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| Dan and his dad. |
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Two weeks ago we had two mini-family reunions and it was so much fun! On Saturday, not only did we get to see a few family members I haven't seen in forever, we also got to meet some extended family! And on Sunday I got to meet Dan's dad and his wife; which was both long overdue and really quite interesting!
I'm not sure which was best --- meeting Dan's dad for the first time and learning more about him and his family or seeing my aunt who is 91 and who I haven't seen for at least 35 years. I have no idea where the time goes and as she only lives in San Luis O'Bispo, there is really no excuse for so long between visits.
Sister, as we call her (real name Beverly) is my mom's half-sister. They have the same mother but couldn't have been more different. So much of our family is gone already --- in fact Beverly is the eldest immediate family member left. My uncle Richard, Sister's brother, is also still around and he is in his mid-80's but that's it. My mom and their youngest brother and all the grandparents are gone.
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Leslie and Sister. |
So that leaves just two. Richard couldn't be here due to health issues, but Sister came down from San Luis O'Bispo on the train --- by herself! She is still sweet and articulate and fully mentally intact. Her eyesight is starting to fail a bit and she tires out a little, but overall she is simply amazing! It was such a joy to spend the day with her and not only catch up but also to learn so much about our family - things we never knew!
In addition to Sister, two of my cousins were there with their mostly adult children and it has been forever since we've seen any of them (and some of them never!).
The thing is, I know this is probably the last time I will see Sister and she even volunteered her time is drawing near. As much fun as it was to see her; what I kept thinking about was the cycle of life. My cousin Julie has one married son and one who just graduated from Boot Camp.
Darcy, my other cousin has five children ranging from about 12 to 25. My sister just became a grandmother for the first time, while my grandchildren range from 2 to 20. It is plausible that I could be a great-grandmother in the not too distant future.
The point is, I suppose, that life goes on. Personally, I get mortality anxiety when I think about not being here for my family. But Sister told me she doesn't want to live forever. That she has spent her time and loves her family and while it makes her a little sad that she will leave them eventually, she is ok to do so.
And I guess that is how life works. We spend our time and hopefully we have spent it wisely. With any luck we are mostly kind and generous and loving and we do our very best on any given day with gratitude and grace.
Most importantly, I sincerely hope we (that's the royal 'we', as in everyone) can step away from the daily grind of work responsibilities and self-imposed chores with their corresponding stresses that are technically not important (nor truly necessary) so we can actually live the lives we're given.
Because that's what happens. We spend too much time focused on the things that don't matter and fail to nurture the things that do. Perhaps it's time to plan, with conscious intent, to do those things and spend time with those people that make us happy and bring us joy.
Isn't that what life is supposed to be about? Not work and chores, but love and laughter?
All we really have is today. Just this one moment and wait, did you see that? The moment was fleeting. It slipped by silently with nary a care as to how we use it.
Don't let the next 35 years pass blindly or with that 'next week I'll do this' attitude only to find out you've missed the opportunity to have an amazing experience or to share in the life of someone you love dearly. I know I won't........
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I already hired an assistant so I can carve out more time for joy in my life. What about you? Executive Errands® was founded to give time to people so they could accomplish more by doing less and so they can have the time to enjoy their lives. After 10 years on the road, I totally understand the value of this type of business. If you're ready to outsource some of your routine or mundane tasks, we are here for you! Just give us a call 760.898.9604 or send us an email
and you'll be taking the first step toward living your life more fully. We are here for you!
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Happy Birthday, Executive Errands®
We just started our 12th year in business! Can you believe that --- sometimes I can't! Talk about fleeting time! When I look back over all that we have built and accomplished and how many people we have helped over the years, it's like a dream.
I am humbled and forever grateful to this community who has welcomed us, the people who support and refer us, the clients who allow us to care for them and their homes.
And especially I am grateful for our team of employees and vendors who put a great face on this company! Help me celebrate the last amazing 11 years and we look forward to many, many more!
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Halloween Trivia
Here are some fun facts about Halloween:
--Trick or Treating had its roots in Europe
and was appropriated from a custom known as "souling" which dates back to the 9th century. On All Soul's Day which is November 2nd, the poor would walk through the villages and go door to door begging for food. They would be given "soul cakes" which is a type of pastry made from bread and currants. They would promise to pray for dead relatives in return for receiving the "soul cakes".
--Potatoes and turnips were the original Jack-O-Lanterns.
Irish children would carve and light them to use during the gatherings on Halloween.
