Maybe it was Kevin Costner’s lop-sided smile, or humble charm, or his puppy-dog eyes that got people’s attention. Or maybe it was his authenticity, or his passion for something no one else understood that got people to visit his baseball diamond in an Iowa corn field. But I don’t believe it was the field itself.

“Build it and they will come,” is arguably the most famous line from the 1989 movie, “Field of Dreams,” but what we remember is not Costner’s field, or his mantra. What we remember is his struggle, his actions, his pain and his passion. We identify with the feeling that following one’s passion is often misunderstood at least, and ridiculed at worst. We admire the person who encounters both but forges on anyway. That struggle, not a baseball field, is why they really came.

The field itself only symbolizes his story and his journey. The field is a tangible place of the emotional journey he took within himself.

I was immediately reminded of that when I offered to help authors John Strelecky and Tim Brownson get their book “How to Be Rich and Happy,” out to the homeless, the unemployed, the single moms, those recovering from an accident or injury, those who are struggling, are disabled, are in poverty. The book is totally free. Yes. FREE. No strings attached. It’s not an ebook. It’s a paperback book and it rocks. It’s well written, down-to-earth, practical and has all the steps - the entire formula in fact - for how to become, well, rich and famous. It’s not about wealth in terms of becoming a millionaire - although that could happen. It’s about stopping, taking stock and acting on your values.

It’s the kind of advice I wish someone had given me in my teens, or 20’s. I love it. I wish every homeless person, single mother, welfare mother, struggling student or anyone who has to count their change before getting a burger at McDonald’s, could read it. For the first three chapters of the book click here to download the PDF. How_to_be_Rich_and_Happy_Free_Download

They can if you will help me help Tim and John. If you are a non-profit organization, group, church or other group or individual who works with:

Homeless people
Single mothers
Welfare families
Unemployed
Underemployed
Disabled
Veterans

Go to http://richandhappy.com. Make a $25 donation (that pays for the shipping of one case of 60 books). Email Tim at Tim (at) richandhappy dot com (you know the drill - this is spelled out to foil internet bots) and let him know you donated $25, and give him your name and mailing address (no PO Boxes please), the name of your organization or how you work with the people above so he can verify you’re legit, and tell him how many cases ($25 for shipping EACH CASE) you need.

Tina Stull of Tina Stull Racing is getting 1,000 copies that she agreed to hand out - she’s a friend so I’m raising/paying the $350 for shipping (if you want to kick in a $1 or $5 with a Pay for Tina Stull shipment on the note) for that I would so appreciate it. Tina does wonders for our veterans and for homeless kids.

These books are to be handed out FOR FREE to people who can’t afford them. I know you’ll honor that and help us. He only has a million copies so act fast. He’s also printing them as he has people who BUY the book ($25) actually buy the book. That cost goes back into printing MORE books he can give away for free.

I don’t ask this sort of thing very often and only when it’s for a great cause. If you want to donate $1, $5 for shipping to:

Mark Horvath of Invisiblepeople.tv, you can do that. Just make a note and send an email. If you are a large organization - like a YMCA, Homeless Shelter, Women’s Shelter or other organization - please contact Tim directly for information on larger (and cheaper to ship) order directly from the printer.

Thank you all - and remember - it’s not the field - it’s the dream we’re really attracted to.