So today, I went online to try and find the race park "GSP" and could not locate it. What I did locate is a place in Kentucky that takes in retired racehorses named Old Friends (http://oldfriendsequine.com/). I sent an e-mail with the story like I have posted here and a link to my blog with the story and pictures. I found a couple of other places as well and contacted them.
At about 1:30pm my cell phone rings and I answer to a very friendly voice...
"Hello Brad?"
""Yes, who is this?"
"My name is Michael Blowen and I am the owner of Old Friends and just got done reading your blog. What a GREAT story!! Brad, I cannot believe that Smokey's Song is still alive"
"You know him?"
"Oh yeah, I watched him race back in 97 and 98...He even beat one of my horses. He was a monster man but boy, they sure ran him into the ground...if I remember right, he ran over 140 races and the Great Barrier Fares (GSP) closed down because they were so horrible. I was racing horses on the East Coast then and am now retired with them in Kentucky. I know the jockey for him too... He was a rough old guy....Drunkard, womanizer...Didn't treat Smokey very nice and other than him being a drunkard ass, he was OK to deal with. But yeah, I know ole Smokey and am so happy to hear he is still around.... Really surprised, but it sure makes me happy"
I was choked up as I listened to him tell me the stories...Another tragic story coming from Noah's history and I even told the guy...
"Man, I am just in shock at how bad this guy has been treated over his years and he is the most gentle, loving and great horse... I hate to hear he was treated so badly but rest assured, the time he as left, he will never see anything mean done to him again!"
I caught him up with what the blog didn't cover and we kept talking...
"Oh Brad, I am so happy to hear that... I have found that it seems the worse they ole racehorses were treated, the more loving they are as they get older."
This choked me up again as I could only imagine how bad he must have been treated if this statement is a truth... Noah (Smokey's Song) is like a puppy and just a pleasure to be around...Makes me sad that people can be so terribly ugly to such magnificent creatures... I will have to make sure to go out tomorrow and give him an extra hug!
Well, we talked for about 30 minutes and he assured me he would be able to find some old trainers and that he knew most of them so he would probably be able to get us some pictures or at least some more history. He said he might even be able to get an old race horse schedule for one of the races he was in. As we got off the phone, he said...
"Well Brad, it has been a pleasure talking to you. Makes me really Happy to know ole Smokey is still around and in good hands. We have about 200 retired racehorses and over 2000 people a year who come to visit our ranch. If you are ever out our way, come see us. We have a bed and breakfast and will put you up and show you around. I am sure we will be able to find some stuff on Smokey and bless you and your wife for giving him a loving place for his final years.... That ole boy deserves it man, he really does!"
We got off the phone and I immediately called Donna to tell her the details...She was just tickled and we have gotten one step closer to putting this puzzle together. I sure hope you guys are enjoying this story as much as we are experiencing it all.
Sure is funny how life works out isn't it???
A little side note here that my wife and I found interesting....
I have a nickname I have called my wife for many years..."TRIXIE" and we found Noah's mother is named Trixie.
Also found that Noah was registered on my birthday in 1988.... Man, what different worlds he and I were in back in those days and how significantly our lives have changed in all this time....He was in a whole different part of the country and through trials, struggles, good days and bads, we wound our ways through our lives to find each other at this point in our life...
There are no accidents in this world... Such a great story and such a great experience.
Thanks again for all of you reading this and following along.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Noah update 2
So last night, we get home and check the mail and there is a large envelope with Donna's name on it. We open it up, and below you will see pics of the contents. It’s pretty exciting for us to see how this is unfolding and the information we are getting on the old guy.
When we contacted the owner of Noah (Smokey’s Song) who had him from the time he was 3 until he was 8 (I think) back on the East Coast, she had stated she sent all the pics and winning circle information to this owner. After talking to this owner, she stated she did NOT have the pictures and was never sent any.
We also still have a huge gap of time we are trying to track down from the time he was 8 until the time this last owner had him. She did tell us that she found Noah in Texas and when she found him, he was in VERY poor condition and took him to save him. She said she would see if she could find the information about those owners, but as of yet, no luck!
