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Get To Know Your Neighbors

Now that our muscadine harvest is over, I am busy campaigning in my race for Irwin County’s 4th District Commission Seat. This past weekend, I walked around in Ocilla making introductions and visiting with voters. Earlier in the week, I also drove around one community visiting with constituents. I will be honest, I originally wasn’t looking forward to this part of campaigning. I am not a politician, and I find myself becoming an introvert as I get older. But, I have really enjoyed meeting my neighbors for several reasons:

  1. Many people have amazing stories to share, and my neighbors are truly the salt of the earth. They are what make #ABetterIrwinCounty.
  2. Some of my neighbors have made incredible sacrifices for their family and friends. I met one lady Saturday who raised her 5 nephews after her sister (their mother) suddenly died. She is in her eighties and still occasionally works, too!
  3. Lastly, people take great pride in what they create, raise, and earn. One lady had the most beautiful pepper garden growing right along the walkway to her front door. Another couple raised two children who have started successful businesses and farming operations in Irwin County. As people of #ABetterIrwinCounty, we have many accomplishments to be proud of. I am grateful for this opportunity to see and hear what brings people pride and joy.

As I visit around the eastern side of Irwin County over the next month, I look forward to meeting many more of my neighbors. If you live in Irwin County, I encourage you to get to know your neighbors, too. They have great stories to tell.

They, like I, also believe in #ABetterIrwinCounty.

So, what is something amazing your neighbor has done? Go find out & share it here.

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Lessons from Walt Disney

My family and I went on a five day vacation to Disney World last week. We had a blast on a truly magical trip! We went to every park and rode every single ride that the boys were old enough to ride, and we were thoroughly exhausted when we got back. My favorite attraction of the trip is called Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream. This multimedia gallery exhibit showcases artifacts from Walt Disney’s life like his 2nd grade desk, various cartoon sketches, and early Disney toys and memorabilia. The attraction ends with a 15-minute video of Walt Disney recounting his lifelong story. Today, the Walt Disney Company is a fascinating company, and I (along with others in my family) am truly inspired by the movies they produce and the experiences they provide within their theme parks.

While walking through the attraction, I learned several lessons from Walt Disney’s life:
1. Disney combined curiosity and courage to fuel his career. I especially love this quote: “When you’re curious, you find lots of interesting things to do. And one thing it takes to accomplish something is courage.”
2. Disney aimed to accomplish one goal – “entertain people, in bringing pleasure, particularly through laughter.” When people truly enjoy the experience you offer, they will become fans, become customers for life, and bring their friends.
3. Disney viewed his full-length animated movies as nothing really unique, even though Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first movie of its kind. He viewed them as a unique business opportunity to combine movies and cartoons to entertain people. Other people made movies. Other people made cartoons. But, no one had ever put the two together. And, he applied the same thought process to his attractions. After visiting a carnival with his daughter, he saw the opportuntiy to launch an amusement park like none other – one that adults enjoyed visiting with their children.

I am grateful for the opportunity to spend 5 magical days with my family. I am also grateful for Walt Disney’s influence on our culture and my life. His curiosity, attention to detail, sense of humor, and ability to combine profitable business opportunities offer many lessons. Maybe these 3 lessons will inspire you keep moving forward (which is a line from my favorite Disney movie, Meet the Robinsons)!

Question: What is your favorite Disney movie? Leave a comment below.

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Gratitude on Memorial Day

On this Memorial Day, I am grateful. Jorjanne and I celebrate 13 years of marriage today. She is the most amazing woman… more beautiful, smarter, loving, and fun than I ever deserved to marry. Most every guy I’ve ever met marries up. I am definitely no exception!

I am also very grateful for the influence of four verterans. These men have made great impacts in my life and I am eternally grateful.

My grandfather, Jacob W. Paulk, Sr., served in the Air Force during the Korean War. The picture above depicts his character. I’ve had the privelege of growing up with him and now working with him for 11 years. He loves his family and is willing to make sacrifices to help make this a better world.

My father-in-law, William D. Zorn, Sr., served in the Navy. He has taught me to be proud of my heritage and learn from those who helped make my hometown the unique place it is today.

My best friend, Matt. He serves in the Navy and has taught me how to lead. No matter the type of organization, the same principles apply. And, he has taught me to relentlessly pursue excellence.

My mom’s first cousin, Joe Dexter Flynn, served during Vietnam. He recently battled the same type of brain tumor that my maternal grandmother battled 19 years ago, and his funeral is today. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of visiting his family in Alabama and playing with our cousins, Brock and Ashley. He, like my grandmother, has received his eternal reward in Heaven, and my prayers are with his family during this time.

I have many other friends and family who have served in the military. I am grateful for your service to our country and your influences in my life. You are to be honored.

Question: Who would you like to thank? Please leave a comment below.

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Four Life Lessons I Learned From Little League Baseball

I am Seth’s little league baseball team’s coach this spring…well, actually I am the assistant-to-the-assistant coach! When we signed up to play, I told my friend who is the head coach that IF our sons were on the same team; and IF he was asked to coach; and IF he needed help coaching, I would help him coach. Later, when he called me to help coach, I couldn’t help but laugh because my baseball career ended in the 2nd grade. I didn’t enjoy the sport, and I especially didn’t enjoy playing the game. My teammates always played the positions I wanted. And, the 20 extra coaches in the stands telling me what to do when I thought I only had two coaches on the field drove me crazy! I felt like I was in a pressure cooker with everyone staring and yelling at me – “Swing the bat (why would I NOT swing the bat?)! ”Watch the ball (what else would I look at?)! “Throw the ball in (where else would I throw it?)!” So, I traded in my bat and glove for a tennis racquet and didn’t look back. No teammates. No obnoxious fans. And, the point of the game is easy, right? Be the last person to hit the ball into the court?!

