Weekly Messages

May We Forever Remember This Truth…. We are the Land of the FREE Only Because of the BRAVE 🇺🇸💪🏼… May WE LIVE Knowing It. Grateful for It. Understanding It does not mean It always will be.  And it is the responsibility of the current generation to honor, guard and protect it. 💯 I pray we are not the generation that allows comfort and complacency to lure us to sleep. Forgetting the massive price that so many have paid before us or marginalize the service and sacrifice of today’s soldiers.  Note: Every single time in history (heck in your very own life you’ve probably witnessed this) the first person/generation that sacrificed, scrapped, fought, gave everything to build something – valued the heck out of it.  The second generation began to slowly let it slip. They were close enough to who and what created it, and they respected it, but simply did enough to only hold on to it. When it gets to the third generation, the effort is a long lost story of old. They’ve only known comfort and convenience. They didn’t learn the good lessons from the hard work. They didn’t have to go out on the cliffs edge and risk it all. So they take it for granted.  They don’t build the necessary skills and strengthen the values required to keep it healthy, vibrant, and flourishing.  Most unfortunate, they end up blowing it. Squandering the success and freedom that was gifted to them.  Making even more reason we must NOT stop appreciating grit, hard work, toughness, and tenacity that made US the greatest Nation in the world.  A path with no resistance, no road blocks, no detours produces apathy and entitlement.  As parents, we are not called to prepare the path for our children. We are to prepare are children for hard and always challenging path.  Each of us, as Americans, have what we have, and the blessings are many, because people in generations before chose to Fight - Giving All They Had and More.  It will be up to US and the generations to come to remain vigilant, not forget, and Keep Fighting for what WE KNOW IS NOT FREE!!!  One Nation, Under God.  Make everyday Memorial Day. 🇺🇸 A Grateful Patriot, Brock  P.S. God, Family, Country, Community are the core values that dulci sweets is built upon. They are the Why behind the What that guide us every day to gratefully serve people that love extraordinary chocolate. 

Let me start off by saying that if you’ve never attended this event - I highly recommend you do.    The fast-paced, fun-filled four short hours that it is, is filled with amazing people. From all walks of life, backgrounds, professions, and experiences. Celebrating survivors, those currently in the middle of the battle, and loved ones lost.    The color Pink endlessly adorned. Cheers, smiles, tears of sadness and of joy, and lots of hugs.   As we were rushing around greeting and serving literally hundreds of people at the dulci sweets tent, there were several moments where I felt prompted to just stop, take a few deep breaths, and really take in all that was around us.    Honestly, when I did this, I felt a swift kick in my butt. Each time the kick was a little stronger. Purposely adding on to the previous moment as if the Holy Spirit was making sure I didn’t miss the point.    What I observed and was strongly reminded of were the essential values, the life force if you will, for what truly matters in this world.    FAITH - Faith is the virtue that enables us to believe in God and believe what He has revealed to us as truth because He is Truth Himself.   Faith is trust. It is the opposite of fear and panic.   Corrie ten Boom said, ‘Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.’   LOVE – It is not earned and never lost. It is the center of our creation, purpose, and existence. Unconditional and Eternal.    This is where it all starts – knowing that you are loved by God.   “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” John 13:34-35    Simply, Jesus says, believe in me and Love like me.    HOPE – Hope is the confident expectation of God’s ultimate blessing in this life and the life to come, based upon the goodness and promises of God.  Hope is LIGHT. Where there is Light, darkness is overcome.    If you find yourself or someone you know in such a battle, I encourage you and join you to keep stacking up the prayers. Believing and knowing persevering prayer prevails.   Bring the light of life, love and joy to those around us today.   Shine Brilliantly Bright,   Brock  P.S. A short video message from me and my son Camden at the start of the race – https://youtu.be/vejJ9fpZb4s