The pics you see are from when this last owner had him and she has been more than happy to help us locate any info on him she can so we are still waiting to see what we can find.
Looks like his bloodline goes back to a horse that raced Secretariat and he has some good lineage. Also looks like he ran his butt off when he was younger too….No wonder he has creaks and pops now!
Sooooo, if any of you have any tips about locating pics, track tickets, things like that, we would love to hear your input… We would still love to find some of his racing day pics and baby pics…We are digging and not giving up hope!
Hope you are enjoying this progression as much as we are….So cool to see his history and man, if you know anything about old retired race horses; Noah is the exception to the rule…A complete gentleman and a true people lover. He has his own person blanket for cold nights, his feet are almost completely healed, he doesn’t walk stiff legged anymore and is getting more and more spry every day…
He might not have a lot of years left in him, but he sure has whatever years left in comfort, love and care!
When we contacted the owner of Noah (Smokey’s Song) who had him from the time he was 3 until he was 8 (I think) back on the East Coast, she had stated she sent all the pics and winning circle information to this owner. After talking to this owner, she stated she did NOT have the pictures and was never sent any.
We also still have a huge gap of time we are trying to track down from the time he was 8 until the time this last owner had him. She did tell us that she found Noah in Texas and when she found him, he was in VERY poor condition and took him to save him. She said she would see if she could find the information about those owners, but as of yet, no luck!
The pics you see are from when this last owner had him and she has been more than happy to help us locate any info on him she can so we are still waiting to see what we can find.
Looks like his bloodline goes back to a horse that raced Secretariat and he has some good lineage. Also looks like he ran his butt off when he was younger too….No wonder he has creaks and pops now!
Sooooo, if any of you have any tips about locating pics, track tickets, things like that, we would love to hear your input… We would still love to find some of his racing day pics and baby pics…We are digging and not giving up hope!
Hope you are enjoying this progression as much as we are….So cool to see his history and man, if you know anything about old retired race horses; Noah is the exception to the rule…A complete gentleman and a true people lover. He has his own person blanket for cold nights, his feet are almost completely healed, he doesn’t walk stiff legged anymore and is getting more and more spry every day…
He might not have a lot of years left in him, but he sure has whatever years left in comfort, love and care!
Noah Update 1
Donna was able to locate the last owner and we found that she was in a tight spot and had to give up Noah (Smokey's Song) due to financial problems. She told us that when she found him, he had been so neglected that she wasn't sure he would pull through. She donated him knowing he would have a good home to spend his later years but was a little upset she wasn't notified he was given away.
We explained to her the care we have given him and apparently he had advanced thrush in all four feet when she gave him up. After speaking with her for some time and explaining the level of care we are providing for him, it was a teary moment for all of us because she was assured he was in good hands.
Donna has been diligent with his feet and his joint problems and has now gotten all but one of his feet completely healed. We bought him a nice warm blanket a month or so ago and he loves to be in his stall with his "snuggie" on and watch the world go by over the top of the stall. He doesn't have the joint problems he had while the last owner had him or when we got him now and he is a spry and complete gentleman.
She encouraged us to saddle him up and take him for a ride as he was/is a very well trained horse and a complete pleasure to ride. Not sure if we will do this but it was nice to hear about the great experience she had with him. She told us she didn't have any of his old pictures so we are still on the hunt for his winning circle pictures and just haven't had any luck in finding any.
She is supposed to come and visit her old friend and we are excited that we can re-connect her with him and allow her to see the improvements he has made over this last year.
My wife talked with her for a couple of hours and besides the fact that he is such a wonderful horse, we are learning more and more about his life... Its been so much fun to see him come from an old stove up, crippled and struggling old guy to a happy, healthy and spy young horse again.
There is just something about horses that makes the hardships we face in life fade away. As I said, I will continue to update you. We are looking forward to the warmer weather where he will slick off and get some pics of him up in his healthy, added weight state.
