Most of the year I attend St. John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth. During the summer months, however, I prefer to go to St. Andrew’s-by-the-Sea right here in Rye Beach. It is a charming summer chapel, just steps from my beloved Atlantic Ocean. Often, after church, I’ll treat myself to a walk along the shore.

Today I had other commitments, though, so I opted at least to take the long way home and drive along Ocean Boulevard for a few miles before heading back inland. To my surprise, it was very slow going. The good news is that that allowed me plenty of opportunity to see what all the commotion was about.

The road was packed both northbound and southbound, and cars were parked wherever they could find space, legal or otherwise. You see, Hurricane Bill was paying a visit. Now, you’d never know it, because the skies were bright blue with white puffy clouds, and the air temperature was a comfortable 81°F, the high humidity made tolerable by the ocean breezes.

What was causing all the commotion, however, was the ocean itself. Hurricane Bill had created very large waves—the sort I’m more accustomed to seeing in photos of surfers along the California coast than the generally lower waves that are more common here on the Eastern Seaboard.

And the surfers were out on droves. It was fun watching one catch a wave while dozens of others were still paddling out, waiting for a yet more perfect ride back to shore.

I love anything having to do with the ocean, and especially when it causes me to contemplate on the larger issues of life. Herewith my Sunday afternoon musings … before I need to step away from my keyboard and tend to some chores outside, which is my own way of making the best use of the day I’ve been given.

Hurricanes are scary, and they do come as far north as New England from time to time. Fortunately, Hurricane Bill mostly knocked himself out, leaving high seas as the only indication that he was anywhere near. So instead of hunkering down to sideways rain and howling winds, the surfers among us (and New Hampshire’s beaches attract surfers year-round) took their cue and made the most of the situation.

And this is my take-home thought of the day. It’s fine to make plans—in fact, it’s essential if you ever want to get ahead in your life—but you also have to take things as they come. Go with the flow. Roll with the punches. Choose your preferred metaphor, they all mean the same thing. We need to be flexible with our plans.

As my regular readers know, I generally write in my blog maybe once a week or so. This, however, is the third entry in as many days. And that’s because I’m going with the flow. This is the third day in a row that I have observed something that I wanted to share with you. So I’m making time in my busy day (whose days aren’t busy?) to sit for a few moments at my computer and get my thoughts down on (virtual) paper.

My family is coming for a visit over Labor Day weekend. That is another very pleasant “interruption” in my plans, and I’ll need to set aside time to do some serious housecleaning, as I haven’t had houseguests in quite some time. (I remember my grandmother often saying, “Company is good for the home.”) And between now and then I have an out-of-town trip that will occupy six of those precious days.

Of course, these interruptions are all blessings in disguise. So when the seas are rough, there’s just one thing to do. Go surfing!

Lately I have adopted the discipline of reading 10–20 pages of a technical or inspirational book each day. I’ve enjoyed several current titles since the beginning of the year, and everything I’ve read is sure to serve me well. Some of the books are quick reads and others drag along ploddingly. Still, I force myself to read each day.

Right now, however, I am absolutely devouring a book that has been on my To Read list for years. I can’t remember how long ago I bought the book, but it had been gathering dust on my bookshelf ever since. In retrospect, I can’t imagine what took me so long to pick it up and start reading. It is absolutely magnificent.

As the title of this post suggests, I am talking about Dale Carnegie’s classic How to Win Friends and Influence People. It is geared mainly towards a sales audience, but its hints and tips apply to much of day-to-day living. Just yesterday I put some of its tactics to the test while dealing with an especially rude and negative person. If you haven’t yet treated yourself to this book, I can’t recommend it highly enough. Don’t do what I did and wait years and years before finally picking it up.

Of course, if you’re not in sales, you might think it will be of limited benefit to you. Well, think again. As I’ve always been quick to point out, we are all in sales whether we like it or not. If you’re married, then you successfully sold yourself to your spouse. If you’re employed, then you clearly sold yourself to your interviewers. So if you think you’re not in sales, think again.

My book, Demystifying Prosperity™: Why You Should Take a Serious Look at Network Marketing, is directed primarily towards an audience that is leery of network marketing, multilevel marketing, MLM, or whatever term is used to describe this part of the direct sales industry. One of the statements I hear all the time is, “I’m not interested in sales,” or, “I’m bad at sales.” Well, if you’re bad at sales, get good at it whether or not you become a network marketer.

How to Win Friends and Influence People can play a key role in improving your sales skills, however you end up using them. Go out and get this book today! Then add your Comment below and let me know what you think.