There is only one person who is capable to set limits to your growth: It is YOU.

You are the only person who can revolutionize your life. You are the only person who can influence your happiness, your realization and your success. You are the only person who can help yourself. Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your parent change, when your partner changes, when your company changes. Your life changes when YOU change, when you go beyond your limiting beliefs, when you realize that your are they only one responsible for your life.

Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
"Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them - work, family, health, friends and spirit and you're keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four Balls - Family, Health, Friends and Spirit - are made of glass. If you drop one of these; they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for it.

If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone elses, wed grab ours back Common looking people are the best in the world: that is the reason the Lord makes so many of them. - Abraham Lincoln
We all have days when we are faced with chores, errands, or responsibilities that we don't want to do. At times like these, it's easy to get into a bad mood and stay in one as we tackle these tasks. However, given the fact that our bad mood will not change the fact that we have to

do these things, and will most likely make things worse, we could also try to shift our attitude. Many wise people have pointed out that it is not so much what we do as it is how we do it that makes the difference in our lives. It's important when we're facing something that's really hard for us, whether it's doing taxes, paying bills, or visiting a challenging relative, that we lovingly support ourselves through the process. The more supported we feel, the easier it is to open our minds to the idea that we could change our way of looking at the situation. In truth, most of the chores we don't like doing are intimately intertwined with our blessings. When we remember this, we feel gratitude, which makes it hard to stay in a dark mood. We can shift our attitude by considering how much we love our home as we clean it and how lucky we are to have a roof over our head. Any task can be transformed from a burden to a necessary aspect of caring for something we love. All we have to do is shift our perspective, and our attitude follows shortly behind.

Creativity comes from the welcoming the unexpected It's okay to sit on your pity pot every now and then. Just be sure to flush once-in-a while. I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it. ~ Thomas Jefferson Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

A man can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm. ~ Charles Schwab Never stand begging for what you have the power to earn. You'll notice that a turtle only makes progress when it sticks out its neck. Things may come to those who wait but only the things left by those who hustle. - Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1865, 16th President of the United States
Robert De Vincenzo, the great Argentine golfer, once won a tournament and, after receiving the check and smiling for the cameras, he went to the clubhouse and prepared to leave. Some time later, he walked alone to his car in the parking lot and was approached by a young woman. She congratulated him on his victory and then told him that her child was seriously ill and near death. She did not know how she could pay the doctor's bills and hospital expenses. De Vincenzo was touched by her story, and he took out a pen and endorsed his winning check for payment to the woman. "Make some good days for the baby," he said, as he pressed the check into her hand. The next week he was having lunch in a country club when a Professional Golf Association official came to his table. "Some of the boys in the parking lot last week told me you met a young woman there after you won that tournament." De Vincenzo nodded. "Well," said the official, "I have news for you. She's a phony. She has no sick baby. She's not even married. She fleeced you, my friend." "You mean there is no baby who is dying?" said De Vincenzo. "That's right," said the official.

"That's the best good news I've heard all week." De Vincenzo said. Good news or bad news? It depends on how you see things. You can be bitter after cheated. Or you can choose to move on with your life.

Adversity cause some men to break; others to break records.

I can teach you to write, but I cannot teach you to become a writer. When you wake up in the morning, and immediately can think of nothing but writing then you are a writer.

If you are not big enough to lose, you are not big enough to win. ~Walter Reuther The only limits are, as always, those of vision. ~James Broughton You can't make a place for yourself under the sun if you keep sitting in the shade of the family tree. Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, and increased constantly, or it vanishes. - Peter F. Drucker
There was a farmer in Africa who was happy and content. He was happy because he was content. He was content because he was happy. One day a wise man came to him and told him about the glory of diamonds and the power that goes along with them. The wise man said, "If you had a diamond the size of your thumb, you could have your own city. If you had a diamond the size of your fist, you could probably own your own country." And then he went away. That night the farmer couldn't sleep. He was unhappy and he was discontent. He was unhappy because he was discontent and discontent because he was unhappy. The next morning he made arrangements to sell off his farm, took care of his family and went in search of diamonds. He looked all over Africa and couldn't find any. He