I have been around many horses in my day and loved almost every one I have met, but ole Noah is just a warm and loving horse. He comes to you when you call him, likes to spend time with you and will follow us around like a puppy.
He has even gotten to the point now where he doesn't take any chit from the other horses and holds his ground. I am sad that we didn't get to see him in his prime and when he was racing, but with our experience of retired race horses, this guy is the exception to the rule.
Its good to know that his senior years he will be treated like a family member and get the love he deserves. We are hoping that we will soon be in a position to buy us a place with a few acres and have him with us all the time. Knowing the age of him, I am dreading when his day does come but we are so happy that he will be with a caring bunch of folks because as we are finding, he has had some rough years up to this point.
Thanks for all the kind words and the messages sent about your personal stories with your horses. Its been really great to hear others experiences with their loved ones.
We explained to her the care we have given him and apparently he had advanced thrush in all four feet when she gave him up. After speaking with her for some time and explaining the level of care we are providing for him, it was a teary moment for all of us because she was assured he was in good hands.
Donna has been diligent with his feet and his joint problems and has now gotten all but one of his feet completely healed. We bought him a nice warm blanket a month or so ago and he loves to be in his stall with his "snuggie" on and watch the world go by over the top of the stall. He doesn't have the joint problems he had while the last owner had him or when we got him now and he is a spry and complete gentleman.
She encouraged us to saddle him up and take him for a ride as he was/is a very well trained horse and a complete pleasure to ride. Not sure if we will do this but it was nice to hear about the great experience she had with him. She told us she didn't have any of his old pictures so we are still on the hunt for his winning circle pictures and just haven't had any luck in finding any.
She is supposed to come and visit her old friend and we are excited that we can re-connect her with him and allow her to see the improvements he has made over this last year.
My wife talked with her for a couple of hours and besides the fact that he is such a wonderful horse, we are learning more and more about his life... Its been so much fun to see him come from an old stove up, crippled and struggling old guy to a happy, healthy and spy young horse again.
There is just something about horses that makes the hardships we face in life fade away. As I said, I will continue to update you. We are looking forward to the warmer weather where he will slick off and get some pics of him up in his healthy, added weight state.
I have been around many horses in my day and loved almost every one I have met, but ole Noah is just a warm and loving horse. He comes to you when you call him, likes to spend time with you and will follow us around like a puppy.
He has even gotten to the point now where he doesn't take any chit from the other horses and holds his ground. I am sad that we didn't get to see him in his prime and when he was racing, but with our experience of retired race horses, this guy is the exception to the rule.
Its good to know that his senior years he will be treated like a family member and get the love he deserves. We are hoping that we will soon be in a position to buy us a place with a few acres and have him with us all the time. Knowing the age of him, I am dreading when his day does come but we are so happy that he will be with a caring bunch of folks because as we are finding, he has had some rough years up to this point.
Thanks for all the kind words and the messages sent about your personal stories with your horses. Its been really great to hear others experiences with their loved ones.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Venting...
So in my 20's I realized that for me to find a job to set me up and move forward, I had to do something to CHANGE what I was doing to get those results. I went to the police academy and overcame much to get the certification and the job. I had a wonderful time for the majority of that experience but alas, as with many thing in my life, this became tiresome and mundane...As well as the fact I was "changing" as a result of the job...So after much thought, I decided to change again.
I figured with my experience in Law Enforcement, I would be able to find a suiting job and move forward again. I quickly found that my experience limited me to the jobs I wanted and to further myself, i had to get a degree. I went back to college and completed that and went back on the job hunt.After about 100 resumes and applications, I landed a great job that offered me amazing experiences but quickly realized that to really get what I wanted, I would have to further my education so I went back for my Masters.
After attaining my Masters, I found again that jobs were not as easily attained as I thought and looked around to find something progressive. I took a couple of positions that just didn't seem to work out but hey, I had my Masters degree and much research showed me that this was something that would really carry me into something bigger and better.
