I was invited by one of the owners of Laratta Homes, Tony, to join him for a round of golf at Redwood Meadows Golf Course in Calgary.

This was my first round of golf I have played in over a year and the very first since I moved back to Calgary. I got there early so I decided to hit some balls at the range. At first it was not pretty and very inconsistent and I am sure the regular members of the Redwoods were probably thinking “who is this guy?”. I started to get back in the swing of things and felt more confident.

Then came the putting green..ugly and then the first drive. Straight left into the trees about 50 yards out! YIKES! Now I am sure Tony and the others in the foresome were probably thinking…”who invited him?” I managed to get a few good drives in during the round and even one birdie on a par 4. Broke a hundred but just barely. The good news is I really love to golf so I was not dissuaded, the course was in excellent condition, the leg held up right up to the last 2 holes and there was a buck deer feeding on one of the picturesque par 3’s. (picture above)

I hope to get more rounds in this year and adapt to my new surroundings here in Calgary.

Regards,

Larry J Clark

I am sure you probably heard this quote before…” if you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything”.

I am beginning to believe it is time for us to start standing p for what we believe is right. I am now writing responses in the news paper editorials to voice my opinion of what is being written. Now I know that opinions are like belly buttons…everyone has them, but I am seeing the news media indoctrinating the readers with ‘their’ slants on Government, politics and moral values. The main issue I see is that there is little or no opposition not many people standing up for what is right.

I am not saying what I believe is right or right for you, what I am saying is that if you have heart led belief that opposes what you see is a wrong direction for humanity and for this Country, don’t stay silent. Silence has caused this Country to move in directions that our founding fathers and politicians had warned us not to go. Some may call it progress or ‘tolerance’ but I call it inaction. Hey, count me in as one who stood back numerous times in the past and took no action but complained about the outcome. Not any more.

I will know oppose those decisions/opinions I believe are wrong and morally corrupt this Country I live in. I want to continue to sing “God keep this Land Glorious and Free”.

You may disagree with everything I have just said in this. Excellent…voice your opposition and opinion. We may agree to disagree but at least you stood for something.

To the majority voices rising up for what is right…

Kind Regards,

Larry J Clark

I was reflecting on this time of my life closing in on 50 years on this planet. I will hit the big 50 this week, which really is not a big deal for me. Hitting 40 really didn’t make an impact either. I think it has to do with perspective.

When I became a born again Christian at 21, I knew then as I know now, that my life here was temporary and better things await in Heaven. My faith has never wavered and is even stronger now. My biggest concern is to whether I have accomplished what I need to accomplish up to now and are there better things ahead in the next stage of my life? I believe there is.

After selling my Company last year, it has been a bit of a struggle trying to ” fit in”. What I mean by that is that is I know my strengths lie in Marketing and Sales, but is that where I should be? I am working now on some contract and consulting here in Calgary and I really enjoy being creative and helping clients with Web Marketing. I am good at it and have been very successful doing it. There still seems to be something missing if you know what I mean.

Being 50 reduces the already small time left here on the planet to accomplish all that God had intended for me. I want to make sure that I am where I need to be and doing what I need to be doing to conform to what the Lord has planned for me. I know it is natural for us to second guess whether we have accomplished or will accomplish all that is set out for us and I want to make sure I am open to whatever is set before me. I am ready!

I want to encourage you as well that we cannot change what we did or didn’t do last year or the years prior to that…we can only now be responsible for what we do with the years still ahead of us. Here’s to moving forward and completing the ‘good race’ set before us.

Kind Regards,

Larry J Clark

After over 20 years of being in Sales and Business, you learn allot. You also gain allot of wisdom and discernment as to what things to pursue and what things to let go of. After 7 months in my current contract position, I knew it was time to “let go’”.

The Company I was working with had gone through some changes in the last few months. Mostly personnel and Management. I would have to say that I was actually optimistic that the changes would be a move forward for the Company. My optimism soon waned when I saw some policies and changes being implemented, that effected the Sales Team and how we are being compensated for sales. A ‘NEW’ contract was presented to me that was explained as the best remuneration agreement in the Industry. I knew when I first viewed it, this was far from that.

As an Area Sales Manager, it is my responsibility to know what my competitors were up to and also how they were paid. My new presented contract was far below the others. Don’t get me wrong…I am not a greedy guy. I know my value and effort in my position and should be remunerated accordingly. At first this was an emotional response ..”How could they not see my experience and dedication and they are offering me this? After that, wisdom and experience kicks in and it becomes a logical response based on facts.

I know I am at the peak earning years of my life based on my experience and knowledge. I had to evaluate what would be the best use of my experience for this new decade and whether staying where I now, was the best use of that experience. It was not and the decision was easy.

My point in all this is to not to sell yourself short and actually be proud of what you have accomplished and your Industry value. I am confident that I can take my 20+ years of wisdom, experience, success and discernment to where it is needed and valued.

Onward and Upward!

Larry J Clark

Officially Grey Cup Sunday here in Calgary and we are experiencing a “Chinook” from the West bringing some nice warm air to town. Currently 8 degrees Celsius so should be a pleasant day for Football. Now personally, I really don’t care who wins as I am a BC Lions fan. Most of Calgary seems to be siding with the Riders to keep the cup in the West. Should be a great game.

On the home front, I heard from my youngest Son the other day, Joshua, who informed us that we are going to be grandparents! Can you believe it?! Yes, our Josh and his wife Rebecca have confirmed she is pregnant and this will be our first Grandchild. Excited for both of them and of course Robin is beside herself with excitement. I will keep you posted on a due date.

Just finished booking our Winter Holiday on Friday. Going to Mexico for the first time and have chosen the Mayan Riviera and the Resort “Gran Bahia Principe Akumal”. Reviews seem good and we leave the first week of January for 7 days. Looking forward to some sun/beach time and just relaxing. Told Robin we would book a holiday once the business sold so the pressure was one. I bought a waterproof housing for my ‘FLIP’ camera so I can take some video and pictures while snorkeling…should be fun.  Plan on seeing some Mayan ruins down there but not much touristy stuff. Just sunning, eating and reading. Keep an eye oon this blog in January for videos and pictures while we are down there.

Above is the picture of the  Resort and beach from the website. Looks nice to me!

To your weekend and next holiday,

Larry