Optimism with action

Tuesday September 8, 2009 #153

“Optimism, unaccompanied by personal effort, is merely a state of mind, and not fruitful.” 

~E Curtis

I admire people who remain positive in the face of adversity, who always see the cup as half-full.  But if they stop there and put no action behind their positivity, my admiration stops as well.  Only those who combine their optimism with action deserve admiration for they can change the world.

A better destination

Thursday September 3, 2009 #152

“You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight.”

 ~Jim Rohn

It is time to make a change from a bad habit or from moving in a direction that is clearly not producing the result you need.  You haven’t made the change yet because the habit is hard to break and/or you’ve invested so much in the direction you’ve been heading that you can’t imagine how you can move to a different path now.  But today you will realize that the only thing you have to change is your direction.  That can be done instantly.  Now.  You’re now on the way to a new and better destination.

Feel the Gain

Thursday August 20, 2009 #148

“All men’s gains are the fruit of venturing” 

~Herodotus

It is time to break out of your routines and try a different direction.  It needn’t be radical (but it can be).  The project you’re working on, the relationship you’re trying to develop, the new venture you’ve been thinking about…  All of these require a step out, from the direction you’ve been going, in order to step forward.  Make the change, venture out, experience the gain.

Improving our condition

Thursday July 30, 2009 #142

 “If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.” 

 ~Frank A. Clark

Enjoy #4 of the “5 Life Lessons” by Geir Ove Knutsen:  “The Obstacle in Our Path”

In ancient times, a king had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.
Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded.
After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.
The peasant learned what few people in the world truly understand: Within every obstacle lies a golden opportunity to improve our condition.

The Lesson:  Within every obstacle lies a golden opportunity to improve our condition.

Wake up the Giant Within You

Thursday July 16, 2009 #138

“Don’t live down to expectations.  Go out there and do something remarkable.”  

~Wendy Wasserstein

“Just in case you are not doing what your potential allows you, it is time to arise from your comfort zone. If you can sing, sing now. If you can build a business, do it now. If you can do motivational speaking, speak today. If you can lead, seek the mandate of the people when that time comes. Stop being a spectator when you should be at the forefront. Wake up the giant in you.” ~Shawn M. Bremner

This is part of an excellent blog post at Aspire Higher Motivational Quotes.  Click on the link to read more!

Listening to the Voices

Tuesday July 7, 2009 #135

“If you hear a voice within you say “you cannot paint”, then by all means paint & that voice will be silenced”

~Vincent van Gogh

What is that ‘impossible’ dream you have for yourself?  Running a marathon?  Playing an instrument well?  Getting a professional degree?  Learning to scuba dive, snowboard, hang glide, pilot a plane?  It is likely you are not living your dream because of that voice in your head that says you can’t do it – for whatever reason.  The only way to shut off that voice, and live your dream is to go do it.  You have the power to act.  Do it!

Believing in the Dream

Thursday July 2, 2009 #134

“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.”

 ~Anatole France

Taking action each day, no matter how small, toward our goals is critical to achievement.  Inspiration for action comes from believing in a dream or a vision of something that excites or energizes us.  What is your dream?  Believe in it, and act.

The best way to start something

Tuesday June 16, 2009 #129

“Starting something is the best way to finish something.  And just doing a teeny, tiny something, today, anything, from wherever you are, is the best way to start something.” 

~Mike Dooley

As you read this, I know you are thinking about the difficult task ahead of you and wondering how you will possibly get it done.  No worries.  Just begin with the smallest element of the task.  Do it.  Now.  Feel the feeling of mini-accomplishment.  Now keep the action going.  You’ll be done before you know it.

Dreams, intelligence, and courage

Tuesday June 2, 2009 #125

“Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.” 

~Leon Joseph

There is a significant price to pay to realize your dream.  The price may be time, money, a relationship, physical pain.  No one said this was going to be easy.  If they did, they were lying to you.  Nothing worth having ever comes easily.  The good news for you is that most will never realize this.  Most will keep playing the lottery, expecting others to take care of them, lamenting their circumstances.  But not you.  You’re one of the few that understand.  You have big dreams combined with the intelligence to identify the price to be paid, and the courage to pay up.

Be one of the few

Tuesday May 26, 2009 #123

“To dream anything that you want to dream. That’s the beauty of the human mind. To do anything that you want to do. That is the strength of the human will. To trust yourself to test your limits. That is the courage to succeed.”

~Bernard Edmonds

There are millions who dream, but never act.  There are many who use their will to act, but accomplish little because of self-imposed limitations and fears.  The very few succeed through their courage to test their limits.  Will you be one of the few?