Dan's Blog

Dare to Dream and Do the Impossible!

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:05:20 -0700

I just sent my first formal draft of my doctoral dissertation to my project mentor. The technical editor is editing it. I will defend my project in L.A. on June 12 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM. Graduation is June 14 at 6:00 PM! Earning an accredited doctorate is an impossible dream that has come true for me!

Dare to Dream and Do the Impossible! Only 20% of those who enter my particular doctoral program ever finish the Doctor of Ministry degree. It is highly demanding and difficult. I had an 80% chance of failure. But it was more than that. Keep reading and you will see why. :)

My tag line is: "Transforming Fear into Fulfillment, Hurt into Healing, Pain into Peace and Problems into Possibilities!" Another way to put it is: "Showing People How to Conquer Chaos and Transform Tragedy into Triumph and Problems into Possibilities!" I have been tested through the fire personally with this doctorate experience!

Dare to Dream and Do the Impossible! It's happening for me and it can happen for YOU! Don't let anyone or any circumstance stop you. Settle it in your heart. You're going over and not under! You're the top dog and not the bottom dog!

In high school my counselor told me not to apply for college. He said I would never make it. Guess what? I did it! Don't let anyone talk you out of your dream!

After earning my B.S. in Wildlife-Fishery Resources degree from the University of Idaho (one of the finest programs in the nation), I thought I would never go back to school. My degree was extremely difficult and demanding. It was like a Pre-Med Science degree. Done. Finished. I thought :)

I couldn't get the dream out of my heart. After working as a research biologist for a couple of years, I kept feeling this deep desire to go for a masters degree. So I began to Dare to Dream and Do the Impossible! I did it! Not only did I meet the most beautiful bride in the whole wide world, I earned a Master of Divinity degree in two and half years. It normally takes three years.

Dare to Dream and Do the Impossible! On May 18, 2006, my beautiful bride asked me to apply for a doctoral program at a cutting-edge new school in L.A. Through a series of miracles, I was accepted.

I had no idea that this adventure would be like climbing Mount Everest without an oxygen mask! It was so challenging and treacherous at times, I thought I would literally fall to my death! It was far more difficult and demanding than I ever thought possible! I am not the scholarly type. It has been like learning Chinese in Hong Kong with no one to interpret for me. Talk about a whole new learning curve!

The Lord placed this dream in my heart. He gave me the strength and the courage to overcome every impossible obstacle in the adventure! I have been radically transformed and become a new man through this rich and rewarding experience!

My beautiful bride, Irene, and son, Chris and our other team members helped me Dare to Dream and Do the Impossible! Gary Woltal has encouraged me through the process! He promised that He and others in Active Rain would not give up on me! Thank You, Gary and AR!

Dare to Dream and Do the Impossible! I did it and you can do it! You may ask: "What does this have to do with real estate?" Good question! It has everything to do with it! We are in the people business. People need hope and encouragement. They need it and you need it! We all need it!

Dare to Dream and Do the Impossible!

A Learning Lesson!

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:57:01 -0800

Over 8% of this new year is gone! February is already here and moving quickly!

As a Real Estate Professional, each one of us is working with people. This is a people business!

On Saturday, January 24, our team conducted our first Identity Formation Seminar for 18 -32 year old Emerging Adults. We had a powerful time together.

We plan on having more seminars in February. If you know anyone in the Boise Metro Area between 18-32 years old, please send them our way!

All of us learned some new things. Each one of us if formed as a person through social relationships.

All of us have experienced shame-based messages that have warped us in our identity formation. We discovered that grace-based messages can replace the shame.

Grace is the ability to be who you were created to be and to do what you were created to do. Grace means you are deeply loved, completely accepted and highly valued. Period. No if's, and's or but's or coulda, shoulda, woulda statements.

So today could be the beginning of a whole new life for you. Watch what you say. Your subconscious mind believes everything your mouth says. You become what you say.

Think and speak the BEST, not the Worst, the BEAUTIFUL, not the ugly, things to PRAISE, not things to curse (The Message).

Thank You so much for your encouragement in The Rain!

Breakthroughs of Blessings!

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:23:43 -0800

My wife, son and I have been experiencing overflowing blessings. Let me list some of them:

(1) I have finished four chapters, so far 172 pages, of my doctoral research project!

