Author: Mike Balof

A retired Air Force Master Sergeant, Mike used to lay in bed at night and worry about what would happen if his plant closed or found himself without a job. One day his plant closed. Rather than panic and hysteria (OK, maybe a little) Mike found himself carried away on the adventure of his life. Mike started with the best job he ever had working at Home Depot. He spent 8 years working with job seekers at a local workforce center, helping them to find employment. He then started his own company developing courses, writing books and urging others to follow their own paths into the future. Mike holds a Master of Arts in Adult Education and Training and a Bachelor of Business Management, earned through the University of Phoenix and an AAS degree in Electronics Systems Technology from the Community College of the Air Force. Mike is a member of the Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society.

Random Acts of Kindness: The Best Gift You Can Give

Random acts of kindness are the small ones a receiver encounters, usually when they need help the most. The giver probably did not know the details of the need, and the receiver did not know or expect the good deed from the giver. 

I have taken time to stop, think, and make some discoveries of my own. I am changing my business model to help others who need the help I can provide. I can not do this for free, yet I can do it so everyone can afford it, no matter how desperate their situation looks to them at the moment. You should see the shift in what Reveille Rocks offers starting in January 2025. 

All the blogs we put online will be free to read. The blogs will have ideas and help on how to do things to grow in needed areas. If you read the blogs each week (even if you do so on your local library’s computer), you will gain ideas to help get you started on better things.

Starter classes will be capped at $9.97 to $29. Intermediate classes will be between $79.00 and $130.00. Larger classes will cost more depending on length, how much live instructor time is involved, and what outliers may be needed.

I will be training in Happiness and Life Skills to help those who need to regain a foothold within society.

Find Joy in Decorating for the Season

I love to see the house all decorated for the Holiday Season. It looks like the elves have all come in, swept the old place up, and left a beautiful scenic landscape through all the rooms everyone uses. 

Looking at the finished product, I don’t mind these days; I do most of the decorating myself. It brings warmth and happiness to the old heart.

Everyone has a different take on what looks good and what is ‘Overboard.’ I enjoy the seasonal pick-me-up.

Simple Ways to Start New Holiday Traditions This Year

I love holiday traditions. Some of my favorites have been in the family for years, and Some are only a few years old. The neat thing about traditions is that they are something we can look forward to and count on year after year.

One of the oldest I can think of is ‘Guess what?’. You open a guess-what present identified only by a number. Everyone looks at the gift and claims what it is or is for. After everyone guesses, an envelope with the corresponding number is opened to find out what the gift really is.

This can be one of the funniest times during Christmas.

The Magic of Holiday Traditions: Why They Bring Us Together

Gathering together for the end-of-the-year holidays is a tradition that dates back to the very beginning of Christianity. In other areas, Chanukah was a holiday for 2 centuries BCE. 

Buddhists have a tradition of coming together at the start of each lunar calendar for what they see as a new beginning. Families clean homes (which symbolizes renewal), share meals, and participate in temple rituals for blessings and good fortune. 

We find family togetherness in many traditions around the world.

Help Your Kids Learn the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Instilling gratitude in children lays a foundation for lifelong happiness. 

Thanksgiving is a great time to teach kids about the value gratitude. Engage kids in making thank-you cards, helping with dinner, or creating a gratitude tree. Explain the importance of being thankful not just for big things but also for everyday blessings. 

By fostering thankfulness, children learn to appreciate life’s richness and carry the spirit of Thanksgiving into their futures.

Gratitude at the Heart of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is more than turkey and pie; it celebrates gratitude. Reflecting on what we’re thankful for, from family and friends to life’s small joys, transforms the holiday into a meaningful experience. 

Gratitude uplifts our spirits and strengthens relationships. This Thanksgiving, try creating a gratitude jar where each person writes down something they’re thankful for. 

Share these during dinner, allowing everyone to connect and feel cherished. Practicing thankfulness fosters happiness far beyond the holiday season, reminding us of life’s true treasures.

Holiday Blogs: Help When Needed

Holidays are always complex for people who are going through troubled times. It could be the death of a loved one, being apart, fighting with various diseases or other issues, or just not feeling like your usual self.

I am writing a month of thoughts and ideas to help those who have lost something or someone precious to them. They may also be apart from loved ones this year or fighting a problem that interferes with their ability to have a happy life. They may also be finding themselves homeless at this time in their lives.

Change In Schedule

I would like to apologize to everyone who is looking for my new course and today’s call. I fell sick with a bad cold this weekend and have been in bed most of the time since. Unfortunately, my wife also caught a cold (from me), and now I am helping her through it.

I am pushing back the new course and meeting by at least a week. I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow, so I will be able to better schedule after that. As soon as I know, I will make an announcement.

I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience, and I will get this up and rolling again as soon as I can.

Thank you for understanding,

Mike Balof

The New Course

Hi everyone, Once again, you have caught me running a little behind as I build a new course. I hope to have it done in time for next week’s Vidio call. 

The course is a video course with a workbook on Personal Branding. I know some of you are asking why a happiness coach is writing on social media about something related to finding a job. I spent many years working with workforce centers, trying to help people find jobs. And, I know they are often happier if someone finds a job they like.

Please bear with me. I will work tirelessly to complete the course and get the blogs running smoothly again. Your support and patience mean a lot to me.

If you have any questions about the course or would like to join the video call next week, please leave a message here on WordPress and a way to contact you, and I will send you all the information.

Mike B.

Still Running Behind – Still Here

Hi everyone, Mike here with Reveille Rocks. I hope you are having a great day. I have just set the calendar of expectations for the upcoming Quarter, and this is what I am planning for:

  • This month, I will be teaching Personal Branding.
  • In Oct 2024, The training topic will be StayAware, Stay Safe: Enhancing Awareness in Your Home, Neighborhood, and Community.
  • November 2024 is Cultivating Happiness: Embracing Gratitude in November and Beyond
  • Our course for December 2024 will be The Joy of the Holidays: Cultivating Joy That Lasts All Year.

These will be great courses, and I hope you take a little time to enjoy them. 

Why are they important? As a life coach, I provide training to help you find happiness. Every course will give you a way to be happier.