"Somehow I can't believe that there are any heights that can't be scaled by a man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special secret - curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy, and the greatest of all is confidence. When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable." - Walt Disney
Every day that you attempt to see things as they are in truth Is a supremely successful day. - Vernon Howard
If you want a place in the sun, you've got to put up with a few blisters. - Abigail Van Buren
Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap ... but by the seeds you plant! - Robert Louis Stevenson
It is in our lives and not our words that our religion must be read. - Thomas Jefferson
I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs. - Frederick Douglass
Editor Pat: I'm going through a challenging time and I bet many of you are also. This is a good time to quietly reflect and remind ourselves of why we are here. To serve Goodness and in doing so we make our world just a little bit better than it was. Perform random acts of kindness when you can, it doesn't take much effort and the recipients tend to pass on the good behavior.
God Bless and Enjoy your Holiday and family time!
“Use your gifts faithfully, and they shall be enlarged; practice what you know, and you shall attain to higher knowledge” - Matthew Arnold
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.” - Dr. Seuss
“We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action.” - Frank Tilbolt
“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.” - Abraham Lincoln
"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life." - Fr. Alfred D'Souza
"The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn - and change" - Carl Rogers
A Commitment To Life
(Choosing To Love Life In An Often Unlovely World)© Lee Wise All rights reserved
I choose respect over pride-filled disdain,and sincere honor over selfish flattery.
I choose to unearth treasures of goodness instead of crumbling before the weight of widespread evil.
I choose truthfulness over the easiest way out, and faithfulness over convenience without commitment.
I choose to value the beauty within by not reducing a person's worth to the size of a waistline, amount of networth, or ability to help me achieve my self-centered pursuits.
I choose the joy of making a small difference with someone as opposed to making no difference with anyone.
I choose to hear the laughter of a child as over and against the drones of an adult whose maturity is defined more by his accomplishments than his awareness of life itself.
I choose to spend more time dreaming about my possibilities, refocusing my energies, and realigning my values than I do rehearsing my failures.
I choose to carefully listen as opposed to caring less and revealing it more.
I choose to flourish in the freedom of forgiveness as opposed to remain enslaved by the tyrant of never ending bitterness.
I choose to escort laughter into my world instead of wistfully longing for its arrival at the assault of each untried day.
I choose to exchange blame for responsibility, cruelty for compassion, and the mindset of rigidity for the heartbeat of a caring, understanding individual.
I choose to value the complexity of loving in the messiness of real life instead of relinquishing that privilege on the altar of misguided self preservation.
I choose action as opposed to resignation and involvement instead of isolation.
I choose to cherish relationships more than the counterfeit value of acquiring currency without concern and dollars without devotion.
I choose to love the God I know and serve the God I love.
I choose life.
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© Lee Wise All rights reserved. You may freely distributethis article. The copyright and this resource box must beincluded.
Avoid pain/create pleasure. For A Beautiful Moment In Timego here --> http://www.motivation-for-daily-living.net
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"The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be" - Marcel Pagnol
"You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith." - Mary Mann Morrissey
"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart." - Elisabeth Foley
Self-Confidence
by Holly Jahangiri
Self confidence is inner peace. It is a deep-seated belief in yourself; it is contentment with who and what you are. It is not the misguided belief that you are perfect, or somehow better than others. It is not a delusional belief that there is no room for growth or improvement. It is not "attitude."
Self-confident people are able to take criticism with an open mind and a grain of salt. Years ago, a coworker told me that I would "make more friends on the job" if I turned down a promotion I had already been given. I considered her advice with an open mind. She was correct; several coworkers resented my being promoted so quickly, and I had essentially bumped someone else from the position. He was demoted, and I was asked to do his job. My responsibility was to my employer, and I wasn't being paid to make friends at the office. So, I did my job. I did end up making some friends there, in the end. Self-confident friends who didn't feel threatened by or jealous of my success.
I get criticism of my writing daily, and thank God for it! The way I look at it is this: Before I send a book out to be translated into umpteen languages and printed worldwide, I want to know if I've missed something that's going to come back and haunt me. If I disagree with the comments or corrections, I can choose to fix them or not. But if I'd seen them for myself, would I have shown them to others? Would you be kind enough to tell the Emperor he had no clothes--back in his dressing room when he still had time to fix the problem? Or would you cringe and pretend that you didn't know the Emperor was naked?
Self-confident people don't have to belittle others to feel better about themselves. I think the appeal of shows like Jerry Springer is that they make us feel so vastly superior to those poor fools on the stage. But underlying that sense of "There but by the Grace of God" is a mean-spirited delight or titillation in the misfortunes and stupidity of others. And I contend that it is more satisfying to watch such spectacles when we are suffering our own little "crises of confidence" than when we are content with ourselves. I had surgery a few years ago, and started watching these shows in the afternoon. I'd been told my recovery could take six weeks, but at the end of the first week I was starting to look forward to my daily dose of stupid people. I rolled my eyes, I sneered, I jeered - I cringed. I begged my doctor to let me go back to work at the end of a week. "My brain is starting to rot," I said. "You have to let me go." He did. Self-confidence recovered, sanity restored, my body healed faster.
Self-confident people don't have to take the offense or the defense. Self-confident people don't have to be pushy or rude to get their way. Most of the self-confident people I know are not consumed with introspective self-doubt and worry, and are therefore more able to focus on others and make others feel better about themselves. They are often mentors, who are glad when their students outshine them. They are not threatened by this; they take credit where it's due and are happy to share it freely. Self-confident people don't get defensive or come out fighting when things don't go their way, or when someone criticizes or insults them. They know that there are better things to come, and that one rotten apple doesn't spoil the barrel.
Self-confident people can feel hurt like anyone else, but because they are their own best friends, self-confident people cannot be crushed or have their spirits broken by an unkind word.
Self-confidence is attractive; love is self-confident. Ever notice how people in a steady, dating relationship often have to beat back prospective suitors with a stick? And how people who are anxiously seeking someone with whom to have a meaningful relationship are stuck at home on Friday and Saturday nights, doing their laundry or washing their hair? Neediness and lack of self-confidence scare people away. Correction: Neediness and lack of self-confidence attract some people, but generally not the sort of people you'd want to attract. When you don't need anyone's company but your own, yet are open to accepting the company of others, you will have it before long.
When I was first married, I actually told my husband that if he were hit by a car, I'd throw myself in front of a bus to die with him. What pathos! He said he wouldn't do the same for me; after all, someone would have to make the funeral arrangements. Omigod, I thought. He doesn't love me at all! I was crushed by his "cavalier" attitude. I've since assured him that I'd arrange a lovely funeral for him, too, if he got run over by a bus. I recently asked him, "Why do you love me? Why have you put up with me, stayed married to me, all these years?" His answer was the most romantic, touching, meaningful thing I could imagine. 18 years ago, a less self-confident me would probably have filed for divorce. "It's not because you're beautiful, or because you're sexy, or even because I love you," though he hastened to assure me that I was, I was, and he did, "It's because you're not stupid."
That kind of love lasts.
