Laugh, Explore & Understand
With the advent of NFT minting, I began to create graphic art posts for the Ocean See platform. I was required to establish a cryptic wallet and buy Ethereum currency.
The cryptocurrency market is volatile with massive swings in value at this time. My goal is to create and mint over one thousand NFTs in several categories including the Mary Boleyn Hospice Foundation Inc.org. This is in timing with the annual CF awareness month of May.
Here are a few examples of favorites at this time.
Metaverse, NFT’s, Decentraland, dAPPs, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, Open Sea, wallet, dashboards, Covid-19, corporate buyout, pitch deck, body build, help the most around the world. Personal development, change, asking better questions, learning more of what I don’t know, understanding self, facing fears, staying in the now, defining intimacy, exploring the existentialism of death.
These are some snippets of what I have thrown on the wall while making some semblance of where I am at this time in the universe.
Ken Christopher made his transition on March 27, in a hospice unit of Grand River Hospital. Ken had a profound impact on my life. From introducing me to Peak Performance and the Phoenix Seminar to years of mentorship in developing a global Amway business, Ken, along with Mary Elizabeth became lifetime friends and confidants.
I remember sitting in the house on David St, in Elora, ON, and reading Success Magazine. Somewhere in the back advertising space was an ad for Brian Tracy Learning Systems in San Diego, CA. It listed a toll-free number. It occurred to me that perhaps I could sell Brian’s training material in Canada.
Brian’s sales material had come into my life by way of one of my sales reps at Lambda Crystal. A well-skilled sales rep gentleman out of Toronto, named Keith Howard, had loaned me a bootleg set of sales tapes by an unknown speaker.
Keith had been a senior buyer for People’s Jewellers in Canada, and also helped me design and buy a diamond wedding ring set for Molly McGregor – paid $7500, valued at $15,000. The tapes Keith loaned to me were on the Psychology of Selling. I transcribed a twelve tape series on my first laptop during a Montreal Gift Show in a gorgeous hotel in a Montreal suburb in the Quebec lake area, circa 1989.
After applying some of the skills I learned from those tapes, I increased sales in the subsequent gift shows that year by four and five times previous results – from $40,000 to $200,000 in the fall Toronto Gift Show. Molly did the same in Edmonton. The process invigorated Lambda Crystal and sparked 40% growth, year-over-year for many future years.
I learned Brian Tracy was the lecturer on those tapes. Shortly thereafter, I saw a set of tapes on my brother, Mike’s, bookshelf, still in the saran wrap. it was called the Psychology of Achievement on twelve tapes, by Brian Tracy. I borrowed the tapes and began to digest the material back on David St. in Elora.
I remember well the day I sat by myself, listening to those tapes and answering a set of questions, Brian posed, on finding a major definite purpose in life. One question was if you only had six months to live, what would you do? I remember thinking what if it was six hours, what would I do? My immediate answer was that if I was not with my loved ones, I would get to them as fast as possible, or call. It then occurred to me that if that is my value, why am I spending so much time away from my family to build my businesses?
Now back to the Success Magazine and the Brian Tracy Learning Systems. I gathered the courage to call the San Diego office to determine if I could get some Canadian rights to Brian’s material. I spoke to a sales manager. He told me that if I wanted to learn about Brian’s material in Canada, I should contact a guy by the name of Ken Christopher, who lived nearby in Kitchener/Waterloo. I soon called the number given and spoke to Ken for the first time.
Ken introduced me to the Phoenix Seminar by Brian Tracy as a corporate training tool. What separated Brian’s video-based, facilitated, workbook and audio program from other corporate training I had seen was its conciseness, duplicatable, multi-person approach to building the person to foster a more self-aware employee.
I went on to form one of my corporations to sell the program in Canada to corporations, Performance International. I sold over 40 programs and facilitated groups of attendees, including my daughter Mary and step-children Miranda and Michael.
Incorporating the personal development journey throughout my life has been a major focus and joy.
