Positive thinking

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A Valentine Prayer

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A Valentine Prayer

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If We Tune In

If we tune-in on thoughts of failure, illness, discouragement, despair and hate, the charts of our lives will take a sharp downward course.

If we tune-in on thoughts of victory, love, hope and faith, our lives will become larger, finer, more worth while.

If we tune-in on the surface things that break like bubbles and leave us nothing, our lives will be shallow and empty.

If we tune-in on the deeper things, eternal principles of plain living and high thinking, the riches which men have put into immortal literature, art and music, then entire personalities will grow and expand.

If we permit ourselves to become selfish and cold toward others, the springs of love and sentiment will dry up leaving us but the husks of life.

If, on the other hand, we are kind and thoughtful and considerate of others; if we strive always to pluck a thorn and plant a flower wherever we think a flower will grow, riches more valuable than much fine gold will enter our lives.

Saint and sinner, prince and pauper, the things men tune-in on become a part of them and make them what they are.

~By Lilly Ames-Light

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The Worth of our Lives

A well-known speaker started his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this."

He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air.

Well, he replied what if I do this? And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it with his shoe. He picked up the now crumpled bill and dirty. "Now who still wants it?"

Still the hands went up into the air. "My friends, you have all learned a valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, it did not decrease its value. It was still worth $20."

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless.

But no matter what happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely crushed, you are still priceless to those who love you.

The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or whom we know, but by WHO WE ARE. You are special - Don't ever forget it. Count your blessings, not your problems.

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Be Like a Sunflower

A sunflower is a very smart flower

It does not just hang its head
On days that are cloudy
It searches the sky for the sun instead

If the sun is behind a cloud
in the middle of the day
A sunflower will keep looking
for that sun ray

When there is no sun
It doesn't lay down and go to sleep
A sunflower knows
the sun is up there somewhere
It doesn't give up and weep

Just knowing the sun is there
can give you imposing power
It won't always be cloudy
Look up, stand tall
Be like a Sunflower

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Inspirational Quotes

Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what
you want is someone who will take the bus when the limo breaks
down.Oprah Winfrey

Fall seven times, stand up eight. Japanese proverb

Whatever it is you are feeling is a perfect reflection of what you are in the process of becoming. Abraham/Esther Hicks

Don't wish it were easier, wish you were better. Don't wish for fewer problems, wish for more skills. Don't wish for less challenges, wish for more wisdom. Earl Shoaf

First we make our habits, then our habits make us. Charles C. Noble

Ideas are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands. But like the seafaring man on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them you will reach your destiny. Carl Schurz

The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we don’t know what to do. John Holt

The simplification of life is one of the steps to inner peace. A persistent simplification will create an inner and outer well-being that places harmony in one's life. Peace Pilgrim

Love never fails; character never quits; and with patience and persistence; dreams do come true. Pete Maravich

The pessimist complains about the wind, the optimist expects it to change and the realist adjusts his sails. Unknown

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Slow Down Therapy

Slow down; God is still in heaven.
You are not responsible for doing it all yourself, right now.
Remember a happy, peaceful time in your past.Rest there. Each moment has richness that takes a lifetime to savor.
Set your own pace.
When someone is pushing you, it's OK to tell them they're pushing.

