FAMILY

Below was written and sent to me from a few of the Arpin Drivers...

We are family.......So, WHY is so difficult to smile, wave, of flash your lights to that Arpin driver going the other way? Come on, it's that simple...Simply acknowledging the guy going the other way, makes him feel more a part...OF THE FAMILY!

See another Arpin truck with his trailer doors open? Stop by and at least see if he's ok, maybe help him set up his box...How hard is that? Have a weekend sitting in a truck stop? Bobtail of to the grocery story and cook out..Tell stories...HAVE FUN! with the other drivers from our fleet...After all we are a FAMILY of movers...

See

When you look...Do you See?

Do you take the time to stop and see others? To see your surroundings?
Or do you look but don't really see-
Are you so caught up with you and what you are doing to see around you?

Do you talk more or listen more?

Is it always about you-?
Listen to yourself sometimes, I mean really listen to yourself...is it always about what you want..what you did..what happened to you ?

There is s a huge difference from looking and seeing.

If you are a professional household goods mover do you see the customer? Really see them..what they are going through and what their needs are. Do you listen to them?

If you are a teacher do you see your students and your fellow teachers? Do you look into their eyes and see what they are telling you.

No matter what you do it is easy to get caught up in the day and look but not see.

Remember everybody is going through something.

From the AMSA Newsletter

FROM THE On Saturday, my daughter and I went down to Arlington Cemetery to participate in the Wreaths Across America project. To mark the 150th anniversary of the cemetery, organizers made a big push to secure enough donations to purchase wreaths to mark every gravestone - around 200,000. A team of about 70 trucks hauled the load in from Maine, with several movers taking part. I'd like to give a special thanks to Arpin Van Lines, one of the overall sponsors of the event, with two of their agents and drivers being part of the hauling team. The movers were proud that they were able to carry many more boxes of wreaths than the freight trucks. The difficult part for the movers was being told to stay out of the way while other volunteers unloaded their trailers. Unlike the freight drivers who made up most of the fleet, our drivers are used to working after their driving leg is completed! It was a festive, if chilly morning, with an estimated 50,000 volunteers showing up to help, creating long lines behind every truck. I explained to my daughter how we were remembering the sacrifices made by the men and women who serve our country in the military - something we should all remember as we serve these military families who are one of our biggest customers as an industry (click images to enlarge). This special event takes place at military cemeteries across the country, so it is an excellent opportunity for movers to get involved in supporting the troops in your community. I know some Arpin agents and other movers participated at other locations in addition to the main one at Arlington. The holiday season is a good time of year to think about all of the ways that movers do good in their local communities, whether participating in Move for Hunger, AMSA's official charity partner, or another deserving effort. Let us know how you are supporting your community and showing that movers care about their communities. Scott Michael Acting President & CEO

American Moving & Storage Association 1611 Duke Street Alexandria, VA 22314

New Year...Same Attitude

It is a new year.... are you going into it with the same attitude ?

Or do you want to make some personal improvements?

Do you want to be more positive?
Make a commitment to do your job better?
Judge less?
Help others more?

Whatever it is- YOU CAN DO IT-

First you need to decide that you WANT TO- then START-

Yup..it is that easy.

You can change whatever it is in your life that you want to change IF you decide to. Stop blaming others or saying " only if" or waiting for change to knock on your door.
Just do it....day by day...BE THE CHANGE.

Kellogg's

Kellogg's had a commercial years ago that had a grown man eating their cereal and after his first spoonful he turned into a kid again. Representing that the cereal made you remember what it was like when you were a kid.

I pictured that when I did public speaking or if when I was younger in the business and may have been intimidated. People were not born into their title that may possess or they were not born racist.
We were all kids.
From there lots of things happened to us or around us to help form who we are.
Some things were positive, others maybe not so nice.
But we all started out with that same wonder and wanting to make friends.
Ever watch two young kids meet for the first time? They immediately start to play with each other. They do not care about the color of their skin, or their religion or how much their mom or dad makes.
They just want to be friends.

People are the way they are for a reason and if you take the time to know them you can understand a little more about them.
Are they defensive or paranoid?
 Maybe they come from a abusive relationship or did not have the love and support growing up that we all need.
Their are tons of reasons that we grow up and into the people that we are...but try to remember the time when you judged less and played more.

PMA

The gentleman that takes care of our vending machines owns his own business and is a hard working man. His name is Alex, he starts work at 3 in the morning every day and begins his rounds.
He has done that for over 4 decades now and he always has a smile.

We talk every now and then about life, sports, the weather, whatever is on our minds on that particular morning. Today we happen to be discussing all the craziness happening around the world including right here in the good old USA.

Being two old farts we talked about yesteryear and how times have changed. How people seem to have less interaction with people and kids don't play outside anymore or how small business is a thing of the past. We talk about civil rights and the unrest around the world.

Now mind you we do all this leaning on the vending machines and all in about 10-15 minutes.
Alex then left me with  " No matter what you need to maintain a PMA".
What is "PMA" I asked him.
"Positive Mental Attitude"

I like it !

A positive mental attitude is what we all need to help us get through the day and the tough times as well as the good times.
Alex practices what he preaches, in all the time that I have known him he always has a smile and kind hello. Does not matter if it is raining out or snowing or what day it is or if he has already clocked 10 hours of work-  he has PMA.

That is what I wish for all of you and me in 2015-

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND KEEP THAT PMA

HAPPY NEW YEAR