A Little Compassion.

By: Dan Malone

A good friend of mine named Christina has an amazing gift, I think many people forget they
have it in themselves. The gift of compassion. Why do I call it a gift? Because she gives it to
others.

You see Christina fosters kittens who have no home. She goes out and rescues kittens from
the wild. She cares for them, makes sure they are healthy and finds good homes for them.

One very special kitten recently came in to her life. Her name is Savannah. When Christina
found Savannah she was not in good condition. She was dirty, afraid and unhealthy. As with
all new kittens, Christina, takes them in to her home, cleans and feeds them. Once they have
reached 2 pounds, she takes them to the vet where they are tested and vaccinated. I
remember this day well. Christina had called with sadness when she found out Savannah had
tested positive for FIV. It's a disease that is specific to felines and is similar to AID's.

Not doing much better then the day Christina found her, Savannah had stopped eating and
began loosing a lot of weight. You could see the bones through her thin skin. Finally she
stopped walking and eating altogether. Many would consider this a loosing battle. Christina
would spend nights holding Savannah, simply trying to make her feel better. All the time,
Christina herself was getting worse. She would be in tears, worrying about Savannah. The
thought of Savannah loosing her life was tearing Christina apart.

There are many in the world that see FIV as a life sentence. Kittens with FIV are not expected
to survive and the ones who do often need special care. Since FIV is easy to spread when
kittens are playing, Savannah had to be kept apart from all the other kittens. Christina was
the only friend she had come to know.

Christina though sad and hurting herself, never gave up. She had awoken early one morning
and began searching the internet for information. After a little searching, she found that there
was some hope for Savannah. With some special medicine, and care, she found out that
Savannah might have a chance to get better and live a healthy life. Christina made many calls
trying to obtain the medicine, caring nothing of the cost. She was finally able to find a shelter
that would order the medicine for her, at no cost. She began to give Savannah the medicine,
and feeding her fluids with a syringe.

In short time, Savannah began to gain a little weight, and start walking again. It was no time
before she was up and playing. One night Christina brought Savannah over to play. I will
never forget the look in Christina's eyes, and the feeling of playing with a kitten who many
would have given up on. This was a truly heart warming experience.

Savannah had just recently been tested again. This time she came up negative for FIV. In
many cases, mothers can pass this disease on to her kittens, and in some cases the kittens,
are able to shed it off over time. Savannah was now a healthy playful kitten, with the rest of
her life to enjoy a world she may have never known.

There is no doubt in my mind that Savannah will have a better life because of Christina. I also
know that Christina herself will have a better life because of Savannah. I have read a-lot of
inspirational stories, but this one, the one I have been able to write will live with me forever.
It reminds me that love and compassion do make a difference, and to never give up on
someone or something you believe in.
Today is Wednesday the 23rd of June 2004. Savannah will be going to the Vet to set spade
tomorrow morning. In a week or two she will be ready for adoption. Hopefully to a family that
she can have a loving and compassionate impact upon.

A Summertime Lesson
I mowed lawns the summer after my sophomore year in high school. I should say that I tried to
mow lawns. Because it was a larger company we weren't working with your simple push mower.
No, it was far different from a happy afternoon walking leisurely behind a chopping friend; it was
war, standing on a tiny platform behind a monstrous tank as it lugged me from here to there.

I was terrible at first, as you can probably deduce. I gouged hills, gnawed concrete and clipped
stones, sending them hurling through the air and at my boss's head. I didn't enjoy my daily near-
death experiences, so my motivation to work began to fizzle.

Things turned around when Travis, the boss's son, took me under his wing. After getting his fill of
laughing at the rookie getting dragged across the lawn, he unloaded bags and bags of advice on
me. He answered my questions and corrected my mistakes.

By mid-summer, after cutting up lawns as if I had worked with scissors at midnight, I began to
improve. Some would even say that I was good (not sure who they would be). As my skill
increased, my motivation followed right along.

No one enjoys fumbling through work. Even if they don't fumble, everyone enjoys doing what they
do well. So here's my tip: improve your work skills, not because it's good for your boss but
because it's good for you. The better you are at your job, the happier you'll be doing it.

You don't have to sink a fortune into school or crisscross the state in search of ballroom
conferences. Read a book. Talk with a co-worker. Visit a Web site. Every ounce of new
information will offer new energy

You Inc.
A few years ago I was listening to a program while driving to work. I can still remember how Jay
Abraham referred to his old jobs. (If you're unfamiliar, he's the bearded business guru who could
turn a lemonade stand into a multi-national, multi- million dollar enterprise--with a franchise in
the neighboring county.)

He was asked about the work experience that had turned his brain into a business machine. At
one point he said, "I made a huge profit from all of them."

He caught my attention with that one. Profit? Most people think in terms of a paycheck, but not
profit. The idea intrigued me.

From his perspective, he was president of Jay Abraham Inc long before he owned his first
company. Wherever hired, he was bringing in his corporation to help his client succeed. He was a
consultant, not an employee.

It was a simple twist that blossomed into stellar results.

Because Abraham looked at his jobs through the lens of self-employment, he was constantly
driven to improve and excel. His mind churned out idea after idea; his brain never stopped
scanning the scene for slivers of opportunity. After all, it was his company he was helping.

How would you act if you were the president of You Inc? What would you do differently if, instead
of working for someone else's business, you were offering the services of your company?
Motivational and Inspirational Stories

How I Rose From Abject Poverty.

By: Aaron Robinson

As I sit back in my office chair, gazing at the computer monitor that has a graphical layout of
Consciousness Magazine, I begin to reminisce about some of the obstacles and challenges I
went through. At a younger age, these challenges molded my life long passion for creativity
that has motivated me up to this point. Going through these stages were long lasting,
inspiring, artistic, and unpredictable. In most scenarios, these unpredictable events would
seem to have had a negative impact on my life, but instead, led me down a righteous path
that has always had a happy ending.

If it weren't for these challenges I may have never developed my skills in fine arts and
recording rap and hip-hop vocals. I say this because trials and tribulations, lifelong pain, and
believing in a higher power has motivated me to become passionately aware of the gifts I was
blessed with. When these talents were combined with my social, interpersonal, disciplined,
and leadership skills, the innovative "Consciousness Magazine" was born.

Consciousness Magazine wasn't an overnight realization; it took nearly a year of strategic

business planning after graduating from Columbia College in Chicago and living the life as a
starving hip-hop recording artist and professional graphic designer. I can remember when the
manifestation of this project was only a thought.

About three years ago, at a grocery store on the West side of Chicago, I saw a vision that I
was changing people's lives by inspiring them. I came to a halt and began reflecting on the
environment I was living in at the present time. At this given moment, my spirit was uneasy,
due to the fact that I was upset with the ignorance of people in general. I told my business
partner Lahad about the vision, and that a pamphlet is needed to provide people with inspiring
information that they may not be conscious of. He said, "That's a great idea!"

I felt as if this could be the catalyst to address people's problems and complaints. It was our
calling to help "make a difference!" I felt as if I needed to take action and do something about
this perpetual epidemic of ignorance that is causing people to destroy themselves and others.

A couple of years later I drew out the conceptual layout of the pamphlet. I never anticipated
developing a magazine so early at the beginning of my career.

While pursuing and working diligently on many projects in my life, I can say that
Consciousness Magazine has been the most challenging, especially pulling together a group of
people for a staff that have full time jobs, families, or are college students. My staff started off
with about 10 people. At the completion of this issue only four of those original members were
still around. Nevertheless, God blessed me with about 30 or more people who played an
important role in putting together this publication.

While continuing to reminisce on life over the past several years, I believe that my childhood
drove me to start my own business, Atron Productions, Incorporated. I always knew that I
would someday be an entrepreneur. I consider myself to have noble intentions. I want people
to know that there is hope out here. For the longest time I was struggling and I was
determined to be a voice for people letting them know that they can overcome all obstacles
that may be set in front of them. With this in mind, I pulled together my staff and contributors
to put together a magazine that has these qualities. These days' people need inspiration, a
need I feel that they don't get satisfied from contemporary media outlets. This belief was
shaped by my youth and life experiences.

I was born on the Westside of Chicago. When I was a few years old, my parents moved my
siblings, mentally ill uncle, and I to Hopkins Park, Illinois, a poverty stricken rural area. My
father being a shade tree carpenter and my mother a house-wife; it was hard for my siblings
and I to get some of the things we needed for school and as children.

I can recall only having two pair of pants when I was in the fifth grade. Students showed no
empathy when they saw me wear clothes back-to-back along with the holes that were
noticeable in my shoes. It didn't bother me. I always knew that I would one day grow into a
man and be able to get everything I ever desired. Being blessed with the talents to be a fine
artist, I knew that there would be a possible way out of poverty. This belief along with people
constantly telling me, at a young age, how important an education is are the key reasons as to
why I always wanted to help people change their lives so that they would not have to go
through the embarrassment and shame I've been through. I didn't know how I was going to
pursue this at such a young age.

I always had a strong family. Like most families, we had our problems. I honor my mother
who has "Southern hospitality." She instilled in her children the importance of values and
family at a young age. My siblings and I are all close. We all went to college except my oldest
sister who became mentally ill at a young age.

The family encountered a lot of tough times. I lost count of all the times that I can recall our
electric being shut off, and going without a house phone for months due to lack of finances to
pay the bills. During these conditions it was sometimes difficult for us to meet some of our
everyday needs such as eating the necessary foods for a complete diet. The winters were
worse but we strived every year to make life better. I can recall us having a wood heater. We
would block off the rooms and all of us would sleep in the kitchen or living room bundled up to
keep warm.

Some nights before school, we washed our clothes with our hands. We would hang them up
over a fan to dry. On warm days we would leave them to dry on an outdoor clothing line or
fence. Also, when the electric was cut off we pumped water from an outside well to supply us
with water. We protected and concealed our foods in metal or plastic containers to protect it
from the rats and roaches that contributed to the extra holes in the walls and floors of a once
condemned home that was progressively renovated by my father.

Since then, a new home has been built due to the fact that our house was burnt to the ground
several years ago because of a furnace problem. I can recall there was nearly two feet of snow
on the ground during the time of the burning. It was a blessing that everyone made it out
safely. This was a difficult time of our life, especially when we had no home insurance. Could
you imagine the only thing you owned were the clothes you stood shivering in on a freezing
winter day? By the time the fire department arrived to our property, there was only one wall
standing. Since then, I learned to not take anything for granted, appreciating life and valuing
people to the fullest.

During the time of the fire, I was a student at Kankakee Community College. My grades began
to drop. I dropped one class. I felt deprived, feeling as if I had nothing to live for. I basically
gave up all hope and faith. I was enrolled in two art classes and also gave up on those. Prior
to the burning, I could recall on a daily basis waking up around 3 in the morning to work on
art pieces. Sad to say, that drive was no longer there. I now found myself with nothing to do.

While our family was partially living with my Aunt Olivia, I had to plan days ahead to figure
out how I was going to commute from Hopkins Park to school four times a week. It became
very difficult because I did not have reliable transportation at the time and didn't know where
my next meal or money was going to come from. My parents needed to spend more time
running around trying to get life back in order after the fire and the car wasn't always
available to me.

Sometimes I packed extra clothes in my book bag and lived out of it occasionally. Since the
college was 20-30 minutes away from Hopkins Park I sometimes stayed with a friend or my
sister who lived in Kankakee. Having no place to stay and bouncing from house to house was
very detrimental. Nevertheless, I never made any excuses not to go to class. I knew that I
had to be in class even if I was discouraged and didn't do the homework for the next day.
Stepping foot in the school always gave me a sense that I was still doing something with my
life.. I just loved being in a productive atmosphere.

Deep down inside I was angry at the world, wanting a normal life. I would always question
myself: "Why am I going through so much hardship?"

The influential people in my life such as family, friends, strangers, and my former art
instructors helped me to change my negative attitude, and thinking pattern on how I felt
about life at the time. This is one of the reasons I hope to give out scholarships, so that I can
give someone the opportunity they think they may not have.

As time progressed, God was looking over me as I cried out for help and wanting change.
Within music, rather mine or others, I gradually found therapy, spirituality, and a source of
healing power. I repetitively played the song "God's Grace" by the inspirational group Trinity
5:7. An insertion of the lyrics in the song reads: "No weapon formed against thee shall
prosper." I strongly believe in this quote, which is a partial verse from Isaiah 54:55. Some
people may assume I am religious but I'm a spiritual and humble individual. I don't think that
categories and titles make up a persons character; it's all about what's in his or her heart.

If it wasn't for my passion for the arts, I may have fallen victim to the influence of taking more
to the street life or maybe ended up as another statistical black male in the court system by
making uneducated and unwise decisions. Believe me, nothing came easy. If you have a gift
you must continue to perfect it. That makes it more rewarding. It kept me out of trouble. As,
far as I can remember, I continued to draw, paint, write, record, and take up hobbies, such as
collecting sports trading cards to escape my reality. I didn't know that it was going to have so
much of an impact upon my future and the lives of others.

I can recall drawing graphical images at a younger age. During that time, I didn't know that I
was in preparation to earn a B.F.A. in Graphic Design or working on a magazine publication.
When I was recording music with a small radio and speaking into a broken microphone, I
didn't know that I was going to meet and perform with a professional music artist, or get
interviewed for radio stations.

Sometimes my life reminds me of the Richard Wright biography "Black Boy." While Reading
this book many years ago I can relate to some of the trials and tribulations he overcame, such
as leaving the South and moving to Chicago for a better opportunity to become a successful
writer. Along the same lines, I once moved to Chicago to finish college to become a successful
artist. Also, when Wright was younger, his house burned down.

As I went back and read the book for the second time, I became mesmerized, drawn into the
story of his life thinking, does Richard Wright live in me? He may not but he really motivated
me to express myself by writing, whether it was lyrics for music or dialog for a movie script. I
like to write in my spare time. Creative writing relieves my stress. For the most part, it
positions me in my own world.

I can say that I've truly been blessed. Sometimes you may feel that it's the end of the world
as you cope with certain problems or situations. All along, it is happening for a reason. At the
same time, we must acknowledge the small details in our life that cause us to have problems.
Sometimes we consciously or unconsciously make incorrect decisions, which lead to pain and
suffering. In most cases, situations are unpredictable. Work them out, move on, and try to
make some sense out of the situation if you can. Don't dwell on the problem if it can't be fixed
at the moment. Let time take its course. Then go to your favorite relaxation spot like I go to
my office. Sit back, reminisce, meditate and appreciate the present moment.

Motivational and Inspirational Stories

The Power of Belief.

By: Scott DiCicco

After the teams for the 2003-2004 MBHL Hockey Season our team was thought to be the
worst team in the league. My team battled throughout the whole season losing to teams large
amounts. Everyone got down on themselves and thought that we couldnt do it.

With six games left in the season we had to win all of them to make it to the playoffs. Our
coach told us that if we wanted to show everyone that we were a good team we had to make
it to the playoffs. My team battled hard and we did it we made it to the playoffs.

We made 2 huge upsets in the playoffs to make it to the League Championship against the #1
team who was undefeated and had beaten us 12-0. Before the game our coach got us
motivated and prepared for the biggest game of our lives.

We came out with heart and we were determined to win and we did 3-2 in overtime and we
shocked the whole league. We had pulled a huge upset and won the 2003-2004 League
Championship with heart, hard work and never losing sight of our dream.

Motivational and Inspirational Stories

A Wake Up Call.
By: Catherine Pulsifer

During the month of September, a dear friend of mine lost her husband suddenly in an
accident. The tragedy was a shock to everyone.
This accident was sudden and certainly unexpected. It drove home the realization that you
just don't know when a loved one is no longer going to be with you. We sometimes take our
love ones for granted, and we expect that they will be with us forever. However, as we all
know, life does not work that way and sometimes we get a wake up call that shocks us and
makes us stand back and realize how short life is.

In consoling her, I tried to imagine if I was in her shoes how would I feel. It was impossible to
imagine what she was going through. What words do I say to help her?

Sometimes words just can not express our feelings. Sometimes our actions are much more
meaningful than words. A hug can sometimes express more than our words will ever express.
Sometimes, just being there to listen is more meaningful and helpful to people.

A SECOND WAKE UP CALL.

As I was leaving the funeral parlor, I ran into a Marilyn. Marilyn has been a true friend to me
over the years. She is one of those friends who is with you in the good times and is always by
your side in the bad times. She has a sense of humor that makes everyone laugh and she
makes everyone feel at ease. We chit chatted for a few moments, and then she asked me how
my job was. So I started talking and talking and talking (am sure she wished she had never
asked, ha) I was having a stressful week with my job and I was telling her all the issues and
how I was feeling. She listened to me as I was raving about my frustrations, then without
saying a word, she took her hands and placed them on my face, and said to me, "But at least
you had a day."

The touch of her hands on my cheeks, the calmness in her voice, and the words she spoke,
"BUT AT LEAST YOU HAD A DAY", hit me like a ton of bricks. All the frustrations, all the
stress that was building up inside of me - came to a complete stop.

Since that day, when I start feeling stressed, I remind myself of Marilyn's words - but at least
I had a day! Things could be a lot worse, the stress of the situation always could be worse, but
I am alive and I have a lot to be thankful for - so I shall not waste my days with stress and
frustrations - Life is too short!

Catherine Pulsifer is one of the authors of Stress Less Country - A journey to simplicity and
a frugal lifestyle!

