Do You Want Economic Freedom?
Silly question? Not really.
How many people really plan their economic success? Know what they want and are willing to stake what they have on achieving it? Well it’s time for us to stake our claim. 2009 will be our year, the year in which we bust free of our old paradigms to achieve quantum leaps (multiple times) in our results.
Interested in knowing how we’re going to do it?
As you read this letter more will be revealed to you, but first let’s catch up on the activities for 2008.
The Way Back Machine
We didn’t go on an incredible journey back in time, but we did have a few reunions that helped us remember good times and great friends.
In April we went to Chicago to attend James Arthur Ray’s Harmonic Wealth Weekend and we reconnected with my P&G colleague Kenichi Hirano-san. I first met Ken and his girl friend Hanae (now wife) in Akashi Japan after the Kobe earthquake. We worked together for a number of years before he and Hanae came to the U.S. He later left P&G to remain in the U.S. and now their son Kanari is a U.S. citizen!! We had a very brief visit in Chicago. It was wonderful to visit with them and to meet Kanari for the first time. There’s nothing like experiencing life through the eyes of a 3 year old!!
I had been thinking about my college room mate Paul Hudock (but never picked up the phone to call) and low and behold he appears in Cincinnati with his wife Carla and their kids Connor, Calli, Chase & Creighton. It amazes me how powerful our thoughts truly are. Anita and I met them at Kings Island and then closed the bar at their hotel catching up. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to reconnect with such great friends. If you’ve not been to Kings Island, add it to your list for 2009. We’re getting anew coaster that will take your breath away!
I traveled to Cleveland in the Camaro to celebrate 26 years as a Sigma Chi with many of my brothers from the Beta Eta chapter. We were treated to a intimate celebration of brotherhood by Zack and Jayne Hoon. I visited with brothers I had not seen in decades but felt that our relationship had barely skipped a beat. Obviously I prefer to remain in contact and we know that with a year to plan the 2009 celebration that we’ll soon need a larger venue to hold the brotherhood and their families. As a brotherhood we broke all records for achievement on campus so it doesn’t amaze me what each of us has been able to accomplish individually.
Did any of you experience Tunkhannock, PA? Maybe you were fortunate to have visited me while I worked for P&G at their Mehoopany manufacturing facility and met some of the fabulous people I was proud to call friends. Many of them get together for an annual reunion and this year Anita and I were able to attend (it was held in Cincinnati). Work or play, many of my colleagues at P&G continue to remain in my memory. Kathy Bourque Parker reinforced her invitation to visit her in Anchorage. It’s on the list as we begin planning for our 2009 road trips.
There’s No Place Like…
Home!! Especially when it’s under construction!
We undertook a few improvement projects around the house this year. The first was to gut and completely renovate the basement. Those of you that have visited know the basement was finished, but you may not have known that the guy who did it removed all the ductwork for heat and A/C to the living room to do so (brilliant trade off). The project started innocently enough (as most do) and quickly turned into a major overhaul not only to the basement but to the garage to provide a sub-panel and ductwork for the living room.
We’re blessed to live in a quiet cul-de-sac with a green belt behind our home. You’ve seen photos in previous years about some of the yard projects and this year will be no exception. I finally got the trees trimmed in the yard to bring us more sunlight to grow grass (not that I’m actually cutting it – Tony my yard guy does a fabulous job) and to open up our view of the green belt. Hurricane Ike blew through Cincinnati in September – fortunately we experienced no damage. Keeping the trees trimmed will help them grow and allow us more pleasure in our backyard sanctuary. I think we’re finally ready for a retaining wall in the back!!
We got a wild idea to give the garage a face lift over Thanksgiving. The original objective was to make room for a cage Anita uses to foster cats in the garage. Once we had the shelves down (you know the story) it quickly turned into an all out face lift for Anita’s half of the garage (the stuff had to go somewhere while we painted). We had a fabulous time working together to improve the quality of our living space. I’m looking forward to spring to work with Anita to paint and organize my half of the garage!!
The Life and Times of the Traveling Barron’s
2008 was tame (by previous standards) for travel. In addition to the trips mentioned above, we visited Gatlinburg for a long weekend with our friends Marcus and Pamela Grooms. They rented a convertible so we explored the Smoky Mountains with the wind in our faces and blankets on their laps (the ladies got a bit chilled at altitude) – we discovered there are bears in them thar woods. It was a FABULOUS experience – we hope we’re able to make a similar trip with each of you!
