Learn to Focus on What's Important

How would you like to be able to prioritize the truly important things in life - your family, your health and your personal dreams?

Like most of us, you probably answered 'yes' to this question. Just as likely, your mind began chattering away with a number of excuses about why you simply can't do more than you already are.

There are only 24 hours in the day, after all. I'm not a time traveler. I'm doing the very best I can with what I've got.

I know all the excuses... I've used most of them myself. But the simple fact remains that if you are not focusing your time and energy on the important things, instead of the seemingly urgent things, then you are quite literally wasting your life away.

We all are to some degree, actually. Whenever we do mindless, useless tasks, we are wasting our life away. Those moments are irretrievable, gone, kaput, vanished forever into the void of the past.

Television wastes time. The World Wide Web wastes time. The phone and email waste time. Gossip wastes time. You just wasted 10 seconds reading about wasteful ways of using up time.

Yes, really.

How many times have you said, or heard someone else say something like: "Well, I'd love to do that exercise, take up a hobby, volunteer, etc if I had more time, but I'm just so busy right now." I'm guessing we've all said it at least once, and heard it more times than we care to count.

The problem is this: Busy-ness is rarely, if ever time well spent. It's not productive. Being busy is being unfocused and being unfocused causes you to spend more time and energy than you actually need when trying to get something done.

I'd like to share an interesting exercise that can demonstrate my point.

Get a sharp knife, a spoon and a cardboard box. Grab the spoon and try and poke a hole in the cardboard box. Try it a few times and see how you do. If you don't make a hole in the box, that's okay. Now grab the sharp knife and try and poke a hole in the box. Pretty easy right?

Busy is being the spoon. Productive is being the knife. Focus on what you need to get done and do it.

So how do you go about it? The first is to take a long, honest look at the things you do and the things that frequently get pushed off (probably because you're "too busy").

Do you love to play the guitar, but never get around to it?

Maybe you've always wanted to spend more time with your kids, but work just keeps you so darn busy?

It's possible that donating your time at a local shelter has been something you've wanted to do for your whole life, but there are just aren't enough hours in the day, days in the week or weeks in the year.

Take a blank sheet of paper and draw a line down the middle. At the top of the left side, write the word "Important" and at the top of the right side write the word "Unimportant". Now get busy writing down all the things you currently do and the things you wish you did and classify them as one or the other.

Next, identify which of the items in both lists you consider to be urgent by putting a capital 'U' beside it. When you're done you will have the beginnings of a system to prioritize how you spend your time.

The most important time you spend will be on the things that are Important but not Urgent. These are the things you do because you love them. They are the things you do that are forward looking and are strategic, either in your life or your business.

Anything that is non-important and non-urgent should be, for the most part, removed from your life.

So, get focused on the important tasks. Stop wasting time (and your life).

Be the knife.



Author : Paul Keetch

Be Thorough

There’s really no such thing as knowing too much about what you’re doing.

When I was in college, I spent my spare time reading about real estate and foreclosures. I didn’t feel it was a sacrifice of my time, because I was interested in real estate; I wasn’t studying just to pass a test. The knowledge I gained on my own led to my first successful investment. I couldn’t have achieved that if I hadn’t spent the time studying on my own.

In college, I also read something that Rudyard Kipling said, which I’ve never forgotten: “I keep six honest serving men, they taught me all I knew - their names are What and Why and When--and How and Where and Who.” Finding the answers to these questions will ensure that your information is comprehensive and correct.

An example of this was from The Apprentice, when my assistants and I interviewed candidates. Sometimes the process went on for hours - one boardroom meeting lasted for over five hours so we could make the most knowledgeable decision possible!

Staying informed is a daily task, and challenge, considering how quickly our world is moving. But not keeping up is like agreeing to check out - please don’t do that. Plug in and learn everything you can. You never know when information will come in handy. If I hadn’t studied real estate foreclosures as a student, I wouldn’t have been able to see the great opportunity that led to my first big success.

Resolve to move forward and to learn as much as you can - today and every day.

Author : Donald Trump

Spirituality Is A Mystery

The unseen spirit of man is still a mystery in our technological world. A mystery that seemingly does not enjoy a great amount of favor in our self indulgent society. People have little tolerance and very little respect for that which they can’t define or experience. We are in a time where politicians, philosophers, educators, scientists, authors, self-help gurus, psychologists, and even many spiritual leaders have denounced the mystery of faith as unprovable, unscientific and therefore unacceptable. The fact is, we have created so much background noise, we can no longer hear God as the Spirit of man becomes even more obscured.

The world Sheds Truth

Even though we seek truth, the establishment is more than willing to give falsities. There is another way we can embrace the mystery of faith and still function in the world. How can you accept the mystery of faith and be grounded in spiritual practice? Today’s politicians, educators, scientists, writers, self-help psychologists, and even many preachers want to discount anything they can’t prove. If we ask for answers, they're more than willing to hand out scientific evidence that faith is in vain.

But what of the mystery of a flower as it unfolds into a sight of beauty., or a bee that should not be able to fly, but does so with remarkable agility.

The Soul Instills Confidence

The soul of man is his/her identity forever more. The spirit of God is what draws even the most callous man toward God. There is another way to be in our world yet embrace the mystery of faith. Faith must be accepted by the seeker because it is the unseen mystery of future possibilities. Could you believe in something even though there is no evidence? Spirituality is knowing you are connected through inner feelings to something that exist outside our practicality.

Spirituality provides you with a feeling of well being, security and belonging.

Spirituality Brings Warmth And Belonging

Spirituality is an inner closeness a warmth that wells up from the inner being. It is not so much a mindset as a wellness of mind that envelops the being. A spiritual person welcomes change, challenge and life itself. He/she looks into the world with a vision of love and respect. There are no challenges that can’t be conquered, there are no quest that can’t be worked out. The spiritual person knows limitations are only self imposed restrictions.

How can you have a more spiritual life? Perhaps by being honest with yourself and admitting you are part of God’s creation. Let’s face it, God does not play by the same rules as us. In fact he has always been known to make His own rules and embrace man when he stumbles over them.

To Face The Unknown

Don’t be afraid of seeking that which is unknown or mysterious. Seek the hidden, and unknowable elements of life. The answers are there for you to discover, as they have always been. Don’t give up on an idea just because you don’t understand it at the moment. We are in a partnership where we don't have to know every little detail to enjoy life. No matter how spiritual you are, there will still be many times when you will not find an answer to a question. It doesn’t matter, realize that bad things happen the same as good and you must have faith in both.

Demonstrate your faith by responding to Nay Sayers by simply answering "I don't know, it’s a mystery." By always being honest, you express you have limitations, are weak, and have humbleness in your heart in the presence of God. Also, being honest allows you to keep seeking that which is not understood and bring you closer to certainty.

Find your quiet place

Find a quiet place and enter your private place, deep inside where soul meets spirit. Experience it, feel it as you slowly breath, calmly, silently. Sense the presents of God as you express your appreciation, humbleness and concerns to a forgiving reality.

Here are a few ideas you may use,

1 - Realize that the world is overflowing with abundance, and responsive possibilities. When you adapt a new attitude, your perceptions change and you see the world as a friendly, providing environment. When you realize the world provides abundance and is not hostile, your objectives become genuine possibilities. Possibilities in fact, become realities, because you now experience from a higher intensity. This is the first step in being receptive to a world that provides rather than restricts.

2 - Announce to the world that you attract success and abundance because you are a child of God. This establishes a vocal connection between you and God. It is your goal is to reduce any reserve between you and that which you desire. Be assured, abundance and success will not come to you, you must seek them out. Success is within you and abundance is for the taking, it is up to you to take that which is rightfully yours.

3 - Stay in an attitude of allowing. When you resist you are in disharmony with your desire for abundance and your beliefs in your own abilities. You are saying, in essence, you are unworthy. Your attitude must be one of allowing abundance to come to you and ignoring efforts by others to discourage you. A harmonious attitude also signifies that you no longer rely on pervious self-oriented beliefs that abundance could not be a part of your life. You now have an attitude of acceptance; you have stopped resisting through negative thoughts and doubts and now understand that you and creation are truly one and the same. See a world of abundance and your desires flowing unencumbered directly to you. Refuse to stand in the way or have any thought that compromises your alignment with your provider.

Stay focused, be vigilant and realize, the world provides for a good and appreciative steward.

