The Real Meaning of ROI is NOT Return on Investment; It’s Ripple of Impact – “Aaron Stanton”

“Every being in this world makes an impact on at least one person they encounter during their lifetime. You can change the course of someone’s life by just a kind word, a hateful one, or even by simply choosing not to say anything at all. Every choice you make has the potential to create a ripple effect, trickling into and affecting the lives of others.”
— L.B. Simmons

Hey, hey, hey, good morning.  This soup is for all the lovely, beautiful people out there, and I’ll remind you that you are in that select club.  Beauty is not on the outside, it’s always found on the inside, so no matter your physical appearance, I’m reminding you that you are one Sexy Ass MF.

A banner day yesterday,  we got up, had our coffee, I cleaned the downstairs, my Queen the upstairs, after our chores were complete, I got out the pressure washer.  Our courtyard had little attention since we got home. Usually, it’s decked out with cushions, everything in its place, but we have neglected our duties. 

We had about 30 people coming over; my Queen ran to the grocery for some last-minute items, and I power washed all the furniture and deck.  Giving a man my age a powerwasher is akin to giving a child a matchbox car and some yellow track; I had a blast.  Once that task was complete, I turned my attention to the remaining items that needed put in their rightful place. 

About 3:00, my friend Nate showed up and delivered a photo booth; it’s an excellent addition to any gathering; if you want to add some splash to your next conference, check out NBE Event Group https://nbeeventgroup.com/ and rent a photo booth.  Nate was the man behind our youngest daughter’s wedding last year and is also at the helm of our middle kid’s weddings this fall.   His event company has impacted our lives; I suggest if you have an event, wedding, corporate, or party, connect with Nate and let him dazzle your audience.

Folks started showing up at 4:20; first up was my Synergize family, Jason, Agitated, Andrew, and Spencer.  We sat outside while my Queen finished cooking her masterpieces.  I had picked up three trays of Subway since my usual go-to, Torta’s tacos, was “on vacation.”   I’ll do my best to recall every attendee; here we go.

Brydon and Susan were. Next, our friends, the Wises’s made it, as did Bill and Karla.  Our neighbors Rick and Sondra and, of course, the infamous 85-year-old Uncle Dick made it over.  My Dad, sister, and brother-in-law got in about 6:00 or so.  Doug and Diane arrived, as did our neighbor Bill and his friends Brent and Jeff made an appearance.  Drew and his wife were here, as was our new friend Lisa.

I think that’s it if I missed you. I’m sorry, I was up until one a.m., I’ve not been up until 1:00 a.m. for many moons, but I feel great; I had a few drinks, but ate well and made sure I hydrated.  My wife and I, sister and brother in law were the last ones up; I made the executive decision to go to bed. Otherwise, we would still be up chatting.

My Dad stayed the night in the suite, my sister and her man remained in the carriage house, my Queen and I shared the bed with PVHT and our daughter’s cat JoQueen.  My Queen just got up, we all have coffee, we’re sitting in the living room.  Soon the rest of my family will come to our Indy home, I’m not sure who is coming,  but it will be a great day of racing; ladies and gentlemen, start your engines.

It will be a day of family, food, friends, and folly.  A day of “f’s.”  My father runs our drivers pick them, we all chip in, and we pay for the first out, the leader at the halfway point, and overall winner.  I’ve never won in 30 plus years; maybe today is my lucky day?  

Tomorrow is a rest day; I see us doing nothing, maybe a dog walk or two, but recouping from these two days of family and friends.  We will be working Tuesday and Wednesday, then packing and heading west on Thursday; we will take 6 hours each day and then arrive home on Saturday.  I’ve been watching the sunrise in the morning; It’s a tad cloudy this morning; our house is filled with Schnell’s; Bay’s birthday was this past week, while we celebrated in Indy, Bay, and fam celebrated on top of a mountain.

I want to share a little story from yesterday; my friend Jason is a random act of kindness type.  He has an account at his favorite coffee shop, and the staff knows that if he buys coffee, the person behind him gets a free cup.  He said you never know what kind of day someone is having; the staff knows to share, “today your coffee is on the house.”  Imagine the ripples that this simple gesture is causing in our little city?  What if we all followed Jason’s lead and anonymously bought coffee for others.

Let’s collectively work to make our world a better place.  You do you, and I’ll do me, and forever we will live free. It’s a simple request, don’t get angry at others if they believe something you don’t, don’t force your ideas on others, those are your thoughts, it’s ok to disagree, disagreement is the main ingredient of exploding and expanding the mind.  Be good, be kind, share this little idea with a couple of friends and join me in making the world the best world it can be.

“Every being in this world makes an impact on at least one person they encounter during their lifetime. You can change the course of someone’s life by just a kind word, a hateful one, or even by simply choosing not to say anything at all. Every choice you make has the potential to create a ripple effect, trickling into and affecting the lives of others.”
— L.B. Simmons