One day I was at Ken & Mary Elizabeth’s on Beachwood. I noticed a box of Double X on a counter. I had heard of Double X as the Cadillac of vitamin supplements. I asked Mary Elizabeth where I could buy some as I was already taking a daily supplement.
She said to me, that depends. Do you want to pay retail for wholesale for it? I retorted that I avoided retail as much as possible, being in the wholesale giftware business. She said I can get these for you at wholesale. And, that’s how I became an Amway distributor, sponsored front-line to a Diamond.
Not long after, I sold a line of crystal giftware into the Canadian Amway catalog and went along with the Christophers to tour the Amway head office and factory facilities in Ada, MI. As a manufacturer, I was very impressed with their technology, distribution warehouse, and the enormity of their manufacturing capability.
I was there when Ken & Mary Elizabeth made the decision to join Network Twenty-One in Grand Rapids. Molly & I went on to become Q12 Platinum producers for five years running and were recognized in the top 25 Platinum producers in North America repeatedly.
Our business stretched into seven countries and I, along with a couple of close friends helped launched Amway India, but that’s a story unto itself.
Looking back over fifteen years of developing business with Ken & Mary Elizabeth brings only smiles of joy. They lived with us in Fergus while they were between houses. We drove together to Florida many times for seminars and to visit them in their Bradenton house on the golf course.
I am unable to count the weekend seminars we went together to. The weekly open seminars we developed together in several Ontario cities. The hours we spent with them along with other N21 leaders. Whenever Ken & Mary Elizabeth needed our help, Molly & I were the first ones to volunteer to help out. They poured their lives into ours and we poured our lives into theirs. It was always a win-win relationship.
Sayings from Ken. This too will pass. If anybody can do this, you can. You are looking for the people who are looking for you. Never leave the people who don’t need you. Always arrive early and stay late.
Hey, my friend. Some good news. The VA has agreed to cover all my costs to an outside urology clinic, Southside Urology, Danville, VA. They specialize in Prostate conditions. 2. New peer-reviewed study to American Urology Conference has a urine test out of the UK, 94% as accurate as biopsy for benign and aggressive cancer presence. Also, Mary & I have a local, black, female, famous bodybuilder coming to our home gym each week to work out with us, keep us responsible, and motivated. That has been a dream of mine for a long time.
Hoping to receive my booster soon. Then home to Canada.
Love ya lots. Love to all, Arun & Rose.
For now, James & Mary
Hey Pankaj;
As we all prepare for the circle of life
There are two things our minds can control
The thoughts that we think to remain in the now
And an attitude fresh from the soul
That’s a little diddy I made up while on my two-mile trek every morning at the nearby nature trail. Some jogging up the hills we lovingly named Agony & Heartbreak. Mostly fast-paced walking – about 4700 steps. We have been at it for some time. Having a local fitness trainer – Veronica coming tomorrow to start some accountability. Mary is eagerly participating.
I think about the newest rise in the Covid situation and ask the universe to look after you. I hope all is well with you, Arun and Rose.
As a follow-up to my question regarding PSA 13, I have recently received the results of an MRI, which I attach. As it looks very possibly like early prostate cancer, still encapsulated, it does show elongated abutment to the prostate wall. My next understanding needs to be my options for post-biopsy. The steady rise in PSA, in the absence of other symptoms, is enough to nudge me toward some pro-active measure of radiation or otherwise. I would rather not be even a few years older facing this, and a 10-year longevity window if left untreated is not an option. Every other health measure on me is not only WNL but felt by….only a few.
On another note, the new launch of Rapidgo Driver is hours away. One of my coders has been struck by Covid in Pakistan, and I am waiting on one last link to connect everything. I attach the pitch deck created by my friend in India. I saw Uber’s first pitch deck when they were asking for not much more than we are, pretty funny looking back to 2007 marketing.
Stay safe, my friend. The world needs you.
Love ya lots!
