BURNING DESIRE

In the audio recording of "Think and Grow Rich: Instant Motivator", Earl Nightingale starts with the first principle of Napoleon Hill's book, known as burning desire.

If a person is actually ready to change things in his life, he would be a changed man after reading this book. But the emphasis is on "ready to change". Earl states that "a burning desire is nothing more than an actual picture of what you will one day become".

If you have nothing to look to, then you really have no desire. Anyone who wants something can get it if he wants it badly enough. Recently, I followed a friend on Facebook who took the same leap of faith I just took by leaving his job and going out on his own, pushing his recording company. It is fun to read his posts, almost daily, because you can feel his "burning desire" in his words. You can tell he "felt it", and is ready to make things happen.

Earl goes on to say that if you go after something cautiously, timidly, you don't have a burning desire at all. Not that you go nuts and put your family and faith at risk, but you simply get off of first base and run to second. Obviously, I include The Lord in these decisions. But I think The Lord only wants you to succeed, when you in the right frame of mind. The parable of the talents is a perfect example.

The other thing, I've added myself, is depending on what it is you desire (and remember, it may not always be money), you have to let go any issues you have with achieving the goal. If you put down others for having what it is you truly desire, don't expect it yourself. Thus, causing you to wallow in your own worry or even jealousy. If you desire more money, don't protest the other guy who has more than you. Let yourself go of these jealousies and even celebrate their achievements. I used to be jealous of others, mostly those who I mentored in my field, only to watch them pass me up in success. But when I learned to let go and realize that all our successes are different, I started to change my thinking, and eventually, realize I was successful in my own right, with more to come.

Will it Blend, for example, I could never really deem that a "cinematic masterpiece achievement", but in viewership on YouTube, I could boast more views than all my friends put together. Over 300 million. My desire is to go to the next level, and celebrate success like that of my peers.

So if you have a burning desire to move on something that has been tugging at you, move on with it and never look back. Now is the time.


- POSTED BY KELS GOODMAN

The Strangest Secret in the World

For years my father would hand me this photo copy of a photo copy of a short story titled "The Strangest Secret in the World", by Earl Nightingale. As a kid, I never read it. I mostly brushed it off. When ever new events would come up in my life, I guess he would feel I was finally open to the Strangest Secret in the World, but most of the time it sat in my archives of the "illgettoit" files.

Finally, a few years back, Stephanie and I started watching "The Secret" the movie. (It was easier to watch a film then read a book, after all.) I took the advice from a guy who I met who became well off from a company he purchased, built up, and sold. I asked him about his success and he admonished me to watch "The Secret". We practically memorized the film.

This led to other ideas of who we could listen to when it came to self help. I liked what The Secret had to offer, but because I hold Gospel principles above anything else, I couldn't agree with everything it said. It talked about "the Universe" all the time, just giving you what you want, but I don't totally feel that is true.

I also went to watch one guy who teaches body language, and he was alright, but the problem was I was starting to feel a slight worship or "buy my stuff or it won't work" Kind of feeling. When you start putting numbers to it, it almost feels like I'm selling Amway.

Steph finally found Earl Nightingale. For some reason, I could click with him. He had an old radio show for years that taught self-help principles and I guess either I love his voice, or maybe he reminds me of my father. I remember seeing tapes on my dads desk that were self-help principles with Earl's name on it. There was a calm, cool tone to his voice that, even though it's older recordings that Steph found on iTunes, I feel the principles are still the same.

In fact, I would venture to say, it's these types of principles that we are very well missing in our world. I even think some of the self-help speakers of today, to a degree, even feed the fire of a "something-for-nothing" kind of attitude. Earl teaches anyone can have anything, but they have to work for it, along with the belief of making it real. We downloaded about 12 hours worth of audio of Earls radio show, listening on our many drives to Vegas. What I also love is that I never hear Earl trying to sell one of his products, that I won't succeed unless I buy one of his books. He puts the principles in very humanistic terms. We certainly could use them in our day...

That's why I am starting a weekly report on the principles he gives. But for starters, I'm going to give a report on a recording he gave about his review of another man's book, "Think and Grow Rich", by Napoleon Hill. Earl gives his points of view, but draws them from the 13 points given in the book, Think and Grow Rich. These principles have totally worked for me, as now I consider myself living my dream job. I feel I would not be doing the service I need if I do not share this knowledge with others.


- POSTED BY KELS GOODMAN

Life Changes

Much has happened since my last entry. The first focus is the passing of my father, Robert Goodman. My dad passed on January 15 of this year, just 24 days after the passing of my mother. There was no doubt a sympathy for my mother when she was just given weeks to live from her cancer. My dad had leukemia, but never knew it till those last few weeks. But as my father always told me, "be of good cheer".