Happiness and Peace are not to be pursued, they are to be attracted by the person we chose to become. And the person you become involves a vast array of experiences, influences, associations, relationships, behaviors, disciplines and decisions that are woven together to create the tapestry of your life. Much like like a puzzle: It requires active participation, patience, attention to detail, and the ability to see the big picture. Each piece of the puzzle represents a different aspect of your life, and it's up to you to put them together in a way that creates a beautiful and fulfilling picture. Here’s a short, but proven list of action items that you can do today and every day thereafter. They will encourage a soft heart, a focused mind, and a peaceful soul.  Recommended Daily Activity: Practice Thankfulness ==> Before your feet hit the floor. Intentionally be mindful of the blessings in your life. Focusing on what you do have and not what you don’t. Move Your Body => Whatever you enjoy doing and will consistently do. Walking, biking, stretching, bodyweight exercises, etc. Do what you can, when you can, where you can. Don’t underestimate the value a few minutes of physical activity will provide. 15-30 minutes can do so much. Connect With A Friend => Send a text, email, or phone call. Meet for coffee or lunch. The connection and conversation is what’s most important. It will do the soul much good. Seek and Spend Time With God => Read the Word. Be Still. Pray. Trust in Him and be confident He is with you.  Allow the peace of God to fill your heart and lighten your mind. Pay It Forward ==> Be of Service To Others. Do something kind and Generous for another. Spontaneous or Planned. Small or large. Does not have to cost money either. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. God’s will for all his people is to uphold one another by ‘[giving] generously’ (Psalm 37:21). Take every opportunity to give generously and you will experience the fullness of God’s blessing. Repeat each activity Daily. Focusing on the things you can control will create positive breakthroughs, sustained happiness and greater peace. To Your Peace and Happiness,, Brock P.S. Which of these have you been doing? Which ones would you like to start doing? One or all five, start small and commit to building consistency.

"You are one friend away from your destiny" - this statement has proven true in many ways in my life, and I hope it has in yours too. No matter how fast our world moves, one thing that will never change is the need for human connection.  We all need relationships, both professional and personal, and we can all be that one friend in the lives of others. This story is a shining example of that truth. It began with a small, unassuming gesture that could end up having a long-lasting impact on many lives. Through our decade-long partnership with Columbus, Ohio-based Christian music radio station 104.9 The River, we received a message from Rich Gandarillas, a donor to the station who had received a dulci sweets chocolate gift package during the past Christmas season as a thank you. Rich immediately connected with our product and wanted to learn more about us. He read our story and purpose and signed up for our newsletter, joining our community. He then contacted us to share something extraordinary and heartbreaking. His wife Karen had recently passed away from breast cancer, but she had been forever strong in her faith, love for God, life, and chocolate-making. In honor of Karen, Rich wanted to make a large purchase of chocolate gifts to express gratitude and honor the many great caregivers for his wife. This included nurses, doctors, and many other individuals they met at oncology and treatment centers throughout her 32-month journey. Rich further shared that he was involved in the planning committee for the Columbus Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure, one of the largest breast cancer fundraising events in the country. He started the Karen Gandarillas Legacy in honor of his wife, and at the event, there is a special section called "Hope Village" that recognizes and celebrates survivors. Over 1,500 survivors are expected at this year's event, and each one of them, courtesy of Karen Gandarillas Legacy, will receive a special dulci sweets gift. A gift delivered in our signature box that says “You Are Worthy.” You Are Loved. You Are Wonderfully Made.  There’s so much more to unwrap and celebrate here. For that, let me stop and share with you the words from Rich, himself.  “I delivered the chocolates this morning to the team at the Columbus Oncology and Hematology Center and the Riverside Radiology Center.  The staff was thrilled and are very excited about sharing the samples with patients and guests today and tomorrow.  It was an emotional visit since it is the first time back at each Center since Karen's passing - but it was also very satisfying to share our love using Dulci Sweets. From me and Teddy (our dynamic golden doodle), thank you!  Today, we made grateful memories with the gift of Dulci Sweets!” Much more of this story is not yet fully known. But, I do know this – God Is Good. God Is Moving. And We are called to Shine His Light.  We would absolutely love and invite you to JOIN US – with your donation and/or in person at the event Saturday, May 20th, downtown Columbus.  If you want to learn more about Karen's life, the Race, the KG Legacy, and make a donation, please read the important details listed below.  Thank you for your support and shining God’s light in your unique way.  Your Friend, Brock    CALLING FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO END BREAST CANCER FOREVER!   We are continuing to celebrate Karen by participating in this year’s Komen Columbus Race for the Cure.     Will you join us and/or donate?   Karen was victorious.  She remained about more than her 32-month breast cancer journey.  Karen will always be known as the person that valued family, friends, professionalism, pets, quilting, chocolate-making, fun, church, crafts, sports, Mustangs, prayer, flowers, inspirational messages, cards, gifts, bible study, tea parties, good restaurants, travel, shopping, hugs, smiles, laughter, and so much more.  All that Karen represents is wrapped into FAITH – HOPE – LOVE.   For the past two years, we have participated in the Komen Columbus Race for the Cure.  This year’s race will happen on Saturday, May 20.  If you wish to donate to our mission to end breast cancer forever: Visit komencolumbus.org and select “Komen Columbus” or “2023 Komen Columbus Race for the Cure.” Select “Donate” at the top of the screen (you may need to select “Register” first before seeing the “Donate” button). Next to the “Participant” box, enter “Richard Gandarillas” (first and last name) and click the “GO” button. Scroll down and select “Richard Gandarillas” or “Team Karen Gandarillas” to donate. All donors will receive a special Karen Gandarillas Legacy t-shirt. If you wish to participate at the Race, remotely or virtually: Visit komencolumbus.org and select “Komen Columbus” or “2023 Komen Columbus Race for the Cure.” Select “Registration” or “Register Today” and then select “Join a Team.”  Follow the prompts to “Create an Account” or, if you registered/donated in the past, “Log In.” Join “TEAM KAREN GANDARILLAS” and at the question about discount code, enter “tenoff2023” for a $10 discount. Our thanks to all the glorious prayer warriors that never failed us.  Our thanks to the outstanding warriors at Riverside Hospital, the Columbus Oncology Center, and the Bing Cancer Center.  And, our continued thanks to Susan G. Komen Columbus as they offer tremendous support to survivors, patients, caregivers and health professionals through research, care, community, and action initiatives.

