As I look at the clock, I can pretty much confirm that another weekend is in the books. Monday has arrived and it’s time for me to embrace the new week to make it just as amazing as my weekend. As usual I tried my best to enjoy the weekend to the fullest and think that I may have accomplished that task. It’s no surprise to me that by the time Sunday arrived, I was reflecting on how my weekend got to be so amazing. I do know that this weekend was another scorcher as when I originally sat down to write it was about 109 degrees Sunday evening and the sun had already gone down. Looking at the weather forecast right now, it seems like the heat just won’t disappear as the high today is projected to be 107 degrees.(I guess I am at my best with the heat turned up)
I think I have an idea of the elements that need to be present to make my weekends so amazing. As I look everything, I know that I have to have food, football, friends, and family in some form or fashion for my weekend to be amazing. It seems like a routine for me, but these are the things that make me happy. I am sure we all know the elements that need to be present to enjoy ourselves.
While I mention all the fun stuff that makes my weekends amazing, I can’t leave out the other things that bring clarity and substance to my life. This particular weekend was all about the men at our church and Sunday was actually Men’s Day. I can honestly say that walking into church at 7:30 in the morning and seeing a packed house where the majority of the people present were men was a great feeling. You couple that with message that we heard talking about what a man is and what a man should do. Further confirmation that my thoughts are headed in the right direction as just the other day I found myself writing this down what it means to be a man.
As I listened intently, there were several things in the message that caught my attention. Seven percent of the male population is in prison and 92% of the men in prison are fathers. These statistics right here made me realize yet again how important it is to always stand up and be a man in all situations. The speaker also brought out a very important point to understand how men and women are different. Men are very different from women as they respond to things on sight. For example think about something as simple as putting an item together that you picked up from Home Depot/Ikea; a man will look at the box to try and put together and a woman will read the instructions.
In listening to the rest of the message I heard a few other things that stuck out to me. If we think about it, men are more responsive when they see things. In terms of change a man will hear that he needs/should change, but most of the time will only do so when he sees something that makes him want to change.
Just hearing this message, I began to wrap my mind around what it means to be a man and thinking about follow through. If I know what means to be a man, but I don’t follow through with the appropriate actions, what does mean in my life? What does it say about me? What does your follow through say about you? What is it that causes a lack of follow through?
As you prepare to make your week amazing, there are a couple of things you may want to do as you move forward. Look around you and I am sure you will see a lot of yourself in the people you have around you. Remember that you are not striving to be the best just for you, but you are striving to be the best for those around you as well.
“In golf as in life it is the follow through that makes the difference.”
“It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through.”
-Zig Ziglar
“I can give you a six-word formula for success: "Think things through - then follow through”
-Sir Walter Scott
“Those who are blessed with the most talent don't necessarily outperform everyone else. It's the people with follow-through who excel.”
-Mary Kay Ash
“In any situation, ask yourself: What strengths do I possess that can contribute towards accomplishing something in this situation? Then follow through.”
Monday, September 20, 2010
Friday Evening Thoughts on Motivation 09/17/10
Today was an amazing day for so many reasons. When I went to sleep last night I remember talking to my mother and when I woke up this morning I was talking to her again. It’s times like this that I really appreciate my days more and more because of who/what I have in my life. My family and friends keep me grounded and focused on the things that still remain important to me in spite of anything else that is going on.
I also had an opportunity to meet with the young men that we are currently in 8th grade at a local school in South Phoenix. I don’t how excited the others are, but I woke up excited and couldn’t wait to get to the school this afternoon. Anyone that knows me can see the passion that I have for this endeavor and the approach I take with being a part of the lives of these young men. I don’t know if I would be where I am or on the path that I am on if not for people having the same passion about being a part of my life.
No matter what it is in our life I think that we are all driven to do something. While that varies from person to person, its important to recognize that having that fire is a normal part of who we are.
Where do you find your motivation? Family? Friends? Have you ever lost your motivation? How did you get it back? Are you able to motivate others?
Make this the start of an amazing weekend. Take the time out to rest and enjoy every moment that is in front of you. On the cusp of amazing and its up to you to make it happen. Don't let anything deter you from moving further along toward your destiny.
“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.”
-Gail Devers
“If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it.”
-Jesse Jackson
“Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.”
-Og Mandino
“It's not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference.”
-Paul Bryant
“Obstacles are things a person sees when he takes his eyes off his goal.”
-E. Joseph Cossman
“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.”
-Charles Swindoll
I also had an opportunity to meet with the young men that we are currently in 8th grade at a local school in South Phoenix. I don’t how excited the others are, but I woke up excited and couldn’t wait to get to the school this afternoon. Anyone that knows me can see the passion that I have for this endeavor and the approach I take with being a part of the lives of these young men. I don’t know if I would be where I am or on the path that I am on if not for people having the same passion about being a part of my life.
No matter what it is in our life I think that we are all driven to do something. While that varies from person to person, its important to recognize that having that fire is a normal part of who we are.
Where do you find your motivation? Family? Friends? Have you ever lost your motivation? How did you get it back? Are you able to motivate others?
Make this the start of an amazing weekend. Take the time out to rest and enjoy every moment that is in front of you. On the cusp of amazing and its up to you to make it happen. Don't let anything deter you from moving further along toward your destiny.
“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.”
-Gail Devers
“If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it.”
-Jesse Jackson
“Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.”
-Og Mandino
“It's not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference.”
-Paul Bryant
“Obstacles are things a person sees when he takes his eyes off his goal.”
-E. Joseph Cossman
“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.”
-Charles Swindoll
Tuesday Morning Thoughts on Building 09/14/10
Another day in the land of the living and if you didn’t know it already, I am happy to be alive. So now that I am here and have the opportunity to continue to make a difference it’s my task to get it done. I am definitely up for it and I know that today will be better than yesterday.
Many thanks for the thoughts and prayers that were sent up for my godson who had surgery on his ankle yesterday. He messaged me his morning on Skype and we talked for a minute so he could let me know that he was recovering and resting well. In this day and age anytime you head to the doctor for any procedure you always want to send thoughts and prayers up that the individuals performing the procedure are at their best. I mention my godson this morning because I think our relationship is quite interesting and makes me think about my foundation.
Several years ago when I was living in Birmingham, I remember young Michael(the godson) visiting with his family for a couple of days and we had an interesting interaction driving to a restaurant for dinner. Michael said from the backseat, “Nick, I want you to be my godfather.” Everyone in the car got quiet and mom, dad, and I asked him to repeat what he said. He said again more emphatically, “I want Nick to be my godfather.” At time we were wondering how does a 5 year old know something like that and we asked him later why he said that. He stated that I like Nick and if I can choose my godfather then that’s him. Needless to say that from the time he was born he has always been an intelligent young man, but I never thought that he was watching me that closely.
Just sitting here thinking about that example with my godson and how our relationship started has opened my eyes a little more. Apparently something about the foundation of who I am intrigued this young person at a very impressionable age that he wanted to be around me. I still wonder what it was that he saw.
So ask these questions of myself and to you: What does your foundation say about you? What are you building? Is your foundation sturdy enough to build upon? Do you think people only see what you have built, or can they see the foundation beneath the surface?
Don’t ever underestimate who can see your foundation because it just may surprise you. Make today an amazing day and be the best you that you can be.
“The great successful men of the world have used their imaginations... they think ahead and create their mental picture, and the go to work materializing that picture in all its details, filling in here, adding a little there, altering this a bit and that a bit, but steadily building / steadily building.”
-Robert Collier
“Leadership is not magnetic personality/that can just as well be a glib tongue. It is not making friends and influencing people /that is flattery. Leadership is lifting a person's vision to higher sights, the raising of a person's performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations.”
-Peter Drucker
“Whatever good things we build end up building us.”
-Jim Rohn
“Belief in oneself is one of the most important bricks in building any successful venture.”
-Lydia Child
“Faith is building on what you know is here so you can reach what you know is there”
-Cullen Hightower
Many thanks for the thoughts and prayers that were sent up for my godson who had surgery on his ankle yesterday. He messaged me his morning on Skype and we talked for a minute so he could let me know that he was recovering and resting well. In this day and age anytime you head to the doctor for any procedure you always want to send thoughts and prayers up that the individuals performing the procedure are at their best. I mention my godson this morning because I think our relationship is quite interesting and makes me think about my foundation.
Several years ago when I was living in Birmingham, I remember young Michael(the godson) visiting with his family for a couple of days and we had an interesting interaction driving to a restaurant for dinner. Michael said from the backseat, “Nick, I want you to be my godfather.” Everyone in the car got quiet and mom, dad, and I asked him to repeat what he said. He said again more emphatically, “I want Nick to be my godfather.” At time we were wondering how does a 5 year old know something like that and we asked him later why he said that. He stated that I like Nick and if I can choose my godfather then that’s him. Needless to say that from the time he was born he has always been an intelligent young man, but I never thought that he was watching me that closely.
Just sitting here thinking about that example with my godson and how our relationship started has opened my eyes a little more. Apparently something about the foundation of who I am intrigued this young person at a very impressionable age that he wanted to be around me. I still wonder what it was that he saw.
So ask these questions of myself and to you: What does your foundation say about you? What are you building? Is your foundation sturdy enough to build upon? Do you think people only see what you have built, or can they see the foundation beneath the surface?
Don’t ever underestimate who can see your foundation because it just may surprise you. Make today an amazing day and be the best you that you can be.
“The great successful men of the world have used their imaginations... they think ahead and create their mental picture, and the go to work materializing that picture in all its details, filling in here, adding a little there, altering this a bit and that a bit, but steadily building / steadily building.”
-Robert Collier
“Leadership is not magnetic personality/that can just as well be a glib tongue. It is not making friends and influencing people /that is flattery. Leadership is lifting a person's vision to higher sights, the raising of a person's performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations.”
-Peter Drucker
“Whatever good things we build end up building us.”
-Jim Rohn
“Belief in oneself is one of the most important bricks in building any successful venture.”
-Lydia Child
“Faith is building on what you know is here so you can reach what you know is there”
-Cullen Hightower
Sunday Evening Thoughts on Foundation 09/12/10
The weekend is almost over and it seems like I am getting into the home stretch of what will define whether it was an amazing weekend or not. So far, I have no complaints as I have done just about everything I wanted to do this weekend. I have eaten good and also fellowshipped with friends and family in various ways. Doesn’t matter what the hour is, but I can appreciate my parents still living in Germany as I was able to talk with my mother for awhile since we are 9 hours apart. It’s always a good feeling to end that conversation with a simple “Talk to you later, Love You.”
If you didn’t know already, I love to watch sports as I see a lot of opportunities for life lessons and examples to share. I can’t tell you how much I love the weekend now that football season is finally getting rolling. I was happy to watch the Alabama Crimson Tide’s football team win on yesterday in spite of being without the Heisman Trophy winner and another All-American defensive lineman. I also just got finished watching my Arizona Cardinals win their first game of the season as they prepare to defend their NFC West division title. While I am excited about both of these victories it’s important to note that both the Cardinals and Crimson Tide were not at 100%.
I make reference to the teams not being at 100% because people didn’t think that they would win those games. As I listened to opinions of people, I started to think what is it that these teams have in common that aided in their victories. I thought about it for a second and even while not all full strength they had a solid foundation in place. So it’s no surprise that the term foundation started to float around my head for a minute.
I am going to go back and reference the conversation that took place with my mother as it will help me elaborate on some of my thoughts about foundation. Trying to end every conversation with my mother and saying ‘I Love You’ is something that was built over the years in our relationship. Like a house or building needs to a strong foundation to support it, we as individuals need to have a strong foundation as well. In our relationships, schooling, and jobs your foundation is critical part of these things as you have to have something to build on. As I think about foundations, I also remember being from Mississippi and always hearing about the problems with the foundations of houses because they were built on the Mississippi red clay. Often times the homes may appear to be structurally sound but every now and then someone needs to come in to jack up the home to do a little foundation work.
As I take a look at my life I think about my foundation how it was built through my upbringing, experiences, family, and friends. What is it that makes you who you are? How strong is your foundation? If your foundation is weak, do you know how to strengthen it? Are you open to receive feedback from others that your foundation may be weak?
If we have built anything at any point in our lives whether it’s a relationship or a career it’s important to have a strong foundation in order to hold up against any forces that we may encounter. It’s never too late to go back and shore up your foundation as it wouldn’t be smart to keep building on something that may not be as sturdy as it needs to be.
I trust that you will start out with the right attitude and mindset to usher in a new week, new opportunities, and new experiences. Remember amazing is all around you and you just have live your life. I will leave you with this, “Be wise or otherwise.”(that simple statement might make you think)
“Build this day on a foundation of pleasant thoughts. Never fret at any imperfections that you fear may impede your progress. Remind yourself, as often as necessary, that you are a creature of God and have the power to achieve any dream by lifting up your thoughts. You can fly when you decide that you can. Never consider yourself defeated again. Let the vision in your heart be in your life's blueprint. Smile!”