Take nothing for granted: watch water flow, the corn grow, the leaves blow, your neighbor mow.
Taste your food. God gives it to delight as well as to nourish.
Notice the sun and the moon as they rise and set. They are remarkable for their steady pattern of movement, not their speed.
Quit planning how you're going to use what you know, learn, or possess.
God's gifts just are; be grateful and their purpose will be clear.
When you talk with someone, don't think about what you'll say next. Thoughts will spring up naturally if you let them.
Talk and play with children. It will bring out the unhurried little person inside you.
Create a place in your home...at your work...in your heart...where you can go for quiet and recollection. You deserve it.
Allow yourself time to be lazy and unproductive. Rest isn't luxury; it's a necessity.
Listen to the wind blow. It carries a message of yesterday & tomorrow - and now. NOW counts.
Rest on your laurels. They bring comfort whatever their size, age, or condition.
Talk slower. Talk less. Don't talk. Communication isn't measured by words.
Give yourself permission to be late sometimes. Life is for living, not scheduling.
Listen to the song of a bird; the complete song. Music and nature are gifts, but only if you are willing to receive them.
Take time just to think. Action is good and necessary, but it's fruitful only if we
muse, ponder, and mull.
Make time for play - the things you like to do. Whatever your age, your inner child
needs re-creation.
Watch and listen to the night sky. It speaks.
Listen to the words you speak, especially in prayer.
Learn to stand back and let others take their turn as leaders.
There will always be new opportunities for you to step out in front again.
Divide big jobs into little jobs. If God took six days to create the universe, can you hope to do any better?
When you find yourself rushing & anxious, stop. Ask yourself "WHY?" you are rushing and anxious. The reasons may improve your self-understanding.
Take time to read. Thoughtful reading is enriching reading.
Direct your life with purposeful choices, not with speed and efficiency.
The best musician is one who plays with expression and meaning, not the one who finishes first.
Take a day off alone; make a retreat.
You can learn from monks and hermits without becoming one.
Pet a furry friend. You will give and get the gift of now.
Work with your hands. It frees the mind.
Take time to wonder. Without wonder life is merely existence.
Sit in the dark. It will teach you to see and hear, taste and smell.
Once in a while, turn down the lights, the volume, the throttle, the invitations.
Less really can be more.
Let go.
Nothing is usually the hardest thing to do - but often it is the best.
Take a walk-but don't go anywhere. If you walk just to get somewhere,
Count your friends. If you have one, you are lucky. If you have more, you are blessed.
Bless them in return.
Count your blessings -one at a time and slowly

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Happy New Year

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Happy New Year

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The True Meaning Of Christmas

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The True Meaning Of Christmas

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Life Is

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Life Is

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Life Is A Postage Stamp

Choose to be a forever stamp or a holiday stamp.
Before you wrinkle your nose, squint your eyes or furrow your brow deciding that I've lost my mind, consider the function of a postage stamp. Unless you are a philatelist, the only function of a postage stamp is to stick to the envelope or package.

This requires endurance. This tiny piece of Life is a adhesive backed paper must remain so solidly affixed that it survives Postage Stamp the shuffling and friction against other pieces of mail in the postman's bag or truck, close encounters in various mail rooms as it gets sorted and rerouted and back out for delivery. Consider the obstacles and near brushes with death encountered by this tiny little rectangle of paper.

Forever stamps retain their usefulness even after postage rates increase. Holiday stamps have a fixed value and are most frequently used only for Christmas cards and other holiday mail.Relate your decisions and resolutions to the sticking power of a postage stamp. How determined are you to stick to your goals and resolutions until you reach your destination?

The persistence of a holiday stamp means that you give up before the holiday ends. A holiday stamp looks festive, appealing and appropriate for a few weeks before it starts resembling stale cut out sugar cookies. Whether your new goal was to lose weight, launch a physical fitness program or establish a new business, it absolutely requires more than a casual effort for a few weeks. What are you willing to do to achieve your goal?

Persistence, consistent forward motion and sticking to the goal until it became a reality. Success does not always go to the swiftest, the strongest, the richest or someone from the lucky gene pool. Success is awarded to the last man standing. Hang in there long enough with forward motion and determination; success will yield to you. The next time you hit a speed bump on your success path just remember the postage stamp. Choose to be a holiday stamp or a forever stamp. Success is rarely if ever an accident or a lucky break. Success is a decision followed by consistent and persistent action.

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10 Guidelines for Success

The value of Time - Don’t Waste it.
The significance of Perseverance - Don’t Give up.
The pleasure of Hard work - Don’t be Lazy.
The dignity of Simplicity - Don’t be Complicated.
The worth of Character - Don’t be Dishonest.
The power of Kindness - Don’t be Uncaring.
The call of Duty - Don’t shun Responsibility.
The wisdom of Economy - Don’t Neglect.
The virtue of Patience - Don’t be Impatient.
The improvement of Skills - Don’t stop Learning and Practicing.

