inspiring quotes
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass-It's about learning to dance in the rain.
Men of genius are admired; men of wealth are envied; men of power are feared;
but only men of character are trusted.
There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right…. Martin Luther
Time, which changes people, does not alter the image we have of them. - Marcel Proust
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Life… There are two things to aim at in life; first to get what you want, and after that to enjoy it.
Only the wisest of mankind has achieved the second. - Logan Pearsall Smith
Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude. - Thomas Jefferson
The man who makes a success of an important venture never wails for the crowd. He strikes out for himself. It takes nerve, it takes a great lot of grit; but the man that succeeds has both.
Anyone can fail.
The public admires the man who has enough confidence in himself to take a chance. These chances are the main things after all.
The man who tries to succeed must expect to be criticized.
Nothing important was ever done but the greater number consulted previously doubted the possibility.
Success is the accomplishment of that which most people think can't be done. - C.V. White
Joy can be real only if people look on their life as a service, and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness.
Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.
My life is my message. - Mahatma Ghandi
Minds are like parachutes; they only function when they're opened.
Spreading gossip is impossible if we refuse to listen—or to believe it.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Now, I say to you today my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: - 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.' – Martin Luther King, Jr.
“The function of education is to teach one to thing intensively and to think critically… Intelligence plus character –that is the goal of true education.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it. - Martin Luther King, Jr.
We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies. Martin Luther King, Jr. I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeat is stronger than evil triumphant. – Martin Luther King Jr. "Success is about whom you are, not what you have. Successful people work to discover their talents, to develop those talents, and then to use those talents to benefit others as well as themselves." - Tom Morris Some of Life’s Most Power-full Learnings If you are kind, people my accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives—Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies—Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people my cheat you—Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight—Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous—Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow—Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough—Give the world the best you’ve got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it never was between you and them anyway. Worry is like a good rocking chair— it will give you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere. Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow; it only saps today of it strength! CHANGE Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. Barack Obama "Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal." -- John F. Kennedy A man asked his friend if he could keep a secret. “What is your secret?” his friend asked. “I need to borrow some money,” he replied. “Don’t worry, my friend,” his friend replied. “It’s as if I never heard it.” A GREAT RECIPE When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today. I am thankful for______________. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate antidepressant. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You'll be smiling before you know it. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________. BE BLESSED!!! Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances. Benjamin Franklin "Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." “As you go along the road of life, you will, if you aim high enough, also meet resistance…but no matter how tough the opposition seem, have courage still…and persevere.” "A small trouble is like a pebble. Hold it too close to your eye and it fills the whole world and puts everything out of focus. Hold it at a proper distance and it can be examined and properly classified. Throw it at your feet and it can be seen in its true setting, just one more tiny bump on the pathway of life." - Celia Luce How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these. - George Washington Carver § You clearly understand that failure is an event, not a person, that yesterday ended last night, and today is your brand new day. § You have made friends with your past, are focused on the present, and optimistic about your future. § You know that success doesn't make you and failure doesn't break you. § You are filled with faith, hope and love; and live without anger, greed, guilt, envy or thoughts of revenge. § You are mature enough to delay gratification and shift your focus from your rights to your responsibilities. § You know that failure to stand for what is morally right is the prelude to being the victim of what is criminally wrong. § You have made friends of your adversaries, and have gained the love and respect of those who know you best. § You understand that others can give you pleasure, but genuine happiness comes when you do things for others. § You are pleasant to the grouch, courteous to the rude and generous to the needy. § You love the unlovable, give hope to the hopeless, friendship to the friendless and encouragement to the discouraged. § You can look back in forgiveness, forward in hope, down in compassion