-Og Mandino
“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.”
-David Brinkley
“Character is like the foundation of a house - it is below the surface.”
“Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.”
-Saint Augustine
“The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty.”
-Zig Ziglar
“Character is the firm foundation stone upon which one must build to win respect. Just as no worthy building can be erected on a weak foundation, so no lasting reputation worthy of respect can be built on a weak character.”
-R. C. Samsel
If you didn’t know already, I love to watch sports as I see a lot of opportunities for life lessons and examples to share. I can’t tell you how much I love the weekend now that football season is finally getting rolling. I was happy to watch the Alabama Crimson Tide’s football team win on yesterday in spite of being without the Heisman Trophy winner and another All-American defensive lineman. I also just got finished watching my Arizona Cardinals win their first game of the season as they prepare to defend their NFC West division title. While I am excited about both of these victories it’s important to note that both the Cardinals and Crimson Tide were not at 100%.
I make reference to the teams not being at 100% because people didn’t think that they would win those games. As I listened to opinions of people, I started to think what is it that these teams have in common that aided in their victories. I thought about it for a second and even while not all full strength they had a solid foundation in place. So it’s no surprise that the term foundation started to float around my head for a minute.
I am going to go back and reference the conversation that took place with my mother as it will help me elaborate on some of my thoughts about foundation. Trying to end every conversation with my mother and saying ‘I Love You’ is something that was built over the years in our relationship. Like a house or building needs to a strong foundation to support it, we as individuals need to have a strong foundation as well. In our relationships, schooling, and jobs your foundation is critical part of these things as you have to have something to build on. As I think about foundations, I also remember being from Mississippi and always hearing about the problems with the foundations of houses because they were built on the Mississippi red clay. Often times the homes may appear to be structurally sound but every now and then someone needs to come in to jack up the home to do a little foundation work.
As I take a look at my life I think about my foundation how it was built through my upbringing, experiences, family, and friends. What is it that makes you who you are? How strong is your foundation? If your foundation is weak, do you know how to strengthen it? Are you open to receive feedback from others that your foundation may be weak?
If we have built anything at any point in our lives whether it’s a relationship or a career it’s important to have a strong foundation in order to hold up against any forces that we may encounter. It’s never too late to go back and shore up your foundation as it wouldn’t be smart to keep building on something that may not be as sturdy as it needs to be.
I trust that you will start out with the right attitude and mindset to usher in a new week, new opportunities, and new experiences. Remember amazing is all around you and you just have live your life. I will leave you with this, “Be wise or otherwise.”(that simple statement might make you think)
“Build this day on a foundation of pleasant thoughts. Never fret at any imperfections that you fear may impede your progress. Remind yourself, as often as necessary, that you are a creature of God and have the power to achieve any dream by lifting up your thoughts. You can fly when you decide that you can. Never consider yourself defeated again. Let the vision in your heart be in your life's blueprint. Smile!”
-Og Mandino
“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.”
-David Brinkley
“Character is like the foundation of a house - it is below the surface.”
“Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.”
-Saint Augustine
“The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty.”
-Zig Ziglar
“Character is the firm foundation stone upon which one must build to win respect. Just as no worthy building can be erected on a weak foundation, so no lasting reputation worthy of respect can be built on a weak character.”
-R. C. Samsel
Thursday Morning Thoughts on Purpose 09/9/10
As I look at the clock the time says that I shouldn’t be awake, but I figure there’s a reason for me to be up at this hour. I remember falling asleep somewhere between 9:30 and 10:30 and that’s only because I could look at my phone to see active text message conversations on my phone. I woke up somewhere around 1:30 and my mind was racing. When I experience from time to time, I already know that I have a little something on the brain and it’s just a matter of corralling my thoughts to see where I might be headed on my latest literary journey.
Anyone who knows me can pretty much attest to the fact that I never meet a stranger. My personality tends to be very inviting and have a very diverse group of friends. I have lived in the valley of the sun for almost six years and I have met a lot of people here. With that being said, there are quite a few people here that I have met that don’t even know my real name, but let me explain why. I was given a nickname by the people at the barbershop that I first went to when I moved here. Since December of 2004, I have been known as “Duration” and all the barbers as well as other customers call me that. The name has stuck and pretty much makes sense when you think about the person that I am. You can probably agree that there is an element of duration in most of the things I do.(I am like a good set of luggage I am not really going anywhere and most of my friends can attest to that)
As I think about people seeing me as the person known as “Duration” and not Nicholas I am reminded of there being a purpose for a lot of my relationships and interactions with others. At this early hour, by mere fate I was chatting with a former college classmate of mine DeMarco Morgan(News Anchor for WNBC 4 in New York) who ended up reading one of my blog posts and said it was exactly what he needed to read this morning. It seems like with every hour and day that passes by I am moving closer to fulfilling my purpose in life.
As I think more about my purpose I am reminded of the very first verse of Ecclesiastes 3; To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
I think that this is the perfect thing to read as we think about purpose in our lives from many different aspects.
Have you found your purpose in life? Do you see the signs that are leading to what you are being called to do? Do you know the reason that certain people have been placed in your life? Or the reason you have been placed in the lives of others? Are you ready to accept your purpose in life?
I am blessed to have everyone in my life that I have learned from and continue to learn from on a daily basis. I thank you for the relationship that we share in whatever capacity that may be. Welcome this day as another opportunity to make a difference as you are getting closer to the amazing things that are in store for you.
“The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”
-Mitch Albom
“Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?”
-Benjamin Franklin
“I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of sand. Henceforth will I apply ALL my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy.”
-Og Mandino
“It may be that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others”
“Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.”
-Henry David Thoreau
Anyone who knows me can pretty much attest to the fact that I never meet a stranger. My personality tends to be very inviting and have a very diverse group of friends. I have lived in the valley of the sun for almost six years and I have met a lot of people here. With that being said, there are quite a few people here that I have met that don’t even know my real name, but let me explain why. I was given a nickname by the people at the barbershop that I first went to when I moved here. Since December of 2004, I have been known as “Duration” and all the barbers as well as other customers call me that. The name has stuck and pretty much makes sense when you think about the person that I am. You can probably agree that there is an element of duration in most of the things I do.(I am like a good set of luggage I am not really going anywhere and most of my friends can attest to that)
As I think about people seeing me as the person known as “Duration” and not Nicholas I am reminded of there being a purpose for a lot of my relationships and interactions with others. At this early hour, by mere fate I was chatting with a former college classmate of mine DeMarco Morgan(News Anchor for WNBC 4 in New York) who ended up reading one of my blog posts and said it was exactly what he needed to read this morning. It seems like with every hour and day that passes by I am moving closer to fulfilling my purpose in life.
As I think more about my purpose I am reminded of the very first verse of Ecclesiastes 3; To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
I think that this is the perfect thing to read as we think about purpose in our lives from many different aspects.
Have you found your purpose in life? Do you see the signs that are leading to what you are being called to do? Do you know the reason that certain people have been placed in your life? Or the reason you have been placed in the lives of others? Are you ready to accept your purpose in life?
I am blessed to have everyone in my life that I have learned from and continue to learn from on a daily basis. I thank you for the relationship that we share in whatever capacity that may be. Welcome this day as another opportunity to make a difference as you are getting closer to the amazing things that are in store for you.
“The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”
-Mitch Albom
“Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?”
-Benjamin Franklin
“I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of sand. Henceforth will I apply ALL my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy.”
-Og Mandino
“It may be that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others”
“Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.”
-Henry David Thoreau
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Tuesday Morning Thoughts on Approach 09/7/10
My, my, my it was definitely a scorcher this weekend in the valley. Seems like every time I started the car the temperature gauge said 105 and then 5 minutes later the temperature gauge rose at least 3-4 degrees higher. The holiday weekend is coming to a close and I can honestly say that I have enjoyed myself. There is no better substitute for food, family, and friends. I have eaten pretty well and fellowshipped quite a bit and I think I have a few takeaways from this weekend. In addition to all the fun I had with food and friends, I was excited to welcome football back as this was the first weekend of the college football season with the NFL season kicking off Thursday night. If you didn’t know already, we are moving into my favorite time of year.
Over the last four days, I have been blessed in my conversations and interactions with people that my mind is filled with quite a few thoughts. I really don’t know where to start, but I’ll just start rambling as usual hoping to end up in the right place in the end.
It never fails that as you go through things in life that you realize later on that it was just the experience that you needed to go through to prepare you for something better. Often times it’s hard to remember to be steadfast in moving in certain directions as we allow our trials and tribulations get the best of us. In my personal life right now, I am asking myself a lot of questions daily about my career and what I should be doing. All I can say is everything happens for a reason and the Lord always gives you what you need right when you need it. I say this because of the message that I received in church over the weekend and it was just confirmation that I need to refocus a little bit.
For a little while now I have to have serious conversations with myself just to make it into work daily. Some days I am more frustrated than others and my attitude is toward work isn’t where it should be. I know that I have lost perspective and focus, but my message on Sunday is putting me back on the right path. The message was about ‘The Right Perspective of Work.’ On the Labor Day holiday weekend I couldn’t have asked for a better message to help me on my journey.
Have you ever thought about how much time we actually spend working. During the span of our lives we spend 1/3 of our lives in bed, 1/3 on the job, and the rest of the time doing whatever else we feel the need to do in life. Don’t get me wrong as in this economy I am appreciative of my job, but I needed this reminder about my approach to work. I never viewed work as a form of worship until this past Sunday. We work the jobs that we work to allow others to witness of the power of the Lord. People are supposed to be able to see that God lives in us in all of our daily interactions, and often times that doesn’t happen in the workplace. I am not saying that you have to shout and praise all day long, but there is a an opportunity to worship in the workplace.
Here are a few things to think about in terms of worship and the workplace that I took away from the message. Do we go to work to obey our boss as a man/woman or do go to work to do right by God? We must remember that we are where we are so that the God in us can be seen at all times in spite of all that is going on. If we are lost in the wilderness and not praising God, that is really not his plan. We should be praising because he has the confidence in his to find our way out and lead others to the promised land.
Now is time to think about our lives and stop being so ‘Thermometric’ and be willing to set the temperature. It’s time out for gauging the temperature of our personal situations, as we know and have known for awhile where things are. This is just a little piece of what I ended up getting out of my overall Labor Day weekend, I am sure that I may revisit a few more thoughts over the course of the week.
After all this, I found myself thinking about the approach and began to ask a few questions. Overall what is your approach to life? What is it that makes you approach situations differently? Does your audience have any influence on your approach? Are you able to influence someone else’s approach to life? Work? Relationships?
As we start another week, I trust that you will get it started in the right fashion. A positive attitude and a smile goes along way. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams and remember that you are on the cusp of something amazing. You just have to go and get it!
“Of course life is bizarre, the more bizarre it gets, the more interesting it is. The only way to approach it is to make yourself some popcorn and enjoy the show.”
“The truth of the matter is that there's nothing you can't accomplish if: (1) You clearly decide what it is that you're absolutely committed to achieving, (2) You're willing to take massive action, (3) You notice what's working or not, and (4) You continue to change your approach until you achieve what you want, using whatever life gives you along the way.”
-Anthony Robbins
“Remember the two benefits of failure. First, if you do fail, you learn what doesn't work; and second, the failure gives you the opportunity to try a new approach.”
-Roger Von Oech
“Success is almost totally dependent upon drive and persistence. The extra energy required to make another effort or try another approach is the secret of winning.”
-Denis Waitley
“The best angle from which to approach a problem is the Try-angle.”
“The obstacles you face are... mental barriers which can be broken by adopting a more positive approach.”
-Clarence Blasier
“Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.”
-Tom Robbins
Over the last four days, I have been blessed in my conversations and interactions with people that my mind is filled with quite a few thoughts. I really don’t know where to start, but I’ll just start rambling as usual hoping to end up in the right place in the end.
It never fails that as you go through things in life that you realize later on that it was just the experience that you needed to go through to prepare you for something better. Often times it’s hard to remember to be steadfast in moving in certain directions as we allow our trials and tribulations get the best of us. In my personal life right now, I am asking myself a lot of questions daily about my career and what I should be doing. All I can say is everything happens for a reason and the Lord always gives you what you need right when you need it. I say this because of the message that I received in church over the weekend and it was just confirmation that I need to refocus a little bit.
For a little while now I have to have serious conversations with myself just to make it into work daily. Some days I am more frustrated than others and my attitude is toward work isn’t where it should be. I know that I have lost perspective and focus, but my message on Sunday is putting me back on the right path. The message was about ‘The Right Perspective of Work.’ On the Labor Day holiday weekend I couldn’t have asked for a better message to help me on my journey.
