New Experiences

As we enter the holiday season, my husband and I have been spending time in the evenings watching holiday movies. Not many evenings ago, we looked at each other in the middle of one of these movies. We asked something we'd never thought to ask before. Have we ever built a gingerbread house? Have we ever worn an ugly Christmas sweater?

When we thought about it, we couldn't help but laugh. For us, the answer to both questions is No. We also didn't do these things growing up and we certainly did not do them with our kids. Like so many people, we were busy raising a family, taking our kids to sports, and a variety of other activities. If these activities had one thing in common, it was that they happened outdoors in the fresh air. It was easier to buy a gingerbread house, or a raffle ticket for one.

Inspiring Each Other

Last week, we had a Zoom meeting with friends who own a very successful business. We have been friends for years and have supported one another through good times and challenges times in our businesses. Since Covid-19 started, we have made a point of meeting every month. Our Zoom meetings tend to last for more than an hour. 

During our last meeting, we discussed the challenges we are facing and opportunities we trying to create. Then we moved on to talk about the holidays and how they would be different this year. My husband and I mentioned that this year because of COVID-19 chances are we would be spending Christmas just the two of us and Zooming with our kids.

A Fresh Outlook

As we mentioned this, we could see the concern on the faces of our friends. That's when I knew I needed to tell them more about our plans for the holiday season. Like I said earlier, we've been watching Christmas movies and thinking about how we have never built a gingerbread house. Well, this is the year!

As we explained our plans for a house made of gingerbread, our friends laughed. We'd decided not only to do a seasonal activity we had never done before, but to capture it in photos and videos, and share it with family and friends.

Challenges Are Best Shared

A funny thing happened, as we shared our excitement about our plans, our friends realized they also had never built a gingerbread house. So, we challenged each other as couples. "You show me your gingerbread house and we will show you ours."

With those words, the husband whispered into his wife's ear, all of which we saw on Zoom. "Do tell," I said, wanting to know the secret. They laughed and said, "We have a friend that builds great gingerbread houses." To which we replied, "Yeah, there's a bakery down the street who would love to build us a gingerbread house too."

Doing It Ourselves

But we agreed for the challenge to not let someone else do it for us. We have made a solemn promise to one another to do what we have never done before and make those gingerbread houses ourselves.

So, when next we meet on Zoom, we will share our gingerbread houses. We have even upped the ante by agreeing to put on Ugly Christmas sweaters. Plus, we have decided to include a winter wonderland photo or video.

Develop Definiteness of Purpose

All of this is more important than it might seem. Building a gingerbread house is a real-world example of what Napoleon Hill means when he talks about "Definiteness of Purpose". It is the simple things and enjoying them, but most of all it is sharing that joy with others. Having a purpose inspires us and everyone around us. It gives momentum to life.

A Challenge for You

So here is a challenge for you. Be intentional in your life. Think of a purpose and gather two or more of the people you know. Challenge them to join in that purpose. You will have what we call a mastermind group. This is how to move forward in these challenging times.

Rather than allowing life to challenge you, why not challenge life? We have faith we will be up to the challenge. It's true our friends are very talented and determined. They are up to the challenge too. Together, we will achieve something worth enjoying.

To dig deeper into what intentional living means for your business and personal life, I encourage you to read "Napoleon Hill's Key to Success: The 17 Principles of Personal Achievement." It happens to be a great gift suggestion too.

As John C. Maxwell says, "Live every day as if it matters–because it does!" For more, read his book called "Intentional Living", which is another wonderful gift idea for someone you care about.

Warm Wishes

May this personal story inspire you, your friends and your family to live with intention. Do something that will make a difference. Put others first. Value others. If you live with a sense of anticipation, as we will be doing as we build our gingerbread house and wait to see the work done by our friends, life fills with joy even as there are struggles.

Your friends,

The UpCloseTeam

Want to learn more? Check out our most popular blogs! Don’t forget to sign up for our weekly blog!