Ok I will never, ever claim to be a poet 😆 It’s definitely not a strength of mine.    But, sometimes we need to step out of our comfort zone and give it our best try.    Did you catch what I just did there? 🧐 🤪   Maybe I am. 🤔   Anyway, in honor of Mother’s Day and celebrating All the incredible women out there, here’s my best attempt…   A mother's love, a precious gift, A bond unbreakable, our spirits lift.   With every tear, with every smile, Her love endures, mile after mile.   From the first breath we take, She's there to guide, never to forsake.   She teaches us to walk, to talk, She's there to catch us when we fall.   A mother's touch, so gentle and kind, A warm embrace, the peace we find.   Her words of wisdom, a guiding light, A beacon of hope, shining so bright.   On this special day, we honor you, For all the love and care you do.   We thank you, Mom, with all our heart, For being there, right from the start.   We cherish the memories we hold, Of stories shared, and love untold.   You are our rock, our foundation strong, A love eternal, a lifelong song.   So on this day, we say "Thank you," For all the things that you do.💯🌟   You are the heart and soul of our lives, Our love for you, forever thrives. ❤️   If you read this far, thanks for sticking with me.  After all, it’s for the Super Mom’s in your life.    Your Mom, Mother-I’m-law’s, Grandma’s, and Wife. 😊   I’m here all week. 😬🤦‍♂️   Happy Mother’s Day,   Brock   P.S. Be intentional and give her gifts that allow her to indulge a bit. That tell her she is Sweet, Beautiful, and So Worth it. 