and up with gratitude. To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. Ralph Waldo Emerson Kindness is like snow; it makes everything it covers beautiful. If you think you haven’t much to be thankful for, why not be thankful for some of the things you don’t have. A very successful businessman had a meeting with his new son-in-law. "I love my daughter, and now I welcome you into the family," said the man."To show you how much we care for you, I'm making you a 50-50 partner in my business. All you have to do is go to the factory every day and learn the operations." The son-in-law interrupted. "I hate factories. I can't stand the noise." "I see," replied the father-in-law. "Well then you'll work in the office and take charge of some of the operations." "I hate office work," said the son-on-law. "I can't stand being stuck behind a desk all day." "Wait a minute," said the father-in-law. "I just make you half-owner of a moneymaking organization, but you don't like factories and won't work in a office. What am I going to do with you?" "Easy," said the young man. "Buy me out." What a different world this would be if people would only magnify their blessings the way they do their troubles. Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass… It's about learning to dance in the rain. I’m learning…how about you? "There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do." Some people have eyes that see not and ears that hear not, but there are few people who have tongues that talk not. A kindness done today is the surest way to a brighter tomorrow. If you can somehow think and dream of success in small steps, every time you make a step, every time you accomplish a small goal, it gives you confience to go on from there. - John H. Johnson Just remember the world is not a playground but a schoolroom. LIFE is not a holiday but an education. One eternal lesson for us all; to teach us how better we should LOVE. – Barbara Jordan Stop fretting about the future—there’ll probably be as much of it as you can stand when you get there. It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it. It is better to keep a friend from falling than to help him up after he falls. Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go further than a great idea that inspires not one. A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble. Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.” It is not good for all our wishes to be filled; through sickness we recognize the value of health; through evil, the value of good; through hunger, the value of food; through exertion, the value of rest. - Greek Proverb HOPE… Hope is the anchor of the soul, the stimulus to action, and the incentive to achievement. Life… We make a living by we get, but we make a life by what we give. Kindness… A kindness done today is the surest way to a brighter tomorrow. WORRY… Blessed is the man that is too busy to worry in the daytime and too sleepy to worry at night. PRIDE… The best kind of pride is that which compels a man to do his best work— when no one Is looking. To be happy do not add to your possessions but substract from your desires. The Stages Of Motherhood Here is a light hearted presentation of what we all think about our moms, at different points of our lives. Don't get surprised because we all have the same tendency towards our mothers! 4 Years Of Age - My Mommy can do anything; 8 Years Of Age - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot 12 Years Of Age -My Mother doesn't really know quite everything. 14 Years Of Age -Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either 16 Years Of Age -Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned 18 Years Of Age -That old woman? She's way out of date 25 Years Of Age -Well, she might know a little bit about it 35 Years Of Age -Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion 45 Years Of Age -Wonder what Mom would have thought about it 65 Years Of Age -Wish, I could talk it over with Mom HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to ALL LAFAYETTE MOTHERS!!! A lot of indigestion is caused by people having to eat their own words. What makes eating your own words so difficult is swallowing your pride at the same time. INHALE…EXHALE…INHALE…EXHALE Inhale faith, exhale worry Inhale love, exhale anger Inhale peace, exhale confusion Inhale strength, exhale fear Inhale victory, exhale defeat Inhale acceptance, exhale judgment Inhale confidence, exhale doubt Inhale the future, exhale the past INHALE…EXHALE…INHALE…EXHALE HAVE A BLESSED NEW DAY!!!! You must begin to think of yourself as becoming the person you want to be. -David Viscott It is not good for all our wishes to be filled; through sickness we recognize the value of health; through evil, the value of good; through hunger, the value of food; through exertion, the value of rest. Life's battles don't always go To the stronger or faster man; But sooner or later the man who wins Is the person who thinks he can! To believe in the things you can see and touch is no belief at all. But to believe in the unseen is both a triumph and a blessing. - Bob Proctor Promise Yourself By Christian D. Larson To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble. To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words but great deeds. To live in faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you. Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome. Booker T. Washington Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I may not forget you. William Arthur To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man. William Shakespeare If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in the dark with a mosquito. Motherhood isn't about leaving children fine things or a big cash inheritance. There are some things mothers leave their children money can't buy. A mother may not have many material things but she can leave behind her virtues. You can't put a price tag on patience, love, wisdom, and understanding. TALKING CLOCK A young man moved away from his parents to become a student. Proudly showing off his new apartment to a couple of his friends late one night, he led the way to his bedroom where there was a big brass gong. "What's that big brass gong?" one of the guests asked. "It's not a gong. It's a talking clock," the man replied. "A talking clock? Seriously? Asked his astonished friend. "Yup," replied the student. "How's it work?" the 2nd guest asked, squinting at it. "Watch," the student replied. He picked up a hammer, gave it an ear-shattering pound and stepped back. The three stood looking at one another for a moment. Suddenly, someone on the other side of the wall screamed: "You idiot, it's ten past three in the morning!" A smile costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along without it and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it. Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give. -- Author Unknown Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn't know you had... and dealing with fears you didn't know existed. A mother is like an ever-burning candle, a warm bright ray, whose light is always there to help along the way. M - O - T - H - E - R "M" is for the million things she gave me, "O" means only that she's growing old, "T" is for the tears she shed to save me, "H" is for her heart of purest gold; "E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining, "R" means right, and right she'll always be, Put them all together, they spell "MOTHER," A word that means the world to me. Howard Johnson (c. 1915) A wise schoolteacher sends this note to all parents on the first day of school: "If you promise not to believe everything your child says happens at school, I'll promise not to believe everything he says happens at home." A teacher affects eternity he can never tell - where his influence stops. If you think your teacher is tough, wait until you get a boss. Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important. Bill Gates If a doctor, lawyer, or dentist had 40 people in his office at one time, all of whom had different needs, and some of whom didn't want to be there and were causing trouble, and the doctor, lawyer, or dentist, without assistance, had to treat them all with professional excellence for nine months, then he might have some conception of the classroom teacher's job. ~Donald D. Quinn Knowledge – like the shy – is never private property… Teaching is the art of sharing. – Abraham Keschel It takes a special person, with patience and wisdom to share, to unlock the treasure awaiting within children everywhere. – Joan Zatorski Two roads diverged in a wood, and I... I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. Robert Frost “Don’t be discouraged. It’s often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock.” The Mountain Story A son and his father were walking on the mountains. Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams: “AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!” To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: “AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!” Curious, he yells: “Who are you?” He receives the answer: “Who are you?” Angered at the response, he screams: “Coward!” He receives the answer: “Coward!” He looks to his father and asks: “What’s going on?” The father smiles and says: “My son, pay attention.” And then he screams to the mountain: “I admire you!” The voice answers; “I admire you!” Again the father screams: “You are a champion!” The voice answers: “You are a champion!” The boy is surprised, but does not understand. Then the father explains: “People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE. It gives you back everything you say and do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions. If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence. This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life; Life will give you back everything you have given to it.” YOUR LIFE IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. IT’S A REFLECTION OF YOU! Giving Your Best by Author Unknown It's the hand we clasp with an honest grasp That gives a hearty thrill; It's the good we pour into others' lives That comes back our own to fill. It's the dregs we drain from another's cup That makes our own seem sweet; And the hours we give to another's need That makes our life complete. It's the burdens we help another bear That makes our own seem light. It's the anger seen for another's feet That shows us the path to right. It's the good we do each passing day, With a heart sincere and true; In giving the world your very best It's best will return to you. Don't Be Afraid Don't be afraid to lift your wings And soar through life each day Find joy and love and happiness As you go along your way. Life is steeped with ups and downs And troubles not so fun Chin up high and shoulders back We meet them one by one. Wreckers or Builders I watched them tearing a building down, With a ho-heave-ho and lusty yell, A gang of men in a busy town. They swung a beam and a sidewall fell. I asked the foreman, "Are these men skilled, As the men you'd hire if you had to build?" He gave me a laugh and said, "No indeed! Just common labor is all I need. I can easily wreck in a day or two What builders have taken a year to do." And I tho't to myself as I went my way, Which of these two roles have I tried to play? Am I a builder who works with care, Measuring life by the rule and square? Am I shaping my deeds by a well-made plan, Patiently doing the best I can? Or am I a wrecker who walks the town, Content with the labor of tearing down? -- Unknown Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I give myself reasons why I can. Remind yourself that a worthwhile pay-off