Just Another Week ....

I sure am glad that baseball season has graced us with its presence.

Already, this season I have obtained more wonderful lifetime memories than I received from all of last year. O, did I mention how HUGE baseball memories are to me?

I attended the very first official major league game played at Atlanta Stadium in April of 1966. I was 7 years old. Baseball was already an important part of my life. I still remember that game. I got to see the Atlanta Braves (Hank Aaron, Joe Torre, Eddie Matthews and the like) play the Pittsburg Pirates (Willie Stargell, Roberto Clemente and the like).

WOW! did you know that Joe Torre hit two home runs for the Braves in that game, and that Tony Cloninger threw 13 strong innings for the Braves. The Bravos lost that night in 13 innings 3 - 2 (Stagell hit a home run in the 13th driving in Clemente in front of him.) Even though it was a school night, we stayed for all 13 innings (WAY past my bedtime).

MLB network was replaying the 1992 National League Championship Series game 7 the other day (again, it was the Braves vs. Pirates, and again it was Atlanta Fulton County Stadium.) Shirley came walking into the living room about 5 seconds after Sid slid giving the Braves an unlikely come from behind victory. I was sitting on the sofa with a few tears rolling down my cheek as I once again reveled in that most wonderful of baseball memories. "Are you crying," she asked? "There's no crying in baseball!"

The memories of watching that play live; waking up my then 10 year old son Tony who had fallen asleep in the 7th inning just in time for him to see it with me, and the elation that we shared just became an emotional memory for me. I was overwhelmed by the memory of the joy.

Anyway, back to this season's memories - ALREADY! The Brave's Jason Heyward has provided a season's worth already, hasn't he? His first major league at bat home run was one for the ages. I will always remember that I was in Ashley's delivery room, and the doctor was there talking to her about Maverick's impending arrival. Once again overcome with emotion, I interrupted the conversation shouting! "Yes! Yes!" The doc looked at me as if to say, "Sir, will you please be quiet, we are trying to have a baby here."

Jason's walk off game winning single on Sunday was dramatic enough, but then to hit an unlikely game tying back to back tater following Troy Glaus on Tuesday was about more than I could stand.

There have been 261 no hit pitched games in all of major league baseball history going into this season. A wonderful memory that I will always carry is being present with my other son, Cory for no hit game #262. And even though it came at Turner Field against my beloved Braves, how often does one get to witness a no hit game in person, and especially get to share the experience with his son?

There is so much more I could write about. I have personally seen Hank Aaron blast many home runs. I watched Sandy Koufax pitch in person. I had wonderful experiences coaching and umpiring my son's little league games (those are the best memories of all).

So, welcome back, baseball! You have come on like gangbusters this season! I can't wait to see what else you have in store to help Make Life Good!

It's TAX Day, 2010

While many are spending the 15th of April struggling to meet the midnight deadline for a postmark, thankfully this year, I am spending the day playing golf, and then attending a Tea Party rally.

Since my 15th is busy, I am writing my promised TAX DAY blog on the 14th.

I was speaking the other day with a friend, Grady Palmer. Grady is a former executive with Kodak. For the past 8 years he has been building a Melaleuca business and has achieved "Executive Director 9" status. This means his next advancement will be to Corporate Director. The average earnings for a Corporate Director with Melaleuca exceeds $1,000,000 per year.

Knowing Grady through the years, I have learned to listen when he speaks. Our discussion the other day was about this day, TAX DAY. Right now, despite the markets being up, and the economy pointing to recovery, the amount of taxes needed to drive the legislation (Bail outs, health care and the like) are going to put a major crimp on governments beginning next year. The BUSH tax cuts expire in January. This is one of the major reasons that corporations are showing higher profits now. Better for them to show them this year with lower tax liabilities. Corporate profits for 2011 will show much lower.

Individuals need protection against the coming tax onslaught. Having and owning your own business is one of the last remaining things a person can do to protect themselves against the tax man!

Here is a link that describes this advantage in detail: Why Starting Your Own Business Makes Sense

A Melaleuca business is by far the most logical business to start. One of the biggest reasons for this is that the money to start a business ($29) is so low, and the monthly expenditures to maintain it (around $50 - $60 per month) is old money that a person is already spending anyway. No new household budget monies are required. In fact Melaleuca products are actually less expensive to use and actually save money in the long run.

Owning a Melaleuca business requires NO stocking, selling or delivery of products, NO complicated monthly paperwork. There are NO distributors. It simply requires that you switch stores for a portion of your monthly household shopping, and if you wish and are so inclined, refer the company other people. It really is that simple. Best of all, there is NO risk, and NO way that you or anyone else can lose any money. Their membership ($29) is 100% refundable for 120 days, and all of their products carry a 60 day "return the empty package" guarantee.

Study the tax advantages, the advantages of using safer non toxic products, not to mention the wellness implications of decreasing your risks of cancer and heart disease through scientifically researched and clinically proven wellness products, then tell me why it wouldn't make TOTAL sense for you to become a Melaleuca preferred customer.

I would be happy to give you a PERSONAL TOUR! Complete the forms at any of these websites, or email or call! You should be intrigued. Let's get in touch!

Happy Tax Day!

Barry

Life and Death

Hello Friends! Just a short update today.

On Sunday, our pastor brought a sermon about the seasons of life. It was a very timely message to hear. The Bible teaches that to everything there is a season. I have experienced the full spectrum of this truth just this week.

April 6th saw the birth of our second grandchild. Maverick James Sanchez entered the world at 1:30 AM on Tuesday. What a joyful and joyous season of life. I am thrilled to report that mother and baby (and dad) are all doing very well.

Yesterday, I learned of the death of a high school friend. Although her passing took me completely by surprise, I was reminded in my spirit that just as there is a time to be born, there is also a time to die. The joyous season in my life is a very tragic and sorrowful season in the lives of the family of my friend.

It reminded me once again that we are given a certain number of days on this earth. Each of those days is a gift. Each of those days should be devoted to God, to family, to friends and (in my case) service to others.

I was also reminded (once again) how important it is to take personal control of our own health care. Allow me to ask you a question: knowing that each day is a gift, are you doing EVERYTHING you can do to take care of your body and to give yourself what your body needs to optimize the number and quality of the days that you have upon this earth? I implore you, do not settle for the status quo. Learn!

There are simple things, simple daily habits you can create in your life that will absolutely add numerically days to your life, and add quantitatively quality to your days. We exist to help you learn and MAKE LIFE GOOD. Contact me and let me help you!

Check back on Thursday for a special TAX DAY blog!