Become Your True Spiritual Self

This is the first of five attributes for a balanced person. Next – Wealth and the pursuit of Relationships – an in-depth discussion of the importance of Family and friends.

Author : Donald Yates

Are You Setting Goals... or Still Dreaming?

We all have dreams. We all carry movies in our minds about how life could be for us in a better world. Sally dreams of a big house with a built-in pool. Harry dreams of an eight-car garage filled with vintage Porsches. Jill fantasizes about painting pictures at the seashore. Jack wants that corner office with the view.

Chances are, Sally and Harry and Jill and Jack will never get what they dream about. They will go on playing those mental movies for themselves or talking about them to friends and family members.

Failing to live your dreams is not necessarily a bad thing. Lots of people are perfectly happy dreaming of one life but living another. The problem arises when the gap between fantasy and reality results in unhappiness or even depression. When this happens, it's time to master plan a new life. And the first step is to establish goals.

Goals are different from dreams in four ways. They are specific, actionable, time-oriented, and realistic.

Specific: Being rich is a dream. Developing a $4 million net worth is a goal.

Actionable: Winning the lottery is a dream. Winning a foot race is a goal.

Time-Oriented: Developing a $4 million net worth is a goal. But developing a $4 million net worth in five years is a better goal.

Realistic : Developing a $4 million net worth in five years is probably reasonable. Developing a $4 million net worth in four months is not.

Goals are also different than objectives - more long-term and broader in scope.

Your master plan will be broken down into seven-year and one-year goals, monthly and weekly objectives, and, finally, daily tasks that will make it possible to achieve your medium-term objectives and long-term goals. For example:

Seven-Year Goal: Develop a $4 million net worth in five years.

First-Year Goal: Eliminate $36,000 worth of debt.

Monthly Objective: Land a part-time job netting $36,000 annually by year-end.

First Week’s Objective: Get my first job interview.

First Day’s Task: Write personal letters to CEOs of my top 10 "dream job" companies.

Okay, that’s the plan. Starting today, you are going to be performing tasks every day that support weekly objectives that, in turn, support monthly objectives that, in turn, support yearly goals that, in turn, support seven-year goals. All of this will be done formally. All of it will be done in writing.

At this point, you may be wondering: "Does it really matter whether my goals are specific? Does it make any difference if I write them down?"

Glad you asked.

Several years ago, I found a very interesting bit of information in a book by Tom Bay - Look Within or Do Without - that was completely mediocre except for this one little gem. According to Mr. Bay, Harvard Business School did a study on the financial status of its students 10 years after graduation and found that:

As many as 27 percent of them needed financial assistance.
A whopping 60 percent of them were living paycheck to paycheck.
A mere 10 percent of them were living comfortably.
And only 3 percent of them were financially independent.
The study also looked at goal setting and found these interesting correlations:

1. The 27 percent that needed financial assistance had absolutely no goal-setting processes in their lives.

2. The 60 percent that were living paycheck to paycheck had basic survival goals (such as managing to live paycheck to paycheck).

3. The 10 percent that were living comfortably had general goals. They thought they knew where they were going to be in the next five years.

4. The 3 percent that were financially independent had written out their goals and the steps required to reach those goals.

And that’s just one study. Here’s one that shows the power of setting specific goals:

Researchers from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University asked 56 female undergraduates to do as many sit-ups as they could in 90 seconds. One group, told to "do their best," averaged 43 sit-ups on each day of the four-day study. The other groups, which had been given the specific goal to do consecutively more sit-ups at each session, performed significantly better, averaging 56 sit-ups on the last day of the experiment.

Studies are great, but personal experience is better.

I spent the first 17 years of my life dreaming about success but having none. In my freshman year of college I decided to change that. I learned to learn and became an A student. Twenty-two years later, I discovered goal setting. Three years later, I was a millionaire. When I began writing ETR in 2000 - eight years ago - I learned how to prioritize my goals. That allowed me to achieve my first and most cherished dream: becoming a successful writer.

At ETR, needless to say, we set long-term business goals and medium-term objectives. This helped us grow our revenues from zero to $25 million in seven years. And it will help us grow to the next stage of our development, above $50 million, in the next few years. Using a master plan to grow our business is gratifying - but what’s better is seeing our employees use personal master plans to improve their lives.

One, for example, used a master plan to go from being a low-level employee answering the phone to a management position in a few years. He is now a major profit producer for the company. Several employees have used master plans to meet their weight-loss and physical-fitness goals, including one who lost 30 pounds through diet and vigorous exercise and overcame significant health problems.

These laudable results happened because these people took the time to turn their dreams of wealth and health into specific, actionable, time-oriented, realistic goals.

You can spend your whole life dreaming. And dreams are wonderful things. By all means, dream away. But if you want to turn those dreams into reality, you need to transform them into goals.

What’s your wildest, longest-held dream? How can you make it specific? How can you make it actionable? How can you put a time limit on it? How can you make it realistic? Use these four questions to create goals you can aim for… then take action. And you’ll be living your dream in a few short years.

Author :Michael Masterson

Leaders Are Readers

Couple of years ago I happened to read this quote "Leaders Are Readers". The quote made a favorable impression on me. Although Charles Jones had coined this quote but I ensured that it was committed to my memory as I realized that the key to expanding one's knowledge is by reading. Perhaps not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers. If that's true, then why don't more people read?

There are a variety of reasons why people don’t read as much as they should. They feel that it's not their responsibility after they finish school whereas others don't read because they are simply indolent. On an average people read about 1-2 books per year.

In fact it is the responsibility of an individual to inculcate the discipline of reading within them after finishing school. One’s mind should be open to grab knowledge because knowledge is that wealth an individual can acquire and store in his brain where no thief can come and touch it.

Successful people have got successful vocabulary and they ensure that reading a book on 'Self Improvement' for half an hour everyday is itself inspiring as it sets the spiritual tone for the rest of the day and it pays to increase one's word power by not only keeping the channels of communication open but to also express more completely as individuals.

I hope each one of us becomes voracious readers. A book a month will keep you even. It takes effort, but it's worth it. It takes regular, persistent reading and studying for one to improve and climb the ladder of success. The journey is indeed rewarding and also a voyage of discovery.

The daily practice of reading in our chosen field will make us one of the best informed people in our field. So, let's decide and make reading as our resolution. A resolution that may require a lifestyle change from being better to the best.

Author: Unknown

How to Manage Your Time

How to Manage Your Time & Keep Your Life in Balance At All Times

As a busy entrepreneur, do you really know how to manage your time effectively? Do you get to spend time with your family and friends? Are you organized in the office and at home? Do you have your business and personal life in balance? Or, does Sue's story below sound just like you?

Sue's an entrepreneur who never got enough sleep. She was lucky if she got 3 to 4 hours of sleep each night. There was just too much to do and not enough hours in the day to do it all. Lack of sleep turned out to be the tip of the iceberg for Sue. It did not matter to her how many work hours she had to put in. Sue was always drained, perpetually scattered and alone. In time she confessed virtually every available wall in her amply sized office had stacks of papers, files and books propped up against it always on the verge of teetering over. Her home was so full of clutter she was embarrassed to invite friends or dates to visit. Similarly her mind felt like it was bulging at the seams. Her bank accounts were a mess. She regularly bounced checks despite having enough money to cover her expenses. Her social and love life were nearly nonexistent. She had no time for the jewelry she so dearly loved to create. Nor did she have time for the social causes that were close to her heart.

Why? Because she didn't know how to manage her time and balance her life. Sue had an under-energized, self-neglectful relationship with self-care in all aspects. She suffered from insufficiencies in: * Inner Self-Care -- This resulted in exhaustion, irritability, weight problems, chronic stress, physical imbalances, weakened immune system and gluttony.

* Environmental Self-Care --Sue tolerated home and work ambiences that drained her. People began to undermine her wellbeing, self-esteem and her leadership abilities. Crisis and melodrama became part of Sue's lifestyle.

* Logistical Self-Care -- This resulted in complete disorganization. Sue was stretched too thin. She had imbalances between work and play and between spending and saving. She even fell behind with home maintenance or errands. What Is Self Care? Healthy self-care is a key foundational element in all forms of integrity: self-integrity, relationship integrity, societal integrity and leadership integrity. Self-Care is far different from self-centeredness. It is also far more than merely good sleep, nutrition and exercise habits. Our bodies are complex machine. We cannot sustain our energy unless we are supporting our spiritual, our psychological, our physical and our energetic aspects of our whole being.

