HAPPY NEW YEAR
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I want to take a moment and wish everyone a very happy New Year. I am certainly hoping that 09 is a tad batter than the later part of 08.

Along with a new year comes new challenges, new projects, and new opportunities. I am looking forward to all of the above.

Recap of 08 - I had one of my busiest falls ever. 63 speaking shows total. I want to thank everyone who hosted me. The hat wall is filling up fast that is for sure.

Next, My son Alex graduated HS from Elder HS in Cincinnati, and started his first semester at the University of South Carolina. After getting over the initial shock of college life I think he is well on his way..

Next, My daughter MacKenzie started her HS Senior year. Has been accepted at every school she has applied to. Been offered scholarships academically at 3 of the 5 we have heard back from. The only school left to hear from is South Carolina...Yes she would like to be close to her brother...WOW, that's not normal.

Next, My little Olivia started her second year at her new school and is doing oh so well...For X-Mas she got a little doggy...Making the Great Dane a little upset. She is a joy to watch grow up(Olivia).

Next, My Wife Lisa is back in school for her Masters. I could not possibly be more proud of her. She is a shining example of what you can do if you really want to. A shout out to Lee! I luv Ya!

Next, 08 was a great year for reaching out to young people. So many schools have taken us up on our offer to speak no matter what we had to do to get there. I was amazed at the amount of people however that said "I cannot believe that you would come her for that", meaning...I know you said it but I did not believe you :-) Look it is simple...We have one goal and one goal only....Help reach the people about Mental Health. We cannot reach our goal if we cannot get to the people.

I feel that we have to stress this each and every issue because it is so important. I know that their are speakers that have "Sticker Shocked" people. That is not what we are about. I love making money as much as the next guy...BUT...Before I let money stop me from speaking to anyone, especially young people I will take a night job to pay my bills. People have asked me why I feel this way. I am going to share something that I rarely tell with the hope that people finally understand my offer is not a marketing scheme, or just a way to get in the door.

My father died when he was but 52 years old(way too young). At his funeral hundreds of people came. People that I had never seen in my entire life. After the service these people came up to me and told me how my father touched their lives. The things that he did for them. Most of what my father did was sharing his life struggles with Alcohol. They told me how this changed their lives and in many, many cases they said he "Saved" their life.

I do not need to tell you how this made me feel but I will. #1-It made me feel proud - #2-It made me feel bad...Bad because I had no idea. I always knew my father was a wonderful man, but I had no idea that he did all this. This is not something we ever, ever spoke about with my father. Sad how sometimes we just do not talk with our parents about life things.

Most importantly it made me realize that there is way more to life than making money and having stuff. It would be many years after that day when I would realize that perhaps I could have the same impact. You see.. By taking all the negative and trying to create a positive I feel like everything was well worth the price of admission. I also understand that by sharing my successes as well as my failures with people that I can help them to avoid, or gain.

I also feel that one of the biggest mistakes people make in life is keeping success to themselves. I know first hand how it feels to get a letter from a student, or someone who has attended an event telling me how something I do and or have done is helping them. Folks it does not get any better than that.

Now I will also tell you this. I do what I do for some very selfish reasons as well. I do not want my kids to find out who I was at my funeral. I want them to know everything... The Good, the Bad, and the Funny. I want them to know that through all of life's ups and downs there is nothing better than helping people. I want them to know that their old man did something besides go to work. I want them to know that there are good people who need help and sometimes just sharing a story or two may do the trick. I want them to know all of this not so they think dad is a good guy, but because I think knowing this will help them realize life has so much more.

My father taught me a lesson at his own funeral that would last a lifetime.

So for 09 I will say this one more time... We cannot change anything from sitting in my office on Harrison Avenue in Cincinnati. Let's fill up the Spring Schedule with schools, organizations, and corporate events. Let's get to the people who need us the most.

God bless and Happy New Year!

Paul

ARTICLES of Interest

Suicides in national parks increased in 2008

Mental patients isolated for years despite laws

Stressed out? Smashing dishes might help

Suicide screening in school helps at-risk kids

Elderly store bad memories differently

Poor mental health may be linked to asthma

More sex means less stress

Male suicide a growing concern in tough times

FINANCIAL STRESS 

No one knows what it is like to be under the gun financially than a parent with 3 in school, a mortgage, car payments, credit cards and so on and so forth. I happen to fall under this classification.

I often joke with Lisa that with all the tuition I pay I should get a honorary degree or something...She smiles, then goes in her closet to study...Yeah I said Closet...She studies in her closet cause she says it is quite...and I'm the one on medication!

The stress of finances has been hitting everyone very hard. I have been asked what the heck I am doing about it so I thought I would share in this newsletter...Disclaimer...what works for me may not work for you.

Well first off I have to keep telling myself that I did not cause America to go into the recession we are in. Sound silly? Well it is not. Look I have caused my family to be in financial hardship many times over the years by spending too much, or not working enough when I was sick. Those times where my fault, and hard to get through...This time however it is not my fault...Oh sure I could be a little more thrifty and have learned that...however..By reminding myself that I did not cause this recession it makes it a lot easier to plan and adjust, and move forward with no guilt.

Next- Perspective... Put everything on the table and put it in to perspective. Look, sometimes things are not all that bad. We have a tendency to over react and by putting everything on the table this helps.

Get all your bills together. Take a hard look at what is coming in and what is going out. Make adjustments where you can. I pay my bills within the first few days of each new month. I pay everything on-line so I log in, sit in my comfy chair and start clicking my way to a zero balance. Last night was that night....OUCH...I paid, clicked, huffed and watched as everyone in the house ran for shelter...(lisa in her closet). As I sat and paid I also reminded myself of a few things.

My children are healthy...One of my daughters good friend was just diagnosed with leukemia. My wife loves me(most of the time)...Several of my friends are going through divorces. I am healthy...I get e-mails everyday from people who are not so lucky. I have a job...thousands are loosing theirs. I have a good family...Many have no one. Each of us has to find the good things in our lives!

After you start looking at all these things you start to realize that finances to me really are nothing more than something you pay...Life is something that pays you.

Putting things into perspective during these financial times helps alot. Folks there are people actually killing themselves because of Money...I ask this...Dear GOD why? Really...I say this to Lisa all the time. "What is the worse thing that can happen? They come and take away my payment books". As goofy as that sounds, it is the truth. No matter what happens they can never take away the good things in your life. You know why....Cause NONE of those good things has a payment book!

God Bless

NCAA SCHOOLS

URGENT NOTICE!!!

Please remember that if you are an NCAA School you can apply for a grant to help. The next deadline for Grants is January 15th. You may download the application by clicking here now!

The Jones family would like to introduce the worl to "Opie". Opie is the newest addition to the family...He is Olivias dog. Those of you who know me know that we lost our 11 1/2 year old Great Dane Ellis last year. I have tried and tried to replace him with another Dane....Lisa on the other hand indicated very well that she did not want another big dog....Well, this is what we ended up with.

I hate to say it....but GOD love the little guy.

The little guy has stolen our hearts and Bucks Bed.....It is just funny to watch.

Welcome Opie!

Active Minds has a wonderful new website. Make sure you go and check it out.

Learn more about this organization by visiting www.activemids.org now. I urge you to consider starting a chapter. For all those High School people on my list I also urge you to take a look...after all your kids probably could benefit even more. Face it, if we can get to them before they hit college maybe we can address some of their mental instability early enough to prevent major problems after high school!

Just a note: Any school contacting us that has an Active Minds Chapter will get a special rate discount for any booking. It is our way of saying thanks for allowing this fine organization on your campus.