About the author:
Holly Jahangiri is a professional writer who claims, tongue-in-cheek, to channel the spirits of Edgar Allan Poe, Erma Bombeck, and O'Henry. On a bad writing day, she claims to have poured every last ounce of creative ability into childbirth; she has two wonderful children to prove it. On good days or bad, Holly is always grateful for the love and support of her husband, J.J. Holly Jahangiri is an author on Writing.Com ( http://www.Writing.Com/ ).
"I Did It All By Myself"
I heard an amazing story about an interesting conversation between a self-made millionaire and his pastor.
The self-made millionaire said, "I started out with nothing.My parents were broke and didn't give me a thing. I put myself through school. And from the time I was a kid till now, nobody's ever given me anything."
The pastor asked, "You did it all by yourself?" The man said,"That's right." The pastored asked, "And nobody's ever given you a thing?" The man replied, "Not a thing."
Well, let me ask you this," said the pastor. "Who gave you life? Who gave you your marvelous brain, your talents, your natural abilities? Who changed your diapers and put food on your table as a child? Who taught you how to read and write? Who spent hours, weeks, and years educating you?"
The pastor continued, "Who gave you your first job? Who mentored you in business? Who lent you money to start your own business? Who raised a little girl and nutured her into a woman who could give you herself, her love, and your children?"
Still the pastor questioned him, "Who buys your products? Who takes care of your customers and manages your offices?" Who gave you your health? Who cleans your home, your office buildings, and the toilets?"
The pastor finished by saying, "If you can still look me in the eye and tell me you've done it all by yourself and that nobody has ever given you anything, then my last question is: Who has blinded your eyes and given you such a foolish, arrogant, and ungrateful heart?"
The self-made millionaire was silent for a few moments. It was one of those eureka moments.
He said, "What do I have that I haven't been given?"
Footnote: This self-made million started a letter writing campaign. He wrote to everyone who had influenced his life and said, "Thank you!" This man's name is John Marks Templton and he said in his autobiography, "For more than 30 years my family sent Thanksgiving cards rather than Christmas cards to our friends, desiring to spread our gratitude for the many gifts of life."
"Never, never pin your whole faith on any human being: not if he is the best and wisest in the whole world. There are lots of nice things you can do with sand; but do not try building a house on it. " - C.S. Lewis
A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for. - John A. Shedd
"I believe life is constantly testing us for our level of commitment, and life's greatest rewards are reserved for those who demonstrate a never-ending commitment to act until they achieve. This level of resolve can move mountains, but it must be constant and consistent. As simplistic as this may sound, it is still the common denominator separating those who live their dreams from those who live in regret." - Tony Robbins
"Look ahead; envision the beautiful blessings waiting on your distant shores. If you follow your personal stepping-stones with joy, love, faith and gratitude, the swiftest currents will not impede your journey. " - Steve Brunkhorst
The Mountain Story
A son and his father were walking on the mountains.Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain:"AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"Curious, he yells: "Who are you?"He receives the answer: "Who are you?"Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!"He receives the answer: "Coward!"He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?"
The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention."And then he screams to the mountain: "I admire you!"The voice answers: "I admire you!"Again the man screams: "You are a champion!"The voice answers: "You are a champion!"The boy is surprised, but does not understand.
Then the father explains: "People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE.It gives you back everything you say or do.Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart.If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence.This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life;Life will give you back everything you have given to it."YOUR LIFE IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. IT'S A REFLECTION OF YOU!
Author Unknown
"We must become acquainted with our emotional household; we must see our feelings as they actually are, not as we assume they are. This breaks their hypnotic and damaging hold on us." - Vernon Howard
"Good ideas are common - what's uncommon are people who'll work hard enough to bring them about" - Ashley Brilliant
"All achievements, all earned riches, have their beginning in an idea." - Napoleon Hill
Clear Thinking 101
by: Steve Gillman
Want clear thinking? Resolve your "mind irritations," by watching what's going on in your head. It takes practice, but you can start right now. Sometimes a phone call you need to make quietly bothers you all day, just below consciousness. Maybe you're worried about an upcoming meeting. How do you find and resolve these things?
Take a deep breath, close your eyes for a moment, and tune in to your mind. As you become aware of these stressors, do something to let them go. Make that phone call, or put it on your "to do" list, and your mind will let go of the concern for now. Sometimes bringing a problem to full consciousness and telling yourself, "There is nothing I can do about this until Friday," will stop the unconscious worrying.
Start tuning into your mind, and you'll find it becomes easier to recognise what is just below the surface, irritating you and sapping your brain power. Take care of those things, and clearer thinking is automatic. This is a powerful technique if you use it regularly.
More Tips For Clear Thinking
1. Have clear space. It's rare that a person can work better in clutter. An organised home or office space means you won't have the thought "where is that..." distracting your mind.
2. Get enough good sleep. Sleep requirements vary greatly, but the bare minimum for almost everyone is somewhere around five hours. Many of us suffer if we sleep less than seven hours. Research, however, seems to indicate that after some minimum quantity, the quality of sleep is more important for normal brain function.
3. Try meditating. Close your eyes, relax, and watch your breath. Your mind will wander endlessly, but just continually return your attention to your breath. Do this for even five minutes, and you'll feel better and think more clearly.
4. Walk. I think the research will eventually show this to be one of the best things you can do to improve the quality of your thinking. But don't wait for the proof. There are enough other reasons to take a walk anyhow.
5. Avoid sugar. Eat a large piece of sugary cake on an empty stomach, then try to do math problems twenty minutes later. You'll understand "brain fog," or the "sugar blues."
6. Breath deeply through your nose. Three deep breaths through your nose is like a mini-meditation. Nose breathing uses your diaphram more, drawing more air in, and therefore pumping more oxygen into your bloodstream and brain.
7. Don't drink alcohol. A beer or two may help your creativity, but in general, alcohol is a hindrance to clear thinking.
About The Author
Steve Gillman has been studying brainpower enhancement, creative problem solving, and related topics for years. Subscribe to his free Creative Problem Solving Course, and get a free gift at: http://www.ProblemSolving101.com
"Every one says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive." - C.S. Lewis
"Determination gives you the resolve to keep going in spite of the roadblocks that lay before you." - Dennis Waitley
"When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on." - Thomas Jefferson
"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us." - Helen Keller
"Laugh at yourself and at life. Not in the spirit of derision or whining self-pity, but as a remedy, a miracle drug, that will ease your pain, cure your depression, and help you to put in perspective that seemingly terrible defeat and worry with laughter at your predicaments, thus freeing your mind to think clearly toward the solution that is certain to come. Never take yourself too seriously." - Og Mandino
Always and never are two words you should always remember never to use. - Wendell Johnson
"Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." - Howard Thurman
"Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure." - Napoleon Hill
"If you want things to stay as they are, things will have to change" - Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
Or heritage and ideals, our code and standards - the things we live by and teach our children - are preserved or diminished by how freely we exchange ideas and feelings. - Walt Disney
How To Make Your Dreams Come True
By Carol Pagan
“Anything you can conceive and believe, you can achieve.”
BUT
Yeah, they don’t tell you about the BUT. It doesn't sell well.
What’s the BUT?
It takes time and effort.
Ouch!