Self-Care Is About Keeping Your:

* Energy strong and balanced
* Mind calm yet alert
* Body capable of supporting you in all areas of your life
* Environment nourishing
* Life logistics under control

7 Tips to Improve Your Self-Care & Balance Your Life Habits

1. Maintain Basic Physical Health Habits.

You need to get enough quality sleep for your body's needs and movement.
You also need to add a high-quality nutritional diet to your energy system balancing.

2. Add Time to Soothe, Recharge and Play.

Engage in soothing habits that make you purr, such as a massage or a bath. Take time out to restore your inner juice with activities, such as watching your favorite sitcom, gardening or just about any truly creative endeavor that gives you energy. And, don't forget to participate in activities that bring out the kid in you.

3. Quiet Your Inner Voice.

Participate in activities that allow you to enter inner silence and take a vacation from constant mind chatter. Some people use prayer to quiet their mind. Others will meditate. You can also do Tai Chi, Qigong or Yoga and simultaneously take care of your daily need for physical movement and internal quieting

4. Arrange your surroundings so that they most deeply nurture you.

This includes not only your physical environments but your people environments as well.

5. Know your optimal blend between "alone time" and "people time."

6. Master goal setting, time management, file management and money management strategies.

Balancing work with play, spending with saving, and making sure that your job and financial choices support your needs for creative self-expression and your ability to spend quality time with those you love while still having energy left over to be of service in the world in ways that call to you.

7. Streamline your chores and tasks, including home maintenance and errands Self-Care is unavoidably a daily practice.

No amount of rest, passion or acts of service can substitute for it. True Self-Care is simply "enlightened self-interest and service for the higher good." Follow these tips and you will manage your time and balance your life.

Natural Approaches to Treating Depression

Like millions of other people all over the world, I have suffered from depression for many years of my life.

And like many people who suffer from depression, I didn’t really like the idea of taking powerful pharmaceutical drugs to treat it.

So, I have always been searching for ways to help depression that don’t necessarily rely on using heavy duty drugs.

What I have written in this article is a really, really short overview of some of the many natural treatments that have been used for depression.

If your depression is mild, then natural methods can work.

If you have a serious depression, and that means a state of sadness or emptiness that goes on and on, and bleeds all the joy out of your life, until you feel that life is empty and meaningless, then some professional treatment can be helpful, or even necessary to overcome it.

Remedies from the Health Food Store

Is there anything you can get in a health food store that might help with depression? Yes, maybe, if your depression is in the mild to moderate range of severity. A more severe or long-term depression should be treated by a qualified professional.

If you are already taking prescription anti-depressants, do not also take any natural remedies at the same time without first consulting your doctor!

In some cases, there can be dangerous interactions. Just because something is natural does not mean it is always safe for everybody.

St. John’s Wort

One of the best known and most widely prescribed natural remedies for depression is St. John’s Wort. This herb has been used as a remedy for depression in Europe for decades. It is believed to now be the most commonly used anti-depressant in the world.

Many people who take St. John’s Wort say they prefer the gentle lift this herb provides compared to the side effects of prescription anti-depressants.

The exact method by which St. John’s Wort works is unknown. The main active ingredient is believed to be hypericin. Other factors in the plant may have an anti-depressant effect as well.

A typical recommended dose is 900 milligrams per day, divided. Look for a product that is standardized to contain .3 percent hypericin.

Some side effects with St. John’s Wort may be experienced. They include nausea and abdominal pain. Some people experience increased sensitivity to sunlight and there is some indication that taking it may lead to a higher incidence of cataracts.

Not all studies of St. John’s Wort have shown positive results. Many researchers in Europe say that St. John’s Wort is effective, but at least one large recent American study found it to be ineffective as a treatment for depression.

When buying St. John’s Wort, or any other herbal preparation, purchase only those brands that have a reputation for reliability. Some independent tests have confirmed that not all brands of St. John’s Wort offered for sale actually contain the ingredients being claimed on the package.

If you are already taking a prescription anti-depressant, do not start taking St. John’s Wort without consulting your doctor first. It may not be compatible with your other medications.

Don’t take St. John’s Wort if you have bipolar depression or if you are pregnant.

SAM-e

If you want to find something from the health food store to fight depression, you could ask for SAM-e, also known as s-adenosyl-methionine.

SAM-e is a substance which our body can make using the amino acid L-methionine, and various other nutrients. It is believed that SAM-e can boost the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which may be able to improve mood.

Research reports from Europe say SAM-e has the same rate of effectiveness as most prescription anti-depressants, about 70 percent, but that it works faster and has fewer side effects. Some studies have found positive improvements in depressed patients in as few as four days.

Side effects can include nausea, agitation, anxiety, and insomnia at doses above 100 mg per day.

SAM-e is better absorbed if you take it on an empty stomach between meals.

Recommended doses for treating depression vary from 50 mg per day to 400 or more mg per day.

People who have bipolar depression should not take SAM-e. If you are already taking MAO inhibitor antidepressants, do not take SAM-e. SAM-e is not available in health stores in all countries.

How to Maintain Positive Attitude

Is maintaining a positive attitude easier said than done? There are many times in our lives when putting on a smiley face is not easy and it may not even be what we want to do at that moment.
Think of when someone annoys you and you feel anger inside, perhaps even revengeful; or when you are busy with a project that doesn't seem to have given results for a long time, and you feel discouraged; or when you see people suffering that you can do nothing for, and the hopeless feeling.

This kind of situations bring up negative feelings, and then we cling on to them most of the times, specially if our ego is involved – like when you believe that someone has been unfair or rude to you and you feel you deserve an apology. Focusing on these negative thoughts only creates a circle in which the more you think about them, and feel negative, the more it seems that this is indeed reality.

The more you see the reality as being aggressive towards you, the more you feel bad about yourself. The best thing for you is to take a step back, say NO to all those negative feelings, and choose to focus on the positive aspects in your life.

The following tips for maintaining a positive attitude could be the help you were looking for, in order to do that. You may be able to apply only one or maybe many of these tips to your current situation, and they may even inspire you to look for your own ways of feeling good about yourself.Five tips for maintaining a positive attitude

Use these tips to help you keep a positive attitude when things around you make you feel negative. Don't let discouragement, anger or sadness get you down any longer!

· Do something nice for yourself:

Take a warm bath, enjoy a walk on your own, spend an afternoon doing something that you like (reading, watching a good movie, playing an instrument, cooking, gardening).
By focusing on yourself and taking some time off just for you, you put your negative circumstances and feelings aside for a while. When you come back, it's easier to deal with them, as you'll do it from a positive state of mind.

· Be grateful for what you already have:

Think sometimes that there are many people in wore situations than you are right now. This story went like "I complained that I had no shoes, until I saw a man with no feet". Realize that you receive things, people, and experiences into your life that other people have no access to, due to different reasons. Feel grateful for what you do have. You may like to have a glance at this article on being thankful.

· Turn your attention outwards:

Take some time to help someone. Give time, attention and support to somebody that needs it. You could give a hand to a friend or spend an afternoon helping out at a charity group, for instance. At times we think that our problems are really big when things aren’t really all that bad. Getting out of your own reality will help you put things into perspective and deal with them better afterwards.

· Don't look at results but consider the whole process:

This is true if you're disappointed about a project, because we tend to focus on immediate results. Think that the no-results state is only temporary. Look at what you are doing as a whole process. Your only job is planning the process well, so that in the end it brings you the results you expect. See it this way and you will find it easier to keep on the positive attitude.

· Trust that everything will be all right:

When everything else seems to fall apart, trusting that everything will be all right is the best exercise for your mind and soul. Feel the overwhelming calmness when you feel the trust. Maintaining a positive attitude is a good starting point to enjoy a great life.

Source: Victoria Wright

What Carries People to the Top?

Ever wondered What Carries People To The Top? What makes people tick? Experts say the answer lies in understanding Human Motivation. The people in the society who live their lives need to have a key purpose defined in their life which is meant to serve others The best way to impact or influence the life of the common masses is through the power of motivation.

