Responding and Reacting

The thoughts that fill our mind 
and the way we feel at any given moment 
do not have to be things that are happening to us. 
There is a difference between 
being a person who is taking action in life 
and being a person who spends more time 
reacting to people and circumstances.

'- from his book of "The magic is in the extra mile" 
by Larry DiAngi 

Two Frogs Two Destinations

Two frogs fell into a can of milk,
Or so I've heard it told;
The sides of the can were shiny and steep
The milk was deep and cold.
"Oh, what's the use?" croaked Number One,
"Tis fate; no help's around.
"Goodbye, my friend! Goodbye, sad world!"
And weeping still he drowned.
But Number two, of sterner stuff,
Dog paddled in surprise,
The while he wiped his milky face and dried his milky eyes.
"I'll swim a while at lease," he said -
Or so I've heard he said.
"It really woundn't help the world if one more frog were dead."
An hour or two he kicked and swam,
Not once he stopped to mutter,
Then hopped out, via butter!

-By T.C. Hamlet 

Tot2day: Simply thought - Never ever ever give up! No matter how worst is the situation that you are in now. Take some actions! Do something! don't just stop there and giving up hope, who knows milk will turn into butter very soon. who knows you may just about to out of the trap by your next kick?

Know what you want

"There's a big difference between knowing what you don't want, and knowing what you do want. That distinction is going to be the key to your success.

If you're thinking about what you don't want, that's what will show up in your life. What we think about, we bring about. So if you think consistently about what you don't want, then that's what will manifest in your world."

-James Arthur Ray

Song: Cats in the Cradle

A child arrived just the other day,
He came to the world in the usual way.
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay.
He learned to walk while I was away.
And he was talking 'fore I knew it, and as he grew,
He'd say, "I'm gonna be like you, dad.
You know I'm gonna be like you."

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, dad?"
"I don't know when,
But we'll get together then.
You know we'll have a good time then."

My son turned ten just the other day.
He said, "Thanks for the ball, dad, come on let's play.
Can you teach me to throw?"
I said, "Not today, I got a lot to do."
He said, "That's ok."
And he walked away, but his smile never dimmed,
Said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah.
You know I'm gonna be like him."

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, dad?"
"I don't know when,
But we'll get together then.
You know we'll have a good time then."

Well, he came from college just the other day,
So much like a man I just had to say,
"Son, I'm proud of you. Can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head, and he said with a smile,
"What I'd really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys.
See you later. Can I have them please?"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, son?"
"I don't know when,
But we'll get together then, dad.
You know we'll have a good time then."

I've long since retired and my son's moved away.
I called him up just the other day.
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind."
He said, "I'd love to, dad, if I could find the time.
You see, my new job's a hassle, and the kid's got the flu,
But it's sure nice talking to you, dad.
It's been sure nice talking to you."
And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me,
He'd grown up just like me.
My boy was just like me.

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, son?"
"I don't know when,
But we'll get together then, dad.
You know we'll have a good time then."

-Cats in the Cradle by Harry Chapin

10 Steps You Can Take To Guarantee Failure

In the hustle and bustle of this technologically packed world you may decide you really don’t want to achieve any lasting success in your lifetime. Sure, you can find a lot of strategies and tips here that can help you increase your success rate. But what about the people who are perfectly happy not achieving anything? So this is for all the people who want to have goals but not achieve them:

1. Make your goals vague - When setting your goals, use adjectives such as “more” and “some.” Goals like “I want to make more money” or “I want to lose some weight” virtually guarantee your progress will be minimal. Be as wishy-washy as possible.

2. Make your goals difficult to visualize - A good way to do this is to keep changing your mind on the details of your goal. If you are thinking a goal such as: “I want to own a red, blue or yellow Corvette or just a Mustang”, then you are definitely on the right track. If you kept that goal planted firmly in your mind, you are virtually guaranteed you’ll never go above a used Hyundai.

