Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Can't

Can't is the worst word that's written or spoken;
Doing more harm here than slander and lies;
On it is many a strong spirit broken,
And with it many a good purpose dies.
It springs from the lips of the thoughtless each morning
And robs us of courage we need through the day:
It rings in our ears like a timely-sent warning
And laughs when we falter and fall by the way.

Can't is the father of feeble endeavor,
The parent of terror and half-hearted work;
It weakens the efforts of artisans clever,
And makes of the toiler an indolent shirk.
It poisons the soul of the man with a vision,
It stifles in infancy many a plan;
It greets honest toiling with open derision
And mocks at the hopes and the dreams of a man.

Can't is a word none should speak without blushing;
To utter it should be a symbol of shame;
Ambition and courage it daily is crushing;
It blights a man's purpose and shortens his aim.
Despise it with all of your hatred of error;
Refuse it the lodgment it seeks in your brain;
Arm against it as a creature of terror,
And all that you dream of you some day shall gain.


Can't is the word that is foe to ambition,
An enemy ambushed to shatter your will;
Its prey is forever the man with a mission
And bows but to courage and patience and skill.
Hate it, with hatred that's deep and undying,
For once it is welcomed 'twill break any man;
Whatever the goal you are seeking, keep trying
And answer this demon by saying: "I can."

-Edgar Guest

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Quotes for 2013

“So long as there is breath in me, that long I will persist. For now I know one of the greatest principles on success; if I persist long enough I will win.”
~ Og Mandino ~

“Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.”
~ William E. Channing ~

“Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are.”
~ Bernice Johnson Reagon ~

“Men take only their needs into consideration, never their abilities.”
~ Napoleon Bonaparte ~

“We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible.”
~ C. Malesherbe s~

“If not us, who? If not now, when?”
~ Kennedy, John F. ~

“Never be satisfied with what you achieve, because it all pales in comparison with what you are capable of doing in the future.”
~ Rabbi Nochem Kaplan ~

“All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them.”
~ Walt Disney ~

“Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die tomorrow.”
~ James Dean ~

“If you’re going to be thinking, you may as well think big.”
~ Donald Trump ~

“Where there’s a will there’s a way.”
~ English Proverb ~

“If you really want something, you can figure out how to make it happen.”
~ Cher ~

“A determined person will do more with a pen and paper, than a lazy person will accomplish with a personal computer.”
~ Catherine Pulsifer ~

“We will either find a way, or make one!”
~ Hannibal ~

“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.”
~ Dale Carnegie ~

“You have a very powerful mind that can make anything happen as long as you keep yourself centered.”
~ Dr. Wayne Dyer ~

“Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.”
~ Napoleon Hill ~

“Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

“Happiness is the only good. The time to be happy is now. The place to be happy is here. The way to be happy is to make others so.”
~ Robert G. Ingersoll ~

“Did you ever see an unhappy horse? Did you ever see bird that had the blues? One reason why birds and horses are not unhappy is because they are not trying to impress other birds and horses.”
~ Dale Carnegie ~

“You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need.”
~ Vernon Howard ~

“Real happiness comes from inside. Nobody can give it to you.”
~ Sharon Stone ~

“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.”
~ John Quincy Adams ~

“That some achieve great success, is proof to all that others can achieve it as well.”
~ Abraham Lincoln ~

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
~ Thomas Edison ~

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
~ Winston Churchill ~

“When written in Chinese, the word ‘crisis’ is composed of two characters—one represents danger, and the other represents opportunity.”
~ John F. Kennedy ~

“He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.”
~ Benjamin Franklin ~

“It is surmounting difficulties that makes heroes.”
~ Louis Kossuth ~

“Ninety-nine percent of failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses.”
~ George W. Carver ~

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
~ Mark Twain ~

http://www.motivationalwellbeing.com/motivational-sayings.html

Don’t Hope… Decide!


