean and stay clean.  Then, there's nothing to worry about.  Wow, sounds like a concept and integrity to me!

And the truth shall set you free:).

Good-Bye Bradley

You were buried today.  I didn't attend your funeral because I wasn't sure I should.  However, that didn't change the fact that you've been on my mind since I heard the news last Thursday.  There are moments when I can't stop crying and those times I can't stop smiling thinking about the love we shared and all the fun we had together.   

Losing two people over the past 18 months that meant so much to me is indescribable.  I can't explain my emotions from one hour to the next.  Your death reminds me of hers last July.  A reminder of how short life is, that we're not promised tomorrow.  Both of you dying unexpectedly.  It's just too much.

Many people are hurting from your passing.  I've been praying for your parents, your brothers, your friends, your wife and especially your daughter.  People have been honoring you with their blogs and memories.  It's quite beautiful.

I realized something today.  You died exactly 26 years to the day that we had our first date.  You hounded me at that Halloween Party until I agreed to go out with you the next day!  I remember it like it was yesterday.  You were a man with a beautiful heart and I was blessed to have shared part of your life with you. 

Although some of our time together may have been painful, today, I want to remember those that were wonderful, as there were many.  Because of you, I believe in true love and discovered what it meant to truly love a man.  My love for you may have changed over the years, but I never stopped.  And even though we'd gone our separate ways, so many times, I was reminded of you.  Whether it was a song I'd hear, a movie, a book I was reading, there you were.  It always made me smile.  You were infectious.  You were the kind of man that touched people's lives so as they'd never forget you.  Not to mention that to this day, you were one of the funniest guys I've ever known!  You had a way to make me smile, even on a bad day.

You will forever be missed by all who knew you and your memory resides in a place of my heart that will always belong to you and you alone.  I have no regrets.  Because "It is better to have loved deeply and lost, than never to have loved at all."  Thank you for that.

Good-bye for now.  Until we meet again.   

Highs and Lows

Today started as a great day.  We celebrated the Open House for our new Pregnancy Center!  This has been a dream of mine for 10+ years and it came true today.  Watching this goal come to fruition has been so inspiring to me.  When you dream and believe, you really can make things happen.  Once again, I am humbled and blessed to have been used by God to make a difference in the lives of others and my community. 

There was a huge turn out of people showing their support.  I gave a short speech to the large crowd and had the privilege of cutting the ceremonious ribbon to mark our first day in business.  It was such a proud moment for me, my staff, our board members and volunteers.

Unfortunately, a couple hours later, I received a telephone call from my best friend, Terry.  He shared some very sad news with me.  Someone that had been a huge part of my life 25 years ago passed away this morning. 

I was stunned, shocked and dismayed.  I think I will be for a long time.  After Terry gave me the news, I held the phone and just cried.  I haven't spoken to this person in years, but there were many times I thought of him and hoped he was happy.  It's been a surreal day full of highs and lows.

Rest in peace, Brad.  You will forever be missed by anyone who ever met you.  Including me.  I'd always hoped to speak to you just once more.