3. Think and speak negatively about your goals - Try using words like “I can’t” and “It’s too hard”. Goals such as “I can’t get a promotion, It’s too hard to take on more responsibility” will certainly keep you at the bottom of the food chain.

4. Avoid planning incremental steps - Take a goal - even a specific goal like “I will double my income by this time next year”. Then simply leave it as-is. Don’t write down any tasks or steps you’ll need to complete in order to achieve it. Just consider the goal a wish and nothing more. Creating a step-by-step plan will only confuse matters because it’s all too easy to take action on simple steps. Action in the direction of your goal would lead to success and you definitely don’t want that.

5. Don’t Do - Talk - Because talk is easier than action, this step one of the easiest steps for you to take. Try to fill up as much of your day with socializing as possible. Talk about all the things you will do someday or that you were gonna do. Just make sure you don’t mess it up by doing anything productive. Action is your enemy. Embrace your excuses!

6. Wait until you are motivated - Let’s face it, it’s much too difficult to go jogging or open a mutual fund account when you simply don’t feel like it. So just wait. Waiting gives you the peace of mind that someday, you might do something. But not yet, the timing isn’t right and you aren’t motivated anyway.

7. Don’t set a date - Setting a date when you expect to achieve your goal is too much pressure. Who needs it? Definitely not you if you want to avoid progress. You know that goals with dates get done, so by not setting a date you avoid making a commitment. You can keep putting off stuff.

8. List why it’s impossible - Now we are getting into the mental game of failing. This is quite possibly your greatest weapon against achievement because it destroys hope and optimism. So as soon as possible, set aside some time to create a long list of how impossible your goal really is. No matter what your target is, I am sure you can come up with plenty of reasons why it’s impossible. Be creative, make up some if you have to.

9. Don’t research your goal - You’re the kind of guy or gal who likes to “wing it.” Reading about how others have succeeded achieving a goal similar to you is just a waste of time. Instead of standing on their shoulders, they should be standing on yours! Sure, they might have overcome unbelievable odds to get from homelessness to CEO or 450lbs to 180lbs - but they were probably just “lucky” anyway. Don’t read anything that promises to help you get to your destination.

10. Think of anything except your goal - Here’s another mental strategy that will put you on the fast track to failure. Think of anything except for your goal. Why visualize success when there are plenty of clouds and TV reruns to think about? And while you’re at it, take action on these flights of fancy instead of your goal. Take the easy path, that’s the only way you can fail in record time.

To conclude, I know you might be a bit overwhelmed with all the work you have to do to avoid reaching your goal. You might even think it’s even more work. Never fear! You can do it. Print out a copy and hang it on your bathroom mirror. Post it in your office. Read it every day. Internalize these principals and you can reach depths of failure you have possibly never imagined!! (If you wanted to!!)


(Abridged from Achieve-IT! at www.persistenceunlimited.com )

If the above is not what you are looking for, then do these:

1. Specify your goals as wishy-washy at possible

2. Make your goals easy to visualize

3. Think and speak positively about your goals

4. Planning for incremental steps - creating the step by step action

5. Don’t Talk - Just Do it

6. Don't Wait until you are motivated

7. Do set a date to your goal

8. List why it’s possible

9. Do research your goal

10. Don't think of anything except your goal

The Secret DVD

The Secret

I am money magnet
Everything i touch turns to gold
I have more riches than king solomon's mines
Money falls like an avalanche over me
There is more money being printed for me right now
I am receiving money making ideas everyday
I am receiving unexpected checks in the mail
I have more than enough money for everything i want
I have my dream house
I have the best of everything
I am grateful and celebrate every day
I know when i ask for what I want
No matter what it is that I want
No matter how impossible it may seem
If i believe and know it is mine
The answer must be ....
Your wish is my comment

The Secret DVD

The Secret

Today is the begining of my new life
I am starting over today
All good things are coming to me today
I am grateful to be alive
I see beauty all around me
I live with passion and purpose
I take time to laugh and play every day
I am awake, energized and alive
I focus on all the good things in life
and give thanks for them
I am at peace and one with everything
I feel the love, the joy, the abundance
I am free to be myself
I am magnificence in human form
I am the perfection of life
I am grateful to be... ME
Today is the best day of my life

I am what you are to me

I am a rose, you are my thorns
Clutching to me, protecting me.

