Jonas Salk

I have had dreams and I have had nightmares, but I have conquered my nightmares because of my dreams. - Jonas Salk

Faith Quotes

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.  - Mother Teresa

Your faithfulness makes you trustworthy to God. - Edwin Louis Cole

Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith. - Henry Ward Beecher

Tips for Achieving a "To-Do" Everyday.....

How to Ensure You Achieve Something Every Day
By Tony Hall

Possibly your most valuable resource in achieving all you set out to do in life is time. Without an effective and reliable means of managing your time and making the best use of it you will struggle to get what you want. There are many techniques for effective time management and so knowing what will work for you is important.

I'm a great believer in using "to do" lists each day. That way I know precisely what I have to do. The lists include the routine tasks that must be done, action points towards the key projects I am working on, and other activities I am to do including those relating to my leisure time. The lists are also broken down into time segments throughout the day. Then as I complete each task I can mark it off and so at the end of the day I get the great sense of achievement of having a list of what I have done and the motivation to move forward.

Now this technique may well work for you too, but there is another way. There are those who argue that using "to do" lists can actually be counter-productive. They say that reading the items on the list can have the effect of nagging away at you and causing you stress and worry that you might not get them done. Then if there are uncompleted items at the end of the day you will feel a sense of disappointment or failure and so the list becomes something that is de-motivating.

So their alternative method is to use "Did It" lists by simply entering items, stating concisely what you have done, into your diary or journal when you have completed them. The basis of this system is:

1. You know your goals and they are clear and meaningful and you have written them down.

2. You break your goals down into projects and then into smaller manageable chunks.

3. You have time allocated each day to carry out these tasks.

4. Therefore you know exactly what you have to do each day.

5. Once you have completed a task you then enter it into your diary or journal. You write precisely what you did and what was accomplished.

6. So at the end of the day you have a list of all that you have got done and hence a real sense of achievement.

So if you are struggling to manage your time and your "To Do" lists are becoming a hindrance rather than a help, why not give it a try. It may be just what you need to finally achieve your goals.

My main worry about this alternative method is that knowing in your mind what you have to do is one thing, but actually doing it can be something completely different! So I shall stick to the way that works for me. I need to have my tasks written down and I know that by managing them efficiently they will truly be helpful.

But whichever you choose, if you want to make real progress with your goals you must manage your time.

This article was written by Tony Hall who runs his own business dedicated to helping individuals develop their personal and business skills. You can learn more about how to develop your own life skills and get your complimentary copy of "The Process of Success" by signing up for his weekly newsletter at http://www.selfimprovementskills.com/newsletter.html

True Measure of an Individual

Keep in mind that the true measure of an individual is how he treats a person who can do him absolutely no good.  - Ann Landers

Retiring

Retiring is just practicing up to be dead. That doesn't take any practice. - Paul Harvey

Aristotle

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.

Daniel Webster Quotes

Keep cool; anger is not an argument

God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it.

What a man does for others, not what they do for him, gives him immortality.

The Best Medicine is Patience

Patience in Times of Adversity
By Adam D Porter

When times seem to be more challenging than others, stick to the laws that provide the blessings. Before you receive the greatest of goods, you must first show that you will be faithful even in your darkest hour. This requires that you practice the true virtue of patience. Even as the law of gender points out that all things have their own time and season, you will come to the knowledge that "this too shall be but a small moment;" and when endured well, you will be blessed beyond measure.

Great is the joy of a man, who, in his times of trouble, holds on to a hope that it will soon pass. As he continues to show faith in God in all his doings, recognizing that he is a child of a loving Father in Heaven, that man will have a reason for humble gratitude, and give thanks for the time that he has now, for it will benefit him in the future.

Change your vibration and allow a paradigm shift to take place. Take courage to view your circumstances with the perspective that life will have its ups and its downs. Though it's raining now, look forward to tomorrow for the brightness of the sun. When the storms of life beat heavily upon your house, remember the Rock upon which you are built.

This will happen to you when you create a goal and maintain a positive mindset. When your subconscious and conscience mind are both in the vibration to receive positive influences, the circumstances and things you need are gathering. In all ages of time, perils have and will arise and make life seem bleak. It is much easier to fall into discouragement and doubt, for discouragement and doubt don't require work. Holding fast to your hope will take faith, strength, and dedication on your part. The greater the goal, the harder the stumbling block; that is the law of opposites.

