Treasure in Your Own Backyard
What haunts you? What do you long for in the early hours of dawn? What dreams distract you? Have you looked in your own backyard? Do you think you have to spend millions? Do you think you need to move somewhere else to be happy? Maybe not. Maybe the answer lies in what you already have.
Earl Nightingale made the story of Acres of Diamonds by Russell Conwell famous all over the world. That talk has been heard by millions of people. Conwell regales us with story after story of people who were sitting on diamond mines – or gold – or oil — and didn’t know it. They went off in search of their heart’s desire and unknowingly sold the land that held the dream. Each person in his stories died penniless.
I thought about that yesterday as I tooled around the Sonoran Desert, camera in hand, marveling at the cactus treasures not ten miles from my house. The Saguaro (pronounced Sa WA Roh) is a magnificent cactus that lives to be hundreds of years old. You’ll recognize them from the old Western movies that were made in Arizona or Mexico.
Soon I’ll be changing the name and identity of my blog. It’ll still be me, complete with archives. I share my moniker with another Corporate Cowgirl, and soon she’ll be taking over that name. So, I’ve got a new one which I’ll reveal shortly.
The new site needed some Cactus pictures. I spent hours poring over other people’s photos to buy. Then I had one of those “D’Oh” moments. What I really needed to do was start in my own back yard! I do live in Arizona, frevvinsakes! So, yesterday I pulled on my boots and hat and jumped in the truck. It took maybe twenty minutes to find a great spot for cactus. I now have over 137 MB worth of photos ready to share! Yeeee haaa!
Perhaps the most important lesson was the one driven home by Russell Conwell: in your longing for things, look around. You may already have what you need. And if you don’t have it yet, a little digging, some creativity, a little persistence and determination, and you’ll not only have what you need, but much of what you desire.
All the best in your treasure hunt!
Beth
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Beth Terry, CSP, is a Professional Speaker, Author, and Corporate Trainer. She teaches us to be resilient and successful during good times and bad. Find her here.
© 2008 Beth Terry Seminars, Inc. All International and US Rights Reserved.
Thanks for all your comments! I remember once I was grumbling about traffic as I drove into Honolulu from our place in the country. I had a guest in the car. As I was fretting out loud about the slow drivers, she exclaimed, “Beth! You are SO LUCKY to be able to go slow here! Look at the scenery! Amazing! At home, all I see are semi-trucks and smog!” That was a huge wake up call for me! So now I look around me more often. Life’s too short to ignore what we have.
Beth
Really great article, Beth. Thanks for the reminder.
Andrea
It’s so easy to overlook what’s right in front of us! I sometimes take for granted how dramatically beautiful the desert can be – until I see my visitors’ jaws drop at the strange and awesome sight!
Michelle
Beth,
I love your energy and wisdom. How often do we miss that what is around us because our lens is out-of-focus.
I love the new moniker and your stories.
Keep up the good work.
Suzy Graven
What a great sentiment and message. You blog site is also beautiful and expresses you so personally and so well.
http://www.hressential.com/wordpress
Hi Beth,
I am looking forward to seeing your new blog identity. Keep me in mind when you need more cactus pictures or any other type of graphics or images and displays for branding yourself.
http://www.exhibitexpertsaz.com
Susan
Great job on the cactus photos. Love your Corporate Cowgirl theme, too. It’s so Beth.
Lessons learned from a corporate cowgirl and Kansas farm girl (ala Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz) were never truer. Good luck with your new moniker, Beth. We can rest assured the wisdom and insight will remain the same…and we’re thankful for that!
Warmly,
Mimi