Motivational and Inspirational Stories

Breaking Through Uncertainty

By: Jim McCormick

We all question our ability at times. Uncertainty plagues us. It is even more intense if the
ability we are questioning relates to something we have never tried or not succeeded at in the
past.

Set backs are common, but we rarely welcome them. We are inclined to respond negatively to
adversity. It may be time to revisit that reflexive response.
I had an experience recently that caused me to reconsider whether a negative response to
adversity is always justified when I was confronted with a life-threatening situation.

It was mid-morning on a warm and pleasant Saturday. I was in the midst of my first skydive
of the day. It was my 2,123th jump since having taken up the sport fifteen years ago.

After about one minute of freefall and 5,000 above the ground, I parted ways with my fellow
jumpers to get far enough away from them to open my parachute safely. I initiated opening
around 3,000 feet above the earth.

My parachute opened with some twists in the lines between the parachute and me. This is not
that uncommon. What was different this time was that I was not able to clear the twists.

The twists in the lines caused my parachute to take on an asymmetrical shape. Receiving
asymmetrical inputs, the canopy did what it is designed to do and initiated a turn -- that's how
it's steered. The problem occurred when the turn quickly became a rapid, diving downward
spiral that was spinning me a full 360 degrees about once every second. This was a problem.

I looked up to assess my canopy and saw something I don't often see - the horizon clearly
visible ABOVE the trailing edge of my canopy. This meant my canopy and I were now on
roughly the same horizontal plane. In that I could see the horizon behind it, I was actually
above my parachute and it was leading our fast spinning parade rapidly towards mother earth.

My first need was to acknowledge that I was not going to be able to solve this problem. This is
not as easy as it seems. Having successfully completed over 2,100 jumps without having to
resort to my second parachute, it was hard for me to believe I had really encountered a
problem I could not solve. I had a natural inclination to assume I could fix this problem as I
had all those in the past.

Sound familiar? It's always easy to lapse into denial when confronted with a problem. Until we
acknowledge the problem and our possible inability to solve it - or to use the methods we
have used in the past - we don't have a chance of making things better.

Fortunately, the urgency of this situation caused my hard-headed nature to yield much quicker
than usual. That decision probably took a second or two.

The next step, having accepted the need to follow a different course than in the past, was to
determine the course. Fortunately fifteen years of training and practice before every day of
jumping took hold.

I looked straight down at the two handles on either side of my chest - one to release me from
my malfunctioning canopy and one for deploying my reserve parachute - and realized I
needed to quickly get them in my hands. I could not help but notice when I made eye contact
with them, as had been ingrained in me during my First Jump Course way back in 1988, that
by now the rapid spins had turned me back to earth and there beyond my toes was once again
the horizon. This was bad!

Time was of the essence at this point not only because I was now rapidly progressing toward
the horse pasture below me, but also because the centrifugal force I was starting to
experience would soon make it impossible to get my hands to those two handles.
With my hands now securely on the handles, I was confronted with a bothersome question,
"Now, which one goes first." The wrong order could cause my reserve parachute to deploy into
my spinning main parachute which would result in an incurable entanglement.

Fortunately, ingrained training once again took over and I pulled them in the right order. First
the handle on the right side which released me from my spinning main parachute followed by
the handle on the left side to deploy my reserve parachute.

This brought on a wonderful experience. My malfunctioning black, teal and magenta canopy
was replaced with a bright, yellow never before used reserve parachute. What a lovely sight!
And all this by 1,700 feet - plenty of time to spare.

Many years ago, I read a book about the challenges and responsibilities of Secret Service
agents. One of the sad aspects of that profession is that agents who never have the chance to
validate their years of training by responding to a threat sometimes struggle severely in
retirement. They are faced with not knowing - with certainty - how they would respond when
faced with the paramount challenge their career can deliver. For this reason, agents who have
faced such a challenge successfully are admired within the culture of the Service.

That Saturday morning, I had the privilege of facing a similar, life-threatening and I now
realize life-defining challenge. I faced what Secret Service agents call "the dragon."

For all of us the greater dragon is not the external threat, whether it be an assassin's bullet,
the unforgiving and fast approaching earth or another challenge. The real dragon is the self-
doubt we carry within us.

For those few splendid moments after landing safely, I was able to put my foot firmly on the
neck of the dragon ... and it felt great.

Keep this in mind the next time you are confronted with adversity. On the far side of the
experiences the adversity presents, there could be a valuble gift - a renewed confidence and
certainty.

Jim McCormick draws on his engineering degree, MBA and experience as a Chief Operating
Officer of an international design firm to help organizations improve performance. He is co-
author of Motivational Selling, editor of 365 Daily Doses of Courage and author of the
forthcoming book Seize Opportunity - A Practical Guide to Taking Advantage of Opportunities.
Jim is also a three time skydiving World Record holder and was a member of an international
expedition that skydived to the North Pole. More information is available at
www.TakeRisks.com and 970.577.8700.

Motivational and Inspirational Stories

Leaving The Child Behind.

By: Fatimah Musa
I looked at my father for the last time before he was finally laid to rest. And I said to myself,
"I forgive you father." I have forgiven him but I have not forgotten the turmoil, terror and
abuse that I went through.

My father was working away most of the time when I was growing up. But when he was
home, he was violent. I remembered crying in the middle of the night listening to him beating
up my mother. I could hear her sobs. And I wept because I could not do anything about it.

I was terrified of him. We were not supposed to do any thing wrong according to his terms.
When I was six years old he pushed my head so hard onto the floor. I still have the scar on
my forehead.

When my mother was diagnosed with depression, the four of us siblings had to move and we
lived with him. He hired someone to take care of us while he was away at work.

There was so much fear in us when he was back. My father was so angry with one of my
brother's one day that he turned him upside down and wanted to throw him off. I watched
that episode with horror.

From then on, I tried not to make any mistakes. I wept inside because he did not want to hear
any whimpers. And I continued watching him vent his anger on the rest of my siblings.

When my father divorced my mother, I did not know how to feel or react. My mother was back
with us but her depression kept relapsing. We were neglected.

I found solace from friends at school. I enjoyed reading stories and literature. I spent my time
in the school library. There was no home sweet home.

My mother could not take care of me. My father took me away to live with his new family. It
did not work out. I was sent to a welfare home.

I did not deserve to be abandoned but I was helpless. I was mad with my father. I was not
angry with my mother but I just did not understand why she had to be sick.

Until recently, I did not want to admit that my childhood affected me emotionally and
mentally. I have brought the memories of bygone age along into my daily existence.

In all my relationships, everything went well until my partners suggested on serious

commitments. I would then sabotage the relationships.

I was not able to open up to anyone. I was very defensive when given any advice or opinion
on my attitude and behavior.

When there were arguments, I clamped up or walked off. I never wanted to face any issues
and resolve them.

And I would not cry in front of anyone no matter how sad or hurt I was. I remembered a time
when my sister was badly wounded and hospitalized. I did not want anyone to see me cry. I
walked away and cried my heart out alone in a secluded place.
I excelled in my career by putting in lots of hours and efforts. Now I realized that it was one
way of escaping reality. I kept myself so busy so that I do not notice things that needed
attention. I was using work as a means to avoid commitments.

There was one thing that I gained from the experience of being abandoned. I was able to sit
quietly alone for hours and reflect.

It has developed my fascination on nature's beauty. I love the feel of the wind blowing on my
face. I enjoy watching the rain falling. And no matter how bad the weather is, it is still
beautiful.

I became curious about many things. I questioned others and myself about life and how some
things happen to certain people. I wondered why people behave the way they do. I looked for
the answers.

I have developed the strength to persevere. But that is not enough. I want to become a
survivor who is able to balance her life and enjoy the abundance that the universe has to
offer.

I have decided to break myself free from the shackles of my fragile upbringing. I promise
myself that I will not allow my past to continue ruining my future.

This child has grown up and will not weep in silence anymore.

Motivational and Inspirational Stories

How I Rose From Abject Poverty

By: Aaron Robinson

As I sit back in my office chair, gazing at the computer monitor that has a graphical layout of
Consciousness Magazine, I begin to reminisce about some of the obstacles and challenges I
went through. At a younger age, these challenges molded my life long passion for creativity
that has motivated me up to this point. Going through these stages were long lasting,
inspiring, artistic, and unpredictable. In most scenarios, these unpredictable events would
seem to have had a negative impact on my life, but instead, led me down a righteous path
that has always had a happy ending. If it weren't for these challenges I may have never
developed my skills in fine arts and recording rap and hip-hop vocals. I say this because trials
and tribulations, life long pain, and believing in a higher power has motivated me to become
passionately aware of the gifts I was blessed with. When these talents were combined with my
social, interpersonal, disciplined, and leadership skills, the innovative "Consciousness
Magazine" was born. Consciousness Magazine wasn't an overnight realization; it took nearly a
year of strategic business planning after graduating from Columbia College in Chicago and
living the life as a starving hip-hop recording artist and professional graphic designer. I can
remember when the manifestation of this project was only a thought. About three years ago,
at a grocery store on the West side of Chicago, I saw a vision that I was changing people's
lives by inspiring them. I came to a halt and began reflecting on the environment I was living
in at the present time. At this given moment, my spirit was uneasy, due to the fact that I was
upset with the ignorance of people in general. I told my business partner Lahad about the
vision, and that a pamphlet is needed to provide people with inspiring information that they
may not be conscious of. He said, "That's a great idea!".
I felt as if this could be the catalyst to address people's problems and complaints. It was our
calling to help "make a difference!" I felt as if I needed to take action and do something about
this perpetual epidemic of ignorance that is causing people to destroy themselves and others.
A couple of years later I drew out the conceptual layout of the pamphlet. I never anticipated
developing a magazine so early at the beginning of my career. While pursuing and working
diligently on many projects in my life, I can say that Consciousness Magazine has been the
most challenging, especially pulling together a group of people for a staff that have full time
jobs, families, or are college students. My staff started off with about 10 people. At the
completion of this issue only four of those original members were still around. Nevertheless,
God blessed me with about 30 or more people who played an important role in putting
together this publication. While continuing to reminisce on life over the past several years, I
believe that my childhood drove me to start my own business, Atron Productions,
Incorporated. I always knew that I would someday be an entrepreneur. I consider myself to
have noble intentions. I want people to know that there is hope out here. For the longest time
I was struggling and I was determined to be a voice for people letting them know that they
can overcome all obstacles that may be set in front of them. With this in mind, I pulled
together my staff and contributors to put together a magazine that has these qualities. These
days' people need inspiration, a need I feel that they don't get satisfied from contemporary
media outlets. This belief was shaped by my youth and life experiences. I was born on the
Westside of Chicago. When I was a few years old, my parents moved my siblings, mentally ill
uncle, and I to Hopkins Park, Illinois, a poverty stricken rural area. My father being a shade
tree carpenter and my mother a house-wife; it was hard for my siblings and I to get some of
the things we needed for school and as children. I can recall only having two pair of pants
when I was in the fifth grade. Students showed no empathy when they saw me wear clothes
back-to-back along with the holes that were noticeable in my shoes. It didn't bother me. I
always knew that I would one day grow into a man and be able to get everything I ever
desired. Being blessed with the talents to be a fine artist, I knew that there would be a
possible way out of poverty. This belief along with people constantly telling me, at a young
age, how important an education is are the key reasons as to why I always wanted to help
people change their lives so that they would not have to go through the embarrassment and
shame I've been through. I didn't know how I was going to pursue this at such a young age. I
always had a strong family. Like most families, we had our problems. I honor my mother who
has "Southern hospitality." She instilled in her children the importance of values and family at
a young age. My siblings and I are all close. We all went to college except my oldest sister
who became mentally ill at a young age. The family encountered a lot of tough times. I lost
count of all the times that I can recall our electric being shut off, and going without a house
phone for months due to lack of finances to pay the bills. During these conditions it was
sometimes difficult for us to meet some of our everyday needs such as eating the necessary
foods for a complete diet. The winters were worse but we strived every year to make life
better. I can recall us having a wood heater. We would block off the rooms and all of us would
sleep in the kitchen or living room bundled up to keep warm. Some nights before school, we
washed our clothes with our hands. We would hang them up over a fan to dry. On warm days
we would leave them to dry on an outdoor clothing line or fence. Also, when the electric was
cut off we pumped water from an outside well to supply us with water. We protected and
concealed our foods in metal or plastic containers to protect it from the rats and roaches that
contributed to the extra holes in the walls and floors of a once condemned home that was
progressively renovated by my father. Since then, a new home has been built due to the fact
that our house was burnt to the ground several years ago because of a furnace problem. I can
recall there was nearly two feet of snow on the ground during the time of the burning. It was a
blessing that everyone made it out safely. This was a difficult time of our life, especially when
we had no home insurance. Could you imagine the only thing you owned were the clothes you
stood shivering in on a freezing winter day? By the time the fire department arrived to our
property, there was only one wall standing. Since then, I learned to not take anything for
granted, appreciating life and valuing people to the fullest. During the time of the fire, I was a
student at Kankakee Community College. My grades began to drop. I dropped one class. I felt
deprived, feeling as if I had nothing to live for. I basically gave up all hope and faith. I was
enrolled in two art classes and also gave up on those. Prior to the burning, I could recall on a
daily basis waking up around 3 in the morning to work on art pieces. Sad to say, that drive
was no longer there. I now found myself with nothing to do. While our family was partially
living with my Aunt Olivia, I had to plan days ahead to figure out how I was going to commute
from Hopkins Park to school four times a week. It became very difficult because I did not have
reliable transportation at the time and didn't know where my next meal or money was going
to come from. My parents needed to spend more time running around trying to get life back in
order after the fire and the car wasn't always available to me. Sometimes I packed extra
clothes in my book bag and lived out of it occasionally. Since the college was 20-30 minutes
away from Hopkins Park I sometimes stayed with a friend or my sister who lived in Kankakee.
Having no place to stay and bouncing from house to house was very detrimental.
Nevertheless, I never made any excuses not to go to class. I knew that I had to be in class
even if I was discouraged and didn't do the homework for the next day. Stepping foot in the
school always gave me a sense that I was still doing something with my life.. I just loved
being in a productive atmosphere. Deep down inside I was angry at the world, wanting a
normal life. I would always question myself: "Why am I going through so much hardship?" The
influential people in my life such as family, friends, strangers, and my former art instructors
helped me to change my negative attitude, and thinking pattern on how I felt about life at the
time. This is one of the reasons I hope to give out scholarships, so that I can give someone
the opportunity they think they may not have. As time progressed, God was looking over me
as I cried out for help and wanting change. Within music, rather mine or others, I gradually
found therapy, spirituality, and a source of healing power. I repetitively played the song
"God's Grace" by the inspirational group Trinity 5:7. An insertion of the lyrics in the song
reads: "No weapon formed against thee shall prosper." I strongly believe in this quote, which
is a partial verse from Isaiah 54:55. Some people may assume I am religious but I'm a
spiritual and humble individual. I don't think that categories and titles make up a persons
character; it's all about what's in his or her heart. If it wasn't for my passion for the arts, I
may have fallen victim to the influence of taking more to the street life or maybe ended up as
another statistical black male in the court system by making uneducated and unwise
decisions. Believe me, nothing came easy. If you have a gift you must continue to perfect it.
That makes it more rewarding. It kept me out of trouble. As, far as I can remember, I
continued to draw, paint, write, record, and take up hobbies, such as collecting sports trading
cards to escape my reality. I didn't know that it was going to have so much of an impact upon
my future and the lives of others. I can recall drawing graphical images at a younger age.
During that time, I didn't know that I was in preparation to earn a B.F.A. in Graphic Design or
working on a magazine publication. When I was recording music with a small radio and
speaking into a broken microphone, I didn't know that I was going to meet and perform with a
professional music artist, or get interviewed for radio stations. Sometimes my life reminds me
of the Richard Wright biography "Black Boy." While Reading this book many years ago I can
relate to some of the trials and tribulations he overcame, such as leaving the South and
moving to Chicago for a better opportunity to become a successful writer. Along the same
lines, I once moved to Chicago to finish college to become a successful artist. Also, when
Wright was younger, his house burned down. As I went back and read the book for the second
time, I became mesmerized, drawn into the story of his life thinking, does Richard Wright live
in me? He may not but he really motivated me to express myself by writing, whether it was
lyrics for music or dialog for a movie script. I like to write in my spare time. Creative writing
relieves my stress. For the most part, it positions me in my own world. I can say that I've
truly been blessed. Sometimes you may feel that it's the end of the world as you cope with
certain problems or situations. All along, it is happening for a reason. At the same time, we
must acknowledge the small details in our life that cause us to have problems. Sometimes we
consciously or unconsciously make incorrect decisions, which lead to pain and suffering. In
most cases, situations are unpredictable. Work them out, move on, and try to make some
sense out of the situation if you can. Don't dwell on the problem if it can't be fixed at the
moment. Let time take its course. Then go to your favorite relaxation spot like I go to my
office. Sit back, reminisce, meditate and appreciate the present moment.

Motivational and Inspirational Stories

A Touch of Heaven.
By: Tim Reynolds

It had been a very disheartening day. The doctors had given us the worst of news. Our
daughter, who had just completed her first brain surgery to remove a tumor and was going
through radiation treatments, was now offically given a two percent chance of survival as this
type of cancer had no cure.

