They Volunteered and Raised Their Own Rent

© Can Stock Photo

     My wife and I started investing in buy-and-hold rental real estate a few years ago. We are looking to sustain a very comfortable retirement, as well as build a good additional piece to our legacy. Having abundance to us, means we have more to share or give away. We've been able to build a small nest egg, through some traditional employment we've had. And, we were able to leverage some of that to get us started. We're also helping other people create additional income from home. But, for now, I want to relate a story that just happened to us today, about our real estate.

     We've owned this one building for around 2 1/2 years now. We are not slum landlords by any means. Rather than take all possible income out of a building, instead, we treat it as the valuable long-term asset it is. When there are repairs, or upgrades that need to be made, we invest in them. We still take a profit, so we still have to weigh whether an investment is prudent now, or can wait a little bit of time. But, we keep it on the plan, and do what is needed.

     We have also developed a rapport with our tenants. From the moment they apply, we try to connect with who they are, and what they need, for a home. In fact, some form of the word "home" can be found in the name of each building's LLC. We've also shown some pay it forward kind of acts. We have gifted baked pies to all of our tenants on Thanksgiving. It was inspiring to us, when we were buying the pies, and whipped cream to go with them, in the store, a woman asked if we were having a party. Why were we buying so many pies. When we told her that we were buying them for our tenants, she told us to wait. She ran off into the store, and came back with a bottle of sparkling apple cider, for each of the pies, paid for them, and gave them to us to include.

     As great as that is, there's more. Today, as my wife was collecting rent from one of our tenants. The tenant told her that this was the last time she would receive that amount from them for the rent. Curious, my wife asked the tenant what they meant. She was then informed, that starting next month, the tenants were going to pay us an additional $50 a month. They went on to state, that they appreciated the way we treated them, and, the building they consider their home.

     Draw your own conclusions, or, be inspired, and change just one thing you do. Or not. I am again amazed at the blessings received when giving has been for the big picture and providing value for others without expectation of receiving anything in return. I am reminded, again, that giving is far better than receiving. And, it's contagious. Together, let's start our own viral explosion of paying it forward, and paying it back. Any challenge will be overcome, and awesome achievements will be accomplished when more of us share our abundance, lend a hand up, and give in a true positive spirit of love.

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with gratitude and in service,



Tony Koker
A Mentor with a Servant's Heart

Half Empty or Full - You Choose

Happy Holidays to All 2013

      Please take a moment to reflect on What Is Most Important In Your Life as we move into a new year. Tony, Lisa, Michael, Noelle, Amanda and Curt.

      Most of our friends know that my parents are both gone, and Lisa's Dad passed almost 4 years ago. We were left with incredible holes in our Heart’s, but, because we put our Golf Balls into our jar first the best parts of Barry, Tony Sr. and Ann Marie live on in our lives forever.

      I'd like to relate a little story for all of you.

      A professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him.

      When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

      The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.

      He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

      The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.

      The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.' The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

      'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things -god, family, children, health, friends, and favorite passions – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

      The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car. The sand is everything else - the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

      The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

      So... pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner.

      There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities.

      The rest is just sand.' One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked.

      It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'

      Our family and team Believes in You and Your Dreams, we hope You will take the time to reflect and relive the most important part of this amazing life.

We Believe In You
Tony & Lisa Koker
1-781-864-2624 anytime.
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Image credit: CanStockPhoto.com

MLM Rescue for Part Time Employees!

      I get updates from the MLM Watchdog. I have found that this is a great one of a few ways to stay up with news and information in this and related industries. I can learn about ponzi schemes, who's still getting away with it, and who isn't. What constitutes successful compensation plans, policies and ownership mindset. And, consider many other aspects of the pro's. and con's. of what can be a very emotional experience. It is refreshing that when the opportunities are presented for a focus on the positive aspects, over the negative, that I really like this source of information. The editor really likes the industry, is a champion for it, and, is an advocate for the model when it is done right.

      Here's a excerpt from a recent article that is a great call to arms for us:

"One of the MLM Watchdog’s loves of the MLM-NETWORK MARKETING INDUSTRY Is helping people and after the recession workers have taken a beating in, more bad news for hard working Americans. The Affordable Health Care Act demands starting in 2014 that anyone working over 30 hours a week be provided a qualified health plan or pay a 2000 fine. In testimony before Congress. The National Federation of Independent Business testified that this is a new low.

Every employer will be forced to define part-time employment under 30 hours a week, and most will use between 20-27.5 hours. This cut part timers income and leave a hole in employment. The University of Berkely Center for Labor research has estimated that 2.3 million workers or nearly 2% are at great risk of having hours cut below 30 hours a week. ...