Have you ever thought about how much time we actually spend working. During the span of our lives we spend 1/3 of our lives in bed, 1/3 on the job, and the rest of the time doing whatever else we feel the need to do in life. Don’t get me wrong as in this economy I am appreciative of my job, but I needed this reminder about my approach to work. I never viewed work as a form of worship until this past Sunday. We work the jobs that we work to allow others to witness of the power of the Lord. People are supposed to be able to see that God lives in us in all of our daily interactions, and often times that doesn’t happen in the workplace. I am not saying that you have to shout and praise all day long, but there is a an opportunity to worship in the workplace.
Here are a few things to think about in terms of worship and the workplace that I took away from the message. Do we go to work to obey our boss as a man/woman or do go to work to do right by God? We must remember that we are where we are so that the God in us can be seen at all times in spite of all that is going on. If we are lost in the wilderness and not praising God, that is really not his plan. We should be praising because he has the confidence in his to find our way out and lead others to the promised land.
Now is time to think about our lives and stop being so ‘Thermometric’ and be willing to set the temperature. It’s time out for gauging the temperature of our personal situations, as we know and have known for awhile where things are. This is just a little piece of what I ended up getting out of my overall Labor Day weekend, I am sure that I may revisit a few more thoughts over the course of the week.
After all this, I found myself thinking about the approach and began to ask a few questions. Overall what is your approach to life? What is it that makes you approach situations differently? Does your audience have any influence on your approach? Are you able to influence someone else’s approach to life? Work? Relationships?
As we start another week, I trust that you will get it started in the right fashion. A positive attitude and a smile goes along way. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams and remember that you are on the cusp of something amazing. You just have to go and get it!
“Of course life is bizarre, the more bizarre it gets, the more interesting it is. The only way to approach it is to make yourself some popcorn and enjoy the show.”
“The truth of the matter is that there's nothing you can't accomplish if: (1) You clearly decide what it is that you're absolutely committed to achieving, (2) You're willing to take massive action, (3) You notice what's working or not, and (4) You continue to change your approach until you achieve what you want, using whatever life gives you along the way.”
-Anthony Robbins
“Remember the two benefits of failure. First, if you do fail, you learn what doesn't work; and second, the failure gives you the opportunity to try a new approach.”
-Roger Von Oech
“Success is almost totally dependent upon drive and persistence. The extra energy required to make another effort or try another approach is the secret of winning.”
-Denis Waitley
“The best angle from which to approach a problem is the Try-angle.”
“The obstacles you face are... mental barriers which can be broken by adopting a more positive approach.”
-Clarence Blasier
“Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.”
-Tom Robbins
Friday, September 3, 2010
Thursday Morning Thoughts on Giving 09/2/10
Thursday morning before day and I am up doing some of my favorite things; listening to music, watching Sportscenter, and thinking. I really don’t remember what time I went to sleep on last evening, but I woke up out of sleep a couple of hours ago with some things on the brain. When this happens I know that there’s a reason for it that I don’t understand at the moment that it will be revealed sometime later. I say this because often times when I write my thoughts down and share with others, it never fails that I receive a phone call or email saying, “Thanks I really needed that.”
I am sure I say this a lot, but it seems like I am always doing some soul searching trying to find something within me. It’s amazing that someone yesterday told me that I was looking for something that I already had. I was confused a little, but as they explained it to me it started to make sense to me. They said based on all my unique experiences and opportunities that I have something to share with the world in many different capacities. I must say that this conversation got me to thinking a little bit and the concept of giving floated around my head for awhile.
Based on what I started realize after the conversation, that every thing we go through in life offers us the opportunity to be a witness to others. Whether it’s a good or bad we have all gained something from every experience that we have in life. With that being said, I had a few questions that were on the brain about giving.
Are you aware of what you have to give? How willing are you to give of yourself? What hinders you from giving in any capacity? Where do you think your giving can have the most impact? Family? Relationships? Church? Community? Work? How do you feel when you give of yourself? Is the giving spirit taught or are you born with it?
I am excited to answer these questions for myself, but I wanted to share some thoughts and questions that may get you thinking a little bit. I want to remind you that you are the cusp of some amazing things and you just have to continue walking in that direction. Have an amazing day and you are one step closer to the weekend.
“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more”
-Anthony Robbins
“You get the best out of others when you give the best of yourself.”
-Harvey S. Firestone
“It's important to give it all you have while you have the chance.”
-Shania Twain
“The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.”
-Albert Einstein
“Some people give time, some money, some their skills and connections, some literally give their life's blood. But everyone has something to give.”
-Barbara Bush
“Give what you have to somebody, it may be better than you think.”
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“Do not stand on a high pedestal and take 5 cents in your hand and say, "here, my poor man", but be grateful that the poor man is there, so by making a gift to him you are able to help yourself.It is not the reciever that is blessed, but it is the giver.Be thankful that you are allowed to exercise your power of benevolence and mercy in the world, and thus become pure and perfect.”
-Swami Vivekananda
I am sure I say this a lot, but it seems like I am always doing some soul searching trying to find something within me. It’s amazing that someone yesterday told me that I was looking for something that I already had. I was confused a little, but as they explained it to me it started to make sense to me. They said based on all my unique experiences and opportunities that I have something to share with the world in many different capacities. I must say that this conversation got me to thinking a little bit and the concept of giving floated around my head for awhile.
Based on what I started realize after the conversation, that every thing we go through in life offers us the opportunity to be a witness to others. Whether it’s a good or bad we have all gained something from every experience that we have in life. With that being said, I had a few questions that were on the brain about giving.
Are you aware of what you have to give? How willing are you to give of yourself? What hinders you from giving in any capacity? Where do you think your giving can have the most impact? Family? Relationships? Church? Community? Work? How do you feel when you give of yourself? Is the giving spirit taught or are you born with it?
I am excited to answer these questions for myself, but I wanted to share some thoughts and questions that may get you thinking a little bit. I want to remind you that you are the cusp of some amazing things and you just have to continue walking in that direction. Have an amazing day and you are one step closer to the weekend.
“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more”
-Anthony Robbins
“You get the best out of others when you give the best of yourself.”
-Harvey S. Firestone
“It's important to give it all you have while you have the chance.”
-Shania Twain
“The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.”
-Albert Einstein
“Some people give time, some money, some their skills and connections, some literally give their life's blood. But everyone has something to give.”
-Barbara Bush
“Give what you have to somebody, it may be better than you think.”
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“Do not stand on a high pedestal and take 5 cents in your hand and say, "here, my poor man", but be grateful that the poor man is there, so by making a gift to him you are able to help yourself.It is not the reciever that is blessed, but it is the giver.Be thankful that you are allowed to exercise your power of benevolence and mercy in the world, and thus become pure and perfect.”
-Swami Vivekananda
Hump Day Thoughts on Equilibrium 08/25/10
I look over at the clock and see that sun hasn’t completely risen this morning, but I am sitting here wide awake with a few things on my mind. For the last 5 years the month of August has historically been rough month for me. As I see it. if I can prepare myself mentally for it and make it through then the rest of the year is a breeze. Not sure why but I have faced a lot of personal and professional challenges in this month. Maybe it has something with it being about 2 months removed from the halfway point of the year and I need to reflect to see how I am doing with the goals I set for the year.
Yesterday, my parents celebrated their 27th Wedding Anniversary and I thought it was pretty funny when I called my mother that she was like, “Oh yeah it is our anniversary today!” Whether she remembered it our not, I think my parents have done a good job over the last 27 years raising some good kids. (at least I think I can call myself a good kid) As I look at the relationship from my perspective it seems as though my parents were able to achieve some sort of equilibrium over the years. As I thought about that, the term equilibrium kind of sat on the brain for a minute
As equilibrium floated around my mind, I saw myself return to my study of economics and the supply and demand curve. I started to take a look at my life in terms of a supply and demand curve and more things started to make sense. I remember one of my professors teaching TANSTAAFL (There Ain’t No Such Thing as a Free Lunch) principle to the class. It really makes you remember that there is an opportunity cost to anything that we do in life. Looking at our lives in terms of my careers and relationships the supply and demand curve serves as the perfect illustration.
All of our character traits, physical, and mental abilities represent the supply, while society (friends, co-workers, family) and time represents the demand. There is only so much of us to go around, but we are always trying to find equilibrium. As we try to reach equilibrium we have to recognize that something is going to give at some point. We have to be comfortable with the choices that we make to obtain equilibrium and sometimes it does take sacrifice. Finding our equilibrium is a critical element as we move toward happiness.
How do you obtain equilibrium within yourself? Your family? Your relationships? Work? Career?
Have an amazing ‘Get over the Hump Day’ and remember to just walk through the door as amazing is waiting for you.
“The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium.”
-Norbet Platt
“Friendship works in equilibrium, always on your left shoulder when problems is on your right”
“Unless we form the habit of going to the Bible in bright moments as well as in trouble, we cannot fully respond to its consolations because we lack equilibrium between light and darkness.”
-Helen Keller
A system is in equilibrium when the forces constituting it are arranged in such a way as to compensate each other, like the two weights pulling at the arms of a pair of scales.
-Rudolf Arnheim
Yesterday, my parents celebrated their 27th Wedding Anniversary and I thought it was pretty funny when I called my mother that she was like, “Oh yeah it is our anniversary today!” Whether she remembered it our not, I think my parents have done a good job over the last 27 years raising some good kids. (at least I think I can call myself a good kid) As I look at the relationship from my perspective it seems as though my parents were able to achieve some sort of equilibrium over the years. As I thought about that, the term equilibrium kind of sat on the brain for a minute
As equilibrium floated around my mind, I saw myself return to my study of economics and the supply and demand curve. I started to take a look at my life in terms of a supply and demand curve and more things started to make sense. I remember one of my professors teaching TANSTAAFL (There Ain’t No Such Thing as a Free Lunch) principle to the class. It really makes you remember that there is an opportunity cost to anything that we do in life. Looking at our lives in terms of my careers and relationships the supply and demand curve serves as the perfect illustration.
All of our character traits, physical, and mental abilities represent the supply, while society (friends, co-workers, family) and time represents the demand. There is only so much of us to go around, but we are always trying to find equilibrium. As we try to reach equilibrium we have to recognize that something is going to give at some point. We have to be comfortable with the choices that we make to obtain equilibrium and sometimes it does take sacrifice. Finding our equilibrium is a critical element as we move toward happiness.
How do you obtain equilibrium within yourself? Your family? Your relationships? Work? Career?
Have an amazing ‘Get over the Hump Day’ and remember to just walk through the door as amazing is waiting for you.
“The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium.”
-Norbet Platt
“Friendship works in equilibrium, always on your left shoulder when problems is on your right”
“Unless we form the habit of going to the Bible in bright moments as well as in trouble, we cannot fully respond to its consolations because we lack equilibrium between light and darkness.”
-Helen Keller
A system is in equilibrium when the forces constituting it are arranged in such a way as to compensate each other, like the two weights pulling at the arms of a pair of scales.
-Rudolf Arnheim
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Sunday Afternoon Thoughts on Tests 08/22/10
Its amazing as the weekend comes to a close that we have mixed emotions about what Sunday actually brings. For me, I am excited about another upcoming week and the opportunity to try to get things right again.
School is back in session for most and I know that students/parents are excited for a new year. I think my thoughts today correlate well with the start of the new school year. Basically, we all know that school's function is to prepare you for your next challenge.
I heard a message this morning talking about 'Tests' in an illustration about school and life. They left me with this to think about; school teaches you things that helps you pass tests and life presents you with tests daily to prepare you to teach others. We have to remember that every test that we encounter is preparing us for something better. These are tests just to make sure that we are ready to receive amazing.
I trust that everyone has experienced a great weekend and is preparing for an amazing week.
What do you think life is preparing you for? How do you approach your tests in life? Have you passed some tests that you felt as though you weren't prepared for? What do you think prepared you for the tests you have encountered? Family? Friends? Are their some situations that are testing your decisions? Relationships? Career?
“Misfortune tests friends, and detects enemies”
“Courage is not limited to the battlefield or the Indianapolis 500 or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are the inner tests, like remaining faithful when nobody's looking, like enduring pain when the room is empty, like standing alone when you're misunderstood.”
-Charles Swindoll
“Distance tests a horse's strength. Time reveals a person's character.”
-Chinese Proverbs
“The secret of a leader lies in the tests he has faced over the whole course of his life and the habit of action he develops in meeting those tests.”
-Gail Sheehy
“It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
“You must welcome tests because it gives you confidence and it ensures promotion.”
-Sri Sathya Sai Baba
“Never forget that [God] tests his real friends more severely than the lukewarm ones.”
-Kathryn Hulme
School is back in session for most and I know that students/parents are excited for a new year. I think my thoughts today correlate well with the start of the new school year. Basically, we all know that school's function is to prepare you for your next challenge.