Now granted, I still value education and think people really should bite the bullet and pursue higher learning if for nothing else than the learning itself...Another GREAT experience.
I am fortunate enough in this period of my life to be selective in the jobs I want and the salary I would like to make and have been tediously looking for the next thing.
As of today, I find myself frustrated... There are many jobs available for what I want but to really pursue a broad range, I have to look back at big cities... This is NOT something I want to do. I really enjoy living in a small town and like having the big city close but the jobs are not as plentiful as what I was thinking they would be.
I decided to pursue my own business and as of this week, I found that the legislators have now cut 80% of the funding that would answer to the business I would like to pursue...Another frustrating thing!
I went back on the search and found a few jobs that really are exciting and would answer to what i want. I am currently waiting on a response from a recent interview with an organization called ChildSafe in San Antonio and am really hoping THIS IS THE ONE! I should hear something in a week or so.
However, just to cover my bases, I have been searching for other positions to pursue and am finding that even with the Masters, jobs are scarce and what I want, being particular, I am finding those are limited...Unless I broaden my scope to other parts of the State and the Country...Again, not sure if I am ready for that leap but man, how can this be!?
I don't know about everyone, but my personality seems to assign "worth" with "employment" and am becoming discouraged that its so difficult. I also believe that anything great is worth waiting for but i am also one that is made up to be a person that doesn't do well with complacency... I need to be active, progressive and driven and when I see "limits" it irritates me!
I am confident that the waiting is part of the sacrifice and anything great has to have some sacrifice. I am hoping that this time to sit, reflect and be frustrated will drive me to find the "perfect" fit, but jeeeeze, how long does it take huh??
Anyway, I seem to find some peace when I write and also like to write so that I can come back to it and be reminded of the struggles in different times in my life so I can remember what those struggles eventually uncovered.
Like I said, here it is, a time to vent!!
I am ready for "whats next" and am looking forward to what the future holds for me and my professional advancement....I think this blog is a great thing to come back to so i can be reminded that life, no matter where we are in it, is complicated, unsure and full of surprises. I KNOW that whatever is next for me is going to be PERFECT and perfect comes only when the drive to make it so is in place.
I guess its part of the dualistic universe we live in...If I was content with complacency, what would drive me to find better....Life doesn't happen to you, you make life happen.... Then again, the lotto would be nice too!!
Well, this is the blog for this period...A reminder I will have for me and to others that even when you are frustrated, always have hope and never settle...When that happens, nothing "wrong" can come from it.
Thanks for letting me vent...I will surely come back to this and laugh someday soon...But now all I can do is GRRRRRRRRRR!!!
LOL!!!
I did drop out of Leadership Kerr County today. Just don't feel this is something that the time I do have needs to be directed to. I hate QUITTING anything, but after much thought, I really feel my energy is better suited to find something to advance my professional life. I also, PERSONALLY don't feel the program is what I originally signed up for and after giving it 5 months of effort, the experience shows me that the program is a good thing, just not the thing for me.
To all of you that read my blogs, thanks for the time and the responses. Thanks for all the encouragement ans support... Its good to know I have great people on my side!
Peace.... Brad
I figured with my experience in Law Enforcement, I would be able to find a suiting job and move forward again. I quickly found that my experience limited me to the jobs I wanted and to further myself, i had to get a degree. I went back to college and completed that and went back on the job hunt.After about 100 resumes and applications, I landed a great job that offered me amazing experiences but quickly realized that to really get what I wanted, I would have to further my education so I went back for my Masters.
After attaining my Masters, I found again that jobs were not as easily attained as I thought and looked around to find something progressive. I took a couple of positions that just didn't seem to work out but hey, I had my Masters degree and much research showed me that this was something that would really carry me into something bigger and better.
Now granted, I still value education and think people really should bite the bullet and pursue higher learning if for nothing else than the learning itself...Another GREAT experience.
I am fortunate enough in this period of my life to be selective in the jobs I want and the salary I would like to make and have been tediously looking for the next thing.
