On Point..or Out of Place (The Point Man) ...by Pamela Ballard

As I think about this topic, I am reminded of a dear friend who wears many hats and has mass responsibility. His juggling and sacrifice is inspiring. I dedicate this anecdote to him and do hope his equilibrium is “on point” since balance is a cornerstone to success. A point is an exact position or location on a plane surface. It is important to recognize that a point is not a thing but a place. Therefore, to say you are on point is to say you are in place. What does it mean to be called a ‘point man’? You are probably wondering, what do I know about it and I will say absolutely nothing from a man's perspective. That is why I am writing from an angle of one who is connected to a point man. Perhaps you immediately think of him being the ‘go to’ guy. Is this what it really means? Well let us explore the origin of the word. The term may relate to the Middle English phrase “in point” which means ‘to be in immediate danger.’ This term later rolled over to military practice in combat. The lead unit would advance through hostile, unsecured territory. The soldier (point man) was frequently the first to take an unexpected attack or hostile fire. With these risks, comes the need for constant bravery and extreme alertness to watch out for ambushes. Does any of this sound similar to what goes on in the natural and/or spirit realm? You do not have to be a veteran to relate to this. Men experience this everyday as they awake and lead their families (lead unit) or stand in the trenches for others (constant bravery). It is very important to have focus and support so the point man may be able to spot an ambush (unexpected attack or temptation.) The ambush can happen on the way to work, at work, on the way to the gym, on the way to church, even when he is alone. Being head of the enterprise, as he walks out ahead of the lead unit, he is the first to confront the enemy. His focus and support is derived from what and whom he treasures and values most. As the connector of the dots (points) in his surrounding I (you) must encourage him, push him, and sometimes let him steal away to recharge himself so that his armor may be polished and ready for the next combat. Sometimes he is caught up in the position of point man so much that he may be inclined to neglect the ones who are closest and care the most for him. He may not have the time he would like to have for them. Now he finds himself “out of place”. He will say he is making a sacrifice but it is really neglect from lack of balance. He is absorbed in the control and power that comes with being the point man or “The Man.” It can sometimes grow to where he now thrives on chaos, which eventually causes him to neglect himself. Thriving on chaos has him constantly on the go, overwhelmed, forgetful, overworked, exhausted, making hasty decisions that tack on more problems; he may even show signs of self-centeredness. He feels in his mind spontaneity works best in the disorganized unpredictability even though it is the root of some of the issues. A point man is extraordinary man, nonetheless. You would love to know one or have one (smile ladies). He is going to make sure all of his obligations are met, bases are covered, and as a leader, he inspires others through his stature, sacrifice, strength, and spirit. We must continue to embrace them when they fall out of place and help them get back on point, because there, they always are on TOP! I salute YOU!

Best Seller ...by Pamela Ballard

You've heard before, never judge a book by its cover...but shouldn't the cover reflect the contents of the book's pages in order to appeal to the proper audience? If you write a book on recipes, would it make sense to have a picture of flowers or cars on the front cover or a title that has nothing to do with recipes? I would say that's poor marketing or false advertising wouldn't you? It also keeps you from successfully finding pertinent information you may be looking for during a search. How many people do you know, they look like they have it all together on the outside, but their pages tell a different story? They say one thing (their title) but don't do what they say they will do. (false advertising) If you are really bogged down with pressures and extenuating circumstances, I'm not saying to walk around with your head hung low. But instead tell your story appropriately so someone who is looking for that pertinent information can find it (i.e. how you handled that situation). You don't have to walk around holding a billboard broadcasting what you are really hiding. Your words and actions are the cover of your book that others admire and come to appreciate as if it was a "best seller". Walk out and speak up! You never know who may want your autograph or buy your book after seeing its cover. If you aren't sure how to write a best selling book, here are a few tips:

1. Have an idea. You should be the expert on this by the time you have gone through the trials and triumphs of your life.
2. Get into character. To do this you have to keep it real. In fiction the characters are flawed and have issues just like we do in real life.
3. You have to have a problem. Without it, there is nothing to write about. It may be the worse thing that ever happened to you and you are still here standing ready to tell it. This is key.
4. Elements of the Story: Introduction, climax, resolution. Introduce the problem. Talk about the struggles that surround the problem. Then show how the problem is solved.
5. The Ending. This should have the reader of your book holding on to your words for guidance.
6. Getting Published. That's all on you!! Now, when is the signing tour?