--Pumpkins, a squash,
are a major part of modern Halloween. Many people think of them as vegetables, but from a biological standpoint they are a fruit because they come from a flower and have seeds in them.
--Black and orange are the colors
that go hand in hand when it comes to Halloween. That's because black is the color associated with death and darkness, and orange is the color associated with the autumn harvest.
--Halloween is the number two holiday
in terms of commercial success (second only to Christmas). Over eight billion dollars is spent annually on candy, costumes and decorations during the Halloween season (and that's up from four billion in 2010).
--Chocolate candy bars are the most popular item
to give Trick-or-Treaters. Which candy bar is the most popular? Snickers...
--The average American spends $80 on Halloween candy. That's approximately two billion dollars annually on Halloween candy alone. Note: This statistic does not say we GIVE AWAY $80 worth of candy; only that we BUY that much. Hmmm...Do you think that's enough Snickers and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups? And just whom is eating them?
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Taking Your Business to the Next Level...
Often we don't know what we don't know. And that is especially true for the small business owner. There are several common mistakes all entrepreneurs make. Do you know what they are? If not, join me to learn about them and how to avoid making them.
"Live with Leslie" also has a new format. Rather than having a conversation between Jeff and me; now it is just me and we've cut the time from 30+ minutes to less than 10. That way you can get the info you need quickly.
"Live with Leslie" is Wednesdays at 3:00pm PST on Facebook.
Plan to join us and put "Live with Leslie" on your calendar right now! And don't forget to 'Like' the video(s), share then with your friends and subscribe to my YouTube channel so you can be notified when new videos are released!
Topics for November:
--6 Ways to Kill Your Business
--My Favorite F word
--It's the End - 5 Important Tasks
--Reject Me, Please!
--The 5 Phases of Business
Plan to join us and put "Live with Leslie" on your calendar right now! Or go to the Concierge Business Solutions® Facebook page and click on Events. Say YES!
The Concierge Business Solutions® Facebook page can be found here.
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I could offer you a ton of time-related platitudes:
"Nobody is too busy; it's just a matter of priorities"
"The bad news is time flies; the good news is you're the pilot"
"Lost time is never found again"
"If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?"
That last one is one of my personal favorites! Everyone understands that time is a precious commodity. We only get so much of it and we can't earn, manufacture or otherwise produce any more.
Unfortunately, even though we clearly understand that, all too often we waste so much of it. But what is 'wasteful' really? Is it wasteful to sit and read for endless hours? Or is it wasteful to work too many hours? Or is it wasteful to spend time alone when you could be visiting with friends and family?
I think the truth is our time is our time and we get to spend it in any way that makes us happy. As long as we don't think it's a waste, then it is not a waste no matter what anyone else thinks.
For the life of me, I do not understand why one person finds it acceptable to judge another person's priorities. I mean, c'mon, if mindless tv is what you need to recharge your batteries, so be it!
And that's the best part of being human, isn't it? We all have free will and we all get to decide how or what we want to do with our lives. Hopefully we make healthy choices that positively impact ourselves and others; but even if we don't always, it is still our choice.
I wouldn't give up my free will for love nor money. I do believe it's time to further examine my own priorities and see if I can't make even more time to enjoy life a bit more.
Unfortunately, if I let 35 more years fly by without making time for that which I believe is important, then I likely won't get to do any of it at all (if I even get 35 more years!).
How about you? Are you clear about what you want out of your own life? Are you making time for it?
Until next time, remember this African proverb: Tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today....
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Leslie Spoor
Executive Errands®
CL#944447
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Leslie is a consultant, mentor and author helping small business owners around the globe. She is founder and CEO of two successful companies, Concierge Business Solutions® and Executive Errands®. In addition to her wide selection of training videos and webinars, documentation and forms, Leslie also is the creator of a data collections software system, Essential Elements™ and a Six DVD educational series, How to Start Your Own Business with Leslie Spoor©, available on her website. To work with Leslie or for more information, please visit her website or contact her at Lspoor@executive-errands.com
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For a list of our most popular services, please see our brochure here:
Last year, after traveling to Cuba (another beautiful country!), I wrote a travel guide! To download our
American in Cuba e-book travel guide, please
click here.
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This documentation, including sample applications herein, is provided for informational purposes only, and Executive Errands® makes no warranties, either expressly or implied, as to this documentation or its efficacies. Information in this documentation, including any URL and other Internet Web site references, is subject to change without notice. The entire risk of the use or the results of the use of this documentation remains with the user. This documentation is copyrighted by Spoor Enterprises Inc, DBA Executive Errands®, 2017.
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