I am the sun, you are my rays
Helping me shine and to be all I can

I am a lake, you are my water
Filling me with ideas, dreams, hopes for the future.

I am a tree, you are my leaves
Sharing who and what I am
And becoming an important part of my life

I am a heart, you are my beat
Full of life you beat rhythmically to my every breath

I am me, the person you want me to be
You are you, and you are with me
You are here to share my fear, pain, sadness and fulfillment
Now you are here to stay, to be part of me,
My whole life is filled with joy and excitement.

Positive Children in A Negative World

"The best way to raise positive children in a negative world is to have positive parents who love them unconditionally and serve as excellent role models."
-Quote by Zig Ziglar


"It is easier to build a boy than to mend a man."

"Many fathers are willing to give their children everything except themselves."

"Television is an appliance that changes children from irresistible forces to immovable objects."

"A child is easy to impress but hard to convince."

"It's a shame that adults do not make friends as easily as children."

To Be Loved

I can see your face everywhere I look
But everywhere is nowhere without you
What seemed to be like days,
Was just a moment in time
But it meant the world to me cos' I knew
What I'd been searching for all of my life
I had it right here - in front of my eyes
What I have wished for was nothing compared
To what I received when you were here with me

[Chorus]
And if you will never come back
And today was all that we had
And if I won't see tomorrow with you
In my arms it won't matter because
now I know what it's like to be loved
[Chorus]

You are so far away but I feel you so near
It's like you never left me, never said goodbye
I can hear your voice in the crowd
I can feel your touch me right now
I can see your smile when I close my eyes
And I hold on to that every night
To help me understand when I ask myself why
Of all the people out there
You chose to be with me to share a love so rare

[Chorus]
And if you will never come back
And today was all that we had
And if I won't see tomorrow with you
In my arms it won't matter because
Now I know what it's like to be loved
[Chorus]

What a beautiful thing, to feel your love within
Like a child that sees the sunshine on the first day of spring
Just to know it is true
There is someone like you
Who can make me believe
There is nothing I can't do

[Chorus]
And if you will never come back
And today was all that we had
And if I won't see tomorrow with you
In my arms it won't matter because
Now I know what it's like to be loved
[Chorus]

May to be loved

GRATEFUL

Good - It is so easy to focus on the negative. In most situations, there is something good to be found, even if the only good thing is the situation cannot last forever. Practice asking "what is good about this situation that I might have missed?"

Reach Out - Take a look around, there are people less fortunate than you that you could help in some way. You can even do it for selfish reasons, as reaching out makes you feel good.

Attitude - Do you have a gratitude attitude? Do you ever slow down enough to notice all your blessings? One of the clear advantages of a gratitude attitude is that this attitude opens you up to more abundance.

Time - A friend of mine was diagnosed with acute adult leukemia this year. Time took on an entirely different meaning to him this year. Value your time.

Enthusiasm - Where is your zest for life? Getting excited about your day is a powerful way in which to be grateful.

Fun - When was the last time you had fun? It's a privilge many people in the world never have. Schedule some fun.

Unusual - Do you do the same old same old each and every day? Life has many cool things available, so why die the daily death of "I've always done it this way before?"

Live full out - Want to feel very grateful this time next year and most days in between? Then live full out.

(Original Article by Jeff Herring,
http://ezinearticles.com/?Thanksgiving:-How-to-Be-Grateful&id=94638 )

Life Poem

"It takes a day to make a dream,
But it takes many nights for a seed to become a tree.

Life is a ladder that must be climbed.
But in every stage,

There are many rivers and battles to fight
And our hopes determines our future.