My wife and I decided to take our daughter to lunch before continuing our afternoon
conversations. We went to a local resteraunt where we sat in silence waiting for the waitress.
Our daughter Molly wouldn't hear of such sadness or silence so she played happily with
crayons and paper while we sat and stared at the floor.

I noticed a very elderly couple sitting a few booths away, they too in silence never speaking a
word. I couldn't help but wonder what challenges they had faced in their life and if they ever
faced such terrible news about a child of theirs.

We eventually ordered our lunch and still sitting in silence we ate what we could. At some
point I became intrigued by the old couple and I watched them more intently with each
passing minute. I thought to myself that they hadn't yet spoken to each other and I wondered
if it was the peace they were enjoying or the food or maybe both. However, at some point I
lost interest and put my focus back on my lunch.

Molly was still talking away and enjoying her meal and her mom and I both listened and tried
to be happy in her presence but it wasn't going very well. All of a sudden I saw this hand
come out of nowhere. It was huge and I could tell that it had been afflicted with arthritis. The
knuckles were swollen and the fingers were crooked and off center. I couldn't take my eyes of
that hand. The hand drifted down and landed on my daughter's tiny six year old hand and as it
did I looked up; it was the old woman who had been sitting with the old man in silence eating
their lunch.

I looked into her eyes and she spoke, but not to me. She looked at my daughter and simply
whispered, "If I could do more for you I would." And then she smiled and moved away to join
her husband who had moved towards the door.

I heard a "Hey look, a whole dollar." Molly spoke with excitment as she discovered that the old
lady had placed a crumpled one dollar bill on the back of her hand. I looked down and saw the
dollar bill and quickly realized that it had been left behind by the old lady. I looked up to thank
her, but she was gone. I sat stunned, not sure what had just happended and then I looked
over at my wife. In almost unison, we broke out into a smile. The sadness of the day had been
wiped out by the crippled hand and generous touch of an old lady.

The dollar, although exciting to Molly, was not what made us smile or begin to feel differently,
it was the offer from an old lady who felt our hurt and our suffering. The crippled hand
symbolized a healing touch and made us realize that we did not have to fight this battle alone;
that others cared and wanted to help. We felt up-lifted and soon our day filled with more
happy thoughts as we spent the rest of our lunch planning the next day at home with fun filled
activities for eveyone.

I will never forget that crippled arthritic hand that taught us such an important lesson. One
does not have to go through life facing hardships all alone; the world is full of compassionate
and understanding people. Even those that are suffering from their own afflictions have much
to give to each other.

The hand that covered Molly's on that day still covers it. And although Molly is no longer with
me, I can see her holding hands with that old lady now, both hands perfect and both faces
filled with smiles and laughter. And though Heaven has these two perfect angels now, the
lessons that they both taught me will remain forever in my heart.

Motivational and Inspirational Stories

Climb Every Mountain In Life

By: Sean Swarner

I'm actually the first (and only) cancer survivor to summit the world's highest mountain... Mt.
Everest. When I was only 13, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease and given three months
to live. When I was 15, I was diagnosed with Askin's Sarcoma. The prognosis was much worse
as the doctors gave me only two weeks to live. Again, I survived.

Being the only person in the world to have ever had these two cancers, I really felt I should
share my story to help motivate others and influence lives. On May 16th, 2002 at 9:32am, I
became the first cancer survivor to summit Mt. Everest.

Since then, I have been lucky enough to reach the summits of three more of the world's seven
highest peaks and have spoken internationally about my life and adventures to countless
people and organizations. On the summit of Everest I brought a flag adorned with names of
people who have been affected by cancer and left it on the top of the world forever
commemorating the struggle of cancer patients worldwide.

I did the same to the highest point in Africa, Europe and just recently returned from 23,000-
foot Aconcagua in South America! My ultimate goal is to climb the highest mountain on each
continent AND trek to the North and South poles.

I am covering the globe with inspiration. There are plans for live chat sessions during the
expeditions as well as TV spots and live summit bids from a number of the mountains! The
reason for these expeditions is to inspire those affected by cancer (as well as anyone with a
pulse!) to dream big and never give up.

My Uncomfortable Secret to Motivation

A five-letter word is my secret.

As you probably know, routine casts a trance-like power with devastating impact. As a result, it is
an absolute necessity to break free of its grasp.
If you can't find a way out of the vicious pattern and into a new set of thoughts, feelings, and
actions, you have no hope of changing or improving your life.

Consider this five-letter word my guaranteed release.

Working with remarkable speed, it personally shakes me out of autopilot, delivers an eye-opening
wake-up call, and motivates with more force than anything I know.

Not bad for a five-letter word.

My hope--and my assumption--is that it will have the same positive effect on you.

The Word, My Release

I know a time will come when I'll no longer be able to act on the things I want, the things I've
dreamed about experiencing and things I've always wished to become.

I will have to let them go. I will have to let go of all those exciting ideas I tossed about in my mind,
all the goals carefully constructed while daydreaming.

They will have to be put to rest, once and for all. And I will never experience them.

Never.

This is a frightening thought for me. It is startling, can be gut-wrenching, and tip-toes toward
terrifying.

But it's also something else. And it's here, on the other side of the coin, that I find my secret.

The Flip-Side of the Word

Coming to grips with reality can be scary.

So much so, that most men and women choose the other door. They hide from the truth and tuck
their dreams into the fairytale 'someday.'

'I'll do it someday...someday.'

A sigh of relief follows and it's back to the safe and comfy routine. No need to face fears, no need
to rise to challenges, no need to take action. That will all happen someday--but not today.

If only this were true. It is not.

Here is the truth: Someday eventually meets the edge of the cliff. Someday eventually runs out.

Someday eventually turns into never.

Frightening? Perhaps. But it's also your way out. It's also your release from the routine that
strangles your hopes and dreams.

By focusing intently--and I mean intently-- on 'never,' in regard to your lifelong wishes and wants,
you will be shocked out of your pattern of procrastination and jolted into a new mindset.

You'll have the motivation you need to stop hesitating because you know, without question, if you
keep it up, you'll never experience the life you've been waiting for all these years.

Without action, talk is only noise. Below is what I do in particular to get the most out of this five-
letter word. It's something you can do, anytime and any place, to dismantle procrastination and
ignite your inner drive.
Action Steps - Short & Sweet
Think of something you want. Not a lip-service dream, but something you truly desire, something
either for yourself or for someone else.

Our results have shown that people imagine themselves experiencing the joys of progress or
success when asked to think of a goal.

This time I want you to do the opposite.

I want you to imagine, vividly, that your idea, your chosen dream or goal, cannot happen. No
matter what you do, you'll never get it. Never. Never.

If you do it right, you'll feel anxious, like you have to get up out of your seat right now and do
something before time runs out. This is the power of 'never.'

Don't hide from the truth. Let it smack you in the face and punch you in the gut. Only then can it
snap you out of the routine and drive you into action. Only then can it change your life.

If you don't do something now, you may never do it then.

Never hide, never avoid, never run from 'never.' Use it as a fire to place beneath your greatest
ideas and accept it as a truth that can set you free.

Embrace...'never.'

The Real Killer of Motivation

Routine is a murderer.

Years ago, before starting the Motivation123 Web site, I had pockets full of plans and ideas. My
mind was in a constant state of activity.

As for my reality, nothing ever changed. Nothing in my life went in the directions I had hoped for.
It got to the point that I began to doubt whether or not a better life was even possible. Could I
change?

Then, while paging through a magazine at the doctor's office, I came across a question, just a
short team of words that gripped my attention.

It was simple--as most powerful truths are--but it made an immediate impact. And from that day
I possessed a key to progress that has served me ever since.

Before we get to that answer, however, we need to pin down the problem.

The Killer
In a word, it's routine.

It's the pattern of living that, like molten lava, slowly crawls into adulthood, covering and
consuming our hopes, dreams, and ambitions.

It's doing the same thing every day because that's what you've always done. It's a vicious circle of
repeating actions and events that leads to nowhere.

The reason nothing was changing in my life was because I was stuck in a routine. Every day I
followed the same basic outline of living: wake, work, sleep, repeat.
I had new ideas, to be sure, but my actions were old.

Then I was hit with the truth while waiting - for what seemed like weeks - in my doctor's waiting
room.

The Question I Took with Me

The sad reality is that most people never realize what is happening until it's too late. That is the
skill and cunning of habit and routine.

It wraps its arms around the minutes and hours of your life, distracting and luring you into
autopilot, into a dazed mode of living.

All the while, the little time you have to construct your ideal experiences is being sucked away,
stolen.

Routine is a murderer. It kills hope and the chance for change. It blinds us to the truth and with a
scalpel cuts away our goals and ideas. Routine puts a hand in the face of growth and
improvement, leaving room for nothing but the same.

You need a way out of the routine. And for me, the way out came in the form of a question:

'If you continue to follow the same patterns, what are the chances you'll ever experience the things
you want to do and ever become the person you hope to be?'

I read the sentence again. What would my chances be? Things hadn't worked out so far, so why
would doing the same thing result in anything different?

My Realization
I had my answer. My chances were none.

I would never do the things I had always thought about, never grow into the character I hoped for.
If I followed the same routines, the same patterns, I could expect pretty much what I had been
getting.

For some, this is the perfect scenario. But for me, I wanted more. I knew how much life had to
offer and I wanted to dive in head first. I wanted to experience it all and live a life worth living
again.

I looked around the office, looked at the people next to me. None of us would reach that place
without a change in pattern. We were all trapped in a circle of habit.

This brings us face to face with a truth that most men and women would rather avoid.

It's relieving to let our goals live in 'someday.' We don't have to worry about never attaining them.
Instead, we can put them off and fool ourselves.

'It will happen someday.' No, it won't.

The truth is, if you don't change your routine now, you will never reach those goals. You will never
wake up to a life that matches the one in your mind. Never.

Don't hide from this. Accept it. Embrace it. Use it to smash through the chains of routine and
drive you into a new way of life, into a new pattern of progress.

The Real Killer of Motivation

Routine is a murderer.
Years ago, before starting the Motivation123 Web site, I had pockets full of plans and ideas. My
mind was in a constant state of activity.

As for my reality, nothing ever changed. Nothing in my life went in the directions I had hoped for.
It got to the point that I began to doubt whether or not a better life was even possible. Could I
change?

Then, while paging through a magazine at the doctor's office, I came across a question, just a
short team of words that gripped my attention.

It was simple--as most powerful truths are--but it made an immediate impact. And from that day
I possessed a key to progress that has served me ever since.

Before we get to that answer, however, we need to pin down the problem.

The Killer
In a word, it's routine.

It's the pattern of living that, like molten lava, slowly crawls into adulthood, covering and
consuming our hopes, dreams, and ambitions.

It's doing the same thing every day because that's what you've always done. It's a vicious circle of
repeating actions and events that leads to nowhere.

The reason nothing was changing in my life was because I was stuck in a routine. Every day I
followed the same basic outline of living: wake, work, sleep, repeat.

I had new ideas, to be sure, but my actions were old.

Then I was hit with the truth while waiting - for what seemed like weeks - in my doctor's waiting
room.

The Question I Took with Me

The sad reality is that most people never realize what is happening until it's too late. That is the
skill and cunning of habit and routine.

It wraps its arms around the minutes and hours of your life, distracting and luring you into
autopilot, into a dazed mode of living.

All the while, the little time you have to construct your ideal experiences is being sucked away,
stolen.

Routine is a murderer. It kills hope and the chance for change. It blinds us to the truth and with a
scalpel cuts away our goals and ideas. Routine puts a hand in the face of growth and
improvement, leaving room for nothing but the same.

You need a way out of the routine. And for me, the way out came in the form of a question:

'If you continue to follow the same patterns, what are the chances you'll ever experience the things
you want to do and ever become the person you hope to be?'

I read the sentence again. What would my chances be? Things hadn't worked out so far, so why
would doing the same thing result in anything different?

My Realization
I had my answer. My chances were none.
I would never do the things I had always thought about, never grow into the character I hoped for.
If I followed the same routines, the same patterns, I could expect pretty much what I had been
getting.

For some, this is the perfect scenario. But for me, I wanted more. I knew how much life had to
offer and I wanted to dive in head first. I wanted to experience it all and live a life worth living
again.

I looked around the office, looked at the people next to me. None of us would reach that place
without a change in pattern. We were all trapped in a circle of habit.

This brings us face to face with a truth that most men and women would rather avoid.

It's relieving to let our goals live in 'someday.' We don't have to worry about never attaining them.
Instead, we can put them off and fool ourselves.

'It will happen someday.' No, it won't.

The truth is, if you don't change your routine now, you will never reach those goals. You will never
wake up to a life that matches the one in your mind. Never.

Don't hide from this. Accept it. Embrace it. Use it to smash through the chains of routine and
drive you into a new way of life, into a new pattern of progress.

Get Them in Writing

It's critical that you get them in writing. Not goals or ambitions. No, we're not talking about
creating a clear target. Instead, we're talking about uncovering a clear obstacle.

Few people like to admit that they're afraid to do something. They also don't enjoy admitting that
they'd rather not work toward improvement. The way out? The always-available excuse.

What's Your Excuse?

Whether it's a packed schedule or the fact of kids still in school, people will reach for anything
that gets them out of the hot water of fear or sacrifice.

It's not that you're afraid to break free of your dead-end job and find something truly rewarding;
it's simply that you don't have the time right now.

Obviously, with excuses covering up the truth, nothing ever changes. And even more clear is the
fact that you need to break free of these destructive traps of illusion.

Where to Begin
Because these little nuggets of falsehood have enjoyed so much use in the past, it's difficult to call
them out the moment they rise to the surface; they've become so ingrained that using an excuse is
more of reflex than rational thought.

This problem is solved with a pen and paper.

By writing out, word for word, the excuses you've used in the past to avoid doing things that scare
you or things that require sacrifice, you'll shine the light on your rationalizations.

You can even ask friends or family the typical ‘reasons' you've offered to explain your inaction.

When you've uncovered your patterns of explanation, you'll be ready the next moment they come
to mind. Instead of talking you out of action, you'll know better. You'll know it's just your excuse
reflex at work and finally break free of the trap of rationalization.

An Olympic Lesson in Motivation

The saying goes: The expert in anything was once a beginner in everything. Truer words were
never spoken.

But this isn't what we see. This isn't what we feel when we watch these Olympians. It isn't what we
think when we watch any expert or great success.

We see the finished product, shining brightly in designer packaging. We see triumph and
achievement, not training. We see the riches, not the rags.

And this, as much as anything else, is why motivation - that inner drive that carries us toward all
we desire - continues to escape us.

Today that comes to an end. Today I will open your eyes to a new way of viewing the changes you
wish to carry out and the challenges that are attempting to stop you.

The Olympians we admire might possess unique physical talent and natural gifts, but that inner
fire that compels them forward is within us all. It's time to set it free.

Authors Don't Write Books

Whether it's a a friend who lost forty pounds or a track star streaking across the screen, our eyes
can only see what is in front of us.

And more often than not, that picture of success is daunting.

It's overwhelming, to see ourselves reaching those heights. No, it's more than that. It's
unbelievable.

When we view success at its peak, we feel separated from it. We see ourselves as incapable of
doing something similar.

Take a book, for instance.

Seeing a novel on a shelf leads to the same conclusion in the minds of anyone posed with the
question: 'Oh, I could never write a book.'

This view is all wrong. The reason? Authors don't write books.

What Do Authors Write?

Authors don't write books; authors write words.

This is one of the most important ideas to understand. I know it sounds simple, but it separates
those who progress from those who wish and wait.

We've already said that most see the finished product and feel overwhelmed by the prospect of
achieving the same goal.

If this only occurred when watching an Olympic athlete, there would be little issue. But that's not
how it works. We get that same sense of inability when viewing any worthwhile achievement.

Losing weight, finding a new career, starting a business or new relationship, overcoming personal
debt - these are outcomes millions wish to pursue but don't believe they can achieve.
They can't see past the finished product.

To get motivated, to truly ignite your drive, you must see your goals as achievable. You must
believe in yourself and your abilities. You must see success, not as a matter of unattainable
greatness, but merely as a matter of time.

Losing weight begins with a single decision. Finding the job you love begins with a single Google
search. And starting a new relationship begins with a single look.

The world is built upon blocks, not one massive stone.

One step, one movement, one decision, one action. These are the things that feed success. These
are things that you can do today.

Where Do You Shine?

Money is not the key to happiness. More ‘stuff' is not the key to happiness. Winning the lottery
and spending the rest of your life on a tropical island - while intoxicating to the ear - is not the key
to happiness.

What is, on the other hand, is exciting news.

Over the past few years, science and psychology have been experiencing quite a shift in focus,
thanks to men such as Dr. Martin Seligman. It couldn't have come too soon.

The New Psychology

Through his work at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Seligman has created an entirely new
branch of psychology. Instead of focusing solely on neuroses in life, he decided to study what
makes us feel good.

Since the first days of his groundbreaking work, positive psychology has definitely caught on.

One of the focuses of this branch is - you guessed it - happiness. Through the work of countless
positive psychologists, the path to such feelings has become more and more clear.

The Key to Happiness

They've discovered through their clinical investigations that happiness is tied tightly to your
strengths - the things you're good at. People have been proven to be happiest when applying their
unique skills toward a challenging project or goal.

You don't need millions of dollars or a personal island to be happy. All that you need is already
within you. Discover your strengths, apply them to a challenging goal, and you'll see for yourself.

