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All personal breakthroughs begin with a change in beliefs.

Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.

You don't get paid for the hour. You get paid for the value you bring to the hour.

I hear a lot of despair and concern from many of my adjusting friends. Times are tough right now for  a lot of people who have devoted their lives to this profession. There is a reason for everything and somehow we will all get through it. Here is a story I found from an unknown author. Maybe it will put a smile on your face and raise your hope for a better tomorrow.

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in, "Mom, let's run through the rain," she said. "What?" Mom asked.

"Let's run through the rain!" She repeated.

"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.

This young child waited about another minute and repeated, "Mom, let's run through the rain."

"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.

"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.

"This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?"

"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!'"

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If God let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.

And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories... So, don't forget to make time and take opportunities to make memories everyday. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.

I hope you still take the time to run through the rain.

There's a myth that time is money.  In fact, time is more precious than money.  It's a nonrenewable resource.  Once you've spent it, and if you've spent it badly, it's gone forever.

Set your sights high, the higher the better.  Expect the most wonderful things to happen, not in the future but right now.  Realize that nothing is too good.  Allow absolutely nothing to hamper you or hold you up in any way.

Flowers grow out of darker moments.

You don't get paid for the hour. You get paid for the value you bring to the hour.

Never doubt that a small group of concerned citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Remember, we are also considered adjuster citizens and can change many things if we all come together.

Pain nourishes courage.  You can't be brave if you've only had wonderful things happen to you.

Ability can take you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there. Ability requires knowledge. Seek every avenue of knowledge you can gain to become a better you and a better adjuster. Climb to the top one step at a time and do it with diligence. Become the top gun adjuster you are really capable of.

You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life.  And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.

The Universal laws that govern the universe always reward those who make a difference in the lives of others. As Emerson wrote in his Essay on Compensation, “It is one of the most beautiful compensations in life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.”

I have found through my years, that setting goals also helps one become better organized and orgranization of one's life will deepen their perspective of themselves and of others.

Two posts in one day, so you ask, whats up with that. . I am at a  point that rationilazation of who I really am is important. Sitting here in Escondido, CA. pounding out estimates takes it's toll on anyone, particularily when the software is lacking in price database and items. Sometimes you must sit back and determine who you really are and what you really want. I am taking this Sunday to do just that. I am  also thinking about my two uncle's, (whom I never got to know) that went down and were lost on the Arizona at Pearl Harbor, this being Veterans day week-end. I think of them as two young men who never got to know what life was really about and what I have lost not knowing who and what they were. God bless our service men and women.

There’s a discomfort when you have a weak self-esteem. Once you start getting in charge of your life and start working on things that are interesting and stimulating and challenging, it changes the inner perspective you have of you as a man or woman, a child, and you project that. It’s not cockiness or smugness, but as you do things, you’re set aside from the common herd.

Reflect upon your blessings, of which every man and woman has plenty, not on your past misfortunes, of which all men and women  have some. Look to your future, since you have learned from your past.

If you look at what you have in life, you'll always have more.  If you look at what you don't have in life, you'll never have enough.

Tom,

I'll never forget this quote you posted. I read it when it came through on my blackberry as we were waiting in the hospital for my daughter's major operation to remove a spinal tumor which was to take place 10/31. I can't begin to tell you how much this simple quote meant to both of us at a time when things looked most bleak. Thank you for continuing this column. I bet it touches more folks then you'll ever know.

Deb