What are you … poor?

I have to share this, there are simply too many life lessons that have been thought of after being asked this question recently.

The story … 

A few weeks ago, was busy.  I had some skin cancer cut off my shoulder, 2 other spots scraped off my back on day 1 of being home.  I also had removed the wheels off my new ride and was in process of prepping them while I had this surgery, and we caught the second half of Brock's football game.  Day two was spent (with stitches) continuing the prep for wheel painting … and painting the wheels.  Days 3 and 4 of being away from flying were spent on my other passion - detailing cars.  And the tail end of day 4 was spent with Family for Brocks 17th birthday.  The time off was … awesome.

So someone that was in my house for Brocks party (I won't mention any names), asked me what I had been up to on my last day off.  I said I had just delivered a car back to town that I had detailed.  She was stunned, her Husband was laughing because he thought I was telling a joke … and she asked again, 'No really, what did you do today?'  No, really, I just delivered a car to town that I detailed, I'm detailing cars now.

She looks at me like I have 2 heads and says 'So Beaner just got a job, you fly, and now you're cleaning cars.  What are you ... poor?'

Swear to God, I can't make this stuff up!  That's what makes it fun to read, right? :)

I fought back some 'choice' responses, and quickly took the high road and simply said 'We have goals to meet, and I love to clean cars … seemed like a good fit.'

Silence.

But it got me to thinking.  (And with plenty of time to think … I do plenty)

Anyway, what I thought of, were a couple of things.

First, a friend of mine posted as a comment to my status a few weeks ago (I love what I do), that if someone enjoys what they do, they will never 'work' a day of their life.  Ah, Danielson, very deep and true statement.  After all, why will most people not drive 4 and 1/2 hours to work, be gone up to 18 days a month (that's max), be away from family for 4 days at a stretch, endure physicals every 6 months, take a check rides every 9 months, and have to learn so much to do it?  Well, I like what I do.  It don't seem like work to me.  I find it easy.  So I agree with his statement, I will never work a day of my life so long as I enjoy what I do.

Secondly, there is another saying I recalled soon after the statement, and I agree with whole heartily  … and that is 'If you want something done, give it to someone that is busy.'  Let that one soak in … percolate, process it … and keep that one close to the forefront as I continue.

Going back to the question 'What are you, poor?' … lets look at the statement from another perspective.  And that is, the assumption that a person would only take on more responsibility (or any responsibility for that matter) if they were poor.  

I just don't see the logic in this, at all.  Let me be more specific … usually what I see are people sitting around complaining (and I've been guilty of that too - more to follow below) that are capable of doing so much more - yet do nothing about it.  Having been on BOTH sides of this statement, I feel qualified to share both sides of it.

I've noticed myself, with too much spare time, doing unproductive things.  Not doing what I should be doing, rather something that is 'not good.'  There is a saying about that too … something about 'idle hands …' and it's connected with the Devil.  You get the gist.

On the other side, if someone is already 'productive' … they probably are because they know how to be.  And once you know how to be, you can easily insert 'one more thing' here and there that most people just 'won't' allow.

But at the end of the day, here's what I know.  I love to fly.  I love to clean cars.  I hate cleaning house windows, and I don't enjoy cleaning a house … but others do.  

And the biggest benefits are those that are not measured … which in my eyes are the lessons that are passed onto my kids.  My kids know they have two Parents that will make things happen.  A Couple that won't take a handout, but would rather earn what others would simply take.  It's only an example, and it may not make any of them like me, but they are going to watch the example and hear the benefits of doing what you enjoy vs doing what is easy.

Each and every one of you have a talent, a set of skills that was implanted in you by your Creator (even if you don't believe in Him, you know you have something in you that is unique to you).  Using those talents are what most people don't do.  Sharing those skills for the good of others, is what we are suppose to do … don't wrinkle your nose to them, don't deny them.  Your happiness lies in using those skills and talents.

That's a lot to say to the question that's the title of this post - but that's my Heart.

We have two winners!

Flying to Freedom 24 Day Group Challenge

April 2nd, we began our first Group Challenge since starting Advocare in the summer of 2010.

Two winners would be chosen - one with the most weight lost and the other with the most inches lost.

Those two winners, had 3 choices on their prize;

* 1 Hour of flight training with me

* 1 hour of flying with me, where they could bring 2 extra people

* $100 Cash

5 people started, and we added 3 more from our house - Corinne, Ariana and Myself.