The God of our spirits says, "draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you" (Doctrine and Covenants 88:63). Notice that His is one of invitation, not force. You have the opportunity to act for yourself and not to be acted upon. No one, including God, God can draw you towards your desires and goals; you have to do that on your own. That is faith in action. Draw near to your desires and goals and they, in turn, will draw near unto you. You can't make them come to you; they come on their own time. You meet your goal halfway, and the desired fruits will be at your fingertips.

Patience is the virtue in your objective to obtaining the things you want. "Wait on the Lord" (Psalm 37:34). Prove that you will by having genuine gratitude for all you have endured and for the strength God has allotted to you. Patience is the key to the lock, and gratitude is the handle to the door, to receiving the fruits of the blessings.

Your Resolution to Succeed

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other. - Abraham Lincoln

Conquer Any Fear...

You can conquer almost any fear if you will only make up your mind to do so. For remember, fear doesn't exist anywhere except in the mind. - Dale Carnegie

Silence Between Friends

Silences make the real conversations between friends. Not the saying but the never needing to say is what counts. - Margaret Lee Runbeck

September is Women of Acheievement Month!

September Is Women of Achievement Month - Are You On-Board?
By Lynn Banis

Many cities and states have award ceremonies for women they believe have achieved a great deal. Those women are called Women of Achievement. They have done something that sets them apart from others.  They might be business giants, extraordinary volunteers or outstanding in other areas. They are the few that get recognized for what they have done. What about the rest of us? We go about our daily business doing extraordinary things all of the time but we do not look at our accomplishments as being extraordinary. Why is that? When you stop to think about it you will realize that what you do every day, the unique way you do what you do things is very extraordinary. There is only one you so lets celebrate that!

The month of September is designated Women of Achievement Month. I would like to see all women regard themselves as women of achievement. Let's take a look at how you measure what you do and what you give to the world. If you are a parent you do one of the most extraordinary things any human can do on a daily basis - you shape and guide the growth of children. Stop for a moment and think back over the past year. What has your child accomplished over that period of time? Do you think that happened by chance? No - you were an integral part of your child's growth. How extraordinary!

If you are a friend or relative again you do extraordinary things on a consistent basis. Once again, think back over the year. How have your relationships impacted other people? You were there for them, you made yourself available, you listened, you offered love and support. If that is not extraordinary I do not know what is.

There are so many roles we play in our lives. Take stock of yours and appreciate all of the extraordinary things you do while you are being who you are. Make a list of the things you now consider extraordinary. Keep your list going throughout the month of September. Be very aware of everything on your list, celebrate them and take some time to feel great about your achievements. September is your month to reflect and be aware of how very important you are in the lives of people around you. Their own lives would be lacking if they did not have you. Vow to carry yourself as a winner and appreciate what you give to the world.

Lynn Banis PhD, MCC is known as America's High Performance Coach. Lynn specializes in helping women in leadership positions or wanting to be in leadership positions make the most of their opportunities and potential. She enjoys helping executives and entrepreneurs create their ultimate impact. Her years of working with small and large businesses has given her a depth of knowledge that is invaluable to her clients both as a business and a life coach. Lynn is the author of two books "The Discovery Journal" and "Discovery Points:

A Coaching Guide to Getting Unstuck." Both can be obtained under Lynn's name at http://www.lulu.com. You can reach her at [http://www.discoverypointcoaching.com]. Also check out Lynn's other businesses: Coach Academy Texas, a cutting edge coach training company; and Turnkey Coaching Solutions, a coaching program management and contract coach staffing company.

Robert E. Lee-I Tremble for My Country

I tremble for my country when I hear of confidence expressed in me. I know too well my weakness, that our only hope is in God. - Robert E. Lee

When You Arise in the Morning

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love. - Marcus Aurelius

Kindness.....

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. - Lao Tsu

Julius Caesar-Create!

It is better to create than to learn! Creating is the essence of life. - Julius Caesar

Great Thoughts

Great thoughts speak only to the thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all mankind. - Theodore Roosevelt

Believe Deep Down in Your Heart...

Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things. - Joe Paterno

Warren Buffett Quote

 

Warren Buffett: “Every saint has a past, every sinner has a future."

Jay Forte: How Will You Transform the World?

How Will You Transform the World?
By Jay Forte

Wise words from Woodrow Wilson: "You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand."

Live your best life. And in the process, your best transforms the world.