looked all through Europe and couldn't find any. When he got to Spain, he was emotionally, physically and financially broke. He got so disheartened that he threw himself into the Barcelona River and committed suicide. Back home, the person who had bought his farm was watering the camels at a stream that ran through the farm. Across the stream, the rays of the morning sun hit a stone and made it sparkle like a rainbow. He thought it would look good on the mantle piece. He picked up the stone and put it in the living room. That afternoon the wise man came and saw the stone sparkling. He asked, "Is Hafiz back?" The new owner said, "No, why do you ask?" The wise man said, "Because that is a diamond. I recognize one when I see one." The man said, no, that's just a stone I picked up from the stream. Come, I'll show you. There are many more. They went and picked some samples and sent them for analysis. Sure enough, the stones were diamonds. They found that the farm was indeed covered with acres and acres of diamonds. What is the moral of this story? 1. When our attitude is right, we realize that we are all walking on acres and acres of diamonds. Opportunity is always under our feet. We don't have to go anywhere. All we need to do is recognize it. 2. The grass on the other side always looks greener. 3. While we are dyeing the grass on the other side, there are others who are dyeing the grass on our side. They would be happy to trade places with us. 4. When people don't know how to recognize opportunity, they complain of noise when it knocks. 5. The same opportunity never knocks twice. The next one may be better or worse, but it is never the same one.

Trust the instinct to the end, though you can render no reason. - Ralph Waldo Emerson In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present. - Francis Bacon

A liberal is a man or a woman or a child who looks forward to a better day, a more tranquil night, and a bright, infinite future. ~Leonard Bernstein "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 Someone once asked me why do you always insist on taking the hard road? And I replied why do you assume I see two roads? "To be successful you must accept all challenges that come your way. You can't just accept the ones you like." ~ Mike Gafka
The Catalina Island is twenty-one miles away from the coast of California, and many people have taken the challenge to swim across it. On July 4th 1952, Florence Chadwick stepped into the water off Catalina Island to swim across to the California coast. She started well and on course, but later fatigue set in, and the weather became cold. She persisted, but fifteen hours later, numb and cold, she asked to be taken out of the water. After she recovered, she was told that she had been pulled out only half a mile away from the coast. She commented that she could have made it, if the fog had not affected her vision and she would have just seen the land. She promised that this would be the only time that she would ever quit. She went back to her rigorous training. And two months later she swam that same channel. The same thing happened. The fatigue set in, and the fog obscured her view, but this time she swam with faith and vision of the land in her mind. She knew that somewhere behind the fog was land.

She succeeded and became the first woman to swim the Catalina Channel. She even broke the men's record by two hours.

Youth is a circumstance you can't do anything about. The trick is to grow up without getting old. - Frank Lloyd Wright, 1867-1959, American Architect Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe. - Voltaire, 1694-1778, French Writer and Philosopher Failure comes only when we forget our ideals and objectives and principles. - Jawaharlal Nehru, 1889-1964, Indian Nationalist and Statesman Trusting in God won't make the mountain smaller, but makes the climb easier, Do not ask God for lighter load, but ask him for a stronger back. Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties. - Erich Fromm, 1900-1980, German-American Psychologist God gives every bird it's food, but does not always drop it into the nest.

Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you. Oscar Wilde, 1854-1900, Irish Dramatist/Novelist/Poet Nothing is so exhausting as indecision, and nothing is so futile. -Bertrand Russell,1872-1970, British Philosopher/Mathematician The secret of joy in work is contained in one word - excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it. - Pearl S. Buck, 1892-1973, American Novelist Don't find fault, find a remedy. - Henry Ford, 1863-1947, American Industrialist and Founder of Ford Motor Company It is not the receiver that is blessed, but it is the giver. Be thankful that you are allowed to exercise your power of benevolence and mercy in the world, and thus become pure and perfect." - Swami.Vivekananda. Always and never are two words you should always remember never to use. - Wendell Johnson

Our attitude toward life determines life's attitude towards us. - Earl Nightingale, 1921-1989, American Motivational Author and Radio Broadcaster Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. - Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1865, 16th President of the United States March 17, 2009
One day I decided to quit... I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality. .. I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. "God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?" His answer surprised me... "Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?" "Yes", I replied. When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said. "In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. "I would not quit." He said. "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. .. But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle." He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots." "I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. " Don't compare yourself to others .." He said. " The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern ... Yet, they both make the forest beautiful." Your time will come, " God said to me. " You will rise high! " How high should I rise?" I asked.

How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return. "As high as it can? " I questioned. "Yes. " He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can. " I left the forest and bring back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you. He will never give up on you. Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness Bad days give you experiences; Both are essential to life. A happy and meaningful life requires our continuous input and creativity. It does not happen by chance. It happens because of our choices and actions. And each day we are given new opportunities to choose and act and, in doing so, we create our own unique journey." Keep going... Happiness keeps you Sweet, Trials keep you Strong, Sorrows keep you Human, Failures keep you humble , Success keeps You Glowing, but Only God keeps You Going! NOTE: I do not agree with all of the God or religious quotes. I merely like the morals and stories. END.

Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. ~ Joshua J. Marine There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul. - Ella Wheeler Wilcox, 1850-1919, American Author and Poet
The legendary Basketball player, Michael Jordon, was once making a television commercial. The advert simply comprised of Michael Jordon missing a simple shot. However, as Michael Jordon had mastered his art so effectively, it took over 20 attempts before Michael Jordon actually missed that shot. Michael's mastery was so profound that he still succeeded even when he knew that he had to fail. Success is a habit. It is just like smoking, drinking or gambling. The only problem is that it is more effective! More importantly, once this habit is established, it becomes easier to succeed than to fail. Eventually, it becomes so natural that it just happens. In order to fail takes more effort than to succeed.

Many people fear that success is hard to maintain. The truth is that it is a habit just like everything else.

Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present. - Albert Camus, 1913-1960, French Author and Philosopher Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity. - Louis Pasteur, 1822-1895, French Chemist You can never learn less; you can only learn more. - R. Buckminster Fuller, 1895-1983, American Architect and Engineer Laughter is the sensation of feeling good all over and showing it principally in one place. - Josh Billings, 1818-1885, American Humorist and Lecturer It is not who is right, but what is right, that is of importance. - Thomas Huxley, 1825-1895, English Biologist A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money. John Ruskin, 1819-1900, English Author/Poet/Artist All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without

effort, and effort means work. - Calvin Coolidge, 1872-1933, 30th President of the United States If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one. - Mother Teresa, 1910-1997, Albanian-born Humanitarian and Missionary With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts. - Eleanor Roosevelt, 1884-1962, American Humanitarian and Former First Lady of the United States
A teenager lived alone with his father, and the two of them had a very special relationship. The father believed in encouragement. This young man was the smallest of the class when he entered high school. His father continued to encourage him but also made it very clear that he did not have to play football if he didn't want to. But the young man loved football and decided to hang in there. He was determined to try his best at every practice, and perhaps he'd get to play when he became a senior. Even though the son was always on the bench, his father was always in the stands cheering. He never missed a game. All through high school he never missed neither a practice nor a game, but remained a bench warmer all four years. His faithful father was always in the stands, always with words of encouragement for him. When the young man went to college, he decided to try out for the football team as a "walk-on." Everyone was sure he could never make the cut, but he did. The coach admitted that he kept him on the roster because he always puts his heart and soul to every practice, and at the same time, provided the other members with the spirit and hustle they badly needed. The news that he had survived the cut thrilled him so much that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father. His father shared his excitement and was sent season tickets for all the college games. This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his four years at college, but he never got to play in the game. It was the end of his senior football season, and

as he trotted onto the practice field shortly before the big play off game, the coach met him with a telegram. The young man read the telegram and he became deathly silent. Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, "My father died this morning. Is it all right if I miss practice today?" The coach put his arm gently around his shoulder and said, "Take the rest of the week off, son. And don't even plan to come back to the game on Saturday." Saturday arrived, and the game was not going well. In the third quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent young man quietly slipped into the empty locker room and put on his football gear. As he ran onto the sidelines, the coach and his players were astounded to see their faithful team-mate back so soon. "Coach, please let me play. I've just got to play today," said the young man. The coach pretended not to hear him. There was no way he wanted his worst player in this close playoff game. But the young man persisted, and finally feeling sorry for the kid, the coach gave in. "All right," he said. "You can go in." Before long, the coach, the players and everyone in the stands could not believe their eyes. This little unknown, who had never played before, was doing everything right. The opposing team could not stop him. He ran, he passed, blocked and tackled like a star. His team began to triumph. The score was soon tied. In the closing seconds of the game, this kid intercepted a pass and ran all the way for the winning touchdown. The fans broke loose. His team-mates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering you've never heard! Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered and left the locker room, the coach noticed that the young man was sitting quietly in the corner all alone. The coach came to him and said, "Kid, I can't believe it. You were fantastic! Tell me what got into you? How did you do it?" He looked at the coach, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Well, you knew my dad died, but did you know that my dad was blind?" The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile, "Dad came to all my games, but today was the first time he could see me play, and I wanted to show him I could do it . .. . "

As you climb the ladder of success, check occasionally to make sure its leaning against the right wall. - Anonymous Sometimes we come to life's crossroads and view what we think is the end, But God has a much wider

vision and He knows it's only a bend - The road will go on and get smoother, and after we've stopped for a rest, The path that lies hidden beyond us is often the part that is best. So rest and relax and grow stronger Let go and let God share your load, And have faith in a brighter tomorrow You've just come to a bend in the road.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Other

my own quotes: A camera cannot capture the whole picture only your eyes and your mind can If it doesnt fit, twist until it does