Smart watches, smart phones, smart televisions, and smart cars—technology has truly advanced the world in which we live. We can schedule time like never before, speak to others across the globe, watch our favorite shows in better than life-like quality, order dinner, groceries, or pretty much whatever by just saying to machines “order this or order that.” Then too, we can tell rather than drive cars where we wish to go. No complaints from this side, I love it! However, it does beg the question of are we paying too much attention to things and diverting ourselves too much from the living/thinking/breathing people around us? Without a doubt, technology is great, and for various reasons I am a proponent of its continued advancement. However, at the same time, we cannot forget about that which truly makes this world unique and life itself worth living: you and me. When together, we have the extraordinary opportunity to laugh, love, build, create, converse, cultivate, live!
 
Remember the lyrics to the song that sang “getting to know you?” Well, nothing has changed, doing just that is still an exciting, beautiful, and necessary thing. Challenge yourself with one or all these. While next at lunch or dinner with family or friends, try not watching the televisions that are all around you or accessing your phone for thirty, ok, twenty minutes. When you next see someone with a nice smile, hairdo, wearing a particularly complementary ensemble, or doing a really great job at something, don’t just think the thought, tell them so. Rather than watching that television show that keeps you on the edge of your seat, have a conversation with a friend or loved one with the intent to get to know them a little better. (Just don’t forget to set your TV to record your show, LOL!) Also, why not take a walk with a friend or play a game that requires human group interaction. (Taboo, charades, or Monopoly anyone?)
 
While advancing technology can be wonderful, the essence of living life is still not about things, but people. Also, for people, human beings to advance, there must be continued positive and real human interaction. Even though the advancement of technology is desired and important to the forward progress of civilization, the constant spiritual, mental, and emotional evolution of you and me is nothing less than essential for our world to move forward in a healthy and positive way. As a people, we have done great things, and we have the capability to do and be even greater. However, as we make these great and wondrous advancements, we must not sacrifice the sound of hearing good laughter, the wonder in seeing the light in a child’s eyes when learning a new thing, the feeling when holding a loved one close, or the shared excitement when a mutual team goal is achieved. These wonders are a key part of our legacy and culture as sentient human beings.
 
As we continue to advance, let us also make sure that these continue to play a significant positive part in our future as we steadily trek forward, out, and up! It is like this that I look forward to seeing you, on the Road of Victory.

The end of the week signifies several different things for many of us. One of those is celebrating the accomplishments of that week no matter how big or small. As said before, this is a necessity. However, as you get ready to take that step into celebration time, please allow me to share with you something that will greatly assist in making your continued success that much easier. It’s simple really. Before you turn off your computer, close the door to your office, or otherwise step away from your work day, take at least fifteen to thirty minutes to prepare for your return to work. This could be anything from assuring that necessary appointments have been scheduled, writing the first paragraph to the next chapter in your novel, setting out a book or books that you need to reference, or doing prep work for tomorrow’s opening.
 
In achieving success and being your best, it is absolutely necessary to appropriately acknowledge your victories, and yet, if one is to sustain or multiply success, it is just as crucial to implement those extremely helpful preparations that greatly assist in getting tomorrow started on a good foot. Perhaps Alexander Graham Bell said it simplest and best, “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” Yes! It is like this that we continue our forward progress on the Road of Victory.

​With each living breath that we take, it is a given that we all wish to be successful in our desires and goals. And if we want to be our individual very best in all respects, it is imperative that we take thoughtful positive action not just today but every day. The size of the action does not matter. Rather, the importance lies in the actual productivity, “getting it done.” Consequently, in taking those steps, one of the first questions we must ask of ourselves is what can be done that will assist in the accomplishment of these goals? The next question is can anything from that list be completed or begun today? It is also just as much a given that in order to finish completely the good deeds and goals that we began, no matter the size of the task, it is necessary to plant seed appropriately, cultivate accordingly, and make the steps necessary in moving from here to there.
 
Due to progress not going as fast as we like, frustration may rear its impatient head from time to time along the way; however, let this be your reminder to buckle down and stay focused in on the truth that the job is doable, the goal is achievable, and making your dream into reality is possible! However, much like a little one learning to walk, it will happen, but only with one step at a time.
 
Whatever your positive goals are, may God’s grace and speed be with you, and of course, I will see you on the Road to Victory.