I believe we invent our world in each moment; our world is created by those who live in it at this exact moment. And, the quality of our invention is based on each of us knowing ourselves to be able to contribute our best.

We are born with our unique DNA - our unique combination of talents, strengths and passions. The more we know ourselves, the more we become acquainted with our gifts - those attributes unique to us. Our happiest and most successful lives are lives that use what we are good at and passionate about doing.

This uniqueness is critical. Because we are all so different, we constantly add color, texture, experience and impact to our world. The more we know ourselves, the more we live this great uniqueness and the more of it we bring to the world. Our world expands. Our world improves. This is how we create our world. This is how we transform our world.

I see that most people live only a fraction of their capabilities - either by choice or by being unaware; they know so little about themselves and their hardwired greatness. They either don't know how to discover what they are good at and what they are passionate about, or choose not to make the effort. The result is they do not access their greatness zone - that place of their greatest happiness - and therefore, do not bring their best to the world. You can't bring your greatness to the world if you don't know what it is.

Grace was an educator in a large international distributor. She spent the time to understand herself and pushed hard to land a job as an educator - a job that played to her talents and passions. She was enthusiastically connected to her students and intellectually connected to her role. Grace's classes frequently had a waiting list. She flourished in your job, which amplified her life. She knew her talents, passions and strengths and brought her best to her work; she inspired greatness from others. She raised the bar. She wasn't a national celebrity but was indeed a celebrity to many people she taught. She changed their worlds.

Identify several famous people who have committed themselves to their craft or area. Their talents allow them to be great at what they do. Their passion allows them to connect in an exponential way. The combination is a world changer. Think about Michelangelo, Robert Frost, Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Emeril Lagasse, Charles Dickens, Abraham Lincoln, Da Vinci, Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr., Babe Ruth...the list goes on. They were good at what they did and passionate about doing it. And in the process they added great value to the world. They created a more significant world. They transformed the world.

Now, identify several non-celebrities around you who have committed themselves to their craft. It could be a partner, spouse, colleague, teacher, pastor, friend or anyone else. Those who play to their greatness expand the world for all of us.

People who play small don't transform the world. People who don't know their talents and passions, live a fraction of their potential and their gifted lives. Not only do they miss out, but they also shortchange the world; they don't achieve their greatness and don't share that greatness to recreate the world in an exceptional way - each day.

Answer the following to discover more about your hardwired greatness:
* What are you good at?
* What are you passionate about?
* What is success (happiness) for you?

These questions start your process to discover the combination of gifts you were born with. You start to see your passions, talents and strengths. Use these be your best, bring your best and live your best. Besides having an amazing personal and professional life, playing to your greatness will also transform the world.

Jay Forte is a motivational and business speaker, author and workplace/life coach. He is the author of "Fire Up! Your Employees and Smoke Your Competition," "The Hunt for Opportunities Success Manual" and the on-line resource, "Stand Out and Get Hired." His new book, "The Greatness Zone - Know Yourself, Find Your Fit, Transform The World" is due out in Sept 2010. He trains and inspires people to rediscover their talents and passions to maximize their impact, contribution and happiness in both work and life. More information http://www.LiveFiredUp.com.

Margaret Thatcher on Hard Work

I do not know anyone who has got to the top without hard work. That is the recipe. It will not always get you to the top, but should get you pretty near. - Margaret Thatcher

Conquer Fear.....

If you want to conquer fear, don't sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy! - Dale Carnegie

Live Your Passion!

Live Your Passion
ByNancy Shields

There's an old saying that goes: If you follow your passion, you will never work a day in your life. So many of us get caught in a rut and we end up in dead end jobs which we dislike. We dislike the idea of getting up in the morning to go to these jobs, and we don't like the idea of being at these jobs. I've done it plenty of times in my life, and finally I realized - enough of this insanity. Life is too short not to be doing what you truly love!

Of course, first you must find your passion. Once you find what truly excites you, then it is time to execute the plan in how you can make a living in what you truly love. I recently came in contact with Sue Fernandes, living in the U.K.; Sue designed my website, and after talking to her, she is an inspiration! She worked in the hotel business most of her adult life, she is nearly 40 years old and she decided on this new career move. She now builds and designs websites. I personally love stories like this. It's never too late to do what you LOVE!