What can you and your company do to help these people! ... "

Here is a link to the site and the entire article

      Long term, successful MLM companies usually conform to all of the Five Pillars, but some don't:

• Pillar 1 — Company Management Experience with Integrity?
• Pillar 2 — Timing in the Company and Timing in the Industry.
• Pillar 3 — Remarkable Product.
• Pillar 4 — Compensation Plans.
• Pillar 5 — Proven duplicatable system.

Here's a link to some audios and PDF transcripts: Audios and PDFs. How does your company stack up? Be vocal with your upline and company management to make it so.

      While not mentioned here in the bullets, it is discussed in Pillar 4 - Compensation Plans. One of the key elements has to be the ability of a part-time partner to be able to work the business and get a return on their "time" investment. $1,000 or even $100 a month can really take the edge off initially, and, over time, this will only grow with care and nurturing, even if only part time. That is the promise and goal of network marketing for all of us, is it not?

     

with gratitude and in service,

Tony Koker

Image Credit: CanStockPhoto.com

The Brain - A Broadcasting and Receiving Station for Thought

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      Having read, written and discussed the subconscious mind, last week I think I focused on myself and what is sent from the subconscious to the conscious mind. In doing so I skimmed over the creative imagination although that is the fuel for the subconscious; the connecting dots were not evident to me until this week.

      Like in a couple of other lesssons this time through the book, my first inkling was to write some more about self-talk, and how this programs our subconscious and conscious mind to work in concert to focus and act on our desires. However, although similar, the lesson I learned this week was significantly greater in size, power and importance.

      I was poking around in my marketing and advertising effort, after tonight's Coach's Corner Mastermind call, and then, as I was brushing my teeth before bed, I had another ah-haa moment. A crystal clear picture appeared in my mind. My pulse began to race as I realized just what Napoleon Hill is talking about in this chapter. I could actually see this principle in action although it initially was simply for the limited scope of my marketing and advertising effort. I then went back to my computer to capture what I saw in that picture, but as it applies to the much greater scope Napoleon Hill presents.

      While our self-talk permits us to personally program our thoughts to be in harmony with our desires, it is our creative imagination, which links us to Infinite Intelligence. Hill reminded us of sex transmutation as our strongest internal and emotional method to increasing the rate of vibrations, but here, in this chapter, he attempts to touch upon that which is significantly more powerful and without bounds.

      He talked about the 14 billion orderly nerve cells we have in our brain, with some discussion of telepathy and clairvoyance and then hinted some more at this awesome force and its intangible nature.

      We are all part of this invisible ocean of vibrations. When we program ourselves to produce a harmony of desire that is focused and able to be acted upon, we become a towering light house, shining our beacon throughout this ocean for all who are receptive to see and experience. When we further combine our efforts with others, through brainstorming and mastermind sessions, we create repeaters or harmonic sympathizers that amplify the vibrations, increasing the intensity of our light, and extending it's range well beyond the bounds of ourselves and our surroundings.

      Those that have better understanding than we do, pick up the signal, and send back suggestions for improvement. Infinite Intelligence, in tune with all of the waves as well as the existance or absence of light houses, further influences and directs the vibrations like a conductor of an orchestra. Those that are seeking improvement just need to be open and aware enough to see the changes. Maybe the light we see blinks, or changes color? Our creative imagination provides the channel into our subconscious.

      We need to constantly work to remain in harmonic sympathy within ourselves as well as with our mastermind group to continue to provide the energy and vibrations necessary to remain in that towering light house. As we constantly succumb to the distracting or even negative influences around us in our sensory world, we need to develop habits that help us to keep our lighthouse in superior working order.

with gratitude and in service,

Tony Koker

The Subconscious Mind

Image: (c) http://www.canstockphoto.com

My Subconscious Mind

      After reading this chapter again I was impressed upon to describe with detail what a walking tour of my subconscious mind might be like. I don't really have a view of what it might look like from the outside looking in, except for what we normally see as a grey, wrinkled yet large pea-shaped mass. Rather, I observe as though I am already inside.

      I feel dampness as I seem to be at the lowest levels. It is very dark here. The walls seem like those of a cave. There are sights, sounds and feelings here, but they seem very base and raw, yet very powerful. I feel intense fear and hunger, my heart is racing and I find myself focusing on my need to keep breathing. There actually seems to be writing on the walls, but the chill and anxiousness I feel here strongly encourages me to wander higher and beyond.

