The Emigrant Edge: How to Make It Big in America

I have been blessed by the wisdom of Brian Buffini for many years. I'm looking forward to reading this book and getting after the lessons in it.

This from Amazon:
Brian Buffini, an Irish immigrant who went from rags to riches, shares his strategies for anyone who wants to achieve the American dream.

Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, Brian Buffini immigrated to San Diego, California at the age of nineteen with only ninety-two dollars in his pocket. Since then, he has become a classic American rags-to-riches story. After discovering real estate, he quickly became one of the nation’s top real estate moguls and founder of the largest business training company, Buffini & Co., in North America.

But Brian isn’t alone in his success: immigrants compose thirteen percent of the American population and are responsible for a quarter of all new businesses. In fact, Forbes magazine boasts that immigrants dominate most of the Forbes 400 list.

So what are the secrets? In The Emigrant Edge, Brian shares seven characteristics that he and other successful immigrants have in common that can help anyone reach a higher level of achievement, no matter their vocation. He then challenges readers to leave the comfort of their current work conditions to apply these secrets and achieve the success of their dreams.

Get the book here:
The Emigrant Edge: How to Make It Big in America

JLab Epic2 Bluetooth Wireless Sport Earbuds

JLab Epic2

I bought these Bluetooth earbuds a couple of weeks ago. I am more than thrilled. I had resisted going wireless for a long time. My main reason was battery life. I didn't want to get ready to head out and find out the battery is low or dead. These have a 12 hour battery life.

The second thing I wanted was to be able to hear ambient sound. I wanted to be able to hear what is going on around me as I am walking, running or biking. These work great for that. They come with a varied selection of tips for ear size.

They are waterproof so sweat or rain don't matter.

Another requirement was seamless integration with my phone. I wanted to be able to answer and initiate phone calls and access Siri. Some other brands and models don't do that at all or very easy.

I'm thinking of getting a second set to use at work. Not having a dangling cord would be great.

Sound and clarity are great as well. I am very happy.

Click for more informatio:
JLab Audio Epic2 Bluetooth Wireless Sport Earbuds

Reluctant Generosity

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I am on my morning walk. I'm almost to a corner where I always make a turn. I see him ahead, past the turn. I feel contempt. He looks like a disheveled drunk. It's 7am.

I sense God telling me to go straight to where he is. Instead, I make the turn. The man calls out to me. Okay, now I know it's God for sure. I head his direction and say hi. He says he is in trouble. He says he is intoxicated. He is sad, upset with himself. He says he just got out yesterday and now here he is again, in trouble. He is disoriented.

I ask him if he wants me to call an ambulance. He says yes.

While we wait, he walks over to where his things are: a small backpack and a big black trash bag full of his stuff. He lies down. He says thanks to me and asks my name. His is Daniel.

On my Sunday morning walk, I listen to podcasts about generous giving and living. As I approached that corner, I was hearing a story about a woman helping someone desperately in need. Should I be surprised that my heart was revealed? Not generosity but contempt and avoidance. I almost missed a God opportunity.

But God is so good. He didn't let it pass

Interesting: some work I was doing just yesterday was about feeling contempt for other people. One of the lessons was to see the person through God's eyes. Could I see Daniel that way? Could I see God looking at him with compassion, not anger, disgust or rejection? How God must hurt to see one of his creatures trapped and being destroyed. How he must see the same thing with me sometimes.

So all that God was asking from me this morning was to express love to a hurting person by making a phone call and giving him ten minutes of my time. I almost missed it.

Philip

I Am Afraid

"I shouldn't be afraid." "You shouldn't be afraid. " "That's ridiculous, don't worry about it." "I feel ridiculous, I shouldn't worry about it." "I am afraid!"

The loud crash of thunder woke me up. It was around midnight and dark except for the flashes of lightning. Then the other sound began, the sound of hail. Then the thoughts began: car damage, roof damage, what if it breaks the window above me and water comes pouring in? I felt fearful and helpless.

I told God I was afraid and asked for his help. Would he prevent the actuality of these fears? Most of all I want my insides calmed. I want to trust in his care and goodness even if it doesn't stop, even if the hail gets bigger.

I feel wide awake now. Will I be able to get back to sleep?

I hear our dog Bandit in the other room. I know he is afraid and freaking out. The loud noises make him almost inconsolable. I feel sorry for him, a creature marred by the fall, yet "sinless." He too feels fear. I now wonder, does he have any communication with God? Does he ask for consolation? Or is it just up to us frail humans to offer help and an apology for our part in the fall of man that makes this kind of thing happen?

The hail slows down; the sound seems to be getting farther away. The thunder seems more distant. I fall back to sleep.

This morning I think about it and I want to write about it. I will tell everyone who cares to read about it of what I feel. God already knows but I want to break through the wall of admitting my emotions and fears to others. I risk some thinking or saying, "That's ridiculous." I don't care.

Philip