Fat Man in Paradise FMP: Care vs. Try

Caring will take you further than just trying:

Hilton Head Palmetto Dunes Marriot

I was doing 3rd grade level home work with my 8 yr old; studying rocks and minerals. 10 minutes into the lesson I noticed my sons eyes begin to glaze and I could tell, I had lost him, he was done and we had only just begun! I have to admit this angered me and I felt myself flush with heat; I was never a good student and I don’t want to repeat the third grade but if I am going to study he damn well is too.

Beach side hammocks

Having a plan:

The next morning I wanted to coach him to understand that caring about whatever he endeavors is the most important key to his success. Caring create positive results and simply trying to try without an emotional connection to what he wants to achieve will result in him falling short of his true potential.

We had just returned from a weekend trek to a resort on the Isle of Palms just north of Charleston, South Carolina. The resort was rated 4 stars and located on the Wild Dunes. We were very excited and looking forward to a luxury get away unfortunately within minutes of our arrival we knew we had been mislead; the property was depressed, tattered and under- serviced. The facility fell well below our expectations of 4 star luxuries and was in many ways inadequate to road side motels. The boys were very disappointed and the weekend was a near bust.

trail mix

complimentry fruit

special teas

On our ride to school I used our negative experience with the failed resort as a comparison to the Plantations of Hilton Head Island. IMO it is impossible to truly appreciate what HHI has to offer without getting inside the plantations. We have a resident membership at the Marriot health club in Palmetto Dunes.

childrens pool area

The Marriot’s building is beginning to show its age but like a good suit quality always shows and never goes out of style. The guest amenities include an enclosed heated pool area with separate Jacuzzi, a large outdoor ocean side deck with pool bar, 2 more Jacuzzis, a smaller children pool and a 25 meter lap pool adjacent to a palm lined garden with private hammocks that leads to the beach. In addition to a well equipped fitness room they have a sauna and steam room, a relaxation room that plays mediation music and shows mesmerizing videos. The customer conveniences include free razors, shaving cream, hair gels and deodorants, mouth wash and munchies; fresh fruit, teas, and trail mix. I have enjoyed memberships in many 5 star hotels and in-spite of its age the Marriot in Palmetto Dunes has by far been my most complete and enjoyable experience. Being able to enjoy all the luxuries and pampering from well trained staff while enjoying Hilton Heads endless beach fronts is any travelers dream come true.

Marriot Team

spa team

Friendly Professional

I asked my son what he thought was the difference between the two resorts and he said the bad one was confusing. I was not sure what he meant and he said at Hilton Head it is easy, everyone is happy and wants to help. At the other place they just wanted to sell us stuff. Hmm from the mouth of babes; that was exactly correct the Dunes was more about selling golf, spa treatments and residence than being a 4 star resort that focused on providing luxurious accommodations. They were trying but they did not have a clear picture of what they want to accomplish consequently they are unable to provide the care that dozens of resorts on Hilton Head specialize in.

forward thinking

If there is ever going to be hope of achieving something special it is imperative that we know what we want, set a mental picture in our minds eye of what success will look and feel like and care enough to follow through by doing the things we know we should and staying away from doing the things we shouldn’t.

Clarity in mind, purpose and emotional attachment in seeing what we want come true is what makes the journey, fun, exciting and adventurous.

Phoenix seemed to get the message his next exam was marked an “A” with 100% correct.