It’s my observation that when individuals undergo mental turmoil, encounter negative situations, problems, and people with passage of time they loose their interest levels and their endeavour turns out to be a lackluster. Not to forget that mental turmoil is also the time when some individuals visit a fortune teller or an astrologer to get some good startling predictions on their roads to achievement. Well, God helps those who help themselves. Rightly said, motivation relates to the mind just as exercise relates to our body.

Individuals feel that motivation is not permanent. It lasts only for a brief period of time after which the individual is back into the comfort zone. Well, the answer is clear. To keep the lamp of motivation burning it is vital that we read some thing inspiring and motivating everyday to set the spiritual tone for the day. The result, we are sure to be ahead of the game.

The Power of Motivation if given justice has proved time and again that individuals cannot be dismissed as useless. With motivation people have not only been able to come back from the jaws of the death and debts but have also been able to keep their peckers up and maintain a happy home.

So, what carries people to the top – “The Power of Motivation”. To me it is the burning desire an individual has to achieve something Big in life. The feeling should be similar to what a fish may feel when it is taken out of the water. Rightly said by the renowned Industrialist Andrew Carnegie “People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity."

Patience brings harmony

Patience brings harmony in relationships.

Projection:

When there is a misunderstanding in a relationship we hardly put in any effort in order to understand the other person. We tend to become impatient and we don't listen to the other person to understand them. Because of which we start inventing things about them. This only further increases the misunderstanding.

Solution:

When we have a difference of opinion with someone, we need to give some time to understand and listen to the other person. Only then will we be able to understand the other person's point of view. This practice will enable us to finish any misunderstanding we have with others and brings harmony in relationships.

- Unknown

Power of Positive Thoughts

The power of positive thoughts enables others to be free from their worries.

Projection:

When someone is going through difficult times there would be naturally worry and tension. At such times it becomes very natural for us too to come into tension. However, we don't seem to be able to help the other person in anyway when we have such thoughts. Instead we only add to the negative thoughts of that person.

Solution:

When we find someone who is having negative thoughts in a difficult situation, we need to remind ourselves that we are the only ones who can help them come back to his positivity. It is possible for us to do this only when our own thoughts are positive. When we train our mind in this way we will be able to maintain our own positivity which will enable the other person also to be rid of his worries

- Author Unknown

Motivational Life Story

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

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

Curious, but somewhat disappointed the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible. Angrily, he raised his voice at his father and said, "With all your money you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy book.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business.
He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care things. When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart.

He began to search his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. As he read those words, a car key dropped from an envelope taped behind the Bible.

It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the
sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words...PAID IN FULL.

How many times do we miss God's blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?

- Author Unknown

Inspiring Story - Three Dolls

A sage presented a prince with a set of three small dolls. The prince was not amused.

“Am I a girl that you give me dolls?” he asked.

“This is a gift for a future king,” said the man. “If you look carefully, you’ll see a hole in the ear of each doll.”

“So?”

The sage handed him a piece of string.

“Pass it through each doll,” he said.

Intrigued, the prince picked up the first doll and put the string into the ear.

It came out from the other ear.

“This is one type of person,” said the man. “Whatever you tell him, comes out from the other ear. He doesn’t retain anything.”

The prince put the string into the second doll. It came out from the mouth.

“This is the second type of person,” said the man. “Whatever you tell him, he tells everybody else.”

The prince picked up the third doll and repeated the process. The string did not reappear from anywhere else.

“This is the third type of person,” said the man. “Whatever you tell him is locked up within him. It never comes out.”

“What is the best type of person?” asked the prince.

The man handed him a fourth doll, in answer.

When the prince put the string into the doll, it came out from the other ear.

“Do it again,” said the sage. The prince repeated the process. This time the string came out from the mouth. When he put the string in a third time, it did not come out at all.

“This is the best type of person,” said the sage. “To be trustworthy and wise, a man must know when not to listen, when to remain silent and when to speak out.”

- Author Unknown

Inspiring story - Commitment

I will never forget what my old headmaster told taught me. Normally when you are only 15 years of age you do not remember most of the things that are preached by your teachers. But, this particular story is one such lesson that I will never forget. Every time I drift off course, I get reminded of this story.

It was a normal Monday morning at an assembly, and he was addressing the students on important things in life and about committing ourselves to what is important to us. This is how the story went:

An old man lived in a certain part of London, and he would wake up every morning and go to the subway. He would get the train right to Central London, and then sit at the street corner and beg. He would do this every single day of his life. He sat at the same street corner and begged for almost 20 years.

His house was filthy, and a stench came out of the house and it smelled horribly. The neighbors could not stand the smell anymore, so they summoned the police officers to clear the place. The officers knocked down the door and cleaned the house. There were small bags of money all over the house that he had collected over the years.

The police counted the money, and they soon realized that the old man was a millionaire. They waited outside his house in anticipation to share the good news with him. When he arrived home that evening, he was met by one the officers who told him that there was no need for him to beg any more as he was a rich man now, a millionaire.

He said nothing at all; he went into his house and locked the door. The next morning he woke up as usual, went to the subway, got into the train, and sat at the street corner and continued to beg.

Obviously, this old man had no great plans, dreams or anything significant for his life. We learn nothing from this story other than staying focused on the things we enjoy doing, commitment.

We should remain true to our course; which may mean committing yourselves to things that people around you would normally disapprove. Let nothing distract us from being happy, let nothing else determine our fate, but ourselves.

What makes us happy is what matters in the end,
not what we acquire.

- Author Unknown

Motivational Story - The Mouse and the Trap

A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package.

“What food might this contain?” The mouse wondered - he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.

Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning: “There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!”

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, “Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it.”

The mouse turned to the lamb and told him, “There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!”

The lamb sympathised, but said, “I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers.”

The mouse turned to the cow and said “There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!”

The cow said, “Wow, Mr. Mouse. I’m sorry for you, but it’s no skin off my nose.”

So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer’s mousetrap alone.

That very night a sound was heard throughout the house — like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey.

The farmer’s wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught.

The snake bit the farmer’s wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital, and she returned home with a fever. Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup’s main ingredient.

But his wife’s sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the lamb.

The farmer’s wife did not get well; she died. So many people came for her funeral, the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them.

The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.

Moral :

So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn’t concern you, remember — when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk.

We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.

Each one of us is a vital thread in another person's tapestry. Our lives are woven together for a reason.

- Author Unknown

Self Motivational Thoughts

Jump for Challenges

Instead of avoiding challenges, jump into them.
Beat the heck out of them. Enjoy the game.
If your challenges are too large, do not give up.

Failing makes you tired. Instead, reorganize.
Find more determination, more knowledge and more help.
And then, Just go for it!

- Unknown

Self Help, Personal Growth

How to Manage Your Time & Keep Your Life in Balance At All Times

As a busy entrepreneur, do you really know how to manage your time effectively? Do you get to spend time with your family and friends? Are you organized in the office and at home? Do you have your business and personal life in balance? Or, does Sue's story below sound just like you?

Sue's an entrepreneur who never got enough sleep. She was lucky if she got 3 to 4 hours of sleep each night. There was just too much to do and not enough hours in the day to do it all. Lack of sleep turned out to be the tip of the iceberg for Sue. It did not matter to her how many work hours she had to put in. Sue was always drained, perpetually scattered and alone. In time she confessed virtually every available wall in her amply sized office had stacks of papers, files and books propped up against it always on the verge of teetering over. Her home was so full of clutter she was embarrassed to invite friends or dates to visit. Similarly her mind felt like it was bulging at the seams. Her bank accounts were a mess. She regularly bounced checks despite having enough money to cover her expenses. Her social and love life were nearly nonexistent. She had no time for the jewelry she so dearly loved to create. Nor did she have time for the social causes that were close to her heart.

Why? Because she didn't know how to manage her time and balance her life. Sue had an under-energized, self-neglectful relationship with self-care in all aspects. She suffered from insufficiencies in: * Inner Self-Care -- This resulted in exhaustion, irritability, weight problems, chronic stress, physical imbalances, weakened immune system and gluttony.

* Environmental Self-Care --Sue tolerated home and work ambiences that drained her. People began to undermine her wellbeing, self-esteem and her leadership abilities. Crisis and melodrama became part of Sue's lifestyle.