(2) I am preparing to do my seminar on identity formation among 18 - 30 year old emerging adults!

(3) My wife, son, brother-in-law, Greg, and sister, Cindy, are helping me!

(4) The public relations director for Stevens-Hanager College wants me to use his room at no cost!

(5) Three professors at a local university have asked me to partner with them on my research project!

I could go on for many more pages! I am receiving miracle breakthroughs!

You can expect the same results I am receiving! How?

"Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns." (Ecclesiastes 11:1 The Message)

Exciting News Since My Last Post Two Months Ago

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:09:54 -0700

WOW! How time flies at supersonic speed when you're having FUN (F-U-N, FUN!)

The last post I did was entitled PRESSURE FORMS THE PEARL! I had no idea what that title would mean two months later, but it's still true!

I have finished Chapters One, Two and Three and Chapter Four is due November 1 for my doctoral research project. What a wild adventure it's been!

I am focusing on emerging adults (18 - 30 years old) who need their Identity Crisis resolved. My hypothesis is:

A grace-based and community-oriented seminar on the nature of identity formation for emerging adults in Boise, ID, will facilitate an understanding and healing of their identity crisis.

There are about 100,000 emerging adults who live in the Boise area. Most of them do not feel comfortable with the boomer or builder generations (44 years old and older.)

I have a LARGER-THAN-LIFE DREAM to help these emerging adults to feel deeply loved, completely accepted and highly valued as people by finding solutions to the difficult and demanding problems of addictions, social disturbances, violence and crime.

My dream is to create a multi-cultural and multi-generational community of creative, risk-taking, team players to unite our community with PAIN Transformed into PEACE! The emerging adults are an untapped generation of creative, risk-taking team players who have the potential to turn our world upside down (or right side up!)

ACTIVE RAIN is a potential community that would greatly benefit from an infusion of emerging adults! The whole industry of Real Estate could be impacted!

Chapters Five and Six are due February 1. The completed research project is due on May 1 for binding as a book.

So, until next time, HAVE FUN in THE RAIN!

Pressure Forms the Pearl!

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:18:56 -0700

I feel like I need to create a new post! Today I gave a speech entitled "Pressure Forms the Pearl!" at our local Toastmasters Club at Boise Bible College. (It is the closest meeting place to us and we meet at a perfect time: High Noon on Wednesday!)

Since I am a candidate for a doctorate degree, I must keep on track every day! The task is so overwhelming that I must take it one small step at a time. I must continually overcome the feeling of anxiety.

The feelings I have been experiencing are wild! Last night I was up all night feeling like I was in a little raft in the middle of the ocean in a big storm! So, to feel the calm and peaceful comfort of being in the authentic community of Active Rain, I need to jump in with both feet!

My experience is becoming a huge growth curve for me! Let me explain.

An oyster responds to an irritating object with action. It secretes nacre (a liquid substance to protect itself). Layer after layer is poured over the irritating object and a pearl is eventually formed.

The pressure I am experiencing is my research project. It consumes practically every waking moment in my life! Writing this post is a struggle for me because of all the reading and writing I need to do. This research project is like writing a huge scholarly book in five months. It takes time and energy and LOTS OF IT!

My beautiful wife and wonderful son are with me. They are very supportive and encouraging! We are being formed together in deeper love and understanding for each other and others! Many of you in The Rain are very supportive and encouraging to us! Thank You!

So, here I am. I can become better or bitter. I choose to become better. I choose to become stronger. I choose to be empowered. I choose to embrace the moment and keep moving forward.

I am growing so much that I am amazed. I feel like I am walking on water. It's a very uncomfortable feeling at times, but I am doing it every day.

So can YOU! As a Real Estate Professional, you can grow beyond your wildest dreams. Choose to do the impossible. Choose to stretch beyond your imagination. Choose to stay in discomfort until you become comfortable. It's worth it!

Let the pressure you are experiencing mold you into the person you want to be! Pressure Forms the Pearl!

Moving with Momentum!

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:28:19 -0700

The leader's best friend is the big "Mo" according to leadership expert John Maxwell. Sometimes that begins with a phone call, an e-mail or simply a cheerful smile. Moving forward with momentum is the key!