I heard a message this morning talking about 'Tests' in an illustration about school and life. They left me with this to think about; school teaches you things that helps you pass tests and life presents you with tests daily to prepare you to teach others. We have to remember that every test that we encounter is preparing us for something better. These are tests just to make sure that we are ready to receive amazing.
I trust that everyone has experienced a great weekend and is preparing for an amazing week.
What do you think life is preparing you for? How do you approach your tests in life? Have you passed some tests that you felt as though you weren't prepared for? What do you think prepared you for the tests you have encountered? Family? Friends? Are their some situations that are testing your decisions? Relationships? Career?
“Misfortune tests friends, and detects enemies”
“Courage is not limited to the battlefield or the Indianapolis 500 or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are the inner tests, like remaining faithful when nobody's looking, like enduring pain when the room is empty, like standing alone when you're misunderstood.”
-Charles Swindoll
“Distance tests a horse's strength. Time reveals a person's character.”
-Chinese Proverbs
“The secret of a leader lies in the tests he has faced over the whole course of his life and the habit of action he develops in meeting those tests.”
-Gail Sheehy
“It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
“You must welcome tests because it gives you confidence and it ensures promotion.”
-Sri Sathya Sai Baba
“Never forget that [God] tests his real friends more severely than the lukewarm ones.”
-Kathryn Hulme
Saturday Evening Thoughts on Ego 08/21/10
Enjoying a somewhat lazy Saturday and wouldn’t have it any other way. I checked the calendar and there are 142 days before College Football’s National Championship Game that will be held in the Valley of the Sun. This far out I am pretty excited as one of my favorite times of the year is nearly upon us. Everything about football season appeals to me especially the weather, since it will finally start to cool down a bit.
This past week was pretty much routine for me, but I did have the chance to participate in the kick-off meeting for the 4th year of the Leadership Academy for 8th graders that I am part of here in the valley. I think about the things that bring me joy and I enjoy every minute of my time that I give to these young men. So as I reflect on my experiences from just yesterday in this initial meeting I started to see a bit of an ‘ego’ that I had about making a difference in the lives of others.
Some people will tell you that having an ego is bad, but I am sure there are some positives to having an ego. You have to carry a certain confidence or swag with some things that you do.
Has your ego ever gotten in the way of your success? Are you able to recognize when your ego can be seen as a negative? Can your ego be a positive? Do others see your ego? What types of things influence your ego? Is your ego to big to be deflated?
Enjoy the rest of your weekend and remember that you are standing at the door of amazing; you just have to walk through it. Make it a great weekend.
“If you want to reach a state of bliss, then go beyond your ego and the internal dialogue. Make a decision to relinquish the need to control, the need to be approved, and the need to judge. Those are the three things the ego is doing all the time. It's very important to be aware of them every time they come up.”
-Deepak Chopra
“The foundation of the Buddha's teachings lies in compassion, and the reason for practicing the teachings is to wipe out the persistence of ego, the number-one enemy of compassion.”
-Tenzin Gyatso
“Look for intelligence and judgment and, most critically, a capacity to anticipate, to see around corners. Also look for loyalty, integrity, a high energy drive, a balanced ego and the drive to get things done.”
-Colin Powell
“Each Warrior wants to leave the mark of his will, his signature, on important acts he touches. This is not the voice of ego but of the human spirit, rising up and declaring that it has something to contribute to the solution of the hardest problems, no matter how vexing!”
-Pat Riley
“People who are too concerned with how well they are doing will be less successful and feel less competent than those who focus on the task itself... Some psychologists call it a conflict between ego-orientation, or between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation... but in all cases, what counts is whether attention is turned away from the task at hand and focused on the self and its future rewards, or whether it is instead trained on the task itself. The latter attitude seems the more fruitful.”
This past week was pretty much routine for me, but I did have the chance to participate in the kick-off meeting for the 4th year of the Leadership Academy for 8th graders that I am part of here in the valley. I think about the things that bring me joy and I enjoy every minute of my time that I give to these young men. So as I reflect on my experiences from just yesterday in this initial meeting I started to see a bit of an ‘ego’ that I had about making a difference in the lives of others.
Some people will tell you that having an ego is bad, but I am sure there are some positives to having an ego. You have to carry a certain confidence or swag with some things that you do.
Has your ego ever gotten in the way of your success? Are you able to recognize when your ego can be seen as a negative? Can your ego be a positive? Do others see your ego? What types of things influence your ego? Is your ego to big to be deflated?
Enjoy the rest of your weekend and remember that you are standing at the door of amazing; you just have to walk through it. Make it a great weekend.
“If you want to reach a state of bliss, then go beyond your ego and the internal dialogue. Make a decision to relinquish the need to control, the need to be approved, and the need to judge. Those are the three things the ego is doing all the time. It's very important to be aware of them every time they come up.”
-Deepak Chopra
“The foundation of the Buddha's teachings lies in compassion, and the reason for practicing the teachings is to wipe out the persistence of ego, the number-one enemy of compassion.”
-Tenzin Gyatso
“Look for intelligence and judgment and, most critically, a capacity to anticipate, to see around corners. Also look for loyalty, integrity, a high energy drive, a balanced ego and the drive to get things done.”
-Colin Powell
“Each Warrior wants to leave the mark of his will, his signature, on important acts he touches. This is not the voice of ego but of the human spirit, rising up and declaring that it has something to contribute to the solution of the hardest problems, no matter how vexing!”
-Pat Riley
“People who are too concerned with how well they are doing will be less successful and feel less competent than those who focus on the task itself... Some psychologists call it a conflict between ego-orientation, or between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation... but in all cases, what counts is whether attention is turned away from the task at hand and focused on the self and its future rewards, or whether it is instead trained on the task itself. The latter attitude seems the more fruitful.”
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Monday Morning Thoughts on Confidence 08/16/10
The weekend is over and other than the heat I can say that it was pretty amazing. By the time Friday arrived I was already in the mindset of trying to make the weekend amazing for others. I can confidently say that I did my best to share my blessings with others to try to give them a little amazing too. Whether it was a conversation via the telephone or in person I think there were some amazing moments this weekend for me.
It seems like no matter where I was that there were some commonalties in a lot of things that I was involved in. Several of my conversations seem to revolve around confidence as I engaged in some discussions about life and what keeps us from accomplishing things. We could have all the tools and resources in the world, but when we lack confidence achieving success isn’t always guaranteed.
How can we lead others if we don’t have the confidence to lead ourselves? How confident are you in ‘YOU’? How important is confidence in our daily lives? Do you ever allow others to negatively influence your confidence?
At the beginning and end of anything thing that we do in life there’s one thing that is certain is that ultimately it all boils down to what ‘WE’ do. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams whatever they may be and don’t let anyone steal your confidence in your skills/abilities. Make today a great day and let it be the start of an amazing week for you.
“Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing.”
“You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.”
-Rosalynn Carter
“With confidence, you can reach truly amazing heights; without confidence, even the simplest accomplishments are beyond your grasp.”
“As you become more clear about who you really are, you'll be better able to decide what is best for you - the first time around.”
-Oprah Winfrey
“When you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun. And when you have fun, you can do amazing things.”
“Don't listen to anyone who tells you that you can't do this or that. That's nonsense. Make up your mind, you'll never use crutches or a stick, then have a go at everything. Go to school, join in all the games you can. Go anywhere you want to. But never, never let them persuade you that things are too difficult or impossible.”
-Douglas Bader
“There comes a time when you have to stand up and shout: This is me damn it! I look the way I look, think the way I think, feel the way I feel, love the way I love! I am a whole complex package. Take me... or leave me. Accept me - or walk away! Do not try to make me feel like less of a person, just because I don't fit your idea of who I should be and don't try to change me to fit your mold. If I need to change, I alone will make that decision. When you are strong enough to love yourself 100%, good and bad - you will be amazed at the opportunities that life presents you.”
-Stacey Charter
It seems like no matter where I was that there were some commonalties in a lot of things that I was involved in. Several of my conversations seem to revolve around confidence as I engaged in some discussions about life and what keeps us from accomplishing things. We could have all the tools and resources in the world, but when we lack confidence achieving success isn’t always guaranteed.
How can we lead others if we don’t have the confidence to lead ourselves? How confident are you in ‘YOU’? How important is confidence in our daily lives? Do you ever allow others to negatively influence your confidence?
At the beginning and end of anything thing that we do in life there’s one thing that is certain is that ultimately it all boils down to what ‘WE’ do. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams whatever they may be and don’t let anyone steal your confidence in your skills/abilities. Make today a great day and let it be the start of an amazing week for you.
“Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing.”
“You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.”
-Rosalynn Carter
“With confidence, you can reach truly amazing heights; without confidence, even the simplest accomplishments are beyond your grasp.”
“As you become more clear about who you really are, you'll be better able to decide what is best for you - the first time around.”
-Oprah Winfrey
“When you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun. And when you have fun, you can do amazing things.”
“Don't listen to anyone who tells you that you can't do this or that. That's nonsense. Make up your mind, you'll never use crutches or a stick, then have a go at everything. Go to school, join in all the games you can. Go anywhere you want to. But never, never let them persuade you that things are too difficult or impossible.”
-Douglas Bader
“There comes a time when you have to stand up and shout: This is me damn it! I look the way I look, think the way I think, feel the way I feel, love the way I love! I am a whole complex package. Take me... or leave me. Accept me - or walk away! Do not try to make me feel like less of a person, just because I don't fit your idea of who I should be and don't try to change me to fit your mold. If I need to change, I alone will make that decision. When you are strong enough to love yourself 100%, good and bad - you will be amazed at the opportunities that life presents you.”
-Stacey Charter
Saturday Evening Thoughts on Happiness 08/14/10
Another scorcher in the valley and I am trying to stay cool the best way I know how. I think the temperature may only be around 110 degrees right now. And if you really think about it, that's really not that bad. I am excited about the rest of this Saturday as the NFL season has started and I am headed to a pre-season Cardinals game. I know that this is one of those things that I enjoy and it does bring a little happiness to an otherwise brutally warm weekend.
This past week was a very good week as I had some time away and got to spend some time with some people that care a great deal about me. Its amazing how knowing some cares can bring you happiness in spite of anything else that you have going on.
Its no surprise that my thoughts right now revolve around happiness. I guess I kind of arrived at this point based on needing to find true happiness in my life, but also because friend sent me an email asking me where was her inspirational message me. She made it seem like I normally know just the right time say a certain thing and make her days better. So I guess my thoughts were a direct result of that conversation.
Here are a few things that I was thinking about happiness that may spur some additional thoughts for you.
What does happiness mean to you? Who controls your happiness? Do you let others determine your happiness? Are you keeping people around you that have a desire to make you happy or help create happiness? Are you happy with yourself? If not, what are you willing to change to be happy with yourself?
I guess you can say that I find my happiness in sharing thoughts and discoveries with you. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and remember you are on the cusp of something amazing!
“Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.”
“How can a woman be expected to be happy with a man who insists on treating her as if she were a perfectly normal human being.”
-Oscar Wilde
“Don't rely on someone else for your happiness and self worth. Only you can be responsible for that. If you can't love and respect yourself - no one else will be able to make that happen. Accept who you are - completely; the good and the bad - and make changes as YOU see fit - not because you think someone else wants you to be different.”
-Stacey Charter
“Happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them.”
“It isn't what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.”
-Dale Carnegie
“Nothing can bring you happiness but yourself.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
“To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special.”
-Jim Valvano
This past week was a very good week as I had some time away and got to spend some time with some people that care a great deal about me. Its amazing how knowing some cares can bring you happiness in spite of anything else that you have going on.
Its no surprise that my thoughts right now revolve around happiness. I guess I kind of arrived at this point based on needing to find true happiness in my life, but also because friend sent me an email asking me where was her inspirational message me. She made it seem like I normally know just the right time say a certain thing and make her days better. So I guess my thoughts were a direct result of that conversation.
Here are a few things that I was thinking about happiness that may spur some additional thoughts for you.
What does happiness mean to you? Who controls your happiness? Do you let others determine your happiness? Are you keeping people around you that have a desire to make you happy or help create happiness? Are you happy with yourself? If not, what are you willing to change to be happy with yourself?
I guess you can say that I find my happiness in sharing thoughts and discoveries with you. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and remember you are on the cusp of something amazing!
“Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.”
“How can a woman be expected to be happy with a man who insists on treating her as if she were a perfectly normal human being.”
-Oscar Wilde
“Don't rely on someone else for your happiness and self worth. Only you can be responsible for that. If you can't love and respect yourself - no one else will be able to make that happen. Accept who you are - completely; the good and the bad - and make changes as YOU see fit - not because you think someone else wants you to be different.”
-Stacey Charter
“Happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them.”
“It isn't what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.”
-Dale Carnegie
“Nothing can bring you happiness but yourself.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
“To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special.”