Don’t Hope… Decide!
While waiting to pick up a friend at the airport in Portland, Oregon, I had one of those life-changing experiences that you hear other people talk about -the kind that sneaks up on you unexpectedly. This one occurred a mere two feet away from me. Straining to locate my friend among the passengers deplaning through the jetway, I noticed a man coming toward me carrying two light bags.
He stopped right next to me to greet his family. First he motioned to his youngest son (maybe six years old) as he laid down his bags. They gave each other a long, loving hug. As they separated enough to look in each other’s face, I heard the father say, “It’s so good to see you, son. I missed you so much!” His son smiled somewhat shyly, averted his eyes and replied softly, “Me, too, Dad!”
Then the man stood up, gazed in the eyes of his oldest son (maybe nine or ten) and while cupping his son’s face in his hands said, “You’re already quite the young man. I love you very much, Zach!” They too hugged a most loving, tender hug.
While this was happening, a baby girl (perhaps one or one-and-a-half) was squirming excitedly in her mother’s arms, never once taking her little eyes off the wonderful sight of her returning father.
The man said, “Hi, baby girl!” as he gently took the child from her mother. He quickly kissed her face all over and then held her close to his chest while rocking her from side to side. The little girl instantly relaxed and simply laid her head on his shoulder, motionless in pure contentment.
After several moments, he handed his daughter to his oldest son and declared, “I’ve saved the best for last!” and proceeded to give his wife the longest, most passionate kiss I ever remember seeing.
He gazed into her eyes for several seconds and then silently mouthed. “I love you so much!” They stared at each other’s eyes, beaming big smiles at one another, while holding both hands. For an instant they reminded me of newlyweds, but I knew by the age of their kids that they couldn’t possibly be.
I puzzled about it for a moment then realized how totally engrossed I was in the wonderful display of unconditional love not more than an arm’s length away from me.
I suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if I was invading something sacred, but was amazed to hear my own voice nervously ask, “Wow! How long have you two been married?” “Been together fourteen years total, married twelve of those.” he replied, without breaking his gaze from his lovely wife’s face. “Well then, how long have you been away?” I asked the man finally turned and looked at me, still beaming his joyous smile.”Two whole days!”
Two days? I was stunned. By the intensity of the greeting, I had assumed he’d been gone for at least several weeks – if not months. I know my expression betrayed me, I said almost offhandedly, hoping to end my intrusion with some semblance of grace (and to get back to searching for my friend), “I hope my marriage is still that passionate after twelve years!”
The man suddenly stopped smiling. He looked me straight in the eye, and with forcefulness that burned right into my soul, he told me something that left me a different person. He told me, “Don’t hope, friend… decide!” Then he flashed me his wonderful smile again, shook my hand and said, “God bless!” With that, he and his family turned and strode away together.
I was still watching that exceptional man and his special family walk just out of sight when my friend came up to me and asked, “What’cha looking at?” Without hesitating, and with a curious sense of certainty, I replied, “My future!”
- Author Unknown

http://www.motivationalwellbeing.com/motivational-stories-8.html

Hospital Windows

Hospital Windows
Video Version
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.
The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn’t hear the band – he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days and weeks passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it for himself.
Window
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, “Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.”
- Author Unknown

Life Lessons

Life Lessons

by Kevin



Below are a list of life lessons or things people wish they had known sooner that have been submitted by readers such as yourself. Most are positive while some may be viewed as negative. As we grow older and gain more experience and wisdom, we often abandon what we used to believe but it’s still interesting to see what lessons people have come up with at different ages.
If you’d like to share some of the lessons on life that you’ve learn from your own experience and feel it would benefit others, please fill out the form below. Please avoid submitting quotes found on the net. You can do that over on the quotes pages. These life lessons are not in order of importance. They’re just numbered for easier reference. Thank you in advance for your submissions. The videos below shows some lessons about life.
Perfection is Being Beautifully Imperfect