Each one of us as Real Estate Professionals (Agents, Home Stagers and all others) are leaders. We must all create the big "Mo" to be successful. That is much easier said than done. Let's be realistic. Many people are dropping out of the Real Estate Profession. Leaders are found one at a time just like eagles.

Leaders must be courageous. Even in the face of fear, leaders declare "We Can Win! Follow Me!"

Leaders know how to change and adapt to produce success. If a mountain is blocking the path, leaders say, "We may not be able to go through it, but we can go over it or around it!" "Maybe we can even use this mountain as a resource in a way that no one has imagined!"

Leaders look at the big picture and strategize to organize the smaller details. Followers say that the obstacle is too big to overcome. Leaders boldly declare: "We are the ones who will overcome this obstacle!" "It may take a few thousand scoops with our shovels lined up in the right direction, but we will do it!"

Leaders know how to fail with dignity. "This creative idea didn't work, but we learned some valuable lessons that we can apply to our next creative proposal!"

Leaders are those who are "Moving with Momentum!"

Do you want to become a better leader? Active Rain is the perfect community to develop and grow as a leader! LOOK, LISTEN AND LAUNCH!

Encouragement for the Exhausted!

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:05:18 -0700

I just had an experience of observing our dried up plant that began to prosper. That poor living thing had not had any water for a couple of days before I noticed that it had withered. It was sagging with no life left in it. It was exhausted and struggling to survive! It was so thirsty!

That's the way some of us in the Real Estate Profession may feel. We have experienced a drought with no water. We are experiencing weariness. We are dry and thirsty!

I have good news for you! Listen to this story about our plant!

I began to water that withered plant. It was right at the point of not surviving. As I poured water into it, I began to feel hope. I noticed it began to perk up the first day. The next day it looked more alive after I poured water all over it. By the third day, it began to look normal. After two weeks of consistent and persistent watering, it now has an abundance of flowers and is flourishing!

Some of us need the water of encouragement just like that plant did. We need to know that we will prosper even if it doesn't feel like it. Let others in The Rain water you! Soak up encouraging words!

You will make it! You have what it takes! We need you! We see you flourishing and prospering!

An Awesome Approval!

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:54:57 -0700

I just received an awesome approval for my research project. I am in a doctoral degree program in L.A. even though I live in Boise, ID. This experience is so far out of the box for me that many times I have had a complete meltdown. I completed my Masters degree 30 (yes, that is t-h-i-r-t-y) years ago! So I am experiencing growth!

Now that I am a candidate for the doctorate degree in which I am specializing in leadership and creative conflict management, I must complete Chapter Three by September 1st. I will do it. By February 1st next year I must have the complete rough draft completed. This is a huge commitment!

There are many lessons that I am learning that apply to all of us in the Active Rain Community:

1. As we launch into uncharted waters, we all have anxiety about the unknown.

2. Overcoming fear is rewarded with increased confidence and courage.

3. We become stronger mentally, emotionally and socially as we stretch beyond our comfort zones.

4. Growth occurs when we move beyond where we are to where we want to be.

5. We need to encourage each other to break through our barriers.

6. We are created to not live for love, but from love.

7. We all grow together as members one of another in our community!

All of us are needed in our Active Rain Community to be all we can be!

Breaking Through Your Barriers!

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:28:31 -0700

As professionals in the field of Real Estate, each one of us has had to break through our barriers!

I remember when I actually enrolled in airplane pilot ground school at Boise State University and began taking flying lessons at Gem State Aviation to become a pilot back on September 9, 1975. I had this dream for 20 years before I actually took the steps to break through my barriers.

My first solo flight without my instructor was terrifying! My left leg was shaking so badly against the door of the plane that I thought I would break it! When I was cleared by the FAA Flight tower to take off, I thought I would weave down the runway like a drunk driver! Actually I rolled out straight down the runway and lifted off with a smooth transition.

I did several landings and takeoffs and my leg kept shaking! When I secured the plane after my final landing I finally felt like I had broken through a huge barrier!

Breaking through that barrier was difficult! In each step of my training I had to break through different barriers including how to correct stalls, coming out of spirals and all kinds of tests my instructor did for my skill requirements.