Who Cares?

It’s not about what people think of you when they see you. That is only a fraction of who you are. There's more to you than meets the eye: You are an iceberg waiting to be discovered. You are a masterpiece waiting to be uncovered. You are the hot lava in a volcano waiting to be expelled. You are that person who is drowning coming up for air waiting to exhale. You are the geyser sprouting up and out of nowhere to our surprise, Launching ahead of all the haters that offered only despise So who cares what 'they' think about you? Like an iceberg, the best part of you lies beneath, yet to be seen. Just as the geyser spouts and the volcano erupts at an appointed time under favorable conditions; you too shall rise to the occasion. Be patient. Your appointed time is nigh for you to soar high. by..P Ballard

FEAR

When in fear, we run because we're scared. What are we scared of: success, being hurt, being ridiculed, failure, not being chosen, not being where WE think we should be? These are all reasons we let fear handicap us from climbing the ladder, from loving someone, or from walking in our vision. Typically when we're afraid we run forward and away from what is chasing or haunting us. Fear, like stress, can be good or bad. Fear can also motivate us. Fear of becoming a replica of a family member, fear of failure and not succeeding, fear of being hurt, being ridiculed, and not being chosen can also make us want to be the best at who we are and what we do. Seize that 'fright' as an opportunity to make that weakness a strength. Put it behind you and let it chase you. But this time instead running forward to get away from it, you are walking with it to get better. You will stay consistent in your pace to progress and become less winded :) Have a FEARLESS day! by...P. Ballard

How to Set Goals and Achieve Them

... by Pamela Ballard

Clearly outline what you want to achieve. Decide how you will make it happen. What are you using to benchmark or set standards for your progress?

Make sure your goals are SMART. (Specific, Mearsurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely)

1. You have to detail what it is you are setting out to do. Who will help you attain the goal? How long will it take? Is this a short-term or long-term goal? What is its purpose?
2. How will you measure success? Track your progress, and make necessary adjustments.
3. Take the bigger goals and break them down into smaller ones to make the overall picture more attainable.
4. You have to be realistic in your reach. Can you stick with it? Do you believe you can achieve it?
5. Set a deadline and stay focused.

This process can be used in any aspect of your life, whether work or personally. Share your ideas with your mate or someone you trust so they can aid in accountability. The tasks seem less maticulous if you feel good about what you are doing. This has been brought to you by Words For Wisdom and Wealth.

Procrastination

Procrastination is the fear of success. People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the “someday I’ll” philosophy.” ....Denis Waitley Today we must learn to let go of the fear। The only way to get over it is to do it! Success comes after failure because you have a chance to correct the mistakes and perfect the craft or gift. Sometimes we block our own destiny because we are dealing with a situation and can see no end in sight. Or because of something a dream killer said, "You know that wont work." "Someone has already tried that!" The difference in you and the one before you is simply your determination to complete the task at hand. You were bright enough to conceive an idea now be brave enough to implement it. Surround yourself with mentors, volunteer or work as an apprentice to gain hands on experience, and READ, READ, READ. The best kept secrets are in books! Believe in yourself and others will too. You and only you are in control of your DESTINY. by...P. Ballard

What Love means to a 4-8 year old . .

Slow down for three minutes to read this. It is so worth it. Touching words from the mouth of babes. A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, 'What does love mean?' The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined ................................ See what you think: 'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.' Rebecca- age 8 'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.' Billy - age 4 'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.' Karl - age 5 'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs..' Chrissy - age 6 'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.' Terri - age 4 'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.' Danny - age 7 'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss' Emily - age 8 'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.' Bobby - age 7 (Wow!) 'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,' Nikka - age 6 (we need a few million more Nikkas on this planet) 'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.' Noelle - age 7 'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.' Tommy - age 6 'During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.' Cindy - age 8 'My mommy loves me more than anybody You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.' Clare - age 6 'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.' Elaine-age 5 'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.' Chris - age 7 'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.' Mary Ann - age 4 'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.' Lauren - age 4 'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.' (what an image) Karen - age 7 'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross.' Mark - age 6 'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.' Jessica - age 8 And the final one The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, 'Nothing, I just helped him cry' When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need.