List of Life Lessons


Skip to Submission Form.
  1. If you can do what you love for a living, life will be a lot less stressful and a hell of a lot more fun. (Lisa B., 41)
  2. A smile is one of the few contagious things that you should spread. So spread it to everyone! (Marcie W., 27)
  3. Never be too proud to ask for help (especially for directions, ahem). (Ashley V., 23)
  4. Avoid pulling all-nighters. They’re no fun and too much Red Bull is no good for you. (David S., 20)
  5. We regret more about the things we didn’t do than the things we did do. Get out of yourself and just do it. (Will W., 36)
  6. Stop trying to impress people by being someone you’re not because in the end, you’ll lose yourself. (Anonymous)
  7. We don’t have to do anything – we always have a choice. (Tim W., 38)
  8. The best feeling in the world is getting paid to do what you love to do. (Laozhang, 36)
  9. No one can make you feel anything you don’t want to. (Jennifer K., 28)
  10. The older I get, the less I care about what others think of me. Therefore, the older I get, the more I enjoy life. (Michael M., 57)
  11. The word “Family” rarely ends up meaning blood related, and usually ends up becoming who we allow them to be. (Celeste, 29)
  12. The purpose of life is simply to live a life of purpose. With no reason to get up in the morning life can start to really get you down. Watch out retirees! Make sure you retire to something instead of from something. (Ricky K., 33)
  13. If you have the choice to be right or kind, always pick kind! (Kate, 55)
  14. Life is a fight, and even though it seems like you’re going to get knocked out, you must keep on fighting! (Frank, 17)
  15. Even a snake’s a saint unless stepped upon. Learn to forgive people who hurt you, hate is like holding onto burning coal. (James, 32)
  16. I have taken noticed that the deeper I know about myself, the clearer I understand others. (Sambo, 25)
  17. Make Jesus your best friend. With faith, let Him guide and direct you in all you do. It’s guaranteed to work that way. (Ras’Mel, 46)
  18. Change is the only pemanant thing in life. (Malik, 28)
  19. Always put yourself in the other’s shoes, if it hurts you, it probably hurts the other too. (Shashank, 19)
  20. Success is a game. The more you play the more you win. The more you win the more successfully you can play the game. (Durga, 40)
  21. Take the stairs. There is no elevator. (Anonymous)
  22. Years at school will seem short compared to a life time of minimum wage jobs. Get a good education, and achieve your dreams! (Anonymous)
  23. Always empty your cup, always ask for more knowledge so you will be able to help yourself and others. (Ameen, 26)
  24. Never be afraid to fail because through failure comes success. (Shanterica B., 15)
  25. I’ve learn that loving someone doesn’t always mean keeping them. Sometimes, it also means you have to let them go. (MJ, 28)
  26. There are no things or powers in life that can offer you a hand to your dreams except meeting new people who are better than you. You always can learn something from them. (Dmitry, 16)
  27. Dream big dreams, believe in yourself, trust in God, and work hard so that those dreams can be a reality. (Natalia, 20)
  28. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can’t buy. (Ayesha, 15)
  29. We regret day and night but overcoming those regret is not that easy. (Aarushi, 14)
  30. Live a life of purpose and love. (Anonymous, 37)
  31. Life is the greatest teacher of its kind. It always teaches us to do more. (Syed H., 46)
  32. If you want something in your life you’ve never had, you’ll have to do something, you’ve never done. (JD Houston, 42)
  33. My life experience is that I am learning to become more of myself rather than comparing myself with other people. Other people expect me to be like them, but I don’t want to be like them, I just want to be more of myself and to accept myself for who I am. (Sharon N., 39)
  34. I had my children very young and if I have managed to teach them half of what they half taught me, then I have done a good job! (Marisela, 35)
  35. From King Solomon: This too shall pass. (Tapasya, 28)
  36. Accept people as they are. (Anish B., 34)
  37. You can’t be what you can’t see. If you see it… you will be it. (Paula, 52)
  38. When you’re trying to achieve something, or improve, remember that there are no limits, only expectations. Expect to do more, and more you will do. (Sahil, 14)
  39. The most funniest thing in life is doing what people say, you can’t. (Nandhu, 22)
  40. Life is meant to be lived and enjoyed because having ups and downs are always part of it just like a roller coaster ride. (Lorena, 32)
  41. Do not find the reason to smile, just find the way. (Gaurav M., 24)
  42. Love yourself without condition. (Sally, 38)
  43. Past failures should never dictate who you are today or where you are going. (Jackie, 35)
  44. If it’s out of your control, why fret about it? (Stacy, 24)
  45. A winner must first know what losing is like. Without failure, there is no success. (Chima O., 30)
  46. In everything that you do always give your 100% as if there’s no tomorrow. (Caloyski, 28)
  47. Past records count for nothing when the race starts. (Henry, 23)
  48. If you don’t commit to anything, don’t commit, but once you do commit, don’t live in the middle. (Bala K.)
  49. If you can laugh together, you can work together. (Yuvraj K., 25)
  50. The more you learn, the more you grow. The more you grow, the more you earn. The more you earn, the more happier you become. (Babukhan M., 40)
  51. If you want to love people, never judge them. (Ashutosh, 25)
  52. Do what you can for others since you know what you can do for yourself. (Nana, K., 29)