My long cross country solo flight of 250 miles across southern Idaho and back (500 miles total) on February 22, 1976 was in a snow storm! The sky was white! The ground was white! Everything was white! Back then I only had a compass. I had no DME (distance measuring equipment) or any type of GPS System I had to trust my balance with my instruments! I had to break through the barrier of disorientation! The carburetor of the plane kept freezing so I had to pull out the heater switch to thaw it out. The RPM indicator looked like a windshield wiper going back and forth. I had to break through the freezing barrier!

My Dad was fishing that day in the mountains and saw me fly over him while that plane was sputtering away! He wondered who that crazy person was flying in that terrible weather. I told him that I had flown over the rugged mountains that day and that was me!

Finally, on March 18, 1976, I passed my two hour flight check ride of wild manevers with an FAA flight tester. At one point she turned off the engine and took the keys and asked me what my first response was! I had trained and remembered the procedures for overcoming an engine failure! I broke through the barrier! I was awarded my pilot's license that day!

I am being tested and I must break though many barriers to complete my doctoral degree. It is painful! But you know the old saying: "No Pain, No Gain!" Ouch! After the ouch comes the pleasure! I would rather experience the pain of discipline rather than the pain of neglect!

Each one of us must break through barriers to grow. How much we grow is up to each one of us!

As professionals in the field of Real Estate, what barriers have you had to break through?

Active Rain Success Story: A Refreshing Eagle Experience in The Rain!

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 16:29:05 -0700

My beautiful and precious wife, Irene, created a post today entitled An Outstanding Leader Reveals How to Be An Effective Leader. She dedicated the post to Gary Woltal because he was interested in finding out how a particular leader would impact her from a previous post she wrote.

Well, as most of us know, The Rain is a creative and connected community of some outstanding "eagles" who love to soar on the wind of inspiration from others. Gary had just created a post today called Reach For The Eagle's Nest so my wife and I were soaking up his inspiration in The Rain when Margaret Rome called her on the phone and left a message. My wife called her right back and they experienced a rich and rewarding conversation about her post dedicated to Gary. Margaret and my wife discovered they were both NAWBO members through The Rain!

That was the first time anyone in The Rain called her on the phone! What a miraculous moment!

My wife and I both looked at Margaret's profile in AR and were astonished. Margaret is a soaring eagle in The Rain! Gary is a soaring eagle in The Rain! What an Active Rain Success Story (X2)!

This Active Rain Success Story is Dedicated to Gary Woltal and Margaret Rome!

What a Caring and Creative Community!

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:48:07 -0700

I have experienced new ideas and perspectives today by exploring new treasures in ACTIVE RAIN today!

I have seen some new blogs that are bold and beautiful! The word pictures I discovered are very creative and compelling!

ACTIVE RAIN, you are the significance that you don't need to search for! You are the success that you don't need to chase! I am refreshed by your cooperation! I don't see or feel competition!

I feel rich and full. I feel full of thanksgiving for all of you remarkable precious people!

You have invented and designed new horizons and created new capacities for challenges we all face! You have revealed new paradigms of being and acting!

YOU ARE A CARING AND CREATIVE COMMUNITY OF COMMITTED CONTRIBUTORS!

Loving Your Livelihood!

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:30:36 -0700

I recently went on a Ride-A-Long with two different police officers in Garden City as part of my final requirements for becoming an official Volunteer. I think I will enjoy giving back and contributing to my community. I discovered some interesting insights about these two men!

Both of these men were passionate about their jobs. They both said that they loved their work and were not stressed. They love to serve and help people and really want to make a difference. They were kind, considerate and friendly.

How about you? Do you love the field of real estate? Do you enjoy helping people? What do you love best about your work? What kind of volunteering do you like to do?

Special Sensational Sweetheart

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:04:48 -0700

Today is my special sensational sweetheart's special birthday! She was born in Peoria, AZ this day in 1954. She moved with her parents and brother to Santa Ana, CA in the summer of 1966 when Orange County was still covered with strawberry fields! She was the first family member to graduate from college in May of 1977.

In January of 1977 I drove from Boise to Whittier, CA to stay with a cousin while I started graduate school in Anaheim. I had never been to California, much less the Los Angeles area. I dove into my classes, studies and research papers with excitement!