Her by Pamela Ballard

When She speaks everyone listens. She commands respect and discipline. She also listens to understand so she can make sound judgments. She owns knowledge,morals, and common sense. She covets for nothing as she has the power to have anything she desires. She is justifiable and teachable. She covers you with protection. The person who has her has favor with God! She can lead man to success, riches, and honor. She can cause man to be loving and faithful. She is the opposite of immoral, hate,arrogance and pride. She trusts not the man but the God in him and puts God first. You can have all the money in the world but without her you will not have much. I am Her..she is I... She is wisdom

It..by Pamela Ballard

When you question it,you block it. Just accept it and let it flow. Water it and watch it grow. Reap from it as you sow. Gleam from it as it glows. Glean from it as you come to know. Part with it when its time to go. Hold on to it before its out the dó... It can be an idea, person, goal, etc. Is there something or someone you are blocking in your life that could be a line connecting a dot? Or that could be the factor you are leaving out of the equation because it doesn't add up to you? It doesn't make sense or maybe its too good to be true? Stop running from it truly and see what happens.. Listen with your heart not your mind this one time.

Women Over 40 or Close To It

In case you missed it on 60 Minutes, this is what Andy Rooney thinks about women over 40: As I grow in age, I value women over 40 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why: A woman over 40 will never wake you in the middle of the night and ask,'What are you thinking?' She doesn't care what you think. If a woman over 40 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do, and it's usually more interesting. Women over 40 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it. Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated. Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 40. Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 40 is far sexier than her younger counterpart. Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk, if you are acting like one. You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her. Yes, we praise women over 40 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed, hot woman over 40,there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year old waitress. Ladies, I apologize. For all those men who say, 'Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?Here's an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage.Why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage!

What Are You Building?

This was too good to keep to myself.... "A tired carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer of his plans to retire and leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife and family.The contractor was sorry to see his experienced worker go and asked ifhe could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenterreluctantly said "yes", but his heart was not in his work. He rushed and used inferior materials. When the carpenter finished his work the employer came to inspect thehouse. He handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," hesaid, "my gift to you." The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he wasbuilding his own house, he would have done it all so differently. So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. If we could do it over, we'd do it much differently. But we cannot go back. You are a carpenter. What are you building? Each day you hammer a nail, add a room or paint a wall. "Life is a do-it-yourself project,"Your attitude and the choices you make today, build the "house" you live in tomorrow. Build wisely! Don't be mediocre in the way you love and serve others. Love smart with your heart and don't settle for less, mess and stress in your relationships. Build a life of peace, love, harmony, joy, faith,and excellence. Be above average in your work performance, the way you dress, speak, pray and play. Strive for quality instead of seeking short cuts and below average living. Grow wise in your habits,emotions, spending and health choices. Walk, talk, live and love at your best whether someone sees you or not. Let your light shine bright in ALL that you do. Polish up your image and your living space. Don't compromise your character. Sow cheap, reap cheap. Sow quality, reap quality. Do your best whether or not you get credit and recognition.God sees your sincere efforts and hears your prayers. BUILD righteouslyand be blessed beyond your wildest dreams." by Jewel Diamond Taylor

Dollar Cost Averaging...