As of today, I find myself frustrated... There are many jobs available for what I want but to really pursue a broad range, I have to look back at big cities... This is NOT something I want to do. I really enjoy living in a small town and like having the big city close but the jobs are not as plentiful as what I was thinking they would be.
I decided to pursue my own business and as of this week, I found that the legislators have now cut 80% of the funding that would answer to the business I would like to pursue...Another frustrating thing!
I went back on the search and found a few jobs that really are exciting and would answer to what i want. I am currently waiting on a response from a recent interview with an organization called ChildSafe in San Antonio and am really hoping THIS IS THE ONE! I should hear something in a week or so.
However, just to cover my bases, I have been searching for other positions to pursue and am finding that even with the Masters, jobs are scarce and what I want, being particular, I am finding those are limited...Unless I broaden my scope to other parts of the State and the Country...Again, not sure if I am ready for that leap but man, how can this be!?
I don't know about everyone, but my personality seems to assign "worth" with "employment" and am becoming discouraged that its so difficult. I also believe that anything great is worth waiting for but i am also one that is made up to be a person that doesn't do well with complacency... I need to be active, progressive and driven and when I see "limits" it irritates me!
I am confident that the waiting is part of the sacrifice and anything great has to have some sacrifice. I am hoping that this time to sit, reflect and be frustrated will drive me to find the "perfect" fit, but jeeeeze, how long does it take huh??
Anyway, I seem to find some peace when I write and also like to write so that I can come back to it and be reminded of the struggles in different times in my life so I can remember what those struggles eventually uncovered.
Like I said, here it is, a time to vent!!
I am ready for "whats next" and am looking forward to what the future holds for me and my professional advancement....I think this blog is a great thing to come back to so i can be reminded that life, no matter where we are in it, is complicated, unsure and full of surprises. I KNOW that whatever is next for me is going to be PERFECT and perfect comes only when the drive to make it so is in place.
I guess its part of the dualistic universe we live in...If I was content with complacency, what would drive me to find better....Life doesn't happen to you, you make life happen.... Then again, the lotto would be nice too!!
Well, this is the blog for this period...A reminder I will have for me and to others that even when you are frustrated, always have hope and never settle...When that happens, nothing "wrong" can come from it.
Thanks for letting me vent...I will surely come back to this and laugh someday soon...But now all I can do is GRRRRRRRRRR!!!
LOL!!!
I did drop out of Leadership Kerr County today. Just don't feel this is something that the time I do have needs to be directed to. I hate QUITTING anything, but after much thought, I really feel my energy is better suited to find something to advance my professional life. I also, PERSONALLY don't feel the program is what I originally signed up for and after giving it 5 months of effort, the experience shows me that the program is a good thing, just not the thing for me.
To all of you that read my blogs, thanks for the time and the responses. Thanks for all the encouragement ans support... Its good to know I have great people on my side!
Peace.... Brad
Monday, January 10, 2011
New Years Resolution...
I am going to go ahead and commit myself to my vision and write this down. I have learned, and taught, that to make your dreams a reality, there is a process.
Thought, Action, Commitment, Reward!
However, many people feel that action has to be the actual process of the doing and miss a portion that part of the doing and the commitment is writing down your vision…It as a vital part of the puzzle… In all reality, without the writing, it is a piece that is missed and therefore, many times results in the puzzle never being completed.
THOUGHTS ARE CREATIVE!!
To make your dreams happen, you have to be able to see it, hear it, taste it and feel it. When that happens, your dreams become tangible and real…No longer is it just a thought (which I believe thoughts are things) but is actually PROCESSS… So, to make your dreams a reality, start early in the process of creating it so you can have it in your hands!
So, my New Years resolution and long time dream is to get certified to skydive. I have been blessed with two tandem jumps on my 35th birthday and still can feel the butterflies and excitement of that experience today. This weekend, I stated the process of making this a reality.
