Walking the shop this morning at CVS, I can’t help thinking to be grateful. Grateful that there are cars here. Any cars. And with all the “economy” talk, people are in a lot of fear.
But it’s important to realize that things are what you believe they are. If you believe that the economy sucks, then it does. But if you believe that things are ok, then they are. So, what should you believe?
What makes you feel best, of course. That’s my answer. And that’s a choice. Choose to have a good day, and you will. Choose to spread cheer and hope, and that’s what you’ll give. Choose to treat people with love and respect and that’s what you’ll get back.
Go on. The world is waiting for you to make a choice. So, choose what propels us forward, not what keeps us locked in fear. Just for today, choose something positive.
I choose to go have a venti. Maybe a treat, too. And have one on me…
Ouch. My brain hurts. But in a good way…
Thoughts are things. We know this, right? But if they ARE things, then everything I think actually manifests. So, I have to guard my thoughts and the way I think.
If I worry about something, that something will come true. If I have faith that the absolute best thing for me will happen, then THAT will come true. Hmmm. Kinda stupid simple, eh? But, it’s true.
Case in point. A client decides to pay with a bum check and I immediately go into worrymode. I have to pay MY guys! How will I do that without funds? So, I decide… The universe wants me to succeed, so I’m not going to worry about it because it ALWAYS works out because that’s what I BELIEVE.
And so, …it did. Exactly the way I decided in my mind that it would. And that my friends, only proves one thing… Believe in the truth. Seek the truth and the truth will appear. Thank God.
I think I’ll have dinner now. And as for the photo? …It’s one of my sponsors…
…to make today perfect? Yea, I know what you’re thinking. “What the heck is Fireball talkin’ ’bout??”
You have a choice to make. Are you going to live today just like yesterday, with all your problems and woes piling on you? Or are you going to “think different?” As with all things, what we think determines our outcome. So, if you know what you want your outcome to be, then think ONLY those things that support it.
Me? I’m going to the Pumpkin Festival to see cool movie cars. Yes, a car/pumpkin show in about 2 hours. I’ll post what’s there later, but you’re gonna dig it. Then, I’m back to record Episode #12 of THE HOLLYWOOD CAR SHOW. Then, help my wife, Kathie, build some really cool costumes for a new TV Show. (I’ll post those when we’re finished, too.) But, I’m going to do ALL those things while thinking positively because I want my outcome to be a day filled with excitement, fun, adventure and love. …And that’s EXACTLY what I’ll get.
Try it yourself. Close your eyes and say, “My day is perfect and full of great things, great people and fun.” But FEEL IT and BELIEVE IT!!! Then, be grateful and watch what happens. Let me know!!!!
We all know this, right? In order to truly get anything in life, you have to give first. What you get in return will be a hundredfold in so many ways.
But, like most people, a lot of us think that we don’t have enough to really give in the way we need or want to. But here’s a secret… Giving gives you what you need, …to give more. And the more you give, the easier it will become.
Take Christmas. I always wondered why we only really give once a year? I mean, look at someone’s face when they receive a gift from you. Doesn’t that make you feel like you’re on top of the world?
This banner is for The Humane Society. And $5 can go miles for little faces like this. Please give. If not here, then go right now and give your pet some love. See how it makes you feel, and them too. You don’t know what something means until it’s gone.
…In order to move forward.
It’s hard sometimes to get perspective. I believe that life is viewed much like sitting at a certain point on a tree. At the base, it’s hard to see clearly what is around you in order to get answers. But, as you climb higher, your perspective changes and you can see better, thus making a better judgment. But in order to climb, it takes effort.
I’ve been a Martial Artist since 1969. Chuck Norris being my first instructor, then many others over the years including Bob Burbidge, Benny Urquidez, Brett Gold and Billy Blanks. I became a black belt in 1991. Yea, it took a long time as schools opened, closed, instructors passed away and some went to the pokie. No kidding. But the journey has been worth it… and the next step has been revealed. My style was Tang Soo Do originally. But I now have a new Master,… and a new style of traditional Tae Kwon Do. A new Master, quite extraordinary as well. Master Simon Rhee in Woodland Hills. The style is a bit different, so I needed to remove my black belt and humble myself in order to grow. Kathie and I have joined as Blue Belts. Intermediate belts, in order to catch up and become better. Below is Master Rhee instructing one of his students.
Simon is also a professional Stuntman, Actor and Fight Choreographer in Hollywood. I’ve seen him do unbelievable things and this student is a good indication of how he trains.
Taking a step back allows you to get perspective, become humbled and help others. This, I am grateful for. Never thought I’d feel this good about going backwards. But, it really isn’t that at all. It’s the natural progression of my journey. I’d recommend it to anyone. Lose the ego and see how you can shift your perspective to help others. Oh, and see if you can find some cool cars along the way…
Just imagine it. One minute, you’re fine and dandy. Lickin’ chops, runnin’ on the beach, sniffin’ butts at will. And the next? You’re somehow just a wee bit lighter and in serious pain. And,… something’s missing.
Not a good day for pooches happened last week. My pooches. Bug and Sammy. Bug, the boy Cockerpoo on the left. Now ball-less. And Sammy, the Licorice Girl on the right. Both, went to the doctor to be snipped.
It’s a tough thing for an owner that really loves his dogs. Since the death of my last CockerPoo, Bandit, we’ve dealt with a lot of new things. Things you wouldn’t deal with having just one dog. Everything’s doubled. Bones, toys, snippings. And $500 later, the kids came home with sorrowful faces. Now, it’s one thing to understand what’s happening to you, but for two little tykes like these guys, …just imagine? “HEY WHAT THE HECK IS GOIN’ ON HERE!!?? ARE YOU INSANE?? GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY PRIVATES!!!”