      As I move upward along one of the paths, I see all manner of flashing lights, like nearby rooms with displayed images, or strobes of colorful performance or party venues. Light and dark the lights pulse with various energies. Its a wonder of activity, yet it seems as though everything is contained, packaged neatly into compartments, yet readily available to be accessed. It almost seems like a library full of bookshelves, yet there are all manner of storage. Some containers seem to have sights, sounds, textures, heat and even odors, while others buzz alone with energy.

      There is just so much to experience, I cannot possibly explore everywhere. There seems to be activity. Containers appear to be in a constant process of being rearranged, reordered, called forward, and just as quickly dismissed in a rush into the echos of the cavernous beyond.

      At the highest level of my subconscious mind I hear this rhythmic repetition. It sounds like words, but they quickly vibrate into sensual collections. Collections of images, sounds, scents and vibrations of emotion combine into this song. There is no counterflow or resistance here. In comes the song. The package starts rather vague. As the song continues, the package is taking shape. Almost like a mist or fog it begins to resemble something more and more tangible. As the song is repeated, the process expands to influence all of the activity. The rearrangement of everything begins to vibrate to the rhythm and melody of the song.

      All at once, the song stops, but the activity continues long after. There are subtle signs that the activity is beginning to again become more random, but just as quickly as it stopped the words begin again and the song plays on and the activity continues stronger than ever.

with gratitude and in service,

Tony Koker

THE MYSTERY OF SEX TRANSMUTATION

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“the changing, or transferring of one element, or form of energy, into another.” - Napoleon Hill

"The emotion of sex brings into being a state of mind." - Napoleon Hill

The emotion of sex is positive, intense, and powerful. It is a direct, driving and motivating influence. Usually we try to use as many of our senses, or use descriptions of sensual experience when we write or tell a story or lesson. But, that is what makes the emotion of sex such a challenge to transmute. We have to train ourselves to focus this emotion inwardly, away from our senses, and into vibrations of thought. Maybe we can feel this. Feel the increased vibrations of other positive emotions. Enthusiasm, desire, love, romance, faith, hope and even prosperity all can be derived from the channeled emotion of sex. It can cause adrenaline to be felt corsing through our veins, but not for other physical responses, but mental (thoughtful) and emotional ones.

Working backwards to thoughts are things, and even further, emotions become thoughts. Emotions are energy and vibrations. Thoughts are energy and vibrations. We must try to focus the emotion of sex and its tremendous energy. Our strongest emotion can best feed our creative imagination, if we channel it and link with Infinite Intelligence. Emotions become thoughts.

Do emotions have color? What color is the emotion of sex? Is it red, or is white hotter?

Society struggles with sex. The emotion often plants seeds of physical thoughts. Its appeal is used for marketing and advertising in the world around us. We can be pulled like a leashed animal by it when we allow those messages into our minds. Turn the tables and use it to thrive.

It can help us to overcome hardships, difficulties or obstacles.

It lets us lead an offensive (vs. defensive) posture. It can be aggressive, yet playful and uplifting.

 

with gratitude and in service,

Tony Koker

POWER OF THE MASTER MIND - THE DRIVING FORCE

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Our Master Mind Alliance - What is it really?
A sounding board, of directors, directors of our own lives.
A Place ... a room? a conference room ... in the clouds, but surrounded by sunshine, delightful sounds and pleasant breezes.
We hug with our speech, each word a caress of grateful lovingkindness for each other.
A Place to verify knowledge.
A Place to discover where we are off course and make corrections.
A Place to get refueled.
A Place to fuel others.
A Place of strength and power. Energizing and invigorating.
Renewed and focused, we are better equipped to return to action.
 
with gratitude and in service,
Tony Koker

Just Lead - Everyone Can

     Where can you lead? I believe that leadership is not a single innate ability one has or has not. Leadership is a skill that is developed and honed as a combination of many abilities. First you have to figure out to where or for what you want to be a leader. It is then just a matter of knowing it in your head and moving those thoughts, images and feelings into your heart. Once in your heart, you will be on auto-pilot and nothing will stand in your way.

     So, where is it that you want to go, or, what is it that you want to have? What do you want to say about you? I always thought this was the easy part; answering the question of what I want. But, as I've grown older, experienced more, read more, been mentored and actually taken the time to notice, I've found things other than those I had been focusing upon. I had focused on those things that others thought I should do. I was taking the safe road. It was easy to play the odds. When faced with choices, I weighed things based upon what put me into a stronger position. Things like versatility and breadth of experiences measured higher. It was a matter of not being objectionable, rather than being favorable to me. I've found it is more work to move these goals into my heart. Sometimes it's more risky to go with what you really want. But, that is what makes their achievement all the more rewarding.