lies ahead in an improved you. The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph! Wee Bit O' Irish You're the flash and sparkle in dark Irish eyes. You're the whimsey and charm of leprechaun guise. You're the treasured gold at the rainbow's end. You're the beauty and mystery of emerald glens. You're the top o' the mornin' - my cup of tea. You're springtime adornin'...blessings on thee. May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day. May songbirds serenade you every step along the way. May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue. And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through.” Grant me a sense of humor, Lord, the saving grace to see a joke, To win some happiness from life, And pass it on to other folks. May joy and peace surround you, Contentment latch your door, And happiness be with you now And bless you evermore. May good luck be your friend In whatever you do And may trouble be always A stranger to you. A best friend is like a four leaf clover: hard to find and lucky to have. ~Author Unknown Lucky stars above you, Sunshine on your way, Many friends to love you, Joy in work and play- Laughter to outweigh each care, In your heart a song- And gladness waiting everywhere All your whole life long! May the lilt of Irish laughter Lighten every load, may the mist of Irish magic Shorten every road, May you taste the Sweetest pleasures that fortune ere bestowed, And may all your friends remember all the Favors you are owed. May you have all the happiness And luck that life can hold- And at the end of your rainbows May you find a pot of gold. May your blessings outnumber The shamrocks that grow, And may trouble avoid you Wherever you go. ~Irish Blessing WHO SAID THAT? (Answers at end of page) What ground-breaking athletic of the 60’s and 70’s spoke these words: True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever the cost, but the urge to serve other at whatever the cost. 1. Muhammad Ali 2. Arthur Ashe 3. Jackie Robinson What politician and women’s rights advocate spoke these words? Service to others is the rent you pay for you room here on earth. 1. Shirley Chisholm 2. Ida B. Wells 3. Condoleeza Rice What prominent educator and leader in 1800 spoke these words? One cannot hold another down in the ditch without staying down in the ditch with him. 1. W.E.B. Dubois 2. Booker T. Washington 3. Frederick Douglas ANSWERS: 1. 2 2. 1 3. 2 At Grandma's Two young boys were spending the night at their grandparents. At bedtime, the two boys knelt beside their beds to say their prayers when the youngest one began praying at the top of his lungs. “I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE... “I PRAY FOR A NEW NINTENDO... “I PRAY FOR A NEW VCR..." His older brother leaned over and nudged the younger brother and said, "Why are you shouting your prayers? God isn't deaf." To which the little brother replied, "No, but Gramma is!" A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out. The Genie says, 'I'll give each of you just one wish.' 'Me first! Me first!' says the admin clerk. 'I want to be in the Bahamas , driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.' Puff! She's gone. -'Me next! Me next!' says the sales rep.. 'I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my wife, the love of my life.' Puff! He's gone. 'OK, you're up,' the Genie says to the manager. The manager says, 'I want those two back in the office after lunch.' Moral of the story: Always let your boss have the first say. Don't Be Afraid Don't be afraid to lift your wings And soar through life each day Find joy and love and happiness As you go along your way. Life is steeped with ups and downs And troubles not so fun Chin up high and shoulders back We meet them one by one. Sometimes a smile can happen in a flash, but the memory of it can last a lifetime. He who does a kind deed should be silent; he who has received one should shout it from the housetop! Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gem in a useful life. – Ralph Waldo Emerson Laughter is the shock absorber that eases the blows of life. Don’t over look life’s small joys while searching for the big ones. Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal. Let us not be content to wait and see what will happen, but give us the determination to make the right things happen. – Peter Marshall A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life. "What we hope ever to do with ease, we must learn first to do with diligence." Samuel Johnson To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better; whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of success – Ralph Waldo Just when my life needed a touch of color, you added a whole rainbow. That’s what friends can do! Life lessons you can learn from your children: Play more. Be curious. Get all wrapped up in what you’re doing. Even the littlest things can bring you pleasure. You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses. Love is a that condition in which the happiness of Another person Is essential to your own. – R.A. Heinlein Life is a scrapbook of young and old in which our precious memories are told. When time moves on and our memory fail this book ‘twill be sweetest tale. – Linda LaTourelle Be curious always! For knowledge will not acquire you; you must acquire it. – Sudie Back How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these. ~George Washington Carver "There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love." --- Washington Irving Beginning today, treat everyone you meet with all the care, kindness and understanding you can muster, and do it with no thoughts of any reward. Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you – not because they are nice, but because you are. ~Author Unknown Life is divided into three terms - that which was, which is, and which will be. Let us learn from the past to profit by the present, and from the present to live better in the future. William Wordsworth If you would live your life with ease; do what you ought, not what you please. -Anonymous Your family and your love must be cultivated like a garden. Time, effort, and imagination must be summoned constantly to keep any relationship flourishing and growing. - Kim Rohn Hope is like a bird that senses the dawn and carefully starts to sing while it is still dark. - Anonymous I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.- George Washington To reach a port we must sail, sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it. But we must not drift or lie at anchor. – Oliver Wendell Holmes A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her. – David Brinkley Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. -Joshua J. Marine People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, Revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw away anyone. -Audrey Hepburn Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate. The basic thing is that everyone wants happiness, no one wants suffering. And happiness mainly comes from our own attitude, rather than from external factors. If your mental attitude is correct, even if you remain in a hostile atmosphere, you feel happy. I have learned silence from the talkative; tolerance from the intolerant and kindness from the unkind. I should not be ungrateful to those teachers. Kahlil Gibran 1883 In the final analysis it is not what you do for your children but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings. Ann Landers “People look at you and me to see what they are supposed to be. And, if we don’t disappoint them, maybe, just maybe, they won’t disappoint us.” Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great ones make you feel that you too, can become great. - Mark Twain Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people. -Anonymous When the world says, "Give up," Hope whispers, "Try it one more time." - Author Unknown What we think, or what we know, or what we believe, is in the end, of little consequence. The only thing of consequence is what we do.... John Ruskin (1819-1900) When you become wrinkled with care and worry, it’s time to have your faith lifted. We cannot change our past. We can not change the fact that people act in a certain way. We can not change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. The remarkable thing is, we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. "Never talk defeat. Use words like hope, belief, faith, victory." Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude make sense of our Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. --Marcel Proust Don't give up before the miracle. And in the meantime: live well, laugh often, and love with all of your heart!" It is easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities. My life is my message. - Mahatma Ghandi "In our daily lives, we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but the gratefulness that makes us happy." 'Age' is the acceptance of a term of years. But maturity is the glory of years. -- Martha Graham The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions, and not on our circumstances. We carry the seeds of the one or the other about us in our minds wherever we go. –Martha Washington At twenty we worry about what others think of us; at forty we don't care about what others think of us; at almost sixty we discover they haven't been thinking about us at all. -- Author Unknown The older you get, the more you tell it like it used to be. - Author Unknown "Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving." W.T. Purkiser To believe in the things you can see and touch is no belief at all. But to believe in the unseen is both a triumph and a blessing. -Bob Proctor "When asked if my cup is half-full or half-empty my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup." -Sam Lefkowitz Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds. -Theodore Roosevelt "Age may wrinkle the face, but lack of enthusiasm wrinkles the soul." Danish Proverb To resist the indifference of old age one must combine the body, the mind and the heart—and to keep them I parallel vigor one must exercise, study and love. 5 If wrinkles must be written upon our brows, let them not be written upon the heart. The spirit should not grow old. 4 -James A. Garfield The secret of a happy life isn't buried in a treasure chest... it lies within your heart. It's the little moments that make life big. If wrinkles must be written upon our brows, let them not be written upon the heart. The spirit should not grow old. 4 -James A. Garfield "Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day, saying “I will try again tomorrow”." ~ Mary Anne Radmacher Let us take care of the children, for they have a long way to go. Let us take care of the elders, for they have come a long way. Let us take care of those in between, for they are doing the work. -Old African proverb Things turns out best for those who make the best of the way things turns out. Another fresh new year is here . . . Another year to live! To banish worry, doubt, and fear, To love and laugh and give! This bright new year is given me To live each day with zest . . . To daily grow and try to be My highest and my best! I have the opportunity Once more to right some wrongs, To pray for peace, to plant a tree, And sing more joyful songs!” Take time to laugh- it is music to the soul. "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." "One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon – instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today." "One ceases to recognize the significance of mountain peaks if they are not viewed occasionally from the deepest valleys." --- Dr. Al Lorin "If you're feeling low, don't despair. The sun has a sinking spell every night, but it comes back up every morning. The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain." People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care. A man never likes you so well as when he leaves your company liking himself. - Anonymous The “Bee” Formula For Success Be aware of who you are. Eliminate the negatives in your life. Expect the best from yourself and others themselves as well. Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. – Gandhiji Though you may be under a dark tree, always look for the light shinning through the branches. I’ve learned that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being. Life is a grindstone. Whether it grinds us down or polishes us up depends on us. -Thomas L. Holdcroft The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at time of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King, Jr. The battles that count aren't the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself-the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us-that's where it's at." - Jesse Owens I've learned that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it. “I had to learn very early not to limit myself due to others’ limited imaginations. I have learned these days never to limit anyone else due to my limited imagination.” Dr. Mae C Jemison Website There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”- Nelson Mandela, Nobel Peace Prize Winner Greatness occurs when your children love you, when your critics respect you and when you have peace of mind. -- Quincy Jones If you're trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I've had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. – Michael Jordan Sometimes you’ve got to let everything go—purge yourself…If you are unhappy with anything …whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you’ll find that when you’re free, your true creativity, your true self comes out. – Tina Turner (1939-) “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judge by the color of their shin, but by the content of their character. – Martin Luther King, Jr. Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each. Four things you can't recover: The stone........after the throw. The word.........after it's said.. The occasion........after it's missed. The time.........after it's gone. A man who dares to waste one hour of life has not discovered the value of life. Charles Darwin Life is like a roller coaster; you get jerked one way and another, and you never know what’s around the corner, but you just got to enjoy the ride! “Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.” May we never let the things we can’t have, or don’t have, or shouldn’t have, spoil our enjoyment of the things we do have and can have. As we value our happiness, let us not forget it, for one of the greatest lessons in life is learning to be happy without the things we cannot or should not have. -Richard L. Evans May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been, the foresight to now where you are going, and the insight to know when you have gone too fare. (Irish Blessing) May Flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day. May songbirds serenade you every step along the way. May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that’s always blue. And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through. Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm…. May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live. Decisions are made by those who show up I see trees of green........ red roses too I see ’em bloom..... for me and for you And I think to myself.... what a wonderful world. I see skies of blue..... clouds of white Bright blessed days....dark sacred nights And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world. The colors of a rainbow.....so pretty ..in the sky Are also on the faces.....of people ..going by I see friends shaking hands.....sayin’.. how do you do They’re really sayin’......I love you.” - Louis Armstrong It is easy to be pleasant when life flows by like a song, but the man worth while is the one who will smile when everything goes dead wrong. For the test of the heart is trouble, and it always comes with years, and the smile that is worth the praises of earth is the smile that shines through the tears.” I wish you lots of luck no matter what the day. I wish you lots of sunshine and not a bit of gray...I wish you lots of laughter and never one wee sigh, and I hope no gift of fortune may every pass you by. You've got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was. ~Irish Proverb May you always have work for your hands to do. May your pockets hold a coin or two. May the sun shine bright on your windowpane. May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain. May the hand of a friend always be near your. And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you. It is a delight to discover people who are worthy of respect and admiration and love, but it is vital to believe yourself deserving of these things. For you cannot live in someone else. You cannot find yourself in someone else. To the question of your life, your are the only answer. To the problems of your life, you are the only solution. (-Jo Coudert) Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love! -Sitting Bull If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. He who neglects to drink the spring of experience is likely to die of thirst in the desert of ignorance. When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life or the life of another.