Having Enthusiasm
Author: Catherine Pulsifer
Having enthusiasm in performing any task gives you an abundance of energy.
Harry Truman demonstrated his wisdom when he said, "I studied the lives of
great men and famous women, and I found that the men and women who got to
the top were those who did the jobs they had in hand, with everything they had of
energy and enthusiasm."

Showing enthusiasm also motivates others around you. People naturally want to
be around people who are upbeat and have energy.
An acronym for enthusiasm:
E nergy
N imble
T enacious
H appy
U nbeatable
S elf-confidence
I nexhaustible
A chievable
S uccess
M otivated

Those who demonstrate enthusiasm are far more likely to succeed because of
their attitude towards the task at hand. Someone who lacks enthusiasm rarely
succeeds, and the reason is because of the attitude that they have. When they face
a problem they are more likely to give up.

An enthusiastic person believes in what they are doing. They are excited and look
forward to the day to achieve the task at hand. They have self-confidence in
themselves and will find solutions to any challenges that come along. Walter
Chrysler once said, "The real secret of success is enthusiasm. Yes, more than
enthusiasm, I would say excitement. I like to see men get excited. When they get
excited they make a success of their lives. " The wisdom of his words still applies
today.

We all have a choice, we can decide to be enthusiastic or we can just put in the
day. If you are working at a job that you are not enthusiastic about, then find
work that excites you. If you need to improve your skills to get that job, then take
courses and learn all you can. You will find your life is much happier if you are
doing something that excites you rather than bores you.

Having enthusiasm for what you are doing does not mean you won't face
challenges or difficulties, but you will be able to overcome these difficulties as
long as you keep your attitude positive.

Put lots of enthusiasm in all you do!

More wisdom about Enthusiasm

"Enthusiasm is contagious. Be a carrier." Susan Rabin

"Enthusiasm is the most important thing in life." Tennessee Williams

"Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation, and a pinch of

creativity." Bo Bennett

"Act enthusiastic and you will be enthusiastic." Dale Carnegie

"Enthusiasm is the greatest asset in the world. It beats money, power and
influence." Henry Chester

Read more at
http://www.wow4u.com/having-enthusiasm/index.html#Uzjof4rVzJup
CWjS.99

The Principles of Gossip

Author Catherine Pulsifer
Gossip is the greatest abuse and waste of time and energy. Everyone adds on his
or her own personal bias, interpretation, and bitterness.

We used to play a children's game where we all sat in a circle and one person
would whisper a sentence to the next person. By the time it was repeated again to
the first person, the sentence was completely different! Gossip is based on the
same principle.

People who spend their time finding fault or gossiping about others, are certainly
not the kind of people you want as friends.

Those who gossip to you may also gossip about you. If you can't say anything
positive about someone, don't say anything.

Nothing productive is ever achieved as a result of spreading, or listening to

gossip. Don't waste your time! You can make more productive use of it.

More wisdom on gossip:

There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that
it hardly becomes any of us to talk about the rest of us. Edward Wallis Hoch

When you throw dirt, you lose ground. Texan Proverb

Two things are bad for the heart - running up stairs and running down people.
Bernard Baruch

A rumor without a leg to stand on will get around some other way. John Tudor

What some invent, the rest enlarge. Jonathan Swift

Rumor travels faster, but it don't stay put as long as truth. Will Rogers

Read more at
http://www.wow4u.com/pg/index.html#myv8Q60g11AMMg8c.99

Inspirational People
Author: Catherine Pulsifer
We all have inspirational people in our lives; people who have encouraged and
inspired us to believe in ourselves. Many of these people have inspired me by
their books and recordings. Their words of wisdom are ones that can apply to all
of our lives. They share their knowledge and wisdom to make a difference in the
lives of many. They have inspired and have been a role model for many.

Ordinary People With Extraordinary Gifts

You may through the course of a lifetime find inspirational people in your life who
are not famous, are not authors, nor are they motivational speakers. These can
be what might be termed ordinary people with an extraordinary gift to inspire
those around them. These special inspiring people may be someone you meet at
work and that person could be a co-worker, or a supervisor who excels at leading
people through example, through skilled coaching sessions, and one who always
sees the solution instead of the problem.

It could also be a person that you meet at church, or in a bowling league, or a

schoolteacher or a minister, or the neighbor next door. It doesn't matter who the
person is or isn't in terms of a position of importance; the real matter is that they
are inspiring and uplifting.

Quotes From Some of The People Who Have Inspired Me

"You teach best what you most need to learn." Richard Bach

"There's no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love. There is only a scarcity
of resolve to make it happen." Wayne Dyer

"No one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourself." Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Strong, deeply rooted desire is the starting point of all achievement." Napoleon Hill

"Never skimp on that extra effort, that additional few minutes, that soft word of praise or
thanks, that delivery of the very best that you can do." Og Mandino

"A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break out of your current
comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown." Denis Waitley

"Change, like sunshine, can be a friend or a foe, a blessing or a curse, a dawn or a dusk."
William Arthur Ward

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate." Oprah
Winfrey

"The most successful people on the planet have failed more than ordinary ones." Robin
Sharma The Greatness Guide

The One Thing They All Have In Common

I am sure you will recognize some of these people as they have been a role
model and have inspired millions of people. The one thing they all have in
common is their attitude towards life. They tend to look at the positive side of
things. The other common factor is their willingness to encourage others. Think
of the people who have touched your life, look at their outlook on life and their
philosophies.
Read more at
http://www.wow4u.com/inspirationalpeople/index.html#5GqF11xSQOJ
YTdGC.99
Success Are You Determined
What determines success - a question often asked. Is the answer luck, or is it hard work, or is it attitude.
Here in this thought you will find words of wisdom that attempt to answer the question of success using Walt
Disney as the example.

Inspirational Thoughts
Success Are You Determined
by Catherine Pulsifer, © 2011

Imagine a world without Disneyland. A lot of people thought Walt Disney's dream was ludicrous.
Imagine a theme park covering many acres of land. Think back to the 1950's and imagine
someone talking about a theme park. Who would ever invest that much money for a park, and
even if you found investors how many people would actually come and visit such a theme park;
especially where the main character was a mouse. Many people laughed at his ideas while
others told him it was impossible.

Walt Disney had a dream, a strong determination, and a strong belief. He had goals and a vision
- he could imagine what others could not see. He made it happen. If he had listened to all those
who told him his dream was impossible, we would not have the Disney resorts we have today. I
am sure he had doubts, and was tempted to believe what others told him, but his own vision was
strong. He invested a good majority of his money in making this dream of Disneyland a reality.
And, of course he invested his time and energy.

There are countless situations where individuals were told it was impossible, yet they went on to
achieve success. They didn't let others discourage them. They persevered against great odds in
some cases.

I believe it all comes down to your own outlook:

- if you think it is impossible, then it is; if you think it can be achieved, then what you see is not
the impossible, but the end result. Many people have defeated themselves before they even
started by thinking that their goal is not possible. And just as many people have had great
successes because they believed that their goal was achievable.

- if you believe in yourself then you will find a way no matter what obstacles and challenges you
face along the way. You will see these obstacles as opportunities. If you look at an obstacle as
an opportunity you will find ways, you will use your creativity and find a solution that will solve the
obstacle. Sometimes, obstacles are actually gifts, as they make us look at situations in a different
way.

- and, if you are determined then you have a 90% chance of success. Your own attitude can
determine your success or your failure. If you have determination then there is no stopping you.
Determination gives us the ability to overcome challenges. It also gives us the belief that we can
do it - no matter what anyone else thinks or believes.
Always keep Walt Disney in mind, use his success as encouragement to achieve your dreams.
And Then Some

Author: Catherine Pulsifer, © 2011

Recently, I was talking with a friend and they were telling me about a speech
they had read. The speech was about a salesman and the one simple principal of
success that he saw over and over again in successful people. He saw:
 They were successful in obtaining top positions because when it came to
their work, they did what needed to be done and then some.
 They had the happiest families and these were not the ones that were rich
but the ones who spent time with each other, helped each other, and had
respect for each other, and then some.
 They had strong friendships because they were friends who were good
friends, and then some.
 They were always willing to help out, were kind, and thoughtful, and then
some.
 In any situation, you knew you could always count on them and then
some.
 They never gave up on any goals; when met with challenges they took
action to over come the challenges and then some.

A Simple Principle
These three little words "and then some" are full of wisdom when you think about
it. When I started thinking about it, you can apply these inspirational words to any
situation in your life. You can always do what is needed to be done and then
some. If you apply this principle, you will find that you will find success because
over time "and then some" adds up to success.

Unfortunately, not all people believe that they should give more than they have
to. You probably know the type of person about whom I speak. They are the
individuals who always leave a few minutes before closing time, or the ones that
just goof around for the last half-hour of their workday, or go and visit another
colleague to chat up until it is time to leave. But, do not let these type of people
dissuade you from going the extra mile. You will not only feel good about your
contribution, but extra conscientiousness is noticed more often than not.

Observations
During the course of many years, I have often observed those around me who
have given more than a lot of others. And, one of the things I decided before I
became a supervisor was to ensure that those who went that extra mile - and
then some - not only received recognition but were rewarded at the year end
when it was time for those yearly performance review.

Even more recently, I have been in situations that I have thought of this principle
and applied it, and it is amazing what happens. When it comes to your job, your
friendships, your family, your commitments, I invite you to do what you have to
do and then some!
Read more at
http://www.wow4u.com/andthensome/index.html#2G5hUZZ2PezGubB
s.99

Motivational Words in Front of You

Author: Catherine Pulsifer, ©2012
We all need motivational thoughts and encouragement throughout the day,
month and year.

For some of us, these motivational snippets come from reading books that can
give us our daily dose of inspiration, and for others, it means that something
more visual is much more to our liking.

The visual motivation I refer to is a product that is in front of you on a daily basis.
This can be a motivational calendar that contains new inspirational words of
wisdom for each day of the year.

The way to use this calendar is varied including keeping it on your nightstand so
you can flip to a new day when you awaken and keep this thought with you
throughout the day.

Or, you can keep a motivational calendar in your work area so that each day you
start work, you can begin with a motivational quote that helps set a positive tone
for the rest of your day.

Sometimes, though, it may mean reading this same quote over and over again
because you are faced with trying and difficult challenges and need a little more
encouragement throughout the day.

Some people also choose to purchase an inspirational picture or poster with a

very appealing quote and picture that visually becomes embedded in your
subconscious mind. Each time you face a stressful situation, an unpleasant task,
or a demanding challenge, you can bring this vision of your posture or picture
vividly into your consciousness.

No matter what you employ as a method of motivation, one thing is for sure -
keep true to your desire to put inspirational thoughts at the forefront of your day,
your life, and your thinking.

You cannot be positive and move forward with life if you struggle with negative
thinking. There are great way to keep those motivational words in front of you
which will have a positive impact on your thinking.

Read more at
http://www.wow4u.com/motivational-productsty/index.html#PvGPDaj
m0VCX2x8q.99
Failure Is A Golden Opportunity
How can you make sure you never experience failure. Read this thought and ponder the words of wisdom in
it for the answer.

Dreams Can Be Achieved

By Catherine Pulsifer

It really doesn't matter who you are, old, young, or whatever occupation. The most common thing
we have in common is our desire to be more, or to live the life that may have once been only a
dream. For some of us though, dreams are the closest we ever get to have a different life, or to
be engaged in a lifestyle that better fits our daily fantasy. So, what makes the difference? Is it
luck? Is it having a mentor to guide us down the right road? Is it simply being in the right place at
the right time?

For me, I thought I'd never leave my corporate position. I had a career that a lot of people would
envy including a good salary, and great benefits. But, as the years rolled by, I experienced more
and more dissatisfaction with the on-going politics and the never-ending demands of working to
propel someone else's business forward. I came to the realization that I wanted to spend my
energy working on my own business or businesses that gave me not only personal satisfaction,
but gave me control and to benefit from the fruits of my own labour. Some of you reading this
thought as long time visitors know part of my story. For others, let me just say that I made the
move away from the corporate world and, although it wasn't always easy, it was accomplished
using my 3 favourite P's - patience, persistence and perseverance. Nothing in life is achieved
without hard work, and the ability to overcome challenges. It wasn't any different for me.

One of my goals was to develop a small business that could help support our lifestyle, a lifestyle
of basics not of excess, a lifestyle that would allow us to do what we wanted, what we loved, and
what would allow us to be creative. And, it wasn't that we didn't attempt a few things that didn't
work out. With perseverance as our ally, we were able to find, grow, and benefit from an art form
that was both fun and creative. That art form was the creation of fused glass jewellery products
and fused glass motivational products. And, at this point, we are able to say that people
throughout many parts of the world have enjoyed our fused glass one-of-a-kind products. The
point is this; don't let obstacles stand in your way; learn to view failures as an opportunity to find
out what works and what doesn't work; develop the inner attitude of patience, persistence, and
perseverance; and, defeat your own procrastination through action not dreaming.

Part of our success is the joy of having our son be involved in our business, and his enthusiasm
in helping us succeed by creating an on-line store that will allow many more people to enjoy one
or more of our creations, creations that were once only a dream. Dreams can come true.

Your Example

The personal example you set will do more to convince

Author: Catherine Pulsifer, © 1998
someone than all the eloquent speeches in the world. When you expect others to
demonstrate a certain type of behaviour, ask yourself if your behaviour
exemplifies what you expect of others.

Personal examples of behavior not only include verbal messages you send by the
way you speak to others but also how you encourage others.

Consistency Is Key
The best part of setting examples is that you have a constant influence but you
must be aware that everything you say is being watched. It is something like
training a dog to adopt a new behavior. One thing about training, or setting
examples, is that you must be consistent. For example, in training a dog to sit you
must always get the dog to sit every time you give the command. You cannot
allow the dog to disobey at any time or, the dog will think that this command only
applies once and awhile. Consistency is the key just as it is in setting an example
for human consumption.

As Oliver Goldsmith once said, "You can preach a better sermon with your life
than with your lips."

Pull By Example
If you take a piece of string and push it, it will not go in the direction you want.
But, if you take that same piece of string and pull it along, the string will move in
the same direction. That principle applies to people. Don't push them along; pull
them along by your own actions, your behaviour, your enthusiasm, and your
determination. Reflect on the words of Albert Schweitzer, "Example is not the
main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing."

Everyone has an opportunity to set an example even if they think they do not. We
set an example with every word, with every motion, and with everything we do or
do not say. Some of these examples of behavior are those that we do that we do
not expect to observe by others but they happen all the time.

A Misstep To Watch For

Some of those occasions when we would rather not be observed setting a poor
example can happen to us all at anytime and at any place. Some of these times
can occur quite innocently especially when we are over tired or under extreme
stress. These are the times, though, that we need to exercise tremendous control
over our raw emotions and understand that what we do is what others may also
do. This is extremely important in any family unit despite the fact that they are
our closest loved ones. But, it doesn?t matter when you slip up and show
uncontrolled emotion, it is invariably more often remembered rather than all
those times when we were in absolute control and showed the right way to deal
with any situation. The advent of not being in control and thereby not setting a
proper example is easy to do rather than being in control. Take for example when
a driver cuts you off in traffic. The normal reaction is to get angry or give them a
rude gesture. But, this only shows that you are letting a circumstance that has no
emotion attached to it, the power to exact a response from you.
Tests of Positive Actions and Behavior
Circumstances we meet throughout the day or week or month do not possess a
soul nor do they have emotion. We are the ones who give them life through how
we react or do not react. Take that driver, for example, that cut you off. Maybe
they didn?t even realize they did it and off they go on their merry way without a
care in the world while, in the meantime, you are fuming with fists gesturing and
blood pressure rising. What is the better way to handle this especially if you have
passengers like young adults who are about to get their license? Well, for sure, a
negative behavior, or an inappropriate behavior or response does not set a
positive example.
Read more at
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.99
Dare 2 B U
Find wisdom written about music and the positive impact it has on all of our lives. Also, thoughts on being a
winner and success. Be encouraged by the words of wisdom in these thoughts.

Inspirational Thoughts
Dare 2 B U
Author: Catherine Pulsifer

A few months ago I wrote an article featuring Jennie Emery. The article is titled Positive Music.

As a result of writing that article I was contacted by Chris S. Salazar, from Dare2BU. I must say I
was very pleased when I reviewed his website and found more positive music.

"The mind grows by what it feeds on." Those words of wisdom are so very true. Our minds take
in everything we read and listen to. Books we read, music we listen to, it all influences our lives.

There are a lot of positive books available, however, positive music is not as plentiful. So
needless to say I was delighted with the Dare2BU website! I now have two of the CD's from the
site:
Songs of Success (my favorite!)
Dream Big (also good)

I agree with the thoughts on the Dare2BU website. Below is info taken from the website:

"There are numerous examples of people throughout the world who have overcome handicaps
to achieve great success. One thing separates these winners from those who fail: they disregard
any and all obstacles. These people-and all winners-possess the will to win. It's a will that starts
with a belief in our ability to achieve the goals we dream of accomplishing.

Unfortunately, the world does not provide much inspiration on a daily basis. From the reporting of
mostly negative news, to a "20% chance of rain" mentality, to music that tells us that love must
be a painful experience, most people have few daily reminders that they can obtain personal and
professional greatness without having to win the lottery.