Happiness is essential for a fulfilling life. People who are happy tend to be mentally and physically healthier, have stronger relationships, and feel better overall.   Despite its importance, many people find it hard to be happy. Anxiety over money, stress over relationships, fear of not measuring up to others, uncertainty at work, and health worries – our own and those we care for – often keep us from feeling joyous.    The epidemic of loneliness, depression, and other mental health challenges also weighs heavily on large percentages of the population. Even if we have wealth, stature, and good physical and mental health, happiness may still elude us.   Why is happiness so elusive?    The answer can be found in a study that Harvard University has been conducting since 1938. Researchers followed 724 people for decades asking questions about their lives every two years. The key finding: Happiness depends more on the strength of positive relationships than how much money you make, your social status, or career achievements.    It’s true: Relationships do matter. And they can overcome many of the challenges that seem to get in the way of true happiness.   For this reason alone, it is imperative that we identify the positive, affirming and supportive people in our lives. Recognize the very important few that you are especially grateful to have in your life.     This includes the people that have supported, mentored, cared for and/or served you and your family recently and in the past. This includes nurses and teachers, professional colleagues and close friends, pastors and advisers.    Be mindfully intentional and purposeful to let them know how much they mean to you. That their effort, energy, and care did not go unnoticed and it made a positive difference in your life.     This is yet another reason dulci sweets was founded. To help you invest in those relationships. To help you share your appreciation and thankfulness for the great people that bring joy and light to you and those you love.   Making Goodness Created to be shared,   Brock    P.S. Important people and occasions to celebrate are here and upcoming.  Mark your calendar and get your gift list filled and delivered with us. 💝🌟🫶 National Nurses Week is May 1st - 7th. Show how much you care. Teacher Appreciation Week is May 8th - 12th - Make a teacher feel Appreciated.  Of course, Mother’s Day is May 14th. Give Mom all the love and adoration she deserves.  Then’s there’s the Graduates in your life to celebrate, and Memorial Day! 

As introduced and promised in the previous post (if you missed it, you’ll definitely want to check it out here before proceeding to read on), here’s my great friend, Tami McClandish-Smith sharing a part of her story from her new book, Let the Bees Buzz: Finding Redemption in the Aftermath of School Bullying. May it encourage you and provide peace to your soul. 🫶 When I was 17, bullying changed my life forever. For years, a group of girls had targeted my happiness, success, and temper. I dealt with their gossip, rumors, name-calling, and dirty looks until my senior year, when they created a swarm of noise I could no longer ignore, and I stood up to them—with devastating results. Have you ever stood up only to find yourself standing alone? It can be an intimidating place where doubt invades. Maybe you’ve felt like this over the past few years. Maybe you’ve been excluded from family gatherings because of your health decisions or ridiculed for being a “conspiracy theorist” by people you never expected to turn against you. People who disagree, feel threatened, or just like stirring trouble, who use passive aggression to beat you down, cause you to question your worth, create conflict in your relationships, and damage your character. Maybe they were your school bullies too—or your child’s. Or it’s the reason you dread Christmas with the in-laws. Or why work feels more like high school since you earned that promotion. Gossip, rumors, name-calling, snarky comments, backstabbing, exclusion, manipulation, sabotage, betrayal, and humiliation—it’s the kind of stuff we attribute to teenage girls.  However, it can impact us no matter our age, in the workplace, family, church, friendships, and on social media.  If you or your child has ever faced this behavior, you know how wounding it can be.  After I reacted to my bullies, I lost my friendships and community, my sense of belonging, my self-esteem, and my love for others. I even doubt whether I could endure one more day of life.  I carried the shame of it all into adulthood, struggling to trust others and make sense of the rejection I had experienced.  It wasn’t until I encountered Jesus as my bullied Savior that I realized He understood my pain. And He freed me from the shame of youth.  Reclaiming my worth in Him, I forgave my bullies, resisted isolation, fought my way back to loving others, and regained friendship. Whether your child is currently dealing with bullies, or you’re an adult who can vividly recall the moments in school that crushed your spirit, or you’re someone who’s dealing with bullies for the first time in this mad world, I hope my story reminds you that you aren’t who they say you are.  You’re who God says you are. You are known, loved, and worth far more than a world of opinions. I hope my story reminds you that although you cannot always control how people treat you, you can decide how to react.  Hurtful words and actions do not define who you are. When you stand up, and the world turns its back, you are never alone.  Your worth is in Jesus, who can show you how to navigate difficult people, love and trust again, and move forward in relationships. Thank You Tami. If any part of that made you stop and think, remembering such a time, or feeling, I strongly recommend getting this book and reading the full story.  You can purchase it here:  Let the Bees Buzz: Finding Redemption in the Aftermath of School Bullying.  Or, you can have us buy a copy for you. 😊 YES, we are giving you this amazing book as a gift -Absolutely Free!  Easy and Sweet. Just like ordering your favorite dulci sweet chocolates and loving every last bite. ❤️ For a limited time - through the end of April, any TRIO bundle ordered will receive a copy of Let the Bees Buzz 😊🎁 That’s Any and All TRIOS from the Signature TRIO that has it All, including Stroopwafels and Hemisphere Coffee, to Build-Your-Own, to each of the Themed TRIOS to perfectly match the occasion and reason you thought of someone special.  Stay Strong, Be Happy, and Let the Bees Buzz 🐝  Brock  P.S.  Sweet Chocolates and a Beautiful Book...A very cool gift to give to the amazing Mom(s) you know for Mother’s Day.  🎁🌟❤️