7 of us reported results - and as a group;

We lost 54 pounds!

And trimmed 36 and 7/8 inches!! 

Everyone won.  Everyone experienced weight loss, inches lost, something - from the 24 Day Challenge.

But 2 people - stood out.

Mike Adams - with a total weight loss over 24 days of 14 lbs!

& 

Heidi Porter - with a total inches lost over 24 days of 13!

Each have an awesome story.

Mike has chosen 1 hour of flight training with me - he says "I'm bringing my logbook!"

Heidi has chosen 1 hour of flight training with me as well - "I will do the flight - Instruction for sure!!"

So there you have it - a group of lives changed, a taste of what Advocare has to offer.  And for two - a parlay into flying - a whole other story and chapter of life possibly for them.

Can I get an Amen?  Love it!

Team Inspire Flight to Freedom Incentive

I've had quite a few questions about members of our Team getting into this Flying Incentive we built for the new 24 Day Challengers.  I posted this a few weeks ago, but I think it got lost among the other posts on the FB Team page.

There are quite a few people that would just enjoy a one hour flight.  Go fly over your house and take some pictures of it.  Take two friends with you on your ride that you earn here at Team Inspire.

There are others that would love that first look at what it takes to get the Private Pilot License, which allows you the Freedom to take anyone flying when the weather is nice (without an Instructor).

I know growing up, that learning to fly while still in school gave me something that no one else in my class had - wings.  It was something that shaped me, gave me that small edge among others - just a different perspective of the world.  It still does today.

So, with all of that said, why not open this up to the Team - make a flying incentive that people do want, would love to take advantage of.

We are going to start simple.  The first Incentive we are offering, is this;

The first person to qualify for Silver Leadership will receive

* 1 Hour of flight, for room up to 3 people

OR

* 1 Hour of flight, complete with a logbook showing 1 hour of Instruction

OR

* $100 Cash

3 choices - the winner decides which one it's going to be.

The first person to qualify for Gold Leadership will receive

* 3 Hours of flight, for up to 3 people

(spread the time out - take 9 people total, or,

fly to a destination further away, and back,

for a total of 3 hours of flying)

OR

* 3 Hours of flight, which will very likely get you half way to Solo

(Solo flight is where I step out of the airplane when you are ready

and you fly alone - all by your lonesome.  How many of your friends have 

done that?)

OR

* $300 Cash

3 choices - the winner decides which one it's going to be.

Flying is like Advocare in many ways.  Once you experience it, you will probably want to do it again.  And again, and again, and again.  You don't know until you try, but from the overwhelming response to the Challenge group that is in motion, there is desire to get in the air!

So get together with your Sponsor, or call me to find out how to get to Silver (if you don't already know).

Here's the best part ... I'm not only going to help you fly ... but I'm going to help you get to Silver too.

Let's get you in the AIR!

24 Day Challenge Flight Incentive - Begins 4/2/12

24 Day Group Challenge Flight Incentive

Have you ever wanted an airplane ride, but didn't know where to start?  Maybe you would like to start learning how to fly - for yourself.  

What if we coupled that with an opportunity to get in shape for summer?  Are you already dreading the swimsuit purchase day?  

We can help - with both!

This is going to be very simple and straight forward.  

Corinne and I are starting a 24 Day Group Challenge on April 2.  

At the end of 24 days, we will take final measurements (your word - we are not going to measure people), and we will then select 2 winners.  

One winner will be selected who has lost the most weight of the group.

A second winner will be selected who has lost the most combined inches of the group.

2 Winners!  

You're the winner, you choose what you want;

*  1 Hour of flight training with Me, complete with a Logbook (complimentary).

 or

*  1 Hour of flying, where you can bring up to 2 extra people with you and we go sight see.

or

*  $100 in CASH

2 winners, 2 hours of flying, or $200, each winner chooses which prize they want.

Along the way, you find a healthier You, and if you win ... we will go flying!

Message Corinne or Myself for details on this Incentive to kick start your Summer.

Corinne (319) 296-5651

Corinne.Barnhart@gmail.com

Shawn (319) 296-5656

Shawn.Barnhart@gmail.com

(32 years flight experience, 18,000 + hours in the air, current Certified Flight Instructor)