Music is by far the most wonderful mthod we have to remind us each day of the power of
personal accomplishment. And now-finally -the music industry has a new type of record
company, one that is intensely dedicated to producing songs that inspire us all to accomplish
great things."

Editors note: it is with regret that I update this thought to advise that unfortunately the website
http://www.dare2bu.com/ is no longer live on the internet, but we feel the message they were
conveying are still a valid ones!
Be A Possibilitarian
Author: Catherine Pulsifer

Nine people were discussing a business problem. The challenge they were facing was not there
fault; it was circumstances beyond their control that resulted in this problem. But the problem
needed to be resolved.

The problem was identified, and they were discussing what they were going to do about it. "What
will we do," asked one of them. One person immediately said, "There is nothing we can do." That
response was unacceptable to the rest of the group and acted as a spark of action. "Yes, there is
something we can do!" replied two of them in unison. It was at that point that their minds started
to work coming up with solutions. And, a solution they did find!

There is an old saying that contains wisdom that we all need to keep in our mind when we are
faced with issues:
"Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I give myself reasons why I can."

We are all faced with challenges at some point in our life, challenges that we did not create.
Challenges that happened beyond our control. The difference is how we respond to these
challenges.

You can adopt the attitude there is nothing you can do. You can think it is beyond your control,
you didn't create the problem. When you accept this type of thinking the problem or issue will
never be solved or fixed. Your mind shuts down when you think there is nothing that can be done.

But, if you see the problem as an opportunity, or if you see the challenge as your call to action, it
is amazing how your mind will work to create solutions because your attitude changes to one that
will find creative ways to solve the issue at hand. .

The next time you are faced with an issue don't shut down your mind by thinking there is nothing I
can do. Remember the wisdom said by Norman Vincent Peale:
"Become a 'possibilitarian'. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your
sights and see the possibilities- Always see them, for they are always there."
Luck, Do You Have It?
By Catherine Pulsifer

Barbara Bush once said, "You don't just luck into things as much as you
would like to think you do. You build step by step, whether it is friendships
or opportunities." Her words of wisdom are ones that we need to
remember.

And to use the wisdom said by Thomas Jefferson, "I'm a great believer in
luck,and I find the harder I work,the more I have of it." How you define
luck - Jefferson defines luck as work. If the results of that work is luck
then it changes your preception of what luck is.

The truth is, some people do do not see the effort lucky people put in.
Like everything else in this life, you must put in effort.
To quote Zig Ziglar, "This I do know beyond any reasonable doubt.
Regardless of what you are doing, if you pump long enough, hard enough
and enthusiastically enough, sooner or later the effort will bring forth the
reward." You see the same theme running through the words of these
famous people - it appears to them that luck is actually the results of
taking action and persevering.

Good fortune does not happen because of luck. When someone gets a
promotion, some people see this as luck. If they took a closer look,
however, they would soon recognize how much harder successful people
have worked, how much effort they've given, and how much dedication
and commitment they've demonstrated in order to go that extra mile.

Carl Zuckmeyer said, "One-half of life is luck; the other half is discipline -
and that's the important half, for without discipline you wouldn't know what
to do with luck."

Robert Collier said it best when he said, "All of us have bad luck and good
luck. The man who persists through the bad luck, who keeps right on
going, is the man who is there when the good luck comes, and is ready to
receive it."

So next time you feel like you don't have any luck, remember these wise
words and keep on going - step by step, with enthusiasm, discipline and
persistence, and you will find luck!

What We Believe
by Catherine Pulsifer

Many successes can be attributed to those who dream. Dreaming is a gift where you can see
things not as they are, but as they could be.

People who never dream, or never set goals, let life go by day by day letting others determine
their destiny.

Without dreams, you don?t set goals; you are forced to accept what you have today.

As children, we had lots of dreams. When we get older, some of us lose our dreams and our
ambitions, and are content to accept mediocrity.
Everything that has ever been accomplished, every skyscraper, every bridge, every invention,
every medical breakthrough, all started with a dream!

We all have dreams and wishes. The difference is that dreams are there for you to do something
with ? they are a component of hope for with out a dream there is no hope. A wish, however, is
simply a desire to have something without doing anything to accomplish it.

If you have a dream there is a chance to turn it into reality with a good plan of action and when
coupled with a burning passion, there is hope that it will turn out. The main thing to remember is
to stay focused long enough to bring it to completion. Nothing that is worth doing happens
overnight and nothing can be accomplished without dedication and a willingness to overcome any
obstacle in your path.

Reflect on the wisdom below:

"Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by
night." Edgar Allan Poe

"The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field
and never score." Bill Copeland

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

"Sometimes, people use age as a convenient excuse. 'I'm to old too start something new', or, 'I
couldn't learn that at my age.' Other people, though, go on to acheive their greatest
accomplishments in life in later years." Catherine Pulsifer

Perseverance is the Ability

by Catherine Pulsifer

"Perseverance allows you to get back on track when you hit a detour."

Many people search for the one secret that will propel them forward. Some look for these secrets
within countless articles, or speak to people who have made it big in a chosen field. What people
are looking for is the one secret that they can duplicate so that, in some cases, they can avoid the
work. Others will continuously search for this vital secret so that they can make it to the end of the
rainbow, to have what they've always wanted, or to create a life where they have more control
rather than letting others guide them down an unrewarding path. So, what can be learned by
researching; what secret is there that will assist you in capturing your desires and making them
real?
For those who actually researched leaders, the inventors, the financially successful, there is one
secret found within them all. Don't be disappointed. The secret is perseverance. Perseverance is
the ability to keep going in the face of continuous challenges. It is the ability to disregard
distractions and to stay focused. For every success, there are tons of failures.

To those who know the secret, these failures served to help them identify ways that failed
knowing full well that they would find the right way to succeed. Knowing the secret kept these
people excited because it is with this secret engrained within their souls that they could defeat all
those who gave up when met with obstacles, all those who use failure as a rationale to quit, and
all those who think that success comes before work.

So, what does failure have to do with attaining success? It teaches you that you may have to take
detours to get to your end goal. But, as long as you persevere and realize that the detour is
simply another alternative path in the direction of your goal, you will continue to move forward.
Those who see a detour as a reason to quit, lack perseverance. You will always face challenges
as you work towards your goals. To think there will be no obstacles is to think that a long lost
millionaire relative will leave you a fortune. It takes effort and belief to persevere and stay
dedicated to accomplish your goal. When you find yourself doubting whether the effort is worth it,
visualize how you will feel and what you will have once your goal is completed. Perseverance
means that you will not be satisfied until you attain what you want. It means that no matter how
many people tell you you're foolish to even try, your inner strength will readily discount their
negative speak.

Within each person there is a spark; a spark that only you can ignite. Your spark will allow you to
see a future that is more rewarding, which leads you to setting a goal, which leads you to take
action where perseverance is your secret weapon. Now that you know the secret, what will your
life be like in the future?

Is Your Career RIPE

Author: Catherine Pulsifer
The words of Christopher Morley often entered my thoughts during my career:
"The fellow who doesn't need a boss is often selected to be one."

Do you need someone to tell you what to do, when to do it, and how to do it? Or,
are you the type of person who takes the initiative? Is your attitude solution
oriented even when issues are not ones that you created. The people who reap the
rewards are those who go beyond their assigned duties.

Not Sure Why

Many people don't understand why they are by-passed for promotions. Some
people think promotions should be given by seniority only. If they stopped and
objectively looked at the differences between themselves and the person who got
the promotion, they would see why they did not receive the promotion.

Some people mentally quit their job years ago, but their body still goes to work
every day. These types of people are quite willing to let others do their work for
them. They are not solution oriented, their attitude is one that the company owes
them. However, in the end, they are the ones who usually suffer.
Here Are Key Ingredients
As you work towards a successful career, remember "RIPE":
R eliable - be reliable in many ways - just showing up for work everyday is not
what I am referring to, be reliable in offering to do more, to present solutions, to
help others
I nitiative - take the initiative, do more and learn more than is expected , share
your learning's, make suggestions for improvement, do not wait for someone to
tell you what to do, just do it
P ositive - have a positive attitude , this makes all the difference. You can teach
anyone new technical skills but you cannot teach attitude, this is completely
within your control, you decide the type of attitude you dlemonstrate
E nthusiasm - your enthusiasm will rub off on others! Be the person who others
come to for solutions, don't let others get you down.
These personal attributes can readily assist you in a successful career.

What Role Does Luck Play?

Now, you also be thinking that luck has played a role in someone getting
promoted over you. If you do, that luck you may refer to is luck that was created
and initiated by the person all their own. This is not luck that saw them be in the
right place when a job came open either; instead, this is a person who prepared to
be promoted by doing whatever it took to advance their own expertise even if that
meant that they would attend part-time courses or seminars and by paying for
these without any assistance by their company.

It is not a matter that one cannot be better at work and position themselves to get
ahead. It is more a matter that most people, from my experience, expect that
simply by showing up for work that they can get promoted, or even, worse, that
they deserve it despite the fact they are willing to do no more than what is
expected.

A Perfect Example
There was a young man who used to work for me who decided that his chosen
profession was not working in my industry but as an actor. This was his passion
and his goal. He worked for me for only a short time and all the while was
preparing for a whole new adventure. And an adventure that he was more than
willing to do whatever he had to in order to make it his reality. He left my area,
and I never heard too much about him until one day I was watching a new TV
series and there he was in a lead role. The series went on for several years and
just recently aired their last show.

The Messages Are Clear

Two key messages - The first being that you do not have a passion for what it is
you currently do, find one that really excites you and go full steam ahead and do
everything possible to get there. The second message is that you need to prepare
for what it is you want to do even if this means that you need to do something else
in the meantime to pay your bills
Read more at
http://www.wow4u.com/career-ripe/index.html#4eZEZa0fpcGzzx3u.9
9
Do A Little
by Catherine Pulsifer

If everyone would only do just a little, imagine what a difference it would make in the world.

Take recycling, for example. It is successful because a lot of people are each doing a little. If we
all took the position that what we could do would be too little, we wouldn't be experiencing the
progress we are today.

Similarly, when you first begin a project, you may only have enough time to do a little. Over time,
however, what may first appear to be small efforts will multiply and end up being significant!

If inventors and scientists just gave up because they didn't have enough time, or didn't have all
the answers, imagine all the conveniences, or advances in medicine, we would not have today!

Keep in mind the wisdom of Edmund Burke the next time you think you can only do a little:

"Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who does nothing because he could only do a little."

And, remember the wisdom said by David DeNotaris:

"I ask people if an elephant has ever bitten them. Most of the time people say no. But everyone
has been bitten by a mosquito. It's the little things that get us."

There have been many times in my life when I only had a little time to work on my goals. Writing
my first book was one of those times. I worked full time, I had two children, there were not enough
hours in a day. But each morning I would get up an hour before the children and work for one
hour on my book. For those of you who have written a book you know that one-hour to work is not
a lot of time. But doing this every day, week after week, I saw the book taking shape. If I had said
I only have time to do a little therefore I won't do it, my book would not be published today.

Here is another example that will serve to demonstrate what I mean by a little time used well is a
sure way forward. A friend of mine had only graduated high school but soon realized that he was
severely lacking in educational qualifications for any desirable position. He had been working
since he graduated in the construction industry but was totally dissatisfied with his potential future
prospects. He realized that he no longer wanted to spend the rest of his life in construction that
was not only physically demanding but also paid poorly.

He also had married at an early age and already had one child so he knew it was going to be a
real challenge to acquire additional education not only in terms of cost but also in terms of
available time. The motivating factor though was his intense desire to change his future not only
for himself but also for the sake of his family.

The road to achieving a higher level of education, in this case as an architect, was long, hard, and
filled with hurdles. Not only did he have to start part-time but also he had to continue for over
seven years to acquire what he ultimately wanted. How did he do it? One step at a time using
almost every spare moment he had to complete his course assignments and still maintaining a
full-time job. This meant that he went to work each day, came home and spent an hour with his
wife and child and then hit the books until it was time to go to bed. This also meant that there
were no vacations, no weekend trips, or fancy evenings out. Every spare dime that was left over
from paying bills and providing for his family went into a savings account to pay for the next
course and all the books he needed per course
Do Not Wait For Desperate Times
by Catherine Pulsifer

To use the wisdom of John F. Kennedy,

"The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining."

What motivates you to change, to take action? Does taking action during the good times happen
in your life or, do you only take action when you are forced to?

Those who wait to take action until they find themselves in a desperate situation face more
difficulties than they need to. They are also then under the stress of the challenge they are facing.

One of the saddest examples is an employed person who has the opportunity to take course to
improve his skills, but instead, does nothing until he finds he no longer has a job.

Those who set their goals, work towards what they currently once only dreamed of achieving find
success due to their hard work. They don't sit back and wait for others to create the future they
want. They create the future by what they are doing today.

Keep improving your skills, and education, and you will greatly improve your odds of success.

Read the biographies of successful people and you will find they looked at life as a continuous
learning experience, they would learn how to do things, they would ask for help. They didn't sit
back and wait for others to do it for them. They took the initiative and did it themselves or found
people who could help them.

Some people think success is because others are lucky. To use the wisdom of Thomas Jefferson
who once said, "I'm a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it."

Luck does not happen for any reason. The majority of times you will find hard work and action
behind those that you think are lucky.

Take action now, only if only baby steps. As the proverb says, "A journey of a thousand miles
begins with one step." Take that one step, then another.

Don't wait for desperate times!

What Would You Change?
By Catherine Pulsifer

When talking with people about their life, or their job, or their current situation I always ask: "What
one thing would you change about your life?"

People always have an answer for what would make their life better. Before you read further,
think about what one thing you could change in your life. The one thing that would make your life
better.

Okay, hold your thought.

My next question to you is: "What are you doing to make that change come true?"
So often people answer the first question with no problem. Everyone can think of the one thing
that would make life better for them. But people are not so quick to answer the second question:
"What are you doing to make that change come true."

Sadly, most people take no action to change their current situation. I often use the saying: "May
All Your Dreams Turn Into Goals"

Take your dream, start taking action, and before you know it your dream will be a reality. It really
works!

I can speak from personal experience. I have had many dreams, which I turned into goals and
now they are my reality. When I first started setting goals I never imagined that they would have
such an impact on my life. It's awesome to have a dream, and then to see that dream come true.

The dreams I only thought about, the ones I took no action on, well they are still dreams.

But the ones that I took action on, they are now a reality. I have accomplished things in my life
that I never realized I had the potential to achieve.

YOU also have the potential!

Do Not Be Discouraged
Author: Catherine Pulsifer
When faced with failure, reflect on the wisdom in this Japanese proverb: "Fall
seven times, stand up eight." As long as you keep getting up, you are not failing.

Those who learn how to overcome failure become stronger. Let's face it we are all
confronted with failure. The difference is how we deal with it.

Some people use failure as an excuse to give up, to become bitter, or cynical. They
no longer try, they take the easy way out by saying, "well I tried but it didn't
work." They try one thing and they give up.

Other people look at failure as an opportunity to revisit past decisions and to

devise new strategies.

We think the words said by Beverly Sills have wisdom in them, "You may be
disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try." Don't be one of
those people who later on in life wonder what would have happened if they had
done things differently. Or, one of those people who then see someone else
succeed using their idea.

When you look at why it failed and try and figure out what went wrong you will
find yourself learning from the experience. And armed with new knowledge you
can start again this time stronger.

Thousands of successful people did not achieve success on their first try, but they
were not discouraged. They picked themselves up and went back at it with an
even stronger, single minded tenacity to achieve their goal.
There are many examples of what some might consider failure. Many times we
hear or read about the success of people, but what we do not hear is about how
many times they started and failed, and started again.

Do not be discouraged if your plans do not succeed the first time.

No one learns to walk by taking only one step!

Read more at
http://www.wow4u.com/donotbediscouraged/index.html#vheJUvZLCQ
tVIZp8.99
Thoughts are Like a Garden
By Catherine Pulsifer

When life seems overwhelming, are you able to look ahead and see light at the end of the tunnel?

Sometimes, life's challenges are tough to deal with. You will succeed if you focus your thoughts
on how to overcome the challenge.

Negative thoughts are like weeds in a garden. Once a weed is allowed to flourish, the garden is
quickly overtaken. But, if you weed the garden before the weeds spread, you will end up with a
beautiful and bountiful garden.

And. like gardens, you must work at removing weeds every day just like you must work everyday
to keep motivated. Tending to life?s garden is not easy. There are always excuses that can be
used to put off what should be done. And, just like a garden needs nourishment and watering so
does one?s spirit. It needs to be nurtured daily and one way to help to do this is by reading
inspirational words of wisdom. And, another is to reduce the number of negative influences in
your life ? these are the people who do not support your growth, or who relish in seeing only the
negatives or possible problems you will encounter along the way.

Do not allow anyone else to tend to your garden - it is up to you and you alone to ensure that it
grows and is always at the forefront of your thoughts. Make your garden a beautiful one and one
that is envied by all those other garden owners who just sit around and hope someone else will
come along to tend to their needs.

You are the only one who can control the way you think. Make sure you nourish the
positive thoughts, and weed out the negative ones!