James & Mary
People often ask what they thank their younger self for. Today, I am grateful for all the times I put on running shoes and went for a jog on a regular basis. The memories of running the streets of Guelph, Elora, Fergus, Oakville, Bangalore, India, Calcutta, Berlin, Germany, Istanbul, Cairo, Hong Kong, Taipei, Vancouver, Montreal, Halifax, and more.
After reaching my seventy-third trip circumnavigating the sun, I am proud to say I have put on my running shoes again. I look forward to my ninety-year-old self thanks me for what I am doing each day now. I am proud of myself.
Look for the positive in every situation and in every manner possible. Recently, I struggled for anything positive in the current events of my life. Two aha moments occurred. One, I realized that by simply now knowing about the possible reconning, I had power. I no longer had to guess what was happening. Two, I realized that it was now in the past and any future impact was up to me. It provided enough insight and stimulus to my renascent attitude of begin again.
As I reflect on the past year, I am encouraged and impressed with my achievements. I await the completion of the latest pitch deck creation by Vash. His synthesis of my manifestation for Rapidgo Driver’s financial model has been both exhilarating and vindicating. Having a complete pitch deck to send to potential family office investors will be a game-changer.
I now feel there is something really important to write home about. Just over twenty-four months ago I launched Rapidgo Driver as a corporation and website. The transition has been nothing less than amazing.
An idea developed from, “finding drivers for Amazon type delivery companies” through, “creating an app for Rapidgo.ca and its drivers” to adding a Delivery Driver Directory, to adding a food menu app to include drivers, to software as a service with in-app ads, cross-app ads, adding market analysis of last-mile delivery, to “First-party platform solutions for Last-Mile Mobility.
A focus of mine has been to develop the Mary Boleyn Hospice Foundation Inc. Included in the financial model for Rapidgo Driver are contributions from profits to be donated to the Foundation. My hope is that Clara will someday be part of that story.
When you find yourself, dragging yourself, kicking and screaming in the direction of a goal you know damn well is good for you, get excited, you are breaking an old habit that blocks your road to happiness. Focus on the glow of how the better results feel and push through. The new habit will prevail with less pain of discipline.
Why do I struggle is, as always, the wrong question. Like, why do bad things happen to good people? The question should always be what am I going to do about it? Always go to where people are helping because there you will find hope.
Today I reach the end of my seventy-second year and begin my seventy-third. My best friend and lover sleeps. I habitually write.
My Pop was this age when I was twelve. That’s right. Pop was sixty when I was born. In today’s coronavirus world, he and I could be sacrificed for the survival of younger generations. Times have not only changed, but there is also now a paradigm shift like none other in recent history.
Examining the past to find direction for the future seems to fail to provide answers today. There are those who dwell on the past as if repeatedly revisiting it will somehow bring solace to their anxiety of fear of failure and loss. Especially, in times of crisis, MY go-to for peace of mind is hope for the future and gratitude for the present. How else can you leave the woodpile higher than the way you found it?
I enjoy having huge, scary goals. Especially the ones when I hear some parenting message in my head asking sarcastically, what makes you think you can do that, kind of goals. Putting my focus on where I am headed not only gives me a path to follow, it examples for others the confidence they need to define their vision for their future. As is often announced by elders, be the example you want to see in the world.
Which brings me to this incredible day. Grateful, I am, for having my health, being safe, loved and in love, and other than some inconveniences, having the best days of my life so far.
Indeed, this comes with some reflection and evaluation of the present moment. My last sibling brother passed very recently. My only child was taken by Cystic Fibrosis a couple of years back. That puts this birthday as somewhat special for the memory banks. No immediate family member will ever call to wish me a happy birthday. This is not a lament, simply an observation. By now, I have folks from far off continents remembering and sending birthday greetings out of love and respect, rather than obligation.
Happiness can be so relative. Mostly, the word is associated with an event that brought some feelings of bliss. But how often have you been able to say day after day, I am the happiest I have been in my life? For me, living the dream is not a trite message of contraire. Several times each day I find myself requesting a cosmic pinch to question my reality.