All those magic seekers just clicked away en-mass. Oh well. For those of you who are still here, take heart. You can achieve almost anything if you are willing to pay the price. The bigger the dream, the bigger the price.
Say you want to be a millionaire, but right now you don’t have 2 quarters to rub together. Is becoming a millionaire impossible? No. Is it probable? No.
Why?
It takes time and effort. It may take 1 year, or 2, or 5, or 20.
I read somewhere that the average millionaire took 20 years to get there. And that may seem like an impossibly long time.
Let’s take another perspective. If you are 40 or over, you have most likely worked 20 years. And you are facing at least another 20 years of work still. If you were to become a millionaire anytime within that 40-year period, that would be great, wouldn’t it?
Since Bill Gates is a prime example in today’s world, let’s talk about him for a minute. How long did it really take him to accomplish what he did? How many years did he putter with computers before he set out to make it his life’s work?
There was another secret buried in that last paragraph. Did you catch it?
All dreams are born out of something you love. If you are chasing money for the sake of money, you will never be happy. But if you are working with something you love, then the money is a nice bonus.
You’ve heard story after story about people who’ve goneafter their dream. Walt Disney, Fred Astaire, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, Billie Holiday, Usher, Tiger Woods … the list is endless.
And dreams aren’t always about making money. You might like to help starving kids, or survivors of natural disasters, or abused women. You might love boats, or cars, or golf, or bowling.
When you’re doing something you love, you can do it for 20 years if that’s what it takes.
What is one thing you would really love to do in your lifetime? Do it. No matter how long it takes.
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If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down. - Mary Pickford
I don't believe in pessimism. If something doesn't come up the way you want, forge ahead. If you think it's going to rain, it will. - Clint Eastwood
"Life is like a grindstone. Whether it wears you down or polishes you up depends upon what YOU are made of" - Zig Ziglar
Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't. - Erica Jong
I myself do nothing. The Holy Spirit accomplishes all through me. - William Blake
"I have had dreams and I have had nightmares, but I have conquered my nightmares because of my dreams" - Jonas Salk
"Love comes to those who still hope even though they've been disappointed, to those who still believe even though they've been betrayed, to those who still love even though they've been hurt before." - Anonymous
"Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be" - George Sheehan
All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope. - Winston Churchill
Every great man, every successful man, no matter what the field of endeavor, has known the magic that lies in these words: every adversity has the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit. - W. Clement Stone
A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him. - David Brink
If you procrastinate when faced with a big difficult problem... break the problem into parts, and handle one part at a time. - Robert Collier
"There is more to success than reaching goals. People have accumulated vast fortunes only to live their final years unfulfilled and spiritually poor. Success must also include a joyful appreciation of living — an authentic joy that pulls us toward the next episode of our life's purpose." - Steve Brunkhorst
Creative and Rich – The Artist's Attitude Towards Wealth
By Tania French
Are you creative but lacking in wealth? Your inborn talent can only blossom into its greatest potential when you are rich enough to finance all your needs. Whatever may be said in praise of poverty, the fact remains that it is not possible to live a really complete or successful life unless you are rich.
Every sane person wants to be fulfilled and prosperous.
I can attest to that. My life as a classical composer was not bringing in much money. My music was being performed around the world, and I had commissions, but most of the fees only covered a life of poverty. So I chose to make a change.
However, in order to make that change, I took a hard look at my views on money. Sure enough, I was conditioned to expect little in monetary rewards for my creative work. Whether you are a writer, painter, dancer, musician, or composer, society expects you to be a “poor artist”.
Well, I have learned that what I expect does happen!
Your thoughts about your life become your future. Let me repeat that. Your thoughts about your life become your future!
In order to undo and cast off these deeply conditioned thoughts, I stopped them in their tracks when they reared their ugly heads. Instead I learned how focus like a laser-beam on the life I wanted. With joyous concentration I could smell, see, feel, hear and taste the life I wanted.
Soon enough, things began to shift. The first shift confirmed an idea, a yearning, I had had for a long time.
Now, I am writing classical/new age/world music for a much broader audience. My heart and mind are supremely focused on creating an uplifting listening experience for all ages. As a result, my life has changed – I am creating the life of my dreams.
You are the creator of your life. You can choose between a life of worry and sadness or a life of joy and abundance. Only you can make that change.
Worrying about how to pay this month’s bills takes precious energy away from your creative life. Joy is never present in a stressful environment. When your energy is drained by worry and stress, your creative life suffers.
Life has advanced so far, and become so complex, that even the most ordinary man or woman requires a great amount of wealth in order to live in a manner that even approaches completeness. You naturally want to become all that you are capable of becoming. This desire to realize innate possibilities is inherent in human nature. We cannot help wanting to be all that we can be.
Show the world your gifts and, in return, you will draw riches to yourself. Your creative energy is money just waiting to flow back to you. Apply yourself, and you will be fulfilled and prosperous. The very best thing you can do for the world is to make the most of yourself!
For your common-sense guide to living a fulfilled and wealthy life, http://www.prosperousartist.com/ click here. Tania French is a composer who has enjoyed performances and radio broadcasts of her music worldwide. Articles about her music have been published in major European and American newspapers and magazines. Her latest CD “Renewal” (released in December, 2005) will feature a rejuvenating fusion of new age, classical, and world songs. © 2005 Tania French. All Rights Reserved.
SmartMoney
"Using the power of decision gives you the capacity to get past any excuse to change any and every part of your life in an instant." - Tony Robbins
"If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month." - Theodore Roosevelt
"The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams." - Oprah Winfrey
"When you have come to the edge Of all light that you know And are about to drop off into the darkness Of the unknown, Faith is knowing One of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on or You will be taught to fly" - Patrick Overton
"There is something in every one of you that waits and listens for the sound of the genuine in yourself. It is the only true guide you will ever have. And if you cannot hear it, you will all of your life spend your days on the ends of strings that somebody else pulls." - Howard Thurman
Inducing Conciousness in Others
By Steve Taubman
Over the last few years, I’ve clocked some serious hours on my meditation cushion. Sometimes, serenity evades me despite my best efforts. But at other times, I get a glimpse of liberation. I’ve come to understand that that state is present and available whenever I’m able to interrupt the constant stream of thought that imprisons me in my self image. Interestingly, although I didn’t choose these professions with that in mind, I’ve spent the last several years working as a hypnotist and magician; careers which are designed to do just that; to interrupt the stream of thought and bring about a transient experience of liberation. As I think about it, I believe that the pursuit of enlightenment is often accompanied by the desire to guide others there as well.
We all have the capacity to deliver at least one of the experiences that induce enlightenment. Perhaps you can tell a joke or a funny story and make someone laugh. Or maybe you can create a soothing physical environment in which people can relax into their essence. You might fill your house with beautiful music, pleasing visual stimuli, and live plants to induce a shift into harmonization with nature.
Even if you possess none of the skills I’ve described, however, you still have one thing which can stimulate liberation in others, and that is presence. Merely attending to another person creates an environment for spontaneous growth and healing.
Suppose you were to make a commitment to giving your undivided attention to everyone you encounter, to empty your mind of all thoughts and be so completely present that the other person had nothing with which he or she had to compete.
