Wednesday, October 30, 2013

From the desk of Bob Smith...




Stuck in a rut? You know, the deeper and longer you dig, the deeper it gets. If you're like me, you know the feeling. A few years back I remember taking a walk in a deeply wooded area but there were some well-worn tracks. If I got down in the tracks it was rocky and muddy. It was tough going but if I stayed in the middle, the road was much smoother. Life is much like that. Family relationships are a little shaky, the job is causing major headaches, or perhaps your physical and mental well-being is being tested. We all go through such times. The secret of escaping these situations is ensuring that the episodes are temporary and that you stay on the high ground. If you're in the middle of disappointment that seems as if will never end it's time to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative. As a man by the name of Murray Gell-Mann once said, “Enthusiasm is followed by disappointment and then by renewed enthusiasm.” In other words, disappointment can come quickly but leave just as quickly and many times it will lead to even greater happiness and achievements. So the next time discouragement and disappointment comes calling, take a quick self-evaluation and determine to be resolute. Amazing things will begin to happen in your life.

We’re definitely not stuck in a rut right now at Advantage Toyota…we’re about midway through our renovations and really starting to see progress and renewed enthusiasm as we see the hard work paying off. Next time you come to see us, our new, expanded service waiting area may be ready to occupy your wait. We hope to see you soon!

Thursday, October 17, 2013

From the desk of Bob Smith...





My wife Billie and I love to travel. A few years back we were high in the mountains on the Island of Patmos during a trip to Israel. Our tour bus had made one of its many stops and we were walking around trying to take it all in. As we turned a corner there sat a very, very old Toyota Truck. It had certainly been around awhile, still running, still in good shape, still faithful. I hear story after story of the durability and dependability of Toyota products and there sat a perfect example thousands of miles away from home. I was tempted to go up to the owner and say “Advantage Toyota, making life a little easier” but I refrained myself.

Toyota is certainly a world-wide phenomenon and we are so fortunate to have one of the manufacturing plants right here at home. The Putnam County West Virginia facility just recently announced a major expansion which will bring its total number of jobs to more than 1,300. The plant builds transmissions for the Lexus RX350, Avalon, Camry, Venza and Sienna. The total investment by Toyota of West Virginia now amounts to $1.3 billion. Hats off to a company that truly believes in West Virginia, and the next time you're on the Island of Patmos, look for that Toyota. It's most likely still “truckin.”


Monday, October 14, 2013

P2C2013 T-Shirt Giveaway!




✬ T-shirt Giveaway ✬
We wore pink and walked for our community at #p2c2013! PATH to the Cure is over for 2013 but it is still #BreastCancerAwareness month and we have extra team shirts available for grabs!

Share a STORY with us about your favorite tri-state #breastcancersurvivor (with her permission, of course) and we will send you both a shirt. Of course, if you have a story in memory of a loved one, we would love to hear that as well.

Be forewarned, we mostly only have larger sizes available. They are so pretty, made from dri-fit material so also super comfy. Please share this post and help us spread word of this giveaway so those who would like a shirt, get an opportunity to share their story. Limited quantity available so just while supplies last.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Toyota 100 Cars for Good!






Voting for the Toyota 100 Cars for Good Program starts today!  This year Toyota will be awarding two vehicles each day to the top two vote getters.  Today there are two finalists within the CAT region!  At 10AM please click on this link https://apps.facebook.com/carsforgood/ and cast your two votes.
The two CAT finalists:
·         Warrior Canine Connection from Brookeville, MD.  The WCC serves wounded warriors with Post Traumatic Stress disorders and traumatic brain injuries.  Their program reduces the symptoms of combat stress by creating a human-animal bond with their service dogs.  To find out more information about this finalist, please click on the link below:
·         Wildlife Center of Virginia from Waynesboro, VA.  The Wildlife Center of Virginia is a hospital for native wildlife.  The center provides life-saving veterinary care to over 2,500 sick and injured bald eagles, owls, bears, rabbits, and turtles.  To find out more information about his finalist, please click on the link below”

Friday, October 4, 2013

5 Things That Optimists Do, and You Should Too



1. Optimists know that you don’t necessarily need to achieve something in order to be truly happy.

Happiness comes from within. It’s a conscious decision that you need to make, whether or not things are going the way you want them to.
If you provide a condition to your happiness, like you’ll only be happy if you’re able to achieve something, then what happens if that condition isn’t met?
Success isn’t a guaranteed factor. If you equate happiness with success, you may be happy, but this happiness stops the minute you start failing.
Give yourself the power to be committed to being happy by adapting a grateful outlook in life.