* Logistical Self-Care -- This resulted in complete disorganization. Sue was stretched too thin. She had imbalances between work and play and between spending and saving. She even fell behind with home maintenance or errands. What Is Self Care? Healthy self-care is a key foundational element in all forms of integrity: self-integrity, relationship integrity, societal integrity and leadership integrity. Self-Care is far different from self-centeredness. It is also far more than merely good sleep, nutrition and exercise habits. Our bodies are complex machine. We cannot sustain our energy unless we are supporting our spiritual, our psychological, our physical and our energetic aspects of our whole being.

Self-Care Is About Keeping Your:

* Energy strong and balanced * Mind calm yet alert * Body capable of supporting you in all areas of your life * Environment nourishing * Life logistics under control

7 Tips to Improve Your Self-Care & Balance Your Life Habits

1. Maintain Basic Physical Health Habits.

You need to get enough quality sleep for your body's needs and movement. You also need to add a high-quality nutritional diet to your energy system balancing.

2. Add Time to Soothe, Recharge and Play.

Engage in soothing habits that make you purr, such as a massage or a bath. Take time out to restore your inner juice with activities, such as watching your favorite sitcom, gardening or just about any truly creative endeavor that gives you energy. And, don't forget to participate in activities that bring out the kid in you.

3. Quiet Your Inner Voice.

Participate in activities that allow you to enter inner silence and take a vacation from constant mind chatter. Some people use prayer to quiet their mind. Others will meditate. You can also do Tai Chi, Qigong or Yoga and simultaneously take care of your daily need for physical movement and internal quieting

4. Arrange your surroundings so that they most deeply nurture you.

This includes not only your physical environments but your people environments as well.

5. Know your optimal blend between "alone time" and "people time."

6. Master goal setting, time management, file management and money management strategies.

Balancing work with play, spending with saving, and making sure that your job and financial choices support your needs for creative self-expression and your ability to spend quality time with those you love while still having energy left over to be of service in the world in ways that call to you.

7. Streamline your chores and tasks, including home maintenance and errands Self-Care is unavoidably a daily practice.

No amount of rest, passion or acts of service can substitute for it. True Self-Care is simply "enlightened self-interest and service for the higher good." Follow these tips and you will manage your time and balance your life.

- By Dr. David Gruder

Heart Warming Story For The Soul!!

One day a woman was walking down the street when she spied a beggar sitting in the corner. The man was elderly, unshaven, and ragged. As he sat there, pedestrians walked by him giving him dirty looks. They clearly wanted nothing to do with him because of who he was -- a dirty, homeless man. But when she saw him, the woman was moved to compassion.

It was very cold that day and the man had his tattered coat -- more like an old suit coat rather than a warm coat -- wrapped around him. She stopped and looked down. "Sir?" she asked. "Are you all right?"

The man slowly looked up. This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life. His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before. "Leave me alone," he growled.

To his amazement, the woman continued standing. She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. "Are you hungry?" she asked.

"No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away."

The woman's smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm. "What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily.

"I said to leave me alone."

Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked.

"No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?"

The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?"

"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."

"Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. "Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything."

"This is a good deal for you, Jack," the officer answered. "Don't blow it."

Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner.

It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived. The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by the table. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this. Is this man in trouble?"

"This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered.

"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business."

Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place."

The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"

"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."

"And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"

"What business is that of yours?"

"I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."

"Oh."

The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference." She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"


"No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty."

"Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"

"Yes, ma'am. That would be very nice."

The cafeteria manager turned on his heel. "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer."

The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said.

"That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."

She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently. "Jack, do you remember me?"

Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar."

"I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."

"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.

"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."

Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy."

"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble. Then, when I looked over, I saw you put the price of my food in the cash register. I knew then that everything would be all right."
"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.

"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons. He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm
certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet. And if you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you."

There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you," he said.

"Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. Thank him. He led me to you."

Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways. "Thank you for all your help, officer," she said.

"On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And... And thank you for the coffee."

She frowned. "I forgot to ask you whether you used cream or sugar. That's black."

The officer looked at the steaming cup of coffee in his hand. "Yes, I do take cream and sugar -- perhaps more sugar than is good for me." He patted his ample stomach.

"I'm sorry," she said.

"I don't need it now," he replied smiling. "I've got the feeling that this coffee you bought me is going to taste as sweet as sugar."

If you have missed knowing me, you have missed nothing.

If you have missed some of my emails, you have missed a laugh.

But, if you have missed knowing GOD, you have missed everything in the world.

God is love.

- Author Unknown

Positive Thoughts :Today is the Best Day of My Life

Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever!

There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today; but I did!

And because I did I'm going to celebrate!
Today, I'm going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they have served to make me stronger.

I will go through this day with my head held high, and a happy heart.

I will marvel at nature's seemingly simple gifts: the morning dew, the sun, the clouds, the trees, the flowers, the birds.

Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice.

Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people. I'll make someone smile.

I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don't even know.

Today, I'll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down.

I'll tell a child how special he is, and I'll tell someone I love just how deeply I care for them and how much they mean to me.

Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don't have and start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me.

I'll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and his Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine.

And tonight, before I go to bed, I'll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens.

I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise nature for these magnificent treasures.

As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow, I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life.

And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with expectation because I know tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life, ever!

- Author Unknown

True Love

This is what True Love is all about:

It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 a.m., when an elderly gentleman in his 80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him look at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.

On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, we began to engage in conversation. I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.

I then inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer' s Disease.

As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.

I was surprised, and asked him, "And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?"

He smiled as he patted my hand and said, "She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is." I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, "That is the kind of love I want in my life."

True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

- Author Unknown

Romantic Ideas

* Make a little loving gesture every day for one full year. Cuddle on the sofa and watch a movie.

* Take a bubble bath together.

* Walk on the beach in the moonlight.

* Put a note in a romance novel saying, "The story is great but our own love story is the best".

* Put a single red rose on the seat of your lover's car before they go to work.

* Send your lover a virtual postcard at least once a week.

* Get every book ever written by your loved one's favorite author.

* Get every movie starring your lovers favorite actor.

* Keep twenty pounds of your lovers favorite candy on hand.

* Take her to see the movie Titanic fifteen times.

* Make love to him/her every night until he/she asks you to stop.

* Give him/her twelve dozen roses on all their special days.

* Compose a list: "101 Reasons Why You're the Greatest" Write each reason on a separate square of paper. Wrap them in a fancy gift box.

* Sprinkle perfume on to light bulb. When light is turned on the scent of the perfume will fill the room.

* Relax with a glass of white wine.

* Listen to a romantic audio tape, fix a cup of hot flavored tea, and light two candles.

* Keep a journal of your romantic fantasies. Share it with your soul mate.

* Buy a bunch of fish at a pet store. It doesn't matter what kind. Leave it for your lover with a note saying " Out of all the fish in the sea, you are the one for me".

* Take a picture of yourself in the most sexy outfit possible. Hide in a secret spot in your house and leave him or her clues on how to get there.

* Watch the sparks fly!

* Put a blindfold on your lover and drive them to a place where you have a blanket, candles, strawberries, sparkling drinks, and a rose. Park the car
and take off the blindfold while you read a poem you have written for them.

* While your lover is in the shower, or bath, put their bath towel in a hot dryer for a few minutes. Greet them when they get out of the shower with the toasty towel.

* Pull the bag out of your lovers breakfast cereal box and slit a small hole in it. Insert a love note. Tape up the bag and return it to the box. What a way to start the day!

* Write a list of 50 or more things you like or love about your sweetheart.

* Unplug the TV set. Put a note on the screen saying, "Turn Me on Instead".

* Play "hide-and-seek" in the rain. It's fun and VERY sensual!

* Build your lover a web page telling them why you love them so much.

* Mention special moments and add some images and cool links to topics that interest them. Surf the web with them one day and just "stumble upon it". Or have someone send them an anonymous email with the link inviting them to the page.

* Fill bathtub with warm water sprinkled with rose petals.

* Fix a hot cup of Raspberry Chocolate, cuddle in a warm afghan and watch An Affair to Remember.

* Place a perfumed handkerchief in the dryer with your sheets before drying.

* Send your love a letter with confetti hearts inside of the letter so they pour out everywhere when your sweetheart opens it.

* Surprise your partner to a personalized romantic gift from Perfectly Engraved

* Invite your sweetie to an intimate dinner at your place. Make a pizza and with the pepperoni you can write something sweet, like "you are the one for me".

* Share your romantic fantasies.

