Recently over lunch with a close friend, the subject of success came up within the context of our current economic environment.  Though we are both in business, our “circles” take us in different directions, and we were comparing notes about our individual observations.  “I’ve stopped chasing after it,” I (Ginny) said. “Me too,” she replied, and we agreed that at our stage of life we’ve paid our dues. If our long-established reputations in the community can’t carry us through the challenge of today’s diminished cash flow, we did something wrong along the way and backtracking to fix it simply isn’t in our game plan. When we aren’t busy with business, we want to be busy with family and fun, not chasing after business. We’ll leave that to the youngsters who still have the spit and vinegar it takes to rush about attending this meeting and that, competing with colleagues for customers, clients and enough cash flow to keep the doors open.

 My philosophy of life (both personal and professional) is that if it’s meant to be, you can’t keep it from happening. If it’s not meant to be, you might make it happen but you can’t make it happy. My lunch companion and I both feel comfortable and confident that we are where we are meant to be in life, and doing what we are meant to be doing in the grand scheme of things. It seems to me there is too much emphasis among some people today on what they want from life, with no consideration at all about what life may want from them. Shifting perspective from the former to the latter provides a wonderful sense of calm acceptance (as opposed to the frenzy we see being stirred up by others all around us).  Here’s a story that demonstrates my point:

   A few weeks ago when a member of Frank’s BNI group sustained multiple injuries in a motorcycle accident, Frank picked up a get well card and had club members sign it. Before he mailed it, he included a copy of our Inner Journey CD, which is a guided meditation for healing. He received warm thanks and heartfelt appreciation for the CD. A light went on in my husband’s head. He tossed it my way (the idea, not his head) and, together, we fanned the spark to arrive at an exciting new project.

 We have literally hundreds of really cool photos on our computer because, as some of you may know, last year I launched the book tour for Charming Children by traveling to my two favorite places – Alaska and Hawaii, with many other business stops along the west coast. As is always the case, I kept my camera clicking as I ooohed and aaahed over the breathtaking scenery so dear to my heart. Long story short, we have chosen ten favorites for the covers of a line of get-well cards that include our Inner Journey meditation CD!  

 Dr. Eunice Green of Green’s Nutrition on Stockton’s Miracle Mile is the first retail location where these can be purchased for $9.95. Each card bears the same quote from Seneca on the front – “Nothing is more helpful to healing than the affection of true friends,” and on the back of the card more information is provided regarding the 28-minute recorded meditation for healing. 

 When we approached another friend experienced in sales (and, we learned, has specifically marketed greeting cards in the past), she was as excited as we are. She is now receiving very favorable feedback from gift shops and other businesses where such an item might appeal to clientele, and our Evergreen Ever Growing motto remains a self-fulfilling prophecy. (To see the pictures we’re using, go to http://www.egreen.net/cards.htm

 The point of this story is that Frank and I weren’t rushing about desperately searching for another product to offer, or an additional source of income. This brainstorm found us when Frank decided his bedridden BNI member deserved more than a mere card. We then found supportive friends, and the new project is absolutely congruent with what we perceive to be our purpose – not making money first and foremost, but making life better for others. We believe money is another form of energy that flows to you when you’re not chasing desperately after it. This has proven true in our lives.

 Another example of good things falling into your lap when you’re in a calm, quiet personal space, is the way we happened upon the HCG Diet Plan.  Many of our clients are referred to us by physicians (for pain management and for conditions with emotional components such as IBS, TMJ, PMS, etc.)  Our affiliate in Modesto, James Rightmire, was visiting a few months back with such a doctor, when the subject of weight management came up and the doctor began to rave about results his patients have had for years, with HCG. (At Evergreen, we never use a technique or make a recommendation unless we’ve proven through personal experience that it is effective), so James took it upon himself to use the sublingual drops and the associative nutritional regimen, with amazing results. We are now referring clients to Green’s Nutrition for the homeopathic product, guidance from Dr. Green and, as an option, our self-hypnosis CD that lends specific support to the HCG weight loss program.

 Example number three: A few days ago a single dad and former U. S. Marine, who provided a testimonial on the back of our book (and appears on the brief promo video at www.CharmingChildrenTheBook.com) recently met a client under highly stressful business circumstances. Despite the situation, he and she hit it off instantly and, as it happens, she is in a position to provide immeasurable help in further promoting our book (which the dad obviously believes in strongly). He called me to relate this to me, truly excited about an incredible connection that none of us were out hunting down, but which took us by pleasant surprise.

 If I may leave you with one message to help you through the economic difficulties that are too common in this day and age, it would be to say again what I’ve said perhaps millions of times throughout my career. Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing… as long as you are where you are meant to be in life, and contributing to life what you are meant to contribute. On top of that, have a little faith. There are forces at play far more powerful than your own wants, wishes, dreams and desires. Stay still enough from time to time, so that Life can find you when it has a reward, large or small, to drop into your lap.