2. They avoid negative people and refrain from encountering bad vibes.
Optimists are well aware that being negative and being positive are both contagious. So, for them to create an optimistic environment, they stay away from grouchy people who always complain.
Instead, they nourish relationships with emotionally supportive and equally optimistic people. They know that life is too short to spend with people who don’t really value them, so they choose to spend it with people who do realize their worth.

3. Optimists respect themselves and their time. 
In a way, optimistic people are like wild and brave souls–they are confident that they don’t need the approval of anyone else in order to live their lives. Positive people know that people will always judge them with whatever they do, so why bother pleasing people when it’s obvious that you can never please everyone every single time?
Optimists even have the courage and the confidence to say no to things that don’t really matter to them. They’re not pressured into doing something that they don’t really like, and they’re free to pursue their passion accordingly.

4. Optimists are resourceful people.
Successful entrepreneurs and optimists are both innovative and creative individuals. They know that they’re never going to have everything that they need, so they make do with what they have instead.
- Steve Jobs didn’t wallow in fear when he didn’t have enough money to fund his startup: he sold his only means of transportation, his VW Microbus, to finance it.
- Walt Disney didn’t go into severe depression when he was told that Mickey Mouse is a “giant mouse on the screen that would terrify women”; he pushed through and look at how famous and well-loved Mickey is today.
- Donald Trump was bankrupt four times (in 1991, 1992, 2004 and 2009) but his resourcefulness and innovation gave him a $2.7 billion net worth today.

5. They know that life is not fair–and they’re okay with that.
Most people feel grumpy, frustrated or disappointed because they expect life to be fair for everyone.
Why does Justin Bieber have a lot of haters? Because a lot of people don’t like the fact that he gets millions just by performing and doing his hair flips regularly.
Why are there a lot of complainers all over the world? Because they feel that they’re self-entitled to everything that their neighbors have.
Why are there crime scenes? Because people feel like they’re not given equal treatment (such as equal money with the rest of the society), they should just go ahead and make things equal. By taking the matter into their own hands, they commit crimes instead.
Optimists are not like these people. They know that life is never going to be easy–it’s never fair and it’s never predictable. In fact, they expect life to be unfair and unpredictable most of the time! They accept the fact that their friends may be given more money, that some celebrities are given more fame, and that some of their loved ones are more successful in terms of romance.
And you know what?
They’re okay with that.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

From the desk of Bob Smith...


 

One of my favorite Television Shows from the 80's was “The A Team,” and the best line, “Don't you love it when a plan comes together?” Well, nothing could be closer to the truth describing last Sunday's PATH to the Cure 5K walk/run for the fight against breast cancer. More than three thousand enthusiastic walkers and runners took to the downtown streets of Huntington to strut their stuff, and indeed they did. With every outfit, make-up, and hairdo imaginable, creativity abounded. Some participants ran like the wind, others, including yours truly, huffed and puffed all the way to the end. At times I was tempted to call for the rescue (aka party) shuttle, but for fear of ridicule, I, along with my wife Billie and her sister Kathie trudged along to the finish line. The rest of the Advantage Toyota team left us in the dust.

What a day of fun and satisfaction, knowing the money raised will be going to help women in our community who can't afford mammograms. A huge tip of the hat to all the volunteers who worked countless hours to bring it all together.

As I staggered into the Big Sandy Superstore Arena, we were treated to a classic country/western concert by Kellie Pickler, a strong lady whose had her own share of adversity. And to top it all off, a very nice photo memento of Kellie, Billie and me. Considering my sub-par performance, I will immediately begin training for next year.