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
Friday, May 28, 2010
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
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