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Believe in Yourself

There may be days when you get up in the morning and things aren’t the way you had hoped they would be.That’s when you have to tell yourself that things will get better.
There are times when people disappoint you and let you down.But those are the times when you must remind yourself to trust your own judgments and opinions, to keep your life focused on believing in yourself.
There will be challenges to face and changes to make in your life, and it is up to you to accept them.
Constantly keep yourself headed in the right direction for you. It may not be easy at times, but in those times of struggle you will find a stronger sense of who you are.
So when the days come that are filled with frustration and unexpected responsibilities, remember to believe in yourself and all you want your life to be.
Because the challenges and changes will only help you to find the goals that you know are meant to come true for you.
Keep Believing in Yourself

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Building Our Lives

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.

The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.

When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front-door key to the carpenter. “This is your house,” he said, “my gift to you.”

What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.

So it is with us. We build our lives in a distracted way, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best. At important points we do not give the job our best effort. Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built. If we had realized, we would have done it differently.

Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your house. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build wisely. It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity. The plaque on the wall says, “Life is a do-it-yourself project.”

Who could say it more clearly? Your life today is the result of your attitudes and choices in the past. Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today.

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One Day More

We never know our fate in life from the moment of our birth.
We know not the roads we’ll travel while walking upon this earth.
The tears we’ll cry, the pain we’ll bear is kept unknown to us. We wake each day to face the world living in faith and trust.
Our shattered dreams, our adversities,things beyond our own control can wear us down from day to day. The worries can take their toll if we were given just one chance to see what our future holds. Would it weaken us beyond belief or make us strong and bold?
But which among us could deny if we knew what lies in store that we would be willing to accept and to ask for one day more
Bonnie Lee Tatum

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We May Not Always Realize

We may not always realize

That every thing we do,
Affects not only our lives
But touches others, too!

For a little bit of thoughtfulness
That shows someone you care,
Creates a ray of sunshine
For both of you to share.

Yes, every time you offer
Someone a helping hand …
Every time you show a friend
You care and understand …

Every time you have
A kind and gentle word to give …
You help someone find beauty
In this precious life we live.

For happiness brings happiness
And loving ways bring love;
And Giving is the treasure
That contentment is made of.

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You will never be sorry

... for thinking before acting,
... for hearing before judging,
... for forgiving your enemies,
... for being candid and frank in love,
... for helping a fallen brother,
... for being honest in business,
... for thinking before speaking,
... for standing up for your principles,
... for closing your ears to gossip,
... for bridling a slanderous tongue,
... for harboring pure thoughts,
... for empathizing with the afflicted,
... for being courteous and kind to all.

Life is short. Share your smiles. Forget your grudges. Respect and cherish everyone you see today.Remember tomorrow may never come...!

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God has a plan for You

Don't say you're not important,
It simply isn't true,
The fact that you were born,
Is proof that God has plan for you.

The path may seem unclear right now,
But one day you will see,
That all that came before,
Was truly meant to be,
God wrote the book that is your life,
That is all you need to know.

Each day you are living,
Was written long ago.

God only writes best sellers,
So be proud of who you are,
Your character is important,
In this book you are the " Star. "

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Reach for your Star

Do not take anything as being forever, because forever is only as long as today.
Know that the people who are the richest are not those who have the most, but those who need the least.
That we are at our strongest when life is at it's worst, and at our weakest when life no longer offers a challenge.
That it is wiser not to expect, but to hope, for in expecting you ask for disappointment, whereas in hoping you invite surprise.
That unhappiness doesn't come from not having something you want, but from the lack of something inside that you need.
That there are things to hold and things to let go. and letting go doesn't mean you lose, but that you acquire that which has been waiting around the corner.

Most of all......
remember to use your dreams as a way of knowing yourself better, and as an inspiration to reach for Your Star!

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Some good Thoughts

Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behaviors. Keep your behaviors positive because your behaviors become your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher.
He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.
We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey.
We are disturbed not by what happens to us, but by our thoughts about what happens.
When we leave this world, how much we have loved will be our true legacy. It is the only thing we will leave behind and carry with us.
Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we have learned here. The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and the acceptance of love back into our hearts.
The highest happiness is when one reaches the stage of liberation, at which there is no more suffering.
b

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Moments in Life

There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real !

When the door of happiness closes, another opens; but often, we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one, which has been opened for us.


Don't go for looks; they can deceive.
Don't go for wealth; even that fades away.
Go for someone who makes you smile,
Because it takes only a smile to
Make a dark day seem bright.
Find the one that makes your heart smile.

Dream what you want to dream;
Go where you want to go;
Be what you want to be;
Because you have only one life
And one chance to do all the things
You want to do.