My friend, you are in for a treat today.    Yes, that absolutely is a perfect pun for this community, but it also has literal meaning too.    Today, I’m introducing you to one of the sweetest (I did it again 😆), kindest, and super cool people I know.    Her name is Tami McClandish-Smith. Her and husband, Charlie, have been terrific friends of ours for over 10 years.    Sincerely, the nicest people you’ll ever meet.    As in most all instances, when you first meet people and or even know them for some time, you don’t know a lot about their story.    Especially, the difficulties and challenges they’ve encountered on the journey.    The things that have knocked them down and placed them in a valley at some point in life - like we all have.    Nor do we get to learn about the climb up out of the valley and to the mountain top.    Well, Tami has endured several tough battles, and has fought her way out of some dark times to be the wonderful person she is today.   And she has written a book that was recently released that shares a most important and victorious personal story that I’m certain will be extremely valuable to many in our community. 🙏🏻   So let’s do this first…Watch this 2 minute video to see and hear from Tami herself.    Gain a glimpse of who she is, what happened in her life, and why her story and her book, Let the Bees Buzz: Finding Redemption in the Aftermath of School Bullying is a must read for anyone that has felt picked on, bullied, rejected, left out, wrongfully criticized, made to feel less than and alone.    And if you’re a parent, oh my. While difficult to think about your child facing any of those issues, reading Tami’s book can serve you as a valuable resource to help your child and yourself should anything remotely similar happen.    https://rumble.com/v2c94vq-let-the-bees-buzz.html   In the next post Tami will be our guest contributor sharing a part of her story. The pain and hurt. Gossip and backstabbing. The roller coaster of emotions - doubts, fears, and debilitating anger.    To ultimately what brought her through and out of deep despair to a life of freedom.    And to make it as smooth and joyful as your favorite dulci sweets chocolates, we are giving you this amazing book as a gift.    Absolutely Free! From us to you and/or whomever you may want to send it to as a gift with a gift.   For a limited time - through the end of April, any TRIO bundle ordered will receive a copy of Let the Bees Buzz 😊🎁   That’s Any and All TRIOS from the Signature TRIO that has it All, including Stroopwafels and Hemisphere Coffee, to Build-Your-Own, to each of the Themed TRIOS to perfectly match the occasion and reason you thought of someone special.    Always know you are Wonderfully and Beautifully Made.🫶   Brock    P.S. Don’t forget to share this message with the friend(s) that came to heart when you were reading this. 