     What do they say about you? What do you say about you? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? Most of the time we shouldn't care what other people have to say. We want to be popular and accepted, but when it comes to achieving what we want, we want to consider what the mirror and other people say or think about our strengths and weaknesses. When you've identified those people who have the position of rendering an accurate and qualified analysis for you, which in and of itself may be ranked as one of our strengths or weaknesses, you have to exercise that analysis. Once we use these resources successfully, we can use our strengths with skillful precision, build up habits that help to strengthen our weaknesses, or, in the end, realize we shouldn't be doing this alone anyway, and leverage those in our mastermind group who are strong in those areas.

     Moving a single step in the right direction, is one further than someone else has taken. You are then qualified to lead something to and through that step. You then just move one more. And, repeat the process of leading someone else to and through that step. Before you know it, there will be a very long line of steps you have mastered and lead someone to them and through them.
Where can you lead? I believe that leadership is not a single innate ability one has or has not. Leadership is a set of skills that are developed and honed as a combination of many abilities. You don't have to have all of these abilities yourself. In fact it puts you in the best position if you have a mastermind team working with you. First you have to figure out to where or for what you are able to lead. The single goal. It is then just a matter of reinforcing that knowledge in your head and moving those thoughts, images and feelings of that goal into your heart. The more senses you devote to this task, the easier and more installed in your heart it will become. Once in your heart, you will be on auto-pilot and nothing will stand in your way.

Economic Recovery - Act NOW

Everyone, the world over, has been effected by the current economic conditions. Most people have scrambled for a good position. It's just like a unpredicted storm has hit. And, although we all have that in common, that's where it ends. Even the position we've established, or are attempting to establish is different. First we do a quick damage assessment. We all wonder why none (or few) of our boarded-up windows survived; even when we thought the storm was over, another wave of fury attacked - and no one is really sure it's over, even now.
Once we finished (maybe just our first of many) damage assessments, we then chose our next stance - do we hunker down for the next wave? Or, what? Are we so battle-weary? Not only are we attacked by news we intentionally hear, watch, or read, the attacks are also insidious - they sneak through commercials wrapped around everything from our coffee cups to our recreation; an unrelenting bombardment of snippets of sound, pictures, words and ideas. They are all trying to rent space in our head - slowly eroding any sense of control, we thought we had.
But, we don't have to abrogate our authority to them. We don't have to willingly submit to the beating; to give up the power, they're actually afraid of. We are not as weak as they'd like us to think we are. We're not perfect, by any means, but we're okay, just the way we are. We have to gain strength, not acquiesce and give it away. We have to build ourselves up, individually, and, as a team.
We have to build our own master-mind alliance; a team of like-minded thinkers and doers. Knowledge of this is just the first step. Knowledge is NOT power, but the action, put into play, through the use of that knowledge - THAT is where the power is!
We cannot hunker down, any longer. We have to stand up. We have to stand together, shoulder to shoulder, hands joined together. We need to silence the lies. We need to turn down the noise level. We have to take action: 30-day Mental-Cleanse link sent upon request.

Pique through freedom illustration and picture-words

A picture is worth a thousands words. Most of us have heard that before. An interesting take on this concept, however, is that it doesn't necessarily take a thousand words to describe a picture.
Contained within the many wonders in this world of ours are the seasons. We all can relate to the weather, and, ultimately derive it from the current season, for the most part. Living in New England, however, we have become accustomed to frequent, perhaps even non-seasonal weather changes. This year we seemed to suffer from a perpetual cool and rainy spring. Not cold, but not really warm either. A darkness that seems to evoke gloom and hunkering down is present. Sounds, of rain drops in a pitter-pat in puddles, of splashing foot-steps, as people want on their way, of cars seemingly surfing on stream-like waterways, with their wheel-splash glide and then of cascading waves of whoosh and crash of foaming walls of water all permit us to hear the effects of the rain, we also feel and see. A natural cleansing cycle, where dirt and grime are actually washed away. An chance in contrast without equal to observe the brightness inside. The light of our inner self, keeping us on course and cheerful. Casting off the gloom, we can also embrace this as a refreshing change; a chance to enjoy the shower (To join our Master Mind and experience a life-changing process, start your own 30-Day Cleanse. You need it more than you need oxygen. The only cost is your commitment to yourself. You’ll get a download of the unabridged “Think and Grow Rich”. To get started, first download your free copy of Michael Dlouhy’s “Success In Ten Steps” by clicking HERE. I will send you the link to get started with your mental cleanse.).
This picture-painting, with words, is one way we can present the freedom opportunity that network marketing represents to those we meet and interact with; welcoming them to join us in our success journey, ever growing our numbers, and spreading all the positive emotions, leading us to accomplish.