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet,
Enough trials to make you strong,
Enough sorrows to keep you human and
Enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the best of everything that comes along their way.

The brightest future will always be based on a foorgotten past;
You can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling;
Live your life so well at the end that you are the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

Pray for those who have touched your life in one way or the other;
To those who make you smile when you really need it,
To those who make you see the brighter side of things when you are really down;
To those whose friendship you appreciate;
To those who are meaningful in your life.

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Inspirational Quotes

Always think outside the box and embrace opportunities that appear, wherever they might be. Lakshmi Mittal
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.Think big anyway. Kent M. Keith
Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking.There are too many people who think that the only thing that's right is to get by, and the only thing that's wrong is to get caught. J.C. Watts
Notice the difference between what happens when a man says to himself, 'I have failed three times,' and what happens when he says, 'I am a failure. S.I. Hayakawa
A leader leads by example not by force. Sun Tzu
Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable. Sydney J Harris
Discovery consists of looking at the same thing as everyone else does and thinking something different. Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
The past does not define you, the present does. Jillian Michaels
There are those who work all day. Those who dream all day. And those who spend an hour dreaming before setting to work to fulfill those dreams. Go into the third category because there's virtually no competition. Steven J Ross
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present. B. Olatunji

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Success and Self-Confidence

Success and self-confidence depend on you being willing to go for your dreams even when things are hard, when you are tired and discouraged and you don't seem to be making any progress. This is a true test of character
and it's often here that your breakthrough will come.

Of course, we've have all had experiences we'd rather not have but it's how you handle it that counts, especially when what happens is painful, hurtful, or sad. It's important to remember that we all need life's tough experiences, as well as the good ones.

It's in the tough times that we grow, learn, and mature. You can let it defeat you, or you can look it straight in the eye with your head held up and say "I will be bigger than you".

"He who has confidence in himself will gain the confidence of others."~ Leib Lazarow

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The Firts Step

No journey begins without a first step. No action takes place without a small beginning. Human life begins with one little cell division. Giant trees begin with a sprout from a small seed. If the first small actions would not take place, everything would come to a halt.

Do you have a dream? Do you have something that you want to do; something you have a passion for? Why haven't you done it? The reasons may be many but the main reason is that you have not taken that first step. We can
fantasize about how things could be different if only . . . . We can pretend that they are different. But they will not really be different
until we take that first step. Our achievements will not happen just by thinking it so.

Stand up! Take a big breath. Stretch out the mind and body. Lift one foot . . . . there that's it. Now move it forward. Now put it down. A step!
Progress! You are ahead of where you were. Take that first step, though you are uncertain, fearful, and unsteady. The boldness of that first step will make the next steps easier. "Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." Take that first small step and you are on you way to realizing your dreams.

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Maintaining Self Discipline in the Office

All of us, at sometime or the other, have to do a job that we don’t like. It’s a universal truth and will remain an eternal requirement.
In this environment, self discipline becomes the key to success.
There are many things in life that we like to do but should not - eating junk food, sitting late at offices even when it is not required, browsing the net without a purpose, all these add up to make a person unproductive and inefficient in the long run.
Hence, discipline becomes a must, especially in an office atmosphere. It could initially be just ‘external’, like a boss guiding, directing and
controlling an employee. However, in the long run, external discipline should become internal discipline.

The following are some tips on how to self discipline yourself in the office:

1. Plan your day in advance
Most employees in office do not have a purpose. Neither do they have an idea of what they are supposed to achieve when they leave their homes. It is more of a routine for them to travel to and from office. They hardly have any enthusiasm. To avoid all this, an employee needs to, before leaving the office itself, plan his next day. A good time-table will help tackle not only such regular activities as mailing, report preparation, calls etc but also special activities like presentations and meetings which need to be looked at in detail. Keep one hour extra in your plan to accommodate unexpected events.

2. Do not be impulsive
Most problems happen when one becomes impulsive, especially when faced with a new or unexpected work. For instance, if you are doing a particular work and someone calls up or comes up to you for a different task, do not jump at the new project immediately. Slow down. Complete the work in hand first before you take up the new task. Your original plan for the day is more important. In fact, you should keep track of what you have planned for the day on the hour, every hour.

