Lifestyle is style over amount. And style is an art - the art of living. You can't buy style with money. You can't buy good taste with money. You can only buy more with money. Lifestyle is culture - the appreciation of good music, dance, art, sculpture, literature, plays and the art of living well. It's a taste for the fine, the unique, the beautiful.
Lifestyle also means rewarding excellence wherever you find it by not taking the small things of life for granted. With Valentine's Day approaching I wanted to illustrate this with a personal anecdote:
Many years ago my lady friend and I were on a trip to Carmel, California for some shopping and exploring. On the way we stopped at a service station. As soon as we parked our car in front of the pumps, a young man, about eighteen or nineteen, came bouncing out to the car and with a big smile said, "Can I help you?"
"Yes," I answered. "A full tank of gas, please." I wasn't prepared for what followed. In this day and age of self-service and deteriorating customer treatment, this young man checked every tire, washed every window - even the sunroof - singing and whistling the whole time. We couldn't believe both the quality of service and his upbeat attitude about his work.
When he brought the bill I said to the young man, "Hey, you really have taken good care of us. I appreciate it."
He replied, "I really enjoy working. It's fun for me and I get to meet nice people like you."
This kid was really something!
I said, "We're on our way to Carmel and we want to get some milkshakes. Can you tell us where we can find the nearest Baskin-Robbins?"
"Baskin-Robbins is just a few blocks away," he said as he gave us exact directions. Then he added, "Don't park out front - park around to the side so your car won't get sideswiped."
What a kid!
As we got to the ice cream store we ordered milkshakes, except that instead of two, we ordered three. Then we drove back to the station. Our young friend dashed out to greet us. "Hey, I see you got your milkshakes."
"Yes, and this one is for you!"
His mouth fell open. "For me?"
"Sure. With all the fantastic service you gave us, I couldn't leave you out of the milkshake deal."
"Wow!" was his astonished reply.
As we drove off I could see him in my rear-view mirror just standing there, grinning from ear to ear.
Now, what did this little act of generosity cost me? Only about two dollars - you see, it's not the money, it's the style.
Well, I must have been feeling especially creative that day, so on our arrival in Carmel I drove directly to a flower shop. As we walked inside I said to the florist, "I need a long-stemmed rose for my lady to carry while we go shopping in Carmel."
The florist, a rather unromantic type, replied, "We sell them by the dozen."
"I don't need a dozen," I said, "just one."
"Well," he replied haughtily, "it will cost you two dollars."
"Wonderful," I exclaimed. "There's nothing worse than a cheap rose."
Selecting the rose with some deliberation, I handed it to my friend. She was so impressed! And the cost? Two dollars. Just two dollars. A bit later she looked up and said, "Jim, I must be the only woman in Carmel today carrying a rose." And I believe she probably was.
Can you imagine the opportunity to create magic with those around you, and all for the cost of a few dollars, some imagination and care.
Remember, it is not the amount that matters but the thought and care that often has the greatest impact upon those you love.
To Your Success,
Jim Rohn
Reproduced with permission from Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine. Copyright 2005 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide. To subscribe to Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine, go to http://Jim-Rohn.InspiresYOU.com
HI would like to share with you a ritual I... Read More
Have you ever wondered why we decorate a tree for... Read More
Decorating for the holidays can be both expensive and emotionally... Read More
Are you looking for the Ultimate Army Themed Party Games... Read More
Of all the holidays throughout the year, the Fourth of... Read More
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it's time to... Read More
As a personal growth specialist, I like to think I'm... Read More
For many people the end of a year is a... Read More
Make these quick and easy crafts with your children for... Read More
Are you looking for special Halloween party ideas that will... Read More
The glorious egg, with its deep links to Creation mythology,... Read More
The DilemmaAs a mom of a five-year-old girl, I have... Read More
Making Halloween crafts can really get you into a festive... Read More
"Here's to the bright New Year, and a fond farewell... Read More
If you*re like me, the holidays always have a way... Read More
So Christmas is a few months away. Seems like a... Read More
John Grisham wrote a book called SKIPPING CHRISTMAS. Amazon.com reports:... Read More
Halloween is such a fun time of year for kids... Read More
How many times have you heard a friend say about... Read More
It can be very hard to find that one perfect... Read More
Have you ever said "I wish we didn't have to... Read More
History of OrnamentsIn A.D. 336, an early Roman calendar first... Read More
Halloween ? so starts the Holiday Season. The average American... Read More
Gazing the wide stretched blue carpet, with blows of zephyrs... Read More
So Valentine's Day is upon us yet again, and most... Read More
Father's Day is just around the corner. If you're looking... Read More
Years of having to make do have turned me into... Read More
According to a recent study by the internet cigar retailer... Read More
Have you ever thought what you would do without your... Read More
March 17th is St. Patrick's Day and according to tradition... Read More
Ever wonder why there's an "Easter Bunny"? Ever wonder why... Read More
You don't have to spend a fortune this Valentine's Day... Read More
Do you know a Mom who needs to be thanked... Read More
Well, it's almost that time of year again ? the... Read More
At the end of the movie "Braveheart," William Wallace is... Read More
Holiday Tips For Stepfamilies: Let Go Of The "Brady Bunch"... Read More
"I Just Love It!"You know the scenario. You're sitting at... Read More
Father's Day...Father's Day only one month away! Father's Day is... Read More
Do you hate throwing your Christmas cards away every year... Read More
The word mother and mothers day are simple, yet powerful... Read More
It's back. The holiday season and all the challenges that... Read More
With Mother's Day approaching fast, it's time to begin thinking... Read More
"Wouldn't you just know it," muttered my husband, Randy.We had... Read More
You don't have to spend a fortune this Valentine's Day... Read More
After all the gifts have been purchased and placed under... Read More
"Here's to the bright New Year, and a fond farewell... Read More
The last Monday of May since 1868, has been designated... Read More
Need help with gifts? Not everyone is good at choosing... Read More
The holidays are officially here. And so the season for... Read More
Father's Day is just around the corner. If you're looking... Read More
If you're looking for ways to decorate your home in... Read More
Mothers Day is the day we set aside each year... Read More
It's time once again for the dreaded New Year's Resolutions.... Read More
It's a fact; most of us feel immediately stressed and... Read More
As the holidays approach, I find myself wondering how I'm... Read More
A mother's bracelet is a personalized bracelet that celebrates the... Read More
Have you seen the prices of greeting cards lately? It... Read More
If you are like me, you never know what to... Read More
It's not only the candy that puts smiles on kids'... Read More
Candy canes are everyone's favorite holiday treat. Just think about... Read More
Christmas time is finally here, and most people during this... Read More
Kelly was a very wealthy Hollywood actress, who was used... Read More
Sometimes gifts that you purchase are not as personalized as... Read More
Choosing a birthday gift for a friend about to turn... Read More
The Holidays are coming and children have thought long and... Read More
Choosing gifts for any animal lovers can be quite a... Read More
Holiday |