A Plush Trip Back in Time

For several moments, I was transfixed. My eyes were huge. I stared at these reminders of another time, when life was simple, and fun so easy to come by.

They stared back … as none of us moved. The moment seemed to last forever.

I was at Wal-Mart with my 6-year-old daughter, Reagan. She, as usual, was excited about nearly everything on the shelves. She went into overdrive when we reached the toy section.

Reagan ran ahead and into another aisle. I meandered behind, when suddenly I saw them: Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior.

The two biggest wrestling heroes of my youth stopped me cold. Granted, they were just plush dolls on a shelf. But the flood of memories they unleashed was powerful, and palpable, and almost overwhelming.

Growing up in the 1980s and early 1990s, I was a huge World Wrestling Federation fan. My friends and I would hold pretend wrestling matches. My parents ordered all the (not cheap) pay-per-view events on TV. My brother and I even dressed as WWF characters for Halloween. I loved everything about wrestling.

Now, all these years later, I stood glued in place in the Wal-Mart aisle. Emotions tugged strongly as nostalgia flooded my mind. All this, over a pair of stuffed toys.

Reagan soon came looking for me. I have no idea how long it was. I just knew those two muscle-bound plush partners were coming home with us.

Hulk and TUW now reside in my office. Every now and then, when tension and anxiety pile on, I gaze at them. Simple, joyful memories follow. Everything gets better.

Life sometimes seems like an endless hamster wheel. We run, and stress, and still wonder if we’ve gotten anywhere. “Progress” remains amorphous and undefined.

In especially hectic moments, it’s important to have something that reminds you of happy times. Maybe it’s a picture or memento. Just something that takes you away, briefly, to a place where all was good.

What’s your innocent escape from reality? How do you break away, for a few moments, when the world won’t stop pounding at your door?

We all wrestle with this from time to time. It’s why Hulk and TUW are important members of my team.

Without them, I might just be down for the count.

Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior plushes

Are Heaven’s Doors Stuck?

"So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it."
– Hebrews 2:1

Traditional Christian beliefs hold that, if you believe in God and accept Jesus as your savior, the doors of heaven will open for you. Sound familiar?

So … what if it’s not true? Is it sacrilege to even suggest?

Yes, I really stepped in it this time … and I couldn’t be happier.

During a recent episode of the C-Suite for Christ Podcast, I suggested that this widely-held belief might not hold water. I cited Scripture that, frankly, indicates getting into heaven might be a bit more complicated. It’s not just “believe and you’re in.”

Well, this episode has turned into the most popular ever, of a podcast that already ranks in the top 3 percent of more than 3 million on earth!

This is all good, by the way. Let’s talk about things that matter. Be unafraid to challenge conventional wisdom. No one has a monopoly on truth and wisdom, right?

For the record, I cited four criteria that need to be met before heaven opens to us. The pieces fit. It’s not an “end-all-and-be-all” explanation - yet things match up.

Needless to say, it’s been a conversation starter – which, again, is good! Maybe you agree with this bold stance. Maybe not. Let’s discuss, openly and honestly!

Listen to the podcast episode, and share your thoughts. Comment on a podcast site, or via e-mail (pneuberger@csuiteforchrist.com) or on social media. I welcome all opinions.

An equally positive aspect of this record-setting event?

Many new listeners are digging into our nearly two-year archive of podcasts, and hearing previous chapters anew. If this is you, prepare for lots of interesting, thought-provoking material!

You can find the C-Suite for Christ Podcast on Spotify, Anchor or Apple Podcast. Subscribe, and you’ll never miss an episode.

I can’t guarantee all will be as provocative as this latest one … but you bet I’ll keep trying!

50,000 and Counting!

Some goals just seem unachievable … until they aren’t. I experienced another recently.

My LinkedIn profile surpassed 50,000 followers. Mind-boggling. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that so many people would absorb my thoughts and experiences. It’s incredibly gratifying.

The “how I got here” part is a bit different, though.

Conventional wisdom holds that LinkedIn is a professional social media platform. You keep things strictly business. Don’t share personal content. Never, ever do you address politics or religion.

Hmmm. This “advice” flies in the face of everything I’ve learned, and taught, over the years. Specifically, that people are emotional consumers, who buy people first (not companies), and place tremendous value on why those people do what they do.

So, I blazed my own path. I posted plenty of content about business endeavors. I mixed in posts about my family, my personal struggles and – are you ready? – God.

Thousands of followers later, some takeaways are clear: Always be your authentic, passionate self. Share your story. Ignore the “experts.” Stay true to your beliefs.

A bit contrary, to be sure. But it’s worked. I’m incredibly humbled by how my followers have grown. I’m thankful to each and every one.

In gratitude, I want to give all of my LinkedIn followers a free copy of my Amazon best-selling book, “The Secrets to Cold Call Success.”

“The Secrets to Cold Call Success” is full of original tips and insights from my years of sales training. Its pages lay out the strategy, tactics and even the script, to get you in front of who you want, when you want.

Here’s the plan: Go to my LinkedIn profile. Take a screenshot with the “Following” button visible. Reply to this e-mail with screenshot attached. If possible, add “Free Book” in the subject line.

I’ll send a $6.25 invoice for shipping and handling. Pay via the secure link … and your free book will be en route.

For me, it’s a small price to pay for achieving a significant goal. For you, it’s a resource to propel your career.

We all win - just another reason to give thanks, in a world full of them.