Checking in from 8232

"I can't give you a sure-fire formula for success, but I can give you a formula for failure: try to please everybody all the time." — Herbert Bayard Swope

I think we got 2 feet; it looks like 2 feet, it might be more or less, but the blizzard of 2021 did not disappoint. Good morning, happy Monday, trusting you slept well, we did, all of us. But it’s Monday morning, and we are up and at ’em, snowed in, but I think we can get out this afternoon. We still have our wedding party here; we will all work from our mountain top; it’s a lovely office when needed.

We got up yesterday, and Bay made biscuits and gravy. We had bloody mary’s and mimosas and then played a double elimination euchre tournament. Pastor Paul and I won, and then it was on to lunch with pulled pork and mac and cheese. We spent the day laughing, watching movies, and enjoying the snow.

It’s beautiful now; the snow has stopped; it looks like today is a fun-filled day while tomorrow will bring another few inches.  Our party will depart for our condo later day; I think one will stay back, having pushed their flight to Thursday. The more, the merrier here on top of a mountain; this place was designed to entertain and host others.  

I did not tune into the news this weekend; I was more interested in sharing vows with my best friend. I’m not sure what happened; we tuned out of the world and tuned in to our little world of love, joy, and happiness.  It was a magical weekend, one I’ll never forget.

But back to reality, it’s time to get to work; I have a light day with three appointments; I’ll prepare for my coaching meeting tomorrow, work with my Queen on our company and steal a few kisses from my bride.   We have already hit our monthly goal, not it’s time to blow the doors off this month, adding new clients, growing and glowing, and smiling all the way.

I mentioned before our expansion to Chicago; I got word to move forward; I suspect we will work on that project this week. The Thompson Group, now serving East Central Indiana, Denver, Colorado, and the Chicago Land area, has a nice ring. I suspect we will launch in other communities; it’s just a matter of time before becoming a national player.

A little reminder, our firm started in Beautiful Parker City, then expanded to Indianapolis, then Denver; who would’ve thought Thompson Insurance, now The Thompson Group would have grown into this glistening machine? In my wildest dreams, I would not have imagined where we are or where we are going.  I’m having the time of my life, oh the places we will go!

Our Pastor is digging out one of our cars; he is on his way to get a new tattoo.  I should mention our Pastor likes tequila and the ladies; he’s a 21st-century pastor, a unique blend of enlightenment and sass. It was good to hear from all our friends and family about our wedding, thank you, it meant a lot.

So, where do we go from here? I’m not sure; I think we will continue doing life; I get some blood work done this week, the 4-month check of my blood to make sure I’m doing life correctly. I have my blood work done three times a year, just making sure this older man is not living out of line with expectations.  4 months ago, I was told to keep doing what I was doing, I did, and we will see how my body is reacting to my current routine.

My kid is working at the island in the kitchen; she and Bay and putting together an email drip campaign. It’s not fair the tools we have these days; it’s fun growing a company with young people. As of this moment, we have five team members under the age of 25, we have five more under the age of 30, the rest of us are a little more seasoned, but youth drives our future, build it, and they will come.

My Queen is cleaning up the kitchen, good wife stuff. She is barefoot but not pregnant, thank God, not sure what we would do with a baby; it’s nice when all your kids are grown, and you can watch them enjoy life. We gave our kids the gift of critical thinking, something missed by many today. When you hear something, ask yourself, “does that make sense?” Do not be a lemming or a sheep following what others say; it’s ok to have a mind of your own.

I’m working on the launch of my new company, I say new, but it has been in the works for years. I have built another machine, and it’s time to launch this to the world. I have a proven formula for success; this is my second mountain, I’m just starting my trek, I wish my future self well, my first mountain was a hell of a journey, I can’t wait to cut this new path up my second peak, will there be a third? Stay tuned; I think I’ve got one more mountain to climb once this one is finished. Ah, life is meant to be a series of mountains, and I have fantastic hiking shoes.

So how about you?  Are you climbing a mountain or living in the valley? Are you looking at the mountains as if only you could make your way there to attempt a climb? I lived in the valley for 40 years before deciding to do my first climb; it’s worth it; altitude is good for the soul.

I was just reminded that our snow-plow man’s truck is broken; we will not escape this mountain retreat today, maybe tomorrow; we have two flying out tomorrow, the Pastor is on-site until Thursday.  These days, life is a dream; I dream at night and wake up thanking something bigger than myself for the life I live, the life I built; I’m proud of my choices.  When your life outpaces your dreams, you know you have been blessed.

"I can't give you a sure-fire formula for success, but I can give you a formula for failure: try to please everybody all the time."

— Herbert Bayard Swope