There’s not a lot you can do about the national economy but there is a lot you can do about your personal economy.  ~Zig Ziglar

Many years ago when it was reasonably safe to do so, I picked up a hitchhiker just outside of Raleigh, North Carolina.  As he sat down he announced that he had just been released from prison.  I was shocked and more than a little concerned because the man was also drinking.  I asked him why he had been in prison and he said he had been sent up for “bootlegging,” which meant he was making “moonshine” whiskey and selling it.  Next I asked him if he had used the time in prison to prepare for a better future.  He said yes, he had studied hard the entire time.

Then I asked him what he had learned.  With considerable pride he told me that he had memorized the name of every county in every state in the United States and all the parishes in Louisiana.  I was stunned and indicated as much, so he challenged me to test him with any state I chose.  Since I had lived in South Carolina many years, I chose that state and he proceeded to demonstrate that he knew every county.  I was convinced that he could do the same for the other states.

Here was a man who had a very good mind, but a limited education.  Had he utilized his mind completely during the three years he had been incarcerated, he could have acquired knowledge that would have equipped him for a better life.  Unfortunately, he didn’t and he is not alone.  Many people go through life collecting trivia or useless information when they could invest their time more wisely.

Think about it.  Study and learn the things that will make a difference in your life and I will SEE YOU AT THE TOP!