We repeated our 2007 cruise with Bob Proctor – this time to the Western Caribbean. We flew to Ft. Lauderdale and spent the day at the Wyndham Royal Vista Resort in Pompano Beach. We visited Nassau, Bahamas, Ocho Rios, Jamaica and George Town, Grand Cayman and attended the seminars and workshops on the cruise. Anita signed up for 4 private sessions with a personal trainer and we invested in a spa membership for the week. We swam with Pepe’ the dolphin, climbed Dunns River Falls and I went scuba diving in Grand Cayman while Anita road a horse on the beach. It was a much needed break from…..
Boston! Recall my project with P&G is with Gillette and Boston is the world shaving headquarters. I’ve spent a total of 34 days in Beantown this year!! Nothing much to report because in most cases I went for a fraction of a week or had so much luggage that I didn’t have room to pack my camera (can you imagine me in a new town w/o my camera?). I’m in Bethel, CT as I write this letter. We worked today (Sunday) to review the cut-over activities for the Duracell go-live for Latin America. The batteries will be flowing south effective tomorrow at about 2:00 PM courtesy of a very large number of resources from across the globe. We’ve got a great team and it’s been a pleasure working with them all. I want the chance to visit my counterpart in Costa Rica – Mauricio has provided an open invitation and made me an offer to start a business with him! Imagine…. me as an international business owner – not too hard to believe (in my mind).
My only dive trip this year was to Gilboa Stone quarry. The weather was P-E-R-F-E-C-T for the Labor Day weekend. I went with my dive buddy Brian Green. I tried out my new tanks (doubles) and Brian was testing his new dry suit. The highlight of the trip was not actually under the water – our third dive was a night dive. The view skyward from the surface of the quarry was absolutely spectacular. It’s been decades since I recall seeing that many stars in the sky. Floating on the surface of the quarry, gazing into the heavens reinforced it all for me – it’s about experiences!! Life is meant to be lived and shared (at least mine is)!!
Boomerang Baby
She’s left me again… Mia’s moved back to Florida!
She returned last May (on my birthday) and was here through Father’s Day. We enjoyed time at Kings Island, went to Sharon Woods Park and skied over the winter. We even took our first REAL ski trip together. Mia and her sister Anna accompanied me to New York to ski with by best friend Tom Robertson and his son Zack (video yet to be posted).
I made a surprise visit to Jacksonville Beach, FL in November with Mia’s Grandma Gayle to surprise the girls for their birthday party. They knew they were getting a big surprise but they never thought it would be us (they thought it was going to be a puppy). They’ve grown so much since June – I’m blessed to have had Mia so close for so long.
Mia’s taught me the meaning of the words “unconditional love” and is responsible for much of what I am today – remember it’s about experiences. Go back through the photos in Mia’s web site and you’ll see what I mean. We’ve shared a LOT together and I’m a much better person for the experience – thank you Rebekah (Mia’s Mommy) & Gayle (Mia’s Grandma) for allowing me to be part of your families, you’re all so precious to me.
Busy, Busy, Busy…
Anita had another fabulous year for her non-profit Pet Alliance. She launched Spay Ohio in January – a low-cost spay/neuter referral service for residents of Ohio. Her mother Louise has taken a leadership role in answering the toll free phone line (877-644-OHIO) and the two of them helped over 1,800 callers in 2008!! Anita’s applied for a grant from the state of Ohio License Plate Fund to expand the program throughout the state – exciting!
The Foreclosure Cats project had an art auction that raised much needed money for additional medical expenses and Anita’s Pet Alliance benefited from Petz Gone Wild, a community outreach event hosted by Fischer Homes.
We both are active in a local TV chapter of Toastmasters. We meet in the studio of a local public access television station – lights, 3 cameras, timed speeches and a live audience. It’s the real thing and it can be a bit nerve racking!! I served as Toastmaster for our New Year’s show (taped in December) and have posted my speeches on You Tube.