Find more wisdom in these Positive Thinking Quotes:

The World is what we think it is. If we can change our thoughts, we can change the world.
H.M. Tomlinson

There is a basic law that like attracts like. Negative thinking definitely attracts negative results. Conversely, if
a person habitually thinks optimistically and hopefully, his positive thinkg sets in motion creative forces, and
success instead of eluding him flows toward him.
Norman Vincent Peale

The mind is like a river; upon its waters thoughts float through in a constant procession every conscious
moment. You stand on a bridge over it and can stop and turn back any thought that comes along. The art of
contentment is to let no thought pass that is going to disturb you.
Dr. Frank Crane
The Smoothest Way Is Full of Challenges
by Byron Pulsifer © 2007

While the attitude that luck is the primary difference between success and failure would be a good
excuse to easily accept the defeatist position in life, it is one that is untrue. Many, many
successful people met what appeared to be insurmountable challenges on their way to achieve
success. People such as Albert Einstein, Henry Ford, Thomas Jefferson, Yani, Thomas
Jefferson, Walt Disney, the list goes on and on.

Reflect on the attitudes of these people while reading their quotes:

"I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have." Thomas Jefferson

"Focused will is incredible. If you have a dream and you don't give up no matter what obstacles
come up, then life's problems will fall away and you will get what you want. It happens. It works."
Yanni

"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against
the wind, not with it." Henry Ford

"Results! Why man, I have gotten a lot of results. I know of several thousand things that won't
work." Thomas Edison

"It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer." Albert Einstein

What each success story has in common is the obstacles faced and overcome by those who we
now see as successful. Were they lucky? Hardly. What is often unknown, or conveniently
forgotten, is how many failures these people endured before they reached their goal. The
commonality among all these people is that they never gave up. For them, each new challenge
was an opportunity to excel at life, to persevere in spite of at times seemingly overwhelming odds.

"You may not realize it when it happens,

but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you."
Walt Disney

The Fine Art of Complaining

Author: Byron Pulsifer, © 2008
So, why is the fine art of complaining so prevalent? Well, the story is that it is
easier to complain than to accept responsibility for what may be wrong in your
life. If you accept responsibility for some of your woes, you may have to take
action that changes events in your life. Now, why would you want to do that?

It Is Your Decision
The truth is this. You can change from negative to positive only if you choose to.
No one forces you to be negative, and no one forces you to be positive. The choice
is yours', and yours' alone.

If you really want to change your life for the better, you need to accept the basic
principle that it is up to you. You can control your thoughts, you can control your
emotions, and you can control what and where you go in life.

Do Not Heed
Nay sayers and negative people are everywhere. And, you'll also find a host of so-
called friends that will tell you that you can't do or have more than they do
because this would burst their bubble of complaining. These so-called friends
want you to fail so that they can validate their existence - an existence full of
misdirection, negative thinking, and expecting everything for nothing.

To begin the process to positive change, make a commitment to yourself that you
will be more, have more, and do more.

Be Strong, Be Focused
Once you take responsibility for your own actions, your behaviors, your thoughts,
you are beginning to take a positive step forward. Once you start, ban all negative
thinkers from influencing you.

Turn a deaf ear to those who would ridicule you for beginning a course that
creates positives not negatives. Better yet, associate yourself with positive,
encouraging, and helpful people. They do exist.

I believe that the art of complaining is more about a level of insecurity than it is
about a person who thinks that they have it all together. I have never met a
complainer who has a positive attitude towards life. This lack of having a positive
attitude means more in terms of their own hang-ups than about the issues they
constantly complain about. However, if you are a complainer, bear in mind that
all your complaining only brings you to a higher level of complaining until you
are qualified for a doctorate of complaining.

The art of complaining does not mean, however, that you will ever be able to get
what you want in life by simply complaining. Complaining is one of the irritants
that destroy really true friendships unless of course that friend is also feeling less
than secure in their own life.

Move Forward
So, now that we have talked about all the less than desirable features of
complaining, how do you change?

The first thing to consider is whether or not you really want to change your life.
You cannot change anything, absolutely nothing, unless you first make a decision
to change. This change process takes time, takes perseverance and takes a coach
that can help you change not only how you think but also how you use your given
abilities to alter the course of your life.

Recognize The Right Path

So, let us talk for a minute about change. Change is not an easy road if you have
been traveling down a totally different road all your life. The real point about
change in being a complainer is that if it doesn't hurt bad enough, you will not
change. What does this mean?

It means that you will not want to change unless your life is so bad, so full of pain
that you recognize that you must change to survive. I know this may not be the
case you recognize right now but it may be sooner than you think. There is little
room in life for complainers who refuse to do anything to recover, or to actually
do something about all that they complain about. It is not a transition that needs
to be accomplished all at once, but even a little change to make a change is
important.

Read more at
http://www.wow4u.com/artofcomplaining/index.html#U0OBltkogUHjZ
uYX.99

Attract Positives NOT Negatives

Author: Byron Pulsifer, © 2008
Everyday, without fail, there are a host of negatives in the world around us. Some
of these negatives are passed down by family and friends, and some are in every
conversation you hear between co-workers, or those you just happen to hear at
the coffee shop, or around the water cooler.

Just Ask Yourself

How many times have you engaged in negative thinking, negative conversations,
or personal complaints?

On the other hand, how many times have you heard positive conversations,
conversations of gratitude expressing thankfulness for what we have, of what we
can do, or the choice of options that are available to us?

Don't Lose Sight

We are fortunate to live in a democracy where free choice to do, to have, to be
what we desire is available. The sad situation, however, is that most people have
lost sight of available options by falling prey to negative messages from those
who choose NOT to make the most of countless opportunities.

What is really interesting to learn is that you need to develop a mindset of

"creativity" not "competitiveness". This concept was clearly explained in a book
from 1910 by Wallace D. Wattles, called "Science of Getting Rich". Napoleon Hill
also wrote about aspects of the power of the positive mind in his book, "Think
and Grow Rich", first published in 1937.

Moaners and Complainers

Despite information available to the contrary, it would seem that a lot of people
would rather complain and moan about what they don't have, can't do, or wish
they could have or do without exercising even one act that could start to turn their
lives into a positive.

Sure, there are obstacles - sure there are challenges - no one ever said that
you'd get everything you wanted for nothing.

The real fact is this - you can do what you want, have more, be more, but you
need to develop a vision, an outlook of possibilities not an age old path of seeing
a problem in everything you view.

Simple Truth
By forming a thought or vision in your mind, you connect to a source of energy
that can create what you're thinking about. If your thoughts are negative, you'll
probably attract negative events into your life. You will see the bad, not the good.

On The Other Hand

You can attract positives by being positive. Just try a simple exercise like smiling
and saying hello to everyone at work. When you smile, in all likelihood, you will
receive a warm response in return.
Read more at
http://www.wow4u.com/attractpositives/index.html#3kxKxxUwZWT6C
FrV.99
Beyond The Dream
Author: Byron Pulsifer

Have you ever had a dream? I'm not talking about a dream that we all
experience while we sleep. I'm talking about a dream that shows a new career or
pursuit. Something that you wished you had.

Most people have these kinds of dreams and some people have the same one
over and over again sometimes consuming their every waking moment. Is there
anything wrong with this kind of dream?

Is This Daydreaming?
Some people might suggest that to have a recurring dream that depicts a new
reality is simply daydreaming where this dream only acts as a way to fill the void
from a less than satisfying job and provides a necessary escape from their
current reality making it somewhat bearable.

The interesting and more significant point though, is that this dream may be what
should be turned into a day-to-day reality that provides a more pleasing and
fulfilling life.

So, why not invest the energy wasted on dreaming by developing a plan that will
move you closer and closer to what you really desire?

Reasons Why
Some reasons for not starting is just that; you never start; you never take any
steps whatsoever in taking any steps or actions.

If you find yourself in this situation, one positive action is to talk with someone
you know who has changed their career, someone who has had to make
sustained effort to change despite obstacles or circumstances. Why?

Simple. The person who has taken action to move beyond an unsatisfying career
has learned what it takes; has developed a set of procedures; has formulated an
action plan; and one who has learned to overcome obstacles.

Decide
I understand that this may be a little difficult just to plunge into implementing a
dream, so, one of the . . .

Extra-Mile The Speedometer of Life

Author: Byron Pulsifer © 2007
There is no doubt, we all put miles on our life's speedometer. It is inevitable; we
cannot avoid it. But, this inevitability begs a question: when is it better to put on
extra miles?

Confused? Let me explain.

Whether we go to work daily, develop our own business, or enter into or develop
relationships with others, there are times when it is either necessary, or just a
good strategy to do more than is required, or go the extra mile to make a
difference.

Take Your Work Environment For Example

Your employer requires that you do a certain amount of work, or finish a project
based on a certain yardstick of time or performance. All too often, people only do
what they have to and no more. Their attitude is one that portrays the notion that
they don't owe anything to the company, or what is the company doing for me.

Change Your Attitude

When you change your attitude from "what are they doing for me?", to one of
embracing "what can I do for the company", you move away from being self-
centered to become more value-added. You reflect the attitude of going the
extra-mile.

Consider, for a moment, that you reflect an on-going "go the extra-mile" attitude
at work. Who do you think will be more likely to get a bonus? Who do you think
would more likely be considered for a promotion? Who do you think would be
one of the last people to be let go when downsizing, or rightsizing comes to visit?

Apply This To Your Life

The same notion applies to a great many aspects of life. Often, relationships will
more likely flourish when each person goes the extra mile - whether we talk
about the union of two people, or whether we talk about service clubs. Who
would you rather be one who is known for going the extra mile to make a
difference, or the one who does enough just to get by?

Read more at
http://www.wow4u.com/extra-mile/index.html#oRjGjUEcGLJVgoVG.99
Day Of Hope
Author: Byron Pulsifer

The day started out in a very relaxed way until the phone
rang.

It was my friend who had just lost his wife a week ago after
she had suffered a cardiac arrest. We had attended a quiet
gathering with him just a week ago at a local funeral home.

He told us today that he would like us to come to a special

memorial service to be held at the place where his wife had
worked for many years.

Apparently, there were a lot of people that wanted to pay

their last respects to her and celebrate her life, her smile
and her friendship. These were all the people who were not
able to attend the visitation at the funeral home because it
had been for only family members and a few close friends.

We did not hesitate to tell him we would be there and it

was our hope that the memorial service would not cause
him terrible emotional upheaval again.

We arrived to find a growing crowd of people assembled in

the auditorium and our friend waiting at the entrance.

We entered together and were really surprised by the

crowd that had gathered. They came from all departments
and service areas.
Words of Jesse Jackson
"Hold your head high, stick your chest out. You can make
it. It gets dark sometimes, but morning comes. Keep hope
alive."

The Service Began

The clergy began by greeting everyone to a celebration of
our friend's wife's life. And, it wasn't long before the tears
were flowing steadily from many of the attendees.

Our friend was sitting in front of us surrounded by close

friends to his wife that she had worked with for many years.
Our friend began to sob again so much so that we thought
he would totally break down.

But, even though . . .

Smiles Are Sunshine For All
by Byron Pulsifer © 2007

Research has shown that smiles can be heard. When

a person who is speaking on the phone is smiling,
the person listening can actually sense it.

Many telemarketing companies require that their

telemarketers speak to their mirrored reflection so
they can see their facial expressions. If they are not
smiling, they can see themselves in the mirror as a
reminder to smile as they speak.

Reasons Why Smiling Is Better Than

Frowning
- It takes less muscles to smile than it does to frown
"It takes seventeen muscles to smile and forty-three
to frown." Author Unknown

- Smiling will relieve stress whereas frowning can

actually increase stress "It takes a lot of work from
the face to let out a smile, but just think what good
smiling can bring to the most important muscle of the
body... the heart." Author Unknown

- People are attracted to those who smile. When was

the last time you wanted to meet a person who was
frowning? "Wear a smile and have friends; wear a
scowl and have wrinkles. What do we live for if not to
make the world less difficult for each other?" George
Eliot

- Smile and your eyes lighten up. Frown and your

eyes darken. "Of all the things you wear, your
expression is the most important." Janet Lane

- The cost of a smile is zero. "A smile is an

inexpensive way to change your looks." Charles
Gordy

A Signal?
When you smile, you are certainly transmitting a
special signal to those who are in receipt and to
others who observe your smile.

This was a signal that I used quite often in various

work that I did over the years and have even tested
the theory that a smile is a more welcoming sign for
people to approach than if you do not smile.

A Story
I always remember a certain staff member who. . .
The Finish
Author: by Byron Pulsifer

How many years has it been since you graduated

from high school, or college or university?

For some of you, I bet it has been quite a few years.

And, for these people where it has been many years
since graduation, you may be thinking that you do not
have to learn anything new or take any more
courses.

Life Has a Way of Telling You Different.

You may have found yourself cast off by your
employer and when you go out to the marketplace to
offer your services, you find that you are not able to
find work.

Why?

Do you think that just maybe it has something to do

with your qualifications?

Several Things that You Might Consider

One of these is to look into a different career
altogether where you can take your qualifications and
experience and transport these to another job. In this
case, you are offering a series of experiences that
relate to the new job you are seeking.

On the other hand, you may have to look into taking

upgrading courses in your specialty area, or you may
have to examine the possibility, like many have done,
to start a totally new career path. If this is the case,
you will have to consider going back to school full-
time, or on a part-time basis while you find some
other kind of work that can pay the bills.

Or, you may need to consider the possibility of taking

something you really enjoy doing and turning that into
a business. But, starting a business takes money and
time to get your business up and running and time to
make a profit. If you desire to start a business, you
may have to still go out to work for someone else and
then plan to go into your own business as you
become financially stable again.

Keep Learning
As a lot of us have found out, graduation only means
that you are ready to keep learning, to keep your
skills advanced and growing because you never
know when you will find yourself out on the street.
Setting An Example
By Catherine Pulsifer, © 2011

Last week was an emotional week for many

thousands of Canadians. Jack Layton,
Leader of the Official Opposition Party in
Canada, passed away.

To use the wisdom of Albert Einstein,

"Setting an example is not the main means of
influencing another, it is the only means."

I am not writing about politics, I am writing

about a man who set an example for all of us.
Mr. Layton influenced thousands of
Canadians.

A True Example
He was an example of a man who truly had a
passion for his work. He did not just speak
about the issues; he actually worked to have
issues resolved.

He took up causes that he believed in,

causes that many others shied away from -
causes such as the homeless, AIDS, violence
against women, the environment, to name
only a few.

His life was dedicated to helping others who Related:

perhaps could not help themselves. It didn't
matter what your income was, what your  Motivational Rocks
nationality was, what your status was, if you
needed help then Jack would help!  Your Example

He believed in equality for all and that no one

should be left behind.
 Positive Thinking Quotes

He was a source of inspiration for thousands,

and when he passed away on August 22nd,
2011, it shocked a nation. People of all
political beliefs, of all ages were saddened.

Never in this country's history has there been

such an outpouring of emotion. And, the
reason for this, is due to a . . .

Be Yourself
Author: Byron Pulsifer

Are you compelled to be somebody you're not. Do you live in a big house
because you think it is required to fit the mold of others. Does your choice of
furniture reflect what you think others would expect you to have.

Did You Ever

Have you ever stopped to think how much energy, or for that matter, how much
you complicate your life, by pretending to be someone you're really not?

Maybe this is partly a reflection of a portrayed lifestyle you see every day on the
television, or those latest magazines depicting a glamorous lifestyle. Who are
you trying to impress - you, or everyone else?

Think how simple your life would be if you stopped for a moment and just
learned to be yourself.

Karen's Story
Take one of my previous co-workers, Karen, for example. Karen spends most of
her day worrying about what other people think about her.

She buys furniture in a style that she thinks would impress her friends even
though this furniture is very uncomfortable.

Every time she goes out the door, she worries whether what she wears or how
she looks is up to the standards of those people she knows that she just might
meet at the neighbourhood store.

In Short, Who Cares

Be yourself, enjoy who you are. For example, if you want comfy furniture that
really invites you to curl up and relax, then do it. After all, whom are you trying to
impress with uncomfortable furniture? You're the one who has to live there.
You're the one who should be comfortable in your own home.

One thing I've come to realize is that it really doesn't matter what other people
may think. If they are that small minded, or if they want to impress whomever, let
them. I for one don't care. I don't have to spend any energy or complicate my life
by what others may think. Isn't it really a matter of the person - what's inside of
you - who you really are as a person?

Don't waste your time, your energy, or complicate your life by worrying about
what other people may think. It really boils down to this - if they shun me, or look
down their noses at me because of my furniture, or the house I live in, or the car
I drive, then do I really want or need them as friends? Simply no.

Stones of Life
Author: Byron Pulsifer, © 2007
Have you ever seen or found a river stone that was perfectly smooth? Did the
stone start out this way, or did it change over time? To most of us, the answer is
obvious. Over time, the forces of the river current changed the river stone. And,
like the river stone, forces in our lives are constant and never ending causing
changes whether we like it or not.

The important question for all of us though is how do we respond to change?

Past Is Not Present

Many of us, have to work to support ourselves, or our family. But, does change in
the work environment, or changes in our lives go unnoticed, or is of little
concern?

Take our working environment in particular. No longer can we rely on past

experience to gives us a safety net. No longer can we count on seniority to
guarantee us a job. Nor, can we count on the company we work for either being
bought out or going out of business entirely.

Are You Properly Prepared?

Let's be honest. You can resist change but it's going to happen anyway. Ask
yourself, what are your chances of surviving if you continue to resist change?