But here they are now. Back to their antics and all healed up. Amazing how fast that happens.
I love my dogs. And if you’re lucky enough to have one for yourself, or a cat, a bird, an iguana or a chinchilla. Enjoy it. They make your life worth living…
…but I love it. I like Mondays because it’s the beginning of something. The beginning of ALL things. You can release what you’ve done for the weekend and last week and think creatively. Use you imagination. “What am I going to do this week?” Not a person goes by that doesn’t say that.
But I like to supercharge my Mondays. We all have jobs, families, bills, things we have to take car of. But I’d like to have you join me with this one idea. And that is,…
“How are you going to GIVE this week?” Who are you going to give to? What do you have or know that you CAN give. Ideas, time, money?
It’s 7 in the morning and my wife, Kathie, is leaving to give my Dad a Karate class. He lives in a retirement home, he’s 80, and yes, he’s taking Karate. Amazing. It’s just a way of Kathie doing her part. And since my Dad has always been there for me, it’s now OUR turn.
There’s lots of ways to give, but it isn’t really what you do. It’s simply that you do SOMETHING. Donate your time, support, a phone call, an email, a check, a kiss. Anything that we can create some sort of relief for someone else.
And don’t feel guilty if you think you can’t. Just remember this… a Poem from Edgar Guest.
You can do as much as you think you can,
But you’ll never accomplish more;
If you’re afraid of yourself, young man,
There’s little for you in store.
For failure comes from the inside first,
It’s there if we only knew it,
And you can win, though you face the worst,
If you feel that you’re going to do it.
How does this relate to design? Since design is everywhere, and we do it all day long, design what you can do to help someone else. Show them something that inspires them like the photo above. Something beautiful. There are a thousand reasons why you’ll say you can’t, but only one that says you should. Because it’s the right thing to do.
Yes, Mondays are for getting things started. So, start giving and see what comes back. And be grateful that you can. It will be tenfold, promise.
FT. What got you into Pinstriping?
My Dad was my sole inspiration in pinstriping. I was just 13 watching him stripe, so I asked him to teach me. He handed me a brush and said, “have at it.” He was amazed at what I was able to do and from there, I had met a real known pinstriper named Butch’r (Butch Tucker of Mesa Arizona) He tucked me under his wing and showed me some old school Pinstriping techniques. I will never forget the people who molded me into the pinstriper I am today.
2. Who were the old schoolers that inspired you?
Some of the stripers I really looked up to of course were my Dad and Butch’r, but also some of the old timers that were around. Some of the originators of Pinstriping included Von Dutch, Ed “Big Daddy” Roth and Dean Jefferies just to name a few…
3. What do you currently own and what’s your dream ride?
The cars I own right now are some that I have had for quite some time. They include a 1929 Ford Roadster Pickup, 1932 Ford Vicky, 1955 Ford Sedan Delivery, 1956 Belair Aagon, 1957 Ford Wagon and a 2007 Custom painted Chevy HHR. As for dream cars……… if I could have one of every year would be bitch’n.
4. What does Pinstriping do for you?
Pinstriping has been my life. It not only provides an income to live off of, but it provides my inner soul my creativity and comes out in my Pinstriping. I share the talent with those who wish to learn and love to see little kids come up to me at a show and are in awe about what I am doing. Sometimes I will hand them a brush and let them try it. It’s cool to see their facial expressions… I get life out of my Pinstriping…
5. What can you tell young kids of today that would get them passionate about this art form?
What I can tell kids is that with Pinstriping, or any other type of art form, is an expression of themselves. They can create, and with that it shows positive self-esteem and gratification of what they have created. With that, other people get to enjoy such a lust for art…. I try to teach kids this form of art so we can keep it alive. The first time I met you, I knew we would get along just great. I have to admit the filming (Street Tuner Challenge) that I did with you and your team was one of the best times I have ever had. I just want to thank you for including me in the things you and your team do.
Big thanks to “Styles” for his passion.
…And with passionate students like the ones from the new Transportation Design School I spoke at this morning, it looks like we’ll be having some unique stuff coming. My friends John and DJ started a design school for inner city kids, with the intention of opening their minds to new possibilities. Ideas that some kids might think are impossible. …But these kids know different.
I come across a lot of young minds throughout the country wanting to know more about design and what they can do with what they love. Which is why I do these CREATE INSPIRE EMPOWER Seminars. When you discover that the world is full of possibilities and there are no limits but just the ones you create yourself, then amazing things begin to happen.
Thanks John, Art and DJ! Thanks for asking me to come down and see these geniuses at work. But, BIG thanks to the kids for having me! Keep it up and see how your life unfolds…
They’ll have a website up soon, so check my Links.
Many would consider me lucky. But luck to me, is a term used to describe something outside of yourself. I believe that things happen the way they do because of our choices and our ability to think right.
Choices are a cause set in motion, which in turn, brings an effect. Look to where things are not working in your life and examine the way that you are thinking about them.
I try, every day, to replace my negative thoughts with positive ones. The more I practice this, the better I get. And the quality of my choices get better, which, brings me better things! So luck? If you know how to work this principle, then your outcome is all that matters. And that, is up to the way you think… and I’m grateful that I can share that with you.
And now, I think I’ll make myself a cool protein drink for the day. Off the Cinema Vehicles for a photo shoot with the STC Car. Stay tuned for a great article coming from ModernMINI Magazine!!
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