I returned to school in September of 1977 after working during that summer as a Camp Director for the Youth Conservation Corp in the remote back country of Idaho. I noticed a beautiful young woman who I thought was a new professor. She dressed with elegance and carried a professional brief case.

My room mate introduced me to her and I was blown away by her beauty - inside and out. I saw her in some of my classes and was awe struck by her.

In January of 1978 a friend of mine asked her if she wanted to sit at our table during a weekend celebration at our school. To be exact it was Saturday, January 7, 1978. She sat right next to me! My heart almost jumped out of me! I finally got enough courage to ask her if she wanted to come to our apartment on Monday, January 9 for a weekly get together. SHE SAID YES!

When she came I was amazed. The beautiful woman I had admired for several months was in my home!

We started studying together and just hanging out with each other for the next couple of months. During the spring break in March my father invited me to go steel head fishing with him on the Oregon coast. I flew up to Portland and had fun fishing with him for a few days.

We drove across the state to Boise and for the next week all I could talk about was "Irene." My sisters knew something I didn't know!

On the flight back to Los Angeles I began to feel that she was the One picked out by the Lord for me! When she picked me up I asked her if the Lord was speaking to her the same thing He was saying to me. She said, "YES!" We began talking immediately about our plans for our wedding!

We were engaged for a year and a half and married on September 1, 1979. I had just finished my requirements for my masters degree a week before!

Our Lord has blessed our marriage. I keep falling in love with my sensational sweetheart more and more every day! She is much more than I could have ever dreamed! She is a wonderful wife to me and a model mother to our son Chris!

My wife is the most beautiful person in the world! She is the wind beneath my wings! She is creative, loving, gracious, merciful and passionate in life! She honors me, respects me and loves me with her whole heart! I would not be who I am without her. She inspires me to the impossible!

I want to honor her as my best friend, my sweetheart and my life savor!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY SPECIAL SENSATIONAL SWEETHEART!

Serving as a Servant

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:13:49 -0700

During the second half of June I was honored to be served by my good friend, Lt. Col. Don Eubank in California. Richard, another friend from Springfield, MO were invited to stay in Don's house in Frazier Park, about 60 miles northwest of L.A. We were there to finish up our last two week module of our Doctoral program.

Don graciously opened up his house to us to help us from paying a huge hotel bill in L.A. Richard and I took our showers in the morning and Don had prepared either oatmeal, scrambled eggs or waffles (or a combination of some of them.)

Don was demonstrating to us what it means to be a servant! But WAIT, there's MORE!

His Dad, Don Sr., who is 78 years old, had dinner fully prepared every night when we arrived home between 7:00 - 8:00 each night. Both of them are creative and excellent chefs.

HOLD ON! THERE'S MORE! Don is an amazing servant. He did not want any money from us for breakfast or dinner. He just wanted to serve us!

THAT'S NOT ALL! I rented a car for two days. Don told us that his father wanted us to save money so he offered to let us use his Blazer. Richard and I said, "No thank You. You've already given and given to us!"

His dad really wanted to bless us so we finally gave in after much persuasion by both Don Sr. and Don Jr.

They saved us $1600.00 apiece! This story is about THEM! They were amazing servants to us. Richard and I love to serve, but we recieved from THEM!

Being a Servant is a rare commodity in the United States these days! For the most part, we Americans have created a culture of competition and emphasized that the smartest, richest and strongest person wins!

DON EUBANK (Jr. & Sr.) YOU HAVE REVEALED THAT YOU ARE GRACIOUS SERVANTS! May we all learn from your example of SERVING AS A SERVANT!

What Does Fourth of July Freedom Mean to You?

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:39:40 -0700

Freedom - What a wonderful word! Our Founding Fathers of the United States, including where I live in Garden City, a city within Boise, Idaho, had us in their hearts and minds back in 1776. They chose to fight for freedom from the tyranny of England. All of our courageous soldiers from that time up to now have given their lives to serve and protect us.

Freedom to choose is a gift. In fact, it's the greatest gift given to us. How we use that gift is up to us. I choose to love with my wife and son every day! I choose to love others the way I love myself.

