“I couldn’t put it down. I finished it in just a few hours!”
– Marcy, Amarillo

Have a vision!

Believe in yourself!

Achieve success!

“You are in charge of your own life…”

Imagine yourself at the end of your life looking back at where you’ve been. What do you notice most? Who were your role models? Who did you influence? What highlights stand out? What risks did you take? What would you have done differently?

Suppose that you’ve now been given another 20 years to make a difference in your own life and others. Think of what that might be. Today is your chance to start down that road.

Life’s Greatest Lessons invites you into the life of one man who has overcome many obstacles and made a difference to others. Through simple stories and adventures, he unravels for you many of life’s conflicts, difficulties, and passions. He demonstrates how to apply principles and values in your own life and enlarge it.

Each page sparkles with new possibilities for enjoying life’s abundance and living in the moment. As a natural Maverick, Bill has found his own way in life, persevered, and prospered. You can too. Within these pages Bill shows you how:

• Attitude is everything

• To build your personal power

• To invest in yourself

• To get ahead and overcome obstacles

• To have vision and believe in yourself

Bill Baland is a fearless optimist, entrepreneur, history lover, athlete, veteran, retired stock broker, and family man who never gives up.

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“I’m successful today because of my dad’s love, example,
encouragement and faith in me!”
– Alice Baland, Dallas

Listen:

My dad has been my inspiration and steadfast supporter since I was born. He makes me laugh. His optimism continually refreshes me whether I’m down or up.

He reminds me of the amazing things I’ve done before and of those I have yet to accomplish. He believes in me even when I falter. He never gives up.

What I noticed while editing his life story is a thread of fearlessness in the face of danger while protecting others or himself. He has a determination to succeed at anything he puts his mind to, including feeding and caring for his family no matter what.

He has a generosity of spirit and materials to help others, plus an endless optimism throughout any adversity.

“I enjoy his wonderful sense of humor and fun…”

I also noticed important lessons from his experiences. These are important lessons for anyone to learn. I have identified as many as I could throughout this book. There may be others that I have overlooked. You may find them yourself!

I enjoy his wonderful sense of humor and fun that allows for balance with hard work. My dad has a never-ending desire for self-growth and lifelong learning, which he taught his children.

His ability to make others feel good about themselves carried over to us. He has a strong sense of self-care, including preparing his own nutritious meals and working out several times a week, even at age 81.

“I know his stories will inspire you to do your best, overcome adversity, be happy, be successful, and carve out a better life for yourself and those you love.”

There are so many good things about this man I still call “Daddy.” (That’s the Texas way). I know his stories will inspire you to do your best, overcome adversity, be happy, be successful, and carve out a better life for yourself and those you love.

“His stories were so inspiring to me…”

I’d asked him for many years to write about his life and share with his children some of the adventures he’s had and what he’s learned. When he was 77 years old he began writing them down for two years.

Then I was busy with work and life and waited another two years to transcribe his handwritten pages to the computer. His stories were so inspiring to me that I wanted to broaden their reach. I’m so proud of him for writing this book!

Also, I’ve been driven to complete this work of his lately, because he is recovering from chemotherapy and radiation for throat cancer in 2009 and has Alzheimer’s which is worsening. I’m hopeful he will improve.

Even so, I’m obsessed to finish this book now for him, so he can share it with those he loves and with you. I wish I’d started it sooner, while all of us had better memories. I can’t stand the thought of life without him. I’m grateful that he was born to be my DAD.

“I’m continually encouraged to make a difference in our world, because of my dad.”

Daddy has always been a Maverick in the sense that he doesn’t follow the crowd. He thinks for himself. He’s ambitious because of his desire to do whatever it takes to care for his family. His resilience is essential to a happy life. Like his parents he has an ability to think of viable solutions when the need arises.

I love him so much! I’m continually encouraged to make a difference in our world, because of my dad. Enjoy his simple wisdom and life stories.

Alice Baland,
Daughter, Editor

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“There are so many connections between Bill’s life and the
values and character we teach at the Maverick Boys and Girls Club.
It’s a wonderful memoir. I thoroughly enjoyed it!”
– Vic, CPO Maverick Club, Amarillo

“As one of the original boys at the Maverick Club in Amarillo in 1934, I was deeply influenced by it all my life. … I can never say enough good things about my coaches and teachers there.”

Listen:

My life has had many adventures and lessons. I was privileged to have great parents, serve my country in World War II, marry Pat, the Love of my Life, have four intelligent and special children, have a range of careers, and learn many lessons in life.