Before you find yourself muttering, lucky you, I remind you of a line by the Rock in a recent movie. His childhood friend remarked that he had been much less physically fit in high school and asked how he had gotten so buff. His answer: I worked out 6 hours a day, seven days a week, for the last thirty years. As we all learn in life, it goes Dream, Struggle, Prize and the Struggles provide the contrast needed to verily give contentment to the prize.
As the world resolves the latest crisis, a previous world will slip into repeated sound bites. Rapid change is inevitable. Bills Gates book 1999, Business at the Speed of Thought comes to mind. The elders who have learned to embrace accelerated change may be the thought leaders of today and as well, the encouragers for the current arriving generation.
Be safe and responsible for yourself and others.
Happy Birthday to me! Seventy-two successful trips around the sun.
Your friend in life.
This post is to celebrate & commemorate the abundant life of my sister, Molly (Mary) Virginia Bitner (nee Frank). As Molly was seven years older, she contributed to much of my toddler years while Mom (Nana) worked. Throughout my life, my sister was a standard of hope and strong continuity.
Throughout her life, her family came first. She was a saint to care for our mother for decades in Raleigh. Along with Nana, Molly was the most gleeful when surrounded by her grandchildren.
When my sister drew me back from Canada to NC in 2013, her first mission was to coerce me into driving her to Wilmington and the ocean. Molly was very connected to universal consciousness and knew the importance of grounding during intensive life changes. I will miss her every day for the balance of my life. I will add stories to this posting over time. Please leave messages below.
Molly was all about “circling the wagons” as a family. When my daughter, also Mary, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, my sister was there to understand the seriousness of the diagnosis and insisted we would conquer this together.
When I told her several months ago that I had created the non-profit Mary Boleyn Hospice Foundation Inc., she responded, I wish I had the strength to help on this project. I promised her a permanent foundation remembrance for her legacy.
For those wanting to donate to the Foundation in Molly Bitner’s name, please follow the link below to celebrate Molly’s life with the gift of a Thumbs Up TaDa mug to a friend or family member for a “boisterous celebration of achievement” moment. One of Molly’s memorable praises to all her grandchildren was always, you get two “atta girls or atta boys for that.
Services are on Friday 12/6 at 1 pm at Lifepointe Church North Raleigh.
Here is a collection of photos from an archive with numerous stories and descriptions. Many more to follow.
Molly was the nickname that stayed with her for her entire life. She was named Mary Virginia Frank at birth.
Molly lived for her children and grandchildren. That is all she talked about most of the time.
Fact about Molly. She hated, yes, loathed to fly. When my Molly McGregor was diagnosed with cancer, my sister flew to Toronto, Canada and to Guelph to help out with the accounting of Lambda Crystal Inc. I knew of another time that she flew with her husband Dick and left fingernail marks in his arm from squeezing.
I know she also flew with Heidi to a physician in the midwest who helped with Heidi’s ailments.
This was at a family gathering in Stow, Ohio. Mom (Nana) Molly, Mike & James
When I returned from Canada in 2013, my sister Molly told me I needed to go to the beach to relax and check-in with the universe for grounding after a harsh separation.
This cupboard followed my sister around her entire life. My Pop & I made this cupboard when I was about 8 years old. I remember having to crawl inside to attach the drawer slides. I remember Molly having this in their Stow house in the kitchen. Molly had the top drawer full of very carefully sorted coupons. She was the queen of coupons. She raised her kids on a limited budget by carefully spending the earnings she & Dick could muster up. The cupboard ended up in Kari’s house. Live on!
After Molly had a stroke she was in several nursing homes. This was a dining room in one. She told me that day that she was tired. Because we talked about the future, I pointedly asked her if she was ready for a new adventure? She said yes. So I said let’s take a picture of you waving goodbye to this one and on to the next adventure. She loved it and asked me to hold her head up so we could see her face. God love her.
You may not see it, but brother Mike is being told not to make “horns” behind Molly’s head. Mom was always telling us boys to “settle down”.
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Testing how to create a link to a FB album.