I am choosing to fill my mind and meditate on those thoughts that are the BEST, not the worst, the BEAUTIFUL, not the ugly and things to PRAISE, not things to curse.

Happiness cannot be experienced directly. It is a byproduct of giving your time, energy and love to another person.

I feel that freedom is not doing whatever I want to do. Freedom, to me, is serving others with love!

What does the Fourth of July Freedom mean to you?

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! HAPPY FREEDOM DAY!

The Wrong Watch

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 18:09:20 -0700

On my recent trip to Los Angeles, I took the wrong watch. I get nervous when I watch "Monk" with my wife and son. They say I am just like him and I never understood why :)

Well, I had a "Monk" deja vu episode for almost two weeks with my wrong watch. You see, it's a Casio atomic clock with a solar powered battery. Apparently, the battery was so weak that it could not hold a charge. BUT I did not know it!

So I put my watch near a window to soak up solar power because the watch indicator said "low charge" and wouldn't even display the digital time. Just a gray blank screen. Someone thought it was lost so they picked it up and left it on the receptionist desk. I found it and explained my predicament. The young man gave it back to me.

That night I hung it below the light in my bedroom. I thought I could charge it enough so it would reset the exact time at 5:03 AM using the radio signal from Colorado. It did not work!

Every day I was playing with that watch! I put it on top of our SUV in the parking lot at the grocery store, hoping I could receive a satellite signal and lots of solar power. NOOO!!!! That didn't work, either! Why not? My friends told me I was wasting too much time and energy and to just pick up a $25.00 Timex.

This frustrating experience happened every day for eleven days.

I gave a valiant effort to get a reset signal my last night. IT WORKED! The watch had enough power to display the time! And it was reset at 5:03 AM on June 27th!

IT HAS KEPT THE CHARGE AND RESET ACCURATELY SINCE THEN! Why didn't it function properly until my very last day there?

I didn't know why "Monk" made me nervous and I can't watch the show. I think I just got a CLUE!

I also discovered when I returned home, that I had left my good watch at home and took the old duplicate watch instead on my trip, too! BTW, My wife and son couln't stop laughing when I told them my tale....

HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED A "WRONG WATCH" STORY?

DON'T MEASURE UP, TREASURE UP!

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 18:09:34 -0700

I have been out of touch with AR for a couple of weeks due to my doctoral seminars. During the last two weeks I have experienced a deeper dimension and a richer reality that each one of us is a person who is deeply loved, completely accepted and highly valued as a MARVELOUS MIRACLE!

We need to learn to live from our being and the WHO and not from the whats. Acceptance is not based on performance. The whats should flow out of the who. If we put the whats before the who and perform for acceptance we will experience insanity.

Living from our being means ACCEPTANCE = ACCEPTANCE! JUST BEING is real LIVING!

One of my mentors, Dr. Wess Pinkham, took our team out on his beautiful yacht on Sunday afternoon, June 21, from Marina del Rey, near the LA International Airport. The sky was blue. The temperature and breeze were ideal. We went up the coast to the Santa Monica pier. He steered around a buoy with sea lions piled on top of each other several times. They were laying in the sun relaxing and soaking up the warm rays of sunshine!

On the way back I was standing near the bow point of his beautiful boat and he told me that he loves the sound of the water splashing against the side of his boat. He was living "in the moment" and I felt what he felt with him and the boat and the water. I was BEING!

My friend Wess loves me! I love him! We enjoy the simple pleasures of life!

I love my wife and my son! We love to BE with each other!

I love all of you members of Active Rain! You are amazing and astonishing!

DON'T MEASURE UP, TREASURE UP!

A Daring and Dramatic Dream!

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 14:06:58 -0700

Do you have a daring and dramatic dream?

A Daring and Dramatic Dream has just come true for me! I finished my final two seminars in my doctoral studies this second half of June in Los Angeles. That's a long way from Boise! I flew out of here on June 16 and returned home yesterday. That's also a long time to be away from my wife and son!

This has been a long marathon! I have been in seminars during second the half of October, February and June for two years! The past two weeks have been filled with laser focused and life giving (and exhausting) activity from 4:00 AM to 11:00 PM every day! No TV, newspaper or Active Rain! Just breathing, eating, drinking, sleeping and living doctoral work!

