Is What You Say Always Consistent With What You Believe (By Tim Connor)

There is a Native American legend that says - you will only get into Heaven leaning on the shoulders of someone you helped while you were here. So I figure if I have helped a few million people around the world as a speaker and author I will have a better shot. Well I once told this story to an audience and at the end someone came up to me and said they were offended by the analogy of Native Americans and Heaven. So I asked them if they were also offended by my hiking story and its reference to nature and courage and they looked at me like I was crazy. I decided to ask them one more - that if my reference to my favorite color being Kelly Green offended them and guess what - they just walked away from me and the conversation.

My good friend Charlie "Tremendous" Jones once told me while we were having a very serious conversation.

"Tim if you believe and you are right you have everything to gain. If you are wrong you have nothing to lose. If you don't believe and you are wrong you have everything to lose."

I was once told by a client that I couldn't use the word God during my keynote presentation. I asked them what other words or illustrations were off limits. They said - nothing that was it. I told them to find another speaker.

Don't get me wrong I am not hired to preach the Scripture, God or Salvation and I don't stand in front of a group of people I have been paid to address on a sales, leadership or motivation topic and do any of that however, if every now and then the word God or Christ or Jesus slips out of my mouth - it's simple - I can't separate who I am from what I do and I am not going to edit or apologize according to current political correctness rules, standards, expectations or stupid people who have varying or double standards.

Last year I had hip replacement surgery and during the procedure I was given a heart attack that caused me to have to have open heart surgery 45 days later. Prior to going into the operating room, I told my daughter and a few close friends if I come out of this alive, God isn't finished with me yet. If I don't - He is and have a nice life.

Believe it or not I had a client tell me I couldn't tell this story or use this example. Well, they had to find another speaker because I asked him to give me a list of all of the things I couldn't' say or reference. So I suggested they put together a list of do's and don'ts for their next speaker. Want the job? Call me I'll be happy to give you their contact information but - good luck with your future career!

In the end staying true to what I believe may offend some people and my answer is simple - don't read what I write, don't pay me to speak or walk away from a conversation with me, but my standards are not made by the evolving expectations of culture or social media or the varying rules of countries.

Last year I spoke in Greece, Ireland and Singapore and my message is the same. When I let persuasive Idiots, who have no standards, varying rules and have no idea what they believe or stand for or they do and these go against my spiritual beliefs I will not cave because of your position, power, fame or influence. I have several life Mantras and one of them is simply - "I was not put on the Earth for your approval."

In conclusion, there are three areas I would ask you to consider:

1) Do you put political correctness ahead of spiritual correctness?

2) Do you let others determine what you believe or can say?

3) Are you more concerned with your short stay here on Earth and what determines your success, happiness or inner peace will be here or with where and how you will spend eternity?

It is not my job to save you as many believers believe, but it is my job to be able to look in the mirror and say to myself - I am who I am because God made me that way. I will respect others and their beliefs - as how their life turns out is not up to me but them.

You are not in charge of what comes out of my mouth or is written on paper in my books or articles - you are not in charge of me or my life - whether you were my parents, former spouse, former boss, former client or best friend.

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21 Life Mantras (By Tim Connor)

We all have our favorite sayings, verses, quotes or just simple and honest ideas that in many ways each day govern or direct our lives either directly or indirectly. Over the years I have developed what I call my "Life Mantras List" that are the primary and critical thoughts or concepts that I use to live, work and play each day and as this year (one I am grateful for - for many reasons) comes to an end I thought I would share just 21 of them that are the foundation as to how I try and live my life each day.

There is no order to the following as I have not included all of the items on my list but just some of the major ones that I thought might trigger some action, reflection or introspection on your part. Please accept that I am in no way suggesting that if you don't have a list, your items are not the same as mine or any other criteria - that mine is better than or more appropriate than yours. Just sharing. By the way, just to be clear some of these are not my original ones but things people over the years have taught me.

Since this will be my last article submission for this year - I offer you my very best wishes to you and your friends, family, customers or co-workers for a safe holiday season and a healthy and prosperous 2018.

Here's my list;

I am on God's schedule. This one doesn't need any further explanation.

I'm just getting warmed up. I don't ever plan to retire - why would I want to stop doing what I love - speaking around the world and writing in my spare time. I'm not famous, a celebrity or wealthy but I am having a blast and hopefully getting better every day.

If it happens I'll get excited if it doesn't I won't be disappointed. We can't control much in life. So, the best thing we can do in my opinion is do our best to do what we can and then let go of the outcomes.

It's not over till it's over. Too many people die emotionally before they do physically.

If you are one of these people why? Live while you still can. Yes, age and health issues can change lifestyle, but they don't have to eliminate it.

God is in control. Again - this one speaks for itself.

No excuses will ever be enough when you give up on your mission. Doing your best is no guarantee that you will win or achieve your goals or dreams. But not doing your best sure won't work in your favor.

This life is not about me but you. I was put here to serve not be the center of attention or the center of your world.

Life is short and fragile - you are here for a littler while and then gone forever. Having survived a few recent health challenges, I can tell you - live to the fullest while you can.

I will learn as much as I can every day and share everything I learn. Read, learn, grow and share every day, otherwise what's the point?

I was not put on the earth for your approval. Like me - don't like me - approve of me - don't approve of me - I have to be me. When I try to be who or what you want - I lose me - not going to happen folks, no matter how hard you try.

I refuse to grow up. I am forty years + younger than my age and with each passing year I intend to get younger and not older.

I will say thank you all day - every day. Again, this says it all. No matter what or who comes into my life and whatever their or its agenda I will just say thank you.

Every day is a gift. Not talking here about presents, money, health or anything. Just that far too many people are not given the gift of life today. We were - so cherish it and stop whining, complaining etc.

Failure is necessary to succeed. I have failed at more things and relationships than I have succeeded at during my life but each of them has taught me more about life and its value and purpose than any of the successes. So, bring them on.

This too shall prepare me. One of my favorite people gave me this line. It's not this too shall pass (common phrase) but - well, read it again.

You are never too old or too young to dream. So, stop acting your age and go for it.

Quitting is stupid. Do I need to explain this one? If I do well, no disrespect intended but you need to go back to kindergarten.

Don't wait for God to start you - keep going till He stops you. I love this one.

You never fail till you stop trying. Bought this sign years ago when I was taking my kids horseback riding. It was in the gift shop. It's been on my wall for many, many years since that day.

It's all trivia. You are born. One day you will die. Everything in between is trivia.

My age is just a number. "My age is none of my business." Mark Twain.

Da, That's it folks...

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