Have you noticed that it’s very easy to tell when someone is really listening to you? Attending to you? Have you noticed how quickly you become aware when someone with whom you’re speaking becomes distracted or preoccupied? Have you also noticed that it’s very difficult to talk to someone who’s not listening? I don’t mean that it’s difficult to get them to hear you. I mean it’s actually difficult to construct your own thoughts.
Communication is an organic process. It requires a giver and a receiver. Absent of a receiver, the giver is incapable of doing his or her job. The system backs up, not just to the mouth of the giver, but all the way back to the brain. The mechanism for thought-creation freezes and the giver loses the ability to think clearly. Once that ability is suspended, the giver becomes edgy, confused, and blocked. You’ve no doubt experienced this state and have wondered why you felt that way. I call this the inability to show up. We must be witnessed if we are to show up. We talk into someone’s listening. Our essential message, the clarity of our expression, and the recognition of our own truth require a receiver or they can’t become manifest. The enfolded remains enfolded. We cease to be creative. We become depressed, isolated, and insecure.
That is what we do to others when we fail them as listeners. We wound their souls and cast them into suffering. Don’t think for a moment that you can get away with providing inadequate attention, that it goes unnoticed or that its effects are unfelt. If you know it when you’re not being received, you can be sure that others know when you’re giving less than your full attention.
Conversely, when we resolve to give others our undivided attention, they can show up. They can touch their own essence. They can discover their own inner resources. They can become who they’re truly meant to be. And as they unfold, we get the benefit of seeing who they really are. We get to discover bridges between us and them that we never knew existed. Not only do we end their isolation, we end our own as well. Life is more fun when we take the time to make real connections.
The act of connecting is a deliberate one. We must decide to become and remain present. We can’t wait for the circumstance or our mind to make that decision for us. If we do, we’ll be distracted by the constant stream of thoughts in our head which are completely unrelated to the interaction at hand, as well as by the mental chatter evoked by the interaction. Judgments, evaluations, questions, and uncomfortable emotions are all likely to surface as we stand face to face with another, and, within a very short period of time, left unchecked, our mind will create a movie screen of images between us and the other person. It’s only our commitment to presence that prevents us from withdrawing our focus of attention. We must do our very best to direct attention back to the present moment and to the person or group with whom we’re interacting. In doing so, we’re giving a gift that won’t go unnoticed.
As we become clearer channels of presence, we provide an environment in which those around us can touch something profound within themselves. As they do, they can become liberated from their own mental limitations and from the suffering those limitations create. It’s remarkably gratifying to know that just being present can, and often does, bring about incredible growth!
Dr. Steve Taubman is a hypnotist and physician, and the author of UnHypnosis: How to Wake Up, Start Over, and Create the Life You’re Meant to Live. His writings and teachings are meant to guide people in the use of tools of transformation, and to bring esoteric spiritual principles down to earth so people can use them to improve their lives. You can learn more about UnHypnosis by visiting http://www.unhypnosis.com
Commitment turns a promise into reality with words that speak boldly of your intentions and actions that speak louder than words. - Steve Brunkhorst
Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe, and enthusiastically act upon... must inevitably come to pass! - Paul J. Meyer
"Most of the trouble in the world is caused by people wanting to be important." - T.S. Elliot
Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world. - Lucille Ball
Aim High
By Lee Down
Change is difficult for many people. Often times our whole identity is wrapped up in what we've learned as children will work for us when dealing with people, allowing us to survive, thrive and fit in. While some people have had to learn to thrive in the midst of change and learned to be adaptable by being open to new ideas and embracing change, many others have had to fight for survival and every table-scrap that came their way. Behavior is learned and it takes work to unlearn and dismantle these old beliefs.
The truth of the matter is that win-win is always possible. When you are able to see beyond the ego and recognize the abundance that is available, people, minds, and ideas come together and can create amazing changes that improve the current scenarios for many, many people. When you work with people who have this abundant and generous attitude, you are uplifted, the team soars, and amazing energy and creativity is unleashed. This is much harder to do, to sustain, and to elevate within others when you encounter individuals driven by the thought of scarcity and competition.
People like Steve Jobs are visionaries that have sought to bring about such shifts in society and in business. One thing I've learned along the way is that it is often better to take the high road. This isn't about judging others as wrong or seeing yourself as better than others. This is about recognizing your truth as to how you wish to BE in the world. Don't compromise your integrity. Don't get caught up in the competition. See the vision, see the outcome, feel the purpose and passion you're driven to offer the world, and give it freely. We all die. You can’t take anything from this life with you. So give what you have to offer the world. What is not given is lost forever.
If your goal is to truly bring about a positive change and serve others, how it is accomplished becomes less important and seeing it accomplished becomes more important. While it may be a blow to your ego when others criticize your inspiration, or someone takes the credit for something you've introduced, holding fast to the benefits for everyone will often soften the sting. You do need to pick and choose those places where you'll offer yourself, the key is to evaluate whether it is serving a common good. When you’re getting compensated for your contributions, gratitude would serve you spirit of peace. If you continually feel abused and stomped on, maybe it is time to move on to a more collaborative team, as well as a more receptive and appreciative audience.
Knowing that you are accomplishing your purpose and living your passion will be reward. In time, it will be recognized. Imposters will eventually be seen and heart & soul will always outlast the mind & ego. Along the way, through the journey that is your life and career, you will need to hold fast to the true inner qualities and nature of the brilliance that is you. Don’t allow these negative experiences to become something that undermines your value. You are not the negative experience. Often times, the negativity we experience from others, is more a reflection of them and less about who you are.
We all have different lenses, different gifts, different wiring, and different experiences. Difference is not something to be judged, it is a gift of diversity that brings the pieces of the puzzle of life together and creates a society, a solution, a technology, etc., together for the benefit of us all. Don’t doubt yourself when others cannot see the vision you see. Keep true, keep your intentions, and you will attract the right support, the right people, and the right opportunities. Lower the ego and aim high the vision.
Best wishes,
Lee
Make a Difference
Lee Down is a Professional Coach, Trainer/Facilitator, Speaker, & Writer of One Man Can Human Capital Development that focuses on relationships, the key foundation to success in business and life. With more than 15 years professional experience and a thirst for truth and understanding, he focuses on the human spirit and human capacity. Working with clients, he facilitates the breaking down of beliefs, barriers or obstacles that bring clients forward on their journey of discovery with spirit, energy, abundance, passion and purpose, integrating the mind and body experience. Working with business, he brings visionary leadership and relationship skills to the forefront that witnesses an empowered culture evolve and develop directly impacting the improvement to the bottom-line.