I believe our parents were apt to stay in one career, one job, and would not move or even consider something else; the reason being because you have a job, it pays you money, so you stay in that job. They may not have been happy with that job, but, hey, they stuck to it. Guess what, they win the award for sticking to something they don't like. We spend too many hours in a day at these jobs and offices to be wasting our time with something we truly don't like. "Why" - I ask?

Imagine a life where you are creating and doing your passion? Words like joy, happiness, excitement are some of the feelings tied in doing something you love. I am going to use that word again - FEAR. This is what stops us from proceeding with our plan to start something new, for ourselves, and in the long-run, for all around us.

We are happy people when we are doing the things we enjoy. You feel less stressed and life flows so much better. So, time to get out there - figure out your true passion and DO IT!

If you love something and stick with it, you will get phenomenal results. This statement comes from inspirational speaker, Bob Proctor.

Remember, may the possibilities of today excite us all!

Eleanor Roosevelt stated, "the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." My dream has been to encourage and empower women. My passion to inspire through words of love and understanding. Makegirlfriends.com has been created for women to meet.share and inspire one another. We put so much emphasis on sites where men meet women but I found in life that my girlfriends have been there for me through life's challenges. The importance of great friends is what inspired me to create http://www.makegirlfriends.com/

I also have an inspirational blog at http://blog.makegirlfriends.com/

I will be launching this site on August 1, 2010 which is National Girlfriends Day in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Be part of the inspiration and part of this adventure we call life!

100 Famous Inspirational Quotes

Enjoy some of the most famous Inspirational Quotes of all time in this video:

It's Not the Load...

It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it. - Coach Lou Holtz

Free of Admirers?

Adversity is the state in which man mostly easily becomes acquainted with himself, being especially free of admirers then. - Coach John Wooden

Responsibility

Whenever we seek to avoid the responsibility for our own behavior, we do so by attempting to give that responsibility to some other individual or organization or entity. But this means we then give away our power to that entity. - M. Scott Peck

No Scarcity of Opportunity

There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love; there's only scarcity of resolve to make it happen. - Wayne Dyer

5 Ways to Create an Active and Healthier Lifestyle

Five easy ways to create an active and healthier lifestyle


(ARA) - Outside of the economy, fitness and healthy eating are among the most critical issues facing Americans today. Only 31 percent of Americans are getting adequate exercise and 68 percent of men and 53 percent of women are overweight, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Health Interview survey released in March.



The good news is that the tried-and-true approach of regular exercise and smart nutrition will go a long way toward managing weight loss and an overall healthy lifestyle. In fact, the benefits of being more active can be seen within a short time after starting a new routine and include more energy, less stress, lower blood pressure, improved digestive health and a reduction in cardiovascular disease risk.



A fitness program doesn't have to take place in the gym. Beverly Abbs, an award-winning ultra-runner, recommends outdoor fun to get started on everyday fitness. "You don't have to run long distances in order to reap the health benefits," says Abbs, a member of Ultra-Running Team Sunsweet. "Short distance runs and even outdoor walks are a great way to stay fit and have fun. I got my start competing in athletic events with just 2- to 3-mile runs. That turned into a life-long love of ultra-running."



When you add in smart nutritional choices to your exercise routine, the positives pile up further.  "As a triathlete and a sports dietitian, I can tell you that plenty of healthy choices are convenient and taste delicious," says registered dietician Dr. Katherine Beals.



So, whether you aspire to overhaul your diet and exercise program or are just thinking about taking a few first steps to a healthier life, smart choices can start with a few simple steps. Abbs and Dr. Beals offer these tips for getting started on achieving overall better health.



1. Get and stay active:  Adults should get 2.5 hours of aerobic physical activity per week and perform strengthening activities two days a week, according to the U.S. Health and Human Services department.  Fortunately, it is easier than you might think to incorporate exercise into your routine.  For example, take the stairs instead of the elevator and find the parking spot that is farthest away to get extra steps in between your car and your destination.  Play tag with your kids, or consider signing up for a community fun run 5K. Not only do these runs usually provide an opportunity to race for a good cause, you can use it as training motivation.



2. Use interval training: Experts say varying your cardio work with a combination of easy/hard intervals will result in faster fitness gains.  It also mixes up your workouts and staves off boredom. Next time you go for a run, instead of keeping the same pace, try mixing in a few sprints. Start with 30 seconds on hard and 10 seconds on easy.