-Jim Valvano
Monday, August 2, 2010
Sunday Evening Thoughts on Transformation 8/1/10
Wow, its amazing how this year has really flown by. Just yesterday we were in July and today is August 1st. Hard to believe we have already gone through 7 months and are heading into the home stretch of the year. This has been a hot summer in the valley, but we got a little reprieve this weekend as it rained quite a bit and the temps dipped below 90 degrees.
So I am sitting here finishing up my Sunday night ritual as I finish off the amazing hot fudge sundae at Houstons. My dinner was amazing as I had the opportunity to share food and conversation with a friend. Its funny that during dinner I had the opportunity to see the confirmation of some things that I have been thinking about recently.
Even before my dinner this evening I was having some conversations with people that care about me and the role that I am supposed to play in life. A preschool classmate(J-Rock) who I am still close with to this day reminded me that I have a unique skill set and personality and to keep doing whatever it is that is going to make me happy! At the end of the day its our happiness that we should ultimately be concerned about.
I think back to our conversation in sunday school this morning about the patient woman. It kind of had me thinking about a few things and I had a few questions for myself as my thoughts began to revolve around transformation.
As I look at where I am currently, I wonder if I am on the cusp of a transformation. I think some of the pieces are in place for a transformation as I begin to realize that I have changed aspects of my appearance, thought processes, and lifestyle. What prompted me to begin to do some of these things? Was it the opinions of others or was I mature enough to understand that it was time for a change?
Often times we are in need of transformation of different aspects in our lives, but for various reasons the transformation never takes place.
Are we waiting for something to happen that prompts the transformation? What is it that we are waiting for? What are we doing while we are waiting?
I hope that you had an enjoyable week and I wish many blessings upon you in the upcoming week. Also, I would like to wish a Happy Birthday to Alvin Battle and thank you for continuing to push me!(Glad you enjoyed your birthday present)
“When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own self-preservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness.”
-Joseph Campbell
“Personal transformation can and does have global effects. As we go, so goes the world, for the world is us. The revolution that will save the world is ultimately a personal one.”
-Marianne Williamson
“Transformation literally means going beyond your form.”
-Wayne Dyer
“Sometimes a breakdown can be the beginning of a kind of breakthrough, a way of living in advance through a trauma that prepares you for a future of radical transformation.”
-Cherrie Moraga
“Nature often holds up a mirror so we can see more clearly the ongoing processes of growth, renewal, and transformation in our lives.”
So I am sitting here finishing up my Sunday night ritual as I finish off the amazing hot fudge sundae at Houstons. My dinner was amazing as I had the opportunity to share food and conversation with a friend. Its funny that during dinner I had the opportunity to see the confirmation of some things that I have been thinking about recently.
Even before my dinner this evening I was having some conversations with people that care about me and the role that I am supposed to play in life. A preschool classmate(J-Rock) who I am still close with to this day reminded me that I have a unique skill set and personality and to keep doing whatever it is that is going to make me happy! At the end of the day its our happiness that we should ultimately be concerned about.
I think back to our conversation in sunday school this morning about the patient woman. It kind of had me thinking about a few things and I had a few questions for myself as my thoughts began to revolve around transformation.
As I look at where I am currently, I wonder if I am on the cusp of a transformation. I think some of the pieces are in place for a transformation as I begin to realize that I have changed aspects of my appearance, thought processes, and lifestyle. What prompted me to begin to do some of these things? Was it the opinions of others or was I mature enough to understand that it was time for a change?
Often times we are in need of transformation of different aspects in our lives, but for various reasons the transformation never takes place.
Are we waiting for something to happen that prompts the transformation? What is it that we are waiting for? What are we doing while we are waiting?
I hope that you had an enjoyable week and I wish many blessings upon you in the upcoming week. Also, I would like to wish a Happy Birthday to Alvin Battle and thank you for continuing to push me!(Glad you enjoyed your birthday present)
“When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own self-preservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness.”
-Joseph Campbell
“Personal transformation can and does have global effects. As we go, so goes the world, for the world is us. The revolution that will save the world is ultimately a personal one.”
-Marianne Williamson
“Transformation literally means going beyond your form.”
-Wayne Dyer
“Sometimes a breakdown can be the beginning of a kind of breakthrough, a way of living in advance through a trauma that prepares you for a future of radical transformation.”
-Cherrie Moraga
“Nature often holds up a mirror so we can see more clearly the ongoing processes of growth, renewal, and transformation in our lives.”
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Sunday Thoughts on Helping 7/18/10
The weekend is coming to an end and my my my it was another scorcher in the valley. We did have a momentary cool spell as some ran drops did fall Friday night, but it left some moisture in the air that made the heat even more unbearable. Although it was another hot weekend in the valley I still managed to do some of the things that I do best.
As I looked at everything I was part of this weekend including my time spent at work I noticed something about myself. The function of my existence revolves around me helping others. And if you think about it I am sure that if you examined your life as well you would see something similar. Helping others is a critical component to successful completion of anything in our society.
Do you put others before yourself? Do you ever feel that there are situations when you don’t help others as much as you could? Do you know where to find help when you need it? Can you confidently say that you can help yourself?
I started to think about a few things and found a few quotes about helping that may inspire a thought or two from you.
Have an amazing week and I wish the best for you as always.
“The gift of friendship... a willingness to listen... a pair of helping hands... a whisper from the heart. That someone cares and understands.”
“In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.”
“The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm”
-Swedish Proverb
“You are a product of your environment. So choose the environment that will best develop you toward your objective. Analyze your life in terms of its environment. Are the things around you helping you toward success - or are they holding you back?”
-W. Clement Stone
“What looks like a loss may be the very event which is subsequently responsible for helping to produce the major achievement of your life”
-Srully Blotnick
“When you become detached mentally from yourself and concentrate on helping other people with their difficulties, you will be able to cope with your own more effectively. Somehow, the act of self-giving is a personal power-releasing factor.”
-Norman Vincent Peale
As I looked at everything I was part of this weekend including my time spent at work I noticed something about myself. The function of my existence revolves around me helping others. And if you think about it I am sure that if you examined your life as well you would see something similar. Helping others is a critical component to successful completion of anything in our society.
Do you put others before yourself? Do you ever feel that there are situations when you don’t help others as much as you could? Do you know where to find help when you need it? Can you confidently say that you can help yourself?
I started to think about a few things and found a few quotes about helping that may inspire a thought or two from you.
Have an amazing week and I wish the best for you as always.
“The gift of friendship... a willingness to listen... a pair of helping hands... a whisper from the heart. That someone cares and understands.”
“In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.”
“The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm”
-Swedish Proverb
“You are a product of your environment. So choose the environment that will best develop you toward your objective. Analyze your life in terms of its environment. Are the things around you helping you toward success - or are they holding you back?”
-W. Clement Stone
“What looks like a loss may be the very event which is subsequently responsible for helping to produce the major achievement of your life”
-Srully Blotnick
“When you become detached mentally from yourself and concentrate on helping other people with their difficulties, you will be able to cope with your own more effectively. Somehow, the act of self-giving is a personal power-releasing factor.”
-Norman Vincent Peale
Sunday Afternoon Thoughts on Pride and Relationships 07/25/10
Relaxing Sunday afternoon and I can honestly say that I am feeling refreshed even after everything that I have done this weekend. Over the last two weeks, I have put in at least 112 hours at work and tried to still incorporate some fun activities in order to keep my sanity.
This past weekend was probably one of the best that I have experienced in awhile. I can honestly say that I am still maturing daily as I begin to accept my responsibilities as a man and live up to the expectations that I have of myself. By reading this you might be wondering what it is that I did that made this one of the best weekends for me. I sat down and enjoyed the company of some good friends (shout out to the Brown family) and actually went to church this morning. These two events along with a couple of other things I did this weekend had me thinking.
I guess everything happens according to a master plan since the word that we received in church today was centered on relationships. All this weekend I was thinking about pride so I just started to incorporate the role of pride in any relationship. (family, spouse, work, friends,) It was funny this morning as they were going around the congregation acknowledging wedding anniversaries during the month of July, there was a young man that stood up to tell the church that he and his wife were celebrating 10 years and as he was doing this he was patting his wife on the back repeatedly. The pastor commented and said that the young man’s gestures indicated that he seemed to be very proud of the 10 years and the young lady he was married to.
We were left with a few points to remember at the end of the message.
1. Your relationships are to be witnessed.
2. Relationships take work.
3. Relationships are worth it.
Everything we do in life is witnessed and our relationships tell the rest of the world a lot about us. It could be a relationship a spouse, family member, friend, or even a co-worker but I promise it tells a story about who you are.
What do take pride in? Do you take pride in cultivating relationships? What are some of the relationships that you are proud of? Can others see the pride in your relationships? Are there some relationships that you don’t take pride in?
I hope that you enjoy the rest of your weekend and plan to have an amazing week.
“Pride is a personal commitment. It is an attitude which separates excellence from mediocrity.”
“Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and importance, although difficult, is the highroad to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction.”
-Margaret Thatcher
“You can't give people pride, but you can provide the kind of understanding that makes people look to their inner strengths and find their own sense of pride”
-Charleszetta Waddles
“No one has a greater asset for his business than a man's pride in his work.”
-Hosea Ballou
“A great business success was probably never attained by chasing the dollar, but is due to pride in one's work - the pride that makes business an art”
-Henry Doherty
“There are two kinds of curiosity: the first drives us to seek what serves our own advantage; the other is pride in knowing what others don’t know.”
-Francois de la Rochefoucauld
This past weekend was probably one of the best that I have experienced in awhile. I can honestly say that I am still maturing daily as I begin to accept my responsibilities as a man and live up to the expectations that I have of myself. By reading this you might be wondering what it is that I did that made this one of the best weekends for me. I sat down and enjoyed the company of some good friends (shout out to the Brown family) and actually went to church this morning. These two events along with a couple of other things I did this weekend had me thinking.
I guess everything happens according to a master plan since the word that we received in church today was centered on relationships. All this weekend I was thinking about pride so I just started to incorporate the role of pride in any relationship. (family, spouse, work, friends,) It was funny this morning as they were going around the congregation acknowledging wedding anniversaries during the month of July, there was a young man that stood up to tell the church that he and his wife were celebrating 10 years and as he was doing this he was patting his wife on the back repeatedly. The pastor commented and said that the young man’s gestures indicated that he seemed to be very proud of the 10 years and the young lady he was married to.
We were left with a few points to remember at the end of the message.
1. Your relationships are to be witnessed.
2. Relationships take work.
3. Relationships are worth it.
Everything we do in life is witnessed and our relationships tell the rest of the world a lot about us. It could be a relationship a spouse, family member, friend, or even a co-worker but I promise it tells a story about who you are.
What do take pride in? Do you take pride in cultivating relationships? What are some of the relationships that you are proud of? Can others see the pride in your relationships? Are there some relationships that you don’t take pride in?
I hope that you enjoy the rest of your weekend and plan to have an amazing week.
“Pride is a personal commitment. It is an attitude which separates excellence from mediocrity.”
“Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and importance, although difficult, is the highroad to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction.”
-Margaret Thatcher
“You can't give people pride, but you can provide the kind of understanding that makes people look to their inner strengths and find their own sense of pride”
-Charleszetta Waddles
“No one has a greater asset for his business than a man's pride in his work.”
-Hosea Ballou
“A great business success was probably never attained by chasing the dollar, but is due to pride in one's work - the pride that makes business an art”
-Henry Doherty
“There are two kinds of curiosity: the first drives us to seek what serves our own advantage; the other is pride in knowing what others don’t know.”
-Francois de la Rochefoucauld
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Sunday Thoughts on Loyalty 07/11/10
Another smoldering weekend in the valley and I can safely say that I made it through. Its something you get used to and learn to beat the heat the best way you know how. I don’t think it got over 110 degrees this weekend so that’s always a good thing. I was happy to get to spend some time with friends and talk with several friends and family members via the telephone.
Over the last several days, it seems like you can’t turn on the television without seeing some sort of reference to the Lebron James decision that was made the other day. As I see the articles and watch the news reports, I started to see that it was a little bigger than just where he was playing basketball.
As I continue to see everything unfold, my thoughts began to revolve around happiness and loyalty. I am not going to get into Lebron’s situation where the debates have been going back and forth about his loyalty to his former team, city of Cleveland, or the state of Ohio. I started to have some thoughts about loyalty and our individual situations.
What does loyalty mean to you? How important is loyalty to you? Where does your loyalty lie? What makes people loyal to you? Has your loyalty come in question? At the end of the day, “ARE YOU LOYAL TO YOURSELF?”
Maybe the questions above and the quotes below make you think a little deeper about some things that may be presently going on in your life. I send positive thoughts your way and wish that you have an amazing week.
“The best things in life are never rationed. Friendship, loyalty, love, do not require coupons.”