A well-developed sense of humor is the pole that adds balance to your steps as you walk the tightrope of life. - William Arthur Ward
"God allows us to experience the low points of life in order to teach us lessons we could not learn in any other way. The way we learn those lessons is not to deny the feelings but to find the meanings underlying them." - Stanley Lindquist
"We are enslaved by anything we do not consciously see. We are freed by conscious perception." - Vernon Howard
Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature´s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. - John Muir
Commitment turns a promise into reality with words that speak boldly of your intentions and actions that speak louder than words. - Steve Brunkhorst
There isn't a ruler, a yard stick or a measuring tape in the entire world long enough to compute the strength and capabilities inside you. - Paul J. Meyer
"Wisdom is knowing what to do next, skill is knowing how to do it, and virtue is doing it." - David Starr Jordan
"You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else." - Albert Einstein
You Have Today in the Palms of Your Hands
By Patricia Kirkcaldy
Today – it’s simply the “bottom line”. Today is yours, with all its magic possibilities of
being and doing. Yesterday, with its mistakes, lost opportunities, and failures, is gone forever. Fretting about those fiascos won’t get you anywhere, except maybe the doctor’s office for ulcer medication!
And we’re not concerned about tomorrow right now. It’s still just a wink and a promise.
Today you have the here and now -your reality. Today is the clay in your hands. You mold it and make it what you choose.
One effective today plus another effective day – add 365 of those and you get one incredible year. That whiz-bang, take-you-to-the-top year is created simply by focusing on what’s in front of you right now. What can you take action on right now - even if it’s just for a few minutes- that will bring you closer to your goal?
Do you want a stronger family life? What can do you right this minute that will support that goal? Perhaps it’s to communicate, perhaps it’s to forgive. Maybe it involves setting work aside and playing with your children. Do it – right now. Take the next step immediately.
Do you want greater income from your business? Then what money making activity can you focus on right now to get you closer to that goal? You’ll have a greater chance of taking home a bigger paycheck if you learn to take action and not procrastinate.
Decide to make every moment of your life enriched by the right use of each passing moment. When you do so, you naturally eliminate worry from your life – and that’s one disease out of the picture!
How do you reach success? Simple. Do your best every day, with whatever you have.
By all means, plan for the future, and revise your plans in relation to what you accomplished yesterday. But in order to move forward, you must take action today.
Just get started. Set a timer for five minutes and decide you’ll work on the most pressing job for that long. Then you have complete permission to stop. 99.9% of the time, getting going is the tough part, and once you’ve taken one baby step, you’re motivated to tackle more of the job. As author Mike Litman writes, “You don’t have to get it right, just get it going.”
This simple rule, if followed on good days and blah days and terrible days, will create an incredibly beautiful life! And the legacy you leave for others will inspire them to greatness as well.
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"Wealth may be an excellent thing, for it means power, leisure and liberty" - James Russell Lowell
Discover four spiritual disciplines to transform your life.
I bet you’re like me - you want results now, without having to put in the effort and time to make things change. We want to pray a prayer and have instant results. Kind of like microwave Christianity!
But God isn’t our sugardaddy. He wants to build character in us so that once things do change we can handle the new lifestyle and be better equipped to fulfill His plan for our lives. And building character takes discipline and time.
But what disciplines do we need to work on? It depends upon what outcome you’re looking for. If a person wants to be a concert pianist, he practices the piano consistently and increases the level of his challenge as he improves.
If you don’t know what you want in life, you just know you’re not happy and your life needs improving, then you’re in serious trouble! If you don’t have a target, then you’ll hit your aim every time! But the good news is that every person has a dream. Even if your dream was put on the shelf some time ago, you can take it down and begin working on it today. The dream is still there because God put it there and He is ready to help you implement it.
Let’s look at how the following disciplines will help you, no matter what you are striving for.
Transform Your Thoughts (change your beliefs)
To make changes in our life it helps to understand the process of what happens between the time we think about something and when we take action. It looks like this:
Beliefs create thoughts
Thoughts create emotions
Emotions create actions
Actions create our lifestyle
Therefore, to change our thoughts requires us to identify false beliefs and replace them with God’s truths. Sometimes if we aren’t sure why we acted in a certain way, we can backtrack through the above process to uncover our core beliefs that caused our ultimate action.
Whenever we want to make changes in our life, fears and self-doubt begin to creep in. In order to conquer them we need to identify the specific fears (false beliefs) so we can counter them with God’s truths.
This is accomplished by continually reading the Bible. When we read statements that are contrary to what we think (believe), then we have a choice to make. We choose to either believe God's truth and act according to this new belief or continue to believe the lie, which keeps us stuck in a rut. We must make the choice as soon as we realize our thoughts are focused on lies.
Speak Your Future Into Existence
This outcome of this second discipline is described very well in Proverbs 18:20-21: " A man's [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil]. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]."
God created the world and everything in it, including us, by the words He spoke. He first thought about what He wanted, then He spoke it into existence. This power isn't limited only to God. God tells us that we, too, have this power to create with our words.
Many of us spend more time talking about our past than speaking forth our future. When we talk about our future, it's important to say what we "want" not what we "don't want." We must be extremely specific on what we speak forth for our future.
Control Your Emotions
We aren't taught that it is possible to control our emotions. Therefore, we feel powerless over how we react to situations. In John 14:1 Jesus told His disciples, " Do not let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated)..." God won't ask us to do something that He is not capable of helping us do.
This is great news that we can reign in our out-of-control emotions. Just knowing that this is possible helps us to see things in a new light. We see new possibilities of change where we didn't think change could ever occur.
Pray Consistently
This fourth discipline keeps us connected to the source of our hope – God. We obtain success through deepening our relationship with God and others. The three disciplines above help us develop character to enable us to develop healthy, loving relationships which fulfill us.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathy Williamson teaches biblical principles to help people overcome their problems and discover God's will for their lives. Her book, teachings and ezine can be found on her website at http://www.wisdomforliving.org/
"Success is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds." - Orusin Sweet Marden
"Get action. Seize the moment. Man was never intended to become an oyster." - Theodore Roosevelt
Don't mistake movement for achievement. It's easy to get faked out by being busy. The question is: Busy doing what? - Jim Rohn
Every thought has the power to bring into being the visible from the invisible. It is absolutely necessary for us all to understand that everything we think, do or say comes back to us. Every thought, word or action—without exception—manifests itself as an actual reality. - Ann Wigmore
If the things we believe in are different than the things we do, there can be no true happiness. - Dana Telford
You have within you right now, everything you need to deal with whatever the world can throw at you. - Brian Tracy
Ordinary people believe only in the possible. Extraordinary people visualize not what is possible or probable, but rather what is impossible. And by visualizing the impossible, they begin to see it as possible. - Cherie Carter-Scott
God exists in eternity. The only point where eternity meets time is in the present. The present is the only time there is. - Marianne Williamson
Get action. Seize the moment. Man was never intended to become an oyster. - Theodore Roosevelt
Show me your hands. Do they have scars from giving? Show me your feet. Are they wounded in service? Show me your heart. Have you left a place for divine love? - Fulton J. Sheen
Thoughts lead on to purposes; purposes go forth in action; actions form habits; habits decide character; and character fixes our destiny. - Tryon Edwards
"You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space." - Johnny Cash
"Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals." - Jim Rohn
"If I were asked to give what I consider the single most useful bit of advice for all humanity it would be this: Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life and when it comes, hold you head high, look it squarely in eye and say, 'I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me." - Ann Landers
It's the Little Things That Lead to Success
By Patricia Kirkcaldy
Everybody knows that good habits need to be cultivated while bad habits seem to grow like weeds. Habits like self-discipline, self-control, order, and perseverance, are all habits that require a conscious effort to create and maintain. Procrastination on the other hand, is a behavior takes no effort at all. For better or worse, it's your habits that make or break you.