The longer you wait to get what you want, the lesser the price and greater the payout. I say a lesser price because when you pay the price over a long period of time and take the average of the costs, it comes out to be less than the actual cost basis of one lump sum purchase. For example, when you purchase stocks on a regular basis for the same dollar amount each time, you will sometimes buy when the price is higher and sometimes when the price is lower. So that dollar amount will purchase more shares for you on the days prices are lower. In the end, if you take the total shares purchased over that period of time and the average purchase price, it typically is less than your cost basis. We can look at our life in the same way. The trials and tribulations we conquer seem to be spread over a period of our lives. So tackling each one as they come while it may be a burden still comes with a smaller price (sacrifice, lesson learned, loss, etc.) than if you were to take every circumstance you have ever had up to this point of your life in one day. Can you imagine how much that would cost you? It could take you out if you have not prepared yourself for the process in order to produce and progress. Regardless of market conditions this principal is going to work for the money that you invest. As a matter of fact right now, prices are lower than ever so all the more reason to invest yourself now. Taking the hits spread out, reduces but does not eliminate the volatility. In choosing investment options, your reward is tied to your risk. The safer you are the lower your reward. The more you are willing to put on the line, the greater your potential for higher rewards. If you are willing to sacrifice some things that you can do without for a while, do some things that you have never done before, be more receptive to wisdom, focus your efforts on the right endeavors and on the right people, the cost to you is more discounted. You start to acquire a payout of resilience, stamina, knowledge, power, strength, increased confidence, character, greater sense of manhood & womanhood, and faith. These acquisitions alone make you wealthy. Reinvest them each time you go through an episode. Use the principal with this in mind: What you release in small increments now, will reap large benefits in the long run. The race is not given to the swift but to the one who endures... by...P. Ballard

Shine

Just one light can make a big difference, when there is darkness all around. When you turn on a light in an already lighted room, you make it just a little bit brighter. But when you turn on a light in a room that was completely dark, you significantly change the environment. The light reveals possibilities. It make obstacles less menacing. It makes the situation clearer and easier to understand. The more you are surrounded by negativity, the more impact you can have by being positive. Just one person who insists that yes, we can get it done, and who steadily works to make it happen, can achieve astonishing results. If there is negative energy all around you, see it as an opportunity. Consider how much of a difference you can make with your positive thoughts and actions. Turn on your own light, and those nearby cannot help but see. The darker it is around you, the brighter your light will shine.

INSIGHTS ABOUT MEN

This was passed on to me so I thought I would share.. If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away. If he doesn't want you, nothing can make him stay. Stop making excuses for a man and his behaviour. Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache. Stop trying to change yourself for a relationship that's not meant to be. Slower is better. Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you truly happy. If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you deserve then heck no, you can't 'be friends'. A friend wouldn't mistreat a friend. Don't settle. If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is Don't stay because you think 'it will get better'. You'll be mad at yourself a year later for staying when things are not better. The only person you can control in a relationship is you. Avoid men who have a many of children by different women. He didn't marry them when he got them pregnant, why would he treat you differently? Always have your own set of friends separate from his. Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you. If something bothers you, speak up.. Never let a man know everything.* He will use it against you later.. You cannot change a man's behavior.* Change comes from within. Don't EVER make him feel he is more important than you are... Even if he has more education or a better job. Do not make him into a quasi-god. He is a man, nothing more nothing less. Never let a man define who you are. Never borrow someone else's man. If he cheated with you, he'll cheat on you. A man will only treat you the way you ALLOW him to treat you.. All men are NOT dogs. You should not be the one doing all the bending... Compromise is two way street. You need time to heal between relationships... There is nothing cute about baggage... Deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship You should never look for someone to COMPLETE you... A relationship consists of two WHOLE individuals... Look for someone complimentary....not supplementary. Dating is fun...even if he doesn't turn out to be Mr.. Right. Make him miss you sometimes...when a man always know where you are, and you're always readily available to him - he takes it for granted Never move into his mother's house. Never co-sign for a man. Don't fully commit to a man who doesn't give you everything that you need.* Keep him in your radar but get to know others. Scared of being alone is what makes a lot of women stay in relationships that are abusive or hurtful. You should know that: You're the best thing that could ever happen to anyone and if a man mistreats you, he'll miss out on a good thing. If he was attracted to you in the 1st place, just know that he's not the only one. They're all watching you, so you have a lot of choices. Make the right one. Ladies take care of your own hearts.... Share this with other women and men (just so they know)... You'll make someone smile, another rethink her choices, and another woman prepare. They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them and an entire lifetime to forget them.