What You Talkin Bout Pat?

[Leon "The Encourager" Bullard]

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you are all off to a productive and prosperous start to the year. Most of you have no idea who I am because I have not been plugged in at all. But that's going to change. It's going to change now! And it's all because of Pat—oh yes, that Pat.

Pat Howlett called me out this week...and maybe he has done this to you, too. There I was innocently looking at I919 page that had no activity when I was blindsided with

"You don't keep your word!"
So, I very Arnold-esquely reply, "What you talking about Pat?"
Then Pat in a very Willis way repeats, "I said you don't keep your word! I asked you months ago, "Will you commit to adding 1 positive item to the community each month?"
(OK, just bear with me on the Different Strokes thing—I didn't plan to carry it this far, but here goes...)
I say, "So?"
Pat says, "So? So you replied, "Yes."
I say, "Well, I've been busy."
Pat says, "So? We're all busy and you don't keep your word."
So, I run to the kitchen where I find Mrs. Garrett and I tell her what Willis (Pat) said. The part of Mrs. Garrett is played by my inner conscience.
She says, "Well, you know, Willis has a point. You should either change your reply to No or do what you promised."
So I weasel my way out of the kitchen, up the winding stairs and to the bunk bed room and apologize to Willis and promise to do better.

Now, just to make things clear...this all started when I went to my own I919 page and read the second question (Pat's only sinister involvement was putting the darn thing in the profile).

Have you read your page and profile lately? If not, look. Maybe you used the same three letter word I did and have since done nothing, too. Pat actually does not ask for much—even a comment suffices.

So, as a result of all this I immediately updated my profile and today I am writing this ridiculous blog post. (One that I am considering deleting). And now I am off to view that video that Pat suggested when I view when I joined, but I never did.

Lastly, I will end with a request: please add any comments you want. But, if it's about how corny this post was then again you can blame Pat because he was the one who said we can't be boring.

I hope to will write to you again soon.

[Pat Howlett]

Hey Leon, when I saw my name in another Blog post my first thought was "OKAY, OKAY, I'm getting rid or the 'me in the suit photo already" my second was "I hope this is not another 'hair' post".

Then I started to read your post and thought three was "did I really hit send on that email" - knowing I'd never sent out a 'remember you did say YES to doing something positive' email, I dug into your post and ask that you not delete it.

I never want to encourage anyone to contribute just to contribute but I know how 'powerful' it can be to ones brand if they did.

Thanks for presenting this message in a fun and (new year) timely way and let me know whenever I can be of help.

[Michelle Gower-WordPress Mentor]

Leon, I'm glad you are coming back into the fold! We all have to ask ourselves, what is it that keeps us So busy that we can't contribute one positive thing to a community that is there for US? Is there really anything SO time-consuming? I would venture, no. But I also know from experience that you get what you give, and I've seen a lot of giving here in the community to those who give first. So I hope you will join us more often; it's the only way you'll really see the good that comes from hanging around. :o)

[Amy Shair, REMAX Real Estate]

You know Ms. Garrett always did keep those boys doing the right thing. Leon, good job on posting your thoughts. Hope you make inside919 a regular visiting spot.

[Jim McNeely]

Leon, very good post. Give and it will be returned to you. When pat requests just a small comment it is not for his benefit, it is for yours. Through contribution you will meet more people. You will read information that can transform your business, and you will be in the know about events that coud can your life. There are no handouts in life but there are plenty of helping hands if you know where to look. Keep up the good work.

[Leon "The Encourager" Bullard]

Thanks for the supportive comments