Dear John,
I’ll never forget a lesson my dad taught me during my 8th birthday party.
The whole family was getting ready for the party.
Mom was decorating the house with streamers and baking the cake; Dad was helping in the way dads do.
About 3 hours before the party, my dad pulled me aside and said:
“Tom, what can you give to the friends that are coming to your party?”
I felt confused for a minute…
“But Dad, it’s my birthday. Aren’t they supposed to bring me presents?” (Ah, the innocence of an 8 year old!)
That’s when Dad told me something I never forgot.
“Tom, yes, many of your friends will probably bring you a gift. But remember, it’s always better to give than to receive. What can you give them as an expression of your thanks for coming to your party?”
I scrunched my brow and thought real hard…
Then, I had it!
“I know! I can make each of them their own party hat!
That way they will each know how much I appreciate them coming to my party!”
Dad smiled, and without him even saying anything,
I knew I was on the right track.
Dad’s 92nd birthday is coming up.
And though he’s no longer with us, we decided to keep the spirit of what he stood for alive.
That’s why we’re going to do something very special for you, his friends, on his birthday.
Mark your calendar now for November 6th, Dad’s birthday.
And when you open your email that day, be prepared, because we’re going to give YOU something very special to celebrate.
You were Born to Win, so go ahead and Live to Win!
Tom
Proud son of Zig Ziglar
P.S. In the spirit of practicing Dad’s message all of the time (and not just on his birthday),how about if I give you one of Dad’s books for free today?
It’s called the “Little Book of Big Quotes,” and it’s packed full of those inspirational sayings Dad used to say that have a way of putting you on the right track.
Here it is… just for reading and being a part of our lives…