If you’ve heard this once, you’ve heard it a thousand times... Technology and the advancements of it in the devices that surround our daily lives makes life better, easier, and more efficient?    Have you stopped and really pondered the ‘truth or fallacy’ of that statement?   I mean, has it really? 🤔   Yes, we are immediately able to access any and all information, receive instant results from a search, can talk to our appliances, turn on and off lights, listen to music and watch shows/movies on demand, and we can call, text and/or email anyone at any moment.    While that seems pretty cool and is certainly helpful at times, that definitely does Not prove the case that the so-called advancements make life better.    For those of you under the age of 28 or so, the contrary perspective will be hard for you to imagine. Those of us older than that will understand and probably enjoy the thoughts and memories of the days those devices didn’t exist.   Let’s take a walk; imagine or remember when…   How amazing was the anticipation of going to the physical mailbox and getting a handwritten letter from the girl or guy you loved?    I see all the 30 + something smiling large. Thinking back to those moments.😃   You’d know the approximate time the mail was delivered. You’d run down to the mailbox and be so disappointed when there was no letter.    But, you knew it was coming and you did it again the next day.    The hopeful anticipation, intense excitement, and beaming joy when it did arrive.    When you saw the handwriting on the envelope and knew a letter from your person was inside. 😍   I don’t know about you, but when I received a letter from Nicole (we had only been dating a few months, but I knew she was the one),   I would grab that letter and quickly go off to a quiet place by myself to study it; every word.    I’d read that sucker several times over in the same day and re-read it often until her next letter.    By the way, that was 1998. I lived in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and she was here in Ohio. That will make an interesting blog post for another day. 😆   Then came the internet and email. Do you remember the beginning days of earthlink.net and aol.com (my wife still has her original AOL email).    It was dial-up connection so there was still the anticipation and build up of excitement due to the slow and often interrupted connection.    Next, DSL came along. The wait then went to just seconds.    Then, cable was the next advancement and we were connected instantly.    The point and fun of this message is to encourage you to hit the pause button. Reflect on how you do things, and how the so-called ‘conveniences’ of today influence and affect your life.    Technology is a double-edged sword. It supposedly gives us what we want faster, yet when it doesn’t work, we get frustrated and impatient.    Plus, faster doesn’t always mean better. In fact, I contend that it might just rob us of deeper communication, connection, and joy.    Speaking of joy – let’s play a game!   Never Have I Ever. For All Ages 😊   Simply go through the list of twenty items. Give yourself one point for each item you’ve NEVER done.   Lowest score wins. 🏆     Enjoy,   Brock    P.S. Share your score with us. Mine was 1. The only one I didn’t have was an AOL email address. 🤣

Happy Holy Week and Easter Sunday.   As we enter this week and get closer to Good Friday and then Easter Sunday, those of the Christian faith reflect upon the life, sacrifice, and resurrection of Jesus.    Doing so brings with it many emotions, most notably reverence, sadness, joy, and jubilation.    I personally love to focus on John 10:10 where it reads, “I have come to this world that you might have life, and may have it more Abundantly.”   The greatest love story for all time. It truly takes my breath away to think and know all that Jesus carried, endured, and did for you and me. The agony, pain, ridicule and embarrassment. All to purchase forgiveness and redemption – our salvation.    On Friday, Jesus knew what it would cost to save us …and He chose to do it anyway.    On Sunday, He is not there. He Is Risen!   The life that was lost in the Garden was now restored through the resurrection. That’s why Jesus came - so that you might have life.   A day like none other to celebrate the sacrifice, the love, the power of Our Lord and Savior.    By his blood we are saved ✝️ By his death and Resurrection we are made NEW! 🙏🏻   So this weekend, let’s celebrate His power over sin, death, and darkness. Because He lives—so can we!   Brock    P.S. Thank you, Lord, for the resurrection of Jesus. Thank you that I can face the future with HOPE and confidence because you are alive and with me.