3. Be proactive
Stepen Covey, in his book ‘7 habits of highly effective people’ says that being proactive is the most important habit of a successful person. So do not wait for problems to crop up; find solutions even before they arrive. The more you get into the habit of ‘right thinking’ the more focused and sharp you will become.

Remember, discipline is not an inborn thing - it needs to be cultivated. We may fail many times but just don’t give up, it is important to get up and keep going.

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Lessons I have learned from Depression

...enjoy getting older
...make animals a part of your life
...let people know you love them and care for them before it's too late
...helping others helps to make me forget about my own problems
...celebrate your achievements
...have people around who care for you ~
it will help with your self-esteem

...trust in a higher power ~ let go and let God
...take baby steps ~ over time just about any problem can be resolved
...start from within ~ happiness is an INSIDE job
...live in the moment ~ don't be afraid to live
...believe in yourself ~gratitude for what you've done right ~we are all a work in progress

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Life is a Gift

Today, before you say an unkind word,
think of someone who can't speak.
Before you complain about the taste of your food,
think of someone who has nothing to eat.
Before you complain about your husband or wife,
think of someone who's crying out to God for a companion.
Today, before you complain about your life,
think of those who may have died before their time.
Before whining about the distance you drive,
think of those who walk the same distance on foot.
When you are tired and complain about your job,
think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had a job.
And, when depressing thoughts seem to get you down,
put a smile on your face and think;
your alive and still around for a reason.

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Friendship Thoughts

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance.
They awaken us to new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom.
Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts,and we are never ever the same. ~ Flavia Weedn

Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being.
Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light. ~ Albert Schweitzer
You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people
than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you. ~ Dale Carnegie
A friend is a gift you give yourself. ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
Friendship is like a bank account; you cannot continue to draw on it without making a deposit. ~ Nicole Beale
When you ask God for a gift, be thankful if he sends, not diamonds, pearls or riches, but the love of real true friends. ~ Helen Steiner Rice
A friend is one who knows us, but loves us anyway. ~ Fr. Jerome Cummings
Remember, the greatest gift is not found in a store nor under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends. ~ Cindy Lew
Who finds a faithful friend, finds a treasure. ~ Jewish Saying
Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.
Just walk beside me and be my friend. ~ Albert Camus
The only way to have a friend is to be one. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Hold a true friend with both your hands. ~ Nigerian Proverb

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The Pessimist VS The Optimist

The pessimist finds fault; The optimist discovers a remedy.
The pessimist seeks sympathy; The optimist spreads cheer.
The pessimist criticizes circumstances; The optimist changes conditions.
The pessimist complains about the apple seeds; The optimist sees signs of prosperity.
The pessimist disparages; The optimist encourages.
The pessimist creates loneliness; The optimist find friends.
The pessimist nibbles at the negative; The optimist is nourished by the positive.
The pessimist builds barriers; The optimist removes roadblocks.
The pessimist invents trouble; The optimist enriches the environment.

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Inspirational Quotes

A wise man learns by the mistakes of others, a fool by his own. Latin Proverb
Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtuous activities. Aristotle
Some succeed because they are destined. Some succeed because they are determined. Unknown
Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances. Benjamin Franklin
The way to gain a good reputation, is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear. Socrates
He that will not reflect is a ruined man. Asian Proverb
Heaven never helps the man who will not act. Sophocles
Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom. Aristotle
Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. Buddha
The less people speak of their greatness, the more we think of it. Lord Bacon
It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed. Theodore Roosevelt
When you shoot for the moon and you come up short, you still end up among the stars. Les Brown
Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they’re yours. Richard Bach
Don’t be afraid to take a big step when one is indicated. You can’t cross a chasm in two small steps. David Lloyd George
Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must first set yourself on fire. Fred Shero
Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal. Henry Ford
Fall seven times, stand up eight. Japanese proverb

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Today I will...

Today I will have a Happy day because....
Today I will not strike back.
If someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is unkind, I will not react in a like manner, but will instead I will strive to respond with kindness.

Today I will ask God to bless my enemy.
If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly ask God to bless that indivisdals. I understand “enemy” could be a family member, friend, neighbor, co-laborer or stranger, any estranged relationship without peace.

Today I will be careful about what I say.
I will carefully choose and guard my words being certain that I do not spread gossip and I will endeavor to be an encourager.