After about 10 trips to Vegas to set up one thing or another, both parents have left us, and it has been a different life, not getting my daily call from my father. But I have made changes to my own life that I hope will make my father proud.

As Blendtec is changing direction with a new CEO, we felt the era of WILL IT BLEND is over, which I think we are all relieved. But many other changes came to Blendtec that pretty much gave me the pathway to leave the company. It has been something I have plotted over the past 6 months. Our marketing team has grown from just a couple of us, to 20 people now. It's all good, but I also felt my opinion on things were starting to mean nothing. I was feeling like the old guy with stupid old ideas and all I was doing just pushing the buttons the younger whippersnappers wanted me to push.

Plus, I love my independence. And I noticed the company was growing to proportions that require order in all things. When I was hired there over 7 years ago, I had an interview and was given the job 5 minutes later. Things were much looser. In leaving, it was a challenge. I was trying to finish up things and it took me longer then the leaving date I turned in. So I told some people I needed a few more days to clean up, finishing projects I started. I felt I was doing them a favor, working for free for an extra week, but I noticed I had worn out my welcome.

Anyway, I am now on my own with a number of projects that have been waiting for my attention. First is the release of THE LAST EAGLE SCOUT. Then, I am being hired to produce a series of short films about the constitution that will be playing in schools across the country. Then, I will be shooting a new film with Rob Diamond, which is a feature film, a modern day version of the Prodical Son.

I have also changed my company name to Tier 2 Media. I forgot to renew my name with the state of Utah and some dufus decides to buy Ampersand Films and wants to sell it back to me. Good time for a change, I guess.

I also have a surprise that I will not reveal just yet. Pretty exciting.

- POSTED BY KELS GOODMAN

Shirley Goodman 1935-2012

As my sister tells me, "I am not very sensitive to other's feelings". My mother was comatose for a good few days, so even though I was scheduled to come to see my parents for Christmas not till Friday, I came a day earlier. I got things squared away at work (even though we had a new WILL IT BLEND episode being released on the "end of the world").

I got to the house and went to see this frail, week yet sweet woman who gave me all I have... my life, now ready to leave hers. I barely got a nod and a grunt when I told her that I was here. Stephanie received the same.

Later that night, we met as a family, all who was there and took turns telling her good night. The next day she was still breathing, but not even moving. My sisters Connie and Pam continued to move her around to try to make her comfortable, but we didn't even know what she was feeling.

Finally, a blessing was given by Connie's father-in-law, who was also a patriarch, and asked The Lord to relieve her of her pain. And not more then 3 hours later, she passed. After about 30 minutes, with family gathering, calling hospice and giving the official report, I let my other family members know, then put a posting on Facebook.

My sister, Pam became upset with me the next morning because her kids found out about it on Facebook before she could call them herself. It was 2 in the morning, so I didn't figure many people would have read the post till later, but I was wrong. I assume I will always do something wrong in the sight of my sister Pam, not sure how to handle it.

All I can think of is Mom is now in a better place and no longer having to deal with this evil and mixed-up world. Love you, mom.



- POSTED BY KELS GOODMAN

THE LATEST... (START BLOGGING BACK UP AGAIN)

It has been an interesting day. In fact, it has been an interesting few weeks. Interesting few months.

Yesterday, I went to the re-baptism of Rob Diamond. It was the most spiritual baptism I had ever gone to. It meant several things. I was asked by Rob to give the opening prayer. During the opening song (before the prayer) many things floated into my mind, that I was still processing.

Thus, as I started to say the prayer, I broke down and cried, which I don't do much. And I can't talk very well when I am crying, so I struggled through the prayer. I then exited the chapel as they started the meeting.

What went through my head first was how joyous it is to see a friend in the film world come back into the fold and make a decision to live according to what he believes. Rob has been through a lot these past 20 years. Much of which I know nothing about and wish to keep it that way. But, the film business is an ugly business. I jokingly tell young people who want to get in that if you are not strong in the Gospel, you might as well just leave the faith now, because it will be challenged. I can't count how many married mothers who want to be actors in the film business have left their spouses and left their church to go "change the world" or go "seek after their fortune" in becoming actors or actresses in film.

That is what I have said many times, in LDS Cinema, there are those who are "just LDS enough" to be in an LDS film and dump the church. I feel it a big reason why LDS Cinema struggles. We are not giving the "glory to God" like many successful Christian movies do. (save that for another discussion). So to see a fallen soul come back into the fold, is much to cry about.