The amount of self-help information available today is virtually unlimited, but it is of little value without first learning to direct your focus and attention. The mind moves constantly from one idea to the next with amazing speed, rarely giving its sole attention to one subject for any length of time. Yet success in anything depends largely on the ability to direct your mind; not only where it goes, but also how long it stays there.
Success, like anything else, must be learned and practiced. A habit starts out as no more than a thought. When this thought is pursued it turns into action. If repeated often enough this action will impress itself on the subconscious mind. Statistics show that an action or behavior repeated for at least 30 days becomes a habit, good or bad. Once a habit is formed it becomes automatic and no longer requires the attention of your conscious mind.
Take a close look at your routines. Routines are what form your habits. Examine what is working for you and what is not. Just as with a garden cultivating good habits will also take time and attention. You need to nurture the flowers in your life and start pulling the weeds. If something is not working for you, get rid of it! Your time and energy are too precious to waste on uneccessary thoughts and routines.
If you wish to be successful in anything you do, follow the clues.
Study the habits of successful people. It is the habits we create that make us who we are. One habit all successful people have in common is the ability to focus their attention for extended periods of time.
How do you make focus a habit? Start small and work up.
Resist the impulse to jump from one unfinished project to another. Write out a priority list and pay particular attention to the order of that list. Do not let petty distractions interfere with working through each task in the order you have established. When you overcome the temptation to let your focus and efforts become scattered, you are creating the habit of finishing projects and seeing them through to the end.
Situations will always arise over which we have no control but we can choose how we react to them. When you are thrown off course make a habit of returning to the task at hand as quickly as possible.
Learn to use your imagination and create a mental image of your end goal. The importance of mental imaging in attaining your goals cannot be over-stated. This mental image will act as a blueprint for your action plan, bringing your thoughts one step closer to reality.
When you consistently focus on your mental image it will manifest in the physical world. Regardless of whether you are trying to lose weight, succeed in business, or simply trying to improve your life, the more detailed your image, the better your chances of achieving your ultimate goal.
Acknowledge the small things.
Recognize and acknowledge each little success as it comes along. As one success leads to another they add up and you gain confidence in your ability to reach even larger goals. What you're doing is actively engaging in healthy "behavior modification". That puts you way ahead of most people who are not very conscious or awake!
Everything is learned by degree. Start small and practice daily focusing your attention for ever longer periods of time. As you learn to calmly focus and concentrate success will start to become a lifelong habit.
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"Apparently there is nothing that cannot happen today." - Mark Twain
Help A Child With Heart Birth Defects
August 6th, 2005 --
My friend Dr.Mani is a heart surgeon who innovatively uses Internet marketing to help kids born with heart defects.
On August 6th, in a very special event called the Heart Kids Blogathon, he is blogging non-stop for 24 hours to raise funds for his 'heart kids'.
And this year, he's setting his sights high
Dr.Mani plans to raise $100,000 in a day to fund lifesaving heart surgery for 50 children. But to make it happen, we need YOUR help!
He's got two very practical plans worked out - check them out here. Be a part of this great project, if you can.
Also, don't forget to drop by and encourage him on the big day! Make sure you visit the Heart Kids Blogathon blog on August 6th, 2005 - the URL is
http://www.EzineMarketingCenter.com/blog/
"The major value in life is not what you get. The major value in life is what you become." - Jim Rohn
Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith. - Henry Ward Beecher
Live by Your Thoughts
Copyright 2005
A car can only go in two directions, either forward or backward, and like a car, we can move forward or backward in our lives. Our every thought either takes us toward our goals and desires or away, and has a positive or negative effect on the direction of our lives.
Compare your brain to a computer. If a new PC is loaded up with virus contaminated programs would you expect it to run smoothly? Of course not, because you get out of the computer exactly what you put in - your brain is exactly the same.
Your every thought determines the direction of your life. If you are moving backward then take time to analyze your thoughts. Make a determined effort to recognize negative thoughts and treat them as your worst enemy. Try not to dwell on them. Putty can be molded into any shape or form and so too, your life can be shaped and your destiny set by your thoughts.
Remember, the potential for change is the same for everyone. It only takes acceptance of the idea that change is possible coupled with the determination to follow-through. It's not always easy to control our thoughts, but certainly not impossible, and the rewards can last a lifetime.
There are many books on the subject of self-help, but remember, you must take action to succeed. Your thoughts will not change simple by reading an article or book. You must apply what you learn to your everyday affairs. Allow what you read to awaken the possibility of change within you, then take action.
One of the most beneficial practices for positive thinking is to look for the "good" in everyone and everything. Remember to encourage others everyday by a kind word or deed and be ready to offer (or receive) compliments.
Find opportunities to put the power of your positive thinking to work.For example, you might be standing in a long line at the supermarket checkout. Rather than get upset, do your utmost to help-out and encourage others with a kind word or compliment. You will be surprised at the positive reaction and at how many people will bless you with a wonderful smile in-return.
Taking the time to notice others and look for the "good" in every situation will not only life your spirits, but will brighten the day for everyone around you - it's a win-win situation to be sure. There are a1001 ways to look for the good in others, be they family, friends orthose you may only meet once. So, get the lead-out, get rid of those negative thoughts and become a winner.
Begin today to change your thought patterns one step at a time. Set yourself a goal for the week or month and devote full attention to controlling your thoughts. Start with at least one hour each day and increase the time as your confidence and thinking improve. It is a habit that needs nurturing and a habit you'll come to cherish.
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"Nurture your minds with great thoughts. To believe in the heroic makes heroes." - Benjamin Disraeli
"The secrets of this earth are not for all men to see, but only for those who will seek them." - Ayn Rand
In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure. - Bill Cosby
Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others. - Danny Thomas
I had a mother who taught me there is no such thing as failure. It is just a temporary postponement of success. - Buddy Ebsen
"Restlessness and discontent are the first necessities of progress." - Thomas Edison
"It is a process of diverting one's scattered forces into one powerful channel." - James Allen
Our business in life is not to get ahead of others, but to get ahead of ourselves. - E. Joseph Cossman
"You cannot perform in a manner inconsistent with the way you see yourself." - Zig Ziglar
"The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want." - Ben Stein
"The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me." - Ayn Rand
The fastest way to succeed is to look as if you're playing by somebody else's rules, while quietly playing by your own. - Michael Korda