My dream began to be fulfilled in October of 2006. I entered my doctoral studies in innovative leadership and creative conflict management. Since then I have completed twelve four day intense, interactive, challenging and life transforming community building experiences.

Requirements have been overwhelming. Pre semainar requirements have taken hundreds of hours of reading, reflecting and writing. Each seminar consists of ten hours of dynamic interaction in a life giving community of eight amazing people in four consecutive days! Post seminar requirements are also extremely challenging!

I have read thousands of pages of creative books, stories and research studies of what it means to live and grow in authentic community. My many written reflection papers have been extremely challenging and transforming!

Out of sixteen students who started only eight of us finished the seminars. I was given an opportunity of a life time to live with two other men who are strong, compassionate and creative change agents. Don is a Lieutenant Colonel and Chaplain in the U.S. Army and Richard is a Creative Conflict Manager. They have affirmed, encouraged and shaped me to be a more loving husband, father and friend.

I am amazed that I completed these seminars. Several times I wanted to quit because the challenge was far more than I could ever accomplish on my own. With the encouragement of my beautiful wife and team members in my team, I have accomplished far more than I could have ever imagined!

Now I have the challenge of starting and completing my research project during the next few months! Only twenty percent of those who enter this demanding doctorate experience finish their dissertations!

To fulfill a daring and dramatic dream each of us must have affirming, courageous and encouraging people to help us make it to the finish line!

Active Rain is a community to help you break through and break out to fulfill your dreams!

A Tribute to My Father on Fathers Day!

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:57:14 -0700

My father lived to be almost 79. He was my provider and protector as I grew up and became a man.

He modeled for me how to be strong, loving, caring, kind and giving. I saw him love my mother for 54 years of marriage. He taught me how to be faithful and true to my wife.

He always honored and preferred me. When we were out hunting, he let me have the first or best shot. He always wanted the best for me and would do anything to help me.

He had friends from all over the world. Governors, senators and other world leaders were frequently in our house when I was in school. Other people who may not have fit in with others were also invited into our home. He always honored me in front of all of them.

What most people did not know about him was all of the secret acts of love he did for people. He would go out of his way to encourage the up and in and the down and out. He forgave people who used and abused him.

He had the "Midas Touch." He knew he was blessed by our Lord. He told me that all of his dreams had come true. Right before he died, on July 8, 2001, he told me on a phone call that he loved me and he was proud of me. Those were the last words I heard him speak. On July 12, 4 days later, he sat down in a chair and was translated to heaven. He would have turned 79 on July 26, 2001.

My Dad was voted Father of the Year in 1971 when I was a sophomore at the University of Idaho.

He was an excellent model of our Father in heaven!

A Spectacular Speech!

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:09:59 -0700

My wife and I had the honor of watching our son Chris give his second speech at Toastmasters today! I missed his first one because I was required to be at another seminar.

Our son was spectacular! He was animated, passionate, clear, concise and authentic. He can teach my wife and me how to be better speakers! He outshined all of us!

When we met Chris twelve years ago he was a fearful, insecure and abandoned young man with deep attachment disorders. He could not talk on the phone let alone stand in front of an audience and give a speech.

We have watched a literal metamorphosis during the last twelve years. Chris is a new man. Nobody ever believes us when we tell them his story!

About a year and a half ago, my wife and I adopted him. He is being healed as he observes our marriage relationship flourish. We have imparted into him that he is deeply loved, completely accepted and highly valued!

We are so honored to have him as our son!

Active Rain Staff and Members - We All Need Encouragement!

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:51:42 -0700

Staff: I have read some posts commending You and some complaining about You!

Staff: You know which problems need to be corrected and You are doing Your Best to bring solutions to these problems!

Staff and Members: I am a doctoral student in a new school that has problems show up all the time! I would rather be in an innovative, cutting-edge adventure with all kinds of "bugs" than a perfect dry and sterile program.

Staff and Members: One of my tag lines is: "Transforming Pain into Peace!"

Staff: I am confident that You will become more efficient as You continue to GROW!

Staff and Members: Thank You for all of You enduring the trouble. We, as a TEAM, will WIN!

Do you enjoy being part of a winning team?

Cut or Peel?