3. Go for convenience: Abbs says dried fruits like Sunsweet Ones, individually wrapped prunes, are a convenient and nutritious snack whether you're training for a marathon or just a busy person on the go. "These delicious snacks are portable, don't spoil and deliver calories that count." Plus, prunes are known to support digestive health.



4. Fill up with fiber: High-fiber foods are critical to digestive health and any weight loss program because they fill you up and help keep the hunger pangs at bay. The typical American eats only about 11 grams of fiber a day, according to the American Dietetic Association, and health experts recommend a minimum of 20 to 30 grams of fiber a day for most people. Fruits (dried and fresh) and vegetables are great fiber sources including apples, pears, prunes, peas, broccoli and sweet corn.



5. After an intense workout: Carbohydrate-rich foods that are energy dense, easy to digest and familiar and appetizing - like bagels, granola bars, crackers, dried plums and fruit juices - are good choices for post-workout fare to replenish any lost nutrients. Exercise also increases the loss of water from the body, primarily through sweat, so the harder and longer the workout, the more lost fluid that needs replacing.



"Drinking fluids like water, sports drinks, and fruit juices or eating water-containing foods can replace these lost fluids and, in the case of fruits, fruit juices and vegetables, replace much-needed potassium," Dr. Beals says.



Regardless of your current level of activity and commitment to nutrition, it is never too late to make smart decisions. Make the commitment today and take these steps toward a more fit and healthy you.



Courtesy of ARAcontent

Shades of Change.....

Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts.  - Arnold Bennett

If there is no struggle, there is no progress. - Frederick Douglass

It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.  - C.S. Lewis

Without change, something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken.  - Frank Herbert 

Christians are supposed not merely to endure change, nor even to profit by it, but to cause it. - Harry Emerson Fosdick

Character.....

Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike. - Teddy Roosevelt

Peace Is...

Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means. - Ronald Reagan

Prepare to Win

You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win. - Zig Ziglar

Miracles

Miracles do not, in fact, break the laws of nature. - C. S. Lewis

Be Great, Powerful Beyond Measure

The Seed of Greater Benefit

Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed on an equal or greater benefit. - Napoleon Hill

Life is Like.....

Life is like playing a violin solo in public and learning the instrument as one goes on. - Samuel Butler

Winston Churchill-Success

Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm. - Winston Churchill

Attitude of Gratitude

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation. - Brian Tracey

Uncle Miltie-Build a Door!

If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door. - Milton Berle

The Best Day of Your Life

The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours - it is an amazing journey - and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins. - Bob Moawad

Eng's Principle

The easier it is to do, the harder it is to change. - Eng's Principle

All Tyranny Needs

All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. - Thomas Jefferson

John Adams-What Really Ails America

All the perplexities, confusion and distress in America arise, not from defects in their Constitution or Confederation, not from want of honor or virtue, so much as from the downright ignorance of the nature of coin, credit and circulation. - John Adams

A Vote is Like a Rifle

A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of the user. - Teddy Roosevelt

Lincoln-Character is Like a .....

Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. - Abraham Lincoln

Barkley-Don't Rely on The Government

Poor people cannot rely on the government to come to help you in times of need. You have to get your education. Then nobody can control your destiny. - Charles Barkley

William Jennings Bryan Quote

Never be afraid to stand with the minority when the minority is right, for the minority which is right will one day be the majority. - William Jennings Bryan

Martin Luther King-All Progress is Precarious

All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem. - Martin Luther King

Raising Funds of Love

Let us more and more insist on raising funds of love, of kindness, of understanding, of peace. Money will come if we seek first the Kingdom of God - the rest will be given. - Mother Teresa

Friendship.....

* A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down. - Arnold H. Glascow

* Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. - George Washington

* I don't need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better. - Plutarch

* Silences make the real conversations between friends. Not the saying but the never needing to say is what counts. - Margaret Lee Runbeck

* When a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it. - Edward Howe

You Were Born to Win

You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win. - Zig Ziglar

Conquer Fear

You can conquer almost any fear if you will only make up your mind to do so. For remember, fear doesn't exist anywhere except in the mind. - Dale Carnegie

Pay Special Attention to Those Close to You

Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstances, are brought into closer connection with you. - Augustine of Hippo

Quit Dabbling and Focus!

"One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power. Most people dabble their way through life, never deciding to master anything in particular." - Tony Robbins

The Death of Fear

Do the thing you fear most and the death of fear is certain. - Mark Twain