“It all comes down to serving the ones who are fighting alongside you, watching your back, putting a weapon in your hand when you need it most.”
-James Luceno
“A friend is one with whom you are comfortable, to whom you are loyal, through whom you are blessed, and for whom you are grateful.”
-William Arthur Ward
“We must live for the few who know and appreciate us, who judge and absolve us, and for whom we have the same affection and indulgence. The rest I look upon as a mere crowd, lively or sad, loyal or corrupt, from whom there is nothing to be expected but fleeting emotions, either pleasant or unpleasant, which leave no trace behind them.”
-Sarah Bernhardt
“The person who renders loyal service in a humble capacity will be chosen for higher responsibilities, just as the biblical servant who multiplied the one pound given him by his master was made ruler over ten cities...”
-Barry Forbes
“People view your loyalty by how far you can still be relied on when everything is going wrong.”
Over the last several days, it seems like you can’t turn on the television without seeing some sort of reference to the Lebron James decision that was made the other day. As I see the articles and watch the news reports, I started to see that it was a little bigger than just where he was playing basketball.
As I continue to see everything unfold, my thoughts began to revolve around happiness and loyalty. I am not going to get into Lebron’s situation where the debates have been going back and forth about his loyalty to his former team, city of Cleveland, or the state of Ohio. I started to have some thoughts about loyalty and our individual situations.
What does loyalty mean to you? How important is loyalty to you? Where does your loyalty lie? What makes people loyal to you? Has your loyalty come in question? At the end of the day, “ARE YOU LOYAL TO YOURSELF?”
Maybe the questions above and the quotes below make you think a little deeper about some things that may be presently going on in your life. I send positive thoughts your way and wish that you have an amazing week.
“The best things in life are never rationed. Friendship, loyalty, love, do not require coupons.”
“It all comes down to serving the ones who are fighting alongside you, watching your back, putting a weapon in your hand when you need it most.”
-James Luceno
“A friend is one with whom you are comfortable, to whom you are loyal, through whom you are blessed, and for whom you are grateful.”
-William Arthur Ward
“We must live for the few who know and appreciate us, who judge and absolve us, and for whom we have the same affection and indulgence. The rest I look upon as a mere crowd, lively or sad, loyal or corrupt, from whom there is nothing to be expected but fleeting emotions, either pleasant or unpleasant, which leave no trace behind them.”
-Sarah Bernhardt
“The person who renders loyal service in a humble capacity will be chosen for higher responsibilities, just as the biblical servant who multiplied the one pound given him by his master was made ruler over ten cities...”
-Barry Forbes
“People view your loyalty by how far you can still be relied on when everything is going wrong.”
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Wednesday Morning Thoughts on "FREE AGENCY"
I am just sitting here this morning watching a little television before I decide to leave the house to deal with the heat for the day. Its already 98 degrees with the anticipated high expected to be 109 degrees. All I know is that I will be keeping cool thoughts in my head as that’s one way that I know to possibly beat this heat.
You can’t turn on a TV lately without being reminded about NBA players DeWayne Wade, LeBron James, and Co’s impending free agent status. As I was watching some news reports today, I heard an agent talk about how he assists the players in prioritizing what things are important to them when evaluating their decisions; compensation, championships, team chemistry, impact on family, etc. As I continued to listen to the conversations going back and forth, thoughts began to form around a few things that were mentioned.
Whether you are interested in sports or not the free agency concept can be related to things we do in our lives. From birth each and every one of us was born a free agent as we have the freedom of choice to make decisions that affect us. In making most of our decisions regarding our careers, relationships, and lives in general we often place values on what is important to us. The values we place on things ultimately influence our decisions coupled with your desires to be in a certain place.
In the midst of your own “free agency” period in any aspect of your life, ask yourself a few questions. Is there an area that I am willing to compromise? What is most important to me? What is it that I really desire? Do I desire the wrong things?
“Serendipity. Look for something, find something else, and realize that what you've found is more suited to your needs than what you thought you were looking for.”
-Lawrence Block
“Desire is the key to motivation, but its determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek.”
-Mario Andretti
“If you greatly desire something, have the guts to stake everything on obtaining it.”
-Brendan Francis
“The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way.”
-Robert Kiyosaki
“Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.”
-Napoleon Hill
You can’t turn on a TV lately without being reminded about NBA players DeWayne Wade, LeBron James, and Co’s impending free agent status. As I was watching some news reports today, I heard an agent talk about how he assists the players in prioritizing what things are important to them when evaluating their decisions; compensation, championships, team chemistry, impact on family, etc. As I continued to listen to the conversations going back and forth, thoughts began to form around a few things that were mentioned.
Whether you are interested in sports or not the free agency concept can be related to things we do in our lives. From birth each and every one of us was born a free agent as we have the freedom of choice to make decisions that affect us. In making most of our decisions regarding our careers, relationships, and lives in general we often place values on what is important to us. The values we place on things ultimately influence our decisions coupled with your desires to be in a certain place.
In the midst of your own “free agency” period in any aspect of your life, ask yourself a few questions. Is there an area that I am willing to compromise? What is most important to me? What is it that I really desire? Do I desire the wrong things?
“Serendipity. Look for something, find something else, and realize that what you've found is more suited to your needs than what you thought you were looking for.”
-Lawrence Block
“Desire is the key to motivation, but its determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek.”
-Mario Andretti
“If you greatly desire something, have the guts to stake everything on obtaining it.”
-Brendan Francis
“The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way.”
-Robert Kiyosaki
“Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.”
-Napoleon Hill
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sunday Evening Thoughts on "timing" 06/27/10
The weekend is coming to a close and I think I did another great job of trying to beat the heat. Over the next several months one of my main goals will be to stay cool and hydrated as much as possible as the temperatures are averaging 106 degrees daily. While doing my best to beat the heat over the last couple of days I managed to have a few conversations about life that prompted some additional thoughts afterwards.
I had an opportunity to sit down and talk to some older gentlemen this weekend that compared their experiences in their day to my current experiences. It’s amazing to look at the differences in the times that we are living in and how things are interpreted. I bring this up only because it was a situation in which my plan was to do some other things but this conversation just started. As we know in life we try to plan out most things that we do, but timing plays a role in a lot of it. Surprisingly, things don’t always happen in the time that we would like, but we have to learn to appreciate when and why things take place the way that they do.
You are where you are because that where you are supposed to be. So just have patience and trust that everything will reveal itself in the right timing for you.
As the weekend winds down, I wish you an amazing start to your new week. I am also sharing a few quotes related to timing that may speak to you current situation or something you have experienced in the past.
“No-one gets an iron-clad guarantee of success. Certainly, factors like opportunity, luck and timing are important. But the backbone of success is usually found in old-fashioned, basic concepts like hard work, determination, good planning and perseverance.”
-Mia Hamm
“Observe due measure, for right timing is in all things the most important factor.”
-Hesiod
“Your Master Teacher knows all you need to learn, the perfect timing for your learning it, and the ideal way of teaching it to you. You don't create a Master Teacher / that's already been done. You discover your Master Teacher.”
-Peter McWilliams
“Life is all about timing... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable... attainable. Have the patience, wait it out It's all about timing.”
-Stacey Charter
“Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There is a time for silence. A time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their own destiny. And a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it's all over.
”
-Gloria Naylor
I had an opportunity to sit down and talk to some older gentlemen this weekend that compared their experiences in their day to my current experiences. It’s amazing to look at the differences in the times that we are living in and how things are interpreted. I bring this up only because it was a situation in which my plan was to do some other things but this conversation just started. As we know in life we try to plan out most things that we do, but timing plays a role in a lot of it. Surprisingly, things don’t always happen in the time that we would like, but we have to learn to appreciate when and why things take place the way that they do.
You are where you are because that where you are supposed to be. So just have patience and trust that everything will reveal itself in the right timing for you.
As the weekend winds down, I wish you an amazing start to your new week. I am also sharing a few quotes related to timing that may speak to you current situation or something you have experienced in the past.
“No-one gets an iron-clad guarantee of success. Certainly, factors like opportunity, luck and timing are important. But the backbone of success is usually found in old-fashioned, basic concepts like hard work, determination, good planning and perseverance.”
-Mia Hamm
“Observe due measure, for right timing is in all things the most important factor.”
-Hesiod
“Your Master Teacher knows all you need to learn, the perfect timing for your learning it, and the ideal way of teaching it to you. You don't create a Master Teacher / that's already been done. You discover your Master Teacher.”
-Peter McWilliams
“Life is all about timing... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable... attainable. Have the patience, wait it out It's all about timing.”
-Stacey Charter
“Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There is a time for silence. A time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their own destiny. And a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it's all over.
”
-Gloria Naylor
Monday, June 14, 2010
Monday Night Thoughts on your "role" 06/14/10
Another week has started and I am trying to embrace it in way to make it better than my last. That’s pretty much the way I try to live each day these days. It’s in the plan to make sure that tomorrow is better than today and as long as I put forth the effort I can rest knowing that that I tried.
Over the course of the last several days I have encountered a few situations and conversations that have revolved around roles. Last week you may have read or witnessed a lot of reports on the late John Wooden and his impact as a coach/leader. I read something that he said, “I wasn’t a basketball coach but I was a teacher.” That statement got me to thinking about where I am currently.
After some thought I began to realize that it’s not your position that defines your role in the grand scheme of things. We are put in situations and places because of the role we were chosen to play at a particular moment. The time has come to embrace where we are and use our talents and wisdom to give life to our role.
Do you know your role in life currently? Do you think your role has been defined? Are you ready to embrace it?
Depending on your answers you may begin to look at your role a little differently in the future. Maybe we were all put here to be teachers in some form or fashion.
“There comes a point in many people's lives when they can no longer play the role they have chosen for themselves. When that happens, we are like actors finding that someone has changed the play.”
-Brian Moore
“I do believe that when we face challenges in life that are far beyond our own power, it's an opportunity to build on our faith, inner strength, and courage. I've learned that how we face challenges plays a big role in the outcome of them.”
-Sasha Azevedo
“Do not worry about holding high position; worry rather about playing your proper role.”
-Confucius
“The most important kind of freedom is to be what you really are. You trade in your reality for a role. You trade in your sense for an act. You give up your ability to feel, and in exchange, put on a mask. There can't be any large-scale revolution until there's a personal revolution, on and individual level. It's got to happen inside first. You can take away a man's political freedom and you won't hurt him- unless you take away his freedom to feel. That can destroy him. That kind of freedom can't be granted. Nobody can win it for you.”
-Jim Morrison
“The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say.”
-Anais Nin
“The role of the teacher remains the highest calling of a free people. To the teacher, America entrusts her most precious resource, her children; and asks that they be prepared... to face the rigors of individual participation in a democratic society.”
Over the course of the last several days I have encountered a few situations and conversations that have revolved around roles. Last week you may have read or witnessed a lot of reports on the late John Wooden and his impact as a coach/leader. I read something that he said, “I wasn’t a basketball coach but I was a teacher.” That statement got me to thinking about where I am currently.
After some thought I began to realize that it’s not your position that defines your role in the grand scheme of things. We are put in situations and places because of the role we were chosen to play at a particular moment. The time has come to embrace where we are and use our talents and wisdom to give life to our role.
Do you know your role in life currently? Do you think your role has been defined? Are you ready to embrace it?
Depending on your answers you may begin to look at your role a little differently in the future. Maybe we were all put here to be teachers in some form or fashion.
“There comes a point in many people's lives when they can no longer play the role they have chosen for themselves. When that happens, we are like actors finding that someone has changed the play.”
-Brian Moore
“I do believe that when we face challenges in life that are far beyond our own power, it's an opportunity to build on our faith, inner strength, and courage. I've learned that how we face challenges plays a big role in the outcome of them.”
-Sasha Azevedo
“Do not worry about holding high position; worry rather about playing your proper role.”
-Confucius
“The most important kind of freedom is to be what you really are. You trade in your reality for a role. You trade in your sense for an act. You give up your ability to feel, and in exchange, put on a mask. There can't be any large-scale revolution until there's a personal revolution, on and individual level. It's got to happen inside first. You can take away a man's political freedom and you won't hurt him- unless you take away his freedom to feel. That can destroy him. That kind of freedom can't be granted. Nobody can win it for you.”
-Jim Morrison
“The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say.”
-Anais Nin
“The role of the teacher remains the highest calling of a free people. To the teacher, America entrusts her most precious resource, her children; and asks that they be prepared... to face the rigors of individual participation in a democratic society.”
Friday, May 28, 2010
Friday Morning Thoughts on Accomplishment 05/28/10
Sitting here relaxing on the Friday before the holiday and I am sure we all have big plans for the Memorial Day weekend. Before the weekend gets started I just wanted to share a few thoughts as I was clearing my head this morning.