Life is a trip through the wilderness
And everyone must survive for success.

But without a determination
We can never reach our destination.

There are many roads in life,
But choice

Stands between the broad and the narrow.
The world is not only what we see

But what we hear
Life is time and time is tide.

We are making an endless journey
But no ladder is without an end

Problems may fall like rain
But every seed has its season."

By Benjamin K. Kotey

Mr Brown Show

Funny, Ironic but somehow is True
(For Singaporean only, or you might not able to catch the ball)

This is A True Success

36 Years old Agassi Agass's 21 years career ends illustriously with third-round loss to 112th-ranked Benjamin Becker in US Open 2006 but he earns the true respect from the crowds, his fans, his families and opponents. What is true success? this is true success! your true success is when you have earned the true respect from the person you love most!



That's why, after his final match, the 20,000 or so fans who honored him with a raucous, four-minute standing ovation in Arthur Ashe Stadium after the match, it truly did not matter all that much what Sunday's outcome was. This day and this tournament were all about saying goodbye to an eight-time Grand Slam champion who grew up in front of the world, from cocky kid with the shoulder-length hair and denim shorts to the thoughtful guy with the shaved pate and proper tennis whites.

"The scoreboard said I lost today, but what the scoreboard doesn't say is what it is I've found," Agassi told the crowd, tears streaming down his cheeks, his voice cracking with emotion. "Over the last 21 years, I've found loyalty. You have pulled for me on the court and also in life. I have found inspiration. You have willed me to succeed sometimes even in my lowest moments."

.....

After Agassi shared a private moment with Stefanie Graf and their children, he entered the locker room to another standing ovation, this one from his fellow players. He chatted briefly with his coach, Darren Cahill, sitting side-by-side on a bench. When Cahill left, Agassi changed out of his on-court attire, dressed gingerly, then took a moment to stretch his back on a locker room bench.

"I'm going to wake up tomorrow and start with not caring how I feel. That's going to feel great," Agassi said. "And then I'm imagining for a long time, anytime somebody asks me to do something, I'm going to go, 'Sure. Why not?"

After his news conference, Agassi headed for the parking lot, stopping occasionally for hugs, including with Saturday Night Live alum Jon Lovitz, of all people.

With fans surrounding his car -- several yelling, "Thank you, Andre!" -- he climbed into the back, joining his brother, trainer and coach. As the car pulled away, Agassi turned to wave goodbye, to his tournament, to his fans, to his career.

(Original Report from Sportsillustrated.cnn.com dated 3rd September 2006)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andre_Agassi

Judging Others

"Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."

From the Bible, Luke 6:37-38

Tot2day:
We will only say "Give and take" and no one will say "Take and give"!
If you really wanted something in life,
then you must give it up first.
ie. if you got no time, then you must give up your time (to complete certain thing) then the time will come back to you.
So, next time when you feel like no one is caring about you,
first you must ask yourself have you ever cared about them in the first place?

How Much You Care About Them?

"The people that work for you won't care how much you know until they know how much you care" - John Maxwell

Tot2Day:
You may really know everything, you may really are so capable but if you care nothing to those people who work for you, know nothing about what they wanted and How they felt.
You may still luckily to have good achievement but you won no respect.
Beside, you may good in Management but you have already failed in Leadership.
Bear in mind,
"Management is doing the thing right, but Leadership is doing the right thing"
So, are you doing the right thing?
Or you just do the thing right?

Take sometimes to listen to what they said.
Take sometimes to feel what they felt.
You will be surprise that everyone have different priority in life.
You will be surprise that everyone have totally different point of view from yours.
The point is not to justify who is wrong or who is right.
But to remind you,
you are not the only human in Earth planet
and the most important point is:
you are not the only human with feeling in this Earth planet.

Remember, when you do so,
please let them know you are sincerely caring about it.
When they know how much you care,
they will start care how much you know and help you to know more..

