Invest in real happiness

The other day, while driving up to the home office, we heard a quote that we wanted to share with you. Nineteenth century American preacher Hosea Ballou once said, "Real happiness is cheap enough, yet how dearly we pay for its counterfeit."

Wow. That really makes you think, doesn't it? This goes along with the principle that doing things the right way initially may take more of an investment in time, energy, and resources, but in the long run, it is always worth it.

Things that come cheaply are not real and lasting. Whether it be in our relationships, our business, or whatever endeavor we pursue, it's important to recognize that shortcuts don't ever really save anything or yield anything of lasting value.

Take time today to reflect on those truly real things in your life. We think you will find that the things that make you genuinely happy are the things that required you to make an investment in yourself. After all, what more valuable commodity do we possess?

Look for Diamond-makers

Not too long ago, International Diamond Solomon Butler visited the 4Life home office. Anyone who has met Solomon or heard him speak knows about the infectious power of his enthusiasm and passion for life... and 4Life! It was inspiring to hear about his belief in 4Life, our products, and our Together, Building People^® mission. During his visit, Solomon said something that made a big impression on us. He said, "I don't look for Diamonds. I look for Diamond-makers."

We think this statement encompasses the true meaning of leadership. It's about looking for the leadership potential in others. This type of attitude really goes together well with Together, Building People, because our goal isn't to just get people to follow us, but rather to recognize and foster in others their ability to lead as well. This kind of vision makes for long-term success in the network marketing industry. And, this kind of leadership not only identifies the leadership potential in others, but also recognizes that you must have the confidence and humility to not be threatened by that potential. Some of the most successful CEOs have said that one of the first things they did on their road to becoming successful was to surround themselves with people they felt were their superiors in one way or another.

We salute all of you who are engaged in the great work of building people and fostering leadership potential in others. That's what 4Life is all about.

Solomon Butler, Steve Tew, and Alan Michaelis

David and Bianca Lisonbee present Solomon Butler with his International Diamond pin.

Edgar Rentería joins Team 4Life

David Lisonbee, Edgar Rentería, and Steve Tew

For professional baseball player Edgar Rentería, baseball is life. Recently, he was kind enough to invite David, President Steve Tew, and Senior Vice President of Marketing Trent Tenney to a spring training game. We knew this Gold Glove winner and five-time All Star from Colombia had been using 4Life products for some time but had not had the opportunity to meet and speak with him yet. It was a privilege for David, Steve, and Trent to spend some time with Edgar. He is a gracious man and he's excited to be involved with 4Life. During the visit, Edgar talked about how much he loves 4Life products and said that his family members have been using them as well with great success.

We are also very happy to be working with Edgar as part of our prestigious Team 4Life. Rentería joins a group of world-renowned athletes, such as World Golf Hall of Famer and NBC sports analyst Johnny Miller, CBS sports analyst and previous winner of the British Open Ian Baker-Finch, equestrian and six-time Olympic medalist Mark Todd, and Adelaide Crows Australian football stars Brett Burton and Andrew McLeod. These athletes endorse 4Life Transfer Factor^® and the international opportunity that 4Life distributors take to the world.

Edgar has expressed how grateful he is that 4Life provides opportunities for families to improve their lives. We're proud to be associated with Edgar Rentería and we're grateful for his commitment to 4Life and the message that our distributors share with people all over the world.

Finding Opportunity in Adversity

Can you believe it's been a month since our illuminate '09 convention? We know that those of us who attended came away greatly inspired with real tools to help us achieve our dreams. We also know that challenges and opposition are normal parts of the journey as we work to realize those dreams.

One of the many great points that our keynote speaker Erik Weihenmayer conveyed was that whenever you set out to do something really worthwhile, you can count on opposition and adversity. In fact, he said it is part of the equation. If you are experiencing obstacles right now on the road to achieving your dreams, think of them as evidence that what you are doing is very worthwhile. Erik challenged us to become people who don't just make it through adversity, but instead, find a way to harness the energy from those storms to go to a place we would have never traveled to otherwise. Isn't that a fascinating idea? Adversity isn't just something that gets in the way of our dreams. Rather, it can be the very source of the power that enables us to realize them!

Please don't get discouraged by the obstacles that lie in your path. See your challenges for what they really are—opportunities to become the kind of leader that can not only climb mountains, but also help others do the same. After all, a mountain would not be a mountain if it didn't have some steep terrain. We promise you the trek will be well worth your perseverance.

Erik Weihenmayer

Erik Weihenmayer, David Lisonbee, Bianca Lisonbee, and members of the Lisonbee family

If you would like to order Erik Weihenmayer's books or DVDs, visit his website at www.touchthetop.com.

Bringing Joy to La Casa Rosada

David Lisonbee, Sister Dolores Pascual, and Bianca Lisonbee

Sister Dolores and Bianca

This week we wanted to share with you a few more pictures taken during illuminate '09. One of the highlights of convention for us was the presence of Sister Dolores Pascual and some of the children from La Casa Rosada orphanage in the Dominican Republic. The two above pictures were taken the night of the Foundation 4Life^® charity auction. During the evening, our Platinum and Gold International Diamond distributors were given the opportunity to bid on furnishings for the different rooms and areas of the new addition that 4Life helped build at La Casa Rosada.

It was so touching to watch the way in which our distributors opened their hearts and their wallets in bidding for these rooms. As each bidder went higher and higher, the smile on Sister Dolores' face got wider and wider. One of the great things about this event was that we were able to see and feel the results of all of your generosity. So often when we participate in fundraisers we never really get to physically witness where our money is going. That's not the case with Foundation 4Life. We think it's easy to see the joy that the Sisters and children felt as a result of the over $200,000 total donations made by 4Life distributors and Foundation 4Life. Once again, you are an inspiration to us. Thank you!

Sister Dolores and the La Casa Rosada kids enjoy festivities at illuminate '09.

Together, Building Families

This week, we had our post-convention meeting here at the 4Life home office. It was great to relate our own experiences from illuminate '09 with each other, as well as those that you, our distributors, shared with us. We estimate that close to 6000 people from 52 countries attended illuminate '09!

One of the things that touched our hearts was all of the children that were a part of convention. We were so grateful to have our own children there, plus several of the children from our La Casa Rosada family. It was wonderful to see that so many of our distributors have chosen to involve their families in their 4Life journeys. Because of the success you have achieved with 4Life, you are able to spend more time with the people you love most.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, we want to share with you a few images of the great kids that joined us at illuminate '09. Enjoy!

illuminate '09!

Words cannot accurately express our emotions after experiencing illuminate '09 last week. It was truly an amazing event in so many ways, thanks in large part to the devotion, commitment, and energy that our 4Life distributors bring with them. One child who attended with his parents even told David how excited he was to try out the new-and-improved 4Life Transfer Factor^® Immune Spray. That's the spirit!

We especially enjoyed getting the chance to speak with so many of you. How we wish that we could have wrapped our arms around each and every person in attendance at illuminate '09! It was great to forge new friendships, especially with the kids who traveled to convention all the way from La Casa Rosada orphanage in the Dominican Republic. Our own children had a fun time dancing the night away with the La Casa Rosada kids at the Closing Party and it was hard for all of us to say goodbye to them.

It was so wonderful to be with everyone at illuminate '09, and we're both feeling sad that it was over so quickly. But, all of us who attended will always carry the memories from this fantastic event with us. We're already looking forward to the next convention, and we hope you are, too!