When have you been most happy in your life?    The answer will most likely vary depending on your age.    If you ask a younger person in their 20’s or 30’s, the answer will most likely surround and include achievement milestones, goals hit, positions obtained, or places of glamour traveled and experienced. You know, the ones that are Instagram worthy :-)    If you ask a little older person (40’s and up), they will most likely describe moments of contentment, and connectedness. Ordinary moments that were made extraordinary by catching a flash of joy, a moment of inner stillness, or a deep, intimate conversation with a friend or loved one.    It has been observed, studied and accurately said that there are two halves of life. The first focuses on establishing your identity and expressing your ego. This is mostly spent on pursuing external gain.   The second half of your life is spent pursuing inner gain. Those things that provide feelings of significance, meaning and soulful fulfillment.    The most meaningful lives are often not the extraordinary ones, but ordinary lives lived with dignity. 💯   The outstanding truth is we ALL have the ability to touch the people around us and positively affect their world.    I get it - when you’re young it’s far more about me, myself and I. Finding your purpose and figuring out who you are.    But, once you get enough life experience under your belt and the “me, me, me” starts to wain and get old, we begin to realize putting others first is where life becomes it’s best.   Concern for people and family, besides yourself. Service to others is a higher achievement than traditional success.    A meaningful life is not found in success and glamour.  It’s found in the mundane; the nitty gritty of life. Simple actions and work that serves others and/or your community.    Many people are currently unhappy, discontented, looking for ‘something else’ (e.g. their one true purpose), when they are actually missing ‘something more’. The very ‘More” they are searching for can be found in doing whatever they’re doing, at that moment in life, with purpose.    If you are younger, take my advice, get started on living that way now.    You might as well - you’ll end up discovering that wisdom in the second half of your life anyway.   To those of us older, wiser folks, be sure that you have graduated into the second half of life - embrace and celebrate the wisdom learned that life is not about the accumulation of success or moments of glamour.    It’s about those precious moments of connectedness and contentment. Moments of contribution and service to others. Filling your heart and soul – being and adding value to others.   That is what makes life worthwhile, and a meaningful life well lived.    Sweet Blessings,   Brock   P.S. A good life is a life of Goodness. Life and Life to the Full. That is something everyone can achieve. 

This is a story about a group of frogs hopping along through the woods when two of the frogs fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit to see what could be done to help their companions.    When they saw how deep the pit was the rest of the dismayed group agreed that it was hopeless, and told the two frogs in the pit they should just prepare themselves for their fate, because they were as good as dead.   Unwilling to accept this terrible fate the two frogs began to jump with all their might.    Some of the frogs shouted into the pit that it was hopeless and they wouldn’t be in that situation if they’d been more careful and responsible.   The other frogs continued sorrowfully shouting that they should save their energy and give up trying, because they were already as good as dead.    The two frogs continued jumping as hard as they could. After several hours of desperate effort they grew quiet weary.   Finally, one of the frogs took heed to the calls of his fellows. Spent and disheartened, he quietly laid down at the bottom of the pit and died as the others looked on in helpless grief.   The other frog continued to jump with every ounce of energy that it had, even though its body was wracked with pain, and he was completely exhausted.   His companions began anew, yelling for him to accept his fate. To stop the pain and die, because there was no way he was going to get out.   The weary frog jumped harder and harder. Wonder of wonders, he finally leaped so high that he sprang from the pit.    Amazed, the other frogs celebrated his miraculous freedom. They gathered around him and asked him, why did you continue jumping when we told you that it was impossible?   Reading their lips, the astonished frog explained to them that he was deaf, and that when he saw their gestures and shouting, he thought that they were cheering him on.    What he perceived as encouragement inspired him to not give up. To try harder and succeed against all odds.    A most powerful lesson to be received – Positive and Encouraging words can lift someone up and help them to keep going. 💯   Destructive and negative words can cause deep wounds. So deep that they can destroy a person’s desire to keep trying. To resolve to quit. To just give up and let their dreams die.    May we always add value, speak life, and offer positive encouragement to those around us.    Period. End of story.   Purposefully Choose To Be A Light,   Brock    P.S. Absolutely seek to surround yourself with people that encourage you, but also remember to become deaf to those that aren’t. Sometimes it’s best not to listen. 😊