Today I will go the extra mile.
I will find ways to help share the burden of another person, physically, emotionally, spiritually and prayerfully.

Today I will forgive.
I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way and ask to be forgiven, should the occasion rise.

Today I will do something nice for someone but I will do it in secret.
I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another, seeking to improve their quality of life in God.

Today I will treat others the way I wish to be treated.
I will practice the golden rule. “ Do unto others as I would have them do unto me” with everyone I encounter.

Today I will raise the spirits of someone who is discouraged.
My attitude, my smile, my words, my statement of support, can make the difference to someone who is wrestling with life.

Today I will nurture my body and my mind.
I will eat less, I will eat only healthy foods. I will thank God for my body, for it is His temple, His home where He abides as I seek to renew my thoughts and think on things that are good, wholesome, pure, righteous and honorable.

Today I will grow spiritually.
I will spend a little more time in prayer today. I will continue reading something spiritual or inspirational to be vessel of His sanctification. I will find a quit place and listen to God’s voice.

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The Past

The past provides many things for us. It is a school of learning out of which we base decisions. It is a comfort as we reminisce about good times and relive the warmth of relationships and events. It is also a trap.
The past is a foundation for the present, and as such provides events to be built upon rather than to dwell upon. If a builder constantly dwelt upon the foundation of a building, the rest of the building would never get completed. If we spend too much time longing for bygone things or fail to take new risks because of our fears of repeating the past, we cease to grow and we become mired in the mud of mediocrity.
The only thing we can do something about is the present.
The only way we can create a positive past is to be alive in the present, for then when the present becomes the past we can say: "Yes, I lived and loved and grew and learned, and made the past a constant positive product of living life to the fullest in the present."

So enjoy the warm memories of the past, but don't try to live in them. Learn from the challenges and tests of the past, but don't let them bog down the present. They are only snapshots in the photo album of life to be looked at occasionally but only occasionally. Live in the present and create the moments anew. Feel the electricity of life in the here and now. That is living in the present. That is being truly alive.

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Timing it just Right

There is a time for everything and everything has its time. One has to understand this golden age old rule using a metaphor.
This rule has to be understood by all those having business. Many businesses are seasonal and are, hence, dependent on various factors, e.g. tourism peaks in vacation and insurance and tax consultancy have more business during the months when returns are filed.

As we mature in our understanding of business, we get a better understanding of such cycles. Then the game becomes very easy to play. But how do we identify ‘right timing’ in business? Here are some tips:

PLAY THE GAME
When you do commence a business, it is very hard initially to get a grip of
all possible situations. Even if you are still to understand the rules of
the game fully, please hit the ground running and play the game with full spirit. You will mature with every fall and fury.
Your mindset will change. You will get an insight into the way the industry works and will, eventually, end up much better than what you started off as.

LEARN FROM SENIORS
Every industry has got businessmen who have played the game more than you have, and who know the cycles much better than you do. Seek shelter with them. Listen to their advices.
Try to have a god father, a mentor or a Guru who will not only guide you, but also allow you to make some mistakes - Having a Guru means you are virtually safe in your experimenting. He will never allow you to be a failure. Trust him. Your aim should be to become like him. As a senior corporate giant stated, “The best time of my life is when I sat at the feet of great masters and observed how they ran their businesses.”

TIME EVERY MOVE
After the initial learning stages, you are prepared for the big war. In war
and in life, timing is the most critical element. After this, no mistakes
are allowed since you are now responsible not only for yourself but also for the whole organisation.
Strategise, prioritise, plan and time every move - be it for the marketing or for launching a new product. As a leader, you have to be involved in the process planning, executing and monitoring moves at every stage.

Business is all about preparing ourselves for the right time and
opportunity. But remember: when the right time comes knocking at the door, we should not be sleeping inside.

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Goals

Only a small percentage of us ever set goals.
The reasons we don't, are many;
It takes too much time - if we set them then we have to do them, we don't know how, we will be disappointed if we fail to reach them.
Disappointment if the goal is not reached - is probably a major reason of not setting goals or of setting them too low. Our fear of failure - That inhibiting fear that prevents most of us from soaring like the eagles. But some do soar like eagles. They have set their goals based on their values and vision and they set them high, and they never quit in their journey.