Carlos’ Words of Wisdom
1. Today is your day to exceed, so why live in yesterday.
2. You’re way beyond your expectation: so why not go a little further?
3. Walk with no fear through the darkness because soon you will see your horizon.
4. It’s not how immense your problems are: it’s how immense they appear to be in your eyes.
5. Endurance is the key to overcoming all barriers: they cave in after awhile.
6. You are more than your present status quo: just remember there is more you are going do.
7. How far will you go searching before you find out what your looking for is right in front of you?
8. Sometimes we are waiting for something big to happen when our answer is in something small.
9. Insight on life is found in life: just live while you learn.
10. You are closer to your success than what you think: just walk towards it.
11. Challenges are set to get the best out of you.
12. What is the impossible? Isn’t it something that is labeled by someone else who couldn’t do it?
13. If you believe you can do it than you can: don’t let someone else’s procrastination stop your ambition.
14. Watch the advice you receive there are some who know nothing but failure and they can’t see beyond that.
15. Your current situation whether good or bad is only your transition.
Carlos is a father of three who has gone through alot of obstacles and has overcomed a lot of them. He is 29 years old and he is excited about writing things that he has learned in the form of abstracts
Difficulty need not foreshadow despair or defeat. Rather achievement can be all the more satisfying because of obstacles surmounted. - William Hastie
No power on earth has a right to take our property from us without our consent. - John Jay
A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions. - Oliver Wendell Holmes
"Pain nourishes courage. You can't be brave if you've only had wonderful things happen to you." - Mary Tyler Moore
It's wonderful to climb the liquid mountains of the sky. Behind me and before me is God and I have no fears. - Helen Keller
"All growth is a leap in the dark, a spontaneous, unpremeditated act without benefit of experience." - Henry Miller
Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other. - Abraham Lincoln
How many people do you know with impressive self-confidence and courage? The kind of confidence that tackles every obstacle before them without considering turning back?
Would you like to develop this kind of belief system for yourself?
Try this activity. Don’t be fooled by its simplicity. Anyone can do it, but few will realize its power. Give it a try and see what positive changes occur in your life.
Just before going to sleep, focus clearly on whatever you want to achieve. Speak passionately and resolutely to yourself. Impress upon your mind any new goals you’ve made, and say to yourself, “I will accomplish this task—I will concentrate my best efforts upon this goal—I have the power to achieve it and I will absolutely, positively do it.” As your eyes grow heavy, reaffirm your dedication.
Some folks advise telling the world when you’ve set a goal you want to achieve. This isn’t necessary. Don’t tell others what you’re doing or plan to do, but just go ahead and do it. If you tell them, they may try to bring you down or tell you every terrible scenario or challenge you could ever face. Some people are envious of others who take action everyday to achieve their goals and aims, ignore "advice" that doesn't ring true to your inner knowing!
Keep your cool. Keep thinking of your clearly defined goals, and don’t allow your mind to be influenced by others’ opinions or accidental circumstances. That’s not saying to ignore sound counsel. But when you’re sure that what you’re doing is the right thing, and you’ve thought seriously and deeply about it, just go ahead and proceed regardless of negative people around you. You'll know what's right for you by instinct and a love for whatever it is that you want to accomplish. It's known that if you write down exactly what you want to do and how to make it happen, that alone will help to motivate you to actually accomplish it! When you take the time to write down what you want to do you are telling yourself that this is going to be done. Hint: Try to direct your thoughts to whatever it is that you'd like to accomplish in the next three minutes. Practice doing this and it will be easier to focus on the really important things, you'll get more done.
Want to establish a new charity? Build a new online business? Open up a daycare center? Blaze new trails in food or nutrition? Write a cookbook? It doesn't matter what it is that you feel complelled to do, what is important is that you take concrete action everyday to bring your desire to reality. Every completed step you take to your goal will energize you to move on to the next step that will help to bring your vision about. As you accomplish your goals you'll start to feel a new confidence and have a brighter attitude and outlook.
The right kind of self-confidence acknowledges the talent within yourself and others. It radiates from your whole being. Your faith in yourself, in what you have to offer and in your abilities will unmistakably be revealed in your speech and body language. You can’t hide it! The confidence you feel in yourself causes others also to feel confidence in you, so that they will be ready to listen to you and be more persuaded by you.
Given a choice, it’s usually better to have too much confidence than too little! And it’s certainly within your power to take it!
(c) Patricia Kirkcaldy
Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny. - Frank Outlaw
If you believe in what you are doing, then let nothing hold you up in your work. Much of the best work of the world has been done against seeming impossibilities. The thing is to get the work done. - Dale Carnegie
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. - Helen Keller
The Time To Start Working On Your Dream is Now - Not Later
by Rene Godefroy
Most of us are hesitant to start anything because we are afraid we might make a mistake or fail. Go ahead make mistakes! Don’t wait for more experience or to be good enough to start. You don’t have to be good to start, but you have to start to be good.
Some may tease and laugh at you. They will warn you, and recite all the reasons why you shouldn't take the risk. These will be the ones to wait around patiently hoping to say, “I told you so.” Brush them off. If you let these people influence you in any way, you will never, ever be ready to go ahead and start making your dream a reality.
You will never have enough money, enough time, enough support, or experience to start. But once you muster up the courage to take that giant step forward and start, the rest will fall into place. But only YOU can make it happen! Start NOW with whatever you know, whatever you have, and wherever you are.
Don’t let money be your handicap. You don’t need money to make the phone call, attend that networking event, or go as a guest to an association meeting in your field. How about volunteering a few hours a week to work for someone in the business arena that you're thinking about? Do you see what I mean? You have so many opportunities out there. Do something!
Be sure to keep a good database. Record your contacts and touch base with them every three months. And guess how much that will cost you? Zero. Most computers already come with a database program. All you need is a little time which you can choose to create right now.
Your assignment: This month, write down what kind of resources you will need and which people can help you make your dream a reality. Be creative! Go for it.
About The Author:
Rene Godefroy is the award-winning author of No Condition is Permanent, a motivational keynote speaker and business consultant who shares ideas and strategies that helps individuals achieve extraordinary results in theirs lives.
For more information, please visit: Motivational Speaker
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined." - Henry David Thoreau
Often the difference between a successful man and a failure is not one's better abilities or ideas, but the courage that one has to bet on his ideas, to take a calculated risk, and to act. - Maxwell Maltz
Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure. - George E. Woodberry
Flaming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success. - Dale Carnegie
Maturity: Be able to stick with a job until it is finished. Be able to bear an injustice without having to get even. Be able to carry money without spending it. Do your duty without being supervised. - Ann Landers
"Expect the best, plan for the worst, and prepare to be surprised." - Dennis Waitely
"Humor is a prelude to faith and Laughter is the beginning of prayer." - Reinhold Niebuhr
Are You Thankful Today?
(c) Charlie Page
http://www.RealWorldTactics.com
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People are funny creatures. We can be greedy and
impatient one day, kind and considerate the next.
And always, we are unendingly complicated.
Take being thankful for example. Most cultures dedicate
a day to thankfulness. In America we have an actual
holiday dedicated just to expressing thankfulness.
That's good I suppose (one day is better than none) but
what about Tuesday morning, or the next 12 minutes? Are
we thankful then too?
Are *you* thankful today?
Allow me to share five ways in which I'm thankful, and
I'll bet that you find you are thankful for many of the
same things too.
=====> FAITH
I'm not selling anything here and I'm no preacher, but
I must say that I am so very thankful for my faith.
Faith has been a constant in my life for almost 30
years. I have hard times and good times and great times
and horrible times, just like everyone else.
But in the midst of all of that, I know there is
someone greater than me, guiding my steps, and I know
He is there ... always.
No words of mine can express how good that is, but you
can count yourself blessed indeed if you know what I'm
talking about.