Change is hardly new to our society. Just look at your daily newspaper, or T.V.
newscast, or Internet stories. Change is everywhere. It has been a constant
companion for as long as people have roamed the earth. The most important and
significant aspect about change is that it has accelerated over the last couple of
decades due to technological advances, and a more global society.

Change Your Thinking

In order to benefit from change we need to focus more on the advantages rather
than the negative. Remember, change is going to happen anyway; wouldn't it be
better to be part of it rather than a fallout statistic because of it.

If you find yourself resisting a new process, a new strategy, a new way of doing
business, a good question to ask yourself is why the change is necessary. It is
easier to adapt to change when you understand the reasons the change is
required.

Take Charge Today

Taking the inevitability of change one step further, it is vitally important to keep
expanding your knowledge, and to upgrade your skills, or learn a new skill. Don't
wait for someone else to suggest upgrading, or enrolling in a specialized course.
If you wait, you may never get the opportunity because others may have already
completed what you should have done. Sometimes, it will make the difference
from keeping your job to having no job at all.
Change, adapt, and continue to learn. Change will affect you one way or the
other, just like change happened to the river-stone.

Read more at
http://www.wow4u.com/river-stone/index.html#dd0qXGATZihTcYov.9
9

Ladder of Achievement
Author: Byron Pulsifer, ©2011
There are many people in the world who have succeeded in climbing the ladder of
achievement. Some of these people have persevered throughout their career
having met what appeared insurmountable obstacles yet overcame these
challenges to keep moving forward.

In one situation similar to surmounting obstacles, was a woman I know who had
a high school education and started in a company at the bottom of the totem pole.
She was a hard worker and didn't want to always be kept at the bottom. She
wanted more. This is her story.

Rather than just call her a woman I know and to protect her identity, let me give
her a fictitious name - I'll call her Sally.

I will give you the end of the story first so as not to keep you wondering what
eventually happened to Sally. In her final days in this company, she became a
well respected executive dedicated to always going that extra mile and then some,
true to her values of helping any one who wanted to learn more do so, and
assisting anyone who wanted to achieve more in their life if they were willing to
work hard. She rose from the bottom to the level she only once dreamed about.
How did she do it?

Sally had a burning desire to succeed, to learn, to rise above petty jealousies, or
office politics. She decided early on that her high school education wasn't going to
be enough to help propel her to where she wanted to be so she took night courses
while at the same time raising a family. Although it took her nine years to
complete her advanced designation, she never lost sight of her end goal; a goal
that wasn't easy for her with all her other responsibilities and demands.

As she started to be recognized as a doer, as someone who got the job done
despite obstacles or issues, she was offered a promotion. But, this promotion
meant she had to uproot her family and move over one thousand miles to a new
city where she didn't know a soul. But, she did it knowing that achievement isn't
always an easy road, nor a road traveled without sacrifice, and requiring a
decision to move out of her comfort zone.

Then, Sally met another obstacle or challenge. She was required to report to
another individual who had no experience in her field but was brought into the
position because she had a university education. So, what did Sally do? Did she
give up; did she refuse to help her new boss learn the job; did she ask for a
transfer to another unit; or, did she just up and quit?

No, instead she went out of her way to help her new boss learn the business. Her
decision paid off in the end because she was promoted to another area that
required a leader, a person who could change an operating unit and make it more
profitable. Her diligence, her dedication and her persistence started to be more
and more recognized as senior executives watched her progress closely. Sally was
able to not only turn a sizeable profit but was able to do so by earning her
employees loyalty and dedication.

After her latest assignment, Sally saw one challenging position after another
being sent her way. Each new assignment meant more and more diligence and
long hours. There was risk in every position; there were staff issues, work
performance issues, politics, and profit issues to deal with. It didn't matter to
Sally how hard the job was, or how many obstacles or issues, or how much effort
it took - she persevered, progressed and moved forward on her ladder of
achievement.

So, after over twenty years of dedicated service, where is Sally today? Sally chose
to leave the company where she had started at the bottom and rise to the top
because she was ready for a new challenge; she was ready for a new ladder of
achievement. And, for those who know her even now will recognize that burning
desire to succeed in her own business where obstacles and challenges are still the
order of the day, but where these challenges are overshadowed by success.

Sally demonstrates some sound principles on the ladder of achievement that all
of us should remember. You can wish all you want to achieve but wishing does
not accomplish anything. Persistence, a clear focus, the willingness to take risks,
the undying quest to learn, the unselfishness attitude to help others succeed, the
willingness to work hard and then some, and the ability to keep going no matter
what is thrown your way. The road to achievement means the ability to climb
mountains, to pass over potholes along the way, and a relentless belief in yourself
that you can do it
Read more at
http://www.wow4u.com/ladder-of-achievement/index.html#o8GwRRk
BoCeFG4RQ.99

A Thought About The Essential Qualities

Author: Byron Pulsifer © 2011
Most Of Us Think That We Are Fine Human Beings
And, for the most part this is true. But, maybe we should sit back for a few
minutes and look deeply into our own inner spaces. Think about how a normal
day progresses for you from the time you wake up to the time when you go to
sleep.

Think About This

Here are some behaviours, attitudes and thoughts to reflect on as you sit quietly:

1) As you arrive at your place of work, do you warmly and genuinely greet colleagues, or are
you to wrapped up in your own world that you ignore them?
2) Do you normally smile at everyone you meet during your day, or are you prone to frown?
3) Are you known as an open and receptive person who welcomes others ideas or opinions,
or do you have a tendency to immediately discount other people's opinions when they do not
match your own thinking?
4) Does your usual behaviour include praising others for their work, or their contributions, or
are you apt to criticize first by finding fault?
5) Are you able to appreciate that everyone has feelings no matter who they are or where
they fit into the social fabric of society, or do you shun or avoid some people because they
do not fit within your social circle?
6) You may be a busy person but do you volunteer or help others outside of your work, or do
you prefer to let others give of their time and energy to assist others in need?
7) Are you really interested in other people and who they are and what they are like, or are
you more likely to speak or associate only with people that feed your ego?
8) Are you known as a friendly person whom is easy to speak with, or are you known as the
type of person who is difficult to approach or is full of themselves, rude, or arrogant?

There Are More Qualities That Can Be Listed

But I think you get the main point. You may not feel you possess any of the
negative aspects spoken of but others may see you in a different light.

The Main Thing To Consider Is

How you want to be known as the years roll by. It is comforting to know as your
life winds to an end that you have been a wholesome, valuable, giving, caring,
and influential person to those you meet along life's pathway
Read more at
http://www.wow4u.com/tenhuman/index.html#Fz77h6KgBvAEI9cz.99
Showing Common Sense
By Catherine Pulsifer, ©2011

I have been in situations where someone who is more educated, or who is

in a more senior position, made a decision

I disagreed with. My common sense told me that it was the wrong decision.
But, I thought they must know what they were doing because they were
more educated, and in a more senior position. So I didn't say or suggest
anything.

But once the decision was made, and the action was taken, I realized that I
should have spoken up and expressed my opinion; as the decision was not
a good one.

Far too many of us blindly accept a decision of a superior without

challenging the assumptions upon which the decision is based. Sometimes
we lack the confidence to speak up. And, sometimes we do not want to
upset our boss or co-worker.

I also have been in many situations where my own decisions were not the
right ones. After the fact, a co-worker would say to me, "I knew that was
not the right thing to do." It always amazed me that they did not speak up
and voice their opinion.

There have been many times once something is pointed out that I have
rethought my action. And, of course, there were times when I wished I had
listened and didn't. But, that is how we learn.

On the other hand, showing the confidence to challenge decisions based

on our own common sense can lead to more thoughtful decisions. Don't be
afraid to speak up, voice your thoughts in a constructive and positive
manner.

Life is a series of challenges and different interpretations. Not everything

we say is necessarily interpreted correctly and it is up to you to extend an
open invitation to those around you to speak freely in order to clarify or
question. If you want to be respected, to be seen as a person that is open
and available to all, commonsense applied to everything, then be honest,
and seek open communication with everyone not just a few selected
people.

Consider the wisdom of Josh Billings who once said, "Common sense is
instinct and enough of it is genius."

Why Are Some People More Successful Than Others

by Catherine Pulsifer

Why is it that some people move further and faster in their careers than others? What is different about
today's working environments compared to that of our parents?

Have you ever had any of the following thoughts:

- "I have the appropriate educational background; why didn't I get the position?"
- "I have all the skills and experience the company is looking for; why wasn't I given the promotion?"
- "I have been here longer than the successful candidate; why did they get the job?"
- "I go to work everyday, never calling in sick; why don't I get recognized for my contributions?"
- "What do I have to do to be successful today?"
- "I work just as hard as everybody else; why didn't I get as big a raise?"

These thoughts are common to a lot of people. So what makes the difference? I see three qualities that
explain the difference between an average person, and a person who stands out above the crowd. If you
consistently demonstrate these three qualities, you will stand apart from the rest.
On the other hand, I could make a list of hundreds of qualities and skills that you should possess to be
successful today. Instead, if you demonstrate these three qualities, all the other qualities and skills you
require will follow naturally.

We all have the ability to acquire these three qualities; you don't have to be a genius to master them. What
you do need, however, is a willingness to truthfully examine your behaviors, have a desire to improve, and
take the appropriate action. It is also helpful to obtain honest feedback from a supportive co-worker. The
feedback you need from your colleague is how they see you compared to how you see yourself.

Putting these three qualities into practice is not as easy as it sounds. It is human nature to fall back to what
is familiar and comfortable to us. You really have to work to develop these qualities, and, in some cases, you
will need to break old habits. Breaking old habits is easy to say, but much harder to do.

"Some habits are much harder to break than others but you must first have a new habit in your mind before
you can even try to attempt to destroy the old."
Byron Pulsifer, The Who In I

And, don't expect immediate recognition after you have made positive changes. There has to be consistency
in your behavior and performance over time. Don't think that by reading a book, and changing some of your
behaviors, that tomorrow will bring you recognition, or a promotion. Often people get discouraged or
disillusioned by expecting everyone to instantly see the positive changes they have made. Allow time to
work to your advantage.

The three key qualities that I have been referring to are:

1. Having a Positive Attitude
2. Being Able to Adapt to Change
3. And, Loving What You Do

Adversity An Advantage
Author: Catherine Pulsifer

To repeat the wisdom of William Hazlitt,

"Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity a greater."

We can always learn more from challenging times than from good times. When things are going
great we sometimes become a bit more relaxed. But when things are not going so great we try
and learn what is causing the challenges.

We have this experience all the time in our business, and with the websites. When they are doing
well, we do not learn as much. But, let me tell you, when they drop in rankings or have issues, we
are researching and reading to try and correct the problem.

Adversity is the catalyst that forces us to stretch. It propels us to find solutions to problems we
never would have considered if not for adversity. Again, using the websites as an example, when
faced with adversity, we look at them in an entirely new light. We try things that previously we
would not have even attempted. This is true of any profession or situation. In trying to resolve our
issue, we stretch ourselves.

Adversity can provide the fuel that sparks new strengths we didn't realize we had within us. We
can sometimes amaze ourselves if we don't get hung up in feeling sorry for our self. If we have
the right attitude and look at adversity as an opportunity to discover new things, we will find
strength that we did not realize that we even had.

How we cope with adversity is also a learning experience. There are times in all of our lives
where we have handled adversity well, and times where we have not.

Keeping a positive attitude when faced with adversity is one of the secrets of success. Rather
than give up or be discouraged, if we keep a positive outlook we will find solutions to our issues
will come much more easily.

Next time adversity strikes, remember, you can use it to your advantage by learning from it. Let
adversity be a teacher to you.

All Is Going Well?

Author: Catherine Pulsifer

The wisdom from George S. Patton contain thoughts to inspire

"I don't measure a man's success by how high he climbs but how
high he bounces when he hits bottom."

The true test in life does not occur when all is going well. The true test takes place when we are
faced with challenges. Some people have a positive attitude towards life only when all is well.
However, when the going gets tough, their attitude changes instantly, and they become very
negative or are consumed with self pity.

There are many examples of people who have hit bottom. Christopher Reeve is an example of
someone who had faced challenges. He was a person who was very successful and active,
however, he had a riding accident that left him paralyzed. He could have felt sorry for himself.
Instead, since the accident he has raised money for research on paralysis, directed a film, and
has written his autobiography Still Me.

I recently talked with someone who was having difficulties; part of the problem was they were
sitting around just feeling sorry for themselves. My advice to them was "do something productive"
rather than sit and think!

Your problems seem larger when all you do is sit around and think about them. When you are
active and doing something productive you will find that your mind is no longer focusing on your
issues and in fact you may find yourself feeling better.

Be conscious of your attitude. Work extra hard at keeping your attitude positive in all kinds of
weather, through all the challenges of life. I know this is very easy to say and at times, can be
difficult to put into practice. But you almost have to force your mind to stay focused on the positive
things in your life.

I will leave you with wisdom from Norman Vincent Peale,

"Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude towards it,
for that determines our success or our failure."

Rebuild Those Plans

by Catherine Pulsifer

Byron and I started our first business full of enthusiasm and energy. The business was a seminar
business with a focus on self-development. We loved the concept of helping others be more and
achieve more. The business fit our backgrounds and we truly loved it.

The opportunity to run our own business, a business that helps others achieve their goals was
what we once only dreamed of doing. Now that dream was a reality.

We invested heavily, both financially, our time, and energy. After a few months it become obvious
we could not compete with the large seminar companies and we had to close the business. At the
time if was very disappointing, especially since we both loved the business.
It was discouraging, but we learned a lot from that business. But from the failure of that business
we also saw opportunities. We moved forward with revised plans to achieve our goals. Today we
are well on our way to achieving our goals. We did not let the failure of one business defeat us!

We had a few family members question why we would risk our money and our time again when
we already started a business and failed at it. We explained to them that many people who are
successful first fail, but they don't let failure stop them. They move on with new knowledge and a
better understanding.

If you read the biographies of successful people you will find that this happens many times. Their
first business failed and sometimes their second business also failed, but they had a dream, they
never gave up.

So, what are these principles that take failure and keep going forward?

One of these principles is a firm belief that nothing ever attempted is nothing ever gained. The
interesting notion here is that one would rather fail trying than fail never trying. It simply means
that to live is to risk and nothing risked will ever come.

Another principle is that it takes courage to fail but is also takes courage before success. It is a
matter of attempting with passion and not with a view that one might fail.

Principle three says that one cannot always control the outcome of any venture but one can
always control how one deals with failure. Part of the success formula is the way one deals with
failure. If you let failure dominate your thinking, you have already lost but if you let failure teach
you valuable lessons then you have already won.

Each one of these principles is the etching on the wall that is always there to guide you, to pick
you up, and to propel you even further the next attempt. No one is ever assured of success but
everyone is assured of not acquiring success if there is no risk. Every life has an element of risk
but those who never step out of their comfort zone ever quite understand that they are also taking
a risk. There are no guarantees in life and it is assured that those who do not know how to handle
adversity, or risk or failure will be the first ones to suffer a devastating defeat.

Og Mandino's quote below truly summarizes our experiences:

"There is no better than adversity.

Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss,
contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to
improve your performance the next time."

Honesty A Core Value

Author: Catherine Pulsifer
One of the most basic core values is honesty. W. Clement Stone gave us an
example of honesty in the wisdom when he said, "Have the courage to say no.
Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These
are the magic keys to living your life with integrity."

An Example
I saw honesty in action when I was at a checkout counter in a Wal-Mart store.
The line ups were long and we all patiently waited. There was a teenage girl
ahead of me. She paid for her items and left. As the cashier was ringing in my
items the teenage girl who had been ahead of me in the line, came back and
gave the cashier $5.00 because the cashier had given the teenager too much
change. The cashier was shocked that the teenager returned it. She thanked the
teenager for her honesty. Once the teenager left, the cashier said to me, "That is
a rare occurrence."

The teenage demonstrated the meaning in the quote by Spencer Johnson,

"Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other
people."

Another Example
This time it involved an individual who left a firm that engaged in questionable
practices. He was selling advertising space, however, the magazine was not
being published on a regular basis. But he was expected to sell the advertising
as if the magazine was published weekly. Although, he needed the money to
support his family, he was unwilling to work for a firm that had questionable
practices so he resigned. .

Edward R. Murrow once said, "To be persuasive we must be believable; to be

believable we must be credible; credible we must be truthful." The individual
could not sell something he did not believe in because he knew the truth about
the publication of the magazine.

Choices We Make
In both of these examples, the people could have chosen a different action,
however there own values allowed them to make a choice that they could be
proud of! And in life, it is all about choices we make. And how the direction of our
lives comes down to the choices we choose. Honesty is not only doing the right
thing, it is living with yourself with the choices you make.
Read more at
http://www.wow4u.com/honestycv/index.html#MKvjs4TEIWqWCEj2.9
9

Inferior Without Consent

Author: Catherine Pulsifer

You are responsible for every feeling you have. If you feel inferior to someone else, it is because
of your own beliefs.

The wisdom said by Eleanor Roosevelt are words we feel that we all need to remember. "No one
can make you feel inferior without your consent."

How you react to other people's thoughts of you and what you are doing is your personal choice.
To use the wisdom of Les Brown, "Other people's opinion of you does not have to become your
reality."

It is your decision, and yours alone, to determine the importance you give to any situation and to
any person. You can read all kinds of stories where people stuck to their beliefs even when they
were told they would fail.