Welcome To Wherever You Are

Artist: Bon Jovi
Album: Have a nice Day
Title: Welcome To Wherever You Are


Maybe we're different,
but we're still the same
We all got the blood of Eden,
running through our veins
I know sometimes it's hard for you to see
You come between just who you are and who you wanna be

If you feel alone, and lost and need a friend
Remember every new beginning, is some beginning's end

[Chorus]
Welcome to wherever you are
This is your life, you made it this far
Welcome, you gotta believe
That right here right now,
you're exactly where you're supposed to be
Welcome, to wherever you are


When everybody's in, and you're left out
And you feel your drowning,
in a shadow of a doubt
Everyones a miracle in their own way
Just listen to yourself, not what other people say
When it seems you're lost, alone and feeling down
Remember everybody's different
Just take a look around

[Chorus]

Be who you want to, be who you are
Everyone is a hero, everyone is a star


When you wanna give up,
and your hearts about to break
Remember that you're perfect,
God makes no mistakes

[Chorus]

Tot 2day:
Yes, accept it - "This is your life, you made it this far", Why Complain? "you're exactly where you're supposed to be" Life is never been fair.

But good news is, "God makes no mistakes, you're always be perfect", never give up your dream, always fight for your life and your freedom, then one day you will notice that you are really "Be who you want to, be who you are, Everyone is a hero, everyone is a star "

Hope = Power

"Where there is no hope in the future, there is no power in the present"
- John Maxwell

Do you Miss God's Blessing?

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.

As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box.

Curious, and somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold. Angry, he rose his voice to his father and said "with all your money, you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realised his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day.

Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.

When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still gift-wrapped Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matt. 7:11, "And if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in Heaven, give to those who ask Him?"

As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words PAID IN FULL.

How many times do we miss God's blessings because that are not package as we wanted it to be? How many times do we miss God's blessings because we can't see past our own desires?

(Original Story Collected on the Internet)

It's All Between You and God

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;

Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may just never be enough;

Give the world the best you have anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it's all between you and God;

It was never between you and them anyway.

-Quote by Mother Teresa

25 Ways to Win With People

Here are the contents of the book :

1. Start with yourself
2. Practice the 30-second Rule
3. Let people know you need them
4. Create a memory and visit it often
5. Compliment people in front of other people
6. Give others a reputation to uphold
7. Say the right words at the right time
8. Encourage the Dreams of others
9. Pass the credit on to others
10. Offer your very best
11. Share a secret with someone
12. Mine the gold of good intentions
13. Keep your eyes off the mirror
14. Do for others what they can't do for themselves
15. Listen with your hearts
16. Find the keys to their hearts
17. Be the first to help
18. Add value to people
19. Remember a person's story
20. Tell a good story
21. Give with no strings attached
22. Learn your mailman's name
23. Point out people's strengths
24. Write notes of encouragement
25. Help people win

"25 Ways to Win With People" By John C. Maxwell

Help People win

Below are an inspired story from the book "25 Ways to Win With People" by John C. Maxwell (Chapter 25 - Help People Win , Pg. 169-172)

When John Maxwell's nephew, Eric, was seven years old, he got ready to play his first game in his first season of Little League baseball. John and Margaret went to see the game, and of course, John wanted to help Eric win. Here is the story as John often tells it:

You've got to understand, Eric had never played baseball before. He's intimidated, he's scared, he's fearful, he's frightened. And his coach thinks it's the World Series! So Eric walks up to the plate. His helmet is way down over his ears, his uniform is way too big for him, and he can hardly hold the bat. He's petrified. So there he stand, facing the other team's pitcher, who is always the biggest kid. His name is Butch, he's got a big wad of bubble gum in his jaw, and peach fuzz all over his face.
Eric just kind of hugged the bat and closed his eyes and prayed. And that ball went whoosh! Strike one. Whoosh! Strike two. Whoosh! Strike three. I mean, just like that, and when the umpire said “You are out” Eric just looked glad to be alive.