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:18:29 -0700

In the real estate profession, we must become creative conflict managers to be successful.

Let me tell you a story about a conflict that will help all of us become more effective. Two young girls were arguing over an orange in the kitchen when their mother walked in. When she asked what the fight was all about, one daughter said she wanted to use the orange to make a pie. The other one wanted to eat the fruit.

Their mother took out a big knife and cut the orange in two. Neither of the girls were satisfied.

A creative conflict management approach would have been to peel the orange a give it to the one daughter who wanted to use it for a pie and give the fruit to the one who wanted to eat it!

Our goal in the real estate field is to provide "Inter-Satisfaction." In other words, both parties receive satisfaction as we manage a conflict with creativity.

We can never eliminate conflict. We can only manage it. Creativity increases effective management!

This new approach will always be initiated by imagining and thinking "Inside-Out."

What are some new ways of thinking that will produce "Inter-Satisfaction" for your clients?

Choosing to Flourish in the Desert!

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:57:52 -0700

This morning I experienced an amazing awakening. I have been listening to my wife and speaking to her from my heart in deeper and longer ways than ever before. I keep falling in love with her over and over again!

We are both cutting off heavy weights in our lives and enjoying our experience in the desert together. The desert is where the rush to make decisions and rush to appointments come to a stop. We have both been experiencing pain, suffering and all kinds of uncomfortable feelings for the past few weeks.

This morning I saw a green tree growing in our lives. That tree is called sharper vision. We are both exploring the desires that we have deep in our hearts. We are both choosing to find our places in the drama of life.

I feel like I am watching our lives on the stage of life. I am not the director. The director is the One who made us. We are playing our roles exactly the way the script is designed.

This amazing play is in the middle of the desert. Both of us would rather be where we are than any place in the world. This beautiful green tree that is growing and flourishing is made up of our sharper vision of the real priorities in our lives. Our priorities of passion, purpose and peace are becoming clearer.

All of us experience constantly changing circumstances. The real estate profession is experiencing huge changes.

We all have a choice. We can choose to blossom and bloom in the desert or we can choose to get burned up!

The freedom to choose is the greatest gift in our lives!

Requirements for Our High Honor

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:48:52 -0700

Susie Blackmon NC Realtor, Maggie Valley, Waynesville (COLDWELL BANKER) wanted to know more about the requirements about our Volunteer Academy.

My son and I just graduated from our local police department Volunteer Academy. We were both highly honored by the staff. (See my previous post, "Highly Honored!") There were several requirements for graduation. Since I am half way through my difficult and demanding (but fun and exciting) doctoral degree, I thought a training program like this would also be fun and exciting!

We attended two three hour training sessions (Tuesday night and Saturday morning) for several weeks. Each class was a different topic.

They included:

1. Radio communications

2. 911 Dispatch Center

3. Interview techniques

4. Polygraph tests

5. Weapons scenarios

6. Traffic Stops

7. ID Theft

8. Emergency Response Teams

9. CPR/First Aid

10. Firearms/Shooting Range

11. Probation and Parole

12. Code Enforcement

13. Graffiti

14. Crime Scene Investigation

15. Drugs

16. Gangs

17. Sex offenders

18. Suspicious activity

We both learned so much about people in our community. Neither of us has had experience in law enforcement. The officers and staff are people of compassion and integrity. Our police chief is a leader of excellence.

My wife was able to meet all of the amazing people who trained us in the academy. We were all highly honored!

We are excited to be volunteer contributors to our community!

Highly Honored!

Dan Woodworth * Encouraging Communicator (The Connection) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 22:31:18 -0700

I was highly honored this week!

My son, Chris, and I graduated from our local police department voluntary academy this week. Only half of the people who started finished the academy. It was fun and interesting for both of us!

This amazing experience was fascinating for both of us. We became acquainted with so many professional people in our police department.

Neither of us have ever done anything like this before. We are very excited to be able to part of the solutions to problems in our community.

I have never been so honored in any graduation ceremony. Our mayor passed out our diplomas to each of us. He and all of the people at our graduation were so inspiring to us!

It feels sooo...... good to be able to give back to our community. I encourage you to do something unusual that you may have never done before to give back to your community.

You will be highly honored!