One of these stories is that of F.W. Woolworth. He was a store clerk who thought his boss should
have a 10 cent sale to reduce his stock. His boss rejected the idea. The clerk did not allow his
boss to make him feel inferior. Instead, he took his idea and put it into practice by opening his
own store - "F. W. Woolworth Store". He then went on to open a chain of successful stores.

Mark Twain received many rejection slips before his books were published. Today those same
books that were originally rejected are classic books.

A good example of Mark Twain's philosophy on life are found in the words of wisdom he once
said: "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but
the really great make you feel that you, too can become great."

A more recent example is that of Sam Walton, the founder of Wal-Mart. He is quoted as saying, "I
had to pick myself up and get on with it, do it all over again, only even better this time." If he had
given up at his first attempt we would never know the Wal-Mart of today.

Yanni also said it well, "I believed that anything was possible, or at least because I didn't put
together everyone else's 'facts' and believe that winning was impossible." Yanni who is now a
famous musician started out with nothing, changed his direction, faced his share of challenges
but he never gave up his belief in that he could make the music that was within him.

Other people's opinions are not going to determine your success. What will be the deciding factor
is your belief in you - your confidence, your determination and your perseverance. In summary,
believe in yourself and don't give up when someone else doesn't believe in your goals!

What Can You Do

Author: Catherine Pulsifer
"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your
country."
John F. Kennedy

The philosophy in John F. Kennedy's qoute can be used in all areas of your life.
In your personal life, rather than expecting people to do something for you, ask
yourself what can you do for them. You will find doing for others often comes
back to you. There is an old saying that summarizes this thought, "What you give
you get."

In your professional life, rather than expecting your employer to do something

for you, ask yourself what you can do for your employer. People who have this
type of attitude usually end up being promoted and recognized.

You will double your success in all areas of life by asking yourself what you can do
for others.

I truly believe that when you do something good, it comes back to you in many
positive ways!

Find wisdom in these words:

"He stands erect by bending over the fallen. He rises by lifting others." Robert G.
Ingersoll

"What goes around, comes around!" Author Unknown

"In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out
completes the circle and comes back to us." Flora Edwards

"The more I help others to succeed, the more I succeed." Ray Kroc

"We are prone to judge success by the index of our salaries or the size of our
automobile rather than by the quality of our service and relationship to
humanity." Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Look up and not down. Look forward and not back. Look out and not in, and
lend a hand." Edward Everett Hale

Read more at
http://www.wow4u.com/whatcanyoudo/index.html#EfbZ0BVCtcwWZD
7K.99
Enthusiasm a Key to Success
By Catherine Pulsifer

If you approach any task without enthusiasm, the task will be laborious. You will find yourself
watching the clock waiting for the day to be over.

But, with enthusiasm, any task becomes so much easier, you will find yourself wanting to finish
the task not finish the day.

Enthusiasm is contagious. When you work with enthusiastic people, you can't help but be
enthusiastic yourself. Enthusiasm spreads like wild fire. Think of people you have worked with.
Usually, those who show enthusiasm are fun to work with. And, those who have little enthusiasm
usually bring you down. This is true not just at work but also in your personal life.
There are a lot of attitudes among workers that can lead to a better workplace and these can be
as simple as respect for others, laughter, understanding, and compromise. But, enthusiasm is
one of the biggest factors when linked with all the others previously mentioned. As you might
understand, enthusiasm by itself can only do so much but when enthusiasm is also coupled with
respect for others, or the ability to compromise in the workplace, mountains can be moved.

Enthusiasm isn’t just about work either. Enthusiasm for everything you do will not only put you
ahead in dealing with whatever comes your way, but you are also showing yourself to be a model
of what constitutes a person of value, a person of merit, and a person to emulate.

The question for some people is how do I actually show enthusiasm, and how does this translate
to model a behavior for others to follow?

To show enthusiasm means that you openly do what others may be reluctant to do. You take on
any task with a positive attitude. For example, if you are faced with a problem, you do not start
talking about the problem as if it is something that stops you dead in your tracks. Instead, you talk
about the problem only as a beginning to find a solution. The problem is only seen as a starting
point to move forward and not as a place to stay stuck and complain, or feel defeated.

The next action in resolving the issue is to engage everyone involved that the problem affects.
This means that you ask for assistance in finding a solution where you sate clearly that no
possible solution is judged or ignored. In other words, your enthusiasm to resolve the issue is the
main focus of the conversation. Once you have everyone involved in finding a solution, the next
step is to get everyone’s input into agreeing what one solution is the best. It is this demonstration
of leading others forward that demonstrates your enthusiasm for the positive and not the
negative. Remember this: enthusiasm for a positive solution is the hallmark of a positive person,
whereas a person who only sees the problem is a sign of a pessimist.

I have a post-card on my desk taken from "Life's Little Instruction Book" that says: "Be the most
enthusiastic and positive person you know!" When I am having a difficult day, I read that card,
and it encourages me to change my outlook. To refocus my thinking to a more positive attitude.

Much has been written about enthusiasm, consider the wisdom of Samuel Smiles,
"Enthusiasm...the sustaining power of all great action."
If you have enthusiasm you will find challenges you may be facing will be easier because of your
attitude. You will find a solution.

And consider the wisdom of Ralph Waldo Emerson who said, "Nothing great was ever achieved
without enthusiasm."
Looking at successful people we can see these words are true. Look at great inventions or works
of art for example, the really great ones had an person who was excited and enthused about their
work.

And Vince Lombardi whose words may make you smile, but there is true wisdom in them, "If you
are not fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm."
Those who come to work full of energy and enthusiasm are usually the ones who are kept on.
And the reason for this is that they are the ones who will take the initiative, they willingly help out
when needed, and they contribute more than others.

How enthusiastic are you?

Credit and Action

Author: Catherine Pulsifer © 2011
Have you ever applied for credit only to be turned down? It is a frustrating
experience to say the least. I have a friend who was in this situation. She had a
steady 9-5 job and she felt like she was boxed in with no way to increase her
income. She had a family so she did not want to take a second job. She could see
no way to increase her earnings as she worked for the government and they were
on a job freeze and a wage freeze. She wanted to get ahead but felt there was no
way.

I offered to teach her how to do websites. She could work on them at home after
her son went to bed. It seemed like a great way for her to make some extra
money. I explained to her about how the websites are like any other business and
they require time to develop. You do not just set them up and start making
money. "Yes, yes," she said. She was so excited to get started.

I spent a few days with her showing her how to do it and we had a website built.
The secret to building a website is to add new content every week. For the first
few weeks, content was added. But then as the weeks went on and no money was
being made, no work was done.

She then told me it was not working for her. I tried to explain she needed to
continue each week and the business would start growing. But really she did not
want to put in the effort and work on her business every week. Many people are
in the same boat - they complain, they receive an opportunity, but they don't
want to work at it. They would prefer to sit and watch tv or sleep rather than put
in effort to build something that could assist in improving the situation they are
in. There is no such thing as free money or fast money just like there is no such
thing as free credit. You must work at it. I am always reminded of the wisdom
said by Thomas Edison, "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize
how close they were to success when they gave up." If only she had stuck with it
for a couple more months, she probably would have seen success.

Now she is back in the same position, not enough money, she can't get credit, and
she is complaining.

Many people complain yet they don't want to take action. If you develop a goal,
set an action plan and take action, you are closer to success than most. Talk is
easy, writing a plan is easy, but taking action day after day is not easy. Sometimes
it is easier to give up than to keep taking action. As W. Clement Stone once said,
"I think there is something, more important than believing: Action! The world is
full of dreamers, there aren't enough who will move ahead and begin to take
concrete steps to actualize their vision."

My hopes in sharing this story are to encourage you not to give up easily, take
action and persevere!
Read more at
http://www.wow4u.com/credit/index.html#fRXjysg3LsUQiVT1.99

Seven Gifts To Give To A Friend

Author: Catherine Pulsifer, ©2007
The month of March is a month that has many birthdays for my family and
friends. What gifts would I get? As I was reading some quotes, I found myself
wishing I could give these gifts that I cannot buy. The seven gifts I would love to
give to my family and friends:

Love For Many

The Gift of Love - May you find love in your family and your friends. And may you
share the love you have to give. When you share your love, it comes back to you
in many forms.

Love is a special gift that you can give over and over again and is completely
within your power.

"Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within the reach of every hand."
Mother Teresa

Laughter Is The Fruit Of Health

The Gift of Laughter - May laughter fill your home, relieve your stress, and
strengthen your friendships. Do not let a day go buy without laughing; it is good
for your health.

Laughter is infectious and the more you laugh, the more other people will join in
with you.

"Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects."

Arnold Glasow

Do Not Squander
The Gift of Living Each Day to The Fullest - Every day is a gift, and may you use
this gift by living life to the fullest. You will never have this day again. What will
you do with it?

It is a day that you can squander, or it is a day that will be marked as unique. You
have within you the ability to make each day worthy of note; a day that will form a
significant contribution in your best selling book of living.

"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today?

Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present."
Babatunde Olatunji
Read more at
http://www.wow4u.com/7gifts/index.html#PyAgKyj1PLPoIxz7.99

We Never Seem to Have Enough Time

Author: Catherine Pulsifer
Quite frankly, I don't think "time" is the problem.

The Real Problem

The real problem is the number of activities or tasks that we take on. A sign of
our time is that we forget how to say "no", and take on far too many things.

Our time is like jam, the more you try to spread it, the thinner it gets. We need to
be realistic about the amount of time we have available.

We need to maintain a proper balance in our life by allocating the time we have.
There are occasions where saying no is the best time management practice
there is. We need to determine what activities best utilize our time in order to
achieve the results we desire in all areas of our life!

Strategies
So, what strategies can you utilize to take advantage of the time you do have
since, in fact, we all have the same number of minutes in a day?

Here are a couple of suggestions to consider:

 If you want to learn a new skill, or develop a mind skill for example, acquire
CD disks and play them in your car on the way to and from work. This will use
your time effectively saving you from having to dedicate other valuable time.
 Put down that remote TV controller and spend the time normally taken
watching TV to a task, hobby, or project instead.
 If you are a manager or executive, look at opportunities to delegate some of
your work to others. This is especially a good strategy for those types of people
who try to do everything themselves but end up with little time if any to do more
important futuristic tasks or develop new business strategies
 Get up earlier in the day to work on a project that you want to work on - a
project just for you that you enjoy or want to do.
 If you spend time working on your lawn, cutting, pruning bushes etc., and you
find this takes away from time you would rather devote to other things more
exciting or rewarding, then consider hiring someone to do this for you.

Summary
Don't take time for granted. Take a long hard look about how you spend your
time. Think about spending your time in the same manner that you think about
spending your money. You don't throw money away, so don't throw your time
away!
Read more at
http://www.wow4u.com/wenever/index.html#corIolPg6FZefx0F.99

Friendship is Not a Product

Author: Catherine Pulsifer
To be a true friend means being there not when it is convenient to you but being
there for your friend. To be a friend means that you are willing to give yourself
not only through the good times, but also during the bad times.

There is a Turkish Proverb that descrbes friendship well: "A wise man remembers
his friends at all times; a fool, only when he has need of them."

Encourage More
To be a friend means encouraging the strengths in others and accepting their
weaknesses; in other words, accepting them for who they are. A friend
encourages us when we doubt ourselves. They can sometimes see what we can
not. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "A true friend is somebody who can make us do
what we can."

Many people you meet throughout your work or though social activities may at
first appear to be those that would be a good friend. You enjoy their company and
seem to have many things in common. However, the real test comes when you
really need them. Those that can respond to you without hesitation, or come to
you despite the fact that they are really busy with their own lives are the ones that
will stand out.

Not Just Someone You Know

Too many people feel that a friend is simply someone you go out with for fun and
enjoyment, a party, a tea, a movie, or a sports event. This is not a true friend
unless they have demonstrated the characteristics that have been described
before. Others, who call themselves friends without really showing it are more
like good acquaintances - do not confuse the two.

Recent events, that concern a friend, bring these points to the forefront. This is a
person who beat the odds with severe drug abuse and remained clean for over
fourteen years. But, after being married for nine years, he lost his wife who
suffered a major heart attack. He fell to pieces; he was unable to cope with the
loss and unfortunately, returned to drug use. What he justified had all the
hallmarks of those famous excuses that are everywhere when people are unable
to cope. Now, do you just abandon him and let him fall to the bitter levels of drub
use, or do you try and help him?

A Really Big Need

There was no question that I would not forsake or abandon him now; he had
made it before and there was no reason he couldn't do it again. I do not profess to
be a counselor, but I still constantly reinforce what he needs to do and do what I
can by way of encouragement to once again become clean. This is a sad situation
but a true friend helps even when times are tough and that is when a person in
need really requires all those attitudes and characteristics of a friend and not just
a person who is there in the good times.

Not Always Easy

Friends are people you can count on to lend a hand, help by simply sitting and
providing a empathetic or sympathetic ear, who demonstrate through both action
and words that they are around for the long haul.

Life will always provide challenges and it is of no concern, except to friends, that
these challenges may require a level of support. This support isn't about giving to
receive anything; it is about caring, kindness and concern that is based in the
genuineness of the person called a friend.

In the end, to be a friend means giving freely and not expecting anything in
return. What is your definition of a friend? Do you live up to your own definition
with your friends?
Read more at
http://www.wow4u.com/product/index.html#YPtKM1XrduHVJ1Kd.99

Positive Inspirational Note

Author: Catherine Pulsifer

The most positive inspirational note I ever received was from a good friend who has been a
mentor, a supporter, and an inspiration to me. This friend has had some very challenging issues
in their life, but they always look at the positive side of every situation. No matter what the issue
they are able to find the good in it. After years of working with many set backs, they continued to
persevere and they have achieved success.
The message that they sent me inspired and motivated me. What they did was write a poem to
me to encourage me not to give up, to continue.. What was neat about this note is that they took
positive motivational quotes and put it in a letter to me. Here is the positive inspirational note:

Persistence prevails when all else fails. Author Unknown

Never, never, never give up. Winston Churchill
How long should you try? Until. Jim Rohn
A jug fills drop by drop. Buddha

Set your goals high, and don't stop till you get there. Bo Jackson
Choosing a goal and sticking to it changes everything. Scott Reed
Goals determine what you're going to be. Julius Erving
Whoever wants to reach a distant goal must take small steps. Helmut Schmidt

There are always flowers for those who want to see them." Henri Matisse
Look at the sunny side of everything. Christian D. Larsen
Pessimism leads to weakness, optimism to power. William James
Positive things happen to positive people. Sarah Beeny

Don't be afraid to go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is. H. Jackson Browne
Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. John Wooden
Men are born to succeed, not fail. Henry David Thoreau
Life is not the wick or the candle - it is the burning. Author Unknown

There are many issues that we all face through life and these issues can cause any of us to feel
down or less than enthusiastic to keep moving. Sometimes, we get to the point where we struggle
just to keep our heads above water. In these situations, we could use a little assistance. This
assistance doesn’t have to be major either; sometimes it is just a matter of a good friend sitting
down and discussing what the issues are and then working with you to see what avenues there
are to resolve these issues.

Along the way, there are other things that you can do for yourself and part of this is to read and
use motivational and inspirational quotes as a mainstay in your daily life. The quotes you read
above, for example, are but a very few of the thousands of quotations that give each of us a little
boost. They provide for more than just reading when you actually start to take their message and
adopt it into your life sort of like what some companies do when they talk about best practices.
This means that each day you start off by reading just one inspirational quote and think about
what the message is. For example, let’s say the quote talks about ignoring petty issues and focus
on what is really important. This means that all those little annoyances you come across through
the day have no space within your own life for they do not contribute to what you need to be
doing or thinking. Instead, this means that you focus on important issues like getting your own job
done and done well, or, it means that your ability to help others through a problem is more
important than others being jealous of your abilities.

My hope in sharing this note with you is that it will inspire and motivate you to be all that you can
be; that even when you face challenges to persevere; to encourage you to set your goals and
stay focused on achieving them; and a reminder to realize that you are born to succeed. And,
most importantly as you work to achieve your goals enjoy life!

Change Yourself
Author: Catherine Pulsifer, ©1998

How many times have we attempt the impossible and tried to change other people - but
attempting this is a waste of time!
I can't tell you how many times I have tried to change other people and I have failed. There was
one person in particular with whom I am very close; this person was not happy with their life, they
were bored and lonely. For years I tried to change them, to help them lead a more productive life.

Guess what, it didn't work. I just ended up being frustrated, until I realized that I couldn't change
them until they changed themselves.

As much as we want to, we all need to understand you truly cannot change other people.

Think of a time when you tried to change a personal habit. As we have absolute control over how
we think, you would assume changing a habit is easy. As we all know, it is not.

Stop and consider how difficult it is for us to try and change other people when we have no
control over their thoughts.

To draw on the wisdom in an old saying, "You cannot change other people, you can only change
yourself." If you want others to change, then you must change.

Whether it is the behaviour of a child, a boss, a co-worker, a friend, or a spouse you are the one
who must change. You can change the way you express your feelings towards the behaviour.

Or, you can change your reaction to the behaviour. In some cases, you may have to change by
accepting the behaviour.

The point is this: You have control over you and that is the only person you can change. When
you realize this you will save yourself a lot of frustration.

Remember: you can change YOU and only YOU.

"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself."
Leo Tolstoy