Fixing Birds

By Walt F.J. Goodridge

Special to the Saipan Tribune
Originally published: Wednesday, August 27, 2008


The only way to take control of your life, raise your standard of living and move beyond merely surviving is to create your own unique product or service that you offer to increasing numbers of people in exchange for the things of value that you desire. This simple formula applies to countries as well as people. A self-sufficient economy has its own products or services of value to export to the world. Similarly, a self-sufficient individual has something of value to exchange in the global marketplace. That thing of value is based on your natural talent, skill, or interest—in other words, your passion!

"Want to know how to REALLY help others? Help yourself first! Once you help yourself you become such a beacon of light that shines so brightly, that others will automatically be helped without you doing one blessed thing!"--Gladys Edmunds

The clueless solve the mysteries
while the sightless guide the blind
And those without direction
lead the lost to peace of mind

The utmost height of folly:
ego’s fed but you’re defeated
You strive to cure the world its woes
while your ills go untreated

So climb the ladder first
and show you practice what you preached
Then throw a life line back
to help the world to where you’ve reached

Don’t give away your map
before your own gold has been found
For you can’t coach wounded birds to fly
while stranded on the ground!

Last night, I had an insightful, inspiring three-hour interview/talk with Gladys Edmunds. Gladys, a dynamic entrepreneur, author and USA Today columnist with a long list of stellar achievements, was known at one time by the media as that "16 year old who took 9 dollars and built a 9 million dollar business!"

During our talk, Gladys reminded me of some simple traveler’s wisdom that she included in her There’s No Business Like Your Own Business audio series.

Anyone who’s traveled by plane has no doubt heard "in the event of a loss of cabin pressure, place your mask on first before helping those around you." This simple wisdom works well on the ground too, and in many areas of life. What good can you be to others if your own life is in chaos? Can you really raise passion-centered children if you yourself live a passionless life? Can you really speak from a place of certainty, truth and conviction about anything which you yourself have not experienced? Well, many try. Many of these people are seeking the ego gratification of being the "give ‘til hit hurts" sacrificing Samaritan who helps others while neglecting his or her own needs.

Noble, yes. Effective? Maybe not. Gladys suggests that for the next seven days you do things a little differently. For the next week, resolve to do the things that benefit you. Each day, ask, "What can I do for me today? What will I do to help myself up the ladder that is just about me?"

Now, I know what you’re thinking. So, no, it’s not about being selfish. It’s not about doing for yourself to the exclusion of others. It’s not about winning so others lose. It’s simply about making the time to do things that benefit you first and foremost. Again, this is not an exercise in how to be selfish. In fact, you want to know what’s really selfish? Helping others simply to feed your ego-driven image of yourself without really having the means to truly help them—that’s selfish!

So instead of finding and fixing all the wounded birds strewn across your path this week, focus on you. Fix you, and you might be surprised who seeks you out to be the light in their own journey! You’ll find that the best way to help others is to help yourself!

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Note: For more tips on overcoming your fears, acting on your ideas, changing the game, and creating a passion-centered lifestyle, visit www.passionprofit.com!

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Note: There’s a new blog in town! Check out www.blacksonsaipan.com


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Until next week, remember, success is a journey, not a destination!

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