After serving as the assistant-to-the-assistant little league baseball coach for most of one season, I can honestly say I love this sport! Seth has a blast, and I have a blast. Here are four life lessons I have learned that changed my opinion of little league baseball:

  1. Coaches can make a positive influence in a child’s life. Heck, they can change a kid’s life! I’ve seen this through my friend as he builds self-confidence into each player.
  2. Coaches have a unique opportunity to serve each family that no one else on or off the field can do. If you serve my child, you have my attention. I’ve seen my friend serve an entire family by helping meet the need of one player.
  3. Seth is learning about humility by sitting out of the game so that others can also play. I remember riding the bench as a kid, and I hated it. I thought it was like being sent to timeout for a crime I didn’t even know about! We’ve been talking about humility at church this month and defined it as “putting others first by giving up what you think you deserve.” Humility is a tough virtue to learn early in life, but it is critically needed as leader later in life.
  4. Seth is also learning to see the big picture beyond his chance at bat. We play some talented teams who can field the ball really well. If he hits a ground ball to the infield, he is most likely thrown out at first base. But, many times he advances a runner one base…possibly even driving home a runner. So, while Seth doesn’t always get on base, he helps his team score. Getting thrown out at first is no fun, but helping win the game makes a bigger difference.

I am still a tennis player at heart. I don’t own a pair of cleats. I had to borrow a glove. But, I treasure the times spent throwing with and pitching to Seth and his friends. I also enjoy watching him play and enjoy life. I also love learning life lessons along the way with him. Maybe these lessons can help you the next time you are on a team. And, if you have the chance to help coach a little league team, do it! This assistant-to-the-assistant coach sure is glad he signed up to help!

Question: What have you learned from little league sports? I look forward to hearing from you!

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Who Is In Control

Here in south Georgia we have beautiful weather. We average almost 50 inches of rainfall each year. Winter only lasts for a couple of weeks. Summer lasts for several months. And, the spring and fall seasons are the most pleasant times of year with lows in the 50s and highs in the 80s. But, the past two weeks’ weather patterns have reminded me that despite all of my family’s efforts to harness the benefits of the weather and grow muscadines, we are not in control of everything.

Two weeks ago, an EF1 tornado passed within a few miles of our farm. I was in Ocilla (15 miles away from my office) when my cell phone alerted me of the tornado warning. Jorjanne and I were together and our boys were in school, so everyone was accounted for and in safe locations. I immediately called my office to make sure everyone there knew what was coming and where to go for safety. I realized during those 30 minutes of watching the weather radar that I couldn’t do anything to redirect the tornado. My business’s and family’s safety were helpless!

Earlier this week another weather system moved through and brought near freezing temperatures. This would be normal in January. But, in April all of the muscadine vines are budding out leaves. If temperatures drop below freezing for an extended period of time, our entire annual crop could be destroyed. I realized on the morning of April 16th I couldn’t do anything to raise the outside temperature. Again, my business and family’s livelihood were helpless!

After waking up to a breezy frostless morning, I remembered a very important truth – I am not in control. I can and should make plans. I enjoy setting goals. But, at the end of the day, God is in control.

So, what in the world am I to do?

I start each morning by praying the Lord’s prayer. I heard a message on this prayer one time that revoluntionized the way I pray and approach each day. Here’s the way I pray now:

  1. I declare God’s greatness. I will not put my hope in riches but in the One who richly provides.
  2. I surrender my will to God’s will.
  3. I acknowledge my dependence on God for provision, pardon from my sins, and protection from evil.

Hopefully, extreme weather will not return. Regardless, though, I will continue making plans and setting goals. And, I will remember who is in control. Life is much more peaceful this way.

Question: What methods do you practice to gain perspective and prepare for each day? I look forward to hearing from you!

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3 Reasons To Plan to Get Away

A couple of week ago, our family went on a four day vacation with Jorjanne’s sisters and their families. This year was the fifth annual trip for our families, and we look forward to the time away and together. Each trip is in a new location. We always rent one house for all four families. And, we always make lasting memories. Thinking back on the trip, I realized there are 3 reasons we’ve made this an annual tradition.

1. Scheduling family time teaches our boys to make family a priority. The best way to know my priorities is to look at my budget and my calendar. So, Jorjanne and I plan a few annual trips. Jorjanne and I take 1 vacation per year without the boys. We go on a vacation during the summer with the boys. And, we go on this trip each Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday weekend with extended family.
2. If you really want to know someone better, drive more than three hours away and stay in a stranger’s house for the weekend. No, seriously. We have the best time traveling to a house we have only seen pictures of online and rented. We are all excited about the same destination. We are away from the busyness of life together. We cook together. We play games together. Spending time together in this setting helps us grow closer like nothing else will.
3. We make great memories as a family. This year, we went snow tubing and jumped into Lake Lanier…that was a first! I love hearing the stories my boys tell later as they recount each year’s vacation. Because of the time with their cousins, they can’t wait until next year’s trip.

I know that if I let culture take me along with its current I won’t be happy with the destination. I will be in debt and lonely. Planning regular time with family is very important in arriving at the best destination. I hope these three reasons help you in planning a better destination.

What are some ways you spend time away with family? I would love to hear from you in the comments.