My thoughts over the last couple of weeks have revolved around accomplishments. A little over two weeks ago my little sister accomplished yet another feat in graduating with her master’s degree. I also know of quite a few young people that have recently walked across the stage accepting diploma’s as they graduated from high school. These are major accomplishments and hopefully have laid a foundation for bigger and better accomplishments in the future.
Already 5 months into the new year and I wonder where the time has gone as we are nearing the halfway point of 2010. Now is a great time to look at the where you are in life and goals that you may have set for yourself this year.
Maybe there are questions that we could all ask ourselves:
1. What has been my greatest accomplishment thus far?
2. What have I accomplished recently?
3. What is the next thing I hope to accomplish?
4. Are there any roadblocks preventing my accomplishments?
I wish all of you an amazing safe holiday weekend and hope you enjoy the quotes below.
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.”
-Jim Rohn
“Nothing stops the man who desires to achieve. Every obstacle is simply a course to develop his achievement muscle. It's a strengthening of his powers of accomplishment.”
-Eric Butterworth
“It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.”
“The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall.”
-Vince Lombardi
“The person determined to achieve maximum success learns the principle that progress is made one step at a time. A house is built one brick at a time. Football games are won a play at a time. A department store grows bigger one customer at a time. Every big accomplishment is a series of little accomplishments.”
-David Joseph Schwartz
My thoughts over the last couple of weeks have revolved around accomplishments. A little over two weeks ago my little sister accomplished yet another feat in graduating with her master’s degree. I also know of quite a few young people that have recently walked across the stage accepting diploma’s as they graduated from high school. These are major accomplishments and hopefully have laid a foundation for bigger and better accomplishments in the future.
Already 5 months into the new year and I wonder where the time has gone as we are nearing the halfway point of 2010. Now is a great time to look at the where you are in life and goals that you may have set for yourself this year.
Maybe there are questions that we could all ask ourselves:
1. What has been my greatest accomplishment thus far?
2. What have I accomplished recently?
3. What is the next thing I hope to accomplish?
4. Are there any roadblocks preventing my accomplishments?
I wish all of you an amazing safe holiday weekend and hope you enjoy the quotes below.
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.”
-Jim Rohn
“Nothing stops the man who desires to achieve. Every obstacle is simply a course to develop his achievement muscle. It's a strengthening of his powers of accomplishment.”
-Eric Butterworth
“It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.”
“The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall.”
-Vince Lombardi
“The person determined to achieve maximum success learns the principle that progress is made one step at a time. A house is built one brick at a time. Football games are won a play at a time. A department store grows bigger one customer at a time. Every big accomplishment is a series of little accomplishments.”
-David Joseph Schwartz
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Lazy Friday Thoughts 4/9/10
Looking out the window it looks as though it is going to be an amazing Friday. I am definitely going to take advantage of today and try to relax.
Over the last couple of weeks I have been approached by a few individuals who brought some things to my attention. Through their commentary about my lack of writing over the last several months and questions being asked about how things were going in my world made me realize some things. As I thought about what they said, I realized that things may have gotten slightly out of balance for me.
In our lives we often hit points where things get out of balance. As we mature we are able to recognize this easier and attempt to put things back into balance. Whether or not we have reached that maturity level, it’s important to have people in your life that can recognize when things aren’t as balanced as they are used to seeing.
Take a look at things going on in your life to see where things are in balance and where they are not.
“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.”
-Thomas Merton
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”
-Albert Einstein
“Just as your car runs more smoothly and requires less energy to go faster and farther when the wheels are in perfect alignment, you perform better when your thoughts, feelings, emotions, goals, and values are in balance.”
-Brian Tracy
“Wisdom is your perspective on life, your sense of balance, your understanding of how the various parts and principles apply and relate to each other. It embraces judgment, discernment, comprehension. It is a gestalt or oneness, and integrated wholeness.”
-Stephen Covey
“Problems arise in that one has to find a balance between what people need from you and what you need for yourself”
-Jessye Norman
Over the last couple of weeks I have been approached by a few individuals who brought some things to my attention. Through their commentary about my lack of writing over the last several months and questions being asked about how things were going in my world made me realize some things. As I thought about what they said, I realized that things may have gotten slightly out of balance for me.
In our lives we often hit points where things get out of balance. As we mature we are able to recognize this easier and attempt to put things back into balance. Whether or not we have reached that maturity level, it’s important to have people in your life that can recognize when things aren’t as balanced as they are used to seeing.
Take a look at things going on in your life to see where things are in balance and where they are not.
“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.”
-Thomas Merton
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”
-Albert Einstein
“Just as your car runs more smoothly and requires less energy to go faster and farther when the wheels are in perfect alignment, you perform better when your thoughts, feelings, emotions, goals, and values are in balance.”
-Brian Tracy
“Wisdom is your perspective on life, your sense of balance, your understanding of how the various parts and principles apply and relate to each other. It embraces judgment, discernment, comprehension. It is a gestalt or oneness, and integrated wholeness.”
-Stephen Covey
“Problems arise in that one has to find a balance between what people need from you and what you need for yourself”
-Jessye Norman
Monday, March 1, 2010
Monday Thoughts 3/1/10
It always seems as if Monday comes way too soon. Maybe it’s just me, but I swear the weekend just started. Nevertheless, another week is upon us to be more precise we have entered a new month. So, far the year 2010 appears to be moving by pretty fast.
I had a few conversations over the last couple of days and it seemed that they all seen to revolve around surroundings. As we look around we can see how our surroundings have played a part in bringing us where we are currently I have some close friends that would tell you that everything they do and the reasons that they do it is because of their family. That speaks volumes and I think we can all take a look around and have some realizations about our own surroundings.
What do you identify with first in the area that surrounds you? What do your surroundings mean to you? What do you get from your surroundings? What are you giving to everything around you?
Take a moment and think about these questions as you read these quotes.
“For me, a landscape does not exist in its own right, since its appearance changes at every moment; but the surrounding atmosphere brings it to life - the light and the air which vary continually. For me, it is only the surrounding atmosphere which gives subjects their true value.”
-Claude Monet
“Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.”
-Oprah Winfrey
“To believe in yourself and to follow your dreams, to have goals in life and a drive to succeed, and to surround yourself with the things and the people that make you happy - this is success!”
-Sasha Azevedo
“Life is too short to spend your precious time trying to convince a person who wants to live in gloom and doom otherwise. Give lifting that person your best shot, but don't hang around long enough for his or her bad attitude to pull you down. Instead, surround yourself with optimistic people.”
-Zig Ziglar
“The conscience of children is formed by the influences that surround them; their notions of good and evil are the result of the moral atmosphere they breathe.”
-Jean Paul Richter
I had a few conversations over the last couple of days and it seemed that they all seen to revolve around surroundings. As we look around we can see how our surroundings have played a part in bringing us where we are currently I have some close friends that would tell you that everything they do and the reasons that they do it is because of their family. That speaks volumes and I think we can all take a look around and have some realizations about our own surroundings.
What do you identify with first in the area that surrounds you? What do your surroundings mean to you? What do you get from your surroundings? What are you giving to everything around you?
Take a moment and think about these questions as you read these quotes.
“For me, a landscape does not exist in its own right, since its appearance changes at every moment; but the surrounding atmosphere brings it to life - the light and the air which vary continually. For me, it is only the surrounding atmosphere which gives subjects their true value.”
-Claude Monet
“Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.”
-Oprah Winfrey
“To believe in yourself and to follow your dreams, to have goals in life and a drive to succeed, and to surround yourself with the things and the people that make you happy - this is success!”
-Sasha Azevedo
“Life is too short to spend your precious time trying to convince a person who wants to live in gloom and doom otherwise. Give lifting that person your best shot, but don't hang around long enough for his or her bad attitude to pull you down. Instead, surround yourself with optimistic people.”
-Zig Ziglar
“The conscience of children is formed by the influences that surround them; their notions of good and evil are the result of the moral atmosphere they breathe.”
-Jean Paul Richter
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Tuesday Thoughts Fat Tuesday 2010
It’s a Tuesday morning and I couldn’t be more excited about what life has to offer. I woke up and have yet another opportunity to make a difference. I guess the only thing that could make the day better would be hopping on a plane heading to New Orleans to enjoy Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras. It would be great to party with the World Champion New Orleans Saints, but I don’t know if I am quite ready for that much fun!
As I started to enjoy my day this morning, I began to reflect on everything around me and how timing plays a role in what happens. Whether it is your goals, relationships, or everyday living I believe that life is all about being at the RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME FOR YOU. We have to remember that the timing has to be right for us and we often lose sight of this when things don’t appear to go our way.
I have learned that there is no time better than right now for me to me and enjoy life as it is. Make today a great day and hopefully the quotes below will put things in a better perspective for you.
“Life is all about timing... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable... attainable. Have the patience, wait it out It's all about timing.”
-Stacey Charter
“Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There is a time for silence. A time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their own destiny. And a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it's all over.”
-Gloria Naylor
“You cannot afford to wait for perfect conditions. Goal setting is often a matter of balancing timing against available resources. Opportunities are easily lost while waiting for perfect conditions.”
-Gary Ryan Blair
As I started to enjoy my day this morning, I began to reflect on everything around me and how timing plays a role in what happens. Whether it is your goals, relationships, or everyday living I believe that life is all about being at the RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME FOR YOU. We have to remember that the timing has to be right for us and we often lose sight of this when things don’t appear to go our way.
I have learned that there is no time better than right now for me to me and enjoy life as it is. Make today a great day and hopefully the quotes below will put things in a better perspective for you.
“Life is all about timing... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable... attainable. Have the patience, wait it out It's all about timing.”
-Stacey Charter
“Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There is a time for silence. A time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their own destiny. And a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it's all over.”
-Gloria Naylor
“You cannot afford to wait for perfect conditions. Goal setting is often a matter of balancing timing against available resources. Opportunities are easily lost while waiting for perfect conditions.”
-Gary Ryan Blair
Monday, February 1, 2010
Intro to Black History Month
In 1926, when Dr. Carter G. Woodson established Negro History week, he understood the importance of providing a theme to focus the attention of the public. While it was never intended to limit or dictate the exploration of the Black experience, it brings to the public’s attention important developments that merit emphasis. This year’s theme is ‘The History of Black Economic Empowerment.’
Born in Hickory, Mississippi in 1946, Robert L. “Bob” Johnson spent his childhood growing up in Illinois before obtaining his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Illinois. He went on to earn a master’s degree in International Affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.
In 1979, Robert Johnson created Black Entertainment Television, serving as the first cable television network aimed at African Americans. At the initial launch in January 1980 the network only broadcasted for two hours a week.
BET became the first black-controlled company listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1991. On February 1, 1997 BET Holdings and Encore Media Corp. launch BET Movie/Starz which became the first 24 hour Black Movie Channel. As of 2007, BET reached more than 65 million U.S. homes and expanded into other BET-related television channels that make up the BET Networks.
Robert Johnson became the first African American billionaire in 2001, and was the first black person to be listed on any of the Forbes world’s rich list. Johnson is also the first African American to be a principal owner of a North American major-league sports franchise: Michael Jordan and Johnson led a group of investors that acquired the Charlotte Bobcats NBA expansion franchise, which began play in the fall of 2004.
In addition to serving as principal owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, Robert Johnson is involved in several other business ventures as well as serving on the board of General Mills.
Born in Hickory, Mississippi in 1946, Robert L. “Bob” Johnson spent his childhood growing up in Illinois before obtaining his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Illinois. He went on to earn a master’s degree in International Affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.
In 1979, Robert Johnson created Black Entertainment Television, serving as the first cable television network aimed at African Americans. At the initial launch in January 1980 the network only broadcasted for two hours a week.
BET became the first black-controlled company listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1991. On February 1, 1997 BET Holdings and Encore Media Corp. launch BET Movie/Starz which became the first 24 hour Black Movie Channel. As of 2007, BET reached more than 65 million U.S. homes and expanded into other BET-related television channels that make up the BET Networks.
Robert Johnson became the first African American billionaire in 2001, and was the first black person to be listed on any of the Forbes world’s rich list. Johnson is also the first African American to be a principal owner of a North American major-league sports franchise: Michael Jordan and Johnson led a group of investors that acquired the Charlotte Bobcats NBA expansion franchise, which began play in the fall of 2004.
In addition to serving as principal owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, Robert Johnson is involved in several other business ventures as well as serving on the board of General Mills.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Reflections on National Mentoring Month 01/29/10
I am an early riser this morning as I prepare to head into the weekend. I hadn’t planned on being this early, but I guess my mind and body said it was time to wake up. I have already accomplished quite a bit this morning as I have prepared some Diversity & Inclusion articles for work to be shared during Black History Month.
Maybe it’s just me, but it seems as if the first month of the year went by pretty fast. Already this year, I have experienced a lot: entered a new decade, celebrated my 32nd birthday, and celebrated my 10 year anniversary at work. All I can say is time does fly when we are having fun.
