November 5, 2016 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

If you're a new subscriber in the past two or three weeks, I need to WARN you.

This is by no means a normal AsktheBuilder.com newsletter. If you're a seasoned subscriber, I believe you'll appreciate this issue.

A Strange Three Weeks

I can't quite put my finger on it, but several non-connected events have caused me to get into a deep-thinking mode.

The run up to Halloween was part of it as was my lightening fast trip to and from Dallas, Texas, where I had the pleasure of meeting two great subscribers, Bob and Tom.

Autumn is my favorite season and the leaves this year in New Hampshire were spectacular. I took a hike with two good amateur radio friends of mine in the small period of peak color here just over two weeks ago.

It was surreal. CLICK HERE to see the eye candy I saw that day.

While standing on the bedrock ledge, I did some reflecting.

I knew that Thanksgiving, my favorite meal of the year, and Christmas were roaring at us faster than the Acela races south from New York down to Washington DC.

While standing alone on the ledge that day, an alternative ending scene to the movie Titanic washed over me as I stared out at the mountains and mystic-colored trees.

Parts of this scene are so meaningful to me, I've watched it countless times. Two lines of the script are seared into my brain because they pave the pathway to true happiness.

©1997 20th Century Fox - Paramount Pictures All Rights Reserved

In this scene, the old Rose, who's lived a rich and full life because she listened to what Jack told her, teaches a young explorer in just a few seconds what he should be doing each day. She says to him,

"You look for treasure in the wrong place, Mr. Lovett. Only life is priceless, (pause) and making each day count."

CLICK HERE to view the scene and be sure to watch it until the end.

If you saw Titanic all those years ago and paid attention to the conversation Jack and Rose had on the deck just after Rose looked at Jack's pencil drawings, then you know why James Cameron, the director, stopped for those three seconds to view the photo of the younger Rose sitting "like a man" on the horse standing in the surf.

Are you riding horses on the beach in the surf or are each day's wonders slipping through your fingers?

I was in the right place looking at treasure that day with Jim and Dave. I'm now hyper-focused trying to do it each day.

You should be too.

Heading Into the Maelstrom

Major events each year, and in life, almost always present one of two things depending on how you look at them.

Opportunities or challenges.

Do you look forward to getting together with your family or does it cause your stomach to get tied in a knot of anguish, fear or bitterness?

Did you see the old movie Little Big Man with Dustin Hoffman?

In this movie, there's one line of the script that's exceptionally powerful.

Chief Dan George says to the young Hoffman after a gruesome event in the movie,

"Your heart may never be as soft as it is today."

What does this have to do with you?

I think everything, but you'll be the judge.

The most recent event happened just under 24 hours ago when Kathy and I received news that her father went up to Heaven to be with Kathy's mother.

Dr. Daniel Whalen, my father-in-law, was a great man. He taught me many things and he's directly responsible for Ask the Builder, although that's a long story for another day.

He had a long stay here on the planet - 97 years.

Kathy is at peace with all of this because we've made repeated visits to see him as his health deteriorated.

Suffice it to say the next week is going to be challenging.

Do you harbor ill feelings in your heart that cause great discomfort to others when you see them at special occasions like the holidays, funerals or weddings?

Has your quest for the wrong treasure caused your heart to become harder than granite?

It's never too late to forgive.

It's never too late to start a "new life" as did Rose.

It's never too late to discover the real priceless treasure in life.

Are you making each day count?

Don't let your fragile ego get in the way and/or distract you.

You'll be amazed at how refreshed you feel when you dump all that old mental baggage into the sea and it bobs up and down like so much jetsam and flotsam.

I'll have a normal newsletter for you in a few weeks.

After I click the SEND button so you get this message, I'm editing a wonderful video I shot yesterday about a marvelous log splitter. Wait until you see what this amazing machine can do.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Do It Right, Not Over!