Dear Charles,

I am so grateful to you for sharing your secret question with all of us here. I picture us all sitting around a large round table....sipping cups of coffee, maybe iced tea or something. Clipboards in hand....and your words ring so true to what I aim to do in my life and my business:

> The Magic Question of All Success

> "How can I increase my service a little
> more this day to the people whom I
> serve?"

Excellent way to frame your day! In fact, I think I will make a mind map with that very question on it to close my day today....

Another comment of yours I completely enjoyed:

> One other thing, those who are passionate
> about something no longer see things as
> success or "failure" but rather as
> learning experiences and
> "let's-try-this-one-another-way".

Another thing we passionate souls find in every experience is a story....and I just so happen to have a story right here, in my back pocket....its a fairy tale of sorts, and one significant name has been changed....
Once upon a time there was a little girl named Laura. This little
girl enjoyed playing with her dolls, her many friends, and caring
for others with her big loving heart which stretched far beyond
the little girl's physical body.

Laura always had a little recording in the back of her head, that
she was at risk. She was on alert that she and her brother might
be "sent away" to one of "those places" where they send children
who have a problem. Yes, her brother looked sort of different
from other kids. And he could not do as much as her friend's little
brothers and sisters, but why should that mean he would get sent
away? Surely if HE could get sent away, then LAURA could get
sent away too. At any time.

Laura learned never to expect anything. Be grateful for everything,
the bags of hand me down clothes, the occasional hug or pat on
the head. She became the teacher's pet, the child in the family all
the neighbors welcomed into their homes. Laura always received
the most Christmas and Valentine Cards in the class. She was
always on the party invitation list.

On Christmas morning when Laura was 8 years old, she ran down
to the Christmas tree with her four brothers and sister. She knew
her spot and she was excited! Her Granny was visiting from
California, there was snow on the ground, life was grand! She
literally flew past shiny bicycle for her sister and began
unwrapping her gifts, gleefully hoping to find another doll to love.

Her Mommy tapped her on the shoulder.

"Laura? What do you think of your bicycle?"

Laura smiled, and turned towards her gifts. "Oh, that bicycle is
for Sue." She turned back to her Mom. "Isn't it?" Laura simply
assumed anything new and shiny and expensive would not and
could not be for her. It must be for her older (and she always
thought prettier, more popular and better liked) sister. She was
not upset nor resentful nor wanting what her sister had, as she
chose to be content with whatever she received without expectations.

Her Mommy's eyes were shiny as she shook her head. "No, Laura,
look, it has your name on it. The new bicycle is for you."

The packages remained unopened and little Laura realized that
yes, she could expect wonderful gifts. She did not have to feel
constant worry of impending doom. She was deserving of the bright
and shiny and new and expensive gifts. She got a greater gift,
though, in that she could recognize the wonderfulness of the less
bright and less shiny and used and inexpensive gifts. She could
see the pricelessness of what others would see as tragedy or
inopportunity.

Many Christmases, Graduations, Weddings and Funerals later,
Laura opened the greatest gift of all. It is the Gift that all the
gifts work together, in a glorious orchestra of opportunities that
life unfolds before us. She could have gifts that were not bright
and shiny and new that can be perfectly functional. She could
also receive extraordinarily expensive and extravagant gifts that
make her giggle, and allow the giver to feel like royalty. Finally,
when a Gift that has the outward appearance of tragedy, she can
choose to experience the tragedy through the lense of Victory
rather than Victimhood by making the choice to learn and grow
and completely embrace the gift as it is given.

These three were not mutually exclusive, Laura realized. They
were meant to be played as a collective, exuberant, fantastic
symphony. Beyond written or verbal comprehension.

All Laura needed to do was to open her arms and allow herself to
receive the gifts. And that is all that you need to do as well.
Open YOUR arms and receive YOUR gifts. They are out there,
awaiting your invitation. Simply be ready. They are eagerly
anticipating your request.

Have a Gift filled evening everyone!

With Purpose and Passion,

JULIE

> Hope this helps.

> With warmest regards,

> Charles Prosper

> P.S. If you really want to do something,
> you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find
> an excuse.




5Passions: Passion for Purpose, Parenting, People, Poetry