Each of us can benefit from the reminder that Today is a Gift from God, and what we do with it is our gift back to Him.    So, YES, TODAY MATTERS 😊   Since college basketball’s March Madness technically starts today, I will share the wisdom from Legendary College Basketball Coach and Leadership Genius, John Wooden.     He famously said, “Make each day Your Masterpiece and remember…Success is peace of mind obtained only through self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you’re capable.”    Meaning, LIVE NOW!  Live It Today! Be In the Moment. Don’t miss it.    Don’t look behind or in front. Be looking In The Moment. Make Today A Masterpiece.    When you focus on the moment, you realize, It’s All That You Have!    People everyday, overlook and breeze by those moments, missing all that they have, which is NOW.    Don’t Miss “NOW”!  Yesterday has passed, the Future is uncertain. But, Now, is the only time you/me/we have.    Think about it. The only time I have is NOW.  If I’m going to improve – it’s NOW!  If I’m going to be Happy – it’s NOW.  If I’m going to do something important – it’s NOW!  It’s All NOW. There’s nothing guaranteed to be beyond – NOW!    If you don’t live in the NOW, You’re not giving your best to it. And you will most certainly miss it.   It’s Not what’s Next.  Or what was.  It’s what’s NOW!    Make Today Count,   Brock   P.S. Be a person that when you are with another person… you are there, with them, not somewhere else. 

Students at a Christian Elementary school were asked to write an essay about what they would like God to do for them.   At the end of the day, while grading the essays, the teacher read one that made her very emotional. Her husband, who just walked in and saw her crying asked her what happened?    She answered, read this. It was one of my students essays.    It read, Oh God, I ask you to do something very special. Make me into a television set. I want to take its place and live like the tv in my house.   I will then have my own special place, and I will have my family around me. I will be taken seriously when I talk. I want to be the center of attention and be heard without interruption, or questions.   I want to receive the same special care that the tv receives, even when it’s not working. Then I will have the company of my dad when he arrives home from work, even when he’s tired. And my mom will want me when she is sad and upset, instead of ignoring me.    And I want my brothers to fight over me and beg my mom to spend more time with me.  I want my family to leave everything aside to spend some time with me.    Last, but not least, if I’m a tv, I am assured I can make them all happy and entertained.    Lord, I don’t ask you for much. I just want to live like our tv.    At that moment, the husband stated, ‘My god! That poor kid. What horrible parents she must have.” The wife looked up and said, that essay’s is our son’s.    Ouch….🤕   I bet you didn’t see that coming.    What would your children pray to God to become to get more of your time, attention, and love?   How about your spouse?    Is it your phone, computer, or social media app?    Think about this today my friends. Are you giving too much love, time, attention, and energy to the wrong things?    Are you giving too much of what matters to the things that don’t actually matter?    Today’s world certainly makes it easy to do that, and consequently, easy for us to not notice how far we can drift off course.   I’d love to hear your thoughts for adjustments that you think would help you give your best to the people that matter the most.   Dedicated to helping you be your best,   Brock   PS. Don’t let this discourage you. Allow it to alert and enlighten you to make the necessary changes, get better and become more. ❤️

 This is an inspirational poem that should inspire readers to work hard no matter how impossible a situation seems. To persevere through the darkest times in their life.    It is when things seem the worst that success is the closest.   Don’t Quit  By Edgar Albert Guest    “When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.    Life is strange with its twists and turns, As every one of us sometimes learns, And many a failure turns about, When he might have won had he stuck it out; Don’t give up though the pace seems slow, You may succeed with another blow.    Often the goal is nearer than It seems to a faint and faltering man, Often the struggler has given up, When he might have captured the victor’s cup, And he learned too late when the night slipped down, How close he was to the golden crown.    Success is failure turned inside out, The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems so far, So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit, It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.”   If and when facing difficult matters, I pray you remember this message.    Stay strong and confident, determined to persevere, knowing happiness and success are close by.   Do Not Quit.  Keep digging.  You might just be a few feet from gold.    I’m rooting for you,   Brock   P.S. The most difficult troubles often lead to our greatest Triumphs. His strength is made and revealed in our weakness. 💯   P.S.S. Did you know that this Friday, March 3rd is Employee Appreciation Day?!? 😮 Make sure your employees are recognized and feel valued by sending a personalized “thank you!” of the finest handmade chocolates. 🎁