  53. Life is the reflection of your thoughts, so generate pure thoughts to make life beautiful. (Sarita, 25)
  54. In life, nothing is certain and nothing is perfect. Just rise above the challenge. (Star, 32)
  55. Impossibility is what nobody can until somebody does it. (Masak, 26)
  56. Always aim high and aspire big but in the process remain practical, to be happy. (Mukul, 26)
  57. Don’t let trouble, trouble you, until trouble troubles you. (Joe A., 52)
  58. Failures may be so hurtful and disappointing, knowing you did your best in everything. But it doesn’t mean life must end there. Stand up and live. Keep the Spirit and confidence. Be strong and Keep your faith by making the best out of it. For everything happens for a reason, a reason to teach you and correct you and a reason to bring the strength in you. (Florskie, 26)
  59. Everyone has skeletons in their closets or personal demons they fight but don’t let that stop you from being successful. (Matthew A., 23)
  60. Enjoy life and cherish it. Remember the good times, the bad times, and worse times, because each one has made you a better person and has made you grow. (Matthew A., 23)
  61. Between what happened and what will happen is our choice. So choose to be positive in everyday tasks. (Edwin J., 37)
  62. Mind over matter. Matter is an illusion. What matters is mind. (Yeshe D., 62)
  63. Never regret, if it’s good, it’s wonderful. If it’s bad, it’s experience. (Stacey, 33)
  64. Life is full of fun if you learn to play with difficulties. (Mayank C., 24)
  65. Nothing changes if nothing changes. (Gina, 53)
  66. I learned how to live my own dreams when I encouraged my son to follow his. (Shenetta, 37)
  67. A teacher is nothing but a clever student. (Mohammed M., 62)
  68. As people we tend to worry about the things that don’t matter and forget about the things that do. Enjoy your life to the fullest because you never know when it’s going to end. So smile more, love more and enjoy more. Dueling on things just ruins your life. Being mad or upset with others for things they have done is just a waste of your energy. You can’t change the past or the mistakes. You can only change your future. (Brian A.)
  69. Life has taught me to always be myself. (Samio, 23)
  70. Review your mistakes committed everyday and promise not to repeat it again.(Pran, 25)
  71. You’re never too old to follow your dreams whatever they may be. (Julie S., 55)
  72. Love what you do, do what you love. (Soni, 33)
  73. What a wonderful feeling to be alive. To be able to see the sun shinning and to be able to make something positive happen for us, our family, our community and/or our friends. (Juan J., 38)
  74. Never forget those that gave you a helping hand, someday you will need them again. (Ada, 22)
  75. Don’t care what others think of you, and you will save yourself a lot of mental energy that instead can be used to push you towards success. (Neil, 19)
  76. The more obstacles you overcome, the stronger you become. (Kalu C., 33)
  77. Life’s a garden… dig it! (Harry B., 34)
  78. People tolerate in life what they subject themselves to. (Kathleen C., 26)
  79. There is no alternative to hard work. (Babesri, 32)
  80. Don’t let things happen in your life. Instead make it happen. (Ashok S., 27)
  81. Never live your life compared to someone else’s standards, because for one, you don’t know what their standards are, and secondly, you are not them. Everyone has their strong points, don’t ever downgrade your own. (Gabby, 23)
  82. You can never be happy if you’ve never been sad. (Matt, 19)
  83. With hope and hardwork anything can be achieved. Don’t be afraid with results, it will come with the whole process of commitment and persistence. (Dinesh B., 40)
  84. Be willing to learn more about life in general. (Howard, 28)
  85. Life is like a bicycle with one wheel in front of the other. You leave tire marks of the past behind. You might break sometimes and even have a flat tire. But you never run out of gas. (Amanda, 19)
  86. kEep moVing forWard! (Kamla, 12)
  87. Don’t try to be popular, its no ones calling. (Joe, 47)
  88. The more I give of myself unconditionally the more I seem to receive. LIVING IS GIVING – GIVING IS LIVING :) (Colin, 53)
  89. No one gets out alive, and there is no U-haul at the end of a funeral procession – so, leave the best of you behind. (Tom, 59)
  90. When you stand on what you believe in, you can change the world. (Gagan L., 24)
  91. Always demand the impossible, dare to start that dream. (Chris Y., 26)
  92. What you think upon… grows! You’ll attract more of what you focus upon.. positive or negative.. It’s your choice. Focus on what you have and what’s right, not on what you don’t have and what’s wrong… And say thank you for what you have as often as possible.. it will change your life! (Kalf G., 42)
  93. Perseverance will make you great. (Anbu, 50)
  94. Life is a game of Chess, learn to play it wisely. (Dars M., 23)
  95. Always tell an obstacle that you are bigger than it by overcoming it. (Chuks O., 25)
  96. If your standing in the crowd, you’re doing something wrong. (Fred, 17)
  97. Never change your beliefs because someone else wants you to. Change them only because you want to. (Izer, 23)
  98. To have a long lasting relationship with anybody; always look out for their strengths and less at their weakness. (Will, 24)
  99. When you get a second chance in life, do not regret, hold it with both bands and make things happen. Nothing is impossible until you decide to stop trying! (Anonymous, 20)
  100. I learned that life can sometimes be pretty tough but without these challenges, it wouldn’t be called life. The down’s in life make the up’s much more enjoyable. (Mary, 49)
  101.  http://www.motivationalwellbeing.com/life-lessons.html