As I tell people, that “House on the Hill” you want is a great dream but part of making it a reality is a process... Looking for the house, finding the right price, getting an agent (or builder), Actually going to the houses that fits your dream, talking to a mortgage broker, getting pre approved for a loan, making the deal, signing the paperwork, getting a moving van, loading your stuff in it, taking it to the house and unloading it and eventually sitting on YOUR couch, in YOUR house and watching the hummingbirds at the feeders on your front porch (my vision anyway). WISHING things to be “so” is not a progressive way of creating reality.
The closest place to get certified to skydive in my area is in San Marcos (about an hour and a half or two hours away)…The place I did my tandem jumps… Skydive San Marcos (http://www.skydivesanmarcos.com/)… They have a package deal of 1860.00 for your jumps 1-14. To get your USPA Class A license, you must complete 25 jumps. The 1860.00 price covers all the expenses of the jumps 1-14…Gear, instruction, log, etc… After that you have to pay 23.00 per jump and a 30.00 rental fee of the equipment per jump or a 60.00 a day rate for the equipment plus the 23.00 per jump fee. However, it was explained to me that realistically its two jumps a day and no more than three.
I also found out that you have to be UNDER 130lbs to be certified and go through the course…Wouldn’t have happened a year ago!! LOL!! I am at 195-200 regularly now so maybe this is another message that “its time!” ;)
Skydiving is a sport that has to be “weather friendly” and your jumps are going to be dependant on the weather so clear, sunny days, with minimal wind is the ideal jumping conditions.
You are limited, as a beginner; to 3 jumps a day…You can’t jump more than three times a day until you get certified….Ideally, as it was explained, is 2 jumps a day with various instructions so it is full days. The drop zone in San Marcos has bunkhouses so if you are really driven, you can stay there for 10.00 a night and jump twice a day and get your certification in a short amount of time. Come Spring time, you can jump any day of the week…Before then, all you can jump “instructed” is Fri, Sat, Sun and Mon.
It was also explained to me that “jumping” is draining and can be exhausting. You also HAVE to pass each jump based on standards from your instructor and any failed jumps must be repeated. As Sarah, with her English accent stated on the phone to me today….
“If you are good, you can get it done quickly.”
I have no other intention but to be excellent and am dedicated to making myself be very proficient at this extreme sport. I am also quite confident that with any other new thing in life, I DON’T see the bigger picture and am sure there are many details to make this happen and to make it happen in EXCELLENCE!
I asked her about simply paying the 1860.00 up front and getting on with it and she stated…
“I would advise you to come and do your ground school, do your first jump and see if it is really for you before committing the money to further your goal towards your license… Many people come out, do the ground school, take their first jump and never come back”
To me, that is insane!! Why would I commit that much only to do it once…But we will see!!
The next ground school is Jan 22nd and I see that as “possible” but am looking to get this started after getting my next job and having the income to make it happen…However, money is just a conversation and I am sure if this is truly supposed to happen, I will be in San Marcos before too long!
So here is the breakdown…
· Jumps 1-14 with everything included is 1860.00
· Jumps 15-25 are 53.00 per jump and will total 530.00 (gear and jump fee).
· Ideally it will cost me 2390.00 to get my USPA Class A license.
· I am going to take into consideration the “possibility” of having to take a few extra jumps and plan on spending 2550.00 for my total instruction to get my license.
· 2 jumps per weekend will have me attaining my license in 13 weeks (weather permitting).
· If I decide to buy my own gear, it looks like I can make that happen for about 3000.00.
· To be a skydiver, certified, with my own gear and able to jump at my leisure will be 5550.00…
Some will say that this cost is insane to go jump out of a perfectly good airplane (which no airplanes are “perfectly good”) but when I consider the other hobbies I have had in my life, this is not unreasonable, and in all reality even safer than some of my other adventures.
Skiing
Police Work
Scuba Diving
Hunting
Guns
Fishing
Travel
Harley Davidson’s
All of these hobbies have resulted in THOUSANDS of dollars spent over the years….Why would this hobby be any different huh?