As he walked back to the dugout, parents started yelling at him and the coach was hollering at him. And I'm sitting there thinking, This is my nephew and he's scared.
So I went down to the little fence where Eric was, and I said “Sweetheart, I don't know what they have told you about baseball, but let your Uncle John teach you something. Baseball is a very simple game”
He said “what do you mean?”
I said, “You only have to do one thing. The next time you go up to bat, every time Butch throws the ball, you just swing the bat. That's all you have to do. Butch throws the ball, you swing the bat. Butch throws the ball, you swing the bat”
He looked at me and said “that is all I gotta do?”
I Said “that's all, don't worry about hitting that ball, just swing that bat” And all the sudden a smile broke out on his face, and he said “I can do that”
I said “Sure you can do that! Go Get them , boy”

The next time Eric got up to bat, Butch threw the ball and Erick swung the bat. He missed it by a mile. In face, he swung so late the ball was already in the catcher's glove. I am now beginning to clap my hands. I am saying, “Wonderful swing, Eric, wonderful swing. That-a-boy! Every time Butch throws the ball, you swing the bat”

Butch throws the ball Erick swings the bat. Butch throws the ball, he missing it by about three feet. Finally, he strikes out on the third strike.
I'm on my feet shouting, “Eric McCullogh, that is the finest strikeout I have ever seen in my life. Way to go!”At that point, the coach looks up into the bleachers and gives me a dirty look. And the parents aren't too happy either.
Margaret says “Sweetheart, I'm gonna go to the car and read a book.”
But I don't care, because after this at bat, Eric is smiling.

Now, to be honest, I didn't think Eric was going to get a hit that day. Besides, in Little League baseball, there's no such thing as a hit. If there is any kind of contact, it's not the bat hitting the ball, it is the ball hitting the bat. And if there's one thing I know, it is this: if the ball hits the bat, it doesn't have to go far, it just has to go fair. And in Little League baseball, if the ball goes anywhere in fair territory, you never stop running.

Well, I didn't think it was gonna happen, but it did. The third time up, Butch threw the ball, Eric swings, the ball hits the bat. It wasn't a crack out into center field, it was a thud. As soon as I saw the ball was fair, I'm out of the bleachers and I'm running down the first base line saying “Eric, keep on running, keep on running!”
As Eric goes around first base, I cut across the infield as fast as I can. I am not at third base and I'm saying “Come on, Eric! Come on, Eric!” Eric rounds third base, and together we slide safe in to home. Eric gets up and brushes off his uniform, I get up and brush off my suit, and we walked off the field, I just looked at the coach and gave him a smile.

We went home that day to Eric's home. His parents had to work and didn't get to see the game, but we replayed it for them. I stood in the middle of the living room and I pretended to be Butch, and Eric stood by the piano beach, which was home plate. I threw that pitch, he hit that ball. We went around the bases and Eric slid safe under the piano beach. We all stood up and gave him a standing ovation, and that day we launched Eric into his Little League baseball career.

Eric is all grown up now. But at about the time he was ready to graduate from high school, Erick came out to visit me. And he said “Uncle John, I've got something exciting to tell you. You remember my first Little League baseball game?”
"Of course I do” I said, and we reminisced about it.
"I've never forgotten it” Eric said “And I just wanted to tell you, this year I am going to college on a baseball scholarship”

You don't have to be rich, famous, or talented to help others win. You just need to care and do your best to help them. And know this: when you have the ability to help someone win, you will be that person's friend for life

The paradox of our time

A wonderful Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that
we have taller buildings but shorter tempers,
wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less,
we buy more, but enjoy less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families,
more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees but less sense,
more knowledge, but less judgment,
more experts, yet more problems,
more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly,
laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late,
get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much,
and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We've added years to life not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour.
We conquered outer space but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less.
We plan more, but accomplish less.
We've learned to rush, but not to wait.
We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion,
big men and small character,
steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce,
fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.

