NEXT!

As a near-decade-long fundraiser for All Children's Hospital and The Children's Dream Fund, there is a lesson I learned from an extraordinarily wise and wonderful woman (aka: Mom), that I follow on a daily basis. NEXT!

Our very first fundraising function was a simple car wash. We had signs, matching t-shirts, used a beautiful church parking lot to work in, and just basically hoped that folks would come in. As the cars drove by, you could see the defeat on the faces of the children. And when one pulled in, it was like ants at a picnic. Those kids climbed all over that car in mere moments, cleaning absolutely everything. They simply had to wait for the next car to come in. Folks were very enthused with the energy and we donated over $900 from a simple car wash.

Next was cosmic bowling. We sold tickets for this event. Some folks didn't want to come. Some folks didn't want to participate. But, when someone showed interest, there was a sales pitch like no other. We only had to wait for the next person.

After a few years, I began having functions at my home. I had to organize Chinese and Silent auctions. Chinese auction consisted of sometimes more than 30 items and Silent auction items numbered near 60 or more. I listened to a lot of declines and negative responses when inquiring for items. I only had to ask the next person to get a yes.

My mom ran successful charter bus tours to various casinos, bingos, and other destinations. When she wanted to fill up her bus, she simply asked, "Who wants to go?" Some folks chose not to go. She cheerfully went on to the next person. She almost always had a full bus.

Life is much the same. When someone decides to take issue with you, move on. The next person will not. When someone tells you "no," move one. The next someone will tell you "yes". When someone hurts you or belittles you, . . . NEXT!

There will always be negatives. There will always be obstacles. There will always be nay sayers. There will always be mean people.

From the mouth of my most wise mom . . . NEXT!