=====> FREEDOM
You are reading this on a computer connected to the
Internet. In contrast, many countries will forever deny
their citizens the ability to do what we do everyday -
sign on and read email - for fear that truth will set
them free.
If you live in America, your Constitution guarantees
you life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. You
have rights. You have the right of free speech, the
right to peacefully assemble and to protest.
Students in Tian'anmen Square made the ultimate
sacrifice on June 4th, 1989 in an attempt to gain for
themselves a right that we in America have enjoyed for
over 200 years.
We move freely from state to state with no border
guards. We are free to worship as we choose. We have
access to our elected officials. If we don't like
something they do, we can vote them out of office.
For these things we should be grateful indeed, because
they ensure our continued freedom and ability to
determine our own fate.
Are you free today? If so, take time to thank someone
who fought for that freedom. Not just on Memorial
Day, but every day.
=====> FAMILY
Nothing in the world can replace the happiness that
family brings. My family is probably as weird and
wonderful as your own, and sometimes I shake my head in
disbelief and say that no one would believe the "crazy
uncle Joe" stories if I told them.
But I'm thankful every day for my family, and for the
way I was raised. It makes me tremble to think of how
different my life as a child was from today's children,
and I'll be forever thankful for being raised in a
place and time where things like innocence and
integrity and the truth mattered.
The day I was married was the most life-changing day I
could have imagined. Suddenly, two people became one.
That she wanted an old shoe like me is a mystery I
still can't figure out, but I've long since stopped
second-guessing my wife. Certainly she had her reasons.
I'm just glad she didn't change her mind. ;)
The day I became a dad the world started making more
sense than ever before, and I knew in a way that can't
be expressed why I was on this earth. If you're a
parent, you know too. No greater privilege exists. No
greater stewardship can be granted. No greater joy can
be experienced.
If you are part of a family, you can be thankful right
now too.
=====> FORTUNE
Here's the good news ... you are rich right now.
The sheer fact that you are reading this article means
you are better off than 2 billion (yes - that is a "B")
citizens of planet earth who can't read.
If you know, right now, where your next meal will come
from you are better off than 17% of children living in
America. The rates for other countries are staggeringly
high.
In these things and more, most of us are privileged in
ways that others only dream of.
Our world encourages us to be competitive, to win.
These are necessary traits if we are to progress.
Progress is necessary and good. Yet the siren song of
business, the desire for double digit growth and the
constant comparisons of ourselves to others often cause
us to forget that we have so much more than we think.
If you ate a meal today, you can be thankful indeed.
Many people did not.
=====> FUTURE
The Internet itself is a reason for great thanksgiving.
It may seem cliche, but the fact remains that in no
other time in the history of the world has it been
easier to open your own business and change your
circumstances.
For many the Internet is not a convenience, but rather
the only way out of desperate circumstances.
A computer programmer in one of the formerly Communist
countries of Eastern Europe found his way out of
poverty by selling his services cheaply over the
Internet.
Providing excellent customer service and thankful for
the opportunity itself, the income he earns makes
possible such "luxuries" as proper medical care and a
steady food supply.
While the average per capita income in his country
remains under $1000 U.S., he eclipses that number and
is building a future for himself and his extended
family.
We in America view Thanksgiving as a one-day event, yet
one can guess that it's Thanksgiving every day in his
home.
My knees buckle when I think of how much I have to be
thankful for, and no list would be complete without
including you.
The honor of working for myself, serving clients and
readers for so many years, is more than I ever thought
would happen to me.
That's my list. I'm thankful for it all, and want you
to know that includes you.
Now let me encourage you to take just a few minutes
right now and make a list of your own. Then tell the
people on that list that you are thankful for them
today, while you can and while it's fresh on your mind.
If you are having difficulty finding your blessings,
try starting with these simple questions. Do you live
free today? Does someone love you today? Have you heard
children's laughter? Are you part of a family?
The more you think, the more you will realize that you
are blessed indeed. When we harbor the illusion that we
can change the future, and allow our thoughts to stay
there, we forget the joys of today.
We must not let the speed of the Internet or the
constant demands of our business life steal our sense
of well-being and appreciation for the people in our
lives.
There will be plenty of time for websites and talk of
income later. Today is a day for being thankful and
counting every blessing twice. Count yours today and
every day and you will find that you are rich indeed.
*******************************************************
Charlie Page helps people succeed in their Internet
businesses. Visit Charlie at
http://www.RealWorldTactics.com
"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society." - J. Krishnamurti
"What single ability do we all have? The ability to change." - Major General George Leonard Andrews
"Resentment is one burden that is incompatible with your success. Always be the first to forgive; and forgive yourself first always." - Dan Zadra
"He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
"God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing." - C.S. Lewis
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature." - Helen Keller
"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly." - Buddha
"You have not lived a perfect day, even though you have earned your money, unless you have done something for someone who will never be able to repay you." - Ruth Smeltzer
"The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance." - Nathaneil Branden
"You are not a human being in search of a spiritual experience. You are a spiritual being immersed in a human experience." - Teilhard De Chardin
Faith is different from proof; the latter is human, the former is a Gift from God. - Blaise Pascal
By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. - Confucius
The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others. - Albert Schweitzer
Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. - C.S. Lewis
Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith. - Henry Ward Beecher
Are Your Potatos Heavy ? by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown
A teacher once told each of her students to bring a clear plastic bag and a sack of potatoes to school. For every person they refuse to forgive in their life's experience, they chose a potato, wrote on it the name and date, and put it in the plastic bag. Some of their bags were quite heavy.
They were then told to carry this bag with them everywhere for one week, putting it beside their bed at night, on the car seat when driving, next to their desk at work.
The hassle of lugging this around with them made it clear what a weight they were carrying spiritually, and how they had to pay attention to it all the time to not forget and keep leaving it in embarrassing places. Naturally, the condition of the potatoes deteriorated to a nasty smelly slime. This was a great metaphor for the price we pay for keeping our pain and heavy negativity! Too often we think of forgiveness as a gift to the other person, and it clearly is for ourselves!
The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness, and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival. - Aristotle
Spiritual progress is like detoxification. Things have to come up in order to be released. Once we have asked to be healed, then our unhealed places are forced to the surface. - Marianne Williamson
Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light. - Hellen Keller
We are living in "interesting" times. Lovely wonderful events occur as well as acts of courage and bravery. Advances in technology whether it be communincations, medical or industrial are on the uprise and make our lives easier to some degree. But, there is a negative downside to modern society and our personal lifestyles also. Stress in all it's forms rears it's ugly head and can make our lives very difficult and challenging. Many are depressed and have no idea how to deal with personal, family, work, financial, health problems.
Answers frequently come from searching for the right thing to do as well as seeking the truth. Allowing our conscience to guide us is one of the most effective and worthwhile things we can do for ourselves and everyone around us. There are those who've gone before us and found wisdom through enduring suffering and hardship and progressing to recovery! Their words and thoughts can bring light and understanding to difficult times in our lives.
Many people find help, motivation, and guidance from reading Inspirational quotes and stories. Bringing you inspirational quotes and stories will be the focus of this blog.
Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd have preferred to talk. - Doug Larson