I met Rob through my second wife, Heather. While I was married to her, I come to Utah and worked on a film with Dave Sapp that Rob was producing. Heather kept telling me about him, but I had never heard of him. She said we would get along and she was right. I consider him a close friend, and it is our hope that we have more films to work on together.


In the midst of all this, the night before, I was informed that my father had been in the hospital and has leukemia and if he doesn't do the extraneous (28 days of treatments in the hospital) that he would only have weeks to live. He has chosen against the treatment. I don't blame him.


Ironically, my mother, who has been fighting cancer for 3 or more years, is now in a bed-ridden position, and was also given 3 weeks to live (which was 6 weeks ago, and is actually doing better then my dad.

So we are waiting to get my father home from the hospital and my mother is already at home, being set up with a hospice program. Thanks to my two sisters who live there in Vegas near them, they are being taken care of. I personally have taken 6 trips to Vegas in the past two-three months.

So in the Goodman family, we are overwhelmed by these events, but have a calm feeling toward our lives here-after. I have a brother and sister who passed away years ago and I am sure they are awaiting their arrival. I feel for those who don't have some sort of comfort as to the other side. Such as my favorite drummer, Neil Peart.... but I will save that discussion for another blog post.

Until then, 2013 is going to be a full plate of events, keep in touch.

- POSTED BY KELS GOODMAN

Scout Camp 2012

Another fine scout camp year is behind me. That will make 10 years in a row I have attended or ran a camp as either a scout master or some kind of leader.

I actually visited camps in the mid-to-late 90's but really started as a father in 2002 with Forrest, then as a Young Men's President in 2003, then as a scout master in Virginia in 2004 and 2005, then as a father again in 2006, then as a young men leader again from 2007 till now.

I don't remember all of the events, but I have tried to get better over the years, understand the rules as they constantly change. Being a Scout Master is a busy calling. This year was no different.

Luckily, I had good help. But I back up a moment. I actually went from assistant scout master, to scout master, back to assistant scout master because my schedule got busy, but I wanted to stay with the scout.

Then, the scout master that replaced me moved and I was stuck alone as the sole leader for a while. Camp came and I did it on my own. I totally understand. You can't just become scout master overnight. It takes a lot of time to understand all of it. I am still trying to get all the rules.

Then, that scout master was released and I was stuck as the sole guy again. But, then a new one was called and he has been eager to learn and is learning fast. Mike Lamb and Brian Card were Scout Master and Assistant Scout master this year (there are two assistants).

Now that I have confused you, just know that camp was awesome this year. We switch every year, one year we go to an organized camp, the other year we do our own camp. This year we did our own up the American Fork canyon in a beautiful setting, worked on Camping merit badge, went canoeing, learned a little about life saving, and Brian set up a sling shot range (it was probably the hit of the camp).

My dufus here (me) made brownies in dutch oven (an experiment) and besides a sun burn earlier that day, got sick from eating A LOT of the uncooked brownie mix (the coals weren't working very well). While everyone got to hike Timp Cave, I had to lay in my tent all day, waiting for something to happen to my stomach... nothing happened. Got a ride home half a day early from someone visiting.

The picture above shows how I looked before I left camp. Even though there could be no more beautiful place to be sick (with the port a potty standing close by), it was better to recoup in the comfort in my own bed.

The miracle came when I received the inspiration for my next film while laying there begging The Lord to "take me". Instead, I wrote the story to a new film I am writing called Lemonade Stand.

You will hear about it soon.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:In Bed

Delaying the Sequel

As you can see from this fine photo (it was late) the Nick has just finished playing a cowboy.

Actually, Nick Whitaker (The Last Eagle Scout) was in a hilarious musical at the Desert Star Theater in Murray called "The Princess Bridesmaid". It was hilarious, I seriously busted a gut. The Desert Star makes up plays based on real plays, musicals or movies, and messes around with them. I think a lot of it is improv. And, at least the show we saw (the final performance of that show) they got off script a lot, making it even funnier. Very fast paced.

Nick has been in many of the shows and I can see why, you have to have major ADHD to perform there.

The bad/good news from Nick was that he was leaving on a mission. I brought him in to do a few voice over pieces for the new cut of The Last Eagle Scout before I release the DVD and he told me it was a good thing I got him since he was leaving for two years.

I am proud of him, the only bad part was I wanted to make a sequel, but I am OK with it and have already started planning on what my next film is. BTW, The Last Eagle Scout will have a DVD release on September 11. I will probably have a few theatrical showings, but over all I am not going to pursue the theater showing much more. The theaters seem to be scared to touch this film. Or not ready for it. Not sure what the hold up is. But I think I know why.




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Location:In bed