* Write your own love poems then record them on a tape and give them to your sweetheart.

* Give your love an antique compass and say "You will never lose me".

* Your love will swear the needle always points to their heart!

* While your love takes a shower, write the words "I love you" in the condensation of the bathroom mirror.

* Leave a trail of "Hershey's chocolate kisses" from the front door to the bedroom, right up to the bed. On the bed leave a note that reads 'I kiss the ground you walk on.' Make sure you're not home when s/he gets in!

* Write a love note or poem on a piece of paper and then cut it up into puzzle-like pieces. Send one a day to your special someone.

* Play the game of monopoly with a few new rules. Change boardwalk into backrub, and Tennessee into take your shirt off. Every time you pass go, you get a kiss. etc.

* Look straight into the eyes of your love and PAY ATTENTION to what they tell you!

* Tell your mate something about you that no one else knows.

* Look into the eyes of your special someone often. "The eyes are the window to the soul".

* Weave love, sex, intimacy, passion and romance into the fabric of your daily lives.

* Carve "His" and "Hers" jack-o-lanterns at Halloween.

* Buy a set of matching silk pajamas, and take turns modeling them for each other.

* Camp-out in a tent with your lover and picnic in a tree house.

* Spend one solid hour exploring various kissing techniques.

* Turn your "bedroom" into a "boudoir". Use soft colors and fabrics, fresh cut flowers on your nightstand, mirrors everywhere, etc. Hang your lovers Favorite art on your walls.

- Author Unknown

Sands of Time For Love

I pray that I shall never see
A time when you’re away from me
For should our lives be torn apart
I know I’d be without my heart
You are the half that makes me whole
The marrow found within my soul
For me, you are the only one
I hope you’ll be when life is done.

The sun shines brighter when you’re near
The sky is blue; no clouds appear
At night, the stars in brilliance show
The happiness I’ve come to know
Though fate may bring a darker day
I pray that love will guide our way
For if you'd go, my heart would cry
Longing for memories passed by.

I pray that I shall never view
A moment spent away from you
Your hand is one I long to hold
From this day ‘til we’re very old
My dear, your soul has found a home
From which, I pray you’ll never roam
Please be the rhythm for my rhyme
Until our final sands of time.

- Unknown

A Small Inspiring Story - Relationship

A boy and a girl were playing together. The boy had a collection of marbles. The girl had some sweets with her. The boy told the girl that he will give her all his marbles in exchange for her sweets. The girl agreed.

The boy kept the biggest and the most beautiful marble aside and gave the rest to the girl. The girl gave him all her sweets as she had promised.

That night, the girl slept peacefully. But the boy couldn't sleep as he kept wondering if the girl had hidden some sweets from him the way he had hidden his best marble.

Moral of the story:

If you don't give your hundred percent in a relationship, you'll always keep doubting if the other person has given his/her hundred percent.. This is applicable for any relationship like love, friends, employer-employee relationship etc., Give your hundred percent to everything you do and sleep peacefully.

- Author Unknown

The Most Important Body Part

My mother used to ask me what is the most important part of the body. Through the years I would take a guess at what I thought was the correct answer.

When I was younger, I thought sound was very important to us as humans, so I said, "My ears, Mummy."

She said, "No. Many people are deaf. But you keep thinking about it and I will ask you again soon."

Several years passed before she asked me again. Since making my first attempt, I had contemplated the correct answer. So this time I told her, "Mummy, sight is very important to everybody, so it must be our eyes."

She looked at me and told me, "You are learning fast, but the answer is not correct because there are many people who are blind."

Stumped again, I continued my quest for knowledge and over the years, Mother asked me a couple more times and always her answer was, "No. But you are getting smarter every year, my child."


Then last year, my grandpa died. Everybody was hurt. Everybody was crying. Even my father cried. I remember that especially because it was only the second time I saw him cry.

My Mum looked at me when it was our turn to say our final good-bye to Grandpa. She asked me, "Do you know the most important body part yet, my dear?"


I was shocked when she asked me this now. I always thought this was a game between her and me. She saw the confusion on my face and told me, "This question is very important. It shows that you have really lived in your life. For every body part you gave me in the past, I have told you were wrong and I have given you an example why. But today is the day you need to learn this important lesson."

She looked down at me as only a mother can. I saw her eyes well up with tears. She said, "My dear, the most important body part is your shoulder."

I asked, "Is it because it holds up my head?"

She replied, "No, it is because it can hold the head of a friend or a loved one when they cry. Everybody needs a shoulder to cry on sometime in life, my dear.

I only hope that you have enough love and friends that you will always have a shoulder to cry on when you need it."

Then and there I knew the most important body part is not a selfish one. It is sympathetic to the pain of others.


People will forget what you said...
People will forget what you did....
But people will NEVER forget how you made them feel.

- Author Unknown

LOVE HAPPENS FOR A REASON

In LIFE, LOVE is NEVER planned nor does it happen for a reason.

But when the LOVE is REAL,

It becomes your PLAN for LIFE and your REASON for LIVING!

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR. When you say, "I love you", mean it.

FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry", look the person in the eye.

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name-calling.

ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone.

If God brings you to it---He can bring you through it

- Author Unknown

Special Love Quotes

Age doesn't protect you from love. But love,
to some extent, protects you from age.

~ Jeanne Moreau
========================================================

You have not lived until you have done something
for someone who can never repay you.

~ Anonymous
========================================================

Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in
looking outward together in the same direction.

~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery
========================================================

You can't touch love, but you can feel the
sweetness that it pours into everything.

~ Annie Sullivan
========================================================

A loving heart is the beginning of all knowledge.

~ Thomas Carlyle
========================================================

The purpose of relationship is not to have another who might complete you,
but to have another with whom you might share your completeness.

~ Neale Donald Walsch
========================================================

Nobody has ever measured, not even poets,
how much the heart can hold.

~ Zelda Fitgerald
========================================================

The Power Of Breaking Free

When my son, Justin, was four, he found a caterpillar and put it in a jar.

Each day he fed it fresh grass and leaves. In a few weeks the caterpillar was fat and ready to sleep. One morning we discovered the caterpillar wrapped in a cocoon. It hung from the top of the jar, an example of one of nature's wonders.

Justin was excited. To him, it was like Christmas. He knew a moth or butterfly was about to be born, but he didn't know what kind. He was curious to know what gift nature was about to give him.

"Dad!" he ran to me one day. "Something's happening. Come see!"

He led me to his room. The cocoon had become translucent. We could clearly see the wings of the unborn. A few days later, a beautiful black moth broke free from its silky cage and began to lay eggs on the blades of grass in the jar, completing the life cycle of the little caterpillar.

The next day, I convinced my young son it was time to set the moth free. He took it outside, opened the jar, and the little moth flew out. It circled the yard twice, came back, and landed on Justin's arm. He picked up, tossed it in the air, and the moth repeated its flight pattern. He tried over and over to set it free, but each time it would return to his arm.

Justin gave up. He returned his little pet to the jar. The next day he attempted to set it free again, and after a few return flights to his arm, the moth finally flew off into the tall grass.

Like a person, I believe the moth was afraid to leave what was comfortable. It wanted to stay with something familiar, scared to move on and experience new things.

I was once that little moth. My cocoon was my mother's love. I was comfortable wrapped in it. Like the moth, I didn't want to fly too far from it. My first job required me to move to a new city. I resisted. I was afraid. What would I find there? I liked where I was.

Many times in my life, I have faced a move and resisted. Humans are creatures of habit. We resist change. However, if I hadn't moved, I would not have experienced many new and wonderful things. I also would not have met many of my friends.

The moves have been between cites, provinces, states, and even countries. Each move gave me the opportunity to learn and experience, but best of all, I met friends. I hated leaving my old friends behind, but when I think about it, I didn't lose them.

They're still my friends. I talk to them regularly. However, I have even more friends now.

I'm glad I found my wings, because I met you, my friend.

- by Michael T. Smith

True Love Story

There was once this guy who was very much in love with his girl.

This romantic guy folded 1,000 pieces of paper cranes as a gift to his girl.
Although, at that time he was just a small fry in his company, his future doesn't seem too bright, they were very happy together.

Until one day, his girl told him she was going to Paris and will never come back. She also told him that she cannot visualize any future for the both of them, so they went their own ways there and then...

Heartbroken, the guy agreed.