- Helen Keller An optimist sees an opportunity in every calamity; a pessimist sees a calamity in every opportunity. - Winston Churchill The supreme happiness of life is the conviction of being loved for yourself. - Victor Hugo Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. – Confucius Desire for approval and recognition is a healthy motive, but the desire to be acknowledged as better, stronger or more intelligent than a fellow being or fellow scholar easily leads to an excessive egoistic psychological adjustment. -Albert Einstein You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their success, and encourage them in their prusuits. When we all help one another, everybody wins. "When you look at life through the eyes of gratitude, the world becomes a wonderful place. The more you find to be grateful about, the more you find to be grateful about. Gratitude is a wonderful antidote to depression. It lifts you out of your small self and gives you an expanded view." To give and not expect anything in return; to give for no special time or season; to give, not for any particular recognition; to give, not for a substantial tax refund; to give for the sake of giving — often just between giver and receiver — has a life of its own — an elevated one. —Glaceta Honeyghan Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds. Life is precious gift, love is a wonderful gift, and laughter is glorious gift. So, live life to the fullest, love with all your heart, and laugh as much as you breathe. The secret of many a man's success in the world resides in his insight into the moods of men and his tact in dealing with them. J. G. Holland “Excellence is not by accident – it’s a process. Work on your dreams with focus, and do not get deterred by failures,” A.P.J. Abdul Kalam BE ENCOURAGED One of the most beautiful gifts in the world is the gift of encouragement. When someone encourages you, that person helps you over a threshold you might otherwise never have crossed on your own. Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. ~Chief Seattle, 1855 Making your mark in the world is hard. If it were easy, everyone would do it. But it’s not. It takes patience, it takes commitment, and it comes with plenty of failure along the way. The real test is not whether you avoid this failure, because you won’t. It’s whether you let it harden or shame you into inaction, or whether you learn from it; whether you choose to persevere. – Barack Obama He that gives good advice, builds with one hand; he that gives good counsel and example, builds with both; but he hat gives good admonition and bad example, builds with one hand and pulls down with the other. – Francis Bacon People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them. The irony is the only place they ever need to search was within. –Ramona L. Anderson If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain. - Maya Angelou "The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson." The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome. The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse. Helen Keller “When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another. Through humor you can soften the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it. – Bill Cosby Plato said, "The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future life." Try not to become a man of success, but rather to become a man of value. He is considered successful in our day who get more out of life than he puts in but a man of value will give more than he receives. "It is only by introducing the young to great literature, drama and music, and to the excitement of great science that we open to them the possibilities that lie within the human spirit -- enable them to see visions and dream dreams." – Eric Anderson Life is like a rainbow. You need the sun and the rain to make its colors appear. “When it come to the future, there are three kinds of people: those who let it happen, those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened.” One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon-instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today. – Dale Carnegie Peace comes from living in the moment and looking for the good in others. Peacefulness comes from facing our fears and letting them go - trusting that things will turn out all right. Peacefulness is also a way of approaching conflict with others so no one is made wrong. Everyone wins because we then work to find a peaceful solution. When tomorrow comes, This day will be gone forever, Leaving in its place Something that I have treaded for it, I want it to be gain…and not loss; Good…not evil; Success…not failure In order that I shall not regret; The price that I have paid for it. Everything is by comparison…both bitter and sweet, and it takes a bit of both of them to make our lives complete. - Helen Steiner Rice Relaxing is like playing an instrument. To become proficient, we must PRACTICE, PRATICE, PRACTICE!!!! The secret of health for both mind and body is not to morn the past, not to worry about the future, not to anticipate troubles, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly. Focusing on the act of breathing clears the mind of all daily distractions and clears our energy enabling us to better connect with the Spirit within. ~Author Unknown A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you've been taking. ~Earl Wilson You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. Mother Teresa It has been said that dignity is the ability to hold back the tongue that which never should have been on the mind in the first place. Thoughts… Test the value of your thoughts by deciding whether you’d want them said out loud. We increase our ability, stability, and responsibility when we increase our sense of accountability. I've come to believe that all my past failure and frustration were actually laying the foundation for the understandings that have created the new level of living I now enjoy. -Anthony (Tony) Robbins Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better. King Whitney Jr. PEACE… The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are. - Marcus Aurelius