What if the goal is not met? What if we have to make adjustments along the way? What if we realize that the goal needs to be changed? So what? If we aim high, very high, then the process of achieving the goal will bring a great deal of learning and growth, and part of that learning and growth may be in knowing our true selves better. We can gain an appreciation for who we are and what we value. And in the process we achieve a level that we would not have achieved without aiming high.

Who knows, when we "shoot for the moon" we may just land there, or if we miss we will surely "land among the stars. Allen Schmeltz

Your role in achieving your goal must be giving your all. Involve yourself whole: with your heart, your mind and your soul. Victoria Holtz

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The four Looks

The FOUR Looks Are Important In Life...
LOOK Back and Get Experience,
LOOK Forward and See Hope,
LOOK Around and Find Reality,
LOOK Within and Find Confidence...

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Before....

Before you Speak - Listen
Before you Write - Think
Before you Spend - Earn
Before you Criticise - Wait
Before you Pray - Forgive
Before you Quit - Try
Before you Die - Live
That's Life...

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Inspirational Quotes

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will. Vince Lombardi
Along with success comes a reputation for wisdom. Euripides
The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do, well. Henry W. Longfellow
Imagination is more important than knowledge. Albert Einstein
Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us. Thomas Paine
Every man, as to character, is the creature of the age in which he lives. Very few are able to raise themselves above the ideas of their times. Voltaire
Character and personal force are the only investments that are worth anything. Walt Whitman
Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is. Vince Lombardi
The more a man knows, the more he forgives. Catherine the Great
Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live, as well as strong to think. Ralph Waldo Emerson
There is no happiness except in the realization that we have accomplished something. Henry Ford

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Sandbox Wisdom

Tom Asacker has rewritten the rules on leadership and service. This book is a wonderful tale of life lessons, learned through a child’s eyes. Reading Sandbox Wisdom will bring out the child in you. You’ll find yourself “playing” to win! A terrific theme for any organization to encourage creativity and great service.

Give people a fact or an idea and you enlighten their minds; tell them a story and you touch their souls. –Hasidic proverb.
Sandbox Wisdom is a fun, refreshing and quite possibly a life altering read. In this highly engaging story.
The book’s author explains, “Sandbox Wisdom is a way for you to reconnect to those simple, yet powerful human “truths” that you once knew instinctively, but may have long since forgotten.”

Tom, through simple truths and a beautiful story, does a remarkable job demonstrating how the importance of human connections is what life and business are all about. Providing common sense wisdom through the eyes of a child, he shows how we can revitalize our work, our relationships, and our lives.

Fun, Laughter, and Enthusiasm...We should strive to keep that childlike spirit in our work and our play. When we grow up we take ourselves way too seriously, and sometimes we become a heart attack waiting to happen.

No Limit Thinking...As children we believe that we might become president, a great artist or a great explorer. But as adults we begin to put fences around those dreams.

No Inhibitions...Children speak from the heart, and as adults we should strive to do more of that.

Read People and Situations...Children can see past the trappings of material success and see into the core of people. As we grow older we begin to label people, and as the saying goes, "labeling is disabling."

Creativity and Imagination...A great philosopher once observed, "Genius is childhood recaptured at will." The imagination and creativity we had at five too often begins to fade at fifteen.

If you wish to rekindle your attitude or you wish to re-ignite your team's passion for great customer service, here's some good advice...practice Sandbox Wisdom.

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How to be Successful

Every day, we fight the fight.
Every day we play the game.
Every day we expect good things.
Every day we want to do our best.

So what's the secret?
Where's the answer?

Well here it is.There isn't one.

No matter how long you live, all you can do is improve upon the mistakes and reap the success. That's it.
That's your job. So instead of searching for the magic waters, live for now. Wake up with that smile, that energy, that goal, and strive on. It might not happen or work today, so what. Guess what, it probably didn't for the next person either.

So you take what you have, and try again. Because every day is another chance, another opportunity. There will always be a next time. Remember that.
"Can't" is an excuse and giving up is not an option. So get out of your comfort zone and get something done. Nobody can make you do it but YOU! Not this quote or anything else you read. It's you.

So find that personal motivation. Make it happen.

Because the magic potion is somewhere very few people look " WITH-IN YOU! Curt Bachman

Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit! Conrad Hilton

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