But when he regained his confidence, he worked hard day and night, slogging his body and mind just to make something out of himself.

Finally with all the hard work and the help of friends, this guy had set up his own company ..

You never fail until you stop trying. One rainy day, while this guy was driving, he saw an elderly couple sharing an umbrella in the rain walking to some destination.

Even with the umbrella, they were still drenched.

It didn't take him long to realize they were his girl's parents.

With a heart in getting back at them, he drove slowly beside the couple, wanting them to spot him in his luxury sedan. He wanted them to know that he wasn't the same any more; he had his own company, car, condo, etc.

He made it! What he saw next confused him, the couple was walking towards a cemetery, and so he got out of his car and followed...and he saw his girl, a photograph of her smiling sweetly as ever at him from her tombstone and he saw his paper cranes right beside her...

Her parents saw him. He asked them why this had happened. They explained, she did not leave for France at all.

She was ill with cancer. She had believed that he will make it someday, but she did not want to be his obstacle... therefore she had chosen to leave him.

Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

She had wanted her parents to put his paper cranes beside her, because, if the day comes when fate brings him to her again...he can take some of those back with him...

Once you have loved, you will always love.

For what's in your mind may escape but what's in your heart will remain forever.

The guy just wept.....

The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting right beside her knowing you can't have her, see her or be with her ever again.........hope you understand.

Find time to realize that there is one person who means so much to you, for you might wake up one morning losing that person who you thought meant nothing to you.

- Author Unknown

Love Poem

Love is Like Magic

Love is like magic
And it always will be.
For love still remains
Life's sweet mystery!

Love works in ways
That are wondrous and strange
And there's nothing in life
That love cannot change!

Love can transform
The most commonplace
Into beauty and splendor
And sweetness and grace

Love is unselfish,
Understanding and kind,
For it sees with it's heart
And not with it's mind!

Love is the answer
That everyone seeks....
Love is the language,
That every heart speaks.

Love can't be bought,
It is priceless and free,
Love, like pure magic,
Is life's sweet mystery!

- Author Unknown

Romantic Poem

My Love for You

There are no words to express
what I feel for you.

There are no songs as beautiful,
as the music that fills my soul
when I hear your voice.

There are no roses as lovely
as your smile.
Nothing moves me like you do.

There are no days brighter than
the days I spend with you.
You're my light in the darkness...

And there could never be words
strong enough to express my love for you.

- Unknown

Inspiring Love Quotes

Love is not a matter of what happens in life.
It's a matter of what's happening in your heart.

~ by Ken Keyes
====================================================

Love means to commit oneself without guarantee, to give oneself
completely in the hope that our love will produce love in the loved person.
Love is an act of faith, and whoever is of little faith is also of little love.

~ by Erich Fromm
====================================================

Love is always open arms. If you close your arms about love
you will find that you are left holding only yourself.

~ by Leo Buscaglia
====================================================

The virtue of true love is not finding the perfect person,
but loving the imperfect person perfectly.

~ Unknown
====================================================

Destiny decides who you meet in life but
its only your heart that can decide who gets to stay in your life.

~ Unknown
====================================================

Never underestimate the amazing power of love to change hearts and mindsets.
Love can even give fresh inspiration to tackle what seems to be impossible.

~ Unknown
====================================================

I will Love You Forever

I love you so deeply,
I love you so much,
I love the sound of your voice
And the way that we touch.

I love your warm smile
And your kind, thoughtful way,
The joy that you bring
To my life every day.

I love you today
As I have from the start,
And I'll love you forever
With all of my heart.

- Author Unknown

Beautiful Love Poem

Loving You

Loving you
It's like feeling soft soft rain
Fall on my face

Loving you
It's the comfort of my Heart

Loving you
Makes me laugh and smile at the same time
It makes my heart warm, it gives me life

Loving you
It's all very new to me
It's very good

Loving you
To feel your hand in mine
To feel your breath slide along the side of my cheek
To feel your heart pounding beneath my ear
As I rest my head upon your chest

Loving you
So many words to describe it
Yet so few

Loving you
I want to take care of you
As you take care of me
I want to hear your troubles and your joys
I want to encourage you
As you choose to follow life

Loving you
It is an honor to be trusted so
With your deepest, darkest worries
Secrets
With your most heart felt
Dreams

Loving you
Sharing little moments with you
Looking into one another's hearts
Reading each other's souls
Loving me

Loving you
There is nothing else I want
But to be held by you

Loving you
It is such a rarity to find
It is such a blessing to do
It is such an inspiration
It is such a dream come true

Loving you
It is not sheer perfection
Despite what you may want to hear
It is Love
It is right
No matter what you may do
Or how upset we may get
Our love will win
It will bring us back

Loving you
Needing you
Wanting you
You, you

Loving you

- Unknown

What Carries People To The Top ?

Ever wondered What Carries People To The Top? What makes people tick? Experts say the answer lies in understanding Human Motivation. The people in the society who live their lives need to have a key purpose defined in their life which is meant to serve others The best way to impact or influence the life of the common masses is through the power of motivation.

It’s my observation that when individuals undergo mental turmoil, encounter negative situations, problems, and people with passage of time they loose their interest levels and their endeavour turns out to be a lackluster. Not to forget that mental turmoil is also the time when some individuals visit a fortune teller or an astrologer to get some good startling predictions on their roads to achievement. Well, God helps those who help themselves. Rightly said, motivation relates to the mind just as exercise relates to our body.
Individuals feel that motivation is not permanent. It lasts only for a brief period of time after which the individual is back into the comfort zone. Well, the answer is clear. To keep the lamp of motivation burning it is vital that we read some thing inspiring and motivating everyday to set the spiritual tone for the day. The result, we are sure to be ahead of the game.

The Power of Motivation if given justice has proved time and again that individuals cannot be dismissed as useless. With motivation people have not only been able to come back from the jaws of the death and debts but have also been able to keep their peckers up and maintain a happy home.
So, what carries people to the top – “The Power of Motivation”. To me it is the burning desire an individual has to achieve something Big in life. The feeling should be similar to what a fish may feel when it is taken out of the water. Rightly said by the renowned Industrialist Andrew Carnegie “People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity."

By Nilesh Rane

Three Words of Wisdom: "Don't We All?"

One evening I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just come from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work. Coming my way from across the parking lot was, what society would consider, a bum. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money. There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of the "don't want to be bothered" times."I hope he doesn't ask me for money," I thought. He didn't. He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop and he didn't look like he could have enough money to even ride the bus. After a few minutes he spoke. "That's a very nice car," he said. He was ragged but had an air of dignity around him.I said, "Thanks," and continued wiping off my car.He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between us widened something inside me said, "Ask him if he needs any help." I was sure that he would say yes, but I held true to the inner voice."Do you need any help?" I asked. He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments. I expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand. He spoke three words that shook me.
"Don't we all?" he said.
I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep, you can give help. Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that.You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all. They are waiting on you to give them what they don't have. A different perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from daily chaos, that only you through a torn world can see. -- Cal
by jaydeebug

The Bouncy Ball That Changed Me

This is not a story that describes kindness that I have done but rather kindness that I have received and in a way the kindness that you receive gives energy to the kindness that you show to others.
Last night I entered myself into a poetry slam. It was very rushed. Very last minute and I was unprepared. Yet I really wanted to do it. I have wanted to get out and perform one of my poems for a while now. So without the support of my family, I got up in front of a group of people and got ready to present my poem.
The slam was a competition but I did not expect to win. Judges were randomly chosen from the audience by having bouncy ball thrown out into their midst to see who would catch them. As it is with most slams performers had 2 minutes to impress the judges who would then give a score from 0.0 to 10. There were 5 judges.

I was easily the youngest person in the competition. i am only 16 and everybody else about 20-70. Yet i didn't feel out of place because I was surrounded by people like myself. Writers. Still, I was a little apprehensive because I had only performed once in my life.

My poem went really well. People liked it and I think many were impressed that I had the guts to get up on stage and perform my own work. I was so preoccupied with the fact that I had recalled the entire poem from memory that I never looked at the judges score. In the end I came third but I was not disappointed. After all, it was only 0.3 points that separated me from second place.