As I reflect on these monumental things that I have experienced thus far this year, I can’t help but think about the effects of mentoring in my life to bring me where I am today. I recently had the opportunity to hear some alarming statistics on the dropout rates around the country. I am so very thankful for everyone that served as a mentor to me growing up and still continues to mentor me as an adult.
January was National Mentoring Month and I was compelled to share some thoughts with you as we close out the month. Every January our nation spotlights the importance of mentors and the need for every child to have a caring adult in his or her life. If you don’t know already, your life can be enriched just as much as the life of a child when you serve as a mentor. We all have something to offer and we should really consider taking the time out to become a mentor. Pay it forward and become a mentor today.
Although National Mentoring Month will be over Sunday, I still feel as though there are some things that you can do to make a difference long after January is over.
Make it a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!
7 THINGS TO DO
1. Become a mentor in your community.
2. Learn more about mentoring.
3. Partner with a mentoring organization.
4. Think about the mentors in your life and post a tribute to them online.
5. Watch videos of celebrities such as Quincy Jones, Sting, Cal Ripken, Jr., talk about the mentors in their lives.
6. Read the latest research and find resources on mentoring.
7. 10. Make a donation to a mentoring organization in your community
Maybe it’s just me, but it seems as if the first month of the year went by pretty fast. Already this year, I have experienced a lot: entered a new decade, celebrated my 32nd birthday, and celebrated my 10 year anniversary at work. All I can say is time does fly when we are having fun.
As I reflect on these monumental things that I have experienced thus far this year, I can’t help but think about the effects of mentoring in my life to bring me where I am today. I recently had the opportunity to hear some alarming statistics on the dropout rates around the country. I am so very thankful for everyone that served as a mentor to me growing up and still continues to mentor me as an adult.
January was National Mentoring Month and I was compelled to share some thoughts with you as we close out the month. Every January our nation spotlights the importance of mentors and the need for every child to have a caring adult in his or her life. If you don’t know already, your life can be enriched just as much as the life of a child when you serve as a mentor. We all have something to offer and we should really consider taking the time out to become a mentor. Pay it forward and become a mentor today.
Although National Mentoring Month will be over Sunday, I still feel as though there are some things that you can do to make a difference long after January is over.
Make it a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!
7 THINGS TO DO
1. Become a mentor in your community.
2. Learn more about mentoring.
3. Partner with a mentoring organization.
4. Think about the mentors in your life and post a tribute to them online.
5. Watch videos of celebrities such as Quincy Jones, Sting, Cal Ripken, Jr., talk about the mentors in their lives.
6. Read the latest research and find resources on mentoring.
7. 10. Make a donation to a mentoring organization in your community
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
MLK Holiday After Thoughts 01/19/10
Another relaxing weekend gone by and I enjoyed every moment of it. So far the year has been off to a good start as all my friends and family continue to be blessed to still be here with me. In 2010, I am all about the little things and it really isn’t taking much for me to be happy these days.
Monday served as the federal observance of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King and I began to have a few thoughts. You see it every year around this time as Dr. King’s ‘I have a Dream’ speech is re-enacted or people are giving reflections on his life and what his actions meant to them.
Over the years, I have recited more than my fair share of the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech on occasion. It’s kind of amazing to me that every year the holiday passes and I find myself with a different perspective on his speech and what helped our country do.
After all the reflections and reading about things that happened in his life, I believe that it was his focus that put him in the position to help our country. His Dream still lives on and we need to remain focused on remembering what he stood for not just one day in January, but every day that we live in this world. It’s ironic that the Martin Luther King holiday is seen as a National Day of Service, but where is that spirit the rest of the year. Collectively, we can make a difference and on days such as this we see what can be accomplished.
Focus is an integral part of our daily lives and can determine your success or failure in anything you pursue in life. What are you focused on? Are you focusing your time and energy in the right way? What makes you lose focus?
Since I was yet again inspired, I remain focused on THE DREAM sharing my thoughts with you and trying to make a difference the best way I know how.
“It's not what's happening to you now or what has happened in your past that determines who you become. Rather, it's your decisions about what to focus on, what things mean to you, and what you're going to do about them that will determine your ultimate destiny.”
-Anthony Robbins
“Goals provide the energy source that powers our lives. One of the best ways we can get the most from the energy we have is to focus it. That is what goals can do for us; concentrate our energy.”
-Denis Waitley
“Focus on your potential instead of your limitations”
-Alan Loy McGinnis
“Focus more on your desire than on your doubt, and the dream will take care of itself. You may be surprised at how easily this happens. Your doubts are not as powerful as your desires, unless you make them so.”
-Marcia Wieder
Monday served as the federal observance of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King and I began to have a few thoughts. You see it every year around this time as Dr. King’s ‘I have a Dream’ speech is re-enacted or people are giving reflections on his life and what his actions meant to them.
Over the years, I have recited more than my fair share of the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech on occasion. It’s kind of amazing to me that every year the holiday passes and I find myself with a different perspective on his speech and what helped our country do.
After all the reflections and reading about things that happened in his life, I believe that it was his focus that put him in the position to help our country. His Dream still lives on and we need to remain focused on remembering what he stood for not just one day in January, but every day that we live in this world. It’s ironic that the Martin Luther King holiday is seen as a National Day of Service, but where is that spirit the rest of the year. Collectively, we can make a difference and on days such as this we see what can be accomplished.
Focus is an integral part of our daily lives and can determine your success or failure in anything you pursue in life. What are you focused on? Are you focusing your time and energy in the right way? What makes you lose focus?
Since I was yet again inspired, I remain focused on THE DREAM sharing my thoughts with you and trying to make a difference the best way I know how.
“It's not what's happening to you now or what has happened in your past that determines who you become. Rather, it's your decisions about what to focus on, what things mean to you, and what you're going to do about them that will determine your ultimate destiny.”
-Anthony Robbins
“Goals provide the energy source that powers our lives. One of the best ways we can get the most from the energy we have is to focus it. That is what goals can do for us; concentrate our energy.”
-Denis Waitley
“Focus on your potential instead of your limitations”
-Alan Loy McGinnis
“Focus more on your desire than on your doubt, and the dream will take care of itself. You may be surprised at how easily this happens. Your doubts are not as powerful as your desires, unless you make them so.”
-Marcia Wieder
Monday, January 11, 2010
Morning Thoughts on Incentives 01/11/10
A little over a week into the new year and I must say that I have enjoyed myself thus far. I celebrated my 32nd birthday on this past Tuesday. I am very thankful for all of the many birthday wishes and in addition to my wonderful friends and family. I am also thankful for two amazing birthday gifts: a National Championship by the Alabama Crimson Tide and a big win by my Arizona Cardinals this weekend in the playoffs.
What a blessing it is to not only see another day in the land of the living but to celebrate another year in it as well. Over the last couple of days, I have been thinking about my plans for not only the year, but my life as well. Its amazing how the simplest of conversations can get me started on a tangent and I end up sharing my thoughts with others.
This weekend I managed to have a conversation with a friend of mine that started off as a joke and then I began to have some serious thoughts about what she said. I jokingly made the comment, "WOW I MET THE GIRL OF MY DREAMS UNTIL SHE ASKED ME WHAT MY NAME WAS AGAIN 10 MINUTES INTO THE CONVERSATION!" This was really a joke, but did spur some additional conversation as my friend made the comment, "WELL MAYBE IT WASN'T THERE AT FIRST, BUT SHE BEGAN TO SEE SOME INCENTIVE IN ACTUALLY KNOWING YOUR NAME!" I laughed for a second and then really started to think!
It is an amazing thing to realize how much of our lives and daily interactions are based on incentives. You see it in commercials as the auto makers try to get you into the dealership to buy a new ride.
My thoughts began to circulate around our lives and how much incentives play into the decision making process. Whether or not you say it out loud or just say it in your head you might just ask yourself, "What's in it for me?" No where is that more true than in our relationships with people.
While I say that its really not all that bad as I have built some relationships over the years where the what's in it for me has been more selfless than selfish!
Whether it was the fact that I chose you or you chose me I know that there is a tremendous amount of incentive for this relationship. I am a better man because of you and hope that is incentive enough for you continue the journey with me.
“There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow”
-Orison Swett Marden
“Doubt is the incentive to truth and inquiry leads the way.”
-Hosea Ballou
“Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable.”
-William Pollard
What a blessing it is to not only see another day in the land of the living but to celebrate another year in it as well. Over the last couple of days, I have been thinking about my plans for not only the year, but my life as well. Its amazing how the simplest of conversations can get me started on a tangent and I end up sharing my thoughts with others.
This weekend I managed to have a conversation with a friend of mine that started off as a joke and then I began to have some serious thoughts about what she said. I jokingly made the comment, "WOW I MET THE GIRL OF MY DREAMS UNTIL SHE ASKED ME WHAT MY NAME WAS AGAIN 10 MINUTES INTO THE CONVERSATION!" This was really a joke, but did spur some additional conversation as my friend made the comment, "WELL MAYBE IT WASN'T THERE AT FIRST, BUT SHE BEGAN TO SEE SOME INCENTIVE IN ACTUALLY KNOWING YOUR NAME!" I laughed for a second and then really started to think!
It is an amazing thing to realize how much of our lives and daily interactions are based on incentives. You see it in commercials as the auto makers try to get you into the dealership to buy a new ride.
My thoughts began to circulate around our lives and how much incentives play into the decision making process. Whether or not you say it out loud or just say it in your head you might just ask yourself, "What's in it for me?" No where is that more true than in our relationships with people.
While I say that its really not all that bad as I have built some relationships over the years where the what's in it for me has been more selfless than selfish!
Whether it was the fact that I chose you or you chose me I know that there is a tremendous amount of incentive for this relationship. I am a better man because of you and hope that is incentive enough for you continue the journey with me.
“There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow”
-Orison Swett Marden
“Doubt is the incentive to truth and inquiry leads the way.”
-Hosea Ballou
“Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable.”
-William Pollard
Monday, January 4, 2010
First Thoughts on the New Year 01/04/10
I sit here the day after enjoying the 1st Sunday of the New Year feeling refreshed and ready to welcome all this year has to bring. I was planning on sharing some of my thoughts on the 1st day of the New Year but I struggled a bit and could not focus. I wasn’t sure of the direction that I wanted to go in and my thoughts were going in several directions.
I am not surprised that while at church yesterday I heard our church’s theme for 2010 is ‘The Year of Maximum Impact.’ I became energized as I thought about my life and where I am currently overlaid with what the New Year brings.
Wonder why is it that we as a culture get so excited about the ending of a year and the beginning of another? Often times it takes us 364 days of not living up to our expectations of ourselves to set a resolution to be better in the New Year. What if we applied that concept to our days?
If we are setting resolutions/goals there must be something we are not satisfied with it. So as we move farther into the New Year, we are presented with another opportunity to set out to accomplish some of our goals/tasks. Whatever it is we are striving to accomplish its going to take the Three F’s: faith, follow, and finish. There isn’t a thing that we can’t accomplish as long as we start by being honest with ourselves. At the beginning its important that you truly understand who you are and what you are willing to do to get different results. Often times we are looking for maximum returns with minimal effort and that is not a good way to start of the New Year.
This is ‘The Year of Maximum Impact’ and I know that you will be successful in anything that you provided you putting forth the effort to get where you want to be in every aspect of your life.
The quotes below are related to New Years and I hope there is something here that may inspire you.
“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.”
-Edith Lovejoy Pierce
“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”
-Oprah Winfrey
“People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas”
“A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.”
“Many people look forward to the New Year for a new start on old habits.”
I am not surprised that while at church yesterday I heard our church’s theme for 2010 is ‘The Year of Maximum Impact.’ I became energized as I thought about my life and where I am currently overlaid with what the New Year brings.
Wonder why is it that we as a culture get so excited about the ending of a year and the beginning of another? Often times it takes us 364 days of not living up to our expectations of ourselves to set a resolution to be better in the New Year. What if we applied that concept to our days?
If we are setting resolutions/goals there must be something we are not satisfied with it. So as we move farther into the New Year, we are presented with another opportunity to set out to accomplish some of our goals/tasks. Whatever it is we are striving to accomplish its going to take the Three F’s: faith, follow, and finish. There isn’t a thing that we can’t accomplish as long as we start by being honest with ourselves. At the beginning its important that you truly understand who you are and what you are willing to do to get different results. Often times we are looking for maximum returns with minimal effort and that is not a good way to start of the New Year.
This is ‘The Year of Maximum Impact’ and I know that you will be successful in anything that you provided you putting forth the effort to get where you want to be in every aspect of your life.
The quotes below are related to New Years and I hope there is something here that may inspire you.
“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.”
-Edith Lovejoy Pierce
“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”
-Oprah Winfrey
“People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas”
“A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.”
“Many people look forward to the New Year for a new start on old habits.”
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