To hold your certification, you must jump once every 60 days or you will have to be re-tested on your skills and abilities. As I read and research this hobby, it is generally very safe and most times accidents that happen are from human error and an inability to adhere to the safety protocols of this extreme sport.
Apparently the key to this sport is practice, listening to experienced jumpers and making sure you follow all the safety procedures to have a long and happy life as a skydiver. I have researched experienced jumpers and found that one guy who has 22 years in the sport, over 3300 jumps and only had to “cut away” 4 times in his time skydiving. He is into many extended extremities of this sport and has/does many risky extensions of the sport (Sky Surfing, Swooping, Wing-suits, Group Dives, Night Dives, etc….).
So, now I have created a thought into something more tangible and making this more of a reality. Part of the “process” and I STILL trust the process. I will update the blog as it progresses!!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Starting the New Year...
So, I am starting the New Year off with a BANG!
I have completed almost all of the necessary work to get Golden Intentions launched and most of it before my scheduled goals. Of that, I am VERY proud! Now that it is organized and I have a few of the programs created, I am ready to go!
I have my book Climbing Fences out to edit, am waiting on its return and have pretty much come to a “level point” of this progression. I have found that this is an ongoing, never ending process of tweaking, adjusting and monitoring but am finding myself complacent. One of the things I have learned about me is that I don’t do well sitting around “waiting” so I am moving forward and making life happen.
This sabbatical has been great and I needed it to get some things done that I have wanted to get done for a VERY long time. I am SOOOOOO fortunate to have such a loving and caring woman to share this life with who aligns with the visions I have for my/our life. She has been so very supportive and encouraging and I still don’t know what I have done to deserve a woman as great as Donna!
I also want to thank ALL OF YOU who have supported and encouraged me in making this vision become a reality! All of the feedback and notes from you have really, truly, made a difference. What I have created to this point is in large part from the feedback and direction I have gotten from you...THANK YOU!!
After speaking with a friend a week ago, he told me about a website in Texas that is targeted to Non-Profits and there is a job posting page on the website (www.txnp.org). Fortunately, I am in a place in my life where I don’t “have” to work so I can really pick and choose the jobs I find interest in and apply at “my leisure.” I really want to find a place that “fits” and don’t want to jump on anything just because I have to.
On the web site was a position for a Development Director for an organization called ChildSafe in San Antonio. After reviewing the job description and the mission of the organization (www.childsafe-sa.org) I decided to get my resume together and apply for the job. I was quickly contacted by the CEO of the organization and advised the position had been filled. I was disappointed as I thought it might be a good fit.
The CEO advised me she had another position available as the Director of Programs for the organization and after reviewing my resume, felt I might be interested. She attached a job description and told me that if I was interested to contact her and schedule and interview.
I read the job description and did some more research on the organization and thought it would be an INCREDIBLE opportunity that would align with my vision of serving others and would still afford me the opportunity to keep Golden Intentions going.
I sent her my response and told her I was indeed interested and would love to meet and see if we would be a good fit. We have scheduled an interview for Thursday, Jan 6th at 2:00pm…I am excited!!
Over the New Year weekend, I spent most of my time researching the organization and the CEO. The job description explains the CEO is the person I would be answering to directly and I wanted to see if I could find out if we would be a good fit as part of her team.
With the information I have found, I think this looks like a GREAT opportunity, and from what I can find on the CEO, it appears we have similar paths and visions. It appears she is adamant about art, conservation, helping others and is a very driven and dedicated woman. Although I am clear the interview will be the determining factor on both sides of this job (her and I), it appears this is a good fit and I have high hopes for something great to unfold.
So for those of you reading this, wish me luck! I am hoping this will be a great fit and a place I can BE to make a difference with people in need. It is just part of who I am to be in service to others and this organization appears to be a place to continue BE-ing THAT!
I will update the blog when after the interview and hopefully continue updating it serving this organization and its clients!
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!! Make it a HUGE year with amazing things! Remember, the life you have right now is because YOU SAY SO!! Say it loud, say it proud and go create MAGIC this year!!
Peace…. Brad
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
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