Remember,
spend some time with your loved ones,
because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember,
say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe,
because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember,
to give a warm hug to the one next to you,
because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it.
A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

-The paradox of our time by George Carlin

Excuses

"Put all your excuses aside and remember this: YOU are capable."
-Zig Ziglar

"Pessimism is an excuse for not trying and a guarantee to a personal failure"
- Bill Clinton

"Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses"- George Washington Carver

"For many people, an excuse is better than an achievement because an achievement, no matter how great, leaves you having to prove yourself again in the future; but an excuse can last for life" -Eric Hoffer

"Don't make excuses, make something incredible happen in your life right now"
-Greg Hickman

Think Before You Duplicate

There is a story about the old shopkeeper on Main street who placed a grand-father clock in the front window of his store. Over the years the shopkeeper noticed that a distinguished-looking man would walk by the store everyday at noon, pause in front of the grand-father clock... pull out a pocket watch... and carefully set the time.

One day the shopkeeper's curiosity got the best of him. When the gentleman paused in front of the grandfather clock, the shopkeeper ran out of the store and asked the man why he set his watch each and everyday.

The man smiled and replied: "I am the foreman at the town mill, I blow the quitting whistle at 5:00 each day and I want to be sure it goes off exactly on time"

The old shopkeeper gave him a startled look and then burst out laughing. The man stepped back and asked indignantly, "What is so funny?"

"I am sorry," replied the shopkeeper. "I didn't mean to be rude. But I just had to laugh. You see, all these years I have been setting my grand-father clock to your 5:00 whistle!"

Moral of the story: We copy others, others copy us and all too often we assume that the people we are copying have the right answer. We assume we are copying the right people!

From: Copycat Marketing 101 by Burke Hedges

Meaningful Poem

MY LITTLE ONE

I have a son, a little son,
A boy completely fine.
When I see him it seems to me
That all the world is mine.
But seldom, seldom do I see
My child awake and bright;
I only see him when he sleeps;
I am only home at night.
It is early when I leave for work;
When I return, it is late.
Unknown to me is my own flesh,
Unknown is my child's face.
When I come home so wearily
In the darkness after day.
My pale wife exclaims to me:
"You should have seen our child play."
"He sweetly spoke, he smartly asked,
‘Oh, mama, answer me;
When will Papa come and bring
A penny, just for me?' "

I have her speak, I rush within,
Oh, yes, yes, it must be:
My father love is flaring up,
My child must look at me.
I stand beside his little bed,
I look and try to hear.
In his dream he moves his lips:
"Why isn't Papa here?”
I bend and kiss his pale blue eyes
I see them open then;
They look at me; they look at me!
Then they quickly close again.
Your papa's standing very close,
With a penny for my dear.
In his dream he moves his lips:
“Why isn't Papa here?”
I stand depressed, and all my thoughts
Are bitter and heart-sore:
"One day, when you wake, my child,
You'll not see me anymore.”

– Morris Rosenfeld

Paid the price

"Most people struggle with life balance simply because they haven't paid the price to decide what is really important to them." - Stephen Covey

Freedom

Freedom
(Lyrics)
(by Paul McCartney)

This is my right,
a right given by God
To live a free life,
to live in Freedom
We talkin' about Freedom
Talkin' bout Freedom
I will fight,
for the right
To live in Freedom
Anyone who wants to take it away
Will have to answer,
Cause this is my right
We talkin' about Freedom
Talkin' bout Freedom
I will fight for the right
To live in Freedom,
ah yeah, comon now...

You talkin' about Freedom
Were talkin' bout Freedom
I will fight,
for the right
To live in Freedom
Everybody talkin' bout Freedom
Talkin' bout Freedom
I will fight, for the right

problem

"You cannot solve a problem until you acknowledge that you have one and accept responsibility for solving it."--Zig Ziglar

Face the right direction

"When things seem bad, look to see if you're not facing the wrong direction. When you're looking at the sun, you see no shadows. When the outlook isn't good, try the uplook—it's always good!"--Zig Ziglar