When it was all over I was waiting in the car-park for my dad to pick me up when one of the judges came up to me and told me I had done a fantastic job and she was envious that I had the courage to stand up and put my words on the line. Even though many people had congratulated me this was different. The lady judge was very genuine. Almost on impulse she said, "Here, have the ball, so you remember tonight". I don't know what it was but I couldn't speak. It was like I got all warm and tingly. This random stranger had reached out to me.
Finally I came to my senses and pulled a smile card out for the woman thanking her for her words and the ball. She was impressed by the card but no words passed between us. It was a silent understanding. Words would ruin the moment.

My father beeped from the carpark so I nodded my goodbye and hopped in the car, holding in my hand the bouncy ball that changed me.

---------------------------------------
by freeHUGSrock

Dare to Dream

Let nothing hold you back from
exploring your wildest fantasies,
wishes, and aspirations.

Don't be afraid to dream big
and to follow your dreams
wherever they may lead you.

Open your eyes to their beauty;
open your mind to their magic;
open your heart to their possibilities.

Dare to dream.
Whether they are in color
or in black and white,
whether they are big or small,
easily attainable or almost impossible,
look to your dreams,
and make them become reality.

Wishes and hopes are nothing
until you take the first step
towards making them something!

Dare to dream,
Because only by dreaming,
will you ever discover
who you are, what you want,
and what you can do.

Don't be afraid to take risks,
to become involved,
to make commitment.

Do whatever it takes to make
your dreams come true.

Always believe in miracles,
and always believe in you!

- Aakash

A Lesson in Dignity

Everyday as I drove through town, I saw a one-legged man going through ash cans for cigerette butts and trash cans outside of fast food restaurants looking for food. It was only a month before Christmas, starting to get cold (I lived in a town that was over 6,000 ft. altitude) and I could not quit thinking about him. It was a year where we didn't have enough money to really have much in the way of presents but I figured what was too little for us would be a lot for someone who had nothing.

So I bought a brush, toothbrush, toothpaste, pack of cigerettes, cans of tuna, just little things that didn't cost much and then I added a blanket and sweatshirts. I made a box up like a present and went in search of this man. I saw him hobble away from the dumpster next to McDonalds. I pulled over, grabbed the box and went up to him. I said, "I would like to give you a Christmas present, there are some food items in here and some things you might be able to use."

He sidestepped around me and said, "No thank you, I just had lunch. I don't need anything." Then he hobbled on down the sidewalk, leaving me standing there in tears. I took the box down to a little shop that gave things out to the poor and homeless and told them what had happened and asked that they give the box to someone who could use it. The person there said not to be upset and let my feelings be hurt as I was still crying. I told her I was not crying for me but for him because what I had done was take away his dignity by treating him like a person in need. I was so ashamed. What a great lesson for me to learn, though.

A few years later I was able to volunteer for a day in St. Anthony's Dining Room in San Francisco where 1,500 to 2,000 homeless are fed everyday. These folks give up their sleeping spot, carry everything they own and stand in line for up to 6 hours to receive the only food they will get to sustain themselves for a 24 hour period. We took one tray of food at a time, and treated them as if they were in a restaurant ordering a meal they were paying for. And when we took our break, we would sit down with one of them and talk and share our food with someone if we had too much.

Since that time, I have had the opportunity, rephrase that, the blessing of being able to sit down and visit with people who at the time just happen to be displaced. I have heard that statistically, the majority of us could not make it if we had to go two months without an income and homelessness were to happen to us. Speaking for me, yes, that would be true and my immediate reaction would be like the first gentleman I mentioned. I might have nothing else but I would want to maintain my dignity as long as possible.

Tough insight, but accepting help is sometimes harder than giving it. But I have also learned a very good lesson about that as well. Someone said to me at one time, "Please let me help you, don't take away MY blessing." And in that statement lies the whole truth of Paying It Forward. I have to accept so I can pass it on!

Have a wonderful giving and accepting day.

- by Jaydeebug

Basic But Essential Success Strategies

Success Can’t Be Bought, It Must Be Earned

First off, success comes at a great price. That’s right, there are no free handouts. fundamental success strategy concepts follow a distinct yet proven course of action. A price must be paid in the action it takes for completion. What! Hold it right there, you mean I got to do something? There are many people who believe you can simply buy success. That’s right, just put it up on the auction block and it goes to the highest bidder. Even though you must pay a price for success, it cannot be purchased.

If you have to pay a price for success but you can’t buy it, what then, is success? This is a question you must answer clearly in your mind before you attempt to pursue it. Success has different meanings for different people. For some it is wealth, power and recognition while for others it is simply having enough to eat each day.

Is The Price To Much?

There are no clear cut explanations for success. We believe Success is simply “achieving worthwhile personal goals,” while that doesn’t sound difficult in itself; very few people are able to accomplish it. Most people live day do day in quiet desperation, never experiencing their true potential. They don’t have a life’s plan or any goals other than getting from one day to the next. Husband’s and wives argue about finances and fear the likelihood of loosing their jobs. Our whole society lives in fear of what tomorrow will bring. But they don’t have to, they can free themselves.

Is It Freedom We Seek?

Doesn’t the idea of freedom have a sweet ring to it? Many would argue that no one is truly free and success is simply chasing a dream. I say, “what is man that he can’t dream.” Dreams are what happiness is built on. If a man can’t dream then he has no hope, for hope is indeed in seeking a dream. Don’t be a day dreamer, be a dreamer of action.

Perhaps It Is Only A Dream

There are many who may find Essential Success Strategies demands too much for them and perhaps they are right. If you believe you are beaten before you begin the fight then, it’s not a fight, it’s an approved defeat. To be defeated before the battle begins, is conceding to the enemy and allowing their domination. Many people don’t realize success comes as a result of planning and is not a result in itself. Success cannot follow itself as it must be a defined path which leads toward a projected result. It demands full involvement or immersion as an approach to obtainment. Once the decision to obtain a defined result is made, the individual must make it his/her committed challenge. Like jumping from an airplane, once you leave the door, you can’t go back. You must, at all cost, do what is necessary to survive or plummet to the ground.

It Takes Planning

For example; If you decided to become a doctor, it would take a minimum eight years of higher learning and a cost of hundreds of thousands yet a degree does not make you successful. It takes thousands to set up a practice. The fact is, more than 80 percent of medical students borrow money to cover education expenses. Cost run at least $175,000 to $200,000 after adding up tuition, room and board, books and equipment and all the rest. It would be slightly less if you go to a state medical school as an in-state resident. After countless hours of classes, bookwork, lectures, internship and test you may qualify to be called a Doctor. Even then success rest squarely upon the shoulders of the person involved. No one can do it for him/her. Why? Because it is personal.

Top people in sports sign contracts for millions, at what cost? It takes hundreds of hours training and learning the game before a player becomes professional. It's the same in any industry. Airline pilot, Ships captain, architect, CEO of a fortune 500 company as well as many others, take years of study and thousands of dollars, to rise to the position. There are no free rides; everything comes with a price or doesn't come at all.

It Takes Hard Work

But wait! What if you could make the same or more money than a doctor or any other professional with much less cost and time? What if you could be making the same as any MIT. Princeton, Harvard, Yale, Stanford Universities graduate? What would you do for the opportunity to be a top wage earner? How much time and dollars would you be willing to spend?

A few years ago the wife and I hosted exchange students. I was intrigued by the fact that much of their learning came from their total immersion into our society. They had to speak our language and adhere to our customs. Their experience was the experience itself. Their perception was changed from their native point of view into ours.

It Takes Focus

Learning is a progressive process. A person must learn one thing before he/she can learn another. Like building a stone wall, each stone must fit exactly in place in order to support the next stone. A stone is only a stone but by placing many stones together, they become a wall. A wall then is designed to restrict or prevent movement across a boundary. It becomes a barrier for unwanted people and animals and provides safety for those behind it.

It Takes Mind Control

The mind is much the same. It uses experiences in place of stones. It piles each experience on top of the other until an impregnable wall is built. Unknown to the person, a wall is built so strong, so high, so thick that it can't be torn down. You may chip at it or attempt to dig under it, but you simply can't get to the other side. Look around at the preconceptions, the mind sets, the prejudice that stem from preset thinking. What we believe is an accumulation of our and others experiences. What is fed into the mind is either accepted into our belief system or rejected as untruth. Many times, false becomes truth in the mind and truths are questioned as false.

Dream, find your interest, develop a plan, set goals and work, work, work. Never give up, it’s your life at stake.

- by Donald Yates