The television station was looking for content so…
I’ve got my own television show!! The show is called Cause and Success and brings you tools that make wealth a predictable result in your life. If you’re in Cincinnati I encourage you to look it up on your local access station. We’re filming the last episode (of nine) in our study of Napoleon Hill’s book Think and Grow Rich in a week. I’ve got a fabulous Executive Producer Maurice Davis. If there’s ever any doubt in your mind that we attract EXACTLY what we think about – call me and I’ll tell you the story of how Maurice and I came to work together. We’re already planning another project that will be launched in 2009.
The Barron Clan
Dad and Nancy are rocking the real estate world in Palm Springs, CA. They literally went from new kids on the block to top producers in 15 months – not hard to believe. Now if we can just get them to take a break long enough to come east for a visit.
Mom and Julie are busier than ever in Laguna Beach, CA. Mom came east in the spring to visit grand kids and came back again in December for another visit (no photos yet). I imagine she’s discovered that they continue to grow when fed (funny how that works) and that they have blossomed as individuals. I kick myself every time I speak to one of them – we’re missing so much by not having them close.
Kevin and Tina are still in Richmond with Andrew, Grace and Will. Kevin’s home more and playing hockey with Andrew. He’s taking an active role with Will in Cub Scouts and still spoils Gracie. They have a new addition to the family – a rescued Greyhound named Dasher. Tina says training a dog that raced for a living was like teaching a toddler to dress itself – full of “moments”. Dasher had never played before, never gone up and down stairs before, never really been loved before. It sounds like he’s getting lots of love and is really enjoying the family.
Kendra and Eric are living in Herndon with A.J. Kendra is working as a paralegal secretary and Eric is running his own computer consulting business. Eric has picked up a side project – real estate investing (good market to buy). Eric is doing to renovation himself (with help from family), so he’s VERY busy. Fortunately the property is within walking distance from the house. Kendra says her role has been limited to mowing the grass and feeding Eric and the crew. A.J. is in Kindergarten and loves to read (well, he actually prefers to be read to, but he loves the concept). He’s all boy and is one of my most admired people – for his imagination. It’s such a pleasure listening to the adventures he takes me on while we’re on the phone.
We traveled to Sylvester, GA for Christmas and discovered that Anita’s Mom had released 72 lbs!! She looks FABULOUS and has much more energy. She’s fully recovered from her shoulder surgery and got us all outside the day after Christmas (Anita’s Daddy Sam’s 70th birthday) to trim trees. Her Grand Daddy Thompson came to the farm with her Uncle Michael and we also trimmed grape vines. We visited with family and enjoyed the beautiful GA weather – it was one of our best visits ever!
We added a 5th kitty to our litter – Misty. She’s supposed to be a foster but I have a feeling Anita isn’t going to be giving her up. We’ve still got Beaver, Wolly, Sphinx andSimba. I’m hoping that’s it!! I love them dearly (Misty is still afraid of me but allows me to pet her occasionally) but 5 is absolutely enough!
The Secret to Economic Freedom
The secret was already revealed to you – did you find it?
I’m serious – the secret to getting everything you’ve ever wanted was contained in the paragraphs above – DREAM IT, then take ACTION to ACHIEVE IT and make sure you take the time to enjoy the scenery along the way.
Life is an incredible journey and it’s meant to be lived. Stop making excuses about why you can’t have what you want. If you can dream it, you can achieve it. Please don’t spend the rest of your life wondering if you could/should pursue your dream.
Don’t give me that “but the economy really sucks” story. There are millions of people starting businesses (us included) in these “worst” of economic times and you should too.
Got an idea, a passion or a purpose for your life? Pursue it; the economic freedom will come when you’re doing what you truly love.
Happy New Year
I never finished this letter while in Connecticut. I picked it back on Saturday evening, January 3rd. I had hoped to get it to you before year end but wanted to get caught up on the photos before finishing it. There’s still plenty of content to add to the web site, it’s a project I’ll always be able to come back to. If you’ve got photos that contain family members, please forward them using the contact e-mail below. I’d love to add them to the site. I do it for 2 reasons – First, to share our lives with you, hoping that you’ll do the same; and second, to be able to carry my brag book everywhere I go. Today we’re never far from an internet connection; you’ve probably used the browser in your cell phone! If not, it won’t be long before you’ll be asking yourself how you ever lived without it.
We’re fortunate to have each other and every one of you in our lives. God Bless you and may 2009 be your best year ever (we plan to make it ours – every year gets better and better).
With All Our Love,
and 