As one of the original boys at the Maverick Club in Amarillo in 1934, I was deeply influenced by it all my life. I was only six years old at the time. There I developed lifelong friendships and learned about discipline and courtesy.

I strengthened my body and gained confidence and skill in boxing, gymnastics, basketball and football. I can never say enough good things about my coaches and teachers there.

“You can improve your own life too, and take charge of it.”

While I don’t know how to type or use a computer, I was able to handwrite many stories to share with you. We didn’t have many photos of my early (1930’s) or war years, so I’ll leave some things to your imagination.

There are many things I want to leave my kids and you, so I’ve included some of them here. Even though I grew up very poor during the Great Depression, much worse than today’s recessions or economic slowdowns, I never felt deprived.

The government didn’t help us out. We didn’t expect them to, because we relied on our own initiative, self-reliance, personal resources, neighbors and family. You can improve your own life too, and take charge of it. I’ll share many stories; and some you may apply to your own situation. These are some of Life’s Greatest Lessons.

Bill Baland
Optimist, Author

A portion of the profits from Bill Baland’s Life’s Greatest Lessons helps to support the Maverick Boys and Girls Club of Amarillo, Texas

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“Joe and I love your wonderful book.”
– Bobbie, Florida

Over 200 Stories!

Bill’s simple, relaxed style of storytelling not only portrays his wide range of life experiences from childhood throughadulthood and into his later years, but also illustrates, in subtle and not so subtle ways, …

200 of Life’s Greatest Lessons!

Learn, from Bill, important life lessons such as:

• Always tell the truth – Page 42

• Be a good role model – Page 13

• Change careers until you like what you’re doing – Page 131

• Delegate some of your work – Page 169

• Eat your fruits, vegetables and whole grains – Page 169

• Fight for your rights – Page 130

• Get your chores done early in the day – Page 169

• Habits can make or break you – Page 73

• Invest in your future – Page 99

• Kiss gently – Page 47

• Let go of those who aren’t good for you – Page 136

• Make health your top priority – Page 124

• Optimism is an essential part of life – Page 167

• Put family first – Page 132

• Respect women – Page 88

• Satisfied customers bring you more business – Page 131

• Tie up loose ends – Page 160

• Use creative meal planning – Page 87

• Write long happy letters to your loved one – Page 149

• You can be successful at any kind of job you have – Page 171

And many, many more!

Exerpts from some of Bill’s stories:

“…Pleasant Valley was the best place in the world for a kid to grow up. We were poor like everybody else around us, but nobody knew he was poor. This was during the Great Depression in the 1930’s, but we were better off than many people. I had the best parents in the world and they knew how to get things done…” – Page 5

“…No one could be around Mutt and not smile and be happy. He was that kind of guy. He had a way of making you feel like you were the most important person in the world to him…” – Page 52

“…Our beds were hammocks, five high. I already knew that the smart thing to do was get the top bunk, which I did. Boy was I ever glad that I did! Just picture hundreds of men throwing up over the sides of their bunks…” – Page 79

“…I had just put my books in my locker and was going to my afternoon job when I saw this stunning, beautiful brunette starting up the stairs. She happened to look my way and smiled at me. I felt like I had been zapped by lightening!…” – Page 111

“…What was it like being a daddy for the first time and with each one of my kids? It was always great to have another child. It didn’t change our lives any – it just added to it! Every child added more to our lives, just more good…” – Page 120

“…The boys and I left the hospital. I walked them to their cars and then walked over to my truck. When I got to the truck, I broke down completely. I never cried so hard in my life. I knew I would never see her alive again…” – Page 147

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Who do you know that can benefit from reading Bill Baland’s Life’s Greatest Lessons?

Think of family, friends, newlyweds, co-workers, or employees who would enjoy the compelling stories and adventures appearing in Bill Baland’s Life’s Greatest Lessons.

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Contact us about volume discounts

Special Offer #1 Today Only!

FREE 15-minute Q&A phone consultation with Life Coach, Editor and Publisher Alice Baland with the purchase of your 1st copy of Bill Baland’s Life’s Greatest Lessons, a $50.00 Value! It’s like getting the book for FREE!

Special Offer #2 Today Only!

Order a 2nd copy of Bill Baland’s Life’s Greatest Lessons for $5.00 off the regular soft cover price of $24.97. That’s only $19.97 for a 2nd copy you can give to someone you care about!

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Tell us your story!

After reading Bill's stories, some of your life's greatest lessons may come to mind. Let us know what lesson you learned that helped to shape your life and make you the person you are today. Go to the Contact page and click on the My Life's Greatest Lesson link!